Insta-Friday #12

My week in iPhone photos. Instagram: PugLife85

Pug is a blanket sucker. 

I spotted these nude wedges in Marshall's the other night, and they had to come home with me.

I let Pug ride along with me to Taco Bell. He did not behave himself. 

Sometimes, when I'm really hungry at work, the dog treats start to look really good. 

Molly got a haircut and a new collar. 

I saw this ad in the new issue of Lucky. I am in love, but according to my research these Coach Legacy sunglasses do not exist. WHY would they tease me like this?

12:01pm Central time. Are you guys excited to update to iOS6??

Finally cool enough to start on my new vanity/desk. So excited!

I Guess This Means I'm Growing Up

This week I went to Home Depot of my own free will.

I'm pretty sure I've been there more times this year than I have previously my entire life (voluntarily at least).

My mom has always been an avid DIYer, and she would drag me to Home Depot, Lowes, et al. I brooded, I whined... I was a brat.

At the ripe old age of 26, I not only don't dread a trip to the Home Depot... I daresay... I enjoyed it?

Nothing makes sense anymore.

DIY: Suitcase to Craft Case

Back in April, I began searching for an old suitcase to turn into a craft case.

Some time after that, my friend Katie found this gem at Goodwill for $8, and I told her to grab it!

It's been sitting in the closet for a while, and I finally got around to transforming it. I decided to leave the outside as-is, because I kind of dig the vintage blue.

On the inside, I didn't have to do much work. I cut the straps out, but I left the divider and the cloth sections since they were in good shape and functional for my storage needs. 

It didn't really need a lining, but when I spotted this houndstooth duct tape at the craft store,a light bulb went off and I knew I had to have it.

For organization, I picked up these plastic food containers from Dollar Tree.

I wanted to affix the containers with Velcro, so they wouldn't move around when the case was closed. But, I could still remove them entirely to get at their contents easily.

So, I cut a strip of self-adhesive Velcro to fit the length of each container.  I found it easiest to put both sides on the container first.

Then, press the container into the case where you want it to be stuck. This will affix the bottom Velcro to the case.

Once all the containers are attached with Velcro, you're done!

As you can see, I ran out of duct tape before I was totally finished. So, I chose that side to be covered in containers, since it would be less noticeable.

Now, it's time to fill it up. My case is still pretty empty, I guess it's time to do some more shopping!

Linking up: live.laugh.rowe, The 36th Avenue, The Shabby Creek Cottage, How To Nest For Less, Uncommon Designs 

DIY: Container Vegetable Garden (Update)

Watching my little container garden blossom over the past month and a half has been so satisfying. Especially, after all the trials and tribulations we have been through. First, there was the hail storm that I thought ruined all my hard work. But alas, one plant of each type managed to survive.

Until the lawn crew destroyed them that is. I don't know for a fact it was their doing, but both times I found plants inexplicably snapped off at their base, it was the same day the grass was mowed. How they managed it, I am unsure... since my plants aren't on the lawn, and are 2-feet off the ground.

But, these are the same people who manage to leave large swathes of uncut grass in their wake. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to do their jobs, but it seems like if you cut grass for a living you'd be reasonably good at cutting grass.

I digress.

Cucumbers had to be replanted from seed, as well as the tomatoes. Luckily, cucumbers grow incredibly quickly, so they're already blooming.

While the much slower growing tomato plant is weeks behind it's friend cherry tomato.

But, I can comfort myself with the plethora of blooms and tiny tomatoes on my cherry tomato plant in the meantime.

And the most adorable little baby peppers on my pepper plant.

So, how does your garden grow?

The Best Of: DIY Chevron Projects

Sources Clockwise from Left: here, here, here, here and here

Our home search is ramping up, and I've let myself go a little wild dreaming up DIY home projects and decor. The trend I've been loving the most recently is definitely chevron. I don't know what it is - but it makes me really happy.

Here are a few of my very favorite chevron projects from around the web. I don't know if I'll get to actually make all of them. I'm not sure how much chevron one house can hold before it's deemed obnoxious, but I bet I'll be testing out those boundaries.

First up is this chevron rug from Hayley Anderson Photography . Yes, I am biased because the DIYer used a pug in her photos. Looks simple enough. Plain rug, can of paint, and painters tape. I think this would look really cute under a dining room or kitchen table.

Next up is this great lampshade from Pomp and Circumstance. Again, all you need is your basic lampshade, paint and some painters tape. I think that this chevron lampshade paired with this DIY Mirrored Lamp would be the things dreams are made of.

Okay, I have no idea what I'd do with this dresser from home.made. I just know it makes me furiously happy to look at.

I've seen a few DIY Chevron curtain tutorials that used paint, but I was most intrigued by this one by Altar'd Designs since it used all fabric. It's also no-sew.

Last up is this pillow tutorial from MADE. A chevron pillow is pretty self-explanatory if you can find chevron fabric, but if not, here is a handy tutorial for turning stripes into chevron. So clever! Even if you can find the fabric, this technique adds an extra layer of texture that I like.

What do you think of the chevron trend? Love it or hate it? And, how much can I get away with in one household??

DIY: Container Vegetable Garden

Last month, I started several varieties of seeds in my DIY: Newspaper Seed Pots . They were doing quite well and were outgrowing their temporary pots. I have been stuck inside with a terrible ear infection for close to two-weeks, so despite it being a tad early, I decided to take my chances and get my container garden going.

For my vegetable plants, I plant in 5-gallon buckets. They're not the prettiest option, but the price can't be beat. These lovely orange numbers were $2.60 at Home Depot. A comparable sized pot would have been significantly more.

If you go the bucket route, the first step is to add drainage holes. No fancy tools required here - just a couple screwdrivers. I started with a small screwdriver and pushed it through the bottom. You could use a hammer to tap it in, but the plastic isn't that strong so it isn't necessary.

Once the small hole is made, switch to a larger screwdriver and push that through to enlarge the hole.

Do this about 5 times around the bottom of the bucket, and it's ready to go.

Fill up the buckets with potting mix. A large bag (2.5 cubic feet) of potting mix filled two 5-gallon buckets with plenty left over for smaller herb pots.

Now, it's time to plant!

Grab your newspaper pots, remove the tape, and open up the bottom...

...and plant the entire thing!

 Repeat until you have a lovely patio container garden.

Clockwise from left I have: Cucumbers, Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Dill, Cilantro, Italian Parsley, Basil and Mint.

If you made plant markers, now is the time to deploy them.

Are you gardening this year?