Paint by Annie Sloan, Mix by Trish, Loved by ALL!

So unless you live life without a computer, AWAY from the blogosphere or NOT currently in England, you have heard of the ever so famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! I was in love from the moment I saw this yummy looking tinted covering of candies paint. At first I must admit, I was a bit dissapointed that she didn’t a shade of vibrant lime or apple green… so what’s a girl to do? Mix her own and paint her great-grandmother’s buffet table from the early 1920’s!!!

I’m not going to give a step-by-step “how to” (unless I am bombarded with with tons of comment love & I can’t resist the fame), but I did want to show a “Before & After” so when I roll up to Annie’s shop in Oxford this week, I can say…”LOOK WHAT I DID!!!” Seriously folks, I am addicted to this chalky madness, I am headed to England for vaca, & I would be starstruck if I was able to make it her quaint little shop (even though, I’m sure Ms. Sloan is BUSY jet-setting and demonstrating her greatness)!!!

Great Grandma's Buffet Table since the 1920's

This is the obviously the “before” picture of my Great Grandmother’s large buffet table that she purchased in North Carolina back in the early 1920’s!!! I was happy and surprised when everyone agreed it was the right thing to do (I had been contemplating for years). After reading about the Annie Sloan paints, I knew it was the right thing for the job… NO SANDING, NO PRIMING and NO HERTACHE!!! WHat more could you ask for in a paint?!?!?

Mixing some Magic by T~

I did have to get out my mad science and become the mix master! I mixed 2 cups Antibes Green,  1 cup Arles,  1/2 cup Chateau Grey.

two coat paint job

I painted two coats due to how dark the piece was.

adding a bit of brown wax

I used the clear & brown wax. There was no method to my madness, but it worked!!!

getting the details

I sanded and distressed till I was happy!!!

A little love, a little paint & a lotta of FUN!

Hottie at 40

SO this is what 40 looks like? I forgot to mention… I edited this photo by taking out the forehead crater lines, crows feet are hidden behind the BIG shades & I totally enhanced the color so I have a glow instead of brown-spots… NOT to mention, I had just gotten my hair did to color the 85% GRAY!!! NICE!!! Thanks to my MacBook Pro for the enhancements!!!

Happy bDay to ME!!!

It hasn’t really bothered me much I have to admit. I also must confess that only 2 months ago, I thought I was still 38. The MOST embarrassing part is I argued with my husband that I was turning 39 in front of his family!!! He finally shut me up after I said,”I was born in 1971!!!” His response…”It’s 2011 this year”. Well DAMN, that’s what I get and I can now officially blame it on old age!!!

Me and Shane

The celebrations were completely out of sorts as my youngest had to go back in the hospital for a few days worth of testing followed by my ever so loving husband’s shoulder surgery. My friends and family still managed to schedule and reschedule the surprise Shane was planning… turned out to not be a surprise, but I was grateful to have those I loved and cared about to celebrate my day… week… okay the ENTIRE moth!

Me and my cake!!!

Here I am 40 years ago… I look like a little china doll. I certainly haven’t acted like one over the years, but I have certainly have ENJOYED my life for the first 40 years! I couldn’t have dreamed I would be where I am today with the MOST beautiful family, friends I adore and a life I have dreamed of, even if I still need to enhance my photos a bit… cheaper than surgery!!!

February 9, 1971

What can I say?

Well, I finally did it… I’m in “skirt! Magazine, Greensboro”!!! I know it seems silly or even a bit crazy, but I’ve been wanting to be in this fabulous FREE magazine! I was so SUPER excited when I got an e-mail asking to be a part of the August Issue!!! I had to come up with a list of “5 Things I’ve learned”. Ummm… it’s NOT as easy as it sounds! You give it a try!!!

www.greensboro.skirt.com

When Nora (the editor) called and said we needed to meet at a place to do the photo shoot (I know, I know, it sounds so BIG city!), I started to get a bit panicky about the WHOLE outfit!!! My first thought was the accessories, the shoes and of course, what will I be doing in the photo? I know I didn’t want to be sitting behind my desk (which I’m not often anywho), but I wanted it to be me, my MAC and my coffee… cause that’s how I roll!

All I can say is Nora and her photographer guy did a GREAT job, it’s just me, being me, Seeking the Triad and sharing… Well, ME! Thanks skirt! Magazine for the FUN afternoon and my chance to shine!!!

So I needed something else to do and a little encouragement to go along! I started a group on Facebook called The “HILL” Project… want to join? It stands for Healthy is Life Long.

Corny? Maybe, True? YES!!! After signing up for Weight Watchers today, I thought it would only be fitting to ask my friends to be a part of the journey.

Do you like my logo and name of the group? It has to be cute if I’m gonna do this!!!

I'm strong and sweet!!!

Today, I’m at the beach with my friend Leslie. We both love and cherish the first morning cup of coffee! I know it’s only a picture of my coffee cup on her coffee table (kinda an ironic name for a piece of furniture), I know for some it’s just another day at the beach, but for me it’s a rejuvenating few days that I’ve been needing for more reasons than most care to read about.

SO as for this cup of coffee… it’s the epitome of what my “days off” are about, relaxing, enjoying and simply being me!

The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Thanks to the folks at skirt Magazine for getting me jump started for the summer here at Life to the “T”!!!

I'm the Bomb!!!

1 shot Blueberry Vodka
2 shots Blueberry Pucker
4 shots Grape Kool-Aid
*Ice to shake it
*Glass to make it
**Please note: You can NOT taste the alcohol, so tip toe lightly!!!

Look for me in the upcoming Issue of “skirt Greensboro” in August… so EXCITED I had to make myself a BB this morning just to blog about it!!!

Okay, so another week gone by and I “still wasn’t still” (shocker). I did however take a walk with my oldest son G-. I saw our walk through his eyes and took pictures of things he saw. I love this child on a level unlike my second born. Not more, not less, just different. I see a BIG life ahead for him… a GOOD life! He has had to be a stronger child than I was at his age, he has had to watch his little brother (who is special needs) go through so much and I often wonder what he thinks about it all.

a moment with Me & G

from a different point of view...

G- has the most caring heart of any child I know (except when he fired his little friend last week from their new “business ” venture… but that’s another blog post). What do I see as his most valuable asset, the compassion he has learned from his 8 short  years. I, as a mother, could have ever taught him this skill (but cherish that he knows it!). He will be a bigger and better man than most for what he has to deal with in our home living with his little brother.

Walk past this all the time...

Only in our yard!!!

So even though I might not have taken much time for me this week, I took the time to take a walk with G-! I took the time to take a few pictures from his point of view (and look at him with pridefull eyes). I stood still long enough to see that my son is one unlike most his age (on the inside)… yet he yearns to be like all the others. I dread the day someone says something bad to him about his bro… the two share the same heart and I hope they always do.

Just a random flower bush growing

on our front porch

SO to you G-… Mommy’s day to “be still” is dedicated to you.  In hopes that one day too, you will be still long enough to know what an amazement you are to our family and I love you dearly!!! (even if I don’t keep up with your blog well

my boy!!!

Your favorite past time!!!

“T” here with a linkey love note: Make sure to check out my girl MJ at onenuttygirl.com:

Another Linkey love of mine… my BEST blog designer, Darcy!!!:

Wearing leopard print is a way to be a little bit daring, having it strategically placed in my home makes me feel like I have something from Ballard Designs… sorta like living a little bit on a wild side in my not so wild life (except for my boys that is). I have learned quickly though that a little goes a long way!

My fave shoes I don't wear often

So what’s a girl to do with all this leopard print stuff? Where it of course!!! If we don’t make it simple, we can turn a fabulous and chic outfit into something tacky!!! There are a few rules a girl/woman should keep in mind when wearing an animal print, or any print at all:

my fave shirt I can't fit into

Worn almost every day... just could'nt get my own great picture

everyday cuties

What about in the home you say? Again… a little goes a long way! Keep it contained to only a couple pieces in a room. Make it a focal point, or make it an accent. The tid bit of black can go in most any room… in the context. I don’t think this is a trend going away any time soon, it’s been a round for years and I love it so!!!

Note: the picture below is actually a regular leopard print color pattern, but I was having fun on Picnik and had to post. I think it’s very Andy Worhal.

My newly recovered fave chairs!!!

I made it myself!!!

My lateset find which EVERYONE can get for only $2.79 are these cute little beauties from Office Depot.

who doesn't love these?

After reading about Kimba’s addiction to candles, I couldn’t help but share my latest with you (well maybe it’s been going on since this summer, but who’s counting?)! Don’t forget to check out my post from Chrstmas called “I Spot Christmas”. Want to see my friend MJ at One Nutty Girl? She shares my love for this fabulous fun fur! She has the most fabulous coat EVER and if I EVER get to wear a size small… it’s MINE!!! The only thing is I have so much more I didn’t even take pics of… UGH!!!

Actual color may seem different than it appears

My one true love

Yes it’s true… In February, I’m on my way to the Blissdom Conference in Nashville TN. I’m so excited to be going with my gal pal MJ from One Nutty Girl and PIC in Seek the TRIAD! We are of course going for business to “work” on Seek the Triad and learn how to make it even more fabulous (that’s no lie!). But the fact that Harry Connick, Jr. is going to be there live and in person for me to drool on watch in concert and maybe even lick his face get a picture of? Now that’s what I call divine intervention!!!

Here are a couple videos I found of HC… I could post weeks worth, but I have to go dig up ALL my CD’s so we can brush up on EVERY song on our 9 hour trip (UGH… but worth it!!!). I’m posting a couple oldies, but goodies of my man Harry… isn’t his name just dreamy?!?!?!

Harry will be a participant (both speaking and performing) at the closing keynote session at the Blissdom ‘10 Conference in Nashville, TN on Saturday, Feb. 6th, 2010.

From the Blissdom website:
And to help tie things up in celebration, we’ll tie one on with a very special guest whose community efforts in his hometown of New Orleans helped Katrina victims keep the spirit of their community alive. Help us welcome an accomplished performer, a dedicated philanthropist and a consummate family man, the one-and-only Harry Connick Jr.! Because BlissDom will never be without exciting entertainment, we’re so incredibly honored that Harry Connick Jr. will join us and perform a few songs!

Harry fully grasps the power of community by conceiving the Musician’s Village in New Orleans along with his friend and fellow New Orleans native, Branford Marsalis after the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. As of September 2009, 72 homes were built for the Musicians Village by Habitat for Humanity.

Harry’s new album ‘Your Songs’ was recently nominated for a Grammy and so Harry will be heading to BlissDom after he hits the Grammy’s in LA on January 31. (Um, yeah, seriously…how amazing is that?)

For more information about the conference, visit their website: blissdomconference.com

Oh and by the way… I’m linking up to one of my favorite sites over at Melissa’s, The Inspired Room! I’m super excited to be hanging with a few celebes other than just Little Harry” (and no I’m not talking bout my husband!). She just wrote a post today about what to wear at Blissdom, winter bliss and her ADD moments. Oh my word… I didn’t even fathom this thought till this morning that we’d have to have some great outfits… I was more worried about getting the laundry done and what snacks to wear!!! So I’m off to grab a few great tops to go with my, regular ol jeans and black pants (definitely staples in any girls closet). And P.S…. I do have great new blog cards to pass out to whoever thinks I’m cute too!!! It’s going to be a HOOT!!!

As 2009 is winding down today, It got me thinking of what a great year it turned out to be. Thought I’d share with you what a whirlwind it has been and how you never know where you’ll be. I didn’t plan on most of these things, God just has a way. I also didn’t put all the bad the year had brought, seems no point to focus on that.

I’m usually am not good at making New Years resolutions (not good at keeping them either). I’d pre-fer the “Winging It” method and see where I land most days. Thanks to ALL my friends and family who have enjoyed the year with me… can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for us!!! Please note: this list is in no particular order… too much work to make my brain choose!!!

1. Spent ALL day at home for Christmas!!!

Home Sweet Home

2. Started a new business venture,

“Seek the Triad“.

Seek the Triad Logo

3. Have learned to take better photos

(not perfect, but better).

why not?

4. Helped start a new fundraiser,

“Blasting for Boobs“.

what a hoot!

5. Week trip to Vegas

Vegas Baby

6. Went to Disney on Make*A*Wish with the Family!

7. Raised almost $60K

for the GSO CP through the DNI.

DNI logo

8. Learned to “let go”

of what I have no control over.

Jer 29:11

9. Have given up scrap-booking

Nice and Neat

10. Bought my first Coach Purse

(I know, I know… it’s a real shocker)

A True Classic

Do you have a “Top 10″ for 2009? It’s a great way to look back and focus on the good! Start one for 2010 if you want to have a little more fun… I’ll probably wait till December 31, 2010 to try this again ~*~*~