Several weeks ago I decided it was time to tackle the second project for the living room. The first was painting the walls and since that was a quick and easy job I was excited to do something a little more fun. When we first saw the house I loved the fireplace. I didn’t want to change it at all but the more we started adding new cool colors to the house the more the fireplace looked out of place. My mom had said from the start that we should do the white wash but I wasn’t so sure but after a lot of thinking and internet searching for DIY White Washing I decided to go for it! Thankfully with mom’s help {both on the fireplace and with pictures} we completed the job and I am so happy with it!!!

The room looks so much bigger and brighter thanks to the lighter color on the brick which was a huge plus. It didn’t take long at all and it honestly was a lot of fun and the steps are so easy….

1 // mix 2 cups of white paint with 1 cup of water. Stir vigorously with a paint stick until the paint is thinned out and it has a watered down glue consistency.

2 // tape off all the areas you wish to protect from the paint .

3 // brush the mixture on one piece of brick to test the color and with a dry, clean rag blot the paint off. If you want a darker white wash keep layering the paint on and blotting until you find the coverage you desire.

{ I didn’t want a lot of coverage so I only put one layer of paint and blotted quickly }

4 // stand back and enjoy!!

I will definitely enjoy this project even more once the gold framing for the fire place is spray painted black. I will be doing that pretty soon and you know I will share the fun with all of you!

Thirty-one Days!

I can’t believe that one month from today I will be walking down the isle to a super handsome man that will be all mine. I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it. The past five years with Peter have been full. I can’t think of a word that fits it perfectly because there were so many emotions involved but one thing I know for sure is that the last 1,869 days (yes, I figured out the exact number!) have most definitely been full. Personally I think full is a good thing.

Full //

1. containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space.

2. not lacking or omitting anything; complete.

Yes, full is the perfect word to describe the past five years, 1 month & 12 days. I honestly believe that we all don’t have “the one” out there in the world. We have a lot of options and different people we can connect with but when I met Peter I chose him. I continued to choose him through all the ups and downs and I am choosing him now. When I walk into that church on September 28th I will be choosing him again. And with the vows I say in front of all our family and friends I will be promising to always choose him and with those words he will be my One forever and always.

In just 31 days he will become my forever soulmate. My one. My husband and my best friend & that makes me extremely happy. Full of happiness and thankfulness indeed! So, so full!! 

ps // photo credits go to Red Apple Tree and the edit was completed by me using the Over app. 

Living Room Re-Do // Part One

It's that time agian... On to a new room. All the rooms in the house are starting to feel more finished everyday and it really is exciting. The living room is probably the room I want to finish the most since it will be the most used room on a daily basis. I wanted it to feel cozy and comfy. This room is also the darkest room in the house so I wanted the colors to be bright and happy. Here are some of my ideas from that wonderful world called the Internet. 

^^^ its honestly creepy how similar our chairs are!!! 

via House Beautiful

via The Yellow Cape Cod

unknown, please comment if you know credit. 

via 6th Street Design School

To make a happy & calm room, that is the main goal. So far so good but you know the drill, more on the rest later!!

Humpday Littles.

During all the chaos lately I've been trying to find the silver lining more than normal. In those moments when I need to take a deep breath, close my eyes and say a prayer to God above I like to reflect on the good things in my life. My family, my fiancé, his family, my heavenly Father, the list could go on and on with the big things I am thankful for but as usual I want to remember the little ones too.

the excitement my heart felt when I used my garage door opener for the first time after Peter programmed it for me // the little Facebook message from a friend when he called me Mrs. Eliya… it may not be official yet but I do love the way that sounds // a much needed happy hour with my mom and the sweetest co-worker turned friend, I really am so thankful for her // starting the fun packing list for our honeymoon and putting together all the outfits on my bed // seeing our new living room carpet for the first time and instantly wanting to do a cartwheel across the clean open floor

Mmm, that lime margarita was a little bit amazing! 

Last but not least

On Saturday night I had my last bridal shower thanks to my future hubby’s family! It was wonderful to celebrate with some people that I don’t normally see that often. Peter was with me for this shower just like the last and it was a lot of fun! After a feast of delicious Arabic food and a lot of talking and mingling we sat down to open all of our gifts and then obviously we stuffed our tummies even more with deserts. I’m so excited about joining this family and it’s not just because of my love for Arabic food. That is a huge plus though, not going to lie about that.

Mmm, so much sweetness!! From that man and his family to all the desserts. Seriously, that was one delicious cake... strawberry cake + cheese cake, oh my! 

twenty dollar treasure!

Thanks to my love of estate sale shopping I found this beauty a few weeks ago and I couldn't wait to start working on it. I knew I wanted to give the famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint a try and I felt like this piece was perfect for a test run. 

I've been looking for a piece of furniture for the living room for a while now. Just something simple and small to put a lamp and a few picture frames on but I couldn't find the right thing.  I wanted a little bit of character but also something small enough for the space by the back door to the deck and once I saw this little guy sitting in the garage at the estate sale I felt it speak to me. You know, like those Pier1 commercials... "hey lady... Psssst, over here. check me out. I know I have some cobwebs, holes in my drawers & I'm missing some knobs but I just need some love." Which of course lead me to respond with, "oh, okay... let me love you!" I then asked if they would take $20 instead of $30 and it was a sealed deal... 

love was in the air.

As far as the ASCP goes... I was a little nervous. I was told that this paint didn't need any prepping at all. No sanding, priming, nada. Just clean the surface and start brushing away. All was going wonderfully until I got to the top of the piece. I guess there was some sort of water stain that wasn't noticeable until the white paint was brushed on top of it. It started with a light orange shade coming through the paint and the more ASCP I added the stain started to become a darker outline. I decided to take some Kilz primer spray paint to try and cover the stain. After dabbing on the Kilz with a paper towel and letting it dry I tried a second layer of ASCP on top. Success! The stain started to disappear. 

Then it was on to the wax. After reading a ton of blogs on how to complete this process I figured out less is definitely more. I was told by the shop I bought the paint and wax from that 100% cotton rag or even a sock works best. So, using one of Peter's old soccer socks I applied the wax all over the piece of furniture in the same stroke motions that I applied the paint. Like I said, less is more. I put enough to see the difference but it was still smooth to the touch and not thick. After leaving it for a day to sit and dry everything looked great. 

So, after a little bit of nervousness with this process and a lot of brushing I was very happy with the outcome. Now the only thing left to do is buy some pretty knobs for the drawers and add wood in the bottom of each drawer. Those need a little extra love and that is perfectly fine with me! I will share the final product once he's completed and the decor is finished in the room... I know you all are dying with anticipation. ;) 

A song on a Sunday morning.

I love how worshiping and singing to Him can do such powerful things to your heart. I’m an emotional person. I’m always the girl in church that can’t be still when we are singing the songs and I usually have tear filled eyes because I find those moments so overwhelming in the best way possible. Standing there in that big room filled with people using their voice to worship a worthy King is just something I will never grow tired of. Those moments are precious to me.

At church on Sunday morning we sang a song that I’ve heard a handful of times but just like every time before I felt the Spirit move within me. Goosebumps, heart beating fast, blurred vision from tears, all of it. Below is a video from Bethel Church singing the song…

The second verse moved my heart so much. The words are perfect.

chains have been broken

eyes have been opened

an army of dry bones is starting to rise

death is defeated

we are victorious for You are alive

He is alive. We are victorious because death has been defeated by Him alone. That is a big deal and something that I want to wake up every morning and go to bed every night thanking Him for. Truly acknowledging what He has done for my heart and my soul. He has won. Hallelujah! God be praised, Hallelujah!!

Hallelujah! O my soul, praise God! All my life long I'll praise God, singing songs to my God as long as I live. Don't put your life in the hands of experts who know nothing of life, of salvation life. Mere humans don't have what it takes; when they die, their projects die with them. Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real blessing! God made sky and soil, sea and all the fish in it. He always does what He says - He defends the wronged, He feeds the hungry. God frees prisoners - He gives sight to the blind, He lifts up the fallen.Protects strangers, takes the side of orphans and widows, but makes short work of the wicked. God's in charge - always. Zion's God is God for good! Hallelujah!

{Psalm 146 1-10, The Message}

Wonderful Women!

On Friday night some of the sweetest ladies I know decided to cook a yummy dinner for me and give me a few gifts. I didn't really know what to expect when they asked to give me a little party to celebrate the upcoming wedding but I knew it would be a fun night. When my mom and I arrived we started with a super sweet toast and started to enjoy the food. After a few minutes they asked me if the dishes looked familiar...? With a big laugh from everyone I was told that all the dishes being used were mine to keep from my registry. I almost died... I can't believe they put in all this hard work and cared so much. Such sweet, sweet woman and I am so lucky to have them in my life. 

^^ from left to right: my Auntie Peggy, Auntie Laura, Laura's daughter Jen, and Auntie Lynne

All sisters and way too good to me. I love you all so much and I'm so glad I have adopted you all as aunties!

^^ my pretty dishes from Crate and Barrel!!

^^ and even more sweet gifts that completely blew me away!

This was a beautiful recipe box that had Peter & Cassie engraved on the lid and the recipes from the nights dinner were all included inside. All the food was even more special because the recipes belonged to Peggy, Laura and Lynn's Mom. I never got to meet her before she passed but I know she had to be a wonderful woman by the way they love me. That kind of sweetness and love can only taught by example and its obvious she taught them well. After many years of seeing what a great friend you have been to my mom I can honestly say that I'm so thankful that I now call you a friend as well. All of you are so special to me and I will always cherish our friendship! Love you all to pieces!!! 

Just because....

......he makes weekends more fun.

After over a week of this guy being away for work I was very excited to spend some quality time with him over the weekend. But… I was not that excited about the list of things we needed to complete over the weekend. I figured the weekend would be an annoying one when all I wanted to do was just sit and relax with Peter but that wasn’t the case.

From Friday night all the way to Sunday night we were non stop. Dinner plans, shopping for the carpet for our living room, shopping for wedding bands in a super busy mall, painting our bedroom furniture while he was staining the kitchen floors, cutting up the massive tree that fell in the back yard… it was a busy weekend. A weekend that I honestly thought would be draining and frustrating but the exact opposite happened.

Spending the weekend working on all of those not so fun tasks with a very fun future husband was exactly what I needed. It’s nice to realize that he can make anything fun. With his silly way of making me laugh and the way he makes me feel loved in the simplest ways makes me super grateful. The lack of stress in my life during the very stressful season is such a gift from the Lord and I never want to forget these moments. The laughing and fun that I'm having with my fiancé while we prepare to become husband and wife will always be one of my favorite parts about us.
I love you Mr. Eliya & I can’t wait to be your Mrs.

Dining Room Re-do // Part Two

This room is quickly turning into my favorite room. It may be because this is the only room that has actual furniture in it and painted walls... its quite possible. Regardless, I love it. The bright blue color and our gorgeous table and chairs (that were both steals, thank God!) just make me want to cook a big pasta dinner and sit down at the table with some people I love for hours!!! 

^^^ table with butterfly leaf out making room for ten people. 

^^^ table with butterfly leaf hidden to fit six people.

It has definitely come a long way so far! Like I mentioned on the Part One post last week, this room used to be a play room. The crayon fan is still alive and well but hopefully he will be put to rest soon. I think his time has come but until then I will just crop him out of all the pictures. That works too! ;) 

Floor talking

this below is happiness.... 

Sitting in the floor with my best friends and Mom in my future bedroom talking about life. Sipping on some tasty beers while we paint the walls, trim & closet doors. Laughing, telling stories and making memories. Memories that will always be special to me. I honestly don't know what I would do without these women and I am so thankful for them. I love the honesty that we have within our friendship and the freedom to love each other truthfully. To really do life together is such a blessing and I'm so, so glad I get to do life with you. 

Thanks-Living // July

Lately, I have been busy. I know that seems to be the constant around here but I don’t see that changing until mid October and honestly, it may never stop. And since we are being honest, I don’t think I mind all the plans. The eventful weekends are a blessing and I’m starting to realize that. I’ve also realized how loved Peter and I are through all this busyness. All the sweet words of encouragement and selfless help we have received have completely blown me away.

During the past few months I’ve become a big fan of To-Do Lists which only increases my love of paper products so that’s okay by me. Peter has said several times that our To-Do List seems so long and then before we know it we have completed some tasks without any stress or major problems. It’s true. We have experienced very little stress or worry about any decisions and I completely give that thanks to the Lord. The only way I understand the peace that I feel when it comes to big decisions over the past few months is how His Spirit can calm me.  By His love alone, I feel stillness.

Stillness, even with a “house to-do list” + a “wedding to-do list” that tallies up to eleven things right now. You would think I would be running around like chicken with my head cut off (not that there haven’t been moments… for example, the time I sealed almost twenty invites only to realize the RSVP’s were missing the return stamp. There may have been tears shed over that one) but most of the time I feel at ease. It’s amazing how the Lord can do that to us.

So my plan is to keep trucking along while dwindling down the lists and thanking my Savior every step of the way. Thanking Him for this life, my family and friends, and the fact that I get to marry the best man I know in just 59 Days!!!