My first WIWW post

So it's official. I finally got my "stuff" together and 1)wore cute clothing for once... AND 2)took actual PICTURES of myself! I'm actually pretty proud. I haven't gotten to the point yet though where I will beg and plead with my fella to take a dozen MILLION pictures of me from all sorts of interesting angles until I am fully satisfied that what I can post is ok for people to see on the internet....SO instead you get my silly Blackberry shots. But don't worry....my Iphone is in the mail and I should have it by tomorrow so there should be better self-pics to come! For now.....here is my very first WIWW. ::heart::

{1} Nailpolish: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, COLOR: Sonic Boom
{2} See Kate Sew smashed ruffle zipper pouch, SO CUTE!
{3} Vintage dress found at Buffalo Exchange for $13! (Is there one by you? Cause you have to go!)
{4} My LMM {littlemissmomma} ring that I absolutely ADORE and get compliments on everytime I wear it. 
{5} Amazingly large aviators also from Buffalo Exchange. 


So there you have it. This is currently my fav outfit and I am trying not to wear it EVERY day. That nailpolish is seriously the best. I never paint my fingernails because it is always TOO much effort and the drying time is ridiculous. But I literally did those babies 2 minutes before we walked out the door and they were totally ready to go. 

I'm linking it up with ...

super special awesomeness

EMAIL or COMMENT to let me know if you're interested. Can also include giveaway if you'd like. Let's chat. Xo.

Blog Design

I have been forgetting to do this for WAY TOO LONG now and it's officially time that I thank Olivia Collins for my beautiful blog design!

 She did such a fantastic job working with me and all my wants and needs. We literally emailed back and forth at least 50 times over a month and I tried with all my heart to tell her kindly everything I wanted in my blog. She made SO many different designs for me until one day everything just clicked and I am SO HAPPY with the outcome.

If you are in need of a blog re-do or just want that nice "put together" feel you should check her out. She's still in high school and so beyond talented as a blog designer. You can check out her PORTFOLIO if you'd like to see other designs she's done or if you want to know more about her; read her cute blog Of Horsefeathers. Um ya did I mention that she's in high school? Oh, and that she also has an Etsy shop AND that she's not just a blogger-extraordinaire but she's also a published author? Yes you know.....all the things a teen should have accomplished. Myself? I think I was still worried about the cutest boy and whether or not I'd make captain of my dance team. But I digress. Here she is in all her cuteness:

via

Thanks dearly again Olivia! I just love it!

Blank Canvas

So here are just some sneak peaks.....more to come of course.

Here for your pleasure is the "bare bones" tour of my new studio. Once again, I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED! Next weekend I'll be moving Eek.

And up next....

And finally.....

This is probably my favorite feature of this apt. Every unit has one of these old-fashioned telephones in it (non-functional) and I am just IN LOVE. It's the best artwork I could ever ask for!

So that's the quick tour of my new place. I promise to take BEYOND a million pictures of it when I actually live there and show you EVERY little detail that I just adore; but for now I just wanted to give you a feel for it. All 370sqft of it. ;)

Love to you this weekend!

Help me Pick One

So in a few weeks I have a wedding to attend. My fella is actually a groomsman so he (luckily) doesn't have to think about what to wear. Me.....not so lucky. I don't get that dressed up too often so I want to take advantage of the forced opportunity. Plus I had a wonderful gift certificate to ModCloth from my birthday (in MARCH) and I thought this was the perfect occasion to use it. And look amazing. Tee-hee.
The ceremony is outdoors (in the mid of July mind you) and the reception inside. I have chosen a million four dresses and ordered them. I plan to try them all on and return those that I deem "not-the-right-one" and the one I am left with will basically have been free thanks to my gift certificate. Muah-hah.

But I NEED your help. I am going to show you the ones I finally picked out and I wanted votes on which you think would be best. Keep in mind these embarrassing honest details:

Those are just the facts.

Here are the dresses:

 

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Ok so there are the choices. Everyday they post new choices so I finally had to just settle on these four! So frustrating. Can you tell I like to change my mind? A lot.

PLEASE leave me a comment with your fav and why. That would be A-mazing!

I will be sure to announce my final choice (most likely with wedding photos!) Xo.

It's official

After being so unhappy for so long with roommates......

OH MMM GEE. Anyone who knows me well, knows that this is a HUGE deal for me. I lived alone in college (it was amazing) and I tried the roommate thing for awhile now post-college and....

I JUST HATE IT. I need my privacy, space and quiet. And honestly I'm hard to live with because I'm very OCD and particular about how I want things to be in a house and I expect other people to respect that. You know, keep things clean, quiet and just a general respect. Doesn't happen with roommates.

But as of July 1st.....I'll have my own keys. To seriously the most gorgeous studio apt I could have ever hoped for. I cannot WAIT to take you guys on a picture tour. Hardwood floors, bright yellow walls, stainless steel kitchen appliances, old vintage feel.....WEEEH!.

Now I just have to not lose it on my roommates until I move out. Which means LOTS of time at the fella's house. LOTS. Only 2 MORE WEEKS! Then peace.

Serenity now.

Hi ya Luv Winner

Being sicky has really put a damper on my blogging. But I HAVE to announce the winner of a fantabulous giveaway. And I'm really excited to tell you that...........

Congratulations to Mandy who was comment number seventeen thanks to help from random.org.

Be sure to EMAIL me ASAP so I can put you in contact with Gina about your shop credit!

Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned. I'm thinking something fun may happen when I hit 100 followers! Only ten more.....spread the word!
 

{A Day in the Life}

A BAKER

I have mentioned that I am not one much for cooking. But I LOVE to bake. Or at least try. This entire weekend I have been ridiculously sick. But I really want to share with you an amazing recipe I saw on Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box. It's for my most favorite dessert EVER.

The best part about this recipe is that it was super easy and DELICIOUS. I think I may make it next weekend for Dad's day.

{1} Ingredients || {2} Squeezed lime juice || {3} All mixed up || {4} YUM

Key Lime Pie

Graham crackers
6 TBS. butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup key lime juice (about a bag of 20 limes)
1 TBS. grated lime zest
3 cups (2 14oz. cans) sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use 9 inch prepared graham cracker crust (like me), or, to make crust: mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in large zip lock bag. Blend well and press into pie plate. Bake for 7 minutes. Let cool.
While cooling, in medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup key limes juice with 3 cups condensed milk and 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 TBS lime zest. Mix well and pour into baked graham cracker crust. Bake in preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, until tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of pie. DO NOT BROWN! Chill pie thoroughly before serving. Garnish with lime slices (or I chose strawberries) and whipped cream if desired.

Thanks Elizabeth!

[On my Heart]

I have been through all kinds of emotions this week that I wanted to share with you but it's funny how sometimes you sit down to write and it all just seems less important. We all have "stuff". And each one of our "stuff" just seems like THE WORLD when it's happening to us but what I love about this venue is that I can let all that go and just be. I feel as though you all can just know me for whoever I want to be, depending on what I share. But here's my secret.....I share it all. I'm sort of a "no-hold-back" kind of writer. Always have been. Much to the distress of people closest to me sometimes. Oops.

Here's the thing. Sometimes I wish I didn't dream. I have the type of dreams that force me to deal with all the stuff that I try not to think about all day. So all night long ....I'm STRESSED. Oh ya, it makes for a very tired me in the morning. And then I'm grumpy. And then things happen like my car needed to be fixed (and costing $1000 btw) and me realizing that that's 1/3 of what I owe on that car still and I really shouldn't pour more money into it that I do NOT have. UGH. Then the kiddos throw food all over the floor, and are cranky and won't sleep. See all of this happens and then after work... I see my fella and know that I want to be in A GOOD MOOD. But then he is grumpy and I get RE-grumpy again. And these are my days. Everyday. ALL the time. But I try.

Then I come to my computer. And I have a blank canvas. I have people who understand me although they've never met me. And who are compassionate. And LOVING. And it makes me want to cry. I want you to know that I LOVE you. Thank you. Life will continue to happen. And as a quote I heard goes:

Oh how it does. I'm focusing on myself. Making the right decisions FOR ME. And I will deal with the consequences as they may come. Because what is a life without happiness? I NEED happiness. I DESERVE happiness. So I will fight to the death to figure life out. So what if it's not going "as planned" or if I'm not where I thought I'd be. Doesn't make me a bad person. Doesn't mean I'm living it wrong. There's no such thing. The only person I can blame for my bad days is me.

The change is going to be hard. And rough. But I hope you'll stick with me.

{just.lovely.things} headband

 

Hiya Luv Giveaway[closed]

I love the bloggy world. People meet, fall in love (with each other's talents and personalities of course) and then become insta-friends! This is how I met my new friend Gina from Hiya Luv. We met via Twitter and decided to become friends and then this month we thought it would be lovely to share giveaways with you. And let me just tell ya.....Gina has some sewing sweet talents.

She has beautiful pieces to tickle your fancy:

*Ipad cases
*Wristlets
*Earrings
*Pins/Blossoms
*Tote Bags
*Necklaces
*Wallets/Pouches

.....and so much more.
She also does custom orders and made this little beauty just this weekend.

 shop || blog || facebook || twitter

Just lovely. I am so crushing on her right now. Tee-hee.
And she is offering my lovelies (yep that's you!) a  $20 shop credit.
Isn't that so exciting? Now follow along because here are the deets on how you can enter to win!

HOW TO ENTER:

(only open to U.S. this time....sowry)

{1} MUST be a follower of my blog

{2} Follow hiya luv and her fabulous blog. 

{3} Favorite my Etsy shop or let me know if you make a purchase.

{4} Favorite hiyaluv's Etsy shop.

{5} Like my facebook page.

{6} Like hiyaluv's facebook page.   

{7} Tweet, blog or facebook about this giveaway. {one entry for each, leave separate comments!}

Giveaway goes until next Tuesday (6/14) and winner will be announced next Wednesday!

 Good luck and happy hump day!

{A Day in the Life}

THE GIRLFRIEND EDITION


This is me as a girlfriend. I do not cook. Unless you beg me. Then maybe. I like doing laundry and folding and color-coding the drawers. Yep. I like the house to be clean and will spend 2.5 hours scrubbing the grout of the tiles in the shower because I like things to be clean. Also, there is a specific way to load the dishwasher and I prefer to do it myself. Thanks.

I will give you a full pedicure treatment because I don't mind and I like seeing your toes happy and neat. I also don't mind giving back rubs or running my fingers through your hair while watching a movie. I do love baking and hope you will try everything I venture to make. Especially these. Yum.

I do not know what I want to eat; because I am picky. Honestly if you were not with me; you know I'd just eat something silly and small and be PERFECTLY happy about it. Like an artichoke and a diet coke. Mmm. And I do not want to be the one to always make all the decisions everyday even though I know I'll have to because I like to have a plan. I like to hear from you but if I haven't all day I will think of something to text you because I can't wait to talk to you. This usually won't be difficult to do because in a normal 8-10 hour day I usually encounter 25 different things that I can't wait to tell you and sometimes need to make a list.

Work makes me seriously cranky, as do my terrible knees and messed up back. I would love it if you offered a massage but in case you do not; I will drop LOTS of hints. You will have to listen to many stories about kids, their parents, and how I just want time to write and craft but that's just what I need to talk about.

I'm a huge mess. Emotionally I mean. Sometimes I just will need a good cry and want LOTS of hugs from you. This leads me to my point about how passionate and affectionate I am. I need a thousand hugs, kisses, touches and smiles a day. And I will take them whenever I can. Xo.

When all comes down to it.... I just want to wake up next to you and fall asleep in your arms. Everything in between is bonus. But I sure like bonuses too.

Summer Pasta and Extreme Brownies

One of my favorite parts of the bloggy world is reading all the talented recipes of those much more culinary-inclined than myself. Don't get me wrong---I like eating A LOT and I will even cook a meal without TOO much complaining. Especially if it involves a good shuffle on the Ipod and my cute fella.
Well last night I ran across a recipe from this lady over at The Elephant's Trunk and I KNEW I needed to try it once the words Balsamic Vinegar and Pasta were involved. Those are pretty much my two favorite ingredients and being honest I am a happy girl if I make some Capellini pasta (similar to angel hair) and toss it with some balsamic and garlic and EAT. Dinner done. I'm simple.
But last night we took it too the next step and followed this recipe and after seeing the pictures I think you will want to also. Plus it's SUPER easy. Promise.

And you also might notice the AMAZING brownie I made with a Oreo on the bottom. NOT at all my idea. You can find the story about it from a newer bloggy friend of mine, April at Gingerbread girl. When I saw her write up on this fabulous idea she had; I just KNEW I was going to do it. SO EASY and YUMMY! No lie, I got home quite late last night (after spending great quality time with friends) and made these babies at 2am. Hehe. They made for an incredible breakfast. ;)

Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. I'm certainly glad for a bit of warm weather.

May WINNERS!

It was most definitely a long month and I'm super happy it's over now but I'm sure you all are even more because it means it's time to announce some WINNERS!
I won't draw it out cause I know you'll just scroll down to see if your name is there anyway! Just know that to be 100% fair as always; I have once again chosen the THREE winners by using Random.org. Thanks to everyone who entered! June giveaway will be announced soon.

Katherine, Jerrod and Elizabeth

So happy that you were hoping to win Casey's art cause you did!

I am jealous.

I just got a custom piece from her for a friend and it's GORGEOUS!

Email me! 

Leigh

You have won the THREE naptime diaries prints!

And I just perused her shop the other day and she has some amazing new pieces!

Email me!

Casey

You have won the beautiful blendings shop credit! 

It doesn't expire so you can hold onto it until new things appear in the shop.

Which should be happening REAL soon. 

Email me!