A NOT SO MUDDY 'MUD ROOM'

as you know, if you have been following the blog for a while now, my boyfriend is a cattle rancher in oklahoma. what you don't know yet, is that the house he currently is living in has been lived in by many a few family members and ranch hands before him. which means several layers of paint (covering up 70s wallpaper!) and a few area of the house that have not been updated in a while. 

the 'mud room'/ laundry room is one of the room that was in need of a little facelift... so we brainstormed and came up with a few easy DIY projects we could get done in just a few days to give this room a new look!

to do:

take out old carpets

remove wood panel/hooks and shelving around the room

paint!!

create easy and more storage

build bench/ coat rack 

place to store boot (tall cowboy boots) and shoes 

below are a few shots to 'show off' the finished project!

it's by no means perfect, but it is way more functional and has better use of the small space.

-we found linoleum floors under the layers of carpet, which is easy to clean with all the muddy boots that come through the door (and until we are ready for new flooring this will do the trick!)

-we built the bench/coat rack/ shoe storage unit with 1x12s and added support with simple (and really cheap) 90degree angles. we measured the bench to be higher than average to fit the tall boots under.

-the shelving above the washer/dryer are also 1x12s and are mounted with larger angles to support the weight. we decided to leave the angles exposed since the 'galvanized look' matched the clock and hooks

- the baskets and milk crates, hardware, (new light fixture, not shown) and building materials were all found at lowe's

-- the hooks are satin knickel (3-hooks) and we measured for them to fit and hold cowboy hats 

-the clock is a target find! 

-the paint color is one shade lighter than 'sage mountain'... but i forgot the name! oops!

(i found the color i wanted at benjamin moore, but went to sherwin williams for a color match since they were having a 30% off summer sale!! bargain shopper at heart!)

  

FAMILY VACATION... CAPTURED!

last week i promised to get these family pictures posted.. but the holiday weekend took over and too much fun was being had to blog! hope you all had a blast celebrating our great country too!!

there are so many lane ladies... and while people tell us all the time we look alike, it takes pictures like these for us to see how much we really do look like lanes! there's a seriously strong gene pool here!
we don't stop and take family pictures as much as we should, so these are all very special and will be cherished for years to come!

LIEBSTER AWARD

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Being a fairly new blogger.. with only a few readers, I am always thrilled to learn when I gain new sweet followers and readers! So when I was recently nominated for the Leibster award by Crystal I was surprised and honored! Thanks so much to Chrystal @ Seoul Sold for the nomination. Chrystal and I participated in Jenni's Blog Every Day in May Challenge and through the link-up I found her blog and now I'm hooked. Fellow Texas blogger.. but living overseas, sign me up to read all about her adventures!

Here is a little bit about the Liebster award courtesy of Chrystal's blog post on the whole affair:
The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. So, what is a Liebster?  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Isn't that sweet? Blogging is about building a community and it's a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:
1. Each person must post 10 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 10 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 10 people to nominate and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!

11 random things about me:

1. 

I don't like cooked carrots, but I do like raw carrots. 

2. 

I've never had a major surgery. 

3. I love sunsets. 

4. I sleep best when there is a thunder or snow storm.

5. Yoga is my crack. I'm addicted and it makes me happy!

6. I date a full time cattle rancher from one of those 'fly-over-states'.

7. I speak two languages fluently. 

8. Apples and Peanut Butter is my favorite snack. 

9. I hate running. Although I wish it was something I liked to do.

10. One day I would like to say I've been to every state in the US!

Questions from Chrystal:
1. Where did you grow up?
I lived in Germany from the time I was almost 7 years old until just before turning 21. Those count as my 'growing up' years, right?!
2. Your house is on fire and you have time to grab ONE thing. What do you grab?
The first diamond I ever received. It's on a necklace and my grand-parents gave it to me for my 21st birthday. 3. What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
Swiss chocolate... or maybe margaritas!?!4. What is one of your talents? 
Cooking without a recipe. I love opening the fridge/pantry and coming up with something new and putting together dinner from scratch. 5. What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?
I would open a small, simple yoga studio. But I would look to my good friend and fellow yogini Kendall, for advice since he has the knowledge, experience and know-how I do not!6. Where is your favorite place in all of the world?
Anywhere in Italy. The food, the people, the atmosphere and the way of life. 7. The craziest thing you have ever done?
My first year of university I moved to Barcelona, Spain. I'd only visited the city once after being accepted to the university and moved there without knowing anyone. I didn't know the language, how to get around or what to expect. But it was a great personal test to make myself meet new people, become independent and learn how to dive into the unknown. 8. Have you been in love?
Yes- now! I thought I was in love when I was 18 with my first 'real' boyfriend... but we never said 'I love you' and I'm glad I didn't say it back then 'just because' he was the first boyfriend I had. The gentleman I am dating now told me he loved me a while back. It was the first time he had told a girl he loved her and it was the first time for me to tell a boy a loved him- it was a very special moment!! So worth the wait:)9. What is a piece of wisdom you would like to share?
Life is too short to live it angry, sad, upset or mad. Smile, laugh, enjoy and and live life to the fullest you can every day! The days we have are limited and shorter than we think. Be thankful and make the most of today!10. Why do you blog?
It started out to chronicle the 'little things in life', moments captured on film that make me smile and remember the pretty things life has brought my way. But over time, even with the pictures I post, I have added a few stories and words to each post and even met a few friends and come across a few blogs I look up to and check every morning!

Questions for Nominees: 
1. How did you come up with the name of your blog?
2. What is one of your hidden talents? 
3. Do you work out? If so, whats your routine?
4. What is one of your favorite books you have read recently?
5. What is one of your pet peeves?
6. What is your ideal vacation?
7. Are you an early riser or a night owl? Is there a reason for either?
8. What's one thing you've accomplished that you want to brag about? Go ahead! Brag!
9. What is your favorite quote?
10. Do you have a favorite season and reason you like that season?

My Nominees:
Brittany @ Happiness is a Choice
Lauren @ Sunday Bach
Brooke @ StyleWise 
Mallorie @ Home is With You
Theresa @ From Foothills to Fog
Jenn @ My Fabulous Life
Nessa @ Notes from Nessa
Olivia @ Synders Tell All 
Brandy @ Cashmere & Camo

WEDNESDAY WEARS || 'MERICA DAY

madewell tote // madewell chambray shirt // havaianas freedom flip flops 

patriotic scarf // madewell soft embroidery shorts

with the 4th of july ('merica day!!!) just a day away, i hope you have something fun and festive planned with family and/or friends! 

we will be out of the lake- floatin' and enjoying the amazing july temperatures (not 100+!) with a beer in hand and good ol' country tunes playing all day. 

but after all day in the lake i will be ready for dry clothes as we sit on the dock and watch the sun set... simple shorts and a chambray shirt (might get a little 'cool'... high 50s at night) will be perfect to enjoy the fireworks in honor of our great country!

hope you all have a blessed holiday- heres to those who protect and fight for our great country so we are able to enjoy the simple joys and freedoms today and always!

**GOD BLESS AMERICA**

FAMILY VACATION 2013

after our road trip that took us through nola (read more about where we stayed, what we saw and what we ate!) we finally arrived on the beach, and met up with the rest of the lane family to officially kick off the 2013 lane family vacation!
we load up every year, trek to the same house, pile in and then sit, sip and soak in the sun for a week straight with our toes in the powder sugar sands of florida!
theres not a of fuss, planning or big to-dos on the agenda for the week. we just enjoy each others company, read books, walk along the shoreline, sip on cocktails, and cook delicious meals together. having several foodies in the family, makes cooking together, with fresh sea food, and creative minds a blast every time! including the nightly appetizers.. grilled oysters rockerfeller! 
leaving you with a few favorite captions from the week ... until next year pretty beach and sweet memories...we will be back in full force for sure!

(annual family photo op to follow on the blog later this week- be sure to check back!!)

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