I will admit…my DIY projects were put on hold after becoming a dog mom, but I’ve learned how to be both DIY’er and a dog mom. It feels good to back in the DIY game with my latest project, my master bedroom accent wall. For over a year, my heart was set on a board and batten wall but I’m glad I waited out for this DIY moulding accent wall. After some brainstorming and research on Pinterest and TikTok, I was able to complete this project in under a week! All the details are below.Click here to skip to more images or watch the process on TikTok.
The Process
I have to give credit to this fellow DIY’er for the design, they were my main inspiration. I did take an easier process, in that I ordered wall panels, instead of cutting trim. For the style I wanted, I used two different panel sizes, 24×24 and 24×12. I wanted to make this an easy DIY with minimal tools and steps. I started by measuring my room and created a digital design of my room. I pulled out the blue painter’s tape to apply the design to my wall, to feel it out for a couple of days. It took about a week for the frames to come in, but once they arrived I went to work. My tape was a great guide, but I double-checked my measurements and used a great level too. I glued the frames with Liquid Nails and added nails to keep them in place. Next, I added caulking to make it look like a seamless attachment to the wall, then off to Sherwin Williams for paint supplies. I used Tricon Black, which is the same color I used for my DIY Spotted Accent Wall. After two coats of paint, the wall was done.
Once the paint dried I was in LOVE and I’m beyond obsessed with my room. I added a few accents and everything came together perfectly. Details are below!
Sometimes you just need a vacation to free your mind…so that’s what I did! I spent a few days in Miami and although surrounded by some Spring Breakers, it was one of the most relaxing trips I’ve ever taken there. The main agenda for this trip was to relax. I spent my time at the rooftop pool, a day in a cabana bed on the beach, and hit a few restaurants. Here’s a recap of where I stayed and a few restaurants I visited.
President Hotel
When I researched a hotel for my getaway, I wanted a convenient location, a good price, and a rooftop pool, and President Hotel delivered. The hotel is located on Collins Ave, one block from the beach (Ocean Drive), and close to nearby restaurants. The room was clean, and the staff was amazing. Henry at the front desk was great and helped with stowing bags when I checked out, and Elliott the pool guy, was hospitable and kind. From laying out your towel on the chair, setting up the umbrella, and checking in periodically to see if there was anything I needed.
Little Hen Midtown Miami
A college classmate shared the cutest reel on Instagram of Little Hen and after watching it, I added brunch to the top of my agenda. I was so proactive with my reservation that I tried to book my reservation the week I booked my hotel, but they only post reservations about a month in advance. Everything from the accent pillows, framed menu card, floral details everywhere, and the food and cocktails (I had the cotton candy cocktail and rose-infused sangria, and chicken and waffles for my entree). I can’t wait to go back again and try the rose petal pancakes.
Limonada Bar + Brunch
My best friend found Limonada Bar+Brunch and she found a South Beach gem! They’re located on Washington Ave, just a block from my hotel, and I loved the decor. We originally planned to check out Limonada for happy hour and small bites, and I’m so glad we stayed for dinner. We had the wings, coconut shrimp, Caesar salad and Penne alla Vodka with shrimp. And we couldn’t pass up on bottomless mimosas!
Thanks Miami for the relaxing getaway…until next time. Now where to next?
And just like that…it’s a new year! We’re still living through this pandemic, but I’m grateful to make it to another year blessed and healthy. I’ve never been big on resolutions, typically because I don’t always follow them, and they’re a lot of pressure. (Am I right?) But I always thought, why only make January 1 a “brand new start”? Every day is a brand new start. So let’s not put the resolution pressure on ourselves, we’ve been through enough the past couple of years. Let’s just focus on today, and let tomorrow worry about itself. Here are a couple of my favorite Bible verses I always circle back to when it’s a new year, new month, or even new week.
My Go-To Verses
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
So, let’s embrace this new day, forgetting the former things, no longer dwelling on the past, and not worrying about tomorrow.
Wishing you a blessed 2022!! Here’s to a new year of blessings and opportunities.
So I got a Puppy! Meet Willow Pumpkin! She’s a mini goldendoodle and has been one of my best pandemic purchases. I’ve wanted a puppy for years, and now that I’m working from home (for the near future), I thought the timing was just right. She’s small but sassy, cute, and lots of fun.
I got her from Just Puppies in Towson when she was 8 weeks old. It all started with a search on their site when I saw there were 4 mini goldendoodles available. I made an appointment to meet her, paid a deposit, and the next day I met her and took her home! As of today, she’s 6 months old and a little under 9 lbs.
I’ve heard horror stories about the first night home with Puppy, but my Willow did great. Slept in her crate all night, no crying, and no accidents in her bed. Only a few nights my sleep was interrupted, but overall she’s crate trained and about 98% housebroken now. She doesn’t love when I leave the house, but only because she’s used to me being home all the time.
Willow’s Favorites
Shockingly I’ve listed only one toy in her list of favorites, she has grown quite the toy collection.
REMTAP Retractable Dog Leash with Rechargeable LED Light – perfect leash that I can wear like a bangle and allows me to multitask if I need to use my phone and has a handy light for night time potty breaks (and a more cost-effective option to PETKIT leash)
On February 19 I was blessed to celebrate another birthday! Happy 36th to me! I know there are so many who have celebrated a pandemic birthday but this was my first (and hopefully the only). At first, I was apprehensive about making any plans but I said you know what…make the best of it. So I did!
I scheduled a few days off work, which was one of the best things I could do. It was nice to spend a few days with no set schedule and or plans. I planned a spa day and did my annual hair color (check out my cute Instagram reel), had carryout dinner and ice cream cake with the family, and made last-minute brunch plans with my closest girlfriends. And of course, I did a little online shopping to treat myself to a few new things. My friends and family came through and showered me with sweets, treats, gifts, and lots of love. I felt so special!
New Year New Goals
It’s not January 1, but a birthday is a new year of life. I don’t always set New Year’s resolutions, but I do like to set goals on my birthday.
Here are a few of my goals for 36:
Limit my procrastination – I’ve been a procrastinator forever, so I can’t change myself, but to help limit my procrastination I’m spending more time planning so I’m not putting things off to the last minute
Strengthen my relationship with God – I have a great relationship with God, but this year I’m going to step it up and I’ve already put this goal to work with Virtual Bible Study.
Get out of debt – this year I’m focusing on not accruing any additional debt or using credit cards. Time to cut up the cards!
