Kitty Window Shelf - Damage Free

Brandon and I both like working on projects and keeping busy. This weekend was filled with projects and luckily they have all turned out well. One in particular is super exciting and I wanted to share it with you!

We have two cats who are delightful, sweet and super curious. Brandon made them a shelf a few months ago in one of our small windows so they can watch the birds outside our condo, and they love it. 

This weekend he decided to take on an even bigger project, making a shelf for our long and narrow windows over our couch. The cats love to get up there and critter watch. 

The best part about this shelf is that there is no damage to the window area. Brandon is very clever and made the shelf so it would stay put with some vertical pieces of wood to brace against the window frame.  So if you are renting your home and want to make something cool for your cat(s), you have an option!

Our window is 5’10” wide and the base of the window sits at about 6 ft high. We needed an easy way for the cats to get on the shelf without taking death defying leaps. My smart hubby decided to make a ramp on a hinge to give them an easy way up. (The hinge was for the easy connection in buidling)

Brandon cut the wood for the window, cut the bracing pieces, and the ramp. We wanted some shag carpet, similar to their cat condo, to cover the wood and found a fairly inexpensive rug at Walmart. 

Once all the pieces were cut and covered, Brandon attached the hinge. Then we adhered some foam double-sided tape to the window sill and slide the shelf into place. Then we put the bracing pieces in each corner, also with some double sided tape, and tapped them into place with a mallet. They should be very snug. Then you’re all finished!

Window Before

Window After

Kitties enjoying the shelf

Let me know if you have any questions!

FabFitFun Fall 2018 Box

I was totally swayed by influencers on Instagram and got the FabFitFun Fall 2018 box.  I really like FabFitFun community and was excited for the Vince Camuto Luck Tote that would be coming with this season's box.  I bit the bullet and paid my 49.99 plus tax to get my lifestyle treats for the season.

As a faithful StitchFix gal, I was pleasantly surprised that I had some options for my box.  I also got to give notes on my preferences and dietary restrictions so the box is more customized to my likes.  It was a pretty painless "quiz" and I was excited to get my box but wasn't sure when the box would be arriving.   My colorful and inviting box arrived on Saturday and I was eager to open it.

My box ready to be investigated!

The FabFitFun box is 49.99 plus tax.  A bit of an investment but you get some quality items.  

So here are the individual items from the box, and their listed value if I were to purchase them on their own.  

touch in SOL Metallist Liquid Foil Lipstick Duo in “Penny” - 24.99

CYLO COBRA Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds - 40.00

Alfred Teapot - 26.00

GLAMGLOW BUBBLESHEET™ OXYGENATING DEEP CLEANSE MASK (2 Pack) - 18.00

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser: Olive Leaf & Plantago Extract – 100mL - 49.00

SKIN&CO Roma Blue in Capri Shower Gel - 22.00

Simply Whimsical Set of 2 Tea Towels - 14.99

Vince Camuto Luck Tote - 128.00

I also received a beautyblender® - 20.00 and Luna Rica bar - gluten free.

Everything on display!  The total estimated value is $342.98.  Pretty impressive!

I'm excited to try out the products and see what I may want to purchase again!

August and September 2018 so far

August and September have been incredibly busy months for Brandon and me!

To start with, several months ago, Brandon and I planned a trip to North Carolina to surprise his brother for his birthday on August 31st.  We had to keep things super under wraps.  Only my mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law, Kristi, knew we were coming out.  We had planned a week long trip to North Carolina.  We were going to spend some time in Raleigh to visit Hunter, Kristi and the kid and then drive to Asheville to visit with Brandon's parents and family and friends who live in the area.

It was really hard to not to spoil the surprise!  Hunter, Kristi, Brandon and I have a group chat, and talk almost every day, so not letting something slip was really challenging.  Big shout out to Kristi for keeping all the secrets and helping us surprise Hunter for his birthday!

Our trip to North Carolina was really nice.  We arrived around 5 am on August 31st, got our rental car and groceries and then surprised Hunter by ringing his doorbell at 6:30 am.  He was happy and confused to see us :)

We spent the weekend in Raleigh celebrating Hunter and our nieces and nephews, all August babies, with a 4-in-1 bounce house.

Kids, both big and small, enjoying the bounce house

We drove to Asheville on Sunday in some CRAZY rain.  We had to pull off the freeway at one point because it was raining so hard.  We hiked on Monday to the top of Mount Pisgah.  (The Blue Ridge Parkway is gorgeous, if you're ever thinking about visiting.)  It was a beautiful hike, with a stunning view at the top.

All the Tweeds survived the hike!

We finished up our week in NC by working Tuesday through Friday.  Our jobs allow us to work remotely, so we worked our normal 9-6 and then visited with family and friends after.

 Although not a very relaxing trip, we had a really nice time visiting.  We're back into the swing of things at work and have a tripped planned for Portland in October.