apron strings

I'm on a sewing kick now that my machine is dusted off and on my desk. I used my first pattern and it was definitely not as easy as I thought. I had to get Hillary to help me understand a lot of the directions. Toward the end I just kind of made up my own directions. But it turned out okay! Just don't look too closely at my crooked and pulled out stitches or the super weird and uneven placement of the straps. Maybe next time...

Um, how cute are these? Oh Pintrest...

Sun's Out, Guns Out

I learned how to applique from this cute little tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets. Naturally, I sewed an AOII tank first (I'm going to cry when I'm not t-shirt chair anymore). I jumped the gun a little bit on this one and didn't think all the way through all of the steps first or really try to master the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine first. The lengths and curves of my letters proved to be the most difficult part, but I think doing bigger letters or shapes (or numbers, like she did) would be much easier. I also did a fairly wide stitch, which was probably a little too wide. However, I'm still pleased at how easy this project was, and especially that I can keep my freezer paper stencils to reuse if I want! I even found a website that sells plain Comfort Colors items not in bulk, so I'm about to get crazy with this freezer paper applique business!

A Quixotic Quest

I don't think it's any secret that I miss my restaurants we have in Birmingham when I'm in Auburn, even if they are chains. But the one random thing I crave the most... Jim N' Nicks cheese biscuits. After googling the recipe and reading about a million people fighting over what the real recipe is, I jumped in and tried one. It was okay, but definitely not like Jim N' Nicks. The search continues...

It's Deb Season

Deb Season officially began on Sunday. Here's to the next 6 months of parties, posing for photos, wearing lip color, and countless thank you notes on my brand spanking new set of engraved stationery. Look out, polite society.

My Life in Lists #14

Eleven Things I’ve learned from Mary Poppins:

1. Well begun is half-done.

2. Promises are like pie crusts: easily made, easily broken.

3. In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game.

4. Supercallifragilisticexpialidocious: when the cat has got your tongue, there’s no need to dismay! Just summon up this word, and then you’ve got a lot to say.

5. When you’re with a sweep, you’re in glad company.

6. Practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking.

7. Never explain anything.

8. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way.

9. Close your mouth. We are not a codfish.

10. Never judge things by their appearance… even carpetbags.

11. Don’t fall and smudge the drawing.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the coolest/sassiest/best dad ever.

To the man who taught me...

... it's okay to make mistakes.

... growing up is hard.

... being young should be fun.

... life's too short be be taken too seriously.

... ironing pleats is a useful skill.

... it's all right to stay young at heart.

... staking your claim on the beach early in the morning and rolling back to bed is the way to go.

... you can eat a grilled cheese anytime of day.

... everything doesn't have to be planned out.

... it's good to keep your options open.

... eating well is a key to happiness.

... laughter should come deep from your belly.

... keeping up relationships with friends and family is the best thing you can do.

... it's not about the grades you make, but the hands you shake.

... being silly is never overrated.

... I'm always welcome home.

Helter Skelter in the Summer Swelter

Sometimes we just like to celebrate America on random days. We just roll with life, you know?

American Pie only seemed appropriate since we've listened to the song just about every single day this summer.

Somebody has a tendency to misuse the stove and/or oven. This time it was just potatoes, which I promptly made her dump out across the street from our house.

Raw emotion.

We've been talking a lot about love languages and love tanks. Sweet Hill is trying to understand my need for words of affirmation. It's okay, we're working on her love language, too.

Steadfastness

If I could be one thing I am not, that would be steadfast. This word may be the defining word of the summer. I'm constantly reminded of the Lord's steadfast love, but how often do I show such love and devotion? It is my prayer for the Lord to create in me a steadfast heart, and he has showered my life with examples of such.

Today was a day full of filling my "love tank." First there was breakfast with sweet Emily Grace, whose name fits her all too perfectly. Never have I seen such a godly person with a more tender heart than hers. I appreciate her willingness to stay updated on my life, even when I don't do such a hot job keeping up with hers. Her openness to ask me real, raw, and challenging questions while sharing in my trials and triumphs is always a blessing. Plus, she always picks really good restaurants, so telling her my struggles is much more enjoyable over great food. And she has a blog that is to die for.

Sweet summertime memories of Free Friday Flicks in Homewood Park

Next there was a fro yo date with my long time friend, Ana Marie. Side by side we endured middle school days, so life always looks pretty bright when we get together. Her spirit always teems with joy so infectious I can hardly walk away from her without my sides splitting from laughter. She is such a precious reminder of where I've been and how far I have to go. We keep each other humble and we're practically the same person in so many ways. Even though we hardly see each other as much as we would like, we have an uncanny knack for picking up exactly where we left off. And the stories we tell always seem to get even more hilarious with time.

Tacky Christmas 2 years running.

Growing up is a hard business, but it is entirely more bearable with the steadfastness of people going through the same thing. Grateful for not only these two, but to the solid group I have surrounding me. How blessed am I for the Lord to let me share in these girls' lives!

Once I Had A Girl Who Rearranged Furniture On Stage

I am such a busy little bee! Last time I was home, I refinished all of my furniture for my room this fall! I came home this weekend and my parents had sprayed the final clear coat on it all to keep everything nice and smooth. I'm realizing that the more I enjoy spending time in Home Depot and Lowe's the older I'm getting. It's becoming a really scary reality.

We've had this desk forever just hanging out in the garage. So glad I get to put it to use. Since my trusty old desk hutch is now going to Kendall's dorm room, I'm going to have to find a new place for all my binders and books... hence the ridiculous amount of drawer space here.

Believe it or not, this little dresser used to be fire engine red. I found this at Angel's Antiques (aka my favorite store to kill time in) and got my mom to bring it home for me. I bought these mercury glass melon knobs from Anthro.

After seeing similar things on Pintrest, I made my own little plaques to hang necklaces on! The wood came from Hobby Lobby, the knobs from Lowe's, and I just painted them with leftover paint from my chair and table.

I can't wait to see all of this in my new little cottage! Fall can't get here soon enough!

Every Siren Is A Symphony

Is it safe to say I'm real obsessed with this song? I mean, Coldplay holds the place in my heart of being my favorite band of all-time. And I've been waiting for this album to come out since I graduated high school, so this first little bit is just making me even more excited!