PhotoDay.White.

Its just a photo kind of day. Theme: White. Enjoy the photos!

Enjoy!

XoXo Bon

Craft.Stump.Fail.

Ones trash is another persons treasure is probably my life motto. After seeing a fellow blogger (carriebradshawlied.com) do this project and seeing stumps in all the stores and magazines. I have been on the lookout for a stump. Here is my vision I was going for:

My vision! White stumps!

A few weekends ago I was visiting a friend in Memphis and had gone on a run/walk while she had something to do and came up on a huge pile of wood. Well of course I looked through it and found an awesome stump! I ran straight back to her house and talked Lane into helping me. We drove over to the house and attempted to get the stump. (Rule #1 get a lighter stump then I did) We couldn't pick it up so we started rolling it in the street to try to get it into my car. Luckily a few neighbors were watching us and a nice man came over and helped us pick it up and put it in my car.

Then I drove my stump home to Jackson (me and the stump riding along together for 3 hours)! When I got back to Jackson I had to figure out now how to get it out of my car. (Rule #2 put something down in your car if you can, seat covered in mud/dirt) I had to recruit my roommates boyfriend (thanks Dan) to come help me get it out. Dan picked it up and dropped it straight in our front yard. So that's where the stump has been sitting for the last 3 weeks. Sorry neighbors!!! 

(Rule #3 if you can try not to let your stump get rained on! It will delay your debarking, painting process)So since my stump got soaked I have been delayed in painting it and have been letting its dry out. The longer you let it dry out the better.

What all you need:

Stump

Hammer

Flat head screwdriver

Gloves

Sandpaper

Paint

Paint brush

Legs (optional)

Step 1:

Debark your stump. Some pictures I saw the people still have the bark. I did alot

Step 2:

Sand your stump smooth. If you take the bark of fully and carefully you want have that much sanding to do. I just used regular pieces of sandpaper and made sure the edges were smooth and all the hair was off the stump. My neighbor offered an electric sander but I didn't think I needed that but you might.

Step 3:

Painting your stump. You can just paint yours with polyurethane and have a glossy natural wood look.  I wanted mine white so I borrowed some leftover glossy white paint of my parents. Free paint! Girl on a budget here. Free stump, free paint. Paint the entire stump top, sides. I didn't paint the bottom but you are welcome too. It takes multiple coats. 

Step 4:

Optional legs. A few stumps I have seen people have ordered legs from Ikea. My stump was pretty tall (and heavy) so I didn't think I needed legs but I wanted something to amp it up. So I "borrowed" from my moms plant some of those lion feet that you sit planted plants on. They were clay colored so I painted those as well.

NOTE TO SELF: get a stump that someone you know can actually pick up and put it in your house. I got a stump that only a super hero could pick up. So where does the stump sit: in our yard. Nice yard art though!!

Enjoy!

XoXo Bon

Eat.

Hello Bloggers!! Here is one of my most recent recipes! I do recommend it!

Spinach and Artichoke Baked Pasta

Ingredients:
14 oz of Orecchiette pasta (I didn't know what this was so I used rigatoni)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup of chopped onion
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 cup of sour cream
4 oz of cream cheese (room temp)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
10 oz of spinach (make sure to squeeze excess moisture, after ithas been thawed of course)
13.5 can of artichoke hearts rinsed and chopped
1 cup of mozzarella
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper

 Steps to a yummy meal:

1. Preheat oven to 425.

2. Cook pasta according to the box. Keep 1/4 cup of the pasta water before you drain the cooked pasta.

3. Heat oil in pan and cook onions for 8-10 minutes.

4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

5. In a large bowl- mix sour cream, cream cheese, parmesan, lemon juice, onions and garlic.

6. Add pasta and mix.

7. Stir in spinach, artichokes, 1/4 cup of cooking liquid from the pasta, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella

8. Place mixture into greased 2.5-3 qt casserole dish and place the rest of mozzarella cheese on top.

9. Place in the oven until golden brown on top- about 10 to 15 minutes.

I served mine with bread and ceaser salad and it was a hit!! Have a great week!

Enjoy!!

XoXo Bon

Craft.

Wedding Canvas

I was invited to a wedding shower a few weekends ago and wanted to give the special bride something a little different then just the typical annie glass or waffle iron or set of towels (which I had already done). I wanted to give her something that she would look at and remember our friendship, her wedding, and all the good times we have all shared together (and her hubby of course!). So I went looking on pinterest and etsy for a little inspiration.

 I am so into chevron these days but wanted a little more "weddingy"

saying to put on the canvas.

LOVE LOVE this one besides the colors. This is the one I went with and then I asked the bride what colors they were using in there new apt and went for it.

What you will need:

canvas

paint

paint brushes

pencil

tape (if you want to tape off the chevrons, I just free handed it)

I totally forgot to take pics throughout but here is the finished product!! 

Here are some others that I found that I am going to try to attempt in the future:

XoXo Bon

Fashion.

The Chunky Necklace

I am loving this fashion trend right now and honestly I don't think you can have to many!! Of course my mother would disagree but I sureeee don't! Wanted to share with y'all a few of my favorites and encourage you to get some if you don't have any in your day to day wardrobe!


Favorites:

I just bought this one and can NOT wait to wear it!
From Rifraff in Fayetteville, AR

This is from my favorite new website. I might be behind the times but everybody go check out www.baublebar.com. It has the best jewelry at very reasonable prices!

I just ordered this one from Baublebar.com. They also had this in red. Y'all go check it out!

Enjoy this lazy Sunday!

XoXo Bon