Pinterest Project #1

Ok, so I realize it's been forever since I last posted a blog.  Life is busy and well, it just sometimes gets in the way of things I like to do, so I've been a little MIA.  Last I checked only two people read by blog anyway so I'm sure there aren't too many people loosing sleep at night over this! :)

Anywho, I recently have found another item to add to my list of ridiculous addictions I suffer from...these include reality tv, starbucks, shopping at Ross, and now Pinterest.  I'm sure I can think of a few more but these are probably my top three at the moment.  I know I'm not the only one though, so that's comforting! ha ha

Since Matt and I moved in to the rental house from the 1 bedroom apartment, I now have so much space to fill and decorate that I am constantly looking for new projects! So, a few weeks ago while searching Pinterest (like I do every night on my iphone before I fall asleep) I saw the cutest craft project ever so I decided to try it for myself finally.

I went out and purchased all the materials three weeks ago but have been too busy to actually work on it until today!

So....drum roll please...voila!  Here is my weekend Pinterest Project I finished today:

The best thing about it is that it is super easy!  Also, the entire project was rather inexpensive.  It turned out so cute!  I had a long section of the wall that enters the hallway off the kitchen that I felt just needed a little something so it didn't look so bare and this little project was the perfect fit!

What you'll need: (FYI, I purchased everything but the curtain rod at my local Michael's, the curtain rod came from Ross

Three photo frames (color/size/layout per your preference) - I lucked out and caught a clearance sale at Michael's so my frames were less than two dollars a piece, even the one with the matting!

1 1/2" sized ribbon of a pattern of your choice - (I bought three spools but only ended up using two) - the ribbon needs to be thick fabric type ribbon and Michael's has plenty of it!  It took me thirty minutes to pick out the pattern I wanted because there were SO many cute designs I couldn't decide!  I paid $3.99 per spool of ribbon.

Staple gun or glue, whichever you prefer.  I have both in my tool box but since I'm impatient I decided to use the staple gun rather than glue so I wouldn't have to wait for anything to dry.

1 curtain rod - I purchased mine at Ross for $4.99.  Ross, by far has the best prices on curtain rods.  I like curtain rods with cute knobs on the ends and they have plenty to choose from!

I didn't really use any specific measurements for the assembly...except for ensuring that I cut the ribbon the exact same size for the two smaller frames.  I also cut the bow ribbon the same length for both the smaller frame ribbons as well.  I really just eyeballed this and thankfully it turned out beautifully!

Another great thing about this project is that the customization is endless.  You can get different sized curtain rods to add even more frames or use larger or small frames and lay it out any way you want.

I don't know if my instructions will be easy to follow but here's what I did.

1. hang a curtain rod on the wall.  Do not use the brackets that are included with the rod as that will make the frames stand off from the wall too much.  I used nails to hang my rod and the curtain rod sits firmly on the nail head.  The rods with the swirly knobs on the end are easier because you can nail it to the wall thru one of the swirly ends to hold it in place better.  See example below:

2. I cut two ribbons the exact same length (about 24") and folded them in half.  I then used the staple gun to staple the ribbon to the back of each of the smaller photo frames so I now have something to hang on the rod.

3.  I cut another ribbon a little short than the last two.  This ribbon was for the larger frame in the center and it needed to be shorter so it would hang right.  I believe that one was about 20" in length.  I also folded it in half and used the staple gun to staple it to the back of the larger frame so it would now have a loop that could hang from the rod.

4.  Take the curtain rod off the wall and slide the photo frames on to the rod in the order of your preference (they hang from the loop you created by stapling the ribbon to the back of the frame in steps 2 and 3 and then  hang the rod back on the wall.  Be careful to ensure your curtain rod can withstand the weight.  Try to get the lightest photo frames you can find so you won't have to worry about the rod falling off the wall due to excessive weight.

5.  I cut three additional sections of ribbon that I used to tie bows towards the top of the loop hanger ribbon.  This was probably the hardest part of the project because bow tying  is not something I excel in so it took me a while to get the bows just how I wanted them.  Once that tedious task was complete I was done!

My instructions may not be the easiest to understand but the beauty of this do it yourself project is that you can customize it any way you want and that's the fun part!

Not only was this easy, it was inexpensive and turned out super cute!

Frames: $6.00
Ribbon: $8.00
Curtain Rod: $5.00
Total Cost: $19.00

If any one else has any do it yourself decorating crafts to share please do so!  After this being such a success I am in a crafty/design mood and would love a new project!

Stay tuned for my next post about my closet organizer installation project I did a few weeks ago!

It's a Beautiful Sunday Morning

It's a beautiful Sunday morning with a high of 75 degrees today, and it's still February!  I'm currently sitting on my porch drinking a second cup of coffee enjoying the slight breeze and the sunshine and giggling with excitement that I can wear my rainbow sandals today and not look like some crazy sandal wearing hippy that wears flip flops all year long...(yes, I'm one of those people). 

Unless there is snow on the ground, I will probably wear my rainbow sandals...that's just how I roll.

Anyways, one of my buddies at work shared a YouTube link with me the other day that was just amazing.  And sitting here looking at the beautiful sunshine makes me feel the need to share it...

I'd like to also take this time to remind everyone that life is precious.  Take advantage of every moment and let those you love the most know how much you love and appreciate them as often as possible. 



This little girl was 7 years old when she did this video.  Her voice will probably evoke a very emotional reaction in you...it brought me to tears - but then again that's not that difficult.

I'm the same woman that cries like a baby during Extreme Home Makeover on ABC and has cried at a few commercials involving babies...

Yes, me.  I'm not so dead inside after all lol.  Even the all mighty smart a$$ Jessica with the repulsive male sense of humor actually has an overly sensitive and emotional side.  It's even harder for me to admit it out loud than for you to believe it, trust me!  :-)

Music, Sunshine & Technology

Well, two exciting things have happened in the last 24 hours.

My friend Heather and I went to a concert last night at the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh.  It was a band called Punch Brothers. 

Believe it or not I like Bluegrass music.  Yes, the same girl that can go from listening to gangsta rap, to country, to heavy metal in fifteen minutes, likes bluegrass. It was a great show!

I tried to use my blackberry to take a video of the performance but it did not sound all that well and the video quality was crappy.  So below I have included their performance on David Letterman a few months ago performing one of my favorite songs called Rye Whiskey.

It was a good night.  Although I must be getting old because by like 10:30 I was tired and ready for bed!  lol

Then this morning I awoke to my blackberry crackin' out on me.  It would not make or receive calls for some reason.  Then it kept freezing on me and I got fed up with it and took my rear end to the Verizon store to see what I could upgrade to.  To make a long expensive story short, I upgraded to the DroidX.  I love it so far although I'm having a hard time getting used to the touch screen.  I've been on the BB for so long that this new fangled technology is going to take some gettin' used to.  :-)

Although the iPhone did look pretty - I still liked the DroidX better.  I hated to be that indecisive annoying customer but I really was torn - but I think I made the best choice.

And to top it all off, the weather this weekend has been absolutely beautiful.  I wore capri pants and flip flops today...oh how wonderful....

All in all, a pretty awesome weekend so far.

Good music, beautiful weather, and a new toy to play with...giggitty giggitty

Merry Christmas

Free Shipping Day 12-17-2010

Tonight as I was messing around on the Internet I found an article online about tomorrow being Free Shipping Day for hundreds of national retailers.  It directed you to a website where it listed the participating retailers, and surprisingly there are numerous retailers that I shop at that are participating such as Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Fossil, etc.

The major selling point in this annual tradition is that they guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve, which kind of results in Free Expedited Shipping and the convenience of not having to leave home to do your last minute Christmas shopping. 

I personally don't mind shopping and have done most of my shopping in the malls with coupons and by avidly watching my favorite retailers websites and signing up for electronic sales notifications and coupons.  However, there have been a few items that I have not been able to find so easily and because of this I have resorted to online shopping for these last minute items.

I was even lucky enough to find a seller through eBay that offered Free Priority Mail shipping so I should receive that item by the 23rd at the latest.

See below for the link to review the participating retailers and down towards the bottom there is a blog written about what the Free Shipping Day is all about.

Happy Shopping Everyone! 

Free Shipping Day

Lip Injections...Seriously?

Today is Sunday...one of my favorite days of the week. I usually relax, catch up on my laundry, and more importantly spend some quality time with my DVR. 

Today I watched the last three weeks of CSI and CSI Miami and well a whole slew of reality tv shows because I  have a mild addiction to reality tv, but that is an entire blog in and of itself after all...

Anyway, after watching only one episode of CSI Miami I had to hit pause and come write a blog...I literally couldn't stand it anymore.

What is the deal with the constant obsession in Hollywood with lip injections?

Maybe before I had HD television I wasn't so bothered by this phenomena but Sweet Baby Jesus I can't even watch Emily Procter anymore. Well I can. She's still beautiful...but I can't stop staring at her lips. I can't concentrate on what she's saying on the show because I'm thinking about how it looks like someone just punched her in the mouth. I haven't even finished watching the last episode because well...I just am so distracted.

See the before photo and the after photo.  While I understand pregnancy causes swelling, well last I heard it doesn't make your lips blow up...you can't even see it that well...try seeing it up close in HD...you'll understand.

This reminded me of why I stopped watching Army Wives. Kim Delaney left season 2 looking half way normal and then once season three started she had the "I just got punched in the mouth" look as well and her new mouth was so distracting I couldn't pay attention when I watched that show either...maybe I'm just weird though  Or maybe HD is ruining my television watching experience.

 *It's just a coincidence that both of these ladies were on CSI:Miami - I think?  Maybe?  Yes, most definitely.

I just dont understand the need for it. I'm all for some cosmectic plastic surgery if

A. you can afford it
B. you need it
C. it is really going to make you feel better about yourself

But Sweet Baby Jesus all wrapped up in His manger I just can't take it anymore!  I don't want to have to stop watching another show yet again because of unnecessary, highly distracting and (I hate to say it, kind of gross) lip injections.

Sorry Emily Procter and Kim Delaney, but after the whole Lisa Rinna fiasco I'm surprised you had the ballz to do it, just sayin'.

 Does this bother anyone else or am I really just that weird?  Yeah, you're probably right, it's just me.  I'm crazy...I know.  But seriously.  I loved me some CSI Miami and now...well I just can't take it.  I want to run up to her and scream Why?! Why?! For the love of God, Why?!

Now on to some randomness:

I'm in love with One Republic's new song "Secrets".  Well ok so it's not so new anymore because the radio is playing it out.  But still.  I love it.  I've included the video because I've listened to this song twice in the amount of time it took me to write this blog and I could listen to it fifteen more times and not care.

New Blog - Reader Beware

I love to blog.  Back when Myspace wasn't lame I used to blog quite a bit.  But since Myspace is dead I now have to start all over.

At one point over there I had about 24 subscribed readers.  After all of my posts I usually had quite a few comments and discussions.  By no means was I a blogging celebrity over there, but at least some people, and some of them I didn't even know in real life, actually read my thoughts and ideas.

For months so many exciting, humorous, irritating, and down right crazy things have happened to me or to people I know... or to people I don't know even, that I've wanted to write about.

But I didn't.

I didn't because my blog was dead.  No one is there to read my ideas and if there might possibly be a few people left over there still using Myspace and better yet, blogging over there, well sadly they are lame and I don't want to be friends with them anyway ha ha.

Seriously though, from now on I hope to use this new blog to write and maybe just maybe if I'm lucky enough I will gain a few subscribed readers here too.  Never know until you try...

Also now may be a good time to warn you that I'm a smart@ss with a dry, sometimes cynical yet hilariously funny sense of humor and that I may use "adult" language, especially on posts when I'm heated about particular topics. Don't worry.  My language probably won't offend you because you will be too busy laughing at how crazy I am.  No really.  You might even drool on yourself or have an "accident" in your pants.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Stay tuned for blogs to come...and subscribe...if for no other reason so that I get a get self validation and the  swelled head I need to think I'm more important and relevant than I really am. Ha Ha

P.S.

At the end of my blogs I try to add something random that doesn't have anything to do with the post I'm writing.  Today's randomness:  The new Coldplay song "Christmas Lights".  Love it!  Love it!  Love it!  I've even posted the video below for your own enjoyment.  I know you'll love it too.  If you don't then you suck and can't be my friend anymore.