DIY: Refurbished Front Porch Light

So, two years ago (almost to the day), Spencer and I purchased our first home. It was super exciting to have a place to play around with paint and decor! The possibilities of projects around the house made my head spin (in a good way), and it seems that once one project is complete, another takes its place. Can you relate (please, tell me I'm not the only one...)?

Well, one of these projects that I swore I would take care of ASAP, just got finished. As in, this past weekend. 

The front porch light.

It was white plastic, and I'm sure was original to the home. It was dirty (I know, I could have cleaned it), and finally the bulb burned out. Well, instead of replacing the bulb, I used it as motivation to get this little project done. It only took another two months after that :) . Better late than never, right?

This is the poor little guy we started with. So sad. Womp, womp...

 Gross, right???

Well, my sister-in-law gave me the front porch light from her old house. It is MUCH better, but being brass, just didn't match.

 So, like any thrifty DIY-er would do, I dug up some spray paint from the garage cabinet, paint-taped (is that a verb?) that snot out of it, and got to spraying! But, um, problem. Because there always has to be a problem. My brain was on vacation that day, and I forgot to tape off a very important part. The open bottom. Duh. So when I began spraying...yep, you guessed it. I sprayed the entire INSIDE of the glass. Just keepin' it real, y'all.

Nothing that a little (or a crap-ton - I know, also not a real adjective. Just work with me) elbow grease can't get off. I used a Brillo pad and kept right on rolling, pretending it never happened.

Finally, I helped my handy (and handsome) hubby install it. And by "help," I mean I stood at the bottom of the ladder and took pictures. You're welcome, babe.

And, voila! Much better, no?

What DIY projects do you keep putting off?



Until next time - - 

Christmas Decor Envy

Do you ever scroll through Pinterest and other blogs to see others' Christmas decor and think "that's cute, but my house looks way better!"

Yeah, me either.

Having been married less than 3 years, we are still growing our baby collection of Christmas decorations. (I got Christmas dishes from my parents this year - an early gift - and we have used them EVERY day since we got them! Thank goodness for dishwasher safe dishes). 

One of my favorite blogs for holiday decor is Dixie Delights. Amanda always does the cutest things with her decor (and fun things for her 2 boys), and I can't tell you how many of her posts I have saved to refer back to.

Recently, she posted pictures of her home all decorated for Christmas. If this doesn't put you in the mood for the holidays, nothing will! I think that as I build my collection, I will probably use her home for a bit of direction and inspiration. Also, I think she and I could totally be besties ;)

Check out here Christmas decor here, and in the meantime, I'll work on being inspired and keeping my decoration-envy at bay (it's a real thing. I will have to ask my pharmacy friends for a treatment).

Sunday Shenanigans

Hope you had a great weekend! 

My Saturday was mostly spent being lazy, but I did squeeze in some laundry and present wrapping in there. It was so nice to be able to enjoy being at home, taking in the Christmas tree and as many cheesy Hallmark movies as I could squeeze in!

Sunday was a bit busier, but really fun!

First, I went with Casey, Samantha, and Baby Colin to the Columbia Junior League's Holiday Market - thanks for the tickets, Elizabeth! The Market did not disappoint. There was booth after booth of awesome clothes, decorations, jewelry, food and much more!

Here are the goodies I purchased:

Leather Bracelets from Miss Cocky - half off!

Gorgeous lace skirt for a STEAL - La Dee Da Gifts

A Christmas flag for our mailbox - I'm not sure what this shop was!

After we left the Holiday Market, Casey and Samantha dropped me back off at my house so I could get my car and head over to Amanda and Eric's house for their baby, Makenna's, dedication! (check out Amanda's blog, The Life of a Gluten Free Mama here!). 

I felt so honored to be included in such a special occasion for them. It was such a sweet afternoon. We got to see Makenna, and pray over her, Amanda, and Eric, that they may be able to raise her remembering that she is God's, and it is their job as her parents to help train her in the way that is right. I can't wait to watch Makenna grow and hopefully be able to help be a part of guiding her in her journey!

Borrowed from Amanda's Facebook page :)

Straight from Makenna's dedication, I went to my in-laws for our annual Christmas cookie bake! Don't be fooled - cookies were actually the least of what we made. We made sausage balls (my personal favorite), cheese straws, chocolate goo, and of course, sugar cookies! They sent me on my way with bags of each one, and you better believe I enjoyed a few of those sausage balls with my coffee for breakfast this morning :).

Trying so hard to be patient!

Finally, the sausage balls are ready! Nom nom nom.

Cheese straws galore

Chocolate Goo - yum!

I missed having Spencer with me this weekend, but he's back home now - and I would say he is the one who missed out on the fun :)

ALSO - - 
Don't forget that Amazon is having it's amazing Green Monday Deals and other sales! If you're anything like me, you prefer to order gifts online and not get stuck in the crowds (and usually I can't see anything over them. #shortpeopleproblems). Amazon is my JAM.

Our Biltmore Inspired Thanksgiving

I mentioned in a previous post that we were planning a multiple course Biltmore inspired dinner. After much planning, decisions, shopping, more planning, and cooking, we pulled off a wonderful Thanksgiving meal!

I'm excited to share all of our courses with you (all 8 of them). I hope that you ate enough at your Thanksgiving that this doesn't make you hungry! Although, if it does, feel free to prepare your own 8 course meal and invite me over. :)

Here was the final menu (drawn on a large chalkboard by my sis-in-law, Jessica):

On Wednesday night, we got together and made everything we could make (or prepare, like cutting up vegetables and pre-wrapping the scallops), and set the table. We also had to have many stacks of plates so that we didn't have to worry about washing any during the meal. It took a good bit of planning and organization to make sure each course had enough of the correct size plates!

Our tablescape consisted of white, silver and gold. I posted a bit about our table inspiration here. What do you think?

  

The other part that took a lot of planning? The timing! Though we made what we could ahead of time, we still had to heat food without overcooking. Crock-pots were a lifesaver, as we used them to keep multiple items warm (and thanks to crock-pot liners, didn't have to wash any afterwards! Bonus points!). We also needed to pop a few items in the oven to warm or roast during other courses so that it was hot and ready to be plated in time. I was pleasantly surprised with how well we did! The quail course took a bit longer to get onto the table, but all in all, we did well.

So without further adieu, here are the drool-worthy photos of each course. Feel free to leave any questions you have about any dishes in the comments!

Course 1: Bacon Wrapped Scallops and Dips (Spinach and Roasted Red Pepper)

Course 2: Butternut Squash Soup (recipe here)

Course 3: Roasted Quail with Lemon Grits and Country Bacon Jus

Course 4: Roasted Asparagus and Parmesan Risotto with Hazelnut Butter

Course 5: Oysters on the Half Shell

Course 6: Nut-Crusted Brie with Cherry Chutney

Course 7: Dessert (Sweet Potato Crunch Pie, Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie, Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream); Ice Cream Pictured Below

Course 8: Coffee (the Vanderbilts counted it as a course, so we did, too!); Pictured with the Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

What do you think?

It was nice having small portions of a lot of different foods. Jessica's dad called it "an adventure of the palette," which describes our meal perfectly!

Hope each of you had a wonderful holiday with your family and friends, and that you took some time to reflect on all you have to be thankful for in your life.

Until next time - - 

Thanksgiving Tablescape

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is only 3 days away? I can't! But I do feel well prepared. We have our menu planned (I can't wait to share with you!), and have somewhat of a schedule worked out. 

One of the aspects of Thanksgiving I used to overlook was a tablescape. Shame on me! It can really set the stage and tone for a delicious meal. This year, we have a white and metallic theme planned. The only item on this list that we have the exact items of are 2 of the Pier 1 mercury glass pumpkins - they were on clearance! Run over and see if there are any left. I am telling you, they're gorgeous!

The remaining items are acting as inspiration for our table, and luckily we have similar items on hand to use.

As you can see, we are doing both silver and gold for our metallics. Mixing the two can make for a very sophisticated feel! And since we're doing a Biltmore themed dinner, sophistication is definitely in order. 

:)

What are your Thanksgiving tablescape plans?

Thanksgiving Tablescape by yellowdoordiaries featuring a 5 piece flatware set

Green lamp / Sferra white linen table cloth / L Objet colored dinnerware / 5 piece flatware set / Table linen / Silver plated napkin ring / Zara Home dinnerware / Silver candlestick / Pier 1 Imports modern home decor / Apple home decor


And if you haven't already, don't forget to enter the Two Drifters Designs giveaway! See how here.

Pre-Thanksgiving Decorations?

Ok - I've done the ultimate holiday no-no. 

Today, I put up a mini Christmas tree in our bedroom. GASP. I know, I know.

For years, I've been that person, rolling my eyes when I see Christmas decorations in stores alongside back-to-school sales. And, with some encouragement from Spencer, don't listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (after that it's game on). But after finding out a few days ago that Spencer would be going out of town the day after Thanksgiving, when we have "traditionally" (the past 2 years) have put up our tree and had a fun, Christmasy weekend, we had to change our plans.

We will be putting up our decorations this weekend, the weekend before Thanksgiving. 

And I'm not even mad about it. For some reason, the holiday spirit is alive and well within me early this year, and I can't wait for all things Christmas. I by no means want to skip over Thanksgiving, but if I can enjoy that holiday with some Christmas decor and holiday songs - why not?

After a stop at Hobby Lobby for the tree (50% off!) and some ornaments, and another stop at Walmart for some extra decorations (thank you gift cards), the tree is up. Also, between you and me, I used a sweater as our tree skirt. #desperatetimes

#SorryImNotSorry

Here are a few ways to get a similar look:

Tree:
I got mine at Hobby Lobby for half off, but here is a similar, even less expensive option.
4' Ft Charlie Pine Premium Holiday Christmas Tree - Unlit

Garland: 
Not the same brand, but very similar.
32 ft / 975 cm Long Holiday Time Garland Shatterproof String of Beads (Gold)

Ribbon for bow:
Here is a beautiful option!
Gold Embellished Wire Ribbon Christmas 1.5" Wide ~ 12 Yards

(Full Disclosure: These are affiliate links. Thanks in advance for any and all support of this blog!)