Politics on Presidents Day!

thestyleumbrella.com

Sure...why not?!?
I NEVER get political and I am hardly as knowledgeable (so don't judge) as I should be this close to the Primary. For several reasons:

• I hate hurting peoples feelings: Politics become really touchy...because guess what?!?  ...WE ALL have an opinion. 
• Morals: Some of us have them, and some don't.  I stand FIRM in my beliefs. I don't proclaim to be perfect (because you aren't either), but now that I'm a mother, my beliefs don't effect just me.
• I can't believe ANY of the media hub-bub aka 'blah-blah' and I'm not just talking 'FOX news' (even though that is my 'go-to' for happenings). 
• I don't know who to vote for, yet I know who NOT to vote for.

{So now this is the part where I tell you what you already have assumed about me: yes I am a Conservative, righty, Republican and I prefer red over blue.  But what you don't know is that Heck yes I'm open for CHANGE.  I AM HOPEFUL.  And I'm not mad at you for voting for Obama.}

Today should be a day of thanks.  Thanks to all of the Presidents Past and Present for your service in leading our country.  I wouldn't want that job. 
So, this wont be your only and last reminder, get EDUCATED, get REGISTERED and go VOTE in NOVEMBER!! 

Thanks for stoppin... I'd love to know what sites you trust and get your info on the 2012 candidates!

{black and gold}

After a year of battling a final decision, I have decided to go with BLACK and GOLD (white too) for our master bedroom.  I am loving gold (for now anyways) and it brings a real elegant and 'fresh' ambiance.  I've been wanting to share just a couple recent 'diy' decor ideas with you.
I will apologize for not taking before pics...but this isn't too technical, you'll live.
One of my most recent yard sale finds was an old thick frame.  It was brown with hints of gold/bronze 'puke spots'..really unattractive.  Seriously, I had to fight my husband to get it home :)  I tore off the paper backing, removed the picture and glass.  It was already a dull surface and I don't mind texture so I just spray painted it metallic gold.  And that's it! Here is a closeup:

Note: Goodwill usually over charges on frames.  Yard sailing is the way to go.  Best thing when looking for a frame is TEXTURE!!  But really, anything will look good.

For the rosette ribbon strand I found it at Hobby Lobby.  I could have made this myself, but I wanted to spare my time on this one.  For this frame it took a little over a yard.  I hot glued the rosette strand ends to the back and voila! 

Next was our monogram.  Classy. Personal. Pretty. So, I mentioned my love for yarn in an earlier post.  It really is true :)  I bought the block letters at Joann Fabrics.  There really are endless possibilities with these.  It's hard to see in detail, but I started hot gluing yarn in spots that were necessary.  (Just wrapping yarn doesn't work when you get to the inside of letters, curves, edges and middles).  This was easy yet a little tricky because I didn't want them to look messy. 

For the 'F', I went with a bigger letter size and just spray painted it.

(this metallic spray paint is amazing)

The End....

Cost Summary:
Frame: $3

Spray Paint: $5

Rosettes: $8

LettersX3: $6

Yarn: $3 (I already had)

Hot glue gun/glue: $8 (already had)

TOTAL: $22

(keep in mind, I hardly used any spray paint...so I still have left over.  Also left over rosettes)

 Here is a finished product of my FREE project that coincides.  

The frame above is suitable for lighter bracelets and necklaces, but mostly earrings.  This is my Ring Tree.  Which also houses my heavier bangles and necklaces :)

Not the best picture.  However, it still shows my point.  The bottle was a recycled liquor bottle that I saved.  I yarn wrapped it with hot glue.  Picked some branches in my yard, spray painted the GOLD, and now I'm in love!  I have this tree that grew twirly vines/ branches.  They are pretty thick but they are a little flimsy.  Anyways...this works great for all of my rings and things :)

I hope I've inspired you to find some sort of project to start AND finish :)

Have a great day!

SUPER day!

With last Saturday being a day for just Cain and I, He went out with Daddy yesterday and Ryder to a 'mud bog'.
Now, I have no idea what that's like because I have NEVER been to one (and that is quite alright)..but it sounds like they had a good time.  Funny, Cains obsession is cars, trucks, quads, bikes, tractors, etc...  That just might be his thing! :)
So that means I had a day to myself!!  A WHOLE day!!  At first I didnt even know where to begin... I had several ideas of things that I wanted to do yet I chose based on things Cain severely dislikes!!  SHOPPING!
No, I didnt go crazy..it was just nice to be able to take my time and browse (something I rarely get to do).
I also got the chance to catch up with a couple girls that I haven't seen in 5 years?!  What a treat! 
Then it was an hour and a half of cardio!!  (Cain for sure would have broken out of child care if he was in for that long).  All in all, it was great to have a day to myself.  I could totally get used to every other weekend doing something on a Saturday one on one with our BOY!

 This was the awesome sunset in Tallahassee to end my ME day!

As for today...I will catch you up on my bandwagon of February pics!!  (If you don't have the instagram app, you are totally missing out on all of the possibilities of editing your photos.  EASY.  and sharing them with your friends).

{2.2-Words} Phl. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen!  Definitely one of my favorite bible verses!! This is so fitting for me and my new year goals.  How does this fit into your personal life?

{2.3-Hands} 'Mr. President, YOU my dear, got punked' lol...  I will be saving my political stance for a later date :)

 

 {2.4-Stranger} Yes, I was creeping at the gym on a Saturday!  Can't help but feel like a weirdo taking a picture of a stranger.  Not gonna lie, I'd be weirded out!!  But mad props to THIS GUY for being the only other person getting it done!!  Love it!

I will leave on that note... Time to hang out with my two favorite boys!!  Big day of Supercross and Superbowl!!  Go Patriots!!  WOO :)

#febpicaday1

So...I decided to jump on this wagon:

So here it is...{my view}

It was 'gloomy' yesterday....perfect for a snuggle-sesh!  This is my view from our home. While it's not the sparkles off the emerald waters on the Gulf on a perfectly sunny day, this is almost as peaceful.  I may hear a car drive by (about once or twice in the hour), but the sounds of this landscape are refreshing! 
Note: Days after the rain aren't so quiet!!  But the buzzing of the dirt bikes are what makes this home special to us.

Happy Groundhog day!!  Word on the street is a later winter is in store...I guess we shall see!

Good day friends!