If You’re New Here, WELCOME!

Just wanted to send out a warm welcome to anyone visiting today from Money Saving Mom!  Seeing my photo and submission on her site was my blogging equivalent of seeing my name in lights!  HOW FUN!

My blog is currently undergoing a total makeover, so I sure hope you’ll stick around to see the finished product in a few weeks!  Until then, I’ll still be posting and you’re also welcome to check out my right sidebar for any topics that might interest you.  I’ve got everything from clean eating to thrift-store decorating to Goodwill finds to my daughter’s recent heart surgery down there! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by! :)

Summer Decorating Around Our House {2013}

Hey everybody!  Did you have a nice 4th of July?  I hope so!  We went to a parade in the morning and a picnic in the late afternoon.  I made deviled eggs and chocolate Coca-Cola cake – doesn’t get more American than that, right?!  It really was a lovely day.  Although it was hotter than…I don’t know what.  But it was ridiculous.  Every time I think I would love to live in the South I remind myself of how much I HATE humidity!   It does not do good things for or to me.  lol

Anyway, I thought I’d show you all my simple summer decorating this year!  When I was typing this post, the first thought that came to mind for a title was “My Summer House.”  HA! As if.  Maybe someday…but probably not. ;)

I have a “rule” for myself that any shells or ocean items in my house have to be actual things that I’ve collected from a real beach.  No fake shells for me.  I mean really, I live like 12 minutes from the beach so I have no excuse.  The only exception is starfish – I have a few of those around the house and I have honestly never once found one in all my beach trips over my lifetime.  So I bought a bag last year at Christmas Tree Shop.  ;) But that’s the only fake stuff you’ll see!  The rest is all legit. :)

{Oh and P.S. Yes the blog is still under construction!  Bear with me for a while! }

 

On top of the bookshelf…lantern and picture and cork jar all thrifted! 

 

The little sailboat painting came in a different frame and I just popped it into a white-washed one for a more summery feel. 

 

And I love the simplicity of white shells in a cork jar! 

 

 

Driftwood and another corked jar (again, thrifted).  I love the look and texture of driftwood!  So fun and each piece is so different. 

       

 

 

Over on the entry-way hutch…I’ve been using these pieces for years and love mixing them up a little with each new summer.  

 

 

Driftwood is from my favorite place on earth…Mount Desert Island, Maine. 

    

 

This was the first year I’ve made a little rag garland and I love it!  Seriously so easy to do from fabric scraps…I remember the Nester making these years ago and that’s where I got the idea. 

 

    

 

Pinterest-inspired and used from last year – simple paper star garland in the hallway (sorry, it’s really dark!)

 

 

More Pinterest-inspired crafts!  Luke and I had fun doing these together.  Although I’m totally the mom who says,  “Let’s do a craft, buddy!  It will be awesome!” and then realizes she doesn’t have half the materials actually needed to do it.  Hence why our crab is not walking anywhere near water (aka no blue paper) and has one lame little cloud above his head.  haha!

    

 

He also made these watercolor fish during his last week of preschool.  I have them hanging in the dining room.  I love them!

 

Our bathroom…again, it’s really dark in here (no windows if you remember!).  This “vingnette” (wow that sounds snooty) is actually my favorite in the whole house…but it’s so dark.  With flash and without flash.  Driftwood is real, starfish is the fake.  ;)

    

 

Above la toilet…my brother gave me this giant shell years ago.  I think this will actually stay all year now. 

 

I added starfish to the tray table I showed a few weeks ago. 

 

Here’s what it actually looks like on a normal day…medications, coupons, amber teething necklace, paci, etc.  And etc.  And etc.  lol

 

 

Last but not least, I HAD to share my most recent Pyrex acquisition: 

Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL?!  I AM IN LOVE.  99 cents at the Salvation Army.  Lindsay and I went thrifting when she came to visit last weekend and I spotted her on a bottom shelf.  Love the summery vintage vibe! 

 

Well, there’s my house for the summer! Only 1 month and 26 days til I can decorate for fall!  hahahaha ;)

 

Summery house past links: 2010 & 2012.

Reminder to Switch! {With a Link}

Hey everybody!  Are you as in shock as I am that tomorrow is July 1st?!  I promise to be back soon with more interesting content (promise!), but I wanted to hop on tonight to give you the Bloglovin link for This Blessed Life (click here).  As you know, Google Reader is disappearing tomorrow and you'll have to switch all of your blogs over to a different reader!  Some people are using Feedly but I've decided to use Bloglovin like the majority of people I'm reading.  Seems to be pretty user-friendly so far!  Anyway, I do hope you'll continue to follow along with all of my crazy yard-sale, family, and cooking adventures!  I'd be so honored if you did.  :)

Be back later this week with my summer decorations! :)

{Bloglovin verify code}

Finally...We're Under Construction!

Okay...it's finally happening!  This Blessed Life is getting her much-needed bloggy makeover! Things might look a little strange over here for a little bit as we test things out, but this ball is finally rollin'!  Whoooo hoo!!  Can't wait to show you guys the new look when she's finished!  My sister is a graphic designer and she's working on it for me.  And yes, I had to wait in line....apparently, business is business, people, even if you're family!  lol  

Can't wait!  My sister is awesomely talented and I know it's going to look incredible.  

Have an awesome weekend!  

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Jill's etsy shop: Creative Type Designs 

{Bloglovin verify link}

What I’m Loving Wednesday {June Edition}

I’m loving THESE SHORTS.  Is it a little dramatic to say that these shorts are the best thing that have ever happened to me?  Maybe?  Yes?  Haha Well seriously you guys, I discovered these shorts at Old Navy a few days ago and I seriously just want to give the person who designed them a huge hug.  Even before I had two babies, my stomach was always a trouble spot – and now 4 months post-partum I am still waiting for it to shrink all the way back down.  We’re getting there!

 

 

These shorts are FABULOUS because they have a drawstring waist BUT they feel fun.  I am 5’2” (almost 5’3”) and they come just past my fingertips.  They are light and breezy and they totally pass my “feel comfortable wearing them around any person I know” test.  I am not kidding when I say that they are a full THREE sizes smaller than the other Old Navy shorts I was trying on (and I could probably stand to go to a fourth size down, but I’ll wait to lose a bit more weight first).  They are the best thing ever for anyone whose waist is bigger than their lower half.  GREAT  job Old Navy – thank you!! { I just wrote two paragraphs about shorts.  Oh my gosh!  lol}

 

I’m loving that the previous owners of our house left a strawberry patch for us to inherit!  Last year it produced enough for me to put up several batches of strawberry freezer jam and I’m hoping the same for this year!  Strawberry season is just barely starting up here in Connecticut and this is what I was able to pick on Sunday night.  Soon I will hardly be able to keep up with it, but that’s okay – I can’t wait for homemade strawberry jam!  Mmmmm I could eat it straight from the jar with a spoon.  And by that I mean I can and I DO.  ;)

 

 

I’m loving that today marks 5 weeks since Livi’s surgery and she is doing great!  Her next follow-up visit to monitor the fluid around her heart (common after surgery) is on June 23rd but all signs are pointing to a healthy recovery!  That also means only ONE week left of our 6-week children/sicknesses/large crowds quarantine!! Yaaaay!  She is happy and thriving and putting on weight like crazy now that her hole has been patched (the pedi told me that now that she doesn’t have a hole in her heart, her body has more calories to put toward growing rather than making her heart work harder.  And BOY is that ever true!  Sister is growing like a weed!) She’s chunkin’ up and we LOVE it over here. :)

 

 

I’m loving my great deals I was able to find at a local consignment shop on Saturday!  I found Liv everything in the picture below for just under $23 – and that includes tax.  That’s 12 outfits, 4 onesies, and 2 church dresses for $23!!!  They were having a killer 75% off sale so I nabbed most of these outfits for crazy low prices – some were $1, some were $1.18, some were $1.38 – only one thing was over $2! Plus some items still had store tags on! She is almost four and half months old and just now fitting consistently into 3 months clothes.  I am having SO much fun dressing a girl!  I LOVE dresses and oh my gosh, rompers?!  Don’t even get me started. ;)

 

 

I’m loving that I FINALLY figured out the secret to using Dr. Bronner’s hand soap at home without it being liquidy and runny! The key is a foaming hand soap pump!  I picked up mine at CVS but they really sell them anywhere now.  Fill it 1/3 with soap and 2/3 with water – perfect!  Comes out creamy and smooth and perfect!  I’m loving the almond scent – yummmm!  Reminds me of my Italian great-grandmother (I mean like literally, from-the-boat-Italian) whose house always smelled like almond cookies when I would visit.  {Definitely wish the dispenser was cuter, though – I think I might take off the sticker and wrap it in twine?}

 

I’m loving this energy bites recipe!  I made up two meals on Sunday night for two dear friends that are new mommas (time to start paying it forward!  We have been SO blessed with kindnesses the last few months!) and I included a few of these in the meal delivery for my friends.  Motherhood involves a lot more on-the-go eating than I ever realized so sometimes it’s nice to have something healthy and filling to pop in your mouth!  Thanks to my sister for the tip! Deeeelish. :)

{Recipe and photo via Gimme Some Oven}

 

Lastly, I’m loving that tomorrow I’ll be on a plane headed to sunny Florida!  One of my best friends in the whole world, Erin, is getting married on Saturday and I am totally honored to be a bridesmaid for her.  Erin and I were college friends (same major), then college roommates.  She was in my wedding and actually the person that is responsible for introducing me to Chris way back in 2003.  I just LOVE this girl and that she is finally getting her happily-ever-after!  And of course I love her a little bit more for having lived in Florida the last 6 years and therefore getting married there and therefore meaning I get to travel to Florida to be a part of her wedding.  lol

 

{Erin (on the left) has lost over 30 pounds since this picture AND I am no longer pregnant.  lol  But it’s the most recent picture I had of us – from last summer.}

I seriously cannot wait to see her and a bunch of our other college friends and celebrate!  Of course I wish Chris could come along (that was the original plan) but with Olivia’s situation being so delicate there was just no way.  So I am off by myself for 3 days and could not be more excited!  Of course, I will definitely be the whitest girl at this wedding – I am missing “beach day” on Thursday since my plan doesn’t land til 5:30!  Bummer!  But that’s okay. :) Looking forward to a fabulous 3 days in the land of sunshine. :)

{Essie “Ole’ Caliente” - doesn’t this just scream “Florida” to you? :)}

 

 

Alright well that’s it for me!  Everybody enjoy the rest of your week! :)

Linking up with Jamie today!

Two Summery Projects

Hey all!  In the last few weeks I have actually found pockets of time to do not one but TWO crafty things that were on my crafty to-do list.  I KNOW. How this happened I have no clue but I’ve learned to take those pockets of time and just run with them because with two little people around, you just never know then it’s gonna happen again! 

First up was the front door wreath.  This was the wreath, remember, that I decked out for fall, left brown and dead over Christmas, then decorated for Valentine’s day…for four months.  LOVELY.  That’s what being very pregnant and then having a newborn will do for you! ha!

 

 

I realllly wanted to deck her out for the patriotic holidays over the next few summer months.  I have been loving the combo of sky blue and coral lately, so when my amazing husband sent me off for Mother’s Day with money in my pocket and the day off without kiddos, I headed to Hobby Lobby (of course!) and picked up some felt.  4 for a dollar – gotta love it! 

I love making these rosettes.  They are SO easy with felt! 

Seriously just trace circles of different sizes….cut in a spiral…then twist the spiral in on itself and secure with hot glue.  Trim any sharp corners.  I like to double up the flowers (nestle a small inside a big) for some depth. 

   

Voila! 

I’m really, really happy with how it turned out!  It makes me smile every time I look at my door.  Maybe someday we will replace that door with a lovely Craftsman-style one, but we’re not in the position of life right now to replace things simply because don’t like them.  They have to break or die first.  (So…anyone want to come split my door down the middle with an ax?  Kidding!  Sorta.)

Anyway, on to craft project number 2!

I found this simple little tray ages ago for 99 cents at Goodwill.  I’d been saving it to use for Olivia’s room, but I decided I wanted it for the kitchen island instead (is your island a drop-zone for everything, too?!) 

   

 

I followed the tutorial on Shanty 2 Chic about distressing with Vaseline and I love the results! 

Cheap brown acrylic paint…brush on the sides and edges…let dry, then rub with Vaseline…rub it in WELL (very important, I learned the hard way!)…then spray paint with desired color.  Distress with sanding block once dry. 

 

 

I’ve had this spray-paint for a while and I have to admit it came out a lot brighter than I was expecting.  It kinda screams “HI I AM A SUMMER COLOR!” but I do think it works for the summer months.  It’s definitely bright and happy.  :) (And NO I did not actually drink all that wine!  It’s mostly filler from Target coupled with wine corks my brother saved me from the catering company he works for.  lol) And the flowers are from a lovely friend last week when I was sick.  Thank you Amy!!

 

 

 

And to show you how bad I am at keeping non-human objects alive, here is my mother’s day pansy (MY FAVORITE FLOWER, TOO) from Luke.  It was on the counter but is now replaced by the living other flowers. 

 

It had a good run, it really did.  We enjoyed it for a while.  And then it got leggy and….I also forgot to water it.  Whooopsie!  lol

At least this one from preschool is still kickin’! 

 

{Have you seen this from Pinterest?  Story.of.my.life.}

 

Hopefully this weekend I’ll pull down all my summer decor from the attic – I’ll be sure and update when I’ve dressed my little house for the summer months! 

See ya!

 

Linking up with:

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Weekend Wrap-Up @ Tatertots and Jello

Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters’ Stuff

Meeting Other Bloggers IRL–Have You Done It?

{Thank you to all those who were a part of praying for my daughter’s heart surgery!  She is alive and thriving right now – I’m not ready to process it all on the blog, especially since I’ve been documenting it all on her Facebook page, but maybe I will someday soon.  So for today, just a fun post.}

Meeting other bloggers in real life is something I’d probably never tell my mom I’ve done, because I’m pretty sure she’d be a nervous wreck, bless her heart!  haha! I have to admit, it DOES sound pretty shady to meet people you’ve only ever chatted with on the internet, but two of my “blogging friends” have turned into actual, real-life friends that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know their kids and homes. 

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The first was Abby, back in 2011.  Abby and her husband used to be a military family and they ended up getting stationed only about an hour from my house.  I can’t remember how I found Abby’s blog, but I think it was through a project linky.  We had used the same wall color on our living rooms, I think, and then of course I totally acted like a stalker read through like every one of her past posts and decided that she was someone whose blog I wanted to follow.  {Tell me you do a little screening process like that too?!  I take my blog reading very seriously!  haha}

 

{Hanging out one last time, a few weeks before she moved back to Oklahoma. I look like I haven’t slept in 37 days but at least you can see a picture of us. ha!}

When I first met Abby in person, my first thought was, “she looks so cute!”  I have a freaky almost-photographic memory for certain things, so I can still remember what she was wearing!  (So that I can creep out the whole internet, it was a cute denim chambray-style shirt and riding boots.  Abby you still want to be friends?!  lol)  She was SO soft-spoken, which made me nervous at first because I am pretty much the definition of an extrovert and when I meet quiet people I start to launch into verbal-diarrhea mode.  Quiet people scare me.  There, I said it.  lol 

But she is a total sweetheart AND she is Southern (didn’t realize until I met her that Oklahoma is a Southern state?).  She says y’all and if you’ve been reading here at all you know that I’m a little obsessed with the South and if they ever figure out how I can simultaneously live in Georgia and New England, I’m all over that. 

She has two super cute little boys and we share a mutual love of thrift-store and yard-sale shopping.  She and her family recently decided that they are going to adopt a little GIRL from Ethiopia!  It has been so, so fun to follow their journey to bring home their precious girl.  I try not to be jealous that she gets to adopt before me.  ;)

Abby blogs over at Eat, Run, Teach if you want to read all about her life like I do!  :)

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The second blog friend I’ve met is Sarah.  Kelly from Kelly’s Korner once did a moms link-up of some kind and she had you list where you were from.  I participated, and so did Sarah, and we found out that I was living right near her hometown!  (This was in PA).  She ended up moving back to PA from Indianapolis only a few months after I moved from PA back to my home state of CT.  I will forever be sad that we never got a chance to live in the same state at the same time! 

 

{First time to meet – Fall 2012}

I got to meet Sarah this past fall on one of my trips back home to visit Chris’s family.  My first thought when I met her was, “Oh my gosh, she is so tiny!”  (I mean, I was also pregnant at the time, so that didn’t help!  lol).  To meet Sarah you would never ever know that she has had two kiddos! She is in great shape and super petite to boot.  She also has an adorable sense of style.  She knows how to put clothes together really well.  I joke that if I didn’t like Sarah so much, I’d have to hate her – she’s seriously a little Martha Stewart!  She is good at EVERYTHING.  She runs her own baking/catering company called Pink Balloon, she has a super cute house, she knows how to sew and applique and sent me THE CUTEST gifts for Olivia when she was born, she is an awesome photographer…the list goes on. 

Sarah is someone I can talk to for hours upon hours.  Actually, the first time we met, we met at a frozen yogurt shop.  We still had so much to talk about after the first two hours or so that we moved on to Starbucks to continue talking.  After another hour or two at Starbucks, our husbands – we had both informed them where we were, obviously – called within a few minutes of each other to make sure we were okay and not like, in the back of a van on the way to Mexico or something.  haha!  It was really cute.  Time just got away from us! 

 

{Livi and Sarah’s daughter Lucy – soon enough they’ll be playing dolls together!}

Our boys have some similar eating issues so it’s been so nice to have someone who can commiserate with that since it’s not too common.  (And, ironically, we both are passionate about healthy eating – Sarah actually has a degree in nutrition!)  And it’s fun that she has a boy and girl just like me.  I LOVE spending time with this girl and I’m thankful that at least I might get to see her once or twice a year on trips back to PA! 

Sarah blogs over at Growing on Gettysburg, if you want to hate her for being so talented and sweet check her out!  ;)

 

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What about you?  Have you ever gotten a chance to meet a blogging friend in real life?  It’s definitely scary to bridge that gap between the internet world and reality, but I’m so glad I did it in both cases!  I treasure Abby and Sarah and I’m thankful for their friendships! 

Or if you haven’t met anyone from the blogging world yet, who would you like to meet?  I have a lot of favorite blogs, but I have to admit that some of my favorite blogs aren’t necessarily people I’d most want to meet!  lol  (I feel rude to say that, but mostly it’s because I follow a lot of home design blogs for house inspiration.)

Of the “famous” bloggers, here are some I would LOVE to meet:

Kelly from Kelly’s Korner (I literally think I would faint if I met her – plus she’s Southern)
Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer
The Nester from Nesting Place (Southern)
Edie from Life in Grace (Southern)
Melissa from 320 Sycamore
Sarah from Clover Lane
Shannon from Bless Our Nest (Southern)

And some“regular” - but still fantastic!! - mom bloggers like me:

Clarita from Skies of Parchment (just found her blog and I LOVE it!)
Amy from The Blessed Mom (New England girl transplanted to Texas)
Lauren from Only from Scratch (Southern)
Kelly from Joyful Adorations (Southern)
Sarah from Through the Picture Window (New England mommy)

And that’s just a few of my favorites off the top of my head (please don’t be offended if I didn’t include you – I have total mom brain right now!!)

P.S. - Notice a trend in my favorite blogs?? lol