Shopping withdrawals

I haven't been clothes shopping in awhile.  I know that may sound somewhat false to Derek, but it seems that every time I have money to spend...I gravitate toward things for the house or Nolan.  That is what I really enjoy doing, but every time I look in my closet I tend to have second thoughts about my choices.  Most of my clothes that are summery are getting a little outdated. I am not saying that I don't have clothes that I like..I just like to have a few new shirts or dresses to wear during the summer months.  However, I chose to stay at home and must find other means to finding what I want with different prices.  I love looking online at places like JCrew, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and Free People.  Of Course they are way too expensive for the average family, so I try to find those clothes at overstock stores or similar styles at Marshalls,TJMaxx, and Forever 21.

I'm hoping this post will make me feel like I already went shopping and maybe I will save the money for later.  Derek is graduating from a management school for credit unions and I get to go to his graduation.  The graduation just so happens to be very close to IKEA.  Whoopsies.  

Maybe I can some how do half of both shopping spree's. 

Which will probably get me now where, but it's fun to think about.

ANYWAY, GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING STYLES

Vintage dress

I love a few comfy tanks like this one

cute but wish they had a peek-a-boo toe area

Seems like a comfy must-have

Laptop case

I like the idea of having a trendy backpack as a diaper bag

Diaper bag

Backpack as diaper bag

Well, that was fun shopping for me. I think it's working and I feel less anxious.
Hope it's given you some ideas for your own summer wardrobe. 

House a Home

Our house that we have updated these past three years has been a wonderful place that we have grown to appreciate.  We like that we have been able to work together to make this house a home. Thanks to Derek, we have before pics.  I totally forgot about doing that. These are pics from the kitchen and two bathrooms.  Nothing fancy, just enough to update.

Main Bathroom (before)

carpet...hmm, plus sliding shower door..hmm

(after)

Master bathroom- this was just a half bath with a very large counter top.  We (Derek) moved things around and made it into a smaller full size with tub/shower. (before)

it was quit the look for the 70's..check out the lighting

lovely carpet and salmon tile

(After)

Yep. Toilet lid up and toilet brush out. Sorry.

Yeah for subway tile!

Kitchen (before)

(After)

We were able to keep things simple and with some hard work it's ready for a buyer so we can start all over again.  Our next house we would love to fix up with all our own taste, not just buyer friendly and safe styles so we can make it our own. Our hope is that our next home is more long term.  Can't wait to see what God has in store...even if it's not for a couple years (sad), but we're ready when he is.

Delightful Designs

Found some interiors to share with you by Emily Henson. I hope to keep my eye 

out for some of these inspiring ideas.  I think that it's always good to have fresh ideas when going to the thrift stores or flea markets so you can get an overall idea for what 

styles you want in your home. 

Adorable Bathroom

I love the metal cabinet. Adds a lot of character and charm

HAVE A HAPPY FRIDAY, bw

3rd Wedding Anniversary!

I have an awesome husband.  He blesses me daily with his kind spirit and long lasting patience with me.  I am not always a ball of fun and he's stuck around me for a very long time.  Derek and I dated for about 6 years before we were married and that to me is a trooper. We have had some great memories from our years together and I couldn't imagine life without him.  He is a great father to Nolan and I can't wait until Nolan truly understands how caring Derek really is. This year to celebrate our anniversary we enjoyed the simple things.  I made some Chicago style pizza (recipe courtesy of my friend Carrie), then we took Nolan to the park by our house for some family fun and watched a movie.

Derek brought these home

I was trying to sum up some of the most memorable times we've shared in these past three years of our marriage and there have been many.  Although not all of them were captured on film or camera.  I narrowed it down to three.  We both love vacations and my 2nd and 3rd favs were the wedding/honeymoon trip to Riviera Mia Mexico and our 1st year anniversary trip to Hawaii with Justin and Kendra whom were also on their 1st year anniversary. 

Wedding/Honeymoon 2008

Pic taken by Janae Hardy

Pic taken by Janae Hardy

Beach side dinner for two! So dreamy

Giant chess game at our resort

Trip to the market

Vacation to Hawaii with Kendra and Justin

We were able to stay with some friends that used to go to our church part of the time. They were so amazing and hospitable. They are one of the most lively and spirited families I know that also love the Lord and follow his plan; which just so happened to be in Hawaii on a quiet peaceful part of the island. I was able to get some fun scenery photo's as well.. just trying to capture a glimpse of the beauty that is there. 

Derek and Justin and their fake tattoo's

Sunrise walk with a flower given to me by a Hawaiian making baskets to sell at the market

North shore

North shore site seeing trip

Beautiful Kendra

sunrise

our light house hike

Wonderful Memories from our wedding, honeymoon, and vacation...but my most fond memory was (as cheesy as it sounds) not the actual birth of our son, but about an hour afterwards.  Hehe.  It was great to finally meet Nolan and to share this with Derek.  

Meeting Dad for the first time

A week or so later

Love you Derek and thanks for being my loving husband.