Train Case

September 24, 2013 • , ,

I am not really a makeup wearing person, by any means. I do not wear makeup too work, also it is not going to stay on very long. But I love old things, things that say "hey, ain't I beautiful, take me home with you".  I knew from the moment I saw it, I had to have it. It is bulky, smells old inside, and these are my fav things about it.




Here it is just like I got it. I know the urge to paint something runs thru my veins everyday. I haven't painted it yet. I am not planning on painting it either.

I wonder where it traveled and what they put in it? For a non-makeup wearer, I put all my body wash and stuff like that and it fits perfect. But then again, If I am traveling I will wear makeup. Unless camping!





The inside was a little stuffy smelling but, I wiped down and put dryer sheets in there for a day or so.

The locks on the front make the coolest sound when closed and locked.  I know, I am weird.





TaDa!! As any good crafter knows I couldn't leave it plain looking. So, I had a friend give me these stickers a few years and they look stunning. 

If I could pack my train case and go anywhere, it would be Paris. How fitting that it now has Paris hotel labels on it? I just Mod Podge them on and attached a little tag with my initials. 

I am one step closer to Paris and when it is time to go, I will go in style.

Happy Paris Planning Ya'll!!





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Bookshelves Complete

September 21, 2013 • , , , ,

I love how I come up with a plan in my mind and then I share that with my hubby and his friend Chucky, and Voila..my project appears. Now I am a very talented girl but, I couldn't make these bad boys but,I could add some nice finishing touches. These were nice the way they finished but need something else.

Here is an after picture of the shelves. With the pattern painted on the backside.


This is what they looked like before painting and stencils. NOTE-Do Not Apply the back board to the book case until after you have stenciled it and it is really dry.


Find a stencil or pattern that you love and trace it, and trace and trace and trace it. By the time you get done, I hope that the pattern you starting out loving, you don't hate, because you traced so much.


After you trace & trace, then you paint & paint. Over every pencil line, TWICE. Unless your paint is dark enough to cover the first time.


After you get done if you haven't pulled your hair out, this is the final product. Are these so beautiful, or what??
 Oh,the crown moulding at the top was my last minute addition and I thought it may kill us all. Looks awesome though, no matter how much trouble it was.

I plan on putting little lights in the tops to shine down at night, but haven't gotten there yet!! 

If you Google free stencils patterns, you will get hundreds of results, Just print your favs onto card stock paper and get started.

Special Thanks to Chucky & Sonny for making my dream, a reality.

Happy Tracing Ya'll!!





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Tequila's and girl time

September 18, 2013 • ,

My girlfriends and I try to get together as often as possible. It may be for a quick "hello" afterschool or all of us gathering for dinner. Last night was our gathering for dinner and was it awesome. We met at Tequila's here in Mooresville, NC. It sits right on Main Street and you can see all the cars passing and always see someone we know. The recent remodel of this building and menu was done right. It seems to be a fav stop of our places to go.


The new menu offers some great food but also offers something for kids, which makes it easy if you have a picky eater. One who only wants Chicken strips and ranch dressing(Ella & Em)



Let's not forget about the Margarita's. They are really yummy and I could have had more but, it's a school night and I have to drive.

My girlfriends ordered a pitcher of Sangria. Sorry no pic of them, they knocked them out to fast.


I had the house salad with tomatoes, avocados and onions, with my dressing on the side. It was delish.


We sat on the patio because it was  a beautiful night and really we are too loud for indoors. These lights give off just enough to make it cozy and make you wanna hang around.



A nice fountain trickled water and made us very relaxed, well the drinks didn't hurt either. We laughed, we talked, we hugged and we said "Goodbye" until next time. Which can't come soon enough.

So, if you ever get into our tiny Town, stop by and give Tequila's a try. You will not be disappointed.

Happy Girl Time Ya'll!!

Dana









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Plates from the 50's

September 16, 2013

Recently, my Mother in Law passed away and these plates hung in her kitchen for as long as I can remember. I plan on using them in my plate wall that is coming soon to a wall here in our home.

From what I read these are from the 50's. Many of you may have seen these in your Grandma's house.


This plate is white with gold trimming and a flower pattern.




This plate just screams "hello, I am vintage" and I love it. 

So check out your Grandma's kitchen, I bet one or both of these plates is not far from some good down home cooking. 

Thanks Grammy for all the tasty meals, cooking lessons and love that you shared with us in your kitchen for so many years. We love & miss you.

Enjoy Ya'll!!

Dana

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Old Motels in the NC Mountains

September 14, 2013 •

Sometime ago I went with my family on a camping trip to Cherokee, NC. One day while the family just hung out at the campground, I took a ride. I love to take roads I have never been on, you see the most amazing things. And I mean really, it doesn't hurt to get lost every now and then.

So, as I leave Cherokee I drive straight thru to a town called Bryson City, NC. More to come on Bryson City later. For now here is what I saw on that drive on old 74 now know as Ela Rd.

The road I took used to be the main road before the Interstate was built. This makes sense why all these old motels are on this road.


             Teddy Bear Motel located 6281 Ela Road Whittier NC, Whittier, NC 28789

How adorable is this sign?? I didn't stay there so I am not here to give a review, just happy to see they are still open today. The sign alone makes me want to stop and hang out.


Gear Head Inn 6280 Ela Rd. Whittier, NC 28789

With the quotes on the sign, how can I not love this place?? They have themed rooms to fit any type of gear head you may be. Looks like a cool place to stay with the fire pit and everything is welcoming.


Starlight Motel 8682 US 74 W. Whittier, NC 28789

You can stay in an Elvis suite with Jacuzzi, classy!! Coming a Marilyn Monroe and James Dean suites.



Arrowhead Motel(Sorry for bad quality) 

Sits back off the road but looks so inviting. Reminds of a place I stayed in the 80's with my parents, I 

am going to ask my Mom if this is it. It seems oddly familiar.


So, on your next road trip if you live in the NC area or the Mts of NC, take a ride and see what you find. 

My dream is to ride on RT 66 and if I see these kind of places on that ride, it could be a very long trip.

Happy Riding Ya'll!!

Dana

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Throwback Thursday

September 12, 2013 • ,


Eastland Mall was a mall in Charlotte, NC. I grew up just down the street from it and always walked with my friends to it. But today, I would not let my kids walk to this mall from where our old house was located. It seemed so big and it really is but, now it is shut down, this makes me sad. 

They put on the best Christmas decorations with singing bears and snow fall. The center of the mall had an ice skating rink and this is where I learned to ice skate. My Momma always said I couldn't walk on flat ground but, put me on skates and I was a natural. 

If you lived around the Charlotte area then I am sure you have visited this mall many times. Funny thing is, I hate malls today and I can't stand to go shopping. 

I am not a typical woman as in I don't shop unless I need something, then I get in and out.

Happy Throwback Thursday Ya'll!!

Dana


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Tough day dinner

September 11, 2013 • ,

My house has been under some serious stress lately. I am not in the mood to cook, which is odd, because I love cooking. But until I am in the mood again, Oodles of Noodles-beef is what's for dinner.


Takes me back to the days when this was all I could afford and ate them everyday. Glad those days have passed and I eat now by choice.
Hope to be back to the land of the living real soon.
Enjoy Ya'll!!

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9/11

Shall we never forget what this country went thru on 9/11




                                               


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Funny sayings

September 10, 2013

I love quotes, funny quotes, sad quotes and family quotes. I just simply love quotes.

These are just a few of my favorites. I have lots of funny ones and sometimes inappropriate ones here on my Pinterest board pinterest.com/dmccurdy/i-m-just-saying/

Enjoy!!


This one is so me. 


Too funny, I believe we all should have a Shit list.


As a very busy Mom, this would be a dream sometimes.


I was raised in the 80's when Ferris was all the rage.


I am not a size 0 but, a size 14 and I have never thought skin & bone was pretty. 

What kind of funny sayings inspire you??

Enjoy Ya'll!!

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Chevron Stool using Frog Tape Chevron Shape

September 5, 2013 • , , , ,

As you already know I found my lovely Frog Shape tape in Chevron. I could hardly wait to get started on a project. The following is a black stool I have had forever. I did this project in just a few minutes and the results are amazing.


I started with this stool, yea kinda plain Jane ain't it. I wiped it down to make sure it was clean.


Next, I laid down my strips of tape. I didn't do lots of measuring to get this look. I'm more of an eyeball kinda girl. I eyeballed these and they look fine. 


After you get your tape laid down, now its time to choose a color. This is the hardest part of the project, trust me. I gave the stool two layers, and it's not perfect and I like it like that.


Remove tape right after painting, DO NOT LET PAINT DRY BEFORE REMOVING.
Enjoy. Isn't she lovely.

I gave my stool a coat of Poly to protect it from all that we have going on in our house. I got my inspiration from this blog here, www.southernhospitalityblog.com/chevron-stripes/.
Happy DIY'ing Ya'll!!

Dana





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Frog Tape Chevron Tape

September 4, 2013 • ,

So, as I was looking around on a blog land,  I saw the new Frog Shape Tape in Chevron. The chevron pattern makes my heart sing. I know, I know it is been used on everything from toilets to curtains but, I am still in love with chevron. My mission before work this morning was to find some. Rumors were is was hard to find but, I walked right into Lowe's and there it was. I think I heard angels sing.

Finding it was not the problem but, paying for it was painful. $13 and some change for a not very big roll, 25 yards to be exact. I wrestled in my mind for a split second and reason won. And I am now the proud owner of some very cool, hip and expensive tape.

Check out one of my favorite blogs and how she used the new Frog Tape Chevron Pattern.
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/chevron-stripes/


If you love the Chevron pattern as much as I do, make sure to pick some of this cool tape up.

Happy Taping Ya'll!!
Dana




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September 3, 2013 • ,


After a 3 day weekend, it is time to go back to school again. But on the bright side this week will be a 4 day week. Yes, bring it on!!


Happy Tuesday Ya'll!

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Daydreams of Fall

September 1, 2013 • ,

With these cooler temps in the air, my mind starts drifting to other things. Like the following.

Lake Lure, NC 


I think this place is one on the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The Mountains in the background and the water is the great Fall trip for me. I like to take the Cruise on the Lake and relax while someone else drives. 

www.lakelure.com

As we go thru my day dreams I also see visions of this,

Hay rides, pumpkin gathering and apple cider. To look for the perfect pumpkin while cool air blows is the perfect day.


The next part of my daydream happens right in my front yard. It is a bonfire. We built a nice fire pit  many years ago and use it all the time, in the cooler months.


Our house is in the country so having an open blazing flame is not a violation of HOA rules. We start up the fire, break out smores and even drink a few beers(or 12). 

So, not matter where your daydream takes you, embrace it. I am certainly going to try.

Happy Almost Fall Ya;ll!!

Dana 



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