DIY: Copycat Ribbon Wreath

Hi, guys! If I was a betting woman I'd wager no one stops around here anymore! I used to be obsessed with blogging, creating content, and reading 100s of blogs but somewhere down the line my priorities shifted or I got lazy--haha! I still pop in to some of my favorites but unfortunately [for me, at least] they've seemed to move on, too. Thank, God, for Instagram because I get to keep up with all my blog buddies from days past.  I feel like coming back to update this little space is almost like a reunion of sorts. 

The whole reason I'm having some time to sit down and get a post cranked out is because I'm on finals week and my students' finals aren't mandatory. It's a nice change of pace to actually be able to sit down at work, have some quiet time, and not be moving 100 mph all day! I had a decent teaching year [my 11th--say what?!?] but I'm looking forward to having the summer off to relax, spend a lot of quality time with my boys and reinvigorate myself for a hopefully better year 12!

Because I'm now obsessed with Instagram [joidan82 if you want to follow along!]--I guess one obsession just moved on to the next--I find myself buying and creating little things here and there that I've discovered via my friends' feeds or the explore option.  

The other evening I came across this beautiful DIY wreath via jenloveskev and knew I had to make a copycat version for my front door!

Jen said she used fabric scraps but for my version I used three spools of black and white striped ribbon from Michael's. 

I used a straw wreath form and kept the plastic on it as I wound the ribon around it. I used hot glue to secure it and the flowers as well. I really like Jen's color palette so I decided to not stray too far from it. I purchased all the flowers at Michael's as well and they had one of their 40% off sales so I scored all of my supplies for about $40. It took me about an hour [including a timeout for majorly burning my finger with the glue gun!] from start to finish. 

I hung it on our front door and I think it is the perfect wreath to welcome sweet summertime! 

I hope all of you are doing fabulous and maybe I'll be back here and there this summer! We do have some small updates taking place in our home and some more exciting ones as well! 

Thanks for checking in! 

xo

This and That

I will forever struggle at making blog titles. When it's just a simple post [which all of mine have been of late--real life] I get stumped. How many times can I say "House Update!"? Haha!

Anyhoo, this is just a small house update--of course--and I can really say I'm starting to love how it's coming along. The house is getting in its groove. Cheesy but true.

The entryway is coming along and I am totally digging it! The bench we got the other day really sealed the deal. I added some pillows I got from Ikea and H&M and it's even better!  I'm a fan of layering in home decor and it's looking good to my eye finally. The only thing I need to do is paint that doorbell box. I always say I'll do it and then I get distracted. I feel like I'm super scattered because I gotta make the most out of nap time. Ya dig, mommas?

We also added a little greenery [which I'll no doubt kill] and it instantly perks things up as well! 

And on a side note, randomly, on Sunday,  I was bad-mouthing the midwest and their lack of fiddle leaf figs for YEARS to the workers at Home Depot.  The nursery employees didn't even know what they were -- decor bloggers they were not. Haha!! So, same old story, I came home with two random house plants like always.  Later that night I was at Walmart and saw a whole slew of fiddle leaf figs just hanging out on the shelf.  Never in my many years of looking for them had I ever found them.  But here they were taunting me, in my own city.  Those clever little stinkers! I, of course, bought one and am headed back for another asap.  I'm sure their fate is not the best with me.  Whoops. Sorry in advance, little buddy.

I placed it in the living room for now but I really need to read up on their care and take serious steps to get this baby to grow.

And, while we're at it, I also added this H&M pillow to the green chair.  If you haven't checked out the H&M line you really should. It's good stuff!

That's it for now. Happy Tuesday! We're celebrating here with close to 80 degree temps! Peace out, polar vortex.

xoxo

Entryway Update

For some reason, the past couple months I have taken a break from craigslist. Who knows why?? Maybe I was actually productive in my spare time rather than dreaming of all the furniture I don't have a place for--haha! But very recently, I wanted a bench to go in our entryway and I found one for under $100 via craigslist at a new-to-me consignment store. Wins all the way around.

The top isn't in the greatest condition but it really doesn't bother me at all. Theron's favorite new trick is to climb on top and look at all of his pictures. He can identify everyone and everything and it's just about the cutest. I think I'll keep him.

On another note, we added a new World Market light to the dining room area and I have to remember to snap some pics for you later.

I have a couple more of the same light coming via raincheck and I think they will be nice placeholders until I can get the electric moved and centered.  If you remember, we tore down a wall, so the original lighting location doesn't really make sense with the new layout all that much.  These lights were $100 a pop and they could stay for the long haul even so.  Since July we've been living with shiny builder grade brass lighting and a lack of lighting completely in the kitchen.   I guess it's pretty obvious that we're not awesome chefs.

So, as soon as those updates happen, you'll be in the know.  Any fun updates happening in your neck of the woods? I'm yearning for some inspiration!

Have a happy hump day, friends.

xoxo
Joi

Hodge Podge of Updates

In my blogging heyday [I use that term lightly!] I used to always wait until I had a pretty "after" shot or well-documented photos of the "process" before I dare shared any updates. But in the beginning, before Pinterest [gasp!], my pictures were crazy bad. I mean, I don't know what I'm doing now, but take a look at my archives and you'll be lol-ing for awhile. I promise.  

I had no idea when I first started this blog years ago that my DIY tutorials would be pinned thousands of times with my crappy pictures! But you know what? So what! It's silly for me to worry about that.  My day job, that helps to put food on our table and keep our little household running, is teaching.  

I blog for fun. I had to laugh the other day when a student asked me, "What's a blog and why would anyone have one?" Haha.  

Yes, I've had so many fun things happen because of this blog that I would have never anticipated, but in no way shape or form, have I "made it".  

And, I'm glad I haven't.  The pressure seems insane and cut-throat.  And there seems to be too many dang rules to follow.  For example...

Your pictures have to always be magazine worthy and you can only have two fonts on their descriptions. You must post at least 5 times a week. If you Instagram make sure to only Instagram sparingly. And don't be a nuisance. If you do a giveaway only do them once a month. Don't get too personal, but yet don't be too vague.  Blah-blah-blah-blah... 

Oh, and let's not forget the sneaky posts with affiliate links littered throughout...THOSE are the worst. You are no better than a celebrity endorsing makeup or haircare who you know never uses that stuff. It's dishonest AND misleading.  

Ugh.  It's all super annoying.

I miss bloggers who blogged because they wanted to keep a journal for themselves and their families and genuinely share their DIY successes and failures with us, enlighten us with their experiences, and brag on their fun times.  My favorite product of blogging has been getting to be real life friends with some of my favorite bloggers who are still like this -> true to themselves, funny, witty, honest, chill, all of whom break those stupid "rules" I mentioned above. 

But, if I'm being honest, I can't stand the bloggers who are trying so dang hard to be famous. To be the next Youngsters. To be the next whomever. Their "trying too hard" gives me second hand embarrassment.  You know, when you're watching a show on TV or at a talent show and someone is singing because they think they are awesome when in reality it's just all too much.  That's what I'm talking about.  

Wow, I didn't mean for this to turn into a rant--haha! It's just that after reading this blog post from my soulmate momma-friend, Janice, and this post from my sassy friend, Terri, it all just hit home.  

So here we are, nowhere near finished with our spaces and places in this home, but I'm going to share what we have going on now anyway. For me. For my memories years down the road. And for my real-life friends & blog friends who take an interest in my little life.  

Phew.  That feels good. 

Let's do it, shall we? 

Recently we added some new stuff to our entryway! My awesome father-in-law rewired this light from Urban Outfitters to be hard wired and then hung it for me as well. I love it's shape and it's so much better than the light that was there before. 

I'm not convinced I love the styling of my entryway table but it's ok for now.  

I really did just take some random stuff out of some boxes and place it there after we moved. I should probably just start fresh but like I said, it works for now!

We also printed off some IG pics at Walgreens via their app [so easy!] and placed them in a heart shape on the wall with some painter's tape. 

It's been up for a couple weeks now and nothing has budged. It was a cheap and easy way to bring in some personal photos! I really want a long bench to go on this wall but haven't found anything in my price range that I love. I think it's going to be a DIY for my father-in-law if I can twist his arm.

Then, finally, I scooped up this little cookie jar at World Market the other day for $6. She is so cute on our countertop.

Our stove recently went kaput so now we're on the hunt for a newer one. And of course, we want all new matching appliance to go with it.  When can I win the lottery?! Ha!

So that's it for now. But I'll be sharing more soon. We're doing a staircase remodel and when I take some pics, I"ll let you in on all the deets!

Have a happy Friday and sweet weekend, guys!

xoxo

Joi

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