Things I heart: Personalized Wedding Gift

I have to say I got one of the best wedding gifts EVER....and it wasn't on my registry! I have a soft spot for anything personalized, crafty and creative. Leave it to my Aunt Sarah to come up with the most creative cookbook. (She is an artist, so she has an advantage...) 

So here it is: She took manila envelopes, cut off the closed end and "stapled" the in the middle to create a book with pockets. Then she went to town decorating it in her quirky, fun style. 

Here are the pockets...complete with her fav. recipes

Each pocket is a different section w/ correlating quotes

The front of the book...total scrapbook meets collage. It ties on the side with a ribbon.

I heart this cookbook!!!

 & I heart my beautiful, true-to-herself, genuine, fun-loving, spirit-filled Aunt Sarah (Fetus)

Could I...

be this brave? I love this look. It is sooo chic, but I am not sure that I can pull it off. I am really considering it though...

#9

I am really looking forward to seeing my nieces in their flower girl attire. They are going to be so beautiful in their aqua and brown dresses, and I am sure they will be a hoot all day long.

Top Ten

We are officially 10 days out....it is starting to get very real. I can feel the excitement building! For me at least....Chad can't wait for Hawaii. I am going to count down the top ten moments that I am looking forward to on the big day....so with out further ado- 

#10- Last morning Jog as a single women. 

I am hoping for a beautiful day so that I can hit the streets of my childhood neighborhood to focus, reflect and celebrate the big day...I know not a lot of people don't associate celebrating with jogging, but I have never claimed to be normal!

Of course I have no intention of running in my dress....image found here.

New Additions and a Sad Superbowl Ending

So I have to apologize...I have been a total blogger slacker. Between classes and teaching I have not been on the ball lately...but things are starting to take off on the wedding front....so you can expect more details soon.

In the mean time we got our engagement photos back, and I have to say...I love them. They were a bigger expense, but I will cherish them for-ev-er!

Another exciting addition to my house was an itouch...that I won! A few weeks ago to a benefit auction. My dad bought me a ticket to play a game of heads and tails. Which is a blast...you have to pick heads or tails by putting your hand on your head or your "tail". Then someone flips a coin...if you choose right you stay in...I was a pro...and I walked away with a itouch and dock...SWEET!
On a sadder (not even sure that is even a word) note, I am still mourning the Cardinal's lost. But it was a good game, so I guess I will get over it.

Arizona Recap

So it has almost been a week since we returned from sunny Arizona, and to say that we miss the weather would be the understatement of the Year!! We had a great time cheering on the Cardinals to a NFC championship and soaking up the rays. I included some pictures to highlight the trip...mostly the game and resort where we stayed. I really enjoyed trying out the sports mode and zoom lens as you will see...

Introducing LolaBella Designs

I have always looked up to my cousin....here is just one more reason! She has started her own children's boutique. I am so amazed by her creativity and craftiness! Her custom designed headbands, tutus and hats are too cute! They are perfect for a special occasion or photo shoot. You have to check out her website!! My fingers are crossed that she is still at it when I have kiddos!

I had no idea...

Custom Framing was sooo EXPENSIVE. Chad and I have been looking for matching frames for a grouping of engagement photos. We finally resigned to the fact that we were not going to find them on the shelf, when my aunt sent me an email with this little detain attached:

60% off...now thats got to make it affordable, right??? So we proudly took our engagement photos...an 11x14, (2)8x10s, (3)5x7s, to Michael's. (side note: I heart Michaels...I cannot say enough good things about the service/supplies at our local store) After about an hour contemplating mat color and frame choices we got around to talking moo-lah. She did her thing in the computer and then stated that our grand total was $330...I politely reminded her that we had THIS handy dandy coupon (smiling)...she replys, "yep, that is with the 60% off". What? So what your saying is that to get these frames at full price it would cost nearly $700??? Who could pay full price? So we left to "discuss" the purchase....we had to decide if we were going to bit the bullet and have our timeless photos framed just the way we like, or say "for-get-a-bout-it" and continue to search for frames that would never measure up to the beautiful to the display we created. After a few panic attacks...we decided to do it. I know some of you think this is crazy....I know that it is a lot of money...that is what I kept saying when we were discussing...but we decided that these are pictures that are going to be around for a long time...we would rather pay more and have them hanging on the wall and not sitting in a box waiting for us to "find" the right frames. (It also helped that we had received a nice gift card at christmas) So we did it...I can't wait to show you how they turn out. Whew..sorry that was lengthly...if you made it through...thanks!!

Back in Action

I guess that it had to happen sometime....I am officially back to real life. School is back in session. The day was pretty uneventful...after work I got a workout, and Parmesan Chicken is on warm on the stove. I think the only thing that got me going today was knowing that One Tree Hill was going to be back in action today, too. I know it is a guilty pleasure...but I have watched since season 1 and I am obsessed....

What more could a girl ask for?

I had a great day yesterday!

I ordered this camera package:

I can't wait until it gets here later this week! I am going to be a picture-taking fool!

And the Cardinals got a Playoff Win!!!!

Hope ya'll had a great day, too!

'Tis the Season!!

I am officially in the holiday spirit!! I know it is early, but I can't help myself...the holidays are the only way I can make it through the horrid days of winter. I think I have already made 50 lists of gifts to get, things to bake and crafts to make. I love it!! This past weekend I made my first holiday purchase:

I ordered Claymation Christmas from Amazon...I think that it was a made for TV special at some point, but when I was little my brothers and sister watched it sooo many times that we wore out the VHS. It is so cute and we would laugh so hard... it is a collection of little scenes with characters that were animated and looked like they were made out of clay. Has anyone heard of it? We haven't seen it in years and I am sooo excited to take it home at Thanksgiving and watch it as a family!!

I am also hoping to pick up White Christmas and Holiday Inn this christmas...what holiday movies do you love?