Cheap Expensive Taste

Sometimes (ok more than that) I feel that things I like are too expensive...all the cool looking things are just out of my price range! Well, not this weekend!

In one of our super cool downtown Athens stores, they sell sheets of wrapping paper for about $2.95. Seems a little ridiculous, but this paper is amazing. I wanted some of the wall space in our dining area to be filled a little more, so I decided to make some art! My friend Staci and I had talked about how neat it would look to frame a pattern that we like, so I did just that.

I got 3 different patterns and Daniel and I got some really great rustic frames at Hobby Lobby at 50% off! I don't know about yours, but our Hobby Lobby has A LOT on sale for half price this week!

Daniel then cut some foam board to back the paper, so it was more solid and wouldn't rip.

Then we just used double sided tape and placed them in the frames! We LOVE them!!

Here's another thing we found for half price...I've always wanted these in my kitchen!

Since I've been doing so much, I've been cut off from home projects for a while :) Enjoy!

Making Old into New

Lately, I've been in major home project mode, so today I acted on it!

Last week, my friend Beth put some project inspiration on her blog here, and I saw something that I loved! It was a moss-covered letter. I love the look of moss, and I already had our initial in a white wood, so I decided to run to Michaels and get some moss to glue on it!

I got a bag of this:

And just hot glue gunned it to the "A", and here's how it turned out! It was a little messy, but it all came together.

My next project for the day was to make some use out of the multiple glass vases that have collected in my house over the years. They were just sitting on top of my kitchen cabinets, so I wanted to recycle them! I went out and bought some glossy white spray paint, made them white, and added some fake green hydrangeas. 

 

I'm trying to reduce some clutter in our house, so I think these really helped! And they brighten up the room! Ahh home projects...

Mail, Mail, Go Away!

I feel like the clutter that's in my house is mostly due to mail that I have not tended to yet. I'm not always Johnny on the Spot, so if I haven't taken care of it yet, I can't throw it out right away....that brings up the question of "where do I put loose mail??"

It usually ends up in a few different places, which can cause some confusion and "old lady brain" from not remembering where I put something.

Well, today I implemented a solution! I got a 2-tiered hanging basket from TJMaxx for only $12! Love it there. I put it on a small wall space in my kitchen, so it's easily accessible, and I know I'll walk by it multiple times a day.

I think it will be a great problem-solver. I love that it has 2 tiers so I can keep a to-do list and my new return address stamp handy for when I need them!

Return Addresses Can Be Your Friend

Sorry it's been WAY too long since I've posted something...We've been busy with the dog, work, our 1 year anniversary cruise (!), etc.

So I've mentioned before that I work at a stationery/gift shop called PlainJane Designs, and I just got an order in for something that is changing the way I send mail!

We have a vendor called PSA Essentials and they specialize in stamps. I decided to jump on their bandwagon and I ordered a return address stamp from our store. I love it!! Here is a picture of the design I got (it's not my address, but it's an example of what mine looks like):

 Let me know if you're interested in ordering one! It makes personal notes and even bills that much more pleasant. Thank you PlainJane!

Rescue

Some of our friends from church, Bryson and Emily, had the amazing experience and blessing of adoption this past January. Their new little girl, Evyn, came from Ethiopia and she has clearly been a light in their life (based on her smile alone, I can see why).

They just put together an incredible video that shares their journey, and it's definitely worth watching. Just being a part of their story has blown me away, and they do such a great job reminding us that adoption is a rescue, just as Christ rescued us.


Evyn's Gotcha Day + Adoption story from emily Vogeltanz on Vimeo.

May Merriment

Sorry it's been so long since I've said anything! I blame it on this new little guy:

Yes, we got a puppy. His name is Duncan and he's a lab-mix. He certainly is a rascal, but he's precious and has quite the personality. We've been pretty preoccupied as of late, but in a good way :)

________

On another note, I want to be sure you all know about some Stella & Dot deals that I'm offering this month! If you order a piece of jewelry at www.stelladot.com/annaarmstrong under the hostess name "May Jewelry", you'll get a flat shipping rate of only $5.95! Believe me, some of the jewelry can be heavy and this pays off!

Also, if you order by May 31st, I'll put you in the running for a free pair of earrings. It will be worth it! If you are interested in hosting a trunk show to get some amazing jewelry credits, e-mail be at annaarmstrong01@gmail.com.

Not only that, but there is some great jewelry on sale right now!

Bloom Flower Necklace $62

Berry Cocktail Ring $19!

If you want to order, but are not sure what you are looking for, e-mail me at annaarmstrong01@gmail.com.

Hair Lop

So I got a major haircut this week! I had been thinking about cutting my hair short some, but sometimes I get a little impulsive :) It feels so different, but I'm liking it!! I've never had my hair this short before...

Before:

After:

It's still taking a little getting used to, but I think it's going to grow on me!