DIY colorful gallery wall!

One of my favorites parts of the home to decorate is the mantle. I was so happy when we found out our apartment had a fireplace. Since we moved in right before Christmas I threw something together and was pretty happy with our little Christmas set up. But then when it was time to actually decorate it for the long run, I was stuck. I found a couple things I liked on pinterest, but knew that I wanted some serious color. As you saw from the pillows I made, I'm not afraid of using color, and just love how happy your home is when its bright and colorful! I finally decided on a gallery wall with frames of all shapes, sizes, and colors with the fingerprint tree (the place I ordered from was AMAZING and I would absolutely recommend them!) from our wedding as the focal point. My parents got the tree framed for us, and it is one of my favorite things we own. Sometimes I'll just look at all the fingerprints and remember everyone who was there for our special day!

I knew I didn't want to spend a lot on this project, so we went to the thrift store and got a pile of frames all for under $25. We didn't worry about the color of them, I just wanted a variety of shapes, textures, and sizes and knew I could paint anything if I didn't like the color. We even got an awesome mirror that turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the wall for $3.

After we had all the frames we taped off a rectangle on the ground so we knew how much room we were working with and then laid them all out. And then we moved them all around. And then I changed my mind and we moved them around again. And then I finally decided that I was happy with how it was laid out. (I actually rearranged it a couple more times before it made its way to the wall).

We picked our paint colors and decided which colors would go where. And then we got a puppy and the project was put on hold, because when you have a dog who things the world is his chew toy, you don't want your DIY pride and joy on the ground.

It took a little longer than expected, but I finally finished painting the frames and was ready to get them on the wall. This part was the trickiest-we used a combination of nails and command strips to hang all of the pictures which worked great. For this part I recommend a level, a step stool, and a very patient husband who won't mind when you want to move a frame a half of a centimeter to the left. I know I'm new to this marriage thing, but I strongly believe that few things test the strength of a marriage more than hanging things on the wall. But I'm so glad I did move that frame to the left because the end result is seriously perfect. Every time I walk through the door its the first thing I see and I just smile. Some of the frames are from our engagement pictures. Some are from our wedding. Some cost $.25 at a thrift store. But I love all of them and am SO happy with how it turned out! Maybe eventually I would think about adding a couple small things, but for now, I wouldn't change a thing!

The Newest DeBoom!

As I mentioned briefly before, we added a fluffy new family member a couple of weeks ago and we couldn't be happier! 

Meet Bumper!

He's a border collie and is about 9 weeks old-we got him when he was 6 weeks old and its crazy how much he's grown the past few weeks!

He is a ball of energy and is either going 100 miles an hour, or asleep.  

His favorite past time is driving Cricket crazy-they run laps around the apartment, wrestle, and play until they both pass out

He's getting much better with the house training, and is figuring everything out! 

We are so glad that Bumper and Cricket get along so great and although it gets pretty rowdy when they start going at it, we are so glad we added the crazy little guy to the family!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday is April 3rd, and my sister and I knew we wanted to do something special for her, after all you only turn 29 once, right Mom? Sharlee and I got to scheming and the first plan was for her to fly in and surprise my mom with a girls weekend at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX. If you have never been to First Monday, you HAVE to go. My mom loves it and has always talked about wanting to stay at a bed and breakfast so that you have more time for shopping, so we knew that was what we wanted to do. We also thought it would be so much fun to fly in my aunt and have her surprise my mom with us. So the Friday of my mom's birthday we picked up my aunt from the airport, got some lunch, and picked up a coffee for my mom and surprised her at her school where her students were taking a test. I wish I had a picture of her reaction when she saw us standing at the door, but it was pretty great. We had a quiet first night with pedicures and pizza and hit the road early on Saturday to start shopping. We didn't end up buying too much-scarves because it ended up being cold and a couple other small things, but it really was the perfect girls weekend. We checked in to the bed and breakfast and it was a super cute little house called the Azaela House. It had a beautiful backyard with a pool, and hot tub that we enjoyed until the thunder and lightning chased us out. Then we spent the night drinking wine, playing games, and just having the best time. The next morning, the weather turned out to be pretty crummy-pouring rain and storms-but we didn't let that stop us and we headed back out to check out the second half of the shops. The second half of the shops happened to include the puppy area, where breeders come to sell the puppies they have. Ross and I had been talking about getting a second dog for awhile-Cricket LOVES to play with other dogs, and since we both work during the day we liked the idea of there being another dog there during the day. So when we got to the puppy area, and I saw this sweet little face staring back at me

well, I made the biggest purchase of the weekend which deserves a whole post of its own. But it was definitely a wonderful way to round out the best weekend ever. My sister and I just wanted to make sure my mom had the birthday she deserves and I think we did that. We had a perfect weekend full of laughing, celebrating, and I can't wait for the next trip we take together!

12 Dates A Year-March

This weekend ended up being absolutely beautiful and really was the perfect weekend to spend outside at the Dallas Arboretum. We started the day at Torchys tacos, which was delicious-seriously the best breakfast tacos ever, and then headed to the Arboretum around noon.

The Arboretum just happens to be on the very same lake we got married at. It was so fun to drive by and see the very place we started our life together! Crazy to think that was 5 months ago!

If you live in the DFW area, and haven't been to the Dallas Arboretum, you really need to go. It's absolutely beautiful, and because it's so huge it doesn't feel crowded at all, even though the parking lot told a different story. I took a couple pictures, but for the most part I put my camera up and just enjoyed the company!

We had a great time walking around, looking at all the flowers

taking breaks to sit on the benches,

and just taking the time to stop and smell the roses-or other flowers that I don't know the name of. Clearly I should have paid more attention in Floral Design in college. 

We couldn't have asked for better weather, and will definitely be back. And what better way to finish a beautiful day than with cupcakes outside?

 

I know I sound like a broken record but I just can't thank my brother and sister enough for this gift. We have had the BEST times on the dates so far and have gotten to do things we never would have thought to do. And as of today I have been married to this guy for 5 months, and there is absolutely no one I'd rather do life with!

For April we get to head to the Fort Worth Zoo! We can't wait!