friday fun: march 4

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Happy Friday friends!

1) I took yesterday and today off from work to just catch a breath.  It's been much needed and simply fantastic to lounge around the house and run errands.

2) During my day off yesterday I finally chopped my hair... and fell in love with Moroccan Oil.  This stuff is amazing - makes your hair super soft and smells great.

3) Mr. Stringer and I are venturing to Ft. Worth tonight for a short get-away.  I'm stoked about getting in some good patio/margarita time!

4) Bought my tix for Brooke Fraser - she's coming back to the Big D in June and I am so excited! 

5) It's Mardi Gras weekend... and I wish the fam could have headed down to NOLA this year.  Thankfully, I have the craziest cousin in the world who keeps us posted on the festivities!  HAPPY MG weekend, friends!

friday fun: feb 11

Holy moly it is finally Friday.  What a day.  More like, what a week.  I am so wiped out... but have a pretty decent wekend ahead of me, so let's get started with my five Friday fun things!

1) I celebrated another year on this earth... in Langhorne, PA.  Not the most exciting adventure, but oh well.  My co-workers and I did venture to a pretty fabulous restaurant Wednesday night in Philly {executive chef is Iron Chef - Jose Garces}.  We indulged in the smoked pecans {soaked in maple and bacon}, fondue {w/ vidalia onions}, suckling pig, wild boar rack {w/ maple grits}, sugar pumpkin croquettes, and beignets {w/ makers mark chocolate sauce}.  Amazing.

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2) This week was absolutely crazy town at work.  A lot to do and always feeling like there are not enough hours in the day!  {I can't even count how many Red Bulls I downed this week}.  Yesterday we had a 6 am flight home... meaning I was up at 3:30am central and put in a full day of work upon arrival.  Needless to say, I just want to sleep in this weekend!

3) I have a jam-packed weekend of birthday bashes.  The mister and I are celebrating my bday tonight at Jasper's.  I've never been, so I'm pretty excited.  On Saturday, I have lunch plans w/ my rents - always a good time.  {The mister has to work thanks to blasted busy season.}  Saturday night is girls night out w/ the bffs!  We are going to Gnosh, like I mentioned recently.  Super excited for another fun painting night and just hanging out.  We have family lunch w/ the mister's side of the fam on Sunday.  Not sure where we are dining yet...but I'm always up for something good! 

4) Between the mix of all the birthday activities, hoping I can finally catch up on laundry and housework.  Ugh!  {doesn't really fit into my 'fun' things Friday... but oh well!}

5) I got the best birthday voicemail in the world from my favorite friend in New Zealand.  It's been almost 6 years since I was there and I still feel like part of my heart has never returned {the mister and I are still scoping out possibilities to move to NZ someday}.  Because of the 17 hour time-difference, we have scheduled our chat for this weekend.  I can't wait to catch up! 

I'll leave you kids with some clear pictures of why I love NZ so much... Happy weekend!

{Auckland skyline... my future home someday!}

{NZ countryside}

{so many sheep!}

{cruising around Devonport}

{Lion Rock at Piha Beach}

{Muriwai...simply awesome}

{don't remember exactly where this was...but I'll never forget standing here!}

{my sweet friend April... I miss her heaps!} 

{Uncle Leon... words cannot describe him.  Love him and his family so much!  Can't wait to catch up soon!}

And of course, If I am going to mention NZ, I have to shout out to my girl Brooke.  I seriously listen to her almost every day.  And never grow tired of hearing her crooning.  This is her first song I ever discovered... and my heart has been full ever since.  Enjoy! 

tuesday tunes: top 3 for feb 1

I'm feeling in a singer/songwriter mood today... so this week's Tuesday Tunes includes:

1) Feels So Right {Matt Wertz}: Such a catchy and fun song.  I saw him in concert 2 years ago for my bday with the bffs and had a blast - he puts on a fun show and has a great personality.   

2) So This Is Goodbye {William Fitzsimmons}: He opened for BF a few years ago and was really entertaining.  He also does some pretty cool covers here and here.  Love it!

3) Who Are We Fooling {Brooke Fraser}: LOVE this duet with Aqualung.  Amazing.  I will always make a plug for my girl Brooke.  She is so incredible.  Check out her duets with WF here and here.

It's a snow day in Dallas today.  I'll be snuggling up in bed {and making flowcharts} most of the day.  Stay warm friends!

tuesday tunes: top 3 for jan 18

I love music.  Songs just have the ability to say exactly what you want to say but somehow can never seem to find the right words.  Put those lyrics to a great backbeat and you've got me.  So, here goes a new series of my top 3 tunes for the week... what inspires me, speaks to me, or simply gets me through the long days.

This week's Tuesday Tunes includes:

1) Firework {Katy Perry}: Love it - Guilty Pleasure.  The mister has a fabulous dance for this song.

2) Betty {Brooke Fraser}: She captures the fact we all have secrets and regrets we try to hide...but keeps it light-hearted in her super catchy tune.

3) American Honey {Lady A}: Ahhh, driving with windows down on breezy summer day.  This gets me through the yucky winter and super long days in a conference room with no windows.

catch-up

No blog posts in the past month since I have been on the road for work.  I've got a little bit of a reprieve this week and am so grateful the holidays are among us!  I haven't had a lot of time for crafting on the weekends, but I was able to finish this beauty late last night while watching repeats of old CSI episodes.  I probably should have been writing a report for work, but a girl has to get creative sometimes...and I am pretty sure my manager would rather me not get too creative in my reports :)

What do you think?  I'm working on 2 more for the french doors on the study.  By the time I finish them, though, my fall wreaths will not be necessary because Christmas will be here!  I saw the inspiration for these wreaths on my favorite craft blog.  She spotlights different crafts and I was thrilled to see this tutorial.  I might just make one for every holiday - super cute and easy on the wallet {I know the Mr. appreciates that!}

Last Friday night, the Mr. and I got to see my bff {she just doesn't know it yet} perform at House of Blues.  She overdelivered an incredible show.  I was in such need to hear some REAL music with depth and be reminded of how much more there is to life.  The best part about her show is that she doesn't make plugs for herself (sure there is a merch table) but pleads for the crowd to do something to make this world better for those who have less.  For her 27th birthday, she is trying to raise $50K for clean water wells in Africa.  How many people do you know that choose to refuse all gifts and ask for support for those who can't help themselves?  How refreshing!  I love the message and I love the power that clean water provides.  It brings hope to those who have no hope.  The Mr. and I have joined the water crusade - and it is amazing to see how many people are supporting this vision today.  I read a lot of blogs to get craft or recipe ideas, to catch up with friends, or to just escape.  I love seeing this movement on other people's minds and in their words and using their blogs to promote a better world.  Watermark also supports clean water dwelling and I hope you will consider the impact of clean water on your life... and give thanks especially during this season.   

To continue with the water theme... I'll leave you with Brooke! 

Next up - a week full of posts for thanksgiving!

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