Pensacola Vacation

Last night we got home after spending 4 glorious days at the beach with our friends. Our days were strictly scheduled. The repeated daily agenda went as follows: wake up, breakfast, beach, lunch, drink, beach, pool, drink, nap, drink, dinner, drink, pool, sleep.

I am happy to report I did not sunburn at all and James' redness is very minimal. We found SPF 60+ baby formula is the ultimate in protection!

I am unhappy to report that I forgot my camera. And our friends are as non-documentative as we are, showing here one picture taken with an i-phone.

Some day I will learn to remember and actually use a camera. Hopefully that day is soon.

VACATION!!

Tomorrow we head to the beach with our dear friends Levi, Sarah & Ross.

I think I can handle it.

CERTIFIED BAD ASS.

OK, so the title is a little egotistical, but I'm pretty pumped. I passed all three sections of my NCIDQ licensing exam. I am now FULLY licensed in the state of Texas and will apply for my national license (just a bunch of paper work) next week. Whoot! Whoot!

What a weight off my shoulders!

Thanks to my support crew during that time... you guys were my rock; and in that case; you rock.

One more licensing exam and I'm good for LIFE!

CUIDADO!

Yesterday I came home to find my apartment covered in scaffolding. Apparently there's some moisture (mold) behind the stucco. Now every time I leave my front door I am reminded: CUIDADO!!!! CUIDADO!!!!

Jonas Brothers

I know this is silly... BUT... as many of you know James' company just secured the account with the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium here in Dallas. It's a big deal considering all the events that go on there even when there isn't football. This weekend the Jonas Brothers will be in town and are doing an interview with Larry King today at the stadium. No... James won't be in the background or hanging with the Jo Bros (do I sound hip and cool?) But the entire set will be done by him and his crews... lighting, floral, decor.... you name it. So if you're flipping channels tonight, stop on ol' Larry and check out the set. Then you can flip back to Dancing with the Stars.

It's BOOOKED.

Last night, James and I finalized the plans for a big vacation to Europe. We are taking a 7 day Mediterranean cruise, with a round-trip out of Barcelona. I am so excited. We leave August 28th and return on Labor Day. Below is a map of our cruise.

This is the first time out of our 5 years together that we have really planned a vacation together (besides the honeymoon). We've either been broke or working. So since James has a much more flexible job and we are no longer scrapping by, we are now able to actually enjoy a few relaxing trips!

Next week we head to Pensacola, FL to spend the week with the Parkers at their beach house. It's truly sweet to have friends with perks.

Having these trips to think about definitely help get me through my beige weekdays.

I'm learning....

Ok, so I saw this new faux bois finish and I really wanted to try it out. During the project I learned a few things.

1. Start small, maybe the living room coffee table wasn't the best piece to practice on.

2. It's hard doing projects like this on the roof-top of the apartment parking garage.

3. Texas summers make paint dry too fast. The paint was seriously starting to dry before I finished the stroke of the brush.

4. When applying a modern finish, maybe go for a more traditional table style.

5. Make sure your paint brush is small enough to fit in the paint can.

Although I like the finish, I'm not too sure I should have done it on this table. The top is split in two and totally ruins the effect of the faux finish. The table style is too modern, a few curves would add a lot. And finally.... in the words of my husband, "It kind of looks like you just painted a cheap Ikea table." Which I replied, "I did."

Oh well, you live and you learn.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

Leftover flowers from someone else's wedding last weekend. Still brightens my day. My husband's the best.

Before & After

The Parkers gave Levi this palm tree chair, because they didn't want it. Levi gave this palm tree chair to James and I, because he didn't want it. I tried to give it away, because I didn't want it. But then I realized how cheap I am and that free furniture is not to be thrown away. So I went on etsy, bought some fabric and a few weeks later.... this arrived in the mail.

It needs ironing and pinned in a couple places, but besides that, it makes a huge difference with the palm tree chair.