the little things

shopping

I’m in need of a major feel good-pick me up & in my opinion, there’s no better way to do this than to buy a new outfit (or 2!).

So, I’ve been online window shopping this afternoon for just a couple of new things.

(Mind you, I’m thinking of going tanning again this spring/summer, and am planning a new *shorter* haircut soon! I’m all about fresh pick me ups you guys! :))

These are my current loves for REAL shopping this weekend! Opinions?

Also, I'm really trying to step out of my usual "style" which is-plain, big, cotton,striped- which basically equals-BORING!

Love this from Old Navy! Perfect for summer & I can wear the top to work, too!

My step brother is getting married in June & I have nothing to wear! Seriously. Saw this dress at Old Navy & fell in love. I'm loving anything with a band underneath the gals...love how they make us chubby girls look "smoother" or something! ha. However, I won't wear it sleeveless (yikes!),so I'll have to pick up a white cardigan they also have.

I adore this white top from Lane Bryant for work/church/a date with the hubs even?!

Love the teal color of this top from Old Navy!

I also love this outfit! Another good one for work, church, etc.

Ok, now I've noticed something-everything is black, white, or teal! haha! oh my. This always happens! :)

I know I HAVE to get some khaki's Saturday & I'll definitely have to pick something up for Tony's wedding sometime soon. I just want a change. Nothing too drastic, just something to make me feel a little better.

Thanks for all your awesome suggestions, etc regarding our bathroom! I definitely think we're going to go for it soon! My gram already said she'd love to come over one night & help me get it done, so all I have to do is buy the paint!

I love color! Oh, and the green I'm thinking is kind of  like the green I'm using on the blog...maybe not so "bright/lime" but pretty close!

OH! and I'm REALLY wanting to brave it up & buy a pair of those cute flats a lot of gals are wearing these days, but have no clue where to get a decent pattern or colored pair!  All the ones I see are awful looking-sequins, gems,big prints or flowers...cute, maybe...but not for me!  Any idears where I can find some?!

K, off to clean out the drawers in the bathroom! When we moved in, I didn't really purge anything. I just there it all in & have regretted it ever since!

torn

Between 2 styles of décor, that is.

Why didn’t I make my heart happy & go to design school for interior design? Not because I’m good at it, but to learn. To grow. To understand all types of styles.

There’s still time, right?

Anyways, back to the point at hand.

I am in LOVE with both primitive/vintage décor AND modern, classic, clean.

Our house is a 1940’s cape cod. I love it. (as you know!) The “main” rooms-kitchen, dining, living & our bedroom are all done in primitive.

Our landlord told us yesterday we can paint the bathroom paneling, yeah, I said it, paneling!

That being said, the bathroom needs totally redone, but since we’re just renters & plan on buying our own home in a few years, we don’t want to invest too much money in it, aside from paint & maybe a shelf & towel rack. So, my question is this-would it be bad to paint the bathroom a real quirky light lime green color & the paneling (lower part of the walls) white for a crisp, clean, OPEN feel?  The bathroom is ridiculously small, too small in my opinion, but hey, that’s what you get with a 70 year old house I suppose!

Would that be insane to have this “country style” home with a modern bathroom?!

Be honest :)

I have to give credit to dear, sweet Amy Lapi for inspiring me with her home photos of her new bathroom! The shower curtain alone made me fall in love! I really love all sorts of design & have never really thought this would be a rwal “problem”, but I just don’t know! I’m simply torn.

So, please, help a girl out with your honest opinions!

I thank you in advance! In the meantime, I’m off to scrap! :)

my grandparents pretty much rock!

Plain & simple.

I went to their house today after Nate left for work at 3.

I just left at

11 p.m.

!

Seriously, so much fun!

Gramp grilled a lean, mean steak, while gram whipped up one of her amazing salads with radishes & onions!

I actually watched a western movie with them tonight…and liked it! :P

Lots of hugs & love. :)

Gramcracker brought down all these tins & albums of old photos.

I was in Heaven. Learning more about my family.

Seeing some more of my mom & dad’s wedding.

And my great grandma (granny). And my mom & aunt as babies.

And me & Megan when we were little…

I’ve seen most of these before at time point in my life, but something about looking at them again…and having gram & gramp tell me stories along the way…totally priceless. There are truly no words at all to describe how grateful I am that God blessed my life with these 2 amazing people. I wish everyone could know them. They're seriously THAT wonderful!

I have a feeling I’ll be spending a lot more time at their house this spring & summer while Nate’s working 12 hour days.  I mean, gram still has tons more albums under her bed for me to go through!

Here’s to a beautiful Sunday!

I’ll update more soon. Day #6 completed on No Sugar week one. (however, I did get super sick, lightheaded, very low energy tonight at gram & gramp’s, resulting in some Tylenol & an hour nap…I’m not so sure I will continue for week 2…thinking about just getting right into EATING BETTER. Cuz, I mean, that is the key afterall, right?)

Night!

a littlebit happy!

Happy Tuesday!

Today, I thank the Lord for:

-Giving me an incredible husband. He is ALWAYS there for me, in my good times & in my bad times. I love our love!

-Spring. Even tho it’s not looking very ‘springy’ here lately, the fact that it’s coming…sometime (!) makes me happy.

-A stocked fridge, with lots of good things (shrimp,cheese,water,veggies,chicken, & sugar free jello!!)

-Friends & family. So cliché I know but, seriously. I am thankful for the love & laughter we share.

-The ability to get down what I’m feeling at any given moment through scrapbooking. Like this.  I’ve had these thoughts in my head for days. I had to get them on paper.  I know we’re probably so far away from children, but I won’t deny how badly my heart wants to be a mom.

Side Note:

-Day #2 of 14 on my sugar free madness. It’s going good! I’m eating lots of hard boiled eggs, imitation crab & green veggies! Haha!  Thanks so much for all the encouraging words! I’m gonna do this!!  For those asking/wondering-I’m basically doing The South Beach diet again, even tho I don’t say that b/c I HATE SB Diet, but it’s what I need to do for 2 weeks, and then I plan on gradually adding some whole grains, etc into my diet & keeping my portions small.  I really feel like the carbs/sugars are really messing with me (mentally & physically) & I need this forced break from them.

Nate gets home in an hour!  I can’t wait to see his face!  Tonight’s dinner is rosemary herb grilled chicken breast & salad! Mmmm!  I’m trying to remember to keep it fresh & different this time.  Because last time, I got SO bored with plain old chicken, ham & greens!

Hope you’re having a good evening!

Everybody has to start somewhere

Well, it’s Monday.

It’s not only my day off, but it’s Day #1 of no sugar.

Oh joy! ;)

Thank goodness for a stocked fridge of green veggies, eggs, cheese & light meats.

None of this Easter goodness until April…sigh

I know I’ll live, but I’ll miss that junk! Haha!

and yes, that is Lightning McQueen you see. Nate had to have it! lol.

Speaking of Easter, we had a wonderful one!  Lots of family & food! Gramcracker made turtle brownies & chocolate cupcakes with shipped frosting-Oh, Lord. They were sooo good!

I lived up my last day of “bad eating!”  It was a wonderful time, and Nate’s mom had a great time, too!  It made for a much better afternoon, her joining in on conversations & all the laughs! (doesn't he look thrilled?! He was dreading going into work. Blah, I would too!)

Nate has to work a half day today, so we’re planning on taking a walk before he leaves. I’m actually excited about walking!  I really have no other options, but to DO THIS.

I’ve come to the realization that there are so many things I want to do/have & I just won’t be able to if I don’t do something now.

No more being a lazy bum!

Here’s to a great, sugar-free week!! :)

happy!

The past 2 days have been wonderful! Let me tell you why.

Nate & I had an awesome day in

Cleveland

yesterday, starting with a chilly walk around

Legacy

 

Village

.  We roamed through an uber inspiring art gallery with pieces I couldn’t even afford to look at, let alone dream of purchasing! Then, we stopped at the Apple store so I could get a better ‘feel’ of the Macs. Ummm..now, I’m just not sure it’s what I want right now.  I feel the desk top is too big, but laptop seems tricky to work with (I’ve only ever been on a laptop once back in college) & the one we can most afford is to small & the one I really like is more than we want to spend. So, I think the verdict is, we’re holding off until we absolutely need one (Nate is so, so disappointed! I think he thought we would walk out with one yesterday! LOL)

After Apple, we strolled through Crate & Barrel. Oh, how I love that store. I could seriously LIVE there!  So much color & fun stuff! 

Then, we had a super yummo-lish dinner at Cheesecake Factory! Oh, how I love that place, too!  I could eat there everyday!  The one in

Cleveland

is our closest one, tho, which is probably good! Haha. I have pictures, but it’s after

midnight

& I’m too lazy to upload them!  And the cheesecake wasn’t bad either! Nate had chocolate chip cookie dough, and I stuck with my usual strawberry :) YUM!  We were so stuffed after just a couple of bites, we had to pack them up for home.

On our way home, we stopped through

Macedonia

so I could stop at the scrap store.  They didn’t have much. Oh bummer.

Then, we came home, got comfy & chilled on the bed all night.  Nate played PSP & I watched some tv.  It was Heaven.  I know when he starts his mandatory 7 days I will miss our days like that. It’s only for a little while though.

Then, today we did our grocery shopping (no sugar items for

me.

oh blah) & made yummy chicken soft tacos & exchanged Easter baskets (getting ALL the good food in before Monday! Hehe) Nate loaded me up with all kinds of good, fattening candy!  I told him we have to hide it for at least the next 2 weeks! LOL

After he left for work, Tricia & Mindy picked me up & we headed for

Canton

. Sucha blast. Lots of laughs. And I means lots! Had a yummy dinner at red Robin (oh, how I will miss eating out like this all the time!) & I got a cute scrap kit from Making Memories at Target. FUN!

Then, on our way home, we got invited to go bowling with my family.  So we went & what a blast!  My mom & Phil even came!!  I won the first fame with a whopping score of 128! Lol

We just got home & I am beat!

I just wanted to drop by & wish you a very Happy Easter!!

I can’t wait for service, yummy Honey Baked ham & family time tomorrow

Fresh out of the oven

It’s the yummy soap from here that I just used in my shower & I highly encourage you to try! ;)

So, it’s been a while. How are you?!

The mother in law visit went fairly well. Like, the best visit we’ve ever had. She made us curtains for the dining room & kitchen & also bought us these really cool bamboo blinds. I love the look! Only problem now is, she REALLY wants to move here. Like, seriously move here, as in daughter in law, Nichole took her all around town Saturday night to look at condos-serious. Eeeek. If it weren’t for her husband needing to find a job here, I’m sure she would have moved right on into the gorgeous place we took a tour through Sunday! (Lord, help me. Ha!)

Can I just say that I love the Once soundtrack?!

And can I just say that I am SO happy Spring has arrived!

And that I am super excited about having a FRIDAY off with my hubby tomorrow?!!!!  (that never, ever happens!) Oh, and how super, super excited I am for my date with that cutie pie hubby tomorrow night?! He’s taking me somewhere…I have no idea where, and to be honest, I’m not even sure HE even knows where yet! Ha! But wherever he is, I’m okay, so I know it will be wonderful whatever it is!

I’ve been feeling very creative tonight, so ‘m anxious to get to the scrap table for a few hours in a bit!

I love 3 day work weeks! I recommend them to everyone.

Oh. I had a mishap this morning. Actually, my 2^nd mishap for the 2^nd Thursday in a row. I overslept. Ack!

Last Thursday I know I shut my alarm off in my sweet slumber. I usually get up at 5:30

, out the door by 6:20, at work by 7. I didn’t wake up until 7:30. add 30 or so minutes to shower & such + another 40 minutes for my commute=WAY late ( I start at 7).  My supervisor was so great tho. She understood & let me make it up during my lunch & by staying a little later.

Then, we have today.  I don’t believe I ever set my alarm last night for some odd reason. I woke up at 7:15.

No time to shower today. I HAD to get there by 8.and I did.

All the while feeling super gross. I’m a person who has to have a shower every morning & sometimes even at night. I felt disgusting! But, I did wash my face, brush my teeth, comb my hair, put it in a messy bun & apply deodorant all before rushing out the door, so that counts for something right?!  Poor Nate though. I woke him out of a deep sleep to pack my lunch!  I am blessed.

Anyways, enough about my stupidity!

I’ve decided that my eating habits lately have to change…again. I know what I have to do this time.  So, starting Monday (after date night tomorrow & Easter, you know!) I am doing 2 weeks of NO carbs. I did it in November after my doctor made me, so this time I’m doing it again. Even tho I absolutely hated it, it helped me in so many ways. I felt so, so much better.  I plan on slowly incorporating some “good” carbs back in after the 2 weeks, and now that weather is starting to get a little nicer (although, it’s Ohio afterall, so it may change in 5 minutes) I’m hoping to walk every night.

I have to do this.

I want so many things; a baby, to fit into cute clothes, to look better, but most of all to feel better…for me.

I’ve been watching on & off for weeks now, but it’s more than time to commit to my words.

Anywhoo. No photos today. I didn’t feel much like uploading anything tonight!

We’re thinking of getting a new computer.  No idea when, but hopefully soon. We’re definitely going with Mac…but still don’t know whether to get a desktop or laptop.  Any suggestions??

Have a fantastic weekend!

A couple of things

I have a little bit of time before my mother in law gets here, so I thought I would mention a couple random things.

                                                                                                                                                   

                                              First,

Nate says hello! (PSP on a gloomy Saturday & he also found out he doesn’t have to to work tonight until 6…so he will get to see his mom for a little bit after all!)

Second,

Here’s a little bit of proof that I cleaned: a “cleared off” scrap table! Ha.  It’s still overly crowded, but I suppose you’ll have that when you have limited table space! I also uncovered this little gem that I found at the antique store a few weeks ago-I love all things muffin tin, so I had to snatch this up for some little embellies that I have!

                                                             Third,

I won a RAK from Steph (livingroomfloor) over on SIS the other day & received it today! Ohmygosh! Look all the cute tags she sent me!  I love them all & very excited to use the wood grain tags since I’ve never used anything wood grain before! (the Starbucks mug is always by my side lately with water, tea, milk...you name it :))

Fourth,

My Style Phyle from SIS came yesterday & I love it!  Such super cute things in it including the canvas tote with iron on letters!!  I’ve never done anything like that before either, so I am super excited to create something! Now, I just have to figure out what to say on it! Haha.

Fifth,

Can you believe Easter is next Sunday already?! It’s kind of strange having it so early this year, isn’t it?!  I’m excited tho!  Excited for Easter Service, dinner with the family & exchanging baskets with the hubs! :) hehe.

Sixth,

That is all, I think! Enjoy your Saturday!!

The time has come

I’m here because…

I’m putting off cleaning the house.

It’s been a terrible day.

I’m exhausted.

I really don’t want to clean.

I’m dreading this weekend.

Because…

My mother in law is coming to town.

Oh. *sigh*

She’s really not “terrible” but we definitely don’t have the kind of relationship I always envisioned having with my mother in law. We’re SO different.  She’s fancy. I’m not. She only shops at Talbot’s. I shop wherever fits! (ha). She eats almost every meal out. Our bank account won’t have that. There’s more, but enough with the negative talk! I mean, she did raise a wonderful man who is now my husband, so I really shouldn’t complain, should I?! ;)

She was supposed to come last weekend, but of course the big, huge snowstorm attacked Ohio

& we had to postpone til’ this weekend.

I think I’m dreading it even more for two reasons. One, because the last time she visited we were moving into this house, there was major drama…she showed up late to the move, expected to stay the whole weekend without telling us & we had already made other plans, and had her husband call Nate & yell at him for “making” her leave early. Ack! and Two, because Nate has to work Saturday & Sunday, leaving me with her all alone…ALL weekend!  I know God will be with both of us & help us get through (I know I annoy her just as much as she annoys me!).  Let’s just hope we can keep busy!  I’m trying, that’s all I can do, right?!

She’s supposed to bring her sewing machine because I really want to learn how to sew…something!  I don’t care what it is, just anything!

In other news…Nate & I are slowly starting the process of planning our vacation.  We’re planning on going this coming October for our anniversary/honeymoon that we didn’t really have.  I’m super excited!  I think we’re really leaning towards Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

We went there over Christmas 2 years ago with Nate’s dad & family & had a blast, but the time was way too short, only 2 days! So, we’re hoping to go at least 4 or 5 days this time!

We also talked about  Orlando, Tennessee &

& Disney…but it will probably end up being  S. Carolina!

I needed to scrap the other night and I desperately needed to get these feelings out, so I did this.  It’s sooo messy & so not my usual, but I love it because it’s SO different from my norm!

Today was a hard day for me for some reason.  I was so down in the dumps.  I cried. I sulked. I got mad, and I’m sure work didn’t help much either!  I hate days like this. I’m better now, but it’s still a slow going night. 

I must go clean this place for mother in law approval! ;)

Hope you have a great weekend!

I wish all weekends were this long

*First, I must make known that I tried 3 times to get this post spaced out, but for some reason, it NEVER works!  I promise I don't write in one big paragraph, but for some reasonTypepad likes me to make everyone think I do!...

So, today is my last day of my 4 day weekend.  I’ve loved every second (except the one where I realized I couldn’t go to SISiversary afterall.).  It’s been awesome  staying up late, sleeping in, shopping, going out with friends, hanging with Nate, scrapping…oh, I wish every weekend was 4 days & the work week was only 3 days! Who’s with me?!

The weather was just crazy this weekend, but thankfully, I *think* Ohio

might be inching toward Spring now….I said, I think. ;) hehe.

Sunday night I had my first taste of the Macaroni Grill with my friend Mindy. Oh yum!  I ordered some chicken thing that I still can’t pronounce! And only ate ¼ of it. It was filling, but so good!  I also had fun doodling on the table-sucha clever idea!

Yesterday was wonderful too, well, except for Wal-Mart. You see, I had a bad experience there 4 weeks ago (aren’t all experiences at Wal-Mart bad tho? I mean, lets be honest! Haha)  & I swore that place off for a while.  But, our local grocery store is kind of pricey & it was killing me to pay more when I knew I could get it for less (unfortunately) at Wal-Mart.  So, I gave in. and oh, I shouldn’t have.  I was still in the parking lot & already had a fit with the big piles of snow literally RIGHT in the middle of the aisle! It was a pain!  Nate even got super annoyed, so as we were leaving he said “never again. We’re going to Buehler’s unless there’s something we really need & I can pick it up on the way home from work!”  So, I guess we’re done with Wal-Mart for a while again! Haha.

Anyways, other than that we had a REALLY great day!  Went to Archiver’s & got a few new things from K&Co.-have you seen their new lines for boys/girls with the bright colors & glittery owls & such?! If you haven’t, you need to Fun stuff!  And also from my favorite, American Crafts!  My all time FAVE letter stickers ever!!  Then, we made a stop at the mall for Nate some flip flops & a hat…found nothing.  And Williams Sonoma…oh, how I could LIVE in that store!  I love everything kitchen!  I was after some more of my fave dish towels, but decided against them for now. We almost walked out of there with some muffin mix-oh my! But $18.00 for a can of it was a bit steep for my taste, so we passed & walked out of the mall with nothing!  Then, we stopped by Target.  Walked out with 2 new cd’s…the Once soundtrack (LOVE them!!) & Kate Voegele (love her too!).

After some shopping, we had a great dinner at Bennigan’s!  I had never eaten there, so it was fun!  Nate used to go all the time in college, so he was excited to take me! lol

We stayed up until after 3 this morning!  I scrapped, Nate played PSP & surfed the net!  It was awesome! Haha.

I did all my housework after I got up this morning, so I am good to go for the rest of the day to do whatever I want! Wooot!  I have some emailing to catch up on & of course I want to scrap! (I love new supplies! Hehe).

Hope you’re having a terrific week!!

Oh, & I got tagged by Maria & Rebekah…so here goes! :)

Link to your tagger and post these 3 rules on your blog.

* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I’m addicted to bath & body stuff.  Seriously, how many lotions or body washes can a girl have?!  Not enough, in my opinion! Haha.  Lately, I’m addicted to body soaps, especially these from emmamariechapman (yup, Elsie’s sister!) I got my first order of Fresh out of the oven & Morning Breakfast yesterday & LOVE them!  I ordered Morning Jitters last night-she added it back in her shop just for me! Can’t wait to try that one either! *sigh*

2. I’m a nail biter, but am proud to say this is day #4 of no nail biting & I’m seeing good nail potential :)

3. I am lead foot.  I speed everyday, like 70-80 is nothing for me to & from work. Yikes. It’s bad, I know & I’m working on it!

4. I channel surf beyond control.  It’s REALLY bad!  I can’t stand when Nate flips thru the channels, he’s too slow!

5. I’m deathly afraid of black squirrels & mice. Like, I cringe & scream. It’s insane!

6. but, I  LOVE spiders!  Love them!  I let them crawl on me sometimes. Gross, I know.

7. I can chew the same piece if Winterfresh gum allll day. Maybe gros, but I dunno…ever since high school I’ve done it. But, it HAS to be Winterfresh…no other gum is getting’ chewed all day! LOL

I tag:

Kate, Nichole, Kim, Caroline, Elizabeth,EmilyKate & Nadine!

I leave you with 2 a.m.scrap pages :)

note to self

cute sewn scalloped tag is from madamecupcake on etsy! cute stuff!

time flies- hello cute owl paper. hello. :)