monday musings: i heart yarn wreaths

I am obsessed with yarn wreaths.  I have made so many since this one {here is the tutorial}.  Over Christmas break, I made one of these beauties for pretty much anyone I had to get a gift for... and made a few extras for myself including these below.

{happy v-day!}

{office french doors - love the color scheme - thanks LP for the idea!}

On Saturday, I attended the Star Wars watching party I mentioned with my WM friends... and brought some crafts to keep me busy {just in case}.  My friend Amber and I made wreaths... of course hers is purple and gold {geaux tigers!}

{it turned out great!}

{sorry, dull lighting - but it's super cute!}

The rest of the weekend was good {but super quick}.  I made some brownies and cupcakes for my parent's Super Bowl party - still waiting on the official results from Mama Landry if they were a hit.  The Star Wars bash was pretty fun and I actually enjoyed the movies {didn't think I would}.  I wish I had taken pics of the party because the St. Clairs went all out with decorations and a royal red carpet outside.  Loved it!  Then I headed to the airport Sunday morning {and missed all of the crazy Super Bowl madness in the Big D} for my trip to Langhorne, PA.  We ventured to a local tavern in small town america {Yardley} to enjoy the big game and rather lame commercials.  I was pretty disappointed - the only really good commercial was the Darth Vader kid... so I will leave you with that!  Happy Monday, kids! 

monday musings: i heart gnosh

Happy Monday, peeps!  Hope you had a fabulous weekend... mine was crazy busy even though I felt we didn't have that much planned.

Yesterday, I had my painting class at Gnosh that I mentioned last week.  It was so much fun!  I went with two girls from my small group and we had a blast.   

Here is what the painting was supposed to look like:

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And here is my creation:

And here is the lineup of all of our creations:

I think they turned out great and look so cool because they are all so different.  I can't wait to go back with my bffs for my bday celebration in a few weeks.  We will be recreating this painting:

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Hope you have a happy Monday and good start to the week!  I'm counting down the hours until The Bachelor tonight - I've been on pins and needles for this week's drama to unflold.  Love it!

friday fun: jan 28

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Ahh, another work week has come and gone.  This week felt super long and I am so ready for the weekend!  Time for my five Friday fun things...

1) The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend {high of 70}... so maybe I will get outdoors and do something fun.  I am so ready for patio weather.

2) I've a got a girls night tonight w/ my WM gals.  Looking forward to some good conversation and a fun night.

3) I bought ingredients to expand my brownie-baking skills.  I took a stab at a new batch last night: dark chocolate and red wine brownies with a raspberry zinfandel frosting.  I'm not sold on the these brownies yet {still working out the kinks}.  So, may do some more baking this weekend to try and perfect the recipe!  We shall see.  I promise to take pics this time {if I can find my camera charger}...but I'll never expose my baking secrets!  Ha!

4) I'm taking a painting class on Sunday at Gnosh with 2 of my WM gals.  Super excited.  We got a great deal through Groupon {which I seriously love}.  I'll post pics next week of the final product.

5) The mister is still working like a mad man.  He's such a trooper.  Busy season is tough for us, but we survive.  And I feed him and his audit team brownies.  A little bit of sugar sure does help!  

*clarification - I blogged about the amazing Silhouette last week... but I don't own one {although I might be tempted to purchase someday}.  My friend Shelbi has one, but I'm still waiting for her reviews.  Check out all the fun things this machine can do here!

Have a great weekend!  See you kids on Monday!

monday musings: i heart the kitchen

Ahh, it's Monday again...hope my little blogger friends are well rested and ready for another CRAZY week!

This weekend, I focused on resolution #3.  I'm recently obsessed with crock pot enchiladas.  My MIL Lee has made these before but I finally buckled down and gave it a whirl these past 2 weekends.  I jazzed it up a bit because I love my food with a little kick and it was a hit for friends and family.  Basically, we just layered tortillas, frozen chicken, green enchilada sauce, cream of chicken soup, tomatoes, and peppers - then cook on low for 10+ hours and you have a masterpiece.

I also dabbled in some brownie-making on Sunday and whipped up 3 batches {sorry no pics - camera is dead} including chocolate peanut butter, dark chocolate raspberry, and dark chocolate orange.  I got rave reviews from my small group gals. 

Which, let me just brag about this group of women.  They are incredible.  They keep me going when life gets tough.  They encourage me daily.  They are real and authentic...they don't skirt around tough issues and always challenge me to be a better friend, wife, co-worker, sister, daughter, and self.  We are so blessed to be part of something so wonderful and so much bigger than ourselves.

Hope you have a great Monday and start to another week! 

t-giving challenge: sunday - watermark family

The Mr. and I struggled a bit trying to find our place in Dallas after getting married.  We both love people and really wanted to make friends who could relate to us when it came to our core beliefs and goals in life.  We have been immensely blessed to find community with six other families.  I have made friends of a lifetime who challenge me to be a better person and pursue the things that matter most in this life.  This group has become the friends I run to when I have a rough day, struggle with my purpose, or just need a good dose of humility and reminder of who I am in the big world. 

It's crazy to think we have only known everyone for a little over a year... it feels so much longer that I really can't believe we waited so long to find community.  I am always amazed by our group.  We have many different personalities and everyone brings a different strength and perspective to the table.  I'm so grateful for the memories we have made this year:

-white elephant christmas party

-camping trip {i survived my first camping trip!}

-countless games of nertz {you can always count on the Stringers for an easy win} 

-geocacheing at chick-fil-a

-cooking class

-tubing the guadelupe river {and nearly dying!}

-and any excuse to have a dinner party

-celebrating new life through adoption for our dear friends and mentors

I can't wait to see what this coming year has in store for us.  Life is tough and has it's difficult moments.  I am so richly blessed to walk through this life with wonderful friends who constantly offer up encouragement and advice grounded in true wisdom.  Here's a shout out to my foundation group - thank you for being a blessing in my life.  Thanks for challenging me to be a better daughter, sister, wife, co-worker, and example.    

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!