BEST FRIEND MUGS

SO thrilled with how these best friend mugs turned out! Obviously, I found the inspiration for this on pinterest, but I was disappointed with the directions that I followed. The post recommended that you make a stencil and then outline it with eyeliner first the go inside that line with permanent marker. I did this but when I went to wipe away the eyeliner then marker came off as well, possibly because of the oil in the makeup. I'm not sure, and it may work for some but it didn't for me. My solution was just to wipe it off and free-hand and I think they turned out adorable!

However you get the state shape, the key is to put them in the oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Seals the deal!

Can't wait for my best friends to get these!!

WEEKLY INSPIRATION

From Pinterest Quote Board

Be bold.

DAILY ORGANIZING SYSTEM

Finally, putting up a post on my Christmas gift to Nick! He requested a calendar for his new place so I decided to give him an entire wall of organizing! This was a relatively easy project {excluding the calendar, which was rather maddening}.

To begin I bought all the frames a Michaels. I opted to do alternating colors to contrast from what was going to be placed in the frame. Starting on the left, is  a dry erase board {purchased at Home Depot}. Next is a chalk board {board purchased at Home Depot, learn how to make the paint here}, following this is the seemingly simple yet very math intensive calendar that actually ended up great! To make this last for years to come, I made all of the lines with marker on mat paper that I placed underneath the frame glass. Now Nick can write and erase with the same markers he uses on the white board. The final piece to this little frame organization is a simple cork board. Hope this is as useful as I envisioned it!

WEEKLY INSPIRATION

Photo via my Pinterest Quotes Board

Strive to live like this.

BLACK AND WHITE ENTRY

Lately it seems I have been into neutrals! Browns, blacks and whites are all over the house and my wardrobe lately...the newest place is the entry.

I love the pattern of this pillow...and it's so plush! {yet another great IKEA find}

And how cool is this old barrel. Even has family history because it's from a construction company my dad worked for years ago when they first lived in Boise! Also can't forget to mention how much I LOVE this black and white striped blanket! It will be fun to continue to find new places to incorporate all these new pieces in the future!

HOUSE UPDATES

While in SLC we also managed to spend some time at IKEA (my fav!) and as soon as I got home I updated from winter Christmas {well mom took the Christmas down} to just more winter and even a little spring!

Surprisingly my mom {the horticulturist} and I love these little faux plants from IKEA.

I stole this basket from the entry and filled it with more IKEA plantings!

I technically should have posted this with the Christmas decor since I made the vase for the holidays but we kept it out in honor of the winter chill that is still outside! I just love this area in our hallway! The little bookshelf has been around as long as I can remember, so I am glad we still put it to good use.

I also love this little spot because all of the pieces on the shelf are pieces of projects I have worked on in the past. I printed out the little quote from my pinterest board {Quotes} and framed it.You can also sort of see the notebook that I chalk painted a few weeks ago with the extra paint from making the chalk tray {see here}. One of the smaller boxes that I covered with map {see here}, again with left over supplies, is also in the corner there. The books on this shelf are also some of my favorite most inspiring reads. Clearly I love this bookcase from all the memories and inspiration it brings me!

*Really quickly want to say how great using rock salt as vase filler worked! It strongly held the heavy amaryllis in place and looked like snow! How festive! I just love completing pinterest projects!

SLC

Over New Years Nick and I were able to take one last getaway before my job gets crazy. We went to Salt Lake City and Park City in a whirlwind trip! The first evening my Aunt and Uncle took us to the nicest dinner way up in a canyon. The setting was beautiful and the food phenomenal!

After we took a field trip to see this gem (or eye sore). 

The next day we went and had a great time on the mountain. It was a little icy and busy but still so fun to get out and see the beauty there!

That evening we had quite the experience at dinner, but thats what keeps life interesting! Great to spend New Years in a new city with a great man :)