valentine's day AM & PM

1. Heart-shaped turkey bacon breakfast   2. Fresh lillies :]

3. Cutesy card exchange   4. Forest Park v-day hike!

1. Healthy lasagna (our v-day tradition)   2. Bubbly makes everything fancier :]

3. Salt & Straw Thai Peanut Butter ice cream!!   4. Mortified's Doomed Valentines!

What a lovely, lovely day! I hope yours was, too <3

snippets from winter break

How's winter treating you? Burton & I escaped the cold Portland weather to spend the holidays in Florida's 80 degree heat. While I loved visiting with family & friends, I actually really didn't enjoy the warm weather. I understand why snowbirds visit Florida in the winter, but (call me crazy) I just don't like sweating on Christmas Day!

We had a lovely time & were able to squeeze in visits with a surprising amount of loved ones :] I loved the slow, lazy mornings, the funny chats about family history, and the copious amounts of delicious food I'd never normally buy for myself. I even had a glorious reunion with a Publix sub or two ;] It was a beautiful holiday break & I'm glad to already have plans in the works to see some of those lovely people again in the not-too-distant future :]

Winter break 2014 was wonderful :] Thanks for the memories!

15 things to do before 2016!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season & are as excited as I am about 2015 :] I am a big believer in learning/growing/improving in various ways each year & love goal-setting, to-do lists, & reflecting. My goals for 2014 were mostly a success - I read more than just the 10 books, contributed more than $5k to our house fund, got tattooed, & crocheted a BUNCH - but I didn't meet all my goals (& that's okay!). I should've exercised more (are you surprised?), I didn't do all 10 Pinterest DIYs, and I wound up buying some waterproof clothes to adapt to the Portland weather, but c'est la vie :] I'm proud of myself & loved 2014. It was a great year, but I'm excited to greet 2015. So here we go...

15 Things to Do Before 2016!

1. Begin grad school!
2. Read 15 new books (this will be book #1)
3. Start selling my artwork at craft fairs
4. Teach at only one school for the 2015-2016 school year
5. Send snail mail at least twice a month
6. Put at least $5K in our house fund
7. Make the meal represented each month in this calendar
8. Travel internationally!
9. Update my blog at least once each week
10. Learn to print with linoleum blocks
11. Become more comfortable with using a kiln
12. Get my weight down to the 150s
13. Try a new crock pot freezer meal at least once a month
14. Use Duolingo for 15 minutes each day
15. Possibly consider the idea of maybe starting a family?!

I'm ready to start tackling my new list. Burton even gave me the cutest planner for Christmas, to help keep me in line ;] I hope you all have a fun, safe New Years Eve & an exciting new year! XO.

happy holidays!

I hope you all created beautiful, warm memories throughout the holidays. Be merry :]

baby, it's cold outside

DECEMBER IS HERE! It's definitely in my top 5 for favorite months :] Winter break, holidays spent with family, warm beverages, cozy scarves & hats. What's not to love?!

Burton & I even experienced our first ever snow day!! We spent it bundled up with hot cocoa & watched a couple silly movies. It's possible we enjoyed our day off more than our students did :]

We spent some time this past weekend decorating our tiny apartment. We "put up" the cutest 2.5ft Christmas tree, strung up some lights, & listened to some holiday tunes. I absolutely can't stop listening to this one! I hope you're enjoying this magical month as much as I am :]

hello, 2014!

 

Starting a new year is always hectic & exciting! Burton & I rang in the new year with fancy clothes, good friends, & yummy food. I actually wore my prom dress & Burton wore his wedding vest! We like to recycle ;]

Did you make any resolutions for 2014? I don't care much for them because they can sometimes set you up for disappointment, but I do like making to do lists! I try to make a list of things I anticipate accomplishing for each new year, but dropped the ball in 2013. Probably because Burton & I were honeymooning in Costa Rica at the time & just forgot (but you can see 2012's here!) Anyhoo, here are my goals to turn 2014 into a kick ass year:

14 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2015

1.  Go without buying a single item of clothing

2.  Successfully finish my 3rd year of teaching. No longer a rookie!

3.  Create at least 10 small crafts or DIYs from my Pinterest boards

4.  Make the meal represented in each month of this calendar

5.  Prepare at least one meal from this cookbook each month

6.  Put at least $5K into our house fund

7.  Drive across country, see some sights, and…

8.  Move to Oregon!

9.  Delve into my new work life & make good first impressions

10. Learn to live minimally

11. Exercise at least three times each week

12. Read at least 10 new books

13. Learn to crochet

14. Get a new tattoo???

I've already started working towards some of these by throwing away clothing catalogs & coupons that come in the mail. We've also been decluttering like crazy, selling things on eBay & craigslist, & donating the rest. It feels GOOD. I'll check in at the end of 2014 & see how well I did. Hope your year is off to a great start! I don't know about you, but I've got a really, REALLY good feeling about 2014 :]

married xmas #2, part 2

 

 A bit delayed, but I just had to share. I love this man :]

married xmas #2

 I can't believe we're already past our second Christmas together as hubby & wife! Burton & I have been developing a mix of old & new holiday traditions, such as buying one new ornament for each other & opening it on Christmas Eve. Or putting beer & chocolate in each other's stockings, unlike the fruit I used to get in mine growing up! I'm sure our traditions will morph a lot throughout the years, & it's funny to think that our "someday family" (when we have a few kiddos running around) can really be whatever we make it :]

We had a wonderful time with family in south Florida for the holidays. Burton & I got lots of fun games we've been eying & a few warm winter clothes. It's crazy to think that next Christmas, we'll officially be Oregonians! My new boots, leggings, & scarves will definitely come in handy then :] I hope anybody reading this had a fantastic holiday, got some goodies, ate plenty of yummy food, & spent lots of relaxing time with your loved ones. Now let's start counting down to the new year! 5 more days until 2014!

just some christmas DIYs!

 

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only a week away! I know I'm getting older because I'm constantly asking myself: Where did [insert month here] go? But seriously, December, where did you go?? Luckily I got most of the decorating & present-making out of the way at the very beginning of the month, otherwise, I'm not so sure it would've gotten done. So here are a couple little holiday DIYs for you, if you're looking for some last-minute decorations or gifts!

DIY snowglobes. So much fun to make & SO cute! I just bought these mason jars & painted the inside with white dots & snowflakes. Then I just hot glued a handful of polyfil to the inside of the lid and hot glued a cute little ornament or pine tree on top. Screw on the lid, add a bow, & BAM! You've got yourself a heartfelt present :]

 

Pretty gift wrapping. Doilies + Kraft paper + twine = MAGIC.
Honestly, what's inside won't even matter ;]

 

Mini Styrofoam trees. If I had a mantle, that's right where I'd put these guys. Just wrap the yarn around & around, add sewing pins, & floral wire stars on top. I love this time of year :] Check out some of my past holiday DIYs: Yarn Christmas wreaths. Felt lightbulb garland. Handmade gift tags. Happy crafting!

our weekend in Vero

 

What a fun & relaxing weekend with my family! We celebrated an early Thanksgiving, ate lots of scrumptious food, introduced our puppy Myla to the ocean (she LOVED it!), strolled down the beach, admired kitschy little shops, watched movies, & caught up on family matters (with drinks in hand, of course). The downtime was exactly what we all needed. Now back to work until our anniversary cruise in two weeks! :]

early thanksgiving travels

In a few days, Burton & I will be heading to Vero Beach to meet up with my mom, her boyfriend, & my grandma. My mom found a place to rent right near the beach for a long weekend together. We'll be celebrating an early Thanksgiving together, because...

 

...Burton & I will be going on a cruise during Thanksgiving break!! We'll be celebrating OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY (crazy to think that it's already been a year since our big day!) with a 7-night cruise around the Caribbean!! We even splurged & got a balcony room, a first for me! Another first for us is not cruising solo this time -- we'll be vacationing with five other couple friends of ours. It's not too often that you get to travel with friends like this, so I'm super excited. I can't wait for my TWO(!) November vacations to hurry up & get heeere :]

DIY 4th of July wreath

Silly me, I forgot to mention the super cute 4th of July wreath I made! With all of my traveling (to Portland & Israel), I got a bit behind on the times. Woops! Anyhoo, I used the same method as when I made my last fabric scrap wreath (click the link if you'd like the tutorial). I just had to be a little bit more calculated with my placement of the red, white, & blue fabrics. So even though I'm super belated (hello, August!), I hope everyone had a lovely Independence Day filled with many, many fireworks :]

ringing in the new year!

How did your New Year's Eve go?? Burton & I spent it at a costume party dressed as Bob Ross & a landscape :] He gave me quite the kiss at midnight & we talked about the amazing things coming up this next year. We'll be married & I'll have a different name by next New Years! So hard to wrap my mind around! Let's all have an incredible 2012 :]

new year's resolutions: revisited & reinvented

Last year, I had a list of "11 Things to do Before 2012" & was able to meet most of them! I've significantly improved my cooking skills and explored my bamboo tablet. I graduated, landed a job, and decorated an inspirational classroom. I've traveled with Burton out-of-state (not once, but three times!) to Michigan, North Carolina, & Savannah :] I got my hands on a kindle, shook up my appearance (just some minor hair changes), sent more snail mail, & went to some concerts. The only resolutions I didn't meet were to make 10 paintings (I think I made 5) & a linoleum block print. Considering what I did accomplish, I can live with that...not to mention I adopted a puppy & got engaged!! (two things that weren't on my list) ;]

2011 was certainly an AMAZING year & will be hard to beat. Now it's time to reinvent a new list, so here are my *12 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2013*

Have a wonderful & safe New Year's Eve, everyone!

traditions

Last night, Burton & I were talking about Christmas traditions we had with our families when we were younger & ones we'd like to keep when we have our own family someday. One of my favorite traditions was leaving out a letter to Santa on Christmas Eve next to some cookies for him & carrots for his reindeer. I loved seeing the half-eaten leftovers & a response letter from Santa (in my mom or dad's handwriting, of course) the next morning.

I think traditions in general are very important for any couple. Every night before bed, Burton & I say, "My reason for loving you today is..." & share something that meant a lot to us with each other. They could be silly or sentimental, but it's just one of our little traditions that I love :]

how to: yarn holiday wreaths

To me, wreaths are definitely one of the must haves in holiday decor. & they're incredibly easy to make! Grab a styrofoam wreath in whichever size you prefer & grab some yarn. Wrap wrap wrap that yarn around & around until the entire wreath is covered nice & neatly. Run some extra yarn or ribbon through some of the wrapped yarn to make a fancy bow. To make a bow with the yarn, just grab small chunks and tie them as if you were tying your shoelace :]

You can add mini ornaments or a large one in the middle, or even hot glue some buttons on. There are so many ways to customize! If you want to make your own ornament, like I did with the candy cane, just bunch & bind together some pipe cleaners, and mold it to form your shape. Wrap wrap wrap red & white yarn around the pipe cleaners until they're covered. You could do the same thing with other holiday symbols, such as a stocking or Santa's hat :]

Some older Holiday How To's you might've missed:
+ A felt lightbulb garland.
+ Handmade gift tags.
+ And yarn Christmas trees.

have yourself an etsy little christmas...

I know November just started, but I'm trying this new thing out where I don't procrastinate, so...I'm thrilled to say I'm about halfway done with my Christmas shopping! Not only that, but all of my gifts have either been purchased on Etsy or handmade by me :] I've always loved handmade gifts and supporting local artists, but this is the first holiday season where 0% of my gifts are store-bought. I wish I could post some of the adorable things I've snatched up, but I don't want ruin any of the receivers' surprises since some of them are readers here.

That being said, I stumbled upon One Up Designs and their clever pencil sets. They even make awesome wall decals and pocket books as well. If you want to make a purchase with them, click here & use the promo code to get 30% off! Enjoy & happy shopping :]

happy new year!

-- from stating the obvious --

Sorry for my absence, lovelies. It's been a hectic few weeks! Once classes ended, I studied diligently for one of my Florida Teacher Certification exams (& passed it with flying colors!) & have been working nonstop ever since. On top of working at Universal Studios, I started painting TOMS shoes again on my days off! It's fun, but quite exhausting. & I could really use the money. Other than that, nothing new to report really. The holidays were nice, but overshadowed by all the working. I hope yours were fantastic!

Well, I'm back to blogging now & I'll be making an effort to blog every day, no matter how busy my schedule is :] & since it's New Year's Eve, I figured my return post can be a list of *11 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2012*

New Year's resolutions are cheesy, but fun little goals aren't. What are some of yours?

how to: yarn christmas trees

Check out this relatively simple & very adorable tutorial over at Pretty Ditty! Happy decorating :]

how to: handmade gift tags

You will need: several sheets of cardstock in various colors, pen, pencil, scissors, x-acto knife, glue

1. Cut out 2 gift tag shapes of the same color. I used a gridded cutting mat to make my shapes, but you could also use a template
2. Set one aside to be the back. This piece will not need to be cut again
3. On the other tag, use the pencil to draw a holiday design, such as a Christmas tree or candy cane
   
4. Use the x-acto knife to cut out the entire outline of your shape
5. Layer different colors of cardstock underneath the tag to complete the design. This is your time to experiment! For example, with the snowman, I placed a white piece of cardstock underneath the blue tag (with a triangle cut out for the nose), and then placed orange cardstock under the white.
   
6. Once you've got the colors of your design in place, glue them down to the underside of the tag
7. Use a pen to add any other small details. For example, the snowman's arms and buttons
8. Glue the top of the tag to the back piece of the tag, which was set aside earlier
9. Use the pen to add a sweet "To/From" design on the back of the tag. Be creative!
10. Punch a hole through the top of the tag to run some ribbon through. I've misplaced my hole puncher so I haven't done this step yet ;]
11. Oooh & ahhh & decorate your cute holiday packages!