Our Wonderful Years...

Over the course of the average lifetime you meet a lot of people. Some of them stick with you through thick and thin. Some weave their way through your life and disappear forever. But once in a while someone comes along who earns a permanent place in your heart.

Brown hair, brown eyes. When she smiled, I smiled. When she cried, I cried. Every single thing that happened to me that mattered, in some way, had to do with her. After all, she was my girl. And I knew that she understood that in some small way my achievements were her achievements.

~ Kevin Arnold

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Art Win!

After my disastrous art project attempt for Valentine's Day I've been 'off' art projects. But I took to Pinterest and started pinning so many awesome looking projects that I felt like the time was right to try again.

First up- here is my cheapest project ever. I already had these frames that have always been above our bed. I popped the paper off the back and lifted out the stock art work (which I saved should I want to try to re-use it again sometime later). I inserted a section of wrapping paper from PaperSource. I got one sheet of paper for 3.50 and cut it into to thirds. I was careful to make sure that each section had a different part of the print on it. Then I popped each piece into the back of the frames I already had and closed them up again.

Presto! Instant art update for less than a five spot.


Next up was this awesome looking tutorial from Pinterest on making your own simple abstract art. The tutorial showed a woman letting her child paint with finger paints on cheap canvas and I looked at it and said "I could do that!". So I went to the craft store and bought a canvas two pack of 11 x 14. I think it cost me about 13 dollars total. Then I saw that they have new Martha Stewart craft paint line and I got hooked. She is so good with color and our bedding set is by her so I thought if I was gonna match the blue, that's the best chance I'd have. Luckily for me I read up the color wheel and noticed they organize the colors in a very helpful way. I knew that I wanted a split complementary color scheme using light blue with light orange/coral to complement it. So I found the bright blue (Greek Key) that I loved and picked three colors lighter than that and one darker (the navy, which I also loved).  Then I found the orange which is called Fresh Salmon. Perfect!

Next I pushed the two canvases side by side and taped them off together so they would work as a duo. Then I used a sponge applicator to apply the paint. My friend Melissa came over and gave me a second set of eyes. It was a lot of fun to have another person around to help out and give feedback. We both agreed that it came out really well. Steven sprayed it with a protective clear coat for me and then we were able to hang it up in the bedroom.
 I also found lamps that I loved at Target. I think the new white shades and clear/silver acrylic lamp bases give it a little glamor without being too fussy. You have to imagine how the photos will look when I swap out the white with black curtains for black with white. I have the materials, I just need to assemble and sew them. Maybe on a another weekend soon... I think the black curtains will give a lot more balance to the color in the room. I also have a black chair to bring in. I want to move the dressing table to the other side of the room and put in a sitting nook with the chair and maybe a bright blue side table. Again- a project for another day.
 I think the tryptic is nice above the bed- it sort of acts as a headboard, but we need two larger pieces over the lamps to balance the wall out. The ceilings are very high and all one color, which makes it look like endless space, but the truth is, you'd never hang anything above the wall line which is at about 7 feet, then the roof starts to slant. Hence, needing larger scale art.

 I saw this photo when we were staying in Seattle and I'd love to recreate it or buy something similar and have that framed and hung in the space above the lamps. One thing at a time.

Lastly, I found another tutorial for some canvas art inspired by the Kate Spade "Confetti". Since I love Kate Spade, as well as confetti, I decided that might make a fun project to try for bathroom art. I bought a small hole punch, some colored card stock and tacky glue and went to work. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes. Melissa suggested I paint the canvas to give it a little color, so we did that and then she glued one canvas and I did the other. We both agree it reminds us of soap bubbles. I thought that was perfect for bathroom art! I'm looking forward to getting some blue towels in here and maybe a little hook to hang the hand towel on. 
I have a feeling it will take the entire rest of the year to finish this, but this is one of the largest rooms in the house. It's really nice to put effort into a room that you spend a lot of time in. I feel like we've had the same art/linens/look for the last four years. It was really time for change! Thank goodness these projects turned out so well. I'm ready to tackle the curtains next.

Taking Bellevue by storm!

Shelley and I are ladies who shop! Our latest adventure was returning to Bellevue for some Spring Wardrobe Revival. I'm now fully convinced that the Bellevue Nordstrom's is the best one next to the downtown Seattle location, although I think that one is too big to find anything in it.

I think the trip was super successful. Shelley got new shoes, a scarf and some tops and I got two pairs of shoes, a handbag, a dress and I found a sweater that I've been looking for. We also got to eat at the Wild Ginger. I am in love with their 7-flavor beef and the duck on the little bao rolls is simply amazing. I'm not a huge duck fan, but I will eat it at Wild Ginger.

We got smart this time and booked a hotel room so we didn't have to make it a super long day. It made all the difference in the world being able to relax after dinner and not have to rush home. I just love girl road trips! It makes me want to hit San Francisco with my Mom and Sister.

Thank you for such a wonderful time Shelley! I had a blast!!

Bend Trip

I had to go to Bend for a week to be on site with a Client and while I was there, I thought I'd be the best wife ever and pick up a Growler from Deschutes Brewery for Steven. It really does taste better from the tap! Steven now has a growler that we can take back with us and have re-filled. I'm looking forward to doing a little more exploring in Bend. I hadn't been there in at least 10 years and it has changed so much. Hopefully we will get in a little trip before the summer is over.

Easter 2012

 It was a small Easter celebration this year since my Parents were out of town and Steven's sister couldn't make it, but we still had a wonderful and low key day!
 I went with a hot pink, lime green and blue theme. I've been inspired since reading the Collected Tabletop.

Mom and Dad sent us flowers for the table. I can't remember if I've ever gotten a flower delivery before. That was super fun. Steven said that he thought the delivery person was used to delivering condolence flowers because he said "I'm sorry for your loss" when we answered the door. We had a good laugh at that one.

Our menu:
Glazed ham
Green Bean Casserole (from the pioneer woman, yum!)
Potatoes Gratin
Cornbread
Deviled eggs
Pineapple Upside Down Cake

It was all so good that then we had to take the nephews down to the park to run off some of that extra energy. I also made up Steven a little Easter basket of his very own. I put in a new garlic press and scoop and strain from Sur La Table (very handy gadgets!) as well as a chocolate flying pig with bacon and a chocolate and peanut butter bunny from Voseges Chocolates and yummy Olive Oil from a local bottling company. He was very surprised and touched. We had a lot of fun eating the flying pig. How's that for novelty Easter candies?

My first year at work

 Back at the end of March I celebrated my first year at my job. I can't even believe how fast time has flown by. Since I started I've been to NYC and several site appointments helping Julia with an array of tasks and developing my skills as an Office Manager and Business Coordinator.

The most special thing about the day were all the surprises. I received special flowers, a luncheon in my honor and a cake!
 They take such good care of me! I was blown away and did not expect so much attention to be paid to my anniversary. It was such a wonderful day. Now I'm on my way to 2 years!

Later that week for date night, Steven and I made homemade pasta with our Pasta making attachment for the KitchenAid Mixer. It was very yummy. It looks like a total mess- and it was- but it was worth it! I am looking for the roller plates so that we can make fettuccine and lasagna noodles. The extractor we have only does small diameter and macaroni noodles.  It never ceases to amaze me what you can make with flour, water and either eggs or yeast!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

A special CD

A few months ago I took a short road trip with Shelly, Colin and Ethan to the Outlet Mall. Colin has a 'favorite CD' in the disc changer and makes requests about the songs he'd like to hear. I loved the CD so much that I asked for a copy of it. Then I got the idea that I should make him a new CD with new tunes on it.

It was a challenge, because not only do the songs have to rock for a 6.5 year old, but they also have to rock for Mom and Dad too.

Here's the list I compiled for him:
  1. We're Dancing - PYT
  2. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
  3. (You Drive Me) Crazy (The Remix) - Brittany Spears
  4. Hey Julie - Fountains of Wayne
  5. Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
  6. The Girl On TV - LFO
  7. You Set Me Free - Michelle Branch
  8. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
  9. Jump - The Pointer Sisters
  10. Roll With The Changes - REO Speedwagon
  11. Bye Bye - N*Sync
  12. Paradise - Coldplay
  13. You Make My Dreams - Hall and Oates
  14. The Right Stuff - New Kids On The Block
  15. Love, Your Baby Girl - Sugarland
  16. Just A Ride- Jem
  17. UP! - Shania Twain
  18. Don't Stop - Foster The People
  19. The Best Thing - Savage Garden

This is also quickly becoming my favorite work out mix! I really hope he enjoys it as much as I do.

St. Patrick's Day 2012

This year we had Shelley and Kevin over for a Saint Patrick's Day feast!

Our Menu:

-Smoked Brisket in Guiness
-Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Asiago and Garlic
-Biscuits
-Brocolini with Pine Nuts, Lemon and Garlic

-Mint and Chocolate Cupcakes

Here's a shot of my cupcakes all done up:

I used the Martha Stewart recipe for the cupcake itself- she has a mint chocolate recipe, but I wasn't crazy about the frosting, so I used a simple butter cream and substituted vanilla extract for mint. These chocolate cupcakes also have a teaspoon of mint extract in them. I thought that was a lot to add, but the cake is so moist and the mint is so subtle, so she really does know her stuff! I added some green food coloring to the butter cream and then topped with a bit of chocolate bar and green sparkling sugar. Steven said they looked beautiful and I have to agree. They looked like I bought them and that's a wonderful compliment. :)

Here's a sweet pic of Steven's Brisket. He's basting it.

Finally, Steven could not end the night without an Irish Car Bomb. That's Guinness beer with a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream tossed in. You drop the shot glass and then chug it. It's not my idea of a good time, but it is Steven's. So, being the good wife that I am, I documented it with photos.

About to drop the shot in:Chug, Chug, Chug!!!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!