Thursday, September 30, 2010

Apples & a rainstorm


Don't you just love when there are days where life just confirms certain aspects about yourself?


Like take me for instance...I am consistently unprepared.
Always. 


Take today...
Ayden had a field trip to the apple orchards in Oak Glen. 


On the way up the mountain, the weather changed for the worse.
What we thought was going to be a hot day,
turned into a hurricane.


So here I was with a 10 month old in shorts & a t-shirt, Ayden in jeans (thankfully) but no sweater and Olivia in a sundress.
And me...a dress with gladiator sandals.
(Why can't I just ever throw on jeans & a t-shirt in the morning...why?)


Pretty much we were in trouble.


At this time I praying that there would be a miracle in my trunk and instead of a blown out tire...I'd have 4 warm coats that fit my brood perfectly?


Fat chance.


Most of the morning was spent in a garage making apple cider, huddling under a black blanket.


Most of the kids were perfectly wrapped up in warm coats,
while the moms wore fanny packs with perfectly packaged snacks like almonds and banana chips.


Me...I had a half eaten banana bread in my purse.


(Are you seeing a trend here?)


When the rain let up, they could finally pick apples.
I told them that this was there big chance to run and play in the rain!


And they did.





They both ate loads of apples.
And a ton of apple cider.
(Fresh apple cider is amazing).


And when the day was over we climbed into my car and turned the heater on, that I can do! 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

It's late...

(my new typewriter, a new thrifty score)

Today was a great funny day.




I woke up after getting to sleep from 11 to 6 am. Heavenly!

Lucas always wakes up in such a good mood when he has a good solid nights sleep. 
All those hard nights of sleep training are worth it friends! I promise.


I also got to go to the gym...
And while swimming in the lap pool, my top popped off!
ha ha!
Thankfully the pool was EMPTY! 
THANKFULLY!
Really...this stuff only happens to me. 
It's seriously obnoxious. 


I've also realized that my boys really stink.
Not the baby.
The bigger two.
They both hate showering.
I don't know why they are boycotting it all of the sudden.
They take showers, but come out with dry hair?
And Brandon's feet...man...
they smell like green beans.
Yuck!




I also read this today, 


"I AM WITH YOU and all around you, encircling you in golden rays of light..I always behold you face to face. Not once of your thoughts escapes my notice. Because I am infinite, I am able to love you as if you and I were the only ones in the universe!"


it was such a beautiful start to my day.
That and 7 solid hours of sleep.


xo!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fire Truck

Ayden got to attend his very first birthday party for a friend from school. 


It was at a Fire Station.


And he had so much fun.


At first he was a bit shy... 


But then he found out he could spray the hose & it was all over from there!




And they got to take a ride in the fire truck.
I was bummed I couldn't fit in between all the kids and ride with them. Because when else would I be able to ride in a fire truck??


I did think it was funny that inside the fire truck was a radio and it was tunned to 99.1??? 
I mean I guess when you're on your way to a fire you need alil' Katy Perry or Eminem to set the mood. 




Seriously, it was probably the best 4 year old birthday party I've ever been too.
I think Ayden thought so too.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Craft Friday

I have been a bad blogger this week!
I can't believe it's already Friday.


And Friday means Craft day ...
And so here are the doo-dads I made today:


Since my sewing machine FINALLY got back from the repair shop, I was able to make my new fall table runner.


It's cute. And was so simple to make.
I like easy sewing projects.


I scored a used Styrofoam wreath at the thrift store for a dime,
so I covered it with scrap fabric, some felt and a few buttons and now I have a new decoration for my sad brown door.

That's all folks.

Tomorrow we don't have anything to do.
Don't you just love those days. 

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010



I have serious blog block right now.
I really hate when that happens.

Maybe it's because I am typing and watching Biggest Loser...
this show always makes me cry. 
And inspires me to kick butt with my workout....
tomorrow. 

*****

Today I finished my Xmas List.
I'm starting early this year,
and this year I am making every single gift. 

I can't wait to get started.
I found some really great 
handmade gift ideas...
I'll share them as I make them each week.
Maybe you can do it too?

*****

Ok...Biggest Loser is kicking my butt right now...
these stories are so sad.

I'll have a better post tomorrow I promise.

Have a great night friends.


love.




Friday, September 17, 2010

Craft Friday


Lucas and Ayden are both sick.
Lucas has a double dose of ear infections and bronchitis...
and Ayden is having more breathing problems.
Have I told you how much I despise Asthma?

And so when there are 2 knocked out at once...
I am wrecked by the end of the day!

But...rather than take a nap while the 2 lil' ones were sleeping,
I crafted.

I took 2 glass candlesticks I scored from the thrift store for 50 cents a piece and 2 plates (thrifted) and glued them together...

making 2 stands for jewelry, a cupcake, a cookie...
or anything your heart desires.

They are so sweet and feminine.
2 things I love most.

Have a great weekend friends! 




Clusters

...let me let you in on a lil' secret...
I am OBSESSED with clusters of things on walls.
I would probably cover every inch of my house in clusters...
it's addicting.


They make such a huge statement in a home.
And rather than having one large piece,
you are able to mix and match pieces that you love into one large piece...in any shape you want.


Here are a few inspiration pics for you on this Friday! 


(they have been saved on my computer forever...and sadly I don't have the links anymore...sorry) 

This plate display is on my  to do list.
I've been buying plates that I find at thrift trips in hopes to get this project done soon... my fall project list.
The above living room is probably one of my favorite spaces.
It's eerie, and weird, but beautiful.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Grown up stuff

One of my 30 before 30, was to get a new vintage dining room table.
And yesterday I was able to cross that off my list.
Thanks to the Salvation Army this table cost us a whopping $75.00!


After doing some serious research I found out this table is a Duncan Phyfe (or a design similar to his style)

It's a 6 chair table, but so far we have only reupholstered 4.
Our hands were killing us by 11 o'clock last night.
Pulling staples, tugging fabric...takes forever.


We decided on a off white sleek vinyl fabric that looks really similar to leather. 
It looks so grown up!



A serious improvement from what was there before...

ick.

Even after the seats are done...
the wood needs some work.
Some spots are pretty bad...
and it helps that I married to Mr. Painter who loves sanding and staining on his off time. haha! 


Do you think it should be stained or painted? 
Love your thoughts.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Egg-i-zona

Saturday Kyle woke up and decided he wanted to drive to Arizona.
When we dated we were pretty spontaneous...now with 3 kids...not as much.
So when moments like this happen...we just go for it. 
It keeps things interesting.


On the long drive............on the way there. 
The boys did great. 



Sunday morning we went to see the largest fountain in the world...
it was pretty large and smelled like poop. 
Which is always a good combo :) 

We saw & loved this horse an artist made out of recycled metal. 
I really wanted to take him home. 
I thought this for sure would scare the gangsters in my hood! 



We stayed at Kyle's Aunt Carol's house (thanks Aunt Carol).
Her house is like a resort. 

We wanted to stay for the week...
And when we left we saw these HUGE bugs. 
Freaky. Creepy. Heebie Jeebies.

Magic on a hilltop


My beautiful friend Angi got married to the love of her life on a hilltop in Escondido.
Her wedding was perfect.
It made me want to marry Kyle again.

Some of my favorite parts were:

1) She walked down the isle to Wonderwall by Ryan Adams...such a good song.
2) Angi was glowing!!!!!!
3) Blue icing in the wedding cake... letting everyone know they are having a boy!
4) Cake pops instead of cupcakes....yummm!
5) Individual apple & cherry pies as their wedding favors, so clever.
6) Seeing my friend so happy! 

I love weddings.
I love seeing love.
It's pretty much magical.


Thursday, September 9, 2010

holy cow!


he's 10 months!

He's started to walk.
He throws everything that's in his hands.
He screams at the top of his lungs with his chubby hands over his ears.
and all he wants is me.

I think we've got another wild one on our hands.


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Surprise!

Kyle's best friend Jason threw him a surprise party for his 33rd.
It really was all his idea, I helped just a little. 


He bought the balloons.
I bought the cupcakes.
And we both had to keep it a secret from the person we see everyday and who knows if we are lying! Hardest thing ever!

Saturday night...party time. 


Well, I came upstairs first to get the "photo" of everyone saying SURPRISE...
but my camera wouldn't take the photo!! 
So I requested a do over. 


This is the do over:
a birthday speech...




Monday, September 6, 2010

Thrifty Tips

(A sweet deer pencil holder, thrift store find)

As promised, better late than never, I always say...
are my top 5 thrift store tips for you!


Now, remember I am not a professional.
Is there such a thing?
If so, pencil me in.


I just love old things.
And I love to buy things for cheap.
So it's a win-win situation. 


First off, you have to get over the "dirty" factor. 
Some thrift stores are better than others, 
some smell like sweat and old gym socks.
But remember, EVERYTHING can be cleaned.
Your hands too.


#2: Keep a list.
I have a list on my iphone of things I want or things I currently "hoard." 


Here's are quick peek at my current lust list:
  • Owls (Although, I usually don't buy these at thrift stores. Since Kyle & I started antiquing way back when buying an owl on our trips have become like a memento, so unless I find one I really love...I save it for antique day)
  • Globes 
  • Vintage Pyrex 
  • Records (Mostly for Kyle. Although I do find one for me from time to time)
  • Paint by Numbers...But let me tell you this is like the holy grail of thrift store finds, for me anyway. I've had a serious dream of filling a wall in my house with these babies, but am sad to say my collection holds only 2 and it has taken me FOREVER to find them. Like forever meaning 6 months plus. 
  • Old cameras
  • Deer antlers (which I've yet to find)
  • Old broken jewelry 

#3: Use our dear friend "Google" to scope our thrift stores in your area. And then map out your plan of attack.


#4: I have the best luck at Salvation Army's. They restock consistently AND every Friday they have 50% off! And their pricing is always reasonable (unlike Goodwill, which is way too expensive...which I try and steer clear from).  


#5: Make frequent trips. The more you go and check stock, the better luck you'll have finding the things you want. I go every week...it's become the day I look forward to most in the week. 


Oh and here's a bonus tip:
Search eBay and etsy to research things you want and take photos of those things, so that when you are out shopping you can remind yourself of what you like or a specific color theme you are going for.


I hope that helps!
Good luck on your next trip!




xo!  

Thursday, September 2, 2010

My big guy turns 33








Yesterday was my man's birthday.

He turned 33.

He woke up to all the kids in our bed,
with cards and their gift for him.
They got him a shirt, which is like a major "no-no" for daddy.
But they really wanted to get it for him, so I couldn't say no.

I think in the 7 years we've been together he has returned every shirt we've bought him or they end up in the goodwill pile.
We must have really bad taste? haha!
Or dress him like a small teenage boy...
either way we pick some bad ones.


For dinner I made him tri tip with grilled asparagus and homemade cheese biscuits. 
No chicken goulash tonight baby! 
And we went to Golden Spoon for dessert. 

I love seeing the kind of man my husband is turning out to be.
He is this wise, seasoned man.
Who owns his own business,
and is really GREAT at what he does.
Who puts his family first,
and makes decisions in life accordingly.

I'm so proud to call him my husband.
He truly is the best part about me.
And I know that he was made for me.


I love you SO.MUCH.
I hope you had a great birthday.