Frozen Trunk or Treat

Two posts in one week? What is this lol.

I guess I just finally got my itch back to get on the blog.

I was so happy at the feedback I got from my blog about online dating, you guys from Facebook rock! It made me feel so humble, it was thought as well written and hilarious. I literally just wrote down experience, I am glad it was as inspiring as it was.

This weekend has been AMAZING. Seriously my life is just amazing and blessed. Friday was Leighton's school trunk-or-treat. My mom and I have had a blast decorating and getting ready our Frozen Themed trunk. We had a lot of the stuff since Leighton is Frozen obsessed, so it was quite easy to do. There were a couple of crafts though!

Enjoy for inspiration for a Frozen themed trunk for your Trunk-or-Treat!

We basically put down a white bed sheet for the base. Then we put down Christmas snow from Michael's on the base of the trunk. We had a Frozen poster we put on cardboard for our "sign." Leighton received the ice castle for her birthday party a couple of weeks ago, then we gathered all her Frozen dolls from around the house (which is a lot haha) to disperse all over. The ball pit was also a wonderful present we had gotten from my boss from my previous job. This was a HIT! The kids loved climbing in it-even though we used it as our game. We gave away spider rings for just an attempt at the ball pit. The Olaf balloon was from a local family owned party store called Party America.

Some things you will notice-the snowflakes: simple, simple project. We used my dad's fishing line, cut the sting, tied it to snowflakes from Michael's, and hung up them (the snowflakes) all over the car with tape.

We had so much stuff we set up a table! We used a simple $3 Styrofoam cooler get it "cooler," for the candy. It was super plain so we added some glitter flakes to the top and taped on snowflakes from Party America located in the Frozen merchandise section to the side. The glitter was also sprinkled on the table. The orange bowls were from the Dollar Store from a Halloween Party I threw a while back. We put the prizes and balls in them for the ball pit game.

The pumpkins were a hit at this Trunk-or-Treat! We bought discounted pumpkins that were plastic from Michael's 60% off. Two coats of glossy white spray paint, blue glitter, and glued on snowflakes later; we had "Frozen" Pumpkins. Make sure to put the glitter on while the paint is still wet from the second coat.

We hands-down were the favorite trunk to stop at for the night and we were the only Frozen trunk, surprisingly! We had guests take a gazillion pictures of our trunk only. It made us feel pretty good. I hope we can be some inspiration for your Frozen trunk!

Now enjoy some pictures of my beautiful daughter from her fun night!

She of course was Elsa to go along with our trunk! This is like one of our 4 Elsa dresses haha. She decided to be this one because it was more ballerina like, she was spending the whole day trying to convince me to be a ballerina superstar. This is the closest I could get to Elsa while combining ballerina superstar!

Love these two!! This is Leighton's best friend Ariana (my best friend Sam's little girl.) They are both Elsa, they were one of about 30 Elsa's of the night haha.

Getting some candy at the Ninja Turtle car that was pretty cool as well!

The cupcake walk. The boy sitting next to Leighton is a boy she tells me she marries on the playground everyday. Oh boy! I am in for it.

Update:

As you know, life never goes as planned. I said in my last post I was going to be getting a Kia Sportage this weekend.

After several hours, not having the car I wanted due to a earlier in the week dealer/trade, feeling a little cheated, and just not happy with the dealership we went to. I walked away from getting it. I decided to check Carmax out just to look at other options, and to figure out if I even want a Sportage. I then found the most perfect car. It only had a few miles on it and could've been brand new since it was a 2014. It had everything I wanted and the most beautiful color. I fell in loveeee.

So meet my new 2014 Ford Escape Titanium:)

Life is just pretty good:)

20 Guys of Online Dating

I am going to change things up, and I want to show you guys my writing skills. I want to write about "online dating." At that, you are probably already chuckling over the two letter phrase. I am pretty sure at one point or another we have ALL tried it. I personally have had a 0% success rate with it. I am not sure how anyone finds the love of their life on it, but then again I have a couple of best friends that have found the love of their life's through the world wide web, maybe it is just me.

I have been single for an embarrassingly long time. It has been almost exactly a year since I have even been on a date. Before that, I have dated only 1 guy in a span of 3 years. This was a three month thing, so in accordance to how long I have been single-this seems like a blink of an eye. Before that it had been the casual dating, but because I had been so f-ed up in the head from Leighton's dad, nothing has gone anywhere.

Plus, it is ridiculously hard to find someone as a single mom, like SUPER hard. I have been rejected numerous of times from guys just because I had a child (It is some other guys kid, I know I get it-but it still sucks because I am a great girl with so much to offer), I have a hard time finding the time (especially when I was in school), I do not go out hardly at all (Netflix and wine are my ideal Saturday night, and I am not the type to pine my daughter on my parents every chance I get), when I do go out once every 3 or so months-all the good ones are taken and all the bad ones; well I'll be across the room. I can spot ya'll like a red wine stain on white carpet, and lastly just no one seems to give me that undeniable chemistry.

I have learned to be pretty happy alone: no one to tell me what to do, Netflix :), sweat pants, creating my own successful life, no compromising, no arguing, no heart break, no worrying about what he is doing, and constantly attending to some needy man-child. Believe me guys, either I am just not needy at all or what, but ya'll are wayyy more needier than women in my case. I am just not a needy girl and like my time. Basically, I have got my independent women thing going on. I have planned my whole life out being single. I might buy a couple of Golden Retrievers-I am not a cat lady haha.

But, it gets pretty lonely. I gag every time I see a new engagement photo on Facebook. To be honest, I am extremely jealous. ALL, of my friend have boyfriends. Then there's me with no one to cuddle with, to buy me a Michael Kors boyfriend staple watch (fine I will buy one for myself), go on a date with, to be my other half, and to feel like I am wanted, needed, and loved. I just want to feel beautiful to someone. I want that butterflies in your gut feeling, like you're on top of the world, and you can't imagine your life without that person kind of thing. I haven't felt a thing in 3 years. I get jealous, because girls that have found that do not have to struggle through finding someone. Ya'll are lucky! I cannot express it enough. Dating is awful, horrible, and daunting.

I can control how everything goes in my life- being successful, being a mom and a good mom, and choosing how I want to live my life. The one thing I can't control is finding my life long soul mate, it is clearly out of my hands.

Well, all of this has led me to online dating. I thought I would give it a shot, but every time I do; I cannot help but laugh my way through the failed attempts of boys (notice boys NOT men.) Before this, I have tried everything: mutual friend's friends, going to bars, joining a single church group, trying new things, hitting up the gym, I mean everything. This is another hit and miss.

I have tried multiple platforms of online dating, and either I just am doing it wrong, or guys ya'll just suck. I am betting on the latter. I am going to dive into the typical online dating dudes you will find, and I just question myself-how do you think you are going to get girls doing what you are doing? Girls, if you go for these guys-shame on you!


1. The Guy with his Girlfriend/Girls in the Picture
Seriously? Like seriously? This was seen so much in my flipping right or left on Tinder. Your profile picture is you with a girl kissing your cheek on a dating site. No, I do not want to messy up my life being your mistress, no I do not want to do a threesome, and no I am not into a guy surrounded by women. My whole reason for being on this wasteful site is to find a single person, because hello it is a dating site? Why are you wasting your time when you have a perfectly good girl, go be with her or become single. It is that easy, stop wasting everyone's time. Also, if you are surrounded by girls in a picture especially pretty half naked ones, do you know what I am going to think? I am going to think you are a man whore. Yup, swiping left. So, if you have a girl in the picture other than your obvious mom (which I will get to later)-I am definitely swiping left.

If it is an ex, that means you are not over her. I am not a rebound. Plain and simple.

Also, if you have a girlfriend do not go on here. I saw someone I knew active on Tinder, that I definitely knew had a girlfriend of like 6 months. Be careful, she will most likely find out. Just this finding makes me not want to date or be with anyone.

2. A Picture of Your Car
Are you trying find someone to date your car, or are you telling me you are a transformer? Either way, pass! On Tinder, you have .02 seconds before I am swiping left for a no. If you are a car, I am going to pass up. If you want to have a girl talk to you, please let us know what your face looks like.

3. Bromance
Your profile consists of You and 5 other guys. The bad thing is we don't know which of the 6 guys you are. I am guessing you are the big bubba on the end. If your not, than how I am suppose to know? I am not willing to take the risk of wasting my time to talk and meet with you-when I have no idea who you are. This also shows me that I will be fighting for your attention between our romance and your bromances. I do not fight for any males attention. I can just see it now, bros before hoes. It makes me think am I one day going to be left because you have this epiphany you swing the other way? Or, am I going to have our rehearsal dinner blown off for a football game at the bar. It could happen! Pass.

4. Offering to Buy Me Things Instead of a Hello.
"Hey, what's up?" or a typical pick up line/joke are a heck of a lot better than-hey little girl that is 30-40 years younger than me. I have money and I would like to buy you things and be your sugar daddy. You are OLDER than my dad! Gross. Second off, I can buy my own stuff. I am not a bleach blonde playboy bunny looking for a man to take care of her. The whole thing is just creepy-some girls may be into that, but at 23 almost 24 years old any guy over 35 (even that is pushing it) is just not my cup of tea (well unless you are Brad Pitt then we'll talk.)

5. Looking for One Thing
Just this past weekend, I was on my way to a Miranda Lambert concert. My friend had recently gotten a Tinder. She swiped right to a perfectly great looking guy, walah it was a match. Then these perfectly good guys kill it by blatantly asking for "grown up" time in the most vulgar manner. Girls show some respect for yourself and decline. Especially if they type something like "I want my pork to be in your ribs." He legit said this to my friend. Um no, what IS wrong with guys?? No, no, no, and no! Also, if he asks you to his house for a first date-translating to guy "I want to have sex with you tonight." Keep the dates public if that is not what you want.

6. Nothing Going for Them
Yay, I finally find a guy with all his teeth and a non-douchey status in his about me. Match and match, yay! Maybe this thing ins't so bad at all. "Hi, how are you?" "Hi, I am good how are you?" Wow this is normal! Then they proceed to tell you they are 28 working in the deli department at a grocery store, lives at home with their parents, have bowel movement problems, and that is about as interesting as they get. Could you at least go to college, have an okay job, live in an apartment, be interesting, and have SOMETHING going for you. I mean anything?? I heard a saying that "it is hard to find a guy when I have more balls than them." Penelope Cruz, I believe said it. I have a college education while being a single mom. I work in a high-end well paying job, I am about to buy a house, I just bought a new car, I personally think I am attractive, I dress cute, I am the only breadwinner, and I am normal-all before 24 years old. Can I find a guy that has at least something accomplished even if its being the world champion pie eater. Just something.

7. Kids
This is an important one for life ladies, listen up. I am totally open to dating a good guy with kids. Duh, I have a kid so of course I am-they might be more understanding of my kid than one without. But, they make me the most skeptical because of the stereotypical "baby daddy." If they have kids and either are never around their kid(s) and/or have more than 2 with two different women. RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!! Don't just power walk, I am talking do NOT even do it. You do not change men like this, they WILL do it to you. I will be here all day if I continue, but RUN!!!! If they do not have either of these faults and have everything else going on-give them a chance.

I will say this point goes both ways for guys and girls, if the girl has more than 2 kids with several guys, she's not a dime either. She should have learned her lesson the first time.

8. The Douche
You are hot and shirtless and have pictures of your abs without a face-they are nice to look at but, I know your type. I will either be cheated on, or you will never commit to me so you can then get away with the cheating. The gym will always be more important than me. Or the big one, you'll end up beating me. Nope, not going to happen.

9. If I did not reply...
Do not get mad and message me 50 times if I do not reply. This happened on Plenty of Fish. I would get 400+ messages a day. Yup, a day! I am also picky. If I did not reply, that meant I do not want to talk to you. After you message me the 50 times and get mad at me for it. Now you can see why, you're needy. These are the guys who when you give them your number will text you 20 times in 5 minutes before you have time to reply. The most annoying thing ever to me.

10. 20 Pictures of the Back of your Head
Why? It is obvious you don't want us to see your face. That means you are hiding it, what else could you be hiding? I don't even want to know. The first chance is your face, please show a picture of your face. If not, I will not waste my time-it is just plain scary.

11. The Pizza Face
No, I am not describing how a man looked. This one guy literally had a whole profile centered around a pizza.

This, no joke, was his profile picture, well something like it. His description was that he was hot and cheesy. He would never leave your side, and was always steamy for more. Okay, maybe if you were buffalo chicken pizza I mighttttt just give you a chance, but I just do not like ham on my pizza, okay! This one was funny, but a lot of guys were making jokes out of their profiles, saying stuff like "we will just tell my mom we met at a coffee shop," or "I am just looking for some playas to ball out with in the ATLien." There are a whole list of reasons why this is NOT okay. I am just going to leave it as phrases like that are things guys actually put in their profiles. Sentence one=Momma's boy, Sentence two=Thug. I don't want to date either.

12. Momma's Boys
It might be a good thing because if he treats his mommy right, he will treat you right. But, the momma might not. You'll always be fighting for his attention. You most likely will not want this lady as a future mother-in-law.If he has picture of his mom, says phrases like "I love my mom," or talks and cares only about his mom. Mmm, better not.

13. Thugs
If he looks like a thug, talks like a thug, and oozes everything thug-he is probably a thug. Not my type-if you want to get pregnant and have him leave then he is probably yours.

14. Probably Hiding Someone in Their Basement
You know, that profile picture angled just below their chin, they have a small beard, white guy, dark eyes, brown hair, and a bit on the trashy side. They just scream scary and, they will probably murder you. These guys are probably not the ones you want to meet up with, let alone give them your name and number. I just read an article on a stabbing from meeting someone on Tinder-this is the main reason I have NEVER met up with someone from online.

15. Mirror Pics.
The guy that stands in front of the mirror with his little whisker mustache, flip phone, Abercrombie shirt that hasn't been in style for 10 years, frosted tips, no muscles at all, and is most likely in high school posing as a 25 year old.

16. Name
No Ibadudu Osmon, if I cannot pronounce your name. I can guarantee you we will have nothing in common. Neither will SexymayI69 and I have anything in common.

17. Frat Boys
You are not going to be interested in me. I am not a bombshell blonde, and I have a kid. I also know you will probably have 20 other girls you talk to and party with from this site.

18. Gamers/Nerds
I know I will be second place to your Starwars collection and Halo 3. I do not like Dragoncon either. Can I dress up like Elsa? Probably not. If you are playing a video game in your picture-there is probably a reason you are on here. I am sure there is another girl on here interested in that, though.

19. I Like Long Walks on the Beach
I can tell when your profile is made up and stereotypical. Please be original. Do not make stuff up either. If you are lying now, you will lie later. You like beer and football, I am not dumb.

Also, if your first message to me is 2 pages long going on and on about you. I can totally tell you copy and pasted that. I definitely do not feel special, and I will ask you about you as the relationship develops. Let's not give everything away all at once. Boring.

20. Goes No Where
Cute-check, Success-check, Normal-check. I start talking to them. There is just zero chemistry for me. I just do not know if it is because of the online setting or what, but I feel nothing. I then do not want to move forward. After going through all of these in about a 3 day time period, I end up just deleting my profile.

Alone forever is what it is looking like, a guy I want is not going to be online in a dating site-he will be way more confident than that (I probably totally just dissed my own self since I was desperate enough to try it.) These guys embody everything I do not want. I cannot even make it to the dates because I just know I do not want to proceed with anyone. A girl just knows if it will happen or not. It might work for some-but for me it is another dead end.

Tips for a good profile:
-Having fun in your profile pic-hold a guitar, white water rafting
-Have more than one picture of your FACE that is not a pizza
-Originality in profile description
-Honesty
-Funny-Just not in a perverted way
-Going places in life-a chimney sweeper is not going places (literally talked to a guy who was proud to be a chimney sweeper, he won't stop snap chatting me to this day, that was a year ago.)
-A suit is HOT-Justin Timberlake should have taught you that
-Catch my attention and ask me on a date

These things do not exist in the online dating world or really even in reality, at least not for me booooo^^

I think online dating for me was God's way of telling me to put it in his hands, and for me to wait for the perfect guy when the time is ready. I am not saying all guys are like this either. There are some perfectly great guys-sadly that have all been swooped up and there is my dad who is an AWESOME man. I am just waiting for the right guy to change my mind about what I know about guys. I seriously know them and can read them better than any girl. When that guy changes my mind, I know it will be something special.

So for now, wine and Netflix it is.


I also have no idea how girls are with online dating, so I cannot critique them either since I do not swing that way haha. If you have a story please share! I would love to hear it from a guys point-of-view.



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Haha, I hope you enjoyed my failed attempt at online dating. Pretty much, I have been failing at dating altogether. Well, in another words, I have a lot of more exciting news and updates!

-Leighton is doing great, and she is four now! Oh my gawd! Where has time gone?? I mean look at this cutie...

-I am buying a new car tomorrow, this will be my first car purchase! I am going to get a 2014 Kia Sportage-I need it because...
-I just found out I have been hired as the Marketing Analyst for Sparkle Parper Towel's Brand Marketing Team at Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta starting November 3rd-Yippeeee!!! This is my dream job and everything I have ever wanted. The salary does not hurt either. I will finally be in a place to support a family of me and Leighton. Home purchase is definitely happening now! Plus full benefits: health, life, etc. This single mom has defeated most odds and that makes me feel so accomplished in life.
-Next week is Halloween;) my favorite holiday, Leighton will be Elsa, of course. We have a trunk-or-treat tonight at her school. I cannot wait for you guys to see our Frozen themed trunk!
-Then almost 2 weeks from today, I will be turning the big 2-4. I cannot wait for all that 24 years old will bring me. 23 has been great! I will be taking a trip to Gatlinburg, TN with family that weekend, and I cannot wait.

Thank you so much for reading, hope to post more soon!

Mallory

How to: Dollar Store Picture Collage

So I have been having a blast decorating my new office. One of my favorite things is my new wall decor as seen above.

This was a four dollar project! The other amazing thing was it was super duper easy. The results were amazing, and I have literally gotten so many compliments on it from clients that have come in.

First Step: I went to the Dollar Tree, my got to store for everything since I am on a budget to save for a house. I got 4, 5x7 gold frames. This of course equaled $4.

Second Step: I Googled images like "blue arrows" for the first picture and "gold dots" for the second picture and so on. I copied and past the pictures into a word document.I sized the pictures accordingly and printed them out on normal printing paper. 

Third Step: I cut out the pictures using the original paper slip from inside the frame that was there when I bought it. This helped me get the pictures to the appropriate size to fit into the frame. 

Fourth Step: I put the backs, back on the picture frame, and I was done. As simple as that!! I loved my cute little creation. 

I got to work and hung the pictures on the wall using those office push pins haha. Now it is there for my viewing pleasure.

Here are some other cute things around my office:

Loved this Aztec Lamp: Target $14

MY DIPLOMA!! Super proud to have this hanging up in my office. 

Chevron Vase: $3 Walmart

 The Nehi Orange Soda was from my boss and it looked so cute and vintage

 

I of course needed Mason Jars, they were left over from my party and made a great candy dish as well

Then my lovely picture of me and Leighton!

How cute did she look today for school? My baby is growing up! She started going to Primrose last week, and she loves it.

Well, I hope you enjoyed all the cuteness! There has not been too much going on with me. I have just been working and being a mom. I just got back from Savannah this past weekend which was a blast!

I have been budgeting my money like crazy to save for a house next year. I will have to share my budgeting tips next. I have also begun planning Leighton's birthday party next month. Frozen themed, of course. I will share all my tips, I promise!

Hope everyone has a great rest of their week!

Graduation Party

Hello Everybody!

I have been a little absent, okay a lot absent, and I apologize for that. After you see this post you will understand why, I have had my hands completely full. One reason is for my graduation party I completely planned. I had the help of my mom, sister, and my best friends too with crafting and planning, can't leave them out!

As you can figure out, I officially graduated college. Yayyyyy! Words cannot describe how happy I am that I am done. I officially have a BA in Marketing from Kennesaw State University. The theme to my party were my school colors, chevron, chalk board, and burlap. To sum it up it was an on-point southern style party haha.

Here's a picture from my graduation day, I did this all as a single mom. Not only that, but I graduated with honors under Cum Laude,
received all A's my last semester (I never got lower than a B my whole college career), my official GPA was a 3.7, I did 2 prestigious internships, was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (one of the top honors societies in the world) because I was in the top 10% academically at the Coles College of Business, I held a job for 3 years before my internships, I volunteered every where I could, and I had a full-time job in my field before I even graduated. This happened all within 4 years and 10 months. These are some major accomplishments, huh? I am pretty proud of myself. Okay enough tooting my own horn.


I am pretty proud of my party the most out of all my accomplishments lol, okay that is a lie. But, I just loved how it turned out. I just love party planning. So enjoy:)
Also, it was at my Grandma's new fully renovated house-Isn't it gorgeous!?!

Table 1: Refreshments

My absolute favorite table of the party!

Mason Jars, Baby Breath, and 2014 Tags bought off Etsy

 
Diploma Napkins, rolled napkins tied with ribbons and stuffed with forks to look like diplomas.

Refreshments in THE cutest drink dispenser from Costco, mason jars, with those amazing striped straws (adorable!) I bought the old window from this cute place in downtown Kennesaw for only $15! Slapped on some black and white photos and it was done. Could not get over how cute it was.

Drink container-$2 steal from Target, how I got it for that price I have no idea-but I had to brag lol!

Table 2: Champagne and Fruit Table

Yes, I made that wreath sooo simple and cheap! I will do a tutorial on it soon. Only cost me $10 bucks total to make! Can you believe that. Flutes for the Champagne were from the Dollar Store. Mmm the Champagne was awesome! Homemade fruit tray as well!

Table 3: Food Table

I loved this table!! Banner from Target and Balloons from Party America. Catering from Carriage House Catering in Marietta. The food could not stop getting talked about, it was sooo delicious. I recommend them to everyone! Cupcakes were from McEntyre's my ALL time favorite bakery. These cupcakes are hands down the best tasting cupcake you will ever put in your mouth. Here are links to both of these places:

Carriage House Catering

McEntyre's Bakery

Cupcake tower, toppers were from an Etsy shop, mason jars with Daisy flowers, Chevron picture frame from Hobby Lobby, I will get into the Smarties in just a second, and the black platter in the back I made:)

More yummy food!! I put the place mats underneath my homemade platter and had burlap table runners.

My home made food tags: card stock paper of your choice, cut to size and bent in half, stuck on a chalkboard tag and wrote with chalk board markers.

Got this idea off Pinterest, isn't it so cute!

Around the House:

 Graduation announcement pick-ups because silly me never had time to mail them.

Memory jar table: number 2 pencils, paper slips, and a jar is all it takes! There's my professional grad photo and tassel!

Ordered this adorable sign off Etsy.

This cute idea was hung up all over the house, my friends and family loved looking at these. It is a great way to display pics! All you need is developed pictures, clothes pins, and twine-hung up with tacks. Simple, easy, and cheap!

My greeting chalk board. Could not get over this. Simple project from Hobby Lobby. You can even have guest sign it with chalk board markers from Target.

Lastly, my Guestbook table. Just threw down a linen napkin which you have probably seen at a couple other tables in previous pics. It was like $3 at Hobby Lobby. The guest book was from Party America, and there's my cap I completely designed and made!!:)

I was so proud of my party hah. I wanted to cry once it was all put together. Did I mention I just love party planning. I can't believe I had it all put together after everything going on. Well, guys I did it!! I am done with college!!

Next up, Panama City Beach next week with my family, Leighton's ballet recital the next, and then I am relaxing the rest of the summer with a Savannah trip with my best friend, Sam in August. I will have so much free time outside of work it is going to be amazing. So, I will definitely get better about my blogging. I am also doing a Boot Camp exercise program with my best friend, Brittany in June. I will also get back to doing my weight loss posts, which I will admit I have done a horrible job with. That is why I haven't posted about it. Oops!

Now, it is time for the real world. I have my big girl job, but I see purchases of a new car and eventually moving out in the future. I am just so excited for what lies ahead, I just can't wait.

Hope you enjoyed this post and all my rambling! I will blog again soon!

Antique to Chic

First I have to say, I did a good job today following my exercise plan. I have eaten okay, and I woke up this morning to complete my first day of the 30 Day Shred! I am doing so far so good...but then again it is only day 1 haha!

Well tonight I am going to kind of do what I did with the jewelry knob holder and show you a finished product and describe what I did to complete it. About a year ago I found this adorable antique chair at an antique mall by my house. It was nothing much to look at from the beginning, but I have completely transformed it into a chic desk chair that goes great in my room! I so wish I had a before picture for all of ya'll to see the amazing transformation of this chair!

Well here is the finished product...

I just love this chair! It is incredible isn't it? You would have never guessed it was a run down old chair before I transformed it with just some paint and fabric!

Supplies: An antique chair (I got mine for only $15!), sand paper, white spray paint primer, spray paint color of your choice, fabric foam, 1 yard of fabric (your choice), scissors, staple gun with staples, and glue or hammer and nails

Step 1: I completely took the chair apart, well just the place where you sit. I took it out of the main part of the chair. Then take off the fabric and old foam on the circle part of the chair. You should only be left with a circle cardboard material.

Step 2: I sanded down the entire frame of the chair with sand paper. This requires major elbow work!

Step 3: When completely sanded, spray the white primer all over the chair. Once dry spray two coats of spray paint (color of choice)

Step 4: While the paint dries cut out foam to fit the circle seat of the chair. Put it on top of the circle cardboard part of the chair. Drape fabric on top of both foam and cardboard, pull very tight. Secure fabric with staples and staple gun on the bottom part of the circle.

Step 5: When chair is dry, you insert the circle fabric piece back into the frame of the chair. You can put hot glue around the frame of the chair where the circle part goes before you put it back in or hammer the circle part in with a couple of nails once it is in. Your choice!

This should be about it and you should officially have your cute chair to match any room. The antique feel of the chair just gives it the most perfect touch. I swear my blogs will have pictures next time since words can get confusing, but ask me any questions if you get lost. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I know I did! 

Exercising

Again, this post is a little different from most of mine. Since my schedule has been unusually hectic, I have had 0 time to create anything its been sorta depressing really. As soon as I graduate I will have sooo much time, I will go back to my crafting hobby. Only 23 more days!

So many updates to catch you guys up on! I have officially accepted a job offer this week with ETS Solutions in Kennesaw as a Client Services Manager. It is an IT Firm that I will be doing all sorts of different things for, but mostly I will be maintaining relationships with current clients. It is just a perfect job to manage a good quality of life which is important as a single mom. I already know everyone that works there so its like a little work family. Next week will be my last week at the Aquarium. I am going to miss it, but definitely not the traffic! I am super excited to start working on the 28th for my first full-time career!

I also went to Hobby Lobby on Friday to buy crafts for my grad party which is on May 18th. Here's a picture of everything below! I will finally have stuff to put on here that I will be making once I have time to start on these crafts. The projects will be ranging from a chalk board, a distressed window, a burlap banner, food signs, a burlap wreath, and diploma shaped napkins! It is going to be so much fun, and I will have so much to post about.

Now that most of my updates are out of the way, I want to talk about my main topic...

WEIGHT LOSS

With my crazy, hectic, busy, and exhausting schedule. I have put on so much weight from stress eating to never being able to make it to the gym. It has been so frustrating since I actually love to exercise and stay fit. I have decided since I barely fit in anything anymore and I have vacation in a month and 4 days, something has got to change.

November 2011 135lbs.

Today, April 2014 (Right) 168 lbs.

                     

It is pretty depressing to see the before and after picture. A 33 pound weight gain has been weighing pretty hard on me (pun intended). At least my sister and Leighton look cute in that picture. I have got to do something. I am done with excuses, and I am changing this week. Starting Monday, I am going to wake up at 7 am every morning (but Tuesday I will do it after work) and vow to do the 30 Day Shred by Jullian Micheals. I am also going to watch what I eat along with drinking lots of water, and hopefully I can shrink down a little bit before vacation. Also, once I start my new job which I has a gym in the building I will have time and a place to go workout. So, here is the link to the 30 Day Shred on YouTube: http://youtu.be/1Pc-NizMgg8

You guys need to hold me accountable! I am going to check in next Sunday with the updates! In the meantime, I going to also start back up with my breakfast smoothies. Here is a recipe I want to share, it is called "The High Protein Egg White Smoothie"

Preparation: 5 minutes   

Serves: 1 (16 ounces) 

• 1/3 cup AllWhites® egg whites
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1/2 kiwi peeled, coarsely chopped
• 1 pear (medium sized) peeled, chopped
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 container (6 ounces) nonfat strawberry yogurt

Combine all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

Tip: This recipe can easily be doubled. 

For the recipes and more go to this link:http://www.allwhiteseggwhites.com/recipes/strawberry-kiwi-pear-protein-smoothie-recipe/0074e

Hopefully I can inspire someone else on this journey with me! I will check in with you guys next week. Meanwhile, I will have another post tomorrow about a past craft I made! 

Also, HAPPY EASTER:)

Hair!

I have been extremely busy beyond belief, so my creativity has been lacking, along with any time I have to go to the thrift store. It is the end of classes so work is piling up: I have like 3 big papers, a project, and my finals coming up! Then I have had like 20 job interviews while working 30+ hours a week which is like 40 hours including traffic so bear with me!

So...just a heads up, this post is going to be all about me bragging and showing off my hair work. Turn away now if you do not want to see some adorable cute hairstyles! I just really want to display my work with Dolled Up and show off my hair styling skills!

Enjoy!


The Signature Waterfall braid:

Half-Up Half-Down Rose:

Love doing loose Up-dos:

Inside-Out Pony Tail Twists:

Half-Up Half-Down loose Twists:

High loose Up-do:

Dutch French Braid into a Braided Bun:

Low Up-do with a Braid:

My personal favorite hairstyle to do (and the easiest) The Upside down French Braid Bow:

These are just a few of my hair styles that I have done on my sister (in the blue) and my best friend (in the white). I just love doing hair and trying tutorials on them. I know how to do so much more: any braid, look, or style you'd want. I have my first bridal party I am doing next weekend for my start-up business Dolled Up. Let me know if you like something and I can do a hair tutorial for you guys!

I am doing a Hobby Lobby run on Friday when I finally get a day off. I will let you know of my next craft then! Have a wonderful week:)