DIY Master Closet Makeover

One of the projects we got into this weekend was a master closet makeover!

I LOVE that we ACTUALLY have a master closet – like a REAL one. Seriously – I wish I had a picture of the two tiniest master bedroom closets EVER. I honestly don’t know how we stored all our clothes…oh wait, yes I do. They. Were. SMOOOSHED!!!

So we were ECSTATIC beyond belief when we found that most every house we checked out had a WALK-IN CLOSET!!! Wha – Whaaatt?! Seriously – you will never know the true extent of my excitement!

SO anywho – we ended up at our awesome house and knew we would probably want to put in more shelving in the closet. The Husband and I have a lot of clothes…I think he has more than me! shsshhhhh!!

We spent a TON of mullah getting the rest of the house together so we knew this project, although fairly inexpensive, would have to wait. Well kids – the wait was FINALLY over this past weekend! We went out and bought some more wiring racks…actually we only needed one because of the way the closet was ORIGINALLY set up by the builder.

 

Reason I needed a shoe rack: the shelf in the above picture was stacked with shoe boxes at LEAST four boxes high. It looked cluttered and honestly I forgot which shoes I had so I just went to the easy ones I was use to wearing. What a WASTE! Especially when I have so many!! 

 

Don't worry - after the Spackle dried, we painted over the spots to match. =) 

  

In addition to making the closet more user friendly, The Husband wanted to make a shoe rack/shelf thing. Since we were at Lowe’s we decided to go ahead and buy the materials for it; we were ‘overhauling’ the closet anyway! 

We bought some pressed wood/MDF to build the shoe rack. It is inexpensive and easy to mess with AND since I was going to be painting it - we didn't need any sort of fancy wood grain for staining. I painted the shelves green because I have a great green light idea for the closet...but I haven't gotten to it yet

 

If you decide to attempt this project - I HIGHLY recommend getting some inexpensive trim to add to the back of each shelf so you can catch the heel on it and the shoes won't slide off! 

Tonight - I am hoping to find a before picture of the closet so you can see how unorganized it seemed. I am so happy with our new closet organization and now our clothes aren't smooshed and won't wrinkle against one another =) I also LOVE that I can see all my shoes!! Seriously, I found a pair in its box that I thought I had gotten ridden - NOPE! They are still in my possession! SO excited - I am pretty sure I squealed when I found them again! And can you believe The Husband rolled his eyes at me when I told him I need a pair of closed toe gray shoes?! The nerve ;)

Since taking this picture, we have added a bar across the top, over the shoe shelf to hang my boots. I don't have all the details on how I will hang my boots - or what type of mechanism we'll use but I'm still excited =) 

My Name is Ashley and I am a Shoe-aholic

This is no laughing matter. This is serious. I have a probl....

OK it isn't THAT serious but my mom pointed out to me the other night that if we count Christmas, I have purchased or received.....8....yes EIGHT pairs of shoes...all since December 25.  How could someone POSSIBLY need so many pairs of shoes in such a short time period?! To that, I have no answer. But here is a list and some pictures of the shoes I have received/purchased:

Black

the dog chewed the originals of these and I LOVE these shoes.  So my mom got them for me for Christmas

Tan

Christmas from Mom -- I LOVE these.  I didn't have a pair of shoes to wear with brown of any kind so CLEARLY i needed them

Gray Boots

Christmas from Mom-- I had black and brown boots but nothing cute and these were a GREAT price..plus they are slouchy

Sparkle

 

Chrstimas from Jess -- they are so amazing! I LOVE them!!

Pink

Christmas from MIL -- I didn't have any - and what girl doesn't need a fabulous pair of pink heels?!

Red

Christmas from MIL-- needed NICE red heels.  I use to have hooker-ish red heels that were patent red and NOT comfortable...I finally gave them up about a year ago when I realized that I NEVER wore them because they were so uncomfortable

White 

 

Necessity for Christina's wedding

Champagne

Necessity for my sister's wedding

Yellow 

replaced the blue anniversary shoes that J bought me that didn't fit

Now I know I have another problem -- I can rationalize each unnecessary pair of shoes.

Due to some recent events, I am now banned from purchasing shoes...for a while. No I wasn't caught smuggling shoes out of a store in my purse or under my shirt, I just don't need to be spending money on superfluous items.

But I LLOOOOOOVVVVE shoes! I get so much use out of them! Shoes are SUCH a great purchase for me -- I wear shoes every day. =)

This post did show me that I can still acquire amazing shoes through the help of my family who live me and are, apparently, willing to feed my shoe hunger =)

Now this may or may not seem like a lot of shoes in a short period of time. The PROBLEM I have is that I TALK about shoes...a LOT. I share them here; I talk to J about them; I talk to my friends about them; I talk to my family about them; I'm obsessed and I don't want to stop. I can ALWAYS use another pair of shoes.

In order to really kick our butts into gear, J and I are devising a STRICT budget to live on for the time being, which doesn't include a shoe budget.  I know in the long run this is the best thing. But right now, I'm pouting. A lot.

Its My Birthday B!

That's right -- I have now entered the beginning of my second quarter of a century -- that's what one of the women wrote in the card they all signed in my office.  They also got me an amazing gourmet red velvet cupcake from Publix! YUM!

When I first got here this morning, a good friend of mine made me a little happy sign and brought in Panera for me =) how sweet!

I got my shoes yesterday -- they are some of THE most comfortable heels I have ever had on!

They are a little narrow, which isn't a problem for me and my skinny feet. But just be aware if you buy Seychelles brand, it is my experience (with this shoe so far) that they are a narrow shoe.  They are SO cute though and J loves them!

Tonight, I am headed to dinner for my birthday -- I'm so excited about it! I haven't been to this place in years!

Last night, some of the girls and I went to see Soul Surfer.  I knew the story -- I remember when it happened.  but that didn't make it any less traumatic to watch.  I thought they did an amazing job showing the family going through the struggles a normal family would emotionally.  When you see it, please ignore Carrie Underwood.  I love her -- she's beautiful and sweet and I feel like she is very genuine and is an amazingly talented female singer, but an actress she is not. Just saying.  Otherwise -- I was teary through about 50-75% of the movie.  She is so moving and inspiring and I love her determination and the support she had from her amazing family.

Go see it -- the story is really incredible. And if you tend to wear your heart on your sleeve like me and my girl Christy, take some tissue.  Thankfully Melissa had extra napkins from the snack bar that she shared with us haha =)

I still hate photobucket -- its only messed with my HTML stuff (ie header and signature) anyone have any tips on how I can make my header without going through another site like photobucket?

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Wait A Minute Mr. Postman!

I FINALLY got a confirmation email that my shoes were shipped!! YAY!!

What shoes you ask??  Remember THIS post? Well Y'all voted and I went with the yellow shoes! WOO!

The email shows the estimated delivery date to be 4/13!!! THAT'S MY BIRTHDAY! YAY! How exciting =) Maybe I'll get lucky and they will arrive early!

Hope you're all having a beautiful Saturday!

Thursday = A Good Day For Some Shoe Porn

How do you drown your emotions/issues/feelings/struggles??

I lock mine in a closet deep down where no one can see. Then I cover it with double cheeseburgers and strawberry milkshakes. Thank goodness I enjoy working out haha!

When I can no longer intake caloric gluttony, I read your beautiful words and look at shoes.  OK I cuddle with the husband too but sometimes that isn't an option -- like when I'm at work haha!

So while I sip on my strawberry milkshake I wanted to share some shoe obsessions a.k.a. Shoe Porn (don't judge -- I'm also the person who calls bowling shoe covers shoe condoms tee hee!)



Audrey Brooke Madia



Miss America Jacque Sandal



BCBG Paris Mochie Sandals



Mary - Nine West

I REALLY want some wedges because I think they are SO cute...is mine the ONLY husband in the history of the world who thinks the wedge is skank-a-licious????  If not, can someone please explain because he hasn't been able to haha

Levity Terri Wedge

Charles by Charles David




Rampage Hilda Wedge

 Oh and does anyone else think of dessert when someone talks about a shoe cobbler? Nope. Just me? Ok then =) Happy Friday Eve!
AND P.S. -- I found almost all the shoes through DSW.com (except the Nine West shoes lol)

Miscellany Monday

Good Afternoon World! Last week was a rough week ... I'm not going to go into details but it was rough, to say the least. and exhausting. So I thought I would make today's post a tiny bit mindless and easy on me =)

one.
 I tried 2 new restaurants last week:

B2 Cafe

they serve breakfast ALL DAY. HEAVEN! And it is kinda like a subway but its all bagels and wraps! YUM! I eat the bacon/egg/cheese bagel -- they put bacon/egg/cheese on each side of the bagel making it too big to be a sandwich lol. Its so yummy and fairly inexpensive: $4 and I'm STUFFED!

Jimmy Hula's

I had blackened Mahi tacos. DELICIOUS! I wish I would have had my camera with me that day.  It was so good: I had fresca salsa, a little bit of sour cream, cheese and guacomole! SO good.  J had a teriyaki burger that he said was fabulous. I told my dad about it -- I think he would really like it so maybe I will have to entice him to have lunch with me one day this week =)

 two.
We watched Due Date this weekend.  I am still undecided...only because WHO would actually put up with that crap for as long as he did...I understand there were circumstances that almost forced him but I don't know.  maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind to enjoy the movie? I'll try again. J on the other hand, thought it was hilarious. I did laugh a lot but there were some VERY awkward moments, where I was uncomfortable watching it haha.

three.
I will have one of my credit cards paid off by the end of the month!! WOO!!! Then I only have one to pay off!! I can't believe it! I'm so thrilled -- its unreal =) We are thinking we should be able to pay it off by the end of June if we just stick to the budget we have created for ourselves.  Then its save, save, SAVE! THEN -- NEW HOUSE! WOO!!! I'm so excited but nervous!

four.
Speaking of new homes, my sister and her fiance just bought their first home this weekend! I am so proud of them and very very excited!! They close on the 31st of May!

 five.
I have started P90X again last week and I'm incorporating running into the training beginning tonight. I have a 5k to run with my company next Thursday and I want to start training for the half marathon me and the girls are talking about participating in at the end of the year.  I REALLY want to improve my time, so the sooner I start training, the better my chances to incorporate some speed training.

six.
Since the blue shoes J bought me for our anniversary had to be returned, he is letting me pick another pair.  I have decided to go with something a little more practical as far as heel height and comfort are concerned.  These are the beauties I am trying to decide on. which should I choose to spend my $20 in rewards/certificates in?
 

help me out QUICK! so I can order them and share pictures!

 seven.
I went and picked out the purse and wallet that I wanted for my birthday last night! I can't wait to get them! They are currently being held hostage by the gift givers but that's OK.  Just a few more days -- yep, my birthday is next Wednesday!! YIPPEEE!! I have decided to embrace every year; even though, in reality I don't feel any older - ever!  I want to age with grace =)

 eight.
J and I have decided not to plan anything for this coming weekend.  He will have to work a little but the rest of the time will be designated for one another. We DO have plans for dinner on Sunday night for a friend's birthday, which will definitely NOT be missed.  Otherwise, we will not make plans without the input of both parties lol.  Its the only way we are going to get to spend time together! haha sad right!? I guess that's what happens when you have friends and family who love you and want to spend time with you =) SO its a blessing to have such amazing people in our lives that we have to create special alone time for one another.

I think that does it for today peeps! I hope you are having a beautiful start to your week -- today is high close to 90*!!! EEEK!!! So much for a cool Spring!

A Quickie at Lunch

-I'm pretty busy today =/ BOO....actually it isn't necessarily a bad thing.  We are attempting to revamp things within our office operationally and I am a part of that so yay me!

-I am getting my hair cut after work -- I am SO excited!! It has been since RIGHT before Christmas and it has officially lost the style. Now it is blah and boring.

-I mentioned yesterday that I am returning the beautiful shoes that my husband bought me because they are too small.  WELL they are OUT OF STOCK on the shoe entirely at DSW so it looks like I will have to keep waiting for it to come back. ANYWAY -- have you ever ordered from DSW? I had a free shipping coupon so yay for that. BUT when you order from them, they also mail with your package a pre-paid printed return label!! WOO! So I get my money back and don't have to come out of pocket for shipping! YAY! =)

-My cold sore is already almost gone -- thank you Abreva! This stuff is seriously amazing if you use it like it is Oxygen haha!

-I will share pictures of the hair later -- it isn't going to be a HUGE difference but it will be enough that you'll think 'oh yeah, much better'!

-I'll be catching up on all your beautiful words tonight while watching Grey's reruns -- I can't get enough of that show =)

-Oh AND Christina is getting married in FOUR day!!! yep -- today is her last day at work and we are off to the beach on Friday for girl/nail day with all the bridesmaids before the rehearsal! I am having dinner with her tomorrow night = so excited and I have lots to do in preparation for this weekend.  I am so excited for my beautiful friend!!!

A Dress, Some Awards & a Month-iversary +

Last night the dress for my sister's wedding arrived.  So I went with her to pick it up.  I was so excited about the dress especially with the way it fit when I tried the store sample on a couple weeks ago....OK just checked and that was a couple months ago (November 17th-ish).  So I was thinking the store sample would be a little stretched out so it will probably be a tad tight. WRONG.  It's a lot to big.  BUT I love the color and I won't have to get it hemmed because my shoes are just tall enough =) Hooray! I will have to have it taken in...probably.  I'm going to hold off until June to get it altered....you know, just in case =)

Looks big right?

This is how much too big =(

Me Faking like it fits =)

My shoes -- I need to repaint my toes but can't find the motivation since I can't wear cute open toes in this cold -- don't judge =)

I feel pretty in this dress and J LOVES it so I'm happy =)

Recently, I was honored with TWO awards::

Erica over at Young and Fabulous awarded me with the above award!  awwww!! what a sweet girl!!  I have to tell you 7 things about myself.

{1} I sing -- all the time.  when I catch myself singing to myself I am reminded of that HIMYM (How I Met Your Mother) episode where they point out everyone's obnoxious habits and Marshall's is that he sings everything. =) I'm not THAT bad...yet haha

{2} I like to take showers early in the morning and then crawl back in bed and sleep for another hour. 

{3}I have never seen the movie Christmas Vacation

{4} The Husband and I are going to buy one of these (below) when we move. 

We like to snuggle up really close on our current couch and a 2 person recliner would be just divine!

{5} We didn't have a 'professional' photographer at our wedding.  They were family friends with photography experience who provided the 'service' for the day as our wedding present =)

{6} I wear heels every day -- I love wearing heels.  It does great things for my posture and my butt

{7} I LOVE sushi -- I could eat it every day...maybe I can talk The Husband into a date tonight!!

My second award came from Lady Fromage.  And I have to list 5 guilty pleasures and pass this award onto ONLY 3 =/

{1} Shoes -- anyone who knows me know this isn't a secret!

{2} Rice Krispie Treats -- OMGsh I could eat (and have) a whole pan on my own!!!

{3} Purses -- not like my shoe addiction because I can't rationalize another purse haha. BUT I do love purses. This is shocking to my mother because up until I was in my second year in college I just stuck it all in my pockets haha and NEVER carried a purse EVER.

{4} New Undies -- if I could, I would never wear a pair more than once. I just love when they are BRAND new, unfaded and unworn -- it's a little weird, right?

{5} Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich -- I try not to eat them often but sometimes I HAVE to give in!! I LOVE them!

My three picks:
Skip to My Lou

Polka Dots, Pearls and Pink...Oh My!

Stilettos & a Fishing Pole

Alright -- one last MAJOR thing of the day -- It's the 13th.  This means it's our Month-iversary!! 10 MONTHS of being married to my husband!! I can't believe it's been almost a year already!!!

Happy Almost Friday everyone!!

My Designer Shoes & Project 52: Week 1 - Black & White

Last week my parents bought me some AMAZING shoes!! Like over the top gorgeous and so comfortable that I now know why people spend such money on shoes!! MY parents, however, didn't spend a ton on them as they were on sale at 6pm.com -- which is a shoe website that I ADORE!  I needed white shoes for my friend Christina's wedding in March. I scoured the stores and Internet but just didn't find what I was looking for that was in the budget preset for me. Then last week there they were -- on sale for 70% OFF!!! WHAT?! SO I ran to the mall and tried on a pair of the designer shoes (different style) to make sure to get the right size.  And just like that -- they arrived on Friday (ordered on Tuesday night).

AND they are dyable if I don't want to keep them white!

They fit SO perfectly and feel SO amazing on my foot! I only wore them for a second to make sure they fit and then BACK in the box they went until March!! I can't wait to wear them =) They make me really happy haha!

For Project 52 I am a week behind, SO I decided to take a picture TODAY for Week 1 and then Week 2 will show up on Thursday...hopefully! Then going forward, on Thursday I will continue to post the photo of the week =)

We still haven't taken our Christmas tree down.  It's beautiful and still smells good and, heck, it makes me happy when I look at it.  I am pretty sure J is going to make me take it down this weekend (boo!) so I wanted to take a few more pictures of it...Here is my B&W submission for Project 52: Week 1

Have a Tremendous Tuesday! =)