DIY Chalkboard Sign

It seems like everyone these days has chalkboard signs. I've wanted one for a while and I was just going to go the easy route and order one online. I am totally not crafty at all (even though I try to be) lol. But this is so easy that anyone could do it!

What you'll need:
Surface for your chalkboard- ex. a framed picture or piece of wood ($?)
Chalkboard paint ($5.38)

I was planning on going to my local Goodwill to look for a frame but then I came across an extra piece of wood that we had at my office.



If you have a frame without any kind of backing you will need to cut cardboard (or anything of your choice) to fit your frame. First I cleaned my piece of wood thoroughly- if your surface is plastic or glass I recommend lightly sanding. Then I laid down 2 pieces of cardboard so that I didn't ruin my floors while spraying.

I put an old sheet overtop of the cardboard and sprayed my piece of wood. Make sure you spray in a ventilated area and/or have a fan running.

 

I did about 4 layers for it to finally look like this.

 







And voila! After letting it dry for a day, I now have my own chalkboard sign and it cost me next to nothing :)

 



I plan on putting this on the shelf I have on my back porch with some plants and lanterns ...
(tealight lantern, shelving unit, candleholder lantern)

 



XoXo

Wedding Checklists

Oh my Gaaaaa, I am so overwhelmed!!! Within hours of being engaged, family and friends started asking if I had a date in mind. Like what? I don't know what kind of wedding I want, who to invite, my budget, etc. so how could I possibly know when I want to have it?

I don't even know where to start. So I googled "how to plan a wedding" and found some pretty helpful checklists that I'd like to share.

Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

Interactive Checklist

The Guide

All are great and have their own ways of organizing items. I think every bride to be should use one of these because it spells out for you what needs to be done and when. I personally prefer the "Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist" and will use that to plan mine.

XoXo

Pet Solutions

Here's how I successfully run my small home with 2 dogs and a cat.

I love, love, love the dog bowls with matching mats that I got from Petsmart. The placemats are essential for me- easy clean up! And they have a "lip" around the edge to ensure food and water stays on the mat and off of my floors :)



Duke is fed in the same area but separately from the dogs to keep from someone stealing his food. He has the same bowls and mat as they do, just a different size.

 

Food is kept in this container. As you can see Duke's is on top, and the dog food is on the bottom in the larger area. I labeled the containers to keep it easy for anyone in my family who may need to feed them while I'm gone.

Pet food, leashes and collars, and the trashcan are kept behind this tall gate. If you can train your dog to never get into the trashcan than I applaud you. Mine of course won't dare try it while I'm home but I can assure you I am not taking the chance while I'm gone!!!

 

I got this durable rug from ikea. It is set as a stopping point for muddy paws :)

You might be able to tell I'm very particular about my floors. Pet hair a problem in your home? Get a Robot Vacuum like the one I have. It does the work for you... enough said!!!

 

Duke's litter boxes are kept in one of my extra bedrooms upstairs. I keep a baby gate blocking the doorway. It has just enough room for him to comfortably walk under and just enough room to keep the dogs from getting to his litter box.

 

And now for Duke's potty station lol. You might think my cat is a little spoiled because he has 2 litter boxes but let me explain why. One is self cleaning- he doesn't like to pee in this one. The other is just your regular litter box- he doesn't like to poop in that one. BUT I live a busy life (don't we all!) and sometimes I can't get to the regular litter box right away. If that occurs, Duke has the luxury of choosing the self cleaning litter box which automatically cleans his waste when he's done. And as you can see, I always keep an extra box of regular clump litter and some trays of his self cleaning litter.

 

Bagel beds!!! My dogs love them especially because it makes them feel contained. Yes, they sleep in our room at night. Beds are kept separate (although they have moved them together once... and some mornings I wake up to them in the same one lol)

 

 

Kongs- the one thing that will keep them occupied for longer than 5 minutes ;) My freezer is kept stocked with peanut butter stuffed kongs at all times.

 



 

Our fence is 6ft tall. If you plan on owning a pit bull or any medium-large size dog, I consider a tall fence as a necessity. My boys can jump higher than one would imagine. Side note: we were outside over the summer and I turned my head for just a second... when I turned back around Corrado had jumped so high he was IN OUR TREE. Mommy heart attack moment. I screamed for him to get down... he hasn't done it since lol!

 

 

And just for fun, here's a picture of the sign we have on the back of our fence (the dog kind of looks like Corrado, right?). I can't tell you how many times a neighbor has been in the ally and told me how much they love it.

 





XoXo







Happy New Year

I am so excited to see what 2014 has in store for me, my family, and friends! I hope that it is a better year than 2013 and to make it that way, here are my resolutions:

1. Eat less meat than I did in 2013 and switch to soy milk

2. Make more time in my daily routine for meditation and prayer

3. Start "sweating for the wedding" so that I look my best on my big day

4. Be more patient at work

What are your New Years resolutions? And what are you looking forward to in 2014?

XoXo

New Years Eve in Baltimore

It always seems difficult to make New Years Eve plans. I don't know why, but for some reason we always end up making last minute plans. Here are some ideas for those of you who still have nothing planned like us!!

Events:

1. Power Plant Live $110 a person or $200 a couple includes open bar, all access pass to 9 venues, gourmet food, live DJ entertainment, laser shows, confetti cannons, party favors, and a midnight celebration.

2. Hollywood Casino $40 a person includes filet and lobster dinner with all you can eat star buffet, Full Tilt performance, and special drawings every hour- top prize is $2,014.

3. Big Night Baltimore at the Sheraton $120 a person includes endless food, all drinks, 8 party areas, 13 bands and DJ's, party favors, and balloon drop.

4. Charm City Countdown at the Lord Baltimore $150 a person includes buffet, open bar, 7 events, champagne toast ,and balloon drop at midnight.

5. Inner Harbor Cruise with Fireworks $140 a person includes buffet, open bar, DJ, and party favors.

6. CVP's $55 advance, $60 at the door includes buffet, open bar, champagne toast at midnight.

Dinner:

1. Oyster Bay Grille special menu

2. The Melting Pot $60 a person 4 course menu

3. Cazbar $55 a person 5 course menu

4. Fleet Street Kitchen $99 a person 4 course menu with option $49 wine pairings

5. Blue Hill Tavern $55 a person (early seating) or $75 a person (later seating) 4 course menu

XoXo

Our Engagement

When we were at the top of the Empire State Building, I was looking out one of the tower viewers. It got blurry for a second so I squinted. Jon started laughing- I thought he was laughing at me squinting. Then he said "Justine!". I looked over and that's when I saw him, ring in hand, asking me to marry him. Come to find out, he put the ring in front of the tower viewer and that's why he was laughing. I was completely caught off guard and surprised! What was going to be a good day suddenly turned into the best day.

Michael Kors Puffer Coat

And now for some pictures of the ring. Drum roll...

XoXo

Duke, Corrado, and Harley Have an Announcement to Make

 

XoXo