Sunday, July 31, 2011

Summer Sangria, YUM

There are many recipes for a good sangria, but this one is so easy and so darn good!
We make this at least every other week or more, it seems.


Ingredients include:
                                               1 bottle 7up
                                               1 bottle sangria (see below for our favorite)
                                               2 Oranges
                                               1 lemon

Slice part of the lemon and orange to use for garnish in pitcher.
Then, cut the lemon and oranges into quarters and squeeze juice into pitcher.
(Use a strainer if you are not a fan of pulp) 
Use the whole delicious bottle of sangria and half the bottle of 7up.
Mix and serve over ice!



This is the sangria we use. 

SO good :), You can add other fruit like apples, or berries as well. Enjoy!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Rock Magnet

While on my second trip in Minnesota last weekend, I found this amazing rock in the water! I love the colors, texture, and of course its shape :). Happily, I grabbed it and stuck it in my purse (not an unusual thing for me). After getting home, I showed Libby the rock and she asked the age old question, 'what are you going to do with it.' Luckily, she answered her own question immediately after... 'how about a magnet!' LOVE IT. DONE!

I couldn't let this gem just find it's way to a junk drawer! 


So, I grabbed the hot glue gun and magnets (ensure they are strong enough to
hold the rock or item you are 'magnetizing') and enjoy!


And it's ready! Love! Oh, by the way, that is my adorable niece, she is 3 months already!
-Laura 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What is this?!

I found this at a garage sale this morning and haven't a clue what it is! It looks beautiful, and the doors pull out to a deep storage area. But, it has an on/off switch on the top and wire that I haven't a clue where they go. I think I might head back and do some investigating. Any guesses on what it is?




I'm also got my eye on a cheap ladder that I might turn into a fancy shelf. Check out this awesome piece ... too bad it was already sold by the time I got there.



Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Journal Styles

Some days I don't know what I would do without my journal, other times I'll forget I even have it for weeks. Shoot, for me I don't know if you can even call it a journal. Maybe an extension of my brain? Sketchbook? Agenda keeper? Doodle manifesto? 


I think the key to a successful journal (or whatever you choose to name it) is finding just the right things to make your journaling experience feel right. For me (Libby here, by the way), It's got to be my black, not lined, Moleskine and either a black sharpie or a fine point black pen. It just doesn't feel right without it.


I started using one when I was a senior in college. It was perfect to jot down design ideas, assignments (which were actually easily lost among all the doodles) and events. Then once I graduated it was time for a new one. This one focused more on list making, daydreams and goals. I used it just as I was leaving my first real job and heading out on an adventure across the country and back. Now, I'm about to start my third and it's really exciting. Maybe it's because I've finally found a routine and voice in my journaling or because I have a feeling that this one is going to be filled with exciting new experiences; new jobs, new homes, new hobbies, new trends. 




 As for me (Laura here now), Libby actually started me on 'journaling.'  Of course I have turned it into my own. I just need something where the paper is small enough to fit into my purse. I don't know about you, but I constantly have thought/ideas and before journaling, no where to write them except maybe an old receipt at the bottom of my purse. Unfortunately, a lot of ideas would be forgotten or lost. I now carry the compact pad of paper with me. A much easier way to remember those valuable ideas. But I must confess, I do use it for list making as well... needed groceries, needed items for a up coming trip and so on.




Monday, July 18, 2011

Medicine Cabinet

Let me preface this with, I promise you, we are not hoarders.


I found this simple wall medicine cabinet at my parent's and knew it just needed a little love. So, I stripped the paint (which after that entertainment center I was ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work, but the paint just turned to goo and slopped off.)


This project was where I really needed to be sure to just stick to the plan. First I primed it being sure to especially hit those little detailed areas. Then I painted it a dark grey. I read in a bunch of places that you're suppose to choose a base color that is similar to wood so when you scratch off bits of your crisp white paint it'll look like wood underneath ... but, the pictures I saw looked more like grey and I loved it! Thus, the grey. So here's my personal problem with distressing. I painted it this wonderful dark grey and loved how it looked (stick to the plan, Libby.)


For the next step, I used a good old candle to rub wax on the edges and high traffic areas. This makes it so when you paint over it, your clean white paint comes off super easy. Too bad it was so hot out that my candle started to melt. After using a paint brush to brush away any chunks of wax I added my final white coat. It took FOREVER to cover all that dark grey, but it was worth all the coats.


After taking a sand block and a table knife to chip away all the places I wanted the cabinet was ready to go. Now, I still need to build shelves for the inside, but I was thinking, "wouldn't it be adorable if this was more of a first aid looking medicine cabinet and my shelves on the inside could actually be a wine rack?" Well, that still all needs to be accomplished. I made my red plus sign out of just a plain piece of wood, some painters tape and distressed it with just a fine piece of sandpaper. But, even though the mirror is in pretty bad shape, I think I like it better just plain. Either way, my plan is to put this piece up in the little shop, so keep an eye out for it! xo libby



Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Old Shelf to New Entertainment Center

I've been dabbling in figuring out how to refurbish and distress furniture and here is one of my first creations. I found this shelf in my folk's backyard (yes, I promise we are not hoarders, but there are gems waiting to be discovered throughout my parents's house, garage, basement, yard.)


This one was quite the task. It had already been "kind of" painted and sealed, thus I learned alot about paint stripper. Boy does it burn if you get it on your skin. Rule number 1? Always wear glove and long pants. I was really surprised by how nice some of the wood underneath all that paint was, but sadly some of it was also really bad. Whenever I do a project like this I always have a big plan, but at each step I questions it. (Do I REALLY want to paint over this? Do I REALLY want to distress that nice crisp white paint? Stick to the plan, Libby.)


The paint stripping took most of the time, but once I got it primed it was ready to go and now it's just ready to be put into place. My dad helped me out and drilled holes in the back for all of those messy cords to go through. I have a large sheet of glass to put on the top shelf, but other than that all it needs is my TV and some old school Nintendo systems to decorate it. 



Monday, July 11, 2011

Walnut Antique Show

Hi, y'all! I know this post is pretty late but there's just been so much going on lately! A few weeks back I got to head out to Walnut, IA for their massive antique show (Walnut Antiques) and I wanted to share a few of my finds. The folks out there were super nice and even though the heat was nearly unbearable everyone was still in good spirits. The antique show pretty much takes over the entire town, street after street lined with antique vendors (it was a dream come true!) 


I think I am officially an antique camera collector

Alright, I didn't get these awesome spring shoes but shoot! 

Typewriter keys to go along with my typewriter collection.
I haven't a clue what I'll do with them yet.

I'm planning for a red, circus themed kitchen,
but I've been falling in love with that gorgeous teal color.

I'm not positive what this is going to be, but there are so many possibilities!
Make-up travel kit? First Aid Kit?