Wood Patio and Deck Inspiration

A deck is next (actually, it's ONE OF the next things) on our list of "to-do's."  Here are some great pics to get juices flowin' and ideas churnin'.  Hope you enjoy browsing, I know I had fun compiling this blog entry.  "Honey....!!"

Garden Site

Family Home Plans

Archadeck of Charlotte

Project Plans

Alpine Structures via Pinterest

Pinterest

Garden Patios Designs UK
 

RafterTales

Luxury Housing Trends

Loft Stairz

Patio Design Ideas

Patio Designs

MommieJoys Featured on Mom's Talk Network

Today I was featured on the Mom's Talk Network!

Check it out here and leave a comment for me!

Thanks to Kelly and Bianca, I appreciate your interest in MommieJoys...and the feature!

Mustache Party Pack Giveaway

Jenny over at I'm Seriously Joking generously sent this adorable Mustache Party Pack - set of 7 mustaches and 3 vintage inspired glasses - for a MommieJoys giveaway!  Hooray...it's party time!


**As as added bonus ALL MommieJoys readers can get 10% off their orders by entering "MommieJoys" as the coupon code at check out!  Thanks, Jenny!**

While looking for a gift for my cousin's baby shower, I stumbled upon I'm Seriously Joking.  Jenny was so accommodating and her turn-around-time was fast.  Here's what she made for me...(shoes from another store.)

The onesie was well made and seemed like a quality product!  Certainly, I was thrilled with my gift, and it was a great hit at the baby shower!

A couple of my favorite things in Jenny's shop are the mustache pillow cases and the mustache decal for a CAR!  Simply so COOL!  Would my husband ever let me put that on our car...hmmmm?  *winks*

Let's get to know the fun girl behind the creativity over at I'm Seriously Joking...

Jenny


What inspired you to start your business? 

- After I graduated college with an art degree, I knew I didn’t want a regular job. I wanted my “job” to be doing something I love. I decided I wanted to take the first year after graduation to find my nitch & see how well I could do with starting my own business now that I had all the time to devote to it since I had no school getting in the way. 

Why did you choose mustaches?

- I love photography & doing photo shoots… One day I decided I wanted to do a crazy/silly photo shoot. I had to come up with props that would make it fun & that’s when the mustache light bulb went off in my head! 

Are there any challenges you’ve had to overcome?

- Absolutely! When I first showed my mustaches to my family, a few of them gave me the laughs they were designed for…. but some just thought I was crazy & didn’t get it! I knew I had a great product though but at the same time I knew I was going to have to work extremely hard to prove that I could be successful in this “funny business”. 

What are some of your personal favorites – movies, themes, a piece of jewelry, etc.?


- I love comedies, hahaha go figure! I’m kind of an old soul… my favorite comedian is Carol Burnett & I absolutely love the Dick Van Dyke Show (I record it on my DVR every morning). :) Also, my two favorite things are my camera & my converse shoes. 

What’s the biggest order you’ve ever done?

- Kind of a funny story… My business was extremely slow the first 2-3 months (maybe 2-3 sales)… I even considered closing my shop, thinking “hmmmm, maybe I was wrong about this whole idea”. But, I decided I’d stick with it & just see what happens. Thank God I didn’t listen to those little voices telling me that it’s not going to work… because a few weeks later I got my largest order to date… 5,200 mustaches on a stick!! For 2 weeks I worked 17 hr. days, 7 days a week. It was me, myself & I creating 5,200 mustaches. It truly was a test both physically & emotionally. 

Will you design custom orders?

- Yes, about 40% of my business comes from custom orders. I love working with customers to fit their needs for whatever event they are having.

Do you have a favorite website/blog/store?

- My friend recently introduced me to Pinterest… I am totally addicted to it! My favorite stores are Hobby Lobby & Michaels; I’m in there at least 3-4 times a week.

Additional fun facts...

- I’ve sold all across the U.S. & to 13 different countries. 
- I’ve always tried to find the humor in life & love the joy that comes from making someone laugh. I enjoy connecting with my customers & hearing their stories! My hope is that my shop is able to provide a little extra fun to your next event! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Flight of the Ant

One of the great things about having 2 acres with lots of trees...next to empty fields and other homes on 1-5 acre plots...is the NATURE!  Right now it's misting, and I have my kitchen windows open.  The breeze is blowing through, the smell of rain fills the room and it's quiet.  (Quiet except for my daughter babbling away at her play.)  *sigh*  Now, how long will this blissful peace last?

A few weeks ago, as my daughter and I were walking about outside, we can across one of God's great natural phenomena  - the flying ant migration - or whatever someone official would call it.  *grins*  My daughter said it was baby ants being born, I like her concept.

There was a tree that had been cut down to a stump.  That stump was infested with ants.  Those ants were taking off on a special flight adventure.  Fascinating.

First, there was a troop of ants that would swarm out of the stump.  It was a mass of skittering, fluttery wings.

Next, in a strangely organized manner, the troop would line up single file along the edge of the stump and wait for the breeze to blow them off.  And would fly!  Moving together in a billowing, lace-like cloud.  (Which proved impossible for me to photograph!)

Then, the next troop would storm out and begin the process over again...and again...and again.  We watched for at least 15 minutes as this beautiful act of God's creation took place.  Entranced, my little one barely moved.  I snapped pics in amazement.  We were so blessed to witness the event.  It makes me even more grateful and happy we moved here!

DIY House Numbers

You remember this pile of landscape bricks I had in my yard?

Well, after doing a little work with them - making my patio garden - there was still, a pile left!  That light bulb turned on in my head and I grabbed a few bricks, and my newly purchased paint pen.  (It actually looks and works more like a concealer stick, but smells like paint!  Mine is from Hobby Lobby.)  Since I didn't have and super-cool-looking stencils, I chose to free-hand.

Literally TWO minutes later, here's what I came up with...

My new front porch and flower beds are a work in progress!  So far we've trimmed the existing bushes and put in mulch.  Also, we chose to put new landscape rock as the bed border.

We had our house number on the mailbox out at the road, but I wanted them somewhere else too, bigger and nearer to the house.  The bricks balance solidly on the landscape rock!  This was basically FREE and as I said, only took a few minutes.  I LOVE this kind of brilliant inspiration!  (And so does our budget!)  *smiles*

"It's time for your vitamins!"

While my daughter has never had a hard time taking her vitamins, I still enjoy finding creative ways to "serve" her supplements.  Often kids fight "vitamin time" but maybe with a little fun thrown in, they'll at least get some enjoyment out of it!  *smiles*  Look around the toy box, could the dinosaur "feed" your son or maybe a vitamin could slide off a princess wand into your daughter's mouth?  It's worth the effort if you have a picky kid.  *BIG grin*

 

My Spring/Summer Jewelry Favorites

Greetings, Blog World!  Yes, I've been absent for a bit.  Personal health issues caused me to take a break from blogging for a while.  But now, hopefully, I'm back.  And for SURE I'm full of pictures, ideas and fun stuff.  *smiles*

Let's start with some of this Spring/Summer's "go-to" jewelry for me.

White vintage ceramic clips.

You might as well know.  I don't have pierced ears.  Why, you might ask?  Truthfully, I'm a chicken.  The idea of someone shooting holes through my ear lobes just doesn't sound worth it.  There are so many incredible earrings out there that are CLIP ONS!  *grins*

These white clips seem to go with everything, dressy for church or casual with a "T" and jeans.

Coral colored vintage necklace.

I've had this set of beads for a couple years, but the color this season is sooo IN!  Again, it's an awesome versatile piece.  The fact that they're vintage is just that much more sweet!

Silver butterfly necklace, by Fossil.

When I spied this flutterby with my little eye - I was caught!  Fossil jewelry is new to me and I'm in love!  Their style and quality are simply wonderful.  Every time I wear this piece, I get compliments.  Ladies want to know where to buy it, and are stunned at the design. 

Mint colored fashion Poppy ring, by Love Stitched.

Impulse buy alert!  At first glance, I was hooked on this ring!  Nearly the size of the palm of my hand (not actually *hehe*) this was a must-have.  Just like the butterfly necklace, I get stopped each time I wear it by someone who wants to know, "Where'd you get it?" 

Isn't it nice when other people like your stuff?  *BIG grin*  (Did I mention I bought one in black too?  It was supposed to be a gift.)

And there you have four of my favorite jewelry pieces!  What are YOUR "go-to" pieces this season?  Share a link with me.