Quick, Easy Projects

We came across this basket for 75% off at Hobby Lobby...

We needed some blue accents, so we bought spray paint to paint the basket blue.

Just for now, it is being used for magazines and our spare change jar...hoping to put something more creative in it later.

I also came across these graphics/sayings on the internet, printed them off on photo paper, and framed them = cheap art :)

I LOVE the sayings...

I am looking forward to our next project...

DIY Project - Chairs/Bar Stools

We WERE on a roll with our projects for a few days...unfortunately, we are in a little bit of a lull right now, but I have full confidence in us that we will be back soon.

We got these chairs for free, so we decided to try and make them work for us.

I think it's obvious why they were not working for us :)

The first step was for Dusty to saw a couple of inches off from the legs - the chairs were too high to fit under our counter.

We didn't have to sand this time since the texture of the chairs was rough.

We did two coats of primer...

and two coats of paint.
We found fabric on sale at JoAnn's Fabric and then used a staple gun to re-do the cushions.

I know the chairs look a little rough where we painted them, but the giraffe looking finish that was originally on it seemed to be some sort of paper.  Anyways, we accepted the fact that they would look a little worn.  Regardless, it was a big improvement from what we started with...in my opinion anyways :)

DIY Project - Painting an End Table

This is BIG...our first do-it-yourself project together :)

And actually one of my first DIY projects ever.

It was more fun than I was expecting.  Well maybe not lots of fun while we were doing it, but SO fun to admire it now that it is finished.

I have started to really enjoy looking at blogs/websites for decorating ideas and we both agreed that when I moved here, we would immediately get to work on the projects...and we are following through :)

Our first project was to paint an old end table that we got for free.

Our tools :)

1st step = sand (100 grit sandpaper)

 2nd step = prime (oil based primer)

3rd step = paint (semi-gloss)

I forgot to get pictures of the 3rd step.  Also, I am really into white right now, so you might notice a trend in the decorating when I do more posts about our progress.

FINISHED PRODUCT:

Do you like it?

We still have a lot of work to do, but it's so exciting to have finished one project!

Morning Trip to the Zoo

Before I left for Alabama, the whole crew went to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot.

I hadn't had a chance to post the pictures yet, but figured now was as good of a time as any.

It already makes me sad when I look at these pictures...I miss everyone :(

I love this picture of Emery and Amelia - they both look so happy :)

Classic picture of Amelia and her facial expressions..haha

Emery LOVED the zoo...she got so excited about all of the animals - it was adorable.

Ruby was in the mood for snuggling - gotta love that.

Love and miss everyone so much.

The 100 Workout

I have been denying the fact that my clothes are a little tighter and things aren't fitting like they used to, not to mention feeling like crap about myself.

I kind of let things slide (ex: unhealthy eating and not exercising) over the past month...I can make up a bunch of excuses (school, stress, traveling, etc.), but there really shouldn't be any excuses - there is no reason to not be healthy...and being healthy makes you happier.

Anyways, I stepped on the scale yesterday.

And it was not pretty.

I immediately put on my workout clothes and got to work.

I found this workout on Pinterest and have been meaning to try it for a while now...so yesterday was the perfect opportunity.

I varied the types of squats, crunches, and leg lifts I did...variety is always good.

I think you all should try this workout.

I felt great afterwards...even during it (minus the running part). 

Little Rock Film Festival

I attended my first film festival - Little Rock Film Festival.

It was quite the experience - all new to me and I really had a good time.

Dusty's film "Prairie Love" was accepted to be one of the 12 narrative features played at the festival...and ended up being nominated as one of the top 4 narrative features - I was so proud of him.

Once again, I was terrible with taking pictures, so all of the photos in this post are courtesy of Ted Speaker...thanks Ted :)  Oh, and I LOVE the photos he took - very talented.

After driving all day, it was such a relief to get to Arkansas.

We stayed at the Peabody in downtown Little Rock.  Above is a picture of the view from our hotel room.

At the festival, our days consisted of watching movies, filmmakers' happy hour at 4:30, and then the festival would have some sort of party/event in the evening.

One of Prairie Love's screenings...

It was so neat to see it on the big screen with an audience.

I think one of my favorite things was walking around at the festival and people coming up to Dusty to tell him how much they enjoyed and appreciated his film...and I really liked when they said it was their favorite film :)

One particular night, the event that was planned was a riverboat party...so fun.

 The boat...such a cool picture.

 Entertainment on one level...

 Dancing on the top level...

and there were free drinks and food practically everywhere we went at the festival.

What an experience it was...looking forward to the next festival :)

Hiking in the Pinnacle Mountain State Park

We wanted to explore the area a little bit while we were in Arkansas for the film festival.

So, we chose to go hiking and it was gorgeous...a little hot for my liking, but still gorgeous.

We took the Rocky Valley Trail - Dusty made me pose/stretch in the background.

This turtle was the only wildlife we came across, which I think we were both completely fine with.

We loved our hiking trip.