Spray paint + Entryway + Easter

Hello friends!

Do you remember when I showed you 

our drab entryway?

Well it looking a little something like this:

{Boring}

Well, I'm glad to say our entryway looks a LITTLE

bit better now than it did back then.

But first, I have to show you a treasure that

I found at a local antique mall.

I forgot to take a true "before" shot,

so you will see it mid-transformation.

Check this out:

Do you think this is as great as I do?

Well just wait... it's about to get much better!

Wah-lah! Our not perfect, but much better than before entryway!

I still need to find some branches or something of some kind

for the tall red vase under the mirror,

but I would LOVE to eventually do a board and batten

treatment to the wall in this area.

But, for now, this will have to do!

I added a basket under the bench, handy for storing Claire's shoes.

I added a framed photo under the hook thingy (forget what those are called),

and I put a bonsai plant, or whatever that is, next to the bench.

I got the plant from my parents' house a long time ago.

The pillow has our last initial on it made from buttons hot-glued onto it.

Here's a closer look:

And, one more look at my fun new mirror!

What are some fun thrifty things you have found lately?

I thought I'd end this post with a few shots from 

Easter Sunday.

This year, the true meaning behind Easter seemed especially

significant to me.

As a new parent, I've found myself wrestling lately

with the idea of death- thinking about what would happen if I or Wes 

were to die and what that would mean for Claire.

Morbid, I know.

But, death is part of life and something we all have to deal

with at some time or another.

Wes, as a nurse, is faced with death regularly and so

hearing stories from him also reminds me of how

fragile our life on earth truly is.

Anyway, all this is to say that this Easter,

it really hit home to me knowing that I can rest

assured that Jesus conquered the grave, and death is not the end,

but really only the beginning for those who are in Christ!

And for those of us left behind when a loved one dies,

we have the great Comforter here who knows our pain

and can offer us peace that passes understanding.

This is truly something to celebrate, and to live our lives for!

Check out this song by Matt Maher...

I hope the lyrics touch your spirit as they have mine.

Here are some pics of our Easter Sunday!

{I think this one is my fav!}

Have a great week, and happy nesting!

Make a Great First Impression: Entryway Inspiration

Is it sad that I found myself

thinking in hypothetical blog posts most of the day today?

I shouldn't be surprised.

I tend to be pretty extreme.

Take for instance the time I signed up to be a Mary Kay consultant.

I went so all out that I practically stopped eating and sleeping.

{I know. I have issues.}

Today I would like to talk entryways.

Mine needs some help I've decided.

This is not my entry. I wish it was.
I love how bright and fresh this entryway looks. 

Pretty sure I need a pretty rug to freshen our entry up!

I always like these coat rack/bench combos (whatever they are called... it's after 8pm people, my brain is shutting down by now if you recall from an earlier post).

I also like the idea of having a mirror in our entry.

I'll need to add that to my idea list.

I'm always a fan of a fun wall collage...

Be still my beating heart.
I ADORE this wall!
Hmmm... is wallpaper, or perhaps wall stenciling in my future?

There are so many things to love about this entry...
a clever spot to hang coats and bags,
hanging plates (I'm kinda obsessed with these right now),
personal matted picture arrangement,
super fun pillows,
the list goes on and on...

Light, airy, refreshing, organized.
Love it.

Well, plenty of inspiration abounds.
Now, something MUST be done about this drab entry:

I'll keep you posted as I makeover our entryway!

There you have it. I'd love to hear from you
if you've been inspired to do a little sprucing up
of your own entryway.

Speaking of inspired, my little sister Erin
over at Living in Yellow
has inspired me to run another half-marathon.
We were supposed to run today,
but she bailed on me.
She had a massage to go to instead.
This, I suppose, is why she's "living in yellow."
She has massages to go to.
Just thought I'd point that out... love you sis!

Happy nesting!