Home

My perception has always been off.

This is what home feels like. It's where your heart is, where you ache to be at the end of the day.

It's what I've always wanted.

And after 5 nights here I already know this is where I've always belonged.

In our bed

in his arms

in our home

DIY Of The Week

I asked my fellow sister wife N'tima to guest blog her latest DIY project! 

Be sure to follow her blog for beautiful photography and marriage stuff.

hello! this is n'tima from team preusser and I'm here to show you how to make a super simple, (really) easy, inexpensive monogrammed throw pillow. I saw a few on etsy that I adored, but who in their right minds would pay $40 for a THROW pillow, right?

first make sure you have each of these items--

1. a yard of sturdy fabric. (I used beige muslin from Joanns.)

2. needle & heavy duty thread, or a sewing machine.

3. paint & a foam paint brush.

4. chalk

4. large letter/number stencil.

5. stuffing or batting.

start by deciding what size of pillow you want. 

I wanted 16x16 inches so I cut two equal squares at 17x17 inches each. 

then I printed out a stencil.

(just go to word & blow up the letter of your choice, so much easier & cheaper than store bought stencils. )

  

tape the stencil in the center of one of the pieces of fabric & paint the letter on.

after this dries, place both pieces of fabric with the inside facing outward & draw a line with chalk 1 inch from the outer edge on each side. 

 align the two pieces of fabric together with the insides facing each other & start to sew the pieces together along the chalked line. 

continue sewing each side until three sides are sewn. 

turn the pillow inside out & stuff as much as you desire. 

then fold the top seam inward & sew shut. 

finally, place on your bed or couch to impress your husband & friends with how domestic & housewife worthy you are.

I hope you enjoyed this DIY & are inspired to get sewing!

xo. n'tima

7 Days

Today we shopped for our apartment for the first time.

We bought hangers, two toilet brushes, an egg holder, grocery lists, a mug for Steven to drink beer out of and power bars.

Maybe next time we should bring a list.

7 days until we're sleeping in our own apartment. So incredibly excited.

Frankie's pretty stoked too.

What I Have Is Right Here

Today we found a home.

We move in 10 days.

 Cheers to our journey.

DIY Of The Week

~*GLITTER SHOES*~

With a surprise ending.

First you'll need a pair of shoes. I recommend using a light color.

Next, one or two bottles of glitter paint. I only ended up needing one, but depending on how glittery you want your shoes to be, you may need two.

I used Martha Stewart's "Sugar Cube" and loved it. Plus it was on sale at Michael's!

I've seen a few tutorials use glue and actual glitter, but I found this way to be much more cost effective, less time consuming, and a lot less of a mess.

Now we're ready to start.

Remove any shoe laces or accessories and wipe clean with Windex.

Start painting! For my first 2 layers I painted by dabbing to get as much glitter on there as possible.

You're more than welcome to wait an hour between layers as the directions say, but a blow dryer works a lot faster.

First layer

Second layer

3rd and final layer

You can keep going if you want more glamour, but I was happy here.

On your last layer, whatever it may be, paint in one direction all over the shoe.

I chose not to paint the tongue to avoid a mess.

Hooray! You're almost done!

Next step-

Go to the mall with your friend that's back home from school in Colorado and buy yourself some (cute) pajama pants and a shirt.

Also, think about all the cute outfits your new shoes are going to with.

Then come home and find that during your fun time out shopping free of stress, this happened.

And your beautiful creation is ruined.

Last but not least put the culprit outside

and then feel bad so let him back in and snuggle him instead.

Actually, forget that last part. If you're lucky enough to have your shoes survive the drying process, take a picture and send it to me!

madelinejoy@live.com

I'll attempt another pair soon.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Manicure

Alternative title: Things I Wouldn't Have To Do If I Could Afford A Manicure Every Week

I actually really enjoy painting my own nails.

Painting my nails is always much needed "me" time. But I'll admit, once in a while they desperately need professional help. So every so often I head on down to my favorite nail salon and drop cash on some hand and foot rehab. I walk out feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and stunning.

St. Lucia Lilac by Essie

I feel pretty, oh soooooooooooo preeeeeeettttttttttty.

Then 2 hours later I realized I smudged my pinkie while putting on my seat belt and my hands are ruined.

OR

I get out of the shower and some how all of my tips are chipped. I scream profanities towards the Nail Gods.

OR

some other horrible fate that makes me cry on the inside (and maybe the outside a few times)

3 days later. Hello chips.

Years of these awful instances have made me an expert on keeping your manicure in tip top shape for more than 12 hours. Here are a few tips.

1. Unless you like keeping them long, always ask the nail technician cut down your nails.

You won't have to cut them a few days later and ruin the lovely shape. 

I also always ask when it's filing time for a rounded square shape. It holds up really well and looks great!

2. No closed shoes or socks for 24 hours.
Nail polish takes a full day to dry completely. Another common tragedy is forgetting this rule and having my toes completely stuck to my socks.

3. Paint 'em with a no chip top coat after 24 hours.

I know the nail technician puts a coat on top of their masterpiece when it's done, but doing this keeps my nails from much longer. I recommend Essie's No Chips Ahead.

4. Life lesson: when things get ugly, throw on some glitter!
After a few days, you will have a few chips regardless of how careful you are. To keep your manicure nice and clean, paint a layer of glitter polish on top. Finish with a top coat.
 It's like a whole new manicure!
I really recommend OPI's Rainbow Connection. It looks good on top of almost any color!

Ta da!

Share your own tips in the comments!

Laid Back

It's been summer weather all year long and I can't get enough of it

 Sack dress from Pitaya

Vintage belt

Nude flats by Steve Madden\

Bare legs in January is something I'm incredibly grateful for

 Snow-man Of My Dreams from Nicole by OPI

Denim shirt from Urban Outfitters

Khaki's by Levi's

Doc Martens

 Frankie is in serious need of a hair cut so he's not loving it as much as we are.

But we managed to make him smile anyways

The handsome boy up there (not Frankie, the other one) and I had the day off yesterday and took advantage of being lazy for the first time in over a month. 

We stayed in all day then left the house to wander around book stores.

We came home and kept the summer feel going with grilling up some hamburgers and hotdogs served with iced tea.

I'll miss this heat wave when it passes.

Happy New Year

 You were incredible 2011, but now you are gone.

Here's to you, 2012.

You have a tough year to beat but I believe in you.