the secretary desk

two years ago we had to move my grandpa into assisted living.  when moving him my dad asked if there was anything that i'd like to have.  the secretary desk in my grandparent's family room immediately popped into my mind and i asked if he mind if i held on to it.  i've always loved this desk and it holds many fond childhood memories.  there were many hours spent at this desk teaching my imaginary classroom or running an imaginary (yet very important) business.  i was thrilled to bring it home.

it needed some love though.  i even found the receipt in the top drawer from when they purchased it so many many years ago.  and every time i thought about how i could fix her up and make her look pretty again i began to hyperventilate.  normally i have no problems fixing up a piece of furniture, but the pressure of this piece overwhelmed me.  so it sat for awhile in a corner, naked from a quick sanding, while i dreamed of what she could become.

a few weeks ago my mom called and said she was going with a friend to dallas for an annie sloan class.  i was so jealous!!  i've been dying to try the chalk paints and when she asked if she wanted me to pick up some stuff for myself i jumped with glee at the offer.  i thought this would be perfect to do for my desk.

and so this weekend and some annie sloan paint and wax later...girl's got herself a new look.  and if i do say so myself she looks fabulous.

 

i absolutely LOVE this paint.  such a dream to work with.  although it's a bit pricey i think it is worth every penny.  i didn't even use a quarter of the paint can to cover this piece and it's matching chair.  it goes on so easy, covers amazingly well, and dries fast.  i used "old white" and "paris grey", then used the dark wax to give it a frenchy feel.  took an afternoon...that's all.  my mom and i are going to redo her guest bedroom armoire and headboard with the chalk paint and i can't wait to see how it turns out on a larger piece.

linking up with:

a memo to pug #10

To: Pug
From: Upper Management
Date: 2/27/12
RE: The Loo

Dear Pug,

In regards to this morning's noteworthy event, I ask that you please refrain from using Landry as a fire hydrant from now on.  I'm sure Landry would be most appreciative to avoid any unnecessary baths as well.  I understand you are extremely inpatient when someone is using a spot you so desperately want, but take note...if said spot is occupied please.

My Sincerest Appreciation,
Girl

past memos to pug can be found here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8 and 9}

tivo confessions

I'm treating myself to a little break from my Operation Organization 2012.  Also, known as Operation Organization 2011, 2010, and 2009.  What can I say...I get distracted easily.  I'd like to say I'm pretty organized, maybe from the outside, but when you dig a little deeper into those closets...not so much.  So I've spent the good part of the morning sorting through drawers and boxes asking myself if I really need to keep my collection of "Jock Jam" CD's wondering if these so called jams, that were the soundtrack to my high school years, are worth downloading to the iPod?  Do I even risk the humiliation of such a playlist?  So as you can see this organizing business is very exhausting.

But on a brighter note, I am thrilled that the good ole' Tivo has some work cut out for him with so many new tv shows starting back up.  So let's talk tv shows were loving, the ones we're excited are starting back up, and maybe even the ones that need to say goodbye.

1. Celebrity Apprentice- sadly, I haven't watched this premiere yet, but I'm ever so excited to watch it.  This one always sucks me in.  I can't resist the board room drama.

2. Bethenny Ever After- oh so excited...she cracks me up!

3. Shark Tank- hubs and I actually just got into this one, mainly because it's on right before Dateline, but are really addicted.  So, were spending some time catching up on past episodes.

4. Tabitha Takes Over- oh bravo, I am so addicted to you.  I love a good makeover show though!

5. Teen Mom 2- I have to add this one in that I'm glad this season has ended.  I watch the show because I so desperately want to see these girls succeed and make good choices for themselves and their kid.  This season was just really hard to watch emotionally.  I'm just really rooting for them all.

6.  An Idiot Abroad: the bucket list- oh how Karl cracks us up.  If you haven't seen it it's on the Science channel and we were so excited that it came back for a 2nd season.  Anyone else watching this?

7. The Office- oh this is so painful to watch.  It makes me so sad because I have absolutely adored this show for so many years.  So many Michael Scott laughs, but seriously someone needs to cut the cord and let it go.  

I'm sure I'm missing a few.  I'm hoping to rent Downtown Abby soon and get hooked on that I'm sure.  What's on your DVR or Tivo up to these days?

oh, how pinteresting: here's your sign

i'm joining up for the vintage apple's "oh, how pinteresting".  absolutely love that idea and getting to meet some new pinterest addicts.  

 today my theme is: here's your sign

  

Source: facebook.com via meg on Pinterest

Source: wallwritten.com via meg on Pinterest

Source: thinknice.com via Christine on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Candy on Pinterest

happy valentine's day

hope your day is filled with lots of love!!

we're keeping it low key and staying in.  i'm hoping to also spend it catching up with good ole' tivo and maybe even a little reading.  i'm thinking the new sophie kinsella e-book is calling my name.    

oh and speaking e-books, the kindle got a new home.  it's from the pleated poppy...so stinking cute and super durable (not that i would know this from experience)!

a snort interview

well we had to dust off our winter coats here in texas yesterday.  we got a bit of snow yesterday...if you can even call this snow?  gotta love texas winter's, 60 degrees one day, 25 the next.  and of course if you opened the back door there were two pugs that came to a screeching halt and having nothing to do with this.  so spoiled with their warm climate.  

speaking of pugs.  sweet pug payton gave our lil' blog an award.  it comes with a little interview, so here goes.  the boys wanted to know if it also comes with a treat! 
 

PUG


1. Name your favorite activity. 

eating, eating...oh and eating 

2. Name your favorite treat. 
  i'll have whatever you're having.

 
3. What ticks you off?

"60 minute's" ticking clock

 
4. When you’re upset, what do you do?

scream like a little girl

5. What makes you indescribably happy?

when someone comes for a visit...oh and eating.

6. What do you do when you are excited?

hop up and down and scream like a little girl

7. What is your biggest fear?

not eating

 
8. Describe your everyday attitude.

large and in charge

9. Name your favorite toy.

whatever one landry happens to be playing with

10. Name your favorite place to sleep or nap. 

the back of the leather chair where i can keep a close eye on everyone.

LANDRY

1. Name your favorite activity. 

cuddling

2. Name your favorite treat.  

cheerios

3. What ticks you off?

animals on the tv; lately the cat from the target jason wu commericals

4. When you’re upset, what do you do?

do a cry/howl

5. What makes you indescribably happy?

 someones lap to sleep on

6. What do you do when you are excited?

wag my tail

7. What is your biggest fear?

trash bags, squeaky toys, magazines, mom vacuuming

8. Describe your everyday attitude.

super happy and content

9. Name your favorite toy.

my stuffed kansas jayhawk mascot

10. Name your favorite place to sleep or nap.   
in mom and dad's bed...what can i say i love to cuddle.

because i can't just pick a few of our friends to pass it on too, i'm going to pass it on to all of our 4 legged little friends.  thank you so much again payton!

parts of the week

sunday: we headed to my parent's for the night.  brought the dogs, but forgot the dog food.  got scolded for that (from the pugs).  watched the superbowl.  didn't watch puppy bowl.  landry can't handle watching dogs on the tv...or horses...or dancing m & m's.

monday: boy went with big daddy to the land.  i finished a book and got some work done.  mama and i caught up.  pugs destroyed her house.  had a playdate with the cutest one year old.  mama and i contemplated keeping him and his chubby thighs.

tuesday: pretty boring.  a trip to the grocery store without a list.  have i told y'all enough i hate the grocery store.  a bunch of other random errands.  began wasting my 7th year in a row of watching real housewives of oc, and i am very excited about that.  continued my mission to declutter house.

wednesday: headed to waco for ku game.  rock chalk jayhawk!  meet mom & dad there.  sat in the baylor section.  sat amongst a sea of green.  watched a great game (we won).  found the kid from modern family, luke's, doppelganger two rows in front me.  stopped for kolaches in west, texas on the way home.  a waco return trip tradition.

thursday: mama's birthday.  headed to downtown for an appointment.  another trip to the grocery store, which included an injury while putting a case of bottled water on the bottom of the cart.  didn't cry although i wanted to.  another appointment.  ate my weight in dove dark chocolate.  stepped in dog pee.

friday: cleaned. cleaned. oh and cleaned.  decluttered.  mama spent the night because she had a meeting close by on saturday.  loved getting to see her so much this week.  thought about changing out of my yoga pants and sweatshirt.  but didn't.  watched shark tank.  i'm very much loving this show.  early to bed.

happy weekend everyone!

late night baking

i've discovered it is bad news to be pinning recipes late at night.

because before you know it you come across a recipe like this for cake batter rice krispies treats.

Source: gimmesomeoven.com via meg on Pinterest

and then you can't stop thinking about how absolutely delicious is sounds at that very moment.

then as if it's just made to be you're bolting into the kitchen giddy with excitement when you realize you have all the ingredients already in your pantry.

pinning and eatting can be very dangerous friends.

but oh so delicious.  you must give this a recipe at try.

i'll add that since i'm lactose intolerant i made sure my cake mix was indeed dairy free and i used about 2 tablespoons of earth balance instead of butter.  turned out perfectly!

you're welcome.