200th Blog Post!

Welcome to my

 

 

Wow, that's insane! Over the past 10 months, I have written 199 posts about everything I love and you have read them all. I just want to thank each of you for your support and encouragement during this time. It is all very much appreciated. I hope that the things that I have written have sparked an imagination for you to create or design something wonderful on your own.

On November 9, 2011, I started this blog with fear of the unknown. I had no idea what I was doing or what I should write about. At first I wanted to get my name out there and show you the things that I could make. Some of those things were yarn wreaths, party banners, and greeting cards. It slowly became more of a design blog with posts about spaces, color trends, and the cutest DIY projects I could find.

This year on my one year anniversary, I want to show you guys just how much you mean to me with a giveaway. To win, all you have to do is share my blog to as many people as you can. The contest will start November 1st through the 7th and the prize is undecided. But I can guarantee you won't want to miss it! More details about that coming soon!

As always, thank you all so dearly for taking five minutes out of your day to see what's going on. 11,413 pageviews is huge for me. I am always looking for ways to make our lives easier and more beautiful through family, faith, food, fun, and interior design. If you have any comments or questions on things you want to see, I've love for you to share them with me. You can email me at nosborn0530 at gmail dot com.

Much love and gratitude,

CMM: Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos

 

 

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

New York City

6,792 sq. ft.

5 bedrooms

4.5 baths

 

 

Pretty stunning, right? They sure use a lot of red in their décor! My favorite part is the private rooftop garden/patio. Too bad we couldn't see the master suite; I'm sure it was to-die-for.

 

Photo Courtesy: Hooked on Houses

 

 

Matthew is 8!

I normally don't post on the weekends, but today is a very special day!

 

 

I am a woman of many hats: daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, friend, girlfriend, student; but the greatest of these has been being called an aunt. I will never forget when my sister told the family she was expecting. I was so excited for a new hat to wear! And now, I cannot believe I am saying this but my oldest nephew, and the one who gave me this special title, is turning eight years old today. Matthew is full of unusual facts, knock knock jokes, hugs and kisses, a wild eagerness to learn, a never-ending ability to run, an untamed spirit for Alabama football, and most importantly a sweet, sweet love. I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming and I am so blessed to be his aunt. I cannot wait to take him on his birthday surprise trip next weekend and see his little face light up! We're going to have a great time.

 

Happy birthday, little boy.

 

Now, please, stop growing up so fast.

 

 

Everyoneenjoy your Sunday!

 

 

Tour of Fort Morgan

Today, my sister, brother-in-law, niece and I got to tour the historical fort, Fort Morgan, that was built after the War of 1812. It was designed to control the main ship channel into Mobile Bay and to prevent any enemy forces from entering. 

The connecting tunnel through the surrounding area of the fort. The tunnel originally had a sand floor. 

The sallyport: the main entrance to the fort. The date "1833" is the year the fort was named, not when it was completed. It was completed in 1834. It was named for General Daniel Morgan, a Revolutionary War hero. 

The ditch, also known as the dry moat, surrounds the fort. It was intended to prevent an enemy from easily reaching the walls of the fort. The ditch could be swept with a deadly crossfire from guns mounted in the fort's bastions. It also carried rainwater out of the fort. 

This is right inside the fort. I am in awe by the skills of architecture the creators of this fort had. The fact that it is still standing is amazing. 

The two 24-pounder flank howitzers mounted in each of the fort's ten flank casemates could deliver a deadly crossfire on any attackers in the ditch. 

Here, I am standing on the extremely tall stairs that led to the top of the fort. The five projecting corners of the fort are bastions. Cannons were mounted on top of each bastion to fire over the wall. 

This is the inside of a casemates. These arched rooms were designed as protected gun positions for the fort's cannon, but few cannons were ever mounted in them. Used for the storage of food and equipment, the casemates occasionally served as living quarters for troops in order to shelter them from enemy bombardment. 

Nothing was written about a potential trolley that came through here. I am guessing that it was used to move the cannon balls around. 

This was where the two most powerful batteries on post sat. Lead counterweights weighing 30 tons were dropped to raise the gun into firing position above the concrete wall. 

The beautiful Mobile Bay, where the U.S.S. Techumseh sank, drowning over 90 of its crew. Twenty-one sailors escaped, including four who were taken prisoner when they swam to Fort Morgan. 

Yours truly, overlooking the fort.

A large cannon. 

More casemates. Beautiful, beautiful brickwork. 

If you're ever near Gulf Shores, you must make the 20 minute drive to Fort Morgan. A piece of Alabama history that was well worth the trek. So glad I came along today. 

Friday Favorites

Hello all! I am beaching it up down in Gulf Shores this week. If you follow my Instagram, ne_osborn, you'll see just how obsessed I am with taking pictures of the ocean. I'm having a great time so far; the majority of the family came in last night. We have a fun weekend ahead of us; a luau, a wedding, and some priceless quality time together. I hope you all enjoyed your week and enjoyed the posts I made. Here are some of my favorite things I've spotted this week...

Favorite Print

Favorite Repurpose

Favorite Birthday Theme

To view the rest of this adorable party click here.

Favorite Healthy Snack

For this delicious recipe from LaurenConrad.com click here.

 Favorite Quote

 Enjoy your weekend!

Wondrously Wine

I don't do a lot with red because I haven't ever been attracted to it, but recently I've been seeing this deep hue everywhere I turn. I love this shade because it's a mix between maroon and crimson. I am calling it wine because that's what it reminds me of. My favorite of these is number 7: the garden stool. It's so rich and lovely.

 

Enjoy this collage of adorable wine colored things. If you see something you like, I've made a list of the location that each piece can be found.

 

 

1. Chair - West Elm
2. Pillow - Jonathan Adler
3. Shower curtain - Nate Burkus for Target
4. Paint - Pittsburgh Paint: Blaze
5. Keurig - Keurig
6. Canteen - Urban Outfitters | Apartment
7. Garden Stool - Treasure Combers

DIY Wednesday

I was browsing through Pinterest when I came across this adorable DIY state art piece.

It so simple and inexpensive and makes a perfect gift. The colors are endless - you have switch up the background paper with stripes or a fun pattern. I haven't lived in any other state other than Alabama but for those that have, making one for each state you've lived in would be neat; maybe add a felt heart near the city you lived in. Also, if you have a friend or significant other that lived in another state the two side by side would be cute.

The tutorial can be found over on the blog Two Twenty One.

Because who doesn't love modge podge and glitter??

Happy Hump Day!