Wednesday, January 28, 2015

It's a BEAUTIFUL life!

This week has been a blast, it has really reminded me of how beautiful my life is...
Although school has been kicking my butt with homework due every night, I feel refreshed and renewed in life.
If that makes any sense...
Here is what got me feeling this way...
I get to do what I love :) I love being able to use creativity and rely solely on myself! Sounds silly but I LOVE IT!
I got to take Cecilee and Angel's engagements! I'm so excited for them and this fun stage of life.
When I look at this picture I see the little girl I grew up with. I love my sister so much, she is truly my best friend! Her and Angel have a happy future!
This picture is just gorgeous, look at the beautiful couple and the beautiful world behind them!
Life is truly beautiful in every way!!!
 Last week my mom, Syd and I went dress shopping! I hit a hole in one with this dress and jewelry combination, literally this was the first dress I picked out. Syd was hesitant saying, "I am not trying that dress on, that color won't look good on me."
I quickly combatted her remark telling her that she couldn't be more wrong, that color was made for her! 
Long story short, she tried it on, LOVED IT, and we had her whole getup for $70!
Dance day came and Cec and I forced ourselves on Syd, SHE DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL DURING THE PROCESS (we heard a lot of sassy comments). 
However, when she looked at herself in the mirror she couldn't stop smiling.
Cec did her hair in a fishtail half up hair do and I played around with a natural yet elegant make up look.
Last night we went to visit Britton at the Acute Rehab and he is so inspiring!
I've never seen anyone with such a strong spirit and determination, we were only there 10 minutes but in those 10 minutes I was simply amazed and inspired. His journey is so amazing and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve him back in November when we did the benefit concert for him. It was such a small service in comparison to the service he has done for me in keeping me in perspective focused on the miracles possible through faith!
While preparing for our upcoming concert this Saturday, we put together this music video to spread the message that "YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT" because you really can!
Click on the picture to see the video! If you want to keep up with Kalamity, follow the blog here!

To sum everything up, cause I know it was a little scatter brained, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!
Enjoy it!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Wedding Cheer :)

This week was the first week of classes for Spring semester, and I must say I am proud of myself.
This is embarrassing to say but...I can't remember the last time I went to a full week of classes and this week I did!!!
It's been hard staying focused with school but I feel refreshed and ready to take it on.
Anyway, here's how the rest of the week went...
We've been back at wedding planning and this week we tackled flowers. We did a fake bouquet (which looks so real) so that Cec can have it forever!!! 
I'm getting really excited for her!
Saturday we up north as a family for Sydnee's cheer competition and Cecilee's wedding dress shopping.
 Our cute little cheerleader took 1st in three of their routines and 2nd in their competition routine! They did AWESOME!!!
 Go Warriors!!!
 We rushed over to David's Bridal for Cecilee's wedding dress appointment and guess what...
SHE SAID YES TO THE DRESS, and I am convinced that I need to open a bridal shop to make the wedding dress shopping experience the best it could be starting with changing the lighting!!!
 Our cute little bride with her gown!
We got to hang out with these two babes...
And Angel's family during the wedding dress shopping spree!
It was a fun week and don't forget to save the date, May 9th!!!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Little closer to the boring side.

This week was slow and really uneventful.
But here are the few highlights captured with my phone!
Leftover egg nog means creative hot cocoa mixtures to use it up!
 Jeff will kill me, but I have to...Tuesday nights are now dedicated to catching up on Bachelor with this stud! Jeff won't watch any of my shows without technology in front of his face unless it is Bachelor haha. There's just something about the Bachelor.

 Guess what I got for Valentines and my 23rd birthday (early gift of course)...TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT TICKETS!!!! If you didn't know this about me, I love Taylor Swift and I have since the release of Teardrops on my Guitar. :) It's on my bucket list and I have the greatest husband EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
 My aunt celebrated her 29th birthday and we had a surprise lunch with friends and family! This little cutie now answers to "cheese" hahaha. Love this kid!

Last, but certainly not least, Spring semester started which means one semester closer to being DONE!!! Hurray!

Although it was a boring week, it was nice to have things slow before the craziness starts again!!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week! 


Friday, January 9, 2015

Home Sweet Home.

We have lived in our cute little rental home for over a year now and I have not yet posted pictures. 
Slacking, I know.
After being contacted by Urban Compass (For a little more background, Urban Compass is a real estate platform that connects folks searching for apartments with the neighborhood that matches their personality and taste.) I decided it was time to get our home up for us to remember and to share little secrets on how to make a house a home and overlook the little flaws. 
So here is our home, FINALLY...
I do best with pictures, so there are LOTS of pictures (best way to remember is in pictures, right?)
Before we moved in this two bedroom house the grass was mostly dead and what was left was weeds. Since moving in we put in a sprinkler system and new landscape! I love it!!!
View when you first walk in.
As you can tell, my style is eclectic with lots of different colors and prints, just how I like it.
Everything I own is bought on a bargain, my motto is never pay full price for anything cause it can likely be found cheaper.
Reader's Digest books 0.25 cents, camera a gift, and lamp was a hand me down.
Artwork $30 yard sale and possibly one of my favorite things I own haha.
Chair and fur $25 at a yard sale.
Our large black and white print is an engineer print that cost me $4 :)
I keep sticky page photo albums on my coffee table where I put special notes I receive, programs to remember, photos, and anything I wanna keep. It's an easy way to keep special things in a place I can look at frequently and remember.
My style is a little crazy, but it makes me happy :) Also, living in a small space you have to get creative with storage and decor, my goal was to give everything a home without it looking too cluttery. I don't know if I achieved it, but I love my home.

Love our new painting of Christ we got for Christmas.
Coasters, albums, candles, vintage finds, and apple tv.
Entertainment center is from Down East Home on one of their sales, that is both mine and Jeff's FAVORITE home decor store.
Couches are from Boulevard Home Furnishings ON SALE! :) I love leather because they hold their shape better, easier to clean, and last a little longer than fabric couches!
I think everyone needs a super soft and cozy Costco rug.
Around the corner we have our lovely little eat-in kitchen!
As you can tell, I may or may not like color :)
Jeff redid our dining room table that I got for free from a friend! 
I LOVE THESE CHAIRS!!! Down East is the place, I'm telling you...cheap and chic, win win!
China cabinet :)
When you don't have a pantry and have limited cupboard space you get creative in storing dishes...
Hence my pot rack...
...the dishes on top of the cupboards...
..the spatulas in the jars...
...and the knife set and canisters on the counter! 
Engineer print again!
Different view.
I think you get the idea.
One of my pinterest successes, the plate wall! It was fun to gather these plates from thrift stores, garage sales, and different stores!
True quote...
Bowl, books, and lemons I got at a garage sale, artichokes Down East!
Down East horse head :)
Reminders I see each day :)
Master bedroom (only real size bedroom) haha. Keep in mind, we have no control over the walls or flooring or anything, so I try to make it work and look like I always wanted it that way. Paneling is not my number one choice and it tends to make the room dark, so i tried to off set it with white and creams!
I wish we had enough room for two night stands, but one works just fine!
Pillows for days...
Hers and His engineer prints.
As I mentioned before, storage space is limited meaning lots of furniture.
Cecilee made me my ring tree back in high school and I use it every day!
I love our little bedroom! The closet in the room is my closet and the hall closet is Jeff's, but I DO NOT have a clothing obsession.
We have one bathroom! It's not anything special but it sure fits our needs :)
In case you were wondering, that little sign was Jeff's growing up and it says, "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie wipe the seatie."
Words to live by.
That clock there has saved my schedule many times!
We have one towel rack behind the door, with two of us we hang one of them here. Haha, the little kinks you learn as you live.
Outside the bathroom to the right is our carport entrance and laundry room!
Before and after of my washer and dryer! The plain off white color was obnoxious to me and so I decided to dress it up with electrical tape with obnoxious stripes (to some people maybe haha).
So easy, cost me $2, and I LOVE IT!
Cabinet is from Down East and provides me with LOTS of extra storage!
 Last, and kinda least (it's still a work in progress haha) is our little office. We are constantly rearranging the furniture and throwing things in here but it's nice to have that little extra space to do it.
Storage on this wall and computer desk on the other! The large colorful piece is from Down East again :)

We have a lovely home full of happiness and love!
We are so spoiled to rent from my grandparents, and although the house has a lot of flaws (the heater never heats just right, and the swamp cooler only keeps us wet during the summer, the plumbing is old and doesn't function how it should, and bugs love downtown) it definitely isn't perfect it is perfect for us!!!
The two quotes, "Home is what you make it" and "home is where the heart is" I've learned that to be true and I know it is possible for anyone to have a home!