Pretty Pics.

Happy Friday!

I just wanted to share some pretty pics with you today.

I recently planted some new flowers in one of my beds, and they are doing great! 

The sprinklers had just been on, and water droplets were gleaming, so I snapped this with my iPhone.

Sadly, I can't remember the name of this flowering beauty, but I sure do like them!

We also got it in some much needed beach time this week!

The birds and I took a walk, as always. ;-)

There were 3 different types of birds there that day. It is always so pretty and tranquil!

 The little guy got some Daddy time. Which is always a good thing!

And lots of sandcastles were built, and holes were dug! 

We are trying to soak up the last bits of summer. 

School starts here in the beginning of September. 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

xo-Lisa

Linking to the following...
Metamorphosis Monday@Between Naps on the Porch

Turn a Train Table into a Lego Fun Table!

Today was one of those days...

You know, where you run around the house doing five things at once, and then an idea pops into your head? 

So you drop everything and start working on it right then and there?! 

Tell me I'm not the only one...

My son has a HUGE obsession with Legos. 

We have been using his train table for a his lego table since he seemed to wake up one day and decide he wanted to trade all of his trains in for Legos. 

So, this table is pushed into the far corner of my family room, as hidden as I can get it! That boy can make a mess when he creates, (Like his mama!) so at least it's contained in one corner! :-)

Anyhow, a while back, I thought it would be a good idea to use chalkboard spray paint to transform the top, since it was looking worn. 

Also, when the little guy is building with his Legos, he can create any type background that he wants, out of chalk. Pretty cool, I thought! 

Today I decided to spruce them up with two more coats of paint, and write a little tutorial for anyone else, like me who wants to transform a train table into a fun chalkboard play table, or a Lego Fun Table, as I'm calling it! ;-)

So here it is...

I just took off the top of the train table, flipped it over, and sprayed the backside.

This stuff is GREAT!!!! 

(Not being paid here, but I would love to be the official spokesperson of this stuff!)

 Check out some of the other ways I have used Rust-oleum Chalkboard Spray Paint...Here, and here.

I flipped mine over, but I guess depending on how yours are made, just spray whichever side works best for you! 

 (I use the hubs old pilot charts for drop cloths when I spray paint. It makes for easy clean up.)

And this is what I wound up with. I recommend using regular chalk, instead of chalk pen if you use the spray chalk paint. The pen tends to leave permanent marks when wiped away. It's also helpful to "cure" the board with chalk before you use it.

It didn't take him long to start drawing and filling it back up with his legos!! 

It's a great way to have a spot for him to play and create, that is tucked into a corner, and has storage room underneath! 

Ok, I am off to finish all that I suddenly dropped to do this little tutorial! 

Hope some of you can use this! It's a great way to keep all of the Legos contained. That way there will be less chance that you step on them! OUCH! 

(If you have Legos at home, you know how painful this is!)

Thanks for stopping by!

xo-Lisa

Linking to the following...

Haven 2013

Hi Friends! 

I just returned from the Haven 2013 Blogging conference in Atlanta that took place this past weekend. 

What a fabulous experience it was! 

I got to spend time with so many wonderful bloggers, and attend fantastic classes, taught by some really talented ladies!

I flew from California to Nashville, to drop my son at his Grandparents for a few days, and then I drove down to Atlanta from there.

 It was such a pretty drive. 

 I did stop to caffeinate along the way! 

 The hotel this year was very nice. The lobby and meeting areas were very pretty, and so were the rooms. The hotel and staff did an outstanding job accommodating such a large group.

We registered and checked out the swag bags!

What a great selection of products we received to take back home! Love the tote bags too!

 The view of Atlanta from the room was not too shabby either!

Anna White kicked things off...

She gave a fantastic talk!

Then there were all of the amazing vendors, set up to talk with us and share their products.

 Ballard Design set up individual styled "rooms" for us to ogle, and sit in to chat.

 The other vendors were set up around the perimeter of the room. There were lattes and cappuccinos available most of the day, in the lounge as well.

 I loved this vendor with a fun selection of antiques, and handmade jewelry.

Ballard Design provided tons of accessories for the "Bookcase Challenge".

 You could even use fresh cut flowers, when styling the shelves.

Pretty.

There were a great selection of classes this year too!

This was a Building Your Blog Class that was fantastic!

 There was also an advanced painting class, which was a lot of fun!

I sat next to the wonderful Kim, from Savvy Southern Style. She is such a nice lady! (And definitely one accomplished painter! She has worked with all of these paints in her projects at home!)

We got to practice layering both milk paint from Miss Mustard Seed's line, and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with different waxes, etc.

Super fun!

 This is the lovely Barb from Everyday Home Blog. I wanted to post this pic, because I love this girl! However, the lack of sleep I incurred during travel and conference show all over my face. I am looking pretty bad here! Not to mention that southern humidity doing a number on the hair! Eeek!

I have to apologize right now for the horrible picture quality! These were shot with my iPhone in low light. I almost did not share, but I love these women, and had such a good time with them!

Left to right...
Vanessa from At The Picket Fence, Kim from Savvy Southern Style, Shirley from Housepitaliy Designs, Susan from Between Naps On The Porch, and Yvonne from the wonderful Stonegable blog.
Such a fun group!

I snuck out a bit early during the closing of the conference and got to meet up with one of my closest friends, who actually lives in Atlanta.

Then I hit the road, and drove back up to Nashville to get my boy. I was rewarded with a great sunset. 

                     We spent one more day in Nashville with family, then we headed back home.

 He loves to sit by the window, as most kids do! I liked this shot with all of the flare showing. I think it gives it a magical quality.

 As we winged our way back to Cali, he watched movies of the iPad, and played games while I worked on blog stuff. There is so much information to process from the conference. Look for more changes to come on the blog, as I implement some of what I learned!

Hope you are having a great week!

xo-Lisa