I'm BACK!

Well, today is the day. I do not know what is special about today or why I have decided to resurrect the blog on a day like today.  Maybe because it's raining.  Maybe because I had a terrible day at work.  Maybe because I am procrastinating on our ever expanding mountain of laundry.  Or maybe it's because the Mom of one of my best friends threatened to stop being my friend if I did not blog again soon.  It's almost been a YEAR!  And let's face it, the blog was dying long before then.  I just got burnt out.  I have no excuse.  But the other day, I bought Pumpkin Spice Coffee from Fresh Market.  And I thought, I remember when I recommended this on the blog? Yum!  And the desire sparked again!  (We'll attribute it to the coffee! :)

So here goes.  How do I catch you up on a year of the Adams' lives?  Well, I'll start with me.  Last year, I agreed to go to work full time as a Quality Engineer at a medical device company.  Wow, talk about a whirlwind. If you have had any conversation with me in the past almost 9 months, you know that it has been a wild ride.  God has taught me A TON!  I am attempting to not be a work-a-holic and enjoy life, but work responsibilities are intense. Thankful for the ability to use my brain that God gave me.  Days are far more stressful then they used to be, and resurrecting the blog may or may not mean lots less posts than what once was. However, I'm thankful for a boss who is teaching and molding me both into a knowledgeable person in my field and as a woman of the Lord.

Speaking of my company, they are exploding.  We are growing and growing and growing and we can't keep up.  So we are preparing for a facility move sometime soon.  If you want to read about it, you can here.  Pretty cool stuff.

That's what I've been up to.  Now let's catch you up on David.  David is still with International Paper at their Headquarters in Memphis.  His title changed from Replenishment Planner to Supply Planner in January 2012.  Basically, that means he now plans a Paper Mill in New York.  Pretty cool stuff too!  He has enjoyed the new responsibilities and challenges that come with a new job.  We love IP!  They have been wonderful to our family, and I couldn't ask for a better place for my hubby to work!  He has become an international traveler this summer with a trip to Poland to visit the customer service center for IP.  He also traveled to New York a few weeks later.  Needless to say, I was a complete pansy and was ridiculous when it came to staying alone.  Big house all by myself was not fun.

Speaking of house, we bought our first house in April!  We still aren't unpacked or else I'd show you photos of our beautiful, spotless, everything in it's place home.  HA! Yeah right!  One day it will be pretty and put together.  Until the day when I'm not working 50 hours + a week, it will remain as is.  We try to straighten, but it winds up becoming messy again. Somehow, I keep the dishes clean. The laundry is a different story.  (sidenote: never negotiate front load washer and dryers into your house contract. They take 4 hours to wash one load of laundry + another 2 to dry the load resulting in a 6 hour total time for one load.  Maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but trust me...you don't want to find out.)  I'll have to tell you about our home buying experience one day when I have "time" or am searching for something to write about!  Until then, I'll have to leave you with a photo of the front of it. Curb appeal!

This is a photo from the listing when we first found it. I know I have one that I have taken, but cannot seem to find it.  Other then planing flowers in the front flower beds, not much has changed.  The house is in East Memphis on 2/3 an acre. IN EAST MEMPHIS!

Yep, that's right. We have a red door!  We bought a house in East Memphis and love it.  The house was built in 1955 and has all fun things that come with a house built in 1955.  Like an air conditioner built in 1984 and a hot water heater built in 1988.  Needless to say, we are praying over multiple items in our home to break while we have a home warranty!

We have plenty of "projects" I am/have been working on that I promise to share. I have neglected to take before photos to most projects because generally I am in such a hurry that I don't even think about it. I'll be sure to take photos slowly but surely.  David's uncle told us that he'd heard it said that you buy a hobby when you buy a house. SO true!  Our home is an ever changing project, and I am convinced it will NEVER be exactly like I want it to be!

Now that we have plenty of space, my parents come visit!  There most recent trip included a fun celebration of Elvis during the kick off to Elvis Week.  Dad and David ran in the Elvis 5K and sang along to various Elvis tunes in the Graceland area.  They even met the King outside of the gates.

After the race, we all enjoyed a yummy brunch at Elvis' favorite breakfast spot The Arcade. YUM!  We hung out downtown and went to the National Civil Rights Museum.  We ended the day with dinner at Soul Fish in Midtown. It was an exceptionally Memphian day!

Now, with football season upon us, David and I have been making the trip back and forth to see our Bulldogs who are now 3 and 0!!! Great job Bulldogs! :)  It's hard to believe that last year, we were kicking off the season in Memphis with these two friends!  That's what football season is about. Good friends, great memories!  We are looking forward to another fantastic year with the Dawgs!

I'll leave you with photos from the Music City Bowl. I'm holding out for the Sugar Bowl this year.  That was my bowl prediction last year as well.  The Cotton would be fun too!  Excited for the rest of the season with the Bulldogs!  It's a great time to be a Bulldog! #hailstate

The coming days are busy for the Adams'. We are planning a trip to DisneyWorld soon so I know I'll have a lot of "material" to write about in the coming days.  I think it's safe to say, I'm back! Encouragement welcome!  Oh how I've missed you all! :)

Guest Bedroom Make Over

I have taken an extended blog leave for the past few weeks.  Okay, month or so. It was much needed!  But just because I haven't blogged doesn't mean there has been nothing to catch you up on. Oh contra-ire.  I have LOTS to backtrack on and lots coming in the next few weeks that will be blog worthy!  And I cannot wait to share everything with you.  Seriously!

Though I've had an extended leave, and I know you're probably mad at me because of it {yeah right--today was the first time someone ASKED me about the blog--Hey Mrs. Anita!--I don't think y'all have missed me that much}, I think I can make up for it today!

I'm happy to say that the Guest Bedroom which I've affectionately called the URSR {Unfinished Refinished Spare Room} for awhile on the blog IS FINISHED! Yes, you read right! FINISHED!

Well...almost finished. I still want to make curtains for in there but just haven't had money to do it. Unfortunately for the URSR {which I guess technically should be called the FRSR--finished refinished spare room} is priority number 6 on the curtain list.  I just started priority number one three weeks ago.  It's completed and hopefully will be featured on the blog soon. So now I'm on to priority two. So priority six has a lot of paychecks between now and it.

For that reason, I wanted to share our new guest bedroom with y'all {sans curtains}.

 Don't you just love it!?  Now, I just want to refresh everyone's memory of what we started with

Essentially nothing.  This is a terrible picture of this bedding.  It really is pretty bedding from Target that was a bed in the bag set that was like originally $99.  However, my friend and I found it on sale for $20. 2 big euro shams, 2 shams, 2 decorative pillows, comforter, and bedskirt.  FOR $20!!!!  There are four other pillows on the bed that I spent a little more for, but still.  So the first order of business was to list this bed set on Craigslist.  We listed it for $50 and a woman bought it within two weeks, and she paid the full $50!  I also listed the lamp shades on Craigslist for $20 which is exactly what I paid for them.  It took a little longer, but a woman bought those within a month. Did I mention that I love Craigslist?  Armed with a little spending money, I started slowly but surely reinventing this room.

Now, I don't claim to be an interior designer by any means, but I LOVE this room.  So if you hate it, just keep your opinions to yourself!  I sometimes wish this was our room...seriously!  I've told David on multiple occasions that we're moving in here!

Let's start with the bedding.  Thank you Target for the most fabulous blue and white theme. When I saw it, I fell in love with it, and knew it was perfect for our room.  I first spotted the blue and white knotted pillows in a Target ad in Southern Living in January.  And I had to have the bedding so bad that I started trying to buy it before they ran out. It was actually when they were first getting it in.  Anyway, I went to three Targets total in one day. Yep, three.

Moving to the bed.  If you'll remember awhile back, I redid this cutie pie. Here's  a picture of it before what it looks like now.  We found it off Craigslist for $30. It just needed a little TLC.

Then we can move on to what is atop the headboard.  Yes, it's a mantle and you can put things up there.  A little pop of color, some old books and mason jar, a candleholder that I made from scratch, a print from my friend Barbara, and of course an owl.  The piece above the bed, I got at a consignment shop and didn't have to do anything to it.  It was all mine as is for $18. Score.

Next up is the desk.  I have had this desk since I was a little girl.  It has a matching dresser too.  Since I officially moved out of my parents house in Brandon, and my Dad took over the closet in my bedroom {another story for another day}, my Mom decided to redo my room.  Our fabulous interior designer wanted to get rid of the desk, but my Mom and I, knowing how much the set cost and not wanting to get rid of it, asked if I wanted it.  That way, one day the set could be reconnected should David and I ever need it.  Seeing as I had a perfect spot for it, I claimed it.  FREE piece of furniture alert! Now, I have never been good at making vignettes, but I have to say, I think this desk turned out pretty good.  I used mostly stuff we had, AND hit up the Hobby Lobby 80% off sale at the end of the summer in Jackson, MS, Germantown, TN, Collierville, TN, and Tupelo, MS.  Not kidding.

Please note the photo of my brother and I as little kids, the handmade lace owl that my brother brought me back from Europe {he knows his sis well}, and the Little Things Studio art.

Perhaps my favorite part of the desk vignette though is my Encyclopedia art. Basically, my parents had a set they were throwing away. Back in the day, before internet, my parents had a set for our research projects.  Somehow a few got lost, and my Dad was throwing them out. I begged them for them.  Since some of the Encyclopedias have letters like N-O and S-Si on them, we were limited with what we could spell.  I asked my Scrabble loving husband to come up with something with the 14 or so books he had to choose from. This is what he came up with.  Love it!

Now, I have probably neglected the blog more than usually partly because of this thing called Pinterest that Mrs. Ellen introduced me to {hey Mrs. Ellen!}  If you have a few hours to spare, you should definitely look at that website.  Who knows, maybe my stuff will be pinned on there one day!  Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

So one project that I found on Pinterest is Crochet Hoop Art.  Since we needed an inexpensive wall project that could draw some of the fabrics together, here's what I came up with.

The funniest part is that when some of our friends came to stay with us, she said, "Ooh!  Is that Pinterest?!"  Haha!  I did admit that it was. No use in trying to pass it off as my own idea.  I am, after all, telling the entire World Wide Web.

My second Pinterest project can be found next.  I fully intend to do a tutorial on these two projects one day.  We'll see when that actually gets posted.  I wanted a place to display some friend and family photos.  I've tried so hard to follow the rule about not putting personal photos all over your living room.  There is ONE in our living room and a bunch in our room.  But if you notice, the vignette on the desk really doesn't have many personal photos on it.  I mean, you wouldn't have known that black and white photo was my brother and I except for the fact that I told you!  Anyway, since this room is our guest room, I figure most of these people will have no problem seeing themselves in the decor.

One spot is missing because it's reserved for the McIntoshes.  Since they came for the Memphis game, I do have the picture. I just haven't printed it out and put it up yet.  Soon though!

Here's a few more photos from the room.  You may recognize some of the projects as previous things I did.

Little Things Studio art again. This time above the closet.

I hope you love our spare bedroom!  It's a guest bedroom so we hope that means you'll come stay with us!  We love visitors.  And even if we aren't in town, you're welcome to come stay anyway.  Just ask some of our friends that have already had to do that!

Some of these tutorials are still to come while some have already been posted. I'll try to remember to update the links as new blog post go up.

Headboard Makeover
$3.99 Wall Shelf Project
Crochet Hoops Art
Photo Frame Art
Candle Holder

Go ahead and Pin me on Pinterest! :)  Haha. Kidding, but if you don't know what Pinterest is, you should click the link. Pretty much my favorite thing ever now!

Let me know what you think of our room!  Also, there might be a special prize if you can tell me how many OWLS are in our new guest bedroom.  Just comment on the bottom of this post.  And no, I don't know what the prize is yet.  I'll pick one out of the people that get it right.  I pointed two out already.  Comment on this post with your answer! :)

$3.99 Shelf/Hanger

A few weeks ago, I had my first experience visiting a Goodwill store in Memphis.  I originally went to look for blue glass to use in our URSR or Unfinished Refinished Spare Room if you haven't been following lately.  Instead, I found a shelf/hanger for the wall in the URSR.  Because we have limited closet space in our home, David uses the closet in the spare bedroom for his clothes.  {Plus I use the others for my things--clothes and crafts!}  So I was on the hunt for something like this for guests to be able to hang clothes on when they visit.  That way, David doesn't have to clean his closet out.

Below is what I found for $3.99 at Goodwill.  Not bad.

I do not know why Google Blogs insists on rotating my pictures.  I have no clue how to fix this.  Obviously the left side of the photo is the bottom.  Now, other than this NASTY pink color that I'm pretty sure was the color of my room from age 5 to 10, I really wasn't too keen on the 4 wooden peg hooks.  If this was going to serve it's purpose for clothes, I needed something more durable--just in case anyone needs to move in with us for a month! :)

So I started by removing these four pegs.  I mean, who would hang clothes in those top two pegs anyway?

Then I had my first experience with wood filler.  Some of the coolest stuff ever!  You just squeeze it in where you need to, use a putty knife to even it out some, let it dry for a few hours, and sand it to be level with the surface.  No more holes!

Next, I took it outside to spray paint it.  Now, of course I forgot to take photos, but I'll give you a quick synopsis.  #1. I usually prime my pieces.  However, if it's wood, I just buy the el cheapo, $0.97 a can white spray paint (black if I'm going darker, but in this case I was going for cream).  This serves as a great base coat, and I never feel bad for using the whole can! #2. Let dry.  #3. I used Rustoleum Heirloom White to cover.  This way you only have to lightly spray it!  And voila...spray painting success.

Next, I took blue fabric that I had leftover from recovering a chair in the room to attach to the back.  I wanted something that would give this little piece a pop. Plus I wanted to use this fabric somewhere else in the room.  I actually purchased my own staple gun!  After having to go to Collierville a few times to borrow my Mother-in-law's staple gun, I decided to use Birthday money to get it.  It was only $9.95 for a light duty one, and it was just what I needed.

After stretching the fabric as much as possible, and stapling, here are the results. The back:

And the Google Blogspot rotated front:

Now it was time to call in the reinforcements and recruit my handsome hubby to help!  I had purchased CUTE knobs at Target awhile back.  Problem, they were for drawer pulls and not shelves.  So we took them to my Father-in-laws house and followed his directions for sawing off the extra.  No photos because I forgot my camera, but it really wasn't that interesting and was actually much easier than we both thought it would be.

Next we began drilling holes for the new knobs.  I decided to use three.  Luckily, my handsome hubby got a drill from his wonderful wife for Christmas.  I'd say 90% of the time he uses it on projects for me! :)  However, he did ASK for it for Christmas!

He drilled the necessary hardware to hang it. If you've never seen these, they are our new favorite discovery.  They are called French Cleats, and they make it so easy!  One part mounts to the wall and one to whatever you're hanging.

We drilled the holes in the front, slipped the knobs through, and then drilled sink holes in the back so that the nut could sit flush with the back.  We used needlenose pliers to hold onto the nuts while the other one screwed the knob in.  Backwards, I know, but trust me. It was WAY more efficient! Note: white spot is the wood filler on the backside.

And here is the finished product (complete with David's shirt hanging on it):

Closer:

Knobs:

Better photo of knobs:

Side view (love the heart detail):

And look how well it matches the chair! :)

Before and after:

I love it! What about y'all?

Arts Festival

Because I've been seriously slacking on the blog, I thought I'd update y'all on some fun things that have occurred in the past couple of weeks.

My very favorite Starkville event occurred the weekend of Easter.  For those of you who thought I was going to say Super Bulldog Weekend, you'd be wrong.  While that ranks second, the Cotton District Arts Festival takes first place!  Let me start by saying, if you've never been, go.  It's the weekend of April 20th (ish) next year.  And it actually coincides with SBW next year. How convenient.

Anyway, I had been BEGGING to go.  So David and I agreed that I would go down early and get some work done, enjoy the arts festivities, and then come home Saturday evening.  Then, since it was Easter, we'd spend Easter Sunday lunch with his family.  So on Thursday, I headed off to Starkville.  And Saturday held the joys of Art.

You see, this festival not only brings your normal bird house makers, pottery designers, and food vendors.  Oh it's so much more than that!  It brings with it hundreds of fairly Starkville local artists and all of their creativity!  I was so excited to hear that there were so many vendors this year that they had to turn people away! Insane!  Yet exciting.  I'm pretty sure that the architecture, graphic design, and art students all got the memo that fair priced, amazingly designed items sell super quick.  Because in the past three years, the arts festival has increased dramatically in the number of students selling their work.

There were a few vendors that I have purchased from before as well as a variety of new ones I was ecstatic about seeing.

Molly Gee of MollyGee Designs was there.  I'm not sure if I've shared this on the blog or not, but Molly Gee was a sorority sister of mine.  She graduated from MSU and creates the neatest headpieces.  We recruited Molly Gee to make me a one-of-a-kind headpiece for our wedding reception.  You see, I wore the veil that my Mom wore in her wedding 30 years ago.  However, 30 years ago, it was cool to wear the veil on a hat type thing.  I always referred to it as the Jewish Yamaka because that is what it looked like.  Sandra Ashford, the lady who redid the veil and added to my dress from my Mom's lace, would always correct me, but I can't remember what she called it.  Anyway, Sandra Ashford removed that hat, and Molly Gee cut it up and made a vintage veil headpiece.  Veil:

Reception Veil:

Kate of Little Things Studio was also there. I met Kate at the Starkville Holiday Bazaar.  She is a sorority sister of mine's biological sister.  Her stuff is super creative and currently in our unfinished refinished spare bedroom.  One day I promise to show you how I've used it.  Until then, you'll have to browse around her website and Etsy shop.  And if you don't know what Etsy is, and you're a girl...go find out.  Thank you Jenny Loving for introducing me to it!  A little taste of her prints, and what is to come in the unfinished refinished spare room (I love calling it that...perhaps URSR should be abbreviation....that sounds like USSR. I'll stick with unfinished refinished spare room). LOVE this:

I also knew my friend Barbara was going to be showcasing her talents. She started Merci a couple months after I met her last year. It's always been a dream of hers, and I'm so excited to see what God has in store for her talents. She makes jewelry from recycled things, and sells her photos of Germany which she visits often.  I actually own 2 Barbara P prints.  One is in the unfinished refinished spare room.  I'll give you a peak:

Surprisingly, I didn't buy from those three artists mentioned above.  Probably because I know how to get in touch with all three, and could easily get what I wanted!

However, I do want to share with you my purchases for the day. Mainly because I thought you'd enjoy them, and I think it's important to buy local.

First up, Painted by Holly: Gasp...Holly is from...Oxford.  But she is SO talented, it doesn't matter!  She does watercolor paintings, and I love her stuff.  I'd seen her before, but you know me and my owl obsession? Well Holly was selling owls.  Please check out this amazing magnet and painting...both of owls!  Holly and I are working on another project as well.  If it comes to be, I will share with you. However, you might have to wait until June 19th.

Next up, is my K.Raye owl. (yes, another owl).  You all also know I love K.Raye pottery.  So excited to see what she had created to sell as well. Well, my mom saw this cute owl, and seeing as how it was almost my birthday Arts Festival weekend, she bought it for me. Not sure where she is going to go in our home, but I love her!

And finally, the most beautiful Bulldog print I've ever seen.  The original was bought last year by the Sandersons.  Yes, those Sandersons.  Sanderson Chicken. Sanderson Center (workout facility at MSU). Those Sandersons.  My mom would have commissioned him to take it back from the Sandersons and let her buy it for more, but he wouldn't.  The worst part about the Bulldog print?  I have NO CLUE what the guys name is.  So if this is your friends print, please tell me. I'll alter my blog post.  All I know is that he is an architecture student at MSU.  As I told him, I cannot wait to see the buildings he designs. Have to get this one custom framed soon!

That wraps up my Arts Festival Weekend.  Mom gave herself rocking chairs for the cabin from the Easter bunny.  They are FAB-U-LOUS!  We came back from the arts festival and sat on the porch and rocked.  Then it was time for me to drive back and celebrate Easter with my hubby.  Wonderful weekend!

I share all of these with you and went to the trouble of linking all of the photos so that you can buy local as well!  Many of these people are easily accessible if you want to purchase something they have done!  Hope you find time to make it to next year's Cotton District Arts Festival. It WON'T disappoint!