{Pinterest} On the Boards

Two things.
First, blog re-design! Whoot.
Second, I've been on a baby/nursery/fall/furniture refurbishment Pinterest craze recently.
So of course, I must share my findings with you. Top 3 categories, GO!

1) Furniture Rehab - We have a wood table and a set of 3 dressers in our room that are in desperate need of a re-stain job. Of course, I don't want to get things wrong, so I started thumbing through staining tips like crazy. I love the final wood color of this little table from Like a Saturday. I also have been pinning tips about painting furniture because I want to get a used dresser and refurbish it for baby. Saving money, ya know.

2) Nursery Inspiration - With little girl on the way, I'm getting excited about decorating. Purple is the color of choice, and this Cathy Green Interiors design sure is pretty... although it's a little flashy for my taste (and budget). My nursery will be a lot more simple and calm, but purple is definitely the color to use.

3) Fall Everything - Because I'm impatient. And I may or may not have started a whole new autumn recipes board. I guarantee that bright fall leaves will be part of my decor this year, and I'm definitely feeling inspired by this natural bouquet (it's a Better Homes & Gardens picture, although I can't find the original).

Go see what else I've been up to on my pinterest boards! I might not be the most avid pinner, but every now and then I find some great gems. And they must be shared.

Just Look, Don't Touch

I have a feeling that after we're done moving and I've unpacked everything, life will get very boring unless I decide to be proactive. I'm at an interesting point in my life, and I'll cover that in a different post, but the fact remains that I am a graduated college student with nothing to busy herself with at this point in time other than moving apartments, and so what in heavens name should I do until then?!

Well, let's see. I have a "pin-but-never-act" relationship with my Pinterest boards. So many cute projects that I just sit and stare at but never attempt. I look at the pictures but never advance to the "hands-on" stage.

I have an idea.
A mad, crazy idea.
Why don't I actually put my Pinterest boards to use!
*Gasp*
Crazy idea, I know.
But there are some dang cute things on there, and I want to actually put my mind to work on some of these things.

Here are some of my top "must-try" picks for the summer (all pictures and links can be found on my Pinterest boards)


Re-purposed bottles (Doug and I don't drink, but empty Martinelli's bottles work!)

This birthday sign. How cute is it?! I mean...

Simple skirt. I admit, sewing scares me. At least, sewing something without a pattern scares me. This skirt is freehand. Think I can do it? Maybe?

Figure out cute ways to organize everything. Organization is something I need more of.

Cheesy Onion Pull-Apart Bread. Get in my belly.

Actually, everything on my food board can just get in my belly. And I've made a goal to try to start cooking actual meals more, instead of just popping pasta on the stove or slapping a grilled cheese sandwich together. And actually, I just need to cook more in general. Doug has had his turn.

There are many more things - flower vases, up-cycled furniture, wreaths - so I know I can find ways to keep myself entertained.

Meanwhile, we find out if Doug got into grad school sometime this month! That will determine whether we stay in our new apartment for a while or just until August. If he doesn't get in, then we'll be preparing to move north so he's closer to work and doesn't have a 40+ minute commute every time he goes up there. That's one of the many factors preventing me from settling in with a job or anything right now...

Well, color me flattered!

My little sister had the copy cat syndrome when we were growing up. All of my favorite things were her favorite things too. When my favorite colors were pink/blue/purple, so were hers. When I changed my favorite colors to pink/blue/green, she did too. She liked tigers just as much as I did. Sometimes she even tried to pass off my ideas/favorite things as her own original ideas. No bueno. This really annoyed me, particularly because she was my little sister. Now I look back and think, "Gee, I must have been a pretty darn awesome sister, since she wanted to copy me all the time". Thank you Carissa for boosting my ego.

I have learned to be flattered by attempts of mimicry (except when it's outright plagiarism or something like that).

For example: one of my dear childhood friends made this cake for one of my bridal showers last May. It is a big chocolate creation of awesomeness: chocolate cake with chocolate filling and frosting, surrounded by a layer of chocolate Hershey's squares and completely coated on the top with M&Ms. I promptly posted it on my blog and put the picture on Pinterest. Something that chocolatey had to be shared with the online world.

Yeah. My friends definitely know how much I like chocolate.

And then I ran across this beauty yesterday on Pinterest:

At first I was like "Whaaaaa, they stole my cake!" but... think about it... someone saw my cake pinned on Pinterest and decided to try it out! Hot diggity dang, how awesome! Except they used Kit-Kat bars instead of Hersheys, and I like Hersheys better.

...not to mention that other people have made cakes like this before. But I've just never seen them on the internet before yesterday, so let's pretend that mine is the original! You guys can give me that, right? Right? Because I feel cool right now. Okay. Thanks.

Have you ever put a picture/idea on Pinterest and noticed that other people tried it too?
Or have you randomly come across a pin from your blog on someone else's Pinterest boards?

Mint, Coral, and Disney

I have decided that someday, I will own a wardrobe with outfits inspired by each Disney princess.

I just made that decision today.

Because of this pin that I discovered on Pinterest.

                                                                           Source: catching-fire.polyvore.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Darling. Just darling.

Also... the color "mint" is growing on me. I only have one mint-ish item in my wardrobe. This problem must be rectified soon. That... and I need more coral. I only have one coral item. Mint and coral are officially my must-haves.

                                                                                      Source: modeets.com via Ashley on Pinterest

                                                                                Source: houstonlove1.polyvore.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Plus, mint and coral go well together, don't you think?

My only problem is that I just can't get enough blue. I mean... it's my favorite color, but do I really need all of the blue that I have in my wardrobe right now?

What am I saying? Yes. C'mon! It's blue! Blue is awesome, no matter what season it is. More blue = better.

Alright. That's my fashion rant for the day. Happy Friday tomorrow!

Just a few Pinteresting notions...

First of all... why is teal & brown such a great combo?

                                                                                 Source: mathstations011.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

Second of all, I have to try these pumpkin ginger cupcakes sometime!

                                                                              Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Third of all, this centerpiece is gorgeous.

                                                                        Source: anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Why am I so easily distracted from homework?!

I really should have the Hubs change the passwords for my facebook, pinterest, and blogger accounts for a week.

Then, I might actually get things done!

MORE crafts/recipes that I want to do...

More stuff from Pinterest...

Now I need to actually get off my bum and DO these projects!

Especially this one!
Paper pumpkins... SO cute!

                                                                                    Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Nails! I love stuff that's candy corn themed :)

                                                                   Source: adventuresinacetone.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

                                                                            Source: kingarthurflour.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Cute Pumpkin Candle Holder

                                                                           Source: my-weddingdream.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Um..... YUM!

                                                                    Source: akitchenaddiction.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Got any great fall Pinterest finds?
Let me know about them!
I love adding fall projects to my Pinterest collection!

Fall + Pinterest

I'm getting excited for fall.

My Pinterest boards are getting a little fall-themed...

Cute, yet simple decorations

                                                            Source: swainstonvinylanddezign.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Homemade Pumpkin Butter

                                                                            Source: ohsheglows.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Check out this C-U-T-E way to turn leaves into flowers!

                                                                                  Source: pinme.ru via Ashley on Pinterest

There's definitely more where that came from :)
Oh Pinterest.
Why are you so addicting?!

How... PINteresting

This week, from Ashley's Pinterest boards... I know, so exciting...

Happiness is a choice.

                                                                          Source: findtheglasspenny.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Wallpapering the inside of a bookshelf... crafty!

                                                                                   Source: google.ca via Ashley on Pinterest

Precious!

                                                                      Source: attackofthecute.com via Ashley on Pinterest

True story.

                                                                  Source: daniellescraziness.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies... must make!!!!

                                                                     Source: thenonpareilbaker.blogspot.ca via Natalie on Pinterest

I've been on a chocolate/peanut butter craze recently.
You don't even know.

Don't worry, dear followers.
I'll be back with non-pinterest related posts soon!
Until then... keep pinning!
Hahaha. Ha. ha.

3 For Friday

Just 3 things for you all today...

First... this is why I want to visit the east coast during autumn. Gorgeous! You don't really see bright red trees on the west coast, or in the mid-west.

via

Second, I want to make a fall wreath.

Like this one.

Or 29 other fall wreaths shown on this site.

Third, you should all go vote for me at the first annual Livi Awards held at Color Coordinated!

Vote for Ashley for Best Role Model!

And why don't you follow Livi's blog while you're at it? Okay? Thanks.