Parson Tower Desk // Craft Room

We've been doing some house redecorating the past few weeks - one of the things we've done is started redoing the guest room/craft room.  I sold my old desk so my husband could create a bigger desk for me... I needed something with a lot of space on top for doing my Project Life.  I sat down and went through plan after plan, and eventually ended up choosing to go with the Parson Tower Desk from Ana White.  He actually finished it for me the night before Valentine's (while I was sleeping.. he was up until 2am!) so it would be in the garage when I went to work the next morning.. it has my favorite chocolate candy on it.. and flowers... so sweet.  :)

I was so excited to get stain picked out and get it finished.  I decided to stain rather than paint, because I did not want to paint it white and I thought I would get tired of a color fast... so I stuck with something a little more classic and timeless.  Stain it was.. and I knew I wanted it dark!  So we went to Home Depot and picked out a few samples to test.

I know these stains look so similar.  But two of them had a little bit of an orange tint than the other.  I ended up using Mixwax 'Jacobean'... it was the most solid brown of the three and it gave a really nice, rich color.

This last photo was taken with my phone, but you get the gist of the finished product.  I'm absolutely in love with the desk.  It's nice and long, which give lots of room for all of my projects.  I bought two wire baskets for the shelves at Home Goods, and then I hung up those clip board with sticky tack.. for now.. until I decide if I want that to be more permanent.  Excuse the mess of the photo.. I know it's not too much to look at right now, but I'm going to be updating you with progress photos as I get shelving, etc, up on that wall.. and get the rest of the room decorated.  It's not only my craft area, but also the guest area (my parents are coming to visit next month!).

I can't wait to get going on the rest of it.. the desk was the 'big' project.. now it's all just starting to come together.  :)

Love Healthy Me

I wrote this blog post as part of a movement by Weight Watchers to encourage people to remember that loving yourself starts with taking care of your health everyday. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

At the beginning of this year, I made some "resolutions".. some goals, which I think is good for anyone to have - which included making more time for myself, and keeping myself healthy.  I think it's so important to take care of yourself, and love yourself.. not only for you, but also so you can love those around you better.  

Since I've been working full time again, I've been making a point to get to bed before 10pm (though it's not like you have to twist my arm, I can't keep my eyes open that late for the life of me)... it's so crucial for me to get a good 7-8 hours of sleep at night.  I can tell the difference in how I feel and how I act when I don't get as much rest as my body needs.  And I also don't get as much 'me time' as I once used too.  I really try to give myself 10-15 minutes to do something just for me, something I want to do, or just relax.. like catch up on a TV show, a book, or even a bath in silence.  Whatever it is like you like to do for yourself (paint you nails, flip through a magazine, just sit with your feet propped up and rest your eyes?), I suggest you try to do it often.. you really will feel better.

Being more active is another thing I wanted to do.. though I don't find that difficult when I have a 2.5 year old daughter and a 3 month old puppy.  Even 20 minutes of outside play gets me tired!  :)

And because being 'good' all the time isn't fun... you gotta be a little bad.. treat yourself to something nice!   And for me, that would be some thing sweet... and chocolate.. my weakness.  Really though.. go ahead.  You deserve it.

I've been doing these things consistently, and can already tell the difference in how I feel about myself, and how I act and feel mentally.  

Also, Weight Watchers has a new app out called Simple Start... it's free, and I suggest you check it out!

Getting Through That Rough Week

This is a sponsored post for U by Kotex, who provided me products to review. You can get a free sample from U by Kotex too at http://bit.ly/107R90y and Do the Demo.

Serious talk here.. any other girl dread "that time of the month"? All of you? Well then we're on the same page here. But there are a few things that do make that 5(ish) days more bearable... not only for me, but for those who have to be around me (haha).

U by Kotex Tampons; I like to know that I always have the best protection, which is why I only use U by Kotex! U by Kotex Panty Liners; for the extra confidence to know that I'm good to go. A cozy blanket & heating pad that I can curl up in bed or on the couch with while reading a good book. And I can't forget the 800mg of Ibuprofen that's awesome enough to knock any of the discomfort out in like 5 minutes. They're basically my saving grace. And after that, some good girly 'me' time... relaxing candles, chocolate, and good ol' mani/pedi. Maybe even a nice facial mask for the pesky little breakouts I tend to get around that time. And these are the things I can.not.survive.without during 'that time of the month'.

What makes you feel better during that time of the month? For next time, why not request a free sample for a U by Kotex product!

I wrote this review while participating in a content series through Crowdtap on behalf of U by Kotex, and received products to facilitate my post and compensation for my time to participate.

Clara's Little Touches

There's nothing I love more, than seeing all of Clara's little touches around the house.  A couple of her dollhouse dolls sitting on the TV console, her baby doll left in her toy shopping cart, the crayons all lined up in a row, and always.. always her play food hanging around on various tables, shelves, the ottoman. 

She loves to serve us all food, have tea parties, and picnics.  It makes me happy when after she goes to bed, and I'm straightening a few things around the house.. and come back out into the living room to relax after getting my pajamas on.. I see this leftover from a picnic we had.

I love her and her imagination.