$20 Bench: Before & After

I got this ugly duckling bench this summer while thrifting at the beach on a rainy day. The paint was chipping and the seat fabric wasn't a looker, but for $20 I saw potential.

First step, popped off the seat and removed the current fabric to find this fabric under the 'silk'.

Much prettier than the purple right?? I decided not to remove this and just use this as my cushion since you couldn't see thru with new fabric.

Second step, washed down the bench for a clean, fresh surface.

Third step, primer. Just used a spray paint primer that was easy and quick.

Next step, stapled the new fabric to the seat. Just fold the edges over like a present. Doesn't have to be pretty or perfect.

And lastly, spray paint. Just a couple of thin, even coats that I let dry 15 or so minutes in between sprays.

The end result. Not bad for $40 total!

$20 bench, $10 fabric, and $10 primer & paint. 

Preggos Pics

Just popping in to say that I have officially 'popped'.

I haven't announced the big news to the blog, but it should be pretty obvious. John & I are going to be PARENTS! 

Baby Haynes is making it's debut March 29, 2013...we are thrilled!

Not sure why it's taken me so long to do a post. For the first few weeks it was a top secret just for family, then the next several weeks felt like e.t.e.r.n.i.t.y as we waited 12 weeks to share the news with friends. Some friends knew before then because let's be honest...when you are a drinker - a white wine & corona girl at heart - it's a tough secret to hide. Lastly, I was holding out as long as possible to tell work. Word is in a corporate setting you keep it hush as long as possible, then tell the boss man before (s)he starts to speculate. Fortunately, my boss and co workers were all very supportive and kind and even surprised. I was really nervous for their reactions, so it was a huge relief to finally spill the beans. 

So, here we are. I am 18 weeks along and feeling great. For the first 12 weeks I was really tired. Like a tiredness that's impossible to explain to someone who has never been pregnant. I used to hear people tell me how 'exhausted they were' and I couldn't grasp exactly what they meant. Boy now do I get it! My bedtime went from 10:30ish to 8:30, 8:45 at the latest. Other than that, I've had a few nauseous days, some food aversions (oh starbux sadly I do not miss you) and a couple of sick episodes. But otherwise, feeling good.

The second trimester has been good to me. My energy is back, I'm staying up until after the sun goes down, and the food consumption has officially picked up. You name it...i'll eat it! {Other than meat - typing that word still makes me cringe.} I would say as of this week I have officially popped. I really started showing around 15-16 weeks but I mostly looked 'puffy'. As of this week, it's a true baby bump.  


Here a few preggers pics we've documented along the way...

8 weeks (August 22)



10 weeks (Labor day) 

12 weeks (mid September)

...oops no 14 weeks...

16 weeks (mid October)

18 weeks (Oct 25)

ps- John asked me if I got a spray tan or if I had 'jaundice'. Someones been reading their baby manual! I'd like to think of this random tan picture as 'pregnancy glow' but honestly it's just the flash.

As for the gender, we are not finding out. Some days I think it's a boy, but lately I've been on the girl train as I feel like there is one bump in the front and two muffin tops in the back. We are so excited for the surprise!!

I won't turn LTK into baby central, but I will check in to document this incredible process. It will be fun to look back on the various stages. In the meantime, keep our little one in your prayers! This whole journey really is an incredible gift from God.

Team Hayden Run

We had a fun weekend supporting our good friend Hayden who is currently fighting the fight and beating down esophageal cancer.

Emory hosted a 5k run around their campus. We had 170+ people run for Team Hayden, raising close to $20k!! It was such a success and lots of fun.

Team H warming up



The bopsy twins take off...

Recent House Pics -- Almost There

How amazing is this weather? Fall is officially here. A little chill in the mornings and perfect walking weather in the afternoons.

We are almost to the finish line at our house. Best part...we are ahead of the scheduled completion date and I think we are still within budget, yet I have a hard time believing it when you look at our dwindling bank account.

Here's what has happened since our last house happening post, exactly a month ago. The trim has been installed, doors are installed, all the rooms are painted, and yesterday the light fixtures were installed.

Here are some updated pics...

Hallway Before:

Hallway After:

Crazy huh?!

Opposite view looking into the bedroom...



Bedroom Before:

Bedroom After:

Laundry Before:

Laundry After:

Sorry for the horrible iphone pics and the nighttime lighting but it's always fun to see progress.

So, what's left to do?

-Counter tops to be installed (early next week - they are oh so pretty)
-Final inspection with the county
-Install the furniture!

House Host Perfection

Hi there. I was out of the office the latter part of last week at another one of those bond outings...you know where we 'work'-- networking among others in the industry...while at the beach.

This was my view on Friday during the working hours. Beach in October and perfect weather. Hard to complain about my j.o.b.

I took an early flight on Saturday where I could have a full weekend at home - still questioning why I wanted to leave a 5star resort and this luxury - but then again they don't call it work for nothin'.

I arrived home from traveling mid morning hoping to take a quick nap to catch up from lost zzzz's, only to walk into a house full of fumes. They installed the new hardwoods for the addition while I was away.

Preggers (oh yea, have yet to mention that on LTK yet?!) & Polyurethane do not mix.

So...I've been homeless and a nomad since Saturday. I have jumped from home to home because I'm one of those people that does not like intruding. I know it's weird, friends are friends for reasons like these, but it's just one of my things. We have so many amazing friends that have graciously offered their homes and for every one of you I cannot thank you enough.

Every stay has been so wonderful. John & I got a good laugh sharing a full sized bed Saturday night at a sweet neighbors house and Sunday night I got to spend the night with a bestie girlfriend, who was my roomie for 5+ years. Bringing it back to the good old days!! John gave it one night & decided he would rather fight the fumes & sleep in his own bed. Typical guy, right?

Last night I stayed at another dear friends and let me tell you this friend knows how to host. {bws, i know you are going to kill me but you know its so typical for me to do things like this!}.

I snapped some pics because I thought it was a good reminder for myself on how to host the perfect overnight guest. I also thought it was blog worthy material because who doesn't enjoy looking at a pretty room?

So I arrive to a cozy room with the curtains drawn...(not to mention the amazing custom headboard and Matouk linens).

 Next up, I died. She had a bottle of water on my bedside table with fresh flowers (& the remote).

And lastly, fresh linens in the bathroom.

You think they've hosted friends a time or two? Thanks BS for a perfect night sleep. I may just have to take you up on two nights in a row!

Bathroom: Sconce Selection

We are making progress in the bathroom. Shower fully tiled {pics to come-amazing}, french doors installed, walls painted, and vanity currently being built.

Next up, sconce selection.

I've had a 'bathroom inspiration' file since we first bought our house. A girl can dream right? It makes looking at our mustard yellow & burgundy brown bathroom manageable! It's funny when looking back through the file, I see the same sconce in several pictures. You would think that would make the decision rather easy, right? Not when it comes to buying for your own new bathroom. Not to mention, the sticker shock from some of the price tags has me questioning my sanity. 

So, here are the contenders...

Circa French Deco

Circa Dauphine

Circa Bryant

Circa Reed

Restoration Hardware Lugarno

RH Wilshire

And the winner?  The Bryant Sconce (with a different shade than above).

As much as I loved the look of brass, we are going with hardwood floors, subway tile shower & marble counter tops, so the nickel goes better with the overall vision. While I loved the look of the RH choices, we needed something a slightly bigger since we opted for a large frame-less mirror instead of 2 decorative ones and our vanity is dual sinks.

It's been a fave for a long time, so i'm excited with the final decision!