Anniversary Journal-- A Wedding Gift We Love {How To}!

About a week before our wedding someone we've never met dropped off a gift at Nathan's parents' house. I couldn't believe how kind that was, and assumed it was your average wedding gift (which would have been more than appreciated)-- money, gift card, picture frame.

No, it was our second favorite wedding gift (Remember our favorite wedding gift?)!

An Anniversary Journal

What a creative gift! I'm not sure if this person came up with this herself or not, but I have to share. 

This journal was wrapped with a beautifully written letter. Because I don't have her permission I won't write the whole thing, but it basically says:

:: Celebrate your marriage on the ___ of each month for the first year. This may simply be a kiss and the recognition that it's the that it's the ___ of the month. 

:: Whatever is done on this day, record it in the journal.

:: Keep a record of how you celebrate your anniversary each year. 

:: List significant events from the previous years (if you wish) and any dreams or hopes for the future. 

It wasn't super fancy, just typed. 

Do you know someone getting married? This is the perfect wedding/shower gift! I'm telling you, it's definitely frugal but very meaningful. 

Enjoy! xO

PS-- Here's a peek of what was going on while I was trying to take photos!

Chalkboard Tutorial Using Door Mirror

This is a tutorial for a chalkboard made from an over the door mirror. I have another tutorial for a chalkboard made from a picture frame. Click here to jump to that. 

I am in LOVE with my brand new chalkboard! Earlier today I was beginning to think it may not turn out (more on that later), but it's absolutely perfect.

So, here's how it worked! Before I tell you how it works-- it wasn't super easy, but it definitely wasn't difficult.

Friday after work we headed to Home Depot
:: Chalkboard paint (The kind you actually paint, not spray paint)
:: Primer (Any kind will work)

This is the kind I got. Valspar. 

:: Brushes (I got cheap ones, probably $1.25 each)
:: Paint for the frame of my mirror (You can read more about that here because I used it for my other project). I got the $2.49 sample ones for the wall in a color I'm not fond of learning to like.
:: Painter's tape

Next up we headed to Target
:: Cheap over the door mirror (I'm not kidding, it was $3)
:: Tiny paint brushes (These are in the kids school section-- I think Rose Art was the brand we got)

*Make sure your frame has a way to hang it up. 
*If you get a mirror that can be taken out of the frame, you've got it easy! Otherwise, painter's tape will come in handy.

Here's what you do
:: First things first, cover your work space with lots of newspaper or crummy towels.
:: Get your primer and cover the whole thing-- mirror and frame. It doesn't have to be super think, and 1 coat will be just perfect. Try not to glob it. :)

:: After you've primed it, let it dry overnight or for about 6-8 hours.

:: After it's completely dry get your painter's tape and go to town. I was a little overly-obsessive, which is not necessary. Just cover the frame so you don't get any chalkboard paint on it. If you do that's OK, because you'll be painting it a different color anyway. 

:: Next up get your chalkboard paint and get going! 

Aren't you glad I used painter's tape?

:: Step back and let it dry about 2 hours. (I know, this waiting is insane!) After 2 hours, paint another coat of chalkboard paint and wait about 6-8 hours. 

:: After it's dry, peel off the the painter's tape and (using your tiny paint brush) paint the frame of your mirror using the color of your choosing. This part wasn't hard, but it was time consuming. If you have someone willing to help (no kids!), have them sit at one end and paint while you do the other. 

:: Let the frame part dry for a couple hours (2) and then do another coat. Trust me it will be worth it! Let the frame part dry for another 4-6 hours.

:: Sit back and enjoy! Have your handsome husband hang it up.

See my other project to the left? Click here for that one.

Enjoy! I hope this tutorial has helped! xO

Repainting a Picture Frame/Memory Box

I knew I wanted to put up these two beautiful memory boxes my stepmom made me-- one when my mom died and one when my grandmother died. They are just beautiful, but because they were made so many years ago, the frames needed some lovin'.

I knew I wanted a shade of blue but wasn't too particular with what shade. (I wish I was a bit pickier because the color I picked is a bit too grey for my taste). 

So off to Home Depot we went:

:: 2 containers of sample wall paint. They are $2.50 a piece but I definitely did not need 2-- 1 would have been just enough.

:: 2 paint brushes. (I'm working on another project that will be posted later). I went with cheap ones because this is a one time project and I'm NOT a painter. 

:: Painters tape

:: Junky towels or newspaper

I came home about $14 poorer. The most expensive item was the painters tape. Luckily we got a big roll and we'll use it for other stuff around the apartment.

I was really obsessive about taping the frame because I could not get the glass out for the life of me. You won't need painters tape if you can get the glass out of your frame. It took me about 20 minutes of sitting on the floor. I didn't do the inside of the glass, I was just extra careful.

Paint, paint, paint! I wish I had tips on how to paint. I guess just be sure you line your floor/table with lots of towels or newspaper.

Make good clean lines and don't let it glob in the corners. Nathan kept commenting on how I was "globbing"!

Note the globbing.

Let it dry overnight or for about 8 hours, then peel off the tape gently.

Voila! Put your frame together and admire you work.

Chalkboard Frame Tutorial

If you've seen the tour of our apartment, you've seen my chalkboard. It's certainly nothing fancy, but it works for us.

I made it for our wedding and was never sure if I would actually use it in our home, but I'm glad I decided to keep it.

Cute right? I bought an easel from JoAnn's (there are some cheap ones on Amazon), but it's not necessary to have an easel for your chalkboard. You can always hang it up!

Gather your materials
:: Large frame or large picture with frame*. (Target sells cheap frames and cheap art, that's where I got mine). 
:: Chalkboard paint (Don't get the spray paint kind)
:: Brush(s)
:: Chalk
:: Newspaper

*When I say a large frame, I mean literally buy a picture frame and you'll be painting the glass. OR you can buy a piece of cheap art (Thrift Store, Good Will, Target, etc and paint over the canvas.

Let's get started
:: Cover your work area with lots of newspaper. You don't want a mess!
:: Clean or wipe off your frame. Let dry completely.
:: If you can, take the outside frame off. You don't want chalkboard paint on your beautiful frame!
:: Start painting. Use clean lines vertically or horizontally. Don't make crazy designs, just get it done.
:: Let dry and do another coat. And another, if you wish.
:: Let dry overnight or for about 8 hours.
:: Before you draw on your chalkboard, be sure to color over it completely in one solid color. This way, your first drawing won't be etched in forever. Wipe away (use water if you want) and you're good to draw!

Some tips
:: You can paint a fresh coat on your chalkboard every few months if you wish. Mine got scratched and I'd like to give it a fresh coat pretty soon.
:: I wipe my chalkboard clean using a damp paper towel, then a dry paper towel. Sometimes the paper towel turns dark (like I'm talking the paint off), but I don't really panic. It could just use a fresh coat soon!
:: Colored chalk is at Staples for $1.27. :)


I hope this tutorial helps you out! Be sure to comment below if you have any questions!

My Obsession With Labeling

I've always been an obsessively organized person. It's fun for me and our house stays clean, but Nathan sometimes gets annoyed. Whoops. :)

When we first moved here we went to Staples to get my office all organized and BOOM-- I found the Martha Stewart section. She is kind of my idol. Long story short, we came home with $20 worth of labels. (Surprisingly the $20 got us me about 100 labels).

So what's chalkboard labels without colorful chalk? I am a lefty so I have terrible handwriting, but you get the point.

I also got the regular labels for containers that the contents won't change. (Brown sugar, sugar, flour, powdered sugar, etc). We'll always have those ingredients on hand, so the label doesn't need to be changeable. I put a piece of tape over the labels to keep it from peeling off. I occasionally wash these Tupperware containers but I want my labels to be protected!

The contents in the jars (pictured above) will change-- we won't always have rice or popcorn on hand, so I felt they needed the chalkboard labels. 

When applying the labels, make sure the containers you're labeling are clean and dry. It's obviously easier to write on the label before you apply it, so try to write while the label is still on the pad. 

Any questions? Comment below.

My Favorite Wedding/Shower Gift

Yesterday I posted a tour of our apartment and said I would talk about our favorite wedding gift. I'm not even sure what to call the gift, so I named it "The poem and candle gift". It's just beautiful. I encourage you to try this for a couple getting married. It's quite frugal and very simple to put together.

What it is: At our shower I opened up this beautiful frame with our picture in it. I immediately loved it before actually reading what was typed on top of our picture. The poem (written below) goes with a box of candles that are lit as each "milestone" is reached.

Can't read the picture above? It says: 

"A basket of candles for (Bride's name). A basket of candles that come in a pair, in all different colors for you two to share. The white ones burn first; they are wrapped in white lace to celebrate your first married night in your new chosen place. The green pair is taller, and also much thinner, burn them with the first company you have over for dinner. The dark blue candles are for after your first fight; use them to burn while making up all night. Pink candles set the mood and pave the way, for your first married Valentine's Day. Now, when your first year of marriage is through, the cream anniversary pair will light for you two. Red candles aflame, both your futures are bright; celebrate promotions you've worked toward all your might. By this time we hope, maybe, just maybe you can light the purple ones, on the birth of your baby. And just when you thought you'd put these away, take the light blue ones out for your fifth anniversary day. Now just one more pair left-- for the big "two five"- the anniversary pair that will keep your love alive. Congratulations (Bride's name) and (Groom's name) on the start of your forever. May the two of you always be happy together. And burn these candles just the way that we said, but please don't forget: blow them out before bed!"

All the candles came wrapped in tissue paper labeled for each use (Ex: First married night). They were gently placed in this adorable box that we keep in a closet.

What good would candles be without candle stick holders? We registered for these and surprisingly got them for a wedding gift. (These came separately, not from the person who got us the poem and candle gift).

Doesn't this seem like a frugal gift idea? I saw candles at Hallmark a few weeks ago for $1 each. You can have the poem printed and framed-- Shoot, you can really play around with pictures, cartoons, and more. The options are truly endless.

Just had to share! xO