As anticipated, we got another batch of ice and sleet last Sunday/Monday, but luckily it melted off and warmed up as quickly as the snow came. Win for Fort Smith, loss for Fayetteville! Since it's warmed up so quickly and looks as if it will be staying that way for the foreseeable future {I said foreseeable...}, I thought it might be a good idea to take down my "winter-ish" home decorations and spruce up this place for spring. Nothing like changing decor to make your place look brand spankin' new and change your mood.
I realize that this is when I would usually tell you all about my week, but honestly this week was just like last week..went to work, came home, cleaned the house, cooked dinner, went to sleep, and repeat. I will, however, include my photo segment from the week, so there's that to look forward to...
Here is my rather lengthy "photo highlight" section from the week! They say a picture's worth a thousand words...but I have a thousand pictures. Ironic..
Such a sweet friend got me these incredibly adorable re-freezable ice cubes in the shapes of diamonds, and I couldn't wait to test them out! Of course I put them in a glass of white wine. I had "diamonds in my glass" and I loved every second! Thank you, sweet Kimi!
If you know me at all, you know that I like am obsessed with a local boutique here in Fort Smith, Suite One. If you live around these parts and haven't been, bless your heart and shame on you. They celebrated their 3rd birthday with a Mardi Gras theme on Tuesday night, and of course I had to drop by. It was also HAIR DAY, and if you're a girl, you understand how much hair day means.
I'm sure you are already aware, but Bud Light came out with their newest Lime-A-Rita flavors. They already have Lime-A-Rita, Straw-ber-rita, Cran-brrrrr-ita {limited winter edition}, and they just added Mango-Rita and Rasp-ber-rita..so naturally I had to go get both of the new flavors and try them out. A little sugary I would have to say, but delicious nevertheless.
For all of you religious types out there, you know that Wednesday was Ash Wednesday...and for all of you Catholics out there who went to Catholic school like I did, you know that comparing your ash crosses is something that must be done. Clearly my ash cross was better than Charles' ash cross.
Remember my sweet bridesmaid Angela? Well it was her birthday on Thursday, so of course I had to take her to lunch and celebrate! Ignore the awful picture of me.
This had to be the highlight of my week. You all know how long I have been waiting for Abita Strawberry to come out this season {seasonal drinks...ugh} and it finally came back! Words cannot even express how happy I am. I picked up two of them...and will probably be back for more within a few days. I cannot express my love for this particular beer. Go try it, like yesterday.
So you know how excited I was on Saturday to find that Abita Strawberry was back, and then lo and behold I stumble across this beautiful vision. The local Gyro stand {only in town for the spring and for the fair in the fall} is back! Needless to say that Charles and I indulged in a gyro as soon as we saw this. What a great Saturday, albeit a little gloomy in the afternoon.
Friday night {yes I know, my pictures aren't in order...forgive me?} Charles and I went to a fish fry with my parents and had an absolute blast. We can't have meat on Fridays during lent, so it was a nice treat to get out of the house and spend some time with family.
After the fish fry, Charles had some buddies over and made a fire in the backyard in the fire pit. He stayed up until about 2am...I stayed up until about 10pm..I'm an early bird, not a night owl. Can't change that!
This little beauty is from this morning. Charles' got some deer meat from his boss {thanks, LeAnn!} so Charles requested that I used some of it to make my famous deer jerky! Well, my beef jerky is famous...this is my first "deer jerky" attempt, but I'm sure it will work out similarly. Not all the ingredients are pictured..wouldn't you like to know the secret ingredients? Maybe someday, but that day is not today.
After I got a workout in on Saturday, I set off to run my one million errands that I had planned for the day, since we haven't consistently been in town as of late. You'll be pleased to hear that I shopped all day and didn't buy one single item of clothing. I know. I'm as shocked as you are. I was on a mission for home decor items for spring! I thought it would be fun to show you how a decorated. I still have some more to do, but here is my start!
I was pleased to see that Ross had their Grand opening yesterday, so I decided to stop in and check it out. I love stores like this, such great prices and such unique things! I always recommend checking your local Ross or TJ Maxx first, you never know what you might end up with! I found some great pieces.
The damage. Ross, Kirkland's, Bath and Body Works..
I stopped into my local Bath and Body Works, because you sometimes underestimate the power of changing out your soaps and candles. I was still burning my winter candles and using my winter hand soaps in our bathroom, the guest bathroom, the kitchen, etc. It just made me feel like "winter" if that makes any sense. It was time to put out the new items. LOOK at the new packaging on the BBW hand soaps. I died. I'm loving them! Now, don't be mistaken, just because you buy new hand soaps and candles doesn't mean you have to throw away the old ones. You don't have to use a hand soap or candle until it's gone completely. I have all of my fall and winter candles still in a little utility closet, along with all of my hand soaps, even if they had been slightly used. That way, I can use those up first next year and I already have them on hand. Don't waste things, but don't go through summer using your winter soaps and candles, either.
Hooray for some new spring candles! Y'all, don't underestimate the power of a good candle to change the mood of a room. I'm burning Aloha Waikiki right now, and I feel like spring has absolutely sprung in the Alley Household, even though it's slightly cloudy and a little bit chilly outside. I highly recommend the BBW 3-wick candles. Of all the candles I have tried {and believe me, that's a TON, let me tell ya}, these are by far my favorite and most purchased. They are a bit pricey, at $20 a candle, but here's my tip of the day: Sign up for BBW emails! The 3-wick candles are constantly going on a "2 for $22" sale, and they email you every time they do. I plan my BBW trips around these sales, because I think $20 a candle is too pricey. Not only that, but take the surveys on the bottom of your receipt. I take them every time. They take about 5 minutes, if that, and they give you a coupon for $10 off your next purchase, and the coupon never expires. I have about 4 of these coupons right now because I fill out the survey every time I go. So I got all four of those candles for $30, which is the normal price of 1.5 candles. Shop smart and get more for your money!
I thought it would be fun to share a bit of how I decorated yesterday! Again, I am not finished, but this is my "start to spring" preview for you.
On the top, I have a picture of my mantle. I placed a cute blue votive holder up {I already had this on hand from months ago}, an adorable owl that I found at Ross for about $5, a Mason jar wrapped in burlap and decorated with a sweet pink and white burlap bow with flowers placed inside from Kirklands {I believe for about $9.99 at kirklands} and an adorable multi-colored candle stick from Ross {$9.99}..and I haven't found a candle for that one yet. Hmm..
Box 1: An Easter table runner given to me by my mom last year that we placed on our Kitchen table, with a cute bowl I found at Ross yesterday {$3.99!}. I filled the bowl with a bag of cute, sparkly Easter eggs from Kirklands for about two dollars...and it looks like I might need another bag..
Box 2: We replaced our "A" wreath on the front door with this adorable bunny! $14.99 at Kirkland's.
Box 3: I replaced the hearts that I had hanging from the back door with a cute burlap carrot {Kirkland's for I believe about 6 dollars..}, I replaced the cute pink rug I had with this patterned rug {Kirklands, $6.98}, and I also replaced the light up twigs in the vase in the corner with these spring like flowers, but I think I need a few more...ideas.
The bottom box is right by my oven! I replaced the darker mat with this cute patterned mat from Kirklands {$6.98} and got these cute spring colored microfiber hand towels from Ross for about $2! I also purchased a cute easter egg spoon holder for when I'm cooking, but it couldn't fit into the picture, and some spring oven mitts {since Charles destroyed mine somehow on Friday night..I think he caught it on fire while outside...sigh, husbands}
I hope you all are getting into the spring spirit. Here's hoping for warmer days, float trips, sunshine, and friends!
"A weekend well spent brings a week of content!"
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