Birthday Wish List

It's October. And what does that mean? It means that my birthday is coming up! Only one more month!     About this time of the year is when my family and friends start asking me, "What do you want for your birthday?"   Well I decide to make it easy on you guys this year and make a list.     

1. Urban Decay Naked3 Eye Shadow Pallet | 2. Michael Kors Sadie Gold Sunglasses | 3. Michael Kors Very Hollywood Perfume | 4. Canon Rebel T3i Camera | 5. Kate Spade 2015 Planner | 6. Fossil Virginia Watch | 7. Madison Park Lafayette 7-pc. Comforter Set

   

Happy Autumnal Equinox Day!

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF FALL! Have I ever mentioned before that I am not a summer kind of person. I love fall and winter. Everything about it. The holidays, the clothes, the recipes and hearing the leaves crunch when you walk. I love wearing scarves, boots, and warm clothes. 
I haven't done any of the fall crafts that I have in mind for the house yet. I will be doing that this weekend. You guys will be the first to see.

Have you added fall decor to your house yet? What is your favorite part about fall? Or are you a summer person?

Walk like MADD | New Dishwasher

So things that have happened since the last time we talked were....   We FINALLY fixed our AC. It was only out for two and a half days but when it's over 100 degrees It feels like a lifetime.   I started going back to school!   Yep. That's the reason why I haven't posted a blog in awhile. I have been trying to find out my new routine between working full time, homework, test, gym, bible studies and etc.   But I can tell you now that I have it down and you will be seeing reading a lot of me!   Yesterday morning I woke up around 6:00 to get ready for the 5k Walk like MADD event. MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Drivers) is a nonprofit foundation that helps raise awareness about driving under the influence. This is something I'm passionate about because in our town we have had 23 fatal drunk driving accidents just this year! This seriously needs to stop.    I joined Hannah from our bible study group MADD group. Hannah lost her mother in 2004 due to a drunk driver. So it was an honor to walk for her mom. 
I had such a blast. My mom signed up and walked/jogged with me.  Thank you Mom! I love you!  

 

   

 

After the run my lovely hard working husband installed our somewhat new dishwasher that we purchased early this week. We bought it from a friend that just bought a house and was completely remodeling the kitchen. Damon and I had been needing a new dishwasher for several reasons.

1. The fire recall on it. This scared me all the time. I never left it on when we were gone or asleep. 

2. It's an ugly 1980's wood and beige color. Seriously, how could that have been a style back then? Plus all of our other appliances were black. Other than our white fridgerator. As you can see in the picture below.

3. Since it was old it make a lot of noise. We would have to turn up the tv just to hear it when we would run the dishwasher.

4. It might have been broken because of the loud clunking noise it made.

Basically it had to GO!

Poor guy. It's not easy being 6 ft. 8 in. and trying to fit in a small area on the kitchen floor.

 

It looks much much better and it's quiet! 

 

Staying Cool When Your AC Breaks in 95+ Weather

YOU CAN'T!
Sorry, wish I knew. 
The only thing I can suggest is go to a family members house, take a swim, take a cold shower/tub, don't turn on any appliances, don't clean your house (Movement = Hotness) and fans. 
My house currently sounds like an airport right now.
So excuse me I hear the swimming pool calling my name. 
Until next time!

Been there. Pinned it. Did that. | Old Window Picture Frame

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to Been there. Pinned it. Did that. hosted by yours truly. 

I found a old window at a downtown antique shop a couple of months ago for $20.00. What a steal!! I have been looking high and low for an old window everywhere. The ones I have seen they wanted at least $40.00. So even though I didn't have the wall space I had to buy it and I would figure where to put it later. 

 

Step one: I did a clear shellac because my window had weathered already.

Step two: Find a picture you like to print. A friend of mine had once told me she got all of her prints from Staples because they were way cheaper than anywhere else for large prints. Since we don't have a Staple here in town I would've paid $9.99 just in shipping. Before I ordered it online I drove down to our Office Depot where it cost me the same price but I had my picture within one hour. Total cost of the printed picture was $21.00 doll hairs.

Step three: I had seen a couple of pins where they cut the photo out to fit in each and every single panel of the window. Why make things more complicated than they really are. I just taped my picture onto the back of the window.

Step four: Since I didn't have anything to hang the picture by I bought picture hangers from Hobby Lobby. 

($1.99 plus 40% of coupon) 

Step five: Level it out and hang it on your wall. Of course I had to move stuff around to find a spot where I wanted it. 
And there we have it!

Let's Travel the World Together

Hello Friday!   Since there is nothing more exciting than imagining yourself relaxing on a nice vacation on that last hour of work before the weekend.    Here are a few places I dream about being at.  

 

Atlantis, Bahamas  

Cancun, Mexico  

 

Maui, Hawaii  

Kauii, Hawaii  

Chicago, Illinois  

Orlando, Florida  

Boston, Massachusetts  

Tahiti, French Polynesia      Now back to work! Where are some of your dream vacations?  

Baptism Gifts for Teen Girls

Happy Monday! How was your weekend?

 

 Yesterday Damon and I drove up to Fresno, California because my little cousin Lavenia got baptized. I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming. She turned 14 years old this year and oh-em-gee she is going into high school next week. Stop Growing!  I wanted to give her a couple little gifts that will help her walk with the Lord. I thought I would share what I got her.




Not of This World Heart Necklace | Francesca Battistelli If We're Honest CD | Bible Dry Highlighter | Teen to Teen 365 Daily Devotional | Bible Cover | Verse Notebook

 

Been there. Pinned it. Did that. | BFF Long Distances Mugs

Happy Wednesday everyone! Are you getting ready for the weekend? What are your plans this weekend? Today's Been there. Pinned it. Did that. is Best Friend Long Distances Mugs.

This one was quite challenging since I'm artistically handicapped when it comes to drawing, it's by far my favorite one because it's so close to my heart. My cousin, maid of honor and best friend Caitlyn is moving to Boston, Massachusetts. Which is on the other side of the United States from California. 3,006 miles to be exact. I am so proud of her and excited for what the future has in store for her. I will miss her dearly.....teary eyed. Her going away party is this Saturday and I wanted to give her something I put a lot of time and thought into. I found a best friend long distance mug on good ol' Pinterest. (Seriously, what can't you find on Pinterest?)

What you'll need:

2 white coffee mugs (Dollar Tree)

Sharpies (whichever color you prefer)

An oven

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then teach yourself to draw your state and their state. Warning: Drawing states is NOT an easy task. Actually, I am terrible at it.

I printed out the states I wanted to draw and traced them onto the mugs with eyeliner. I highly recommend this if you are anything like me when it comes to drawing because you can wipe off your mistakes. Unless, you're just ridiculously talented.

Once you have completed drawing your states with eyeliner. Trace the outside of the eyeliner with your sharpie. Allow your markings to dry and use a wet cloth to remove your old eyeliner.

Add whatever final touches you like. I added a quote on the back of my mugs. Stick those puppies in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. When you bake them, it seals the marker into the mugs so you can wash them over and over again.

This way Caitlyn can think of yours truly everyday when she has her morning coffee, you're welcome!

I am so shocked how adorable these turned out. 

Join me Wednesdays for Been there. Pinned it. Did that. 

Back in Paradise || Happy Fourth

 

 

 

Most of you might think of paradise as laying out on the beach on an island. Call me crazy but my paradise is at Lake Tahoe. Being around nothing but beautiful pine trees with log cabins and of course the biggest lake in California.

Damon and I had so much fun on our honeymoon we told each other we wanted to come back for our anniversary. Since Tahoe does a firework show above the lake on Fourth of July. We decide to come back then.

Talk about traffic! I will never drive somewhere on a holiday weekend again. Even though we made pretty good time. It definitely made the 6 hour drive seems like 10 hours. 

Our room at the Secrets Inn was really nice. It was close to the Lakeside Beach which is where Damon and I got married. It had a spa bathtub. If you know me you know the tub was my favorite part. That is where I spend my "ME" time. To relax and get away at our house I'll bring a glass of wine and a book and start the water. I could spend hours in the bathtub.

 

Oh-M-Gee was Tahoe packed. Since it was a holiday weekend every hotel was sold out. There was people everywhere. Damon and I walked into a Jamba Juice that had 30 people in there. I couldn't move without accidently hitting someone. It was like spring break at Myrtle Beach. Girls walking around it bikinis and groups of guys yelling at them.

 

So if your single and looking to have fun. Lake Tahoe on Fourth of July is the place for you.

 

Damon and I were used to having the whole town to ourselves.

 

  

   On Fourth of July people were camped out at 6:00 A.M on the beach. I'm a morning person but there is no way I would be out in the sun all day.

 This ghost doesn't tan. She turns red and then back to pale white fair skinned. Probably another reason why my paradise is not laying on the beach on an island. 

 

So we had lunch, shopped and headed to the casino instead. Once the sun was starting to go down is when Damon and I headed down to the beach to watch the sunset and get ready for the firework show. 

 

 

Look at that view. Definitely nice to sit down and enjoy God's beautiful creations.

 

 

With this handsome man!

 

 

 

 

It was beautiful the colors of the fireworks would reflect on the lake.

 

Then the next day. This happened........

 

 

I am absolutely terrified of heights and this thing goes all the way to the top of the mountain. 7,000 feet above see level. I am so glad I did it though because it was well worth the view.

 

 

 

The tamarack lodge on the ski resort was open. When I was inside all I thought about was the movie Hot Tube Time Machine. We paid $20.00 for a water bottle and a soba drink at the lodge. You hear me right $15.00!! Say what...?

 

 

The last night we were in Lake Tahoe we wanted to go on the sunset dinner cruise on M.S. Dixie II. It was sold out as well but thanks to our awesome hotel receptionist. He knew someone that worked there and was able to get us tickets. The food is always amazing and who doesn't love watching the sunset on a boat.

 

 

 

 

 

Damon and I had a fun time gabbling (losing of course), shopping (Okay maybe I was the only one that enjoyed that), replaying every about our perfect wedding day, and getting away. At the same time I was ready to go home.

 

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend.