{Hometown Girls: Taylor from The Presutti's}

Hey everyone! Momma and I returned to home sweet home yesterday! Thank goodness, I started to miss the sweater weather :) But, I'm not done with the post to show y'all just how much fun we had...So as I sift through some pictures {and by some I mean about 100} here's another part of my Hometown Girls posts! Taylor and I used to attend the same church. Now she is all grown up and married. Her and her husband are adorable, as well as her blog all about their life together. Stay tuned for a super adorable DIY she did.**********************************************************************
Hello Lovelies.
I hope your having a wonderful day!
I'm Taylor and I blog over at The Presutti's 

Today I am going to share with you how to make a ChalkBoard Window.

Now this project can be simply tweaked.

As you can put chalkboard on almost anything or anywhere.


Here is what you need for the Chalkboard Window.

*Windex
*Paper Towels
*Painter's Tape
*A window
*Chalkboard Paint
*Paint Tray
*Paintbrush (a foam brush is best)
*Paint opener (you can improvise)
*Stirring Stick (not really needed)

Now you can get a window almost anywhere.
Local antique store, yard sale, Goodwill, thrift store, Craigslist (which is where I got mine), side of the road.

Start off by spraying the window with Windex and make sure to wipe all the dirt off.

My window needed to coats of Windex cleaning

Tape off the window with painter's tape

Should look like this when completed.

Here is the Chalkboard Paint I got. I got it from Lowe's in the spray paint aisle.

Pour a small amount in a paint pan.

Start painting. This is after the first coat. Mine needed 4 coats. If using a window, you can look through the backside to see if it will need any additional coats.

Finished product. After 4 coats.
*Make sure to let tape sit until all coats are dry.
*Be very careful when pulling away tape, as glass is slick, and the chalkboard can come off easily if not careful.
*If it does start to peel, be gentle and separate it from tape. Trying to save as much a possible.
*Add additional coats over the damaged area as needed.
This happened to me.

Again.

Myself very happy with my completed project.

I can't wait to put this up in our home.

I'm going to put it up in our kitchen and use it as a weekly Menu!



It's such a simple project and it doesn't take a long time either.
It is super fun and cute!
So, go try it!!!
Remember there is so much you can do with chalkboard paint!!!


Thanks for letting me share with you!

Please come visit my blog The Presutti's

love,
taylor

Up, up, and away!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update y'all a little bit today on what's going on around my neck of the woods!

-Momma and I left this morning for our little getaway! My first plane ride... it was interesting. Almost don't like that I have to get back on a flight to come home {Not too fond of flying... I guess I wasn't a bird in any of my past lives}

I plan on taking lots and lots of pictures to share with y'all!

-Wishing big-little brother good luck this weekend. He is taking part in a
huge huge huge deal choir concert. {I know he'll do great, no luck needed}

-Also, Logan {boyfriend} and my little-little brother are traveling this weekend to Beta club convention {Logan to chaperone with the school he works at and brother is going with his school} Praying for safe travels and lots of fun for them.

-Oh and I've been posting {here} and {here} this week. Go check it out!

what.i.wore

Shirt- Ralph Lauren Polo

Skirt- Forever 21

Tights- Kohls Vera Wang

Socks- Forever 21

Boots- TJ Maxx

Earrings- Momma's jewelry box ;)

Pictures taken by my lovely, oh-so-talented, best friend, Jillian. Go check her out {here}

in the valley.

Why does it seem that when life has us down, the devil continues to kick the heck out of us, and we are left- alone, bruised, deeply wounded. And it doesn't just happen to bad people, in fact, it seems to happen to some of the best people?
I've had some really sad and unfortunate events happening around me. Not directly affecting me, but it's so close, it might as well be. So close, it's affecting my heart. It's throbbing in pain for loved ones around me.
I don't think I will ever understand why bad things happen to good, genuine people?
I know that God makes all things work together for those that love Him {Roman 8:28} but I guess its just a thing I won't understand until He can explain it to me in Heaven, among many many other things.
But, let me tell you what I do know. I've found that in my lowest of lows, the darkest, deepest valleys... God is the closest. Maybe it's because I have a clear heart. Broken and empty. And just when I think I have nothing, He shows me that is exactly right...
I have nothing.

God has shown Himself to me and my family in the hardest of times. Providing rent, electricity, and food on the table. Events, that are truly miracles- there are no other explanations, no other ways.

So when you think that things can't get any worse, think of a life without God.

Without a Father that knows the exact number of hairs on your head.

Without a Father that has molded you into a beautiful creation inside of you mother's womb and plotted out a wonderful life unique just for you.
Without a father that is continuously pursuing you, wanting to be the true love of your heart.

Without a Father that can reveal Himself to you in the most intimate ways.

Keep your eyes, ears, and hearts open. I'm praying that He shows you just how much he has blessed you with this Holiday season.

And to those of you that are in that valley-
Things are going to get better. Pray that God reveals himself to you in the midst of your trouble. But do your part, too. Be faithful. Love Him. Remember all the small things and the people that love you and cling to them. You're going to get through this.

a couple hallelujah{s}

1. Registration for next semester is D.O.N.E. & these two girls {the best friend and I} have TWO classes together. I smell trouble :)

2. The Trojans {little brother's high-school football team} won their game on Friday night! Onward to third round of play-offs this Friday! Yay yay yay for my alma mater!

3. Mommy and I leave for our girl's getaway in 3 days! Soft sandy beaches, warm weather, and girly activities {shopping, a wedding, and more shopping} here we come!!

4. I was approached to be featured on one of my favvv blogs ever. I'm so excited for it to be posted I can't stand it!!

5. 22 days til the semester is over. Shut the front door! My first semester of college is basically over! I feel so accomplished, intelligent, and tired :)

6. Breakfast this morning- Pumpkin Spice Donut. I die...

friday.favorites

Wow- It's been a good while since I've done a Friday Favorites post!
Speaking of posts, sorry for the lack of them. It's been a busy week.
Anyway---- Here we go!

This print:

This holiday decor DIY:

Is is too early for these Christmas nails?

Two things about this last picture from the CMA awards this week:

1. I love that Faith Hill is coming back out!

2. Isn't this dress so killer?!

Winner of the Design Software Giveaway:

Melody Holmes! 

Thanks to all of you that read daily. You make my life so much more fun!

{Hometown Girls: Ivy from A Vintage Girl}

I've really been wanting to do a little segment on my hometown girls that blog... So first up is Ivy! We've grown up together and our moms are BFF. She is a beautiful girl with a vintage heart. So without further adieu...

Hey y’all!  Ivy here from A Vintage Girl.  The lovely Tori asked me to guest post on her blog, and I’m so excited to do it!  Tori and I go way back.  We lived in the same town when we were younger, attended church together and our families have been friends for ages.  I love looking at blogs, and when I found out that Tori had one, I had to check it out, and I’m now a regular visitor.  Love it! 

I didn’t know what I wanted to write about when she asked me at first.  On my blog, I write mostly about cooking, crafts, gardening, the small things in life, etc.  I definitely wanted to write something good, so I decided to focus on a topic that I’ve become very interested in.  

Homemade and homegrown items. I’ve always been interested in them, but it was only until I graduated from college and had a little downtime pre-job that I really focused on this enjoyment of mine.  This summer I took full advantage of the farmers’ market and other fruit and vegetable stands here in my tiny Middle Tennessee town.  I was all about canning, freezing and frying/cooking with my fresh bought food.  Now that the colder season is swiftly approaching and the farmers’ markets are packing up for the season, I decided to try my hand at making a homemade cleaner.

This all purpose cleaner I’m speaking of is simple, yet effective.  It only contains a few ingredients: castile soap, washing soda, white vinegar and water.  It left my kitchen counter sparkly and with a fresh peppermint smell!  The most expensive item I purchased was the castile soap, but it only takes ½ a teaspoon from the huge container.  So, not only will this be beneficial to keeping my house clean and fresh-smelling, it is very cost-effective!  To get my recipe for the all purpose cleaner, go to Macheesmo.  

So, what about you?  Do you have a homemade or homegrown item that you can’t get enough of?  Check out my blog A Vintage Girl to learn more about me and my world of crafting, sewing, cooking, gardening, life and love from a small town girl.  Thanks again, Tori! :)

{The winner of my giveaway will be announced tomorrow! Have you entered yet?}