Ten Blogs You Should Check Out

1)  If you like to decorate with teal, robin's egg blue, aqua, sky blue, seafoam green & ocean blue, you'll LOVE House of Turquoise.

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2)  If your design style is more "beachy,"  you should check out A Beach Cottage-Life by the Sea.

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3)  The blog of Interior Designer,  Janell Beals, Isabella & Max Rooms.

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4)  The blog of interior designer, Marianne Strong, Haven & Home.

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5)  Blog of Nicole Balch, Making it Lovely.  She's amazing!  Her blog was named one of the 50 World's Best Design Blogs by the London Times Online.  She also has a stationery biz called, Pink Loves Brown.  You can find all sorts of goodies on her blog.  Interior design, fashion, precious kiddo photos, & whatever renovation project she is currently working on in her home.  Check her out : )

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6)  Moth Design.  Inspiration!

This picture makes me excited for Spring!!

7)  Blog for Rachel Halvorson Designs, Nest Egg.  She's an interior design in Nashville, TN.  She says that her blog, "is a way of sharing pretty (and practical) ideas for your home."  

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8)  Tatertots & Jello.  Blog of Jennifer Hadfield.  Her projects have been featured in Romantic Homes, Apartment Therapy, & Tip Junkie (to name a few).  You will get so many great ideas!

tip

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9)  Good Times Never Seem Sew Good.  Blog of Caroline Hughes.    She also the crafty chica behind the Etsy store, Cotton Lane.  She is very fun & is always coming up with new ideas.  She makes me smile & think she has yet to beat me at Words with Friends.  ; )

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10)  Sand & Sisal.  Kim is the sister to Beth at The Stories of A to Z.  These ladies really know how to inspire and actually follow through with their inspirations and create.  They are big DIYers.  Watch them for ideas!

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She also has lots of great recipes on her blog too!

Well, I hope you thoroughly enjoy getting to know these ladies & their blogs.  Leave them a comment when you visit & let them know Jacqueline with Creative Outpour sent ya!

HAPPY MONDAY!!!! 

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Before/After Painted Brick Fireplace

As some of you may have read, I have been dreaming of painting my ugly fireplace for about a year now and have done tons of research on what I wanted it to look like. I found something that I thought I was going to copy, but when it came down to it, I preferred the clean white look instead of a faux finish. I did actually faux a little on the brick but after seeing it I decided I wanted white. I'm not always a fan of painting brick, only when it's especially ugly do I think it's a great idea. Also, before you decided to paint yours, really think about what you are doing. It's permanent. :)

Here is the BEFORE, in case you don't remember or are new to the blog:



We used a thick roller to put the coats of paint on, brick soaks in paint so several layers are necessary. Since the grout was pretty far back, we had to use paint brushes to really get the paint in there. We bought a pack of cheap paint brushes because the roughness of the grout will ruin any type of brush. We underestimated the time it took by almost a day so be sure you set aside enough time if you choose to do this!! ha ha!




I wasn't really ready to post after pictures, but I figure I can do another follow up post on the mantle once it's really decorated. I can't decide what it needs and want to do some more searching until I find the perfect decorations for us. I'm also going to be sewing some cushions (perhaps burlap?) to give additional seating at the fireplace and some matching pillows for my couch. I'm such a plain Jane so I'm going to try and branch out some with bright, vivid colors for spring and summer! So, here it is, the AFTER:

Happy Valentines Day!! Lots of Handmade Discounts today!

Valentine's Day discounts straight from Twitter!!

1)  K Davis Creates:  "Use code: LOVEME for 15% off your purchases...FREE Shipping! for today only!" http://www.etsy.com/shop/kdaviscreates

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3)  Sandy a la Mode:  "A Valentine's Day weekend recap with happy mail, macro photography, and 25% off my shop with code IHEARTYOU!!" 

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4)  Craftee McGee: "Buy yourself something pretty! or get a last minute gift certificate! use coupon code FEB14 for 14% off all day!!! <3"

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5)  Aisle to Aloha:  "Happy Valentine's Day! Treat yourself to something beautiful! Take 20% off with the coupon code IHEARTYOU at checkout!" 

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6)  Oh Sweet Joy:  "Use code loveneverfails for 10% off today. My gift to you :)"

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7)  Tara Made It:  Use code,  ' VDAY20' for 20% off.

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8)  Letter Happy:  "One day only! use the code 'happylove' in my shop and receive 10% off your entire order!" http://letterhappy.etsy.com 

9) Josiah's Nest: "15% off in my shop! code: VALENTINE"

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Happy Shopping Lovelies!

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True Love:

For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jn. 3:16

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else is all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:35, 37-39

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with His love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17