I have always wanted a vintage aluminum/tin tree. No particular color- I just wanted one! It was actually one of my goals to find one this year. And they can be rather pricy, but well worth it! I started thinking though- about this tree. Probably because I look at it sitting in my office in school everyday. Last year I got a real tree for my house and took this one to school to use in the holiday program and just never brought it home (as I don't have space in my little apartment). 
Anywho, I started thinking about spray painting this tree. First white and then metallic. I wasn't sure if all the little plastic pine needles would stick together when I sprayed them or not, but they didn't. I'm actually REALLY happy with how this tree turned out. 
All I used was 2 cans of indoor/outdoor white primer spray paint ($2.50 each) and one can of the silver metallic ($4.95). I probably could have used one more can of each but, I kinda like it with the green showing through slightly. Adds more depth to the scrawny, Charlie Brown like tree. Heh! 
I need to get more ornaments this year, but I posted a picture of my 4 favorite ones that I do have. The black dachshund one my mom game me last year even before we got Olive. I told her it most have been a for shadowing! haha.

Xoxo,
Court

I haven't done a 5 things in a LONG time, so in honor of thanksgiving, I give you 5 things I'm thankful for...

(1)My relationship with Chris has always been such a blessing but this year has truly been the best year together as boyfriend and girlfriend thus far. We have been dating for the last 3 1/2 years but have been the best of friends since we were 13. So he has been a large part of my life for a long time. He has gotten to see me transform from girl to woman and has grown right along with me. And I truly cherish that and am so thankful for our relationship.

(2) Pickle and Olive bring soo much joy to my life I can not even express. I may teach elementary school art but I promise you that every day isn’t all rainbows and butterflies and me sprinkling glitter everywhere I go. And on those bad days, coming home to P+O makes it all instantly go away. They are my therapy dogs. My soul mates- truly my best friends. They understand with out words and have an endless supply of love and wet kisses to give. Olive's little personality is so much different than Pickle’s and she was a spontaneous but wonderful addition to our family! 

(3.) I am truly thankful for my job & my Heritage Academy family. The way I got my job and before I even graduated is a blessing in itself, but now that I’ve been teaching 2 full years- I’m truly proud of the person it has made me into. It has shown me that I am capable of more than I thought (and much more responsible too) hah! It has also surrounded me with a wonderful group of colleges/mentors who I look up to and often seek for advice in my adult life (as being an adult is hard sometimes). For all of that and being able to provide a very nice and comfy life for myself doing something I love makes me very thankful!!!

(4.) I am thankful for my family for many (obvious reasons) but I am thankful for this seasons of our lives. My sister is 16, my brother is about to be 21, I am about to be 25, my oldest sister is in her early 30’s and my parents and learning how to “parent” their adult children. Hah! We are all at very coming of age stages in life, and our lives have been filled with awkward transitions lately. So naturally we are redefining our relationships as siblings and adults- but I like this! Starting new family traditions and sibling dates :) 

(5.) Our Home... This summer Chris and I moved in together. We stayed in the same complex that I’ve been at for the last two years but upgraded to a bigger unit with a patio. I am thankful for this space for so many reasons.  For one, it is much bigger (if you saw my other kitchen you understand), but secondly because this is the first time chris and I haven’t had roommates and had a chance to really make a space “ours”. We are still figuring out our style and working on new/replacing furniture, but it has been such a fun experience living and decorating together. 

2013 has given me soo much to be thankful for and the year isn’t quite over yet!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful thanksgiving with your family/friends or where ever you may be spending it at this year!

Xoxo,
Court

This is a skull that my parents found in their back yard. I "borrowed" it to do a lesson with my 4th grade about Gerorgia Okeeffe (an artist most famous for her flower & cow skulls paintings). So as long as I have it laying around, I decided to make it cute! I have been apart of the washi tape crazy! I love it and find myself always looking for new ways to use it. You can stick it to nearly ANYTHING and it leaves behind no sticky residue!

Anywho, I used it to add to the skulls antlers. I really would have loved to paint the skull, maybe add some glitter but my dad wouldn't be so happy about that I'm sure.

What else can we washi tape?!?! Mwhahah!

Today was such a wonderful rainy day. Despite feeling slightly under the weather, I had a rather enjoyable day. I got some painting done. Taught myself some on the Wacom tablet and got a couple of DIY projects done.

Chris and I are doing an advent calender- 12 dates of Christmas! Some of the dates we will pick together and then I'll plan a few and so will he. I already know what I want my dates to be and I am soo excited!!! I made our callender by using black masking tape and pupper and yellow washi tape, with purple string lights. I wrote 12 dates in black pipe cleaner! Super easy!

And btw I have eaten like 100 of thoes butter sugar cookies! I have had such a sweet tooth lately!

Tomorrow I have a busy day! So I'm going to hit the hay!

Xoxo