You may recall some fun Fall Crafts from back in September at my Mom's house, so we clearly wanted to work on some Christmas crafts together! Whitney had her heart set on some square wreaths for her windows (which turned out SOOO cute!!) and my Mom worked on a beautiful reindeer art piece that isn't quite finished yet. I couldn't figure out what kind of craft I wanted to do so I decided to start on my Christmas wrapping, instead! Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things to do and since I fell in love with several paper choices a couple weeks ago in Atlanta, I was dying to get started! 

Some snacks, crafts and a lot of laughs! 

A very fun night with two of my favorite people :)

I'm so glad we will make this a yearly tradition!

Do you have any Christmas traditions that you look forward to? 

Fall Fun.

My sweet mom is always up for entertaining, which I absolutely love. She's also always up for some DIY fun. She invited Whitney and myself over to make our pinterest fall wreath dreams come true. We snacked on some apps (homemade pimento cheese and meatball subs!!) and then we got to work. I may have ended up crying a few tears after a painful encounter with a hot glue gun but it was still a great night. Even if my middle finger on my left hand is pretty much ruined right now. This paragraph has taken way too long to type. So, now I'll hush.... and give my finger a rest. 

Whitney's, mine & Mom's finished products below!

I'm going to add some white polkadots on my E and Mom still has to finish her bow, but I'm so happy with how they all turned out. They fit our style and personality so well :)

& of course we had the cutest helper around to make sure our wreaths were perfect, sweet Bella!

the curtains.

Yes! The. Curtains. They are officially up and hanging proud. From beginning to end, these little devils were a pain in my rear but I am so happy with them. Mainly happy to be finished with them, but I also love the way they turned out!

It all started with an idea I found on Pinterest. Like most ideas that seem like a great idea until you try it and then you want to scream and yell at that stupid website that makes you feel like any DIY project is really easy. We have all had our Pinterest catastrophes, right? Well, these curtains are mine. I wanted curtains that ended up like THIS but after several trial runs with a straight line and a few screams at the tape, hard wood floors, my aching back and Pinterest I decided that stripes were not going to happen! Then I found THIS lovely DIY curtain painting project and I was sold! I ran to my local Michaels art store and picked up the same exact foam stamps that A Beautiful Mess used and I was ready to go!

I have to give Peter credit for the help with hanging the curtains and for the idea of the design. Going from large circles to small circles all the way up the curtains makes me think of champagne, and champagne is always a good thing! I love how they turned out!!!

Corner Inspiration.

After a hours of searching Pinterest and coming up with some ideas I finally know what I want my quiet time corner to look like. I even have some plans that I thought of on my own and didn't see on the big world of Pinterest, so that's fun! Over this weekend I am going to work my little booty off to get some things finished around the house and I can't wait to share them all with you next week. Thankfully, I'm just in time to complete those goals I made for the month of July!

Here are some of the images that sparked my imagination for that space that I love so much....

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Total Truth // Social Media

As a blogger I think it is only normal to be a big fan of social media since most of everything we do is somehow related to it. I share my posts on my Facebook page, I share photos almost every day on Instagram and I've even fallen in love with bloglovin recently so I can’t really knock it. I do think we as a culture can abuse the use of social media but for the most part I am thankful for it. Here are three facts that I have learned in the past several years about all of this social media mumbo-jumbo.

1// it can give you some amazing friendships if you let it

I have been blessed by so many of the relationships that have been created because of this blog and because of Instagram. One of the best parts about sharing my life here is the way people can relate to my little world simply by reading what I write. I also know that I have learned so much from other bloggers and I’m very thankful for the many women that decide to share their life in this “blogosphere” that we have all created. Even for people that do not blog themselves but simply follow along with your life make an impact. Recently I was talking to an acquaintance that I normally didn't speak to that often but when I saw her she smiled and gave me a hug and said “I love following you on Instagram and reading your blog!”. That is a big deal! That is why I love spending time on this space. I love the relationships that it can create.

2// don’t let it consume you

I’m going to be completely honest and admit this is my main problem. Peter wants to take my phone and hide it most of the time. It makes me feel terrible. I know that it is an addiction. There are times when I grab my phone and when I mean to send a text message I click the Instagram icon without even realizing it. Habits are formed so easily and there are very few red lights that don’t also include a little IG action in my car to pass the time. So, this is my apology to my sweet Husband, I promise I will try harder to “unplug” and enjoy my nights with you instead!

3// keeping your priorities straight are important

There can be a lot of filth in the world of Social Media and you can get sucked into that so easily. I make a point to follow those who have the same heartbeat as mine. With hashtags like #socality that are pointing their fame toward God and His kingdom makes me so happy inside. I love to see His presence in this Social Media world and I also try my best to always point toward Him also. I want everything I share to glorify Him. We live in a fallen world where it is so easy to fall with it but I am thankful for a Savior that redeems and uses our brokenness to bring light to Him.

So, with all this being said, if you want to find me in the Social Media world you can locate me at all the places below! 

instagram // pinterest // facebook // bloglovin

You can check out my other Total Truth Thursdays posts below if you'd like!

Marriage // Fashion

Kitchen Re-do // part one

Right now we are smack dab in the middle of our kitchen renovation. We aren’t going all out and changing everything but I feel like the things we are changing will make a BIG difference. I'm very thankful for my super talented uncle who is completing the handy work and I can’t wait to see the final product!! Here are a few of my inspiration photos that I shared with him…

VIA The Inspired Room

I can't find the website for this picture anywhere... but I love it.

VIA Modern Jane Design

VIA Apartment Therapy

Obviously I’m a fan of the Gray, White and Earthy style. I’m also a huge fan of subway tile with the white and gray granite but that will happen a little bit later. For right now I am super excited to have all the color updates completed.

The kitchen has always been my favorite part of a house. It’s where things are done. Where food is made and as cheesy as it sounds, memories are made there too. I’m so looking forward to all the hustle and bustle that our kitchen will see from parties, holidays and also the average daily interactions between a husband and a wife. I’m pretty excited about all of it.

I will be sharing the progress with our kitchen next week once I have some before and after pictures so stay tuned!!

All On A Quiet Tuesday Morning.

VIA

This morning while doing my usual “Pinterest Checking” I saw the quote above. My eyes instantly filled with tears. I was baffled. That’s what I want… to surrender everything and live for Him. Walk toward Him instead of all other things, leaving behind anything that isn't pushing me toward Jesus.

There are a lot of things that I have decided to walk away from in the past few months. Some are little, some are big, but they are all things that weren't driving me toward His grace and love. I thought about listing the things that I cut out of my life but I didn't want to come across as self righteous. I actually typed everything out but then with one easy motion I erased all of it. My Lord and Savior knows what I have removed and refilled with Him and that’s all that matters to me.

He knows.

After reading the picture above I went to read my daily devotion from #shereadstruth….

“ ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? {Matthew 16:24-26 NLT}

I couldn't believe it… It always amazes me how God meets us right where we are. He knows how to get our attention and if we turn to Him we will find a security that no worldly goods can give.

This cross that I've taken up can get heavy. It can become difficult to carry. Honestly, it gets in the way sometimes. But it is the best thing I've ever picked up because in the hard times when I turn toward the cross, its then that I realize I’m not carrying it at all… it’s always been carrying me and pointing me in the right direction. I just have to be still and listen. And sometimes on a quiet Thursday morning it all settles in place as I rest in His grace. 

Holy Summer, Batman.

I can’t believe that tomorrow is Friday AND also the first day of June!

What the heck!?! Where has this year gone… and why is it going so fast???

Don’t get me wrong, this year has been surprising and amazing so far but I wish it would slow down a little. I’m trying to take in every day for what it’s worth. 

Trying not to wait and wish for plans to arrive but that’s hard sometimes.

The weather is getting pretty warm around here… in high the 80’s today. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 80’s with thunderstorms at night so Summer is definitely here!

Oh, Summer... you have never been one of my favorite months and honestly… you are probably my least favorite but I’m trying to stay optimistic.

Here are some awesome finds from the wonderful world of Pinterest that has made me a little more excited about the next few months.

homemade pops. light and airy clothes. shady spots with a good book. 

magical camping locations. pretty drinks and pretty nails. beach dried hair. 

& my favorite part, freckles. 

Get ready for your favorite parts because they are most definitely coming!! 

Hello, June! I guess I'm ready for you... :)