{Saint Patty's Day Preparations...}

It's no big shock...a holiday is around the corner and I am in full fledged preparation time!

First off was decorating! With our new shelves just built, I jumped right into Saint Patty's decorations!

I had a really hard time finding themed decor for Saint Patrick's day...but with this banner printable, some Ikea plants and a few gold candy filled apothecary jars we were set!

I also whipped up this strand of line and true green sparkly circles! 

{Ya'll I just realized I have four lime green circles in a row...so strange...I swear I did every other! Weird stuff...oh well!}

All I did was pick up a sheet of lime and true green sparkly paper from Michael's {for a whopping $2.48} and popped out some circles using this lifesaver from Hob Lob. Then I just taped the circles together with some twine {I ended up using double sided tape FYI} 

I made this wreath last year...super easy! Burlap with different types of green fabric made into flowers using this method. 

But oh no...we don't stop at decore :) 

There is nothing I love more than having themed dinners, lunches, date nights, and random surprises for Wendel...and just imagine how insane it will get when little bits come into the picture! 

Here are a few of my ideas...

Key Lime Cupcakes

Pistachio Bundt Cake 

{which means I get to go and buy a bundt pan...how don't I own one of these yet?}

Shamrock Tortilla Chips

Saint Patty's Breakfast 

{Oh yes...I dye milk}

Rainbow Cake Pops and Rainbow Jello {which takes forever by the way!} Via Yours Truly

This was from last year! And ya'll...the rainbow jello takes forever, but it's so worth it! 

We'll also be making a few Saint Patty's Day recipes for dinner! 

Weight Watchers Beef Stuffed Cabbage

and 

Weight Watchers Classic Beef Stew

So yeah...get ready for a full breakdown of our fun! 

Alrighty...share with me some of your Saint Patty's Day traditions! 

{Having Tile Installed...Getting What You Want}

We got tiled!! 

We're so excited, a little overwhelmed with the HUGE change, and thrilled to have had it done by someone else! 

Now this post isn't really a detail post about our kitchen {we've got some other changes up our sleeves so we'll updating again soon!} but really abut working with contractors and truly getting what you pay for! 

The morning that the tilers were coming, I cleared off the counters and put everything our bay window. 

Just trying to be as helpful as possible! 

We found our tilers through Lowe's, from whom we bought the tile and supplies from. 

We have worked with Lowe's about five times and have really enjoyed every contractor they bring in. 

But I'll be honest...this time was a bit different...

I slightly freaked out when I got back and 1. saw the massive difference {way shocking at first} and 2. saw tons of issues. 

{Not to mention that the two men who came looked like drug dealers and our house smelled like they smoked a whole pack inside of or kitchen} 

Needless to say I was TICKED off and was steaming by the time Wendel got home! 

Here are a few of the issues: 

1. There was grout missing in many places.

2. The sides by the window were horrible cracked {so sharp that they would for sure cut you}

Hard to see I know but just trust me!

3. They did not caulk the crack in between the counter and the matching strip thingy {very technical right?} which would lead to molding in the future. 

4. You could see the mesh behind some of the glass tile {which we'll chat about in a moment}

5. And the side of the tile {near the living room} was very cracked and chipped. 

We can just say that I was not a happy camper! 

I called Lowe's right away, and let me tell you...they were SO very helpful! 

They immediately asked "what would you like to do?"

Which I loved because they were worried first about the customer.

They gave us the option to bring in a new contractor, or to send the owner of our current contractor out.  

We decided to send the owner out. 

A few weeks later we had them out to fix the problems. 

They sent the same two men {which I wasn't thrilled about} but in the end, they fixed the problems. They buffed out the sides, finished the grouting that should be been done in the first place :) and caulked beautifully. 

The only thing that they could not fix was the mesh from the tile. I decided to chill my "OCDness" and relax on that one :) 

In the end I was pleased with the changes. 

I will not be hiring those contractors again {and I won't disclose their name because I'm not a business basher...}

I think the biggest thing I've learned is to fight for what you want. 

We saved up to do this and I wanted it to be done right! 

Anyhoo...here are a few more shots. 

And here are our kitchen shelves! I still have more styling to do...but I'm loving them! 

The green garland is a little preview of our Saint Patty's Day decorations which will be on the blog this week! 

We added some hooks for aprons...which I kind of collect but couldn't take the look of all of them up there so I chose a few of my favorites to display them! 

And here is a before and after shot! 

So yeah...this is our tile! It's quite a difference right? 

There are a few things that we'll be changing ASAP...

1. New rugs...I ordered them already and cannot wait for them to come in! 

2. New curtain...love this curtain {and we just made them} but they clash with the tile. So I'm thinking a simple white curtain with a grey band at the bottom. Or curtains with some thin grey and white chevron or stripes or dots...who knows! 

Anyone else have any contractor horror stories? I know we're not the only ones! 

{Hi...I'm 5 and 1}

My niece, Elizabeth, turned five this past week! 

Well actually she turned one, because she is a leap year baby!

Her favorite thing to tell people is "I'm five and one!"

My sister and brother-in-law had a fun little party at Chuck E Cheese...

Haven't been there since I was a kid and it was so much fun! 

Amazing people watching! 

Here are a few snapshots from the party! 

My oldest niece is going to be 16 this year...freaking out! 

She was the only child who would stop long enough to get a picture! 

My nephew, Daniel, has autism and is non verbal. But he was so amazing during the crazy, loud party! 

This little one was starting to get tired, but she pushed through! 

Presents! 

Mae trying to play dance, dance revolution...

My brother, Andrew, lives in San Francisco but he always makes an appearance at family events! 

Us with Chucky! 

Ya'll Dance, Dance Revolution is so flippin' hard! 

Then Lily took a try! 

So this little one was not thrilled with the loud noises, the annoying singing, and Chucky...boy oh boy she hated Chucky! 

Mae, however, loved him! 

Then we got to get in this little tubular thing and catch tickets...ya'll it was the FUNNIEST experience of my life! 

Elizabeth was in there freaking out, crying, wanting out, but I couldn't open the door so I was trying to get tickets while she screamed in my ear...wow...it was interesting! 

And then I got out and couldn't stop laughing! 

Then it was time for presents!  

Then we redeemed our 1500 ticketss...I spent quite a while sitting there feeding them through! 

My mom surprised us and brought us the invitation to the NKU Alumni Awards {pretty much my entire family went to NKU and my sister won and award last year at the alumni awards!}

We were picked as the picture for the invitation!  

Then it was time for a big, old nap! So flippin' tired! 

Happy Monday!

{Mellow Yellow}

Like everyone else...I am very, very ready for spring! 

Just walking through Target get's my heart all aflutter for tulips, sandals, and Easter...lots and lots of Easter! 

So while it was snowing on the second of March...I was channeling my inner-spring to lift my spirits! 

Jeans: Paige via Nordstrom Rack // Chambray: J.Crew Factory // Yellow Cardi: H&M {old} // Necklace: J. Crew Factory {old} // Boots: Marc Jacobs via Ebay // Purse: Tory Burch {very, very fake} via China Town :) // Bracelet: Tory Burch {again fake} via China Town // Watch: Fossil

I gave up shopping for clothes for Lint...ya'll it's so hard! I haven't been shopping in so long and it's killing me! I cannot wait till Spring Break...the outlets will be hit hard {consider yourself warned Wendel}