Renew.Reuse.Recycle

As always, when the sun comes out...I start to paint! I had to re-finish a rocking chair for a friend, and here it is the process...

First, let me just say how OBSESSED I am with purple right now. All shades. Lilac, lavendar, amethyst...purple purple purple! So I was thrilled when my buyer wanted a funky vintage rocking chair.



Before

After!

 

I had extra paint and some cute knobs...so I renewed this vintage mailbox! Hangs on a wall... $25!

Ch-Irish!

My next destination in my year of travel was Chicago! It just happened to be St. Patrick's Day/Weekend, and we were surrounded by a sea (er...river) of green.

Traveling with me to Chicago were some of my dear friends, and we had a total blast! We stayed at the Swissotel hotel, right on the river. We hit up the main tourist-y attractions, but the streets were lined with St. Patty's partiers, making it hard to get nearly anywhere!

Here are some recaps of the weekend...

My St. Patty's Day Outfit!

Deep Dish!

Marilyn Tribute

The Sea of Green

The Dyed Green River! Crazy to see...

Well hello there!

Someday I will have a lion outside of my home, just like this one at the Art Institute of Chicago

Me and my beau in front of Lake Michigan. He was less than thrilled by all my picture taking...

Bean

Bye chi-town :(

Can't wait to see what crazy adventure I will go on next? Stay tuned...

My Year of Travel

Between the 2011 and 2012 academic year, I have planned several amazing trips to see several amazing people...let the blogging around the country begin!

First Stop: The East Coast!



In Times Square Waiting for the Lion King to Start!



My 24th birthday (and Golden Birthday) was on Thanksgiving--so we celebrated at the Macy's Parade!

Me on the Boston Harbor

Boston!

Destination 2: Sundance Film Festival!!!

Sara Ramos of Parenthood just chillin'! Love her!

My besties at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City, UT!

Remember me?! Joshua Jackson in the house! (ran into him several times, and just wanted to start the quack!)

Katie holding up our Sundance guides

Jackie and myself getting reading to head to Park City, UT

Film Fest Commotion

We headed up to the Sundance Resort where it all began...

The Sundance Lodge in all its glory :)



Tabernacle Square! Hello Mormon country!





Valentines Day--Not Just for Couples!

I LOVE VALENTINES DAY! Even when I have been single on Valentines day, I have always enjoyed having a day to show everyone how much they are loved! Of course there are the nay-sayers who put me down each year and call it "Singles Awareness Day" or something of the like... but I say, GET OVER IT! They too will be Valentines of someone special soon enough, and until then, share the love!

This Valentines day, I decided to focus my energy on showing some love to my friends and family. And since my wonderful boyfriend is 8+ hours away, it was the perfect time to celebrate everyone who is close to me! I made up little gift packages for my friends, sent my far away friend in Utah a nice dress, and sent my boyfriend a manila envelope full of sweet treats!

And let's not forget the super-girly inspired fashion! I anticipate wearing pink dresses, floral prints, red high heels and lots of lipstick and ruche every sweethearts day. Having an excuse to dress like a little girl in curls and pearls is always a good thing!

Ah....pinterest (con't)

Ok so last time I was discussing my pinterest projects...but like always, holidays come, I get busy and everything else falls to the backburner!

A few projects I did complete...

Re-Vamped my chalkboard!

Successfully mastered the inside-out giant braid. Love.

Decorated my teeny-tiny tree :)

Made about 1,000 pieces of white chocolate peppermint bark! (a family fav)



Well this is it for now... I realized pictures are where it's at because, they are worth a thousand words, right?! See... still doing things for the write reason. Love to all!

Coming soon to my blog...

Valentine's Day! (Not just for couples)

Cate's Closet--my million outfit or outfoes.

Sundance Film Festival '12: Been there, Done that... (celeb pics included ;)

More HAIR and BEAUTY!

Ahhhh.....pinterest.

So I have recently become a member of pinterest.com. This is my new time waster. There have been social networking sites, or IM programs that I have spent many many hours on...but nothing quite like this. Being a crafter/junk re-purposer, pinterest, a site for sharing creative ideas and inspiration, keeps me busy for hours on end! Searching for great new projects has been made easier than ever with this site...and I urge you to give it a look! If you happen so sign up for an account...follow me, @catiedebates!

Here are some of the projects I will be attempting, and then blogging about, in the near future...

Boot Socks

Glass Block Snowman

These are just a couple...but there are more to come like sweater mittens, yarn mache ornaments, holiday recipes, and great gift ideas! Can you tell I am more than excited for the Christmas season? I thrive on the merriment that comes along but once a year, and love sharing ideas that will keep me busy while I am bundled up inside, safe and warm from the Minnesota winter. So please...comment with your favorite holiday joys!

Halloween in Review: Prep, Party, Perfection!

My Halloween party was a great success! Our food was delicious, our guests were happy, and most importantly... my house came out unscathed!

Here are some of the highlights from the evening...

My lovely co-host, Katie Rae, making Witch Hat Cookies!

Witch Hat Cookies: super easy to make and adorable!

Chocolate dipped pretzel rods a.k.a nasty fingers

My popcorn balls...put 'em on skewers and they become Magic Wands..oOoooOoo

Party prep...oh the decorating!

All the jack-o-lantern and poisoned apple cupcakes waiting to be displayed!

Katie Rae...a toddler in tiara! (she sewed this costume by hand!)

Mermaid and Captain Jack! (My boyfriend and I worked SO hard on our couples costume this year, and when we went out on actual Halloween, we didn't have the energy to put back on the elaborate costumes and came up with...)

Nerds! These were super easy and fun to create... next year, I suggest forgoing the expensive costumes, and pulling your resources for something funny, comfy, and memorable!