Friday, December 10, 2010

Master BR picture update...

The master is coming along. I am currently on the hunt for hardware to get the curtains hung appropriately and the vanity and side table completed.
Here are some updated pictures. I am sorry they are not the best. Feeling a bit yucko today so I didn't have the energy to fight with the camera & lighting.


Orange and yellow...happiness!

Here is the vanity painted and awaiting a mirror and hardware.


Grabbed this beautiful fabric at Joanne's last week. Complete coincidence that it matches one of my comforters PERFECTLY! Awesome.

Here is one of the two splashes of teal that I was able to sneak into the room. Love it.

Two. Not a good shot. Once I post the final pictures hopefully the picture will show the teal take 2 in a better light.
So there you have it. Update. :)

Where is the ME in Mommy give-a-way!

In a time where we both struggle to make ends meet and spend too much on frivolous things my girl Reagan has a $50.00 give-a-way going on at Where is the ME in Mommy
This has caused me to really think where would I spend an extra $50 buckaroos....You should head over and check it out. Ask yourself this question and enter to win!
GO! Get over there...!!

PS I honestly love this blog. Being a stay at home mom can be so isolating so it is nice to know that there are lovely ladies out there going through the same day-to-day "stuff. Reagans blog makes you think, makes you laugh and makes you feel inspired.

Everyone have a lovely day.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Thank you Pioneer Woman...once again!

Doing my morning blog scrawl with coffee in hand I came across this recipe on Pioneer Woman...she always has the BEST stuff!
P.S. I told Ryan just the day before "I am keeping things simple this year; no holiday baking and mad woman getting these out to our neighbors. Famous last words...

It really is easy and so yummy!


Just some toppings...


Sugar and butter...there are a few things better than this combo.


All spread and ready for a set.


Chocolate.




Bagging time.




Monday, December 6, 2010

While the pumpkin sleeps...

So...I have yet another little project. I am super excited since our bedroom has always been the step-child of the home. I decided it was time for some much-needed love.
I inherited this beautiful vanity and chairs. Thank you Sharon.
Bottom line, it was a huge blessing. Not only did it finish the room it provided a project that kept me nice and busy during yet another long week of my Lovie being out of town.

Here are some before pics of the bare, lost room...
tomorrow I will post an update. I am ubber excited how it is all coming together...


Sanded.


Taped off dresser top for some teal paintage. Yes, I did say teal and yes, Ryan is not so sure of the color. I love it, it is staying. ;)


Bed area with the updated candle sconces/ bedside lighting. Very cozy.


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Winter Wind...

Happy December 1st everyone! I thought no better way to start this gloomy, windy day than with a cozy outfit!

Thanks to jillgg's Good Life for Less I have been very into my clogs again. You know when it takes a little inspiration to get you back into that sweater or pair of shoes that have been sitting in your closet for ever...alone. Thank you Jill!
Thanks to Regan from Where is the ME in Mommy I was inspired to clean out my closet. FINALLY! Boy, do I have some clothes I am just kidding myself with in there.
Now, here to inspire you to do the same today is a cozy outfit that will make you excited to get into your closet today and find some treasures that may be waiting for you or...to go shopping. ;)


Winter Wind


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sad.

YIKES!

Ryan was recently telling me of a billboard (costing $20,000 to be up through the holiday season) set to go up right outside the Lincoln Tunnel leading into the city. (Yes, another reason for me to love NJ. ;)
Upon hearing it I am reminded that although the holiday season is a time of year to give thanks for all that we have & to celebrate an event that fulfilled prophecy and changed the world forever ~ the birth of Jesus. It is also a time of year where I feel that a lot of people go to war with Christianity.

Check this article out: 'Celebrate Reason'

This really just breaks my heart. It breaks my heart to be reminded that people (over 1 million in the US today) really do think that Christianity is a myth. They believe the birth/ life of Christ is a myth even though there is more historical evidence for the birth and life of Christ here on earth than most historical events that people blindly regard as fact every day.
It makes me sad to know if this same picture went up and said: "You know it is TRUTH! Jesus is the reason for the season" with any Christian organization sponsor and website a FIRESTORM would ensue and the bill board would not last long.

People, I am happy to report the battle is won, Jesus is the reason for the season!
Pray for all of those that felt the need for this billboard to go up was important, pray for those that may look at this bill board and question their faith. Pray that all of these people would come into contact this holiday season with someone that would make them think twice and crave a relationship with the one and only God.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Let the Keefe traditions begin!!!

It is officially our first time fully decorating for Christmas in our new home. That said, I never thought that I would be the mom that the day after Thanksgiving is on a MISSION to get: the Christmas tree, put it up, decorate it all the while with pumpkin pie in the oven and Christmas music blasting through the cozy home. Well; I am. Love it!
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. The weather was a little wet, but it was quiet, I ate too much and was surrounded by people that I love... (& missing people that I love all at the same time)!
The next day, thanks to Shayla watching Lilly, we headed out to the Christmas tree lot where a burly girl helped us pick our tree, trim it, bag it and get it on top of our rig. Here are a few pics to document the fabulous day.
P.S. Ryan would not let me take pics of the ghetto Christmas tree lot that we picked the tree from. Let me just say it was in the parking lot of Sears on the side of a highway. Soooooooo foreign to the mountain girl that was blessed enough to pick a tree out walking through the beautiful northern California woods...*sigh*

Yep, that's the first official Christmas tree at 73 Hamilton Ave.


Awweee!!
PS I lost my battle for the white lit Martha Stewart tree that I wanted ever so much...


Instead; here are some of my white lights that I have ALWAYS kept up in my house year round!


J-E-T-S! Jets, Jets, Jets...& other cute stockings...



Look how cozy that house looks. Love it!
Yet another P.S.: I felt like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation getting the D@&% lights up and functioning for this shot!


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Craft time...

Being that the first year we were in our new home I was consumed with being pregnant and caring for a new born I did not really put the holiday decorating in full gear.
That is about to change my friends!
This morning I threw this little banner together with some left over scrap book pieces. It came together quite well. :)



Monday, November 22, 2010

Stepping up my dinners

Its no secret in this household that I have been in a dinner rut lately!
I am making the same boring thing night after night. I love to cook and for some reason I am dragging. Since Ryan was gone last week I thought it was perfect timing for me to try some new recipes. (this way if its not so yummy...no one but me needs to know)

This one was a winner! I have wanted to try this for some time. Its light, healthy and honestly refreshing.

I did sub organic brown rice into this. I think brown rice has a whole lot more flavor, not to mention; its better for you.



Lilly loved it too...


Bath time!!!

I realize I have fallen a bit behind in posting pictures of my little lady Lilly.
Here she is doing her favorite thing in the bath...SPLASHING! Its great to see her happy...great that I get to clean the bathroom every other night, not so great that all I want to do is put her to bed at this point in the evening. ;)

Let the twinkle begin...

We just bought a new twinkle lens for the camera...look at the pretty shots!
That said, it is time to get the house ready for Christmas!! We are leaving early for CA this year so I feel a Christmas tree going up this week!!


Thursday, November 18, 2010

You're Beautiful...

In a time where in its simply looking at a magazine ad or a TV commercial one can be left feeling torn down, ugly & insignificant I want to share a song that over the last few weeks has really spoken to me by Mercy Me/ Beautiful (click <---!!!)

Now, listen...each and every one of you reading this needs to listen to this...promise me...from the beginning to the end...please promise...!! :))

The holidays are always hard. They are dark, cold & they can be lonely. I am left feeling crappy...I feel like a crappy friend, a crappy wife, a crappy mom, a crappy sister...and the list goes on.

What I need to remember, you need to remember and some of you need to KNOW is that you are beautiful. You were made by a creator that knit you together with His own two hands, that made you who you are for a very specific reason! YOU are treasured & you are loved!

For those of you (and trust me I have been there) think that no one understands you...no one loves you for who you are. I am here tonight to say...there is someone that loves you more than you will ever, ever know. You are treasured, you are loved and you were made for so much more than you are giving yourself credit. Lean on Him, ask a friend or relative about Him. He will bring you to placed emotionally, physically and mentally that you never thought possible!

Bless you all reading this. I love you.
Have a good night,
Me

jillgg's good life (for less) | good life for less: winter & holiday looks:book!




I have been following this fabulous blog for quite some time. Jill, has a great eye and always lists affordable alternatives to popular looks.


I have it and I feel a bit of winter shopping coming on...(which is perfect since Ryan is away...and I have 24 hours to figure out how to justify this spending...unless you are reading this now...busted!)

Have a fabulous Thursday all!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Lately; I love tunics!!!

There is something cozy about a boho tunic for the fall.
Maybe its the fact that they are beautifully colorful or that they can hide all the winter pounds under the flowing soft fabric. No matter what it is there will be a few of them being added to my closet in the near future!



Ah the colors...

Thank you Lord; there still are a few living flowers... isn't it beautiful...


View from the living room window...


View from the back door; over the deck...


So I have been quite a "moppy-mopper" lately. When I get this way I find myself begging God each morning to just carry me through. He always does and amazingly. It is another week alone as Ryan works in Atlanta & I have struggled to remain sane. Its only day two solo with the Lilly...yikesss!
Take a look at the beauty that is outside! We have sunshine and we have amazing colors. YAY!
I have been requiring too much out of life and the people that are in mine lately. Thanks to a book I have been reading I have been reminded that the simple pleasures are to be soaked in...

For me lately it has been:
1) Lilly running into the room only to come and hug me around the legs while I am doing the dishes.
2) Burritos for dinner
3) A phone call from a loved one
4) Sunshine in the morning
5) A good cup of strong coffee
6) Remembering that God created me beautiful to Him, that is all that needs to matter when I am feeling crappy about me...

...And to not require perfection out of the people that are in my life just because I am feeling empty sometimes. That isn't fair! I am far from perfect and can not fill in the holes that are in others lives, how can I require that of other people. That job is for ONE person to do for all of us and ONE person alone. Thank you Lord! You do this perfectly, if I let you...

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Just playen...

Excuse me while I play with some new blog toys. Along the way tonight I found some dream outfits. Please hang in there while I figure out where to go next.
oxox, Me


CURRENT/ELLIOTT Jean
235 EUR - colette.fr
Denim jeans »

Stormbringer Pajama Set - Pajamas - Women
$52 - davidandgoliathtees.com
Pajamas »