Friday 15: Fall Favorites

I've mentioned a few times how much I love fall. Today seems like the perfect time to list 15 of my favorite things about it.

1. Our wedding anniversary!
2. Wearing hoodies (even at 7 mo. pregnant I can still sport a hoodie!)
3. Drinking cider
4. Having the house windows open (until it gets too cold)
5. Harvest in the fields
6. A trip to the pumpkin patch - our annual tradition
7. Wearing boots
8. Eating turkey turkey turkey
9. Scarves, I can finally wear all my colorful scarves!
10. Trick or Treat candy - it doesn't last long in our house, though
11. Football season - Bear Down!
12. Dying my hair darker
13. Changing color of leaves
14. It's not hot - I do not like hot (a/k/a Summer)
15. Decorating our porch with corn stalks!

There are more things, but it is Friday 15 after all.

What are some things YOU would add to the list? Comment below . . .

Happy Fall!

DIY Mug Lights.

It's Holiday craft bazaar season. In a couple weeks I'll be headed to my first one of the season. One thing I find myself doing at these bazaars is saying "I could totally make that" or "that would be simple to recreate" and then I don't buy it. But I let time pass and I never make said craft. It's a funny thing.

Another thing I enjoy doing is going to friends' houses and appreciating how they've made their homes unique to their personalities. You all remember my friend Tracy's hair dryer & curling iron storage solution made from PVC pipe that her dad created - man, did THAT became oh so popular! Well, now it's time to showcase my friend Sarah's husband's handy work.

What would YOU do if you had boring stock can lights in your kitchen? Live with them or buy a lighting kit and a couple of mugs and make something awesome? Sarah and her husband Aaron chose to create unique and clever lighting over their kitchen island!

I asked Sarah to brief me on she and her husband's experience making these and this is what she said, "We already had can lights, so he bought the hanging kit at Lowes. I think it was $10ish. There are other kits you can buy if you don't have exisiting can lights. I bought the mugs at Target for 25 cents on clearance. Then he drilled a hole in the bottom of the mug and put it together. That's it. Voila!"

$10?

25 cents?

Clearance?

Voila?

All music to my ears!!

I love how these look in their kitchen! You could do this yourself, but make sure you take necessary precautions before starting a project like this . . . um, you know, like turning off the power first. And, maybe hiring an electrician? I'm not good with electrical stuff, so I really don't know. But luckily Sarah has Aaron to do these sort of things for her!

Happy decorating!

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Thanks to everyone that entered the Julep Beauty Maven giveaway! It was fun to host and I think I'd like to do a giveaway again. Especially if Julep accidentally sends me a second box again (ha!)

Last night around 11 p.m. I picked a winner! I used a random number generator from 1-40 and the #16 came up!

The 16th eligible comment was Rachelle's!

Awww thanks, Rachelle and oh, congratulations! I'll be in touch about getting your Maven box to you as soon as possible!

If you're interested in taking the Maven quiz, becoming a Julep Maven or discovering more about the Maven Beauty program, click here.

Happy Beauty-ing! (ha)

Friday 15: Ways my husband and I are different.

My friend Kelly at Old Blue Silo recently posted a list of 15 ways she and her husband differ. I typically steer clear of most things "personal" on this blog of mine, but I agree with Kelly's that it's nice to get to know the person who writes the blogs we read regularly. Plus, I just think it is a fun idea!

Mike and I just celebrated our 2 year anniversary, have a baby on the way, are enjoying our new home and love laughing together. There are many ways in which we are similar and many more ways in which we are different. To be cliché (because I can), the things that make us different are why we work. I've always thought we are well-balanced.

So, anyway, I asked my hubby to make a list of how he and I are different to see what he came up with.

 

My husband loves lists (as do I, one of the ways we are the same) so coming up with 15 things wasn't hard at all for him. In fact, within about 5 minutes of my request I had an email in my inbox from him with a complete list. But I thought that I could add a few of my own, too. He can't get all the credit!

Also, I've decided to make this a whenever I feel like it regular feature on the blog and I'll be calling it "FRIDAY 15." Guess what day I'll be posting the lists? Guess!

1. He doesn't cry, like ever. I cry about every other day (I'm so sensitive). 
2. He doesn't enjoy reading, I do.
3. He enjoys hard rock music & edgy bands that wear black. I listen to christian, country, pop and indie music. 
4. He drives an automatic car. I drive a stick shift.
5. He would prefer to hire a professional to build, fix or install. I would prefer to DIM (Do It Myself).
6. He doesn't care what people think about him. I care about everything people think, feel, smell, hear, see, etc.
7. He likes tea. I love coffee.
8. He prefers our bedroom to be Antarctica cold at night with no covers. I prefer it be 72 degrees and comfy with blankets. 
9. He gets up the second his alarm sounds. I hit snooze about 4,722 times.
10. He does most the chores at home. I fail to see the purpose unless we have company coming over.
11. He grew up with an extended family of mostly males. I grew up in a family of mostly females.
12. He loves mushrooms. Mushrooms make me gag.
13. He loves to cook. I love to bake.
14. He remembers EVERYTHING. I already forgot what I had for breakfast.
15. He was born in the 70s. I was born in the 80s. 

That was fun! If you'd like to make a list of 15 ways you and your hubby (or you and your wife) are different, post on your blog and leave a comment below with a link so I can check it out!

Until next time. . .

Happy listing!

Become a Maven.

I like new stuff.

I like free stuff.

I also like cheap stuff.

I also like new, really good quality stuff at cheap prices.

Enter . . . Julep's Become a Maven program.

A couple weeks ago, I became a Maven. So, yes, please address me as Maven Angela from now on, thank you.

But I digress (as I often do). . .

Are you familiar with Julep? No?

The gist of Julep's Maven program is this: You are given exclusive access to new color! Each month they hand-pick trendsetting new nail colors, cult faves and cutting-edge beauty products that are just right for you and send them to you in a set. These are full-sized products at a discounted price. Commitment shy? No problem. You decide how often to receive your Julep Maven box, and you can cancel at any time. It's fun to get new FULL SIZE products in the mail, no? And when the products are quality, that's even better!

PLUS! Right now if you join the Julep Beauty Maven subscription program like I did, you can get your first box free (plus $3.99 s/h) if you use the code: FREEBOX at checkout! (expires 12/13/13). It works, that's what I did!

PLUS PLUS! If you're interested in receiving an additional 4% cash back on that box through Ebates click here.

I'm really excited to get a box each month with new things to try! And if I ever decide I don't want to do it, I can cancel. How great!

So about a week after becoming a Maven I received my first Maven box - complete with black confetti! . . . it's the small things that make me happy!

Here's what all was inside:
• Mint Condition Pedi Creme
• Nail Moisture Mask
• Julep nail polish ("Courtney - Boho Glam")
• Julep nail polish ("Marion - It Girl")

So far, I've used the pedi creme and the Marion nail polish. This polish is legit, yo. Here's a picture of my nails TODAY, nails I painted on Monday! No chips, even after 2 pool visits on vacation this week.

Why am I telling you about this, you ask? Well it's because a few days after I'd signed up to be a Maven, I got an email telling me that they accidentally sent me TWO of these Maven boxes. So, I've decided to share the extra one with one of my readers!


Hey, that's you!

One of my lucky readers will received the extra Maven box - unopened, with the four items listed above - in their mailbox from me. 

Here's how to enter:
Each reader can enter 4 ways. It's really very simple. Leave a comment here on this post according to the options below and receive an entry each time!

***EACH COMMENT is an entry, so be sure to comment separately for each task you complete! ***

1. Go here to the Julep site, take the style profile (it's really quick). Come back and leave a comment here telling me what style Maven you are. (Like: I'm "Boho Glam").  - RECEIVE ONE ENTRY!

Additional entries: 
2. Click here to "like" Don't Worry. Be Happy. Keep Learning. on Facebook, then comment here telling me you LIKE DWBHKL on Facebook - RECEIVE ANOTHER ENTRY!

3. Once you've "liked" my page on Facebook, SHARE my status about this giveaway on Facebook (I just love it when people share) then comment here telling me you shared my status. - RECEIVE ANOTHER ENTRY!

4. Click here to "like" Julep on Facebook then comment here telling you like them on Facebook. - RECEIVE ANOTHER ENTRY!

Be sure to read the rules below to be completely eligible. It's not too complicated, I promise.


I can't wait to send this gift set off to one of you! Now, go like, share and comment to be entered to win! You've got a week to get it done! But I'd recommend doing it today!

-------------------------- the fine print & very important schtuff --------------------------

1. All blog comments MUST include your email address in the comment, so I can contact you if you win. If you don't provide an email address, you're not eligible.

2. You must provide at least a first name (no anonymous commenters, please)

3. I will use a random draw generator to choose the winner on November 1, 2013. If you are the winner, I will email you to get your address for mailing this box of awesome to you.

4. There is no cost to enter.

5. There is no obligation to purchase anything from Julep to enter.

6. I am not being paid by Julep in any way to offer this giveaway. I'm just being nice with my extra box they sent me.

7. Thank you for being a reader. I value your visit.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Styling!

Lamp revamp and such.

I haven't begun nesting yet. At least I don't think I have.

However, there are little "projects" around my house that I've been checking off my list.

One project that I've been meaning to do is spray paint some lamps. There's this one lamp in our living room that I've had a few years but never loved the GOLD. Not my style.

I removed the finial and shade. Then, I grabbed a can of spray paint and went to work.

First I taped off the part of the lamp that I wanted to save. You can't see it in any pictures, but I do like the reddish color on the top portion of the base, so I decided to keep it.

Then I sprayed it down using a metallic spray paint.

I used a cardboard box under the lamp in our garage, because it was raining. But in hindsight, I'd recommend using a larger piece of cardboard or doing it outside. I sort of left a mark on the garage floor. Oh well, character!!

I love how the lamp turned out. Even my hubby said he prefers the new color over the old gold.

And looking at the side by side of how it used to look, I like it even more!

While I was painting that lamp, I decided to spray a lamp I've had just sitting around (shade-less) that I plan to work into the baby room. I don't have a shade yet (so I won't show you the finished product) but it's one less thing to paint later. Plus, I just love this pewter color metallic spray paint!


Another small item on my to-do list was creating a bumper-like something or other for behind our trash can. I didn't take a before picture, but let's just say our trash can lid was tearing up the drywall behind it. Every time the trash can got scooted back against the wall the lid scraped against the paint. Over the last 9 months in our home, we had created quite the impression on said wall. So, I painted a piece of scrap wood and screwed it into the wall.

Now, if it scrapes the wood, I can just paint over it and our wall is saved.

I also cleaned out an old powder foundation container to use as safety pin storage. The plastic insert that sifts the power is easy to pop out and toss. The rest just needed a good clean.

It goes right into our "junk" drawer but it has a screw cap that keeps the pins secure.

I know these are all such little fixes, but they are 3 things checked off my ever-growing to-do list. It feels good to have a couple small projects finished!

Happy Day!

Raspberry Lemonade Sprite.

Today I was super thirsty. I'd had my share of water (it's all I ever drink except coffee). But today water wasn't quenching my thirst. I'm not typically a pop drinker, but we did have some Sprite in the refrigerator and since it's caffeine free I can have it!

But I don't love the taste of Sprite.

Then it dawned on me! I have flavor packs. I have Sprite. I have thirst.

BOOM!

I introduce Raspberry Lemonade Sprite!

Happy sipping!

Make an old vase new with burlap.

I'm gaining attraction to burlap.

As you may have seen, I used burlap "ribbon" (as I call it) on my Spring wreath. Then again this week I made flowers for my Fall wreath using burlap. I didn't stop at that, though.

Now I've used burlap to revamp a vase.

I keep hinting at the mantel project my grandpa and I have been working on. Now that it's up on my wall (blog to come soon, I promise!) I can put stuff on it! Like seasonal decor and picture frames!

I wandered around Hobby Lobby the other day and stumbled upon the vases. But, remember, I'm cheap? So I scratched buying one [for at least $25] and decided to use the green burlap ribbon I had in my hand already to go home and redo a vase I already had. If my husband is reading this: You're welcome, honey, for being thrifty!

This is how you could do it, too . . . All I used was an old vase, burlap "ribbon"and a glue gun!

See the sliver of a mantel there? Yup, that's the one I keep talking about. Oh, how I can't wait to show you. That post will take me a while to write, though, so hold tight.

Happy Fall, y'all!

Make a new Fall wreath.

I love Fall. There are so many things that make me happy this time of year. Today I wore boots. That makes me happy!

Another thing that makes me happy about Fall is the opportunity to switch out my front door wreath. If you remember back in March I made a Spring Wreath for our front door. I had every intention of changing this wreath out sometime during the Summer, but it never happened. It was really pretty and I just left it there. But now that it's Fall, it needs to change! I made a Fall Wreath last year, but I wanted something new and different this year!

I have been seeing a lot of wreath pins on Pinterest and finally decided the next thing for me was the one that required making felt flowers. Looked easy enough! So I got to work! Here's basically how it went . . .

It was super easy! And since the felt worked out, I decided to use the yellow burlap ribbon from my Spring Wreath and made another flower with that. It turned out cute, I think! I got all the felt, corn and leaf extras from Hobby Lobby (could spend a fortune there!) and I even used a coupon. p.s. All their fall decor is 40% right now . . . hurry!

Keep an eye here on the blog for a post about my new mantel! My grandpa and I have been hard at work and it's finally affixed to my wall and we love it! I can't wait to share about it!

Happy Fall, y'all!

It's a...

We've known now for over a month the gender of our baby on board. I'm excited to share how we told our parents, grandparents and siblings. We didn't need to come up with a big grand idea to blow them away, but we wanted it to be more special than just saying "Hey, it's a ---" That would've been boring. We're not boring.

So I did a ton of online searching for ways to do "gender reveals" but none were really doing anything for me. Then, I came across a baby shower favor that I loved! If you look at a HERSHEY bar you'll notice "HE" is at the beginning and "SHE" is in the middle. Whichever part you color in will show what baby is.

So that's the one I went with for a couple reasons. 1) It's cheap! A 6 pack of HERSHEY bars is a few bucks and 2) It's not elaborate like balloons or baking a cake with color inside (who has time to bake a cake?)

I ran to the store, bought the HERSHEY bars, went home and busted out my Sharpies. Here's how they turned out!

YEP! It's a girl!

Here's how our family saw the HERSHEY bars to start. Once they unstuck the note the SHE was revealed.

I was shocked when the tech said "girl" but apparently Mike wasn't. <-- and that shocked me, too. I was so sure it was a boy, so it took a while for the "girl" thing to set in. Now I'm thrilled!

We're so nervous overwhelmed excited to be parents. I know it's going to be the best and most high pressured job I ever have, but I'm ready. I've been ready. And I can't wait!

Happy Day!