Holiday Cheer

First Thing:
I made a wreath!  I found this wreath on Pinterest a million years ago and I have loved it ever since. 

However, I am not going to pay $40.00 for it on Etsy . . . sorry but it's not worth that much.  I couldn't find a how-to anywhere on the internet and thought it couldn't be that hard to recreate.  It proved to be a little harder than I thought but I managed to figure it out and make one a little more particular to my liking.  I didn't use burlap ribbon (as in the wreath above) and my outer burlap ring is a little different but I am very happy with it.

Second Thing:
My friend Emily blogged about making painted ornaments and figured my skinny, naked tree could use a whole lot more ornaments on it.  So I decided to take on the project as well.  I chose colors to match our stockings:  Evergreen, Antique White, Christmas Red, and Spring Foliage.

I also made twine covered ornaments as well, to match my burlap wreath.

Third Thing:

Our house is finally decorated for Christmas.  Really it's just our living room but through the years I expect to collect and make more things in order to decorate the rest of our happy home.

We have relocated

First Thing:
Apparently the first week of August is the worst time to move:
August 1: 107
August 2: 109
August 3: 111
August 4: 109
August 5: 107
August 6: 106
However, we are officially moved in to a three bedroom, two bathroom house.  The best part about it?  My living room.  I no longer have to weave in and out of furniture to walk across the room.  The second best part? My shortened commute to work!! Praise!  First thing we set up was the bed to rest.  Second thing we set up was the living room to relax.  Third thing we set up was the kitchen to eat.  Now we can conquer the rest of the house.

Second Thing:
I cannot wait to start the nesting process, again.  Only this time I will actually enjoy it.  Navy slipcovers for the couches and coral walls. 
For the living room:

{design seeds}

For the kitchen:

I'm hoping to paint the formica countertops anything but the muted pink they are.  If that doesn't work, I'll paint the cabinets a nice stone blue/gray and roll with it.  

For the bedroom:

We can't decide on red or turquoise.  Still thinking that one out.

For spare #1:

Bright red for the Huskers.  Anything related to the University of Nebraska and the Huskers will be in that room including the quilt Nate's grandmother made for us:

For spare #2: 

I'm still waiting on inspiration for this room.

Third Thing:

I bought a new pair of shoes last week courtesy of my friend/personal shopper.  Seriously, the perfect pair:

Thanks KK!!  Love them!

Living Room

First Thing:
I used to want yellow, turquoise, white, and (brown?) in my living room once we move into a house.  I am almost currently rethinking that.  Now, I'm leaning more towards dark teal instead of turquoise and no brown.  Either way, I am totally in love with this rug and I definitely want something like this in my living room.

Thomas Paul Flock Yellow and Cream Rug from Domestic Modern.

Second Thing:
I am in no way discrediting the wonderful Turkish rug I received as a pre wedding (post birthday/Christmas) gift from Nate after he returned from Iraq.  I absolutely adore the rug he gave me and appreciate the thoughtfulness in his careful selection process and the hassle it was to mail it to Nebraska and transport it to Texas and then lay out in our small living room after the furniture had been placed.  So I have every intention of using it in our spare bedroom/office once we move.  And in my heart the third room will be our Husker room if that's a possibility.