DIY: I HATE CHORDS - Wk 1

You may or may not know that I love to decorate, I also love to try new things when it comes to decorating and that is why I have chosen to pick some DIY projects. YAY!

We have a TV stand in our house that is beautiful, as it was custom built for us (courtesy of http://manuallymade.tumblr.com/) however since we did in fact, have our TV on top of it and all of our necessities for entertainment there were a visible mess of chords... everywhere. So I decided to fix that problem once and for all:

I had some leftover burlap table runners left from my Bridal shower and decided they could be put to great use (I am all about repurposing stuff just laying around the house). 

This is what I used: 

Step 1:
Measure the area that you are covering with burlap and add and 1" to each side just so you have enough material to work with.

Step 2:
Get a partner! trust me this is a lot easier to do with someone who can hold the material on the other side... it will save you a lot of backaches and unnecessary squats.

Step 3:
Start on one side, nail in the top corner and stretch the material straight down to the bottom corner of the stand (or whatever surface you're putting the material over). Make sure the edge of your material is parallel to the edge of the stand.

Step 4:
Now go to the other side (unless you were smart and got a partner like advised) and make sure the material is stretched so it is tight across the back of the stand. Then nail the top corner and down to the bottom. Again make sure the edge of your material is parallel to the edge of your stand.

Step 4 is the most important and ... strangely the most tedious part. It can be rather stressful but it will be well worth it!

Tah-Dah! The End. 

Next week will be another DIY project 'How - To' so be sure to check in and see what else you're capable of!

#homedecorating

Sometimes I dream

Sometimes I day dream.
Usually its a song or a scenery that swirls me into the confines of my own mind.
I don't mind it.
I like being taken away.

I dream about seeing the world.
I want to leave a footprint in London where the architecture alone, keeps your breath.
Sip wine in Italy, where winding roads of loveliness are unending.
Leave a love lock in Paris, where finding hidden treasures is endless.
Spot a lion in Africa, where nature is in full bloom.
I want to leave my heart in Israel, where Jesus' saved it.

I want to see the world.

I long to enjoy all the creative crevices God put on this Earth for us to discover.
I want to meet exquisite people of every race, and tell them how they've made my life more beautiful.

I will do all of these things, one day.
But for now dear Day Dreams... here's to you.

Love bug.

Let me explain.
Let me explain this picture up above, see that yellow journal, the one next to the obnoxious white porcelain pine cone.

Yes that one.

The first time I saw this journal on a shelf, it was in a quaint bookstore on one of the most bustling streets in Marquette, MI (really one of the only). I feel in love...we fell in love. I told my dad I needed it, like most 14 year olds do, he said 'not today' I turned around and came to terms with his decision.

Later that day,  I walked into my room and on my bed was the untouched beautiful journal that I had met in the bookstore. That is when our love affair started. We spent the defining years of my life together and on it's pages it contains some of the best times of my life, with that of course it also contains some of the worst. Inside of those two hard covers was my first heart break, my biggest secrets, my biggest decisions, and my unforgettable moments. The most important thing it holds was a promise God and I made with each other.

You see, I promised Him that I would never commit to someone until I knew he was the one, you know... 'The One'. Gods promise was that He would bring me someone who would lead me, love me, and best of all, be my best friend...forever. So I kept my promise to God. Like usual, I stumbled here and there but I did the best I could. God ever so graceful, as He always is, kept his promise so beautiful and pristine.

On July 11, 2014 I married my best friend.

He is tall.
His skin is made of caramel.
His eyes are my paradise.
I like to call him Love bug.

When we moved in to our cozy apartment, I put it Gods promise on the shelf, so I can always see it but more importantly so I can always remember.
I love you.

Childs Play

Tonight a miracle happened. .. Well a miracle for Southern California.

It was thunder and lightning.

I looked outside and saw the rain falling like spears that were mad at the ground. It reminded me of when I was a child. Then I slipped back, I was six years old.

I remember the trees and the smell of must and humidity, the sky looked angry and the trees looked thirsty. There was always that first drop

d

r

o

p


Rain. Rain. Rain. Rain. Rain.

I loved it, it made the trees sing with vibrant colors and the grass came to life. That was always my inspiration. Nature. The way it changed, the way it would be summer so hot you couldn't breath and then winter so long you forgot what grass looked like. I remember getting lost in my thoughts so deep that I would hear music in my head as if I was a composer and my life was the soundtrack.

I miss those times.

Creativity was always at my fingertips, and a new idea was always around the corner. They say, as you get older, you have to find inspiration in whatever your surroundings are. You have to go out there and you have to look for it.

 I'm still trying to find mine.

A New Start

It has been 735 days since I've spoken my meaningful words into a cyber void.
In 735 days life has taken me so far from where I have been, I'd almost forgotten.
the pain
the ache
the wait

the faith

The faith it took to get me here. Where I am.

I remember nights of sleeplessness because of my worry, my doubts and my fears. I remember days of longing and wonder, the thought of 'What if'.

But enough of talking in code.

Let me share with you where I was and now where I am.

Two years ago, almost to the day I didn't have a stable job. I had no stable income, but I had a heart full of passion and a mind full of determination. I was ready to go wherever it was God called me. I didn't know what to do at the time, but then one day I figured it out. After 11 months of long suffering, after multiple door slams to the face, there was one that cracked open enough to see who was standing on the other side, and it was me.

I started from the bottom of the food chain like most newbies do. I worked long hours to pay rent and also to gain experience, my brain was an empty book awaiting knowledgeable words to fill it. After a short period of time, I landed a job, one I had dreamed about.

There were short joyful words.

Then there were joyful tears.

I walked into a land of new faces, new rules and new beginnings.

I was in a land called Bliss. I had never felt more blessed than in that moment when I walked through the very secure double doors into the mystery that was the 'Third Floor'. I learned new names, new rules, a new way of thinking. Here it felt like home, and home it would be until God told me otherwise.

I'm very thankful for the this place and this family I had to wait for, pray for, hurt for and hope for.  I would never have it any other way, but isn't that the profound way of my Father.

My Puppet Hands

Pure gold, the strings that hold me together:

I lift.

I bend.

I move.

These motions are not my own.
My heart belongs to the one with empathetic eyes.
I reside in his crown.
He choreographs my voyage through this life.
He shines under my feet, never going dull.
His commands are my endeavors,
I long to be a reflection of His affections.

The enchantment of His mercies are what I yearn to know.
His devotion is what I want to know.
His relentless love is all I need to grow.

My puppet hands are forever bound to my King.

I Want It That Way

THE 90'S

When didn't we want to spend a day in the life of the Stratford sisters? Kat got to kiss Heath Ledger, and it was only the days of beginnings for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.. but Bianca straight owned him!

  These were the examples we had set before us of what High School was about. Anyone born in my era would agree ... we were a little disappointed once we got there. Of course none of my friends lived in Cali, so we couldn't have the amazing opportunity to have perfect weather everyday, an outdoor high school, or perfect endings with some awesome one hit wonder 90's band. 

And we CAN'T forget....

  Who didn't want a revolving closet after witnessing Cher's perfectly arranged set of Beverly Hills attire?...Let's be honest ladies..you wanted a pair of knee high socks and a pleated skirt too. Oh...and welcome Brittany Murphy! Although I must say I didn't catch onto the awkward love triangle of wanting your step-brother until I was older. Doesn't matter, I still wanted a white barbie jeep to ride around in in California with my best friend Di and of course I would love the sound of Di and Murray fighting .... all.the.time.

Let's not forget the chain of films the 90's introduced us to...

                Teenage Stupidity:                   Teenage Thrill:                   Teenage Humor:

             

How could we forget the series of cheesy Batman's?

 

Val Kilmer being the reason I fell in love with Batman in the first place, just had to throw that in there.

And then there was those TV shows we all know we lived to watch...the theme songs we'll always remember, and the comedic actors that are currently MIA ... for the most part.                 

                          

Everyone had a crush on Kel... you know it.

Well kids, we've all seen these shows and films come and go, they will always be nostalgic to us, as any era to any other generation. I just wanted to take the time to reminisce on the days of no troubles, where all we worried about was getting home in time for All That. When we dreaded our early bed time because we wanted to finish watching our favorite movie for the 12th time... that day. 

So here's an ode to the 90's, thanks for having us, thanks for giving us the time of our lives, and although we shall never meet again...we will always remember your influence :)