Monday, November 15, 2010

It makes me laugh..


What in the world would I do without them?
This picture captures us so very well. :)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Baker Wedding

Well, they finally did it! Jenny & Claude got hitched! ;)
Introducing the Bakers!
 The wedding was beautiful and I know that everyone enjoyed themselves.

Especially this guy and myself. ;)

And the mamacita. She got her dance on and showed 'em how to get your grove on. ;)

Erin and I right before we headed down the aisle. 

Me, Daniel, Steven and Erin enjoying ourselves at the reception. I love them!

And of course it wouldn't be a wedding if we didn't do a little (a lot) of dancing on the dance floor.

Erin and The Candyman ;)

Gees, we were really gettin' down.
 

Right as we were seeing the Bakers off to their hotel suite.

I think Daniel enjoyed the bubble blowing a little too much. ;)

We really did have a great time and are very happy for the Bakers and the future that lies ahead for the happy couple.

We were so glad to be able to be apart of your day and wish you all the best!

I promised Daniel no more weddings for a while... We met at a wedding, went to a wedding last month and one this month. But it was nice to go out of this wedding season with a bang. We had a great time!


Monday, October 18, 2010

Off The Market

Not long ago, January to be exact I wrote something pretty silly on here about the kinda man I was looking for. Nine months later my wish came true when I was least expecting it.

I met Daniel at our friend Blair's wedding and I haven't been able to get enough of him since. ;)


He's an amazing man that I've very quickly become thankful for. I'm not sure how I got along without him.


He knows how to be silly with me and make me laugh.


He's sweet to me and is always trying to take care of me.


He doesn't mind my ridiculous faces.


And I definitely don't mind that sweet smile of his.



He knows how to spin me around on the dance floor.




And he knows how to make my heart melt. ;) I'm very excited about what's to come!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Recent Crafting

So I've made a few things over the last couple months that haven't gotten any recognition....

First, Jenny and I made some really cute paintings on canvas. I decided to hang mine above my bed.


'Love'


I really like the way it turned out. And of course the entire project cost about $7 or $8 dollars. The ones we saw similar at the store were $30. And ours are cuter. :)


Since I changed some things up in my bedroom I had to make some new throw pillows. I love the way they turned out. I'm in love with my white one with brown flowers, and it was so easy to sew!


End product of new bedding.


I also made this little cork board out of old message board cork, cardboard and coffee filters.


A great place to hang pictures of all my little loves.


I wasn't sure how I was going to use this old carpenter ladder when I got it for free from an estate sale but it turned out to be a great shelf.



And our course I'm always sewing something for Miss Kinley.
Front.


Back.


Embellishment.


I also sewed her a skirt out of one of my old dresses that I was going to give away.


Ta-da! ;)


And here's my little Princess modeling it at church today! I love you with all my heart sweet cheeks!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Reflection


So much has happened throughout the summer that I didn't blog about.

I needed some time to think and some time to have fun with the people I love and I'm lucky enough to have love me in return.

So I'm going to try to catch you up, but a lot has happened. And maybe none of it is important to you but it is to me.

I'm not sure what all I'll get to in this post but I'm ready to share the ups and downs of summer. We all know that Fall is my 'reflection' time so it seems only natural that I'm ready to evaluate the year just as it has started to cool down.

For starters, I feel like my life has finally started to come into focus. This seems natural since I've read time and time again that your brain doesn't really hit adulthood until 25 and I'm on my way there.

I'm not sure how to explain what my little mind has been going through but I'll try.

These are some of the things I've been struggling with lately...and the reoccurring theme seems to be the need for balance.

Technology. How do I stay true to what I believe in and what I feel is right when the whole world is racing ahead? Every time I turn around there is some new 'gadget' taking us further and further away from each other. Balance.

Things. Material things. I've told this story to a few friends about how over a week or so ago, I was sitting in my apartment and had this sudden urge to take everything off the walls and take anything that wasn't a need, throw it in huge boxes and give everything I own away. I didn't want it anymore. Erin text me and unknowingly stopped the madness, otherwise I might be living in an apartment with nothing but a blanket and a loaf of bread by now. Balance.

Culture. I have a hard time understanding and living in a nation that I don't feel is driven by values I believe in. I feel like we're a careless nation that abuses everything we can get our hands on. Unappreciative. Everything seems to be taken for granted here. Balance.

Vegetarianism. For all who have known me a while, you know that Mitzi and I gave vegetarianism a try back in 2007 and lasted around 6 months before we gave in. I have decided to give it a try again but now have legit reasons for this lifestyle and feel more passionate toward it. I'm just over the 2 month mark now and don't feel compelled at all to go back to eating meat. Meals now must always be planned out but I don't mind at all, I'm making sure what goes in my body is nutritious and healthy as opposed to just being a filler. I've felt healthier and more full of energy than I have in years. I'm also living an even more environmentally friendly lifestyle by giving up meat which helps toward my ultimate goal to lead a truly sustainable life. I'm working step by step to achieve that goal.

Judgement. I'm ashamed to say that judgement had crept into my life and left me feeling disgusting on the inside. After much prayer and working on myself I feel like I'm on the right path. I have no power within me to judge anyone, it's not my job. I find myself struggling day in and day out, but like everything worth working for I can't be changed overnight. I want a better me. I want to be a person that's openminded and ready for change which is hard to do when you live in a culture that is constantly telling you what is right and what is wrong. Balance.

Religion. I've been attending Cross Timbers in Denton for over a year now and continually felt like an hour on Sunday mornings just wasn't enough time with God and those who worship him. Yet, I still did nothing about it. I was mostly afraid of being picked apart and shown the ugliness that lays below the surface in my heart that needed to be changed. I was afraid of a breakdown. I was afraid of appearing weak. I've decided to let those walls down and allow God to really come into my heart, and not just at home where no one could ever see. I want my actions to show my devotion to Him. I want to fear the Lord. With that said, I've joined a bible study and I'm looking into more ways to become involved, including in other countries.

Travel. It's no surprise that if I'm having a hard time with the demands of our society that I'd like to go explore others. I'm very curious to see how other countries live, what they value and where they stand on moral issues. For this reason, I'm considering when I can move. I need some time away from this place. Most people see America as the greatest country in the world. Well, I've pulled back the curtain and I've began to see us for who we really are and I haven't liked a lot of what I've seen. Because I'm confined to Denton until May I will have to stick it out. That doesn't mean that I'm not exploring other options for a year from now. Which seems like eternity.

Nothing about this post was light. I know it's a heavy load. But sometimes that's the year you're dealt. It really has been a reflection. I've seen myself and others through a new pair of eyes, ones that seem to have had a veil removed. I couldn't feel happier or more blessed by the changes in my heart He is taking me to.

One life. That's all I've got. That's all you've got. It's getting shorter each day. I don't have time to be someone I don't like. I don't have time to put off things until tomorrow. I won't allow someone to sway my way of thinking and change what I have worked so hard to stand for. So with each day, I pray that I'm given more strength to become more humble, more compassionate and more full of wisdom. I will try to be a little quicker to listen and slower to speak and take in all that others can offer me on this all too short journey that I've been given.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I know....

I know.

I stink.

I haven't posted on this blog in too long.

And this will be a very short post too since I'm taking a small break from studying for my Infant & Toddler Development Final. BOOO for finals! Yay for infants and toddlers though!....as long as they aren't mine. ;)

Speaking of toddlers my kiddos at work are all out of the toddler era or on their way out. Yep, they're almost ALL four. It makes me sad...but they sure do say the cutest things. I thought I'd share a few recent funnies. (over the last few months)

Little Boy: "I made you a smoothie."
Me: "What kind? I only like certain smoothies."
Little Boy: "Well, you're in luck! I put lots of certains in there!!!"


Little Boy: "You can play transformers on an iPhone."
Me: "You can play hopscotch outside."
Little Boy: confused face "Huh?"


Little Girl: "One day I'm gonna be a pretty princess and you can come save me in my castle!"
Little Boy: "That sounds like too much trouble."


Little boy climbs on outside of the jungle gym.
Me: "YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL UP THERE!!!"
Little Boy: "Ninjas are always careful."

Monday, June 14, 2010

Making The Switch


So I know it's not Wednesday but I wanted to tell about a new all natural/green product I've fallen in love with and why I made the switch to it.

The last few months, each day I've put on deodorant I have felt guilty and a little sick to my stomach. Yes, over deodorant. Ridiculous I know.

But I just kept thinking about all I know about this little product we use each day and how even though the popular deodorants we all buy everyday do their job. They definitely were not good for my overall health.

Deodorants such as Secret, Degree, LadySpeedStick...and so on have some very interesting and unsafe ingredients. Your body is made to sweat and these deodorants all keep your body from doing that by clogging pores with lots of nasty chemicals. These chemicals can build up in your underarms and cause problems such as swollen lymph nodes and small tumors.

Umm, no thank you.

I had been taking so long to switch to natural deodorant because I hadn't heard of any good alternatives and to sweat and be stinky was not an option.

I have heard great things recently about the brand Alvera so I purchased a bottle of their deodorant in the Aloe & Almond scent and I have been very very impressed.

There is absolutely no stinkiness. Which is obviously everyone's main issue. But I can honestly report that I have not once in the last three weeks had issues there since I've changed to this all natural brand. I do sweat a little, but that's natural since your body is made to do that. But it hasn't been anything major, I'm not much of a sweater anyway.

I definitely recommend this product since it's aloe based and not petroleum it's a million times better for you and for the environment. Give it a try! ;)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Dropping In

Just thought I'd stop in to say.....

It's SUMMER and I'm loving every single second of it.

So please don't get mad if my updates are less and less for a little while.

I'm enjoying much needed time with friends and family....sunshine & beer....fishing and gardening. And much much more.


Happy Summer my dear friends! :)

Monday, May 24, 2010

Because I Just Can't Resist!

I have to show her off.

I'm just too proud to call her my little niece.

She's beautiful.
Even when she's naked in a little blanket she still takes me breath away.

I'm so glad you're a part of my life Kinley Brooke. Not only are you adorable with your little toes and cute little nose but you always put a smile on my face.

I love seeing you try to do so much already at only one month old. Watching you scoot your little booty all the way on the other side of your pack and play to get your paci (which only frustrated you when you got there and couldn't figure out how to get it into your mouth), or singing too you to TRY and put you to sleep but you trick me and open your eyes as soon as I put you down, or that cute little wimper you have.

I can't wait to see how much you change in the next month...and the next...and the next.

Happy one month sweet baby girl!



You May Say I'm A Dreamer...

And you'd be right.

Sometimes I spent too much time daydreaming about the future and I have to snap myself back to reality.

So what have I been dreaming about lately?

My future career.

Nope. Not the one that I'm currently going to school to do.

In fact, I see a degree as my back up plan.

Ever since I watched It's Complicated and saw this cute bakery in the movie my dream has been on my mind day in and day out.


So what's this BIG dream that makes me get butterflies in my tummy? (Besides the obvious dreams of my future family and a craft room the size of Texas)

I desperately want my own store/shop.

I haven't figured out a good one-word name for this store yet.

But I do want it to be full of everything my little hands can create.

In my unrealistic mind, my store is simple, clean, chic with a little country edge. (Perhaps I will use the Martha Stewart Show interior designer to help with the details.)

The store will kind of be like your momma's goolash, a little of this and a little of that.

I want my fresh garden grown veggies, fruits and herbs.

My freshly baked breads, cookies, cakes, granola bars and other sweets. All adorably packaged with sweet little labels that say something along the lines of, "Sweet Enough to Eat." or perhaps "Feed Your Kneed."

I will also sell jams, preserves, and pickled goods. (By the way, this is something I will be spending the summer doing so don't be surprised if I show up to your house with some jam in hand.)

So that takes care of the food portion of my store.....

But that just wouldn't be enough.

I also want to have a section for my homemade cleaning products. (I've been using homemade natural cleaning products for over two years now and love how effective, easy and healthy it is.)
Maybe my line of products can be called something like, "Healthy Home" or "Wholesome Home" maybe even "Tidy With Tori"m ;)

I know.

I'm crazy.

Who puts so much thought into such things?

But wait!

There's more!

Everyone knows about my sewing excursions that I've been working hard to perfect and you know I have to put them to good use.

I will make aprons, napkins and other small sewing projects including my very own reusable grocery/shopping bags.

A few other things I'd probably throw in my chic general store would be soy candles, handmade jewelry, a line of children's clothes complete with bows, homemade all natural face products.... this list really could go on and on forever.

Would you like to know the BEST part about my store?

All of it would be homemade with lots of love :) And everything I'd sell would be recycled and reusable.

I literally get flutters thinking about everything I just typed!

So the above is a lot for one little person to do.

And I've decided there are a few things I'm in need of if this dream is ever going to be able to come true.

1. I need a backer or is investor a better word? Backer kinda sounds like I'm dealing drugs....lol
2. I need to graduate and I guess make a little money in order to make this dream come true. Although, I wish I could skip the middle area.

3. Help. I will need lots of help. (I'm not good at asking for help or even allowing help for that matter. I blame it on the only child syndrome. I was doomed to be independent from the start)

So, if you'd like to throw away your current career and join together with me to make my dreams come true I promise you wouldn't regret it.

Give it some thought.

Do you really love your job?

Or would you rather sit around eating homemade bread dipped into fresh fig preserves while in the garden picking tomatoes? I promise I'd provide a big floppy straw hat, cute gloves and an apron.

Maybe I live in a fantasy world that things will work out just that perfectly.

But it's my dream.

And dreams.... they're meant to be made into realities.

Perhaps I won't have this dream fulfilled next year or even in the next ten years, but nothing would make me happier than to be my very own version of Martha Stewart just less famous and more edgy. ;)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Martha Attempts ;)

This past weekend was full of awesomeness. Well, most of my weekends are pure awesomeness so I guess you could say it's the same ole around here. But it never is.

On Saturday Jenny and I had set our minds to getting that veggie garden planted, we were cuttin' it short if we wanted delicious mid-summer salads and such.

And because we can't just do something without making it an all out event. We decided on a tea party. Although, there was no tea. It was quickly replaced with peach bellini's, but we received no complaints.

Erin, Steven and little Kinners came. Kinley loved being outside all day in the beautiful weather. She played (slept) most of the day in her pack-n-play but when we took our breaks it was nice to go check on the little sunshine.



Here are some more pics of the glorious day.






Another thing that this little lady worked on this weekend was crafts. Surprise. Surprise.

The first project I got to work on was recovering this lamp.


I made this lamp shade about 3 or 4 years ago and its safe to say my decor has definitely changed. I can't throw things out though, we all know I like to re-vamp anything that I can get my hands on.

So I stripped it down. Played with some white fabric and this was how the final result came out.


I added a little flare, nothing too dramatic (not my style) by adding a little tie on the side and then a broach that I made out of an old charm.

I definitely like the more simplistic look of the lamp now and with the all white fabric it brightens my bedroom up completely. I'd say it was a success. ;)


My next project this weekend was not on my to-do list since I happened to stumble upon this little desk at Goodwill on Sunday for $8.00.

I've been looking for a small sewing desk that didn't take up too much space and would help me keep my sewing machine off of the kitchen table when I'm sewing. And I'm sewing at least a couple nights a week now so it has become quite the eye sore.



After a coat of primer.

I have to say I did splurge on these knobs. At $3.00 a piece that's a little pricey I think. Afterall, I got all four of the knobs for the sewing dresser for $5.00. But I thought they were cute since they looked like a clock and I seem to lose track of time when I start to sew.



And then the ugly desk turned into something a little cuter......

I've already put it to use. ;)


The last project that I worked on was some cushions for the two antique patio chairs I bought with the Daddy at First Monday. I paid only $5 a piece for the chairs.

I started by getting together some cute material ($3) and I bought these two cushions for $1.99 a piece.


If you're keeping track that's $15 for this entire project. The cushions alone the I wanted were each $15. And the chairs that I wanted were somewhere around $30 for each one. So that's a huge savings of $45!!!!! Pure craziness.


Ta-da! ;)



Oh! I almost forgot! I made this cute little outfit for Miss Kinley last week out of an old t-shirt and some fabric scraps.

I love that little babydoll.

Well, stay tuned. There are always more Do It Yourself projects around the corner in this home.