Beach Trip Recap

Wow! We really had a great time at the beach.

It was so nice to spend time with my brother and his family,

as well as my parents.

I could have just named this post "Fishing Report".

Because there was a lot of this...

But there was also a lot of this...

I am so grateful to have these family traditions and memories.

I can't wait until next time.

- Bethany

Target Finds

I love Target.

Like, a lot.

If I could shop at only one store for the rest of my life...it would probably be Target.

Here's what I've found at my Utopia recently.

1. Goody Quik Style Microfiber Brush

It's a brush. It's a towel. It's a browel.

I can dry my hair in almost half the time using this. 

Its kinda weird, but I love it.

2. Bangle bracelets

I loved the mint green accent. 

They look cute with my clothes from Opry Mills.

3. Dress from The Webster for Target.

Cute beach dress for the trip to Orange Beach next week. 

We leave in the morning (yay!).

4. Tank also from The Webster for Target

Swingy tank just in time for summer.

All images via Target.com

 -Bethany

Real Life Pinterest Board

I made a boring bulletin board beautiful.

Its going to be my inspiration/idea board for my sewing space. 

It's basically going to be a "real life" pinterest board. :)

I had seen versions of this all over blogland. I particularly liked Emily's and followed her instructions.

I took a regular ole bulletin board 

(Which, by the way, was harder to find for cheap than thought it would be. I finally settled on one from Target for $12.99)

and taped off the edges with masking tape. 

Then, I sprayed on a coat of this...

Then, I pulled off the tape and put my fabric down. 

I used a ruler like a squeegee to get the bubbles out and smooth out the fabric.

The fabric was very easy to reposition using this spray adhesive.

Then I busted out the plain jane nickel thumbtacks for my faux nailhead trim.

I used a ruler and just eyeballed trying to get the row of tacks straight and even spaced. 

Of course, its not perfect. If you wanted it perfect you might want to pay $15 to $20 and buy a nailhead kit.

But I was going the budget route.

Jason helped me use a staple gun to staple the fabric down on the back side of the board. 

Done! 

Easy peasy real life pinterest board that is going to double as art in my sewing space all for about $30.

-Bethany

House Tour

The post you've all been waiting for...

Tour of the new house and what we've done so far...

-Bethany

New Orleans: My weekend in pictures

-Bethany

DIY Jewelry Organizer

I've always hated when my jewelry was a tangled mess.

Fortunately, for me it has been pretty organized since my highly creative sister in law, Leigh, made this organizer for me for Christmas using corkboard, a picture frame, and pretty fabric.

It has pins for hanging dangle earrings and a ribbon to put studs in. Genius!

 I've totally loved being able to see all the earrings I have. That way I actually wear them.

The only problem I've had with it hanging in my closet has not been with it at all. It's been with me.

I'm clumsy and constantly  bumping it and spilling the earrings all over the floor. 

When I was in Marshall's the other day, I spotted this and knew I could steal borrow Leigh's idea to make it more Bethany proof.

 It's a shadowbox with a cork board background and glass door with magnets that keep it closed.

Then I went to JoAnn's and found this pretty discontinued fabric sample on clearance. 

 At 17"x17" it was the perfect size to cover the back of the shadow box.

Here it is all done and hung on the wall by my handy husband!

I added grosgrain ribbon around the edges because I didn't cut the fabric perfectly straight and couldn't get the cork back out to wrap the fabric around the edges. 

Now, I can still see all my earrings in one place while I'm picking out my outfit but they're more secure and won't fall on the floor if I accidentally bump into it. The magnets keep the door tightly closed too. Yay! :)

The house tour I promised is coming, but won't be until next week because Jason and I are headed to New Orleans for a long weekend. There is a family wedding on Saturday and we're spending an extra couple nights in the Quarter to celebrate our 2 year anniversary a week early. :)

I hope y'all have a great weekend!

-Bethany 

Sewing Project: More Pillows

Hello Everyone. Happy Friday!

We've been in the house a week now and its definitely beginning to feel like home.

I'm still going to the sewing classes and I'm really enjoying it.

I wanted to show y'all the two pillows I've just completed.

Drumroll please....

oooooo

ahhhhhh

 I made them with the master bedding in mind (pictured above) but am glad I went with something neutral enough that can be used almost anywhere. 

I'm currently working on a round table skirt for a 28" decorator table that I plan to use as my bedside table.

I've got tons of sewing projects rolling around in my head too:

Skirt for my sewing table

Cushion for the front porch bench

Envelope pillows for living room (with the beautiful fabric my mom bought me. Hi mom! Thanks mom!)

Also, next week I plan to do a mini house tour on what we've done throughout so far before we head off to New Orleans.

Check back for updates and have a great weekend!

-Bethany