Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday

It's finally Friday thank goodness. I am not sure how much more of this week I can take. It's just been one of those weeks...you know what I mean....my house looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years...even though I feel like all I do is pick up...my attempts at dinner this week fell short...every night...and I have just been in an overall mood. Maybe its that seasonal depression thing they keep talking about in all those commercials...or maybe I am just having an off week...lets hope so because I don't know if I can survive a whole winter of weeks like this one...so in an effort to cheer myself up...because it is Friday after all...I think I'll share some pictures I took last Sunday. It was a beautiful day I was airing out my quilt...thinking about how much I loved it...and watching the butterflies enjoy the few remaining flowers in the backyard...it was a good day...and little did I know it was going to be all down hill from there.




The pineapple sage is the sole survivor of my pots I planted...and man it has overtaken the pot it is in...and I am glad because I love it's pink flowers and you would swear that you had been holding a pineapple if you run your hands through it.


My butterfly bush...it is the sole survivor of anything planted in the backyard in the last two years...and it may not last long because the dogs have recently taken an interest in it...dang dogs...

After seeing the blue mason jars at the flea market I figured I should make good use of mine so I shoved what I could find into one with a little rafia and set it on the table on our back porch...I thought it was pretty cheery for October...almost November.

Max hung out with me too...and had to make sure his 5 o' clock shadow wasn't too noticeable... that shaving mirror is really coming in handy...Ok thats about all the cheer I can muster this morning so TGIF!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Before & Afters

So as we have established...my camera stinks...or maybe its the operator...but still...sometimes my photos need a little help. I've been playing around with paint.net because its free and as far as I can tell, it does some of the same things as Photoshop at least on a very basic level...and that is where I am...on a very basic level.


I took this picture while we were in Nashville...it was a beautiful little brook that we walked across on our way to the flea market {there was a bridge}...
It was ok but I thought it would be way more interesting with a little PW Action help...ok I confess...I had to hijack Brooke's computer with actual Photoshop to do this part...it would have taken ages to figure out how to get the effects in paint.net and I cheated with a few clicks of a button...a little boost...a little sunshine...and a little seventies and I got this...I'm sorry I am a total fraud I know...



and I loved it...my only wish was that the fall colors that are everywhere right now had been on the trees...but then I discovered something. I wanted to play around with adding texture to my picture...I LOVE texture in paintings, in fabrics, and now photographs...it just adds a little something...so while experimenting with a texture {of rust} on paint.net...I realized that I couldn't really see the texture but it did add that fall color I wanted...

Now I went a little...a lot...overboard on the rust color here but you get the idea. The tree is now more yellow and red than green...huh...who would have thunk...but still I wanted some more texture...and I have about 35 photos that I could show you on how that went...but with a good google search I was able to come up with a texture I liked and it turned out ok I think...but I'm not a professional so that's not really a valid opinion

It needs some fine tuning I think...but I have strong tendencies towards ADD so this will have to do for now...and like I said I am not a professional and have no idea what I am doing...

Before:


After:

Monday, October 26, 2009

Flea Market Finds

My co-worker/friend Leigh Anne and I headed for Nashville after work on Friday for "the big one" aka the October flea market. Apparently, October is when the vendors come from all around to be a part of it. I did a horrible job of taking photos...and most of the photos are horrible...have I mentioned I need a new one? Its been showing an error message lately about the focus which I really didn't pay attention to...well apparently it is an issue...cause a lot of them are blurry...have I mentioned I need a new camera? I'll try to share the few I was able to salvage...but be aware...none of them really show the vastness or greatness of what you can find...






This is the flea market....well part of it...there are many barns, stalls, tents, trailers, and we even saw a van...but not probably the type you would want too close to. The pictures of Elvis and the armchair set up inside kinda freaked me out a little...ok a lot..anyway...this is just part of it...the part where you can find anything...and I do mean anything



Now while this may be completely normal fare for a flea market, I am not flea market savvy...but I do know that I am pretty certain I would like to know where my products came from and where they have been sitting for months on end.

I did find some great stuff...and only bought a few things since I will be back in Nashville for Christmas Village in a couple weeks...Here's what I didn't buy....


I didn't buy these only because I have some from my grandparents' house...but boy do I love a blue mason jar


Loved this piece but A. don't have a place to put it and B. I could foresee children picking the paint off and eating it because let's be honest....me refinish this thing?? Even though it would have been perfect with my Robin's egg blue teacups....DANG IT...why didn't I buy it...I didn't realize how close it was to the one I wanted until I just looked up that link....UGH...buyer's remorse??...reverse buyer's remorse??...there is nothing like it.


How cool is this?? I would love it for a kitchen island...


I don't know what the bottoms were made from but the tops were made form bowling lanes...and they had a beautiful finish...there were also some made to be kitchen tables...and they were all beautiful...

Enough of that...even though it doesn't scratch the surface of the great things we saw...I just don't have any more pictures...so I guess I will have to go back because I take it as my full responsibility and duty to report back to you...and I didn't do a very good job this time..so here is what I did buy...


A quilt...and the more I look at it the more I love it....


The colors are so vibrant and the patterns are so pretty...it is everything I wanted in a quilt...If I had known I was going to buy a quilt...its not in pristine condition but it is older and well loved...another reason why I love it...

I also bought this...


Now I know that not everyone is as excited about this as me...but I'm sorry I can't help it. We came across a vendor, Rusticana Gardens, {their website is under contrusction} that plants sustainable {read...I won't kill...hopefully} plants in found/antique/really cool containers

Now, I personally, think this is one of the coolest ideas ever...but I have never been accused of being cool...so whatever...it was really neat to look at all the interesting things they used as planters...there was an ADORABLE silver cream & sugar that I may have to purchase when I see them at Christmas Village...yep I have already confirmed they will be there...very cool...very original...and if you live in Nashville they deliver so you can send this as a gift instead of boring ole flowers...and they won't die in a week...well they shouldn't anyway...I've never been accused of having a green thumb either.

I bought a few other things to but they are surprises...and I don't have a picture...see I told you I did well....but I can't promise the same in a few weeks at Christmas Village...that's the place self control goes to die...

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Little Rascal

We have 3 little rascals at our house...and this one is the littlest and rascalist of them all...please ignore the other bowls in the background...it was a macaroni and cheese kind of night...

Also, please excuse the picture quality...a camera phone was the only thing handy for Brandon to snap this picture as he was watching tv...not paying attention....I can only imagine what our children will be able to get into while sports are on.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

I Really Do Heart Publix


So a long long time ago I shared with you here how my dad was cheap and I had to learn how to stretch a buck. Well I am back to share a little more. I first want to disclaim that I am not a professional...I am just merely scratching the surface with this stuff. There are some people out there that have this down to a science.


So I had been clipping coupons and going to Wal-Mart thinking I was really saving some money. The unfortunate part was we were still spending way too much...that place is a trap. Then one day I was standing in line at Target and the girl in front of me had a cartload...might as well been a boat load of stuff...I also noticed she had coupons...so I inched closer. She had an interesting mix of stuff...shampoo...ice cream...laundry detergent...but what really got my attention was her total...it was around $280 give or take a few dollars...then she handed over the coupons and the magic began to happen. I sit here today and blog that when they finished scanning her coupons her total was around $75. I kid you not, she saved over $200 with coupons...I saw it with my own eyes...and I still couldn't believe it was true. At this point, I had to stop and talk to her...I mean what was she going to do with 30 bottles of shampoo...she was going to have a yard sale...thats what. Yep...she buys 20 some odd Sunday papers, clips the coupons and then stocks up...she said she will sell items at a yard sale for half off the store price and can make $1,000 any given weekend....AMAZING.


Now obviously I am not looking for this level of commitment, but it got me to thinking I could do a little better than my save $8 on a good day at Wal-Mart...and then Brandon refused to shop at Wal-mart anymore...he said we could save just as much by going to Publix and he was tired of everything that was Wal-mart...we've all been...we know what it's like. So I caved...reluctantly I do admit...we bought all Publix brand stuff and wouldn't you know it the bagger offered to take our groceries to the car and that was it...Brandon was sold...and I was a little bit too...but we still spent too much.


After a little research, I discovered The Grocery Game. Its an online list that you print each week which breaks down the best prices on certain items. Its color coded and lists besides each item the corresponding coupon to use making it even easier. I tried it for 4 weeks free {it's $10 every 2 months} and was hooked. Our grocery bill was cut in half...and I was buying name brand products! Now, it does take minimal effort and you buy whats on sale and go from there...not the make your menu and buy your ingredients like I was doing. That was my biggest question was what am I going to do with gummy bears, salsa, and hot chocolate? However, I have found that after using it for a few weeks my pantry is actually better stocked than it ever was and I have the ingredients on hand to make lots of things...you can read more on their website and they have a whole rules section that really goes into more detail...try it...they have other stores besides Publix too...I know you think it is a lot of work...but it isn't...take it from a lazy person...it isn't and it is so worth it when you see that you saved more than you even spent.


Finally, because this is turning into a longer post than anticipated...I use I Heart Publix. It is a great resource too for matching up your coupons with sales...they even have some coupons available that Grocery Game doesn't so I make sure to check this site too when making my list. Using the two sites I have been saving around 50% on groceries. This is just a drop in the bucket compared to the 70-80% some save. Yesterday I saved 57% and then promptly spent the savings at the new Target by our house....we needed dog food...and I needed some warm weather clothes for fall...because suddenly it's fall...and suddenly none of my clothes fit...hey...that's why I play the grocery game.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Fall Project #1: Desiging on a Dime

In honor of my parents visit this weekend, I have been trying to spruce up the house with a few fall decorations. I think the extent of the fall decorations last year were 3 wooden pumpkins and a sign on the front door. Since there is actually going to be someone besides ourselves that see the inside of our house this year, I figured I needed to step it up a little bit.


I found this image at Pottery Barn {of course} and thought hmm...I really like that...looks easy enough....but even though the $34 price tag for the 3 gourds is very affordable for a piece of Pottery Barn...I thought I could do a little better. So I printed out the picture and took it to Hobby Lobby. If you don't have a Hobby Lobby I am sorry...really I am...unfortunately for my husband, there is a Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and now a JoAnne's all within a 3 mile radius of our house. However, Hobby Lobby consistently has their merchandise on sale.

Hobby Lobby came through and had all their fall decorations 50% off and even their Christmas stuff was 40% off....UH OH...but I did well and was proud of myself...I stuck to the items in the picture...gourds...leaves...some twiggy berry things...and some form of nuts...I was even more proud of myself with the total...just under $20. Take that Pottery Barn and your $34 gourds.

So while I would love to give you instructions on how to do this...and it turn out just like the picture..mine turned out not looking exactly the same but whatever...here is a brief step by step of how I did it...
  1. Pull out a serving platter that you registered for when you got married and have never used
  2. Make a complete and utter mess of your kitchen table

  3. Drop a lot of stuff on the ground..and then have to pull said stuff out of your dogs' mouths

  4. Arrange everything on said platter and then hate it

  5. Pull out another platter you have never used and repeat steps 2&3

  6. Find random candles that have been scattered in various places throughout your house

  7. Repeat step 4 until you finally don't hate it

and there you have it...in just 7 easy steps you too can have a fall centerpiece...that doesn't really resemble the picture you started with...but you get the idea...

A fun little idea for all the Birmingham folk...the candle in the back came from Wildflower Wax in Helena..I made it all by myself...well they do the technical part...but I picked the scents and assembled it. I will be going back for more. It smells amazing and I thought it would be a great personal Christmas gift idea...they also have a blog where they will post upcoming events for their store...umm...and I should also mention they carry a wide variety of vintage cowboy boots...I am pretty sure I tried on every pair in my size and lusted over them...the turquoise and brown Lucchese boots were made for me...**cough cough** Brandon I know you are reading this...its a fun new place and you should check it out....Happy Friday!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Look Whose Coming to Town

Has everyone stopped reading and given up hope that I will ever post again? This week I have been feverishly working and stressing because my parents and little brother are coming to town. They haven't been down to Birmingham in a couple of years and what better reason to visit than to go cheer on the Cats down in Auburn. The Tigers will have to go without my support this weekend as I put on the blue for my Cats. I'm not really sure how those couples function who are for rival teams...Is it worth me being happy with a win...and then having to listen to Brandon stew on the 2 hour drive home...or more realistically for the entire next week...

Anyway I have made a few observations while preparing for their arrival.

1. My house multiplies junk. It does...and I know it now because I have not been shopping and bringing things in to the house since the last closet clean out....but somehow I found more things to shove into those closets and consequently bring me to my next observation.

2. Other people shove stuff in closets too. You people with your spotless counter tops and tabletops stress me out...what do you do with your crap...don't you have bills that have to be paid...doesn't your husband throw random articles of clothing on your furniture....or don't other objects just show up and you don't know where they came from or where they go...I'll tell you what you do with them...you shove them in closets and drawers...that is the only logical explanation because my conclusion is that you cannot have everything THAT organized and THAT cleaned out all the time...sometimes you are just not going to be able to see the floor of a closet...and if you do have things THAT organized...we cannot be friends...I cannot live a life feeling bad about myself because my friend has organized closets and drawers to go with their clean house....I'm sorry I'm just not that big of a person.

3. You can get a lot accomplished when under the deadline of out of town company. I finally got the blinds hung for the back doors....I finally took down all the pictures in the hall bath that irritate me and replaced it with my most recent Sips N Stokes masterpiece {where is that sarcasm font when I need it}...and finally got my favorite photograph that I purchased in Italy hung. Here is the photographic evidence...of Brandon's hard work.




I love my new blinds and was almost late for work this morning because I just wanted to stand and look at them...I was afraid that the fact they were hung was going to be a dream and I would wake up this morning and they would still be sitting on the stairs. Also, I am aware that the painting in the bathroom would be more suited in say...a dining room...but I went with a big chunky gaudy frame to distract from the "homemadeness" of the picture...and I don't have a dining room...thanks for reminding me.

Friday, October 9, 2009

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Things are finally starting to cool off around here...well except for today...it is about 90 degrees and 200% humidity. I was all ready to fully commit to the fall wardrobe and then today screwed it all up. None the less, it is October and I forget each year how much I love fall...I hate being cold so much that by the time winter is wrapping up I am ready for the extreme heat of the southern summer, the kind where you walk outside and instantly start to sweat. Yes...I will probably have to be a snow bird in south Florida by the time I am 30. I always forget about this special albeit short time of the year when there is low humidity a cool breeze, and I don't have to let my car air out for 30 minutes after work lest I be suffocated if I immediately get in. Here are a few more specific reasons for my love of fall.

The numero uno reason I love fall and I just wait for that dip in temperature is this...

Good ole Cincinnati Chili....Mercy...there is nothing in the world that can compare to this NOTHING...I believe that this fell straight from heaven along with Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey butter cake...I mean just look at that cheese and yes there is chili under there....no it is not spaghetti it is Cincinnati Chili and if you ever get the opportunity to eat at a Skyline...take it...and eat one for me. We have a Skyline in Louisville and it is always a stop when I go home even if it is in the dead of summer because it is that good....and their cheese coney...don't even get me started.

I buy these packets in bulk when I go home because it helps me make it through the winter. The last time I was in line the checkout lady looked at me like I had three heads...I had to explain to her that I lived out of state and this stuff is worth its weight in gold. No I am not being over dramatic...its the truth...one of the guys at a grocery store in Louisville told me they were going to discontinue these packets and I wanted to slap him right there on aisle number 3 for saying something so horrible to a lady...so when I found them at the next grocery store I bought approximately 22 packets to shove in my suitcase...hence the crazy look from the check out lady.
moving on....

2. I love a fall candle...its an exercise in self control all year round to not burn my fall candles. I pack them carefully away when fall fades into winter and spend the rest of the year lingering around the closet that holds this...

well this is what it is called now...apparently Bath and Body Works has renamed the Pumpkin candle I have had in the past and you can imagine my distress when I went to pick one up yesterday and also saw this....I stood there sniffing and sweating in distress trying to figure out which one was the one that I have almost completely burned in 8 days {you can't burn fall candles before Oct. 1}...finally the clerk came to the rescue and assured me that pumpkin patch was the oldie and the goodie...so here is my question B&B...why change a good thing....WHY?? What purpose does it serve to put your customers in distress that you have discontinued the official smell of the Bates' fall??? I quickly got over it when I found out these babies were 2 for $20 {normally 1 for $20} and promptly picked up this one...Just about every bit as good as pumpkin patch...spicy and fallish just the way I like it...I promptly went home, poured a glass of red wine and burned those mothers for about 4 hours....and tried to catch up on my DVRed Grey's Anatomy....AHH....fall

3. I'll end here but the list could go on...this is just a little wordier longer than planned. One of my all time favorite fall places is Huber's . It is never really fall until you go here...and apparently it hasn't truly been fall in about 3 years in my book because Brandon and I seem to never get to Louisville in the fall {i.e. it's football season} Huber's has a family restaurant, farmer's market, creamery, winery, petting zoo, and they actually take you out to the field to pick your pumpkin...and they have an Apple orchard too...apparently they have really expanded into some other activities...but like I said its been years...and their apple and pumpkin butters...yep you guessed it fell from heaven too...




I am now slightly depressed after looking at their website and seeing it is Apple and Pumpkin picking time....man I took those field trips for granted....I guess I will just have to become their friend on Facebook and live vicariously through other people's pictures...

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Fair

Better late than never...that's what I always say. I finally remembered to bring my camera cord to work so I can finally put some pictures on here. So I'll try to use fewer words and more pictures to help even things out.

Last week we went to the fair...I was so excited. I love the fair...at least I thought I did. Have you ever noticed how your childhood memories are VASTLY different from reality? Paying a dollar to see the "smallest horse around" was really just depressing...had he been small enough to fit in my purse I would have taken the poor thing out of the box it was in and taken home with me. Brandon never should have given me that dollar. I spent the rest of the night worry about that horse in the box and wondering if I should call PETA on the fair....and of course Brandon made it all better when he told me it was people like me that contributed to the plight of the horse in the box...because if no one paid to see it then they wouldn't have a horse in the box...Thanks...I think I might go call PETA on myself now...

None the less, the fair was entertaining just for the people watching ability. Man I love to people watch.... sorry I can feel myself getting off topic... how about some pictures??






Sorry I like Ferris Wheels...they are pretty to look at...not so much fun to ride...at least not the ones temporarily set up in a parking lot...that is taking your life into your own hands...much like the rides...






Ok so the carousel probably wouldn't kill you if it malfunctioned....but those other ones...there isn't an amount in the world that would get me on one of those...however I was tempted by the Trapeze ride...you know the one that has the swings and it twirls you around....I loved that one as a kid...but probably much like the horse in the box I would be majorly disappointed....so I decided to keep that fond memory for myself and just take a picture of the thing...not to mention the girl buckling in all the children looked kind of sketchy...yet another thing I didn't notice about the fair when I was little....has the fair staff always been so rough??? Don't answer that...I would like to think of my parents are responsible human beings who would not let said sketchy girl strap me into a swing that twirls around high above the ground....




So the fair was fun...expensive but fun...I ate my weight in fair food and discovered that you can just about deep fry anything...I did get a cool pair of shades for $2...a much better waste of $2 than the stuffed animal I would have won...or not won trying to knock over a milk bottle with a baseball...I have enough dogs at home anyway.