Live: A Day On A Lake

This weekend I traveled over 12 hours each way to attend a bridal shower for one of my cousins at her parents house in Massachusetts. The shower was lovely-beautiful flowers, yummy food, great company and lovely gifts. But the best part was the three day house party I got to have with a bunch of my female relatives.   Friday was filled with party-prep and late night chatting. Saturday was event day with an afternoon spent floating in the lake and an evening on the pontoon boat. But Sunday was spent on the speed boat, water skiing, tubing and taking pictures!

A few of the lovely girls in my family, I loved that we all had on kinda retro glam swimsuits.

 I did not water ski, but there were some in our group that not only gave it a try, but also had success! Super impressive was my cousin Maggie, she was able to get up on only her third try and that was after she almost had her foot ripped off by the rope!

 I did do some tubing, something I haven't done in years and years. I think it is scarier when you are an adult.

 And you just can't beat the view. These are only a few of the shots of the amazing houses and properties out on the lake (I chose these because my Aunt and Uncle's place is front and center). Can you imagine waking up to this everyday. My only question is; why didn't I buy a house on a lake when I had my chance?!?

How was your weekend? Did you spend it outside soaking up the summer sun? Do you have the sunburn to prove it? (I'm hopeful mine will at least become a tan!)

Live: Checking in on the Summer Wish List

(total creeper staring you down)

Do you remember a few weeks ago when I posted my summer wish list? Well we are almost half way through July so we are almost half way through what I consider summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). So I thought it was a good time to check in on the list. 

(the color is odd on this, but it is the closest to my actual eye color)

Let's see what I have done on the list:

2. Visit my brother's family in VA-Phoebe and I drove down to see them in the beginning of June.

3. Take a new profile picture-I think I will be one of these pictures. I took them very late one night after I had been out, my make up is half off, my hair is kinda falling down, but I actually kinda like them. (P.S. it is really weird, to me, to post so many pictures of my face on here. I hardly ever post pictures of myself.)

(one where you can see how sleepy I was)

4. Grill out-Accomplished many a meal has been cooked in the great outdoors.
5. Go to the movies-I have actually been to the movies a bunch this summer, because we have discovered $5 Wednesdays! My favorite has been Moonrise Kingdom.

(Sometimes I look at pictures of myself and just see how much I look like my dad-we have the same nose)

 8. Visit with old friends-I'm going to say yes, but there is more to come!
14. Eat outside-we did this before the sun exploded and we all moved into a heatwave!

(thinking about something)

17. Take a road trip-See above the Phoebs and I hit the open road (I also have two more trips to the East Cost planned for this summer).
19. Drink Ice Tea-Yes! The best ever comes from Beezy's in downtown Ypsi!

(where you can see how I sometimes open one eye way more than the other)

21. Read-I've started in on my summer reading list.
22. Walk in a parade-We did two on the 4th of July and there will be more later this summer.

(again funny things going on with the color)

That is how things are shaping up so far, not to bad. I have plans to knock a bunch of the others off my list starting as early as this weekend.

(right now this is the winner, it reminds me of my favorite picture of my niece and I)

Do you have a summer to do list? If so how is it going? Can you believe summer is half over? 

Pinterest Challenge: Map It Out

 You might remember last week that I said I was going to take part in the Summer Pinterest Challenge. I even showed you my pinspiration:

This map project by Kayla Danelle ended up being closest to my final project. 

Okay my project isn't actually finished I still need to find a frame that will fit my state wall art. But even unframed I think that my challenge worked out okay. Here is what I did: I started by painting a few shades of  blue watered down acrylic (on a paper bag!), then after cutting out the state of Michigan from an old map I had hanging around I used spray adhesive to adhere the map to my bag.

Then I used a star shaped button that I already had to mark my hometown on the map. I finished the whole thing off by writing "Michigan" with red pastel across the top.

For now it is hanging out on the back of this closet door while I look for a frame. Considering the rest of the project was created using things I already had so I don't mind spending a few bucks on a frame that will work for it.

Don't forget to check out all the projects created by the Challenge hosts: Young House Love, Bower Power (be warned you will want your own living room teepee!), Ten June and Centsational Girl!

Find: We go back to Homegoods!

 You guys know I love the Homegoods! I always walk out of the store with new ideas and new things to obsess over. Right off the bat, in love with these massive aqua vessels. I will be stalking them to see if they go on clearance ($19.99).

 Ooo, really liked these blue and white casserole dishes, they would be great house warming or bridal shower gifts. And you will die when you see the price ($9.99)

 I was also really into this wire covered lantern (large $12.99 and small $9.99).

 I had to take a snap of this giant wine glass because it reminded me of Cougar Town ($16.99).

 Okay here is the item that I came away from my trip thinking about, this faux paint can is ceramic, but I think you could DIY it easily with a coffee can ($9.00).

 You can't really tell in this picture, but this box is tin and painted sort of army green. I really love mixing beat up more industrial items in with my softer aesthetic and this would work perfectly in my office or something ($9.99).

 I want this lamp, super, super want ($79.99)!

 I really like both the table ($99.99) and the orange chair in this photo ($99.99). They actually had at least three of these chairs at my Homegoods, I think they would make crazy good dinning room chairs.

 I'm really into science class-ish decor items and I think this big butterfly would look amazing in a living room ($29.99).

 A big graphic printed headboard. What's not to like ($299.99).

 First I saw this chair, which is I think a recliner ($299.99).

 And then I saw his slightly larger and a little cooler fraternal twin brother ($349.99). Yes they are a little pricey for a girl who buys most things secondhand, but they are by Lane and I will tell you I own two Lane chairs that are at least 20 years old and they are for the most part going strong, so they do make high quality items. Oh and on that note, my Homegoods had a ton 'o Lane products, just an FYI.

 I've been thinking about designing a mood board around this green chair, or rather the pair that were in the store ($129.99) they are the perfect kelley green in real life.

 Okay when I go totally over board and redesign my whole house to look like Jeannie's Bottle I am going to need a lamp like this ($29.99).

 For now this lamp is a little more my speed ($49.99).

 Now these little fans are the one thing I left the store wishing I had bought. So much so that I think I might go back and pick up one in green ($29.99).

 Tucked in the very back of the store were these contemporary out door chairs ($59.00).

 Maybe the most amazing find, someone is going to totally score when they buy this sofa table ($399.99).

 I don't really do seashells, but I do think they can add a great organic feel to your space and you half to admit this is a kinda beautiful ($14.99).

 I do really love boxes. I have them scattered all about my house (white: $14.99, blue: $19.99).

I always like to finish my trip off with one of the crazy things in the store (see 3 legged lady mug), but here me out on this one. I was actually thinking that you could make a fairly awesome headboard or room divider out of driftwood inspired by this-well I'm not really sure what it is ($99.99).

P.S. I had a friend ask me if it weird to go around a store taking pictures. The answer is; kinda. People do sometimes give you funny looks, but I am never bugged by either shoppers or employees.

P.P.S. This post is just for fun Homegoods did not sponsor the post or anything.