Let's Throw It Back; Halloween Style

Since I'm going to be a super boring old fart this year for Halloween and don't plan on doing anything (except dress up like a cowgirl so I can get my $2 BOO-rito from Chipotle) I thought I'd throw it back for y'all.

Halloween 2010. 

We stayed with Joshua's mom that weekend. He scurred people (theres an ugly mask that he was wearing) with his step-dad and brother, I watched and laughed my booty off. 

Sailor and Dead Guy.

Halloween 2011.

Went to a went to a party at our friends house. We had like six hours notice that there was going to be a party. Of course I was going to dress up! I have NO IDEA what he was. He's wearing one of those body suit things with a speedo and shirt over it. 

I was Indiana Jones. Complete with authentic whip borrowed from my dad. 

I thought my costume was pretty bangin' that year. 

We obviously don't have the hang of couples costumes yet. Halloween is weird this year, no point in doing anything on a Wednesday! We'll definitely be hitting up Chipotle for $2 burritos and Krispy Kreme for free donuts. Heeey!

What were your plans for this year?

Nanny Life: This is HUGE!

If you've been following my story for a while, you would know that this year has been a rough year for me in the job department.

In February, I lost my beloved job of two and a half years. I remained unemployed until July.
In July, I started a new job. In September, I lost it. I've been unemployed since then...

That is...
Until this Saturday! I received a call verbally offering me a job I'd interviewed for only days before. We meshed really well and I'm so excited to work for them! Things are under way and my background check is being processed right now.

Finer Deets:
Baby Boy L is currently nine weeks old.
He has gorgeous auburn hair and bright blue eyes.
I will be working ten hours a day, four days a week.
I start full-time in January, part-time in November.

I am beyond blessed and so very excited.
2013 is my year.

Show & Tell Monday

Two post Mondays! Let's see if I can keep this up...

HOW I MET THE ONE

1. Tell us about how and when you met your love and what attracted you most to him.

Joshua and I have known each other since the summer of 2005, between my Freshman and Sophomore year of high school. I was invited to his family's lake property for my best friend's 15th birthday. My best friend and Joshua are cousins! I thought nothing of it and don't think I spoke more than a few sentences to him that weekend. He moved to Orange County in 2009 and began attending the same community college and Kim (BFF) and I, so we were hanging out pretty much all the time. 

We had a tiny, little baby relationship in Fall of 2009- after he'd been trying to woo me for about six years. Broke up (I was the heartbreaker, big oops!) for about two months, and started dating again on January 11, 2010 & we've been together ever since! :o)

2. Show us the very first (or one of the first) pictures you guys ever took together. Feel free to show us more than one!

These were both taken before we started dating! From my senior prom (Spring 2008) and my 5th year in FFA at the OC Fair (July 2009). We're cute, I know. ;)

3. Tell us some of your favorite memories that you two had together.

I must admit my favorite memories include lots of outings that we've enjoyed and many of them include our families. My top favorites are: going to our first Supercross race together as a couple, my first ever trip to Glamis with his family, going shooting, and taking his little brothers fun places with us! I also enjoy the talks we have when we're alone in the car on the way to family fun and organized chaos. I love that time we have together that remains uninterupted. 

4. Tell us your favorite qualities about this man, what makes him "the one". 

Ambitious. Hard-working. Attentive. Generous. Thoughtful. Honest. Supportive. 

He sealed the deal the first time I ever saw him play with his little sister. She was three at the time. Oh my. My heart exploded, then melted into a gooey puddle. He re-melts my heart whenever I see him play with a toddler or hold a baby. 

5. Tell us what your "date nights" typically look like. 

Dinner and the movies. Without a doubt. We LOVE action movies, and carbs. :)

*This link-up is originally entitled "How I Met Your Father" but, well- that doesn't apply to me/us.*

Enjoy! 

Hey, That's Pin-tastic! Formerly Project Pinterest

Oh, say what? I chose to take my style inspiration from Pinterest this week? Mhm, yep I did. 

***

I bought a pair of coral jean leggings from Gap when I had a Friends & Family discount (thanks Keyks!) and needed new ways to style them, so I pinpointed on that. Below is the pin that I felt I could work with the most, seeing as how I couldn't buy anything new. 

[pin]

I'm not fancy enough to have heels and all those crazy accessories, so I kept it simple. I wore this outfit to church, and my lady freshness while taking communion this morning was out of control. ;) Just kidding. But I did feel cute & on trend. 

This is my version. Gotta love the iPhone quality. For some reason I thought my "pinspiration" had a coral scarf instead of necklace, but apparently not. Whatevs. I still rocked it. :)

Jeans: Gap Skimmer Legging Jeans Blouse: Gap Pocket Popover Shirt 

Scarf: Orginal- Gap Similar- Athleta Shoes: Old Navy Braided Wedges

As always, I carried my Juicy Couture New Scottie Embroidery Daydreamer Bag in Heather Prestige. I'm a little bit obsessed with my bag, and Juicy Couture in general. 

PS-- Juicy Couture is having a 30% off sale on full price handbags & free shipping thru October 30th. Gap has free shipping on all orders over $50. Old Navy is having a 25% off sale online & today only! *I was not compensated by mentioned companies to share their sales with you, just thought I'd share!*

Friday's Letters

Dearest J- I'm glad to have you to myself this weekend. I'm sure we'll figure out something awesome to do, even though the only thing I know we're doing for sure is going on a date tonight. I want to go shooting (a girls gotta blow off some steam, right?), so hopefully we'll get to do that on Saturday. I was trying to upload a video that was taken the last time we went shooting on the last three rounds I had left where I was "pulling" for myself and hit all three clays. I feel badass 'bout it. ;) Obviously YouTube didn't want me sharing my awesomeness with you.

Dear Work Force- I'd love to be friends with you again. As in, you know...WORK. I'm getting bored up in hurr. It also sucks being broke. Not feelin' too productive right now y'all. Working is a huge part of my life that I LOVE, and I feel so productive just by doing my job. Two best work related quotes ever? "If you're doing what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." & "I work because I love this shit." I really do feel bad for those people out their that hate their jobs/careers. I wouldn't trade mine for the world. 

Dear SoCal Weather- The fact that the mercury keeps rising doesn't make me happy. Let's keep it below 75*, mmkay? Think boots and hoodies. 

Monday Fails

Yesterday was supposed to be a fantastical day with two awesome posts to be written. 

I only had a few things to do and none of them were supposed to take all day. Ha! Yeah, life happens. My dad was installing a new ceiling fan in my room, as the one I had was about ten years old and was on it's last leg. 

Apparently there was absolutely nothing holding my old fan in the ceiling, which freaked me out super bad because I've lived here for six years and keep that fan on constantly about six months out of the year. Um HELLO! It could've fallen on me. What was supposed to take like two hours took six hours, and three different trips to Home Depot.

I didn't get anything done that I was supposed to, so that all transferred over to needing to be done today. I've made today my beez. Took a test that could lead to fantastic job opportunities, confident that I owned that shit and ran all the errands I needed to.  

I've learned my lesson to write posts ahead of time and have them scheduled to go up on the correct day. On a side, but related note, I didn't recreate anything from Pinterest last week for AP's link-up, so that would've been lame anyway. I should probably make that a priority while I'm not working. 

TILT; Beauty Edition

I’m so excited to have new things to share with y’all! 
I got a few new things last week and am loving all of them so far. 
Low and behold, they’re both beauty related...
#sorrynotsorry

Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit

*On Sale for $22 on UD's website*

I have been looking for this bad boy ev-er-y where. The website never has it in stock and although I have two Sephora near me, I just don't think it's worth it to fight for parking at Downtown Disney just to go find this bad boy. I got mine at Nordstrom Rack for $21, they had a pretty great variety of Urban Decay and NYX items.

Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion

*$10 on Burt's Bees website*

I ran out on my favorite body lotion a while ago, and have been looking to switch to a natural option. I originally went to Mother's Market to buy Hugo Naturals Oatmeal and Shea Butter lotion but ended up walking out with this. It makes my skin incredibly soft and I'm so happy I changed my mind!

Show & Tell; When I Was 17.

Monday might be a two post day from now on. I love this link-up! Go check out Becky's blog, she's all sorts of awesome. She momma to one with another on the way. 

1. When you were 17, tell us what kind of car you drove, where you worked, and what you were usually up to on the weekends?

I didn't have a car. I didn't get my license until after I turned eighteen, in October of 2008. I worked at a diner/Denny's style restaurant, as a cashier and hostess. I worked there for EXACTLY one year, I only remember because my first and last days were on a friend's 17th and 18th birthday.On the weekends, I was probably the most boring 17 year old on the planet, along with my best friend. I was normally at the farm from early until I had to work, then by the time my shift was over, it was time to go back to the farm for afternoon feeding. Throw in a sleep over, water polo tourney, or school dance afterward on the occasional weekend, and there you have it. 

2. Show us a picture of you when you were 17 {roughly}.

I was about a month and a half shy of turning seventeen in both of these pictures. 

3. When you were 17, tell us what you wanted to be when you "grew up." An agriculture teacher. Ag/FFA was my thing. I started raising livestock when I was in 6th grade and did it until I was 19. 

4. When you were 17, tell us the kind of boys that you dated. Did you have a type? Do you have a relationship you remember well? Tell us about it. I dated one boy when I was 17, my first boyfriend. Senior year. All the boys I've dated have been athletic in some way or another. Joshua is the only boyfriend I've dated longer than 3 months, and I've only dated two other guys. I had about a million other, BETTER priorities when I was seventeen. 

5. When you were 17, tell us where you pictured your life 10 years from then. Did it turn out the way you expected it to? It hasn't been 10 years since I was 17. I hope to have graduated college (with a degree in Child Development), be married and have a baby by the time I'm 27. Maybe even be working on my second bachelors degree (in Animal Science).
I hope y'all got to know a little bit more about me! (:

Project Pinterest; Vol. III

I had a hard time deciding what to do for this weeks project. 

Originally, I was going to try to replicate these curls. They look super cute on her and I normally wear my hair flat ironed or natural. I was trying to mix it up. 

[via]

I curled my hair the only way I know how, with a curling wand similar to this one. It turned out funny looking and I forgot to take pictures immediately afterward. Fail on my part. 

In order to try to redeem myself for this week I quickly pinned some nail designs that I thought were cute and easy enough for me to manage. People who know me in real life, know that I've had acrylic nails on and off (mostly on) since I was eighteen. I just got them taken off again...

Not gonna lie, I only did one hand because 1) I'm severely left-handed, me painting my own left hand semi-neatly is pretty much impossible. 2) I pick at nail polish on my finger nails and it would've been gone by tomorrow anyway. I'm just saving myself the trouble. 

This was my "pinspiration". I think it turned out well, but could've turned out awesome if I had tried harder, actually planned on keeping the polish on, and didn't have such fugly nails right now. The polishes I used were: Essie's Turquoise & Caicos & Mint Candy Apple, and OPI's Black Onyx. For a top coat, I used Essie's Super Duper Top Coat. 

I'm gonna go take off this polish now. ;)

xoxo-

Project Pinterest; Vol. II

Better late than never, right? 

Since I did a crafty DIY project last week, I thought I'd make some recipes that I'd had pinned on my boards forr-e-verr. I love finding new ways to make chicken, and have pinned several ways to do so. 

I have a pin for Lemon Chicken Breasts, but last time I tried a similar recipe it turned out super sour and peppery, even though I only used half of what it called for. I only cook for Joshua on Wednesday nights before he has class and I was worried dinner wasn't going to be done in time, so I don't have any 'in progress' pictures. 

In the end, I decided to make Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Orzo with Parmesan & Basil. 

I'm really bad a remembering them, but can follow any recipe given to me. I've just recently been able to make Salsa Chicken without referring to the recipe, even though I don't follow it 100%. I've been making it for about a year now. 

Here it is all plated up. Obvi gotta add a veggie. 

I'm weird and only like green beans if they're from a can. 

Joshua said the Orzo was really, really good. My mom ate with us so we wouldn't have left overs and liked it a lot as well. I think that even though both dishes have Parmesan cheese in them, the meal wasn't overly cheesy because they tasted so different. I'm definitely adding these to my arsenal. (:

xoxo-

AP @ I Love You More Than Carrots; Project Pinterest.

TILT; Volume IV.

I still don't have a job, but hopefully that will be changing soon! (: Things are looking really fantastic for me in the job department. I'm meeting a family on Friday and it sounds like everything will be a perfect fit.

Food Items

-Beef Flavored Ramen

-Theraflu Cold and Sinus

-Project Pinterest meal

I realize that Theraflu doesn't technically count, but I think the lemon flavor is so yummy and would drink it all the time if it didn't contain medicine. I'm sick this week, hence the lack of food. My appetite takes a beating when I don't feel good. 

Beauty Items

-Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner.

-Gap 1969 Ponte Knit Leggings. 

-Gap 1969 Legging Jean. 

I stick with what I like and what works for me. 

Random Items 

-Erin Condren Life Planner

-My sister, Kelly. Read her blog here. She's taking the LSAT on Saturday and I'm so proud of her! She's going to do fantastic. She's been studying for months, all whist working and training for a half marathon. She's a super star. 

-Animal Cops: Houston. Those officers are angels. 

I'm technically not even at home as you read this, so I definitely won't be around for Friday's Letters with Ashley this week. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! 

xoxo-

Project Pinterest; Vol I.

I like link ups, so I hope you do too.

I decided to participate in this link-up because I thought it was a fantastic way to actually try things that I had been pinning on my Pinterest boards. Admit it, we're all guilty of pinning a bunch of cute things we are totally gonna try! ...as soon as we get around to it. I've had DIYs on my boards since the beginning of my Pinterest existence. I'm stoked to finally get around to them! (:

So here we go...
My inspiration came from this pin. I recently bought a few Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles during their two for $20 sale and had finished one of them when I got home tonight. This post is happening on a whim, but I'm glad I get to participate.

First, I put my candle in the freezer. I didn't time it, but I don't think it was even an hour. When I pulled it out, the wax was already cracked. Then, I used a butter knife to further crack the wax and remove it from the jar. 

After I removed the wax, I realized the wicks were STUCK to the bottom. I decided to use a cheap pair of scissors to scrape them off just in case I broke the scissors. ;) Not kidding when I said those bad boys were stuck. 

According to the directions linked to the pin, there are an array of liquids that can remove the wax residue.  I used Olive Oil just because it was the first thing I could find. I just soaked a paper towel and wiped the entire inside of the jar a few times over. Not only did it remove the left over wax, but also the soot from burning the candle. 

After that, I washed the jar with dish soap (stickers still on). The barcode sticker on the bottom was easily removed with just water,  and the residue came off easily when I used soap. The scent sticker on the side started peeling away during the washing the process and left no visible residue. 

& ta-daa! The end product. Definitely a success and I will continue doing this with all the candles I finish burning. Upcycling for the win. 

To link up with AP for Project Pinterest, click here. I would put her little button/link thing instead, but I can't figure out how to do it. I'm not quite that skilled yet. I'm workin' on it. 

xoxo-