Out with the Old...

I just had 3 days off. Ben and I had a lot on our to-do list. One of those things was replacing our hallway light. We moved into this house about 2 1/2 years ago and we have since replaced all of our light fixtures. This was the last one. It's been on our To-Do List: Home Edition for about 1 1/2 years. So, yeah, this was a big deal. And I couldn't be happier with how it looks. God bless those little things that make such a big difference!

Here is the before and after. 

It might not be a big improvement in your mind, but believe you me, it is to us :)

Rose Cabochon Earrings

Fun fact about me- I love crafting. If I were a stay-at-home mom, I would craft all day. Because I am not a stay-at-home mom, I craft when I have time, which is almost never. That’s why I’m always looking for cheap, easy things to do. Not only can I do it and feel great when I've finished something, but I only choose things that I know I’m going to love as well. I'm a big fan of jewelry so this is a go-to.

I first got this idea from a blog called homemadebyjill.blogspot.com. She made these earrings and I instantly fell in love. I  went to Etsy, did a search, and bought some rose cabochons and the earring backings and got to work. These cabochons can be used for anything. I've contemplated gluing them to bobby pins/barrettes, rings, and even a necklace – if the rose was big enough. 

Tonight, I decided to do earrings. This is a 1,2,3 step project. 

First: Get your supplies: rose cabochons, hot glue gun, and the earring backing. 

Second: Glue the rose on the earring. 

Third: You're done. Now strut your stuff!

See what I mean. Super easy, really cute,  and pretty affordable too. Do you know how much you could pay on a pair of earrings like this? A lot more than whatever you just paid on the supplies. I love it. 

Next up, I might try a ring and a barrette. I could go for days with these delicious little roses!

Dance Party Edition

This last week, I was in Vail, Colorado. I was there for a work conference. It was a lot of fun, but boy was it good to come home. I think most people who read this know me, 

but for those of you who don't, I am a working mom. I work 40 hours a week. 

Sometimes, I feel I am away from home more than I am at home. Being gone for six whole days was tough. However, I did enjoy my time immensely.  I learned a lot of new things, met a lot of new people, and over-all, had a great time. It's kind of nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Nonetheless, it was really great coming home to my little family, with my two cute little girls, and my amazing husband. My husband, who- by the way- also had a great time while I was away. He claimed it wasn't stressful and he and the girls had a great time. Not totally sure how to take that- other than count my lucky 
stars that I met and married him 7 years ago, that he gave me two beautiful, perfect daughters, and that he can take care of the house in my absence :)

Today was our first whole day together. This morning Emma and I were gone for a few 
hours attending her friend's birthday party. Emma had requested I take her because she missed me so much this past week. {tear} But tonight, after dinner, we had a good ol' fashioned dance party with the whole fam. When these pictures were taken, we 
were listening to Huey Lewis and the News. Great band. Great music. 

Even just looking at these pictures, I am reminded of how incredibly lucky I am to have an amazing home life, and an amazing professional life. Life really is good for me.