/ AUBREY KINCH

Workout Playlist: Sassy!

Hi friends!

A couple months ago I made a workout playlist for y'all here and it's funny now hearing those songs while working out because I always think I need to make a new one for you. So here it is! This one is a little sassy for ya and I have in my mind ones that are a little rock and one that's country. Hopefully, I'll get those mocked up and out for you in the near future too!

+warning: explicit language

Have a happy workout!

DIY

DIY: Pallet Ottoman

You've seen Casa Kinch here and you may notice the coffee table we had there matches our end tables as it was full set along with the couches and area rug we got for our wedding. Well, Drake has made it a thing of the norm to sit on the coffee table while watching TV after millions of times Andrew and I saying no. The table has been on it's last leg lately, literally, wobbling like crazy and cracking if you even put a cup on it, so it was time to upcycle an old pallet I had lying around and make something that's a little more cushy and more child proof.

I figured getting something that's more of an ottoman feel, it would be child proof for later years when we expand out family and it would let us bring in another pop of the green we have throughout our main living space. I chose to paint the legs of the ottoman white because I've been bringing in small touches to lighten up the space so all in all, I'm loving the new statement piece taking over our living room.

T H I S I S W H A T Y O U ' L L N E E D :

pallet

+ mine measured 40" x 48" and we had this from buying our laminate flooring so it was free

poly foam

hobby lobby $34.99 with 40% off coupon at $22.90

michael's $19.99 with 40% off coupon at $13.13

+ i used two inch poly foam making sure it measured an additional 4 inches on each side so when it's wrapped, there's a padding there as well. i didn't have enough from the pack i got at hobby lobby so i purchased a second 1" pack from michael's i doubled to match the height of the 2" foam

fabric

joann's $5.99/yd at $13.07

+ i purchased 2 yards of fabric measuring 45" in width; i recommend having at least 50" in width unless you want a battle with the padding

wooden legs

home depot $3.78 at $16.56 for four

+ make sure to purchase the 9" size | see frustrations below with other sizing

staple gun

+ i don't have a staple gun so i used nails but it would be much easier doing a staple gun!

hardware

home depot $2.48 at $9.92 for four

+ these are a must to screw the wooden legs into for stability

Simple as that! Okay, not really. Full disclosure, this project turned into a nightmare mainly because I had in my mind, everything would go smoothly and perfect and then I didn't measure and ended up going to Home Depot 6 times in two hours. SIX TIMES. Good, grief. You think a girl would learn after the second trip to measure but nope, I was all about wasting time on my Saturday.

The first set of legs I purchased were 14" legs thinking it would be a good height for a foot rest but lawwwwd, it was taller than the previous coffee table. I then went back and got a set of 3" ones and those were too short. Then 4" and again, too short. And 6", but nope. See my dilemma? Finally on trip number 6, we ended with 9" legs that were perfection. Take it from me, get the 9" ones right off the bat or you'll be a frustrated little lady wandering through Home Depot over and over.

Also, the fabric I chose was one that only measured 45" across but it was a steal at $5.99/yd so I was convinced I could make it work. Well, it proved to be a pain in my toosh. I ended up standing on the inside of the pallet to push to padding down enough to build a small lip of fabric to secure. So again, take it from me and make sure you have at least 50" in width to play with.

Otherwise, this is a simple tutorial and you've now been able to learn from my mistakes!

Enjoy your new addition to your living space!

Friday Freebie!

Happy Friday friends!

If you couldn't tell, I'm obsessing over gold and pink still. It's anywhere and everywhere I am right now and I'm totally fine with that. Why not embrace the girly side sometimes even if it's a little extreme, yes?

Don't answer that, we might disagree.

But today, it's a pink and gold freebie again; get to rockin' your initial pretties!

click your letter to download.

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Have a great weekend, see ya Monday!

friends Recipes

Bruschetta Night

bruschetta no. 1

pesto

mozzarella

arugula

parmesan

bruschetta no. 2

mozzarella

basil

tomato

bruschetta no. 3

burrata

arugula

tomato

bacon

What's your favorite recipe to use when getting together with friends?

graphic design

iPad Savvy

It's official. I've joined the iPad lovers and haven't wanted to put it down since it arrived Saturday.

Way back when, I saw a blog post about making your own font and it was done using an app on an iPad. It had me intrigued but it wasn't something I'd only buy an iPad for so it went to the back of my mind.

Lately, building designs I feel like I'm limited to just a few fonts and typography and it's been making me a little crazy. That app kept popping up in the front of my mind again and again. It was time to make the move and expand my resources a little more with designing. Enter the iPad purchase.

I've gotten it a little customized to my liking, although it's been a fight trying to keep it in my hands since Drake wants to play on it nonstop. I thought the bright pink case and glitter accents for a home screen would disinterest him but I was wrong.

Either way, I'm just waiting for a stylus to arrive from Amazon and I'll be off to making my own handwritten fonts in no time. At least I hope so!

What are some of your favorite iPad apps?

graphic design

Working From Home

Apparently me working from home some days means I don't actually work. Friends and family seem to think I'm available all day everyday and my life is just a breeze, relaxing, getting a mani, watching TV, who knows? If only I could live a life of leisure but guess what? That's not what I'm doing.

I started working at the church at 30 hours weekly; this gave me time to get home before hubs, work out in the morning and some evening time to get design work done. Slowly but surely, designing has picked up and I've been barely afloat trying to keep up with the amount of clients storming my inbox. I was happy as a bird with a french fry! That meant it was time to prioritize designing more and cut back at the church. And that I did.

I'm now working 20-25 hours weekly at the church, four days a week. Those other 3 days of the week, I'm up at 8am working nonstop until 4 or 5pm on design. Yes, sometimes I'll still make time for the gym around lunch time. Sometimes I'll pop out to run a few errands. Sometimes I'll plan to meet for happy hour but mostly I'm working.

I made this decision with the support of my husband to be able to grow my brand and to get stable in a design business for when we choose to expand our family. I made this decision because when I'm at home in my office, I get a million times more work done than I do anywhere else. It's my happy place, my me time and something I love doing.

But I'm working.

Designing is the main form of my income. I make double doing that than I do at the church weekly. It's been a blessing to grow and evolved into something I never thought I'd be doing 2 years ago. But again, I'm working.

It's been frustrating getting calls or emails from people requesting to get a lunch in or an event that's "mandatory" in their minds. I respond with the truth of me working 7 days a week. Most of the time, they think I'm full of shit. But I'm not. I'm working.

Get it yet?

Design is my job.

Design is my passion.

Design is part of my daily routine.

End of story.

Don't ask me to hang out and get all sassy when I say I can't because I'm trying to build a safe and stable lifestyle for my family.

Working.

brutus

Happy Birthday

Oh, my boo boo, Brutus.

You're 3 years old today meaning you're 21 in doggy years.

Should we celebrate? Go clubbing? Power hour?

Maybe just some extra snuggles and a trip to the pet store for new toys?

Yes, I think that's a winner.

I remember so vividly picking you up and surprising daddy with his early birthday gift.

You were a little ball of fur and a little too rambunctious for my liking.

But you had me wrapped around your little chubby paws in no time.

I think it's safe to say you've turned into quite the mama's boy. Any time I'm working, you're right by my side, any time I throw my sneaks on you're at the back door waiting to run with me. Any time I grab my jug of water, you know that means were off to hike with Grandpa. And you know what side of the bed to come lay your head on every night for some extra love.

You're my baby love and I can't thank God enough for blessing Casa Kinch with you.

I don't think you know this but I get so excited leaving work because that means I'm home to my love bucket. I also cry far too many tears thinking what it would be like without you in our home. Seeing you with Drake and how gentle and loving you are makes my heart so full. You are the glue to our little family of four and you bring a monumental amount of joy that won't ever leave us.

I love you Mr. Pumpernickel.
mmmhmmm.
Just like daddy says.

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.

freebie graphic design

Friday Freebie!

Happy Friday friends!

Coming to your phones today is a little background inspired by all things girly. I've become beyond addicted to pink again which is something I never thought would happen after having an entire bedroom painted hot pink but here I am, only wanting more.

click here to download
+these can be used on any phones; simply download the image, email to yourself & set as your screen!
Thank you so much for downloading my freebie as always! I love to know all those special gals who use it so feel free to tag me on twitter or instagram @aubreykinch with a picture of your pretty background! You can also use #kinchdesigns to add to my online gallery via twitter & instagram!

Get on the list!