you pretty thing...

My mother-in-law gave me the sweetest oval mirror for my birthday a few weeks ago. I just recently got around to refinishing it, and had a deep blue-green in mind for this pretty thing...

(Yes, that's a wooden spool in the mirror's reflection. Ignore it for now!)

I cleaned it up and smoothed out some rough edges before applying a coat of Minwax stain in Ebony. I avoided sanding it to the bone simply because I prefer those little scuff and marks that come with age.

I mixed a few colors from my "oops" paint collection to come up with the final shade of blue-green. It is definitely more teal than it looks in these photos.

I liked the color that I mixed so much that I found a few other small pieces around the house to paint. Beware! Nothing is safe!
And for good measure, an instagrammed version. Duh. Everything is prettier on instagram. You can follow my instagram feed... username laurengiesler.

This pretty thing makes me smile every time I walk in the door! Matt even high-fived me when he saw the finished product. Success!

Lauren

Showered with love

Last weekend, our community group had the privilege of throwing a baby shower for one of our very own! Little Joshua is due in May and our group is so excited. Our sweet friend, Carly, and I were in charge of decor, and so the first thing we did was rummaged through all of the beautiful loot from her wedding last October! She and her husband now have the most amazing collection of mason jars, milk glass, and other vintage pieces. I was in heaven! Enjoy!

I made a simple pennant for baby Joshua's room and attached scrapbook paper on the back so each member of our group could write blessings and scripture over the sweet baby boy. 

We had quite the spread of food! It was absolutely delicious. Thanks Anna and Marianna!

The cake was inspired by this one on pinterest and our good friend Sophie made it come to life! We were so pleased. I made the mini pennant for a simple and easy cake topper. 

The room really came together beautifully.  

And the happy parents-to-be were not only surprised, but felt loved, and that was all that truly mattered. Mission accomplished!

 Can't wait to meet you baby Joshua!


-Lauren

Baby Cakes

My community group is hosting a baby shower for one of our girls this weekend! We assigned each couple an age range, like 0-3 months, 12-18 months, etc. and bought gifts accordingly. We also decided to buy diapers for each age group and added a little special touch to each one...

It must be hard for new mothers to find a spare moment to spend time in the Word. But what a vital time to be doing so! They are sure to need an extra boost of encouragement at times. 

We put a special piece of scripture on each diaper, in hopes of encouraging her in a way she is sure to see. :)

 Imagine the smile it may bring to her face during those 3am wake-up calls!


-Lauren

Spring has Sprung!

It's here! It's here!

These 80 degree temperatures have been downright good for my soul! I have been itching for a year-round wreath for the front door for a while now but haven't really had any inspiration until now. 

I covered the wreath form in jute and wrapped a few pieces of scrap lace around it... I made some (springy!) yellow flowers and pinned them on for some color. I just love the idea of being able to interchange the flowers with each season or holiday. Hooray for easy!

Happy spring!

-Lauren

a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

My hubby picked out the perfect window at our favorite little salvage yard several months ago.... and when I was contacted by a local church asking for a donation towards a silent auction for a summer mission trip, I knew that this beauty would be put to extra good use!

I made a similar piece for my sister-in-law for Christmas, except we built the frame, and I knew this window would make the perfect backdrop for a photo display! 

I stained the clothespins in "ebony" stain by Minwax, and I love the weathered look that so wonderfully compliments that original paint on the window frame. 


I hope it proves successful for this local youth ministry's fundraiser! 


Once I pick up a few more windows like this, I will be adding them to my shop. Be on the lookout! 


-Lauren

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a little reminder - wall art

Matt and I have been followers of Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" for quite some time, but have buckled down more seriously in the past six months. We have started using a spreadsheet to keep track of our monthly budget, so that every.single.dollar is accounted for in that one document. 

It has helped us see where exactly our money is going, in what areas we can cut back, and precisely how much money we are able to apply to debt at the end of each month. Talk about motivation!

If you follow Dave Ramsey, you know that his catch phrase is this: 

"Live like no one else, so that you can live like no one else."

In short, if you live meagerly, frugally now... pinching your pennies, watching where your dollar goes...

In the future, you can live like no one else. 

For Matt and I, living like no one else in the future will mean 

... providing a comfortable (but not extravagant) lifestyle for our family 

... putting away money for college

...saving for an inheritance for our family ("A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children..." Prov 13:22) 

... giving more generously to causes we believe in ("There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy..." Deut 15:11)

... and saving up for an adoption one day ("Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27)

As a reminder, I made a piece of art that we will see every.single.day. before we leave the house.

I hope it serves as a daily reminder to be good stewards of our money and time...

...and helps us to remember all of the great things that we are working and sacrificing for. 

Lauren

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lovey dovey

With Valentine's Day just right around the corner, it is hard to ignore the many cutesy crafts and yummy treats making their way around the web.

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Valentine's Day always seemed so pointless to me while I was growing up. But it's way more fun when you're married!

I'm already made a sweet little gift for my Valentine, but am looking forward to whipping up a few yummy treats for him too!

Happy day-o-love!
Lauren

Mason Jar L-O-V-E

I recently acquired dozens of mason jars from a (generous!) friend of ours...

I immediately pulled twelve out to use as drinking glasses, of course... what's better than sipping sweet tea or lemonade out of a mason jar? (or mojitos... yum!)

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I am sort of digging the simplicity of a little Sharpie art on these jars... so cute as storage in a bathroom!

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I love the thought of this over a quaint little breakfast nook...

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I also hope to use a few as kitchen storage... For pretzels and cookies and those last few cups of sugar left in the bag...

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My number ONE project on the list is to use them on our back patio... unfortunately for my plan, the patio is not covered, so I have to worry about the jars filling with rain...  Suggestions are welcome!

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And these are just darling! What a great way to add color to a vignette... paint any color you'd like!

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And of course let's not forget what mason jars do best... house beautiful flowers! I'm thinking we may use some for a bridal shower I've got coming up at my house...

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I can't wait to put these jars to use! Any other mason jar projects that I'm missing out on?


Lauren

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A Pinterest Challenge

I {heart} pinterest.

I have pinned, pinned, pinned to my heart's content, but have majorly slacked on bringing any of these lovely ideas to life. I've made a goal to finish a few projects from my pinboards, and here they are.

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This one is already in the works. I just need a miter saw to cut a cedar plank that will act as the frame. I used a quote that was special to us and was used in our wedding. It will go above our master bed.  I can't wait for it to be finished!

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The curtains in my kitchen have been hounding me for some big, fat stripes.  (Check out that colorful chandelier!)

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Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? No, really! It is, right??! I know!! I am dying for this to go in my half bath where everybody will see it. But first I've got to convince my husband that it fits with his "Georgia Bulldog" theme. Hmmm...



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I would love for this to be a success... we have these all over our house! I'm hoping they last a while and save us lots of moolah! 

I'll be sure to update when I get my behind in gear and actually finish one of these projects! 

Lauren

Introducing...

Afternoon!
You may have noticed a new little button on my sidebar over there....

After a few weekends of playing around with these beautiful antique windows, I decided to share the love.

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The frames are cleaned up, refinished, and distressed by hand. The glass is treated with reflective paint to give it the most lovely, vintage charm.

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This one is my favorite, I think... That original, chippy white paint is dreeeeeamy.

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I have sold a few already and I can hardly believe it! I'm flattered and totally humbled.

Oooh what fun it's been already... I hope you'll check it out!

  

xo 

Lauren

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