family friday {{mom & dad edition}}

So I have been thinking about featuring one of my family members each Friday on my blog (until they have all been featured of course) and today is the FIRST post!! My family is the most important thing to me in this world. They are the biggest part of my life and I would not be the person I am today without them. They make my life so wonderful, hilarious, stressful, and amazing all at the same time and I thought it would be wonderful to showcase them here on my blog so I can share with you all what wonderful people they are!!

For my first post, I couldn't think of anyone more appropriate to feature than my Mom & Dad. I mean they are the reason I am here right? :) So I am happy to introduce to you my Mom & Dad, Norm & Espi.

My parents are the most wonderful people in the world. I say that not only because they are my parents, but as I have grown into my adulthood I have gotten to know them in a different light and I am so thankful that the Lord chose them to raise me.

My Dad has the biggest heart and the Lord definitely created him with the giftings to raise 4 (yes FOUR) daughters and just only 1 boy!!! I don't think any other person could have handled us all!! Haha :) Some of the best things that I have learned from my Dad are perseverance, determination, diligence, unwavering faith in God and so very much more. There were a lot of challenges that came to my family throughout the years and my Dad handled them better than anyone else I have ever know. He is SUCH a faithful man to his job, to his family, and most importantly to the Lord and the values that he exampled and instilled in my life are still just coming to fruition and I will never fully known the impact that he had on molding me into the person that I am today. I am SO thankful all that he has taught me not just in word, but that he example everything that he told me through his conduct. I love you so much Daddy!!

My Mom is the funniest person!! She has a vibrancy and joy that is infectious!! I definitely get my outgoing personality from her and I am SO thankful for that!! My Mom definitely LOVES life and loves to have fun and be silly and I think that I have more of those qualities in me than I know!! She was always willing to go the extra mile for me even when I didn't deserve it but she still would do little things to make me happy. She sacrificed a lot of things for our family and there probably aren't enough thank you's to her for that. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without her love and I am so thankful for everything she has done for me. She is an example of what it means to be a Godly wife and mother and I love her more than words could say!!

Mom & Dad, thank you both for raising me to be the person I am today and for most importantly always being obedient to the Lord and raising me to know Him. That is the greatest gift you have EVER given me and I love you so much!!

Lots of love from me to you!!
Kimmy

hi ho cheerios

Now I love Cheerios as much as the next gal, but when I came across this little thing in the thrift store, I had to stop and ask myself, "REALLY? Who loves Cheerios that much?"

I mean let's be real. Who would really enjoy seeing this in their home, and who would seriously show this off to their friends. I personally think that it's last owner was so ashamed of it and that's why it ended up on a thrift store shelf marked at $2. Fear not ugly Cheerios jug, I had a plan for you!!

I had been using a flower vase to hold my kitchen sponge & brush and I had been wanting something different to hold them since the vase was too large and just wasn't doing it for me. When I came across this little guy at the store, I instantly knew that I had found what I was looking for!! I snatched him up and brought him home, coated him with some Rustoleum Colonial Red (same as my kitchen chalkboard) and in no time I had a beautiful new kitchen accessory!!

Isn't it beautiful? It added just another punch of color to my kitchen and it holds my trusty cleaning supplies perfectly!!! I am definitely addicted to spray paint!! It has revolutionized my world!! Here is the shot of it with my cute chalkboard!!

LOVE it!! Sorry this pic is kind of blurry!!! Anyways, I hope you are all having a wonderful week!! I have been SO busy and am looking forward to the weekend!! Thanks again for your sweet comments!! They make my day!

Lots of love from me to you!!

Kimmy

I added this post to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land. Please check out her blog & all the great posts!! http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/

eat cake, be happy

Tonight I decided to venture to the thrift store just to browse (dangerous idea I know) and I of course found something that needed a re-do!!! I knew I just couldn't pass by this adorable tray that was only $2. It definitely needed some TLC, as every thrift store item does! I checked out with the darling little tray, came home, and popped out my spray paint.

Here's the before...after it's been sanded.

It has a glass covering which obviously wasn't on at the moment since it was about to be painted! I thought this would be the perfect size tray to have dessert on, or a small breakfast in bed (if I could only convince my husband!!) After I sanded it down I reached for my spray paint and I chose (wait for it....) HEIRLOOM WHITE!!! You're shocked I bet? Me wanting WHITE wood?! LOL :)

After two little coats of heirloom white (thank you Rustoleum!!) I had a cute new tray!! As you can see in the above picture the is an oval cutout in the middle. I had a few thoughts as to what I wanted to do with it. I thought about adding scrapbook paper...but then I thought what about if I wanted to use it in a different room and it didn't match that room...and since the glass cover wasn't the easiest to take off, so that's a NO. I then thought about adding pictures in the center, but I couldn't quite get the display looking the way I wanted. So my last thought (which was actually my first thought but I didn't want to be predictable) was to paint it with chalkboard paint. Ok, I KNOW I have an obession!! But when you see the final result, I think you will agree with me on this choice.

Here she is!!

GORGEOUS right?! I decided to add this cute little saying to it and I think it's just the perfect touch!! I have really been wanting to have a tray around the house and I couldn't be more pleased with how it ended up, and for $2 it's a steal!!

For now, this cutie is sitting center stage above my oven!! I am hoping this will motive my husband to bring me breakfast in bed...maybe?? Ok, one can ALWAYS dream! :) Thanks for checking up on my latest re-do and as always I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!!

Lots of love from me to you!!

Kimmy

P.S. I added this post to the following blogs. Check out each blog & other great posts!!

Trash to Treasures Party at Along the way with K+J.

http://thekublers.blogspot.com/

Metamorphisis Monday at Between Naps on the porch http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/

simple changes

Do you ever get a mood where you feel like you need some freshing up but don't want to spend a lot of money in the process? I kind of had one of those days this past week and I found myself holding a brand new can of spray paint (it's amazing how spray paint can revolutionize one's life!). After my last chalkboard re-do (see that post here) I found myself thinking RED for the accent color in my kitchen/living room. I found these gorgeous toile curtains that I just fell in LOVE with but the red was slightly deeper than the apple red color I had painted. Easy peasy to change and not much money either!

I chose a more fitting red to match the curtains/pillows I am in the process of saving for (everyone's gotta have a goal!!) and this can fell into my hand!

Colonial Red=LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I decided to repaint the chalkboard frame as well as two picture frames in my living room. Here are what the frames looked like previously.

I got these frames for $1 at Joann Fabrics and I loved the detailing on them but the silver just wasn't working for me anymore. After two coats of paint, I had brand new frames that my husband didn't even recongnize! (I got the where did you by these look!! haha)

I love the new look it adds!! I love the little punch of color against my white end tables and it feels like I got something brand new! Now, I just need to get new pictures in these frames! I am constantly taking new ones but I am horrible about printing them (anyone with me on that?!)

Oh, and here is the new look of the kitchen chalkboard!

I've said it before and I am sure I will say it again, it's amazing what a little can of $4 spray paint will do!!

Hope you enjoyed my latest fixer uppers!! :) Have a great weekend!!

Lots of love from me to you!!

Kimmy

Tasty Thursday

A while ago I was blog surfingand came across this wonderful recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip (sorry I don't remember who's fab blog I found it on) and I was instantly in love. I love anything buffalo chicken, seriously I could eat it all day, every day and never get sick of it. Okay, so MAYBE that's an exaggeration but I think you get my point!! I decided to make this recipe last weekend for my husband and I and we loved it so much that I had to share it with you! You can find the original recipe from Swanson here. Here is what you need to make the dip!

Buffalo Chicken Dip (from Swanson)

1 package/8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese (I am a fan of the mozz. personally)
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing or ranch salad dressing (I chose ranch)
2 cans of Swanson Premium Chunk Chicken Breast (drained)
1/2 cup any flavor of Franks Red Hot Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)

Directions:
Heat the oven to 350° F. Stir the cream cheese in a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with a fork or wish until it's smooth. Stir in dressing, hot sauce, and cheese (blue or mozzarella). Stir in the chicken. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken mixture is hot & bubbling. Stir before serving. Serve with vegetables or crackers.

My tips:
I noticed the chicken chunks were on the large side and I didn't want to toss the chunks in the dip so I spent some time shredding down the chicken so it wasn't so chunky. I also topped the dip with additional mozzarella cheese because let's face it, we all love when things are cheesy and gooey! Also, I decided to serve french bread toasts instead of just chips, crackers, or veggies. Super simple to do and I liked how it tasted. I just got two small french baguette loafs, sliced into toast about an inch thick and then coated one side of the bread with olive oil. Bake the toasts at 400° F for only 5 minutes oil olive side down.

If you love spicy food and are looking for a great dip to stir things up, I promise if you try this you will LOVE it! I know that we will be making more throughout the football season in our home! I really wish I would have taken a picture of it to share since it was SO yummy looking and I know it would motivate you to make it for yourself. I guess you will just have to take my word on it, try it and love it!! :)

Lots of love from me to you!
Kimmy

S + K

TWO years ago today, my honey proposed to me!! I know that we really only have one main anniversary to celebrate now (our wedding of course) but I still celebrate the times in our lives that got us to that day and our engagement is most obviously one of those days!!

I will never forget the moment I saw Scott down on one knee with the ring in his hand and he uttered the best words I have ever heard in my life, "Will you marry me?" I still remember how I had the wind knocked out of me and just fell to my knees into his arms in shock that it was actually hapenning! I had dreamt about that moment for the 5 years we had been together and it was more than I could have ever expected!!

Now, here we are two years later and the adventure for us is still only JUST beginning!! I am so thankful that God is leading us on this great journey and that I have the most amazing man to be by my side through it all!! Every day gets better & better!!!


Here are some pics to share with you!!

Lots of love from me to you!!

XOXO

Kimmy

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

On my latest drab to fab makeover quest, I came across one little item at the thrift store that had the potential to be something grand. As I was browsing through the furniture section at the thrift store, wishing that I had a vehicle big enough to bring some of the larger pieces home with me, I bumped into this little baby.

Now I know what you are thinking, "Seriously, someone actually etched birds into the glass and intended it the focal feature?" I had the same thought. I almost passed by this little baby, but with a price tag of $1.95 how could I pass up? It's real wood and at that price, I just had to snag it up! I don't blame the original owner for tossing this little baby to the curb, but I knew with some TLC it would be no longer be neglected as it had been.

I headed to Home Depot and purchased my spray paint colors of choice and got right to work! First I removed all the hooks from the board which was not an easy task as they had gunk on them and made it difficult to remove. After I removed all the hooks, I sanded it down and then went to town spray painting. The color I choose was Rustoleum Heirloom White. I love love love white wood so it was an obvious choice!

I did a couple coats on the wood, I think 3 total and after that was done it looked a little something like this.

Already looking SO much better!!! For the hooks I decided to paint those an espresso brown color. Originally I had intended to use this in my master bathroom to hold my jewelry which ended up not working out because there is no wall large enough that isn't already in use to put it on. Anyways, I said that all to say that we have dark chocolate/espresso brown woods in my master bed/bathroom so it was the perfect fit.

So, I didn't get a picture of the hooks in the gold to brown fix-up process, but I am sure you are all well familiar with how that goes. I did a couple coats on the screws & hook and it is simply amazing what spray paint can do!! Here is a picture of the hooks reattached on the shelf after they got their sprucing up.

Again, already looking GORGEOUS, but we still aren't done yet!!

Now, for the center of the shelf (where the UGLY birds used to be) I decided to pop that off the shelf, it was held up by some thick construction paper like backing and some staples (heavy duty) but it come off really easy, and then I coated it with some...great ready for this....chalkboard paint! Are you suprised? Yah, didn't think so. I am obessed I know. I did 2 coats of the chalkboard paint on the mirror.

So now comes the big completion (my favorite part..especially since I am so impatient in the fix-up process!!!) Since I had removed what was holding the mirror up I needed to figure out a more permanent solution to reattached it to the shelf. GLUE GUN TO THE RESCUE!!!

I glued the endges of the mirror to the back of the frame and made sure it was secure on their before flipping it up. Finally, my favorite part had come, the end result all put together!!!

Don't you just love it?! Who would have thought that ugly ducking shelf for $1.95 could turn out to be something so pretty? I simply love it. Now I know you are thinking where is this shelf going to go since my original intention for it was a no go. Well, as I have said before my house is still very much a work in progress. This is our 2nd full bathroom.

Okay, I know it doesn't look like much NOW but in the spring (if all goes as planned) this will be a finished FULL 2nd bathroom. Our builders already roughed in the plumbing for us so we need just to piece it together and as you see already my lovely little shelf will reside here. I can't wait until I can post pics of a complete bathroom with this adorable little shelf in use! So, next time you see an ugly duckling don't be afraid to snatch it up and turn it into something gorgeous! And really for $6 total to fix up this little baby...you just can't go wrong!!

I wanted to share another new little feature in my home. I got this gorgeous night light on sale at Kirklands today for $6 (originally $10) and I am in love!! I am a sucker for any kind of monogram and I just don't think you can find a cuter night light than this!

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on my new additions, so please let me hear them!! :)

Sending you lots of love!

xoxo

Kimmy

I added this post to the Shanty 2 Chic Rustoleum Revamp Party!!

i love, loving you <3

One of my new reality show addictions is Guiliana & Bill. They are the NEW newlyweds and I adore their show!! Anyways, I have LOVED their theme song intro and I googled it today to see who the artist was and see the entire lyrics to the song and I just thought I would share it with you!!! It totally reminds describes how my marriage can be sometime and I am a sucker for a good love song! Enjoy!

Love Loving You-Savannah Packard

I don't like the way you steal the covers at night,

And I don't like the way you wash the colors with whites,

I hate all the silly things that make us fight,

But I love, loving you.

I love the way you are, what I'm not,

I love the way we fit together,

I love the end of every day with you,

For worse, or for better,

Oh, I love, loving you.

You don't like the way I try to tell you how to dress,

Or the way I say the house is a mess,

Dirty dishes, unmade beds, and you could care less,

But I love, loving you.

Oh I love, loving you.

I love the way you are, what I'm not,

I love the way we fit together,

I love the end of every day with you,

For worse, or for better,

Oh, I love,

I loving you.

I love the way you are, what I'm not,

I love the way we fit together,

I love the end of every day with you,

For worse, or for better,

Oh, I love you,

Oh, I love you,

I love, loving you.

I love, loving you.