9:33

Fireplace on.
Pandora on.
Bachelor watched.

Hello Blog :)

I've been working on some before/after photos- although it's hard to include too much of interest because there is so much still that has to be done for me to feel "OK" about sharing with all of you :)

Aside from changes going on with our living arrangements (a new home for those of you just joining me)- I'm feeling a change coming with my blog. Maybe just some subtle changes.

I've been feeling the need to simplify & enjoy life.






Our House is proving to allow me to be in "my element".
I've struggled to make any Friends in Connecticut, true lasting Friends- but truth be told, I'm a homebody.
I like hanging out in front of the fireplace and listening to music. Or browsing a magazine and sending out letters or emails.  It's just who I am.
Being in our new place gives me this calm that I haven't had in awhile.

I've been lovin' it.
So thankful for this blessing of a Home.

Goodbye Landlord, Hello House

WE DID IT!
We got ourselves a house to call our own :)

Closing went so well.
Quick & easy.

I exclaimed, "We have a house!"
Kyle exclaimed, "I'm going to throw up!"

The Moving process?
Well.
It was probably the worst experience ever. (Slightly exaggerated, but not that much...)
It was a frigid 9 or so degrees outside & a "toasty" 42 degrees inside.
It was Hubs, my Father in Law (who we couldn't have finished without) and myself.
It was a 7:30am to 2:30am kind of day.
Bleeding hands, lips, sore muscles & the grumps.

Basically, I wouldn't recommend moving with just 3 people on the coldest day of the year.

It's just not a good time.

 

The unpacking process is going to take awhile, we're figuring out.

But it's going to be well worth it in the end, I know it!

 

 

The Last Post....

...from our apartment!

 

Can you believe it?

The Day has finally arrived (well, in 32 minutes anyway...)

 

We have been packing like maniacs- and I despise packing.

Surprisingly, we've done it all in about two days & to be honest, I'm super proud of us :)

Kyle and I made a quick trip to the post box & library a little while ago & it's like we're finally heading into adulthood. (Although, I'm sure we'll say this when we have a Child too, ha!)

First, we were under the protection of our Parents & then our Landlord.

Now, it'll just be us & our two fur babes.

We're totally freaked out.

And totally excited, too.

 

I'm not feeling *as* sentimental as I thought I would, but I tend to cry at the drop of a hat- so. I'm sure as we're leaving our little- first home together- for the last time, I'll shed a tear or twenty.

 

I did find a box filled with items from my Childhood including : A Home Shopping Club Porcelain Doll, Two Barbies, A Cinderella Jewelry Box, Some Keepsakes from Mexico, My Favorite Baby Doll....and my Treasure Box! :)

 

I can't wait to keep all of you updated on decor & the ups & downs of home ownership.

 

Say a prayer for us if you think of it!

I'm feeling nervous about an accident- either a box being dropped filled to the brim of valuables- or one of us falling & breaking something.

BUH.

 

We won't have proper Internet until Saturday, so please...bare with me & don't go away! :)

Winter Weather, Dear

Hello Friends!

 

Due to some expected winter weather and some unexpected premature labor contractions, I have the day off.

 

 

I really should be packing for our official move next week (Our First Home!) but instead I'm planning to soak up magazines for decor ideas, eat a dry muffin with some delicious Godiva Hot Chocolate- and watch some I Love Lucy via Hulu.

 

When you were able to decorate your first place- did you know immediately how you wanted to style every room?

There are so many colors & patterns out there that I'm having a hard time making up my mind! 

Thankfully though, Pinterest has been amazing for giving me some solid ideas.

 

I want to walk into our Home & feel peaceful.

Everything from the scent to the colors needs to be calming.

Blues, Grays & Yellows- Romance :)

Child's Play

So it's Monday.

Generally, there is nothing good about the first day of a Work Week.

I think most drag their feet & let out an early sigh of "GUH".

I'm no exception.

 

Today, though, I took in my surroundings.

Messy, colorful, and sweet- mostly.

 

And I know, it could be so much worse & hardly better.

 

 

 

 

Weekend Wonders

The weekend is upon us...YES.

I have no major plans except to start packing....since we truthfully have nothing packed for our Big Move- whenever it may be. ( hopefully next week! )

Tonight, it's The Cheesecake Factory & a Movie for the Hubs and I.


I found this little jingle while browsing YouTube the other night- fell in love and immediately purchased it.
It has such an old, dreamy feel.
Have a listen!
And have an amazing Weekend!

Under Cover

I've owned an iPhone for about 6 Months now & have yet to pick out a cover/case for it.

Guh.

There are just SO many options.

But, I've narrowed it down to a few favorites.

Thoughts?

{They're all found on Society6 by Pocketfuel}

I'm much more of a Country gal, myself, but on occasion I miss the City something terrible.

Now, is one such occasion.

I've always loved Chicago- and up until 3 years & some change ago, the furthest away from Chi Town I ever was, was a short train ride.

Now, I'm a 45 minute ride from NYC and it's taking every ounce of strength to not drop everything & head to the City for a Show & Dinner- and people watching! :)

{Instagram:  ajsven}

A New Day

 

"It's a New Day" has been my mantra, I think I've mentioned before, for the past year or so.

Our Home Closing date has been cancelled (last Friday was the original date) & has yet to be rescheduled.  This wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't for the fact that we need to be out of our current apartment by the 15th!

 

So, "It's a New Day" has come in especially handy while I go to bed every evening anxious about what the hold up is & what will happen should the closing be later than the 15th.

 

Do you have a phrase/quote/scripture that gets you through tough days?

The product up for review today is, Clinique's Chubby Stick.

This is my second time purchasing this item & I LOVE them.

Bright colors, full coverage, and super moist.

Go get one! (or five...)

Butter Lips

Well, this is my what? Third post this week? So that's a good sign that A) I'm not as sick anymore and B) you won't have to read (too) many more posts about how sick I am.

Win/Win.

 

There was a Woman I spoke with over my 'Christmas Break'- and although older than me by nearly 20 years, I found myself envying the dewey glow of her skin & the nearly line-less pink that was her lips.

 

So although I have no "real" resolutions for this New Year- I am excited to discover and daily utilize new beauty products.

Which of course, is no big chore for me anyway.

 

I recently discovered a new found love for the Korres products.  Specifically the Wild Rose Brightening Cleanser & the Pomegranate Lip Butters.  They make me feel pretty....and fresh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any favorite Korres Products?

A "Mindy" Kind of Year

I was delayed in contemplating what I'd like out of the Year 2013.

Actually, I hadn't even given it any thought until I began reading post after post on Facebook.

Our NYE was spent taking turns coughing, exchanging raspy "I Love Yous"- and discussing what we would like to change/happen in this next Year.

I didn't want to set up any "resolutions"- because I think it's silly.

And I never follow through.

Instead, I searched for inspiration.

And found it in a nail polish, in fact.

I opened my Julep Maven Box this Month & discovered two dangerously awesome colors.

Mindy & Bethany.

When I applied Mindy, a neutral with a hint of pink- I knew immediately that it would be my 2013 inspiration.

It's pure, classy, and uncomplicated. 

3 things I desire for my own life.

 

Cheers 2013.

Whaddya got for us this Year?