Chalkboard 101

Today I tried the Rustoleum chalkboard paint for the first time. I did just a few quick google searches on whether the regular paint or spray is better and didn't have much luck. I went with the spray since it was cheaper and I didn't need much anyway, and sprayed it onto a foam board that I primed with Kilz. The first 2 coats had lines in it. I guess because of the Kilz where I painted it on. Is it a big deal to people if the chalkboard has a few stroke lines? That google search didn't turn up much either. I was beginning to think maybe I should've bought the regular paint, but did a 3rd coat and it looks fine now. The next test will be to see if the foam board even holds up to chalk being pressed against it and how well it cleans. I'll be sure to update on this in a day or two.

Good night folks!
Xoxo

High on Summertime

Just got back from the beach and boy did we have a blast! We visited the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and played with baby kangaroos, lemurs and baby tigers! It has been a life long dream to play with monkeys and I finally got to check that off the ol' bucket list! We also went deep sea fishing. We couldn't convince the guys to go so Mom and I set off on an adventure. I'm sure that lady thought we were crazy because we called her about ten different time with a million questions haha. The seas were rough but we still had fun and caught a lot of red snapper. Mom caught the first fish and the most fish :) We also had a large group of dolphins come up to the boat and swim with it. I think we got our money's worth! That was the best beach trip ever and what better way to spend it than with my mom?! Also, if any of you happen to be heading that way the Oyster House is amazing! I would skip breakfast and lunch to eat there every day for supper. Also, right outside Gulf Shores is a mall, I think it's called colonial mall?...anyway it's an outdoor type mall and there is a restaurant called the Cactus Flower Cafe. It is California style Mexican and We ate here on the way home. It as a wonderful experience. You really get a lot of bang for your buck. Nice fantasy atmosphere, nice presentation of food but reasonable prices. For $9 and some change we got chicken tortilla or chili soup, salad and a quasadilla. I got a lime vinegarett dressing with my salad that was wonderful! Highly recommend this place!

What's in a Name

I'm sooo excited to say that I think I have my Etsy shop name! Not only is it perfect but this also means I can finally move forward with the process! I have read that it helps to have what you do in your shop name, but I don't didn't want mine to be obvious. I always wanted my name to reflects "southerness" somehow. I initially wanted The Blue Hydrangea and was so sad to find out that it's already in use; along with Sweet Magnolia and The Pink Dogwood and everything else my best friend and I could come up with. Then the other night I thought "refined". 2nd thought was "refined like sugar? No, refined as in taste."Like it literally just popped in my head! Then I thought rural, but that's an awful word to say regularly lol.So, Rural and Refined went to Rustic and Refind and I thought "OMG this is it!" only to find that it too is taken :( I really wanted to cry at this point. But then something said to me "look up the definitions" so I did. It was so cool to find that the Middle English form is "rustik". SCORE!!!! Rustik gives a nice twist and goes against the grain :) It could be made to look really cute on a sign one day ;) Rustik and Refined is what my stuff is all about and I can't wait to get started! Also, take a look at these definitions...Ok so I'm having tech difficulties. Will post pic Soon!

Ok, here they are!

Hello Again

Hello out there! I guess you could say I took a non-intended blogging break. Not that anyone probably noticed anyway...but I felt the need to pick back up and continue blogging about life. I like to write stuff down; makes me feel better :) So, since my last post we've had some BIG changes (for the better)! My husband got offered a job back in our hometown (after 2 years of praying), so we made the 3 hour move back! Wahoo! We were beyond excited and feel so incredibly blessed. You just don't know how important family and friends are until you move away for a few years. We are currently in search for our "forever home" and I'm so impatient. I'm ready to put our roots down and be "Betty Homemaker" (not sure if I've heard that or made it up lol) NOW. In the meantime, my infatuation with antiquing has grown to a love for re-purposing furniture and other odd n' ends stuff. After redoing my sewing desk, which I blogged about way back when, it just grew from there. I've done several things since then and have decided to open an Etsy shop to sell my goods. I've been trying to build inventory and get everything ready. Right now I'm at that stage where I'm just about ready to open up shop, but can't think of just the right name. I'm constantly brainstorming! So thats the very very short version of everything :) I'm about to head to my sister's farm to let the dogs run and play, so  until next time be safe and Happy Father's Day!

Laissez les Bon Temp Rouler!

"Let the good times roll," and that they did! We liked New Orleans so much last year that we decided to go again for my husband's big 3-0! We had a great time and ate some great food! One night I had shrimp n' grits and it was waaaay better than it sounds. Probably some of the best stuff I've ever put in my mouth! And the weather was great too. Recap: ate great food, beignets and coffee for breakfast, visited Jackson square, shopped and looked at antique stores, visited the casino (& won some $), almost got picked up by a couple of homeless people, met some crazy fellow Alabamians, jazz bands, cathedral, swamp tour....! That's all I can remember right now. It isn't a place I'd want to put my roots down, BUT I would LOVE to have a little cottage or house down there like others have at the beach. The atmosphere is awesome and so laid back.

Me and Heather

I got to hold an alligator

French Market

Beignets and coffee au lait

Heather and Doug @ Jackson Square

on Bourbon

Watched school children dance in Jackson Square

David's birthday celebration night

getting ready to explore

Random Stuff

I would like to be able to repurpose a piece of furniture to look like this. It only took her an afternoon. It would take me a few weekends :(
I also wanted to share this really cool wooden chair that caught my eye at an antique shop. Guess what it turned out to be! A toilet! Ha! Definitely brings new meaning to when referring to as "the pot".

2012 Bassmaster Classic

My brother-in-law, Greg Vinson, made it to the classic this year; the super bowl of fishing for those of you who don't know. I say that because before I married my husband I never realized the magnitude of it lol. Anyway, we were excited for him but hadn't planned on going to watch until he was holding 1st & 2nd place the first two days! At that point we knew we had to go. It was going to be too close not too. So, we packed up our things again (bc we had just driven to Birmingham ) and headed to Shreveport with two of our closest friends; yay for last minute road trip! It was totally worth it too because Greg placed second!!!! We were on the edge of our seats the whole time, and hated to see him lose the hot seat, but we were proud nonetheless! He is awesome at what he does and a great guy too! You should check him out if your into fishing!