Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween Party!

Just wanted to share a few photos from the Halloween party we hosted last night. There were some really great costumes, and we had a blast!


Sangria with spooky eyeballs. Always a hit!


I got a styrofoam head from a beauty supply shop for about $3 then put the cheese toothpicks all over the head. Also added a little food coloring for a little extra gross:)


Little keebler cookies with a Hershey's kiss make adorable little witch hats!


This was my favorite! Buried alive cake. It's so delicious, you won't even believe it! Check for the recipe under my recipes tab:)


Me and my friend Ashley snagged a few branches from the curbs in the neighborhood and stretched spider webs all over then added a few spiders and bugs.


Here it is at night with the green light bulbs.




Spooky old lady shadow made of construction paper


Pumpkin puking Guacamole


Magenta (Amanda), Flapper Gal (moi), and Cleopatra (Ashley)


Such a fun night! Hope you enjoyed the photos:) Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Airstream Update

The airstream is coming along quite nice. Even better than I ever expected, actually. We have the trim up, all the divider walls, one bed frame, and all light fixtures installed. I've ordered wall paper for the office walls, then I'm going to match the blue in the paper for a paint for the rest of the walls. This weekend, my husbands drummer, William came and helped get the electricity working out there, so I got to flip the switch and actually have light today! So exciting. Today the guys are installing new screens and building the second bed, then all we'll have left to do is build the sofa and cabinets before the decorating starts! Here's a few photos of our progress:






Here's the pretty white trim





More trim and one of the walls



We have lights! This is the bathroom.



These are the lights over each bed.


And here's a sneak peak of some of the fabrics I'm looking at. Lounge Interiors is doing a great job of choosing the perfect papers and fabrics! I can't wait to see it all come together!



So that's all for now! I'll have many more photos to come once we get the papering and painting under way!

Friday, October 15, 2010

What a Difference a Floor Makes.

We've made some serious progress on the Airstream restorations! We've gutted the entire thing and started all over from scratch. The wood underneath all the ugly carpet was pretty rough, so we used plywood to build a new floor. Then got our new floors installed and started on the walls and ceiling, and next on the list is paint for the interior end caps. But first we have to paint it with bonding primer, sand it, then add the paint so it will stick to the plexiglass without chipping. We have to use spray paint so it wont streak, and that's kind of a bummer because I can't find the perfect blue I have in my mind in a spray paint can. So any suggestions for where to find a great selection of colorful spray paint would be greatly appreciated! Here's a few photos so you can check out our progress!


Here's how beautiful my yard looked during the gutting process.
It got worse too!




This is what it looked like after we gutted it.
We saved all the walls so we could use them as templates.




Here's what was left of the bathroom!



This is the view from the back with the new floor base down.



Jonathan with our new floors.



Adding the AC cover. We got the AC in it to work!
There was a huge bird nest causing it not to work before.



The floor installed! Hooraaaay!



The new walls and ceiling!! EEEEK!



Side view of the walls, ceiling, and floor:)


So, at first, we were going to white wash the wood panels we used for the walls, but once we got them up, we really liked the contrast of the raw wood to the aluminum ceiling, so we're obviously going to keep it that way and just use a natural colored clear sealer over the panels. I like how the silver screws in the wood help tie the metal ceiling in to the wall too. We're going to add 1 inch white trim between the wall and the ceiling and between the floor and the wall. Then we're going to add half inch wood trim across each seam of the ceiling. It is going to be GORGEOUS! I can't wait!

We've also gotten a new toilet and sink installed as well. I'm not sure why I don't have any photos of that yet, but I will soon! Can't wait to be working in my new fancy office! Feel free to send suggestions my way! Next time, I'll have a little diagram of where everything will go!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Revolution Tea

So, Jonathan played in Tupelo last night and we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn just down the street from the venue. I love staying in hotels, especially when there's good breakfast involved. A little irrelevant, but I had an omelette with tomatoes, onion, bacon, and cheese, half of a waffle with strawberries, a piece of prime rib, and then on the way out, I dipped a strawberry in the chocolate fountain. Who can resist a chocolate fountain? Nobody, that's who. Anyway, at the free coffee station, there was also this beautiful wooden box with separated sections, each with it's own tiny box of tea. It was so gorgeous, I didn't even drink coffee at all this morning. I had two sweet ginger peach teas, and they were delicious! Look how gorgeous this is!

Image via http://www.myhealthmybody.com/trellis/aboutrevtea



Image via revolutiontea.com





I would have taken my own photo, but my phone was dead, and I didn't have a camera. The box in the above photo doesn't have each section separated like I saw it, but it's still pretty nice. Anyway, the excitement about Revolution Tea doesn't stop there! The tea bags are in a really nice sturdy mesh type bag. So pretty. A very luxurious tea experience! And I don't even drink tea that often. I get it now though. Revolution, like many other companies, created a branding experience rather than just a product. And they did it well! Here are the tea bags.


Image via http://www.revolutiontea.com


Aren't they pretty? Here's how they describe their bags:

"Revolution Full-leaf teas are packaged
in the most innovative tea bag available.
The Revolution Infuser Tea Bag™ allows
you a clear view of the whole leaf teas you
are enjoying. As you pour hot water over the
tea leaves, watch them expand and infuse,
producing a full-bodied, flavorful tea. Make
the change to Revolution Infuser
Tea Bags today.


Pretty genius. You should try it. You'll see.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Is Script Dying?

I was at dinner at a friends' the other night, and a friend of hers and her daughters were there. One of her daughters was maybe 13 or so, and was on her laptop doing homework. So we all started talking about how weird it is that kids that age are using laptops for everything. Not that it's that weird since I use mine for everything too, just that kids in grade school use them just as much. She said they turn assignments in that way and everything. They don't write papers anymore, they type them. So we were talking about handwriting, since they don't really even write that much anymore, and I came to find out that schools aren't teaching script anymore. This girl had no idea how to write in cursive! I remember as a kid being so excited about learning to write like that and thinking I was all grown up once I learned how. It's just strange to think that script is a dying art. I understand that we don't really need it, but is the fact that it's not being taught anymore going to make it more of a beautiful art form? I think so. And although it's kind of sad, it's also pretty exciting. What do you think? Here's what I think.


Think about how much less we write today already than we did 10 years ago. A LOT less. When is the last time you got a hand written letter in the mail? It's been a while, huh? The only hand written anything I get anymore is from my grandmother. She sends a card for birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day, Anniversaries, and anything else you can think of. And she always writes the sweetest notes inside. I smile every time I read them because it's just so sweet and very personal. So sweet it makes you want to punch that stupid ecard you get a month after your birthday in the FACE! So that being said, go write somebody a pretty letter today. Spray some perfume on it. Draw something pretty on there. Fold the paper into an origami bird. And if you're lucky, you just might be the one getting it in the mail.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Vera Wang, I love you.

So, do any of you subscribe to the online shopping sites? Because I know I do. They're like an online TJ Maxx, but sometimes they have amazing designer dresses, like Vera Wang that's on Gilt today, for more than half off retail! Which is still anywhere between $200-$700. Ouch! That's a lot of cash to drop on a piece of clothing that I won't get to wear too often. Actually, if I owned one, I may just wear it around the house or when I had people over for cookouts. It seems like it would be one of those pieces you never want to take off! Anyway, just wanted to share these beautiful dresses with you. And if you want to subscribe to any of these awesome shopping sites, click
here ,here or here. The last one is Gilt where the Vera Wang dresses are. Yummy! But I'll warn you, these sites are very addicting. But also great time killers if you're procrastinating! Also, if you order from Rue La La, you'll be even more excited to get your discounted designer whatever in once you see how beautiful their packaging is! Your receipt comes in a hot pink vertical tea length envelope with a key hole in the flap! And they've made a pattern with their logo that's pretty amazing too. So, check 'em out if that's your kind of thing. Whether you buy or not, these sites are great to get fashion inspiration from. So it's kind of a win win. Enjoy!







Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Happy October from Me and Some Friends!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

She's Home!


We got the Airstreams! They're both in decent shape. One is better on the exterior and one is better on the interior. We brought the one with the better exterior home since we're ripping pretty much everything from the inside out. These things are so adorable! And spacious too. Especially when we get the big ugly cabinets out of there. The trucking company where we got them was very interesting. A husband and wife owned and operated it, and they just collected really interesting old things. You could tell they were passionate about what they did, so that seemed like a good beginning to the new life of the Airstream. I'm thinking of naming her Bettie. What do you think? Bettie Sue? Bettie Draper? I don't know why the "ie." I'll explore that a little further. Here's a few kind of crappy photos of the shop.




So, the past few days, we've had a neighbor (AKA Ponytail Pete) helping (and by helping, I mean we're paying him) to take the back of our fence by the alley down and rebuild it back up about 6 feet into the yard so it will be easier to get it out if we decide to take it camping. I hate camping, but in the Airstream, it could be fun I guess since that's not really camping. I'm just not in to sleeping outside. Anyway, thanks to Sambo, we got it in the yard, and kind of level. We had to back it up on top of two blocks so it would sit more level. We may end up pouring concrete so it will be perfect, but for now, the blocks will have to work. Thanks, Sam!



Jonathan and I sketched out a few ideas we had for the remodel yesterday, but I'm not committed to anything just yet. I want to be sure it's exactly how I want it! I definitely want a desk area, and I think I may make a standing station as well. I like to switch it up a little. We're keeping the beds where they are so we can also use it as a guest house. I think it will be nice for guests to have their own space to relax. Unless I'm working, then they'll need to get outta there.

So, without further ado here are a few before photos of Bessie. (Just thought I'd try calling her Bessie to see how it felt...Not bad!)





Definitely a lot of work to be done, but I think this will be an incredibly rewarding project! We're starting with the cabinet removal today, so hopefully I'll have some afters sooner than later! Feel free to send me any ideas or suggestions! The more inspiration we have for this the better!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Can't Wait to Step Into My Office

We're packin it up for our short trip to Crossville tonight to get the Airstream! We borrowed a truck from a friend, and we have another friend (Sambo) who's coming to get us and help haul 'er back. (we have really wonderful friends by the way:)) I'm so excited and anxious to get it home! Tonight, we're driving to Crossville to Jonathans parents to spend the night, then we'll leave in the morning at about 7 to be at the truck lot by 9. Then we're going to decide which one we want to take home and which one we'll leave for the other restoration with Jonathan's parents or Josh, his brother. I can not WAIT to get this process started! We've already been to Home Depot getting inexpensive ideas for things we want to do first! I know it sounds gross and ugly, but they make this really great wood vinyl that's easy to trim to size that I think we may use. It looks much better than it sounds. And material that will be much easier to work with than even the snap in planks in such an odd shaped area. And obviously easily replaceable if anything were to happen to it. I'm excited to see our ideas grow even bigger once we see it in person. It will be much easier to visualize once we get to actually "step in to my office."

I don't think this one was the vinyl, but I really like this light color worn wood. We'll see how things change in the coming weeks though.


I'll be posting photos tomorrow to show you the before photos! Woohoo!


Sunday, October 3, 2010

Adventures in Airstream Hunting

Since I graduated from O'More this past May, I've been doing some freelance work from my home office. AKA my living room on the sofa. Not the most productive place to work. Not that I'm complaining, because I LOVE working from home, but, my attention span does not. So, sometimes I'll be gettin in my design groove, designing away, then look up and see some dirty dishes. So then, I get up to put them in the sink and wash them and I'll notice that the floor is kind of dusty. So then I'll swiffer a little and think "These floors would be much prettier if I just went ahead and mopped. Also, it'll smell good and that will just be the greatest work environment EVER!" Then 2 hours later, I still have barely any work done, I'm out of design mode and I need a snack. Anyway, all that to say that I think everyone needs a designated work space to be at their highest productivity. We have a guest room and a studio for Jonathan, but we have so many house guests, I can't take over our guest space. And working in Jonathan's studio is a definite no go. SO! Our solution? A vintage Airstream!

I'd seen a few restored into office spaces online, and thought it was the most clever adorable idea I'd ever seen. And that retro vintage style and shape of those things could not be more up my alley. I LOVE them. I feel like every time I even start a project, my google inspiration search includes the words "vintage, fifties, or retro." So what better place to get my design on than a vintage 70's retro trailer?!?

So, Jonathan & I started researching, and let me tell you, these things are hard to find. People don't want to get rid of them! Especially the 50's models. They're much more rare than the 70's models. One night, we looked for hours online for the perfect one. Some of them were $10-15,000, and they looked terrible on the inside! Some were fairly priced, but seemed like too much of a project for us to handle. So the next morning, we get on Craigslist and SURPRISE! new Airstream trailer listed in Franklin! We called immediately, and the guy said it sold within 20 minutes after he had posted it... Bum city 2010! Anyway, all that to say, we kept searching and finally found, not one within our budget but TWO! For the price we were prepared to spend for ONE! We're both so excited about this project, that I think it might be a new venture of ours to buy and restore and resell. If we don't get too attached:)

We go to pick my new office up on Tuesday! And we're going to leave one at Jonathan's brothers' house, and he's going to start cleaning that one up and getting an idea of what we'll need to do to start that restoration. So, stay tuned for before and after photos! Until then, take a look at te exterior of my new office!