Happy Birthday, Chels!

My home girl turns 24 today, holla!

Happy birthday, Chelsea! I have so many memories from a friendship that spans almost 15 years.

In middle school you wrote in my yearbook "I am the clown who came to town & signed your yearbook upside down." It really ticked me off. You sealed our fate, because after a journalism class freshman year, yearbook became one of our most famous high school adventures.

We traveled to Spain together and both fell in love with Español. We laughed at a hand drawn butt-crack in Spanish class so hard that I blacked out and we almost got kicked out. We watched an entire Spiderman movie with someone's bluetooth glaring its blue light at us. We rode a bus to Minnesota for summer camp. We faked a nose injury to get free ice at Sonic. We were two of twenty people at the Rockies game to wear 'staches on mustache night...

Your birthdays are epic memories in my book of life (see Nicole in a Spongebob poncho circa 16 with Princess Leia buns...) and I'm stoked for this year. A year for more memories, more smiles, & much more of that contagious laugh!

Happy birthday, love! Thanks for being such a great friend.

Happy happy birthday, dear friend! You are 24!

Valentine's Day Gift Idea for the Honey

For my 21st birthday, my boyfriend made me this. I think it would be perfect for anyone to give his or her honey on Valentine's Day. It's homemade, affordable, and meaningful!

Be creative. Play off the number theme.

You could compose a book counting down from 10 or even 100. Use an anniversary number. Anything. Just plan your numbers, find some nice fonts, type, print on pretty paper, hole punch & tie together with a ribbon.

He started from 21 & counted down to one. It was such a great gift. Even two years later I'm still proudly displaying it. Such a treasure!

Here are a few pages for some ideas:

Cold Hands Warm Heart Swap 2011

I was so excited to be a part of this year's Cold Hands, Warm Hearts. 

I was paired with the lovely Jacky from The Sweetest Petunia (love her!). 

Opening & getting so excited at the goodies peeking out.

She even included a special recipe! So sweet.

Luscious red nail polish & two softlips chapsticks! Lucky me! The gloves are so warm and comfortable.

I'd have to say that the homemade scarf is my favorite. It is so cozy & perfect for this chilly weather (not to mention customized with two of my favorite colors)!

And I'll leave you with this awkward precious gem. Keep Love in Christmas!

Thanks to Ilene & Sandy for hosting! Stop by & give them some love.

With cold warm hands, an open heart & new bangs,

Happy Thanksgiving!

The big things I'm thankful for: family, friends, health, faith, & life.

Here are a few of the little things I'm thankful for:

The smell of dogs' paws

A strikingly beautiful sunset

The smell of a chlorinated swimming suit

An old couple holding hands

Getting a letter through snail mail

My dad’s laugh

My mom speaking Spanish

Chelsea’s laugh

Snuggling

Cold pillows

Wrinkly mummy sleeping bags

Fresh laundry, warm and straight out of the dryer

Water popsicles

Dancing like no one’s watching

Diving into a swimming pool

Skiing down a mountain

Really good acoustical guitar

The smell of fresh cut grass

Hugs from Cass: “give me a hug!”

Griffin’s handwriting

Griffin calling me “Polar Bear”

People praying

Scrubs

Children’s laughter, especially when one of them tells a funny joke or story

Fine-tipped black pens

Ink on fresh paper

Boys in hoodies

Feeling the sun give me more freckles

Traveling in general, especially particularly foreign places you’ve only seen pictures—pictures that will never do justice to the real thing

Journals

Paint chips

Anne Gracie romance novels

A color-coded closet

A perfectly fitting pair of jeans, like they were made for me

A piping cup of tea, especially with pyramidal tea bags

Iced coffee

Bed-head

“Peace be with you” at Mass

Red, orange and yellow leaves falling in an autumn breeze

Bicycles, old ones

Anne of Green Gables

Natalie’s laugh, when she puts her hand on her stomach and lets her whole body laugh along

Gilbert Blythe

Wellington’s (rain boots)

Mom’s story telling (Dad & the Ketchup)

Family memories & videos

Spring flowers, especially tulips

The Kite scene in Finding Neverland

Mom’s mysteries of the Rosary

Forcing Cass to give me a hug when she’s mad

Filip’s laugh

Hunter Gregory’s Buddha belly

Vermilion the color

A long, challenging run

Hunter sticking his head out the sun roof

Nature, just after it’s rained

Mom saying “these people!”

Hunter’s howl

Groggy Griffin

Chelsea’s teaching stories: “Aww Mom! I went to bed last night!”

Grandma Hesse & all her quirky sayings “these pants attract all but men & money!”

Office supply stores

Little tiny notebooks

Thimbles

New shoes

Books

Falling asleep in the sun

Dad’s robes

Iced vanilla/almond lattes

Couples holding hands with mittens on

Sister Lucy saying Thessalonians

Christmas lights

The way Hunter is really cuddly in the morning

How Natalie is the human equivalent of a Snuggie

Baking

The song G & I made up: “Clementine”

The feistiness of Grandma Hesse

Honey nut loaf without nuts

Have a blessed feast & holiday!

PS- The giveaway is still going on here!

I am in LOVE...

with Joel Dewberry. In a platonic swooning fabric fest, I am in LOVE.


At the local fabric/craft store I frequent, the cute and crafty saleslady ringing me up said, "I'm noticing a pattern... Joel Dewberry." 


I don't look at designer's names when choosing fabric, I just go with what makes me smile and lights my eyes up with potential, but somehow every time that happens, the fabric calling is Joel Dewberry. 


I can't stop saying it! Joel Dewberry. Joel Dewberry. It rolls off the tongue so pleasantly! Joel Dewberry (okay, I'll stop!).

Eclectic modern. Brilliant, Joel Dewberry. I love you!

My favorite collection is Heirloom. Here are my most recent investments:

Opal Jade, voile

Tile Flourish Amber, voile

To Infinity scarves & beyond! That's where these puppies are going. Can't wait for more! I love voile!

If you're brave enough to click the website, get ready to drool &/or fork up some dough buying the fabric on Etsy. Enjoy! Show me what you make with your Joel Dewberry!

Happy 23rd, Griff!

Today is Griff's 23rd birthday (yes, he is 30 days younger than I am). I've known this guy since I was 14 (which was when I first had a crush on him). I've really known him since he was 18 & we've been dating since he and I were 19. We've got a nice and long history, one that's full of memories and love. It's been such a wonderful progression from awkward teenagers to maturing adults! I can't even describe how wonderful this guy is. He inspires me, challenges me, and most of all loves me. I am so thankful for him.

    

From way back in 2007. My caption for this one was "not all who wander are lost."

You are the coolest person I know.

I love your unique way of looking at things.

You are a dapper young gentleman & I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

So, happy birthday Griffin. I love you so much.
In celebration of Griff, why not use code TWENTYTHREE for 10% off your purchase at Belleview Place! Valid through 09.10.11. Hop on over.

PS- Do you know who else's birthday is celebrated today? I'd say it's fitting.

Times, they are a'changing.

So many great things going on in my life right now. Just got back from a cruise around Alaska with my family. The last three days were spent at sea and hence were cell phone free due to lack of reception.Once I finally did catch up with G he told me so much exciting news I could hardly stay in my skin.

He helped welcome a new niece into the world on the 15th, Daisy. ♥

He found an affordable apartment in Denver (score) & he's on his way here! To move. Not to visit, to stay! Oh my goodness we can hardly wait. Just two states separating us now (Iowa & Nebraska) but that'll all change in a couple of hours.


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It's going to be quite a change for our relationship, but wonderful  on all fronts I'm sure. We are very optimistic. He's so wonderful (understatement of the century). 

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Here's to new adventures & love.

I saw Harry this weekend too. & my did it move me. I haven't quite gathered my thoughts as to what Harry has meant in my life, but I'll be sure to share as soon as I do. Can't wait to see 7.2 again (I think I was in shock that it was all ending). Great movie & highly recommended.

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Don't forget about 20% off on all merch in Belleview Place! Use code LOYAL at checkout.

Happy Dogiversary, Hunter!

Two years ago today, we adopted a new friend.
And it's been smiles and laughter ever since.

Thanks Hunner, we love you.

The fateful day ♥ Little could Dad guess how much he would grow to love this dog.

Catching the view out the sun roof.



I wanna see too!



He is such a character.