Current Lusts {{Home Decor Style}}

While I realize the holidays just got over and I got more than what I ever could have dreamed of, I am still like Veruca Salt from Charlie and Chocolate Factory. I want all the things and I want them now! Only difference is, I know it will be a hot second before I get any of these things and I live on a budget. So, what is it that I am lusting after you ask? This go round, it is all home stuff. I have started to get ideas of what I would like our house to look like. We have been here a year, have done all the major remodel to the outside that needed to be done. Now, I would love to be able to focus on decorating and finishing some of the rooms.

Sonoma Console Table  I think that this would make a great entryway table for us. I like to keep candles and other items like that stored in the living room, so those baskets would be great for that! I also love the under shelf, with thoughts to put our wedding album and Royals Post Season album down there.

Starburst Mirror Set  I love the idea of mixing these into a gallery wall in our living room, in theory directly above the entry table mentioned.

Green San Miguel Vase  and Purple San Miguel Vase for the living room as well. We have a pretty dark pallet in our living room, which these could help brighten up. We also have the bookcases bracketing our fireplace that need filled.

LOVE Marquee Sign I really, really want one of these for our bedroom, but have no idea where to put it. The bedroom is the last room that we plan to decorate since we have been updating so much around the house and want to decorate the communal rooms first.

Shelf with Scroll Brackets  This would be to use above the kitchen sink. I enjoy having lotion and my ring holder next to the sink, but don't like having stuff cluttering our counters, since we don't have a ton of counter space as it is.

Where do you usually find good home decor? I generally stick to Kohls, Target and maybe TJ Maxx/Home Goods.

Fall Goals Recap

bahaha so I was late to getting my Fall goals together and then I decided that I would go until the Winter Solstice so that I could give this my best effort. In case you weren't aware, the Winter Solstice was December 21st. Suck on that, it gave me an extra few weeks to meet my Fall goals! I also have to say thank you to Kathy, formerly of Vodka and Soda, for giving me some REALLY great organization advice! Thanks, boo! 

• Get Organized and Down Size: I have a lot of stuff. I like to keep things forever and I know that I don't need to. I put these two things together, because I feel like they go hand in hand. 
• Clean out Closets--- keep things I ACTUALLY wear and that fit. 
• Hall (winter boots and scarves) Got rid of a pair of boots and 6 scarves. 
• Guest Room (craft supplies, coats, and STUFF) Haven't even touched this closet besides coats/jackets, so I have plans to get it down over Christmas Break. The craft supplies are going to work with me. 
• Bedroom (clothes and shoes, including under bed storage containers) I filled the guest room bed with clothes to donate and decided to try and re-sell a few nicer pieces. 
• Clean Desk 
• Start filing system (we have all our paperwork shoved into a drawer) Half Way started- got the filing system put together and started moving things over 
• Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets

Overall Get Organized and Down Size Grade: B+ I got rid of a ton of stuff and am still in the process of finishing this goal, but it will be done by Jan 1. Also related, we cleaned out the garage and got rid of a TON of stuff there too AND I organized my office at work, getting rid of stuff to make room for my craft/art items to be moved there-- so I factored those into my grade as extra credit. 

• Sell Said Stuff (or donate): Not only do I need to decide to get rid of stuff, I need to actually do it. Why do I need to keep the shirt someone gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that I've never worn?  

Overall Sell Said Stuff (or donate) Grade: B+ In the middle of doing this. It will be done by December 31st for tax purposes :) 

• Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down: I am thinking of starting a calendar in the kitchen that is there for both of us to see. Gabriel doesn't like surprises and I try to do a weekly run-down, but we both have a lot going on and can forget. We tried sharing iPhone calendars--- worst idea ever!  Didn't start a shared calendar-- am looking for a cute one on clearance now. 
• Workout- I love to walk when it is this time of the year, but I need to do more than that. Didn't really do much with this goal truthfully. I stuck to what I usually do, which is inconsistent. 
• Cleaning (including the dreaded laundry) because the house gets NASTY during the wet months with the dogs. We did a big deep clean, I have been keeping up with the laundry weekly, am doing kitchen clean up 3x/week. 
• Cooking- I would like to eat out one less meal. We have been eating out 1 weeknight, Friday night, Saturday morning and night. I meal plan, so that keeps us within a set budget and gives us a weekly menu. We started eating in on Sundays nights and weekend one breakfast about a year ago, so this has been a slow work in progress. This has been better. It wasn't perfect, but definitely better. The extra meal in per week fluctuated between being a Friday night or weeknight depending.  If a weeknight, it was usually a frozen pizza. But, that frozen pizza was planned and on the meal prep menu, which now hangs on the side of the fridge. 

Overall Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down Grade: C- I didn't do so hot with changing my workout routine, didn't start a mutual calendar, but did do really well with keeping the house clean during this nasty weather and with meal prep. I have a goal of finding a cute chalkboard or something like that to use as a weekly calendar for us and have talked to G about putting it by the garage door where he can see it as he enters/leaves. This wouldn't be such a big thing, but I teach night classes throughout the semester, take classes sporadically, have parent/teacher nights intermittently at my schools, etc. and he frequently forgets when I verbally tell him on Sundays.... So a communication board is a must! 

I loved hearing how you all organized your life, so if you have any more tips SHARE! 

From Ms. to Mrs. {{Getting Ready & Photos}}

The day of the wedding, I got up and worked out, loaded my car (cough, Jen's car I didn't have a car, cough) full of food in coolers, and off we went to the venue to help set up and decorate. Mostly, I just did what my Mom told me to do. It's safer that way. I was so incredibly lucky that many of my parent's good friends, my family and my two good friends came to help with all this. At 2pm, Jen, Kala, and I went to the hotel to get ready.

This is the only photo from the hotel time. We didn't have a photographer during this time and I got ready with Jen and Kala.  Leslie from Classically Chic Designs did our hair and makeup. My mom also came and got her hair done after a bit. The girls and I ordered pizza, listened to guilty pleasure music and had fun! My goal was to have big, bouncy hair with lots of volume, so I totally used clip in extensions. I also wanted to make sure my eyes popped and my makeup stayed on all day, so I had air brushed makeup done and lashes applied. You guys, if you ever are on the fence about extensions, air brush makeup, or false lashes JUST DO IT! They are all totally worth it and make a huge difference. 

At 5pm, Gabriel showed up so that we could go take photos with Barbara Danielle. 

My bouquet is something I will keep forever. I made it. Blood, sweat, and a whole lot of hot glue later I had a bouquet that I love. 

Our bling. This is also one of my favorite photos. Gabriel did such a good job picking out my rings. For his, he chose a brushed platinum band. 

I really loved the time that Gabriel and I had taking photos, we just walked around Westport and it was really easy going. We didn't have any specific shots that we wanted, so much as we wanted pictures of each other having fun. 

(Kissing is fun, right?!)

This was a candid shot as I was doing touchups. It is such a great picture because that's my dad standing in the reflection of the mirror. How cool is that?! 

What's your favorite wedding photo?

Weekend in Review: Birthday Edition

Another year has come and gone. Saturday was my for real birthday. I am now almost 30. I have a feeling that this post next year will be considerably more self-relfective. Right now, I am where I want to be, give or take a few things. I have worked hard this past year, had some ups and downs, but overall 28 was a great year. I got married, bought a new car, fixed up my first home.

To celebrate, I decided to be extremely low key. I originally thought Japanese Steakhouse with friends, then decided to do a me and boo night. We went to the Melting Pot, which is one of my favorite romantic night out spots. Unfortunately, it was not the romantic experience that we are used to, but no worries. We can play kiss face anywhere. We went for the Cheddar cheese fondue, which has lots of sharp, bold flavors. Then, the wedge salad, our go to at most places. Next, we had the Fondue Fusion, which is a little bit of everything (duck, stack, chicken, lobster) cooked in the red wine. Last, but certainly not least, our chocolate was the Dark and Dulce, a dark chocolate laced with sea slated caramel. DELISH! I have to admit, at that point we were both so full and the food so rich, we didn't even finish the plate of goodies.

Sunday, my parents came over and gave me the best gift ever. A scrapbook of the Royals season this year, specifically the Post Season. I will have to take some pictures to show you all. It is too amazing. I also got a little Salvador Perez, catcher for the Royals,  lego man to put with my Royals collection. 

Friday Favorites {{12.12.14}}

It's Friday again! Does anyone else get up every day and just wish it was Friday afternoon already? No? I'm the only one who loves that joyous feeling of leaving work, taking off your id badge, and going yeessss two blissful days of freedom. That's one of my favorite moments every week. Here are some of my other favorites for your enjoyment. 

Favorite Quick Workout

If you are looking for something calm and gentle to do, because you are feeling sorta bloated from the holiday feasting this is the video for you. It is from one of my all time fave sites, POPSUGAR. 

Favorite DIY 

This super cute initial is the perfect alternative to the expected wreath. I have been dying to make my own in winter colors, but haven't made it to the store to buy my letter yet. It's on the to-do list. Super easy and I already have most of the supplies. Meaning the twine and hot glue. 

Twine Initial 

Favorite Recipe

I made my version of this recipe this month, with homemade noodles I might add, and G and I both loved it. It was the perfect comfort food when we were feeling down and it was dreary outside. 

Iowa Girl Eats 

Favorite Funnies 

I'm linking up with Amanda for Friday Favorites 

From Ms. to Mrs. {{Venue and Decor, pt 2}}

I already told ya'll that I wanted my wedding to be vintage chic style, with a focus on Lavendar, Mint, and Grey as my colors... but I didn't tell ya'll that the ballroom of Morning Glory had ORANGE walls. So, my mom pulled off a miracle and made it all come together effortlessly.

In the Venue and Decor part 1 post, you guys got to see the bottom floor and guest book table. Here is the rest of the decor in the entry way where the guest book was located.

(P.S. You can thank me for the nakey baby photos later)

My Dad made these initials out of old Readers Digest books! We now have them in our house.

To the right of the entryway, was a sitting room. This is where we had a candy buffet and took some photos before the ceremony. 

I adore this picture. I sometimes stare at is just because I can. 

 We are both sugar addicts and had to do a candy buffet. I actually ate zero food and snacked from this during the party.

In the ballroom, we kept it simple. The piano was covered with lace and became our card/gift table, my dad made these huge paper pom pom displays for the faux windows, we hung paper lanterns from the chandeliers, and every single table had a different center piece. Every single table. No joke. It was fabulous. 

One wall had faux windows, so we wanted to cover them with festive decor. Enter in my ultra handy father, who made these 6 foot tall paper pom displays for each window. 

There were two huge, long wooden buffets that we used for food, booze, and the cake/cupcakes. 

This pretty little spot separated the booze from the nonalcoholic beverages. 

We kept all the wine and beer in these super cute tubs that had burlap bows attached. 

To hold the beer, we had koozies for our guests to take home. This was one of the items that I had to have. I love koozies and feel like they are useful gifts that people will use later. At one point, we ran out of beer and my Dad had to do a liquor store run to go buy more! After that we had too much and sent a case home with the DJ. Best tip ever. 

What party favors did you all use? What unique touches did you have at your wedding?

Awesome Gift Idea

Here's an idea for an awesome Christmas gift for someone else or even yourself. Ya'll I am so excited by this offer! I have been stalking these offers on Tiny Prints site and am flabbergasted to have found one this good. I can't wait to show you which one I get!  You can also design one from scratch.

And today only, Tiny Prints is offering these cases for 50% off! Here's how to get this offer:
1. Check out Tiny Prints phone cases and choose from iPhone or Samsung and if you want photos or not.
2. Add photos if you want, select your fonts, type in your message, choose your colors. Make it personal. Make it uniquely you (or whoever you are getting it for).
3. When you checkout, use the code EARLYBIRD1210 to save 50%.
It's that simple.
Also, check out all their other gifts and cards and use the code SWDEAL30 to save up to 30% on your order. And code FREESHIP49 will get you free shipping if your order is more than $49.
Pretty awesome...so check it out today.

Shenanigans

she·nan·i·gans

SHəˈnanəɡənz/

silly or high-spirited behavior; mischief.

Ya'll the shenanigans of this past weekend left me exhausted, so I didn't even think about writing a post for Monday. My sister-in-law came into Kansas City from Houston, Tx with her fiancee and we all went to a huge family gathering about 2 hours away. This family gathering has become a time honored tradition of drunken buffoonery. 

This year, there were 45 people present and that many bottles of wine. The house is HUGE, looks like a compound, and I swear was actually made for a Lifetime movie where the man has 100 wives and children living there. 

This is Gabriel, my hubs, and his sister. 

The hostess has the biggest walk in shower/tub that I have ever seen, so of course all the drunk beavers had to go wander around in it. SIL was told this was the only family shower she was getting for her wedding, so she made the most of it. 

There is also a tattoo picture taken. Last year, it was the boys and their cousin in the pink shirt who had just gotten hers done. Me? I didn't tell anybody about my three tattoos because I didn't want to have to show any of them. This year? My foot was in the picture. The other two will stay hidden! Don't let the Hubs fool you, he ain't shy his shirt came off too. I just knew that would be too much for all the beavers in blogland  to handle.

Have you guys started your holiday get togethers? What do you do?

Friday Favorites {{12.5.14}}

Favorite Read 
Self Magazine
I still read paper magazines. I love them. This is one of my favorites, December's is really good. Go check it out.

Favorite Song 
Juicy J and 2 Chainz "Burnin' Up"

 

Favorite Recipe 
Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes from Laaloosh. Even the Mister said, "mmm. These are good."

Favorite Funnies 

Funnies all found on Pinterest. 

Linking Up with Amanda  for Friday Favorites. Go check out some other ladies!