Calm.

Have an amazing holiday weekend.  We've got a few this in store these next few days: relax, Coffee Bean Ice Blendeds, bike riding, pizza, maybe some Pinterest browsing, crafts, a tad bit of Etsy work (or maybe quite a bit), and spending time with D.  I tell ya, after this week, it's much needed.

Grateful.

Thank you to my sweet friends for the text messages and notes with thoughts and prayers, they really do mean so much.  I promise to divulge more details within the coming week.  As I continue to work through a huge decision of the professional path my life will turn to, I'm trying to remain positive and confident.

Unending thank yous to my husband who has been more than amazing over the past years, without his support daily, I'm not sure I could accomplish half the things I do.  I love you D!

Action

I've had a feeling weighing over me this past week, something I know that needs to be done and will be done today.  Lots of emotions are stirring as I head out for the workday, but I'm feeling confident and brave.  I could use some extra prayers today............ and will be saying quite a few myself.

DIY Baby Girl Goodies

I'm so thrilled for the lovely Hollie and her hubby Aaron of their sweet baby girl Hadley!  To refresh your memory, I posted back on Hollie's maternity session here where she looked as beautiful as always.  They decided to be surprised of the gender until the baby was born (kudos to their patience), and to their surprise and elation, it was a girl!!!

Hadley is such a doll and Hollie sees to it that she is always rocking a bracelet, hair bow, or something sparkly and fabulous.  I usually like to get baby gifts out before the baby is born, although I wanted to tailor the gifts more toward the gender and I had a blast making Miss H some girlie-girl goodies.

I'm hoping I don't ruin the surprise, her package was already delivered- Hopefully she doesn't read this post if she hasn't opened it yet!  Mama Hollie's fave color is aqua, so you'll see pleanty of it!

Every girl needs tulle, glitter, and aqua-colored fashions in her closet!

My Mom handmade some booties and a hat in the prettiest of colors for little H.

Packaging is just as important.....

Inside the box...... glitter Toms  (obviously these were not handmade, but absolutely adorable)!

Handmade burp cloths and blankies

Dressed up Onesies- adding tulle, bows, and sewing detail turns a

simple outfit into a fabulous outfit.

I hope Mama H and Baby H enjoy!

New Rug- Stylish Stripes

I bit the bullet and bought a new rug from Urban over the weekend.  I've been looking for a smallish rug to be placed outdoors under our bistro set on our balcony.  With no luck for a few months, I finally found this one on sale (really the only reason I purchased it was the nearly 65% off).  It's not an outdoor rug, but who cares- it was cheap, it's the right colorway, and I can roll it up and store it on the 2-5 days a year when it rains here in SD.

via Urban Outfitters, Circus Rug

Where do you shop for rugs?  

I really don't own any area rugs since we have wall-to-wall carpet throughout our apartment, but I have to admit I'm a bit of a rug snob.  That's quite possibly why I don't own any.  Not only is it torture to try to make design decisions for our own home (it's so much easier with clients), I tend to lean toward the more expensive options that are Belgian made, Italian made, or New Zealand wool.  My husband should be thanking his lucky stars that we don't have wood floors right now, as the rug tab would be outta control.

Happy Friday

Have a happy Friday! 

Celebrating 3 Years!

Three years ago, I stood on a soft sanded breezy beach in Maui and married my dream boat of a lifetime. Happy Anniversary to my D!

And as it goes: I love you more!!!

I've spent almost half my life together with you, a feeling that can never be summed up with words.  I will strive to always be a better wife and a supportive companion. 

I love you, and will love you, forever.

Pen it

Seeing a great note card is like eating chocolate, like drinking a caramel frappuccino, it's like seeing your favorite person at the end of a long workday, like a tight hug, like a comfy pair of sweats, like a walk on the beach atop cool sand.   Okay.......... maybe not quite, but if you couldn't guess, those are all things I love- just like seeing an amazing note card.

I love these.

via Sparrow Nest Script on Etsy

PB Fudge Pie.......and still among the living!

I'm here, yep..........still alive.  Just when I tell myself "get your booty in gear and get blogging again"- I have another long gap in post dates.  Well, as we all know 'life happens', but sometimes it's nice to enjoy the crazy busy times.

My friend Nicole came out for a visit to SD from Florida this past week.  We had some fun times and I will definitely have to share some photos from our adventures: Loads of sun, food, and laughs makes for a great time!

I'm trying to keep to my habit of making a new recipe once a week once a month of a Pinterest found treat.  If I get super dedicated, then maybe eventually it will turn into a weekly habit.  I sit down with my Husband and we drool over all the amazing looking desserts until we find one that we both are in the mood for, this time around it was the Peanut Butter Fudge Pie.  The original recipe can be found here

Ingredients

For the pie:
1 chocolate graham cracker crust
1 cup peanut butter
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 tub (12 ounces) Cool Whip, divided
1 jar (11.75 ounces) hot fudge topping, divided
½ cup sugar

For the topping:
2 tablespoons hot fudge
2 tablespoons peanut butter



Method
• In large bowl, beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until creamy. Fold in 3 cups Cool Whip. Spoon mixture into crust and smooth to edges.

• Remove 2 tablespoons hot fudge from jar and reserve in zip-loc plastic baggie for later. Heat remaining hot fudge according to package directions. Spread on top of peanut butter layer. Refrigerate pie until serving time.

• At serving time, carefully spread remaining Cool Whip on top of pie. 

• Knead hot fudge in baggie with hands; cut tiny hole in corner of baggie and pipe over pie. Repeat with 2 tablespoons peanut butter and pipe on pie in opposite direction.


SERVE!

I have to say that it was pretty simple to make, although by the time it was chilled and ready for the drizzle topping, I couldn't find the right size decorating tips and just used the 'ol plastic bag cutting tip method for the topping (not a very attractive outcome with the thick lines)- but it tasted amazing so I dubbed it two thumbs up!

Also, my eyes deceived while reading the recipe and I thought I read to spread whipped topping on top of the pie before adding the rest of the goop- just a quick tip, not recommended unless you want a messy pie!

DIY Ribbon Rack

It's been a long time coming.  For as long as I can remember (at least the past 2-3 years *so long ago*-haha), I've been in search for a ribbon rack.  Both my Mom and I would keep our eyes peeled anytime we visited a craft store and I even jumped online a few times to see if I could find not only a decent looking rack, but a well-priced one.  No luck.  At one time, JoAnns craft stores offered a rack, although I wasn't keen on the price nor would it have been large enough to accommodate my ribbon stash.  What's a girl to do?  Insert : Pinterest.

Just another reason I love Pinterest.  Other people have done the work/searches/pins and all I did was type in ribbon rack and I discovered an awesome DIY instruction step-by-step blog tutorial on making a rack.  I followed the the instructions from Budget Wise Home and even though she designed hers as a wrapping station rack, it works just as well for a ribbon rack and is both budget friendly while satisfying my aesthetic preferences.

I did have a few changes from the instructions I followed:  I bought unfinished wood and spray painted it, along with the dowels.  I bought silver hooks because I like the look of silver hardware.  I cut the sizes accordingly to accommodate my space.  I'd have to say, for all the materials (wood, dowels, screws, hooks, and spray paint)- cost was less than $20.  With a bit of 'husband and wife' elbow grease, the rack is complete and I am more than pleased with it.

So True!

I just saw this little saying while browsing Pink Wallpaper's blog.........gotta admit, it's so true.  Reminders like this help to motivate, inspire, and drive me to accomplish goals.

via Pink Wallpaper

Speaking of accomplishing things, I've got some fun DIY projects to share coming up this week........ stay tuned!

Josephine's Arrival- My New Desk

A new arrival will be entering our little apartment today- her name is Josephine and she's my new desk.  Yay!

Via World Market

Urban's Odds and Ends

Do you ever consider Urban Outfitters when looking for accessories or odds and ends for your home?  I admit, even back in high school, I would rummage through the  stuff  junk they had and wasn't too impressed about spending a good few bucks on thrift store looking items.

Well...... boy have they stepped up their game.  They've now got so much more to offer in terms of what they display inside their stores, but the real secret is their online store.  Wow.  I'll be keeping them bookmarked for sure.  We all know that aqua colored items are my soft spot, here's a few fun items I came across:

Stella Floor Lamp

Rag Rug

Factory Side Table

Stone Votive Holder

Industrial Magazine Rack

May be worth a look next time you're in need of a "filler" item.

Urban Outfitters