:: High Five for Friday ::

 It's Friday!! Time to link up with Lauren @ My Grey Desk for this week's Top 5.

Next week, I will away at the beach & while I'm gone, I want to make you guys feel like you are there too!

So, I created a "What's in my Suitcase" Series! Everyday, I will be posting something new. I can hardly wait to share with you!

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Okay, enough about next week. Let's move on to....

This week's top 5:

1. Had sis braid my hair!



2. Made Guava cupcakes. Yummmmmm!



3. Had my first glimpse of fall = Our November wedding bells are getting closer!



4. Finished my posts for next week's "What I packed in my Siesta Key Suitcase" series.

5. Started Day 1 Prayer Study from She Reads Truth.



Have a great weekend!!!

Goodbye Carpet!


As soon as we got the keys to our new home, we knew exactly what we wanted to do.

Take out the carpet!!!!!

So we did. Exactly 30 minutes after closing. 


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and if you have tracking strips...


those need to go too. Lift with a pry bar.


If glue is left on the floor, scrape it off.


Taaaaa daaaaa!


If you have any questions on how we removed the carpet, leave a comment below! 
**We definitely are not pros at this. These are just the steps that worked for us.


Best Buttercream Ever!

A few weeks ago, I was in a serious cupcake mood.


Since then, I've completed some cupcake orders.
So...in honor of the recent orders, I want to share my absolute favorite icing recipe with you!!!

Lemon Vanilla Buttercream:
2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract (I use Madagascar Vanilla)
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 Tbs milk
1 whole lemon

How to:
1. In a bowl, cream butter for 5 minutes with mixer.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Gradually add sugar one cup at a time.
4. Beat after each cup of sugar is added.
5. Add milk, lemon juice and lemon zest.
6. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes until light & fluffy.

** This recipe originated from Magnolia Bakery. The original recipe has been altered.

This icing is honestly divine. It is light and fresh and can be added to almost any cupcake. It is an excellent decorating icing too! You can also alter it by omitting the lemon and adding any flavor (cocoa powder, strawberry, orange zest, almond extract etc)!

Sweet Day!

$80 Living Room Upgrade

This past weekend, while on the way to meet my parents at the beach, we decided to make a pit stop.


:: Cocoplum Garage Sale from 9-1pm ::

If you don't know anything about Miami, you need to know that Cocoplum is one of the most fabulous neighborhoods around & on the ocean of course.

So we stopped. We got out. We fell in love.


Taaa daaaaa. Our trip was a success!!

A brand new West Elm Chair for only $80. As soon as we left the sale, I searched online to see how much the chair originally cost.

$499. Yes. $419 more than what we paid.


To complete the look, we found a Pottery Barn look-a-like pillow for only $20 at TJ Maxx.

Project Total: $100

I just love thrifty finds!!

Our Coastal Paint Colors



**All of the colors that we liked were from different lines, so we took the samples and had Glidden match the colors. We were very pleased with {Glidden Duo + Primer} and the amount of coverage it gave.

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1// Navajo Sand - Glidden
- Living Room
- Kitchen
- Dining Room
- Hallways

2// Palladian Blue - Benjamin Moore
- Man Cave/ Domino Room
- Linen Closet
- Storage Closet

3// White Sage - Behr
- Office
- Guest Bedroom

4// Frosted Jade - Behr
- Master Bedroom

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For the trim & ceiling, we went with starch white. The only rooms we have left to decide on are the bathrooms & the utility room. Since both bathrooms have a 1960s mauve tub & sink, I am thinking of a neutral color until we are ready to renovate. As for the utility room, maybe we will go with the same color as the master to keep it relaxing. 

Most of the paint only took 1-2 coats and dried fairly quickly. 

Brushes & Rollers Used:
- Woody Edging Brush: Best brush I have ever used! Makes cutting in fun!
- Purdy White Dove Rollers: Very nice and smooth application!

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Next up on the to-do list: floor