boo & brooke

We all know I love spray paint.  And I love chalkboards.  So I have taken my love to a new level with chalkboard spraypaint {THIS might be the best invention ever!}...

...and painted some pumpkins!

I've been busy trying to decorate on a budget and start getting some great ideas for the upcoming holidays.  I've also been dabbling a bit in the wreath-making world {in the event this career gig as internal auditor just doesn't pan out}.  I'm pretty proud of my cheap-chic creations and I'm sure Dollar Tree has enjoyed my random $5 purchases.

{front door wreath}

Now my inspirations for the next project came from this blog.  Her work was featured on TT&J {best craft blog out there}.  While I can't claim the initial idea, I am digging the double feature on the french doors...makes for a spooky entrance.  

I am so ready for Halloween!

And... let me just say I have been listening to this album ALL day long the past 2 days... and can't get enough.

Brooke has blown me away once again.  Her tunes have been on repeat all day long the past few days and I can't get enough.  Flags is different from her prior work - I love the fun songs but she still manages to challenge the soul and sing truth.  Flags is my favorite track and a wonderful follow-up to Albertine.

Listen to both... and listen to Brooke's story {WOW}.  She is the voice for those who cannot speak.  She has seen the horrors of Rwanda and has been forever changed.  She refuses to keep her life change quiet.  She has boldly challenged us to identify our own 'Albertine' and to fight for those who cannot stand for themselves. I'll leave you with some words from Flags and let this truth wash over you.

You who mourn will be comforted

You who hunger will hunger no more

All the last shall be first

Of this I am sure

You who weep now will laugh again

All you lonely be lonely no more

Yes, the last will be first

Of this I'm sure

spray paint & sister wives

I have discovered a ridiculous love and appreciation for spray paint - it might be one of the best inventions ever.  I would LOVE to get some new furniture from my fave places... but the budget just doesn't quite allow for that much FUN :)  So, I decided to get a little creative and jazz up what we do have.

Project #1: Entryway Table

I bought {what is now} our entryway table about 6 years ago for college.  It was brown and boring...so I gave it some help and painted it blue.  I was hoping for more of a turquoise/peacock blue... but Krylon only comes in so many colors.

{spray painted that metal tile white...but seeing this photo makes me think I should go with a color}

Project #2: Kitchen Table & Chairs  

I also bought a {bar-height} wood dining table and chairs when I first moved out of the Landry mansion and into my little ole apartment.  It was a great Target purchase... but we made the mistake of letting it sit outside and the weather just did a number on the wood.  So, the table and chairs weren't looking too good and needed some sprucing up.  After nearly six months in our garage and five cans of spray paint, it is finally finished...and I am loving our new breakfast table and chairs!

I have also spray painted any accessory I could get my hands on from picture frames, to dollar tree bargains, to Canton goodies.  I drug drove some of my dear WM gals to Canton for some bargain hunting last weekend.  They walked away having devoured some corny dogs but holding tight to the purse strings.  However, I splurged a whole ten smackeroos on some awesome figurines, including a mermaid and alligator.  Call me crazy, but with a few sprays from my handy dandy friends known as Hot Pink and Grass Green, the mermaid and gator have found new life in our home office. 

{look close: gator is next to the artichoke on left; mermaid is working it on the right shelf next to the lamp}

I have some chairs and a dresser from IKEA that are dying for an update, but I've never tried spray painting over their costly particle board.  Will it even take the paint?  Has anyone tried to tackle this feat??  I have a feeling it's not possible... or else IKEA would not make nearly as much money on ridiculously cheap furniture.

Aside from enjoying the fumes produced by spray paint {joke}, my other current obsession is Sister Wives.  OMG I can't believe this show.  It is AWESOME {another joke}!  I have always been fascinated with Big Love {I just adore Ginnifer Goodwin} and we have considered increasing our cable package just for HBO.  But this modern-day, real-life, family with 3+ wives is just nuts.

 {and let's face it, the guy could use a haircut}. 

I will never fully understand that lifestyle, but I can say I would not do well sharing the Mister with other sisters!  I feel like I hardly get enough time with him as is due to our crazy work schedules, so other wives are just not an option with the Stringers (unless maybe if you cloned me)!

Brooke Fraser's new album comes out in less than 3 hours.  I have been waiting 2 and 1/2 years for this moment and am so excited.  I just might wait up until midnight and make the big purchase on iTunes {it feels a bit like Christmas...and oh boy, do I LOVE Christmas...but I'll save that for a later post}.  But, maybe I'll just pre-order and hit the sack.  Enjoy a little preview of Flags.  This girl knows how to sing truth from the soul.

next up: halloween projects and whatever else comes across my mind