desk DIY

When I found out that I was going back to school this fall - I immediately knew one of the first things I needed to get working on was creating a nice office space. I needed to make a space that would make me happy to spend hours and hours studying in {err...that "studying" is what I dread!}. 

First order of buisness would need to be a desk. You see, I have had the same desk in my possession since I was 12 {so not that long.....lol} and it was not very functional; in fact throughout my undergrad it was a nice dumping ground corner display space in my little apartments bedroom and the dining room table ended up as my "desk".  So when I got thinking about a functional desk for me I knew I needed a large, wide "table" like space to fulfill my study needs.  While searching online and purusing pinterest I found this World Market beauty! Problem: they don't ship to Canada. Well not actually that big of a problem I could have got it shipped to the border pickup and went and got it but when I did a little more research I found this building plan.  After showing it to my husband we decided we he would follow the plans and build it ourselves himself.

In the end we adjusted a few measurements, made the desk higher and wider, and ended up with some a little different than either of the original inspirations but I absolutely LOVE it! I am so happy to have a handy husband who was patient as I changed my mind a few several times along the way.

After it was built - it was my DIY turn.  I had really wanted the desk to have a rustic/weathered feel to it and had read on pinterest {of course where else!?} that if you let steel wool sit in vinegar for 24-36 hours you could "ebonize" or "weather" wood. So I gave it a shot. After testing it on sample pieces, I found that it was a lot more "weathered" than I would like. So after further research - I prepped the wood with steeped tea - let it dry and then applied the vinegar-steel wool mixture. Turned out perfect!

Finished it off with some Tung Oil to seal it and voila! I have my dream desk for far less than it would have been to purchase.

Next I hope to recover the chair, create some shelving, add a chalk/cork board and add a little more style to this office!

So what do you think? If you want some tips further on the construction, staining or finishing process feel free to leave a comment or send me a mail!


 

so it begins...

{pretty corner of my desk}

I'm still a few months from the beginning of school and I am already busy with "school-related" stress.  Paperwork and more paperwork has been on my plate, from filling out applications for a student loan to providing my immunization records to my faculty, then add on the prep for our honeymoon, finishing up my last couple weeks of work and trying to keep our home in order I am nearing the end of my sanity - and it's only just begun. Yikes! Thank goodness we have Africa to look forward too for a bit of R&R before it begins again.

My hubby and I have been busy prepping my office for an ideal study area and we DIY'ed a desk.  It turned out really, really great - I'm so happy and I love that I am writing my blog from it today {much better than on the couch on the little coffee table. 

Stay tuned, I'm working on a post to show you the process and reveal the desk! If you follow me over on Instagram you have already seen it.

Have a happy weekend!



Honeymoon Talk!

I'm writing this post to you sitting on my patio soaking up the rays of +30 celcius sun and listening to some Florence + the machine {love}!  We will be leaving for our honeymoon {squeal; I've been waiting for this since last September} in Kenya and Tanzania in just over a month!!  I am currently in preparation mode, thinking of what I need to purchase, pack, double check etc etc.

  Sitting here with bead of sweat dripping from my brow {hyperhydrosis much?!} I am realizing I also need to prepare for the HEAT. I am NOT a heat lover, well not unless I'm near a pool/beach/lake and sipping a fancy cold cocktail.  It has me thinking and probably you as well, "why are you going to Africa then? silly girl!"  Well the answer to that is that even though I don't like heat, I like adventure! Add spending 2 solid weeks of no work, potentially seeing the most amazing landscapes and animals EVER all with my best friend, husband and co-adventurer - I'll suffer in the heat because the experience will be worth it. 

Guess Africa may have not been the most romantic choice for "honeymoon destination" as I don't think romantic involves the constant scent of bug spray, potentially having delusion from malaria medication, chances of lion attacks and probably being sweaty, smelly and dirty while driving across the Savannah on a jeep.  But I guess I look at it - that we said for better, for worse why not test him out on some of "the worse" early on ;)  Plus we can share our "romantic" time while in Zanzibar where I will be sipping those said cocktails on the beach, so we get the best of both worlds with this adventure!

How did you spend your honeymoon? Did you take one, or not?  So many of my previous co-workers, family member and people I talked to said they never took a honeymoon. After hearing that my husband and I made a promise that we would take one within the first year - and we would make it memorable no matter what it took.  Well we have made good on that promise, and although we now have a dwindling bank account we will have memories we hope to share and talk about for a lifetime!

via 

Caution: Changes Ahead

I am currently working on "beautifying" the blog.  I don't have Photoshop but am currently trying to figure out how to use Paint.net.  I've been wanting to work the title image a bit but am having a hard time figuring out "layers". You may see a few changes over the next little bit - hopefully for the better!

Yay for Thursday - it's almost the weekend! My husband and I are planning on working on a little DIY home decor I hope to share with you soon.

Our Little Diva

I purchased my first DSLR a little while back and am currently learning how to use it before we head to Africa in July.  We had a beautiful scene at the beach while at the lake this weekend so we got Milka to sit for a little photoshoot.

This diva loves the camera and steals out hearts!

xoxo

Kelli



Weekend Update

This weekend was a long weekend for us in Canada, and as has been the tradition for the last 5 or so years we headed to the Whiteshell to friend's of our cabin to enjoy a little getaway.

As most May longs it turned out the weather was a little unpredictable. Saturday started off rainy so our day was inside consisting of chatting, pictionary and of course I enjoyed a few Pimm's and Ceasars.  We lucked out that it clear off into the evening and were able to enjoy a colorful sunset on "the rock".

Sunday turned out to be a lovely day and we relaxed on the beach, went for a hike and just enjoyed the sunshine and peacefulness of the lake.

and we were graced with this beautiful sunset

Times sure have changed from the first few years we made this trip - where we partied till the sun came up.  The addition of children {or in our case, dogs!} and the ages inching closer to 30 and beyond - it's more a family-friendly weekend.  Meaning today I am nursing a sunburn, not a 3 day long hangover and am not sure whether to celebrate or mourn the loss of my 20's.

Do you have a tradition that has continued for years but you have noticed begining to change with the changes of life?

Have a great week! I hope to blog more as I have been a bit silent!

xoxo

Kelli

Confessions and Changes

So I have come to learn that I am not very good at this blogging thing! It's easier to read others blogs because that just takes going to my Bloglovin' feed in the AM and catching up on the latest posts which involves reading and enjoying the thoughts, ideas and/or pictures.  Writing my own blog, on the other hand, takes a little more effort; thinking of what to write and share, then preparing the post and the process of trying to make my blog "pretty" which I am still an amateur at! I need to really fit it into my schedule and make it happen -- which unfortunately that is about to get harder due to my latest news!

I wrote previously about filling out applications for graduate studies and well DRUMROLL.....I got accepted to one of those programs. Meaning: my life is about to become a whole lot busier starting in August! It's going to be a busy upcoming 2 years but I am looking forward to having this blog as an outlet that hopefully is unrelated to my studies and to follow blogs that keep my head in the non-acedemic world so I can keep some sanity and sense of a different life!!

I'll leave you with a few photo's I've snapped and posted on Instagram lately (I have a slight tree obsession and a bit of a thing with "paths" while awaiting my fate for school!).

Happy Monday



Inspiration

Last week I picked up a design book while out shopping, as I was looking for inspiration on some renovations and styling I would like to do around the house.

 

I found this quote in the book I purchased and I absolutely love it!



{from Romantic Prairie Style}

 

Fitting for today - enjoy our planet. Happy Earth Day.

Little spring in my step!

I have to say I had a pretty great Easter weekend! How about you? Why was it so great you may ask. Well first I had a great time co-hosting Easter dinner with my sister. We made a great meal, which included a bourbon glazed ham, gruyere and leek scalloped potatoes being the highlight. It was delish! But the day that made my weekend was yesterday! Why? Because I did nothing. Yep! N-O-T-H-I-N-G. I took full advantage of my 4th day off in a row. No laundry. No cooking. No cleaning. And you know what, I did not feel guilty! I enjoyed it! Stayed in my PJ's, Skyped my in-laws and vegged. The best part is - today I feel like I could conquer the world. It's amazing. I'm loving it. Maybe my joyous feeling is from my watching of the everso motivation Oprah's Lifeclass. Whatever it is I'm loving it! So how about you how was your Easter weekend? Happy Monday :) xoxo Kelli

rising...

{personal photo}

The smell of rising dough and baking bread takes me back to when I was young and brings memories of my grandmother.  It's amazing what just a single smell can trigger.  As I sat and waited for the bread dough to rise a few weekends ago - my mind went a drift to my younger years as a barefoot young girl, running across the fresh cut grass to my grandmothers house. This was the everso comforting scent that met me at her door.  A bowl would be sitting on the table and rising in the sun. We would sip tea and I would hear stories of her younger years as a child and hang on ever word.

Life goes so fast. I miss these days. I miss that woman.

Luckily, just a scent can bring back such thoughts - memories flow and I know she will not be forgotten.  It reminds me to treasure the tiny moments in our lives as they are the most important.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

Kelli

spring has sprung and MMI oh my!

We have been lucky here in Manitoba with weather this year - and spring is definately in the air.  With the extra hour of daylight I feel like I have so much more time to get things done (lol).  I have been distant from the blog for a bit because life got in the way and kept me busy. 

I had my interview for graduate studies - and let me tell you it was stressful.  The interview utilzed by the faculty is the same interview format that is used by many medical schools.  It's called an MMI (multiple mini interviews), which is very different from the traditional panel interview.  It consists of 8 mini inteviews that are scenario or discussion based.  There are 4 potential stations: communication, collaboration, acting and written.  I personal feel that I would be more successful in an panel interview because I felt that this format did not allow me to capitalize on or allow me to discuss my great deal of experience in the field of rehabilitation - but for now it is over and I will await the result which should be available within a month. 

For now I will enjoy the weather, enjoy walks outside with Milka and continue to dream of summer.

Oh yeah! I almost forgot - we booked our honeymoon and are going to be headed to Africa for a safari in Kenya and relaxation on the beach in Zanzibar come July! I'll fill you in as it gets closer but I am super excited!

xoxo

Kelli

Well it's been a bit since my last post and I'm sorry!

I told you I was going to start working on a DIY project and well it's complete!

This is the pin-inspired pallet coffee table my hubby and I build together - and are still married! Kidding, it went well once he got the vision I was going for.

We started with a pallet I got from my sister - so it was free! We actually got two but were able to complete the project with just one because we made a smaller table...so I may work on a second pallet project soon too!

We removed all the boards by prying and hammering from the otherside. (Whew - what a workout that was, sure didn't need to exercise that day!)  Once all the boards were off, we measured the planks to the length we had measured using a mitre saw {which was the gift I gave my husband for Chrismas - no alterive motive I promise!} After they were cut I used an electric hand sander and sanded all the pieces until smooth.

After all that work we put it together and go this!

I wanted it higher so instead of putting it on industrial castor on we used some of the remaining wood to make legs instead. 

And finally....

 the stained finished project in our living room!

I am really loving it! I feel it gives our room a little cozier feeling.  Now to purchase a nice rug for underneather to anchor the room.

Sorry, I never took photos of the in between steps.  If you have any questions about the construction I would be happy to answer them! It actually was not too hard of a project and I love that when people ask where we got it I can say "I made it" (well "I" being my husband and me - but he is letting me take the credit because it was my vision and all he really did was cut the board). Being able to say this is empowering!

It was funny a few days after it was completed I got an email from my sister with a picture of dining room table she asked if I could "build" her! I think that might take abit more knowledge and power tools.

Hope you like - Happy Monday!

xoxo

Kelli



I am spending my last day of this long weekend on a bit of Operation: Organization!

We have an average sized home but for the size of it I find that we lack a lot of storage.  The kitchen is smaller with limited counter space and lack of usable cabinet space.  I have been scouring pinterest {feel free to follow} for ideas to utilize space and feel a little more organized.  Feeling a bit less chaotic after a few things have been put into a more functional space, but I have a long way to go - mainly due to the generosity of community members and family at our wedding showers last year.  I have closets full of items that have not been open or have been put back in to the box after it's used because of lack of space.  I hope some of these organization finds can help to make use of some space.

I really want to place my baking supplies in the pantry with decals just like this! Seen that Dollarama has some of the canisters so am going to pick some up for the smaller size and then for flour and sugar I may order from Ikea.

{via}

Was thinking of adding some open shelving for storage of some prettier items {wine, wine glasses etc.}

{via}

I would like to add pull-out shelving to the cupboard where we store our cans because everything gets pushed to the back, but until that happens I have started keeping an inventory list on the inside of the door so I know what I have before I go shopping without having to dig through the cupboard!

{via}

Lastly, if (or when) we move/renovate/build I definitely want this nifty little idea for my mixer!

{via}

How about you - do you have any organization tips? Wishes for your kitchen?

xoxo

Kelli

My friends and I get together once in a while for Sunday brunch, it seems to be a day and time that works well for everyone when people live out of town, have babies and crazy work schedules.  I really enjoy this time with my friends.  We alternate the hosting home and we each bring a dish. It's great; most important meal of the day with some of the best people in your life! It's a great way to end a weekend as well as embark on the new week. 

This weekend I made this - delish! Was a big hit!

I am currently working on this project and hope to share my tale and results when I'm finished.

Oh...and...as I wrote in this post about waiting in for an important letter - it came and I got an interview for Masters of Physical Therapy!! So excited - now I have to prepare to be ready for it in March!  

Happy Monday!

What are your valentine's plans for tomorrow?

xoxo

Kelli

{personal photo}

Happy Friday!

It's a fogging day here - but I find it so lovely and calm. Joyous even.

Have a good weekend.

xoxo

Kelli

{personal photo}

I know I'm a day late - but Happy February!

January has past and I have to say I did well on my January goals - I'm a vitamin-taking machine and my meal planning has been going great (it's so nice to have it all planned out and make one shopping trip a week to buy groceries - and I save more money!)

So now that the month of love is here its time to set a new group of goals.  Two things I have set are:

1. I want to take more photos - well iPhone photos if they count!?

I really enjoy photography {and would love to invest in as DSLR camera but I have to justify the money} so one photo a day is my goal.  I am taking the Instagram February photo challenge so this should help with my success. 

2. Be more active.   

 I guess really work out which is actually something I enjoy doing, but for the last few months {actually since our wedding!} I have been in a real lull - maybe I'm just enjoying married life?! Whatever it is it needs to stop and my goal is to get Ms. Jillian Micheals to whip my a$$ into gear!  Plus work is slow at the moment so I can't use it as an excuse!

Have you set some goals this month?

Are you a February / Valentine's lover or do you feel it's to commercial?

I personal love that there's a day {or month for some} that we designate to show love to people we care about - and it doesn't have to be with jacked up roses prices - to me it's small things that count. Even a few gummy hearts wrapped up is sweet gesture!

xoxo

Kelli





{Instagram photo}

Happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend {too bad they go so fast!}.

Usually once an month or so, I get together with a group of friends I've been friends with since high school {even some since Kindergarten} and this month was my turn to host.  Since there are 3 of us in the group with January birthday's and we all turned 28 - I decided to have a little party on the 28th this month.  A few were unable to make it but the majority did - and like always it was a night of catch-up chats, wine sipping and lots of food! Unfortunately - it seems as we get the older the earlier the party ends due to the addition of the cutest little babies and my move to a part of the country furthest from everybody but I enjoy the time while it lasts.

Regardless, it was a fantastic evening and this cake was a hit!

{Instagram photo}

It was a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cake, recipe from here which I found via pinterest.

Did you do anything exciting this weekend? Or just relax? After this weekend next weekend will definately be resting!

xoxo

Kelli



Waiting & Wondering...

Been busy lately - filling out Graduate Studies applications, arranging the paperwork and writing letters of introductions.  Now I just wait, constantly check the mail and avoid chewing my nails (bad habit!) as I await a letter advising me if I get an interview or not. I tell you - I hate waiting.

I have been working towards this goal for the last 10 years of my life - to get a Masters in the area of Rehabilitation. As I approach my 30's with no success as of yet I ponder - what to do if this year is again a rejection or yet another wait list? I have told myself that this is the last year.  It's not that I am giving up on my goal - it's just how many times do you continue to get back up when your knocked down? Is there a reason it's not meant to be? Have I focused so much on one plan that I have not taken into account other opportunities or dreams? So many questions and I can't seem to find the answers. So I wait to see what fate hands me - an acceptance or a open door to a new adventure that I have maybe overlooked.

But while I wait. I am dreaming of here.

{personal photo - edited via Instagram}

Just a year ago, I spent an amazing week there with my {now} husband and his family. 

It was really one of the most relaxing vacations ever.

It was not warm.

It was not overly sunny.

Nor did we party like rockstars.

But in the dead of winter - this quiet little fishing village on the coast of Denmark was so serene.

On the fogging mornings, staring at the ocean and sipping Cappuccino I felt at peace and had not a single worry in world - and right now I want to go back.

{my in-laws are lucky as they are there now!}

Have you found a little piece of heavan you dream of when life gets overwhelming?

xoxo

Kelli

Brrr..it's cold

Today. It is -40. Yes, -40 degrees celcius.

I have been battling a flu all week along with battling this bitter cold so I had to dress prepared today.

Tonight - it's slipper, a blanket, potato-leek soup and the couch to snuggle in for Grey's Anatomy all cuddled in beside my hubby and the dog - and dreaming of warmer weather.

How is it in your area today?

xoxo

Kelli

golden globe fashion

So everyone is talking about all the dresses of the Golden Globes last night so I though I would share my favorites with you today.

First off - not only did these actresses dress timelessly classic last night - they are also so sweet and I want to be their friends! I heart Kate Winslet!

Secondly, I was loving all the green that was on the red carpet. Green in my favorite and these are my picks from last night:

Lastly, the other trend last night was Blush and I am loving all these gowns especially Julie Bowen's pink with those cap sleeves *swoon* - perfection and bridal material!

So those are my pics! What were your faves or misses?

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Kelli