what kind-of stockings should i make?

I really want to make Bryan and I stockings this year, but I just don't know what kind I want to make.

I could knit some stockings, but for some reason I'm drawn to cross-stitching. I like the idea of a more modern Christmas look, but at the same time, I really LOVE kitchy stuff and cheesy Christmas decor. And since it's not adorning my house all year round, you might as well go crazy with cheesiness right?

What do you think? Which one is your favorite?

IKEA & The Perfect Couch

Isn't she beautiful?

Bonus: The couch is comfortable too!

We went to IKEA on the Fourth of July and we found so many perfect things for our new home. We had a long list of things we needed, including a desk for each of us, and a bookshelf, among other things. Wanna see what we picked out? I thought so! I'll take pictures of out actual home soon, but there are still some things I want to finish up before the reveal on the world wide web.

First, the couch story.

We actually weren't planning on getting a couch from IKEA. We had just visited this consignment store in Iowa City called "Stuff, Etc." and we found two really fun loveseats (more on that in the next post). Originally, I was thinking our living room was small enough for two loveseats rather than couches, but once we got them inside, the one looked too small against our wall. I was slightly bummed, but we also decided it was for the best. So we were looking for a couch, but not necessarily from IKEA.

But then, we saw the couch, it was with the 50 other couches on display at IKEA. But we knew, this was a great couch. (Ok, so I'm over-dramatizing a bit) But, really, I feel in love with it. It was comfortable (not all IKEA couches are super comfortable), it was fun, it was stylish, and it was not super expensive. Mostly, it was the perfect size for our living room and for welcoming people into our home and having people over!

On the downside, they had just sold out.

They usually have a lot in stock, and they were going to get a big shipment in tomorrow. But we had already driven 4 hours to get there-to drive another 12 in the next 24 hours seemed disgusting but I was completely ready to do it for this couch.

However, the wonderful employee, Andrew, who was helping us suggested that we simply drive 24 miles north to the OTHER IKEA in Illinois. Bryan couldn't believe that there were two so close to each other. Andrew checked with the other store to make sure they had the couch and cover we wanted in stock and sent us on our way!

Once we got there, I quickly planted myself on the two boxes that held the last couch that was in stock until Bryan got a cart to push it away on-we got our couch!

If you endured that not-so-exciting story (sorry, it was more fun for me, and didn't translate well on paper), you deserve some pictures of the other things we picked out at IKEA. Without further ado:

Bedroom Update

When I was in Minneapolis in March, we took the inevitable trip to the best place on earth IKEA. I was planning on looking around and maybe getting some new bedroom stuff. I had been discontent with our bedroom for a while now, it just felt really dirty and cluttered and well, the opposite of a bedroom. It was basically a dusty storage room where we happened to sleep.

"Maybe" turned into definitely when I stepped into IKEA, and I'm so glad I decided to revamp. I'm extremely satisfied with the results. Here are some before and pictures:

Before BEFORE:

BEFORE:


And AFTER:
Personally, I think my style is improving. : )

a little inspiration and a free kitchen table go a long way...

A little inspiration: I fell in love with this painting as soon as I saw it in my Elle Decor Magazine. I love the dark gray and simplicity of it. And I figured it's just stripes, right? I can do that. I put it on my DIY list.

So when I picked up our FREE kitchen table last week (thanks again Andy & Laura Lynn!), I knew the perfect spot for my inspiration to take form, and I knew I wanted to make our kitchen cute and home-y. I'm also going to take the time here to put in a plug for Art Night at my house every other Monday. The next one is February 15th! You should come!

Anyway, here's the before shot:


and here are the after shots:



Much improved? I think so!

prices revealed!

So maybe you didn't play my game, but I still wanted to brag about the awesome prices I got! : )

Giant Trunk: $25.00

Small Storage Chest: $9.00

Retro Yellow Chair: $10.00

GRAND TOTAL: $44.00

yahoo!

guess how much?

I got some GREAT pieces of furniture to finish off our living room at the Junk Refunkery. Can you guess how much each of these cost?

Giant Trunk

(It fits ALL of our board games and serves as a coffee table! Amazing!)



Small Storage Chest



Retro Yellow Chair

month five: blessings abound

Five months down and forever to go!

I really, really, really LOVE my husband.

This is at our rehearsal dinner, aren't we cute?

He's my best friend. He's been my best friend since we were in high school...when we were dating other people. He's one of those friends that (still, four years later) calls me everyday, just to tell me a random story or check to see if my day is going well. He's one of those wonderful people who are easy to talk to all the time. And I get to be with him for the rest of my life! I apologize to all the girls who don't get the pleasure of being married to the best man ever. Though I'm sure in your disillusion you think your man is the best ever. : )

He's the Spiritual Leader. As much as I (regretfully) fight for this position in our family, it seems that it's always him to lead us in prayer. He's the one who came home one day and said, "We're giving more to our church." Despite the small dose of financial hardship we're currently experiencing (read on for a financial update). And he's the one who got up at 5:15A.M. yesterday morning for his first men's group meeting.

He's the patient one, the kind one, the forgiving one. Why does he always have to apologize so quickly-I didn't even get a chance to chew him out yet! Why can't I have a moment to be mad at him? Why doesn't he ever yell and get raging mad?

He's my claim to fame. Call me proud but it is just fun to say, "My husband play bass for the Anthem Band." "Oh, yeah, the red head, that's you're husband? Cool!"

This month, our marriage has been a blessing because of him. Thanks, Bryan.

MONTH FIVE UPDATE:

Spiritually
We're doing alright spiritually. I've actually been experiencing some spiritual warfare as well as struggling with several different situations all at once. It wouldn't be prudent for me to share it all but prayers for protection against the enemy are welcomed.
Bryan just started going to men's group on Thursday mornings at 6am.
We're both enjoying our connection group very much! God really blessed us big time with a great leader and 3 other young couples, two newly married and one engaged. It's such a perfect fit.

Financially
You may have read about the car repairs. Our dreams of making a dent in our debt were further crushed when we found out last Friday that Bryan's hours were getting cut at the bank. Again, we're going to be fine financially, but it was a little overwhelming at the time.
To be honest, I'm starting to feel that all of this financial crap has been much more of a blessing then a burden. It sometimes feels like a burden because God's plan can be harder then my own. But overall, I'm stretching and growing into a more Christ-like LisaGrace and I'm really loving the slightly-new me! God's plan is always better then my own...

Home-ly
Here's what I've been up to:

Lot's of work on the machine...


These are some curtains I just whipped together. I need to hem the bottom and their just the back curtains. The front set will match the black and white pillows below.


PILLOWS! I'm pretty proud of these babies.


Just a little wall art.


If you thought I was proud of the pillows, let me TELL you about this little treasure. I did this. Yep, me. I free-handed with bleach and created this! I. am. amazing.

Trust me, all of the above is cooler in person. COME SEE US!