Our DIY Fabric Headboard

In an earlier post, I mentioned wanting to make a fabric headboard.  I’ve wanted one for a while, and it only intensified during my feng shui class (just after being reprimanded for wanting a television in the bedroom) when I learned that a headboard made of wood is grounded and stable. I was also told that it should not have holes or sharp elements to ensure positive energy. My mother gets plenty of positive rest each night beneath her pointy, slated, metal headboard so to each his own, I guess. Really though, when I saw this design, I fell in love.

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After doing some online research (re: googling), I found a great pattern from the blog Blissful Begonia. It is extremely easy to follow, and the example pattern is lovely.

We, er, Matthew, adjusted the dimensions for our Queen-sized bed since we are not yet fancy enough for a California king. He also took it upon himself to adjoin some extra wood towards the bottom (doubling the “D” pieces) for added support.

There was lots of sawing. (No safety glasses!)

And lots of stapling. (Safety glasses FTW!)

A bit of beer. (But not too much - be safe kiddos!)

And suddenly in the mess of our garage a headboard began to appear.

We stapled the foam padding to the board, and then it was time to wrap it in fabric.

(car swap post-snow cone break)

We debated on a fun, funky pattern, but with the limited choices here it was ruled out. However, Matthew said if we get bored of the grey-blue we can easily remove the fabric and add something new. But for now, it's just what I pictured: clean and simple.

Complete with catawampus Euro pillow. I am terrible, I know. :D

Yes that is an empty picture frame... I haven’t decided what I want to put in it yet...

But who cares -- we have a headboard!

I almost wish I could have taken a before picture to compare with after, but really there is no comparison. Before we had no headboard, now I have something comfy and pretty to lean against while I read my Nook Color before going to bed. And Matthew can play angry birds and what-ever-that-bubble-blaster-game-is-called in peace. Yay!

See all those boxes stacked to the left of us working? Those are my books, crammed in unopened boxes since my move to Wyoming. Our next project is definitely a bookshelf. I’m thinking lovely and white with wallpaper backing. Or new end tables. -sigh- One thing at a time, I guess.

They may take our lives, but they'll never take...Our Independence Day!

Yep.

I feel like Matthew and I spend a lot of time being bummed about not living in Texas. Yes, we’re still sure we’ll move back someday (despite the fact that I found the cutest house I want to buy a few miles down the road), but often times we don’t give this place enough credit. Sure, everyone we know and love is 1,200 miles away which sucks. Big time. People here are nice and friendly, but it’s just not the same, and every one I know who’s moved to a new place says they’ve have a really difficult time making friends. However, there are pluses to living here.

For instance, this morning I got my grocery shopping done at 7 a.m. (I know, I’m an old crazy person… it’s effing Saturday) and as I’m loading groceries into The Fit, I looked over and see the most beautiful snow-capped mountains, a plethora of blues and greys overhead. And this is in the Wal*Mart parking lot. When I drove home, I could see rushing water elapsing through the bridge’s railings, and best of all, when the Fourth of July came around, we got to be super patriotic. I got to see Mount Rushmore for the first time.

Our first stop was Deadwood for some burgers and beer. I also blew $5 in 5 seconds at a casino before Matthew wisely dragged me back to the car.

It’s a neat little town with a cool vibe. Plus, Sam Adam’s Summer Ale is my faaaavorite.

Next, we drove around the black hills for a while before finally arriving at the KOA for some camping, marshmallow roasting, and hiking. I didn’t have my camera with me, but we took a 10-mile (okay, 9.4…) hike to Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota, and while it was exhausting, it was really quite beautiful once we fiiiiinally made it to the top.

(source: BackPackers.com)

Then, we thanked George for our freedom.

 And saw the site one-too-many alien movies has ruined for me.

Before finally returning home to where the buffalo roam.

Our Wedding in 12 Pictures

Hello.

So, it's been for-ev-er. We've been doing a bit of traveling, trying to put our house together, and, oh yeah, I started working again.

I really, really enjoy my job. I'm a philanthropist, and it's a really great feeling doing good. Okay, so mostly I read over grant proposals and review 501c3s and 990s, but I also do some more 'hands-on' things. And it's oh-so-rewarding.

This weekend the Husband and I went driving around Sheridan. We drove up the most frightening dirt road ever, and saw even more beautiful sites our new home has to offer.

 Go a bit to the left and you'll fall a bazillion feet to your death.

Oh, but never fear, there's four inches of gravel to catch your fall...

Yeah, we had a picnic in June in the snow.

We're hoping this summer brings some visitors, and we can see things like the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

Cheers!

The Royal Wedding

This morning I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to attend the first wedding since my own. Okay, so I wasn't actually invited, and I was wearing my PJ's, but it felt like I was there. Without the fancy hat. :(

Seriously. I wish I had an occasion to wear one of these trendy fascinators, like the lovely Mrs. Middleton!

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(Yes, clearly "she got it from her momma".)

Anywho, so I woke up, put on a pot of English Breakfast, tore into my yummy scones, and geared up for the wedding. Matthew may have looked a bit like adorable flowergirl Miss Van Cutsem when my alarm went off at such an early hour, but this is history here. And very important history to a girl who spent most of her college career hunched over books on the English monarchy (which has yet to pay off). Also, being part Canadian means she could be MY queen some day.

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So, let's talk Catherine. Besides having my personal favorite name ever (SUCH a great name for a possible Queen), I think Kate is the epitome of class. Everything was grand without being gaudy. I love that her bouquet had meaning and that the ceremony trees are meant to be replanted. I loved her borrowed tiara, beautiful earrings, classic train, and romantically simply veil. And her dress? Can you say Grace Kelly?

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I honestly don't think William could have picked a more stunning or classy lady to make a princess.

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I wish the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge all the best!

Honeymoon in NYC: Thanks Meg! Part II

The morning after our wedding, our amazing photographer texted me this image from our last dance along with a lovely message of congratulations. (and a reminder to change my FB relationship status.. heh)

It was a perfect ‘We did that!’ moment and a wonderful start to our honeymoon. Which is saying something, as the start of the honeymoon began by finding out that my suitcase was accidentally sent to Atlanta.

I am still eagerly awaiting our pro-pics, but I have faith that they will be awesome.

We had a wonderful time in NYC. We spent time on Broadway, went to museums, ate FABULOUSLY, chatted over milkshakes, took a stroll around central park, saw both Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman, went ice skating, and spent entirely too much time at the NBC Studio (which was a-mazing and I don’t regret a second of).  It was lots of fun and quite romantic.

Wicked was awesome and something I was glad to finally share with the Husband. (for some reason he was AWOL both times I saw it in Dallas) Also, I had trouble hiding my excitement about it from the moment we got off the plane.

One evening we headed to Brooklyn for some authentic pizza. Another afternoon we took out own personal walking -slash-food tour in Greenwhich Village. It. Was. Delish.  We split a slice of pizza and I had the most amazing dark chocolate mint chip cookie at Milk & Cookies Bakery. (I'm not sure how it's possible, but this was the best milk I've ever had. Ever.)

 We also stuffed our faces at Katz’s and tried in vain to take a decent picture of this memory…

However, the inner foodie in me was most delighted about the fact that my wonderful husband had scored us reservations at Babbo.

Babbo is one of Mario Batali’s many restaurants, and regardless of your feelings about him, it was by far the best Italian food either of us have ever had the pleasure of eating. Also, it was the most wine I’d ever had over dinner. Possibly ever. So much so, in fact, that Matthew ended up finishing several of my glasses for me. Heh.

I won’t go into a long review of the restaurant itself, but we opted for the traditional tasting menu and accompanying wines. I definitely recommend it for anyone interested. It’s a good sampling, nine different things in total, if you count the fact that the final two desserts are brought out to split. (Matthew favored the pappardelle with chanterelles, and I tied between the souffle with espresso gelato and the goat cheese with honey) It is quite dessert heavy, though delicious. I’m considering purchasing this:

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The best part? Simply exploring the city and spending time together.

I’m pretty sure that, no matter where you spend your honeymoon, you’re sure to have a good time just hanging out with your new spouse.