11 months

Dining Room Chair Make-Over!

It’s amazing how much sprucing up a can of spray paint can do. My dining room furniture was in need of a serious face lift but I really did not want to spend the money on new chairs. Since I was gifted this totally awesome bench, I thought I’d save myself some money and just spray paint all my chairs, add new fabric to the bench and wa la! Facelift minus the $$.

Before I start, it’s important to understand two very critical points of my DIY mind.

One: Any DIY project I embark on must be simple & easy. Period.

and Two: I truly believe every DIY project should have mistakes and errors.

So with that being said, if you are a dynamite DIY’er than not only am I jealous of you but I believe you should stop reading the remainder of this post and simply take a look at my before & after pictures.

Ok, so here’s what I used for my chair update project:

 

6 cans of spray paint

Yup. That is it. There was no prep work, no sanding. I just grabbed a chair, took it outside and away I spray painted. Nice, huh? I even ran out of spray paint with one chair to go so I had to run into Home Depot unplanned, bought the wrong color paint and didn’t realize it until I was done with my last chair. Now I have one chair that is a different color. But like I said, DIY are supposed to have mistakes, right? (ok, ok I’m going to re-spray paint the chair.. but I’m not in a hurry)

I did use a few more tools for my bench update but since I love it so much, I’m giving it its very own post at a later date.

I’m falling in love with spray paint the more I look at my dining room chair make-over. Don’t you think it looks so much better? I do. I’m loving it. It’s a nice, fresh update for this long winter and who knows maybe next year I’ll take the plunge and buy a matching dining set.. but until then…. Happy Spray Painting!

 

Currenlty.

Loving: my new iPhone! I've been wanted an iPhone for months now and we finally got them. Needless to say, I'm spending hours getting caught up on Siri talk, Instagram and all the other lovely features of this teeny tiny little robot.

Wanting: A pair of black boots! I bought a tan colored pair of boots last month and I literally wear them every single day. It's ridiculous, I need a pair of black ones baaddd.

Working on: a bench remodel. I was gifted a bench for my dining room table and I'm in the process of painting it white and putting new fabric on. I can not wait to show you the before & after pics. Hopefully next week!

Excited for: Thanksgiving weekend! My dad flies up tomorrow, we have four days in row off... no work. Just family, fellowship & food. YES PLEASE.

Wishing: I was down in Washington with all of YOU right now. We send our love and are there in spirit though.

Organizing: Christmas gifts! I've just about got everyone figured out except Paul.. and Mason. well, there's just not enough money in the world to buy everything for Mason, which is exactly what I want to do. There are SO many cute toys, clothes & shoes that he needs. ha. I'm happy to be organized this year and ready to press 'buy' online or hand over some hard earned & saved cash in the upcoming weekends.

Writing: a post called: Family Photos. Is it just MY family or do men seriously dis-like the entire family photo process? To the point that it is comical and deserves it's very own post?! Look for it, coming soon. and lastly,

Thankful for: My walk with the Lord. The ability to discern and overcome spirits. To have true peace and comfort each and every day. Thankful for the Lord.

 

What are you currently up to?

 

 

 

When I became a mother.

Lately my little man has been extra, extra snuggly. Like, falling asleep melted in my arms every night. Hello best feeling the world. As he approaches his 1st birthday this December I can't help but think of all the things I've learned in such a short time. All the things that I feel, do & say now that I'm a mother. 

When I became a mother:

I put away selfish thoughts and put on an armor of nurture

I understood that shoulders are meant for a child to melt in

I found a fighting instinct to protect that I never knew existed

I realized that crying because your love is overflowing, is perfectly ok

When I became a mother:

I began thinking of someone other than myself

the little things that used to matter just seemed to drift away

my love for my husband grew deeper and more amazing

the 'motherly' instinct I was convinced I didn't have, just clicked- right from the start

When I became a mother:

the Lord gave me a whole new understanding of the power of prayer

my appreciation for my own mother reached a new height

I learned that a child's laugh can bring warmth, love & happiness in an instant

when I became a mother my life was completed

Zucchini Apple Muffins

Good Morning!! I realized I did not share this yummy recipe here yet! I have a 'business blog' at mycalmdelight.blogspot. that I'm working on growing into a possible side business. A lot of the recipes/fashion/fitness type topics I post on it, but this space is the only place you'll get the total inside scoop to all the Hilton Happenings!! Anyways, this is a  super easy muffin recipe and I seriously used the BARE minimum on the ingredients since my pantry was lacking in the walnut, clove & ginger area. BUT, delicious, non the less!

 

What you will need:

1 zucchini shredded (about 1 cup)

1 apple

1 cup almond butter

1/4 raw honey

2 eggs whisked

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

2. Shred zucchini. Once shredded you will need to squeeze out the excess water. I used paper towels which worked like a charm.

3. Place zucchini in bowl.

4. Shred apple. I peeled my apple, but I would guess you could leave the peel on if you prefer.

5. Toss the shredded apple in the bowl with the zucchini.

6. Add the remainder of the ingredients and mix well.

7. Place muffin mix in a greased muffin tin or in muffin liners.

8. Bake 15-20 minutes.

Top with a bit of coconut butter and enjoy!!

Like I said, I used the absolute bare ingredients on these and next time I'll add walnuts & raisins... delicious!

*original recipe from PaleoOMG

Ten on Tuesday.

1. I've been thinking a lot about "momitition". Do you know this word? You know how some natural moms feel the need to compete? It is so annoying.  Momitition. Like I said, it has been on my mind a lot lately and the whole thing will probably spur into a nice big lengthy post in the upcoming days.

2. I want to plan a fun date night with my hubby. One filled with live music, cocktails, fancy heels & tons of flirting. Doesn't that make you want to go out right now and have a night out with your hubby too??

3. On the flip side, I have to admit just being home with my sweet little family is just about the best feeling, e v e r. Sometimes I want to cry (and actually do burst into tears) because I'm so incredibly happy and blessed by the two most amazing guys the Lord has given me.

4. We've been thinking of a weekend getaway to Arizona mid-December but the mere thought of flying again with Mason again sent Kevin and I both into a panic. I think opting out of the quick getaway and waiting for a long Summer Vacation sounds a just a tad bit more inviting. Yeah. Hot. Summer. Vacation. Yeah. I'll wait for that.

5. November in Alaska is by far one of the toughest months since we lose so much daylight. I got home at 4 yesterday and it was already turning dusk. Sun doesn't shine until nearly 9am now and in a few short weeks the sunlight will consist of a short span from 10-3. whew. It's a toughy. Thank goodness for cute boots, scarves and chai tea.

6. I just finished Hunger Games- Mockingjay and now I'm looking for a good book to read with  Abby. You know a little auntie/niece book club. Any ideas?

7. I saw an unbelievably cute shoulder length bob that J. Aniston sported a few years back and now I can not get it out of my mine. I really want to cut my hair like it but won't I regret it? Isn't that the vicious cycle of the haircut? You cut, then grow out only to cut again and promise yourself you will never cut again.. and grow out.. and cut.. agh. Someone please help. Here's a picture of the style:

8. This post has taken me forever to write this morning but who is your favorite Voice competitor? Mine is Bryan Keith. Love his rasp!

9. This is week three of no coffee!

10. Don't forget to Vote!!

I love you all!!

Thankful For.

Today I'm thankful for the warm smell of freshly baked muffins, coming home to house full of happiness & love, my new MAC concealer, vanilla chai tea and the weekend hours spent soaking up family time. I'm thankful to be in the place I'm in now; a wife. a mother. a friend. Thankful for a career I love &; friends that support me. I'm thankful to own a home. Thankful for everything the Lord has given me. Today I'm thankful for my cozy bed, nights spent reading to my sweet baby boy, mornings filled with laughter and sweat poured at the CrossFit box each night. I'm thankful to have a body that moves and a mind that thrives to excel. I'm thankful for each of you.

Today, I'm thankful. Thankful for all that today brings- happiness, warmth, laughter & love.

What are you thankful for today?