High five for Friday

I'm behind a couple of weeks with my usual high five for Friday posts but none-the-less good things are still happening!!

One | All of our babies are born! We now have ten of these little bandits running around and boy are they fun to watch!

Two| Spring is on it's way... I think... and hope... so its been fun to wear peep toe shoes and more spring-like clothes.  Fortunately, at 25 weeks pregnant I am still able to mix in some none-maternity clothes to wardrobe.  Oh - and I got my hair cut! I love it!!

Three| We are making progress now!! Our cupboards are installed.  Hopefully by Monday afternoon our counter tops will be in!  Then the plumber can come back, and the electrician, and painter, and...  Anyhow, hopefully by the first full week in April we will be moving back in.

Four| Our neighbor makes THE BEST cupcakes! I actually ordered a few from her as a birthday gift and when she delivered them she brought one for Adam and I.

Five| I will forever be a Minnesota Gopher fan but it's been fun to watch the Iowa State University Cyclones play in the March Madness tournament!  We'll be cheering them on tonight! :)

A couple more things...

I am offering a 25% discount  now through March 31 (Monday) in my etsy shop! Use code SHOP25

And, last chance pricing on e-designs runs through Monday as well! More information here.

Cheers to a great weekend!

High 5 for Friday!

Happy Joy Week!  I hope you have all found Joy in your week - if not, I hope that today something happens that makes your day joyful!

With that, here are my high 5 for Friday!

One | Joy Week. I celebrated Joy all week by reminding myself to choose joy when I found myself getting frustrated and doing what I could to bring joy to others (I hope the office like the donuts this morning!)

Two| I have awesome cousins. They sent Adam and I this really sweet card to congratulate us on expecting a baby! Each of their girls signed it to - love it!

Three| Progress. House progress has been slow lately but the tile floor goes in today!  The vanity and counter top were installed earlier this week to - so far I'm loving our new bathroom. 

Four| It truly is a good day to have a good day! This was posted on Facebook by our local Aveda salon. It made me smile.

Five| It Feels Good To Do Good.  I really mean that.  It so easy to get bogged down by all of the negative things that happen in our world but it's really amazing how awesome you feel when you choose to do good!

I hope you all have had a wonderful, beautiful week and wish a fantastic weekend!

High 5 for Friday!

One. I stayed overnight in Des Moines for work this week. One of the perks of waking up in the city is a quick trip to Starbucks! :)

Two. Our renovation project is moving along pretty quickly.  Before the drywall was sealed up I wrote a quick note to the future owners of our home and put it in the wall.

Three. Since our kitchen has moved to the garage, Axe spends a lot of time with us.  She is an excellent helper when it comes to cooking supper. 

Four. The sheet rock went up in our house in one day (it's not a big house). Our vision is starting to take shape.  Stick around to see what our vision is. 

Five. We had our first baby this week - an 80+ lb heifer calf! 

P.S - Today is the last day to book an E-design for a discounted price of $80/room (usually $100)! Find out more information here. 

High 5 For Friday!

One. It's had been awhile, but we still know how to clean up well.  And, even though we are married, I still think I landed a pretty good-looking guy!

Two. Renovation has begun.  Open floor plan here we come!

Three. Adam built and organized a new laundry room in our basement.  He even picked out a new washer and dryer.

Four. Since renovation was happening downstairs, I (temporarily) moved my office to the bedroom.  It's a comfy and sunny place to work.

Five. I finally finished a custom greeting card order for a friend in Indiana. I love doing this stuff!

I hope you all have had a great week!!

High Five For Friday!

One. Mailing orders from my etsy shop is so fun!
Two. This is my nail color of choice lately - Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Early Gray (320)
Three. I took a little bit of time to jot down a few "year in review" notes and was reminded of how spectacular 2013 to us. (With the exception of our dog that died...)
Four. My husband built all of this storage yesterday.  It took him just half of a day.  He is so darn handy - I completely appreciate that about him!
Five. I just can't beat the country view from the front of our house. Even though I often think these cows are on the loose! (Just for the record, there is a fence.)

I am offering a discount on my interior decorating services here.  Check it out!

Cheers to a new year!

High Five For Friday

Happy Friday-before-Christmas everyone!  A high five for Friday post from me has been long overdue - eeek!  Here's (kinda) what's  been going on around these parts....

1. We sold the sweet little heifers that we've raised since late winter last year.  It was kind of sad to see them go, but I trust they went to good 4-H families that will enjoying showing them at their county fairs.

2. I participated in two local vendor fairs with my handmade greeting cards this month.  It was pretty fun but wow, vendor fairs are a lot of work to get ready for!  If you are interested in them, here is a link to my etsy shop.

3. I love getting picture messages from my little family wondering when I am going to be home...

4. I finally decorated our home for Christmas.  Read more about it here.

5. We have the best neighbors!  Cindy has a cupcake business so she and her husband brought us over these cupcakes for Christmas.  It took us all of 3 days to eat them... yum!

High Five For Friday!

Have you ever had one of those weeks that seems to have drug on and flown by all at the same time? That's where I'm at this week but as always I'm thankful that it's Friday! :)

One. Axe is growing like a weed. In fact, she is out hunting for pheasants this morning.
Two. Victoria's Secret sent me a $10 birthday gift in the mail. They are way ahead of schedule since my birthday isn't actually until May but that's ok.  I'll take it! :)
Three. I am working on tons a lot of greeting cards this week for both my etsy shop and two vendor fairs that I have coming up in December.
Four. Last Saturday I made a pumpkin pie for absolutely no reason other than it sounded good. It was!
Five. Yesterday we got our first snow here in Iowa.  Even though that means winter is pretty much here, which is kind of a bummer, the first snow is always kind of exciting.

How was your week?

Don't forget to register for this $200 Target Giveaway!
My awesome sponsors have also compiled a giveaway that includes a pillow cover, earrings, and virtual room consult!
And, if you are thinking of growing out your bangs, here are 3 ways to hide your bangs.

High Five For Friday

One. This last weekend I headed to Portland for a girls weekend with an old friend and a new friend! It was so fun.

Two. While we were there my blogging friend, Libby, came over to have brunch with us.  It was so good to meet her!

Three. Dark chocolate sea salt covered hazelnuts.  Yum.

Four. One of the perks of working from home a couple of days a week is that I make my self a really good breakfast!

Five. My husband and 'Axe' got their first pheasant as a team. I couldn't tell who was more excited! :) 

Don't forget about the $200 Target gift card giveaway!

Meet my sponsor - Deluxe Mirrors...

Deluxe Mirrors is an online retailer providing competitive prices on a variety of mirrors for your home. We provide a memorable experience when you shop our online store by offering quality products with top notch customer service.

We feature premium brand mirrors and have custom colors available exactly to your liking. With a great team in place, we aim to grow our business more and more by offering our customers the best mirrors available.

Facebook | Pinterest 

High Five For Friday!

Happy Friday!

I hope you all had a "spooktacular" Halloween. (That's about as halloween-ey I get!)

One| I've been into cucumbers with a little ranch dressing as a snack. Yum.

Two| One of the design clients whose living room I helped decorate sent me this picture of her progress. I absolutely love it!

Three| 'Axe' went hunting for the first time last weekend. Adam brought home a pheasant wing to practice training her with.  She knows right where it is and she wants is Oh-So-Bad!

Four| I made this sweet little Halloween card for my husband. Clever, huh?!

Five| This fabric from Kate Spain came in the mail - I can't wait to make a pillow cover out of it! :)

One the blog this week...

I am updating my master bedroom - here is the design board.

Our wedding review, professional pictures, and vendor Facebook pages.

Have a super weekend my friends!

High Five For Friday

One | I've been working at finishing a bottle of wine this week.  It's been good. :)

Two | I gave into temptation and bought the duvet cover from Pottery Barn that I've had my eye on for awhile.

Three| One my way to get the duvet cover, I got rock star parking.  This NEVER happens at this mall.

Four| I am still plugging away at greeting cards for an etsy shop.  This week I am working on creating sets of cards.

Five| I am such a push over.  I let Axe in the house while I was making supper. She's not much help but she is so well behaved. 

Hope you all have had a great week!

This week on the blog..

I shared some of the paint colors I've used in our home.

I am offering my blogging presentation as a free download. Enjoy!

High Five For Friday

Cheers to Friday!

one| I finally took the time to make new business cards that reflected my name change. I also used my new stamp from Etchy Things. 

two| I am in love with gold foil right now. I saw this print on Pinterest and went on the hunt for it.  I found it in the Lara Casey Shop. 

three| Our little puppy is growing up.  Even though she is in her wild stage - this look still melts my heart. 

four| I gave a presentation on blogging this week at a conference here in Iowa. It was well received and I was reminded of how much I like speaking and presenting workshops.  (I'll make this presentation available to you all soon.)

five| I made a stop at Hobby Lobby this week and to my surprise the stamps were on sale. Starting an etsy shop with handmade greeting cards is still on my mind....

Plus one!! (Yes, I have a plus one....) My Home Office Reveal was featured by Michelle over at Ten June. I feel honored that she shared my office. Thanks Michelle!

This week on the blog...
A Salted Nut Roll Snack Mix

The mood board link party + GIVEAWAY - go enter to win! :)

and, One black dress, two ways

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

High Five For Friday!

One | I found the most yummy, crunchy grapes in the grocery store this week.  It's kind of a big deal since we live so far west of Des Moines that I think we are one of the last stops for the produce delivery. 

Two | One of my co-workers introduced me to this Starbucks drink - I'm hooked! Try Raspberry Pomegranate.

Three | I made the top 100 star performers list at our work gym. I may be 97 but I did make it. I think this should automatically make you believe I am in excellent shape! :)

Four | I ordered a custom stamp for with my blog logo from Etchy Things on Etsy! Super excited about it!

Five | Last week I decide to change my look and cut some bangs. Apparently they are the fall trend. It's a definite change but I plan to rock them for awhile!

Here's what happened on the blog this week...

I finally gave a little tour of our entryway.

Check out the decor items I am loving lately. 

I added a PayPal option in my side bar for those of you who might be interested in an e-design or virtual room consult.

I hope you all have had a great week!  And, if you would, keep my farming and ranching friends from South Dakota in your thoughts and prayers. The snowstorm last week brought a lot of heartache and devastation. They could use your positivity!

High Five For Friday!

Yay for Friday! Here are my high 5!

one| We've had some nice nights here in Iowa which called for a drink on the front porch. 

two| I had a surprise visit from one of my best friends, Cynthia, this week! The best part is that she is moving to Iowa soon so I'll get to see her more often - woohoo!!

three| Our little puppy, 'Axe' is growing like crazy! She is quickly becoming a great partner on walks.

four| The sun is starting to go down a little earlier these days.  The good news is that it makes for a beautiful sunset.

five| Rolos have been my candy of choice lately. Yum!

In case you're curious what's happened on the blog recently...

I shared my love for dark walls.

Described what it means to be a farm widow.

And... revealed my farmhouse basement turned home office.

Cheers to you!

High Five For Friday

One. We have survived one month of being married! :)  I love being a wife, it's a pretty cool thing.
Two. It finally rained her x2! A little late for the crops in western Iowa but better late than never, right?
Three. I got new glasses last week.  So far I am loving them and that surprises me.
Four. As a sweet treat I made my Grandma Ele's Monster Cookie recipe.  They are divine.
Five. I updated my e-design page to make it easier to understand plus I added a new design offering - A virtual room consultation.  I'm excited to kick off that service.

I hope you all have had a good week and some fun plans for the weekend ahead!!  Thanks for being followers!

If you are new the Design Your Dwelling, please let me know.  I would love to have you stick around for awhile and return the favor.

High Five For Friday

One. I made all of the thank you cards for our wedding! Super simple. Super fun.

Two. Last weekend we went to one of the most beautiful, out-of-a-magazine weddings I have ever been too.  It was the perfect mix of country and vintage!  Loved it!

Three. I met this fella last Friday. I tried to be a good neighbor and let the owner know his steer was out.  Unfortunately they weren't home... I assume he got back to the inside of the fence safely?

Four.  This little puppy makes me laugh every day! 'Axe' is growing like a weed and full of personality.  Plus, I think she likes her picture taken. :)

Five. Adam and I made our television debut this last weekend.  We were on the CMT Hot 20 countdown - right in the front row! Awesome! :)  Plus the hosts, Cody Allan & Alecia Davis, are pretty cool people.

Have a super weekend my friends! I hope your weeks were filled with a lot of happiness!

High Five For Friday!

Since my last High Five For Friday post...

One. We got married! :) (for a few wedding highlights, check out this post.)

Two. One our honeymoon to Nashville we visited the Jack Daniels distillery.  It was an awesome tour and we highly recommend it.

Three. After nearly two years I finally painted my home office cabinets. (Reveal to come soon)

Four. Since I am done with wedding planning I've picked up an old hobby - creating greeting cards.

Five. I love hanging out with my sweet little family.  Couldn't be happier!

Cheers to a great weekend ahead!

High Five For Friday!

Good Morning!  I am super excited it's Friday because it's bachelorette party weekend!  I can't wait to see my friends and sisters and just hang out with everyone. My bridesmaids have some fun things in store....

On to my high five + 1.

one. I've finally decided on a paint color for my custom cabinets/desk in my basement office.  It's only be about a year and a half so it's about time!

two. In honor of my bachelorette party this weekend I got a pedicure.  They lady said I could wear these out to my car so I wouldn't smudge my toes so I did.  Not easy to walk in... I probably looked like a total goof!

three. Isn't this face sweet!  We have been enjoying Axe.  But don't let this face fool you - she is 100mph. We love her energy! (most of the time...)

four. I finally got a shelf hung in my entry way.  I styled it this week and love the color it adds to the entry way!  Someday I'll do a reveal of our new entry way, promise.

five. This week I've been able to get a lot of my wedding decorations done including this 'cards' banner for my vintage suitcase. 

plus one. My parents came to visit last weekend.  It was fun to have them around!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! 

High Five For Friday!

Happy Friday All!  Here is a look at the good that happened this week!

one. We welcomed a new puppy into our family!  Meet 'Axe' officially named 'Battle Axe.' She is fun to have around but definitely a lot of work - we are pretty confident she will live up to her name.  Isn't she cute?!

two. I decided to add another little design option to my blog 'Design To Go.' Check it out here.

three. I've able to sneak out of the house a few evenings this week for a walk.  Even though the ground is getting dry, I love that these pretty little wildflowers can pop up!

four. Wedding preparation has begun.  I don't want acrylic nails for the wedding so I am preparing mine to look good on our wedding day by getting gel nails done.  I love them! Not sure why I haven't paid the extra $5 over a standard manicure for these until now!

five. I finally gave in an ordered a new set of Mary Kay brushes. Nothing beats having great makeup brushes.  I also decided to try out some translucent powder.  I love it - it's the perfect finish to daily makeup!

I hope all had a great week and fun weekend plans in store...

Cheers!

High Five For Friday!

Happy Friday to you all!  Here are my high from the week! :)

One. Since fruit is becoming "in season" it's getting a little less expensive and taste's oh so good! Especially blueberries - I am loving them on everything right now, especially oatmeal and Special K cereal!

Two. Silly, but I smile every time I open my cupboard and see all of my white dinnerware.  It's so nice to have matching things.  Plus, white is so classic and beautiful with anything.

Three. We can beat this view from our porch.  In the evenings, our porch is the most peaceful place in the world.  We recently bought a dining set for our porch so we have been enjoying dinner and drinks out here!

Four. I scored this vintage boxes for $13 total off of our company's classified ad site.  I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do with them yet but I had to have them. :)

Five.  One of my favorite past times is making greeting cards and giving them as gifts.  I love giving them and friends love receiving them.  I am considering starting an etsy shop after the wedding.  I figure I should have something else to stress myself out over, right?! :)

I hope you all have had a great week and have plans for the weekend.  We will be welcoming a new puppy into our family and celebrating a friends wedding!!

Cheers!

High Five For Friday!

One. I have another bridal shower coming up.  For the hostesses, I made these cute little air fresheners as a gift.

Two. The Onstar mobile app is a lifesaver when it's hot out.  I start up my car right before I head to the locker rooms after the gym and by the time I get out to my car it's cool.  :)

Three. I bought a new rug last week. I love it and look forward to decorating the rest of my living room. More to come on that little project...

Four. I stopped at Whole Foods and picked up my favorite snacks from the store - Peppermint water (so refreshing) and Macaroons! Yum!

Five. Last Saturday I spend the day on the golf course with some really fun ladies.  I tell you what - pink golf balls are the way to go. You always know which one is yours and it's hard to lose.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend - enjoy the summer weather! :)