Magic Carpet Ride OUTTA HERE

Remember our guest bathroom, the one with the carpet? Yeah, it doesn't have carpet anymore. HUZZAH!

Again, this is the way the "Ugliest Bathroom in America" looked a few weeks ago.

WHY WOULD ANYONE PUT CARPET IN A BATHROOM!?!? G-R-O-S-S.

It was a momentous occasion to pull that mildewy carpet up... Can you see the joy on my face?

Once the carpet was up, we went ahead and pulled the U-G-L-Y (you ain't got no alibi) cabinet and sink out of the bathroom as well. The toilet came out too. Nothing like a fresh start!

We gave the mildew a good scrub, then added some Wonderboard to the floor for a tile backer.

Once the Wonderboard was in place and set, we began adding the tile.  This particular tile comes in sheets for easy installation.

 

We use an industrial adhesive called OmniGrip to set the tile. We have used OmniGrip on almost every tile project we have completed. It works great and holds up over time. Hubs swears by the stuff.

We decided on a grout called Delorean Gray.  It looks great with the tile and it will look cleaner than a lighter color.

The tile is still a little dirty in the picture above, but it is so beautiful now.  I'll be sure to post a better pic of it in the full reveal.  

Cost for new tile floor

OmniGrip - $20

Tile - $45 (already had some of this same tile left over from previous tile job)

Wonderboard - $30

TOTAL: $95

Hope y'all had a fantastic Christmas full of family, friends and many memories.  Talk soon, friends!

xoxo,

Ugliest Bathroom in America

Friends -

Let me introduce you to our little secret... The Ugliest Bathroom in America. 

Yes, this gem is in our home. It's our guest bath on the third floor. It's hideous. It's kept us from having lots of houseguests. 

It comes complete with carpet, fake marble sink, and terrible cabinetry. It also sports fluorescent lighting in a beautiful soffit. 

There is no other way to put it. This bathroom is U-G-L-Y. 

But not for long....

Talk soon, friends!

Xoxo,

My First Stitch fix

Hi! Can you believe I'm doing TWO blog posts in a day?!? 

Have y'all heard of Stitch Fix? I follow some rather fashionable gals on Instagram and I've been seeing their posts on Stitch Fix. It peaked my curiosity! I asked my friend, Mallory, about it and she was happy to share some information about this awesome company.

What is Stitch Fix you might ask... I've pulled the following directly from their website

Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. You tell them your style, size, and budget preferences, and they send you a package of stylish goodies to try on at home. Each Fix is unique and hand-picked just for you.

After signing up you can start immediately on your Style Profile. They need to know your size, shape, style, budget, and lifestyle to get your Fix right. The Style Profile will take about 10 minutes to complete.

You pay a $20 styling fee when your stylist selects the items in your Stitch Fix. This $20 fee will be applied as a credit toward anything you keep from your shipment.

Try on everything Stitch Fix sends you—you never know what you’ll like until you see it on. Pair each piece with items already in your closet to try different outfit options. Each item includes style cards with ideas and inspiration on how to wear it.

Take 3 days to decide what you’ll keep. Return the items you don't want in their pre-paid mailing bag at any USPS mailbox.

 On Friday, I received my first Stitch Fix! I was so excited when I saw this package on my front porch!

I received three tops, a pair of pants, and a necklace.

 Each item comes with a styling card... giving you examples of how to pair the item with other clothing pieces.The first top was a red and white chevron top by Collective Concepts.

Here it is on. I don't love Chevron... so I didn't LOVE this top. Also, I don't think the cut was very flattering.

Please excuse the bad iPhone pics. Also, I feel awkward "modeling."

 The second item was an awesome pair of chocolate colored, skinny cords by Kut From the Cloth.

I have to say... I LOVED these pants.  I know the picture quality isn't the best, but they fit like a glove and they are super comfortable.  I would NEVER have picked these out on my own.  You can see a another picture in the next look.

The next item was a super cute top from 41Hawthorn. Y'all... it has horseshoes on it!

 

I also really loved the stud detailing along the front and on the sleeves.  Again, this is something I never would have picked out on my own.  It is totally adorable in person.

 

My fourth item was a top from Renee C.

This is was my favorite item! This is 100% something I would have chosen for myself.  I love the color, cut, and the fabric. 

I want to live in this shirt. Can you see the excitement on my face?!?

Finally, I received a really cute necklace.

I decided not to keep the necklace because I'll probably be going to the Mart soon. I'm certain I will be returning with LOTS of necklaces.

I'll be keeping the horseshoe top, the cords, and the black and gray heathered top.  I'm returning the necklace and the chevron top.

I was really amazed at how well "my stylist" suited my style and even found items that I normally wouldn't have chosen for myself.  I will definitely keep using this service. It's so nice to try on clothes in my own home!

If you are interested in trying it, please go to www.StitchFix.com to get started. It's only $20 to start and that will be credited toward your first purchase.

 Be sure to use my referral code: 

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3249667

Let me know if you are already using Stitch Fix! I'd love to see what goodies you find. Talk soon, friends!

*Stitch Fix did not compensate me for this post.  I did it on my own... because I think this company is the bomb diggity.

xoxo,

Haint Blue Ceiling

Hi friends!

A few weeks ago I posted this photo of some beadboard getting painted a pretty shade of blue.

When our front porch light went out a few weeks ago, I knew it was time to convince Hubs to install a haint blue porch ceiling. I've always admired the haint blues of Savannah and Charleston. It's something I've been wanting to do for years. I had to take advantage of the moment.

First, Hubs took down our broken porch light.  

Then we went and picked out exterior grade beadboard and the perfect shade of blue.  Painting took no time at all.

Hubs measured (and measured again) and cut the board to the right size. Then he added paneling glue, Liquid Nails, to the back.  Carefully, he placed them in their correct positions and took his brad nail gun to secure the sheets in place.

 

 He had to cut an opening for the porch light.  He also placed the beadboard in a grid pattern.  This allows the joints to have a more polished look.

 

 He added trim around the exterior and painted everything once more.  Finally, he was able to add our new porch light. 

 

  I LOVE IT. Just the right amount of Southern Charm!

                 

 It won't add any value to our home, but my little haint blue ceiling is definitely memorable!  Hope y'all are having a great weekend! Talk soon, friends!

xoxo,

Haint Blue!

Hubs is working on an awesome little project right now! 

Check out that haint blue beadboard! Can't wait to show y'all the finished product! 

Xoxo,

Yeah I'm FREE... FREE FALLING

Hi friends! 

I hope you haven't forgotten about me. I haven't forgotten about you.  Life got in the way... as usual.

Hubs and I are excited to get back into our home remodel again now that he is home more often. We have big plans over the next few months to finish off the upstairs. For now, we are in the process of negotiating a new roof with our insurance company.  That has been ZERO fun.  ZERO.

Hubs turns 30 in less than a month! We decided to do something a little crazy to commemorate his last few weeks as a Twenty Something....We decided to go skydiving! Yep. We jumped out of an airplane 2.7 miles up in the air.  At one point, we were falling at a rate of 120mph. It was such a crazy, awesome experience.

We were so excited our dear friend, Peter, decided to take the leap of faith along with us.  He had been skydiving once before so we were excited to have him dish the details ahead of time.

**Sidenote, the last time Peter went skydiving, he didn't do it tandem. He missed his landing mark and was found almost 2 miles away in a corn field.  This makes me giggle every time I think of it. 

The following pictures make me realize a facelift may be in my future. 

 

 

Look how high up we were! You can even see the curve of the earth a bit! SO cool!

As you can see, I quickly got over my fear and had THE MOST FUN.

Hope you all are having a great October! I'm so excited about ALL THINGS FALL.  Talk soon, friends!

xoxo,

'Merica Wreaths

Hi friends! Hope you had a fantastic weekend.  We spent our time with family, friends and biking (more on that later) around the neighborhood.  If you are a follower of BNSB, you know we are a couple that loves the good ole' United States of America.  In fact, our house is decked out in patriotic flair from Memorial Day through Independence Day. 

A few weeks ago, I came across THIS on Pinterest. I thought Laura's simple yarn wreath would be perfect to make for my two front doors!

Laura's wreath - Abstract Grace

Here's what I needed:
2 "grass" wreaths - leave plastic wrap on
2 blue yarn bundles
red, white, and green felt
scissors
hot glue gun and glue sticks
lots of time and patience
pearl push pins

What I did
The process is relatively simple, but took a really long time.  Basically you just wrap the yarn around the wreath over and over and over and over.  Every few inches, I would dab some hot glue on the back to keep the yarn in place.

 

After a couple of hours of wrapping, your wreath will be completely covered.  Hubs took pics of the felt flower making process, but then he got a new phone.  Sadly, we didn't get the tutorial pics off before he traded them in. Don't fret.... I've got this covered.

Basically you cut the felt in a spiral, closing in closer as you get toward the center.  Then, you simply roll the spiral back up, pinching the center as you go.  Dab some hot glue on the back of that mammajamma and you've got yourself a flower.  I added some pearl push pins to the center of mine.  

In case my flower making instructions confused you, go to THIS LINK from Crafter's Anonymous Club.  It's directions are pretty legit.

I added some green felt leaves as well. 

 

Hubs thought I was a little crazy with my multiple hour yarn wrapping session, but I just love the way they pop with my red front doors.  They aren't over the top patriotic either, so they will probably stick around a bit after 4th of July.

Hope y'all have a great week!  Talk soon!

xoxo,

Brandi Nell

Happy Memorial Day

Freedom is not free.

Shrimp Scampi and Broccoli = YUM

Recently, one of my fave ladies, Jen, shared an awesome Shrimp Scampi recipe with me. It was so delish, I knew I needed to share in the love. 

Shrimp Scampi with Broccoli (serves 4)

1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake (optional)
1 pound raw large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
1 teaspoon chopped basil
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup of broccoli flourets

1. In a skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat.
2. Add red pepper flakes if using (we didn't add this)
3. Add shrimp, and cook for 1 minute on both sides. 
4. Add broccoli, garlic, oregano, and basil
5. Stir in coconut milk and lemon juice.  Cook until slightly thickened and broccoli is tender.


Best part? Only 102 calories per serving. 

YES.  It's amazing.  Enjoy.  You can thank, Jen.

xoxo,

Party Like its 1929!

You know those days when you absolutely love your job?  Yeah - I have a lot of those.  I'm really blessed with a job that I love.

It would take me forever to explain my job, but basically, I do marketing for a history museum here in Atlanta.  Recently, we celebrated our 1920s Swan House with a Gatsby themed party. 

We had Gatsby posters, banners, towers, themed drinks, lawn games, tours of our historic home, and lots of fun jazz-age music.  Oh, and we encouraged people dress up in their best dapper and flapper wear.  People really embraced the era!

The Swan House was the perfect setting for a Gatsby themed party!

 

 Loved the large scale posters and character towers.  I totally didn't mind staring at Leo.

 

 A selfie (don't judge) to show off my feather.  I wish it were appropriate to wear a feather in my hair daily.

Hubs came dressed up too!

And so did lots of my friends!  We had a blast playing lawn games and sipping on Bootlegger's Tea. Such a fun night!  I wish I could wear this everyday.  HA!

The movie comes out this weekend and we can't wait to see it!  I mean, two hours of Leo in 1920s outfits??? Sign me up!  HA! Talk soon, friends!


xoxo,

Finally a Fence!

Hubs and I have have been saying we were going to build a fence since the first day bought our home... that was almost five years ago.  For our five year wedding anniversary, we went with the traditional gift, WOOD!  Yes, we decided to give each other a fence for our anniversary.

Last weekend, we finally did it - We built our fence! We have a very small yard, but it still took us four full days to build. But it was worth it.  

You should have seen us loading up all of these planks on the carts at Home Depot.
 

 And yes, Hubs is in his happy place at Home Depot.

The real sight to behold was me unloading all of these planks, walking them around the house (up a hill) to the backyard.  

oh yeah - and all of these 50 lb bags of Quickrete... 8 of them total. 

As I was complaining moving all of this around back, Hubs was digging, measuring, and setting posts.  I got off easy - I hate math.

Once Hubs got all of the posts and the foundation boards in place, I started hammering in the dog ear fence planks.  

 

Let it be known that Brandi Nell does not shy away from manual labor (well, not on this particular day)!

And neither did Hubs, who did the majority (and the hardest) of the work. Y'all, he even built a gate from scratch.  

Four days of hard work, and we now have a fence!

 

 

I am so in love with it. Yes, I realize how lame that is... When did I get old enough to be in love with a fence??

I'm just happy to be able to let the dogs roam free outside now.  No more leashing them up and taking them down into the yard! We still have to stain it. I'm NOT looking forward to that, but it will look so good once it's done.  

Our backyard is getting a major overhaul this year, and the fence was just the start of it.  Our outdoor renovation inludes:

1. Build a fence
2. Build a deck under the current deck (we have a deck from the second story)
3. Build a landing with seating and a firepit
4. Build a retaining wall
5. Add plants and flowers!!

This are some pretty expensive and labor intensive projects, so we will be spreading them out through the summer and early fall.  I will keep you guys updated on the process as things get accomplished!

Hope you guys are enjoying the beautiful weather!  Talk soon!

xoxo,