Adding Some Color

1st success of the last week? Completed fence! Monday, they discovered they were 60 pickets short of finishing, so my Malibu & I became a picket hauling pick-up. With folded down backseats, the Menard's worker & I were able to get all the pickets into my car & I cruised home getting awful gas mileage, but knowing Sadie was 24 hours away from running free in our yard. Tuesday it was done & Sadie ran hot laps! Plus she then had the opportunity to have a doggy neighbor over this weekend to play & allow us to be meet the neighbors.

I also worked on the bathroom paint update throughout the week. What I originally thought would be a 2 day project, turned out to take pretty much every night. It started out strong getting the ceiling done & starting on the area with lot of trimming detail. The next night Greg helped me remove the mirror to discover mold, REALLY?? Gross. So called up my father got his advice, didn't have anything he said to use, so I Googled it & figured out I could use vinegar to clean it. But the next item was a problem, spray bottle. So I dug through drawers in the bathroom & found an old perfume bottle, dumped out what remained in there & filled it up with vinegar. Only had to re-fill it 4 times to have enough to squirt the area. And...I had to do it 2 times & scrub, that kind of killed that day of work. The next morning I got up & painted a stain block primer over top to get it ready for that night's work.

Finally Friday night, I was able to wrap up the painting! Saturday I capped it off putting up a picture on the wall & finally finding a yellow & gray shower curtain to finish off the whole set-up!

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

Wedding Vendors - To Help Your Budget

One of my goals during wedding planning was to keep my wedding on a reasonable budget. I didn't feel I need to spend money on little extras that may never be used again. I wanted to have things that could be reused again and looked nice on a smaller budget.

Bridesmaids
We registered for gifts early on and as I flipped through my packet from Target, I discovered they had Bridesmaid Dresses. It's not common knowledge, because they aren't carried in stores, but they were great. Knowing I was going to have 3 bridesmaids in 3 different styles, this gave me an option to keep the color the same because they were picking from the same brand, but also gave them a reasonable price. Especially because there was a coupon code included in my gift registry packet.

Groomsmen & Ushers
For the guys, I wanted to keep the look simple. I didn't like vests and I also thought white shirts were boring, so to add the color I desired, I used my gift registry coupon from Kohls and then other coupons as I got them to get each groomsmen a mint green dress shirt.

Then for their ties, I discovered Bows 'N Ties. There were many color options at outstanding prices. I was able to get ties for the groomsmen, ushers & dads that all tied together.

Guestbook & Photos
I went with Shutterfly for these. When registering at Target, I got $20 to spend with Shutterfly, for buying a dress at David's Bridal, I got a free photobook and a 20% coupon. Combining all of these I was able to design a personalized guestbook and print off engagement pictures for very reasonable.

Extras
For my garter, I wanted to have something Iowa State themed. However, I didn't want to pay a big price for something that was going to get thrown to a drunk guy who would probably have it on their head or arm the rest of the night. So, I went for a homemade choice, but not homemade by me. I found the Romancing Juliet storefront on Etsy. Here I was able to order a garter and then choose the colors I wanted. It was great, the seller was super easy to talk with and very prompt about getting it out to me.

Dollar stores became our friend too. We wanted to have big bowls for snack mix and popcorn, but didn't really want to serve out of glass. So my mom went on a search and found 'fancy' looking plastic bowls at the dollar stores that looked good, served the purpose and didn't cause heartbreak if they broke.

Centerpieces
Hello Hobby Lobby! My favorite craft store from growing up, was really key in making this all happen. With the Hobby Lobby app, I could get 40% off a regular priced item. So every time I went by Hobby Lobby, I pulled in & got a pack of votive candles and anyone who was with me also had to grab a pack. The ribbon, wedding aisle goods & glitter purchases were based around when they were on sale. The sales cycle through every 3-4 weeks and is also stated on the app, so I never bought anything at full price. It wasn't necessary if it was planned. Plus since Hobby Lobby was on the way home or near my mom's destinations frequently, we didn't need to make unnecessary trips to get what we needed.

Don't be afraid of the coupons, they'll really help you stay on budget!

Fence Facelift

Our yard is fully fenced in & it's awesome for Sadie, but we own very little of it, so can't control the state of the fence, most of them are lovely. One of them if I ran at it, I could have run through it completely, so we grabbed a roll of chainlink fence right after we bought the house & stuck it to the poles on our side to make sure we didn't have a runaway pup on our hands. However, the part that we do own, was gray & kind of unattractive. So I got it in my head that staining it would be much more appealing.

Little did I know, that sanding would be significantly more intense than anticipated. We grabbed a pack of sandpaper sheets when we were going to start the project because we weren't able to hose off enough to make it look like good wood again. So we started sanding...with small sheets...by hand. Bad decision, it took forever, my hands hurts, my arms hurt & my fingernails were getting sanded down as well. 

Left - After Sanding | Right - Sanded Needed

Well, 1 week of evening work we had the biggest section of fence done & it looked stellar. So we took a 2 week break. 

Then it was time to do the smallest section. I decided to venture out on this section on my own. I am a perfectionist when it comes to painting, I apologize, but this is a trait that comes from my father, so I can't help it! But during the 1st section, I couldn't handle watching Greg stain, it was dripping, he held the brush all wrong & I was stressed! So I let him help sand & then asked him to let me stain by myself. And it was done!

This weekend I finally was able to crank out the last part, got up early, sanded...added band-aids to my fingers...everyone of them actually because hotspots popped up all over. Hosed it down, let it dry & then finally wrapped up the day staining. It looks so much more appealing, love looking at it from the swing!

Steps:

1. Hose it down in JET setting

2. Sand until you can see the wood grain again

3. Hose again to get the dust off

4. Let is dry

5. Stain (with proper technique & no dripping stain!)

6. Relax in the swing with wine or coffee

Welcome Chalkboard

I started following the blog Little Baby Garvin about a month ago & really enjoyed her decorating style. I had wanted to make something to put up in our little entry area & this blog inspired me to make my own chalkboard. I have no where near the amount of artistic ability she has, but I was still able to make the type of sign that fit our entry area well.

For my sign, I wanted something to be on there permanently & I wanted the ability to  rotate the message for different timeframes. So I came up with the idea of getting our name on there & then the rest was a chalkboard.

So I went to work. I found chalkboard at JoAnn's, it's about a 13x17 with a wooden frame. BUT the best part is that it is also magnetic, so I can add magnets to this entrance board too!

I had my mom cut out "O'Briens" on her Cricut & then I taped it down & traced around it with pencil before taking the letters off & taking out a white paint marker & filling it in. I then added 'The' & 'Est. 2014' to add some personalization.

Then it was on to the message & since our ISU season tickets had come in, it was time to start the countdown until kick-off! However, I have a pack of Crayola sidewalk chalk, which I don't recommend (they are really crumbly & break easily), so I am able to rotate colors & messages as I see fit.

Adding a Personal POP

A lot of my wedding was my twists on Pinterest ideas. Those personal twists are definitely what makes your wedding yours & shows your personalty. Here are some that I really liked.

Blue Heart Patch - One of my grandpa's passed away about 2 years before my wedding. And after seeing the idea of putting a blue heart patch on the back of your dress as your something blue, I knew (even before I was engaged) that I would have a piece of my grandpa's handkerchief sewn into the back of my dress. The night before (yes, the night before), my mom finally was able to get her emotions in check enough to get it sewn onto the back of my dress.

Memory Candle & Board - Another thing I wanted was a memory candle. Three of our grandpa's had passed away and the 4th (my grandpa) was in the hospital & unable to attend. So the wooden plaque was spray painted & my mom wrote on it for me. The roses were in colors that matched the grandma's corsages.

Mint Green TOMS - I can't wear heels. My ankles & back hate them. I look like a klutz & I'm incredibly tall compared to everyone but Greg. So I knew from the start I was not going to wear heels and I stumbled across the mint green TOMS. I knew they were it & it was a way to add the color in for the bridesmaids who wore gray. In the process of collecting sizes, TOMS discontinued the color & I was unable to order them. I was crushed! After finding a disappointing back-up, my mom spotted the TOMS on Zulily. I immediately jumped on & ordered up 4 pairs & was ecstatic. We had comfortable & awesome looking shoes! Completely my style.

Necklaces - Another little 'POP' of color I had for the bridesmaids was their necklaces. I made each of their necklaces with metal letter stamps on flat metal charms. The style of names was different, some got their nickname from me others got their initial + their significant others initial. My pregnant bridesmaid, also not a mini charm with the initial of her baby on it. The 'POP' of color came from the mint green bead I added to lay on top of the charm.

Tulips - Finally, the other fact of the wedding I have known forever was tulips. I love tulips. I am a Dutch kid, probably would have done wooden shoes if wouldn't have had such a traumatic experience walking in my first pair, in fact the blisters may still have scars on my feet! :) I wanted the tulips to be varying colors & really be the bright spot. Each bridesmaid had a different color & mine had all the colors together.

Name Changing

So, if planning a wedding isn't stressful enough, when it's over you have to go through the name changing process. Everywhere has different rules & you have to get this before you get that...it's a very annoying process, but you live on...with some name or another. However, in my case, I am adding an apostrophe too & that has been grueling. As I was warned by my mom-in-law, some computers will not recognize the apostrophe. Hopefully, you don't all have to go through the apostrophe problems & it goes more smoothly than mine. Still waiting for a credit card company to re-issue a me a card because they made 'O' my middle initial & 'Brien' my last name. Sorry, that is not correct, try again!

To help you out, here are a list I created of places I had to change my name & the needed items to complete it. Hope it helps save you time & stress!

• SS Card - Need Marriage Certificate, current address & license or passport
• Driver’s License - Need SS Card
• Work payroll & benefits
• Federal Student Loans - need to mail copy of Marriage Certificate to: Sallie Mae Department of Education Loan Services PO Box 9635 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-9635
• Car Loan - Car Title & Car Registration
• Car & Home Insurance
• Bank Information - Need SS card & visit in person to sign signature cards
• Credit Card - contact customer service, sign into you account & email or call customer service and tell them what your old name was & what your new name is. They'll have you verify some security questions & then send your new card out within a week.

• Utilities (Power & Water, Gas, TV, Internet) - contact customer service, many I was able to just e-mail & do the same as the credit cards
• Doctor’s Offices - need new insurance card & ID to change
• Dentists - need new insurance card & ID to change
• Chiropractor - need new insurance card & ID to change
• Pharmacies - need new insurance card & ID to change
• Vet Clinic - you're pups name may change too!
• Alumni Information - works easiest if you can sign-in to your online portal, otherwise call or email the alumni office
• Social Media accounts
• Online shopping accounts
• email - set-up a new account & keep the old one alive, I have my old one forwarded to my new one & then I can respond via the new account & hope it changes people over
• Library
• YMCA/gym
• Rewards Cards - Stores, Restaurants, Hotels, etc.

Adding the new email account has also helped me unsubscribe to lists I may be on because as they forward over, I am trying to make less email come through.

Wine Bottle Centerpieces

An idea was sparked, thanks to Pinterest, to make my own centerpieces. I wanted to be able to use something that could be recycled & like the tall look of wine bottles. So began the collection. I had friends alerting me every time they finished a bottle & teachers throwing boxes into my mom's car. We successfully made it passed 100 clear and green bottles with a couple months to spare. Then began the experiments with designs and label removing. And setting them on sliced up tree slabs, was a nice finish, because they came from my parents recently chopped down tree.

Label Removing

Not really an easy task, probably the longest step in this whole process. I started by literally just letting them soak in water and then scraping off the label and using Goo Gone. This took forever. Then my cousin saved me, without knowing it, by pinning a label removal solution.

It requires:

Hot water

Dishsoap

Vinegar

Baking Soda

Prepare the hot water with dishsoap & then add in baking soda & vinegar to get the bubbling effect. Drop in the bottles and let them soak. Many of the labels came off quickly or with a little scraping. If any residue was left, I'd use Goo Gone and get the last of it.

Drying

This takes a bit, because the water gets inside, so let it dry over night before doing any decorating.

Decorating 

This was my favorite part, the tough stuff was done & I was free to create.

Glitter Bottles
These may sound like a glitter disaster that will leave glitter all around your house, but trust me this is not the case. They are very simple & add a nice pop to the collection.

Needs:
Bottle of Pledge floor wax
Bottle of fine glitter

Step 1: Using Pledge floor wax squirt a good amount into the bottle & swirl it around. Make sure you get the entire bottle covered. *Make sure you don't shake it, you don't want bubbles!* Then dump the extra out into a plastic cup.

Step 2: Dump a lot glitter into the bottle & swirl it around until the entire inside is covered. Then dump the extra glitter out into a container.

It's that simple! And it's efficient, it only let's the amount of glitter it needs to cover the wet floor wax & then it dries pretty quickly.

At the wedding, these became a nice little source of light, we dropped in LED lights & they caused the bottles to glow.

Jute & Pearl Bottles
This design is nice because each one looks different, you can be more heavy on the jute at the beginning and end or you can be more heavy on the beads. This is yours to adjust.

Needs:
Roll of Jute (I got the thinnest I could at the craft store)
Plastic pearl beads (with openings big enough for the jute you get)

Step 1: String the beads onto the jute. I did about 50 beads at a time. Do this before cutting it off the roll, so then you get keep going on the project without having to string on more beads.

Step 2: Knot the starting end of the jute & pull a bead up to the knot & glue it on to the bottle where you'd like to start the wrap. I always just put the hot glue on the bead, it had the most surface area & less of a chance me burning my finger when placing it on the bottle.

Step 3: Continue wrapping around the bottle, gluing a bead on at your desired frequency. I typically used 2-3 each time around the bottle. But how many you want is your choice.

Canvas & Lace Bottles
Easiest of them all, because you can buy this already put together on a roll at a craft store in the ribbon section.

Step 1: Cut the ribbon to the length you need it.

Step 2: Hot glue the end & wrap it around. Really doesn't take much more glue than just doing the 2 ends, plus you don't want it to push through the canvas, so keep in minimal.

One final note, to add a *pop* of color every once & a while I would wrap my wedding colored ribbon around the top, just so it looked a bit different on the tables. I also was able to get a JUMBO sized wine bottle for my head table which I glittered, wrapped in ribbon & then used the my Cricut to cut our a vinyl letter and made it a personalized decoration for us.

Emotional Rollercoaster

There are times in life you want to be selfish, to only think about yourself, because it's your day. In these times, God takes the chance to ground you and remind you there are others around you.

About 3 months before my wedding, I randomly called my grandma to tell her I was able to buy the shoes I wanted so badly for my wedding. Only to find out that she was heading out to follow the ambulance with my grandpa in it to Mason City. From there time blurs together, with trips to the hospital in Mason City, Spencer & the nursing home in Greene. Every chance I had to be at home also meant a trip to go sit with my grandpa, either to chat or watch a baseball game. Wedding tasks got pushed back and I was fine with that. Sure, I wanted it all to come together 'perfectly', but a new meaning to perfectly was created.

Greg and I spent Easter in Spencer mainly at the hospital & helping my grandma pack their house up and also get her wedding outfit figured out. Weeks before the wedding, he was moved to the nursing home, which we quickly decked out to make as homey as we could and I was hopeful we were on the path to improvements. Just a week before my wedding, I came to the realization that my grandpa would not be in attendance to my wedding. So began the brainstorms to how we could bring the wedding to him. Even days before the wedding we didn't know if he would be at the nursing home or hospital, but the limo driver was on board to take us where ever. The nail appointments were switched to Mason City, so I could stop and see him. Finding out the day before the wedding he would stay at the hospital during the wedding, I quickly came up with the plan to visit him after getting my hair done & before pictures. After early morning appointments, Leah & I drove to Mason City, snuck into an unused room & threw on our dresses so we could have a photo session with him. The smile we saw on his face was a great way to remember him.

Turns out they had discussed putting Grandpa on hospice, but decided to hold out until the day after the wedding and that's when they told me as well. The 2 days following the wedding I spent with my grandpa at the hospital, every time a nurse came in they'd ask if I were the bride and then say something about the situation, all I wanted to say 'was trust me there is no where else I'd rather be right now'. I spent my last day before heading back to work having a good conversation with Grandpa, gave him some wedding cake & introduced him to a caramel latte. And most importantly, I got his wedding advice. After 66 years of marriage, he said to me the best advice he could give me was 'Love your mate & believe in God'.

2 days later he passed away. I know, he had held on long enough to see me and let me celebrate my day. And I am beyond grateful that I was able to see him before and have him be a part of it. But now I know he has completed his journey on Earth and his at home with God watching over me.