What I have looked like lately...

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This has been what I have looked like over Christmas and the days after.  I did dress up and look great for Christmas eve and Christmas (photos to come later) but other than that, I have literally lived in the flannel shirt I got for Christmas from my mom and my hair has looked like that.  I had the 26th off and did work the 27th and 28th but work from home.  So the motivation to look good: not there lol.  What do you look like when no one will see you?

Merry Christmas and Free printable 2013 Calendar from The Nest Effect until December 26th

I love following The Nest Effect.  It is an amazing blog from a wife, teacher, and blogger.  She has great posts on saving money and loves putting up free printables.  This calendar is for 2013 and starts on a Sunday and she also has a start date for Monday as well if you prefer that.  Hurry up and download it from google to your computer because at 9:00 pm on December 26th she will be taking it off her blog and from your google docs as well.  I just downloaded both and they are amazing!  Thank you so much Nest Effect!  You can find her post here to download.

Merry Christmas, enjoy your holiday and thank you Nest Effect!  Make sure to follow her fun blog!



-Hayley

1st Christmas Tree Adventure

I cannot believe out of my 26 years of living that I have never or cannot remember going and picking out a real growing tree to cut down for Christmas.  I was determined this year to do it since we got our first home.  We have had a little fake Christmas tree when living in an apartment and going to our families homes for Christmas.  We were afraid it would die or dry out and catch fire.  We went to a lot of Christmas tree farms that were closed or not really farms until we found Pilchuck Secret Valley Christmas Tree Farm.  We had a blast, as you can see the excitement on my face.  Sean was amazing and cut it and drag it the whole way to our car.  Rudy was so excited he even pooped on an actual Christmas tree.  Overall, a great memory that I will cherish forever.

My First New Car!!!!

My old college car officially died so Sean and I donated it to cars for veterans.  I have never driven or even owned a new car in my life.  I purchased a 2013 Kia Rio and LOVE IT!  I HAVE A NEW CAR!!!!  I did not want to get a used one without a good warranty and could not find one.  The last car I bought was a lemon and I had to put $2,000 into it right away.  The new car has 100,000 mile and ten year warranty so no lemons for this girl.  

DIY Christmas Tree Skirt

Finished DIY tree skirt 

I am not a very crafty person, but with pinterest being so popular, it is easier to do more creative things.  I have been drooling over these tree skirts, but I cannot sew to save my life.  I had to find something that did not require sewing.  I found my inspiration here:

and here:

I had some burlap at my house from an amazing friend's left over burlap at her wedding.   I just love burlap right now.  I started out by buying a tree skirt to have a base to glue the fabric strips onto.  

Supplies needed:

-Tree Skirt (I used a $5 felt one from Target)

-Two types of fabric.  (I used burlap already had and purchased a red one with white poka dots from Walmart.  Depends on the type of year how much the fabric is.

-Hot Glue gun (Got one at Walmart)

-Hot glue (you will use a lot of this so make sure to get more than you need or buy as you go).

Warning: this will take a lot longer than you think.  I did this in multiple sittings and days while watching a movie or talking with friends.

You also have to cut the fabric into strips.  We just used the length of my thumb to my hand because I am not the greatest with measurements.

I had my amazing sister in law Amberly helped me get started and gave pointers.  She cut the ruffled edge so it was a circle and easier to put the fabric on.

Super excited to have started the first red row.  I found it helpful to have a magazine or shopping ad on the tree skirt to rest the hot glue gun on.  Also, the glue is very stringy and can get on the skirt.  So make sure to watch that.

Loving the project lol.

Burlap was a lot trickier.  Amberly is helping me here.  You have to hold down the burlap after to make sure it holds.  I used the scissors and just set them on top after I glued.

Rudy decided to help me by sitting in the middle.

Rudy soaking up the sun

Working hard.  Please ignore the post black friday mess and my choice of outfit.

I glued each ruffle section three times.  One underneath onto the felt tree skirt.

The second is glueing the ruffle on the bottom 

The third is in between the fold ruffle.  I am holding it down here.  Make sure it is cooling off before you burn your finger.  I did that a couple times.

Almost done 

Finished project.  FINALLY!

Final project and loved it!  It was well worth the hours put in.

Christmas Crate and Pine

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I decided to use an old crate I got either for free or less than a $1.00 at a garage sale and finally do a pinterest project!  I used the left over tree branches from our Christmas tree by cutting off the top that was too tall.  I had some mason jars also from a garage sale and the candles were left over from my wedding.  I used the idea from pinterest and the blog photo listed above.  Mine was more plain and I did not use any salt in the jars or votives, just candles and let them melt.  I did cut the branches a little smaller to fit in the crate and in between the jars.  I also decided to use it out doors to put it outside of my front door.  I did not use it as a center piece, but more as welcome decor.  It was a lot of fun and I loved how it turned out.

Below is my final piece:

In front of my door

Enjoy the little things

Source via pinterest


That is what I have been up to for a while.  I have been enjoying my favorite season which is fall.  Watching the leaves change colors as the weather changes and the leaves fall.  I have enjoyed being with my husband and enjoying the little things in our relationship and lives.  I have enjoyed cuddling with Rudy and playing.  It has been a very busy fall with work.  Being an admissions counselor is crazy during our busiest season.  We are at many different high schools doing visits during the day and then going to college nights and fairs in the evenings.  It will be nice after my last two visits next week for it to slow down.

The Beckmans have been up to quite a lot in this fall as well.  I will post more on big things and the little things we cherish in our life.


Thanks for following and look for more!  FYI going to be picture overload in the posts to come.  Sorry!


-Hayley