This is my story.

 

via matchbook mag

I don't typically go here, but I felt the need to share. A person that I know in *real life* has blogged a few negative posts about me lately, one post even included a photo. I defended myself only one time in a firm, yet professional way, and it did not have a good outcome.

She told me that being a blogger gives her the right to post whatever she wants about whomever she wants, and she has no idea why I would be remotely hurt since she has never actually 'said my name' in a blog post. She said I am only looking to be offended and draw attention to myself, and that I 'should have known' that the photo of me would end up on her blog. I have only said one thing to her via facebook when I asked her to remove my photo from her hurtful post about me, which I then quickly deleted, and yet she claims I keep attacking her. I have only briefly and respectfully responded to her blog post in her comments. She told me I am no longer 'welcome' to read her blog, while she freely blogs about me. I find it interesting that she is so hurt and upset over my few sentence response to her that I promptly deleted, yet she can't understand why I would be hurt by 3 whole negative blog posts about me... in which several of our mutual friends see what she writes. Logically, it just does not make any sense. Here is my ultimate point in even speaking up here:

I think bloggers have the responsibility to act ethically, and to be respectful. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. It is one thing to post opinions and to disagree. It is one thing to express yourself. But it is entirely different to continually harp on a person, and their family... that is just plain harassment. It shows a lack of self-restraint, maturity and, friendship. This is me asking you as bloggers to please be respectful, to please treat your readers, strangers and especially your friends and family with dignity. You can still voice concerns and tell stories and opinions without hurting one another, and by using anonymous and hypothetical situations. Think about the words and actions you do and how they effect more than just yourself. Give yourself boundaries. Be nice! And really, just stop finding fault with everyone and everything around you. People would be a whole lot happier if they were less judgmental, if they didn't find fault in everything they experience. Happiness is a choice. I am choosing to move on and to ignore people or things that bring toxicity into my life, and instead fill it with those who are uplifting. Heaven knows, life is hard enough as it is. Like I told her, I'm done. I'm in a happy place. I hope she finds hers.

U Rock: DIY Pet Rock Valentine Cards

I have been seeing a ton of adorable diy Valentine's this year in the blogosphere, that I will likely show you soon. But my kindergartner's party is Friday, so I had to go ahead and make something for his class now.
 

So we headed to Micheal's to check out their V-Day offerings. They have tons of cute stamps on sale for 49 cents. We originally got a cute robot holding hearts, and a hedgehog that said "I'm stuck on you".. but the "U Rock" stamp caught my eye. So after going down aisle by aisle, I wasn't really seeing anything that was a) affordable and b) not too girly or c) had enough for each child... and I *almost* resorted to forgetting the diy thing and getting a store bought boxed set, (no offense to those who do, I still love the Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony ones I got as a kid), I was just determined to do something crafty. When I saw these bags of rocks, the "U Rock" stamp entered my mind and I thought, Pet Rock Valentines! Don't kids love rocks? My son was sold on the idea.

So, you need a few pieces of scrapbook paper, ink pad and a stamp (or just write the message out), hot glue and glue gun, rocks, paintbrushes and paint. I had most all of these supplies, so it was pretty easy and inexpensive to do. I tested my permanent markers on a rock, and they didn't show up well enough, so I settled for paint.

Stamp on the two outer/parallel edges of paper, then cut the paper in half. You can get about 12 cards from one large square piece of scrapbook paper. Once they are all cut out, fold in half and hot glue your rock above the stamp, and write your message inside. Perfect, original and cute for non-candy Valentines.

But...  on the rest of the Valentines, I accidentally folded the paper wrong and had already written on the backs, so I had to get creative with that extra flap.. I hot glued the Starburst on both sides and stuffed it in there for a little pocket. Just enough glue to keep it in place, so the kids will be able to still get to the candy quite easily. The rocks can be peeled off pretty easily too.

Not as cute in my opinion, but hey, they are for little kids who are going to be on the hunt for candy anyways, right?

My girl rocks have little hearts on the cheek, and my boy rocks have eyebrows. If you know the kids well though, it would be cute to make them more original with eye and hair color, glasses, freckles, or even go silly with mustaches, pirate patches, eyelashes and that sort of craziness... The two below are the ones I made for my kiddos.

If you make a Pet Rock Valentine, I'd love to see it! Happy crafting :)

 

Layla's DIY Nursery

Whitney of Miss Bella's Room is an amazing artist. We used to do craft fairs together when we had the time and lived closer, and her displays and art quality were always amazing. Her specialty is nursery art. She takes a piece of fabric, and can custom paint any kind of mural, wall letters or wall art to totally make an amazing space that matches. So, when she had her little sweet baby Layla, we knew the nursery would be beautiful!

 

I love how she made the accent mural walls flow through the room with the painted scallop trim border. I'm pretty sure the adorable turquoise chair shown above is now in this corner by the ruffled pink curtain.

She picked out the bedding fabrics and designed the set, then had the bedding custom made. The fabric looks amazing with her hand painted wall letters.

The adorable mermaid is the ultimate finishing touch.

And, while Whitney can't travel to take on mural requests, you can still contact her for custom pieces made for you, or you can get little pieces of her art through her etsy shop, Miss Bella's Room. Lots of adorable little pocket mirrors and bulk mirror packages, perfect for shop owners too!

 

Change

This isn't me, (it is the amazingly adorable Sydney from The Daybook), but this is a good representation of my belly... that has a little girl in it. Imagine, me in my home surrounded by my hubs and two boy chittlens, and now I get my little girl.

In any case, this post isn't about that. Can I say I love her outfit? Grey v-neck and jeans are all me, baby. And the fur vest. Last year, at Goodwill, I found a lovely faux fur vest. It fit me perfect, it was adorable and cute, not over the top, only $6. But I put it back thinking, "Would I ever wear this?", this was about a week before the fur vest explosion in all the fashion blogs. I got some lame-o, 'safe' skirt that I never ever, ever wear instead. Learn from my mistake. It's usually good to be safe, but some times, take a chance. Buy that $6 fur vest. Times are a changing. I'm having a girl people. Now I need that vest. I've thrown safety to the wind.

wendy's lookbook

And, if you wanna... I'm clearing out my closet, some of those 'safe' clothes, and some really cool vintage dresses and maternity clothes that I will probably never be able to wear ever again, and kid stuff and some other vintage odds and ends. I'll be listing them over the next few days, but here is my ebay page with a few vintage dresses already listed.

red and a fur vest

Tufted Headboard and Resin Tortoise Shell Tutorials

 

I am pretty much in love with most everything Jenny from The Little Green Notebook does. From her tutorials, her interior design projects and the room tours she features, all are an instant hit with me. Though I love me a good tutorial, some have been seen done so many times. But she really takes upholstering and refinishing furniture to a whole new level. Since I have about 5 pieces I need to redo, this is giving me a little, tiny, kick of inspiration.

tufted headboard tutorial

resin tortoise shell table tutorial

 

Absence

 

I really cannot believe how long I have not logged on. I actually forgot my blog password. My new comments are from spambots. It's a deserted playground around here. Really, for anyone who has been reading this blog these past few years knows that fall is my absolute favorite season, and I completely skipped most of it. I skipped Halloween, people. That's major ,(though I may try and fill you in). So where have I been? Exhausted. Tired. Fatigued. A problem I have trouble with initially due to having a 'poor disposition', (been watching too many masterpiece theater period pieces on netflix), but it is more compounded now. And on top of that, it's been a wild ride around here these past few months. Crazy, awesome busy this Halloween in my Etsy shop with my Never Ending Story Childlike Empress tiara. Broken down cars. Vehicle sharing. A new adorable kitten. A ringworm infestation from said adorable kitten. Allergies and stinky infections in my dog. But I have a new thing to cling to. My trusty Zofran, that works but only oh so well. So, to be ever elusive, here is one of my favorite poems by Sylvia Plath to give another hint. I'm coming back to blogging ladies, but it may be spotty... especially in May when things are really going to change around here! But for now, I'm thankful for my dear husby who is currently making me pancakes for dinner.

Metaphors

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.

-Sylvia Plath

*yellow chevron heart embroidery by lilac saloon

Chaotic Color

While I love a beautiful white, restful room/outfit/style, either in modern, urban farmhouse or shabby glory... the chaotic color vibe pulls me in, at least for a little while. Just long enough to get my toes wet in something eclectic, before I retreat back into sterile, predictable comfort. I think I get whip lash changing back and forth, so while my slipcovers went back on today, I felt drawn to these photos. Just like this lovely home above of jeanhclee. For some reason, I'm sensing a familiar color pattern of pinks, oranges and greens. Bright colors have a jolt of energy to them, you know? Perhaps my body is clinging to these sprightly images as a subconscious way to burst me out of this crazy,stressful fog I've been subjected to lately.

Awake is the New Sleep cover art, Ben Lee

Before the Voyage photograph by elle moss

hobby holly tutu inspired prairie girl portrait by Oh So Posh Photography

award ribbon canopy bed, Chrissie Rucker

Colorful ribbon woodland chandalier mobile tutorial by A Fanciful Twist

Connecting the Dots via decor8

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Trash the Dress Wedding Photography by Lynn Michelle

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Sew in Love thread on wood spools photo by Iris Inspired