Craftastic Pinterest Ideas for the weekend

Well, lucky for us the rain will be back just in time for the weekend.  Boo Hoo!  I have been looking for smaller projects that I can do while stuck in the house to keep me from losing my mind waiting for my friend the sun to make another appearance (probably just in time for me to go back to work and sit in the office!).

Here are some ideas I gathered from Pinterest that won't break the bank and will keep me from tearing a room apart and starting an insane project that I haven't thoroughly thought out yet. 

Well this one is not really a craft but I need to do this.  Anyone ever attempted re-tipping their heels?  Looks easy enough:



I haven't painted anything in a while and I like the idea of using the billions of frames I already own, painting and distressing them and making a picture gallery in my den :)



Perhaps make some soap dispensers with mason jars, how fun!

Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest


Or make my own Myer's hand soap!  I love this stuff!



What I will probably end up doing is building a couple upholstered headboards, cheers to this!  Finally, my room will feel grown up and the guest room will feel more inviting. Stay tuned next week, I hope to have new pictures for you!

Have you done any easy crafts lately?  Send them on over and share with us!

See you swoon,
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1:58:36!!

That's right my bloggie friends - I did it! I finally reached my life's goal of running a half marathon in under 2 hours. If you haven't figured it out, the title of this post was my time.  I am on cloud 9 right now.  And into the bucket list it goes (sorry for the lack of pictures in this post!)



Only ... it did not happen as I expected.  I ended up having to leave the course at mile 4 at the National Half in Washington DC (I posted about that race here).  I made my PR just yesterday in the Wilmington Delaware half marathon.  Want the full stories? OK.

The day before the National Half I woke up with awful chest congestion.  My kids had been pretty sick for the prior couple of weeks, and I was on an antibiotic myself as I had a sore throat earlier in the week.  I felt great all week though and was excited.  However, that Friday was not good.  I hoped it was early morning funk and I'd feel better.  I tried Mucinex and water.  When that didn't work, I tried green tea, Emergen-C and vitamin water and more regular water.  I sounded and felt awful.  I tried a nap, spicy food ... nothing.  I was coughing but the congestion was not loosening at all.  I knew this was bad: running is all about breathing and my chest hurt.  I was confident I'd wake a new woman, so I pressed onward.  I woke up the morning of the race and felt a little better but not 100%, not even close.  I felt a little warm but not so warm that I couldn't give it a go. I got to the start, felt fine, and ran normally for a few miles.  Around the 5K split, I started feeling really bad: I think I had a fever, my chest was screaming and, scariest of all, I was light-headed and dizzy: something I have not felt in the 20 years I've been running.  I told my friend with whom I was running that I didn't think I could go on and she should keep pressing.  She was kind enough to slow her pace and tried encouraging me, but I felt that awful at mile 3.9 ... I knew I could not handle another 9.  At mile 4, I told my friend to go kick butt and I ran off the course.  I sat in a beautiful spot in between the White House and the Washington Monument on a glorious day and hung my head and cried.  I felt like a quitter, and I do not quit.  But I knew in my gut that if I had continued I would have toppled over.  Quitting was the smart thing to do.  So I hobbled back to my hotel and crashed in the bed.  

Later that night, I was feeling marginally better, but still disappointed.  I decided to look for another half the following weekend. I was trained, ready, and committed to making my goal.  Lucky for me, I found a half marathon in Wilmington Delaware the next weekend. I signed up on the spot.  I felt better and better each day last week.  My runs were hard - my chest wasn't happy with me, but I kept it up and was easy on myself. 

This morning, the weather was cool and damp.  I love running in the cold, so this was perfect.  The cannon went off (seriously: this race starts with a cannon, not a gun!) and off I went.  I was stunned that my first couple of miles had an incredible pace - probably because the course was all downhill.  The rest of the course was good, if extremely hilly, and culminated in a .25 mile climb up to the finish line.  When I crossed and saw my time, I jumped and yelled and OH MY GOSH I did it.  I had that feeling that you only get when you finally reach a life's goal. True and total joy. 

Next up: a sprint triathlon in a few months.  Onward!

See you swoon,
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Guest Blogger: Jessica from Arcadian Lighting - At Home Coffee Bars!

Happy Hump Day, all! We have another guest post today.  Anna and Jessica from Arcadian Lighting reached out with a request to do a post here on Swoon, and we welcomed the chance to feature them.  Take it away!


Hi! I'm Jessica from Arcadian Lighting, a blog and website where I get to write about the latest interior design trends and all the beautiful lighting fixtures that go with them. I'm delighted to be guest posting today on Swoon today because I'm going to be sharing a collection of inspiring interiors that are definitely swoon-worthy. If you're anything like me, you love coffee, and what's more amazing to have at home than your own elegant coffee bar? I hope you enjoy!
Coffee Bar
A brilliant, warm red wall color makes the white coffee cups and rustic black chest really pop. The bold colors are certainly fitting for a coffee bar.
Coffee Bar
The crisp gray color of this kitchen is so chic and contemporary, and the open shelving makes it easy to show off beautiful color coordinated cups and saucers.
Coffee Bar
This cozy space has everything for making coffee and tea right within reach. Plenty of storage is necessary for a good coffee bar, and the oversized industrial pendant light is an interesting contrast.
Coffee Bar
Sometimes simplicity is the most beautiful design aesthetic. This lovely neutral coffee bar is so neat and tidy, with only the bare essentials and no clutter.
Coffee Bar
This weathered table creates such a dreamy, romantic coffee bar in the dining room. The vintage cake stand and sprig of cherry blossoms are beautiful touches.
Coffee Bar
This elegant coffee bar demonstrates what a beautiful effect under cabinet lights can have in a kitchen. The mosaic backsplash adds an extra bit of texture and detail.
Coffee Bar
A wrought iron baker's rake can be re-purposed as sophisticated shelving for coffee mugs and dishes. The cupcake coffee pots are certainly charming and playful.
Coffee Bar
I love the rustic French country style of this coffee bar. The distressed French menu and the wicker wrapped jugs are beautiful authentic accents. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Which of these home coffee bars is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for a light fixture or two to brighten your very own coffee bar!
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Spring has arrived!

Before I get into my post I wanted to give you an update on our new posting schedule.  Shanna and I have decided to post three times a week rather than every day.  The decision to do this is mainly to give us more time to work on projects around the house and bring you really great detailed posts and tutorials on everything we do.  Be sure to pop in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to visit us!
Now that it's SPRING (yes can you believe it) I thought it would be the perfect time to show you some of the outfits I have been pining over on Pinterest.  Of course they came from Pinterest because I cannot keep myself off of that site and they have outfits and accessories already assembled for you, gotta love that!

Loving this flowy, airy top and wedges!  Welcome back sandals!


After I found the outfit above I checked out the blog that was tied to it saying 17 outfits for spring called It's Written on the Wall and found outfits that are totally my style so thank you to this blogger for making this so easy for me!  I actually found that if you go to Pinterest and type in Stacy Gustin there are the most drool worthy outfits for this season for you to pin and find through Polyvore.  So, SO excited about this!

Check these out:
The cuffed jeans and blazer make this outfit look casual and classy at the same time:


White jeans?  Yes please:

Source: polyvore.com via Amy on Pinterest

And this adorable polka dot top and more wedges!


This dress and jean jacket are adorable together


I am starting to think I need more blazers in my life.  This look is so pulled together and the pops of yellow make the outfit really stand out:

I could go on and on!  Go check out this pinner, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Are you ready to break out the spring wardrobe?  What are some staples you plan to add to your closet this season?

See you swoon,
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Luck O' The Irish ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve!  

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This year, St. Patrick's Day is very exciting for me.  No, I'm not donning green plastic shamrock earrings or drinking green beer at the crack of dawn.  Instead, I am running the Rock n' Roll Half Marathon in Washington DC.  This is my tenth? eleventh? (i've lost count) half marathon and the first, but not last, one of my 2012 racing season. 


I am super crazy excited about this race for so many reasons.  Shall I list them?  OK - ready set go!

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  1. I have been training my bum off for months and am poised to make my time goal of running 13.1 miles in under 2 hours (this goal is an ever elusive one for me as I posted here -- note: I didn't make my goal at the November race.  I ran into some tummy issues that slowed me down but didn't stop me!).  My training runs have been speedy so I am confident I can do it.  In fact, I ran 12 miles with a sustained pace of 8:45 per mile two weeks ago.  I know in my heart that my PR is just within reach.  
  2. I get to run the race with a friend of mine!  She just started running relatively recently and we discovered our pace is about spot on the same.  The only thing better than making a PR is making a PR with a friend at my side.
  3. I get to visit one of my best friends and her family in the DC burbs.  She's good for my soul.  We bonded our freshman year of college outside our college bar while waiting for people to, um, help us get inside.
  4. I will be running around a city that I adore, near so many of my old stomping grounds at Catholic U.  I can't believe I'll be running right up North Capitol Avenue!  
  5. On my way home, I'll stop and visit the memorial tree that my best friends and I planted in memory of our dear friend who left us far too soon.  Five years ago this weekend was the last time we all got together.  The timing is pretty perfect.  
So if you don't mind, do a little virtual cheering for me tomorrow!  I promise I will post my time next week - even if I don't make my goal.  

What about you? Got any St. Paddie's Day plans?  Are you making some corned beef and cabbage or drinking a brew or two?  Have a great and green weekend, my friends!


See you swoon,
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