VIP Home: The Patio + Yard Before Its Summer Makeover

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

There is no doubt in my mind that I straight-up missed out on the “gardening gene” that both of my parents have. It seems that everyone in my family has a green thumb–for goodness sakes, my Aunt Karen has a landscaping business…I would be ashamed for any of them to see my apartment yard as it currently is. #EpicYardFail #Ashamed

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When I was a kiddo, I gardened with my Paw Riley–growing watermelons, tomatoes, okra, black-eyed peas, various kinds of corn, cantaloupe, blueberries, pears, apples, and the list goes on…BUT there is a big difference between caring for flowers and keeping a neat yard than tending to produce *wink* Ah…speaking of growing crops with my Paw Riley–we used to load up his red pick-up truck with watermelons, corn, and other goodies to sell in the parking lot of Fred’s in town. This might be frowned upon in the world today *wink* but that is a fond memory I will treasure forever :)

Ziva needs to learn to pick up her toys. Silly dog *wink*

Now, back to my yard predicament.

Recently, I blogged about my summer must-haves for my yard + patio, BUT I have yet to put that must-have list to full use *wink* So–y’all gotta hold me to prettying up my yard before I get disowned or the neighbors out-of-control vines take over my apartment like the freaky sci-fi/horror movie “The Ruins” (2008). Warning–do not watch that movie if you cringe at bad acting or gory scenes *wink*

Now, while I go try to clean up my yard so that I can gussy it up for a later blog, y’all take a look at some photographic proof that I lack a serious gardening gene *wink* Special thanks to The Next Best Thing in downtown Johnson City for the fabulous pallet bench and cutesy yard art :) I cannot wait to add some pillows to my bench + find some more funky yard stakes!

The only pretty thing I have accomplished *wink* Because I was irresponsible with keeping fresh water in my bird bath, I decided to create this fun topiary! Wait...does this qualify as a topiary? Hm.... *wink* — The only pretty thing I have accomplished *wink* Because I was irresponsible with keeping fresh water in my bird bath, I decided to create this fun topiary! Wait…does this qualify as a topiary? Hm…. *wink*

I plan to add some white wash *cue Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer* to this fabulous bench and crate table. — I plan to add some white wash *cue Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer* to this fabulous bench and crate table.

Yep....my yard could be a film location for Ruins 2. — Yep….my yard could be a film location for Ruins 2.

I am not even sure where this orange bucket lid came from...I don't own an orange five-gallon bucket... — I am not even sure where this orange bucket lid came from…I don’t own an orange five-gallon bucket…

The porch also needs some cute love *wink*

Check out Ziva's muddy paw art on the door... smh. — Check out Ziva’s muddy paw art on the door… smh.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

VIP Home: Picking Paint Colors Wasn’t as Easy as I Thought It Would Be…

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

I apologize for being away so long… I have spent the past few days making my apartment livable–Yay! No more boxes stacked around the perimeter of the rooms! Phew! I hope to never again see moving boxes…or at least not anytime in the near future *wink*

Now that my apartment is somewhat organized, I am starting to spiffy up the place with color! My two main paint projects at the moment are the front door and the closet that I am turning into my office.

Testing out paint samples on the front door.

The closet, which is soon to be my new office, prior to painting. — The office prior to painting.

When I was a kid, my favorite thing to do at the home improvement store with my parents was picking out paint samples–we spent a lot of time in Home Depot and Lowe’s…so, the paint samples kept me entertained*wink* I would pick out handfuls of samples each trip, and I am sure the store employees hated me for that; however, the samples are free…and I am pretty positive that it is not a crime to adore paint samples because I have yet to find my picture posted on the door of a Lowe’s or Home Depot *wink*

Back to the present–This weekend, I was filling my hands with paint samples for a totally different reason–my apartment is too blah and needs a few pops of color. Oh boy, picking paint colors wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be…When I little, there was no commitment–it was just for fun and giggles…but now, this is for real, and if I pick a bad color…what will my momma think *wink*

After going through a massive amount of paint samples, I finally decided to paint my front door Peacock Feather (Behr–Home Depot) and my office Honeysuckle (Pantone–Lowe’s). Once the humidity decreases here, I will put a second coat of paint on my front door and office walls…Oh! I cannot wait to show y’all the finished products next Monday on VIP Home! It is going to be FAB-U-LOUS! :)

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Weekly Whistle: Moving Madness + KristaLize Jewelry

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

Phew…today has been exhausting! I have been moving into my new apartment, unpacking boxes, and trying to make sense of what needs to go where–needless to say…it is a bit stressful. *ugh* So, I decided to take a break to sit down and chat with y’all about this week’s Weekly Whistle! Ah…this tall glass of sweet tea and blogging should mentally prepare me to tackle unpacking the boxes labeled “clothes” and “shoes” *wink*

Now, that is enough chit chat about the moving madness–let’s take a looksey at the outfit details of this week’s Weekly Whistle outfit, which features an ADORABLY AWESOME handmade necklace from KristaLize! Oh, how the VIP simply adores KristaLize jewelry! :)