And Good Morning to You

This is what we woke up to bright and early this Saturday morning.  Actually, we almost didn't wake up.  Fortunately our awesome neighbors called to give us a nice warning.  

So we ran downstairs still half-naked and saw this......

Fortunately we had no water in the basement!  

However, as we were standing on our porch in awe, my father-in-law drove past our street - of course he stopped when he saw us and the street-turned-lake- what kind of father-in-law would he be if he didn't, but he wasn't coming to see us.  Brandon's aunt has a home on the next block over and unfortunately she wasn't so lucky.  Our cousins Aimee and Nate live in the apartment down in her basement and woke up to inches of water.  So we hopped in his car (ours were still trapped) and headed over there for some major morning clean-up.  We even got to rip up brand new carpet.  Did I mention that we were still in our pajamas?!  Yea, no shoes and nasty pajamas and oh yea, I didn't brush my teeth or hair.  It was great!

We've been up since the wee early hours this morning and it feels like our day should be over but it is only 1:00 pm.  

Well at least we still have the whole day ahead of us and the sun is now shining.  

Oh and the minor detail of two, yes 2, weddings to attend tonight.  It should be a blast though!

another great deal

You are probably getting sick of hearing about all this crap I keep getting but I cannot contain my excitement and I just have to share it with you all.  I know you are not nearly excited about this as I, or even remotely excited, excited is a bad word.  You could just care less but humor me, please?

mmmmkay, thanks.

My favorite store in our small downtown is closing.  It is really the only redeeming store in our downtown. It is a mix of home accessories from antiques, farmhouse finds, and sweet, unique retail items.  I wish I would have taken photos for you - it was just so stylish and cozy.  Well, amidst my tears I was able to run over there and check out the wicked closing sale they have going on.  Boy, were there some GORGEOUS antiques for 50% off that I had my eyes on.  I figured Bran would not be too happy though if I brought home 2 large pieces of furniture in one week.  Okay maybe 3, if you count this priceless baby bassinet.....

(only $20 - don't judge)

......or 4 if you count the Baby Bjorn bouncer my cousin forced me  strongly coerced me into buying.  I am not kidding - I had no choice, even Bob the store manager was getting in on the persuasion.  So I, the NOT-pregnant woman, bought baby items.  Why?  Well because they were $20 and everyone kept telling me to save them - or give them away as the most amazing baby gifts ever, which actually sounds like a pretty sweet idea to me.  You can hear more about my Land of Nod steals here.

Back to the other super sweet sale I scored at....

So after parting ways with the beautiful antiques I found this gem.  

It glistened and sparkled and said, "I would love to hang above your kitchen sink."  And I said, "I would love for you to do that."  

And the best part.....it was $25.  Everything in the store was 50% off.  Because to be honest, I would never pay $50 for this light but $25, that is right up my alley. 

And think, how adorable will it look above the sink here....

And once we hang it there I can move the curtain back to lay actually against the window rather than be flush with the cabinets, which I did to hide the hideous light that is there now.  Once a super cute, stylish light goes up though, I will want to show it off and the curtain will make a great back drop.  

Now I just need to add it to Brandon's list. 

Only Lola

These dogs make our life so exciting.  Tonight I decided to pause the Bachelorette (right before Frank's big moment) so I could go for a quick run.  I made a bunch of homemade chocolate cookies and cream ice cream and ate a whole bunch during the first hour and was feeling quite yucky.  I decided to leave Lola sleeping on the couch since she was snoring and clearly not going to get in trouble.

Well, this is what I came home to find......

Then Bran came home to find us both on the couch cuddling and Lola still had her new paci.....

I am still laughing.  How can you not love her?  She is my little cuddle bug and apparently - now our little baby.

NOTE:  We do not have a baby and will not have a baby.  The pacifier was on the couch because I knit pacifier clips and sell them and was in the middle of a project.  You can see them here.  Also, this paci will be thrown away - no worries.

Sorry Charlie - it's SOLD!

Well I am certainly not sorry because I ran away with some unbelievable steals this weekend.  I have talked before about my love for Land of Nod, the children's version of Crate of Barrel but I have yet to share with you the awesomeness that is the Land of Nod outlet.  I know, I know -we have no kids (and no plans for awhile) but you can still benefit from this store and most certainly the outlet without them.

This weekend my wonderful cousins Noelle and Katie came down to visit - well to visit the Land of Nod outlet.  They were just passing through the area to pick up my Aunt and Uncle at the airport (they were coming home from overseas) and thought why not make a trip of it.  Can you blame them?  So of course we offered to join them.  And boy I am glad we did.  Not only did us women (who are more alike then we like to admit) have a blast convincing each other to spend more money but we all seriously walked away with some unheard of deals.  Honestly, unheard of.  The funny thing about this trip is Katie is the only one with any babies at home.  Two cute adorable little girls.  But that didn't stop us.  Let me show you.....

First I have to show you the crowning jewel.  I am still drooling over this purchase.  

I could not say no.

Isn't she beautiful?

Guess how much?!?  You won't get it.  Let me first tell you the rough estimate of what it once was.  According to the prices of their current wardrobes now this wardrobe was originally between $699-$899.  That's a pretty penny but it is a beautiful, solid piece of furniture.  Now to blow your pants off.

I walked away with it for a mere $99.

Yes, $99

Can you believe it?  I cannot.  And it didn't have a flaw.  Not one. 

And it holds so much - all my crafts.

We will always have this piece because it is so versatile.  It could be a linen closet, a closet in our basement for games, blankets and other entertainment necessities or an actual closet or wardrobe.  

That wasn't the only deal though.  I didn't get a picture but Noelle walked away the cutest $10 lamp - again no flaw.

Katie got these two great cube/storage benches for $50 each - originally $150.

The bench pads were $10 each as well and make a perfect little play area.

Now I don't have a baby but Katie adores her Baby Bjorn so when she saw these for $25 her jaw dropped.  These bouncers retail for $180 - check them out here.  So she bought 2.  Can you blame her?  That would make one killer baby shower gift or she could leave one at her parent's house or one upstairs and one downstairs.  Did I also mention that she owns one at home?  Yes she is now in possession of 3 Baby Bjorn bouncers.  But I am told they are the best. I think it was well worth it.

We definitely walked away with many more goodies with deals just as good but I don't want to bore you with news about $99 amazing strollers, or $20 baby bassinets and other goodies.  You just have to check it out yourself - if you are near one.

Thanks for the fun shopping trip girls.  Katie - Noelle and I expect your hand-me-downs!  We did help purchase them after all.

Lazy Summer Night

This is why I love summer nights.  They are the best.

Makes my heart happy!

Slip Cover part 3 - the end

I am not sure I even want to do this.  I am quite ashamed with the state of my slip cover.  You will not be getting any step by step instructions from me on this DIY project.  I learned many lessons though, lessons that I know I will soon forget.  I compare it to giving birth.  I, myself, have never done this but I am told that you somehow forget the utter hell of pushing a football (sometimes larger) through your vajayjay.  How the brain forgets trauma like that I do not know.  So it will be with this slip cover - the forgetting part. I learned other lessons though, besides never do this again.  May I share them with you, perhaps you can learn from my mistakes.

1.  Do not think that you can just wing it.  You can't - unless you are Martha.
     1 1/2.  Actually use the book you purchased for this project.
2.  Sew the cushion separately.
3.  Make actual measurements.
4.  Use these actual measurements to cut your fabric and align.
5.  Take your time sewing, especially around corners and rounded parts ( I don't know what those are called.)
6.  Honestly, just buy a slip cover.  It is so not worth it.

Well, now that I have admitted what an awful job I have done I guess there is nothing left to do but just show you the retched final outcome.  I may be a bit dramatic.  But it truly should not be pasted on the internet, none the less I am doing it because you can't start it and post about it and not finish it.   And yes, I will leave it like that - for now and no you will not see any detail shots - none.  Use your imagination.

The free, comfy chair that puppy Hudson is modeling.

Then I found a cheap, slip cover online but it was too small for the chair - we made it work and Lola loved it.  So much that she started to eat it while she lounged.

Then my masterpiece.  The only thing I like about it is the color and fabric.  

Since I rushed through the sewing of the slip cover, I had some time to whip up a few of the pillows.  I even sewed in zippers.  That was my first time ever doing that.  So at least I did something right tonight.  I have a ton more to make with the cheap-o Joann fabric.

So there you have it.  Now that I have completely exposed the failure of this project and my sewing capabilities - it's time for bed.

Goodnight!

Slip Cover part 2 - time to sew.....

Everything is pinned into place and I am now ready to start sewing - right now.  As soon as I hit publish post I am taking that fabric and sacrificing it to the machine.  There is no turning back now.  

I must finish.  I will finish.  

And yes...I am still way over my head.  That pinning took me two nights.  And it is NOT perfect at all - nor is it even correct but I am doing things my way and things my way are not perfect.

Here I go.  I will be back with the end results - whatever they may look like. 

Maybe even tonight!

Wish me luck!