Sweet Carrigan!

The other day I had the awesome opportunity of getting to see what country living was like. I gotta say, I'm hooked! I wish Justin and I could pack everything up, buy a house on a bunch of land, and live easy. If only life worked that way. ha!

Carrigan is a sweet friend of mine whom I asked to help build my portfolio by letting me take some photos of her out at the farm. We had so much FUN! This girl is so full of life, I couldn't stop snapping pictures of her. I don't think she realized that she was such a natural when it came to modeling. Here is a little look into our photo shoot at the farm. Enjoy! :)

                                                                                                                                                                   

 

                          Isn't she ADORABLE?! A true country girl. :)

Our Sweet Boy, Hudson!

My hubby and I adopted our first pet together a few weeks ago! I have never loved an animal more than this silly little puppy! His name is Hudson and he has the most charming, playful, adorable personality! He is (now) a 12 week old, Australian Shepherd/Saint Bernard Mix. We love him so much. Just had to share some photos! :)

           

                                   

   

Isn't he the cutest?!? We're so happy to have him as part of our teeny tiny family now! :)

My 2012 Word to Live By!

Recently I read about some women who decided that for 2012 they were going to come up with one word that they would live by and that would inspire them this whole year. They came up with some pretty amazing words and I couldn't wait to choose mine! So while I was in my prayer closet (aka-the shower hehe) I asked God to help me find the perfect word I could live by this year. I was really expecting something deep and profound, but instead, all I was given was this:

Seems pretty self explanatory, right? RIGHT! I was so moved when I started really thinking about all of the ways I could put this word to use this year. I opened my Bible and started reading verses to go along with my new word. I found the perfect scripture.

Colossians chapter 3 verse 12:

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

(If you get a chance, go ahead and read the entire third chapter. It's a good reminder for all of us to hear.)

We are God's elect people. He chose US. He wanted US. He loves US. I believe that in this scripture, God is asking us to change our wardrobe around a little bit. I can hear Him talking to some of us stubborn people now:

"Hey you, why don't you put on this gorgeous scarf made out of mercy. It will go perfect with that outfit. Oh, what about these adorable boots of humbleness, they're just your size! I also found this cute jacket of meekness, it would go great with that top that has longsuffering written on it!"

Okay, maybe I'm silly, but I'm a visual learner. The point is, WE are the elect of God and He wants us to put on these things. 

So. 

Back to my word of the year. After reading this scripture and really thinking about these things God wants us to have in our lives, I decided that I would live the whole year by the word better. 

This year I want to be  better.

A better wife.

A better friend.

A better daughter.

A better sister.

A better listener.

A better giver.

A better Christian.

A better example.

A better forgiver.

A better neighbor.

A better Bible reader.

A better woman of prayer.

A better person. 

I hope to strive this year to constantly think about the things in the scripture I mentioned and to put them into action in my personal life. Every day I want my word for 2012 to be the first and last thing I think about. This year, I've thrown away all other New Year's resolutions and have just kept one:

I want to be better.

Take time this week and pray about your word for 2012. I hope you feel as inspired as I did to get started! :)

xxx

Brittaney

Old Chair Makeover

So while my husband was out of town for work this week, I was scheming up projects to keep me busy. So, I went to my local treasure box! ( the thrift store, of course) I found the most ADORABLE little chair full of detail that was just screaming for attention. The price tag said 12 dollars, but I walked out paying 9 bucks for this beauty! (Along with a $1.29 jean skirt and a $5.00 Target dress WITH the tags still on it! SCORE!)

So anyway, I couldn't WAIT to get this chair home and start it's much needed makeover. I swung by Walmart and found the most perfect fabric. The best part? It was on sale and I paid ONE DOLLAR for all of it! I am crazy about bargain shopping, I can't get enough of it!! I picked up a couple of cans of spray paint and headed home to cozy up my chair.

This was an easy peasy project, so I didn't need many supplies. Two cans of Krylon spray paint, (almond colored) Vaseline, a staple gun, and my handy dandy spray paint gun thingy. 

Taking off the seat of a chair is easy, just turn the chair over and you'll see where to remove the screws. Take them out and put your seat to the side. Then I grabbed my spray paint and my spray paint gun thingy and got to work! P.s. If you spray paint a lot you NEED to invest in one of these finger-saving inventions. I got mine at good ol Wally World for only 3 bucks and my spray paint days have never been the same. I don't know how I've made it this long without it!

I almost forgot, the Vaseline! I LOVE the chippy vintage look, so I'm going to share a trick I read about with you. Before you start painting, lightly brush vaseline wherever you want it to look chippy, let it sit for a moment, and then spray right over it! When the spray paint dries, you can see where the vaseline is and you can just sand right over it giving you that look you're going for. I love this tip and use it ALL the time! Hope it helps! ;)

 It took a couple coats of paint, and while it was drying I started working on my cushion. I took off the old material, kept the padding, and starting measuring out the new material I bought. After I got the material lined up just right, I stapled the fire outta that chair! Make sure you always pull the fabric tight, so it will look right on the other side. I kept the corners folded neat and then stapled them down. The finished project?

Viola!

    

                                                                                                       

  I am in    

LOVE with this beauty and I want to keep it for myself!

                                       

I mean, doesn't it look perfect next to our fireplace??

KIDDING! It actually doesn't match any room in our house and I only bought it to sell with a desk I also repainted. I just brought it inside to google at it a little more. ;) I keep trying to mentally find a place for it around here, but I have to slap myself back to reality. I'm working hard on buying and selling these projects to buy my cute hubs something extraordinary for Valentines Day! Shhhh, don't tell him! More on that later. ;)

Giving furniture a new look is FUN and it doesn't have to be expensive! My whole chair project came to a total of 16 dollars! Now just imagine if you already had the piece of furniture! ;)

     Happy Refurnishing!

 xxx

 Brittaney

The Hilarious and Oh So Pretty Hammonds!

Justin & I had an absolute BLAST playing in the sand, chasing the girls, and decking the cuties out with Christmas lights in this family session. It makes me feel guilty to have so much FUN while I'm working! ;) 

Londyn was a professional poser!

I don't know if I've seen a prettier 7 year old!

 Londyn was full of adorable charm!

Ten years and two beautiful girls later, Nate & Laurie are happily living the Florida dream!

Love spending time with such happy and carefree girls!

What a perfect day for such a fun family session.

I love this family!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Kennedie and Londyn! 

            Aren't they perfect?! ;)