The big 3-0.

It's official. I'm getting old.

In April, I'm turing 30. And while  I'm really not that worked up about it (30 is totally the new 19, and I LOVED being 19), I am taking full advantage of this milestone in my life to talk Allen into taking a fantastic vacation.

We've narrowed it down to the Riviera Maya in Mexico, primarily because it's easy to get to from Dallas. Hop on a flight at DFW and 2 1/2 hours later, you are in Cancun!

And then you promptly get in a car and drive 20 minutes away, visions of Spring Breaks of the past running through your brain...snapshots from your memory of Carlos and Charlies and bathtubs full of beer and sunburns and 2 foot margaritas and foam parties. 

Wait, what?

Anyway...we're adults now. So we're thinking the Tides Riviera Maya.

So. Much. Better.

I came across the resort when I was surfing the web a month ago, waiting for Glee to come on, drooling over Kelly Wearstler's interiors for the Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla...and Miami....and Palm Springs...and San Diego.

I mean, are you kidding me with this?? The Tides RM is a part of the same hotel group, and while I don't think K Dub designed the Riviera Maya location, she is definitely the brainchild behind the Tides South Beach.

All  I know is that I saw the words "plunge pool" and I was hooked.  SO much better than an overcrowded pool with 5,000 Spring Breakers.

On second thought, maybe 30 is the new and improved 19.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Right? You've been just dying for me to post pics of my project?

Well, here you go.

It all started with a really dirty frame from the clearance section of Michael's ($4.99! Boo-yah.)

I know. Nasty, right? It took 90 minutes and 5 of these to get the job done. YUCK.

Then it was time to paint!

2 days later, I FINALLY had 3 coats of high gloss latex paint on this bad boy.   While I waited for it the last coat to dry, I sprayed a piece of foam board with chalkboard paint.

Sorry, no pics of that step.

2 coats of wipe on poly and 24 hours later, I put it all together...

I need to work on my penmanship and even up the paint lines, but I'm pretty happy with it! It's a cute addition to our side hallway!

I have to give a shout out to my partner in projects, Tilly.

Actually, this is just an excuse to post this hilarious picture of her:

Dig the bows? When I picked her up from getting her hair did last night, she was all fall-themed out. I think the harvest bandana really ties it all together.

And just in case you were wondering, Allen walked in the house about 5 minutes after we got home and the bows were gonners.

I used to be love-drunk...

Oh, who am I kidding? I still am.

With this:

The Atlanta Christmas House

I would put it on a hill with this as my view...

www.lelandreport.com

Right within walking distance of this...

www.lelandmi.com

Ok. Back to the real world!

So excited.

Skirting the budget.

So the project still isn't ready. Wipe on poly, dreamy as it looks when it's on, is kind of a pain because it takes soooooo long to dry.

And yes, I realize 24 hours is a completely normal amount of time for something to dry. But I'm impatient.

In the meantime, it's November...so I'm ready to decorate for Christmas. Every year I try to hold out until Thanksgiving, but so far I'm 0 for 3.

So this year, I've decided to start my resolutions early. Resolution 1: I'm not going to be apologetic about being a complete and utter holiday decorating weirdo.

First on my list this year?

A new tree skirt. And I'm digging this one from Anthropologie...

Is that not gorgeous?? Love it. I don't, however, love the price tag.

So I'm thinging about making my own with Amy Butler's wall flower fabric in  mustard...

And a few sequined appliques.

 

 

Level with me, blogfriends. Is this crafty?

Or just crazy?

A slight delay.

I got tied up with a Pony victory, a rockin' tailgate and best of all, my friend Amanda's visit this weekend, so my project is just the teensiest bit delayed.

I'll finish it tonight and post pics tomorrow. In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure:



And no, that has NOTHING to do with the project. But even though I've seen it 8 million times, it never, ever gets old.

I'm projecting.

This weekend is project central at my house.

I've got Christmas presents to get crackin' on, and I've got a little project for myself as well...

Can you guess what it is?

Here are a few hints:

I'll post pics of the finished project on Monday! Happy weekend!