bucket list

As a part of this little mini face-lift, I've added some pages and links underneath our blog banner. I wanted to quickly share our way of keeping our bucket list which you can find here.

Like the page says, we were [like many engaged couples] big dreaming of what this life is going to look like as we were wrapping our minds around the fact that we get to share it. Forever. Lord willing.

In high school, I had a thin, heavily creased piece of paper tucked away in my wallet with a list of life goals. When Dustin and I started comparing notes and merging lists, it turned into a quick craft project. Shocker.

I used:

• A cheap spiral-bound sketch book off Hobby Lobby's clearance rack
• A scrap of muslin fabric [super inexpensive and gives it that natural look] [next time I would cut it using pinking shears]
• My typewriter alphabet stamps and black ink pad
• Two colors of cross-stitching fabric [and a needle, of course]

For the front, I measured how much fabric it would take to wrap the strip around the entire cover and secure on the inside. I marked off the area that would show on the front so I could have my title centered. I stamped the words, obviously, and stitched the bucket.

Don't let the embroidery scare you. I am no expert, yet I incorporate this into craft projects fairly often. I have found that the back stitch is simple while still looking solid. You can draw or trace your design with a light pencil before it if would make you feel better. I probably should have done that here - my bucket got a little crooked.

After it was all done, I secured it on the inside cover by hot gluing the two ends together and then then the strip to the cover.

I wanted the book to not only hold our list, but memories of times when we checked off those items. For each goal that we had on our list so far, I designated a page for it with the alphabet stamps. I don't seem to have the stamina for all of scrapbooking's layers and stickers and paper, so I plan for this to be a simple photo glued to the page and a recap of the best moments.

Here's to stuffing that book starting...now.

wheelin' and dealin': the first post of its kind

I realized, after the brilliant beyond brilliant deal-find for my sister last night, that I've been raised with a love of a good deal. Never do I buy just for the sake of a lower price. You've got to really like your purchase for the experience to be complete. And the best is when you don't realize you are getting a good deal until after you get to the register. You have successfully conquered the department store prices. Makes you want to run through the store ripping off all those little perforated price tags. No? Just me? 

And, because of that love, I've decided to attempt to regularly post these discoveries in the hopes that you'll get a share in them as well.


Deal #1: Anthropologie Shanti Paisley Bedskirt, twin size
Originally: $48.00 // Sale price: $14.95+shipping

Our guest bed is a little too neutral, and I have been looking for a bold bed skirt to mix with other patterns. Let me go a head and tell you that they only have it in a twin size. But, for $15, I might would even get it make some pretty pillows if you have larger mattresses. But you'll be seeing it on our twin guest bed.



Deal #2: Old Navy Scoop neck layer tee
Originally: $16.94 // Sale price: $12.50 [at the register]

Ok, so the price isn't that much different. In fact, I thought I was purchasing it full price until I was paying for it. It rings up for over $4 cheaper and comes in several colors. It has a pretty neckline [in the front and back] and sleeve length. Just one of those shirts you always find yourself needing when putting together an outfit.



Deal #3:  Steve Madden Ashleey Suede Wedge Boot
Originally: $149.95 [on Steve Madden's website] // Sale price: $63.47

My sister sends me a photo of boots she is trying on, I tell her no, and she tells me about these Steve Madden ones that she really wants, but they don't have her size. Us McMahone girls were blessed with ginormous feet. Anyway, I quickly Google the style and find them on 6PM for over 50% off while other stores still have them full price. Needless to say, I made her night.

Love a good deal.

happy birthday, little blog

Two short years ago today, I braved the blog world. And two years later, I’m very glad I did. I’m glad for the mini face lifts it has experienced. I’m glad to have been faced with why to blog and why not to blog. I’m glad for an outlet to develop in writing when sometimes I regret not majoring in journalism. Honest moment.

And that’s where you, a very important component, come in. You faithfully read and offer your kind encouragement. And, because of that, I attempt to hold myself to a little bit higher standard every time I click “New Post.” Not for the approval but for the challenge of gathering all these racing thoughts and for a commitment fulfilled. And, most importantly, a way to share this vapor of a life. I’m OK with blogging enhancing community as long as we fuse it in to our real world lives. I firmly believe the Lord made one me and one you and no one exactly the same yet every single one of us according to His flawless will. And it doesn’t seem quite right for me the blogger to be different from me the employee or me the wife and friend. Responsibilities and roles may change, but not who you are at your core. And, if it can be like that, I think the blog world and real world will continue to blend real nice like.

So let this post be strictly a thank you for your readership and support. You may have no idea that you are having this effect. But, you are. Because it takes me + you to share. And I really like to share. And, if you would be willing, I’d love to hear from you too. I’d love to hear if you relate or disagree or like something or have suggestions for how to make things better. Or how your day is or when you’re free for coffee. Anything, really.

Hopes for growth aside, I will be blissfully happy with you few loyal subscribers for ever and ever. Thanks again. And happy birthday, little blog.

mantel excitement and a download!

The mantel happens to be something D and I were both very excited to have in our little apartment. Me, because I couldn't wait to decorate it. He actually just appreciates what's underneath - the fireplace. He cannot wait to burn some firewood when it gets colder. Us Louisianians might be on the verge of colder weather. Oh please, oh please!

Decorating and fires aside, my hope is that, even if we're in apartment 235 for short amount of time, that this beloved mantel and fireplace will offer friends and family a place to gather. We're learning how to nestle those times into D's ever-so-insane schedule. I'm beginning to think he's superman. Secret is out, mister.   

Our newlywed space is just about put together, but consider this a preview. Besides, everything else has been lived in and is not so photo-ready.

Here's the breakdown:

1. The height:  dried wheat. I'm into wheat these days.
2. The anchor:  a large empty frame with my book page wreath that I made my junior year of college while Dustin, Katelyn and I were watching a movie. It's that easy.
3. The balance:  one of my prized possessions. My sister gave me this piece by Montgomery artist Donnie Sasser.
4. The layer:  a reclaimed wood frame [which adds a little shab] that I got supa-cheap at T.J. Maxx. Similar one here.
5. Fillers:  Lots of mercury glass. Thanks to the wedding, its on every surface of our home. If you want some of your own, Ballard Designs has a great assortment. My favorites are silhouettes that D gave me for my birthday.
6. More layers and inspiring words:  a print I made of 2 Corinthians 12:9 with the ever-popular chevron print [see below]. It's an 8x10 and you can download it here. I printed it on a professional printer on cardstock and put it in a floater frame which I bought with my 40% Hobby Lobby coupon.

If I'm honest with myself, I'll get antsy and this mantel will be changing soon. And I'll probably decorate it for Christmas on November 28.

happy birthday, sister

Happy birthday to Molly - my big sister, my dearest friend, and greatest matron of honor. All this wedding business was a sweet reminder of how blessed I am with this sister of mine. I think she came to Louisiana every weekend between May and August. And I don't know what I would have done without her priceless wedding and marriage advice [including her suggestion to take the plunger off our wedding registry].

But what struck me was much more than her presence and her plethra of tips. I realized, finally, just how much work this big sister role has taken over the last 22 years. You see, my super-smart sister, through the Lord's perfect will, moved to Auburn, AL when I was eight years old. Yes, you did the math correctly. We are ten years a part in age. [Oops, sorry Moll, I think I just gave your age away.] I should have known then that Louisiana would never get my go-getter of a sister back. And then she sealed the deal with marrying an Alabama lawyer.

What I realized is that things could be so different. She could have come home less and been much more annoyed with me during ages 8 though 16. But she's never missed a holiday and was excited for me when I started shaving my legs. Now, since I've left home, I see that these long distant relationships take work, and I see just how much work she's put into it over the last 14 years. And I see that she was the one making the effort, since I was a clueless adolescent. It's true that whatever Molly does she does incredibly well. How thankful I am that it has always been the same for this big sister job.

And this has got to be my favorite sister stage yet since I've joined the married club. We have more fun sharing hotel rooms and road-tripping in their sweet new ride. I love our closet switches and being her fashion go-to girl. I'm so thankful that she gave me the brother I always wanted and made me the aunt I always wanted to be. I love that we still look at the American Girl catalogue together [RIP Samantha and Felicity]. I'm proud when people say I sounded just like her when I said something and that we look alike [even though that's totally not true]. And I love laughing at the same family jokes over and over again and that she always knows exactly what I'm talking about. I know I owe that to all those years of her relationship-building work.

I'll keep begging God that, if it's His perfect plan, we'll live next door to one another one day. Or at least close enough to have a lunch date and to be each other's kids' emergency contact person.  And I'll go ahead and cement my control-freak feet to the floor in order to keep myself from making that happen by my own design.

So happy birthday, beautiful sister.

You the best.