DIY | Bathroom Decor

I took to Pinterest, as per usual, for help with some deco ideas for my bathroom. It just seemed really dull. I have a cute shower curtain with coordinating towels and rugs, and a few little decorative items on my counter, but there was still something missing. The bare wall behind the toilet was quite annoying. It was just....well...bare. I thought about finding one of those shelves that go over the back of the toilet, but honestly I just couldn't find one. I found a few ideas on pinterest and kind of tweaked it to make it my own. 

I started at TJ Maxx. I found a couple wicker baskets that were light enough to hang on my wall, but still sturdy enough to hold things. 

The larger one was $9.99 and the smaller was $7.99. 

At Lowe's, I found a heavy duty picture hanging kit which included nails and hooks. The kit was about 5 bucks and I still have plenty left for future projects.

I decided how high I wanted the "shelves" and made a guide to try to get them as level as possible. I nailed two hooks into the wall (for each basket) and hooked the baskets to the wall, bottom facing the wall, by wicker. I tested the stability by pushing down on the baskets. I applied more pressure than I imagined was necessary, but I wanted to make sure they were sturdy. 

Here's the finished product!

xo, Liv

Life | Hope for Riley Scavenger Hunt 10.10.15

Another successful year for the Hope for Riley Scavenger Hunt!

If you haven't read my post from last year, Hope for Riley is a benefit scavenger hunt put on by the parents of Riley Traigle. All of the proceeds of the event are used to assist with the expenses for Riley's participation in a three year clinical study that may lead to treatments and a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 

During the hunt, each team collects objects and photos (according to a list provided) as well as complete challenges for the duration of the day. 

My team and I (The Duchenne Destroyers AKA The Double Ds) have participated every year since it started in 2012. 

This year, we came in 3rd place and received the spirit award for the 3rd year in a row. (no surprise there)

We did something a little different for our shirts this year. Normally, we take pictures from the previous year, make some type of layout for them, and get customized shirts with our design. 

This year, we had an even better idea! A way to make our shirts a little more special!

Being that one of our teammates (Suzanne) is Riley's teacher, she decided to ask him for a favor. She asked Riley to draw us a picture. (she also told him not to tell his mom and dad what the picture was for) He returned to school a few days later with the picture. Riley is quite the little artist. (Sue gave him an A of course)

We made a shirt for each of us as well as one for each member of Riley's family. They loved them! As did we.

What a fun time as usual! All for an amazing cause! Can't wait for next year!

xo

The Double D's

Life | NOLA 9.15

The girls and I had our annual "Nola Girls Trip" last weekend. We had a blast as usual! 

I drove in from Austin after work on Thursday, and we hit the road Friday morning. After a few pit-stops: a last minute stop at stage for a quick outfit purchase, an obvious stop at Frank's for a world famous bloody mary, and Mcdonald's for a snack--we made it to NOLA. 

We partied, we laughed, and we cried. We had so much fun as usual! I even met up with a couple of my cousins and their ladies! So much fun in so little time!

 Sunday evening I headed back to Austin. Always bittersweet. 

Can't wait until next year!

XO Liv

Life | I Opened an Etsy Shop!

After YEARS and YEARS of sewing little things here and there, making things for family and friends, I finally decided to "expand" my talent and open my own Etsy Shop. 

I currently have a few bags and bows for sale right now, but I'm hoping for some growth for my little shop in the near future. 

Coming up with a name for my shop was honestly the hardest part. In fact, I've contemplated opening a shop for a while now, but I couldn't think of a name that I wanted to represent my work. 

I knew I wanted to incorporate some aspect of my name. Just kind of sneak it in there. I took to google for help. I googled "words that include (different variations of my name and nicknames). 

After a couple days of this and then a final discussion with my roommates, my little shop was officially called Livid Thread. 

My only hopes for my shop is to make a few extra bucks and really just try something new. 

I'm hoping for success for me and my little shop! 

Check it out!

Livid Thread

XOXO, Liv

Life | I Moved

Well, I did it. 

I finally did something spontaneous.

I moved to Austin, TX.

"Why?"

I've heard this question more in the last two weeks than I've heard in my whole life. 

Truth is, I don't have a legitimate answer to that. 

The best answer I could honestly come up with is "because I can"

I had nothing holding me back.

I made the decision, and 2 weeks later, here I was. 

Honestly, I'm finally just chasing my dreams. 

Starting from scratch.

Bigger.

Newer.

This is just the start of my life.

Time to make shit happen. 

Music | Top Tunes

My current favorites are ALL OVER THE PLACE, 

but I can't stop listening to these songs right now.

Hang on tight, it's gonna get weird... 

Randy Houser | Like a Cowboy

Eric Church | Like a Wrecking Ball 

Little Big Town | Girl Crush

Jordan Knight | Baby I Believe In You

I told you it would get weird.

Pat Benatar | Heartbreaker

Celine Dion | Where Does My Heart Beat Now

Concert | NKOTB #TheMainEvent

I've never been a "Directioner", a "Belieber", whatever the N'sync and Backstreet Boy fans call themselve, I've never been.

Say what you want, but I will always consider myself a Blockhead. 

Literally, my entire life I have been a fan of NKOTB.

In 2009 I went to my first NKOTB concert. Something I NEVER though I would get to experience. I mean, they broke up when I was 4, I never thought I would be seeing them live, let alone standing in the 8th row at one of their reunion tour shows. 

And then this happened. 

May 15, 2015

New Kids on the Block-The Main Event Tour

2 Sisters

FRONT ROW

I completely lost it when Joey Mac ran across that stage. I could believe just how close I was to the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK.

I could not breathe when Donnie ran in front of me and grabbed my hand. 

I'm pretty sure my heart stopped when Jordan Knight jumped off the stage and hugged me. 

I almost cried when Joe grabbed my hand.

But this, THIS...

MY FACE IS ON JOEY MCINTYRE'S INSTAGRAM

I have no more words.

xo

Liv

Hair | Quick Do

I'm always on the look-out for quick and easy hair-dos. Every girl loves a good messy bun, but my favorites are the ones that don't look as effortless as they are. 

I usually take to Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. Most of the time, I just sit in front of my mirror with my teasing comb and bobby pins and just "wing it." 

For this look, all I did was take a section of hair in the "bang" area, and fishtail braid it. (That was probably the most complicated part of the whole thing)

Then I pinned it to the back of my head. (But not before giving my crown a little tease) 

After that, I just grabbed small sections of hair and twisted and pinned them until it made sort of a bun. 

I always like more of a "messy" look, so I pulled a few hairs out here and there and voilà!

Xo

Liv

Doodler

Like writing, doodling is a way for me to put my thoughts down on paper. I wouldn't call myself an artist or think of myself as a good drawer, but a doodler.

Most of the time, I'm just drawing little shapes and faces in the corner of my journal pages, but other times I surprise myself with (in my opinion) impressive little drawings depicting my current thoughts and feelings. 

Then again, maybe I am somewhat of an artist, portraying my thoughts and feelings in drawing and writing. 

'til next time,

Liv

Mardi Gras 2015

The bead trees are still in full bloom a few days after Mardi Gras. Growing up in Louisiana, one my favorite times of year was Mardi Gras. Heading out to parades with the family, the excitement of catching a pretty bead, and dancing in the streets. As I've gotten older, how I celebrate Mardi Gras has changed a bit. I still enjoy going to parades, but I enjoy it more watching from a distance with an adult beverage in hand. Frankly, catching a pretty bead isn't worth the risk of getting slammed in the face by a ziploc bag of beads. I'd rather watch from a distance. 

As of a few years ago, I actually ride in a Mardi Gras parade...it's a very small parade--definitely one of those big 40 float parades in New Orleans you may have heard about--in my home town. I love riding on the float. Seeing the look on a kid's face when you toss them a stuffed animal makes it worth every penny I spend on throws and dues. 

This year was a little different. We all knew the weather wouldn't be ideal, but this was one of the more miserable experiences I've had. It started raining about 30 minutes before we started rolling. Everyone was dancing around in plastic ponchos trying to make the best of the situation. By the time the parade started, things were looking up. The rain had stopped and the wind had settled a bit. 

Halfway through our parade route...all hell broke loose. The rain came pouring down once again, and the wind gusts brought a cool front along with them. It's one thing to be in the rain, and it's one thing to be cold. It is a WHOLE OTHER THING to be in the rain AND cold. I could not feel my hands or feet, and I was soaked from head to toe. IT. WAS. MISERABLE.

Luckily after the parade was over, and after my hair was finally dry, the night ended great with everyone in town partying together and having a good ole' time. Just as Mardi Gras should be!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

XOXO

Liv

Music | Top Tunes

Ever have a song you wish would never end? A song you can play over and over and it never gets old? A song that gives you goose bumps every time you play it? Here are a few of my current repeats, old and new.

Ed Sheeran|Thinking Out Loud

Matchbox Twenty|Back to Good

Journey|Faithfully