{sun please?}

I had a 1/2 day off of work last week, and it happened to be gorgeous outside! How stoked was I? It felt amazing, like a major pick-me-up.  I decided to treat myself to a fun new tote and some nail polish to keep the summer feeling lasting.  It's the little things :] I even got outside and weeded my lawn hah! 

seriously..my new fav color: Turquoise & Caicos by Essie!

Hope your week is going fantastic!

{Green Sewing}

I'm super excited to show you a little project I did today.  A while back my husband asked me about our Swiffer Wet Jet, and the disposable pads that go on it.  We were running out and my husband didn't like the fact that we just buy them to throw away, so he wanted to have something we could throw in the wash instead. My Mr. is such a good cleaner(the dishes are clinking as we speak *yay*).  We picked up a whole pack of large washcloths a few weekends ago that fit the length of the mop head perfectly.  Today while shopping at the grocery store I picked up some adhesive, Velcro squares.  These worked out so well because there was no need to pin them in place while I stitched them to the fabric.  I just did a simple X over the Velcro and they were done! Here are a few photos of the finished re-usable mopping pads. 

{Days}

Mom & I got to go to Wicked!! I was so excited! I had read the book last year and have been hearing such amazing things about the musical.  It was incredible and so much fun. p.s is my mama not adorable?

My brothers came down to visit and have some Easter fun last weekend.  My overtime at work thankfully got cancelled, so we made plans for dinner and egg dying!  Our little creations are pretty awesome if you ask me. ;) Not that I love my little bro getting hurt and not being able to work but we get to hang out so much more and it's pretty sweet lol.  He's on the mend so no worries :D

Dustin's little brother is turning 21, so the family booked a flight to Las Vegas!  I was nervous at first but vacation sounds soooo good.  The hubby and I got his & her luggage and got our itinerary all set.  This will be Dustin's first flight! I'm so excited for him.  Flying is one of my absolute favorite things. 

This week I made some Red Velvet cake pops for work.  They were so delicious. Here's the link for Bakerella's easy and amazing recipe. Your friends and family will love you.

Tomorrow is Guest Room day.  Here's to getting the painting finally done & here's to a productive weekend!

{DIY wall art}

This weekend I got to do another project inspired by Pinterest! Supplies? A Goodwill frame, chevron printed paper from Craft Warehouse, and a borrowed label maker. :] In my version I decided on a few lyrics from a Juliana Theory song. It was played at our wedding when we walked back down the aisle as "husband & wife"! At the end I included our special date just to make it more of a memento. Super easy and I absolutely love the look.

 

Pinterest via Wit & Whistle Blog 

 "We're at the top of the world, you & I.  We've got a lot of time and it sure feels right."

07-24-10

{New Listening}

I've found a few new songs I'm really loving right now, and maybe you will too? :]




:CIVIL TWILIGHT: are a group I found while browsing iTunes. I love the bass in this song and have a soft spot for the very 'Bono' sounding voice of the lead singer.
:PAPER LIONS: My sister found this group. I like their light, almost Beatle-esque sound.
:ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN: Front man of Rooney(love) who just came out with his first solo album 'Double Capricorn'. I'm looking forward to seeing him later this month in Eugene!
:ARCADE FIRE: I just love the sound and feeling of this song. Good crafting song for me.
:ZOOEY DESCHANEL: Love her personality. Love her show. Absolutely love her voice.

:]

{twine + hearts}

I saw a cute wreath on Pinterest a while back and thought it was a perfect idea to warm up our front door.  It was really simple, and needed very limited supplies which was a huge plus!  The Pinterest version (via Etsy) is a surname initial, but being that ours is "O" I opted for a regular, circular wreath.  It is pretty simplistic now, but it would be really fun to re-do one up a little fancier in the future.

Pinterest via Etsy

I used an old spool of twine, textured felt (in colors similar to our house) and a little hot glue...and that was it! I think it turned out pretty cute.  :)

{Paint Chip Wall Art}

I love the vibrancy of paint chips, so I often browse websites for creative ideas to use them.  Before we bought the house I know I wanted to frame some but it wasn't until I saw Rachel from Smile and Wave's tutorial featured here on A Beautiful Mess.

Isn't her's gorgeous!? I love the softer colors she used.  My bedroom is painted gray and has pops of yellow and red, so I wanted to go bright with additions of gray.  I included lyrics from my favorite Beatles' song; "in my life i love you more".  My mother-in-law has a wonderful Cricut that I take advantage of as much as I can, now that I know how to work it.  It was really tedious to tape all the squares down but for my first attempt I am super proud.  I included the paint color names in mine because that's one of my favorite parts about paint chips.  You can however trim to size like Rachel's!

Here is the completed look! :]

glare..boo

{Sick Day}

http://www.twohotpotatoes.com/cure-all-comfort-tea/

I took a 'medical day' from work today cause this lady is getting sickly. :/ Luckily it's not too bad, so I'm thankful for that!

Today consisted of

::a warm mocha

::getting chores done(yay!)

::watching 'Hello Dolly' for the first time(so good)

::getting a sweet Valentine from one of my BFF's

::getting caught up on 'Dance Moms'(I know, I know I can't help it)

::California rolls

::buying my first rolls of Washi tape :D

I'm looking forward to tomorrow with the hubby.  I finally get to give my sister her birthday present! It's only been 3 weeks since accidentally purchasing a gift from China?? Yeah I didn't read the shipping info very well...oops. Hahaha.  Uh, it's pretty freaking cool so no worries, she's going to forgive me :]  My Mr. surprised me on Valentine's Day with my first place setting of Fiesta Ware in Scarlet, so tomorrow he said that we can go purchase a second! I'm thinking of picking up a turquoise this time.  Oh the choices!  I will hopefully be back tomorrow to post the finished look of my paint chip art..hooray! Night!

{Welcome Home}

Finally a productive weekend! I'll admit...I spend way too many weekends glued to the t.v. watching nonsense programs instead of doing chores, fun projects, enjoying fresh air etc. Today I woke up...around 10am(yikes), and thought to myself, "what the heck am I doing??".  I have a new home, an awesome best friend/hubby, projects, unpacking, and the usual chores to do.  Yet I hardly take advantage/complete any of these things some times.  I began wondering why I don't feel as if I have any energy, and why I just wonder about ideas instead of trying them.  So I am hoping I can peg this as an "ah ha" moment and commit to doing more on my days off! Starting today. 
I had begun painting my "Scrabble" inspired blocks for a welcome sign a couple weekends back, so I finally picked up some hardware to complete the project.  I had made some signs two Christmas's ago for friends but never made one for us so with the new home now was the time.  I'm so glad I did because this home really needs some personal touches :]  My mom also gifted us with some neat artwork for the living room, and I hung up some Instagrams I had printed as well!  I have been working on some paint chip art for the bedroom so I look forward to posting about the complete look soon.  Here is a sneak peak of the living room of our new place. Welcome to the Orr home...

I'm thinking a wreath project is next.

so much more to add but it's a start.

{under construction}

Site is undergoing construction! 
I'm going to take a blogger break and my hopes are to revamp and refresh my blog very soon! New year calls for a new look, don't you think? :) I'm hoping to re-evaluate the content and really put more work into it.  I also am going to spend my free time getting the house all set up, which I am really looking forward to.  Until next time lovelies...

{DIY vinyl bookends}

After a long week we finally got everything moved in to our new home! We were without internet and cable for a while but we've finally got it back. This was probably for the better since we had so much stuff to put away and set up.  The break from the media was hard but actually kind of nice.  We spent our vacation putting IKEA furniture together, hanging frames and curtain rods, and just enjoying each other and making a home.

  I had been browsing Etsy in the weeks prior to moving for some fun home decor and came across some  awesome book ends made out of vinyls.  I got an immediate flashback of my friend in high school who had discovered melting vinyls to make neat bowls in the oven, and thought these bookends would be a really simple project for the new space.  I have a small collection of vinyls and have had them just laying atop the bookshelf.  I checked out Goodwill and grabbed a couple random vinyls to mold.  I searched online for a quick way to mold them and found that all you needed was a sink full of boiling water!  Carefully pouring the boiling water in the sink and dipping the vinyls in took no time at all.  I just applied a small amount of pressure to bend the vinyl up to the
bottom of the label. ** Now I should have researched a little harder...my sink is sloped and had I looked for more tutorials I would have found that a heat resistant baking dish filled with water is the route you want to choose.  A solid wood block is also suggested to make a nice angle.  Regrettably one of my vinyls broke due to the weak angle created and the weight of my records.  All in all it was fun, and I now know how to do it correctly! Until I have a run to buy another vinyl to use I displayed my records using the one that survived lol.  I love the look and can't wait to experiment again! Do you have any vinyl DIY's?

{Instagram Christmas}

A tank with frogs and fish for my brother

my dad with the gift I got him.

My husband with his baby...Adio the cat.

playing swing with their 2nd cousin

Mama & Tommaso

Orr family on Christmas morning

Penguin appetizers. yum.

I think he liked it!

all set for dinner.

Traditional British Christmas Crackers..silly hats included :]

I hope everyone had the best holiday!

{Start to Finish}

It's done! Construction on our very first home started in September 2011 and is now complete in December. It seems so crazy that a house can be built in just a matter of months. The process has been filled with excitement and nerves.  There has been a lot of paperwork, a lot of signatures, a lot of waiting, and still more paperwork ahead, but looking at the progress makes it all so worth it.  Here is a peek at how our new home came to be.

Night Lovelies!!

{modern stories}

I am absolutely obsessed at the moment with the show "Once Upon a Time" on ABC.  Waiting a whole week to find out what happens next is absolute torture.  I'll accept the bad special effects, it still has me biting my nails for whats to come.  I've been seeing a lot of outfit postings on Pinterest of fairy tale inspired clothing, and I absolutely love trying to figure out what characters in the show are what fairy tales by little hints they drop in clothing and accessories.  So here is a little stab at things anyone could wear to evoke a little story telling.

Coat/wolf mittens

Dress/ Blue Bird Purse/ Hair Ribbon

Dress/ Wedges

headband/ Blouse/ Rain boots

{Transition}

Our apartment notice is in: we are finally in transition mode! The next couple weeks are going to be full of organizing all of our extra stuff, so that it is all ready to be driven off to the new house.  I imagine it now to be this neatly organized process, but I'm sure it may be a mad scramble.  With work, Christmas, and cleaning the apartment after it is empty we have quite the work load.  It is so worth it though! It's starting to become real.  Seeing the house in almost its complete state, writing out our last ever rent check...it's amazing!  The paperwork and loan stuff has been such a headache but that first night in our very own home will make it seem like some distant blur of a memory.  The holidays this year won't be as eventful but bring on the new year! I am so ready! The hubby and I used up our vacation hours for the first week of January. All we have to do is get through this last month.  I don't like asking Santa for much at Christmas time because giving gifts is my favorite part, but with such a big move I would be more than appreciative to Santa for a couple of these...

Any bit helps right? :)

{Snow!}

I think my husband and I spread ourselves a little thin this weekend, but man was it a blast! We bought our very first appliances.  Most were included with the house except the fridge.  It was really exciting to pick everything out and order it. You feel so grown up when you have to do stuff like that...or at least we do.  It's pretty funny.  We got snow in the mountains, so our friends decided it was perfect time for a Jeep run.  We took 4 Jeeps up and made a fire.  This was my first snow run and it was a lot of fun! I want to do it again really soon.  Our friends Adam and Mindy were also kind enough to let us shoot some of their guns, which was my favorite part.  It was my first time shooting a 9MM hand gun.  So awesome! I'm not a fan of killing animals, but love to shoot into the mountains and would really love to do some target shooting.  It's so neat. 

my hubby makes me laugh like no other

the work group :)

That same evening we got all dolled up in our best 80's fashion.  Our co-worker had a band performance at a Karaoke bar they frequent.  They cover songs from the 80's so the bar held a costume contest. A large group of people from work came out, and it was a great time.  We normally don't go out on the town like that but it was an entertaining night and the band was amazing. Everyone's costumes were so good!  After this weekend we are going to be in no short supply of other busy weekends.  The house is coming along really fast.  We are going to start packing up and moving out! I can't believe how fast a house can be built.  From the first picture we took of our empty lot to a complete structure with cabinets going in within 2 months! I can't wait to share the progress through the pictures we've taken every week. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!