Liebster Blog Award

First off, I'd like to thank Allison from The Golden Sycamore for  nominating me.

The Liebster Award is given by bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated, and to help spread the word about new blogs.

There are some rules that go along with it..........

1.  You must post 11 random things about yourself

2.  You must answer the questions that the nominator set for you

3.  You must create 11 questions for the people that you nominate

4.  You must choose 11 blogs that you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them

to your post and let them know they were nominated

5.  No tag back

 

Okay, here are my 11 random facts ::

1. I am impatient and rarely finish projects I start. 

2. I am constantly making lists of things I have to do and am particular about the paper that I use.

3. I love my husband and daughter, but sometimes I want to be left alone for hours at a time.

4. I've never had a puppy. We had one dog when I was younger but it was an older rescue. I lived with it for less than a year.

5. I love junk food and soda. I can't remember the last time I drank a whole glass of water.

6. I am only 4'11 and wear a kids size 2  1/2 shoe.

7. I am addicted to The Sims 3. I love to build houses and decorate them, but get bored with the families. 

8. I am left handed.

9. I don't mind killing bugs.

10. When I was younger, like 5 or so, I wanted to be a Super Model when I grew up. I didn't realize at the time I would be so short.

11. I am an only child, as is my husband. We have one child. 

 Here are Allison's questions

1.  What is your New Years Resolution going to be?

I've actually never done a New Years resolution. But I would like to start paying off our debt. 

2.  What article of clothing could you not live without?

Oh wow... I would have to say a pair of navy pants from H&M. I wear them at least twice a week.

3.  Are you a morning person or a night owl?

 Night owl, no question.

4.  What is your favorite book?

 Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins.

5.  What is your least favorite room in your house?
 I would have to say our bedroom, only because it's unfinished. Like really. We have our mattress on the floor.

6.  What is something you want to accomplish within the next six months?
I would like to get pregnant. :)

7.  What's your favorite vacation spot?
We haven't had a chance to go to many vacation spots. My husband and I went to Universal Studios Orlando for our honeymoon. It was amazing and we would love to go back.

8.  What is your dream job if you could do anything?

I would really like to be a Personal Shopper, Wedding Planner, or full time Blogger. Any of those would be incredible.

9.  What is your biggest pet peeve in public?

Public in general. Crowds of people make me mad.

10.  What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

The Avengers 3D, opening night. 

11.  Do you have any pets? If so what are they & what are their names?

We have a cat, named Cinder. But we call her Kitty.

 My questions for the Nominees 

1. What is your favorite movie of all time?

2. If you could have lunch with one person (living or dead), who would it be?

3.Are you left handed or right handed?

4. What is your favorite room in your house?

5. What is your favorite food (or drink)?

6. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

7. How long have you been blogging?

8. What is your decorating style?

9. Who is your favorite author?

10. What is your favorite song (or artist)?

11. Do you have any weird habits?

My Nominees

Kate at The Perpetual Student's Wife

Jeanette at This Dusty House

Misty at Across And Down A Little Bit 

Lindsey at Todd & Lindsey 

CK at The Life Of CK And Nate 

Kayla at Home Coming 

Meaghan at This Messy Business 

Amelia at House Pretty Blog 

Melina at The Caffeinated Closet 

Preethi at Lace Etc. 

DIY Canvas Art

I've recently finished the main wall of my office area. It was a lot of fun to put together. I had one spot that was kind of bothering me. It was a blank canvas just begging to be painted.

I searched Pinterest for a bit before I came across Tanya's painting and it hit me : why not just do that?

 

via 

I started with my blank canvas and then painted it with a coat of primer I had on hand.

Following Tanya's instructions I wet my brush and then just did a few light strokes starting at the bottom and brushing up.

I went back again for a few tiny touch-ups, but liked it as is.

I really like how it looks with the rest of the gallery wall. Most everything there is muted and I think this fits in well.

I think I like Tanya's version better. I mean, everything she does is awesome. And, hers is bigger. But the more I look at mine the more it's growing on me. 

I look forward to doing more paintings. It was a lot of fun and didn't take that much time. 

Linked ::   Hope Studios
Home Stories A to Z
Sugar Bee Crafts
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Elizabeth & Co.
Romance On A Dime
My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
Someday Crafts
The Trendy Treehouse
Southern Lovely
Ginger Snap Crafts
Domestically Speaking
A Vision To Remember
Serenity You
My Crazy Beautiful Life

Story's Room {First Look}

I've finally taken the time to get Story's room in working order. We've been in our new apartment for about two months now, and in the state for seven?! months. It's about time I got on it. I will admit, her room intimidates me. There is so much I want to cram in there, that the sheer volume of toys overwhelms me. She's a borderline hoarder. Since we don't have a playroom, her room has to serve as a bedroom and playroom.

previous post

She still has a lot of the same toys, but we did decide to get rid of a few things. The biggest being her Princess Play Kitchen. She hasn't really used it since we moved, even though it was easy to access in her new/old room.

you can view our first apartment here

The new apartment has the same layout. But since the arrangement I had before wasn't working very well, I decided to try it a different way. I wanted to focus on the important things, things that she played with most, and tried to make getting a few other things more difficult. 

What started the whole redo was a new bedspread. She's really into everything blue, and as you can tell in the above photos, her quilt was pink. Once we picked out the new comforter, things just kind of went off from there.

The other big thing we added were proper curtains. I had added some in the old apartment, and there were some in our old house, but she decided to tear down the rod this last time. After a very sad discussion I have her word that she will not tear these down. See that only one of the shades are drawn? Yeah, I broke the other one not more than a week after we moved in... SO! Now she has curtains. I've had a set of these panels for a while now. We had them in our first living room and then again in our first apartment. This time around I felt like they matched Story's style better. I picked up the second set the last time we went to Ikea. 

Story helped me make the bed and decided which pillows should go where. The white and black pillow has the same pattern as the reverse side of the comforter. I like how it all ties in together. The lamp was a recent find at Target. The nighstand is one that we've had for a while now, but haven't had a place to put. It is far away from the bed on purpose. This way a certain little miss can't play with it during her nap ;)

Her new favorite thing is the bookcase. Her old one was broken in the move so I "loaned" her this one until we could find her a big enough one. She loves to read and is so excited to have all of her books unpacked finally. 

This corner is my least favorite area. I don't know what to do with her stuffed animals. I wanted to put them in her closet but there just wasn't enough room. She plays with almost all of them. 

Speaking of her closet.

Almost all of her toys fit nicely behind those doors. I would show you photos of it, but it's not ready. Not that her room is ready, but it's less ready than her room. Make sense?

Which brings me to my next topic : List of things left to do.

1. hang shelves

2. hang gallery wall

3. get a new book case/ paint old book case

4. hang mirror in dress up area

5. paint stripes or polka dots on one wall

I'm sure there is more, but that's the list as of now. I really want to get the shelves up so we can display all of her cute little treasures.

I hope to show you some progress soon.

In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving!!


Linked ::   Sew Much Ado
Southern Lovely
Seven Thirty Three

Another Office Update

I know, I just did an office update not more than two weeks ago. But I just had to share again. We went to a local antique mall over the weekend and came across the best print. At first I wasn't sure where we'd put it. Once we got it home I knew the perfect spot! Right in my office! Right where I just hung a gallery wall.... So, I had to change the whole thing again.

Here is a before shot. The office was really coming together and I was really liking the eclectic feel of it.

I knew I wanted to expand it but was holding out for more prints. So glad that I did. because this big fellow is totally worth it.

Isn't he a beaut? It's a print on cardboard. Wish it were a real painting. But if it was I doubt I would have gotten it for $20. There is a bit of water damage in the top right corner. I don't think you can tell too much. The frame is a great color, but not the sturdiest wood.

The big print is the only new thing. Everything else I had on hand, just waiting to be added.

I haven't decided if I want to continue the gallery wall along the top of the bookcases. I have plans for the blank wall right next to them (I'd show you a picture but that area still has boxes...)

The black floral vase is also new. The tall glass vase and cherry blossoms were centerpieces at our wedding.

I'm so excited with how this little area is coming together. It makes me want to finish our family gallery wall in black frames.


Linked ::  My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
The Trendy Treehouse
Rae Gun Ramblings
{Primp}
Southern Lovely
Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots and Jello
A Vision To Remember
Simply Designing
I Heart Nap Time
I Heart Organizing

What I Wore

turtle neck, flats, bracelet- Target. pants- H&M. necklace- f21

Something about this outfit remind me of a 1950's housewife. When I wear this style I feel a lot like Laura Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Show.

 

via 

 tank, infinity scarf, boots, bracelet- Target. pants- H&M. chambray- f21. cardigan- Meijer.

Linked ::   Rae Gun Ramblings
The Pleated Poppy
Rolled Up Pretty 

What I Wore

 turtle neck, tank, tennies- Target. jeans- Banana Republic

blouse, green skinnies- H&M

boots- Target (new)

I am not ashamed to admit this entire outfit (minus the belt and earrings) is from Target.

sweater- f21. tights, flats- Target

Linked ::   Rae Gun Ramblings
Rolled Up Pretty
The Pleated Poppy

On Turning 24

Wednesday was my 24th birthday. It feels strange being 24. 23 was okay, was still considered early twenties. But 24, twenty four, that's mid-twenties. That's closer to 30. I've always been "old" for my age, but Wednesday morning, I really felt old. I don't think it has to do with the number. Because, come on let's be honest here, 24 is not old. It gave me pause and caused me to look back on these past 24 years. I feel like I've lived so many different lives already. I don't feel like the same person I was ten years ago (which is a great thing, because I was 14 and a freshman in high school) I don't feel like the same person I was even five years ago. Because five years ago I was just a scared kid finding out she was going to be a mom. But, I wouldn't have any of it any other way.

 I like who I am, freshly formed wrinkles and the occasional gray hair. Mother to a beautiful four year old, wife of two years to the best man in the world. I may not have the career I dreamed out as a child, but I'm able to support us. We're okay. It's the greatest feeling.


Okay, now that all of that is out of the way.... Because my birthday is on Halloween it was pushed back a day. Halloween was all about the babe. We went to the local mall. Because, lets face it, Indiana is cold! She had a great time and got a lot of candy. Afterwards we went out to eat. Thursday, Jordan and I both had the day off. Story and Jordan got up extra early to set up a birthday party for me.

It was the sweetest thing ever. Story decorated it. Well, she told Jordan where to put all of the decorations. My favorite is that she put streamers up to cover my door. 

 

We had done the same thing for her birthday. It was the sweetest thing ever. She decorated my chair and had all my present laid out.

She wrote me the sweetest card ever!! She's learning to write. We will write something down for her and then she will copy it in her own sweet little handwriting. 

She also drew me a picture entitled "A different Kind Of Shoe You Don't Know Yet". She later changed it to "shield" but wonderful none the less.

Halloween cards

The sweetest card from my dad. It made me cry a bit :) He's the best.

 

More presents :)

Story got this awesome paper pad from Nina. It's paper that has printed frames around it. It's perfect for her drawings! Thanks Nina :)

It was the best birthday party ever!! :) Later on we went shopping and then a family dinner with Jordan's parents and Grandma. We went to Jockamo Pizza. It was amazing! They had the best gluten free cookies! They were made by a prep cook there!

tank, pants- H&M. blazer- Wet Seal. flats- Target.

on Story :: dress- Target. flats- Payless. tights, vest, purse- Gifts.

I attempted the Twisted Updo by Kate from the Small Things Blog. If you ever want a great hair tutorial I would highly recommend visiting her sight. My hair is a lot a bit longer than hers so it's not as neat. Actually, it's not a neat because she is a pro and I have no idea what I'm doing :)

I had a great birthday! I want to thank my family for making it the best day ever. You are all amazing and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. Oh, and thanks for raising the best boy ever and letting me marry him ;)