MOCK MILK GLASS

I really love the look of milk glass.  Hopefully you know what that is?  It is just a thick glass that is a beautiful milky white color.  I don't even own one piece of milk glass.  I sometimes see it at flea markets and thrift stores but I never buy it because I really don't have the storage space for it.  I hosted a baby shower yesterday and I really wanted some milk glass vases for my mantel.  I thought it would look pretty and girly for a baby girl shower.  I wanted to put a single pink flower in each one.  Of course when you are looking for something specific you never can find it.  At least I never can.  I attempted to make my own mock milk glass vases.  I bought these three cheap glass vases at the Salvation Army for 99 cents a pop:

Nothing special but I thought the details might be really pretty once spray painted.  So here is what I had after a few coats of heirloom white paint:

It most definitely wasn't milk glass quality but these little guys served their purpose.  I really like how they turned out.  They will also be perfect to use for Easter decor.  Hopefully the EXTREMELY bright pink flowers weren't to obnoxious?  I really liked them but I am gaudy like that.

Jules

ANOTHER UGLY PICTURE FRAME

While shopping at the local thrift store I found this real ugly mirror:

It's actually not that ugly.  I just don't really like the black/gold combo going on.  I thought if I painted it white and distressed it then it would look beautiful on my living room wall which is a chocolate brown color.  I have a bare spot above a chair in that room that is screaming for some attention.  So I painted this bad boy white or heirloom white to be exact after removing the mirror and this is what it looked like. 

 I sort of liked it until I tried to distress it a little with some glaze in which it turned out hideous.  Evidence as proof:

 and another up close and personal just to clarify:

I hated how it turned out.  A little bummed and defeated I decided to spray it back to it's original black but no gold:

 I thought it was kinda cool?  I couldn't replace the mirror because it started chipping at the corner and I was scared to hang it around the kids.  So I just put a piece of burlap in it and hot glued an L in the center and now it has a happy home on one of my bare kitchen walls:

Eh...not that cool but I guess it was worth the $9.99 price tag and it puts something on my bare wall.

Jules

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIEE!

Spring break is upon us.  We usually NEVER go anywhere for spring break but this year my husband had to go to St. Louis on business and suggested that we go with him for a few days.  It sounded better than sitting around home trying to entertain my kids for a few days.  We left on Tuesday and were back today, Thursday.  It always sounds like such a good idea to do a road trip but you quickly realize how tiring it really is to attempt such a fete with 3 kids in tow.  We did have fun but needless to say I am exhausted!
Some highlights of the trip were going up in the arch which we attempted 3 times!  The first time all the trips to the top were sold out.  The second time my oldest started throwing up as we were in line to go up.  It is NEVER a proper road trip without someone vomiting or having explosive diarrhea.  Seriously.  It. Never. fails.  Anyway I am happy to report that this vomiting session was short lived.  We had to alter our plans for the day but Jake was feeling fine the next day.  Some other highlights of the trip were little Nick locking us out of the bedroom about 4-5 times and we had to call hotel maintenance to unlock it, Brady while showering fell and fell out of the whole tub/shower.  How in the hell that happens I'll never know but we are still laughing about how he kept saying, "it's just so slippery" in a whiny Brady voice, visiting the zoo, eating at a really old school Italian restaurant, eating ice cream in the trunk of the van with the kids, and beautiful weather.  I really wish I got more pictures but I just wasn't so diligent this time around.  Here are some pics from the last couple of days:

The "Hill" is where the delish Italian food was.

We had to sit in the car because the place was ridiculously crowded. 

Looking out the windows of the arch.

At the zoo.  I know this picture looks dirty but that is only because I have a dirty mind.  Haha.  Brady loves cobras and really wanted his picture with this guy!

We had some good family fun.  I am glad to get in bed with my hubby and not my restless two year old tonight though!

Jules

A REASON, A SEASON, AND A LIFETIME

Wow.  Isn't it amazing how things pop into your life when you really need them.  I have been struggling recently over some lost relationships for some reason.  It has been occupying my thoughts alot lately and miraculously I found this little poem (if that is what you call it) on the Internet.  It was so healing for me to read this.  I didn't realize how much I needed these words until I read them.  This poem has helped me let go a little more over my losses.  Here it is:


People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

I just really enjoyed this and wanted to share it.  I do feel very blessed to have a handful of people that I have been friends with for 25 plus years.  I truly think that is a rarity.

Jules

PAYING FOR A LITTLE R & R!

The other day was a rough one.  Only rough in the sense that I have a 2 year old who is real attached to his mama.  Not that it is necessarily a bad thing but there are times in the day when I seriously need just a small break or a breather from fetching "ju" (juice), "nack" (snacks) and "B" (blankie).  Little man quit taking naps so therefore there is no respite.  I usually beg him to go play with his brothers in the basement but he usually simply says, "no".  Well the other day both big bros were in the basement and little Nick decided to join them for no apparent reason.  I didn't question nor did I go down to check on him thus risking his return to my hip.  Call SRS if you must but for my mental heath I just kept telling myself that he was safe in the basement with his big brothers.  I poured myself a cup of hot mint green tea, sat down with my feet up and proceeded to watch food network in which Paula Deen was cooking something with loads of butter.  After about 10 minutes I felt myself relaxing more and more and enjoying this small but needed alone time.  My alone time lasted about 45 min!  When he came up wanting more "ju" I was more than happy to oblige and I was thrilled to see his cute unkempt little head.  About an hour later I went downstairs to tell Jake and Brady that they had played Xbox enough for the day and this is what I encountered:

Every single one (well almost) of our board games or any games for that matter were all disassembled into a thousand pieces all over my basement floor.

Yes, that is every single lightbright piece on the floor.  Not just in one small spot mind you.  They are all over the basement including under this heavy table that almost gave me a hernia just trying to lift it.

Evidence of a short person getting into stuff.  Only the bottom two shelves were touched.  Thank goodness he isn't any taller!
As I was cleaning this atrocity I wondered was my 45 minute down time worth the one hour and 15 minute clean time?  My answer was a resounding HELL YES!!! 
It is spring break here and let's just hope the rest of my house doesn't get like this before the break is up.  Odds are it will!

Jules

DIY PROJECTS

I have been MIA for quite awhile. I have no good excuse. I have tried lots of new recipes that I should have shared but I guess was being lazy. I have to share my newest EASY project. I found this plate at the thrift store. I am a sucker for old teacups and saucers and old china/plates.

I'm not sure what drew me to this plate.  I think I just really liked the colors and it is really feminine.  Sitting very close to this plate at the thrift store was this real ugly brass candle stick holder

I immediately snagged both and knew exactly what I was going to attempt.  So I got home and painted this little gem a ballet slipper pink.

I love how you can see the details so much better now that this thing isn't brass anymore.  I then used something called Gorrilla glue which is a really strong glue and I glued the two together like so:

And now I have my pretty feminine homemade cake plate that cost around 3 bucks!  Can't beat that.  Now I need to bake something and display it on my cakeplate!

And while I was painting I decided to paint another thrifty find.  I have been searching hi and low for a plain black or actually about 3 plain black wood candlestick holders but everytime I see one they are just to dang expensive.  Since I am Ms. thrifty thrifterson I finally found the shape of what I wanted but it was real ugly y'all...

See what I mean?  Anyway this baby went from geek to chic in about 2 minutes..

Well it was more than two minutes because I had to do about 3 coats.  Now I just have to be on the lookout for about 2 more just like it!

Jules

Memories, Dreams and Reflections of 2011

Ahhh 2011, where did you go.  My parents always told me the older you get the faster time passes.  They were right.  I think I am going to change the purpose of this blog.  The original intent was for me to use it almost like a website to advertise my sewing and all of the baby things I was making.  I used to do alot more sewing and making things for people.  I still do occasionally make and sell some things at two local stores here in town but my passion that I used to have for sewing has fizzled a bit.  I still haven't written it off but for now I just feel so busy with other things in life.  My blog then sort of morphed into a journal of sorts.  I found myself writing alot about my kids, my life and my love of photography.  This blogs purpose now is to let me have an outlet to talk and write about things going on in my life.  It is going to be for my kids.  I heard somewhere that you can get your blog entries bound into a book.  How cool would that be to get it book bound yearly.  I know if I had documentation from my Mom in book form from back when I was a kid I would really love that.  So from here on out I will be writing about the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I'm not here to write about a perfect life that I have but about reality so I can truly remember this amazing time in my life....good and bad!

Ashley Sisk over at http://www.ashleysisk.com/ presented a new photo challenge for the end of 2011.  She is the one who sponsers the weekly photo scavenger hunts that I have participated in (although not lately).  She has 25 prompts this week.  I think it will be a good representation of how our year was in photos. So without further ado:

ME:

A new way I am trying to wear my hair.  Jury is still out.  And...I should really have lipstick on!

I LOVE YOU:

My Rock.

STILL LAUGHING:

This is how we eat spaghetti over here.  Gotta problem with that?

WINTER WONDERLAND:

This isn't really a winter wonderland but I figured since it has snow in it then it will do.  Maybe this one is better?:

I was trying to capture the falling snow with clarity.  I still have alot to learn!!

BIRTHDAY:

My baby turned two!  The excitement and look on his face is PRICELESS!!

FRIENDS:

Although she is my mother I feel blessed to also call her friend!

SPRING FEVER:

Whenever you see a tulip you know spring is right around the corner.

TRAVEL/VACATION:

We took our family vacation to Texas last summer.  Whenever we stay at a hotel it means hotel hallway golf for the boys!

SUMMER DAYS:

OK this is a cheat since it was really a summer of 2010 picture. It is one of my all time favs though!

ALL SMILES:

I just love this little one's big bright smile!

AUTUMN HARVEST:

This was my front porch this fall.  I got a little excited and had all of this up in early September!  I also had it as my blog header picture for awhile!

                                                               FAMILY/HOME:

These 4 are my family and my home.

                                                             CELEBRATE:

My sweetie is officially over the hill!

                                                             I MISS YOU:

My beautiful Grandmother, Thelma Cipullo.  I miss her like crazy.

                                                             BEAUTIFUL:

View from our room at the the J.W. Marriott for a getaway with my husband without kids!

                                                              DRESS UP:

My little buddy at his Christmas program all dressed up.  Although he was very scared and timid he sure was cute!

                                                           HOLIDAYS:

4th of July.

                                                     MY FAVORITE:

Something about this one.  I just love it!

                                                     DON'T EVER CHANGE:

I hope thise three stay genuine and true to themselves.

                                                      JUST BECAUSE-SO THERE!:

Another one of my favorites!

My hopes and dreams for 2012 are to open my arms to whatever life throws at me.  I want to try to really work on organization, healthy living and bettering myself for my kids and my husband.  I really did have a fabulous 2011 but I am ready for a fresh start to 2012!

Jules