first (of many!) refashion project: frumpy sweater into fun cardigan

What is a "refashion project" you might ask? Well, it is taking something old, used, recycled, worn out, too big or too small for you clothing or whatever it might be....and refashioning it into something fun, fabulous, new and totally usable again! It reminds me of the concept of an old book that my mom used to have that I was obsessed with and it was called "From Trash To Treasure". I loved looking at all of the projects and pictures wondering how they took something as simple as empty pop cans and turned them into a Halloween wreath! And after all of the pinning and Pinteresting I've been doing, I needed to take my turn at refashioning and I think I found a new favorite hobby!

What sparked this project was a trip to the consignment store that Kat and I made over the weekend when they were here. Which by the way, the weekend was an absolute blast. The Hawks won and we had a great time with Scott, Kat, the kids and our friends! Lots of laughs, good chats and talks with one another and an overall, fun time! So like I was saying, Kat and I made a trip to Stuff and we hit the jackpot! We each got a ton of awesome items, some still with tags, and some looked barely used! And as always, we got it all for one hell of a price! Several things we bought were only a quarter...yes, only $0.25!!!! And the rest of it was pretty much all $2.00 and under with a few exceptions! Kat had originally pulled this sweater off the rack but then saw the size and said it'd be way too big or could be paired with leggings, boots and a chunky sweater. But then I had a lightbulb go off in my head.....my first refashion project! I snagged it up and said, "I'm going to attempt to make this into a cardigan..." And that is exactly what I did!

I successfully turned this size XL sweater from H&M, which was originally priced at $38.00 and I got for $1.75, to a size M cute and cozy cardigan! The project only took me about an hour total! And that's because I added 8 buttons and button holes....some of the holes aren't 100% perfect by any means, but since it will be buttoned up anyway, I wasn't too worried! And I had thread that perfectly matched the sweater so it helps to disguise some of the crooked stitches around the button holes! I can't wait to find the next sweater at Stuff or Goodwill that is waiting to be refashioned!

the bachelorette party extravaganza

I'm getting married!

We survived. I've been home since Sunday late afternoon and am just now coming back to life. This past weekend had to of been one of the most epic of epic bachelorette parties ever. EVER!!! My awesome and amazing sister (and maid of honor, whoop whoop!!), Janelle, planned the whole shin-dig and it was fabulous. Every single minute of it! On Friday, Janelle and I drove up to the Wisconsin Dells with our sister-in-law Kat and we got to the house we had rented for the weekend a couple of hours before everyone. The house was pretty bomb too. It had two bedrooms with a queen bed in each room, two full bathrooms, a giant kitchen and open eating area and then a huuuuge living room with two couches that pulled out to queen size beds. It also had a pretty sick patio complete with patio set for us to sit out on and chat it up. After unloading all of our stuff, Janelle kicked me and Kat out so she could do some decorating. To pass the time, we loaded up some cold brewhas and made our way to the pool...really, we didn't mind at all. After an hour or two, we made our way back to the house, oooh'd and aahhhh'd over all of the decorations and dove right into all of the snacks. Janelle had bought and brought with her all of my favorite snack foods!! M&M's and popcorn, chips and dip, puppy chow, chocolate chip muffins, donettes and pickle wraps...nom nom nom soo good and such a great surprise! And an even better surprise was the hilarious and delicious cookie cake! Thankfully, none of us got pissed off and stumbled around the yard with it like in the movie Bridesmaids. We actually devoured it and it was super tasty. After making sure things were all in order, we got cleaned up and the rest of the girls started showing up...it was the perfect sized group of 9 of us girls and I was so happy to be with my best and closest girl friends for a whole 3 days. We spent Friday night snacking, sipping on some drinks, and somehow it turned into everyone sharing their most crazy or drunken story involving me....so that was pretty entertaining. Lots of belly laughs and happy tears all night long!

ready to tear up Noah's Ark!

Saturday we got up bright and early to head to Noah's Ark! This is the world's largest waterpark!!!! We got there before the door's opened, loaded up on sunscreen and set out to tear up the park. And tear it up we did! I'm sure some parents/people around us in line didn't appreciate us from time to time as we were dropping plenty of f-bombs and being downright ridiculous but that's what happens when all of us girls get in our own world together! The day was mid-80s and slight overcast so it was perfect outside and none of us got fried thankfully. It was a blast being there and super fun to let loose with all the girls. We got the most out of our money before calling it a day to head back to the house for the real event of the weekend.

got your ass straps?

So, like I said, there were 9 girls staying in the house for the weekend. 9 girls. 2 bathrooms. 4 mirrors. Thankfully we all started showering and getting ready when we did because I'm sure it could have been a disaster and taken all night but we knew we had more important things to do, like make scenes downtown the dells and rage, so we got to it. All of my friends got me some awesome gifts and turns out they know I like to drink wine because I got at least three bottles, some new nighties and lingerie and a really sweet hanger for my wedding dress that says "Mrs. Easton" on it so that was awesome. Do I have the best friends or what? After the gift giving, we busted out some games and only played the game "The Game Of Things". It is a riot and had every single one of us laughing soooo hard! We played that for awhile, passed around a few bottles of celebratory champagne, took some group pics and headed downtown. And got really fricking crazy. Really fast.

watch out downtown dells, here we come!

trifecta love

and here starts the dance party....

queen of the hair flips

best maid of honor and best best friend

I'm getting married in 4 weeks. What what?!

Basically, to sum it up here's how Saturday night went down: we all collectively downed two bottles of champagne before leaving the house and had our fair share of "coma in a cup" and "strip and go naked" drinks so we were well on our way to a great night. We thought we'd go on a bar crawl, and well, one bar was all we needed. We took over and had a giant dance party going and hung out with a bachelor party group that was there. People were getting iced left and right. I successfully ruined an intense game of pool and a game of shuffleboard. I also started throwing ice....from people's drinks. Yes, just put my whole hand into their drinks and would throw the ice. Hilary was breaking her neck doing hair flip after hair flip. Kat was demanding my friends to make out with random dudes. Lisa was getting hit on by the creepiest guy in the bar. And Janelle was watching all of this happen and loving it and babysitting us. Before we knew it, the light's came on and it was bar close. We all got together in a group and somehow made the walk home in a giant single file line like a row of ducks with Janelle at the end being our Mama Duck. All in all, 100% successful night. 150% amazing bachelorette party out celebrating with my best friends.

Sunday was a rude, rude awakening. I've never had a more miserable 4 hour drive before in my life. And I wouldn't of traded it for anything. But before we left, all 9 of us girls crammed into one bedroom and laid all over the bed and floor to piece together the night and we spent all morning laughing. Best way to recap and relive the night ever. We also looked through all of the pictures which just added to the humor and hilarity of it all. So thanks ladies for the amazing beyond amazing and most epic of all bacheorette parties ever. I truly couldn't have asked for better friends who always love and support me, give me a shoulder to cry on, an ear to complain to and will stumble home right beside me at the end of the night! I can't wait to have another dance party and celebrate with you all at the wedding. Whomp there it is!!!!!!!!

Ahh it's (almost) the weekend!

It's Thursday!! And tomorrow I get to sleep in! AND I only work 4 hours then I'm off to Des Moines for the weekend to visit the two cutest kiddos I know and love so much!

Sibling Love
Teagan & Kemper

I haven't seen them (or my bro and sister-in-law) since February...To be exact, since our epic weekend out in Madison. Which means it has been far too long! I can't believe a month and a half has passed by so quickly! Ahh so many things have happened and yet, I still have so much I need to do! But oh well, I'm not worrying about that now! My brother is running in a race and Kat is doing hair for a wedding so I get to babysit and spend a quality Saturday morning with the kids. I'm so excited for some snuggling, giggling and being a kid again with those two....and then of course, I'll enjoy some nice cold ones Saturday night with the adults of the house. Ah I can't wait! Now hopefully nothing bad happens to me tomorrow since it's Friday the 13th, that would be just my luck! Happy early weekend everyone, don't cross paths with a black cat tomorrow!