Pinterest Inspired Ideas

Yes, I'm gushing about Pinterest again! I cannot get enough of browsing and repinning and ooohing and aaahing over all of the genius ideas and pretty things and DIY projects! Pinterest is actually helping me along with one of my New Year's resolutions, which is to work on beautifying my surroundings! There are endless ideas and inspiration which is helping to kick start my creativity. Here are a few projects on my To Do list, with the help of Pinterest. I'll try to include the original link to each!

Here's a project for our home that I plan on doing with the help of Sky. I repinned a blog post titled "21 Ways of turning pallets into furniture". The coffee table in the photo below is a redesigned pallet! How smart and crafty, but also pretty! I'm excited about this one. Who doesn't love turning trash into treasure? 

21 Ways...

This is a photo I pinned from Shabby Chic. I am so in love with this room and the color scheme! I'm currently working on redecorating our bedroom in a similar way: soft shades of white, blues and tans. So pretty!

How cute is this DIY rug? I love it! And the best part: it's made out of old tees. Perfect way to clean out the closet and add some homemade charm to our little apartment! I'm going to make one for the bedroom in similar colors as above! Find the easy instructions here: Rags By Sock Monkey

This was an idea repinned from Martha Stewart. It's genius! Why have I never thought of this before? A super easy way to keep all of your linens organized and easily accessible. Basically you tuck the entire set into the pillow case after folding. Smart, easy, practical.

Another clever idea from Pinterest! It's a wine rack that can be used as a towel holder in the bathroom. I love the idea of not having to fold our towels! I couldn't find this exact rack, but I found a style I love from Pottery Barn.

Another brilliant idea. This woman found a home made recipe for Febreze that she estimates only costs her $0.15 per bottle to make! Go here to check out the recipe: Fake it Frugal As soon as my mega bottle of Febreze is finished ($12.99) I'm all over this one!

Stormy

It's storming outside right now. Like full out thunder, lightning, and raining buckets. I am beyond thrilled that this weather coincided with my day off. Now I have a valid reason not to leave the house! My list of things to do today include:

1. Eat something at least marginally nutritious (hot dogs for breakfast: check!)

2. Read more than 5 pages of my new book, It Sucked and Then I Cried, at one time (it's about motherhood; it's scary)

3. Watch The View

4. Research more baby names (we've vetoed Lucas, Lennox, Ian, Shawn, Hawke and other more awful, unmentionable names)

5. Take at least 2 naps

This will definitely not be the most ambitious or productive day, but a great one nevertheless. Happy October!!

It's Official!!

Sky and I have decided to move back home. We're heading back to Atlanta!!! I am beyond delighted; Sky is (understandably) a little less enthused. While I'm in love with and am used to living in a big city, Sky is pretty much the opposite. He grew up and lived on small islands and small towns pretty much his whole life. So I guess the idea of living in a big, bustling city is a bit overwhelming to him.

I, on the other hand, am so excited for all the things that a big city has to offer us right now! One of the reasons we're moving from the VI is the healthcare. The healthcare here is less than stellar. I had a scare two weeks ago that could have been solved by a simple sonogram. Well, as it turns out, there isn't an ultrasound machine on the island. Or a hospital. Or even a doctor. They, of course, have clinics and nurse practitioners here. But this doesn't give me enough confidence or comfort to go through 9 months of pregnancy, labor, and caring for a newborn. As for Atlanta we wouldn't be more than 15 minutes away from doctors, hospitals and specialists should something go wrong.

Another reason we've decided to make the move is our families. I have never felt a stronger need to be around my family and friends as I feel now. I guess it's something about bringing a little person in the world that makes you want to surround yourself by the familiar and comforting. Besides I think it's perfect that most of my friends back home are moms anyway. And my sister just had a sweet little baby (Happy 2 months Sadie Baby!). There's nothing better than being around people in the same stage of life as you are!!

The last (logical) reason we are moving back is the cost of living. Here's a sample of a few things we pick up at the grocery store each week and their prices here:

Gallon of milk- $6
Loaf of bread- $5
Box of cereal- $7
Frozen pizza- $ 13
Dozen eggs- $3
1/2 Pound of turkey- $6
Bag of chips- $5

I could go on but it's depressing!! On average a trip to the grocery store for 1 1/2 meals (dinner and some leftovers) we spend about $28 to $35. A large majority of our income goes to eating. The rest of life here is pretty expensive too! Gas is about $3.65 a gallon right now. We live in a pretty tiny studio apartment that costs us $750 a month. Pretty much the only thing that's cheap here is liquor, which is no longer a pro for me! All of this on top of the fact that on average jobs here pay 15% to 30% less than in the States. This math does not add up when you're looking to build a life and a family!!

So those are the "real" reasons we're moving back to Atlanta. I feel confident in the fact that we've made this decision based on logic and fact! And that's how I presented it to Sky which is why I think he's fine with it. If he knew some of my PERSONAL reasons for wanting to move back, he would think I'm nuts. I really want to move back so I can decorate the nursery from Target and Pottery Barn. And I really want to start taking prenatal yoga in Piedmont Park. And find a mommy group ITP. And I can't wait to sign up for Music classes, specifically at Toco Hills so I can get Miss Berne. And let's not forget Gymboree!! I want to do all the fun, silly things you can do when you're a mommy!! To me these are just as good as the real reasons I listed above.

Either way, back home we go!! I hope one day he learns to love Atlanta as much as I do, but until then I can love it enough for all 3 of us!!!!

Homesick

I guess it takes moving very far away from home to appreciate everything you love (but thought you were over) about it. For some reason it's this time of year, the beginning of fall, that I've always loved being in Atlanta. I used to love unpacking sweaters, day trips to pumpkin patches, watching the leaves turn, camping trips, feeling the air turn crisp in the early morning, watching sweet boys play soccer (Miller & Shea!), and the smells of pumpkin and cinnamon everywhere!! These are the little joys and pleasures that don't come with a never-ending summer.

Please don't get me wrong! I am so blessed to be where I am!! Being on St. John has been an experience that I will never let go of as long as I live. Living in the Virgin Islands is an amazing, fun-filled, beautiful, but often difficult, experience. Somehow I thought life would be simpler, easier, sweeter living near the wide open sea, near breath-taking sandy beaches, in climates that never dropped below 78 degrees.

This may be paradise for some, but I am slowly but surely recognizing that I left behind My Paradise nearly a year ago. The longer I am away the more I appreciate, love and miss my friends, my families, my paradise, my home: Atlanta.