Holiday Fun

Thanksgiving this year was definitely one of the best ones yet. 

I don't think I would have had this one any other way!

Btw, totally meant to post this sooner....

A day shopping with theses two goobs. Couldn't get the sun off of Mom's neck!!

 And I got to see one of my best frans: Benjy, in one day.

He came to see us at JoAnn's. :)

Can't forget about dad's homemade cookie dough while putting the Christmas tree up.

So, so delish.

Then a game night with the fam. Oh my. Best game night ever. 

Couples Headbandz is the way to go. Seriously.

Sam was my "significant other".

And then this is just a picture of my dad and I. Love him.

And then my beautiful cousins and sister-in-law!

And of course, my big bro. 

I won't repeat what I said, but it was definitely funnier than what we portray.

Then we have my rents.

I couldn't ask for bigger supporters, influences, or parents.

I hope I can be half of what they are!

Then there's this cutie. Hmm. 

We all had a fun night partying with the Shay's.

Dance party with 80's rock and 90's pop = SO. MUCH. FUN.

Then, we have the cabin. 

I didn't get a lot of pictures because my gloves where on 80% of the time.

We had the best time four-wheeling, eating, and enjoying the sunset, fire and company.

(Amber was warming up with the heater...

had no idea about the antlers until after the pictures hehe)

Drei (3 in German)

3 years and counting!

I'm not going to lie, I am happier than ever and with no sugar-coating, 

this is guy is absolutely amazing!

I feel like the past year has been such a fun, never-ending ride. We have grown together, we have learned together, we have fought together. And it will continue. Forever.

Now, Richard and I are nowhere near perfect, which is what I love. We both fight for what we want, which is each other and what we believe in. Our differences have grown together and we always to figure out what is the best for us. 

There is no doubt, that this is the man meant for me.  

The man God chose for me, and it is beyond indescribable. 

I mean, look at this stud. How did He pick us?!

Head over heals

and blessed beyond belief.

Proverbs 3:5

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart" has always been one of my favorite verses. 

Such a short sentence that means so much. I usually see it written on decorative items in HobLob and other little places that I want to buy, but nothing ever really fits my style.

Happy with result and it now hang in my bedroom. :)

The font I based "Trust" and "Lord" off of can be found here.

Christmas Chocolate Cream

I finally found a seasonal beverage I LOVE. 

As we've sledded, skidded, and spun out, I have found a new bev. to enjoy!

School got cancelled Thursday and Friday, so it has been a happy 4-day weekend! 

And it might even turn into a 5-day weekend. :)

No complaints until we have to make the days up. :( 

When I went into the Liquor store the other day, I wanted something like 

Bailey's Irish Cream - which is when I found this. 

(Richard isn't too fond, but he likes 90-proof Peppermint Schnaps, if that says anything.)

Tres Leches Triple Cream is delicious!! 
Three ways I have greatly enjoyed are either:

2/3 Water

Hot Chocolate packet

1/3 Triple Cream

or

1/2 Cold Milk

1/2 Triple Cream

2 TBSP of Nesquik or 1 Hot Chocolate packet 

or

2/3 Eggnog
1/3 Triple Cream 

Ladies, I don't believe it will disappoint!!

Be-YOU-tiful

I'm not going to lie, I stole this from Pinterest, and specifically, Etsy.

Since I'm snowed in, my boyfriend has a man night, and my wine froze on my porch (I still got a couple glasses out of it)...I decided it was a canvas night. I found this pin a long, long time ago, and have always wanted to re-create it - I just never knew what theme to go with. Welp, I got on a role tonight and just went with it which matched the pillows I made 3 months ago! Totally happy with my results. :)

Pocket Tee

Although our season has not gone the way we hoped, I'm still a fan! 

Here's my super cute Hogs pocket tee my momma made at Rustle & Bah! :)

Tablet Tripod

Sometimes I just want to sit my iPad up, but the fold-up-rubbery cover just doesn't want to hold it! So this little pillow is now one of my favorite items and I use it all the time! I use it when I need to read recipes, plan lessons, post grades, Skype, scroll Chive, and whenever my arm gets tired while I lay on my side - I know I'm not the only one who does this (ha).

I kept forgetting to take pictures along the way (I was too excited to get it done) so I'll do my best on this tutorial!

Time: 45 minutes

Materials Needed:

Scrap of fabric

Needle

Thread

Disappearing ink pen

Fiberfill

Batting

Scissors

Sewing Machine

Box of rice

Funnel  

*I made mine to fit my iPad mini. If you have a 

different tablet you can make it bigger or smaller.

Directions:

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric that is 14in x 9in

Step 2: Fold right sides together hamburger style. 

Sew along two sides - one long edge and one short edge.

Step 3: Turn right side out and pull on sewn corner to lay over the flat 

piece so that where you see the seam is a square. Then pull the top corner 

up so there is a flat bottom (how it looks in the picture), and pin up the 

bottom corner. Use a needle and thread to hand stitch it to seam like shown above.

Step 4: Draw a line where you are happy with the pod height using 

a disappearing ink pen. I left about 4 inches to work with for the iPad to rest. 

Leave about an inch open on the seam so you can fill it with rice. 

Step 5: (Sorry for the sideways pictures) Take your funnel and place 

it into the hole you left open. I used a piece of paper because I couldn't 

find my funnel - so use whatever you can. Take your box of rice 

and get to pourin'! You could use fiberfill here, but it won't be as 

sturdy and it will be hard to keep the shape that you want. Rice is cheap and 

definitely does the job. I filled mine to where there was an inch empty at the top.

Step 6: After the rice, finish sewing the line so that you have about 4 inches 

open to work with. It's tricky to finish the line, so to do so tip your pod

 upside down so all of the rice goes to the top, take you fingers and pinch 

near the hole so the rice doesn't come back through, place under your needle

 (while still pinching) and finish your seam.

Step 7: Place a piece of batting between the two layers and sew two 

quilted lines using your previous seem as a guide. 

Step 8: Sew the final seam with the edges either folded under or

 into the middle. Fill the small pouch with fiberfill and close up!

Wishing you good luck!

So Dreamy

No offense, West Elm, but this just wasn't cutting it nor quite my style.

 Please, people, tell me you agree.

 

Anyway, Hobby Lobby was obviously feeling my vibe...

Here is some lovely home interior fab that is totally.."fab!"

Of course, I took my momma with me to make some final 

decisions and we decided on this beauty.

Then went to FM Fabrics in Springfield, MO, to get fabric to coordinate.

After about 2 hours, here is my new bed that I'm totally in love with!

- Head board is being borrowed from a friend that I literally hung a scrap of black silky fabric (I leaned the board up and stuck it behind the two top corners so it just falls)

- Two 24x24 pillows with a green home dec. fabric with green piping (FM Fabrics)

- Black body pillow case from Target (super soft)

- Two shams from HobLob fab.

- Two deco pillows with fabric from FM Fabrics

- Tan blanket from TJ MAXX as a "comforter"

- Blue blanket from Pier One

Want to know my quick pillow secret? All of them are slip covers!

Take your piece of fabric, set your pillow to cover  on one end on the fabric.
Fold over from the middle to cover the pillow
Cut to fit leaving the fold (1 extra on top, left and right sides, 4 inches on bottom)

Sew your 2 sides together with right sides together.

Turn right side out, slip in pillow
Choose back side and fold up extra fab like a gift you are wrapping. 
Quick stitch shut! (Hand stitch with loops!)

Boom. So easy.

By the way, nothing makes me happier than a made bed :)

DIY Lingerie Bag

As I knew my month of September would consist of traveling to Little Rock 4 times and possibly St. Louis...I knew I need some knew bags. I have luggage and some large totes - but I needed a weekend bag and, you know, stuff. Off to the mall I went! I bought (splurged) the Vera Bradley Grand Traveler in Plum Crazy. One of my best purchases. It holds SO much!

Isn't she pretty? :)

 Then I made a DIY shoe bag to coordinate.

And a DIY Lingerie Bag. 

The inspiration was found on Pinterest, of course, that was so cute! 

It was from Victoria's Secret but no longer available..it can be seen here.

The pink bra and panty outlines were made from an iron on sheet from HobLob. It comes in 10x8 sheet in the patch section. I just drew them on, cut them out, and ironed them on!

The outside is white silk, and the inside is a light pink suiting material (found at JoAnn). 

Simple and fun!

Classroom Fun

I figured I'd share a little more that is in my classroom. It's still coming together, it will just take a couple of years to accumulate. Here is my start though..

Burlap and bunting,

  

curtain rods made for $5 each using a wooden dowel (3/4 in) 

and two drawer pulls from HobLob, 

(Use a drill bit on the ends and screw the pulls in!)

a big paper mache hot air balloon for fun,

 

and a stool cover I saw here!

Mine was fitted but there was too much extra fabric under the seat. So I used 

upholstery nails and nailed the excess fab to the underside! (Shhh!)

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

As school was approaching, I scrolled and scrolled and scrolled 

through Pinterest. I needed something to make my classroom pop.

Finally, a picture hit me! It was an awesome board of

 Dr. Seuss that would be perfect for my Career Orientation class! 

Original bulletin board found here.  

My super artistic friend, Anna Kate, and I made a plan and went to town. 

It consisted of white butcher paper, a projector, paint, water balloons, 

paper mache, and a hot glue gun. Each step we took we eeked 

with excitement as we got farther and it got cuter! 

Most time consuming project ever - yet so incredibly worth it. :)

The finished product!! I smile every time I walk into my classroom!

Thank you for the pinspriation

Summer fun, happened so fast

I'm back just as the summer is ending and what a crazy summer it has been!

I went to the Virgin Islands for a boyfriend's family wedding (lucky, I know!)

Snorkeled for the first time and LOVED it!
Accepted a new job!!
Went to a wedding for one of my favorite couples!

Sad goodbye to 3 of the most amazing coworkers :(

Moved back to NW Arkansas (YAY!!)
Traveled to Kansas City for a girls weekend with my two best friends!
(Best. Weekend. Ever.)

Celebrated my big 2-4 at my favorite country club

where my best friend, Benjamin, from college joined, 

a wonderful date with my sexy stud,

and ended it with a family dinner at Keller's Kove! (This is a foot of delicious onion rings)

Got to see my entire family over the Fourth (finally!)
and see an amazing firework show by my two favorite pyrotechnics (dad and bro)

Danced the night away in Little Rock.

Traveled to Hot Springs for an beautiful wedding shower.

Realized just how much Mr. Button avoids the camera with sniffs, slurps, and yawns!

Became pen-pals with the sweetest old friend!
Witnessed my momma look everywhere for her golf ball 
which was, after looking everywhere but the hole, a hole-in-one! 
Love crazy laughs with her!!

And went to a wedding at a neat ole barn in BFE, Missouri.

Oh yeah, traveled to Branson lots, took two graduate glasses, decorated my new classroom, AND survived cheer camp! 

Love summers, but now it is time to snap back to reality (ope there goes gravity!)