Thank You!

In addition to the thanks for the other features this week, a big thank you goes out to House of Rose for featuring not one, but two, of my projects this week.  Our Craig's List Orb light update and our entryway updates {stay tuned for another update to this area coming early next week!}.

I was first introduced to the House of Rose blog via Mandy's husband's blog, Good Financial Cents {he is in the same industry as me and is a great advocate for life insurance and responsible financial planning}. Be sure to stop by and check them both out!

Paint Colors

One of the most frequently searched items that leads to my blog happens to be paint colors. Perhaps that is because it feels as though I have tried every single paint color. On the planet. Before I ever pick a new color, I search for hours online to unearth every possible photo I can of that color to see how it looks in real rooms. And I really think it helps!

So, if you happen to read this blog occasionally through a reader of sorts {or you just hadn't checked out the tabs at the top of my blog}, you may want to check out the 'Paint Colors I've Used' tab if you are searching for a color. There's a pretty good chance I've tried it at some point along the way. My hope is that the images will help you decide if you like/hate a new paint color as well. Saves hours over trying to judge a 2x3 paint chip from the store!

For those that aren't fortunate enough to have seen my painting jeans in person....you're welcome for this little preview.

This Week's Features

I always enjoy checking out new blogs. I want to highlight some of the blogs I've been featured on this week and it may give you an opportunity to check out a great new blog yourself!

I was one of Amy's {from Commona-my House} Two Picks of the week over at Rain on a Tin Roof for our guest bedroom sneak peak and DIY pillows. This same project was also featured over at Liz Marie Blog!

My quick entryway updates were featured over at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia:

I really appreciate all those that enjoyed my projects and took the time to feature them! I'd love to hear from all of you of any link parties or blogs I should be visiting!

Spring Has Hopefully Sprung

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw that we headed to Iowa for Mother's Day weekend to help demo my inlaws' deck. My sister-in-law and I left early Friday morning to hit up an incredible nursery, Thistle Down, in Lake View. They always have incredible flowers and this year was no exception.

We didn't get home today until around 4:00, but my husband and I went out to enjoy the beautiful afternoon and plant the planters that came with our house. We have four out front on the block that has our house number as well as one on our front porch.

I can't wait to see these really take off in the upcoming warm weather! With a little Osmocote, sunshine and water, I'm hoping these things explode.

The the front four planters, I use geraniums, potato vines {purple and green}, marigolds, petunias, and then left some of the existing vinca vine that had taken over the pots.

For the covered porch, I had to find shade-loving plants which is challenging. Honestly, I may just have to find a large plant and put it in the pot, because I'm not sure the plants I used have enough height. I may give it a try for a month and switch out later if need be. Regardless, I still need more flowers, and only one half of the pot has plants currently - call this strategic photography on my part ;)

The trees in our front yard appear to be late bloomers. One of our oak only has a few buds and the other two finally have itty-bitty leaves. The bald cypress are sportin' their needles, but they are only about a quarter inch long right now. Meanwhile the maples seem to be doing really well {in the parkways}.

I also picked up several more herbs for our courtyard, including: basil, dill, lavender and a clematis vine for the metal trellis that was left behind. I'm beyond excited for summer to get here!

Powder Bath: Complete!

Prior to the party, I was able to complete the second coat of paint in our main powder bath room - the color is Behr's Castle Path. I love how it turned out and it is a great temporary fix for this room. Unfortunately this room is nearly impossible to photograph.

As a reminder, here was the 'before' when we looked at the house.

And here it is now.

I mentioned that I had purchased some prints on Etsy for the frames I had bought. I found these great prints from Etsy seller 1001 Treasures. They come on a great textured paper and are the perfect, simple art for this bathroom that is right off of our courtyard.

Not a major change but this paint makes this room so much fresher to me. Baby steps!

Party Time

I think we've hosted three or four real parties in the history of our marriage. I mentioned that on Tuesday night we were hosting a party for my husband for work. We had done something similar in years past and it was a blast. This time was no exception.

I took the day off work although Famous Dave's was catering the food. There is a LOT to set up when you are expecting forty people! I spent most of the day setting up chairs, finalizing cleaning, picking up ice for drinks, etc. I picked up some cheapy flowers at Walmart and arranged them into one hot mess of a bouquet but it was fun to add some color.

We had the fire pit roaring all night {until a torrential downpour put it out around 10:30} and we had yard games and tables and chairs set up in the back yard.

I thought this was a fun shot and rarely seen angle from our kitchen {the living room is to the left here and the dining room is straight ahead}.

Everything didn't fully wrap up until around midnight and I think its safe to say we were completely exhausted at that point. As we were lying in bed, my husband commented that he was surprised at how well the flow worked in our home for entertaining. It was something neither of us expected {and granted, neither of us are experts in this subject} and I completely agreed. Maybe we'll have to have another party or two in the future!

A Sunnier Entryway

I ordered a new rug for our entryway. The old one was just a leftover from our old house {you can see it best here and will quickly realize that it does not match any of our decor now}. I didn't want to spend a lot but needed something at least 3x5 but not much bigger because of the air vent on the floor and the jut out on the wall. I found this handmade Thom Filicia Ink Blue Outdoor Rug on Overstock - and got if for about $20 with all the discounts I had!

I loved it in the navy color they showed on the website, but when it arrived yesterday I noticed it was reversible - and the cream side up actually looks much better against our dark wood floors. It's great that I have the option to flip it in the future.

Interestingly, it is made from recycled pop bottles and can be hosed off, etc. So, no need to worry about the cream "fabric" getting stained - perfect for the entryway!

With the rug down, I felt like something was missing so I decided to hang the Home Depot sunburst mirror {seen in our last house in our guest bedroom  above the chair and I love how it quickly finished this area. I'm just trying to decide if I hung the mirror to low? Regardless, I love the little bit of glam it adds to the entryway.

We are hosting a party at our house tonight for my husband's work, so I have been frantically trying to finish up loose ends around the house to make it more finished. There's nothing like having people over to give you a swift quick to get things wrapped up! Thankfully we are finally supposed to have some good weather today so it should be a beautiful night for a party!

Linking up to: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, All Things Thursday, Polka Dots on Parade, House of Hepworth, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Living Well Spending Less, House of Rose, Thrifty Decor Chick, Redfly Creations, Three Mango Seeds, Suburbs Mama, Rain On A Tin Roof, The Dedicated House, C.R.A.F.T., Nifty Thrifty Things