100 by 100 Challenge

What’s 100 by 100 Challenge? Well, its very simple. Michelle over at Life on the Horizon is hosting this personal challenge to walk, jog, swim, cycling 100 miles in 100 days.

This will be the 3rd challenge Michelle has facilitated. With each challenge, she has learned more about herself but also about helping and motivating others. The main thing she has learned through these challenges: Just because you don’t meet a goal DOES NOT mean you have failed! She has yet to meet the 100 miles in 100 days, but has become stronger mentally and physically with each one. Michelle has also met some incredible individuals with amazing stories and is so blessed and humbled by their determination!

And y’all, another cool thing about Michelle? She’s a Texas girl!

Why am I posting about this challenge? Well, it’s simple. I’m participating in this challenge and it starts today, May 1. I’ll be walking/jogging/running for this challenge in addition to all the gym time I’ve been putting in. Remember that 50 Days of Fitness challenge we had back in the day? Yeah, I’m still working on it. Maybe I’ll be nice and update my picture because apparently I look much different now according to a lot of people. I love running even though I’m not the greatest at it. I always get some teasing at Pinterest Parties or last year at Haven Conference when I’ve taken the time to go for a run or workout. (And for Haven this year, I’ve already looked online at the gym facilities in the gym. It’s an addiction.)

If you like to walk/jog/run/swim/cycle, you should consider joining in the challenge here. It’s just something to help be encouraged and encourage others.

Uh no, Pinterest.

Y’all, it’s been exactly ONE month since we had an “Uh no, Pinterest” discussion. And when I say discussion, I mean, I (or Heather) talked and y’all laughed. That’s how this relationship works sometimes. I think it’s great.

Are you ready? I guarantee you’re going to think “uh no” as well.

Source: thekitchn.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

If you have lego decor in your home, you might … need to rethink your decor. Legos are kids toys, not for your kitchen utensils. Also, the beer bottle opener? Yeah. THAT goes with your legos.

Source: oddee.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

This might be the most uncomfortable looking chair I’ve ever seen. And really, does anyone still have “those useless tapes” laying around? I know I don’t, and let me tell you I had my share of those bad boys. Milli Vanilli, New Kids on the Block, all the best of course.

Source: paulagold.tumblr.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

I’m all for redecorating. I love me a good furniture makeover. Note – a GOOD furniture makeover. This looks like it belongs in Rainbow Brite’s bedroom, or a what I’m sure someone sees during a good high. And don’t act like you don’t know what kind of “high” I’m talking about. 😉

Source: designlike.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

I simply have no words. Really. I don’t. I can’t even think of something nice to say about this pin.

I changed my mind. I do have words. Uh no. Just don’t do it. Your family will look like Chia pets mated with pineapples.

Source: thebestwallpaperplace.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Let’s rehash my thoughts on glitter. First its glitter pantyhose, now a wall … in your child’s nursery? Look at that crib right against the craft herpes wall. Your kid could eat that right off the wall. Kids do things you would never imagine. They touch everything. They lick things. Your little girl is going to grab some glitter off that wall and put that in places … I shudder to think. Just don’t do the “awesome” wall (shout out to my BFF, who finds this AWESOME).

I think we needed an easy going post today. Not much thinking, gives you laughter.

Spiked pulled pork

I bet you’re asking me why it’s called “Spiked pulled pork”? Last weekend, while I was at Pinterest Party I sent my husband a text asking him to put the roast in the slow cooker at noon so we could have it for dinner when I got home on Sunday. I sent him the very simple directions to follow. He okayed and did it.

Fast forward to Sunday night when I arrived home, after the Pin Party and going grocery shopping. We get everything all together for dinner and to the table. I’m pulling the pork apart, commenting on how tender it was. Literally falling apart as I touch it with the fork. He makes no comments, we sit down to eat, I take a bite. It might be the best pulled pork we’ve had in a while.

He happily announces “Oh I added a little to it. It didn’t look like it was going to cook well with just the BBQ sauce so I looked up and saw the vodka on the fridge.”

At least he didn’t make it spicy. And … he did cook.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:23]

 

And I’m really not kidding when I say its probably the most tender, fall apart pork I’ve had.

A self-interview {Tarah}

The wonderful ladies at Texas Women Bloggers are kindly holding a “self-interview” link party. Since it’s the middle of Thursday, and I’m not being crafty or domestically active, I thought I’d jump on the wagon.

1. What part of the state do you call home?  The FW of DFW – we all know it is the better part of the DFW anyway. 😉

2. How long have you been blogging? Really actively blogging since July 2012

3. Why did you start blogging? What had happened was …A DIY conference attended by friends turned into THIS very blog.

4. What do you hope to get out of the Texas Women Bloggers community? Its always fun to have more friends, and even better if they’re Texas friends!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years, we may or may not still have this blog. BUT I will still have 3 children (they’ll be 10, 8 and 7 – holy cow.) and maybe my husband will make it another 5 years (I kid. maybe.)

6. If you could choose an actress to play you in your life, who would you choose and why? Well, honestly? Melissa McCarthy. I’m not even joking. If you guys have ever seen her show, Mike and Molly, that’s totally me and my husband. TO a T.

7. Name 5 things on your Bucket List that you hope you’ll check off before you die? I’m simple – travel to NYC and Chicago, run a marathon, visit all 50 states at least once, learn to swim like a pro (okay, not a pro, but decent), and keep my house clean (haha!)

8. If you could be known for one thing, what would it be and why? I have a huge passion for children who are placed in foster care. I also have a huge passion for drug exposed/addicted newborns/children and preemie babies. I have no doubt most of my friends know this. It all holds a special place in my heart and I like to help others who need someone with that experience.

9. Describe one “wow” moment in your life. When a judge gave my husband and I a seal of approval for our first child. I looked at him, then Jody and then realized that I was then a “mommy” permanently and no longer “pretending” to be a mommy to children who needed one for a certain amount of time.

10. If you could “be” anything (no consequences, no fear), what would you “be”? I would love to be someone that has no worries, whether it be money worries, family worries, etc. But alas, that will never happen. 🙂

Pinterest Party – April edition

I’m sure we all have a Pinterest Party hangover …or better yet, a craft hangover. That’s a thing, you know? Much like Whitney’s new term she coined “#craftworldproblems”. And yes, before you ask, we DO find ourselves very entertaining.

Facebook fans – you should recognize this picture of the Pinterest Party – April edition sneak peek!

We made the trip down to Heather/Whitney’s aunt’s house again. It’s just such a pretty house and we can all spread out. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go, but alas, my husband was able to “make it happen”. I brought some half-started projects, 2 projects to start and then 2 little baskets to paint. Whitney has a whole nursery to decorate and Heather is a our Silhouette bitc…. I mean, worker. She didn’t really have a list of crafts after she just came off of a big week of meetings for work out of town. She did make everyone some really cute name plaques after she went outside to the “scraps pile” from the house remodel that was going on.

These two beauties were made by Paige and Ashley.

Paige was having her sweet fiancé paint their front door black this weekend while she was gone. She knew she was going to be returning with a yellow wreath so the door color needed to showcase. Heather showed her how to make the cute little fabric flowers, then we helped her with the idea of stringing “HELLO” across the center. Its just too cute!

Ashley’s wreath is the oval shape. HobLob has these cool oval shapes, in case you want one. This wreath has a super sweet story behind it. Those little rosettes down the side? Paige made those for Ashley’s wedding last year for her table number frames. Ashley spent Saturday morning ripping them off the frames so she could continue to use them in her house on the wreath. Add on that green burlap ribbon and she has a winner!

Remember that field trip to Maison Blanche Paint Company? This is Heather’s take home door. It was painted with wrought iron, then Aunt Toni took the silver leaf to it. (Note – AT is a fan of this silver leaf. This is the second time she has used it and it gets EVERY.WHERE) The leaves were there glacaged part of the piece. I think it’s beautiful, even if it is that pesky silver leaf.

SPEAKING of silver leaf – Aunt Toni’s project. These letters are the cardboard/chipboard material that you can get at HobLob and JoAnn Fabric. She used some Maison Blanche Robin’s Egg to paint the letters, then took the silver leaf to them, followed by some Maison Blanche dark brown wax. If you look closely, you can see the Robin’s Egg color peeking through. Also, note the little “specks” in front of the letters. It’s glitter’s ugly cousin – silver leaf. Its floats in the air and gets every thing it touches.

Paige recycled a can that Aunt Toni had saved. She painted the can Annie Sloan’s Old White, added some ribbon then added this really cute fabric flower. Very simple!

ANNNNNND these fabric flowers. Oh these fabric flowers. They became “the craft” that everyone had to do (like these). Well, everyone but me, you know because they’re made of fabric and I don’t “do” fabric. Anyhow, I watched these little flowers become a quick addiction for them. As you can see there was quite a few made, and that’s not counting the ones on Paige’s wreath and can, or the ones on the “name” plaques that Heather made us all (you can see those in the very first picture collage).

Stay tuned for the Pinterest Party recipe post and Whitney will be showcasing all of the nursery goodies she made. Baby Benjamin is most definitely going to sleep in a super cute room!

Any thing you see in the collage you want to see more of? Let us know!

DIY Cupcake stand

More wedding ideas, y’all!!

Lindsay picked out a plain ol’ cardboard stand that she was just going to buy. She didn’t want to make a big fuss about it, just get something that no one had to work on. Here’s the thing, it came with a price. That price — $36. THIRTY-SIX for CARDBOARD, y’all. Cardboard. Uh, no. Not for my friend. Not going to happen. I made a DIY cupcake stand!

Enter the Dollar Tree. Have I ever mentioned I love Dollar Tree?

Supplies:

• round cake pan
• pizza pan/round cookie sheet
• 2 candlestick
• super glue
• cardstock/scrapbook paper
• ribbon
• mod podge
• hot glue gun

I took the pizza pan and traced the cardstock on the inside ring. It wasn’t exactly perfect, but there were going to be cupcakes covering it. At that point, I didn’t let it bother me. I put some mod podge on the pan, then cardstock and finished it off with mod podged over for a topcoat. I did the same thing for the small round pan but turned it upside down.

 

I obviously did more than one, 3 total actually. They were drying … all together on the floor.

 

It was time to add the ribbon on the edging. I believe the ribbon is 1″ thick, and it was perfect. Burlap ribbon was tricky, as it tightened together. BUT I saved it and it looked fabulous.

 

Exhibit A on saving it!

Get your super glue out, take the stickers off the bottom of the candlesticks. I put the super glue around the top of the candlestick and set off to dry. Super glue is the ONLY glue that will work. Don’t bother with hot glue. It won’t work.

After the candlesticks dried, I decided to do a little extra by adding a burlap skirt. This wasn’t exact on the length, but I wasn’t going for a “perfect” look. It was a bit rustic and I think it turned out well.

And sadly .. I apparently didn’t take a picture of them in action at the wedding. However, I got a picture of one of them when I recycled it for Savannah’s birthday.

Also … a Two-fer. 

+

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My sweet boys carried these signs down the aisle. They definitely brought some comic relief after the bride and I were stressed out a little. 

 

DIY wedding invitation design

I spent the most of January through March helping plan my BFF’s wedding. Remember that pallet project? Well, we did a whole lot more.

Lindsay, the BFF, admits to not being crafty. I can attest that she is good at a lot of things, and crafts are most definitely not her “thing”. When we sat down on the Saturday before her wedding, I worked on a few projects. She sat, cut fabric squares for her guestbook project and her hair piece for hours.

Before all that, we had to decide on herDIY wedding invitation design. I told her I’d design them and we could make them for much cheaper than buying them. We did a 3 piece set – the invitation, RSVP card and map card.

She found a design that she liked, but we altered it. Her “theme” (if that’s what we call it) was burlap and lace with purple. I had this awesome idea to take lace and use it as a stencil on the back layer of the invite. I should have taken a picture of that FAIL. It was awful.

THIS is the layer that was to have the stenciled on lace. It was a great idea …in my head.

The design of the typography 

I think they turned out quite nice. We found some 1″ burlap ribbon online at Save on Crafts, the purple ribbon and paper came from HobLob when it was on sale, of course. Everyone knows that you NEVER pay full price at HobLob.

The complete set

This wedding was most definitely a huge DIY project. I have a few more projects to share from the wedding. Also, here’s a few projects around the house I’m about to get started on as well. Now that it’s FINALLY spring in Texas, it’s more comfortable to go outside. So some painting can be done. I don’t paint in the house unlike other people *coughWHITNEYHEATHERcough* I’m far too messy for that.

Adventures with vinyl

Last week I tried something new – adventures with vinyl on my Cricut. It truly is a trial and error type of adventure. If I hadn’t bought some vinyl on Pick Your Plum for inexpensive, it would most definitely be an expensive one.

First let me say … I LOVE GOOGLE! I googled before putting the vinyl on my cutting mat. No, I didn’t google “how to put vinyl on the cutting mat”. I just wanted to be sure I didn’t get ahead of myself. Wonderful Google took me to YouTube, another great invention (entertainment and learning!). Google and YouTube brought me to a tutorial for cutting vinyl with the Cricut. Suzy’s Scrappin Spot has a list of tutes to view. I watched the one for cutting and then watched her cheat sheet tute. While her settings worked for her, they didn’t work for me, so I set mine differently. It’s good to know though!

Y’all remember the stool I painted at last week? I have finished it.

As we know, I don’t own a Silhouette. I have a Cricut. It works, I like it, I live with it.

 

I went back and forth with that I wanted to put on the stool. I asked Heather to help decide between “Mommy’s helper” or “Kitchen helper”.

Her reply – “Kitchen helper. Mommy’s helper = valium” 

Kitchen Helper it is.

 

After messing up the first try because I used the “cheat sheet” settings. after changing them up a bit, it worked. I went with a simple font and a simple color – black.

Once I had the extra taken off and thrown away. I cut the block and placed them where I wanted them. I figured little feet were going to be standing on this, it just needs to be simple.

 

Being a first timer at this, I didn’t know I needed transfer paper. Maybe I should do a little research first before starting something like this. But really? Who wants to do that? I like to fly by the seat of my pants sometimes.

Google also provided me with a substitute material for the transfer paper that I didn’t have. Did YOU know you needed yet another material for this vinyl stuff? Yeah, neither did I, unless of course then you did know and I’m clearly in the dark about this stuff. The substitute is …. painter’s tape! Shocking, I know.

 

I know this is hard to believe, but I have had a semi-FAIL. What makes this a semi-fail? Well since the kids have been “using”* it, the L has flattened out.

*read – getting the stool and getting their own snack, mommy’s tape measure, a banana … I could go on.

and we’re done. Super easy, super cute and they love having their own stool. Too bad they’ve moved Savannah’s into the laundry room to help with the laundry.

 

Uh no, Pinterest.

Do you ever sit, looking through Pinterest and wonder “WTH are these people thinking?” Yeah, so do I. SOOO do I. It’s been awhile since we did an “Uh no, Pinterest” and the weekend is a great time to do a nonsensical topic.

If you’re a new reader, first welcome. I have a Pinterest board named “Uh NO“. It’s where I pin some crazyass pins. You’ll see, you’ll laugh and most likely, you’ll agree. And don’t forget … follow me on Pinterest. I’m about 2400 followers behind Heather. I’m NOT linking her Pinterest board so I won’t be that much further behind. 😛

Y’all, I have SO many good uh no, Pinterest pins, its hard to pick.

**I cannot guarantee you won’t pee your pants from laughing.**

Source: pinterestyouaredrunk.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Let’s discuss glitter. Glitter IS awesome. I love me some glitter on CRAFTS and the occasional shirt, when it’s appropriate of course. However, here’s the thing about glitter, it’s called the “Herpes of crafts” for a reason. Its spreads like an infectious STD. These “awesome” glitter panty hose are going to be like a bread trail of where you’ve been and who you’ve been on all night long in “da club”. I won’t mention what trouble you’ll be in for when that glitter sneaks through the panty hose into your vag. Just … don’t.

Source: tasteofhome.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Easter is just around the corner. I thought I’d “represent” the Easter Bunny. Let’s cut out his stomach and put a little container of dip in it. Nothing says “Happy Easter” like a belly dip in bunny shaped loaf of bread. Yum.

Source: pinterestyouaredrunk.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

I’m a huge fan of upcycling. I mean, I really am. Upcycling a colander as a light is cute. It’s like a little lampshade. Upcycling a BLENDER? I’m thinking not so much.

Source: wheresmysammich.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Mmmmm, such a special cake.

One word: VOMIT.

Let me rehash something I’ve discussed before – if you’re going to take pictures of food, make it look appetizing. This does not look appetizing in any shape, form or fashion. AT. ALL. This is just as bad as a casserole picture. And the BBQ sauce as a layer separator, even worse. I may never look at a cake the same way again.

What am I saying? I’ll totally forget this and eat a piece of cake like it’s the last piece I’ll ever have. 🙂

Source: walkingdeadforum.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

I will be the first to admit I don’t get the whole “Zombie Apocalypse” thing. I don’t watch zombie movies, never have, probably never will. I don’t even care for vampires (sparkly or not). The idea of sleeping on “blood” stained pillows with hands coming out on the blanket, not appealing. While I’m talking about it, look closely at the zombie arms. Zombies are dead, people. They don’t need to have cuts with blood oozing out of them. I digress.

Source: johnrtitus.blogspot.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

When I first saw this one, I’ll admit, I was absolutely speechless. Speechless because of it’s beauty? Ha.

Here’s a GREAT idea, let’s take a light switch cover and glue broken plates to it. You’ll remember the beauty of it when you’re passing through the door, flipping the switch on/off and feel a huge slash through the palm of your hand from the shards of glass/porcelain/metal that is glued around the switch. At least when Heather covered some light switch/outlet cover plates, she used paper.

I’ll leave you with one final one, or maybe two.

Source: acaciaswimwear.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Beautiful Sally Jo at 2 years old ….

20 years later….

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Tarah @ on Pinterest

 

Her plastic surgeon let her include his business cards on the wedding program.

Kitchen helper

Now that my kids are growing like weeds and getting up there in age, they want to help with stuff (whether I want them to or not!) Heather has given all 3 kids these cute personalized stools. She got them from Ikea and then painted them. Each have their names and designs on them. Jaxon uses his stool in his closet to get his school clothes and Trent uses his stool to crawl into his bed. We’ve been using Savannah’s in the kitchen for whoever decides they want to help with lunch/dinner. Its time for her to take her stool to her room. Now we will have a “kitchen helper” stool specifically for the kitchen helper that night!

Last month we went to J’s parents and made a trip to Ikea in Round Rock. I love Ikea. I had 2 things on my “need to get” list and a few on my “if I see it, I might get it” list. I quickly picked up the stool I was there for, then continued to peruse.

Jody was nice enough to put this bad boy together for me. It was amusing to hear him talk to the picture only instructions. This little guy was only $14.99, easy and comes in handy.

Of course I didn’t leave it natural. That’s totally not something I would do.

 

I’m the only one of the 5 of us that has branched out from Annie Sloan and tried a competitor. I’ve had this can of CeCe Caldwell Chalk Paint for a while. I’ve used it on quite a few things (a potato bin and a queen size iron headboard). This paint truly goes a long way. Since the stool is going to be used in my kitchen, Spring Hill Green is perfect for it.

 

BUT here’s the thing about this color – until you get the wax on it. It seems more pastel than bright. Also, I hate pastel. So.

Clearly, I’m the rebel of the group. Not only have a branched out from ASCP, I also went with some different wax. Everyone loves Home Depot and Lowes, and I do too, however, they are not conveniently located near me when I need to make a quick trip. And when I say “not convenient”, I mean it’s like 5 miles away and … let’s be honest, ain’t nobody got time for that when you only need 1 thing. We have a nice Ace Hardware located near us, and wouldn’t you know it, one of the employees loves to refinish furniture. He recommended Johnson’s Paste Wax. Its for floors, but works nicely on furniture.

I’m not patient. At all. Luckily, I was working on another project while waiting for the stool to dry. It dries quickly, so that’s always a good thing.

Aren’t quick little projects always great to get out of the way? There’s more to this little guy. You’ll see.