Quotes to paint!

Being an English graduate, I'm a words person. I have been pinning quotes to paint for the empty walls of my house. 

This is for the kitchen. I mean a grad student lives off of coffee and wine. This is perfect for what the kitchen actually gets used for. 

Colors: Red and Brown?

 This is a great reminder while looking in the mirror every morning. Even when I stayed up all night writing lesson plans and research papers, I have a lot to be proud of and I have to remember not to let myself settle for less than my best. No matter what, fake it 'til I make it. 

Colors: Blue and Brown with gold

 This is a great quote for the living room/den. I am too open with my heart; it stays on my sleeve and sometimes I have to remember to guard my heart, God's heart.

 I mean, come on. It's a quote from Friday Night Lights that the Romney's used before rallies and events during the campaign. It's a reminder of what is really important. Not winning or losing, but having a winning attitude.

 This is another great reminder to myself, from Shakespeare. This would go in my room. I feel weak and frail and incapable sometimes because I am not only human, but I'm very petite. It isn't the size of the person, it's their wit and their will that get the job done!

Colors: blue and gold

 Ah, Mumford and Sons. This is such a reminder of the future, and the person God has for me. I thought I had found love but it wasn't what He had in mind. I just love this quote.

 Again, Mumford is just on point.

 This is good for the study, I think. Yes, being adorable is always a plus; but, ladies, don't forget to enrich your mind and have great experiences.

SPRING To-Do List

So, I have been mentally preparing myself for spring cleaning. And I have also been getting my closet ready. (Not that it could use any extra items). I think this list could apply to almost any season, with a little tweaking. You're welcome.
To Do List:
1. Donate out-of-date, too small, worn-out clothes to Goodwill, or sell the higher-quality items to Plato's Closet - Done! I made $25 off some gently used clothes.
2. Organizing my closet: accessories, shoes, and by item (pants, skirts, etc).
3. In so doing items #1 and #2, designate items intended for refashion projects! Draw sketches, make list of needed supplies, and set-aside time in my schedule for my projects/sewing time.
4. Put away all clothes from the previous season in rubber totes. Keep items that will work under a cardigan for Fall.
5. Set aside items for next season on Lay-away at my favorite department stores, since it won't be cool enough to actual wear them and not sweat bullets for at least a month. -Done! TJMaxx and Belk had some great pieces that I have already set aside to be picked up soon. I found a couple of tops and an easter dress
7. I'm getting my Pinterest boards ready and full of inspiration! I might crash their server. Probably. Follow me if you aren't already. It isn't hard to find inspiration on Pinterest, throw a mouse click any direction and you'll find any number of things to make you wanna grab your glue gun and/or scissors.


Somewhere in-between reading the umpteen essays and poetry for my English classes, work, and my other classes, I will be finding time to look fabulous. I am making myself make an effort to not be a hot mess. Not being a morning person is no excuse to not be dressed to impress for less :) If I, the naturally lazy one, can, then anyone can do this!
Watch for updates!!

The Find of a Millennium!

I know I'm not the only nerd in North America. We are proud race, Genius Smartassius, slowly taking back America.
That being said, I think there are other people who could benefit from the site that I found!!

Spoonflower Awesomeness
 My Geek inspired Pinterest board where these are posted, along with other smart people stuffs!
Allonsy!!

They have a plethora of fabric to make all kind of paraphenerdlia with! Pillows! Capes! Sheets! Dresses! Headbands! Forts! Tardis Pillows! I could go on but I don't want to be redundant.

They have collections for Sherlock Holmes, Star Wars, Doctor Who, as well as Steam Punk, Science, Robots, and Science Fiction! Here are a few examples of the rare gems I unearthed (or...unwebbed?)
The minute I perform my own refash using Spoonflower fabrics, I will be excited to post it on my blog to share the awesomeness!

"Cutesy Sherlock Holmes" by jaana

"All the who's down in Whoville" by thirdhalfstudios

Vader Black Polka on duckegg fabric by smuk

My favorite: Tardis Pillow Making Kit

And if I had a Library in my house, I would have these on the faded leather arm chairs/ chaise lounge:

Madame Fancypantaloons' Instant Library Bindings ~ Blue fabric by peacoquettedesigns 

Isn't this (almost) handier than a Sonic Screwdriver? 

I'm in L-O-V-E with Spoonflower! 

They have all kinds of fancy fabric, not just nerdy stuff, so check them out for your refash projects or for inspiration!!

Follow them on Twitter: @Spoonflower

Miracle Coffee Table Makeover

One rainy Saturday, my mom and I set out on an adventure in Mobile early in the morning to find some cute junk at yard sales for my new apartment. It was really rainy and yuck so we wound up at an indoor rummage sale at the Shriner's Temple. It's a good place to buy cheap collectibles and base items for all the cute and inexpensive projects you see on Pinterest. (By the way, if you aren't already, follow me on Pinterest with the link on the right hand side of my blog -->)
So I found this coffee table. From the 80s. For $5!!

But it was a little scratched and worm so my Dad, the handy carpenter, sanded it with a machine sander to buff the rough spots out.
Then he painted the bottom half a lovely and lively mint green color, the top half a wood stain brown.
We let it set for a few hours, then came back and he painted an antique brown in the crevices around the joints of the table and to fill the Knicks on the top, then wiped the excess for an antique look.
Finally, we sprayed two coats varnish to seal in the paint job.


It was a great chance to catch up and bond some with my Dad on the weekend of his birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy! Thanks for being so detail-oriented, hard-working, and such a Christian example in my life.
 I don't know what I would do without such an amazing father. I really enjoyed spending time with my parents in the country and seeing Dad's puppies growing up! Also, Chuck the Pooch enjoyed getting to roam around with the baby nuggets!

DIY for the Ewok Baby Chuck

Doggie collar DIY

I would do mine in MUCH preppier colors (of course). 

My puppy has to match his stylish daddy.

I will have to do this DIY for Charles Bass Barkley; the laziest, cutest, and sweetest puppy in da world!

Instagramazing!

Instagram Necklace

Instagram Socialmatic Camera


Follow me on instagram: carlypugh

Sharp mugs

I found a tutorial on Craft Gawker for decorating coffee mugs with sharpies!! So I went hog wild. I created one of my own on a plate with quotes from the first chapter of the first Harry Potter book (The Philosopher's Stone) and went over in orange all the words that were HP related for extra emphasis. I love emphasis; sometimes you can never place enough on things that matter!
Then I baked it at..350? I think for 20 mins. :)