weekend catch-up

Last week was supposed to be a not-so-busy week, but guess what?.......it was pretty busy! I wonder if there is even anything not busy about my life anymore. It's just a fact of life....

-Along with my usual daily routine stuff, I cooked the last goose dinner of the season for everyone on Monday, spent Wednesday getting our taxes done...ugh! Peter and I did have a fun day together though, doing a little shopping and having lunch at Olive Garden......mmm!

I found lots of great stuff at Marshall's......I've been working on styling the bookcases.I'll post pictures soon. Found this mercury glass piece at Big Lots for $5.00!

for a pop of color- love turquoise glass!

I also bought an end table from Marshall's that I liked. It isn't near as awesome as the first one I saw there, but it fits in with the style I'm going for.

I really miss my mantel for decorating! I took all the Easter stuff off the bookcases so I could display my new stuff. I did keep a few decorations out....

Here's a picture of my Easter mantel last year.....

-On Thursday, I helped decorate for a wedding shower. It looked so pretty!
I got them a Pioneer Woman cookbook off of their registry/wrapped it in a dish towel {Pinterest inspired of course!}

beautiful cookie favors

- speaking of weddings......I have my dress....the dress!!!! I found it at David's Bridal, and after much difficulty finding the right size {sizing was wayyyyyy off!} I love it!! I bought my bag and jewelry, but still need shoes.....

Also, I got the prettiest bridal shower invite.....

Lindsey's S-I-L, Angela is hosting the shower on May 3rd. She is very crafty! I can hardly wait to see what she's doing for the shower.

-Update on my 52 Week Money Challenge! I tried doing this challenge last year and failed to stick with it. I really wanted to do a weekly savings plan of some sort, just to have a little extra money set aside for some unexpected buy, or a jumpstart on our next vacation. I posted here about my plan for saving. I am over halfway through the challenge and have $355.00 saved!! :0)

- More grey paint....I painted the little black stand I bought at Ross last month....I like it so much better!!

Christmas Mantel 2013

5 on friday: randomness

5 on Friday: this & that

{one} An early Christmas gift for me!!!!!

read about my deal on these here

{two} Nathan {loves} this stuff.....

Nathan gave Logan a set of "moose mugs" a few years ago, I'm surprising him with his own set this year! :O)

{three} How did I just discover iron-on hem tape????? The curtains I bought from World Market only came in 96 inches, so they needed hemming. No time to take them to the seamstress, so I tried this stuff....$1.00 and a few minutes later...a perfect hem! :O) It really does work! Oh, the little things! :O)

{four} When did this happen? A built-in measuring cup right on the instant oatmeal packet? Now that's handy!

Again, the little things! :O)

{five} FINALLY....the decorating is done! Well, except for a wreath to go over the mantel......I'm thinking a pine cone wreath? Something with burlap? Gotta get the glue gun out one more time!!

The Simple Woman's Day Book: November

November 2013

Outside my window..... It's feelin' very fall-y! Looks like some blustery weather headed our way according to this mornings forecast. Brrrrrr!!!

I am thinking.... that I really need to start making plans for Christmas and also need to start ordering for the re-do {living room/our bedroom}. The carpenter plans to start the Monday after Christmas!

I am thankful....for  my wonderful family!!


In the kitchen....I've been doing a little more freezer cooking this week!! I'll be doing a separate post on this. For today, we are having steaks on the grill.

I am wearing....jeans, a green Aeropostale tee, & my grey slippers.

I am creating....lots of plans for the little re-do project. Peter and I had a chance to look around Lowes and we finally agreed decided on a few things. Wide, flat moulding and board & batten! :O) The board & batten will go all the way to the ceiling in the living room {with the strips farther apart than in this picture}, but will be 3/4 of the way up in the bedroom, and an entire wall of b&b behind the bed. We are still working on ideas for the built-ins for the tv, bookcases., which I'll post about soon.



I am looking forward to....Thanksgiving!!!!


Around the house....getting rid of the blue walls in the den! I'm going DARK! I chose a {greige}color this time. The picture doesn't look like it but, it turned out great....post to follow!


A favorite quote of the day....


One of my favorite things....I love lanterns so I just had to buy this one! Only $1.99 @ Kohl's. I'm thinking about painting it bright red to add to my Christmas mantel.


Upcoming plans....Sunday: church & football...Monday & Tuesday: cleaning, organizing, deciding on and ordering curtains, etc., mani appt., then away for Thanksgiving on Wednesday p.m. until Friday a.m.....

Easter Mantel 2013

be my valentine......

I {{heart}} Valentine's day! It's one of my favorite holidays- for several reasons....I love the decorations, the candy, the Red Velvet Cake, the cards, the flowers, a special dinner together, pretty much everything about this special day! I especially love the excuse {not that I really need an excuse} to show those closest to me just how much I love them! 


my February chalkboard

my mantel


I kept the clear cylander I had on my January mantel, but added some red felt hearts to the branches. I used a piece of baker's twine and an X & O tag to spruce up a simple white candle.

jars filled with Valentine candy....

gray & white printable in a silver frame

<3BE MINE<3 banner that I made last year {a Pinterest printable}
Although I'm trying to keep my mantels simple, I feel like this one needs a little something.....hmmmm, I may have to tweak it just a bit....

I saved this gift from Christmas....Red Velvet is the perfect scent for this month!

Winter Mantel