Sneak Peak: Entry Way

A few days ago I had posted here that I was on a mission to organization following another bloggers ideas. Well, lets just say that I started yesterday, and I think my project a week is going to have to be a project a month. I was just going to organize everything, but I found this $14 rug at Ross, and I went into full-on decorating mode. I guess I could have turned the light on before I took this picture. It is dark brown, light brown, cream, a hint of pink, and a bunch of other colors. My husband said it is a huge eye sore, but that is just because I won't let him walk on it with his shoes - you would think I had paid big bucks for it.

Here are the before pictures. Nothing too wonderful.

Here are the after pictures - I really need to work on my lighting in these pictures. On a side note, I used really bright ribbon and colors in the closet because it is just fun. I think homes that are all color coordinated are just flat out boring...well my husband says our house looks like an Easter egg, but hey, it's fun, bright, and cheery.

I jazzed up some plain white hangers for guests to hang their coats on this fall/winter.

 Our newspaper recycling bin and our donate bin

  I got this crate for $2.99 at Target and made a "Blankets" tag for it

 

 These are for all Brandon's keys and stuff he brings in from his car everyday and my running stuff - dollar spot at Target

This is an old whatchamacallit - I don't know what the proper name is for it but it makes a delightful door stop.

 This red rack we found while going through Brandon's grandparent's stuff before their move. It is an OLD newspaper stand - how appropriate. I'm definitely going to paint it, just don't know which color yet. I'm seeing it as a plant holder right now, but that could change.

 This is Brandon's old nightstand the he acquired from a previous marriage. With the chair railing, I thought it would be the perfect height. I'm going to stain it as well, just don't know what color yet. Also, I'm going to change out the knobs on it. I had to sit it so far over so our door could still open all the way back.

 Yes, these are pictures frames I got at Hobby Lobby for 50% off with no pictures in them and a vase with nothing in it as well. This table is going to display seasonal type things for Fall, Christmas, etc, and it is self-contained storage underneath for all of it. 

 And last but not least my smashed thumb from trying to put that newspaper stand together. It is old and the shelves didn't want to go on.

So, I guess that is a little more than a sneak peak, but I still have painting to do and a few other things to spruce it. I'll be sure to post pictures when it is completely finished. OHHH..I also added a vanilla packet to the closet to give it a nice smell.

I'm not painting any of the walls in our house just yet - they are all a neutral color and will practically go with any decorations, and lets face it as much as I change my mind on decorating, they need to remain neutral.

Do you have any big projects going on this week? 

The Bird's Fall and Getting Organized

So, it seems as if I've let our family blog go a little bit. I do still blog, but all my posts the last few months have been running posts which you can read here

Life has been a little hectic in the Bird house the past few months and we have made a lot of changes/improvements to our lives. I have become even more involved in my career and set new goals for running. Brandon has been busy with work as well and running around doing everything I've asked him to do since I have limited time now. We have made hard, hard decisions in our life over the last few months.

I've decided to set goals every day/week to continue to help us grow as a couple and for me to run our household while training for a marathon and having a career. Last week, I decided that I was going to cook every meal and that we wouldn't eat out, but once. That was a complete success. I spent $130 on groceries for the week, instead of approximately $200 eating out. Healthier and we saved some money - win win.

The end of summer into fall consists of my 25th bday party this weekend, a board meeting for TCMA and a trip to Fredericksburg next weekend, a river trip with Kyle and Jessi, a Ranger's game, our cousin's wedding, annual company picnic, concert with Marcus and Christy, surprise bday trip for my husband, hunting, and Marcus and Christy coming for a visit, all before Thanksgiving.

Today, as I was searching around on Pinterest I found this blog. It has inspired me to take on a project a week until I get our house organized and fully functional. We have been in our house since May, but with me not being a stay at home wifey and our busy schedules, I haven't had the time to get fully settled in. I wish I could just twitch my nose and it would all be done...but that hasn't worked.

This blog breaks down by room how to organize your life - which is exactly what I need. Rather than trying to find where to start, I'm just going to follow her blog, and tweak it to my liking as I go along. Looking forward to posting weekly updates and progress!

What are your fall plans?

Girls Weekend in Dallas

This past weekend I went to Dallas to see my very best friend in the entire world. It was the absolute best weekend I have had in a long time. I went up Friday night and stayed with my parents. We went out to dinner, drinks, and dancing. Saturday morning I headed to Arlington to meet Christy and then to head to Dallas.

We checked into our hotel, The Crescent, and immediately changed into our swimsuits. We laid out at the pool for hours and the pool boy, John, kept the Mojitos and food coming all afternoon. We of course people watched and talked about how disgusting it is that the "Dallas girls" all smoke. They are these super model looking girls...that smoke. Pretty awful. And, yes I am super white, and no, I don't ever try to tan. Who wants old, wrinkly, leather looking skin?

This is the amazing salad I had, pool-side.

We had dinner reservations at 7:45 at NoBu, a Japanese restaurant. We had a 7 course meal and it was to die for. I have no pictures because my phone had pretty much died, but it was amazing nonetheless. After dinner we went out, and finally around 2:30 a.m. we were back at the hotel.

I don't even know what was happening in this picture

Of course neither of us wanted to get up, but finally managed too at 11:00 because we were both starving. We went down to the Observatory and had a 3 course brunch.

First Course: Corn Chicken soup - they have been serving this same soup for 26 years

 Second Course: Egg and ham sandwich

 Third Course: Creme Brulee

 The most awesome hot peppermint tea I have ever had

 Yes, Christy poured the whole jar of honey in her tea.

That was the end of our girl's weekend, but we are planning on doing it once every couple of months. However, we will have to find a winter activity - as we can't be lying out by the pool in bikinis.

I stopped through Weatherford on my way home to see my parents again and topped the weekend off with this wonderful Fro-Yo.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I wish I could have many more weekends like last, but then I guess that is what makes weekends like last so special.