{the master....}

I have not fallen off the face of the earth... sorry for the delay in updates.  We have either been out of town, painting the house, running to ballet recital practices, or doing so many other little things that y'all would not believe it {or maybe you would cause you're a Momma too}.  The Master bedroom as been my constant obsession these last few weeks..... but I'm excited to show you her progression!

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Let there be light- sans a ceiling fan!!!  And we painted the room {Sherwin Williams magnetic gray} it is clean and sultry all at once & I adore it!!  Also since the bed was a flea market find and the headboard is mounted to the wall.... while it was down we moved it.  I must say that seeing a bed when you walk into the room is such a focal point.  Changing furniture makes any room seem brand new instantly .

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I had our monogram put on a sham- 

cause every room needs both

 a touch of black & a GIANT monogram in my opinion...

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Then I went to ikea {for the 1st time- GASP}.  It was wonderful & not so much- all at once.  But by the second time- it was just wonderful :)  I decided on these soft white Lenin curtain panels.  They are a great bargain & are just the look I was going for. They soften the shades and brighten the room. 

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I only wish that you could see & really truly appreciate my curtain rods and rings... They were a labor of love!  Have y'all priced curtain hardware lately?  I hadn't & was shocked.  Normally I would have used PVC pipe??  But I wanted rings so that required actual rods that required actual finials which require $money$...  But I do LOVE them!!!

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And I read where a plant in your bedroom helps you sleep {which I need} and increases your life by 7 yrs on average....  But really I just love green and wanted some color in the corner :)  And how about my little horse oil print from Goodwill for $1.98.  I have a crush on her right now...  Joey thinks she looks funny on the wall all by herself, but I know she's sorta a loner like me.  And I intend on finding her some friends soon....

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Prissy leaves her little touches throughout the new room too...

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and in the bathroom when I get home from work! 

 I adore her!!!! 

 She makes my heart actually smile.

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And...  because I know you will be as shocked as me... Am I the only one that didn't know that Hobby Lobby had curtain panels???  They do- these chevron beauties came from there & I'm smitten!

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I have found a few super fun treasures lately.  The garage is full of potential- ha ha.  And that, my sweet friends, is why you haven't heard a lot from me... 

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And most importantly- 

Happy Holy Week!

 I pray you are taking time out {we have tried to be even more intentional this week} to bask in our Savior's love!!!  He is good and He has risen!!!

{Spring Breakin'.....}

We are on Spring Break around here.... and lovin' every single minute of it.  I'm a home body and the idea of staying home in my pj's ALL day makes my heart go pitter patter :)  But- we have been cleaning out and re-arranging around here too {that also swoons me}.  Prissy's room was 1st on the list {cause she's a bit like Cooner & hoards..... ha ha}.  We took away 3 trash bags of junk un-needed clutter.  And we got a cute idea from a friend off of Pintrest & it makes her room even more precious!

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These little lights above her bed are her {and Joey's and Ashton's and me too} new favorite thing in the house!!

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First we gathered scraps of fabrics..

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Then we gathered some punch cups leftover from Cooner's party...

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I cut one up to make a template

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Then we traced the template on the fabric and glued the fabrics to the cups.

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Lastly we cut an X on the bottom of the cup and pushed a light from a strand of Christmas lights {that I found when I was cleaning out that monstrosity the attic- earlier this week} through the X.  

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Easy as that!

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And... most of my blood sweat and tears has gone into the Master...  here is a peek at her. 

 I hope to show more soon!  

{on using the good stuff...

Where are Jimmy & Alfred when you need them?

Today in the spirit of Spring time & cleaning.... I'm polishing the silver.  I rather like polishing my silver {mostly plated and cheap tag sale finds... but none-the-less}.  It reminds me of my grandmother and her getting ready for Christmas dinner & using the "good dishes".  The ones kept in the secret cabinet in the parlor room... where I played school nearly everyday of my childhood.  But.. then it makes me wonder why we only used them for "good"? And why I do the same thing???  I seem to do the "very best" for company and not my sweet dear ones that I see everyday...  Am I the only one that puts good tea towels out for company and threatens her children that in the event of needing to wash their hands- "please use the everyday towels hidden in the closet!"  Someone save me from myself!!!  And help me to cherish the days I have in the season of life... and use the "good stuff" more!

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After all.... these are the best of the best in my book!  Well worth my efforts and definitely deserving of "good stuff".  Bring on the Hazel Atlas ruffly dishes folks- we are using them tonight!

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Happy Weekend!!

{new paint, old friends, & fun jewelry}

Last night I hosted a Jewel Kade jewelry party for my precious friend {or should I say stylist- ha} Kay.  It was just the motivation I needed to get the house geared up for Spring....

I FINALLY chose a paint color for the front door {only took me 3 years}.  I settled on a color somewhere between Ben Moore "Spirit in the Sky"- THANK YOU Jenny & Ben Moore "Everglade"- THANK YOU Catherine!!  

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Kay was my preceptor many many moons ago when I was a new nurse.  She is one of those women who make you better & who you can call on anytime.  I LOVE her!   And she has always been SUPER cute & stylish :)  JK is lucky to have her! 

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I could hardly sleep the night before thinking of recipes I wanted to try and the skirted table cloth that I needed to make- yes these are my thoughts around 3 am....  I didn't get to the table cloth, but like always she made everything fancy.  Isn't her little set-up adorable??

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The jewelry is precious {just like her} and can be personalized- which makes me adore it even more. These are a few of my favorite JK things...  

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Then as I was spring cleaning the A-man's room I raised up the bamboo shades, took down the roller shades, & removed the mini blind.....  First time I've cleaned the inside of his windows in about 5 years {gasp}.  We are a smidgen on the vampire side around here clearly!  The result- beautiful-soft-natural light!  It makes his room so much happier and he can actually see to build those tiny Legos.  He hugged my neck off and praised me for "giving him natural light"..... Then Prissy chimed in "Momma, may I have some natural light too?"  No words I tell you..... 

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What better way to say "thank you for coming" 

to your friends then with fresh tulips all around- I adore them!!!

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And speaking of friends... aren't these ladies beauties {and a little cameo from sweet Prissy- who was the perfect little hostess right along side me}?  I rarely see them in anything other than scrubs {although Stephanie came from work and still looked beautiful}.  And with their hair down & with jewelry...  They are the sweetest gals & it is a pleasure to work along side of them!!

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The dining room got some paint and it's L-O-V-E!  I tell you- pure LOVE!! 

 Gone is the gold and here is a soft gray......

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Kay gave me this sweet coffee table book... cause she is the epitome of southern charm and brings a gift when she visits {Cooner does that too}.  I love it - and it looks spectacular paired up with my new little junk store find. I'm loving magnifying glasses these days- who knew? 

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One of the big foodie hits was this Greek Dip!  TO-DIE-FOR- guaranteed!!  

{1 8oz cream cheese softened- layer on 1 container garlic hummus & crumble on 1 small package of feta cheese.  Then top with halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cucumber peeled and diced, & 1 small can sliced black olives}.  I served it with whole grain pita chips.... and we licked the platter clean y'all!!!!!!!!!!  YUMMY

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So fun!

 THANK YOU ladies for coming out- 

I'll see you Saturday...

{Cooner's surprise 60th...}

No doubt most of you knew all about Cooner's big 60th surprise party....  I have been working hours on it over the past 2 months and last weekend... it finally happened!  NO thanks to Indiana's crazy weather and having to re-route to New York City- for crying out loud!  All I wanted to do when Delta called and told me that my flight was canceled... was to call Cooner.  But- I couldn't :(  Alas we pulled it off.  I have the best friends, Aunts, cousins, and second mother's {friends of Cooner's} that you can possibly imagine.  THANK YOU everyone for ALL of your sweet touches to make the party the HUGE success that it was!  

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The decoration were a labor of love....  but they came together beautifully.  We used hot pink and black.  My very favorite things were the chalk boards, the chandeliers & the party hats with her pictures on them- precious!!

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Daddy was beside himself trying to get her there on time & not spoil the whole thing..  

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This is Cooner and her bestie Brenda {I practically lived at her house growing up}.

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We are single handed-ly bringing "corny back"- ha ha.  We danced the night away... although I missed slow dancing with Jo-bo.  And Prissy would have led the Cupid shuffle- ha!

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Cooner with all her girls :)  They crack me up!!  But.. when they met me at the hall to decorate and started asking me what to do??  I died laughing wondering what Cooner would say/have them to do... then started delegating- Cooner would have been so proud!

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The WISH JAR was a huge hit too!  Instead of a guest book I asked each of her guests to write a birthday wish and put into the "Wish Jar".  We read through them early into the next morning... and I'm sure she will read and re-read them many more times!!!!

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It was a party that she'll never forget... and one that still makes her cry. 

 I ADORE you Cooner!!!

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P.S.  This week I'm hosting a jewelry party for a dear friend, overhauling the Master, and have just finished up painting the dining room & front door {gasp}.  Can't wait to share!