M.I.A.

No, not the British rap artist.  I am referring to my lack of posts.  So to all of my adoring fans and readers (ha ha), my recent absence has been long and for that I apologize.  No excuse, just been busy.  House-sitting, dog sitting, puppy raising, working, and a quick road trip to Maryland can really wipe out the month of June fast!  

Our young pup Hudson is now 5 months and comes in a whopping 21 lbs, which is a lot when you think he was only 5 lbs when he arrived! But now with his vaccinations all over, we are now frequenting the dog park.  Hudson is one of the gentlest dogs, he wants to give everyone canine and human kisses.  I hope he stays that way.  But taking your pets to places such as dog parks and dog pools is great for socializing your pet.  Hudson can't get enough of everyone, it also tuckers him out so at home I am not running after him the whole time.  The husband and I are going to take Hudson to a local dog pool to see how he likes it! 

The facilities at Uptown Hounds are so nice, I wish I could swim there too.

 My hope is to get back on the wagon and continue posting.  I need to tell my friends and family that I am even posting or else no one will know what I am writing!  I just need to have confidence in myself, that's all.  Happy Friday and I hope your holiday weekend is a wonderful one!

Marital Barn Bliss

I am very pleased to announce that my very best friend is getting married next year! In a barn! Sounds crazy, but I think it is one of the most romantic locations for weddings.  Here in Kentucky there are many beautiful ones surrounded by lush hills and trees (and of course bluegrass).  I am so excited for her big day and to stand beside her as her M.O.H.  And of course she and myself have started compiling inspirations and ideas, I mean the big day is less than a year away!  Here are some beautiful ideas for those rustic and romantic weddings.

Wildflowers in mason jars and burlap table runners, lots of candles.  Yes please.

I just love white paper lanterns, this was a beautiful wedding.

Twinkle lights and all white, stunning.

If your barn is lacking in technology, great display idea for photos.

Notice the beautiful wreath and soft drapery to add elegance.

Go Moroccan!

I am not talking about the Real Housewives of NYC's recent episodes featuring the country, but a line of hair care products called Moroccan Oil, link here.  Last Tuesday I was sick of my long tresses and cut several inches of my hair for a long bob.  I visited my good friend and hair stylist Megan who works at Hair and Now located on Richmond Road for you local people.  Hair and Now uses and sells Moroccan Oil products and is an approved carrier.  I was able to snag some Moroccan Oil for my own everyday use while at the salon.  

Any left on your palms? Rub into skin and rough elbows.

 It is safe and encouraged to use everyday, helping hair health and reducing blow drying time.  If you are like me and use blow dryers, flat iron and other hot tools the oil will also protect your strands.  Apply to ends of damp hair after shampooing and style as normal.  Megan combined the oil with their Hydrating Styling Cream (see picture below) and rubbed into my hair below styling using a round brush and blow dryer.

 I am also looking forward to trying their Curl Control Cream this summer!

Me and My Shadow

One of my projects accomplished from this past week off was to create silhouettes of me and my family.  I had already owned some unused framed and matted artwork that desperately needed to be replaced.  I used vinyl wallcovering samples for backgrounds to add texture and depth to the silhouettes and basic charcoal paper for the cut-outs.  Overall this homemade art project cost me under $7, not too shabby.  So, if you would like to create your own the steps are easy and you'll love the end result.

First step is painfully obvious, take profile pictures of your subjects.  If you are doing multiple silhouettes like me, you should stand at the same distance for all the profiles so when printed the heads are scaled appropriately.  After you are satisfied with the pictures taken, print to the size you wish the silhouettes to be.  Cover the pictures with tracing paper and using a pen draw over the profile (see picture below).  This may take a rough draft or two, I kept messing up around the nose for some reason.  Small details like hair and eyelashes are very important and add a great amount of character to these.

My husband was a great sport.

 Then staple the perimeter of the trace to the silhouette paper of your choice so that it is secure.  To cut use either scissors or an exacto knife (I preferred an exacto knife, but I have a lot of experience cutting strange angles with these).  And after this step you have your actual silhouette.  Now you can display it however you choose: whether you mount the silhouette on a brightly patterned cardstock or attach it to classic white that is your decision.  I covered the pictures with black paper that I currently had surrounded by white matting and then covered that with textured white wallcovering (leaving a black border) and finally attached my silhouette before inserting it into the frame.  See below for final picture.

Voila.

However, I did not put all three in one frame.  Far too busy, each person gets there own (I guess I'm not one for sharing, OCD "Only Child Syndrome").  I was extremely pleased with the final result.  Happy Monday!