Pinterest Party

I have been inspired a lot by some furniture redos on Pinterest. I decided my cragslist furniture needed some updating.

 Dark walls and accents of color or white.

Painting the back of a bookcase with a different color.

Redoing a cheap lamp.

My bed frame, I think, was supposed to be cream with gold trim but the gold was actually turning green. It wasn't a good look at all. So I decided to paint it all white. A random guy at Lowes told me not to sand it because it would be too much work. I wish I would have just sanded it because the paint didn't stick as well to the surface as I think it would have. But now I know this for next time.

Also this bookcase was an ugly purply brown. I didn't know how they had gotten that color until I discovered the bookcase had been lavender and then painted with one coat of brown. Makes perfect sense now.

This little guy has a brother and they got spray painted a light blue. It worked very well but the color was a little off from my bedspread so he ended back up in the closet. I want to figure out a new color for him and a new shade to really change his look. He'll get another update soon.

Before and After

In other news, Adam is caddying for his friend at a golf tournament in Indy today. I really hope the friend does well. I am excited to see Adam tonight and part of tomorrow ;)

Adam added his mark on my whiteboard last time he was here. Who is next to add something to my whiteboard. There is lots of room. You just have to travel a billion miles to come and see me and write on the whiteboard ;)

Projects

A frequent question I get is what a graphic designer does all day. Anything that is printed or put on the web has an origin. Whether it's the secretary creating it in Word or the designer using specific design programs, the facts are the same. Someone had to create it. Here is an example of a project our office worked on.

This is what a certain office wanted to make as gifts. Classy chocolate boxes like this.

They got this instead. 

(There was a little miscommunication between the printer and the client)

 So our office got to see if we could help for this time and then they would go to a different printer next time.  Kelly designed candy labels and we hand cut them all out. It was an experience. (Usually for these things, you get them printed somewhere and they have a die cut made. The die cut is the specific shape of the finished project.  It saves the work for someone having to hand cut them all out, makes the end product all the same, and is uniquely shaped.)

 For the box not being ideal, the chocolate looks pretty sweet.

Shopping with Kindra

 I am so blessed to have one of my good friends only an hour and half away. I was worried when I graduated college that I wouldn't be able to keep in contact with my friends or see them. I am very pleased to say that the last year has proved me wrong. I got to live near some of my friends last summer and fall, which was awesome. I have kept in contact with a lot of girlfriends from college, some more than others but I hope to do even better this year. As wedding season starts, I'm excited to see many of my friends tie the knot but even more excited to see my other friends who will be in the audience ;)

Anyways this past Saturday, I got my haircut and then met up with Kindra to do some summer shopping for vacation and all the weddings I have on my calendar.

 The hair dresser decided I needed sexy hair for my casual shopping. Thank-you?

Kindra and I met in the middle so neither of us had to travel the full way which was nice but also hard because we didn't really have anywhere to go when we were tired of shopping. Thankfully Target has super comfy lawn furniture. We talked there for over 45 minutes haha

So would people take me serious if I wore these? I think so.

 I got a new life bag (a bag I can fit anything I want into it). It's a lot more grown-up than my canvas paisley bag that apparently everyone hated but me. Eh... oh well haha

Strawberry Jam

I got strawberries when I was in the Pittsburgh area with Leighann and decided to be a little housewifish and make strawberry Jam for Adam and I. My friend, Jenna, and I decided to split a batch since we hadn't really done it before.

My friend and helper, Jenna, hulling the strawberries.

The mashed up berry mixture.

The finished product.

The whole process was way easier than I thought. I remembered my mom making jam when I was younger but I had never done it. We just followed the recipe on the Sure-Jell box. I haven't tasted it yet but Jenna said it was divine ;)

So excited to keep making jams and different recipes this summer.

Pittsburgh

Please excuse my tardiness with this post. I decided the Thursday before Memorial Day that I wanted needed to take advantage of my long weekend and visit someone. I picked Leighann since she was in town and only 6 hours away. Chrissy surprised us and came up too. It was so fun! I wish I lived closer to my family but gotta take advantage of the time I have with them when we get together.

My work dress was supposed to be my Sunday dress but I was getting sweaty.... Also I had been in the car for a long time. I always have a lot of pent up energy traveling by myself.  Lots of people probably got weird voicemails that trip. Your welcome.

Leighann took us to the famous Pamela's. The line was out the wazhoo.

We got these delicious crepe hotcakes. So good. Maybe not the best decision to eat outside in the scorching heat but good none the less. 

She took us to Wooley's the seafood market. It was pretty cool.

Next time I go, I hope we get some crab. I have so many memories from childhood vacations cracking open crabs together at the kitchen table.

The girls were trying on all the different scarves to see which one fit their complexion the best. (sorry Chrissy, this is the only picture I had of you.)

This place looked so good and has a super cute name! We'll have to go next time when we haven't already had our daily sugar intake for the day.

Aren't these kids totes adorbs?

Also I love their interpretation of my name ;)

We tried these pancakes. They were pretty good. Chrissy is so creative ;)

Then we took a tour of Pittsburgh a la backseat of the family car.

This little guy has a special place in my heart. What a sweetie.

Working Vacay

I'm going to Californina to take care of these cute kiddos.  I'm super excited to see the state and hang out with this family that gave me so much last year. It doesn't hurt that they payed for my way out there.....

I've scheduled some posts for when I'm gone so that when I get back I can try to blog more frequently... we'll see how that goes.

Coworkers of the week

I have some of the best co-workers and thought y'all should know.

One week, us girls were not motivated to work. at. all. We said we just needed something to look forward to. So Jer said, "Alright ladies, your procrastination is wearing off on me. Make a list. I don't care what it is, I'll get you whatever you want." So we made him a list and he got everything us we wanted. Down to the fun pez holder.

The next week, I got the stomach bug and my car was in the shop. I just wanted some ginger ale and crackers but didn't think I could make it to the gas station and back. So my fellow designer went and got me stuff on her lunch break. It was such a blessing.

My other coworker and her husband volunteered to come and mow my lawn and trim the bushes. I knew the weeds and bushes were out of control but I didn't have the tools to do it. My yard looks so good now. Seriously, I work with the best people.

If I had a gold star, I give them each one ;)



I'm off to the big bad California tomorrow. Prayers are much appreciated.