The House Goat

DIY: Tape It Up!

March 23, 2012

As you may or may not know, my job involves a lot of shipping... a lot of boxes... a lot of tape. I had a little trouble with the tape guns at first, and I asked one of my co-workers how she taped up a box so fast. She replied "You just have to believe." That changed everything for me. I swear once you believe it's so much easier! Anyways, I stumbled upon some nifty DIY projects on Pinterest involving my daily shipping supplies...

Ok I don't actually use that kind of tape to ship, but I do want to start getting crafty and trying some new projects with this colorful decorative tape! Check out my inspirations below... Has anyone else tried these DIY vases?

Its my goal to try this out and not make it look like a Kindergartner's gift to mom for Mother's Day. I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes!
BUY WASHI TAPE HERE.

**images: stack of tape, multi-colored vase, orange vase, pastel vase

-danay

Moves Like Jagger

March 22, 2012

According to Women's Health, the best move you can do to tone up your body is the one that you are not doing. You know variety is the spice of life. So here are a few exercises that I found that you should definitely check out!

McGill Curlup

Works your lower back and abdominals

Mountain Climber with Hands on Swiss Ball

Adding a Swiss (or Stability Ball as I call it) to any excerise can up the toughness level and makes you work those abs even harder

Scaption and Shrug

Result - nice shoulders for your summer tank top, plus good posture

Tricep Press

We do this move in P90X. We see how many we can get in like 30 seconds. You definitely feel the burn.

Hovering Sit-Up

Helps strengthen your total core (including your back muscles)

Get moving!

Danielle R.

All of the lights, all of the lights

March 21, 2012

Lights can change everything. The ambiance, level of sophistication/ elegance, even a single moment can be renovated with the right lighting. While it is an additional expense, I think it is one worth at least looking into. Check out some of these incredible weddings. What do you think, worth it?

{1, 2 & 3, 4}

And the following are done by the company we are using Ilios Lighting at our venue, Laguna Gloria. Which are your favorites? Our meeting is Friday, super excited!!

As Simple As It Should Be

March 20, 2012

Last weekend I packed up my bags and headed to Los Angeles to visit a very dear friend who happens to live on Venice Beach. Yes, she actually lives ON the beach, more towards Marina Del Rey than Venice, but its a beach. Living in west Texas, a beach is hard to come by. I took something very valuable away with me from my time there...
Keep it Simple.
The people/lifestyle are simple. Less stress, more joy. Lots of people go to work around 10Am and the restaurants, clothing trends, jewelery, even the church service I went to in Hollywood, was simple, wonderfully simple.
I Know I take simple things for granted. I feel the need to make everything complex and over analyze every detail until I no longer want to be inside my own brain! Anyone?
I know there is beauty in simplicity. So my advice this week is try to keep things simple, whether it's in your personal life, relationships, spiritual life, clothes, makeup, jewelry, whatever your lovely heart desires:) I think you'll see there's some freedom in the simple things.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few things I've done over the past week that were simple and beneficial for me, feel free to steal one for yourself!1. Wear a plain white T and some comfy jeans. Always classic, always simple
2. Wear mascara and blush only. That's it! Less makeup means looking more radiant in your own skin.
3. Say, "I'm sorry" to someone you've wronged. That alone CAN be enough without a long speech attached, only if you mean it of course:)
4. Try wearing just one piece of jewelry that's meaningful to you. Pick one and rock it! I wore my grandmother's amethyst cocktail ring, it make me think of her.
5. Eat something simple for lunch or dinner! Maybe grilled cheese and tomato soup? It makes me think of my mom and I grew up on the stuff, so it's close to my heart as well as delicious.

I wanted to post some LA pictures for you guys, but I left my camera at my grandfather's 80th birthday party on Saturday, so once it is returned, I'll be posting pictures for you to see.
I'll leave you with a Tristian Prettyman song that is SO wonderfully fitting for this post. I was introduced to her about six years ago and have loved her ever since. She's kind of the peanut butter to my jelly. Enjoy!

Simplify something this week!
Kendall

Party Prep

March 19, 2012

I was in charge (because I declared it) of my brother-in-law's engagement party. Because it was SPRING BREAK (for which now it is not and I am in mourning) I thought I would try all those things I see on the blogs and pinterest! Just go to the craft store and be free with my mind!! It was fun and much harder than

"Ooo I'll pin that"

I started with a color pallet I stole from half anthropologie towels and half a sherwin williams flyer.

Then I found this DIY Make your own paper garland tutorial...

and then I found my mom to actually do it :) I think I like the "idea" of sewing and I really like her to "do" the sewing. Thanks Ma. {Also I used a 1.75 inch circle punch from Michaels for all those circles... only way to go on that!}

Couldn't just stop at circle garland because in looking at my endless supply of ~~crap~~ craft supplies I found paper flowers! So I had to make flower garland too. In the back ground is my "guest book" of sorts. I found this amazing tree ring die cut paper and had to use it!