My Dad Thinks I'm a Princess

This weekend was quite a busy one. House warming parties, birthdays, and family time. I can tell you one thing, I slept good last night!

 

My youngest sister's birthday is today (happy birthday Carol!), but since she has school today, she wanted to do something to celebrate yesterday. Enter The Princess Diaries.

 

It's always been one of my favorite movies, I can quote (almost) the whole movie. This scene is one of my favorites: 

 

Source

 

It's way more complicated in real life, but just as fun as it looks! There are tons of different ways to do this, but if you've ever wondered how to recreate this in real life, read on.

Things you'll need:

Acrylic Paint

Canvas

Darts

Water Balloons

Water Bottles (with the squirt tops)

Lots of towels/tarps

 

Step 1: Fill empty water bottles with about 50% paint, 50% water. It doesn't have to be perfect and you may need to adjust it depending on the color and consistency on the canvas.

 

Step 2: Fill water balloons with paint mixture. This takes practice and patience--and this is where you will likely get the messiest!

 

Step 3: Tie off balloons and fasten them to the canvas. We used pushpins at the top of the canvas (see image above)

 

Step 4: Throw darts at balloons and watch the art come alive!

 

 

 

 

 

Don't get discouraged if you are terrible at throwing darts--it takes practice! Also, the darts may make small holes in your canvas, but the paint covers it up!

 

The canvases came out so cute (it's on my Snapchat now--aellzey and Instagram--allison_ellzey) and it was the perfect way to spending a Sunday afternoon!

Summer To Do

It's June which means it's basically summer (even though technically, it's not until June 21st). And if we are REALLY being technical, it's been "summer" since late April here in the South. 

While I don't get the two months off for summer like I did when I was in school, I still like to make the most of my weekends. So, I made a list. Here are a few things I'd love to do this summer!

Go blueberry picking.

Learn to wake-board.

Go fishing with Joshua.

Beach Weekend.

Outdoor movie in the backyard.

Get a snoball from Papa Sam's. 

Rent bikes and go for a ride on the Trace.

Go to an outdoor concert.

What's on your to do list this summer?

Getting through the Super Bowl #LikeAGirl

The Super Bowl. You either hate it, love it, or moderately tolerate it.

I fall under the category of: moderately tolerating. 

Confession: I had no intention of actually paying attention, but when 4+ guys are yelling at the TV, it's kind of hard NOT to get involved.

What I thought was going to be a party of 2, turned into a party of 8. What I thought was going to be a relaxing afternoon after a long morning of work, turned into stress the minute Josh's mom suggested that I help cook (for the now 8 person party). I don't cook. I can help you burn down the kitchen, but I don't cook. But I decided to embrace my inner #girlboss and take on the challenge.

Not only did I NOT burn down the kitchen or start any fires for that matter. I actually made buffalo wings! They were way easier to make than I thought!

Here's what you'll need:

3/4 cup of flour

1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Chicken Wings

1/2 cup of melted butter

1/2 cup of hot pepper sauce

ADD: Some confidence

Super Easy to Follow Instructions:

1. Pre-Heat Oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Line pan with foil and grease with cooking spray (highly important)

3. Mix flour, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in a plastic bag.

4. Add chicken wings + shake.

5. Mix melted butter and hot sauce. Then dip wings (so they are covered with sauce).

6. Place wings on to greased pan and put in the oven for 45 mins. 

(Note: Flip wings half way throughout)

And viola! Buffalo Chicken Wings.

The perfect Super Bowl (or any kind of party) snack. Not only did I cook #likeagirl, I cooked #likeaboss and everyone loved it!

P.S. My favorite Super Bowl ad, hands down, was #LikeAGirl.

How to: Gallery Wall

This weekend I made my second gallery wall.  I had random prints and canvases lying around that I never got to putting up. And since I was doing a mass clean up and recently learned that my lease is up at the end of this year rather than in February like I thought, I figured why not. Plus, they are just fun to make. I love laying everything out ahead of time and trial and error-ing it until it works!

Left to Right/Top to Bottom: A picture of Stephanie and I when she ran "HOME" on bid day. We are both Phi Mu's now #LIOB | "Think Pink" because my favorite color is pink (obviously) | An abstract picture of a girl that Stephanie sketched for me. Heart canvas that my mom made for me for Valentines day. "A" splatter painted monogram made by yours truly | "LOVE" from TwoThirdsHazel |  Quote canvas made for me by my big sis in Phi Mu | Canvas by AllThingsPrettyBlog 

The one I made this weekend was for my room (above). I did some rearranging and had a spare wall that was too bare. The one below is in the living room! 

My pawpaw made a bunch of these cubes before he died so they will always have sentimental value to me

My top tips:
- Make sure to incorporate things that have special meaning to you. Think of it as one big conversation starter!
- Key concept to constructing a gallery wall is to have things of different sizes, colors, and even shapes. 
- Lay everything out on the floor before you go nailing things into the wall. 
- Have fun with it!

Speaking of unique and personal pieces, in my living room I have on display a book I wrote AND illustrated in 1st grade: "Max the Koala Bear". Slightly embarrassing (people love reading it and getting a good laugh), but genius.

Happy decorating--because I said so!

Charcuterie

Let me introduce you to my dinner last night. 

I was feeling a little creative and also didn't want to cook (not that I do much cooking anyway). So VIOLA! My favorite thing about making a wine and cheese board is that you can add anything you want! It's essentially an "adult snack plate." 

To assemble your own charcuterie board, you'll need a variety of cheeses, cured meats, and crackers. 

Here's what mine consisted of:

Meats: Pepperoni/Salami/Prosciutto/Dry Coppa

Cheeses: Swiss/Drunken Goat Cheese/Brie/Aged Cheddar/ Colby Jack Cubes

Crackers: Wheat Thins/Whole Wheat Roland Crackers

Miscellaneous: Grapes/Fig Spread

Wine: Ricossa Moscato D'Asti

Half of the fun is in assembling the board and the other half is in getting to enjoy it! Next time, I'll switch up the variety of cheeses and maybe throw in a red wine!

Domestic Goddess

My Saturday= cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. 

Anyone jealous yet? 

But lets be honest, it needs to be done.

I know every weekend I say I'm going to clean and all that jazz, but this weekend I am!

I'm determined.

So far, I've braved the crowds at Walmart and Winn Dixie, bought a new lamp and some candles, made laundry detergent (see recipe below), had a Pinterest project fail, taken Laney on a bajillion walks, and even cooked a little #masterchefallison (garlic roasted new potatoes anyone?)

Exciting stuff. 

To be clear, making the laundry detergent was not the Pinterest project that failed.

To make your own laundry detergent:

1 box of Borax

1 box of Arm and Hammer baking soda

1 box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Powder (yellow box)

1 bucket of OxyClean

1 bottle of Purex Crystals

1 bar of Fels Naptha (shredded)

Note: all can be found on the "laundry aisle"

Combine all into a big bucket and mix.

Viola! Fool proof.

All that's left is to put it in a pretty jar!  Use 1-3 tbls. per load depending on the size and how dirty your laundry is. I've read that a whole batch can last a year--but I'm hoping for at least 6 months! 

Still on the to do list for this weekend: meal plan for the week ahead,  wash the mountain (literally) of laundry I have, and tidy up the whole place (vacuum, make bed, etc).

The good news is, I still have a whole day to accomplish all of this. I guess I finally found that motivation I was looking for last week! 

What are you doing this weekend? 

Spring Cleaning?

Ok so it's not technically spring yet, but it is the weekend and cleaning/organizing needs to get done. Does calling it "spring cleaning" help--of course. Does it make me WANT to clean--no, no it doesn't.

Disclaimer: I'm not a total slob and wouldn't categorize myself as so. I don't mind a little mess now and then and when I get fed up with it (which is now) I'll clean it up. See? Not a slob. 

When I first noticed that I needed to "Spring" Clean, I was actually cleaning up the office at work. Yesterday, I spent about an hour just throwing things away. I realized that I've been in my apartment for about three months and haven't ever dedicated the time to just CLEAN everything. I really need to get down and dirty and DEEP clean everything (vacuum my mattress, clean out the fridge, tackle the laundry. That kind of deep clean.)

 Easier said than done. 

The motivation I have at work to clean up doesn't transfer to my apartment when I get home. I don't want to do anything but sit on the couch and watch my over priced cable. But as you can see...

...something has to give. And this is just one of the problem areas. Yikes! I guess you can see what I'll be doing with my weekend!

Wish me luck--because I said so! 

Help Me, I'm Poor

Despite being out of my funk (hooray), I have found something new to worry about. Shocker there. 

I don't know why I ever decided I should grow up and more importantly move into my own place. (is that dramatic enough?) Take it from me, the appeal is short lived. Yes, I love having my own space and being to decorate with hand-me downs and re-purposed things to make the space my own. No, I don't love paying bills, budgeting, and feeling like I'm just scraping by.

Which is how I feel now. It sucks.

Like I can barely keep my head above water with bills and living expenses, much less save anything or investing.(I'm going to be one of those 80 year olds still working because I didn't save for retirement. Panicking) The most obvious solution would be to stop living outside of my means (meaning quit living like my parents live--it took them 30+ years to get there after all)  However, figuring out how to cut down is easier said than done.

Let's review the options:

1. Move back home--actually a non-option. I have a 14 month lease that I'm only like 3 months into

2. I could get rid of my cable, but when I come home in the evenings, that's what I turn on for background noise and what I fall asleep to. (must place serious thought into this)

3. Get rid of my gym membership--another non-option. I signed a 12 month contract. Plus I don't want to be fat.

4. Work more--I could work weekends or longer hours. This option might be a winner.

5. Not go out or do any extra curricular shopping for fun things like new outfits or books--not likely ever going to happen.

6. Survive for months on only ramen noodles and raviolis--I don't think this is possible if I want to live to see another year
7. Find a 2nd job that has hours outside of the traditional 9-5.

So we've got three or four non options and only two viable suggestions. What's a girl to do? Seriously. Any feedback would be wonderful (because I said so) Until then, I will put on my big girl panties and try to come up with creative/budget friendly solutions (the ones I came up with here don't seem to apply anymore). 

DIY: How to Paint an Upholstered Chair

Yep that's right. Painting fabric. I got the idea from here and here. (both great DIY blogs!)

This project is not for the faint of heart, even though it does sound rather easy. I mean how hard to is to slap some paint on some fabric and call it a day? Well actually, it's very hard. Four coats hard. Not to mention, you have to see the "diamond in the rough." For me, this was easier said than done. Just look at the chair. Hideous right?

This is the BEFORE; almost anything could make it look better.

First things first: Supplies

1. Fabric Medium

2. Your choice of paint color--if you go with a dark color fabric, choose a dark color to cover it up to save yourself the million coats of paint like I had to do!

3. Spray Bottle of Water

4.  Brushes

5. Patience

6. Helpers

5 &6 are not optional!

This small list of supplies expanded throughout the day. I ended up mixing my own paint (from random paint we had in the garage) to get just the right color--khaki tan wasn't cutting it-- and getting more fabric medium. Buy in bulk so you don't have to make a dozen trips. Sandpaper and wood stain also came into play towards the end.

Once you have all of your supplies gathered (or at least something to start off with, if you're like me) its time to get started. Spray down the whole chair with water. Honestly I'm not so sure why, but the other blogs said to and I think it has something to do with helping the fabric absorb the paint. Mix equal parts water, fabric medium, and paint. (it's really fine if it's NOT EQUAL--it might even work better that way) After mixing, you'll have "paint soup." At least that's what mine looked like.

And now it's time to start painting! Grab those helpers!

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Laney, Gumbo, Mom and I, and Oreo's footprints)

The four legged helpers weren't actually that much of a help (shocker) and the one at the top right isn't even a part of the family. They did, however, create their own DIY project by tracking paint who knows where else in the house (which oddly enough my mom thought was hilarious)

Ok. Back to the project.

Since you already sprayed the chair with water, it should be ready to absorb the paint. I think mine absorbed too much so I didn't use the spray bottle of water after the first coat.

After the first coat, it may not look like much depending on the color choice. Mine sure didn't. This is about the point where I wanted to quit and just buy a new chair. But stick with it! Mine took 4 coats, some sanding, and staining!

The original and coats 1-3 pictured here.

Some blogs I read said to let it dry over night. I took that as a suggestion rather than a rule and was able to do 3 coats in one day. Just use your common sense to tell if it's dry or not.

Coat number 4 and painted arms and legs! Almost done!

Distressed (with sandpaper) and slightly stained arms and legs to give it that extra something (otherwise it honestly looked like my chair was wearing white stockings--not cute)

Before Meets After

A 10000% improvement if you ask me!

I never would have thought to paint a chair with fabric, but let's face it I cannot sew, so....here we are.

If I can paint an upholstered chair, then so can you!

Because I said so!

And Just Like That

It's the weekend again!

I don't know about you, but the holidays (Christmas AND New Year's) has really thrown my schedule off kilter.

I woke up yesterday thinking it was Monday and Friday at the same time! Well today is actually Friday and yesterday wasn't actually Monday, so thank goodness for that!

Weekends are my fave (reasons here), but this weekend I have a few super fun things planned. One being a fun DIY project (enlisting help from my mom) and the other watching the Saints playoff game with my boyfriend! I'm actually most excited about my DIY project (but shhh don't tell him that)

I'll save all of the exciting details for tomorrow, but here's a slight hint--

It has to do with removing this eye sore of a chair, without ACTUALLY removing it. (This chair was a hand me down from my parent's, who at one time thought this was a winning fabric choice--just no--and as you can see it doesn't really mesh well with the whole blue and white color scheme I've got going on)



 

 

Stay tuned for before and afters--

Because I said so!

Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend

Weekend's are pretty much glorified by everyone, and for good reason too.

No work and plenty of leisure time. What could be better?

For me, this weekend will be spent doing a whole lot of nothing--and I'm not sad about it. Not one bit. I have a few projects that I'd like to get done, but I will mostly be relaxing!

Weekend To Do

(I told you I loved to make lists--Read more about it here)

• Clean out my car. My dad recently told me "Why go shopping for new things, when you don't really take care of the things you already have?" Touché,  dad, touché. --But if anyone asks it was my idea not yours.  We will see how this turns out since my idea of getting my car clean is taking it to the detailer's and through the car wash.


• Wash clothes. Super fun I know. But I feel so accomplished when everything is clean and hanging up. (Shocking right mom?)


• Finish birthday shopping for the upcoming birthday boy! (who is the HARDEST person to shop for might I add) What do you buy the boy who doesn't want anything and without getting him the same thing over and over for every holiday??


• Sleep late--if Laney will let me (which is probably never going to happen--she always wants to play) One day down, one to go :)

What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is, HAVE FUN...because I said so!