tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34856902081242167152024-03-18T02:00:20.063-05:001060 BlissAlimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-90947362136991080982012-01-05T14:44:00.000-06:002012-01-05T14:44:36.332-06:00better late than never, right?<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so sorry that I have not even dropped by to wish you all a Happy New Year!! I am a horrible blog friend! </div>
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The last few weeks have been CRAZY! I will not bore you with all the drama, but I wanted to pop in just say Hi. I probably won't be around for the next couple weeks as the craziness continues. Hopefully the dust will settle at the end of this month and I will be back to painting furniture and tablescaping until my heart's content. Believe me, I wish I could be doing that now.</div>
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I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and that the new year has started off beautifully for you!</div>
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See you in February! </div>
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{I'm already plotting a valentines tablescape in my mind} :)</div>
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xoxo, </div>
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alima</div>
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<br /></div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-66377279286660013732011-12-23T05:00:00.000-06:002011-12-23T05:00:14.886-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqsKdHnGjB4/TvMtmJ_nfYI/AAAAAAAABQo/U4sjqtRo7pM/s1600/santa+2011+-+2yo-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqsKdHnGjB4/TvMtmJ_nfYI/AAAAAAAABQo/U4sjqtRo7pM/s640/santa+2011+-+2yo-f.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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We took the little man to see Santa last week. He's still at the age where he's a little scared of the big guy in the red suit, so mama had to sit with santa too!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRAImAsLVwY/TvMtnMh5HTI/AAAAAAAABQw/JiZng5WceHU/s1600/santa+collage+-+years+0+thru+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRAImAsLVwY/TvMtnMh5HTI/AAAAAAAABQw/JiZng5WceHU/s640/santa+collage+-+years+0+thru+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love to compare pictures from year to year. Fun memories!!</div>
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I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! </div>
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xoxo,</div>
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alima </div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-57907305674126013052011-12-19T21:26:00.002-06:002011-12-20T16:05:57.030-06:00a little christmas wrapping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoiUzue4_OMNGjgUVGEjH-TxzhF5Mc_POB2ZMTnUn3y6bjivun_7Lo1mSwa34j7dBRx8oIQ0hJmlDOrNBhbbwowxIqvxDFvMiptjleLLhD-CgdRoIB1mCCJ72re_tUmYtRYXkA1adCBz/s1600/IMG_2555-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoiUzue4_OMNGjgUVGEjH-TxzhF5Mc_POB2ZMTnUn3y6bjivun_7Lo1mSwa34j7dBRx8oIQ0hJmlDOrNBhbbwowxIqvxDFvMiptjleLLhD-CgdRoIB1mCCJ72re_tUmYtRYXkA1adCBz/s640/IMG_2555-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Who else does "theme" gift wrapping for Christmas? I have never done it before, but this year I thought it would be fun. It's almost like tablescaping for your tree! :)</div>
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I knew I wanted just simple, neutral papers like brown kraft and I was thinking maybe a simple red and white stripe. I found rolls of brown kraft paper at the dollar store so I stocked up. I ordered the solid red ribbon and the red and white stripe ribbon from Amazon. </div>
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{Just a tip: I found their ribbon prices to be better than anything I could find locally}.</div>
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I never did come across a red and white stripe wrapping paper, but while I was at Ikea during Thanksgiving I found this icey blue paper with white dots. I used it for a pop of color against my neutrals. I love blue accents for Christmas and I love polka dots so it's perfect. </div>
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{why did I only buy 1 roll?} </div>
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The red and white yarn is fun for texture and I love it mixed with the brown and blue </div>
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(yarn is from Hobby Lobby).</div>
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I ran into the brown kraft owl paper at World Market. I'm not sure where my owl fascination comes from, but I am drawn to anything with owls. So of course, I had to have it.</div>
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The gift tags are from <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/" target="_blank">Emily</a>. I love all her printables, but I have especially had fun with the ones this month! There is nothing better than a little green chevron to brighten up a Christmas package!</div>
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I hope you all are enjoying these last few days before Christmas!</div>
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xoxo,</div>
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alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-47766328061789307472011-12-15T15:34:00.004-06:002011-12-16T00:25:17.187-06:00a christmas crafternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last week we had a day of unsually beautiful, warm weather for December. I decided a little outdoor Christmas crafternoon was in order.</div>
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I found these little clay Christmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby and I knew the Grandparents would love a handpainted gift from the little man.</div>
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He went to town painting right away and loved every minute of it.</div>
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And I loved watching him explore and play in the paint.</div>
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He was having so much that when he ran out of ornaments he requested paper so he could keep painting. </div>
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I think I have created a little bit of an obsession. He now asks to paint on a daily basis.</div>
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Which works out perfect because months ago I bought him this Christmas gift at Ikea. </div>
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Can't wait for him to see it on Christmas morning!</div>
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xo,</div>
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alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-46037831102088932602011-12-13T23:36:00.000-06:002011-12-19T21:33:21.171-06:00a simple $7 DIY Christmas skirtI've been meaning to make a tree skirt for about 3 years now. But every year Christmas comes and goes and I run out of time. Probably because the skirts I always want to make are elaborate and time consuming.<br />
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So this year I was smarter. I knew I was short on time so I decided to go simple, quick and budget friendly.</div>
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I'm pretty happy with the results. So here's how I made my $7 tree skirt.</div>
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I bought an inexpensive 70" round tablecloth at Target for $7.</div>
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I folded it into quarters and cut a quarter of a circle out of the fabric to fit over the tree stand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80rDTpdHMS7aljapGDy-Xk4RIJw4n1VDJN4ZOLwgLml-732L_U6QhRXJ5CPA8Of1gla_lNAb9lq_J-6zV3qhF6Sb3Uc0M2cnOBQQapMTHBTo4nxl2L_PGrM8P2nLfI0x1IgCxz6KZ7v2u/s1600/IMG_2507-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80rDTpdHMS7aljapGDy-Xk4RIJw4n1VDJN4ZOLwgLml-732L_U6QhRXJ5CPA8Of1gla_lNAb9lq_J-6zV3qhF6Sb3Uc0M2cnOBQQapMTHBTo4nxl2L_PGrM8P2nLfI0x1IgCxz6KZ7v2u/s640/IMG_2507-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I made one straight cut down the back side. At this point, you could hem the edge of the circle and the back slit or you could leave a raw edge. Totally up to you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkcGZBTjkbE6TO83KUvL_xTJPkcFCpgneOOIEIEBeVkhjzI4TKDZJSpHuOqpAp018PwjmkbZPnXva2UIfGOInKyuc70TFyjZ35TMonlHcjT37aTqMoE1pgKcNqaqEh1vP8JMJvlSM1d_/s1600/IMG_2506-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlkcGZBTjkbE6TO83KUvL_xTJPkcFCpgneOOIEIEBeVkhjzI4TKDZJSpHuOqpAp018PwjmkbZPnXva2UIfGOInKyuc70TFyjZ35TMonlHcjT37aTqMoE1pgKcNqaqEh1vP8JMJvlSM1d_/s640/IMG_2506-f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Next I cut 2" strips for my ruffles. I used canvas drop cloth because I love the nubby, slightly rustic texture and I have a ton of it around my house. I cut 4 50" pieces (about 200" total). I like to cut several smaller pieces rather than one long strip because I think it's quicker to ruffle that way. Again totally up to you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz6a96FPErOe2ZlIRPnWrn1otG-cJtoNDiNhPTUqoCAYj3fJDOJ6sq2atpbwweqstEUzKOChO-sXF4o9sN8H8Ykvwv7_mu0N6Kpj64dNqxVp8pzgVD_m_tRQ0VMauVbh9sBGYA-WckG6n/s1600/IMG_2510-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz6a96FPErOe2ZlIRPnWrn1otG-cJtoNDiNhPTUqoCAYj3fJDOJ6sq2atpbwweqstEUzKOChO-sXF4o9sN8H8Ykvwv7_mu0N6Kpj64dNqxVp8pzgVD_m_tRQ0VMauVbh9sBGYA-WckG6n/s640/IMG_2510-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you have a ruffler foot for your machine then you are lucky and I am jealous of you. </div>
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If you don't than you can do it by hand pretty easily. Just sew a long straight stitch (using the longest stitch your machine allows) down one side of your fabric strips. Then pull the bottom thread as you slide and gather the fabric. Continue pulling the string and gathering the fabric until you get the ruffley look you like!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1o-qCkk1zvonYFPjZIfely7g9DA_bQ0Hx1aHhlPR9RPmmfI5rnKwJloRGjBijDfBRvvNSCIkjXXXhyphenhyphenhP8ZrRo_GPWLpOWGqFdNvPmHRjhgjwyDlZ_w3_AwO9Pz2lB2fXmFbthorasu2F/s1600/IMG_2517-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1o-qCkk1zvonYFPjZIfely7g9DA_bQ0Hx1aHhlPR9RPmmfI5rnKwJloRGjBijDfBRvvNSCIkjXXXhyphenhyphenhP8ZrRo_GPWLpOWGqFdNvPmHRjhgjwyDlZ_w3_AwO9Pz2lB2fXmFbthorasu2F/s640/IMG_2517-f.jpg" width="426" /></a>.</div>
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Next pin your ruffle to the skirt. I decided to pin the drop cloth ruffle around the very edge. Then I ruffled a little red and white stripe ribbon and pinned it about 1 inch above the drop cloth ruffle. Once pinned, just sew a simple straight stitch to secure the ruffle to the skirt. Add as many ruffles as you like. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIEthlymSV8MqXEcOyGCowZYmL3fZIZMJ7Yt5O7F57RIR2Qqpv190BuYjneludxQfOtoN0F1zpiIAEHDrilm6vQjcJ-HrNKuhRBPtB-5851LrDAjZWY9iejArLlowM9GDApn7BwG5tQlK/s1600/IMG_2515-f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIEthlymSV8MqXEcOyGCowZYmL3fZIZMJ7Yt5O7F57RIR2Qqpv190BuYjneludxQfOtoN0F1zpiIAEHDrilm6vQjcJ-HrNKuhRBPtB-5851LrDAjZWY9iejArLlowM9GDApn7BwG5tQlK/s640/IMG_2515-f2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you cut 4 separate fabric strips or ribbon pieces like I did, just overlap them a little and the pin to secure. You can barely see the overlap. I promise no one will even notice!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79LyrU2PVCKRlSjgPNqJkZ9VD-obAVetnU4KZlgqZsYapSjWUnEmyGCCZC0UtoID4U-zU8-_zwQ4JMDdMEtWkZgc4t4QUc1rLxcw5X9L5s4QA22f1cfk5SwfLqe6-AThMEySGbWK8kf6/s1600/IMG_2545-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic79LyrU2PVCKRlSjgPNqJkZ9VD-obAVetnU4KZlgqZsYapSjWUnEmyGCCZC0UtoID4U-zU8-_zwQ4JMDdMEtWkZgc4t4QUc1rLxcw5X9L5s4QA22f1cfk5SwfLqe6-AThMEySGbWK8kf6/s640/IMG_2545-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there you go!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxpDzJfYO5v8hOZyrqzpwNWupE_cXPzpMe0ZdwpLPT-IM2cbDcyC__jTX11D1HavyYOWpFRzDri_oRsP7mU4ejoP5TWVRBtn8MvxFRKdz3qVxK3NDXMIyTFd2CZAfKiSxsKvlWpj9Ex5M/s1600/IMG_2540-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxpDzJfYO5v8hOZyrqzpwNWupE_cXPzpMe0ZdwpLPT-IM2cbDcyC__jTX11D1HavyYOWpFRzDri_oRsP7mU4ejoP5TWVRBtn8MvxFRKdz3qVxK3NDXMIyTFd2CZAfKiSxsKvlWpj9Ex5M/s640/IMG_2540-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A simple, affordable Christmas tree skirt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-_nvdgsWHCz6TCVNKVgCBezsKUiJAQHzJSa3ekpyZYfnKZgYRoW3Q-l4oZeIQ5UttDyJK8P4oOB6Pjy5c5SVTG5AAzvYpbvggkx0IdY0z0PgrumvoSe8ZQ9NqhGKNukUPtKU4vJ2ErVM/s1600/IMG_2533-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-_nvdgsWHCz6TCVNKVgCBezsKUiJAQHzJSa3ekpyZYfnKZgYRoW3Q-l4oZeIQ5UttDyJK8P4oOB6Pjy5c5SVTG5AAzvYpbvggkx0IdY0z0PgrumvoSe8ZQ9NqhGKNukUPtKU4vJ2ErVM/s640/IMG_2533-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you make one, I would love to see it!</div>
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xo,</div>
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alima <br />
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I'm linking up with Beth for<br />
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/" target="_blank" title="Home Stories A2Z"><img alt="Home Stories A2Z" src="http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad2/bethcrabtree/tutorialsandtips.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>
</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-58101694231255806642011-12-05T20:42:00.001-06:002011-12-08T14:06:47.260-06:00a simple, christmas mantelscape a.k.a the "emily mantel"We had the most beautiful sunny, warm day yesterday. I was working on my mantel with the back door wide open. That's how nice the weather was. Of course, I didn't finish my mantel yesterday. And today when it was all finished and I got ready to take pictures guess what?? A cloudy, rainy day. <br />
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Please tell me I am not the only one this happens to?! </div>
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Sooo...I apologize in advance for poor lighting and shadows from the use of overhead lights. Boo!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim1AB7RzlxVINfuTp645bL2EdduHTl5qvj72ayouyFcwmDkPc5BPytKnpZc-m7mbinlSoSPmcWUpq-9Va0DeWjWJp5ZAMJ4bzHVDuaXlqafBBUV3jlzOpguKliBDghVPAfL9xKyzEodpW/s1600/IMG_2480-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim1AB7RzlxVINfuTp645bL2EdduHTl5qvj72ayouyFcwmDkPc5BPytKnpZc-m7mbinlSoSPmcWUpq-9Va0DeWjWJp5ZAMJ4bzHVDuaXlqafBBUV3jlzOpguKliBDghVPAfL9xKyzEodpW/s640/IMG_2480-f.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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This is a really simple, no budget, shop your house for items kind of mantel. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33WnRR9GI1TH4AqwwWCq10xbHpzy3dtAtIntC6GInL71Se10COlGjUVLRVkKM9i_LQVNR4CIbgDGEBTy3D3WnylhOlqJJPT3fblA1uPmPrRTEiXbkPijtqCpJtNemRuKj-5N8l7eJNpRt/s1600/IMG_2421-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33WnRR9GI1TH4AqwwWCq10xbHpzy3dtAtIntC6GInL71Se10COlGjUVLRVkKM9i_LQVNR4CIbgDGEBTy3D3WnylhOlqJJPT3fblA1uPmPrRTEiXbkPijtqCpJtNemRuKj-5N8l7eJNpRt/s640/IMG_2421-f.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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This is the same wreath I used for fall (which I took pictures of and never had the chance to post them and share). Nevertheless, I just pulled the fall flowers off and added a few Christmas-y ones. Oh and I added some red twine in between the layers of burlap ruffles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPkPa7qTJsSvAQRlvCMcmh_7JTvlHwfQSafe7jnf0hhcITATRco4dtQyf9VTDtrrfWgfPx8THrtlA3OwcBEGhiIh1GUv2yBGP6nLQVj6FJ_fMO6259fRIjHYnNTAXD2QQ8QLcA8dP5z2v/s1600/IMG_2363-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPkPa7qTJsSvAQRlvCMcmh_7JTvlHwfQSafe7jnf0hhcITATRco4dtQyf9VTDtrrfWgfPx8THrtlA3OwcBEGhiIh1GUv2yBGP6nLQVj6FJ_fMO6259fRIjHYnNTAXD2QQ8QLcA8dP5z2v/s640/IMG_2363-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This should really be called my "Emily Wreath." Almost all of the inspiration comes straight from <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/" target="_blank">Emily of Jones Design Company.</a> The ruffle wreath is from her tutorials, as well as the flowers and the little Merry Christmas tag is from one of her printables.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1caf8G6Wq0cbavz11fxEbNStuDfg8JFkuqWV2cGk2txpmIktTWt26ScmhI-QSZ144uvZt1z_EjdAu8bAzcTa4RBVcH4_u526Yf5aT-kRq0PblaGlD3Ay0Pk-AE0iqyD78NsbzBxVe9dN/s1600/IMG_2407-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1caf8G6Wq0cbavz11fxEbNStuDfg8JFkuqWV2cGk2txpmIktTWt26ScmhI-QSZ144uvZt1z_EjdAu8bAzcTa4RBVcH4_u526Yf5aT-kRq0PblaGlD3Ay0Pk-AE0iqyD78NsbzBxVe9dN/s640/IMG_2407-f.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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If you aren't familiar with Emily and her blog, clearly you should be. She is full of crafty inspiration!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC5k-1UdM2PfXo6mz9l9F_-UJtVrknqiLdlPlTW0Cl2MMD_4ZrLkPSCLkuDhSIaz10UJdGIf7Fldl4hm83LM02RHbxvV7V6Mui5Yiu3WruK3yGYDSXm3zFqUwwHEV6LOjG3qmnXUi24Gb/s1600/IMG_2402-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfC5k-1UdM2PfXo6mz9l9F_-UJtVrknqiLdlPlTW0Cl2MMD_4ZrLkPSCLkuDhSIaz10UJdGIf7Fldl4hm83LM02RHbxvV7V6Mui5Yiu3WruK3yGYDSXm3zFqUwwHEV6LOjG3qmnXUi24Gb/s640/IMG_2402-f.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
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Oh wait, this is hers too. Might have to name the whole mantelscape after her! This art print is from her <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/jones-design-company-monthly-printables/" target="_blank">JDC Monthly printables</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5frcX03mqYnr9tp2YG18h4xnDPxlq4bWQYipDVxh-hUex-x0Iy-dIlivZIn_vzVTuJnvBJ43DMo5Xl5DwBjG0vaBDIozBxoZ62a-h6oBT-FHFqeKjMg6uV7t506lS1Gw8_ZdoVzGSoOq/s1600/IMG_2403-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5frcX03mqYnr9tp2YG18h4xnDPxlq4bWQYipDVxh-hUex-x0Iy-dIlivZIn_vzVTuJnvBJ43DMo5Xl5DwBjG0vaBDIozBxoZ62a-h6oBT-FHFqeKjMg6uV7t506lS1Gw8_ZdoVzGSoOq/s640/IMG_2403-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't want to fool with a frame, but it needed a little something to make it more substantial. I happened to have a black mat laying around in the right size. I painted it white and while the paint was still wet I sprinkled on a little glitter. I mean, it's not Christmas without a little glitter, right?! </div>
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I made this chalkboard as a prop for some family pictures. It didn't work out so well in the pictures, but it looks cute on the mantel. :)</div>
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Are you wondering about those little Santas in the corner? I know they don't exactly go with the rest, but there's a story behind those little guys. They are actually from the husbands childhood. Yes, he's saved those two Santa candles all these years. And every Christmas he requests they go on the mantel. How could I say no to that?</div>
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I have cabinets full of glass jars in varieties of sizes. They are so easy to decorate with. For these I just wrapped them in some fabric scraps and then some red and white bakers twine. And then I filled them with rosemary (because it reminds me of Christmas trees) and holly branches.</div>
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Please pretend my Christmas tree has ornaments on it. I have one very active toddler and not very many non-breakable ornaments. The tree may be a little sparse this year.</div>
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I threw together that Christmas tree skirt this morning. It actually isn't even finished yet. Shh...don't tell. I might do a separate post on it later because it's easy to make and only cost about $7.</div>
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Remember my grain sack table runner from yesterday? I made a pillow cover with the leftovers. And can I tell you how happy I am that I never painted <a href="http://1060bliss.blogspot.com/2011/08/chippy-chair.html" target="_blank">this chair</a> white?! It's perfect for Christmas with a red striped grain sack pillow!</div>
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A quick, little bunting made from burlap, red craft paint and a little red jute cording. </div>
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{I just realized as I was proofreading that these letters are done in the <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/handwriting-font/" target="_blank">"Emily font".</a> No lie!} </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk-phiC3cHXwUJPzjNpbLv70Blz_AXS7h92Irh5V_LABWbsBJna5o7whEjwNgyFka0lb5GsKa_n1RhoeQxnH78ohjXgs241Mk7cynC7RK146mO23dnL9ntRWHv-rshF9kYHf1zyYx9xC1/s1600/IMG_2488-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk-phiC3cHXwUJPzjNpbLv70Blz_AXS7h92Irh5V_LABWbsBJna5o7whEjwNgyFka0lb5GsKa_n1RhoeQxnH78ohjXgs241Mk7cynC7RK146mO23dnL9ntRWHv-rshF9kYHf1zyYx9xC1/s640/IMG_2488-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am now officially naming this the Emily Mantel!</div>
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xo,</div>
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alima :)</div>
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Check out some other great mantels at:</div>
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<a href="http://tenjuneblog.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Holiday" border="0" src="http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/creativeindex/michaela-noelle/holiday200x200.jpg" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsZdhOsZ0vnAAr6pzbekrIx-Dl3Hzszl-3kIogvPlUfFNKTFDWBjsvfLr-Z_WfxowtmH-6GR0hRNpHKNtP9zwt5gNseS7Y4c6mESnCXCDoGhycaIZsR2xEzh1bPEBo3wtj7_1IaYcP1DB/s320/Holiday_Home_Button_2011_Rhoda.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/12/christmas-mantel-link-party-2011.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPzR7HqbcejRQlcZU_c8_2W_CcJDawJTCYUwtSG4r8IiucrEWMO3EBVmFTmBENnseZoce3B_LVmUYwT5qV5j4VlymamQN2RLYDg7SDMk0ZKCHvMO7TAhyphenhyphentRzx1hS_JRZLTO2skDKSqV5a/s1600/christmas-mantel-link-party-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-4080239259990775842011-12-03T21:58:00.001-06:002011-12-15T09:56:16.792-06:00a christmas tablescape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's nothing better than a little holiday tablescaping. Here's what I've been playing with this weekend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax-gXqAWWYvjImUOxQhoBOoRyfID_f0DhC70zKTd-kfwMl15Klh3qQyyHcbRmEreDRLr9jkxBhwt9sTi96Qtvl9RAMF-1JN4Q2rPoiRyasd6wU7-QsIHUCj99QlI2Bfr-JG_WMUl4cCVW/s1600/IMG_2307-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhax-gXqAWWYvjImUOxQhoBOoRyfID_f0DhC70zKTd-kfwMl15Klh3qQyyHcbRmEreDRLr9jkxBhwt9sTi96Qtvl9RAMF-1JN4Q2rPoiRyasd6wU7-QsIHUCj99QlI2Bfr-JG_WMUl4cCVW/s640/IMG_2307-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For most of my tablescapes I just shop the house. But this one is about 50/50 on items I already owned vs newly purchased items. Only because I was near an Ikea during Thanksgiving in Florida and couldn't resist adorable white bowls with silver snowflakes, sparkly white snowflake ornaments & white wicker balls (there has to be a better name for those, right?)</div>
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Oh and then there was the most fabulous fabric store ever where I bought the beautiful grain sack inspired runner and the red and white stripe napkins. Which I think are actually dishtowels, but I like them as napkins so let's just go with it.</div>
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These antique ball jars are new to me, but I didn't have to pay for them so they don't count. Mom gave them to me. They've got the old zinc lids and everything. Super fun. What was she thinking leaving them in the garage to collect dust all these years?</div>
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I heart Ikea. And white bowls with snowflakes.</div>
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Handmade clay tags make every tablescape better!</div>
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We have a lot of holly bushes in our landscaping. I don't care for them most of the year, but right now they are full of red berries and are actually really pretty. Don't be fooled by their looks though. I stabbed myself 5,987 times while cutting and arranging them for this table.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeP7ap_9fwRXl8QvQtkS7wtoHkocbK8euu95ki05Nzix6yF4RTQgxbaJdA3Q1MHS9HvvxYDfH-WpFPvrI5-AS8hsnP7zD9Hyrs8yr3iZS1IClcQOn4XfjG5Syv8OK3Eue_WvwAQ4s6Vqq/s1600/IMG_2276-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeP7ap_9fwRXl8QvQtkS7wtoHkocbK8euu95ki05Nzix6yF4RTQgxbaJdA3Q1MHS9HvvxYDfH-WpFPvrI5-AS8hsnP7zD9Hyrs8yr3iZS1IClcQOn4XfjG5Syv8OK3Eue_WvwAQ4s6Vqq/s640/IMG_2276-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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ooh....do you spot my other new Ikea item. Yep, its my Christmas-y striped rug. How on earth do they make a rug for $4? Someone please tell me. I bought 3 of these because they were just too good to pass up. And if <a href="http://abeachcottage.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> and <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Melissa</a> have one....well then I need one too! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObXBA-VCQWUyCDF4hsJy9uRA8y83vWGUr50RtqobF-VJ0cLQxwS4sXYh3QUatRPNsJhJDlklRKPZZi3VBVE7z1hAhjLbScSWbRVF9yFtYLAG7xLNlatUOxQuBNLSdROu8OJGXpmpsubP5/s1600/IMG_2333-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObXBA-VCQWUyCDF4hsJy9uRA8y83vWGUr50RtqobF-VJ0cLQxwS4sXYh3QUatRPNsJhJDlklRKPZZi3VBVE7z1hAhjLbScSWbRVF9yFtYLAG7xLNlatUOxQuBNLSdROu8OJGXpmpsubP5/s640/IMG_2333-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh and I almost forgot about the vintage-inspired paper straws - super fun for Christmas entertaining. You can buy them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kikkerland-Biodegradable-Paper-Straws-Striped/dp/B004K8N0Z0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323050761&sr=8-3" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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I've been working on some mantelscaping this weekend too! Hoping to show that to you this week if everything goes according to plan. </div>
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xo</div>
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alima ;)</div>
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Head over to Layla's to see some other great Christmas tablescapes!</div>
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<a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/tablescapes-for-christmas" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/Holiday_Home_Button_2011_Layla.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><br />
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and to Sarah's for a Good Life Wednesday!</div>
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<a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Good Life Wednesdays" border="0" height="320" src="http://www.abeachcottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/good-life-wednesday-a-beach-cottage3.jpg" title="show me the bood life" width="320" /></a></div>
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and </div>
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<a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2011/12/8-fantastic-bloggers.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"" title="five days five ways christmas linky party"><img alt="five days five ways christmas linky party | because every day is different" src="http://www.capitalhcoder.com/fivedaysfiveways/5d5wchristmaslinkypartyverticalflat.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></a></div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://michaelanoelledesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-decor-christmas-cheer-link-up.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Holiday" border="0" src="http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/creativeindex/michaela-noelle/holiday200x200.jpg" /></a></div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-3327265700660433072011-11-30T11:43:00.001-06:002011-11-30T11:49:03.156-06:00Our 2011 Christmas Card<div style="text-align: center;">
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With Love Christmas Card</div>
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View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div>
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</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-17123968304600372472011-11-21T19:48:00.001-06:002011-11-21T19:57:59.846-06:00happy thanksgiving week!<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry for the lack of blogging this past week. I have tons of blog posts swirling around in my mind, but life has been crazy with our business and we are leaving town tomorrow for Florida so I just haven't had a spare moment for editing photos and whatnot. </div>
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But I wanted to take a quick minute to wish you all a happy thanksgiving!</div>
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And in honor of turkey day, here are a few pictures of a turkey craft I made with the little man.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZScvgNqyRVZZjdcY_7I992noUTYikE2tcw3qQnXj9sUOX9gXZnMGtOqQRiKoETY45UOI9l4_fWMGcHr0aRCPhPIQHDvL_Za6pjBsrqp_A9pcm-28XnWarCgIjFyIIlKmLGMLTIi7rKJL/s1600/IMG_1621-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZScvgNqyRVZZjdcY_7I992noUTYikE2tcw3qQnXj9sUOX9gXZnMGtOqQRiKoETY45UOI9l4_fWMGcHr0aRCPhPIQHDvL_Za6pjBsrqp_A9pcm-28XnWarCgIjFyIIlKmLGMLTIi7rKJL/s400/IMG_1621-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMCRjcGr9JJ8iSq3jH6MOtAlXi_UepNVIKZZ28ws-Up0YPD8QMXKvgOTkkro51wH1sWH9JE5DOBnhMfU4d0FTwvYMzBbN-JQh8xP4kGGpN1T-de3gobMYvd2atgXEHHOigaMWIY0Q1_gK/s1600/IMG_1624-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMCRjcGr9JJ8iSq3jH6MOtAlXi_UepNVIKZZ28ws-Up0YPD8QMXKvgOTkkro51wH1sWH9JE5DOBnhMfU4d0FTwvYMzBbN-JQh8xP4kGGpN1T-de3gobMYvd2atgXEHHOigaMWIY0Q1_gK/s400/IMG_1624-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYPAzlgFW-SmCRBs7Rky_2WFe7G8DGqnSyzZ0zR9L-iChPdpRLnseUWghPYqdZnz21O0BpAqDG-FvCU5ocfDRYdR0aNLoSd4EiLa6rurSQooVzIB8bR_w3BB1sh-fou1B2UG9kxyc5F_6/s1600/IMG_1632-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYPAzlgFW-SmCRBs7Rky_2WFe7G8DGqnSyzZ0zR9L-iChPdpRLnseUWghPYqdZnz21O0BpAqDG-FvCU5ocfDRYdR0aNLoSd4EiLa6rurSQooVzIB8bR_w3BB1sh-fou1B2UG9kxyc5F_6/s400/IMG_1632-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!</div>
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xo</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-76738239319810678572011-11-11T05:30:00.000-06:002011-11-11T05:30:02.434-06:00a fall tablescape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the best things about a new season is arranging a new tablescape. I'm sure some of you agree. Or is it just me?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoLMstgI3YWUZjI49O-tQqsA2deLp0-6tlSYblQFlu8irQu98steRx08SpLRtqnxIb0kyFY5Ly_UJQKu1NxaQxHCQ7OtN8QrgwsDPnrImLcAX9od4UhVVhh7UjJGFJ9k5G3Qne9ocp02T/s1600/IMG_1577-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoLMstgI3YWUZjI49O-tQqsA2deLp0-6tlSYblQFlu8irQu98steRx08SpLRtqnxIb0kyFY5Ly_UJQKu1NxaQxHCQ7OtN8QrgwsDPnrImLcAX9od4UhVVhh7UjJGFJ9k5G3Qne9ocp02T/s400/IMG_1577-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Actually, I should admit that I added some fall bits to my table a while ago. Once those little pumpkins hit the grocery store I can hardly keep them out of my cart (and off my table). Even if it still is 80 degrees outside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NByDNy0dYa9a49rfRPPxH1CNAzF3RD4bJYjJ5_ComkbcjkSBRW-30kNVmDO0IsmIAIuNi2OhArnGn1HhJbUPmL1qILiTv8319-E2QL_7RhvIgsaBCUNjZVA9dyuUU5hYs8S-7pmNLGzd/s1600/IMG_1590-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NByDNy0dYa9a49rfRPPxH1CNAzF3RD4bJYjJ5_ComkbcjkSBRW-30kNVmDO0IsmIAIuNi2OhArnGn1HhJbUPmL1qILiTv8319-E2QL_7RhvIgsaBCUNjZVA9dyuUU5hYs8S-7pmNLGzd/s400/IMG_1590-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love all the varieties. Those tiger striped ones are my new favorites this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgqu-EAqtoCav1DkjRziL1keQMWanvRdSJvmyxXq4a1Y3i30Gl4rzmzs4n9y9Hh7ZIC7hLcQHqvTRAWyRs-AXII4N0oeQOuwZBWL4C1z5SGeuw9twq_iAY3JyLH_aJf1uI0CcP5mN1d7M/s1600/IMG_1593-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgqu-EAqtoCav1DkjRziL1keQMWanvRdSJvmyxXq4a1Y3i30Gl4rzmzs4n9y9Hh7ZIC7hLcQHqvTRAWyRs-AXII4N0oeQOuwZBWL4C1z5SGeuw9twq_iAY3JyLH_aJf1uI0CcP5mN1d7M/s400/IMG_1593-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And those little glittery ones....well every tablescape needs a little sparkle, right? They were originally plain orange pumpkin candles. I thought they needed a little something so I painted them with Elmer's glue and sprinkled some bronze glitter over them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCu2GNQouNBGFeuGUNKoB7NbDf_vT2tqclyih0uzumU7sp3VvGBcdCGqDm90BgkokCU9yarsosLiIioV49tTfwxSAeNW_0X_juzb1dAkjxOllPyyZgpTCQV979PfQ6mxXGZEWYQJ9LVBa/s1600/IMG_1583-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCu2GNQouNBGFeuGUNKoB7NbDf_vT2tqclyih0uzumU7sp3VvGBcdCGqDm90BgkokCU9yarsosLiIioV49tTfwxSAeNW_0X_juzb1dAkjxOllPyyZgpTCQV979PfQ6mxXGZEWYQJ9LVBa/s400/IMG_1583-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh and that's my new striped runner. I've been eyeing it for 2 months in a local boutique. My mom bought it for me for my birthday because she is awesome like that :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTsKCc29vM871gJNyg4uQyu3CeqFCH7shVEqnaPQXUaMJST_KsPR3yF2d9Ns3qThLsojM_iK-LAYbCUYNMFxk5K_njTbfR08At_2mFzcyqSEAcim70tljfgi0-U-phP3yfaxbTOsV51Nb/s1600/IMG_1579-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTsKCc29vM871gJNyg4uQyu3CeqFCH7shVEqnaPQXUaMJST_KsPR3yF2d9Ns3qThLsojM_iK-LAYbCUYNMFxk5K_njTbfR08At_2mFzcyqSEAcim70tljfgi0-U-phP3yfaxbTOsV51Nb/s400/IMG_1579-f.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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We have tons of maple trees in our neighborhood with beautiful red leaves. My mom picked several while she was here and I thought they would be fun to add to the napkins.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTqmmilLxRW3aQAOZgh0jDvEOhZuO0E1EUst1mpvhMg2EjyTBTQfFmR5M83V7n6uXIaypvsnOJVYfcU01TU04Xmkk8su6BAh0OJgsWc7LCTiZBoicYP9Y1uFtwJ1PbB_-Bh1KhpCmcN6G/s1600/IMG_1563-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTqmmilLxRW3aQAOZgh0jDvEOhZuO0E1EUst1mpvhMg2EjyTBTQfFmR5M83V7n6uXIaypvsnOJVYfcU01TU04Xmkk8su6BAh0OJgsWc7LCTiZBoicYP9Y1uFtwJ1PbB_-Bh1KhpCmcN6G/s400/IMG_1563-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you ever finish taking all your pictures and then think "why didn't I do such and such?" After I took all these I wondered why on earth did I not light the candles for any of the pictures. It was dark out when that thought occurred to me, so I lit them and took a little night time pic for you. Those bronze colored candle holders were $1 from Target. Score! And don't you love the silhouette they make on the table? Double score!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfwruaNB462BAL4ce2_lhFPHA5UT98DOKAti5rD6A5FGaXvxDXJ8VzztOrSwZsBeEZRofJyg_xJT33JlJoKCjv3yTgYoOJ1Qt2I8gXBUtv4iPyj42BJZGV8HgyStbO9xV5PEMaZMWNl0_/s1600/IMG_1598-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfwruaNB462BAL4ce2_lhFPHA5UT98DOKAti5rD6A5FGaXvxDXJ8VzztOrSwZsBeEZRofJyg_xJT33JlJoKCjv3yTgYoOJ1Qt2I8gXBUtv4iPyj42BJZGV8HgyStbO9xV5PEMaZMWNl0_/s400/IMG_1598-f.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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I've showed you this <a href="http://1060bliss.blogspot.com/2011/11/miss-sew-so.html" target="_blank">little lovely</a> before. It's from <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Melissa</a> and it makes me smile every time I see it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNsrq1TnAD5Vdz4tiBas4M0jEmk5_va4nAr6L1BE66e0ye218UHPinWANvCkvUGGbwL-8sKx5hBSMLuCg18uCHjGWYDvq1RcEZR_3jsRUL5nFTMfzpcOexEegcF5qKa9nLkHgOkSFbpMz/s1600/IMG_1575-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNsrq1TnAD5Vdz4tiBas4M0jEmk5_va4nAr6L1BE66e0ye218UHPinWANvCkvUGGbwL-8sKx5hBSMLuCg18uCHjGWYDvq1RcEZR_3jsRUL5nFTMfzpcOexEegcF5qKa9nLkHgOkSFbpMz/s400/IMG_1575-f.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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So there you go. Fall tablescaping fun! </div>
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If you have a fall tablescape, I would love to see it. Leave your link in the comments and I'll stop by!</div>
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xo,</div>
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alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-27113206955936638382011-11-09T05:30:00.000-06:002011-11-09T06:15:48.415-06:00happy fall y'all<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been fall for many of you for quite some time now, but here in the south the temps don't really start to cool off until after Halloween. Even now, the mid day temps are in the high 70's/low 80's. However, our mornings and evenings are cool enough that the tree leaves are changing to beautiful reds and oranges. And if you leave the house during the cooler hours, you have a good excuse to throw on a fun scarf. So I am officially saying <strong><em>happy fall!</em></strong> </div>
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A few pictures of what fall looks like around here: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxd5IAqT7DgByPrN1B5aC-uoXaFNOSRgTJxjP9CCvc3ZuZsCQ2qEtU0NGjxEBpE6hm85u_aJ2vbK182VP_2Fk7tOkPvr16LOfdvzrSVvOmAnajK0y2eWhjnWg5D6gHU3sY6_h5RQC8022/s1600/IMG_1439-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxd5IAqT7DgByPrN1B5aC-uoXaFNOSRgTJxjP9CCvc3ZuZsCQ2qEtU0NGjxEBpE6hm85u_aJ2vbK182VP_2Fk7tOkPvr16LOfdvzrSVvOmAnajK0y2eWhjnWg5D6gHU3sY6_h5RQC8022/s400/IMG_1439-f.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">how pretty is that tree?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">colorful leaves, cords and long sleeve rugby shirts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom and the little man at a local state park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family pics in front of pretty, red trees. (oh and my favorite part....fun scarves!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking in piles of leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall tablescapes (more on this one coming later in the week)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">turkey crafting (because what is fall without a good turkey craft)?!</td></tr>
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What does fall look like where you live?</div>
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linking up with <a href="http://abeachcottage.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a> for good life wednesdays</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-86458220144346324572011-11-07T06:00:00.000-06:002011-11-07T13:34:01.856-06:00miss sew & so<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you met <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Melissa from Miss Sew and So</a>? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8quUDmeZEmm_ftv3mn7e9i08CYgh5AwjGsxxSkhsZYAZZRB_hS7j_9foO2m5M7TVFCU74f2mOQ0O21RUTGxOWLJnALx2sSuK7CyGbOE2GynZRj_KPOTqvibNyUHmZPvsH8iEfYOs5NSN/s1600/hunters_%2526_gloves-melissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8quUDmeZEmm_ftv3mn7e9i08CYgh5AwjGsxxSkhsZYAZZRB_hS7j_9foO2m5M7TVFCU74f2mOQ0O21RUTGxOWLJnALx2sSuK7CyGbOE2GynZRj_KPOTqvibNyUHmZPvsH8iEfYOs5NSN/s400/hunters_%2526_gloves-melissa.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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I adore her! </div>
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I feel certain that once you meet her and her blog, you will adore her too! She is one of those people that is radiant with a beautiful energy and passion for life. I've never met her in person, but you can see and feel her beautiful personality from her blog.</div>
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She introduced me to these amazing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84041681/stencil-french-script-5-inch-numbers" target="_blank">french script stencils</a> and <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/magazine/" target="_blank">Jamie magazine</a>. I introduced her to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Deluxe-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399157913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320370965&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Help</a> and <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware</a>. <br />
We both love to sew and cook and be mamas. And most importantly we both have a love for all things french, vintage, coastal and farmhouse inspired. And so we have become fast friends and have officially dubbed ourselves "coastal farmgals."<br />
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And in the sweetest gesture, she sent me a beautiful package full of goodies all the way from her beautiful home in the English countryside. I was beyond excited as I have never received a package from Europe before!<br />
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There it is - the Royal Mail sticker in all it's glory.</div>
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Everything perfectly wrapped in brown paper and twine and garnished with doilies and hearts cut from book pages. </div>
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Here it is all unwrapped. Jamie magazine - my new cooking favorite! That sweet little heart ornament which I have hanging on the back of a french bistro chair in my dining room. Fun little cupcake flags made in Europe and even a little coin bank from London that she sent for my little man. <br />
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I heart you, Melissa. :)<br />
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Go check out <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Sew & So</a>. I promise you will love her!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.privetandholly.com/" target="_blank">Privet & Holly</a> for Monday Moments</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-87405850616882269272011-11-04T00:03:00.000-05:002011-11-04T00:03:33.978-05:00the big three-o<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday was my birthday. </div>
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Some people freak out a little about turning 30. And I might have, except it just snuck up on me so quickly that I didn't have time to. October seriously flew by. </div>
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So far thirty has been pretty sweet. On Wednesday, my parents surprised the heck out of me by flying in from Florida. The last time I spent my actual birthday with my parents was when I turned 17. I'll do the math for you - that's 12 years I have not seen my parents on my birthday. So I was beyond thrilled to see them and realize that I get to spend the week with them. Apparently my parents and the husband have been plotting this trip for sometime. And lots of people were in on it. I still can't believe that no one slipped up and ruined the surprise!</div>
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Anyways, we just been spending time catching up and relaxing, eating delicious food, drinking delicious wine & coffee, oh and a little antique shopping of course. :)</div>
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Me and the 'rents right after they surprised me!</div>
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<br /></div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-34605392635837127172011-11-02T20:55:00.000-05:002011-11-02T20:55:00.563-05:00confession time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You may or may not know that I really like to cook. And bake. And I do both quite frequently. </div>
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I always think about going all Pioneer Woman on you and posting recipes with step by step pictures. </div>
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But do you know why I don't??</div>
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{here comes the confession}</div>
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I am the messiest cook ever. </div>
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I honestly wish I was more neat in the kitchen. I try all the time to be better about it, but I am rarely successful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpMOHxu1YOcO3JRCooYFmqc2LFVUgqZ26gbBEsuVm480fzJQTYEmKKUsUCA3jf1xaEMLyCiKxT5rQS4ZnVdik_IHZpkCLStwJZF66Nj4vZb0kf7_saoM3ZCKOlWZzXDx1NGEc1ELkRDEP/s1600/IMG_0970-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpMOHxu1YOcO3JRCooYFmqc2LFVUgqZ26gbBEsuVm480fzJQTYEmKKUsUCA3jf1xaEMLyCiKxT5rQS4ZnVdik_IHZpkCLStwJZF66Nj4vZb0kf7_saoM3ZCKOlWZzXDx1NGEc1ELkRDEP/s400/IMG_0970-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some really tasty meals come from these messes though so I guess it's OK. :)</div>
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What about you? Are you neat and organized when you cook or does it look like a hurricane blew through your kitchen when your done?</div>
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I really hope I am not the only cook out there with this problem!</div>
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xo</div>
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Alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-26578323901292354072011-10-30T20:28:00.000-05:002011-10-30T20:28:54.093-05:00happy halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's what we've been up to this Halloween week....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdotX33gvcF9ITpe_g2_vuzRWAY3OQXwwnhlZ8uoAvsv2O-1EJhQiJscH_lrQ5OH3AfgG3OajeyfHV00wVEnv2HKgc75tpCCZb74bumzgAchtCy3MWu5AqXtV9Hl3V32ML7uJWQeEHmu5/s1600/IMG_0852-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdotX33gvcF9ITpe_g2_vuzRWAY3OQXwwnhlZ8uoAvsv2O-1EJhQiJscH_lrQ5OH3AfgG3OajeyfHV00wVEnv2HKgc75tpCCZb74bumzgAchtCy3MWu5AqXtV9Hl3V32ML7uJWQeEHmu5/s400/IMG_0852-f.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Wearing Halloween shirts...</div>
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This might be my favorite applique I've made so far. </div>
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The face is made from lime green corduroy. </div>
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I knew the minute I saw that corduroy that it needed to be a Frankenstein applique :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP_lnQ151TrgbXvbJwy8aSJ2VAuGb-7xMPbv8Bbv84imaAdwqjzTTjZR6sKsM6XLcS0hrU0F72R8L5nktiQOHsiPHsxeR10gsfvUpa3Rd7-QRtegXNEHYic3jFhx5ryLWvGvV7MGjWdHm/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP_lnQ151TrgbXvbJwy8aSJ2VAuGb-7xMPbv8Bbv84imaAdwqjzTTjZR6sKsM6XLcS0hrU0F72R8L5nktiQOHsiPHsxeR10gsfvUpa3Rd7-QRtegXNEHYic3jFhx5ryLWvGvV7MGjWdHm/s400/IMG_0923.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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oh, those eyes. I'm going to be beating the girls away with sticks</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71pX2pE9Tef2Py80QDLXtzIowSnC_wk9Qns6Ne-AjdBGgncnD1fP0Uu0rJVAAPYpe-KE9e_BGtsIyABLGA2ejoXp6hJRUz0MJ4bbWI4ptrGGRsuOphiMkRGgaLrE94XW2dpNPVvIMWjR6/s1600/IMG_0944-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71pX2pE9Tef2Py80QDLXtzIowSnC_wk9Qns6Ne-AjdBGgncnD1fP0Uu0rJVAAPYpe-KE9e_BGtsIyABLGA2ejoXp6hJRUz0MJ4bbWI4ptrGGRsuOphiMkRGgaLrE94XW2dpNPVvIMWjR6/s400/IMG_0944-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Playing with pumpkins.....</div>
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I promise I did not pose him like this. He did it all on his own and I even had to run in the house to grab my camera....praying the whole time that he wouldn't move until I got back, of course :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ex9Y4mHR8_RzWsO6ipRkwNcy3fAHTQ1mVkkbH3j96m4kBjrn-uFQUs37tMd0GXLqr4ttvcrqBhjgzuH7AhA1PppKbRXnARD-YhAD9PccsJhTk6cHFmKDzz_F0gzlIR391OEShuYiongE/s1600/IMG_0996-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ex9Y4mHR8_RzWsO6ipRkwNcy3fAHTQ1mVkkbH3j96m4kBjrn-uFQUs37tMd0GXLqr4ttvcrqBhjgzuH7AhA1PppKbRXnARD-YhAD9PccsJhTk6cHFmKDzz_F0gzlIR391OEShuYiongE/s400/IMG_0996-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Making from-scratch chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBfIlFj6OKDFM7rswmmtNoa2vELApT3Tqd9Ycm2pqMsLGZ18M4RKBVHj810Fk8Eenu9B-WhMoADRA3i5H6btPhDM9mwEH922qmXTwK0Xo1Wcrx_lG2_508f9ZpQf9iCEqrVZKyC27EC1o/s1600/IMG_0998-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBfIlFj6OKDFM7rswmmtNoa2vELApT3Tqd9Ycm2pqMsLGZ18M4RKBVHj810Fk8Eenu9B-WhMoADRA3i5H6btPhDM9mwEH922qmXTwK0Xo1Wcrx_lG2_508f9ZpQf9iCEqrVZKyC27EC1o/s400/IMG_0998-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The recipes are from my all time favorite baking book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CakeLove-How-Bake-Cakes-Scratch/dp/B002HREKKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320023575&sr=8-1">Cake Love </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlfXFJQ61cXu-VYwbJ2EO_OIimemg6BVTlNcM3kXvZHrfdId8YTasP8-sLasuSBXfouX_kJG1QPtsS3KGlJ0HUQ3Q5LGZTU8UNdvKz6khrod10U05FZf8dxg6tWCkwyNbPdZ499jWzcl5/s1600/IMG_0999-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlfXFJQ61cXu-VYwbJ2EO_OIimemg6BVTlNcM3kXvZHrfdId8YTasP8-sLasuSBXfouX_kJG1QPtsS3KGlJ0HUQ3Q5LGZTU8UNdvKz6khrod10U05FZf8dxg6tWCkwyNbPdZ499jWzcl5/s400/IMG_0999-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My mom bought me those little spider cupcake stands at Crate & Barrel. Aren't they so fun?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOljF8jljb3W6gT1dU8X9KBFbAsYWQRqLw0koD0spbzUnwgXHvdoLgrxMm-oXfGwwi4eUjuc4deAmm5mBa9tZ8QnWueNq6ZCwWOeQgf9Rizrl4MG29nRx52uYsQO-Yj177_m4pGyB0fMm/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOljF8jljb3W6gT1dU8X9KBFbAsYWQRqLw0koD0spbzUnwgXHvdoLgrxMm-oXfGwwi4eUjuc4deAmm5mBa9tZ8QnWueNq6ZCwWOeQgf9Rizrl4MG29nRx52uYsQO-Yj177_m4pGyB0fMm/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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And dressing up like pirates...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ecutidkssDQmi8U_XQEXvByYzD-kzMSdm_zzMuk9jdbVb4E9_DuYZQRrKIPhcRA9Mrqzocyp5yiIbcjRagUyxnvrXz3URMjS6LMQncLwDbFjUxA1c1qKrsQsFjHYZZKTCpcoPPgQvhO/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ecutidkssDQmi8U_XQEXvByYzD-kzMSdm_zzMuk9jdbVb4E9_DuYZQRrKIPhcRA9Mrqzocyp5yiIbcjRagUyxnvrXz3URMjS6LMQncLwDbFjUxA1c1qKrsQsFjHYZZKTCpcoPPgQvhO/s400/IMG_0752.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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It's been a fun week! I hope you are having a great Halloween too!</div>
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xo</div>
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Alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-65796982617851274162011-10-24T20:22:00.000-05:002011-10-24T20:22:16.761-05:00a little craft - halloween style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h8C4uwD0qSWsrKRoOOYeyLqs4082HgB-XRXbYqnoJUww1JlDcst0N-Hhf4pESAF9IFErrMwyxm6D0y9WNS_YuUaeMD6wDiVL-X_5WEq2aF1gktjBH3ySokvAUA5UUq5T2Z4Uq6MP1G73/s1600/IMG_0494-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7h8C4uwD0qSWsrKRoOOYeyLqs4082HgB-XRXbYqnoJUww1JlDcst0N-Hhf4pESAF9IFErrMwyxm6D0y9WNS_YuUaeMD6wDiVL-X_5WEq2aF1gktjBH3ySokvAUA5UUq5T2Z4Uq6MP1G73/s400/IMG_0494-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In honor of Halloween week, I thought I would share this fun little craft that I did with the little man. </div>
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It was his first experience with paint and I was a little nervous, but he did great and had a blast!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA06c9gl25gYQ3Tp0KG9x5R7Xto7gEFYhlpWKqB6PB-2jVvjuMU4OxDNRg-aTyFLf7TsTPjKq4LMBvV8HM2zgv9Xvgt4VC_tfWUgijCrk43yL2Alkbg4NsaZFk-qjjgEVm2F9vkU2yf_aS/s1600/IMG_0471-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA06c9gl25gYQ3Tp0KG9x5R7Xto7gEFYhlpWKqB6PB-2jVvjuMU4OxDNRg-aTyFLf7TsTPjKq4LMBvV8HM2zgv9Xvgt4VC_tfWUgijCrk43yL2Alkbg4NsaZFk-qjjgEVm2F9vkU2yf_aS/s400/IMG_0471-f.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I can't claim this cute idea. I found it on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/197445364/">pinterest</a>, of course. How did we ever survive without pinterest?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEYigFmtBsk9XH6aYc5UWk_O4GqV5ZcRriQE0orOLCgshYEj7fz22fSnLoryUCa5GTD23j7kJ6C8FsIGLA4twPHCnQi4b734lwqcZc1eR9SP8_Gwko79lv-xEndh-QfmE4lYmktuFHA8P/s1600/IMG_0462-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEYigFmtBsk9XH6aYc5UWk_O4GqV5ZcRriQE0orOLCgshYEj7fz22fSnLoryUCa5GTD23j7kJ6C8FsIGLA4twPHCnQi4b734lwqcZc1eR9SP8_Gwko79lv-xEndh-QfmE4lYmktuFHA8P/s400/IMG_0462-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyway, it was very simple and perfect for a toddler. </div>
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Just get your paper ready, paint their foot white and stamp it on. </div>
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(I used cheap craft paint and it came off the skin easily)</div>
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Once they dried I glued googly eyes and used some stamps to write "boo" and the date.</div>
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We wrote a fun message inside and mailed them to the Grandparents - they loved them of course!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv-dTK-8oZ7GdPqV2EyJoRjZoXtLWONEdxE3en8jKlUXb8LtkiPMLGo3mtYKym2ErZOJU0RfpkZKrxdhR9wyUiWlsVhDU0UHM2BNgobIrnTE1zxv9ipLqEBUzzGTlGYU0T-pbkHuy5aHI/s1600/IMG_0480-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv-dTK-8oZ7GdPqV2EyJoRjZoXtLWONEdxE3en8jKlUXb8LtkiPMLGo3mtYKym2ErZOJU0RfpkZKrxdhR9wyUiWlsVhDU0UHM2BNgobIrnTE1zxv9ipLqEBUzzGTlGYU0T-pbkHuy5aHI/s400/IMG_0480-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wanna know my tip for super easy stamp clean up? Baby wipes! </div>
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Hope you are having lovely fall weather and are getting ready for the Halloween weekend!</div>
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xo,</div>
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alima</div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-66016455567884487992011-10-15T20:54:00.002-05:002011-10-15T23:15:35.555-05:00a little applique for baby k<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MRUpnytxhdHa7lXjOJ-Rxlrc_FsBJmAeYjVk-C28hOegJsEqNv25YY4a_n3JMv3X9qS7n2S4JHpNB_ewJxPBMWTdKsoy3D0XFuQhnNZp-mcVxRCHwuWEjDeDHh64RVN1-SuezMIRfgvl/s1600/IMG_0513-f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MRUpnytxhdHa7lXjOJ-Rxlrc_FsBJmAeYjVk-C28hOegJsEqNv25YY4a_n3JMv3X9qS7n2S4JHpNB_ewJxPBMWTdKsoy3D0XFuQhnNZp-mcVxRCHwuWEjDeDHh64RVN1-SuezMIRfgvl/s400/IMG_0513-f2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow for my friend Mara.</div>
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I've mentioned her before <a href="http://1060bliss.blogspot.com/2011/08/maras-nursery.html">here</a> in a post about her gender neutral nursery that I am helping with. They will not know if sweet baby k is a boy or a girl until he/she arrives in December. I love the colors she picked for the nursery so I decided to applique a onesie and a bib in the same colors.</div>
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Appliqueing is really pretty easy. Don't be intimidated into thinking you need some sort of fancy machine. I just use some wonder under and my regular sewing machine.</div>
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First I found a font I liked and printed it off in the size I wanted.</div>
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Once you iron the wonder under to your fabric you just trace your letter (or animal or shape) and cut it out.<br />
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Then you're ready to sew! I just use my standard zig zag stitch. You can play around with the width and length of the zig zag on a scrap until you get the look you like. </div>
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For this piece I zig zagged the rectangular piece first and then the "k"<br />
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Super simple and it only takes 30 minutes to an hour. </div>
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Plus it's always so nice to give a handmade gift!</div>
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Writing this post got me wondering, are appliques popular for kids everywhere or this just a southern thing?</div>
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<br /></div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-87845297449909864822011-10-10T09:41:00.000-05:002011-10-10T09:41:39.541-05:00a fun fall weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday (Sunday) was the kind of day I wish we could have everyday. We started off the day early with breakfast out and a trip to our favorite park. </div>
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The weather was amazing. Perfect for long sleeves and a light scarf, but no jacket necessary.<br /> </div>
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The little man wore his cowboy hat most of the morning, including the car ride.</div>
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In the afternoon we enjoyed some time relaxing, took a nice family run (just a short 3K) and then ended the day with dinner cooked on the grill and a fun Halloween craft project. </div>
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(more on the craft project later - it's a fun one!)</div>
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Backing up for a minute. On thursday this was delivered to my door. </div>
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Probably the best thing that has ever landed on my doorstep.</div>
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It's my first DSLR and it's even more fun than I thought it would be. I've been dreaming about it forever and I finally (still not sure how!) convinced the husband to buy one. I don't even know how to use it yet. I've really only taken pictures in auto mode, but even then they are one thousand times better than my little nikon point and shoot.<br /> </div>
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Ok back to the weekend. Friday started off with a homemade pumpkin spiced latte</div>
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and then an all day craft-a-thon.</div>
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Because of course when you get a new camera the first thing you do is bust out your sewing supplies and sew a camera strap cover and a new bag for all your camera gear that will also double as a purse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIwXifOz9JP3VS91pBzHkMrIcsRi73x6rJb2ZfNR2z-oHVW7tP23tVtkApt-7VfnUah2YfNK5q4fk3_sBecE5vucOWI2VoErNnCQwiQizWCcL6ppnBbwY_mNnXYTkjY0sse8q_ziIjNl3/s1600/IMG_0082-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIwXifOz9JP3VS91pBzHkMrIcsRi73x6rJb2ZfNR2z-oHVW7tP23tVtkApt-7VfnUah2YfNK5q4fk3_sBecE5vucOWI2VoErNnCQwiQizWCcL6ppnBbwY_mNnXYTkjY0sse8q_ziIjNl3/s400/IMG_0082-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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No, you don't do that? Is it just me?</div>
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Oh and I played with the camera quite a bit too!</div>
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Saturday I crafted some more, we played at the park and watched a lot of football! </div>
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The weekend ended with 2 finished projects (bag and ruffled camera strap)</div>
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and a batch of homemade chocolate pudding. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhGGPH8O1nRekw937u4r6a8chl_uuiYJS7YhJP2nd2OWYHgmyiA3rsy2H0jpAJTzBBtEODHnIudaovXpkIsvlzszVNjs-urL9LDUb8WdCbnNjbMiLEBtNx7VQXlEZnRQuacmR1Uukk_08/s1600/IMG_0448-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhGGPH8O1nRekw937u4r6a8chl_uuiYJS7YhJP2nd2OWYHgmyiA3rsy2H0jpAJTzBBtEODHnIudaovXpkIsvlzszVNjs-urL9LDUb8WdCbnNjbMiLEBtNx7VQXlEZnRQuacmR1Uukk_08/s400/IMG_0448-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It doesn't get much better than that!</div>
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So that's our fun weekend recap.</div>
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Here are a few more of my favorite pics from the new camera.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrvTVbtJkUARwXh-w0L3OuYWwJOvaIoxeh_FwXsVGDs0WRJqCv9Rg_cgmx-mTKfa8i0y7dnCJTaITvX2MyyGS7EOSGjx4xeA7F8UBcyzniKpwIbXgvK7y_LDPUctFqso_9oW7M2FRUlew/s1600/aubrey+running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrvTVbtJkUARwXh-w0L3OuYWwJOvaIoxeh_FwXsVGDs0WRJqCv9Rg_cgmx-mTKfa8i0y7dnCJTaITvX2MyyGS7EOSGjx4xeA7F8UBcyzniKpwIbXgvK7y_LDPUctFqso_9oW7M2FRUlew/s640/aubrey+running.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGWeaQ0yl9iGMAY-db8qjsjyb8342LBSbb1XNBW23DdVS1gkoVUGMw2tiwFQ4Ej2rbRpDl5MRUQ_2InpnWEI0BXjc9QcISZKaYNC2Riaw4Ns8huGvsBxsO1qZNQXOns5kzkYxUqL_Kr8K/s1600/IMG_0255-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGWeaQ0yl9iGMAY-db8qjsjyb8342LBSbb1XNBW23DdVS1gkoVUGMw2tiwFQ4Ej2rbRpDl5MRUQ_2InpnWEI0BXjc9QcISZKaYNC2Riaw4Ns8huGvsBxsO1qZNQXOns5kzkYxUqL_Kr8K/s400/IMG_0255-f.jpg" width="297" /></a><br /> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwweysitM2WSwmL-ot9pnBvNsJzcXB-qBdh2FykB5l5skxh0wix9l3uHbVPcBQdF5Ug51mgk-84GaznlOkVVlglcLJncrvOjZwtMrCNGA2wc1przBdDezQAhCc0P5GkoY7Ha3UaKLqfaIg/s1600/IMG_0139-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwweysitM2WSwmL-ot9pnBvNsJzcXB-qBdh2FykB5l5skxh0wix9l3uHbVPcBQdF5Ug51mgk-84GaznlOkVVlglcLJncrvOjZwtMrCNGA2wc1przBdDezQAhCc0P5GkoY7Ha3UaKLqfaIg/s400/IMG_0139-f.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">romaine lettuce in our garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7spodnKHlb0mM90508UFHtgo4Yshc5cARZnkxrF4RGNWsZtUh-IFv6sj8vBPBV8xH4CRd9xwOuGhV5aeLOG32BSe96TF1Z8fIbzSiLdJIvKDO7d-8fdwSG9oNA-qs5kbSLF9RiQV28-jz/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7spodnKHlb0mM90508UFHtgo4Yshc5cARZnkxrF4RGNWsZtUh-IFv6sj8vBPBV8xH4CRd9xwOuGhV5aeLOG32BSe96TF1Z8fIbzSiLdJIvKDO7d-8fdwSG9oNA-qs5kbSLF9RiQV28-jz/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mexican sage</td></tr>
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hope your weekend was wonderful too!</div>
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Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-19401717610848288072011-10-04T22:05:00.000-05:002011-10-04T22:41:02.198-05:00the little man turns two - part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure there is a rule among bloggers regarding the maximum number of pictures you can add to one post. And I am also sure that I am about to violate that rule. In my defence, he's my only child and it is the only 2nd birthday he will ever have. So there! :)</div>
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Seriously though, I was reading a post the other day from <a href="http://thenatos.blogspot.com/">Jami Nato</a> and she pointed out that as mothers we are the memory keepers. I've been thinking about it a lot ever since and wondering if I have let too many beautiful memories pass me by without documenting them. I mean re-finishing furniture and tablescaping is so fun, but really nothing is more fun to me than this little guy. He is truly the best and when I'm old and losing my mind I want to look back on this blog and see him growing and changing and learning and playing. So, I promise to continue to post about my furniture makeovers and tablescapes, but there will probably be more posts about real life with my little man too. I hope you enjoy both!</div>
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OK, now here we go. His second birthday extravaganza!</div>
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We didn't do a big party this year. He's going through a stage where he doesn't really like big crowds and lots of noise and a lot of attention on him. So I felt it would be more fun for him if we just celebrated with the three of us.</div>
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It started early that morning with the opening of gifts, of course! It was almost like Christmas in September.</div>
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Of course, he ran straight for the balloons first (this kid LOVES balloons). And you will notice throughout the pictures that he did not let those balloon strings leave his hands the entire morning.</div>
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He loved the tunnel Grammie & Grandpy sent him!</div>
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Again, refusing to let the balloons go, he pulled all 5 balloons with him through the tunnel every single time.</div>
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Two words : static cling</div>
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His favorite book of all time (Peek-a-boo Who). This is the third copy we have bought. He treats this book the way some kids treat their lovey or blankie. So as you can imagine, after a while of being carried everywhere and read 1000 times a day a book starts to fall apart. Hence the third copy.</div>
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He held his balloons all the way through breakfast too, but I didn't take pictures.</div>
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Later that morning we headed to his friend Margaret's birthday party.</div>
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It was a farm theme and he had the best time running around playing with tractors and checking out chickens. It was really the perfect party for toddlers!</div>
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Cute cowboy hats that they had for favors!</div>
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They also had a bounce house - the little man was in heaven!<br />
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We do not have a dog, so when he sees a dog he's always really excited, but sort of a little unsure all at the same time. Give him five minutes to get comfortable though and he is best friends with any dog who will have him. He adored these dogs to the point that he was pretty much claiming them as his and not allowing the other kids near them. <br />
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After a little nap and lunch we celebrated with a birthday cookie. Two years old and this is his first cookie ever. And it wasn't any regular old cookie either. From scratch, gluten-free chocolate chip pecan cookie sandwiches with <a href="http://www.justinsnutbutter.com/products.php">Justin's chocolate almond butter</a> in the middle. (you'll thank me for that link).<br />
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I know the decorating is a little lacking, but decorating with nut butter was a tad more difficult than regular frosting. Luckily the little man didn't seem to mind my lame decor.</div>
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He was a little hesitant at first (this cookie business being new to him and all).<br />
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But after I gave him one bite.....<br />
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It was on!<br />
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He was shoveling that cookie in his mouth so fast! <br />
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Ha! Clean up took a while! :)<br />
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Mom, just let me see your camera for one second. <br />
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I promise my hands are clean!</div>
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Fun times! </div>
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This is just the beginning of the birthday extravaganza, but since this is already the longest post in history I am saving the rest for another day!</div>
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Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-44752836256283775382011-09-24T21:36:00.004-05:002011-09-24T21:36:54.728-05:00my little man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two years ago at 10:35 pm, this little man changed our world. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA9wFTiz-OUs4MwRWAA6BOigfN2WL1KAJKningKLgSBjiNEcNVMQfTV55DZ4VM0CXie0h_dLqsQ2M2jEk-u6NgBZdTOmHpXXIxiRv0F1ajiBnUeGhcGGFhbCvk1rYItZk6r8u1zyeioPT/s1600/aubrey+2+days.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA9wFTiz-OUs4MwRWAA6BOigfN2WL1KAJKningKLgSBjiNEcNVMQfTV55DZ4VM0CXie0h_dLqsQ2M2jEk-u6NgBZdTOmHpXXIxiRv0F1ajiBnUeGhcGGFhbCvk1rYItZk6r8u1zyeioPT/s400/aubrey+2+days.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 days old</td></tr>
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Of all the baby pictures I have, including professional ones; I love this little iPhone pic the most. </div>
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We had a wonderful day celebrating with him and have more fun planned for tomorrow! </div>
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I'll share pictures soon.</div>
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Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-35312849801245974582011-09-18T22:10:00.000-05:002011-09-29T21:56:01.801-05:00a little armoire re-do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Actually there is nothing <em>little</em> about it. It's a pretty large piece of furniture. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5fyyOSBa5WJX91deeVcvtY4IcPP-YKNIrN9aFa0OL8KBe3sBqo3aQfS8UuVMfXLJinaSeDfOoICkD-qpvPWKmkxVOPWNsER3C1PlzLtEalwXeNWLFlgPlWiwnu6SIqzIbkNMT-pv_xsg/s1600/Armoire+141-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5fyyOSBa5WJX91deeVcvtY4IcPP-YKNIrN9aFa0OL8KBe3sBqo3aQfS8UuVMfXLJinaSeDfOoICkD-qpvPWKmkxVOPWNsER3C1PlzLtEalwXeNWLFlgPlWiwnu6SIqzIbkNMT-pv_xsg/s640/Armoire+141-f.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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Last week I showed you this black armoire that was in our bedroom. What was I thinking when we bought a whole set of black furniture?! I have no clue. I was young and newly married and a first time homeowner and I really didn't know what my decorating style was. We just thought you were supposed to buy a matching set of furniture for your bedroom. That's what grown ups do, right?</div>
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It's taken me 6 months to convince my husband to let me paint it. </div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Before </span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKALpPZ0P0FXvbBiQBqw_VxKVF03aCgi19iofgplC-hcXGcnF1vHy5KZ46SBkPqYXqGFiYiD2Drfcdcq5Z3GNRsF5MMugZDDSiqW5gTkxjVJFOeJfJqpeh_kN2cL7FpCWKiDNsv1-esVn/s1600/Snow+Day+021-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKALpPZ0P0FXvbBiQBqw_VxKVF03aCgi19iofgplC-hcXGcnF1vHy5KZ46SBkPqYXqGFiYiD2Drfcdcq5Z3GNRsF5MMugZDDSiqW5gTkxjVJFOeJfJqpeh_kN2cL7FpCWKiDNsv1-esVn/s640/Snow+Day+021-f.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">After</span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-C1PRbTXXeJr8sUgW_mAwZy8-7McwxRn8fC3jVV6RN6jt3jy34tXsaB2iLckkohU7Ui_H770-W-eQP4CwtE-kjs7Zu4K0XJHUDu92iOITQDUDT1tQb8Pa1ff2lXnX7eVh2qnlDlYvCDV/s1600/Armoire+145-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-C1PRbTXXeJr8sUgW_mAwZy8-7McwxRn8fC3jVV6RN6jt3jy34tXsaB2iLckkohU7Ui_H770-W-eQP4CwtE-kjs7Zu4K0XJHUDu92iOITQDUDT1tQb8Pa1ff2lXnX7eVh2qnlDlYvCDV/s640/Armoire+145-f.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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I painted it with Annie Sloans Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue, distressed it and then brushed on one coat of <place w:st="on">Annie</place>'s soft wax. I really love the way it came out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_oLc1NsT5obIPtyAgM0yDDqyO7J6xPGvehyLxLvWhavSfcmWi_DanRgcS4pcJE_XOK9jMraa2Vh2Xl8id2WXw2o9f2D69uS14Bpn34kQM9jEEwVn-4uQtWfulMMq6vsWsSohPSNUKnd/s1600/Armoire+146-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_oLc1NsT5obIPtyAgM0yDDqyO7J6xPGvehyLxLvWhavSfcmWi_DanRgcS4pcJE_XOK9jMraa2Vh2Xl8id2WXw2o9f2D69uS14Bpn34kQM9jEEwVn-4uQtWfulMMq6vsWsSohPSNUKnd/s640/Armoire+146-f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I kept the original hardware. I like it against the blue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_2qADKi_khi6NWQnDXXV-bdQhQd4lQJH8pNfqLYnA7AT9-ob9EZ2-UdMOE9sTI9U28lvyiE1pvOv_o9Wv1Ov5p85U2U0OLbpABVZoULe7j6FvzWiV98O26RbxBRgQRZxQ0h26cfR3aau/s1600/Armoire+149-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_2qADKi_khi6NWQnDXXV-bdQhQd4lQJH8pNfqLYnA7AT9-ob9EZ2-UdMOE9sTI9U28lvyiE1pvOv_o9Wv1Ov5p85U2U0OLbpABVZoULe7j6FvzWiV98O26RbxBRgQRZxQ0h26cfR3aau/s640/Armoire+149-f.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This is the only the 3rd time I've used ASCP. So I am still very new and learning all the tricks. If you haven't used it, it's different than other paint and takes a little getting used to. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-OP5KOcKilH0CBGOMPvY1V6ky9_GvPOMWfADixz1zX2CBkdFM6jYlAgjn2oueZD_y7CtxqnVEpVsDikZxVyyk-zeTo0IvzNuJK1RIyOejfG-YqOICOcX9SBpJwNP9_I-6xc46KB4rz-w/s1600/Armoire+155-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-OP5KOcKilH0CBGOMPvY1V6ky9_GvPOMWfADixz1zX2CBkdFM6jYlAgjn2oueZD_y7CtxqnVEpVsDikZxVyyk-zeTo0IvzNuJK1RIyOejfG-YqOICOcX9SBpJwNP9_I-6xc46KB4rz-w/s640/Armoire+155-f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I learned a new trick this time that I thought I would share. I planned on doing 2 coats of paint on this piece since I was painting over black. But this is a huge piece of furniture and needed painting on the inside and out. About halfway through I started to worry I might run out of paint. I saved the drawers for last and knew there was not enough paint for two coats. So in an attempt to get really good coverage with only 1 coat I tried this.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvggUaGrwg9pT6J5PyjeXZe_NXGPNgHPg2vPgdiwWKOFoOgceEGpLNO2d3WevmwKvCgMQlm0APwvn1SOhb0YI2qPQQhWR8-MDG2fyhgAxqZROkbMyyt7EsEmXH_MxvNlQG2HzdZYa79nh/s1600/Sept+2011+008-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvggUaGrwg9pT6J5PyjeXZe_NXGPNgHPg2vPgdiwWKOFoOgceEGpLNO2d3WevmwKvCgMQlm0APwvn1SOhb0YI2qPQQhWR8-MDG2fyhgAxqZROkbMyyt7EsEmXH_MxvNlQG2HzdZYa79nh/s640/Sept+2011+008-f.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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A small foam roller dipped in a small amount of paint and then spread as thin as possibly over the entire piece (see above pic). Then I did a regular coat with my paint brush just like I always do. Something about that first thin layer made such a difference in the coverage and only used a tiny bit of paint (much less than you would use doing 2 full coats). It also made painting large, flat surfaces easier and faster than just my paint brush alone. I will definitely use this technique again, even if I have plenty of paint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqL3GCJBpSiTaiNchC5PrbFSVTi1m1kf3ao3rKfuKMkiFdevoFLeBPcaUTx6o8SzqylP6RysQTl11NrQ1Git_rj3BAetbx9oYeSMOs3ASFujDYbDzVxffWkm5z36CFlLBk7rikJRnbS27/s1600/Sept+2011+012-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqL3GCJBpSiTaiNchC5PrbFSVTi1m1kf3ao3rKfuKMkiFdevoFLeBPcaUTx6o8SzqylP6RysQTl11NrQ1Git_rj3BAetbx9oYeSMOs3ASFujDYbDzVxffWkm5z36CFlLBk7rikJRnbS27/s640/Sept+2011+012-f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Above pic is right after I used that method. Great coverage for 1 coat, don't ya think?</div>
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Professional painters are probably laughing because I'm sure this is not the proper thing to do, but hey whatever works!</div>
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Here is the inside. We are currently using it as more of an entertainment center.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopfkwX0wZ_cwntGTCP6eQFPQJfJ0AR86KcYhL_WXmBx3W9ewI-UKTjsJApN8O2MflBj1vXASlKw1mqUSr5OwPZJCLjKFfH6xgOulsNhuLXoAr8WIeu7S9_ebv3-JQ8OhHYo3RVQJ6U8TN/s1600/Armoire+157-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopfkwX0wZ_cwntGTCP6eQFPQJfJ0AR86KcYhL_WXmBx3W9ewI-UKTjsJApN8O2MflBj1vXASlKw1mqUSr5OwPZJCLjKFfH6xgOulsNhuLXoAr8WIeu7S9_ebv3-JQ8OhHYo3RVQJ6U8TN/s640/Armoire+157-f.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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I knew I wanted to paint some of the inside, but I thought painting the entire inside might be too much. So I decided to line the back with a patterned fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zFlqPxVhWDtKX_AKD3Kp_d5OQMcKfBfJmfBiPnSaLPPBeZGWy9MfL9iHZBt5ffbLeBYR83uuL5QhbHCzqUv5m_CmnrREaVyT_qrXua5n9M73RLYmPKKykLbEOBhEkBbXFhH5eYtWzc8n/s1600/Armoire+160-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zFlqPxVhWDtKX_AKD3Kp_d5OQMcKfBfJmfBiPnSaLPPBeZGWy9MfL9iHZBt5ffbLeBYR83uuL5QhbHCzqUv5m_CmnrREaVyT_qrXua5n9M73RLYmPKKykLbEOBhEkBbXFhH5eYtWzc8n/s640/Armoire+160-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.feathersflights.com/2011/08/temporary-fabric-wallpaper-tutorial.html">this technique</a> and although it was a little messy I like the results.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_1TG6ICpw0qyJgXuYvVPE-4h_0P5crCnS8nC2dOWoZGQbUBh5H05nrCiuL1ZouWbK9iDWJGpRmy85KJ0Bk5zPJE0f11UrDB8Jh4fuUT1Gluv2gIQu-o2wP9i4OsvCoMFPYlN9qXt0zMA/s1600/Armoire+172-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_1TG6ICpw0qyJgXuYvVPE-4h_0P5crCnS8nC2dOWoZGQbUBh5H05nrCiuL1ZouWbK9iDWJGpRmy85KJ0Bk5zPJE0f11UrDB8Jh4fuUT1Gluv2gIQu-o2wP9i4OsvCoMFPYlN9qXt0zMA/s640/Armoire+172-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So one piece of black furniture down. About 4 more to go!</div>
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Linking up with:</div>
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<a href="http://abeachcottage.com/">A Beach Cottage</a> </div>
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<a href="http://missmustardseed.com/">Miss Mustard Seed</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/">Perfectly Imperfect</a></div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/">Home Stories A2Z</a></div>
Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-12728787711672388072011-09-14T00:11:00.000-05:002011-09-16T19:49:28.650-05:00a good life wednesday farmhouse table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So.......</div>
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I was trying to wait to show you my table until all the chairs were ready too. But every time I talk to my Annie Sloan stockist, the new paint color I'm waiting on keeps getting delayed further and further. At this point, I'm not holding my breath to have it before the end of the month. And I just didn't want to wait any longer to show you the new farmhouse table.</div>
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So here it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpsKR-t8D4FSlmr8fOJlfdK_ORG6YfrO3Ns2DwoHQYBAEO6Z3N8IBr_CNz0w3Db3bFt7GXnXf0g-xj7s2HV2x21npRKt3E3UNKSV_1PQKMZh8UKDP651lrK1fvs87j1BkMfwmOp-xidGk/s1600/Tablescaping+115-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpsKR-t8D4FSlmr8fOJlfdK_ORG6YfrO3Ns2DwoHQYBAEO6Z3N8IBr_CNz0w3Db3bFt7GXnXf0g-xj7s2HV2x21npRKt3E3UNKSV_1PQKMZh8UKDP651lrK1fvs87j1BkMfwmOp-xidGk/s640/Tablescaping+115-f.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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If you missed my <a href="http://1060bliss.blogspot.com/2011/08/farmhouse-table-update.html">previous posts</a>, the husband built it for me. </div>
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I painted it white, of course. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKZaqyEDQhK6Gm9ySLidh_to_N5dty_wIAV1-v0drrVSJgkS0non6doyeGo-LRCbcViY3tUFjoQVVa1ujC8HVlstcCNpWx2qdWQfpKYZoUMMFPiXJAW8PPum89o07N6CuYj4whzoJtmhE/s1600/Tablescaping+092-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKZaqyEDQhK6Gm9ySLidh_to_N5dty_wIAV1-v0drrVSJgkS0non6doyeGo-LRCbcViY3tUFjoQVVa1ujC8HVlstcCNpWx2qdWQfpKYZoUMMFPiXJAW8PPum89o07N6CuYj4whzoJtmhE/s640/Tablescaping+092-f.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
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The chairs are all mismatched ones that I have picked up thrifting here and there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylZzFXHd0s5wM6YaSCaXwCiSOfW0P2eEnVFN7NzaOvn4HmkQ9Ac-PL9fs7Kk8py_1pjo-reXqiFtFSq5PY_BK51gWuhURZCgn0pZg7RU0iAgNKN3_nVbHJxa94zqFf7QoloumXb6tSQkI/s1600/Tablescaping+100-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylZzFXHd0s5wM6YaSCaXwCiSOfW0P2eEnVFN7NzaOvn4HmkQ9Ac-PL9fs7Kk8py_1pjo-reXqiFtFSq5PY_BK51gWuhURZCgn0pZg7RU0iAgNKN3_nVbHJxa94zqFf7QoloumXb6tSQkI/s640/Tablescaping+100-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They will all be white too. Eventually. Whenever the new Annie Sloan paints arrive.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqeD6QmMO1pp0b94E1isHDgQ6OnjtmIS4LLqGuqOPmXq1-lNeMYWLQklTOSVykpVDgCizfMBz5wUWHpthbpe0Ru6Tub1-PpPx8GhV10Xrbc4n07ukTogmKHea-pfN-HwATDhVTtB0UFq4/s1600/Tablescaping+097-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqeD6QmMO1pp0b94E1isHDgQ6OnjtmIS4LLqGuqOPmXq1-lNeMYWLQklTOSVykpVDgCizfMBz5wUWHpthbpe0Ru6Tub1-PpPx8GhV10Xrbc4n07ukTogmKHea-pfN-HwATDhVTtB0UFq4/s640/Tablescaping+097-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can't decide about this green chippy one though. This is the way I found it and I really love the green and the white and the chippyness. I keep thinking maybe I should find another chair for my table and keep this one the way it is and use it somewhere else. What do you think?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GMMZHgd3Ll4BeJuY_Pz99CvZYbccBwDM58eGv11J6ITWkkAk4_63Axh_ouXngNyd13H4BQMoXVzm43S9ufywJKISQqDPyMG7mh9JGBLE978oEvAWPxqDtzwouUFzYhCJGWg9wC6rt76n/s1600/Tablescaping+059-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GMMZHgd3Ll4BeJuY_Pz99CvZYbccBwDM58eGv11J6ITWkkAk4_63Axh_ouXngNyd13H4BQMoXVzm43S9ufywJKISQqDPyMG7mh9JGBLE978oEvAWPxqDtzwouUFzYhCJGWg9wC6rt76n/s640/Tablescaping+059-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All the linens on my table are really just fabric scraps that I cut to make a runner, napkins and ties.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej59XtQdgp002FO75w6Mi_B7KvL5Zau-AIDUGOnZ6ZpeugZO9miZBXy0U2_EaLdOixpcjCAWvvb7gm-d7711F48osmd-9I3hFf4qYyuadItlNirKwVKzYMgJtt-sWtlBMsJw9s6btg5CV/s1600/Tablescaping+060-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej59XtQdgp002FO75w6Mi_B7KvL5Zau-AIDUGOnZ6ZpeugZO9miZBXy0U2_EaLdOixpcjCAWvvb7gm-d7711F48osmd-9I3hFf4qYyuadItlNirKwVKzYMgJtt-sWtlBMsJw9s6btg5CV/s640/Tablescaping+060-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love to use cut herbs in my vases along with or instead of flowers.That long, purple flower is Mexican Sage, from my garden. I love when it blooms. The petals feel like velvet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YybaAaJDaqE32Ps4vrndDm8OceUlgruu3k-42KHfDtsbu8OAj__c5mfx1wsfyYnF8yUsb7K5R0HNEISCNCQPnNXwNEp7Z4sNRVV49AKVIbQYcGgImrE4l40nHBBh0P0oohXeSFkF9Lb1/s1600/Tablescaping+082-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YybaAaJDaqE32Ps4vrndDm8OceUlgruu3k-42KHfDtsbu8OAj__c5mfx1wsfyYnF8yUsb7K5R0HNEISCNCQPnNXwNEp7Z4sNRVV49AKVIbQYcGgImrE4l40nHBBh0P0oohXeSFkF9Lb1/s640/Tablescaping+082-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rosemary, pincushion & cosmos</div>
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Hope you enjoyed seeing the new table. Can't wait to get my chairs painted so I can show them to you too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6jCqZwbwdUP5ciuCYKB1TzqLjcG7lbbm79nkcYFTkzmFMCKH_g2n9cDwXkDab1Gm3EHvm1zhvqBC_JsOinu9dK1XnYKYrsk5pHzLGMW2DJx6L4zHMCm4YkZK5QuWIu_HpOVOc7ndjblu/s1600/Tablescaping+087-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6jCqZwbwdUP5ciuCYKB1TzqLjcG7lbbm79nkcYFTkzmFMCKH_g2n9cDwXkDab1Gm3EHvm1zhvqBC_JsOinu9dK1XnYKYrsk5pHzLGMW2DJx6L4zHMCm4YkZK5QuWIu_HpOVOc7ndjblu/s640/Tablescaping+087-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the name of tablescaping, I'm now going to attempt to drink 4 glasses of berry-infused seltzer water. It's too pretty to waste. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdlWhZbd50OSM6kd3iZ3mCmoezAg_ji3GrBzciamBcxIa4-F7xhAAtzSLFvy5RPG6s8H2j4tj7EvlapZw3ZIgKheqbMNlgK9_1qQxYYEv1aRz-NOvsBm5wZtKhAc0bATw113LTc6hQzU7/s1600/Tablescaping+062-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdlWhZbd50OSM6kd3iZ3mCmoezAg_ji3GrBzciamBcxIa4-F7xhAAtzSLFvy5RPG6s8H2j4tj7EvlapZw3ZIgKheqbMNlgK9_1qQxYYEv1aRz-NOvsBm5wZtKhAc0bATw113LTc6hQzU7/s640/Tablescaping+062-f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Linking up with Sarah at <a href="http://abeachcottage.com/">A Beach Cottage</a> for Good Life Wednesday!<br />
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And with <a href="http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/">Miss Mustard Seed</a> for Furniture Feature Friday!</div>
Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-2914710860755507352011-09-04T19:49:00.001-05:002011-09-04T19:50:01.096-05:00busy bee<div style="text-align: center;">
I am big slacker, I know. The last few weeks have been so busy. The to do list keeps growing and the blog keeps getting pushed down the list. </div>
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Anyways, I know I promised you a reveal of my new farmhouse table. I keep going back and forth on whether I should show it now or wait. The thing is.....it's not quite finished. The table itself is, but I have a random assortment of thrifted chairs that are waiting to be painted. I am waiting on Annie Sloan's new Chalk Paint colors to arrive. My local stockist is supposed to have them on the 12th. I could show the table by itself, but I feel like waiting one more week to get my chairs painted and showing the whole sha-bang will be worth it! {I hope so anyway!} Plus, I'm waiting on some linens to arrive from Japan. </div>
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So that's where we are with that!</div>
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In other crafty news, I've been doing a lot of sewing. Mainly a birthday outfit for the Little Man (he'll be 2 on the 24th) and some fall clothes for him also. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu_24M3DHQtQU5fFLvgRdrcjbRlua2C3SjjUda56CbNuqiy00khAwLUIuaUO_e92P83WYCY3-b5asFApxliiy3m3cDS5LHrY_ywlHxsBambn5HjVXA9OdQEU9sLDCS4-YOnuRA5fY0rHr/s1600/bday+shirt-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbu_24M3DHQtQU5fFLvgRdrcjbRlua2C3SjjUda56CbNuqiy00khAwLUIuaUO_e92P83WYCY3-b5asFApxliiy3m3cDS5LHrY_ywlHxsBambn5HjVXA9OdQEU9sLDCS4-YOnuRA5fY0rHr/s400/bday+shirt-f.jpg" width="375" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grainy, poorly lit iPhone photo of the beginnings of Little Man's bday shirt</td></tr>
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And then there is this ginormous armoire that I have been dying to paint for a while and plan to start on tonight. It's getting a makeover in Annie Sloans Duck Egg Blue. I'm a little nervous about it. I hope it turns out well and that I don't regret not painting it white.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DGyA5PAaHgsgx9__4BKiC4skjq-pu7mcO8Zm78crNpfmO_gmaCPfT_EbWAdN-FN9ciEhIStZ1lHK0r2Ryk_BDj19XbC87BUPvV3xSYApxTrq4GPEoCiu3bo0dKcQlD_292f0JedUffgm/s1600/armoire+021-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DGyA5PAaHgsgx9__4BKiC4skjq-pu7mcO8Zm78crNpfmO_gmaCPfT_EbWAdN-FN9ciEhIStZ1lHK0r2Ryk_BDj19XbC87BUPvV3xSYApxTrq4GPEoCiu3bo0dKcQlD_292f0JedUffgm/s640/armoire+021-f.jpg" width="417" xaa="true" /></a></div>
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Can you ever have too much white? I don't think so, but my husband disagrees. So on his request, I am braving the blue paint! Wish me luck!</div>
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Hope to show you the farmhouse table next week!!</div>
Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-8949490874466217542011-08-28T06:12:00.001-05:002011-08-28T06:12:00.313-05:00Eggplant Lasagna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eace7970d-pi" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 045-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eace7970d" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eace7970d-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 045-f" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We can't eat grains or dairy in this house due to allergies. I know - you're feeling bad for us aren't you? Not to worry! It was a hard transition in the beginning, but now it's no big deal. I have actually really enjoyed learning to cook with new foods and find substitutions for grains and dairy, which are normally pretty big staples in most recipes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've never shared a recipe on this blog. This blog is more for fun stuff like making slipcovers, repurposing old furniture and great vintage finds. But this meal was so good that I couldn't not share it! And before you go thinking this couldn't possibly be tasty, I promise you won't even miss the noodles and cheese. Everyone that has tried it has LOVED it! And if you have anyone in your family who has a gluten or dairy allergy this is perfect for them!</div><br />
Ok, so here is is:<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
2 large eggplant<br />
1 onion, diced<br />
4 oz mushrooms, diced<br />
1 zucchini, diced<br />
1 lb ground beef (or turkey or sausage or whatever you like)<br />
1 Tbsp minced garlic<br />
2 tsp italian seasoning<br />
2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes<br />
3 cups of fresh baby spinach<br />
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Preheat oven to 500 degrees and line 2 or 3 cookie sheets with parchment paper.<br />
Peel and slice eggplant.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e11e2970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 018-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e11e2970c" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e11e2970c-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 018-f" /></a><br />
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I tried to slice it pretty thin. The idea is that it's subbing for the noodles. You could use a mandolin, but I'm always worried I will lose a finger so I just used my knife. (I rarely find eggplant this large in the store. If yours are smaller, you may need 3 or 4).<br />
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Arrange eggplant on lined cookie sheets and drizzle with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and salt & pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b346e970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 019-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b346e970b" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b346e970b-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 019-f" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile, add EVOO to a large pot and heat on medium. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e140f970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 027-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e140f970c" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c0154325e140f970c-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 027-f" /></a><br />
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Then add zuchinni and mushrooms. Continue to saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add beef, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Add garlic, italian seasoning and salt & pepper. When beef is no longer pink, add crushed tomatoes. Simmer on low for 20 minutes to thicken.<br />
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When sauce is ready, add a thin layer to the bottom of your pan.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eb37e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 030-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eb37e970d" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c014e887eb37e970d-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 030-f" /></a><br />
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(I love my Le Crueset lasagna pan, but a 9x13 glass dish would work too. Or if you are making for 1 you could half the recipe and use an 8x8 glass dish).<br />
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Next layer eggplant, another thin layer of sauce, then spinach, more eggplant, the remaining sauce and more eggplant for the top layer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3acd970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 032-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3acd970b" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3acd970b-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 032-f" /></a><br />
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Cover with foil and cook on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until bubbly.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3bea970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Paleo recipes 036-f" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3bea970b" src="http://www.crossfitrebellion.com/.a/6a010536ddc8c5970c01538e8b3bea970b-500wi" title="Paleo recipes 036-f" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I hope you try it and I hope you love it as much as my family does!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3485690208124216715.post-9913083542332767712011-08-18T22:42:00.001-05:002011-08-18T22:43:32.338-05:00a farmhouse table update<div style="text-align: center;">The building phase of my farmhouse table is complete! yay!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Major props to the husband for this one. It is majorly hot where we live right now and we really don't have the proper tools and equipment to take on a project like this. Never the less, he happily obliged and never complained about it once.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vCii6QLrNHusqzOBftVUsgtMwEyG5PjlAAFUWhc13rukgXCGewzTzChgCJ5WOKgB4qgZhqcikIRvOfMEbWRnSZmPsTJ_WW-6Mt2ACUYTXMLeRQfTdUcX6hKpi4N1rAJ8e8XXGwFVRM_g/s1600/table+and+chairs+014-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vCii6QLrNHusqzOBftVUsgtMwEyG5PjlAAFUWhc13rukgXCGewzTzChgCJ5WOKgB4qgZhqcikIRvOfMEbWRnSZmPsTJ_WW-6Mt2ACUYTXMLeRQfTdUcX6hKpi4N1rAJ8e8XXGwFVRM_g/s400/table+and+chairs+014-f.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of not having the proper tools, we definitely didn't have the tools needed to make the turned legs I was wanting. I knew this from the beginning and thought I would just purchase the legs pre-made. I searched online and at my local hardware stores and just couldn't find what I wanted. And then I stumbled across these at Lowe's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQyPJQhce-shyphenhyphenOaFIB2KHdyHoU7Wt3_g1o5GxMqGKUWkd5HC3317RI8-u5G7R33-vK0jjS9zoOun7agODU0ORsHzfXlGuG-BXnTP75zaQ0dl5eLkucR2DNGiGM7Z5sCuYeAtxA2NeYg93/s1600/chairs+007-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQyPJQhce-shyphenhyphenOaFIB2KHdyHoU7Wt3_g1o5GxMqGKUWkd5HC3317RI8-u5G7R33-vK0jjS9zoOun7agODU0ORsHzfXlGuG-BXnTP75zaQ0dl5eLkucR2DNGiGM7Z5sCuYeAtxA2NeYg93/s400/chairs+007-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep, fence posts. I really liked the chunkiness and the curves and I knew they would work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were 45" long though and I needed 28" legs. Unfortunately for the husband, Lowe's cutting machine won't fit lumber this chunky so off to work he went with his hand saw.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt bad for him out there sawing all these by hand. And of course the wood didn't want to cut evenly so he ended up having to even some of the cuts up with a hammer and a chisel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiint3ouek79KYG7vYa3AVR-C2_A_kZN-AK7qMtCZLhTvI1uvWJeB4ILygOg4q2sH6lbvTtevS1faY-YuziwqTGTz15X_KXMLBzGWpAxNn59CzN464Q5i-rf-PZQ-MWcoEArj6gn9y8k_/s1600/table+and+chairs+004-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiint3ouek79KYG7vYa3AVR-C2_A_kZN-AK7qMtCZLhTvI1uvWJeB4ILygOg4q2sH6lbvTtevS1faY-YuziwqTGTz15X_KXMLBzGWpAxNn59CzN464Q5i-rf-PZQ-MWcoEArj6gn9y8k_/s400/table+and+chairs+004-f.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guess who wanted to be right in on the action?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As if hand sawing through chunky fence posts in 100 degree heat wasn't enough work, he had to do it with a little monkey climbing on his back. A cute monkey, at least. ;)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-Bp3rGDfoa1ACnK5-hdZA2tIvdmoxAPAQ6pNhBx3tEwqx_O4TkmTOUTEcpHsiu-ZR2Pqbi1kW5uBUDrhgaUPAKVNIk6E-whfMDnRQz6EwtHxKE02FYxxtUA5ZNOTkYsT5LCnEZ4nUdn/s1600/table+and+chairs+015-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm-Bp3rGDfoa1ACnK5-hdZA2tIvdmoxAPAQ6pNhBx3tEwqx_O4TkmTOUTEcpHsiu-ZR2Pqbi1kW5uBUDrhgaUPAKVNIk6E-whfMDnRQz6EwtHxKE02FYxxtUA5ZNOTkYsT5LCnEZ4nUdn/s320/table+and+chairs+015-f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The little man loved every minute of being out there with his Daddy.</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiYI3gIzsMs1R4VIGYG8B3jEVAZCIW2BMYc1OeVgfIBjz7N_PdYyz_HZVM7XUFLuwvm7nxfFGakC3WK4aClfZyYho2LnD8UPinixQQs7hmzkZL7yhPaJ10uWAYGDO4nbYC_msHXZbVGDV/s1600/table+and+chairs+005-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiYI3gIzsMs1R4VIGYG8B3jEVAZCIW2BMYc1OeVgfIBjz7N_PdYyz_HZVM7XUFLuwvm7nxfFGakC3WK4aClfZyYho2LnD8UPinixQQs7hmzkZL7yhPaJ10uWAYGDO4nbYC_msHXZbVGDV/s400/table+and+chairs+005-f.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take notes, little man. One day you can build things for Mommy too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">{You can never have too many handy men around the house, am I right?}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4itAH-LmTmVrjosMvyqX4ObgokQJ3lGTprmVidpCVtmMrGS_aBmLIttWBk-RNHry9yo_YXyqsSVfT1y8drnVXpSMXbcpA7Aw7wIhTJ4c8DROmsPNz2xiE3lm-6IzeQ0e3mr_Vwx5dWN3b/s1600/table+and+chairs+010-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4itAH-LmTmVrjosMvyqX4ObgokQJ3lGTprmVidpCVtmMrGS_aBmLIttWBk-RNHry9yo_YXyqsSVfT1y8drnVXpSMXbcpA7Aw7wIhTJ4c8DROmsPNz2xiE3lm-6IzeQ0e3mr_Vwx5dWN3b/s400/table+and+chairs+010-f.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">I am super happy with how it came out and I can't wait to show it to you guys!</div><div align="center">I just have a little painting left and then it will be ready!!</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAVe6c6rQL_B-3jjDyLydKsNGi321nZcvQt3oc7Mv4z4A8hZ0H_0v4jTOcRcNI2CSyALp1BrgKCCwonvx4dFHFYQNH0yo_G3Q9BL-fSbQSxtgsvANs13nRMjkr6Q1uUF-hbvMgOIpSSc4/s1600/table+and+chairs+016-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAVe6c6rQL_B-3jjDyLydKsNGi321nZcvQt3oc7Mv4z4A8hZ0H_0v4jTOcRcNI2CSyALp1BrgKCCwonvx4dFHFYQNH0yo_G3Q9BL-fSbQSxtgsvANs13nRMjkr6Q1uUF-hbvMgOIpSSc4/s400/table+and+chairs+016-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! </div>Alimahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09388768816371305776noreply@blogger.com2