I started the outside project, but only got as far as the firepit. Looks big enough for a small pig...
Started with a concrete form:
Then stacked the blocks on the form . Sorry no pic of that process.
Then finished it off with some stone veneer and capped with 2" Thick Sarabia Flafstone that I cut to fit from slabs:
I have young children (one that would likely fall into the pit) so I had to make the height about 20"
Have been kicking around ideas for the fireplace, saw this at a place in Mesa and think I will be going for something of this style, probably won't be cornering it and open up the hearth a bit more: