2013 Year In Review

2013 has been a good year for me. I think that life has it's ups and downs and the year 2013 was no different. I do believe that getting through tough times make you stronger and more determined.

• March 2013- I went to Mexico with my handsome man and his family. It was my first time going to another country for more than a day trip (I went on a cruise in 2011). We stayed at a beautiful all inclusive in Cancun.

• April 2013- My boo thang popped the question! The Mr. and I got engaged and he found the perfect ring! He actually proposed twice. The first time was on a Friday afternoon. He came home from happy hour with some of his co-workers and started the convo with, "We need to talk."  I thought my ass was about to be looking for a new place to live. The convo ended with, "I think we should get married." My oh so romantic response, "We'll talk about it in the morning." Obviously, the conversation went well :) The second time was the official proposal :) My man went above and beyond to find a ring I would love that could be sized down enough to fit (you can't tell but my ring finger is a 3-3.5). On a Tuesday afternoon, I get a text asking if I want him to bring me lunch. My response is a resounding yes! When he shows up at my office I noticed he had no food bags... So, my hangry butt is giving him the stank eye. He comes up to the front door of the building and drops to one knee! I got a legit proposal :) The joke was on us though, the ring that was special ordered in my size was still too big and slid off my hand! I wore a sizer for the first week or so until we could get to the jeweler and have it sized. 

                                

• June 2013- Relay for Life of Shawnee went down! The past two years I was the Public Relations chair for the Relay for Life of Shawnee. I whored myself out to all the media outlets to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I had a lot of fun both years! I won't be participating in 2014's Relay because I am the Maid of Honor in a May wedding and have my wedding in July, so I won't be able to give it my all. 

• July 19th 2013- we bought a house! July was filled with looking at houses, putting in a bid, and paperwork! Then, we packed up our rental house and moved it into OUR HOME! We spent July unpacking and setting up our house. We deliberately bought a house that we could make our own, so we knew our future was going to be filled with DIY projects. We painted every single room and cleaned from top to bottom. We had our yard completely cleared out, as it was totally overgrown. I have to give massive props to my friends for helping me to clean AND paint in exchange for booze. 
  
• August through October 2013- My man and Big T created the workout room. When we bought the house we knew we needed a place to put the weight benches, elliptical, kettlebells, and have space to workout. There was an unfinished room at the back of the garage, so off to work the boys went. They turned a stinky spot filled with crap into room with real walls! This is now an insulated room with electricity, laminate flooring, a window and AC unit, and ceiling fan. 

• November 2013- My grandfather passed away. It was a really rough time between work and family needs. There was a lot of phone calls and visits to his house that occurred. My Aunt took care of so much, I have to admire her strength in caring for her father during his illness and then planning his services. 
• November 2013- My clinical training plan got approved! I am so excited to learn more about my profession and to become a better social worker. I feel like the more I know, the more change that I can be a part of. I got to date my hours back to October, which was amazeballs! I started my weekly meetings with my supervisor asap! My boo thangs birthday was at the end of the month, so we had a great night out with his parents to celebrate. 
• December 2013- It's hard for me not to love December. There is so much amazing stuff that happens in December. There is my birthday, my Grandma's birthday, my Mom's birthday, Christmas, fun timewith family aaaannnddd I get an extra long holiday break, Christmas lights, and to wear scarves & boots. December is sorta the best month ever. December gives me back my energy to keep going. Oh, and the boys also updated our living room this December!

I know that 2014 is going to be a great year too :) We have our wedding planned for July and I know that even more amazing things are going to happen!

What are some of your best memories of 2013? Is there anything planned for 2014 that you can't wait for?

Christmas Glory

I am officially on Christmas Break. It is a much needed break from the kids (and adults) I work with. While I heart them lots and lots, sometimes it is hard to handle working in five different schools. As a special education social worker, I work with the 5-10% of students in each school that are considered to have the highest needs and I also have a self-contained program for students with developmental disabilities and severe behavior. I am all over the place every single day and love it, but it does get exhausting.

Sorry for the verbal vomit. What I actually wanted to talk to you about was Christmas Glory.My friend who lives in Oklahoma City and I love, love, love the Christmas season. I love how everyone gets peppy and festive. There seems to be hope and happiness in the air. Then, there are the Christmas lights! A few years ago, I went home with Jes to OKC and she took me to see this house. It is the most glorious creation of Christmas Glory I have ever seen!  She took me to see this six or seven years ago. I have never seen anything like it since. Well, yesterday she posted this picture on my facebook. It was a much needed reminder of how much I love and appreciate the holiday season. I want to be the person who does something like this, so I can give someone as much pleasure as this house gives me! My goal in life is to decorate my house like this just for the sheer pleasure and joy of it!

Beauty Box Five Review

I am super excited to test drive a new monthly subscritption box! Beauty Box 5 sent me a gift of a box to review, so I thought I'd let ya'll know more about it. Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling program that delivers a box filled with 5 cosmetic samples to your door every month.

How It Works
For $12/month subscribers will receive a box filled with a carefully selected mixture of five travel-sized, deluxe-sized and full-sized cosmetic products from luxury, commonly known brands, niche brands, eco-conscious and even vegan brands.

What You Get

Every month you will get a box filled with cosmetic products selected by our beauty editor. You'll receive a mixture of luxury, commonly known brands, niche brands, eco-conscious and even vegan brands. Your beauty box will include a selection of makeup, hair care, skin care, nail care, fragrances and beauty accessories.

What I Got

 

•  Spongeables pedi scrubber infused with doothing lavendar-tea tree oil a soft side cleanses and soothe, while a rougher side massages and exfoliates. This product smelles good, but not too overpowering of a scent. It can be used 6+ washes before it starts to melt away like bar soap.
• Coolway shampoo and conditioner  gently cleanses with a luxurious lather free of damaging chemicals and Sulfates so that your hair won’t be stripped of any of its natural beauty and the conditioner focuses on softening and polishing hair for improved hydration and shine. I love, love, love that it gave both the shampoo and conditioner in a large travel size. I liked and enjoyed how the Coolway products made my hair feel, but not any better than my daily shampoo/conditioner.

• Nubar nailpolish was founded as the healthy alternative for beautiful nails. All polishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (phthalate). The color I received is straight up sparkles! It can be used as a stand alone nail polish or to create wild and crazy looks. Since I love to put glitter over colors, I really liked getting this full size nail polish.  

• Be a Bombshell eyeshadow in Starlet is highly pigmented long lasting formula for all day wear. It can be used use as eyeliner, a base color, accent color, and a highlighter.  Go to their website and sign up to have Bombshell consultants create and email you personalized looks each month.Of everything in the box, this was my absolute favorite. It is a full sized, single eye shadow in a slightly shimmery dark chocolate. I have used this sooo many times since getting the box. It really lasts all day and doesn’t crease. It makes my blue eyes pop when used as a base color!

For a few dollars more ($2) you do get larger products than other monthly beauty subscriptions (ipsy, birchbox). This box contained 3 full size items and 2 large travel size, which is an amazing value! Also, it is more of a lifestyle box than a cosmetics box. I loved that it had a foot scrubber, which was a nice change. I would definitely recommend checking out Beauty Box5!

You Shoulda Been There...

You totally shoulda been there for my birthday weekend! It was the most jacked up shiz in the world. On Friday (my actual day of birth anniversary) I had planned to take the day off, but instead I called in sick since I had the worst sinus infection and my neck was swollen. But, let's be honest everyone thought my ass was faking. I so was not... Proven by the fact that I took Amoxicillin... Does anyone know what one of the side effects of Amoxicillin is? No? Nobody? Well, let me enlighten you. A side effect is the cha-chas. Yes, I accidently made myself have diarrhea by taking medicine for my sinus infection. Happy birthday to me bitches.

 

 

Saturday was better. Saturday was waaayyy better. I felt glorious!

 

I went with my boo thang and friends to a Japanese Steakhouse (because that's what everyone does after having doing the cha cha slide all day, right?). You shoulda been there for this shit. If you were a fly on the wall you would have heard multiple conversations about people getting slapped in the face with d***s becuase they're dating som many people at once (Match.com=Money well spent!), a comparison of working as a train yard manager to working the polar express (nowhere near the same), and how the boys of the group were the best at having things fly into their faces... Amongst other conversations of course.

 

Overall, another birthday to remember!  

It's My Birthday!

In honor of my birthday being today, I thought I would let you in on some of my most glorious birthday moments. While I now like to always keep it classy, I have to admit at one point in time I was a trashy biotch. Obviously things have come along way since then.

I have had the pleasure of getting three tattoos on birthdays (my 18th, 19th, and 23rd- my mom was with me for each one), planking before planking was the shit, having the best 21st birthday ever (I had a multiple week celebration that went across multiple states), driving through snow/ice storms to get back to Kansas without dying, and going to a strip club for the first time on my 18th birthday (sorry no photo evidence of that).... Among other things :) Some things are just better left unsaid!

What are some of your best birthday shenanigans?

Oh, and I was the best gift that my parents ever got on a Friday the 13th!

The Living Room Project

 

Since buying this house we have done tons and tons of work on it! We chose to buy a house that we could make our own. The only problem is that we are both such instant gratification people. We want it to look perfect now!

The only downside to that is… neither one of us truly has home improvement skills J We have been using my dad, Big T, for everything! Luckily, he loves coming over and helping. Or at least he pretends like he does for his baby girl. Yes, I realize I am spoiled. No, I do not intend to stop asking my daddy to do things for me.

This go round, we wanted to update the living room. We want people to walk in the front door and say, “Wow this looks beautiful!” To do this, we couldn’t have the old grungy fireplace and bare walls. So, I whitewashed the brick and took out the doors of the fire place and spray painted them black with Rustoleum high heat paint. I have to admit, that can of paint is the best $3.97 ever spent!

The boys built a new mantle, added cabinets, made book shelves, and put up crown molding. They did all of these things in only three days! They worked super, insanely quickly to get this job done before it got too cold to work outside and in the garage. I have to admit, The Mr. loves learning how to use table saws and create things.

After they did all of that, we painted everything white and I am loving it!  

 

I really feel like the living room looks so much cleaner, brighter, and suprisingly bigger. I have more pictures of the actual process itself, but thought the before and after pictures were the most important!

 

Now, it's on to decorating.

Hippy Dippy Style Soap

Disclaimer: I received this soap free as part of the Purx Insiders group.
I was not compensated in any way and all opinions are my own.

I don't know about you, but I have the most sensitive skin in the world. Just as my doctor, I have seen that biotch twice in the past month because I've had a rash/the itchy scratchies. Gross, right?! One of the things that I noticed is that if I use store bought soaps that have dyes and scents in them I itch or feel scratchy from those. So, my solution was to figure out how to make my own soap. Sounds awesome, right? Well, it actually is pretty awesome sauce because not only do I know exactly what I am putting in my washer, but it is also dirt f-ing cheap. I spent some time over my long 5 day weekend purchasing and making the recipe below. I highly recommend!

To make my soap all I need is:

1 Fels-Naptha bar (grated)
1 cup Borax (I use 20 Mule Team Borax)
1 cup washing soda (I use Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda)

Just mix that shiz up and you are ready to go! I use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load, I use the top of a purex crystals cap as my measuring spoon and it works well for me.

What household cleaning tips do you have? I also love using vinegar as a household cleaner! I try to avoid harsh chemicals if possible.

I Totally Had a 5 Day Weekend...

... and have nothing to show for it. Not true! I did tons of shit and just didn't photograph it for evidence.

On Wednesday, I braved the grocery store in order to make the most amazeballs green beans for turkey day. I will def post the recipe for them soon! I also filled in holes on our new cabinets and bookshelves in the living room that The Mr. and Big T made over the past 2 weekends. Then, I sanded the shit outta the entire thing and taped it to be painted. The Mr. didn't trust me to paint by myself, which I don't understand since I am the greatest at home improvement projects, so I put up our silver Christmas tree with purple ornaments. I will post pics on instagram, as that f-er looks amazing in our room with a purple wall. Just saying. Then, my handsome man came home and got the wild hair to paint all that shit and I totally womped his ass with my painting skills. I am legit when it comes to painting without a roller.

This was our pinsperation:

 

Thursday, I ate. Need I say more?

Friday, I played Batman Arkham Origins and spray painted the fire place grate. At least I think it was Friday... the days all rolled together.

Saturday, The Mr. and I ran all over the Kansas City metro area. We went to the Legends to look at area rugs, we went to the opposite end of the world to go to a few home good stores to look at area rugs... all the while knowing in the abck of our minds we would end up buying the super affordable one we had seen at Home Depot down the street.

Sunday, we saw Catching Fire with our friends. I have to admit I have never read the Hunger Games books. I just hate reading books and seeing the movies. I become all judgy judgersone and hyper analyze which was better. Which totally takes the fun out of seeing the movies. Instead, I don't read and sit on my lazy butt and watch what happens. We also half assed watch the Chiefs lose to the Broncos... Man, I heart me some Chiefs, but come on-- 3 loses in a row?!

Holiday Nails with Kiss Nail Art

 

 

I don’t know about anyone else, but attempting to paint my nails at home is akin to torture, especially if I am attempting to do any kind of trendy design.

 I diligently paint every digit.

 

 

I patiently wait for them to dry. This is where shit gets real.

 

Lastly I attempt any of the following—adding glitter, ombre, or French tip. Instead of turning out beautifully I wind up with a streaky mess of crap on my hands.

 

 

Fortunately, Kiss has come up with a clever way to make your nails look perfect.  Kiss Gradation Polishes gives you a set of three polishes that all work perfectly together to make glittery ombre nails. The bottles are clearly labeled (1, 2, 3) to let you know what order to apply. It also comes with instructions so that you can achieve a salon look at home. The polishes also dry insanely quickly, which pleasantly surprised me. I was totally dry within 30 minutes, which for me is perfect because I can paint my nails and have them dry in less than one episode of Real Housewives. I call that a win.

 

Fun Filled Adventures

 

While I don't have photographic evidence (at least none in which I look attractive), I did do stuff this weekend. My friend, Kala, celebrated a milestone birthday while in Mexico with her bf, so we did an easy birthday celebration at her house on Friday. She was dogsitting her bf's dog, Dock, so I spent most of the evening giving that big boy some loving. Dock is a brindle boxer, just like my Tigger, but he is normal size not a famine victim like Tig. I also find it amusing that Tig is considered small, yet weighs 50 lbs. He’s just special.  

On Saturday, Big T came over to teach the Mr. how to add crown molding to the ceiling. We are adding cabinets, bookshelves, and re-building the fireplace mantle. My Dad is a jack of all trades and is not only doing this project for us, but teaching the Mr. how to do these things well. I white washed the bricks on the fireplace and the plan is to paint the ugly gold doors black. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!  

While the boys were working on the fireplace project, I was working on a gift for baby LRD.  After Big T left, we went to my friend Lucy’s house so that I could give her the gifts. I love giving gifts and I try my hardest to make them as personal as possible. The colors of baby LRD are gray, navy, and orange and the theme is owls. I ordered the cutest vinyl monogram a few weeks ago of Sassysteals and I adore it! I came out beautifully and all I had to do was rub it onto a picture frame. I also embroidered an owl print “L” on a fleece blanket, which is one of the easiest ways to personalize something. What are some easy ways that you personalize gifts?  

Overall, it was a pretty chill weekend. The only sucky part is that while on the way to Kala’s house on Friday the Neon got hit by another car trying to edge past us into the turn lane at a stoplight. I couldn’t be mad about it though because the driver was just a baby and didn’t know any better. She was crying and crying and her car was worse than mine, which is funny since her car was a Honda CRV and way bigger than the Neon. If I can say one thing about the Neon I would have to admit it’s a sturdy sucker. It’s better than a bumper car in accidents.

Fall Carabox

I participated in the Carabox exchange again. I loved getting to know my ladies last go round, so I thought I'd do it again. Again, it was a blast! This time around instead of having only one month to get to know my two ladies I had almost two full months, as Carabox is now 4 times per year instead of monthly. I think that this gave me more time to be thoughtful about what I was picking out for my girl. The theme this time was Fall, which I had to try really hard not to make Halloween (since that is my fave fall holiday!).

 I sent a box to Tiffany at In Pursuit. She is a lovely lady expecting her first baby (whom she calls Charlemagne), has the cutest fur baby, and takes amazing photos! I have loved getting to know her over the past few months. 

I received my box from Abby at Always Abby. Abby is a super sweet girl who I have a ton in common with! She works with kids, loves playing with hair and makeup products, and we also share a love of books. Abby took the time to get to know all about what the Mr. and I were up to around our new home and all the little things going on in my world. I received the cutest dish towel that I set out immediately, the cutest pumpkin patch decor block (it also got set out immediately), pumpkin spice smell good stuff (which I LOVE), a big mug that has a lid (perfect for work), nail polish, and a cute Halloween headband! Thanks, Abby!

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Friday Fuzzies

I needed something happy to talk about since this has been an up and down shit week. So, I decided to talk about the things that are making me happy lately. Life has a lot fo twists and turns and sometimes I get a little motion sick from. Life, this is why I don't ride roller coasters you crazy bitch! But on to the greatness :)

• We are working on our living room this weekend. On Thursday night, I white washed the brick around our fire place and I am going to paint the fireplace doors black this weekend. Then, the Mr. and Big T are going to put in cabinets and bookshelves. The pinsperation for this project:

 

• My clinical training plan got approved, which I am super, massively excited about. As a social worker, this is the next level of licensure that I can get. For the next few years I will learning to be a better social worker! Woot!
  
  

 

• We are celebrating my fabulous boo thangs birthday tonight with his parents. Every year we go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and have a delicious meal. This year is no different. I am going to get off work, stop to buy his present (it was too big to hide), and go tart myself up for a fun night out!

 

Wedding Wednesday What I Won't Do's

And in the age of the 72 day marriage. I am honoring Miss NeNe Leakes on lasting more than 10 years, making a bunch of money, getting divorced, and then marrying the same man. Love it!

Three things I do not need to do at my wedding (trust I am not hating if you do these):

1. I will not be wearing more than one dress. I just am too cheap for that shit.
2. I will not force my guests to change clothes (here's looking at you Adriana of RHOM).
3. I will not run hours late (again, looking at Adriana of RHOM). Be on time, people will be getting hungry and let's be real, people are just there for the food anyways!

What things wwould you not do? What things shoudl I not do? Let me know so I don't mess up!

Veteran's Day aka Thanks Dad!

My Dad aka Big T :) He was just a baby.

 

I don't know who all knows it or not, but today is Veteran's Day! This is a big deal, like Christmas style big deal. My Dad, my dad's dad (grandpa), my dad's dad's dad  (my great-grandpa).... and many more men in my family are all Vets!

 

This past weekend, we held my grandfather's funeral in Seneca, KS. While there we had the chance to visit the Nemaha County Veteran's Memorial. I know, who in the world knows where that is at?! Well, on this wall was my Grandpa Larry's name! It was nice to be able to see his memory living on when we were there at a time to honor his memory.

 

It is a point of great pride for me that my father served in the military. I love that there is an entire day dedicated to the men and women who protect our country. My dad retired with after serving more than 20 years in the Army. It makes me proud. In my parent's home we have an entire room dedicated honoring the men in our family who have served. I love to show people this room so that they can see how the military is a part of so many people's lives. I wish that we could do more to honor them on an everyday basis.

 

Do you have loved ones who have served or are serving? How do you show your pride?

 

 

 



Veteran's Memorial in Seneca, KS

Grandpa Larry, Great-Grandpa Bud (Leo), and Great Uncle Gary all served proudly

Engagement Photo Previews

 

 

Eeewwww. I know playing kissy face is gross, but I just had to share these pictures with you all. The Mr. and I met with our wedding photographer for a quick 45 minute session. We had both just gotten of work, so I am glad we don't look a hot mess. I thought that I didn't want or need "engagement" photos, but now that I have them I am super, duper excited. Truthfully, I had given up hope that the Mr. and I would ever have a good picture of both of us, together, at the same time. I mean the stars have to align for this to happen. Or he needs to be drunk, but not me once I get drunk I get red and have glassy drunk eyes, so not cute.

 

 I personally love the one lying down and the standing on the bridge in front of the stone wall.

 

What do you think? Which is your favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's like Glee, But Different.

Sooo... you know how some bloggers have been writing posts about how blogging is like high school. It has made me think back to my high school days, especially as I have a reunion coming up! While I realize there are cliques, I often feel that we project the image we expect to see on a group of people. I think there are those people who can, and do, fit in with all people never realizing that they are supposed to act a certain way with a certain group, they just flit around. I would say that was me in high school. I did competitive drama (who know there was such a thing?!), cheered 2 years, participated in plays and musicals both onstage and off, managed the boys soccer team, and was student body president my senior year. I didn't care what I was called by who, just that I liked what I was doing.  While Gloee was amazeballs for all of 2 seasons, it was absolutely nothing like that. I mean doing plays and musicals is about all Glee has in common with public school performing arts.

Soooo.... for all of you who didn't have a chance to participate in drama club. So courtesy of buzzfeed, I give you a little peek into that world.

Auditions filled you with so much hope every time. What if this was your year?

 

The day you got a part other than “chorus” was a glorious one. Lezzzbehonest. I can't dance or sing, so I was always grateful that I every made it into the musicals. Although one time I did have like 5 lines and an actual name.

 

But being a chorus member/dancer had its perks, like having more time to hang out with your friends backstage.

You collected all the playbills of the shows you were in. And I have many of them framed :)

And you viewed drama club banquets as rehearsal Tonys. OMG! Winning was the highlight of your year! You knew big things would happen next year because of this win!

 

You may not have been as popular as the athletes, but people still filled up the auditorium to see a show you helped put up, and that was really validating. Shit my mom came to every show... and I mean every show, one day I found her sitting in the lobby reading a book because she had seen that show that many times.

 

You got to go on field trips to see live theater! Didn't everyone take a class called Give My Regards to Broadway and travel to New York? No? Just me and the 12 other dorks, gotcha.

What clubs were you in? Have you ever heard of competitive drama? Tell me about it!