You're the Only Ten I See

Hello y'all & happy Friday! I've been slowly working on a collage wall for our living room {which is why I still haven't posted about it yet}. Its still a work in progress, but I'm very pleased with how its coming along!

There are tons & tons of fabulous free printables available online, & I finally decided to take advantage of them. Hubby & I both are from Tennessee & have lots of state pride, so what better way to honor that than some state art for said collage wall?! 

I downloaded this free state printable from Q.A. Design, which also offers every other state as well as many countries. 

Now, I love me some Rocky Top Orange, just not so much in my living room, so I used Picnik to tweak the colors a bit to match with our decor better. 

I printed my final image at Walgreens as a 5x7, which cost me under $2. The frame is from Walmart, costing under $2 as well, & the mat I already had. 

Which brings this lovely little project to a grand total of a whopping $4!!

"Are you from Tennessee? 'Cause you're the only ten I see!"

Coffee Table Overhaul

Today, I thought I'd give y'all a little sneak peak at our living room via the coffee table that I painted for it! 

Micah ended up being able to move out of barracks while he was at Fort Bragg last year, so when I went for a visit during my summer break, I helped him get some furniture. Knowing that anything he bought had the potential to end up in our 1st place together, I wasn't going to let him buy just anything! I found a matching coffee & end table {& a couch} listed on Craigslist all for $100. What a steal, huh?! We have since then gifted the couch away, but the tables made the trip to Florida. They originally caught my eye because of the shape & style. I wanted something with a slatted top & a bit decorative on the legs that would lend itself to shabby chic style. The oak color wasn't ideal, but I knew that was an easy fix. 

Once we got all of our stuff down here & the house set up, this was my first project to tackle. This pieces are both very solid. We aren't entirely sure what they are made of, though. The top had a thick layer of some sort of laminate on it, but it looks like real wood underneath. It's a mystery. 

My plan at 1st was to use Micah's palm sander to take off the top layer of whatever & then stain it with a satin Walnut stain/poly I purchased at Wal Mart. To say that didn't work would be a huge understatement. It took me 45 minutes to get one little board sanded. My plan changed quickly. I went back to Wally World & got some dark brown paint in a satin finish {just the cheapest interior kind they had}. 

I dragged the heavy beasts outside on top of an old sheet & gave them both a light hand sanding. I flipped them over on their tops & 1st painted the bases with Krylon Cream spray paint in a satin finish. It took 3-4 cans to get both evenly coated. After I was satisfied with the legs, I turned them right side up. Using a wide sponge brush, I painted the tops with my brown paint. 3 coats was perfect. I probably could have gotten away with 2 because the paint covered really well, but I wanted to be safe. Once that was dry, Micah & I used the stain that I had bought for the tables over the paint to deepen the color a bit & to provide a bit of protection for the paint since it had poly in it as well.

As a centerpiece, I've displayed our wedding photo book {which I made on Shutterfly}, 'K' coasters from Bed Bath & Beyond {which were a wedding gift}, & a Bean Pod candle {They are soy candles & clean burning! This was also a gift. Plus they smell ah-mazing!}. I've been looking for a tray as well, but haven't been able to find the perfect one yet. 

We use the baskets underneath the coffee table as storage for our board games {Scrabble is our FAVE.} & for movies & Micah's Xbox games. I've been toying with the idea of painting them since they don't match at all. What do y'all think about that?

The piece of pottery that hold our wedding book was also a wedding gift from my dad's cousin & was made by her daughter, Lee. Not only is is exceptionally beautiful, you can use it like a casserole dish as well! How awesome is that?! All of her pieces are handmade. Check out her Facebook page for more pictures of her work!

This was just the facelift these tables needed! I'm all about two tone furniture & contemporary shabby chic right now. The end table looks just like this, as well, but I didn't want to give too much of my big living room reveal away! The best part is this project cost under $30 & only took a few hours! Can't beat that. 

Sunday Social: Week 6

I can't believe that I almost forgot to put up this week's Sunday Social post! Shame on me. 

Its been a busy, yet very fun day. We decided to take advantage of today's gorgeous weather & adventured out on Micah's Harley. We ended up in Pensacola which is a little over an hour from us. The adventure really kicked in when we realized that we both were sunburnt (I can't believe we didn't think about sunscreen!!!!), then we got caught in an afternoon storm while trying to get home. Did you know that riding through rain on a motorcycle is actually very painful?! The adventure culminated with our 2 mile exploration of a small park/wildlife refuge here in Niceville & lots of blisters for me. Busy day, huh? But it was beautiful. 

Now onto the linkup!!

1. What is the best trip you've ever been on?I'd have to say that it was our honeymoon to Charleston, SC. We stayed in a historic Bed & Breakfast right in the middle of the historic downtown district. It was AMAZING. I'm a huge history buff, plus the architecture it gorgeous as well. It was very romantic & relaxing. 

2. What is your best idea for a girls weekend trip?Maybe a weekend at the beach? That's definitely how I would've previously answered, but now that I live 15 minutes from the beach its changed that a smidge! 
3. What is your best idea for a couples trip?Somewhere secluded. Micah loves the mountains, so I think a cabin in the mountains in the Fall would be pretty ideal for us. {Especially since we are living so close to the beach right now.} Plus, the first trip we ever took together was to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia with some friends. 

4. What is the best vacation on the cheap?I think that really depends on where you live… For us, the cheapest is driving 20 minutes to Fort Walton Beach to stay at Micah's family's condo when its not rented out!
5. What is the place you most want to visit?ITALY. Specifically, Florence. The Renaissance is my favorite era for art history, & I'd love to visit there.

 Also, pretty much all of Europe. Other than Italy, Ireland & Scotland at the others at the top of my list. Both Micah & myself have Irish/Scottish heritage {my maiden name is Ferguson}, so we'd love to see where our families came from. 

6. What are your vacation necessities?Regardless of where I'm going, a book or my Kindle is on the list. The others need to be broken down by type of vacation. Beach: a big floppy hat, SPF 50 {that's where that Scottish heritage bites me in the behind},  a comfy beach chair, & lots of floaty dressesCabin: anything & everything flannel, leggings, & boots
As always, I look forward to next week's linkup!!

After: Our Foyer

Hey y'all! I feel like its been too long since I've posted another installment of the "after" of our little place. I know my parents are dying to see more! So, I thought I'd post a few pictures of our small entryway. It might be tiny, but I think it gives a great 1st impression & also works double duty as a bit of storage. 

There was a very slight alcove right by the stairs, & it was just asking for something to be put there! I was keeping my eye out for something on Craigslist. One night, I came home & there was a solid wood {albeit, slightly dirty} bookcase there! Turns out, Micah scouted it on the side of the road, just like he did with the nightstand for our guest room. Another "dumpster chic" piece. And totally FREE!! After a good cloroxing & wipe down with some Pledge, it was good to go. 

Most of the decor items are things that were previously in my college apartment. The exceptions are the 'Good Friends, Good Times' sign & the decorative plate. Both were wedding gifts & came from a boutique called Half Moon Bay in my hometown. 

This candelabra is super special to me. We used this & other similar candelabras as centerpieces for our wedding reception.

This area also functions as storage for Ella & Zinga's toys {in the cream basket}, our shoes, rain jackets, Micah's very worn Atlanta Braves hat, keys, wallets, my purse {that's from TJ Maxx, if anyone was wondering}, & my 'Indiana Jones satchel' {as Micah calls it} for when we ride his Harley. You can also see a glimpse of our 'Harry Potter door'. Yes, that is right. We actually have a cupboard under our stairs. Although, no, we do not have a wizard nephew that we stash there. 

So there is it! I'm really pleased with the arrangement. The wood finish works great right now, but I'm itching to paint it eventually. We will see how that turns out. What do y'all think?!

Sunday Social: Week 5

Happy Sunday, blog world!! I've totally slacked off on blogging this week & that's going to change! Here's another Sunday Social, this time all about TV shows! 

What is your favorite TV show of the past?

There's so many! Saved By the Bell, Boy Meets World, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Scooby Doo, & Full House.

What is your current favorite TV show?

Its a tie between The Office, Vampire Diaries, The Big Bang Theory, & Sons of Anarchy. {Quite the mix, huh?}

Which reality show would you NEVER do?

Probably the majority, but especially the Bachelor or Bachelorette. {Although, I almost applied at one time in the hopes of America falling in love with me, then having my heart broken, & ultimately being asked to be on Dancing With the Stars à la Melissa Rycroft.}

Which reality show would you LOVE to do?

The only exceptions to the rule are, as I mentioned, Dancing with the Stars & So You Think You Can Dance. I've danced since I was 2, & I'd give my eye teeth to be on either of those!

This is still my favorite SYTYCD performance! Jeanine & Jason contemporary choreographed by Travis Wall.

What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?
This really is a toughy. There's not any one person on TV that I can completely relate to. I love Pam on The Office. We are both artsy & kind of quiet. Plus I love her dry sense of humor. Style wise, I really relate to Emily on Revenge. She wears a lot of simple & classic things, which I love. 

Which TV character would you want to date?

This one is also a tie. Jax Teller from Sons of Anarchy. {I know he's a gun runner, but just look at him, & he really is a good guy & a great dad.} 

Or, Jim Halpert from The Office. {He's just the sweetest. End of story.}

Sunday Social: Week 4

It's time for another Sunday Social linkup… & it happens to be on one of my favorite topics… fashion!

What is your favorite store to shop at?
Right now, it is probably Old Navy. Depending on the season, it might switch, but I love their summer stuff. Its like a cheaper Gap or J. Crew! TJ Maxx & Target are all-time faves, too. 

If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet?
Yikes! That really is tough. There's so many that I love. Chanel is always a classic choice. I know J. Crew isn't quite designer, but I'd take every piece of clothing out of their store! And I'm currently obsessed with all things Kate Spade. 


Must have closet staple?
Some boyfriend cardis! I wear cardigans with EVERYTHING, & they're an easy way to stretch your summer wardrobe into fall & winter.


Favorite kind of shoes? (brand or type)
I love ballet flats & riding boots! I have a black pair of Bandalino flats that I've almost worn out, & I'm going to be devastated when I finally can't wear them anymore. 


Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find)
I found a pair of Betsy Johnson high heels at TJ Maxx one time & jumped right on them {they were pretty much a steal}! They are hot pink & floral & a little crazy for my style, but they add just the right amount of oomph to any outfit. I used to only wear them with black, but last fall, I wore them with a navy blue dress at one of my bridal showers.


Style you'd love to try?
I've really been wanting to try colored jeans {either light turquoise or seafoam or a coral}, but I haven't found any that I really like for the price that I want to pay. I did, however, recently buy a pair of dark electric blue shorts & some bright coral ones!

{These are both from the Gap}

Stay tuned for more DIY posts this week & another linkup next Sunday all about TV! I hope everyone has a safe & happy 4th!!