Head's Up

Crown Him 2010

If you have been wondering where I have been these last few days, this is the low down: this year is my third year working with Crown Him, a large scale Easter Production based out of New Life Church in Woodbury, MN.  The first year I was the Intern under the Director, the second year I was in the production, and this year I am the Backstage Manager. I am very much enjoying being apart of this production again - it is a complete joy to be apart of such a touching show. This year it is extremely exciting because the first weekend is almost sold out already!

With all of that being said, I am not going to have any further posts this week due to the fact that this week is dress rehearsal and the show opens this weekend. I'll be back next week with an update and pictures! :)

Picture my Morning

Banana Caramel Chocolate Upside-Down Cake, watching The Chew, and Vala with her nosey nose in everything. I hope your morning is awesome too! :)

Love,
Miranda

Saved from the Junk Pile

While pulling out some other lights that I had in our storage/junk room (which happens to have things left over from all the previous tenants) I found a glass lamp that had lost it's twin, and it's shade. There was a fern etching on one side which I thought was pretty, so I decided to do something special with it.

I've seen the idea of painting the inside of glass objects go around the blog world and Pintrest, and a few of my magazines, so I decided to give it a try with this lamp. I'm sooo pleased with how it turned out - although the whole process tried my patience. First I had to figure out how to take it apart...which it turns out that the cord would not completely remove from the lamp, so I had to wrap it in painter's tape (taking that off was the most tedious task!).  I then poured the paint in and swirled it around for what seemed like forever (which it might have been about thirty minutes...at the most). And then it took two whole days to dry! Whew. Ha.

 I love the color that I chose. If you have read my blog at all, you know that I love Disney...so it is a special little fun fact that the color I chose is called "Pooh's Favorite Things" from the Disney Behr line. It was the perfect color to match my pillows, so naturally I just had to choose it. :) I also found a replacement shade at Target.  It was the perfect size for how big the base of the lamp is. 

It looks so nice next to the desk, and provides the much needed light for this corner. You can't see the etching from far away, but when you are up close it is a nice little surprise detail.  It is pretty sweet to know that I have a completely unique lamp...no one else in the world has one like it! 

Enjoy your officially spring day! :)

Love,

Miranda

The Newness of my Living Room

I re-arranged my living room (with the help of a good friend, Craig)....and I LOVE IT!!! (If you want to see how it looked before, you can check here.)

It feels so much more open - which is funny to me because in truth the room is now divided into sections. I suppose it is because the window is more open now, and I can see the walls. (Another plus is that in the process of moving the couch, I was able to sweep under it. It feels much more clean in here!) Angling the couch helped to make the space seem bigger too.

I love how it feels so much more stylish now too. The feels less cluttered and more purposeful. The tropical plants were on sale at Home Depot, and I knew immediately that putting one in the corner behind the couch would do wonders. And it does! I love it. Honestly though - how many times in this post can I say that I love this room. :) But I do. I really do. Newness is such a good thing!

I have another project for the living room that I cannot wait to share, but that will have to wait until the paint dries. Curious? Good. Tune in tomorrow, and you'll see! :)

Love,
Miranda

Happy Birthday Vala!

Vala is now a year old! And to celebrate, I am going to remember how little she was when we first adopted her! :)

 And now, she is grown. *Sigh* I can't even imagine what it is going to be like watching my kids grow up!

(I snatched her from eating her dinner....she was less than pleased. Ha.)

Anywho....Happy Birthday, my darling kitten! I cannot wait to spend many more years playing ball with you, scratching under your chin...and snuggling when you feel friendly!

Love,
Miranda

Pretzel Bread Goodness

A few days ago, Kasey and I made Challah Pretzel Bread.  This was the one thing that she wanted to do while we were here...so we did it! They turned out to be so yummy! The recipe that we followed is found here. This was the perfect recipe to go with (as beginners), because the author is so detailed. (We followed the recipe completely, and they turned out fantastic!) If you are interested in making your own, check it out. It is a long process, but totally worth the effort. Kasey and I used the wait time between risings to relax in the sun out on our roof, and to make ice-cream lattes.

I served the pretzel bread with homemade Mac'N'Cheese. It was like having pretzels and cheese for dinner. So good!

Love,
Miranda

A Little Happy in my Life

Today, a sparkly ring finger and some new ring (from Forever 21) are making me happy. :)

Love,
Miranda

Walking Amongst Masterpeices

Today, Kasey and I visited Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. We decided to start off our day bright and early, and headed to the art museum at 10 this morning. It was perfect timing -  by the time that we had enjoyed what we wanted to see, it was a warm 75 outside. This lead to a stroll uptown for a treat from theTea Garden and a visit to Via Vintage Shop. I think of all the things that Kasey and I have enjoyed this week so far...this has been my favorite!

I LOVE the color of these ceramics! If my whole kitchen could be this color...I would fall over with happiness.

The "Period Rooms" are my absolute favorite part of the Art Institute. Whole rooms decorated in with original wood pieces and furniture from different sections of time. I honestly felt as if I were intruding on someone's sanctuary.

This couple was too cute! I took a picture on the sly. I know...I know. Super creepy. :)

 And here is where we ended our little outing. Quite fantastic!

Love,
Miranda

For only $16 Dollars

My sister and I ventured to the Salvation Army downtown (also featured in this post) and emerged with from the "as is" section with goodies! These two beauties were brought out the next day to enjoy the 65 degree weather that seems to be here for good. (We are very much enjoying it!)

(Excuse the bra-lines on my dress...the wind caught me at just the right moment. And it continued to do so...as evidenced in the below picture.)

Grand total for these two dresses? $16 dollars. Never been worn before...and no discernible flaws. :) Kasey also left with a few other items, also relatively cheap. Another successful adventure completed!

Love,
Miranda