Paperless Post

Heellllooooo long time no "see" my friends!  After taking a little break I've decided to get back on the blogging band wagon.  

My first post back is going to be about Paperless Post (https://www.paperlesspost.com/).  It is a company that designs customizable online stationery.  They have SO MANY OPTIONS I didn't know where to start.  You'll see they have options for birthdays, weddings, parties, professional, general greetings and flyers.

So I thought why not use this for our football family BBQ that we are hosting next month.  They have a specific section just for BBQ's and picnics so that's where I started.

However I'm going with a football theme (DUH!) for the BBQ so I decided to check out the sports section.  Here is just a small section of where I started.  No lie, the hardest part was picking the one I liked best!!

After searching and searching I finally settled on my two options to start modifying.  Now I can't decide and am still going to customize a few more of the football options to see which one I like best.  Here are the first two I customized. 

Seriously it is SO EASY!!  Go give it a try for your next party.  Now I'm off to customize some more and finalize my decision.  

Once I finalize I'll import all of the email addresses for the guests coming to the party.  Like I said super easy!

I'm leaning towards the second invite, what do you think?

P.S. Stay tuned.  My mom and I are working on a little (or BIG) project that we'll be sharing hopefully sooner than later.  I plan to use Paperless Post when we decide to share this announcement.  See you soon.....

{DIY} Bar cart makeover!!

Heelllooooo!!!  I feel like it has been forever.....maybe because it has :-)  We were on a Christmas Home Tour last month and it inspired me to get back at it.  

I thought I'd start with my quick bar cart makeover.  You've all seen my craiglist find that I use as a bar in our sun room but I wanted something for our dining room.  I almost pulled the trigger and spent 60 bucks at Home Goods to buy a new cart just for the tour.  However, in my usual frugal fashion, I just couldn't do it.

Sooooo, I told my mom about my urge to buy a bar cart and she HOOKED ME UP!!!  She has this old bar cart and told me I could do with it whatever I wanted......

SIGN.ME.UP.

Here is the before:

I was going to roll it a glossy white but remembered I had silver metallic spray paint in the garage and knew it would be a MUCH faster process!!

Here I was mid-way through:

I really think I had maybe 20 minutes in the whole project it really was THAT easy.

Once I was finished I styled it to go along with my Winter Wonderland theme in the dining room.  I've gotta say I think it was the perfect addition!!!  And the price was absolutely perfect ;)

Project update!!

Whew, t-minus 22 days until graduation party time!!  I've gotta admit that I think we're in pretty good shape.  Ryan and I both have the week off before the party to finish any last minute projects and work on the last minute details. 
Let's take a look-see at what I've gotten done thus far!  I recovered the pillows on the veranda with fabric from Joann Fabric. 

I knew that I loved it but who knew that JOANN FABRIC would love it too????  #winning

I made a quick pit stop at Michael's today and picked up these adorable pillows to finish off the pillow sitch on the veranda.  I mean COME ON they were only 10 bucks!!!  However I am one short but that's another story ;)

How 'bout landscaping?  Well we are about done with that and here is a little sneak peak.  I'm not going to share all the pics until I'm done....oh and I replace the dead arborvitae that our dog keeps rubbing against and eating.  #notwinning

Great room is really, REALLY coming along and I can't wait to share it all when it is done.  However here is a little sneak peak at my new fabric and new chairs (that replaced the floral ones I showed you before).

And finally I found THE cutest wreath for NINE BUCKS at Joann Fabric yesterday and I think it was the perfect finishing touch to the font porch.  P.S. I'm painting that door black tonight.

Wowza, that's all I've got for now :-)  Fingers crossed I get it all done.....

SO MANY PROJECTS, SO LITTLE TIME!!!

Wow, I had to put that title in all caps because the voices keep screaming that in my head.  With our baby girl graduating in a few weeks that means GRADUATION PARTY!!  Luckily we planned her party for June 30th so we've got some time.  Not much....but time! 

We've been in our house for 4 years now and there have been several lingering projects that have been hanging in the lurches.  So let's take a little gander at what I need to get done in the next 44 days!!

Finish landscaping

Paint all exterior doors and the interior of those exterior doors (started this project last night)

Front porch steps (yeah, yeah I know it's been FOUR years)

Finish the foyer (that'll be a surprise project)

Pillows for the veranda (and maybe these super cute flamingoes and pillows I found at Michaels)

Finish the barn driveway

Paint the dresser for the great room.....oh and FINISH the great room (new pillows, new rug, gallery wall....)

Ok so it's not the longest list in the world but it'll take time and money.  However, as my husband pointed out, the party is in the barn NOT the house ;)  MEN!!!

Let's take a look at where I'm at thus far.

Landscaping: 

I need to do 5 more pots like these!!

Here is the finished interior of ONE door....only two more to go ;)

Before

Mid first coat (I was starting to get nervous :P )

Finished product.  Love, love, LOVE!!!

Here is a super dark old pic of the foyer but you get the idea!  Project to come.....

You can click here to see the plan for the pillows on the veranda.  However I stopped at Michael's yesterday and think I *might* need to get these to finish off the veranda.

Anndddd finally I have to finish this beauty!!!

I can't tell if writing it out makes me feel better or worse ;)  Whew here's to lots of busy nights and weekends!  However as my mama said, nothing like deadline motivation.  No truer words have been spoken!!

Quick and Easy Homemade Salsa

Ok so "homemade" might be a stretch so how 'bout we call it not pre-made?  I loovveeee cilantro and fresh salsa.  However it can be a little pricey.  I make my own salsa at least three times per week and have found myself putting it on EVERYTHING.  I mean egg white omelets, fish tacos (minus the taco) and salads.  This is so quick and SO EASY.

Here are your ingredients:

1 Can Rotel (I use regular but you could us mild)
Cilantro
Onions
Garlic (fresh or powder)
Kosher Salt

That. Is. It.  So easy you're going to love it.

I use my handy dandy little chopper that I LOVE from Pampered Chef.  In no time you have fresh salsa that has ZERO point.

Now here is the SUPER hard part.  Dump it all in and chop it up.  I don't measure anything.  I just load it up, taste it and add what I think it might be missing.  #rocketsurgery