Inspiration Wednesday

I am not crafty. I don't know how to sew (although I tell myself that I could probably figure it out), I don't know how to knit, but I did learn how to crochet once. If you ask me how to do it now, I would most certainly tangle the yarn. I can't really draw or sketch that well. I have never refinished any pieces of furniture, or made a product from scratch. I have put together quite a few bookshelves from Target, but I am not sure that those count haha. So why all of this self-deprecation? I am hoping to change all of this in the future! I am not going to lie. I don't like to take my time with things, especially creating something. If someone else can make what I need, I'm good! However, with a new house and a limited budget, I am quickly realizing that sometimes it is more cost effective to get something done yourself. But, if I am being completely honest, Pinterest scares the crap out of me! Everything looks so easy to do! I was reading through some favorite blogs of mine, and I feel as though everyone is a crafter?! Anyone else get that feeling? Or am I the only one that is craft challenged?! Whatever the truth is, I am CONSIDERING trying out the following crafts/DIY pieces from Pinterest:
Disclaimer, if I fail at this goal, I am fully prepared to look to Etsy for the desired product! :)

{via Newlywed Survival}

{via}

{via Buckets of Burlap}

{via Ana White}

If you craft, what is your advice for a novice crafter?! What would you suggest I start with first?! What are some of your most successful crafts?! Any advice/help/direction would be greatly appreciated :) 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read! 

My Favorite Spring Items on Etsy (for now!)

Hello everyone! Sorry about skipping out yesterday-- we had a teacher workshop day that got the best of me!  As many of you fellow teachers know, these kinds of days are not relaxing! By the end of the day, we are ready to get our students back! :) But no worries! I am refreshed and ready for the rest of the week :)

Even though I have given myself strict orders to spend wisely these next few months (my husband and I are taking our honeymoon in April), I still love to "window shop." One of my favorite online "window shopping" stores is Etsy. I love that many of these items are homemade, and that I get to support small businesses. I bought many items for my wedding on Etsy, as well as, many Christmas and birthday gifts. I have tried to narrow down my favorite Spring items and gifts (both for myself and others haha) below, but trust me, there are so many other amazing products on Etsy. If you haven't checked out Etsy (that is probably a silly statement-- I am probably the last to get on this bandwagon), take a few minutes (or days) to just peruse the shops. I promise you won't be disappointed!

{ONE: Spring Wreaths}-- I am so ready for Spring to get here! I am also ready to trade my winter wreath (which I love very much) for a colorful and green wreath. These are the options I am loving right now:

{via// via// via}

{TWO: Personalized Jewelry}-- I am a sentimental person. I love anything that has dates, initials, or special notes on it. I am very much into monogrammed jewelry (I gave all my bridesmaids monogrammed necklaces). Usually these pieces are simple, but have a personal and meaningful touch. These pieces would be a perfect gift for any female in your life-- even if it is a simple "Thank you for being you" gift. 

 

{via // via // via // via}

{THREE: Country Chic/ Pallet Headboard}-- I am absolutely in love with this rustic headboard. It is definitely on my favorites list-- and no not just because my cousins make it!). This headboard is has clean lines and provides a refreshing transition.

{via}

{FOUR: Canvas Decor}-- I have bought so many canvases from the Randy's Designs Shop! I am so sorry for keeping you crazy busy Randy! Randy has so many different canvas pieces to choose from-- I probably would buy all of them and put them all in one room if I could. The canvases are personalized, and are of amazing quality. They make the perfect housewarming gift, birthday gift, or Christmas gift. If you know someone who has to move from their beloved home, you can give them the canvas so they can be reminded of all of the great memories that took place at that house. Most of my family members (and my husband's family) have the following canvas hanging up (in all different colors): 

I also have (and love) this quote canvas (I went with a tan background and grey with red lettering):

 

I am loving these two canvases right now: 

{via//via // via // via }

{FIVE: Spring Outdoor Decor}: With Spring (hopefully-- fingers crossed!) right around the corner, I am starting to plan how I will decorate outside. I love rustic decor, flowers, herbs, and I would really love to start a garden. These pieces certainly provide excellent inspiration and would be great gifts: 

{via // via // via // via}

What are your favorite Etsy shops/items? Where are you finding your Spring inspirations? I would love to hear from you guys! 

Show and Tell Tuesday: My Favorite Room

Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals to showcase our favorite rooms! When we finish our kitchen (in the summertime), I AM POSITIVE that will become my favorite room :) For now, my favorite room is our living room. It is the room Jim and I spend most of our time in. It is the room where we have movie parties with my sisters, where we watch "House of Cards," where we printed our invitations, where we display pictures of our wedding, and where we sometimes (okay all of the time) eat. Our living room is the central part of our house right now. It is comfy, cozy, eclectic, and perfect for us.

It is the first room that we have decorated, and while I want to paint the room, I love it just the way it is right now. Hopefully in the near future, it will be filled with lots of baby stuff ;)

Excuse the poor picture quality. At 5 am, I am a little tired and so is my iPhone haha.  

One of my decorated bookcases (which my husband made) 

The other bookcase filled with a picture I will treasure forever. My husband printed out a picture with his birthday, my birthday, the day we met, the day we got engaged, and the day we got married. Yes I am a lucky girl :)

Our extremely comfy couch! 

I can't wait to see everyone else's rooms! I hope I will be inspired! :)

February Pin-spired and Weekend Wrap-Up

Well.....another snow day.....we are now at 4 snow days. I am sure I will be complaining about it in June! To brighten up this cold and snowy day, I am again linking up with some great blogs!

First up February Pin-spired!

Mix and Match Family// Pinterest Told Me To// The Larson Lingo

This is my first link-up, and while I do not have any pictures of myself, you can be assured, I will next month! I also realized while going through Pinterest that I am very predictable when it comes to my outfit choices. Anyway who knows me knows that I have three staples in my closet: a cardigan or sweater, scarf, and jeans. While looking through the pictures on Pinterest, I came to the conclusion that my wardrobe needs a little boost. Not a big boost, but just a boost into 2015! For many of the outfits that I pinned, I had at least 65% of the outfit, but I was missing things like a styled cardigan, riding boots (or any other shoe), and accessories like belts and earrings. I was missing the chic part, the fashion-forward part. I would like to think that I am a simple person (when it comes to clothing), and that because of that I am all about comfort when picking out clothing. So, for the spring and summer, I want to challenge myself and expand on what I typically wear. Fingers crossed!

Here it goes!
Since it has been unbelievably cold here in New England, my winter staples have been out in full force! Sweaters, puffy vests, UGG boots, leggings, warm dresses, thick scarves, you get the idea!

Some of my favorite pins (and outfits that are similar to what I wear)!

 


{Outfit One}// {Outfit Two}// {Outfit Three}


The following pins are outfits that I aspire to put together myself in the near future! Again, I have many of the staple pieces in these outfits, it is just about re-arranging the pieces and adding a few accessories and basic changes here and there. Any advice or suggestions anyone has about updating part of your wardrobe on a budget would be greatly appreciated!

  


{Outfit Four}// {Outfit Five} // {Outfit Six} //{Outfit Seven}


Next up......Weekending with B Loved Boston and Champagne and Suburbs!

Again, this is my first time linking up and I couldn't be more excited!

~ Friday I helped my mom and dad run the concession stand at my old high school. It is a great way to catch up with my parents, but also to see my youngest two sisters who are cheerleaders.

~ Friday night my husband and I just relaxed! After a hectic and busy week filled with snow days and rushing around, we needed this!

~ Saturday morning and early afternoon was exciting ;).....my husband and I cleaned! There is nothing better than having a clean house! This is something I never truly appreciated until I moved into my own home. Thanks for making us clean so much mom! It really does make a difference :)

~ Saturday afternoon, my cousin-in-law brought over a buffet table that he made for my husband and I. It is perfect! It has the rustic feel that I wanted, and fits perfectly in our dining room. If you are looking for recycled pieces, you have to visit his Etsy shop: RecycledPallet! Thanks Nick!

~ Saturday night, my husband and I had dinner with my two cousins and their husbands. We usually see each other every Sunday for dinners at my grandparent's house, but it was so nice to spend some quality time with them! I always have a good time and laugh a lot with them (mostly at my expense!).


~ Sunday was all about spending some much needed time with Jim's family and the SuperBowl! The Patriots won! Let me tell you, I don't think anyone thought it was really going to happen in those last few minutes of the game!




I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Here's to a new month in 2015!!! :)