How To Wake Up The Vintage Babe In You~

Hey Ladies! It's Friday, and we still have one more long weekend before we have to get back into the swing of things. Ok, I admit it, I have been rather lazy but I refused to stay in my pj's today. It's been vintage dress day around here. Oh, how I long to be a vintage beauty!

I absolutely love vintage clothes! They are pieces of history displayed as art on the body. I have worn many styles of dresses in my days, but nothing compares to my vintage dresses in design, quality and beauty. So, I enlisted my hubby to take some fun photos of me in my vintage attire. Here are a few of his favorite pics. :)

Recently I stumbled upon a ebook that blew my mind. This book has all the info you need to dress like a vintage beauty. Click Here!

If only I would have had this book when I started my vintage clothing search. Oh, and did I mention its a ebook. How awesome is that! Between my iPhone and iPad I'll always have it at the push of a button. Gotta love technology!

So what are you waiting for? Go get the book, bring out the babe and have a vintage dress kind of day! Jamie

Resolution~ 2012

Okay party people~ It's time to start thinking about what you want 2012 to be like. What you resolute to do and not to do. I have so many things on the list this year its hard to put them into words. It's like trying to catch a lizard and just when you think you've caught him by the tail, it falls off. But I'll start with what I know for sure that I wish for 2012~
1~ To BE HAPPY and have overflowing joy in my life!
2~ To find the blessings in the little things and enjoy it!
3~ To slow down in trivial stuff and speeding up in the important!
4~ To feel alive, present, not a walking, talking, auto-mode machine!
5~ To get organized!
6~ To be creative and not worry if someone else likes it~ Do I like it?
7~ To cook like a pro (chopped style) and even if it doesn't taste good I enjoyed making it!
8~ To enjoy caring for my yard. Cutting and pruning till I live in a secret garden!
9~ To take pictures of everything and everyone. People won't recognize me without the camera!
10~ To embrace the face, the body, the real me and be okay!
11~ To laugh a lot! Pee your pants kinda laugh! Everyday!
12~ To be passionate and compassionate!
13~ To remember life is short every time I look at my children!
14~ To love my husband more and more. After all he is 2nd to God.
15~ To let go of the past. It will not define me or confine me any longer!
16~ To get organized!!! Yes it's worth repeating!
17~ To simplify! Clutter has to go.
18~ To live healthy! Better eating and exercise plan.
19~ To stop striving for empty and meaningless things! Goodbye Credit Cards!
20~ To look up, breathe in and shout out, I am blessed and believe it! Everything is not perfect nor does it have to be. Jamie, you do not have to be perfect (internal pep talk)! Enjoy life, focus on the beauty in things, give up the mask, walk with confidence and be patient! Life is good! Does your attitude know that? If it doesn't change it!

Ok ,so there it is. Well at least 1% of it. I better go get started on one of these. I think it will be organizing the pantry today. Be Blessed! Jamie

Merry Christmas~

Merry Christmas~ I must have been a very good girl this year. My sweet hubby got me a Canon EOS Rebel T3i for Christmas. I have been in picture taken heaven all morning~ Here are my 3 favorite gifts every Christmas~

Here is my new toy~

Hope everyone feels as blessed as I do~ Jamie

All I want for Christmas~

Christmas is upon us all wrapped up with beautiful bows, twinkling lights, and excited eyes. The snow has fallen to brighten the beauty of the coming day and I ponder, what do I really want for Christmas this year~
I want to wake up to this view on Christmas morning. Where the light dances and sparkles on trees~

Source: etsy.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I want to see a church covered in snow. The mountains blanketed in white~

Where the colors of Christmas match the sky~

Source: google.co.za via Jamie on Pinterest

To view a snowman smile as he graciously allows a bird to rest~

Source: robinstubbert.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I want to laugh in the snow~

Source: lovecreative.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I want a warm house for all who inhabit it~

Source: seasonal-love.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

To taste something sweet and beautifully red~

Source: smells-like-home.com via Jamie on Pinterest

To see the wonder of Christmas through a child's eyes~

Source: unskinnyboppy.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

To cry when I see Santa, give credit where credit is due~

To feel lavished in a warm glow, and sip coffee with my best friend~

Source: smuckermfg.net via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: christmaspastpresentcom.blogspot.com via Jamie on Pinterest

And most of all when this Christmas comes to an end. That I would remember Jesus is all I need and the greatest gift ever given to me~ Jamie

Source: likeasongofgrace.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Wine Bottle Christmas Tree~

Disclamier~ Must be 21 to complete this project and strongly recommend, that you do not run to the store and down as many wine bottles as you can before Christmas. LOL~

I recently saw on another blog the use of wine bottles and candles as a centerpiece, with interchanging accent pieces for every season or hoilday. Here is the post where I got the inspiration. Thanks Jen from Consinger Designer.
The Consigner Designer: MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT!

Isn't her idea awesome~ So I got out some of the ornament I wasn't using. I was just going to place them at the bottom but then............ I got wild and placed one of the ornaments my son made for me around the neck of the blue bottle. I thought, Oh I like where this is going! I added a tree topper and the light bulb was flipped in the on postion. How about a Wine Bottle Christmas Tree? Oh yah! Here is my design~

Isn't it cute! :)
I don't know if you can see but all the bottles are different colors. The clear one in the back is filled with red crinkled paper shred. It was so much fun making this Wine Bottle Christmas Tree. Happy Homemaking and Merry Christmas~ Jamie

GIVEAWAY WEDNESDAY~ Courtesy of Fat Quarter Girls Bags n Things

Remember that awesome sister I was telling you about. She just got awesome~r! She is sponsoring my first ever GIVEAWAY. YAH~ I'm so excited!!! Starting today till December 31st, you have 3 ways to enter to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck ladies~ The winner will be posted on my blog and Fat Quarter Girls Bags and Things Facebook page. Jamie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Peanut Butter Banana French Toast~

~Our Tuesday Special~
~Peanut Butter Banana French Toast~

Bet you can't say that 5 times fast! And probably not as fast as it was eaten. Wanna dress up a family favorite? Let's go~ Cook your french toast as normal. I don't follow a recipe but here is one very similar to the one I make.

This is a French toast recipe with eggs and bread.
Ingredients:

4 eggs
1 teaspoon sugar, optional
dash salt
1 cup milk
10 to 12 slices white bread
butter
maple syrup or other syrup
Preparation:

Break eggs into a wide, shallow bowl or pie plate; beat lightly with a fork. Stir in sugar, salt, and milk.
Over medium-low heat, heat griddle or skillet coated with a thin layer of butter or margarine.

Place the bread slices, one at a time, into the bowl or plate, letting slices soak up egg mixture for a few seconds, then carefully turn to coat the other side. Soak/coat only as many slices as you will be cooking at one time.

Transfer bread slices to griddle or skillet, heating slowly until bottom is golden brown. Turn and brown the other side. Serve French toast hot with butter and syrup.
Recipe for French toast serves 4.

Once you have two slices and they are nice and hot, spread some peanut butter on them. Use however much you like. I heap it on! :) My husband used Almond Butter on his and it was delicious. It gave it a more nutty flavor. Next slice your banana into 1/2 inch pieces and lay them on one slice of your french toast. Once you have that done, place the second piece on top, peanut butter side down. Now it's time to slab on some butter and syrup and if that wasn't enough, sprinkle with fairy dust (confectioners sugar)
I felt rather sophisticated while eating breakfast this morning. It was simple but dressed up. Which makes mom look like an awesome cook! I'll never tell~ Jamie
 Linking up with 

Fat Quarter Girls Bags n Things~

I have an amazing sister who makes purses, totes and more. These make for wonderful gifts. She made a tote for me for my birthday. It's so pretty and holds all my girly goodies. Check out her store on facebook and if you don't mind, leave some sweet comments before you go:) Thanks!
Jamie
(Fat Quarter Girls Bags n Things)

Get comfy and stay awhile~

Hello blog world~
I'll just start by saying this blog thing is so much fun!

I have spent countless hours in awe of other blogger gals. These ladies are so creative! These blog challenge me and encourage me to get all these crafty projects and hair brained ideas out of my head.
I love what these blogs convey. Come in and get comfy. This is what my life is about and these are the cute faces in my world. Just look at these ideas and decor projects I've been working on. Wanna try my favorite recipes. Their easy too. Oh and by the way, thanks for stopping by. Come back again real soon. Your sweet comments make my day.
Isn't it nice to be liked for just being you!
Thanks to all the amazing blogger women out in the world. Your blogs have provided so much entertainment and knowledge to this newby. Thanks for inviting me into your home. Its been a comfy stay. Jamie
P.S. Bet you can't guess what I'll be doing today!

Warning: All BFF's Will Want One~ Message Board Tutorial~

WHOO... That's me breathing out a sigh of relief, that I finally finished the Message Boards I made for my special friends. Along the way, my ideas of how I'd make it and what I'd use changed and left me in a whirl wind of make up your mind already decisions. I must say that a lot of heart went into these. From the fabric to the push pins and the little words that reflect the special things I adore about my friends. They say if you have one true friend in life that you are truly blessed and that I am.

Here is a tutorial of how I made these Message Boards~
*Items to buy
*Picture Frame
*Foam Board the size of frame
*Cork Roll with adhesive to cover foam board
*Fabric to cover foam and cork board
*Spray paint
*Push pins
*Decorative scrapbooking pieces and inspirational stickers
*Wall hanger

First decide what size frame you want to use. I used a 11X14. I kinda wish I would have gone a little bigger but the bigger sizes are harder to find and usually custom made. I spray painted the frames black.

I'm seriously thinking about hanging some picture frames from the tree after this. The branches make awesome hangers and the photo changes with every season. I captured my cute little doggy in this one. See him by the fence barking at the neighbors.
Next cut the foam board to the same size as the backing from frame. I traced the outline and then used a razor blade to cut it. My scissors were having a hard time or maybe it was just my hand that was struggling.

Repeat this step with the cork roll and attach it to the foam board.

Next cut your fabric to overlap edges and hot glue the fabric to back of foam board. Pull the fabric tightly between each section you glue, to keep from have loose fabric in the front.

Oh and by the way if your fabric in wrinkled, iron it before hand. I have some really awesome stuff that I sprayed on to relax the wrinkles, so I didn't have to iron. Yah Me!!!

Now that you have your fabric securely glued to the foam board, grab the backing that came with frame and hot glue that over the back to give your message board a more polished look. Attach a wall hanger to the middle of your frame.

Ok ladies, this is were the fun begins! Flip it over and decorate~
Before~

After~

This project is super easy but will be a lasting reflection of how wonderful your BFF really is!
Jamie~

Message Board~

Hello Sweets~
I'm sure all my fabulous friends are completely finished with Christmas shopping. Unfortunately this girl still has lots to do. The hardest shopping moments for me, come when I'm shopping for a Christmas gift for my friends. My girlies have to put up with a lot to be friends with me. So they deserve more than a pat on the back, RIGHT!?! They need to know how special they are to me. Something coming straight from the heart. As I write this I'm thinking, well they would probably rather have a gift card from some coffee place but sorry girls it's my choice and it's a message board this year. So here goes.... Say a prayer that I'm not to embarrassed to give it to them when its complete, and I'll post pictures after I'm finished putting all my heart, sweat and tears into it... maybe...

Christmas Tree 2011~

I had to post pics of my Christmas tree so ya'll could see my new ornaments. This will be my first nautical/vintage looking tree and even though it's not quite complete, I'm liking the look so far.
Here is the newest addition to the tree. My vintage looking, sailboats. I just love them!

I'm still really proud of how this DIY ornament turned out. It looks real pretty here.

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to take a picture of the tree. The lighting had to be just right and I had to zoom in and then out. I tried the lights on and off and after 20 or more choices of pics, I decided I probably had one good one in there.:) So here is one of the better shots.

Merry Christmas~

Ocean Dining~

Hello Sunday! It's been a fun day of blog hopping! I have been looking for unqiue and beautiful ways to decorate my house all day. Preferably Sea influenced decor. This fabulous blogger created a perfect seaside table scape. One that requires mermaid attire~:)

Source: eclecticallyvintage.com via Kelly on Pinterest

They say the highest form of flattery is imitation and I plan to duplicate and imitate as soon as possible. Thanks Kelly, from eclecticallyvintage.com

Seashell Christmas Ornament ~

Seashells have been a favorite decor item of mine for some time now. When it was time to decorate the tree this year, I began my hunt to find anything beachy to put on the tree. I looked at many stores with no luck. Then I had a light bulb moment and took what I had beachy at the house and made my own ornaments. It's so super easy, even the kids made one. Here is the tutorial. Hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Find a box of plain and light weight ornaments. I used these because they were the cheapest I found at my local craft store.

Purchase a bag of small shells. The small ones seem to work better but any variety will do, just make sure you love the way they look!
I used a hot glue gun to attach seashells to ball. Place them as close together as you can. Don't worry about the small gaps in between, we will fix that in a minute. Once you have the whole ornament covered it will look like this.

Now its time to fill those holes. I used decoupage glue. It dries clear. I was going to use Elmer's but was unable to find it. I'm wondering if I would even reccomend the Elmer's glue, after how well the decoupage glue worked out. I think anything would work as long as it dries clear. I placed a piece of newspaper underneath this part of project to catch any of my mess. Once you have a section with glue began to sprinkle sand. Don't be frugal here. Sprinkle heavily! Repeat until completely covered in cracks and crevasses with sand. Allow to dry.

Once your ornamnet is dry attach a bejewled hook and now you have the SEA on your Christmas tree!

Enjoy~ Jamie

Many Plans~

So, I will be upfront with you and tell you that I have many plans, little action.  I have a ADHD mind.  It jumps from one excited idea to the next.  I recently stumbled upon some awesome blogs on how to refurbish antique furniture and caught the bug.  I rushed out to all the thrift stores and bought up the cheapest furniture with character that they had.  Right now the sit in my garage, lonely, used furniture waiting to be transformed to their former glory.  I'm hope by posted this and putting it into the internet air waves, I will be able to get off my keyster.  I will, I CAN! sorry (internal pep talk) Anyway, I will take before and after shots. I'm excited!

I AM BLESSED!

So many days we waste our time and energy focusing on the negative.  Look up, take in a deep breathe and shout out I AM BLESSED!