set for spring

Happy First Day of Spring! {only one day late}

Seeing that yesterday was the first day of Spring, I decided to decorate our kitchen table for the occasion. 

Another reason is that yesterday, my family came down to take E and I out for dinner in celebration of my birthday. Family visiting is always the kick in the butt that I need to finish last minute projects to our house. 

I found theses vintage Mason jars at Goodwill on Friday. With the 75 cent price tag, I couldn't pass them up! After brining them home, I went outside in search of something to fill them with. Most of my flowers are not blooming yet, but one tree right outside our door is. So, I chopped down a couple of branches and ta-da a free Spring floral arrangement! 

I also took a couple of black patio chairs and added them to the table for more seating. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about them. I think that I like the texture that it adds. I might keep them there.

Happy Spring to each of you! I hope that you were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. 

This weekend I was able to take Addie and Stella to the dog park, each lunch downtown with E, go thrifting, finish last minute projects around the house, spend amazing quiet time with God reading 1 Kings, and celebrate my upcoming birthday with m family!

It was am amazing weekend :)

Since the sun was shining, I was also able to snap a couple pictures of the new jewelry pieces I am offering and a few pictures from inside our house. Enjoy! More to come soon!

branching out

Hello there! I hope the sun is shining where you are - I know it is here! I feel really really excited about it. I think that it has helped me get out of my funk. Lovely conversations with my besties (...Shannon) have also helped me realize that I am not alone. It is so good to have people like her in my life. 

I am taking off this Friday, because I am working on Sunday. I feel really pumped because the weather for Friday is supposed to be AMAZING!! I am already creating all of these lists in my head of things that I want to get done. I am working on the balance between accomplishing the things that I need to do and being spontaneous and fun ;)

I am also really excited to share with you all that I am creating my own little studio in our house. When I say studio, don't be mistaken, it is nothing fancy. But, I am really excited about it. I am so happy to not be making and packaging orders in the kitchen anymore. I'm sorry, but working from the kitchen counter is not very inspiring. 

I am so excited to have my own little space. I will take pictures someday when it is a little cuter. Right now it is just in the beginning stages. I am really trying to re-purpose the things that we already own. So far I am doing really well, but I wouldn't exactly call it "cute." However, I am going to organize and clean more this weekend, so hopefully it will get there soon enough. 

One thing that I saw on etsy and thought that the new little room needed were these. 

Aren't these little fabric leaves cute?? You can buy them here, or, I think that they would be super easy to make.  I am going to use some of the adorable teal floral fabric scraps from the rice bag. 

I think the thing that I am most excited about is having a space for the things that don't "go" somewhere else in my house. A lot of times I see a fabric or something and love it, but it doesn't really go in any particular room. Well, since this room is going to be a hodge-podge or re-purposed items, I can feel the freedom to fill the room with all the things that I love - even if they don't really "go." 

In the future, I hope to get brave like this with the rest of my house. I love it when you go into a house and you know that everything in it has meaning and memory behind it. I don't want to be a clutter bug, but I wouldn't mind being a tab bit more ecclectic.

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What about you guys? What is one of your favorite items in your home? What things in your home bring you the most joy??

gotta love green

No words

Inspiration only

warm and cozy

Hello there! Happy Tuesday.

Tuesday is E and I's date night - it's one of my favorite nights of the week!

First, I just want to thank each of you who have commented on my last couple of posts. I truly appreciate your uplifting words and for reminding me that my feelings were normal. We all need to be reminded that what we're going through isn't unique to us. 

Thanks for your encouragement. 

Thanks for caring enough to comment. 

Thanks for speaking truth into the situation. 

I really really appreciate each of you! 

Ok, onto the warm and cozy part. I having been wanting to make one of Darby's rice bags for awhile. Several weeks ago a couple of friends and I had a little act like we're 85 years old craft night. You can read about it here. This is the same night that E came in and saw the four of us sitting at the table with our sewing machines and said "this is the saddest thing I have ever seen." Call me old or lame, but I loved it. 

That night, two of the girls there made these rice bags, and further spurred on my desire to make on as well.

When I started my 1/2 marathon training a couple of weeks ago, I decided that the rice bag was no longer a want ... it was a need! 

So, I followed Darby's little tutorial and made one myself. 

I did alter the tutorial a little bit by using a pillowcase instead of buying fabric. I am new to sewing and I don't have a lot of extra fabric around. However, I can't wait for that day! 

I picked up a vintage pillow case from the salvation army thrift store. I followed Darby's dimensions, but since the pillow case was already doubled over, I just skipped that step.

I would say that using the pillow case actually made things easier. 

I cut off the one part of the open end to fit her dimensions.

Then, I had to cut it in half. I also did this to fit the dimensions that she listed. Since you cut it in half like this, you can actually make two rice bags out of one pillow case. Not bad for 50 cents!

After you cut it into two pieces, then you can follow Darby's tutorial step by step. 

Next, I measured out dividing lines and stitched them closed. I didn't take many pictures of this part because she does such a great job of explaining it. 

You can see exactly what I am talking about right over here. 

Microwave and enjoy!

One last thing, Darby said to empty a couple of tea bags in with the rice. I second that :) I used some type of french vanilla tea and it smells like cake each time I take it out of the microwave. 

Also, Darby warns to be careful when you're taking it out of the microwave. I also second that! Be careful :) I wouldn't want anyone to burn themselves!

Lastly, not related to rice - I am going to take a couple of weeks off from the giveaways. So sorry! I need a little break. I promise to return with some fabulous ones soon.  

and the winner is...

Hola Bloggers! Sorry to be keeping you waiting on the giveaway winner. 

Last week's Party Pom giveaway winner is MS. JENNIFER!! Congrats :) 

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Last night, E and I volunteered to work the "Date Bait" at our church. Date Bait is a fundraiser event where parents can drop their children off at church and a group of volunteers babysit. The parents donate what they normally would pay for a babysitter. 

All of the funds last night went towards out Costa Rica mission trip.

I'm not going to lie, dreading doesn't even describe how I felt about going. I have told you about my funk, and the last thing I wanted to do with my Saturday night was volunteer to babysit 50 kids.

But, I sucked it up and did it. 

Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. 

Kids can be kind of cute.

They can also be really funny.

Last night, one adorable little girl came up to me and said "how much longer is this party going to go on?" I'm glad that she felt like it was a party.

I found out that you can entertain kids forever if you just challenge them to race each other.  I also found out that four year olds are really clumsy and can get hurt when they race each other. 

Kids really like to run. I think I told a group of boys to stop running maybe 20 times. 

Being there last night made me wonder what type of parents E and I will be. Who knows. 

Helping out last night also brought back to the front of my mind, hopes of becoming a foster parent someday. I want to have children of my own, but I also really really want to foster and adopt. 

I feel like this is something that God has placed on my heart, now I just keep asking - when??

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After the date bait, E and I rented the film "Precious." 

 It was heavy, but real. When I laid in bed last night, I kept thinking of them women I have met over the years who have also been victims of abuse. 

Thinking about these women, also led to more thinking about fostering children.

Watching this movie, also helped with my funk.

I am so blessed. One thing that I take for granted is a feeling a safety. I feel safe in my home, neighborhood, job, with friends, ect. 

Not everyone feels this way.

As I've mentioned, I have been so discouraged thinking about jobs.

Watching this movie, also made me thankful that I had parents who encouraged education. It made me thankful that I was never told that I wasn't good enough for college.

I am blessed for having the opportunity to attend college and graduate school. I know that I had to work hard, but I was able to attend without many of the obstacles that others are up against.  

Everything is about perspective. 

I pray that these words would guide my perspective ...

Mark 9:35

 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

a series of unfortunate events

I will warn you, as I write this post I am bubbling over with emotion.

One my way home from work {aka on the way home from the job that is draining the life out of me}, I got in a wreck.

This was my second wreck this month.

You might feel bad for me, or you might that "she must be an idiot." Both  are probably correct.

I can't even believe myself. I think that I sat for the full hour waiting for the cop to arrive with my head on the stearing wheel.

Thankfully, {both times} E came to my rescue. I called him after both wrecks and he was there within 10 minutes. I truly do not know what I would do without him. Dealing with stuff like this is not my strong suite. I am more of a ...get in a wreck ... can't find my wallet/license in my purse ... the insrance card that I do hae is expired {although I remember getting a new one in the mail, but who knows where I sat that mail} ... registration? ... kind of a person. I am just being honest. That is how I am. Although his thoroughness can drive me up the wall, at times like this I am thankful that he is exactly the way he is.

The wrecks have just been the icing on the cake.

I don't know what is up. I know that I am insanely blessed, but I feel like I am in a funk.

I am desperately wanting a new job. I know that with today's economy I am lucky to have my job. However, it's just not me. It's still a paycheck, but research is totally not my thing. I want to work with people. I want to help people. I want to be a therapist.

As I ran last night, I just kept asking God why He just won't provide for me the opportunity to do something that I feel so passionate about. I know the obvious answer that He will provide in His timing, and His timing is always perfect. Sometimes when you're waiting, going on interviews and not getting jobs, it's easy to start doubting. At least that's how I am feeling.

I feel like my frustration is pouring out into other areas of my life. For example, earlier today I went on a long tangent telling E {in a nut shell} how I feel like he doesn't pay enough attention to me. While neither of us are perfect, I know that he didn't deserve to get the wrath of my frustration. He is a fabulous husband. It's like when a couple things are frustrating you, it's easy to feel like everything is bad. Maybe that is just me being immature. Probably.

And just a little side note .. Addie keeps running away.  She is sweet, but also a huge punk. She likes to dig and squeeze herself under the fence. Thankfully she cannot run far because all of our neighbors yards are fenced as well.

Sorry for being a downer. I will try to post something super cheerful tomorrow. Maybe a little Spring focus. For now, I am just going to subcumb and be an emotional eater. I already ordered my favorite pizza. I might even eat it in bed, where I have vowed to stay for the rest of the night. I wish I had some girl scout cookies as well. It's probably good that I do not. I would eat the whole box. Does anyone else feel stressed/sad/frustrated and immediately think about food?

I also think that I will continue reading Alice and Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Escape into the world of literature and fantasy.

Thanks for listening. I promise, tomorrow will be bright and happy.

{I am not going to read through this and edit. I usually don't anyways. Don't judge me.}

laundry adventures

I have so many projects in my head, that the laundry room isn't really my top priority. 

However, I do still love looking at pictures of other people's fresh laundry rooms.

This one is of a basement laundry room. It looks like they used some form of paneled curtain as a divider. I love how it instantly transforms the space into an actual room. 

I also love when people put a table or some form of board over their front loading washer and dryer. Having a little folding station would be such a luxury.

If you're like me and do not have front loading machines, then you could still install a little shelf like this one to add a little storage as well as cuteness.

I would like to add a little wall of hooks to our existing room. My only fear is that it would become another place to store crap that I don't want to put away. I could totally see our hooks sporting like seven hangers each. 

Anyone with me?

I also really like this creative little idea. They turned an old entertainment center into a command station for your laundry room. What a great way to re-use an old piece of furniture that no longer fits or gos in another room. If you don't have anything like this, no fear! I see like a million entertainment centers on Craigs List everyday. All I want are a set of fun nightstands. All I see is entertainment center ... couch ... entertainment center ... couch.

 

 

All of the pictures above are easy ways to update your room.

Take a look at these rooms - deluxe!

A little bit more modern than my taste, but still deluxe.

a few new things

Here are a few of the new things I have recently added to the store. 

What do you think?

  

 

wellies

Decisions, decisions.

I am usually good about making decisions. I like to make a decision quickly! E and I are total opposites when it comes to this. When he wants to make a large purchase, he goes from store to store for weeks and looks at all of his options. I can't tell you how much time I have stood in a store while E just "looks." I feel bad for the people working there, because he never has any intention on actually buying whatever it is at the store. He almost always makes large purchases online because you can find much better deals.

Not me, I make up my mind quickly and go buy what I need at the first place I find.

I know that there are good and bad to both ways of doing things. 

I am thankful that we can balance each other out in this way. 

Maybe E is rubbing off on me. I have totally stewed over which pair of wellies I want to purchase. I promise that I am not totally superficial. Even saying this makes me feel a little lame. I promise that I do think about more meaningful things in my day. However, I know that if I am going to spend the money on a pair of Hunter boots, then I want to wear them for pratically forever. Therefore, I want to make sure that I am going to get a color that I am going to like for awhile.

So here is what I have narrowed it down to:

graphite gloss

pea green gloss

I know that the green are a little bit more quirky, but I just love them. 

and lastly, the classic

original (non-gloss) green

So what do you think? 

If you were going to buy a pair, what would you pick?

Here is a link to the huge selection that they offer.

rainy days

I hear that it is supposed to start raining soon. I

hear that it is supposed to rain for six days straight.

I have decided that for the next six days, I would like to stay snuggled up with a warm cup of tea. 

I would like to get a chance to manicure my nails and toes just like this ladies. If I did a picture of myself like this you would think - sick! Maybe I should just to be funny.

And then I would like to cook yummy comfort food, blog, and maybe make some jewelry in this kitchen.

 You know how I am still such a sucker for tables in the middle of the kitchen. I absolutely love them!

Alright, sorry for the short post. I will be back again soon. For now, I am off to get ready for my jewelry party tonight. 

ain't it good to know - you've got a friend

E and I have the best friends in the world.  Beginning all the way back in high school, we have been blessed with amazing friendships. We have taken many many vacations together, danced at each others weddings, and now we are beginning the phase of being there for the birth of each others first children (not me, yet!) 

I was bored the other day and started looking through all of my facebook pictures. I laughed so hard, and so many memories started coming back to me - I just had to share. Sorry to some of you if any of these pictures are embarrassing :) 

A little trip down memory lane. 

{disclaimer - some of these will only be funny to you if you were there. some will be funny no matter what! Or, at least I think so!}

I started out my freshman year of h.s. with these two lovely ladies. They were then and still are my best friends in the whole world (although I've added a few others along the way)

We started h.s. as wild, rebellious, fun-loving, and without any regard to who God was. As only He does, somewhere between our sophomore and junior years, God dramatically worked in our lives. One of the biggest blessings God has ever given me are these amazing women who love God with all of the lives. I love that our lives changed and transformed together! I cannot imagine how difficult following Christ in h.s. would have been without them!

 

 I told you that I added a couple of others along the way! At the absolute top of that list would be my amazing friend Shannon. She's on the far right. 

If you can't tell ... this picture is also from h.s. 

 

 I love this picture! This picture was taken when our Young Life leaders organized a group of our   h.s. Young Life alum. I love this picture, because all of these people were introduced and began a relationship with God because of the time two people dedicated to high schoolers knowing God. It is a good thing to be able to see the fruit of your labor.

After h.s., Shannon, Jen, and I moved down to UK together to start our feshman year of college. We lived together until E and I were married. 

  

Along the way, we have created friendships with so many other amazing people.

I love that  over the years I have not lost the fellowship I had in high school ... it has only grown.  

We've been able to create so many memories together...

{fireworks} 

  

{tacky Christmas sweater parties}

 

{trips to the beach}

 

  

 

  

  

 

Side note - on this particular trip, the guys were staying down the street. However, they would NEVER leave our apartment and refused to let us come to theirs. Later in the week, we finally visited their place. This is why they would never leave. Once we saw it, then it all made sense. 

  

{cruised}

  

{snuggled}

 

 

 

{danced}

 

  

{shopped}

 

{weddings}

  

  

{bachelorette parties}

 

{engagements}

{backpacking trips}

 

{dressing up in prom/wedding dresses to watch the Ms. America pageant}

 

{road trips}

{been in bus crashes together - eek}

{stayed up way past our adult bedtimes to play monopoly ... the game that breads hatred} 

 {hung out at Young Life camps}

{prayed and cried together}

 

 

{and a few others that simply made me smile}

 

 

This pretty much sums up how I feel about my friends