disneyland.

Sunday the 9th was our 3 year anniversary. This officially makes this man my longest relationship thus far. Not to also mention that we've been friends since my first year of college. So really, this story has been building for the past 6 years. And that's pretty amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better day. Even though it got off to a rough start. {Google maps thought that Disneyland was in Beverly Hills, and this girl didn't question it}

We made it! In line for Indiana Jones. Whoot. 

Just being silly. 

Pirates was closed {super sucky} but we headed to Haunted Mansion and to my GLORIOUS surprise they had re-done it in the theme of "Nightmare Before Christmas" for Halloween and it was awesome.

Next we got a GIANT pickle {my fav, thanks babe} and waited patiently to get soaked on Splash Mountain. BUT the ride got shut down for maintenance about 35 mins into our wait and we had to leave. IT was sad.

These were our rocking shades for Star Tours. We waited in line for about 90 mins and it really wasn't that awesome of a ride. Just some advice from me to you. 

After some resting and dinner we headed back to Splash to try and get on and discovered it was AGAIN shut down for repairs. But we were determined to get on and waited outside Haunted Mansion till we were able to run through the open line and .....

We got SOAKED. I had NEVER sat in the front of a roller coaster and GUESS WHAT seat I got? Yep, at 9pm in a tank top and jeans I was drenched multiple times with buckets of water.

It. was. awesome.

We then ate a delicious Churro, and got to ride the Matterhorn in like record time. I forgot to take a picture there but it was definitely one of the BEST rides of the day. Also fireworks were happening at this time so it was pretty great. 

After Matterhorn we rode Buzz Lightyear and loved it.

We take shooting Zurg pretty seriously. 

 And finally at 11pm we were able to ride SPACE MOUNTAIN! Cole really wasn't sure if he was up to waiting in line {the wait was supposed to be 80 mins} but we got in after about 50 mins and I'm so glad we did it. We both had forgotten how fun it was. 

I don't look super thrilled but it's just cause it's super dark in there and you have NO idea where the coaster is headed next. LOVE it. 

I wish I had a better camera but it's still a goal I'm working toward so for now I had to make due with the iPhone. Either way I was so thrilled to be in such a magical place with the man I love. I'm so grateful to my friends for providing us the tickets. Thank you so very much. Xo. 

1643 miles.

Now that I have officially lived in California for two weeks, I want to finally share with you what I've been up to. It's sincerely been a bit of a whirlwind as well as a lot of struggle actually.
As much fun as I've had, I've also been dealing with not working for the first time in my life (besides my handmade shop of course), not having any of my friends or family here, not knowing where anything is or even having money to go or do anything and really just a general sense of loneliness combined with boredom.
There's only so much you can do by yourself in a day before the regimen becomes very sad. I realize though that one day it IS my goal to be a writer and most likely working from home but at least at that point I'll have SO MUCH work to pour myself into that it won't be so noticeable that I'm home alone every day. And I plan to spend lots of time at coffee shops then too. ;)

Well anyway, let me share the fun stuff so you can see that it hasn't all been a struggle.

On Friday (9/16) I packed up my studio apartment into my cute little Jetta and no joke ya'll I used EVERY INCH of space in that car. My bestie (who came along with me for the trip) had to sit with her legs up on the dash for most of the 15hr drive. That's just how you roll when you move real far away with a lifetime of stuff to fit into one tiny car.
We spent the night with some friends of mine and EARLY the next morning got ready to go. Of course my car had a flat tire as soon as we got outside so we had to make a quick stop at Les Schwab and get it fixed, BUT then we got our Pumpkin Spice Lattes and were ON THE ROAD.

People aren't lying when they say that long drives are the pits but this was my first REALLY long drive as an adult and I can tell you.... it's not as much fun being the one DRIVING the 15hrs. I WAY prefer the days as a kid in the backseat of the car with all my fun activities and cool roadtrip games. But we DID have some rocking tunes and after only 3 stops for gas and 15 hours of CRAZINESS, we made it to California to see my wonderful fella at midnight. Just like Cinderella. Except without the stepsisters and pumpkin. 

Unfortunately my man has to work 12hr days most of the time as a brewer so I don't really see him too often but Tess and I certainly wanted to see some fun things so we decided first on our list was to hit KatVonD's famous tattoo shop and store. Not sure if anyone is a big LA Ink fan but this was totally a fun trip for me.

We also knew that we HAD to go to Vegas for a night because my cousin lives there (and works as a stylist at Aria) and it's only 4 hours from my new home. So Wednesday morning we headed out on roadtrip #2 and made our way through the desert to VEGAS!
 
My sweet fella booked us a room at Treasure Island for the night for only $67 and it was THE BEST experience. We played penny slots (first time gambling!), had free fun drinks (the strawberry daquiris were amazing) and then got all dolled up for our night out.

It was amazing. My cousin Val did all of our hair (I felt more incredible then I EVER have), her man Ricki joined us and we went out for an adventure! We saw all of old Vegas, got a drink to share that was taller than Tess (she IS only 5ft) and didn't make it back to bed until about 4am. I think all in all, we did Vegas. 

 The following morning we had our free brunch in the hotel and then drove to the airport where I said goodbye for now to my bestie. Then back in the car for another 4 hour drive back to my new home.

And now I'm home each day... crafting away for my shop, writing to you, organizing our first home together, looking for my dream job, doing laundry for two (which I honestly love) and just seeing what happens next. And when my fella gets his one day off a week we run out and find some CA fun. This weekend we hit the beach at Santa Monica. It was GORGEOUS. I'm already missing it.

I love these moments with my man. This Sunday (the 9th) will be our three year anniversary. It officially makes him my longest relationship. And the first boy I've ever lived with. We're going to Disneyland for the day and I couldn't be more excited to spend that day at the happiest place on earth with the man I love. Whoa cheeseball overload. Sorry, but it's true. Thanks so much to the families I worked for in Oregon for providing us the tickets as a going-away gift. I miss my littles SO MUCH these days it hurts. I'm such an emotional girl these days...eek!

AND if you made it through this entire post, I now have something exciting!

The WINNER of the Twillypop Giveaway IS.............

 

If this is you PLEASE email me. 

beautifulblendings{at}gmail{dot}com

Thanks to everyone who participated! 

Xo.

 

Weekend recap

This weekend two of our really great friends got hitched. My fella was in the wedding and I was accompanied for the afternoon by my adorable friend Dan who lives in Germany (working for Adidas) and then later at the reception by my actual fella!

You may remember that I needed some help from ya'll about 3 weeks ago because I was trying to pick a dress to wear to this wedding. You can see the choices  if you want to recap but I'm happy to show you the WINNER. Now warning....I know there was an overwhelming response that dress number one was the BEST and it WAS gorgeous BUT it was way to short. Sorry ladies. I just didn't want to disappoint.

It was so much fun to get all glam and just feel special for a day. The couple looked amazing and I shed a tear (or ten) during the ceremony; especially when the bride walked down the aisle and the groom's face filled with tears. So beautiful.

And the dress choice.....it was number FOUR! I just loved it and felt gorgeous. 

They are so cute and happy together. LOVE it. And that headband she's wearing.....yep. Yours truly made it specially for her. You can order your own custom one or just shop HERE.

Hope you had a wonderfully romantic weekend!