Chasing Trucks... and other things

This week I am spending my time in places that look like this...

...with pools and fun colors that look like this...

...and have names like this... (I am living the dream.)

...and palm trees... oh the palm trees!

And I'm sitting on porches that look like this...

...and getting off the porch to chase trucks that look like this...

...and I'm spending most of my time here...

...with friends that look like this...

...this week is great! I hope you're having a great one too!

Hello Birdie.

Did you know they make yellow burlap? Amazing! When I saw it, I knew exactly what I had to do. I made a pillow.

You can cut your burlap to whatever size you want. Mine was pretty small, like 6"x9"ish.

I then created a stencil using my Silhouette.

I stenciled it on using white and grey.

I put the right sides of my pillow together and sewed around it, leaving an opening so that I could stuff it. Don't forget to clip the corners.

I then stuffed my pillow with grocery bags (recycled material) and finished sewing it closed.

I made it as a gift to my bestie. She and I took a chair reupholstery class and she wanted to put it on her chair. It's super cute. Look how adorable her chair turned out!

I'll be linking to these parties this week. Spring is in the air!!

Antique Drum Table

So now that you know about my little obsession with Annie Sloan paint and you also know about my other obsession with going to estate sales, I thought I would show you the marriage of my two obsessions...

Enter one antique wooden drum table bought at estate sale. She's a beauty, right?

Enter a couple coats of Annie Sloan's Pure White Chalk Paint...

Distress and wax to liking and it's a match made in heaven!

Read about how I judged those books (sitting on top) by their covers. Yikes!

I will be playing at these parties this week.

An Ode to Annie Sloan

Once upon a time, (when I was like 15), I read a greeting card that said, "You have my heart. It is for you to hold. Forever." Or something like that. Anyway, I dreamed of the day I could give that card to someone. (Romantic, I know.) Today is that day. And I give that card to... Annie Sloan. (Just so you know, it was a toss up between Annie Sloan and the color Turquoise.)

Yes, Annie Sloan. Since the day I met you a few months ago, all I can do is think about what I should paint with you. I use you until you are all used up, and then I use you some more. I can't walk into a room without picking out every. single. piece. of. furniture. that I would paint with you and I am guilty of doing this, not only in my own house, but also in the dwellings of my friends and family. Obsessed much?

You were top priority on my Christmas list. I drive 45 minutes just to look at you (that's the closest store that stocks AS paint). I turn to you multiple times a weekend just for the fun of it. And it doesn't stop here.

My husband wants you to take out a restraining order against me. He said he would file the papers... he might even chip in.

It's a sickness and the cure for the Annie Sloan obsession is... MORE Annie Sloan!

(I have some fun projects (using Annie Sloan paint) on the way to show you.)

I judged a book by its cover...

Yep. Hate me if you want to, but today I judged a book by its cover. Ok, I lied. I didn't just judge ONE book by its cover, I judged TWO! Now, before you judge me, take a look at the beautiful books...

I bought them simply because I liked the color of their covers. I know, I'm cool like that, but please make me feel better and tell me you've done something similar.

Best Holiday Decorations. Ever.

Two questions for you. One: Have you ever been to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville? And, Two: Have you ever been there at Christmas time?? Holy decorations!! Their decorations are so spectacular, they must make Martha Stewart look like a Scrooge!

The hubster had some business to do there right after Christmas, so I *had* to go with him (and by "had" I mean "jumped at the chance"). Nashville is so fun and I couldn't wait to get junkin/antiquing.

Now, look at the next picture and answer me this... Can you imagine how long it takes to put up over 2 million lights and decorations?? And I thought decorating my house was bad...

That's a lot of lights!

Everyone appears to be out looking at the light show...

...and listening to the charming Christmas music.

Watch out for the little lambs, I hear they bite!

But really, no disrespect intended. The GINORMOUS nativity scene truly is awe-inspiring.

And that's only the outside! Don't even get me started on the inside. If you are lucky enough to find your way around, you will find 3 atriums full of indoor decorated gardens.

Giant Christmas tress and wreaths hang overhead.

One of the lobbies even had a giant poinsettia tree... meow!

Cascading lights.

Magical hot air balloons.

Toys taking flight.

After my experience here, I thought I might like to live in such a grand place! On second thought, who am I kidding? Something about having to clean 2,881 rooms does not appeal to me. I'll settle for a vacation there anytime though.