Labrador Retrievers: Well Designed

Hey there, it's me, that girl katie, Labs are in vogue! From magazine covers, to clothing prints to café logos and helping lives, they are a well-designed dog & mans best friend.

I have to give a special shout out to our Beamish. We think of her often.

Guide Dogs for the blind

Chevron DIY Pot

Hey there, it me, that girl katie, I decided to do this b/c I am going to paint a chevron pattern on a rug and wanted a trial run on something. My house was in the need of some planters and I thought this would be a cute way to spice up a regular inexpensive pot while adding a fun pattern to our deck all while building my confidence to embark on the rug.

1. Buy pot & supplies 2. I had to do a template on paper so I could visualize the pattern 3. I chalked off dots every 2 inches apart 4. Then connected the dots with the pattern & taped it off – the 1st row is the hardest and most frustrating. 2nd row gets a little easier and then you get in a groove. It takes longer than it looks. 5. Spray paint – I did 2 coats. 6. Take off tape 7. Finish off with a plant & a “Yeehaw, I did it” feeling.

Tips- you might often think this is too complicated but push through it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, clearly mine isn’t.

Also, don't be shocked if you think about Charlie Brown most of the time while doing this project.

Supplies- 1. Pot 2. Spray paint 3. Tape 4. Chalk 5. Razor 6. Template 7. Plant & potting soil

Total Cost (minus time of course) = $220.00

I purchased plants that were each $44.00 but the catch is I can plant them in my yard before winter so I can reuse them again next summer if I choose.

And if you have kids this project took me a few nap times to complete.

Our Newest Adventure

Hey there, it's me, that girl katie, We bought a 1987 Syncro VW camper van with only 57,000 miles on it. It's a bit like Christmas in July, as we can't wait for it to arrive b/c it's coming all the way from Rhode Island.

The whole idea of buying a camper van came after I experienced a wonderful evening, "Dinner with a View" with some girlfriends via a camper. I came home that night and told my husband that the reality of camping with young kids with how busy our day to day is was going to be very unlikely.

I also want to flip houses someday and thought, "hey why don't I remodel a vintage trailer?" Which still sounds great but having something that doesn't need to be pulled by another car sounded more ideal at this time in our life with young kids.

So, the search was on and we were prepared to have to wait until later this winter to find the right van but we got lucky, we think!

Of course, my husband is thinking about what might need to be fixed in the van over the next year while I am thinking of how to decorate it, striped awning & chevron curtains!

Homes that shaped my childhood

Hey there, it's me, that girl katie, 1st House, Ranch Style & the home I was brought home to from the hospital.

2nd House, Pennsylvania Dutch house that has been in my family ever since it was built. My brother currently lives there. Hands down my favorite house!

3rd, A Split Level

4th, A Colonial

I know everyone who currently lives in all these home. Gotta love small town living!