{so sick of being sick}

What is the freaking deal!? I swear, this year I either have a cold that lasts 3 weeks, that turns into a sinus infection or I have the flu, and today I found out I have strep throat.

Seriously? I never get sick.

Augh...I'm sooo over this....

Sorry for the lack of posts- I'll be back when I'm feeling better!

{memories}

I was at my parents house the other day and somehow ended up in my old room. Most of my stuff is gone, and the room no longer looks like it did when I lived there. All that is left of me is the big, antique cast iron bed I slept in from when I was 14 and the light, khaki green walls I painted when I was 20. As I sat on the bed, I tried imagining what it looked like and felt like when I occupied the room. The walls are pretty much bare now, except for the holes left from hanging Hanson posters, mirrors, frames, & shelves holding trinkets of all sorts.

I remember the first time I moved out. I was heading up to college and only took clothes and a few accessories to decorate my dorm room with, but my real room was always at my parents house. The second time I moved out was when I was 23. I had started a new job, ended an old relationship, and was ready to be on my own. I moved my bedroom from my parents house, to my little studio apartment downtown, and made my bed there for 6 months. Right after I moved out, I met Andrew, and 6 months later, I was back in my parents house planning a wedding. A year later, I moved out indefinitely as a newly married woman.

Most everything is at my house now, except for one box that I left in my closet. My "memory" box as I like to call it. Old dance pictures, graduation tassels, year books, and childhood toys reside in that box. I'm not sure why I didn't take it with me when I moved. I think there were so many memories and memorabilia from my childhood and adolescence stored in that box that it felt right to leave it at home, where those memories were made. As I went through the box, I found my old jewelry box, and oh, the memories that came to me upon seeing the treasures inside!

The shotgun shell I picked up off the ground after my grandpa's funeral, my first birthstone necklace that I received on my 8th birthday, the old, tattered ballerina from my old jewelry box, my mom's Girl Scout pin that she passed onto me when I was a Brownie, my mom's childhood Disneyland charm bracelet, watch, class ring, and random bits of old jewelry my grandma gave me when I was 10.

I also found the first note I remember my mom writing me. Growing up, we always wrote notes to each other. Notes of encouragement, thankfulness, apologies, and as I got older, notes of advice and the passing along of motherly wisdom. I remember getting random notes from my mom at girls camp, in my lunch at school, or finding one laying on my bed when I got home from a late night out with a boyfriend.

This particular note was written when I was about 10 or 11. I was in Merry Miss at the time, which was a group at our church for pre-adolescent girls. We'd have weekly activities and every year we'd have a "Mom and Miss" activity. My mom was in charge of the Mom and Miss party, and as the party started, I patiently waited for her to occupy the empty seat next to me as soon as she helped everyone get situated. She finally sat down as we ate lunch, but it was only brief. As soon as lunch was done, my mom was up helping everyone assemble their craft projects. The party was lovely, and my mom and put so much effort into it, but as I sat along, looking around at the other mother and daughters working on their projects together, my pre-teen emotions caught up with me, and I ran inside the house crying. My mom came and found my crying on my bed, and I knew she felt bad she couldn't sit with me the entire time, but I cried and cried that it was unfair. Later that day, I found a note written on a napkin from the party with a little present.

"Shanni,

This is for helping me with the mom and miss party- I don't know what I would have done without you! You are such a great girl. I love you so much. Thank you for being you!

Love, Mom xoxo"

I don't remember what the present was, but do remember crying again, but this time, from feeling so loved.

.............................

I'm so glad I was a nostalgic child and saved all of these things! It was so fun reminiscing over the items I pulled out, and I encourage you to do the same! Find something from your childhood and write about it, then leave a comment so I can read about it too!

{long boarding sunday}

Sunday was my sis-in-law's 18th birthday (Happy Birthday Cynd!) so after stuffing out faces with taco pie & eclair cake (her birthday meal of choice, natch) we headed outside for some long boarding! Teri & Cyndi are pros. Even Andrew got in on the fun. I however, kept my feet on solid ground. Clumsy is my middle name, and although it looked like a lot of fun, I figured high heeled boots + long boards= disaster.

Maybe this summer I'll have the gals teach me how to master the long board...even if I do end up in a cast!

{hey ya!}

loved this song in rap form...

love it even more all acoustic-ey!

{cha cha cha changes!!}

The picture below is how my bed room looks right now. A bit of a hodge podge right? Well, my friends, changes are soon to come! I'm almost finished with the new duvet cover (which I will post about), but I still need to decide what I want to do with the pillows, the lamps, drapes, etc. I feel like it's harder for me to design my own space, than it is for me to design others! Maybe I'm too picky, or maybe I just have so many ideas! Below is an illustration of what I want to change...tell me what you think!

~First, what do you think of the headboard? Too tall? Or is it tall and funky? I can always cut the legs down if I need to to shorten it. I also really want to add a couple of Euro shams & some more colorful pillows. I think with some big Euro shams, the headboard won't look so tall.

~I also have a bed skirt to hide the lovely bed frame!

~I'm still trying to find the perfect drapes- since the headboard is black and white, and the duvet will also be black and white, I'm adding color everywhere! Should I leave the blue drapes or find a funky, colorful print?

~As for the lamps & shades, I have the coolest, retro lamp that I am currently updating! It'll definitely be in the finished project!

~And last, do I keep the round table with the uh...shower curtain table cloth? Haha! Yes, you read that right! I loved the fabric on the shower curtain, so I just draped it over the table! Want to know something even crazier? The table underneath is actually a plastic garbage can (clean of course) tipped upside down, with a round piece of particle board for the top. Pretty creative, eh?

So that's about it. Are there any other changes you think I should make? I wish I could paint the walls, but since we're renting, that isn't an option. Any ideas for color on the walls given the circumstances? I can't wait until it's all done! Hopefully soon!

{two new loves}

I found this baby at D.I. She came in the most adorable carrying case, straight out of the 60's! Inside was a flash, some bulbs (for a different camera), and this little Brownie. Don't hate- if it makes you feel any better, I think I paid too much. I'm pretty sure you can buy them on the cheap on ebay! And when I say cheap, I mean for like $8 with shipping. I snagged this one for $15 (doesn't that seem like a lot for a thrift store?)

And since we're talking about cameras, I am lovin' my new Nikon! Now, I just need to figure out how to use it- anyone want to give me any pointers?

I'll swap camera lessons for upholstery lessons!

{here kitty, kitty!}

I want one of these....
It's a cat "washroom" of course! Does anyone know where I can find one on the cheap? These babies run for about $100! Yeowza! I love our cats, but I hate seeing the litter box in the bathroom, and this would hide it perfectly! If I had a table saw I'd try to make it myself! If you know anyone with the right equipment that will make me one, let me know! I'll be eternally grateful!

{valentines weekend}

Friday night we drove down to St. George to spend Valentines weekend in the sun!

We left late, and at 1:00 in the morning, we hit a HUGE snow storm. I wish I would have gotten a picture, but my knuckles were white from the death grip I had on the steering wheel. From Cedar City, to Hurricane, UT we drove about 25 mph, praying over and over again, "Please don't let us slide off the road...please don't let us slide of the road...." I was driving driving because Andrew had been tired, but as soon as we hit the storm, he was wide awake. About 10 miles into the storm, we pulled off and switched. I spent the next hour dictating how he should handle the road, which didn't help the situation! "Andrew, slow down, wait, speed up...are we driving in the middle of the road? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, did you see that guy slide off? Should we put the chains on?" He finally told me to shut it, and I sat wide eyed, and stressed the rest of the trip. Thankfully, the snow cleared up and turned into rain as we approached St. George. *sigh*

The next morning, we slept in and then ate at JB's (Not our first choice, but every other restaurant was either done serving breakfast or was packed. Chelsea did however, enjoy a 24 hour supply of strawberry topped pancakes, which she will never forget. I should have got a picture. Dang.)

After breakfast we went here....

Then here (natch)...

and saw this (very intense but good!).....

then we ended the night with a fun dinner at the pasta factory (again, wish I would have gotten pictures) after which, we soaked in the hot tub and dared Andrew to jump into the freezing pool. He took our dare, but ended up only putting his foot in, before he shivered and said, "There is no way!" haha

The next day, we ate here...it was a long wait, but definitely worth it!

...and I finally got some pictures! Don't mind Chelsea's crazy eyes. The hot chocolate at the Bear Paw does that to you- it's that good!

And finally, the hubs & I
When we got home, I took a picture of Andrew and his favorite Valentines gift!

He got me the new Britney Spears cd which I made him listen to over and over again on the way home from St. George, while I had my own dance party in the front seat. This was no small feat- It takes mad skills to party like a rock star in the tiny confinement of a passenger seat. Yes, I'm that good!

He also got me a beautiful, white gold band that I had been wanting! It's a little small, so when we get the correct size I'll post pics!

Hope you all had a great Valentines Day!!!

{valentines day for him}

Hey gals! Did you wait till the late minute to buy your man something for Valentines Day? If so, here are a few ideas I came up with to help you out! (Kat, this one's for you!)

What guy doesn't love pizza? Stay in for the night and order (or make) a heart shaped pizza, string up some twinkle lights, and pour a bit of bubbly! Maybe even turn on a Barry White track, you know, to make things a little more sexy!

Another great gift idea are man toys. You know what I'm talking about! No matter how old our guys get, they still love playing with toys! Consider getting him a r/c helicopter he can tinker around with! Even gift cards are great! What man doesn't love playing paintball, riding go carts, or even a round of golf!

If you have time to shop around, look at threadless.com! Their tee's are clever and hilarious!Speaking of funny, if you live in Utah and your man likes Flight of the Conchords, buy him tickets to the show coming up in May!

And last, if you're feeling really creative, make him a coupon book for a free back rub, breakfast in bed, dinner and a movie, etc.

But if none of that sounds like it'll work, there's always that sexy, little, red negligee on sale at Dillards!

Happy Valentines Day!

{two years ago, I said yes...}

....and 5 months later, we were married.

{sick again}

sorry for the lack of posts- the flu bug has hit me

I'll post more when I'm feeling better, but in the mean time, have you been watching Flight of the Conchords? Did you know they're coming to Utah in May? Here's a li'l clip from this season...

{odd couple}

my mom sent this to me and it is the sweetest story i've heard in a long time!

{sad}

My huge pearl earrings broke today. I'm sad because I loved them- they're so classy looking and go with everything. They also happen to be my friend Camilla's signature accessory, which is how I got hooked (love ya Cam!)

what to do...

do I try to glue the pearl back on?(which is fake, btw-momma's on a budget!)

or

do I buy new ones? where can i find new ones that won't break every couple months?

{class valentines}

photo via Bunny Cakes

Okay, I don't even have kids yet, but I'm still going to print off a few of these Class Valentines for my friends!

Aren't they fun? Who needs Sponge Bob & Hanna Montana when you have these!?

photo via Bunny Cakes

photo via Bunny Cakes

I found them over at Bunny Cakes, and I've gotta say, after reading her blog I've realized that she's my kind of gal! So crafty and creative! You can find directions and downloads here, here, and here!