24 hours with this girl was just what I needed.

The only photo I got... bad blogger, I know.

She volunteered to come from Kentucky for a sleepover to help me put a dent in the neverending work I need to do for BrighterDay. And I knew at that moment - she's the real deal kind of friend. What a gift. Seriously.

We had the best time... cutting fabric, doing a little DIY that I hope she'll share on her blog someday (please?), talking, laughing, baking cookies, and ending the night with a Shawn-Whitney concert (not me Whitney, her Whitney). They should go on the road, it was that beautiful. I just sat back and closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I am one lucky girl to have friends like these and to hear music like this in my very own living room.

The fun continued on Saturday morning with a trip to Bowling Green to see Ellie girl and do some thrifting. That town has it made in the antique/thrifting department. There are good places in Franklin, too, but nothing compared to the prices and selection just across the Kentucky state line.

Whit,
I loved getting to be with you. I am so refreshed, encouraged, and thankful for you!
Love,
The other Whit :)

I felt just like a nurse today.

And just like a patient... at the same time. 

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This morning while I was in the kitchen, I bent down to grab something and stood up really fast, right into the corner of an open cabinet. I hit my head so hard that my the top of my head started bleeding and the pain immediately made me nauseous. I was seeing stars when I crawled over to the freezer and grabbed some ice to put on top of my throbbing head.

And as I sat there, I transformed from being a patient to being a nurse.

I thought to myself,
"What's your name?"
"When is your date of birth?"
"What day is it today?"
"Who is the President of the United States?"
"Ok, now count backwards from 100 by 7s."

I made sure my strength was equal in both hands and both feet, and then I grabbed my penlight and crawled into the bathroom to check my pupil dilation and reflexes in the mirror. Aaaand I determined that I would be just fine (and laughed a little at the thought of crawling to the bathroom with ice on my head).

I'm sure I was overreacting, but when you spend day in and day out seeing the worst possible scenario of things, you can't help but be cautious (i.e. a patient I saw this week had gone septic and almost died after eating a cupcake that had E. coli... crazy, right?).

And hey, it's pretty handy information to know! I now understand why people say, "Once a nurse, always a nurse."

DIY: Reusable gift tags

Is it already time to be thinking about Christmas?!
In our house it is... I've got the Justin Bieber Christmas album blaring at the moment (Shawn's gone so it's ok, right?). And I've been trying to do some Christmas shopping here and there so that December isn't quite so overwhelming.

I LOVE do-it-yourself projects for Christmas presents, but the problem with blogging about them all is that my family and friends read this blog - so it would spoil what I'm making for them. So because they already know that they're getting something for Christmas - and because the gifts need tags - it doesn't ruin any surprises. :)

You'll need: 

- Oven-hardening clay (I found mine at Joann for about a dollar)

- Acrylic craft paint in dark brown

- A small paintbrush

- A rolling pin

- Rubber letter stamps

- A plastic straw

1. Break up the clay into smaller pieces. It's easier to roll out this way.

2. Roll each piece into a thinner layer using a rolling pin. Mine was approximately 1/4 inch thick (maybe less), but it's up to you how thick or thin to make it.

3. Use the rubber stamps to stamp in what you'd like to write on your tag.

4. Use a knife (or pizza cutter, in my case) to cut a rectangle around the name. It's easiest if you leave a little room on the left side for where the hole will go.

5. Press the straw into the left side of the tag.

6. Pull out the straw to make a perfect hole for where your string or ribbon will be attached.

7. Put all your tags on a baking sheet and bake according to package directions. Mine needed 30 minutes at 230 degrees. 

8. After 30 minutes, pull them out of the oven to let them cool. The great thing about this kind of clay is that even when it's baked, it's still somewhat pliable and won't easily break. Let the tags cool completely.

9. Using the small paintbrush and acrylic paint, paint the letters. You don't have to be perfect with this at all, just make sure you get down into the crevasses.

10. Using a slightly damp paper towel, wipe across the top of the letters while the paint is still wet in order to leave a little paint in the letters. Let dry and you're finished!

You could also use a small, round cookie cutter and make ornaments! I'll keep this one (below) on a gift, and they can use it as a Christmas ornament for next year. 

Etta Grace.

I'm guest posting a super easy DIY today at these two cute girls' blog: 

Make a cozy sweater pillow from a thrifted sweater...

Check it out here.

Because this is awesome.

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I just happened upon this site today and had to share:

helpink.org

The basic concept is that they sell these prints/posters that have the most beautiful typography and you get to choose a charity that will receive 40% of the profit! I'm all about this kind of art + charity blending. Aaaand I have my eye on a couple of these. Check it out!