Thanks Apartment Therapy!
Apartment Therapy just added our big back yard to their “My Great Outdoors” features! Thanks so much! We love to get some feedback on our projects and love some constructive criticism, as we are new at this! So, welcome everyone who finds us from AT! Thanks again!
A Sad Day and Some Things I Love
What a sad day today is. Words cannot describe how much Michael Jackson will be missed. He is such a huge talent and has always been a big part of my life.
I really didn’t think anything was fitting to post about on such a sad day, but then decided to pay a tribute and then cheer up with some things that I am loving.
I love clear furniture, I love lucite. Need I say more?
I know these are tiny pictures, but I am totally wanting these cookie jars! Hilariously funny.
I also know that this bowl is a bit sick, but also freakishly adorable. Tony loves zombies, so I thought he’d like this!
This red retro lamp would look perfect in my kitchen!

http://www.theposterlist.com/ via: More Ways To Waste Time
I love this poster! I would like to hang it in the office. Check out More Ways to Waste Time to see the deal they have going on!
Our Engagement Party!
We finally had it! It’s all over, even the cleaning up! It all went great, and we also wanted to thank everybody for coming and for the great gifts and cards! And, I have a few pictures to share!
The above is the general view of the backyard before the party. The picture doesn’t really do it justice. It was really nice, relaxing, and cozy. It was impressive for those who had seen our backyard a few months ago when we moved in!
The above is the table before all of the food. The vintage table clothe came from Fred and Ethels. The vintage letters are always hanging in our bedroom, and of course we had to have a big diamond! Isn’t that silverware bucket cute? My mom found us that. We also had some big dice (of course!) on the other end.
There were antique Ball jars scattered on the table tops and even in the grass that held candles for lighting up the night.
I love all of the paper lanterns. These were so easy, they had batteries! And, they were only a couple of dollars at the dollar store! They set a nice mood.
And at night everything glowed!
I hope some of these simple, but fun ideas help you with your next party. I loved them so much that I will use some of them for our casual BBQs and bonfires!
Engagement Pictures
It has been a few months now since we got engaged and we still haven’t taken engagement pictures. We didn’t set an exact date and we didn’t throw the party since it was winter, so we decided to put it off for a while. But, now that we are finally having the party we thought it was about time to make the official announcement. We plan to have a few shots done professionally, but that will still wait a bit longer. We set up our tripod and camera timer the other night and had fun snapping a bunch of shots. We thought we would show off the one we picked to go in the local paper:
Now our announcement is also official to all of you out there in blog world as well!
Here’s the whole little fam:
My New Book
I finally got my new book in the mail!
“The Find,” by Stan Williams. I was super excited when I heard about the new book. I order it right away and have been impatiently waiting ever since. I have had it for about a day and have already read half of it. Ha.
The book discusses thrift and vintage finds, and gives tales and examples of inspiration. So far, I definitely recommend!
My First Ikea Visit- EVER!
Yes, its true. I’m a small town girl, never been to Ikea. We took a little road trip to Chicago this weekend with some friends to visit the monstrous store- WOW. Love it. That’s all you can really say. Tony even enjoyed this shopping trip- was it the beer that you can drink while there?? 🙂 We didn’t come home with too many exciting things this time, but we got what we went for- a new duvet cover! We also got a few pillows to replace the raggedy ones in the living room, and a yummy smelling candle. All on the cheap! I wish we lived closer because we will definitely be making the trip back when we need something!
The new duvet cover- looks like we need a bed-skirt too! – and the grey blanket is also from Ikea.
The big black and white pillow is actually a cover, which we stuffed with three of the old dilapidated pillows, and the black one is also new. We think they tie in the black curtains a bit better.
A cute little delicious candle- for $2.50 you can’t go wrong!
Also- the counter-tops are half in and looking great. They are planned to be done tonight!! Yay!
Check Out This Art
Over the weekend my brother’s art was displayed in an art show at North Central College. Check out some of his recent projects:
And I’m lucky enough to own three of his pieces! If you like his work, check out his website here: www.rfosterdesign.com
His works are also for sale!
Mother’s Day Flowers
I hope all of you mothers had a great Mother’s Day! I visited my Grandma for mother’s day. We took her out to eat and brought her some German kabobs. It was a great day. Inthe end, though, I was the one getting flowers! She sent me home with some tulips from her yard. They brightened up the kitchen! She also sent them home in a very old Ball jar with a zinc lid! I just love the jar! She also sent home these pretties that are both over 100 years old! What a great day! 🙂
I hope all of your Mother’s Days were just as great!












































