Schedules + my latest DIY

Popping in for a quick hello! We are adjusting to new schedules around here.  Schedules that include exercise. Elle started dance class again and I took on a new DIY project... Its ME!!  Hilarious!

(oh yea, crazy kids, no make up, and the hippy pack ready for a walk...

#keepingitreal )

I've always enjoyed a good walk and I tried to stay on top of it during my last pregnancy and right after, but I decided it was high time I push myself more. As in: build some strength and maybe shrink my post baby flab. My husband has been doing Crossfit for a year now and I had him sign me up for the last On Ramp class so I would finally be committed to going. AND I DID IT!  I made it through my first two weeks (thank goodness my cousin was there for support!) Let me tell you one thing, muscles are hurting that I didn't even know could hurt!  I will be adding in 3-4 workouts a week in the evenings so the hubs can watch our brood. It has worn me out to say the least!  Anyways, this brings me back to this little 'ol blog!  I have been working on lots of projects during nap time (even tho I really just wanted to nurse my sore muscles and drink gobs of tea ) and I am super excited to post later this week as part of the One Room Challenge!

Can't wait!!!  You can see my previous ORC HERE!

Farm Girl's Vintage First Birthday - Sunflowers, Mason Jars & a Farm Cake

Last week we celebrated my cousin's daughter's 1st Birthday! 

Matea is the cutest thing ever! I was super excited to sneak over while my cousin was at work for a little photo shoot with the birthday girl!

My Aunt Carmen found the vintage chalkboard at a yard sale and I drew the design on freehand (eek!) We also used my cousins old baby quilt and a vintage chair to complete the styling.

Don't you think its soooooo cute!!??

Little Matea was the perfect model!

Later that weekend was her party and my Aunt and I were able to surprise my cousin and her husband with the photos! 

I love how my cousin pulled vintage items from around the house and snipped some sunflowers from the fields to style the party.

My favorite part of the party decor was the cake (isn't it always!?) made by my cousin Michelle!
She is brilliant and so talented!! She also made a cowboy cake for my son and a ballerina cake for my daughter. We all keep trying to convince her to open up shop!

My husband and I made the large M from reclaimed wood as part of Matea's birthday gift! It made a great backdrop for the cake!

 I mean seriously, this cake!! I can't decide which animal I liked the best!

The birthday loved her presents...

and she really loved her cake!

Matea decided the chicken was her favorite!

yummy!

Happy First Birthday Sweet Matea!!

Elynn- 3 months

3 Months!!

Elynn is getting cuter by the day, no... by the HOUR! I swear!

He's a little ham and giggles uncontrollably when you tickle under his chin...or on his thighs...or on the palm of his hand!

He loves his daddy and will happily sit on his lap ALL. DAY. LONG, especially if there is a baseball game on!

He's starting to be a little mover too... hence the slightly blurry photos.

I have had several strangers flat out tell me they have never seen such a fat "healthy" baby. I find it a little funny people are so honest!

I'm not offended, just puzzled!

This post is dedicated to all the people who must think I can't tell how huge my child is, Specifically the weird guy at Home Goods who felt the need to squeeze Elynn's chubby foot as he walked by. Why?
If you want to see more baby goodness be sure to check out the whole series!
Monthly Photo Project!

Boob Lights Be Gone!

Want to know what's worse than boob lights? 

Saggy boob lights.

True Story.

Even worse, a PAIR of saggy boob lights.

Pretty bad when this is the best before photo that I have of our saggy boob light wall sconces in the stairway.

First of all, I have never dealt with wall lights in a stairway, so I had to come up with an option that looked good, but didn't intrude into the stairwell.

I was going to try and hack some old lights from our last house into faux enameled wall lights, so I headed to Home Depot for spray paint. 

Before heading to the paint aisle, I decided to do a quick looky loo around the lighting department. There is always a chance of clearance lights or at the very least inspiration and what do you know, I spied lights in the outdoor section I thought would work.

And they were CHEAP.

My heart went pitter patter when I saw the price.

$4.97 !!! 

That is even cheaper than spray paint people! 

My first thought was, I'm crazy. These are the kind of lights that you normally find on a little old lady's house. No, really, I bet your grandma has them...but that is what I love about them.

Vintage, retro, classic...Jelly Jar Wall Outdoor Lights.

Cute cute cute!!

Am I right? 

I think these humble little lights are just PERFECT for the vibe of our house.

Changing the wall lights meant the other boob light had to go as well.

Cause, really, BOOB. LIGHTS. 

We replaced the hall light with this cute little schoolhouse number that we snagged for $5!

Please ignore that I haven't touched up the paint yet.

Don't you think the jelly jar play nice with the schoolhouse light?

They also coordinate well with the bathroom lighting and the updated pendant lights downstairs.

I really feel like our house is starting to look how I have had in my head and we are coming in way under budget (for lights at least...). I expected to spend at least $30-$50 on wall sconces, so under $10 is amazing! Plus the $5 for ceiling light! 

Feels awesome!

Upstairs Paint Before & After

We spent Labor Day weekend painting and painting and painting...no vacations or camping for this family. 

Since then I have been organizing and re-assembling my office.

Lets refresh on what the space looked like before...

 ...and here it is now....chair is just temporary (in case you were thinking I thought it looked good that way).

Here's a before shot of the other end of the room...

and here's part of the after (the other wall is holding a pile of yard sale stuff that isn't staying..) and you can see the newly painted credenza has found its home!

The consistent wall color is one huge improvement to the whole upstairs. Before there was an awkward line on the ceiling where the paint transitioned from the brown in the hallway to the blue in the office.

It was weird!

Here's a before of the hallway with it's much darker paint...

Here is the after. You can see the difference in paint if you look up by the light fixture. We found this light AFTER we painted, so I have some touch-ups to do.

#keepingitreal

More about the lighting upgrades to come.

I love this shot looking towards the bathroom. It is so light and bright now!

The color we used is called Sandpiper by Martha Stewart mixed in Glidden Duo Eggshell from Home Depot. We used the same color in Ellery's Room, the Kid's Bathroom and the Laundry room.

The upstairs is getting close to done. Just a few more things to do in the bathroom, a little decorating to do in the office and then we can move the DIY party downstairs (or maybe to the stairs...hmmmm)!!