Drape Nightmares

So remember this post? Well, you can forget the whole thing. After much distress, and arguing between the sales department, I have cancelled my order. Since when did they not have to tell you about a product being on back order ... especially if they don't believe you will get the item until June? Ummm, I don't think so!

So, I am on to plan B. Don't ask me what plan B is yet, but I assure you, it will be better than plan A ... at least I am hoping so. I am thinking about doing something similar to this post ... I am in love with the look, but I am thinking it looks REALLY hard, even though she says it's super easy ... don't get me wrong, I am all for a challenge.




As far as the bedroom update, I am still sleeping on the floor. I was really thinking I would not be at this time, but seriously, Ryan hasn't touched the bed in over a week ... it may be a while people! In other news, we have been looking at a certain house around town. We have been there a few times, and we're thinking about putting in an offer. We will see, it needs some work, but all things that we can do. Really, the house is just full of potential ... I am starving for potential!

Hopefully something happens soon ... I am tired of the floor!

Imhoff Update

As most of you know, we have been INCREDIBLY sick here. I think we are going on day 14. It was exactly two weeks from today that the whole family started to feel ill, and I can't say today that we are any better.

Braeden just got over his fever, but has been swollen from day one. He doesn't eat much, and just wants to lay around and watch movies. His face is all chapped, and his sinuses are out of control. Runny noses everywhere

Bayer started to run a fever as well. He has begun a really terrible cough, and his face is swollen as well. We took him to the emergency room late the other night because he was inconsolable. We found out that he has an ear infection, sore throat, and the start of pneumonia.

Ryan and I both have a sinus infection that won't go away, sore throats and bronchitis. I haven't got more than four hours of sleep a night since this started, and today I feel like I have relapsed.

This is really awful, I hope you all are healthy and having a wonderful week.

Kids Photo Necklace

I am so super excited to share with you a craft that I did a couple of nights ago. It's so super easy that I just had to share ... oh wait, did I mention they are EXTREMELY cute too!?!

Here is what I made ... Kid's Photo Necklace(s)



Theses necklaces aren't limited to using kids photos, get creative, use your pets, a picture from your honeymoon, a monogram or use a cute piece of scrapbook paper!

Here is what you need ...



Supplies:
Mini Photos of your Kids (Kodak Instant Machines)
Small Square Glass Tiles (Found at Craft Stores)
Black Construction Paper Cut into Tiles
Crystal Effects Glue
Q-Tip
Scissors
Exacto Knife
Fasteners (Craft Stores)

Directions:
1. First you need to get your pictures into a 1' by 1' (I went to HyVee and used their automatic picture machine, used the mini collage selection, and was able to get my pictures down to a smaller size.
2. I then cut my pictures to 1' by 1'
3. Cut the construction paper to 1' by 1' as well



4. After cutting the paper and pictures, glue the pictures to the construction paper by using the Crystal Effects Glue with a Q-tip.



5. Take your glass tiles, and add glue to the rough side of the tile
6. Glue picture down on glass
7. After glue dries, you may need to use your exacto knife to trip the picture
8. Turn the picture over and cover the construction paper with the glue



9. Add an extra dab of glue on the back for the fastener.



** If any glue gets on the glass, clean it with alcohol.



So super easy! If any of you make some, I would love to see! Add a comment or email for questions! Good Luck & Have Fun!

Date Night

No, I don't have any pictures from last night ... it was a much needed date night, and I wanted it to be just that.

Ryan and I were able to have a nice (quiet) dinner last night at The Forge and Vine, Downtown Columbia. There was hardly anyone else there, so it was the perfect place. Although, it didn't start out that way. We were a little late getting into town and had planned on dinning at Murry's (our favorite.) There was a 45 minute wait on a table, and we just didn't have the time ... I guess we will just have to make another trip :)



So after we had wonderful food, we headed over to the Mizzou Basketball Game. It was a GREAT game, and I loved every minute of it. It was Ryan's first time at a Mizzou bball game, and I am so glad we WON while we were there! GO MIZZOU!

It was a late night when we got home (around 11:30.) So we quickly got the kids in bed and then crashed ourselves. A great night, and I can't wait to have another soon. It just reminds me how much we really need to take the time for ourselves. We get in a routine, and all of a sudden we forget that we are married, and need to take time for that!

Thanks mom for watching the kiddos!

What are you Allergic To?

All my life I have prided myself on the fact that I am not allergic to anything. It's silly, because it's not like you can control it. In face, no one in my family is allergic to anything that I know of.

Today was an interesting day. I had to take Braeden back to the doctors yesterday because he was STILL sick as a dog from last Thursday, with no signs of getting any better. The appointment went better this time and he was given an antibiotic (amoxicillin) and Bayler was given some eye drops. Since the pharmacy was closed by the time I got home, I decided I could wait until today to pick up the prescriptions. I first gave Braeden his first dose of Amoxicillin and then rubbed some lotion on his VERY chapped face ... poor guy :(

Seconds later he found me in the kitchen, scratching his face, telling me his head hurt. I immediately noticed he had a red rash all the way around his face with hives! OMG, you know I freaked out! I called the doc and they didn't know if it was either the amoxicillin or the lotion ... since the hives were not all over his body (they would have been if it was the amox) then they figured it was from the lotion. Nothing serious, but because his face was so chapped, it was just really raw and reacted to it.

So we went on with our day. This evening, as I was getting the kids ready for bed, I gave Braeden his last dose of Amoxicillin before putting him in the bath. This time I did not put lotion on. I took off his clothes and realized he had the same rash with hives ALL over his body ... UMMM, you KNOW I was extremely freaking out this time, because I knew it was the Amox, and if it was the Amox, then he was probably allergic to Pennisillian. I called the doctor on call, it happened to be our doctor thank God! He pretty much told me to give him a bit of bendryl, and wait 24 hours to see if the hives left. He sais since the hives were all over his body, that he is in fact allergic to Amoxicillin and can not have Penicillin now ... which is huge! I know people that have to wear bracelets letting people know they are allergic ... and I know some that should be wearing their bracelets that don't (LINDSEY) which freak me out.

SO, after thinking that Braeden was not allergic to a thing, now I realize he is VERY allergic, and I have to take a lot of precautions now ...

Any suggestions on how I should start marking him to let care takers know? I don't think he will wear a bracelet ... but this guys braclet is kind of cute :)



Kids are so hard!

Favorite Cleaners

Do you have a favorite cleaner you use? Have you gone green, or do you prefer a more commercial brand?

I am so in love with my cleaner, I just feel the need to share! I have always been a hard core 409'er. Seriously, I still can't part with it all together. It's a great antibacterial cleaner, but ...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. You have got to try this stuff. Apart from it having a great lemon fresh scent (also comes in lavender), it's a green product. It's a naturally safe way to clean your house.

Currently I am using the Counter Spray and the Shower Spray. The only place I can find these products are at Hy-Vee. It's across town for me, but well worth it!

Valentine's Day Flowers

My hubs sent me flowers today! They were delivered too! Thank you honey, it made me feel REALLY special, since you are not a flower guy.

There are only two other times Ryan has bought me flowers in the past. Once when we first started dating, and the other time when he proposed. This is huge people! :)

Thanks honey for my flowers, I am going to enjoy them every time I walk in my kitchen!!

Bedroom Clue #4

Here is the bedroom clue #4. Yes, I have been sleeping on the floor for two weeks now ... I would really appreciate a nice comfty bed sometime soon! Are you reading this honey??

I can't wait for the reveal!

Braeden's First Day of Daycare

Monday was Braeden's first day of daycare ... it was an emotional morning. Braeden is 2 1/2 and ever since he was born, he has been with me 24/7. This is going to be, and is, a huge adjustment.

We woke up Monday morning early, I got both boys ready to get out of the door, and just before we left, I snapped a few pictures. I realize that they don't stay with us forever, and that we have to let them go to learn and grow ... the fact is, I didn't cry. I think it was the fact that I knew he needed this, he needed to get out there, and he needed to get out of the house as well.

Although I didn't cry, I did get a little emotional. I took the long route to the daycare center, I took an extra long time putting on his clothes, and walking him to he car, packing his bag seemed like forever.

After picking him up on Monday, I realized this was the absolute best decision. He LOVED it, and was excited to go back on Tuesday. He is really truly growing up, and I can't wait to see how he develops in the next couple of months.

While he was there, they read this book (and usually do when there is a new kid in the class.) It's called Llama Llama Miss Your Mama ... It's an excellent introduction for preschoolers about the emotions they might feel while attending preschool without their own Mama.

Here's a preview ...

"Don't be sad, new little llama!
It's okay to miss your mama.
But don't forget -
When day is through,
She will come back to you."

Now all the kids in the class are calling Braeden the "new little llama". Too cute!




ps: and yes honey, after I took the pictures, I did brush his hair! :)

Pastel Egg Crate

Remember how I purchased this Egg Crate from Anthropology last fall for $12.99? (If you missed it, check out this post.)



Hobby Lobby has my beloved egg crate, in pastel colors for Easter, for only $6.99. They are ceramic just like the more expensive ones, and could give you a little bit more color!

Happy Shopping!!

Next DIY Statement Piece

You all know I am in the midst of creating a new bedroom makeover for the past month. I figured the end of February it would be complete ... or at least, I will be sleeping off the floor by then :) Right honey??

After I found and posted the pictures in the post "Horsin' Around at Home." I realized that I loved something else in that picture. It was was large black statement side in this picture ...



and then today, over at Apartment Therapy, I found this post ... giving a tutorial!! I am pretty sure I was caught by the mail man jumping up and down for joy in my living room. I immediately knew that these would be PERFECT for some bare walls in our bedroom. I CAN NOT wait to get started. (Early birthday present maybe?) I have some ideas up my sleeve (on a budget of course), so I can't wait for their debut!



Here is the tutorial from Apartment Therapy ...

Supplies:
plywood
vinyl letters
spray paint
screws (for installation)

Instructions (adapted from Amanda's instructions):
1 - First, figure out what phrase you want to use (song line, movie quote, poem, the sky is the limit) and what vinyl letters you will use so that you have an idea of what size plywood you need.

2 - Next, buy the appropriately sized piece of plywood.

3 - Apply the vinyl letters to the sign. When I apply vinyl letters and want to keep them aligned properly, I use painters tape since it is easy to apply and remove and doesn't leave any marks.

4 - Then, spray paint the whole piece of plywood. This is where the customizing possibilities get even more fun since there are so many amazing colors of spray paint these days (Montana spray paint is my favorite brand). You could also apply a coat of spray paint to the whole piece of plywood before applying the vinyl letters to create color for the letters as well as the background.

5 - Once everything is dry, remove the vinyl letters.

6 - Since the sign is large, it's best to screw the sign into the wall to install it.


Any ideas on what they should say??

Show Us Your Life: Beauty Tips & Favorite Products

Thought I would join in on a little fun today. Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is hosting: Show Us Your Life: Beauty Tips & Favorite Products ... So, I thought I would share with you my top three favorite products!

NUMBER 1:



I would not, could not live without my MK Night Time Solution. This stuff is the bomb diggity! This product contains collagen, vitamins (A,C,E) and acts like a chemical peel on your face every night, reducing those lines and wrinkles. You literally apply this on after you wash your face before bed, and it does all the work for you. It clears your skin (I promise you will not break out on this stuff!) and it makes your face feel about 300 times smoother and softer. I really couldn't live without this product!


Number 2:



I love, love, love Victoria Secret lip gloss, Beauty Rush. It's awesome. It is goopy and thick, but that's what I love about it. It stays on forever! Believe it or not, this is what I put on my lips before I delivered my two boys because I knew it would last, and my lips wouldn't get dry for hours. LOVE IT!


Number 3:



Since I color my own hair with professional products, sometimes it still comes out a little brassy. I hate that! But Shimmer Lights Shampoo never lets me down. This shampoo is thick and purple. It's really weird to put on, but I put it everywhere and let it sit for about 3 minutes. I rinse out, and my hair is the perfect shade of blonde ... bye bye brassy! If you have blonde hair, and you color yourself, you NEED this product. Check out this post to see how I color my own hair :)

Wedding Endorsement

As a wedding coordinator, I have the sheer pleasure of meeting wedding vendors who I believe are some of the best the industry. It has been wonderful getting to meet each of them and begin to form professional relationships.

This morning I received an endorsement that really made my day. Wedding planning is a passion of mine, and like anyone who works hard, being noticed really makes anyone feel they are doing their job right!

Thanks Allen Anderson's Just Fabulous Flowers for posting this on my Wedding Wire Storefront ...

"We have had the pleasure to work with Natalie on a number of weddings during the past six months. Her friendly, professional attitude is exhibited all along the way...from the initial planning to the day-of coordination. We highly recommend her for skill and expertise. "

I love this job!

Happy Planning!

Horsin' Around at Home

I have always been inspired and had a secret infatuation with horses. When I was little I road a horse named "Whir Wind" and I have never got her out of my head. After I found these pictures ... the experience came right back too me! I love these pictures of horses in a decorative form!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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