Best Friend Birthday Gifts

My best friends are twins.
Yes both of them are equally my best friends and yes they are different people.

Their birthday was yesterday and they are the girls who have everything so it was a little difficult to think of something for them.  They are the sweetest girls, always thinking of others, and are so generous and always think of something sweet for my birthday.  This year they sent me flowers to work!

Thankfully we live in an age of Pinterest and you can find out exactly what kind of things people like! 

My friend Kristen pinned a prayer journal and a few verses and quotes that she liked so I compiled them into a book for her.  I knew a prayer journal would be perfect for her because they recently lost their father and she is getting married this weekend and has a lot going on in life, so a place to write out her prayers will be so nice.  And she can look back and see all the things that God has answered and worked out.

It's just a re-decorated a composition book!

 And for my other twinling I made her a bird's nest necklace with three little eggs because she has two boys and is pregnant with a little girl!!

My sister made one for my mom for mother's day and she of course got the idea from pinterest! 
What did we do without it?!

It is fairly simple and cheap to make.
I simple put three beads on wire and wrapped it until I thought it looked like a nest, then added a chain!
Check out pinterest if you want a 'real' tutorial.
Or let me know and I'll have my sister make you one ;)

1 year of blogging at Kelsey Inspired!!

Happy Belated Blogiversary to me!
I completely missed the date,  March 2nd.
Oops.  Nothing like your crazy Aunt forgetting your birthday and sending a surprise card several weeks later, right?
That is totally me.  To say that my nieces think I am strange may be an understatement.

Example:

The other day my niece realized she had out grown a pair of underwear.  My sister told her to throw them away.... instead she brought them to me.
Me - "what am I supposed to do with your old underwear?!"
9 yr old - "don't you want to make something out of them?"
Me - "um I may draw the line at used underwear..."
9 yr old - "oh, I thought we could use the waist band as a head band or something"
Me - "hmmm well now that you mention it...." :)

a few days later my brother-in-law asked if my husband would like a coat he longer wears
Me - "yea sure! he could use a new coat"
6 yr old - "no! don't give it to her!"
everyone - "why?!"
6 yr old - "she'll cut it up!"

hahaha. oh children.

In honor of the 1 year mark I thought I'd share a few of my most popular posts in case you're a new reader and missed out on something awesome of course.

T-shirt restyle

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.co.nz via Jeanette on Pinterest

I was shocked when one day a few weeks ago I began getting literally thousands of page views, the culprit - this tutorial I posted in August had been pinned on pinterest from kelseyinspired.blogspot.co.nz/
thanks friends in New Zealand!
and thanks for the reminder that now that I am home I have TONS of t-shirts I can do similar things with!

Seaglass Seahorse

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Knotted Jute Bracelet

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Coloring sheets for kids at wedding reception

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Stella on Pinterest

Twig Stars

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Natasha on Pinterest

Boot socks

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Sea Shell Heart

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

VW Van Photoshoot

Source: kelseyinspired.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

And every week I continue to have the most visits to my blog from my What I Wear Wednesday posts from the link up I participate in at the Pleated Poppy Blog.  It is so much fun to get ideas from others and see the awesome outfits people are able to come up with!

Here's to another year of blogging!!!

ps. thanks for all the prayers for my hubby yesterday! he feels that the exam went well! yes!

Boot socks

Maybe I am like 6 months behind with this trend, but cut me some slack I wasn't exactly in boot sock wearing weather until recently...  I'm finally getting to some of the DIY projects I have in my pinterest to do file.

I made my boots socks the simple, lazy girl way.

First I went through my closet and decided that I didn't have any sweaters ugly enough that I was willing to cut them up, so where did I go next?  My mom's closet.  Ugly sweater heaven.
Not that my mom is a bad dresser.... she just has a tendency to hang on to things way, way past their prime or keep something around because it is "comfortable", which is exactly what she said when I pulled out 3 sweaters I wanted to chop.

I convinced her that these sweaters had to go and she willingly (I am so thankful for my sweet mom) let me take a pair of scissors to them.
I had been looking for sweaters at the Goodwill and Salvation Army but I'm seriously so cheap I couldn't justify paying $3-4 for a sweater just to cut it up.  Free is so much better, wouldn't you agree?

*Before you begin cutting make sure that the wrist of the sweater is large enough to fit over your calf, but tight enough that it isn't going to fall down!  

 

I simply cut off the sleeves of the sweater, put it on my leg, trimmed the bottom so it was about ankle length, and then put my boots on.

That's it.
I figure if the unfinished edge is going to be down inside of my boot anyway there was no need to hem it or put an elastic band in.  But that's just me.  Feel free to hem it and make it look nice if you want.

The results look something like this.  You can see the entire outfit on my most recent What I Wear Wednesday post.  

These are the other two pairs I made...  I do think that I would like these better layered over skinny jeans or tights, but these pictures were taken quickly to share on here, so bare legs it was!

 

Perhaps my next What I Wear Wednesday will be a boot parade... I have been "collecting" boots since I met my Canadian hubby and thought that if I'm forced to live in the freezing cold I might as well be warm and look stylish while doing it.  Little did I know that I should have been collecting sunglasses and bikinis for our little Grenadian adventure :)
Now it looks like we may be heading north to Detroit, Michigan so I will be well prepared for the cold snowy winters ahead.  ha! 
I also collect coats, scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters, etc....
Do you think my husband is buying into this rationalization?

xo kiss kiss xo

These are a few of my favorite {Valentine's Day} pins...

Source: feelingstitchy.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: gallery.me.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: myblessedlife.net via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: myblessedlife.net via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: peacockfeatherevents.blogspot.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: achadosdedecoracao.blogspot.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

new hair trick!

I saw this on pinterest the other day and I tried it out and it worked!!
I've always loved putting my hair in a french braid at night and taking it out in the morning and having some waves.
It's great if you need something done to your hair and don't have time to straighten or curl it all over.
I braided my hair into 5 big sections, two on top and three around the bottom and ran my straightener over the braids, twisting it a bit at the bottom so it curled a bit.
I sprayed it, let it cool down while I put on my make up, took out the braids, and it was done! lots of waves and body!
It looked just like the picture on pinterest.... but I didn't think to take a picture this morning.
I will say that it didn't last quite as long as the braid the night before method, 12 hours later my hair was a little flat, but it was great in a pinch!

Source: hair.allwomenstalk.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Do you have any secret hair tricks?!
Up until this my best trick was to use baby powder as dry shampoo!

Kelsey Inspired GIVEAWAY!

Good morning blogging family!
I am in such a great mood today.  Things are finally working out!
I got called to be a substitute teacher in the school district I grew up in, yay for a job!!
Thank you Jesus for an answer to prayer :)

I would also like to share with you the exciting news I have been wanting to share (even though I may not be officially ready yet, I cannot wait!)

I've started an Etsy store!

KelseyInspired on Etsy

I've just started and have listed several vintage items and plan on adding to it in the future with some more handmade items.
When I was beginning this I made a wreath for my best friend and then she had a friend who saw it and wanted one, which turned into their mom wanting one, and sister-in-law, and other friends, and before I knew it I was in the wreath making business!  (if anyone has info as to the difficulty and price of shipping a large grapevine wreath it would be much appreciated, but in the mean time I'm having trouble keeping up with my friends and family!)

In honor all of you lovely friends and the blessings that have been shown to me recently I would like to do a giveaway!! 

A handmade, original, custom wreath just for you!
You can choose from the following or any combo of the following!! Give me some new ideas!  You pick the colors and materials!

 A twine wrapped wreath with felt flowers (12in diameter)

yarn wrapped wreath with felt flowers, buttons, and tulle (12inch diameter)

 a vintage embroidery hoop with bunting and yo-yo's (9inch diameter)

Several ways to enter!
Please leave a separate comment as you do each other following

1. If you have been a long time follower let me know and that will get you 2 entries! I appreciate you so much!
2.  If you are a new follower let me know and get 1 entry!
3. Post about this giveaway on Facebook and receive 1 entry!
4. Post about this giveaway on Twitter and receive 1 entry!
5. Blog about this giveaway and receive 1 entry!
6.  Pin your favorite wreath on Pinterest along with info about the giveaway and receive 1 entry!
7. Leave a comment letting me know which is your favorite or what type of wreath you would like to receive 1 entry!

Giveaway runs until next Thursday, February 2nd - Groundhog's Day! I apologize but I can only ship to the US and Canada (can't leave the Canadians out my hubby is one after all!)
Thank you everyone!!

Over / Not Over

Are you sitting down??

I have a confession.

I. Kelsey Coghill. am feeling OVER. pinterest.

ugh. I'm sorry.  I just feel so over-exposed to so many trends/themes/ideas that I begin to hate them.
and I feel as if none of us are ever going to have an original thought ever again. myself included.

don't get me wrong. it is most definitely an open tab right now on my browser.  I go there probably twice daily.

But it got me thinking about what things I am over and what I"m not over yet.
and where will these images come from?? pinterest duh. built in source citing.

OVER:

1. Keep calm & whatever

Source: etsy.com via Katherine on Pinterest

I never liked  this actually.  I think it was the crown.  I've never been a princess-y girl.  But this has been done so so many times and so many different ways with so many ridiculous phrases.

2. owls

Source: piccsy.com via Fay on Pinterest

I never liked the owl craze, I do think these owls are cute, but when they are every where... it ruins it for me.

3.  mustaches
 

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Ryan on Pinterest

I just plain never understood this. and don't like it.


OVER : but wish that I wasn't but someone else ruined it for me.

1. Chevron Stripes

Source: labellabungalowblog.com via JoJo on Pinterest

and the faux animal heads (or real) thanks Candice Olson for that one. I normally would really like chevron stripes, but like everyone in the world has them in their home and it cheapens it for me.

2.  Sunburst mirrors

Source: hgtv.com via Allison on Pinterest

Isn't this pretty?  I do think it's pretty, but everyone and their brother has one!  I missed out on this one being out of the country.... maybe I'll find one at the goodwill after everyone has gotten rid of theirs and proudly hang it up :)

3. Silhouettes

Source: alifemorefabulous.blogspot.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

and by silhouettes I mean stuff like this. dogs. I like silhouettes of actual children or what not.


Not Over Yet :

1. Birds

Source: etsy.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

I'll probably never be over birds because I liked them way way before it was trendy. honest.  But you probably won't catch me painting them on my wall anytime soon.

2. Maps and globes

Source: tumblr.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: thestir.cafemom.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

this one is lasting for me. I love maps and globes and travel and the world. period.

3. Gallery Walls

Source: tomkatstudio.blogspot.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

the more the merrier!!

4.  Painted floors

Source: designspongeonline.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

I have always loved and dreamed of having a floor just like this ever since my older sister painted the stairs in our old house. someday...

 5.  Letters and Ampersands

Source: thisnext.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Ali on Pinterest

so maybe I am over all the writing and letters directly on the walls (vinyl letters) but I am in no way over wood or metal letters. especially ampersands. &&&&& love them.


So there you have it.... my personal opinions.
If you have a house full of owls and chevron strips floor to ceiling I will not judge you. promise.  As long as you don't judge me for having every available walls space filled with frames and birds ;)

What do you think?? Anything you can't stand anymore and/or would never put in your house??

linking up with: Crafty Confesions , take a look Tuesday at Sugar Bee, Running with Glitter, New Nostalgia,
and Home Stories A-Z.