Wanting.... and then GETTING it all.

Recently my sister posted a blog titled "I want it all!" She talked about the list of things she wants out of life. From little things to big things...everything had its place in her heart.

This got me thinking about the things I want. 

The funny thing is...I already had a list started and I already started accomplishing some of them! So I decided I would start documenting them. I'm not done with the outfit posts. I still love fashion and I love creating new looks out of thrifted clothes or things in my closet. But there's so much more to me than that and I want to share it with you. :)

So, for today's post, I'm going to share with you a project that I have ALWAYS wanted to do. Do you know how many times I've seen these DIY mosaic table top projects on tv??? It's something I've always wanted to try but didn't have it in me to find a table that I wanted to destroy in order to create my own masterpiece. 

My time finally came when I moved into my place. The previous renters had left a rusted bistro tiled table in the back patio. It sat there for almost 2 years collecting spider webs. My mission was clear. One morning I said to myself...

"I'm going to re-tile this table today."

It was that simple. I grabbed A.B. ("amazing boyfriend" for those of you who are just joining us) and we started hitting up Goodwill stores and Dollar stores. Three Goodwills and two Dollar stores later I had collected all of the colorful plates that I wanted to smash up to create my tiles.

Next stop? Home Depot. We grabbed spray paint and tile adhesive. 

Time for the dirty work! I grabbed a hammer and went to town on the existing tile. 

A.B.'s job was to sand and spray paint the table.

While he painted away, I started taking out some aggression on the plates I purchased. I placed the plates between old towels and hammered them to bits!!!

Then I laid them out on bath towels and grouped the colors together so that I would have a clear view of my "palette."

Now for the REAL fun!

I put some adhesive on the back of each piece and started placing them on the grated metal top. 

I didn't exactly have a design plan in place, but I trusted my instincts. ;)

The last step was to grout the table.

Sounds like a job for A.B.!!

This was the final product and I could NOT be happier with it!!!! 

This table is a perfect example of something I've talked about doing for years and finally just decided to do it. 

It may not seem like a huge task, but I think most of us have a ton of things we say we want to do and then for one reason or another...we don't do it. 

That's not me anymore.

I want it all and I will GET it all. :)

And because I can't resist....here's an outfit post!

 

 I hope everyone has an amazing weekend filled with messy projects and fulfilled dreams. :)

Best Car Wash in Town

For as long as I can remember, my best moments with my Dad were our car wash weekends. 

He has always been a big advocate of taking care of the car, and every weekend, he would pull out the hose, bucket and rags. 

As Daddy's little girl, I insisted on helping. :)

These days, I'm not so great at the car washing. 

I pray for rainy days so that EVERYONE'S car is just as dirty as mine!

I can always count on that look of disapproval when I pull up to my Dad's house with a dirty car. This is usually what follows:

 "How long are you going to be here? Let's wash your car."

That's my Daddy.

I may not be the best at taking care of my car, but there are plenty of things I've learned from my Dad that make me who I am today. 

He's always been the strong super hero in our lives and there's no task or problem he can't handle. 

Whenever I have a problem...whether it's a big life problem or a table from IKEA that I need to put together, 

I always think of what Daddy would do.

Beyond the tough guy exterior lies a big teddy bear. Having a sweet and cuddly Dad makes for sweet and cuddly daughters. :)

Always funny, always involved....my entire childhood is laced with fun memories with "Daddy."

 

I've always felt like his partner in crime and his buddy. 

My quick wit, sense of humor and big personality are all thanks to my Daddy!

  

Happy Father's Day to the BEST Daddy in the whole world! 

We love you so much and we'll always be your "baby girls"!!!!

 

Listen Up, Universe.

So, I keep hearing about how if you want something, 

you just need to "put it out there in the universe." 

Ok, here it goes!

 

I. Need. A. Couch. 

(see below)

I can accept deliveries Monday through Friday after 5:00 pm and I'm available most weekends.

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

"Tired of IKEA furniture"

aka

Dawnya

Dear Mommy

 I wanted to do a special Mother's Day post about my Mom...aka..."Mommy".

(Isn't she gorgeous??)

 

I was going through old boxes yesterday and came across my Baby Book. I didn't even know I had this book, but i loved going through it and seeing the little baby moments my Mom documented. It was really fun to catch a glimpse of her experience as a new mother!

 I was laughing at all of this because so many of these stories really haven't changed much over the years. :)

I feel SO LUCKY to have a mommy like her. Always patient, always sweet and kind to everyone.... it never ceases to amaze me. 

On top of her gentle demeanor, she has a great sense of humor, talent for creativity and she has ALWAYS has style! 

(Check this one out. I WANT THIS OUTFIT!!!)

She took us everywhere and taught us so many things!

I cracked up at this story. I have mastered the art of avoiding salesmen now and I feel bad for foiling my Mom's plan....

 It couldn't have been easy dealing with a mini version of myself. I can only imagine how many moments did NOT make the baby book....

 I love you so much, Mommy! Thank you so much for raising us. I know for a fact that Amber and I wouldn't be the sassy and stylish ladies we are today without you! :)

Happy "Mommy's" Day!

 

Sweet Genius

Last night A.B. and I were in the mood for a yummy dessert but we didn't feel like leaving the house.

All I had on hand were some Nilla wafers, strawberries and cool whip. Kind of a no-brainer... but I couldn't just toss a box of crackers and a tub of cool whip at A.B.!!!

I grabbed some martini glasses, crushed up some wafers and put my knife skills to work.
I did a layer of cool whip, layer of crushed wafers, layer of chopped strawberries, and then repeated....ending with an ADORABLE strawberry heart. 

How did I do? :)

Love

My Grandpa loved my Grandma very, very much. In fact, I don't think I even have a memory of the two of them where he wasn't calling her his "sweetheart" or "dear".
Unfortunately, we lost my Grandpa a little over a year ago. 

After some time went by, my Grandma was going through old jewelry and asked me to see if there was anything I was interested in.

Yes, Grandma...I'd be happy to take a look. ;)

My Grandpa bought this bracelet for my Grandma and I absolutely love it. 

It's sweet and delicate and it simply says...."Love". 

Perfect.

I decided to be "simple" overall today. I knew it was going to be warm and I felt like being very casual and comfy. Most of my outfit is thrifted- which I LOVE! It feels so rewarding to get compliments on an outfit that costs less than your lunch. haha

I love you, Grandpa and Grandma!

You've set the bar high...but I'm aiming to get there. :)

Lesson Learned

 I learned two things today:

1. I'm in DESPERATE need of a tan.

2. Redheads CAN wear pink.

I've worn this dress a few times before, but today I decided it needed something special. 

It needed a hot pink cardigan!

I may or may not work on the tanning situation, 

but I KNOW I'll be keeping pink in my wardrobe. :) 

Off to bed! 

Fresh Coat of Paint

YES...it's ME! 

I didn't abandon my blog. I've just been lacking inspiration. So..I tackled this problem the way that any normal girl would. 

I drastically changed my hair. 

Ta-Da! 

And just like that---I'm a redhead!

 So, let me catch you up to speed. 

I've been continuing my half marathon training and it's been tough but rewarding. I'm only 3 weeks away from my race and I'm getting pretty excited about it! 

Oh..and if you ever decide to train for a half marathon, do your research on how to prevent things like blisters, chafing, dehydration..etc.

I've learned how to fix these problems the hard way and it isn't pretty. 

Other than that, I've been doing all kinds of 1950's housewife things like decorating, gardening and drinking all day long. (Ok, not so much that last part. I'm just REALLY into Mad Men right now.)

It's past my bedtime! I hope all is well with you!

Nighty night! :)