Photo Dump!

 So May has just about come and gone, and I haven't posted. I'm sure you aren't THAT surprised. But because one of my 2012 goals was to post at least ONCE every month, I'm throwing this one in at the last minute.  These are a bunch of photos from my phone that show you some of what I've been up to and have been enjoying the past month.   Here is my new girl! She is our "BIG BABY" bloodhound. She weighs a solid 102 lbs and is 4 years old already. We adopted her in the fall and are having sooooo much fun with her.   

I went to visit my parents and utilized my mom's fabric stash to create some baby quilts for friends having babies this summer. I made two very similar, very simple little tops for these two sweet baby boys who are due in late July/early August. They are both the second boy in their family, and while I didn't make a quilt for either of their big brothers, I think sometimes it is good for the second child to get a spoiling the first child didn't get and I hope their moms like the quilts!

 I also got my hands on this pretty little charm pack of Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille. LOVE it!

Here I am sinking my painted toes in the sand and water on a remote tropical island. Ha! Just kidding. I snapped this photo of my feet in the pool at my parents house one day when it was already like 90 degrees in April. LOVED it!

I ordered a new phone case for my phone, because mine was not doing well at all. This is a reflection of it on the mirror of my purse. Along with my granny hand at the bottom of the reflection. It is a bright and cheery-cherry case! You can get your own from Gelaskins. 

Turtles on a log on the golf course. No one wanted to be in the water that day, so it was tight quarters on that branch.

Pretty flowers in our yard.

Another pretty.

Seeing a trend? I took that Big Baby Bloodhound for a walk one day and I forced her to stop while I took pictures of these flowers. I thought the color was so vibrant that I had to have a pic! It was quite a feat keeping her still without dropping my camera phone, but I'm happy with the result. 

While RH was home for his one-week summer vacay, we stained our planter this darker brown color for a change and to protect the wood. We love the new color!

 Hope you enjoyed these snapshots of my life! I'll be back in June!  

 

A Pretty Little Holiday

What is pink and white and red all over?
Valentines Day, of course! I am a big fan of the heart-shaped holiday.  I mean, what is honestly better than chocolates and pretty pink hearts and white bows?    I know some people feel like the holiday is isolating, because they don't have a man-friend to be all romantical in the wine and flowers type way, but honestly, we all have friends and family members that we LOVE... right?  So I don't really see the problem. Anyway.
It seems to me that this year, people are going all out for Valentines Day! And by people, I mean retail stores, advertisers, and television talk shows.  I have noticed this somewhat since Christmas, but seeing as the holiday is only ten days away now, they are certainly pushing things now!  I think its quite pretty and festive though, so I don't really mind.   After a few trips to Target, glancing over a few emails from Williams Sonoma, and watching a Martha Stewart show on the special day, I am more excited than normal.  And it has happened much earlier too! In case you are in the mood for a little lurve, these are a few of my favorite things for heart-filled day: First up, X and O S'mores From Williams Sonoma.  Handsome and I had a box of WS S'mores at Christmas and they were absolutely delicious.  We bought them post-holiday when they were on sale.  I had been craving the real campfire variety for quite some time, and the WS marvels were a very good substitution. 

 

 

 Second, little Valentine Petits Fours.  I am not even sure that I like Petit Fours, because I have not had any for many years, but these are so cute and bite-sized that I imagine I would like them quite well.

Third, heart-shaped pancakes! This is cute and completely do-able at home. It would feel so fancy with some strawberries and  a Mimosa on a Saturday morning near the holiday! Sounds like a fun way to have breakfast!

 

Fourth, I have a special treat that my man would just swoon for.  He is a big fan of shortbread cookies, so these would be a perfect gift for him!

Next up are some heart-shaped soaps! I think these would be nice little gifts for some  female family members or to keep in the guest bathroom during the month of February.

And lastly, I think this heart-covered wax paper is perfect to wrap up some baked goodies for co-workers or neighbors or friends is an easy way to spread the love...

What are your favorite Valentine's Day treats and sweets? I'm here. And I'm still writing,

If You Give a Wife A Zappos Card...

Handsome just left to go running at the gym. He left me at home with my computer. And with my credit card. And with my birthday swiftly approaching...  

 

Naya.

Ugg.

 

Naya.

Banana Republic 

So... what? A little damage was done?  It's certainly not anything that we can't live through! .....

I'm totally kidding. But if I had unlimited funds and closet space (and there weren't hungry children in the world or people that needed their souls to be saved) then maybe, just maybe I would want to indulge myself in all of these fun fall shoes! 
A girl can dream can't she?

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Gifted. And Blessed.

Let me just say, I have been so spoiled and so blessed by my family and friends. They went above and beyond with the thoughtfulness of their gifts to me for my graduation.  My ever-thoughtful husband gifted me with a brand spankin' new pair of golf shoes. He even sat with me for about an hour while I proceeded to try on virtually every pair in the golf store and he re-boxed them all too! 

 

These make me look extra stylish on the course... and you just know that its a perfect fit for me because I am really enjoying learning how to golf and I'm all about looking stylish!

To go along with the shoes, he suggested to his siblings (and siblings-in law) that I would absolutely love a white, black, and kelly green golf bag, so the whole group got it for me. I had a golf bag before this that matched my clubs, but it is a cart bag (meaning you can't walk the course with it). This bag  has a double shoulder strap like a backpack, so I can walk nine holes with him! Saves us dough on the cart fee and helps me get in shape!

My Milly and father-in-law, found this  and it looks fabulous on one of our tables.

I love the lines of this triple bowl and it just shines and sparkles and will be a great conversation piece for years to come! Its even great for almonds or queso at a party because its washable.

And my parents gave me this unbelievably beautiful necklace!

You can't see the entire thing here, but I just love how those little silver droplets sit next to each other and sparkle. It is sooo fancy and special and I know I'll feel beautiful and loved each time I wear it.

I was completely floored by my families love and generosity in commemorating my graduation. I am blessed to have people in my life who share in my joy and have taken care to find gifts that I will be able to have for a lifetime. 
I'm here. And I'm still writing,  

Whoops!

I guess I didn't finish that last post very well.

For the record, my belly is not growing! At least, it isn't growing something that could lead to the pitter pattering of little feet. I suppose I didn't make it clear that I was just joking. I really was just wondering if you were still reading! And apparently, at least a couple of you were. I guess my attempt at humor failed and I was just a jerk instead.

Moving on...

to other news... have you tried this? 

 

 Because I made a trip to Target just to get this and they were sold out. I'll have to try the pharmacy next because I'm really intrigued.   Oh and just as a side note I'd like to point out that I didn't buy one single other thing at my favorite store. Talk about self-restraint.

Now, what about this?

 

L'oreal Sublime Bronze Sunless tanner... I picked some up the other day and sparingly tried it, but I'm a little nervous to really put much on because I haven't really tried many sunless tanner products so I'm definitely not a pro at the application and I'm just not sure if I'll mess it up. Do you have any experience with this?

Just wondering!

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

The Cutest Dresses I Ever Did See.

So I think I said in my last post that I'm shopping for graduation-related-activities outfits! It. is. so. fun! I mean, its sort of a pain trying to find what I want and I was discouraged in the stores the other day, but then I remembered that I had seen a couple of cute things online recently... and they just might do the trick.

Number 1. 

This little number is from Land's End Canvas. You have probably already heard about them, but I would be doing you a disservice by not mentioning the place, because it is quite fabulous. Its been called "J.Crew for the reasonable and somewhat budget responsible person." Not in those words until I just used them, but bloggers all over have been alluding to it. 

Isn't the dress just adorable? It comes in a navy too. I think I'll take both. Thanks Handsome.  I think it would be perfect for some of the pre-graduation activities. Hmm. 

Number 2.

After I was discouraged wandering some stores, the Mister reminded me to check out Banana... And I found this little linen dress. So cute! And it might look just perfect for the day-of festivities. 

These two are the dresses I like the most, of the ones I have seen so far. And let me just remind you that I haven't really had opportunity to engage in super intentional, try clothes on and consider the budget, type of shopping... but I'm happy with the start! And I'm sort of excited about the possibility of buying a few things.

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Skinnies.

For some time now I have been wanting to branch out and get some skinny jeans. My usual jeans are either widelegs (like dark trousers) or bootcuts. In high school I usually always bought bootcuts from the Gap. And then in college I started wearing some American Eagle and Levi's. And then in the last few years I have primarily found jeans I like at Banana Republic or The Limited.
And I haven't actually gone jean shopping in several many months, because we all know that jean shopping can be almost more painful than bathing suit shopping. (Or maybe I am the only one who feels this way, because 1. I spend a lot more time in jeans than I ever do in a swimming suit and 2. I usually don't subject myself to bathing suit shopping in stores and just buy several different ones online and shop from the luxury of my home and try on in the lovely lighting on my own home with my own non-fat-making mirror.)
But I digress.
I currently have several pair of jeans that work for me, but I have soooo many pair of boots (because boots are my favorite kind of shoe (because I am cold all of the time)) that I think I would really like to go ahead and try the tucking-in trend. But widelegs do not tuck in well, so I'm going to have to purchase a pair of skinnies, or matchsticks, or jeggings.
I no longer have the body or legs of a 16 year old, so I'm going to need something that works for that. And honestly, I haven't even see these "jeggings" in stores so its not like I can run out and grab a pair. But maybe I haven't looked in the right store.
Any tips for you to help a girl out? Is there a brand of skinnies (or matchsticks or jeggings) that has worked for you?
My boots sincerely thank you!

A Saturday - Sunday Summary.

Well, I shouldn't have promised you all that I would not post about food. That is because it has squelched my inner creative juices, as it seems food is one of the things I most enjoy posting about.
I had a reader request to write a weekend wrap-up, and because she is one of my favorites,I'm kindly obliging! I think her request was prompted by my complaining about being bored silly last weekend which was absolutely not the case this weekend.
Handsome and I drove down to Hometown on Friday afternoon and evening. The Mr. had to have some work done on his truck and then worked with his brother on a house his brother is building. As far as I can tell, they had a lovely time together.
While he was off being a super-productive handyman, I was busy with errands and baking and studying, oh and recovering. You see, I had this cold/fever situation about 15 days ago and the remnants are lingering. I have probably been through about five boxes of Kleenex in the last two weeks. Please don't tell the tree-friendly people or they may put me out to pasture, left to use the leaves and grass.
Other than the recovering and sleeping in part, I hung out with my parents and ran errands with both.
I bought the cutest little tote from Target. Oh, you can see it right here:

(I know, I know, the photo quality thing. I'm working on it. Promise).

I have been feeling rather dorky with my eight year old backpack lately at school. I actually don't mind the backpack when I am at school and other people are wearing jeans and sweatshirts, but it feels a little odd when I have to dress sort of fancy for a few classes and I have both shoulder straps on and the front of my bag has been graffitied from Sharpies like it was cool to tag in high school. (Ok, kidding about the graffiti part but it added to the story. And also, "graffitied" is actually a word. I looked it up).
I also did my first reading assignments of the semester which feels like an accomplishment seeing as I'm in complete denial that 1. school has begun again and 2. once school is over this time, its pretty much over. But I'll save that much for another post.
My mom and I also made a delicious dessert that I'll hopefully write a post about later on. Mmm. Seriously, I would survive completely on chocolate if it was possible. And trust me, its not possible, I have tried.
What did you to celebrate the three day weekend?

A Plea For My Wrapping Frenzy.

Note: If you have not signed up for my Warm Chocolately Christmas co-giveaway with Kelley, please tap your mouse here! and do so.

I'll begin by saying hesitantly admitting that I am a procrastinator. And while I sometimes have these grand ideas for gift-giving and decorating and baking and making my man delicious meals, often times other things will occur in my life or I'll have some spontaneous moment of inspiration for something else, and my "plans" do not happen as I might like.

Which brings me to gift wrapping.

You see, I like to shop with the last minute crowds. Even if I have a plan for what I am going to buy, I feel especially joyful and inspired if I shop in the hustle and bustle that is ten, nine, umm, one day before Christmas! This year I have started earlier than in the past six or so, because I actually finished finals on a very decent date and not like the 20th of December as I was last year.

Anyway, this last minute shopping usually means, actually it has to mean, that I'm always doing last minute gift wrapping too! And while there can be some joy in that, it usually means I don't wrap as I might like or would have envisioned!

So this year, (for this one area of my life that I have dealt with by procrastination in years before), I am resolved to do better! And I plan on beginning to wrap today. I have read about people having these wonderful wrapping fests and I am eager to try it. So as soon as I am adequately dressed today, I'm setting out in search of a few good rolls of wrapping paper and a few bows and some ribbon (because I LOVE ribbon) and I am set to wrap at least some of the gifts I have purchased. And hopefully they will look BEa-Utiful and my gift recipients will feel so special when they open the gifts designated for them under the tree. I'll turn on the music, get the band-aids ready for the paper cuts that will likely ensue, and I get my tape and hot tea beside!

Now, because I have often been a last minute wrapper, sometimes I wrap everything together or throw a lot into one big bag, but I'm determined to do better than this and I'm going to wrap and wrap.

My question is: do you have any tips for creative or extra special wrapping? Or even tips on how to make the wrapping look like Martha came and wrapped my presents instead of little miss-(somewhat) undomesticated me?

Thanks!

Oh, Now, Would You Look at These?

Oh would you look at these?

1. A pretty black bracelet:

2. A pearl and something necklace with ribbon?

3. A black "tear-drop" necklace with ribbon?

These are all pretty's from j.Crew. You see, I have this gift card that I must use in the next fifteen-ish days or it will expire and I'm just not sure what to use it on. I feel like maybe one of these pretty jewels would be a fun expenditure, but I just can't decide.

I like the bracelet very much, but I'm not sure how often I would wear it!

I think the pearls are so pretty and I would probably wear them often because I love pearls. And I haven't been wearing the pearl necklace I own that I wore to my wedding, since the wedding, because I kind of think of it as wedding jewelry now. And... that one didn't have ribbon, and I kind of like this ribbon-y trend that is happening.

But I also wonder if perhaps a fancy black necklace would be the best choice? You see, I have black jewelry, but its either very casual or fake-fancy, so maybe at the age of 26 I need something a little nicer to couple with the little black dress look.

Oh decisions. Decisions.

So... you tell me, would you choose number one, two, or three? (or maybe something else from the j.crew website? Nothing to extravagantly priced, please.)

I'm here. And I can't wait to read what you are writing,

A Fabulous Find Friday.

I may do this on occassional Friday's, or I might do a Materialist Possession Monday, every now and then... I don't think I'll turn it into a weekly thing, because I don't want the pressure of it (cuts off the creative juices) ... and I want to keep you on your toes!

And I know I (semi)-recently posted another ring that I thought was fabulous, but I am going to do it again! Most days I wear two bands on my left ring finger (wedding and engagemet), a cross ring on my left thumb, a watch on my left wrist, and I leaves my right side totally naked. (Gasp!, I know.) So sometimes my mind starts wandering about what I could use or buy to decorate the other side. And about that same time that I start clicking around on James Avery. 

This week's is lovely and I think it would be quite fun for spring...

Disclaimer: I don't really, really want these things, but I think they are fun to look at. And that is why I share them with you dear reader. 

So. Cute.

So I definitely don't need another bag of any variety. (Except perhaps a duffle for weekend / shorter trips, because right now I use my super duper large rolling bag for EVERY trip seeing as it is the only luggage I own... but that also gives me a reason to overpack for every trip I take... and I digress) But I happened upon one a while back that I like now and I apparently liked before (because it was in my online shopping bag at J.Crew even though I had forgotten about it) and how stinkin' cute is this? 

Mr. Rh: It wasn't in the shopping bag because I intend on purchasing, but was merely there so I could go back on a day like today and find it waiting for me to admire again...

Friends, it can be monogramed. And can be yours for only, oh gee, lets just say entirely too much money for a newly-wedded graduate student to spend on a bag she doesn't need.  

If I ever have a little girl,...

She will have an American Girl doll to play with! Gosh how I love American Girl Dolls. When I was a young child, my mom would buy me baby dolls and she would have to give them away or take them back because I wouldn't play with them. At some point I told her I wanted a bald baby and that is when I got Elizabeth. She was my first American girl doll. She looked very much like the baby above (different outfit) and I still have her and think she is a precious memento of my childhood. A sweet reminder of the innocence of youth. And for the time being she will continue to suffice as my baby... until I maybe have a real one, if I ever do. :)

(p.s. Handsome & Mom and Dad, no need to worry. I'm not baby crazy yet. Or I'll keep telling myself that.)

Isn't It Lovely?

Ok, ok... I know I recently posted about a material possession I would like to have, but I'm not going to resist the urge to do it again!

I have a James Avery ring that I wear on my thumb basically all the time. I had purchased a different style probably three times in a row prior to getting the one I currently wear and each time I lost the ring. I think I've had my now thumb ring for at least three years. Anyway, I was recently inclined to look online at the other jewels and came across this!

Isn't it lovely? I wore one of my mom's rings that is very similar to this on my right hand on my wedding day. Hers has aquamarine as the center stone and has a yellow gold band all the way around and is not too thick. 

Anyway, I just thought this was a nice "pretty" as my Nana says I used to term jewels... so I wanted to share. I don't anticipate needing / buying it anytime soon, but its fun to look at!

-katiebeth

Slouchy Boots!

I have had my eye on these "slouchy" Steve Madden's for a while now and I just think they are so adorable! 

I think they would be super cute with a skirt or a dress and tights. Dillards was sold out the last time I checked and Zappos didn't have the black. Zappos had a grey, green, purple maybe, and brown, but I was wanting flat black shoes because I (only) had three pairs of black shoes then. (one pair of four inch peep toe heels and another pair of four inch boots and an old clunker pair of mary janes.) Then I got my super cute ballet flats and so now I'm not sure I have a legitimate reason to need flat slouchy boots, but man they are cute.  

Zappos currently has the black, but for $86 which I'm not prepared to spend. I suppose I'll just be watching and waiting for some time to see if they ever go on sale!

Have a wonderful Friday!