friday favorites: mind clearing & winner announced

Sometimes as I blogger, you just stare and stare at your computer like, "I know I have something interesting to say, but my brain won't tell me what it is." So here is what I decided to do: write out everything that is swirling around in my mind right now, and maybe then my brain won't be blocked next time.

>>I am really really tired right now, isn't there some kind of internal caffeine switch I can pull? That would be the best invention of the body yet.

>>Today is Friday, the happiest day of the week. Totally made happier by the fact that instead of a twelve hour shift at work, I only have 7.

>>Gosh darn body parts and functions, can't you get out of my brain? Seriously, I finished all my tests yesterday (with A's I might add, woop woop!). So please, turn the nursing stuff off, just for the weekend.

>>I cannot wait to see Jared tonight

>>My "niece's" 1st birthday party is this weekend and I cannot wait to see that little bug dive into her cake.

>>Shouldn't it be against the law to work on a Sunday for a Mennonite restaurant?

>>Boy do I need to take some outfit pictures. Slacker right here.

>>What am I going to wear tomorrow?

>>I wonder if anyone else really doesn't shave their legs as much as I do. Maybe that should be against the law also.

>>I have home decor design on the brain lately. From bedding to chairs to dining sets, I get drawn in and could spend hours. Thanks Pinterest.

>>I will eat a Fage honey yogurt today. Best new snack find and if you've never eaten it, you must.

>>I am so happy with where my life is right now. Thinking about all the blessings I have is incredible. It's a scary but amazing world we live in.

Okay, brain cleared a little. Sunday will bring me an empty one, only to be filled again with information on Monday. Happy weekend everyone and do some brain clearing yourself!

>>

Winner of the Uncommon Goods Giveaway is Vanessa Wittmer! Congratulations girl (& long time friend)! Shoot me an email at amyjpalmer54(at)gmail(dot)com and let me know you're the winner. Buy something extra cute for me.

friday favorites: little mustard dresser and winners announced

A few weeks ago, while scouring the furniture in a random stop at Goodwill (those happen often) I happened to run across this hideous excuse for a mini dresser for $15 (with an original price sticker still attached for $50!). Painted a spoiled yellow and brown color and drawers covered with cats, this thing was a sight to see. Truly, you had to be a cat lover to want to buy this. Well, I don't care much for cats, but lucky for me, I could look pasts those furry creatures and see the potential this could become.

Supplies:
>>Valspar Amber Wheat
>>80 grit sandpaper (to get rid of those cats and scruffing up)
>>dark stain for the scruffs
>>polycrylic to seal the paint and finish it off
>>oversized cup pulls

Overall I am just in love with this little piece. It adds a perfect pop of color with the rest of my white furniture. My favorite parts are the oversized cup pulls which really make a statement and how scuffed with piece is (I even scuffed the pulls!). With the whole thing sealed I can guarantee an easy clean and know it will last a lot longer.

Happy Friday everyone! I'm off on another trip this weekend to Orlando with my family and my man. So excited for yet another weekend getaway!

>>

The winners of the Whoop Tee giveaway are
Chelsea Thom & Lesley Raymond
Congrats! Shoot me an email at amyjpalmer54(@)gmail(dot)com and let me know you're the winner!

TUTORIAL: milk maid braids & winner announced

Just wanted to pop in and say I am over HERE today sharing my milk maid braids tutorial! Here is it and enjoy!

>>>>>

Hey everyone! I'm Amy, the life and personal style blogger over at Blank Pages! There you can find out my life and the little happenings in it, along with the clothes that I think are uniquely me, but also ideas that anyone can incorporate into their wardrobe. You will also meet my stud of a man and get to be jealous of how we still don't have snow, but rather 80 degree weather in January. Hey, when it seems the majority of bloggers are somewhere freezing their buns off and you're sweating right as you walk out the door, the weather becomes an appealing thing to talk about.

I am super excited to be able to share a tutorial on how to achieve the super simple milk maid braids hairstyle that has made it's popular way around the blogosphere recently. In my book, they are seriously a go-to for pretty much any day that I want to put my hair up while still looking put together (I've worn this hairstyle more than a care to mention). I'm pretty sure we all can love a hairstyle like that, right? Anyways, I'll let the video do the talking. *Please excuse the auto focus noise from the lens. It was my first video done with this camera, and to say the least, I am a newb. Sorry!


Well, there you have it! I hope everything was simple enough to understand and if you feel brave enough to try, I would love to see how they turned out!

>>>>>

The winner of the Blank Pages Birthday Giveaway is
Jesslyn Claywell
Congrats girl! Sending an email your way soon!

friday favorites: DIY christmas & winner announced

There is just something about Christmas that gets me in the crafting mood. Maybe it's the glitter, the frosted  trees, or the abundance of cute ornaments. No matter what it is, there are a lot of crafts I want to conquer when I have a moment to myself. So here is a compilation of my favorite DIY's this season.

These super cute DIY globes include traditional or whimsical Christmas trees, but really, you would use anything. How about your child's toy? Or some cute bunnies or deer? Learn how to make these at Always Swell and The Kinch Life.

This glamorous tree looks easy to make and wouldn't a few in a cluster be pretty on an entry way table? Learn how to make it at Pretty Little Inspirations.

This advent calendar is a more time intensive project (and it's a little late already) but what a good idea to remember for next year! Learn how to make it at A Beautiful Mess.

Gather some baby food jars and make one for every day in December. Light one each night for a countdown to Christmas! Learn how to make these at Roadkill Rescue.

Tree skirts are such a fun way to customize your Christmas tree, and really the possibilities are endless. These are a couple of vintage inspired DIY's (and who doesn't love anything that's vintage inspired?) Learn how to make these at Smile and Wave.

These ornaments are just the most gorgeous around in my eyes and when I can spare a moment, I am definitely going to make these. You can customize them any way you want and even use the little ones as gift tags. Great right? Ornaments are from Kelly Murray's Blog and the DIY is featured on A Beautiful Mess.

I would love to know of any other Christmas DIY's that you think are just fabulous. Because you know, I need another project to envy and wish I had time to do. I hope these inspired you guys to make something fun this season!

>>

The winner of the She Makes Hats Giveaway is

Tiffany H.

Congrats girl! Shoot me an email at

amyjpalmer54(at)gmail(dot)com

all i want for christmas is a cold nose & winner announced

No, this is not Sarasota, Florida, or anywhere near my area. You know why? BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE 80 DEGREES BY THE WEEKEND. Okay, sorry. I just had to get that out. I want that marshmallows in your hot chocolate, onsie pajamas, don't even want to get out from under the covers because it's too cold outside weather. Not the sweat dripping down your back the moment you walk outside weather. I want the heat on right now gosh-darnit!

It's NOVEMBER. Just for one Christmas I would like to be able to wear my coats in Sarasota and have my nose feel like it's going to fall off. Is that too much to ask for? I've decided that this is all I want for Christmas; I want my nose to fall off from the cold and my fingers to turn numb. At least I won't be sweating. Weather, it that too hard of a task? Some cold breezes and stark sunlight, or you could bring some drab clouds too, you decide (I'll even let you rain).

I am so excited to announce that the winner of the Deloom Giveaway is
LadyKat
shoot me an email at amyjpalmer54(at)gmail(dot)com

Also, sponsorships are available for the month of December! Would love to have you as a part of Blank Pages for the most wonderful time of the year! Visit my SPONSOR page to check out all the affordable options,

just plain tired & winner announced

sunglasses: Target sweater: F21 skirt: The Look Boutique watch: Fossil boots: Target

This post is coming to you a little later than expected today because...

I woke up late
Was at work by eight
Jeez all these words have a mate (okay I'm done)
Worked until one (okay I guess not)
Had to get my TB test read
Got blood drawn (which I wasn't prepared for and you can read all about my love of needles HERE)
Anddd currently I am getting ready for school which I have to be at in less than an hour

If I have a brain left after these next two weeks I'll be lucky, and by brain I mean an actually functioning at least allowing me to eat, because I'm pretty sure it will be a bowl of mush.

Without further anticipation, I will announce the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway, because lets be real, that's really why you're reading this post anyways.

Congratulations
Amy from TJ, Amy, and Ava Pugmire
shoot me an email at amyjpalmer54 (at) gmail (dot) com
and let me know you're the winner!

It's already Wednesday you forward thinking people, two more days until Friday!

simple teacup DIY & winner announced

There is nothing I love more than a simple and quick DIY that anyone can do. This little jewelry/hair accessory stand took me about 5 minutes to make, see, quick I told you. All you need is a few teacups and saucers that fit well with each other. My teacups and the saucers underneath them already came stuck together, so it was just less gluing I had to do.

Gather your teacups and saucers and place them on top of each other to make a visual plan about how you want it to look. Take a hot glue gun and glue them together (saucer, teacup, saucer, teacup), you get the idea. Let it sit for a minute and voila! You have yourself a cute accessory holder.

(another idea is to not have the third teacup at the top so you just have saucer to put larger pieces on, your choice)
Enjoy!

The winner of the Style Lately giveaway is Miriam Kasarda!
Congratulations! Shoot me and email at
amyjpalmer54 (at) gmail (dot) com
and let me know you're the winner!

a snail week & winner announced

shirt: F21 shorts: Old Navy belt: F21 bracelets: Carlisle Gifts & F21 bag: Simply Vera Wang via Kohl's 

This week is going by unbelievably slow. With Jared and mine's 5 year anniversary approaching, I can hardly wait until Saturday. We will be spending the entire day on a little road trip to St. Augustine! It's one of my favorite cities and I can't wait to spend the day with the man I love. Of course the Castillo de San Marcos is on the top of my list and the Golf World Hall of Fame on his, but I think I am most looking forward to holding hands and walking down the touristy area of St. George Street, just to two of us.
So be prepared for a picture overload and if you want to come along on the adventure, follow me on instagram @amyjpalmer
Are you looking forward to anything this weekend?
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Without further adieu, the winner of the Go Fish giveaway is: Carly from Chicago Prepster Congrats girl! Send me an email at anyjpalmer54 (at) gmail (dot) com

hello, goodbye, and winner announced

hat: walmart dress: c/o Deloom belt: F21 bracelets: F21 shoes: F21

 This post is going to be short and sweet. You know why? I am SICK, again. Also, the back of my eyelids are sounding pretty good right now. You may remember this dress from HERE and I could say here, and here, and here, because I wear it that much. So go check out the gorgeous boutique where it came from, Deloom, and pick something out would you? Oh and be jealous because today we're taking the kiddos to Chuck E. Cheese and I'm probably more excited than they are. It's the best field trip to feel like a kid again, and sometimes that's the best way to feel. Also, tomorrow is Friday, enough said. Okay and now that I'm rambling, without further adieu...

The winner of the Apples and 'Nanas bib/burp cloth giveaway is:
Mae from Two Hoots & A Holler
Congratulations Mae

You've got yourself some pretty cute baby stuff!

email me at amyjpalmer54(at)gmail(dot)com

and let me know you're the winner. 

desk reveal and winner announced

When I moved back in my old room, I knew I was going to need a desk to do all of my studies, or blogging, at. You may or may not remember THIS post, about my not so free, free time, which included starting my oh so cute desk. More than two months later, it is finally finished! I got quite a few comments asking to see it when it's all done, so here it is ladies and gentleman, my first furniture re-do.

Below are the pictures of the desk at its raw state. The desk had great bones. The biggest problem was the polyurethane that some inexperienced (not like myself) person had put on the top. Over time, polyurethane yellows. So over time, the desk, especially the top had turned this not so cute yellow-ish tint. The thick poly layers also cracked over time.

Using an electric sander on the top with a 120 grit, the polyurethane was worn down as much as possible. And with strips of 180 grit, the rest of the desk was hand sanded.

Next came the paint. I knew I wanted a white, but I was very particular about my white. Not an ultra white and no yellow tint. I ended up choosing Valspar Bistro White. It was perfect and I only needed one coat!

Next came the distressing. I wanted a lot and I wanted it chunky. So with an 80 grit sandpaper, I sanded those spots down to the bare wood. Using Minwax Dark Walnut Wood Stain, I rubbed the bare spots until they were to my liking this created an amazing contrast against the white.

 

 

The top of the desk is my favorite part. All of the desk was painted with a new paintbrush. But as I only used one coat, the paint was thin and the brush strokes were clearly visible. At first, I thought this would be a problem, but as I painted, it increasingly looked like a white wood; the brush strokes even left ridges that feel like wood. And those cracks and imperfections? They were electrically sanded down to the wood, and when painted over, looked like wood knots. It was perfectly imperfect.

The top was covered with three coats of Minwax PolyACRYLIC sealer. Polyacrylic will not turn yellow, unlike polyurethane.
*Let sit for 24 hours before use, sand lightly in between each coat

Drum roll please...

Here is the finished product. Adorned with all my storage, pencils, and notebooks, I am seriously in love. My knob from Anthropologie completes the desk with a little pop of color. I give myself a pat on the back for my first furniture overhaul.

Enjoy!

Feel free to ask me any questions about redoing furniture. You know, because I'm an expert and all now. There's already a few projects lined up that I can't wait to get my hands on. Stay tuned!

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The winner of the Alexandra Wallace Carnation Print is

Amanda Shroeder from We and Seredipity

Congrats! I'm jealous.

Email me at amyjpalmer54(at)gmail(dot)com

and let me know that you're the winner