~the tale of two shutters~

Many of you were very perceptive, and picked up

 on a couple new things in our living room from yesterday's post.

I had a few emails about the new addition of these shutters, so I thought I would share.

 A couple of months ago our family took a mini weekend vacation 

east of the mountains, about a 4 hour drive.

It's a very scenic drive and one we take often.

We have our favorite pit stops along the way.

The kids have a favorite diner they like to stop and get milkshakes at, my husband has his favorite fly fishing store he likes to shop at, and I have a favorite antique mall I like.

On this particular trip I didn't buy anything, but these shutters caught my eye and I fell in love.

The only reason I didn't buy them is because we were in a bit of a hurry and didn't have a car with us that was big enough to haul them home, and, I couldn't picture where exactly I'd put them.

 A month or so went by and I kept thinking of these shutters.

 Then came the time for my husband to leave with the guys for the weekend on one of his annual fishing trips.

Ya know, the kind where the guys get together, don't shower for 3 days. 

They drink beer, they burp, and spit.

One of those fun weekends.

 The thought crossed my mind, 

"I wonder if those shutters are still available and if so, I wonder if my husband could pick them up for me on his way home from his fishing trip!?"

Do I dare ask?

Do I dare ask my husband if he'd mind stopping on his way home from camping, car full of men and stinky fish, to stop at an antique mall, and throw some vintage shabby chic shutters on top of all the fishing poles in the back of the truck?

What's the worst thing that could happen?

He'd say no right?

So, do you like my new shutters?

I like them even more now knowing what my husband did to get them home to me.

Throw all those fish back in the sea, cuz I found myself a keeper!

xoxo

~bringing the outdoors in~{and farm chicks winners!}

I plucked these giant stems off a tree in the yard. 

I always have fresh flowers in this vase, and if I don't have time to go to the store, I head outdoors to see what is available.

These are giant, but I love them!

 You can see a glimpse of the fabulous pillows that my friend Jill made for me!

 Yes, I am welcoming spring with open arms!

I am so ready for school to be out, and for those long lazy days filled with swimming,

 fishing, bbq's, and picnics. 

 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Farm Chicks antique show and soiree giveaway!

And, thank you to Serena for hosting.

I have 2 winners via random.org

{sorry, don't know how to copy the little winner box!}

The first one is #48

Laurie Moore from Moore art from the heart!

And the second one is #60, Jill Hinson from Forever Cottage!

Congrats you too, I know you are going to have a blast!

Also, and this is kinda a big deal for me, I got a "PIN IT" button on my photos! 

I've always wanted one but I have never known how to do so.

A huge thank you to Janel for adding it!

Just hover over any of my photos until you see the pin it logo appear in the upper left, then pin away!

xoxo

~thrifty thursday~{what to do with old books}

This project would make a great hostess gift for a book worm, or a great end of the year gift for a teacher paired with a Barnes and Noble gift card.

{it's what I'm giving!}

Today I will show you how you can make little notebooks our of old hardcover books. 

It's super easy and only a few supplies are needed:

paper cutter

crop a dile

hole punch

paper

old hardcover books

printable library cards

and number labels

{look for the free downloads below}

and

1" book rings

 Start out with a variety of books in colors you like.

Plain covers are fine, but ones with fun graphics are even better.

I found vintage kids books to be really fun for this project.

I picked up my books at a local thrift shop for around 69 cents a piece.

 Believe it or not, I also found this cute paper at the same thrift store.

I also used a variety of other papers such as cream card stock and wide ruled paper, 

that I had at home.

 A heavy duty paper cutter comes in handy for this project, but you could use scissors.

 Gently rip the cover, binding and all, from the book pages.

Then trim the front and back and discard the binding, or save it for another project!

 Using your crop a file, punch 2 holes in the book cover and back.

Using those holes as a template, punch holes with a regular hole punch in your paper.

You can make your notebook as thick as you want. 

Obviously you will trim your paper to the size of the book, or a little smaller.

Then you put the whole thing together with 1" book rings.

Super simple! 

 I dressed up the inside cover with a envelope and vintage library card I printed out.

 I love having notepads everywhere because I am constantly jotting notes and ideas down.

 I made a couple with little golden books too.

 On some of the ones with plainer covers, I added these vintage looking tags with numbers on them.

 In one afternoon I made about 15.

 Feel free to print these images out on card stock for your own use.

The number labels are from here.

 I searched under vintage library cards on Pinterest and found this first one.

If you copy them to a word document, you can size them and print them out.

 This one is from here.

And, when you are all done, bundle up your naked books in twine for a

 little Restoration Hardware inspired decor!

 The labels look cute on these too!

I hope you liked this weeks project!

xoxo

~happy color in our kitchen~

{Click on photos to enlarge}

Happy Spring!

xoxo

~where I blog from~{and big news}

This little desk sits in the corner of my kitchen, 

and the wall around is it constantly changing. 

I recently added a little memo board which has come

 in very handy for tacking up little reminders and things.

 I just got this cool scientific antler chart off etsy 

after seeing my friend Emily's flower one on  her blog.

The white lilacs are from my parents house.

I keep driving over there and robbing all their flowers.

I wonder if they are going to catch on anytime soon.

Anyway, today I am doing something a little crazy.

I am going to be in a commercial, and the filming takes place today.

A friend on my soccer team reached out to me and told me that a nearby fitness club was in need of "extras."

 I submitted my info. and was selected!

Should be a fun {and out of the ordinary} experience. I will let you know how it goes.

Make sure you follow along on instagram, I will try and take some pictures!

xoxo