Thankful Tree: {DiY}

Yes, you read that title right. I'm about to explain a diy project I did, which means I got crafty, y'all! It was great :).  And now the craftiness is gone for a while...again. Oh well. I sure did love this craft, though!

I'm continuing in all of the thankfulness from November - my cup overfloweth. Seriously. So, what better way than to show you all my November thankful project?!

The initial search for this project was unbelievable because there are literally SO MANY different ways you can create your special tree! Seriously, go google 'thankful tree diy' and there are tons of different variations! So, get creative! And if you lack creativity like myself, head on over to Crafts Unleashed for the version I stuck pretty closely to. While I didn't veer off too much from this tutorial, I did have to get creative {so to speak} with a few parts. Here's the lo-down on the thankful tree diy.

What you'll need:
+ twigs/branches
+ paper mache box
+ masking tape
+ casting plaster
+ green moss
+ silk fall leaves
+ fun decorations and embellishments

Not too bad, huh? I found all of these {besides the branches and silk leaves} at Hobby Lobby! No surprise there! The branches came from our apartment complex - straight from nature! And, the silk fall leaves I actually found at Dollar Tree. SCORE! Crafts Unleashed has options to buy from their site as well, but I was too impatient to wait for the stuff to get to me! So, Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree it was. Definitely my go-to's! I'm not ashamed.

Directions: {I'm not going to into deep, thorough details here because you can find them very specific at Crafts Unleashed! I didn't sway [much], I swear!}

Collect branches and tape together in the pattern that you like the best.

Mix the casting plaster {yes, I actually used casting plaster - the stuff is cheap!}

Add the plaster to the paper mache box. Then, immediately add your branches! {I also included a giant, sparkly flower to my project, so I added that at this time as well.} The very crafty Shaunte over at Crafts Unleashed propped hers up with a photo easel and a clip. I, however, just held it for a few minutes until it started setting. It worked just fine, as I was pretty distracted by the tv show I was watching at the time. Thank you, Castle!

Now, cover the base of the tree so the plaster and tape don't show! You can use the green moss for this; however, my hot glue did not hold at all for this part, so I had to sort of wing it!  I got enough of it to stick, but it was a hassle.

Then, I followed the creative advice of Shaunte, once again, and used mini clothespins to add the cuteness to my tree! Seriously! Use the clothespins to add the leaves and other embellishments to your tree. It's also a way to change up the tree for the different seasons! I'm on the hunt for some cute snowflakes for Christmas!

I also got Colten to join in on the fun {I won't lie - he also helped me with the plaster part; I didn't want to make a 'huge' mess! Also, he searched for tree branches. That's true love right there!}. He wrote what he was thankful for on one of the tags, as did I! They add such a cute and personal touch to this project! I love it!

Then, decorate the bottom of the tree however you'd like! I added a mini chalkboard rectangle so that I can change out what it says for each season. For my thankful tree, though, it says "So thankful...". I also hot-glued some ribbon to the base of the paper mache box {which is actually the lid}! Country chic for sure! Well, to me anyway! :)

This project was pretty inexpensive and so much fun! It defniitely added some fall spirit to our home!

 

   

It's Fall Y'all! {Cara Box Reveal}

It's that time again! But this time, things are different! That's right, I'm talking about the Cara Box Exchange hosted by Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals! It's a swap between bloggers and non-bloggers alike, and a way to get to know some amazing people! For more information, head over here.

 

I've participated several times before, and I just keep coming back for more! And now, there's a new schedule; instead of a monthly swap {let's face it, that's just not enough time to really get to know someone, shop for them, and mail a box!}, it's hosted four times a year, every three months. This current theme {September - November} was all things fall.

I was paired up with Brenda from Totally Brenda and sent her a box. She lives in the Dallas area, so it was nice to get to know someone sort of close by! She has a heart for children and helping in any way she can! She definitely made me want to do more! To "meet" her and see what she got, go check her out!

I received a box from Caitlin over at My Life As a Long. She is married to her best friend and that girl is always, always, always on the go! I just can't keep up... But the box she sent me was simply amazing, and she definitely outdid herself! Seriously!

She started it off with a $15 Starbucks gift card to my email account. Umm, yes please! This allowed me to get my first red cup of the season! :) Thanks Caitlin.

I immediately fell in love with everything in this box! She sent a great assortment of fall scents - my favorite! I took the room spray to my office and it's just glorious! It's Scentsy's scent of the month - cedar mill. Definitely a perfect fall scent.

The Essie nail polish is a perfect fall/winter color! I'm loving the dark colors lately, too, so it was perfect! I also adored the fuzzy socks. Who doesn't like a good pair of warm, fuzzy socks?!

She also hit the nail on the head with the EOS lip balm she sent! I've recently fell in love with their mint balm and Chapstick has become a thing of the past. So, to now own EOS in a pomegranate raspberry...just perfect! I haven't tried it out yet {I'm almost out of my current mint, so I'm waiting to jump into the new flavor}, but I'm pretty excited! Colten just looked at me like I was crazy when I saw this in the box. Haha! The only kinds I ever see are the mint and strawberry. I'm afraid I'll fall in love with the pomegranate raspberry and won't be able to find it anyway. So, *hint hint* Caitlin, I may be asking for a regular shipment! ;)

And the absolute best part of the box was my amazing, monogrammed scarf! I've recently began an obsession with all things scarves {I even bought a scarf hanger/organizer a few weekends ago}, and this fit right in! First of all, it's pink! Second, it's the softest scarf ever! Seriously. And lastly, {but not least} she monogrammed it with my initials. So sweet and personal! I'm in love, y'all! I wore this thing the very next morning. That's how much I loved it! And I got sooooo many compliments on it, too!

Thank you Caitlin! You outdid yourself, but {obviously} I love absolutely everything! :)

 

{No·vem·ber}

Welcome, November! Boy, how I've waited such a long time for your arrival! And, here we are! FINALLY!

 

 

It's no surprise that this is my favorite time of year. I just absolutely love the holidays! It's the crisp, cool weather, the smell of pumpkin/cinnamon everywhere, bundling up in oversized sweaters and blankets, how families come together and spend lots of quality time together this time of year, CHRISTMAS is on the horizon, people seem genuinely happier this time of year, and so.much.more! Seriously, I'm in love with this time of the year. Seriously! {thank you Grey's Anatomy for my addiction to overusing the word seriously}

 

And, it's no surprise that this month is all about being thankful. It is the month of Thanksgiving after all! My goal this month is to truly be thankful and to show my thankfulness for the people in my life and all that they do to love me, support me, and genuinely care about me. My goal is to make them feel my thankfulness! It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of modern-day society, working, driving, house chores, phone calls, kids, and just the every day busy routine, that we sometimes {okay, oftentimes} forget to be thankful for our blessings. As 'being thankful' is drilled into focus this month, I vow to truly take the opportunity to make the most of it! Instead of feeling sorry for myself for having to go to job #2, I will instead be thankful that I am physically and mentally able to work two jobs. Instead of being so frustrated with a dirty house, I will instead be thankful that I have a roof over my head and 'stuff' to fill it. Look at your situations differently this month and see if that causes a change in your attitude, in your routines, and in your hearts.

 

So, here's to an amazing month filled with all things fall, and I'm praying that we will be graced with cooler weather! It's been in the high 80's recently, and I just refuse to accept that that's the best we're going to get...seriously! Bring on the sweater weather!

 

And remember, soak up every minute with your loved ones, whether they are annoying as hell and getting on your last nerve or refusing to make you a priority - realize that we are not guaranteed the things we are blessed with in this lifetime, and all of it can be taken in a single moment. So much tragedy has been in the lives of my family, friends, and loved ones recently, and it's a good reminder to enjoy the moments that we have left with those we love. This thankful November is the perfect opportunity to overlook the petty drama that is everyday life {seriously, get over the $2.00 that your co-worker owes you and move on!} and be thankful for what you do have. Don't overlook the treasured moments that happen every single day, because someone out there no longer has those moments with their loved ones. This November, be thankful. Snuggle up with your family and make memories. Take lots of pictures and be crazy - it's okay! And you'll be so glad you did. :) 

 

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!

Monday. Again. Oh how I loathe thee.

 

BUT, my weekend was pretty fab, so let's just talk about that instead, shall we? I think so.

 

1// My sister has returned from her wayyy too long super awesome vacation to London and Paris! However, I was sadly informed that she does not have a picture like the one above - I mean, come on?! Epic fail in my book. Just sayin'. But, I'm glad she's home! Yay! {however, that also means that I no longer get to drive her luxury car and am back to driving old faithful...but that also means I don't have to spend as much gas as I have been because my car gets way better gas mileage...win, win?? sure, why not. let's go with that}

 

2// Fall weather y'all! That's what Saturday was all about. However, I must take the time to admit that I slept for like 15 hours from Friday to Saturday, and was pretty lazy the rest of Saturday as well. But, we had the windows open in the house, so that counts right? Yep. It does.

 

3// Saturday was also spent watching Grey's Anatomy reruns that I may or may not DVR to watch when nothing else catches my interest. Well, guess what? Nothing else did this weekend. Seriously. I couldn't get enough! And this has got to be my all-time favorite line:

 

Callie: Did anyone ever think you two were a couple?

Meredith: No, because we screw boys like whores on tequila.

Christina: Then we either try to marry them or drown ourselves.

 

I mean, sheer perfection right there, folks! Seriously.

 

4// So, the game in Dallas on Friday was rained out, but the weather cleared up nicely, and the San Antonio game was still on! So, we did the only obvious choice and went to watch our super awesome athlete of a cousin play collegiate soccer! Duh. What else do you do on a Sunday? Yeah, I don't know either. She was awesome, as always, and her fan club got lots of pics! We're a pretty entertaining bunch, people! Seriously. Best. Fanclub. Ever. We also toured the city in our attempt to locate the facility in which the girls were showering - epic fail {and a total waste of gas *sigh*}. Aaaannndd, as we got there, they were leaving {of course!} - so, we did what any good fanclub would do and we followed the bus to go eat! Luckily, our cousin is a rebel and chose to eat with her family instead of following the rules and sitting with her team. Yeah! She loves her fanclub, and I guess it's safe to say she probably missed her parents and sister too and not just the super awesome cousin fanclub ;). It was also pretty awesome to witness her first collegiate yellow card. Don't poke the bear! Great times. Oh yeah, and THEY WON! And, she got the assist to one of the goals and the assist to the assist for the other {that's a thing, I promise!}. The beast is back, y'all!

 

 

And duh, I'm linking up for Weekend Shenanigans. What else?!

 

Dear {September}

Hello there, gorgeous! 

Yes, I'm talking to you, September! 

I cannot believe it's already September ... and about a week in, at that!  Life has been crazy hectic, but mostly because I'm still dealing with my dental emergency! Yuck!  I'm beyond completely ready to be done with dental work and offices for a while...like, forever would be nice!  Seriously.  I'm still on antibiotics and pain meds, and I go back next Thursday for my (hopefully) final appointment to finish my retreatment.  Please, dear God, let this be the beginning of the end!  I don't know how much more I can take.  I still cannot eat normally.  Chewing is better, but I can only utilize the right side of my mouth, so then my entire jaw gets sore and the pain only worsens.  It goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on. Catch my drift?  Seriously - dental nightmare.  Praying for good dreams to come my way :). 

Anywho, I'm really looking forward to this month! August was crappy, to put it simply.  So, although I'm still dealing with my dental issues, I'm praying September will be amazing to me...please, September?  I'm gonna go with Y-E-S!  Also, summer is over.  Hallelujah!  That also means the end of overtime, which means the end of 70 hour work weeks!!!!!  {how many exclamation points count as over doing it?? nahh, the end of those long weeks deserve about a million exclamation points!}  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to earn extra income when it was definitely needed, but I have been so ready for normal to return.  Why, hello there! 

This month, I'm looking forward to lots of family time, fun with friends, dates with my husband, cooler weather {I'm seriously over the 100+ days!}, late nights, holiday season to ensue, oversized sweaters, hot chocolate, and just enjoying life!  My favorite time of year is fast approaching and I'm just over the moon excited!  So, here's to great things this month and for normal to be back! Cheers!