I've hit a stall in my front room makeover

I've realized I really don't like painting chairs, recovering cushions, making curtains, etc. I like the fun stuff - the shopping & picking out items that you get to bring home and instantly look perfect! Sadly my budget doesn't exactly allow for that so I will have to continue with all the projects. I currently have 2 chairs painted (only 4 to go), but still have to design & make the back cushions, make curtains, figure out a curtain rod for a bay window, pick out or make throw pillows and so much more. But here's some of the fun stuff (see above) that is in that room or will be when it's all done.








And lastly one of my favorite (if not my favorite) addition to my house! I fell in love when I saw it in the catalog & when still thinking about it a week later knew I had to have it. So I have a little less light and there are some shadows, but I couldn't be happier!

*I don't have a picture of it in my kitchen right now, but will at some point. It's above my round table in my kitchen nook.


Some other great & exciting changes to my house:

I finally have grass!!!!!

It's amazing the difference it makes. So much more still needs to be done in the backyard, but the grass makes it nice enough to eat outside or to lounge on one of the chaises. Weeds and dirt were just so unappealing. I have a few trees and bushes that I'm hoping to not kill with all the winter freeze warnings and to water deep enough I don't get surface roots. :-)

I've even had a family BBQ where I finally got to use my BBQ grill (or at least my mom did) and use the table outside. Sadly I didn't think to take pictures. But we had a great time & I was grateful everyone made the trip out to see me (my family thinks I've moved out of state sometimes!). I'm especially grateful to a dad who spent that night fixing my garbage disposal after I put carrot peels down it - apparently a big no no and a great brother in law who changed my kitchen light fixture. I've promised Robert only 1 light fixture to go and no more fans, but he's been so kind to make multiple trips to my house to change fans and/or light fixtures. Thank you both!

New Goal - the last time my sister in law came to visit (beginning of October) I wanted to have my front room done. Clearly that didn't happen, but they are coming again at Christmas and by then my chairs, curtains and pillows will be done! I have 3 weeks so wish me luck!!!

Just in case you didn't know...

Out today - New Shopaholic book - can't wait!

It's Official - I am a Gleek!

I am apparently coming very late into the whole Glee thing, but I'm officially obsessed! I started watching some recorded episodes on my DVR last week when nothing else was on & before the weekend was over had watched all of season 1 & can't wait for season 2 to start. Below are two of my favorites!

I Die! (for Marc Jacobs at least)

I wanted to just post the below video but as I started posting it made me think of Rachel Zoe (see title) and how each week after watching her show I just can't believe that's her job. I think I'd be in heaven to have my job include sitting front row at fashion shows in NY & Paris, plus picking out gowns, jewelry, shoes, etc. for celebs to wear. Where were the fashion stylists on career day in high school??? Who knew this was an option?

On to my original post. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure or pain (depending on who you are) of talking to me about fashion knows I love Marc Jacobs. I've tried to slowly (and cheaply) pick up things here or there from his lines & am lucky enough to have shoes, a purse and a wallet all courtesy of the wonderful Mr. Jacobs'. Below is his show from New York for Fall. Love so many of the clothes & then just the set up of the show, music, runway, etc. Plus, the bags - in the words of Rachel Zoe - 'I die!' Now if only I could somehow be able to afford one of his bags when I go to his store in Boston in October. Sadly, landscaping a backyard it going to trump that purchase! :) So for now, I just get to enjoy on video!

Now on to the living/dining room...

Well I am in the process of getting my front room decorated & all finished. My goal is to have it completely done by the end of September. Between now & then I need to make curtains (this is going to involve some paint - yikes!), paint & recover dining room chairs, & then get my front room painted & some work on that. Luckily I won't be doing the painting in the front room, but will need to get the chair rail done. Below is a little peek into some of the fabrics/paints that will end up in the room. I'm super excited!

4th ward in 2 years!

I figured I needed a picture with a post & while this doesn't have anything to do with my post, it is a temple I love for many great reasons & so seemed fitting. It's the Newport Beach Temple for anyone who doesn't know.


I started a new ward today. This will be my 4th ward in the last 2 years. Lots of starting over, new faces, new callings, etc. When I think of the 3 wards I've been in the last 2 years I think of all the different people I met, friends I've made and people who have blessed my life. All 3 wards had very different dynamics and leadership. All great in their own way. I also can see in some of the wards that I needed to be in that ward, at that time in my life. It's interesting that some places you can be for short times can have the greatest impact on our lives. All my moving wards have been mostly not of my choosing, but required by changes in a stake, moving & finally aging :-(. The last two wards I was in were for less than a year and just over a year.

The first I was in for just 9 months and it was so hard to leave. I've never had a harder time leaving or saying goodbye even though I had been there such a short time. That ward & the leaders & members of the ward were such a blessing & just what I needed during that time of my life. I don't know how to put into words my experience there, other than it was an answer to many said and unsaid prayers.

The ward I just left was also a great blessing, but in different ways. It tried my faith a little more, but I've left stronger spiritually and with a closer relationship with my Father in Heaven. What more can you ever ask from a ward?

Now I am back in a family ward for the first time in 12 years. I'm so used to the total silence of a singles ward (which is just amazing) and used to lessons, talks and comments being relevant to where I am in life right now. I'm going to greatly miss those things and am a little sad when I think I won't have them again, at least the silent part. But I know I'm where I should be right now & so with that am excited to move forward and receive new callings & meet new people. I'm sure with time I'll get used to all the noise & constant movement in Sacrament meeting.

I know if we bend our will to follow the Lord's that we'll have experiences and be in the places that we need to be and that'll be some of the greatest blessings we'll ever receive in life.

Done, done, done! Finally!

It's finally finished - or at least for now. I still need to make one pillow, but I can't seem to make up my mind on what to do, so until then it's done. I'm really happy with how it all turned out.

First the before pics...

Cabinets & countertops I hated and no color. :-(





And now the after...











Bar stools I love!! I found them at a thrift store for $8 each! In great shape & they fit perfect. Just a little fabric & they were good to go.




It's amazing what a little paint, fabric & few new items can do to a room! Thanks so much to my mom who helped a ton with the painting & sewing & finding me the entertainment center!