Hello from Newport News!

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In the past week I have had three more times when people have said something like “You’re such a good story teller” (I hope they don’t think I’m a liar…) or “When are you going to start blogging again?”…

Believe it or not, I love writing.  It’s the actual sitting down at the computer that I don’t like.  I mean, I sit at my computer to do work for a good part of the day.  So by the time it’s dark and Big Bang Theory re-runs are on, that last thing I want to do is sit with my gloriously pretty Mac.  No offense Mac, you know we have a lovely love/hate relationship.   My love than hate.  For sure.

That being said, it’s 11:25am.  I figure if I want to do this, maybe I should write before I don’t feel like writing later.  Oh, and it’s supposed to start storming this afternoon and this girl takes all precautions when it comes to lightning.  Yes, I canceled my gym training session today and yes, my computers will be shut off prior to that first bolt of lightning.  {In case you’re new here, I’ve been struck.  And no, I don’t mean by cupids arrow.}

In other news… 

It’s official:  I have moved to Newport News, Virginia.  Yesterday was the first day in a couple of weeks when not one tear was shed from my big, almost-zooey-deschanel-size, blue/green eyes.  The emotions are still all over the place but hey, one day without tears is a good start!  

Things are coming along I suppose.  My townhouse is still a hot mess.  I need to get back over there to pick up the remains of my stuff and vacuum up such a large amount of pet fur you’d assume it was a real life animal.  Quite frankly, I need to get my stuff out of there as soon as possible.  It’s like the bandaid is just hanging by a few, painful arm hairs.  Arm hairs that make you cry.  A lot.  
I found that little nugget of truth (above) on pinterest yesterday.  I love pinterest.  I am obsessed with pinterest. {you can follow me here.} So I decided to use it as a bit of inspiration… I have started a list of all the good I am finding in this house /slash/ move.  I must look past the fact that the house hates me: my key only works half the time, the yard has more weeds than a college freshman, I’m an hour from my family and the fact that it hasn’t stopped raining since I got here.  Positive thoughts are on the way!  I’ll do my best to share my list with you tomorrow!  Promise!  
In the mean time, one last update for you:
The pets.  They are adjusting.  Spitty is the most adventurous of all the furbabies.  She has explored most of the house at this point and has almost accepted it as her home.  She’s even vommed in three of the rooms.  She’s on a roll.  Chloe, who was familiar with the house, has been a bit nervous and has become even more of a velcro dog.  She is thrilled to see Mr Michael more often.  Rockie (and myself) are adjusting at the same pace…. only, while he is hiding under furniture trembling, I am unpacking boxes.  He wanders around the house crying (as do I) and has yet to get a good nights sleep (guilty as charged).  We need to adjust to the new noises, creeks, and the toilet flush that sounds like a space ship taking off.  
We will get there though.  I’m hopeful.  

Pinteresting Conversations and Birthday Wishes

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I just realized that it is Wednesday.  Wednesday makes all of the hours I spend on Pinterest legit.  My family, boyfriend, and roomie are beginning to realize the full extent of this time-killing addiction.  It’s become a fun way to plan, dream, learn and pass the time.  Last week I was at my family’s cottage having a discussion with everyone about jewelry.  

Here’s how the conversation went down:

Jean (my godmother): I like brown diamonds
Me:  Ew brown diamonds?! They aren’t diamond-y!!  They are brown! Here look at this picture of a diamond I like. 
My mom:  Where did you have that saved that you accessed it so quickly?!
Me:  Pinterest.
My mom:  Alan (my dad) do you know what Pinterest is?!
My dad:  Something that she talks about on her blog… 
Leslie (my sister):  Does Mike know you have diamonds on your pinterest boards?!
Me:  He doesn’t care about my pinterests.

It may not seem like a semi-funny conversation to you unless you know the characters that are my family. We talk fast, and typically about multiple conversations at once.  My dad is the only guy unless my boyfriend is around.  Throughout my life he has been forced to learn things about Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Nsync, and now Pinterest.  My sister and I are polar opposites… but she is starting to jump on to the Pinterest bandwagon.  Find her as be_leslie on Pinterest!  My godmother apparently has a crazy taste in diamonds.  And my mom… well… we spend a hell of a lot of time together.

They all keep asking me what I want for my birthday this year.  As opposed to putting together a list and emailing it out to them, I have been telling them to check out my Pinterest “Wish List” Board.  I’m so high tech and trendy now! 😉  It’s not jam packed with ideas, but it has a few.  Today I will share a couple with you as part of the weekly link-up, Oh How Pinteresting!

I would love a large map that I can start pinning (in real life) places I slash We have been!  This one is great because it’s got that vintage mappy feel to it.  My friends Katie and Chris have this in their office and I love the idea!
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I just got my tickets this past weekend for a Mets game in NYC next month!  This shirt would only be fitting!  And who knew Victoria Secret made sports apparel?!  (Probably in a Medium or Large… fyi)
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I would just love to have this guy… The view, the camper, the twinkle lights!  All of it!
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Lastly - I have this watch in Navy Blue already, but I would love it in another color!  I figured white would be summery and I could wear it with a bunch of things!  And it’s only $10! Holler! 
I know it’s definitely not the most comprehensive list… but I am still working on it!  It’s been tough this year to think of things I would like because right now my true desires are huge things… life, jobs, house… things like that.  
Thanks to those who have been praying for my cousin.  Things are still not looking good.  Please continue your prayers.  They mean the world to me and my family.  xoxo 

Pinteresting Wednesday: Weddings

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Well how pinteresting is this?!  I spent, basically, my entire Sunday pinning things and watching Netflix.  For those of you who follow me on Pinterest, you know this is uncommon.  You also know I pinned approximately a million things in one day.  And you also might know that 75% of them were wedding and party related.  My neighbor asked me what I would do if he gave me $50k. (hypothetically, of course.)  I said I would throw parties!

I wish I could throw a huge party or wedding-type event every month and invite all of you to join me!  I would be such a happy girl.  In the mean time, I pin things about them instead. And link up with The Vintage Apple.

Today - for the pinteresting Wednesday link-up I am going to share party and wedding related pins from Sunday with you!  Hope you enjoy!

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A popcorn bar!  Perfect for any party or wedding, or heck… my living room.  :) 

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Colorful straws.  I am kinda in love.  And I want to have some all of them for a party.  Or smoothies.  Or craft projects.  Or to set on my desk and stare at how pretty they all are… 
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 When I get married… one day… can someone please remind me of this.  As much as I LOVE party planning, I want to enjoy the event too.  (Just as long as they let me do all the set up and decorations, I will be a happy camper bride.)  

Pretty sure I need to have a party at my house this summer and offer beverages like this.  I love mason jars.  And lemonade.  And sweet tea.  :) 

If only we had some redwood trees here in Virginia!  I would absolutely love to plan a wedding for someone in the woods like this.  I appreciate trees more than most… how awesome would this be for a setting?
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Simple.  Sleek.  Beautiful.  Cake.  I love this one!  What do you think?
Pretty snazzy right ladies?!  Who doesn’t love a guy who dresses like this?  Sweet vest.  Hot pants.  Nice jacket.  Is this wedding fancy though?  I know it’s “White Collar” (the tv show) approved! 
And just in case there is a certain guy reading my blog… These pop up all over when you are searching pinterest for wedding and event ideas!  Eventually you know I had to pin one!  :) How gorgeous is that ring ladies?  Yeah… Don’t mind if I do.
Welp.  That’s it from me today!  What do all of you lovely ladies think?  Tell me about your wedding!  Anything you would’ve done differently now?  Was there anything super fun and creative you did for your wedding?  I love event planning!  I want to hear your creative ideas!
PS.  Keep in mind I was linking up with The Vintage Apple for this post.  None of the pictures in this post belong to me.  They all belong to the sources listed below them.  Thanks to those sites for their beautiful, creative images.  

Pinteresting Wednesday!

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Since yesterday I brought you a post about something I found on pinterest and actually did (!!! hooray right?!!!) I figured I might as well follow the trend.  Change is overrated anyway… :)

Sooo many of the lovely ladies I follow partake in a weekly Wednesday Link-up with The Vintage Apple called Oh, how Pinteresting!  I decided peer pressure was definitely the way to go with this, and jumped on board.

So here we go!  My first Pinteresting Wednesday!  Hope you like what you see!

I absolutely CANNOT wait to make those delicious treats above!  (I mean, really, I bought the supplies last night - as soon as work is over today, I will be making them.)  But with a twist!  A Paleo Twist!  Almond Butter rather than Peanut Butter.  And of course, dark chocolate!  Mmmm. 
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As long as we are already talking paleo - I was pretty thrilled to find this 2 week meal plan.  This girl has done all the planning, even the grocery list prep!  All I have to do is cook and eat!  So easy even a caveman could do it! (Pun totally intended.) 
Purple Vintage Plum and Gold wedding inspiration!  No, I am not getting married.  But a girl can dream right?  (Oh, yeah, and I am a wedding planner on the side.)  Do you think this is to JMU-y??  I think it’s beautiful!
Definitely wish I was wearing that cute outfit!  This girl is ready for spring and summer!  C’mon sunshine!
Realtors, look out!  You may be finding these in your offices!  My plan is to scratch the teacher part and say “I need s’more of your business” … Nothing like bribing you with chocolate for your home warranties! :)  Such a cute idea!  
Okay kids!  That’s it for me today!  Thanks to Jessica and Lesley for inspiring me to do this!  Also thanks to The Vintage Apple for hosting!  xoxo  

Baby Shower Gift: Pinned It, Did It!

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I am slightly embarrassed it has taken me THIS LONG to post this post.  (However - none of you virtual friends actually know how long ago I did this project in real life so I should pretty much stop talking now, right?)

Anyhooooo - I was sooo excited to finally use something that I pinned!  (For those of you who have not jumped on the Pinterest Bandwagon yet - let me explain:  It is this site, where you can find magnificent, creative, funny, terrific ideas that others have put on the internet.  And you can pin said ideas on your virtual bulletin boards for safe keepings.  All caught up now Mother?  Good.)

Months ago I found this when looking for baby shower gifts on Pinterest:

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So really, how cute is that?  I guess I would call it a lollipop arrangement.  It has towels and cloths and some essentials all wrapped up in it.  When I saw it I knew I needed to make this for my friend Katie’s baby shower! 
The Craft Patch made it so easy with her step by step directions, all I really had to do was put it together in pink!  Since her directions were so simple and well explained, there is no point in me retyping them here.  So get your booties over there to see the original!  
Still wanna see my photo montage of the project though? 
 Good.  Because here we go!  
Some of the supplies!  Ready to roll up the hooded towel from Target!  I also used wash clothes and burp rags.

This really was simple.  Just a lot of rolling one way, then the other!

To stabilize the “lollipops” I used green floral foam from Michaels. 

I decided that putting it in a plastic bag was smart.  It kept the green foaminess under control.  That stuff can get unruly sometimes. 

Like she said in the original directions - tape the dowel rod into the plastic bag.  I had bought clear, plastic, gift basket wrapping paper, but luckily I had these small gift bags left over from something.  The gift basket plastic just wouldn’t work for me.  The bag was perfect for taping it in!

In addition to towels, like I said, I had bought some small wash clothes, not sure what I was going to do with them or how big the actual lollipops would be.  These seemed too small to make into lollipops so I decided I’d make them look like little candies to sit in the bottom of the arrangement! (This is considered my little add-on to The Craft Patch’s original!) 

Roll them up and pin them like she described for the larger lollipops.  Then stick them in the clear bags and tie each side.

Cute and simple right? 

Are you ready for the finished product?!?  Can I get a drumroll please?!  Because let’s be real - I was absolutely thrilled at how cute this turned out!  I ran into my roommates room to show it off every 3 minutes! 

The pink and beige box was only a couple dollars (Target Clearance! Woot!) and I put a soft (again, clearance) blanket around the base of the pops!  What do you think!?

And the momma-to-be’s reaction?  Pretty sure she loved it!  Along with all the other ladies at the shower!
diy gift for baby shower
So when is the next baby shower you have to attend?  Why not be awesome like me and the brilliant lady over at The Craft Patch and show up with a gift even Martha Stewart would oooh and ahhh over?  
diy baby shower gift
PS. Again - this was not my original idea.  I found it on Pinterest.  The original source, in case you missed all the links I left throughout the post, was The Craft Patch.