Mani Monday

While I know you didn't come here to learn how to paint your nails pretty or even to look at pictures of my nails painted pretty, you're here. I have no other highlights to share with you. I also know that posts will soon be more exciting. They will be filled with stories of luggage successfully making it around the world, our new digs, and awesome pictures from a brand new culture. Just consider this the boring calm before the storm.

 

Lately in the evenings I've been trying to enjoy being at Brandon's side instead of hiding in my sewing cave. I will have time for that and may already have projects planned for when he leaves. It's pretty hard for me to sit still and just watch TV/movies/reruns/football so when I'm not folding laundry or multi tasking with other household chores, I bust out the polish and paint. A lot. Because I love to and I can.

 

This is my latest favorite twist on a French manicure. For the base I used Marshmallow and then for the dotted tips I used my favorite mani trick + Good as Gold. They remind me a little of gold banded china. Fancy right?

 

Of course I've seen ombre nails online several places but never had the right gradient of any one color. I was looking through my collection when I realized I finally had enough to do a pink version of the ombre nails. How convenient leading up to Valentines Day.  From left to right I used Fiesta, Mod Square, Lovie Dovie, French Affair, and on my thumb not shown is Ballet Slippers.

 

There you have it. Sorry folks. It was this or more pictures of my dog.

 

Lauren

 

 

Friday's Letters 1.11.13

Dear Brandon,

In just a few short days you'll be boarding a plane to JAPAN! I can't believe the time has come so quickly. I know that we still have a lot to do before you go and I hope to be able to help you in any way I can. I loved suit shopping with you. You looked smoking hot - true story. Oh and..I'm really sorry my whole iced coffee spilt in your truck and in your lap yesterday.

 

Dear Tag Man,

Your schedule is about to change buddy. I don't want to say it out loud but... it's looking like you will not be venturing overseas with us. It breaks my heart. Each time we snuggle I try to capture the memory for later on this summer when I am dying to see your furry face. You're living arrangements have yet to be made.

 

 

 

Dear Passport,

You're making my life crazy. First, I couldn't find you. Then, I forgot to sign you. Please, please don't prevent me from making the journey of a lifetime when the time comes.

 

Dear Clarisonic,

I have only had you a few days but I do believe you were worth spending ALL my Christmas money on. It's like visiting a spa every morning and night.

 

Dear ER,

You are by far the worst place I have ever tried to take a nap. Thankfully everything came back okay and Brandon's Grandmother is doing fine. It turns out to be pleurisy that hopefully won't come back anytime soon.  

 

 

 

Dear Sister,

I'm glad you kept me company via text while I was waiting at the hospital. I looooved our chat. I will miss texting while gone but that's what gchat is for.

 

Dear baby boy I used to babysit,

I can't wait to spend time with you again when Brandon heads to Japan. I have some exciting things planned for you and your sister. I found this photo yesterday and it had me laughing out loud.

 

 

 

Dear last weekend before Brandon leaves,

Please don't fly by. Thanks.

 

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 

Lauren

Fridays Letter Link UP @ The Sweet Season



cleaning has perks

I got the bright idea that Mondays aren't tough enough on their own. Which is why I decided to tackle the mess we call our spare bedroom. You know it's bad when you can't even walk in the door. Thankfully we have a door and we've kept it shut. Problem temporarily solved.

 

I trashed a lot of clutter today but came across several gems. I found the journal I started writing when Brandon and I first started talking. Apparently he made me have all kinds of thoughts I couldn't handle in my head so I spilled them all over the pages of a journal. It is so great to have because I really fell hard for this man and at the time had no clue how it was going to end. A lot of it was written during our long distance time together and it just reassured me that the five weeks we are about to be away from each other will pass and we will survive. In fact I think I need to start writing a journal again because reading back personal thoughts years later is so fun. Plus you get to see what you were worried or thinking about  and how it has played out. Even though I thought it before I documented it, I wrote I wanted to marry him just seven days after the first night we hung out. I guess it's true when they say, "When you know, you just know."

 

And then... there is this gem. A birthday card from Brandon and it pretty much sums up his sense of humor. Now I just have to find the perfect frame for it. I love this silly man of mine.

 

Lauren

a little nail he{art}

I painted my nails with a fun pretty pink,

then after awhile I started to think.

It'd be really cute, it'd be really smart,

If I added a tiny, white little heart.

 

 polish // Essie // mod square

 

quick tip** I use the embossing stylus I stole from my craft supplies to add different designs to my nails. I feel like a genius but I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it. The metal tips make it easier to clean than a brush. Dip your polish brush, use the stylus to grab the 'big goop' that drips off. Use the sides of the bottle to get the right amount of polish you want on the stylus. Apply to nail in whatever design you wish. You can practice first on scrap paper or scotch tape to get the feel for it. It looks like this and can be found at most craft stores. Let me know if you try it. I'd love to see what you come up with. 

 

Lauren

Being Intentional

I really, really, like my sleep. And I know that when kids come along, I will still really like it. I just won't have the choice if I get it, much less when. It might get ugly.

 

In the first four days of the new year, I've  managed to roll out of bed before 9:30. I know, I know...that's NOT early at all. But for me it is. I'm used to 11, 12, some days 1 P.M. Go ahead and judge, make jokes. Trust me, you will not be the first or probably the last. Call me lazy, I already beat you to it.

 

I don't have a job. I'm not in school. I rarely have to cook dinner because we eat with Brandon's family the majority of the time. Brandon works out four days a week and is usually gone four hours in the morning. That leaves me with cleaning and laundry duties as well as caring for our pup and playing with him throughout the day.

 

I also have time to sew new projects I've been eyeing. Or scour the internet/waste time on my phone. Then I stay up really late. I go to bed after Brandon has been out for a few hours and repeat again.

 

I often wake with a headache that I know is from too much sleep. It has wore on me and I am tired (pun intended) of my lazy habits.

 

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I didn't do things that needed to be done around the house. I keep it clean, did the dishes, laundry, and grocery shopped/ran errands. I just never went above and beyond to make my life, or my husbands easier. I didn't make sure that we were on the same page maximizing our time together this off season. Here it is almost gone. Enter major wife guilt. It's a real thing and it sucks. I'm not bringing that with me into the new year.

 

So why wait to change my bad habit for our new adventure. I don't want my time now or in Japan to be spent catching up on Zzz's. I have stock piled so many the last few months I should be good to go. We have only a few more weeks here at home together and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. I can't do that when my head is pounding and I feel physically ill. I surely can't do that when I get up after half the day is already gone.

 

In only four days I feel like I have made huge strides in fixing this terrible habit I created. I have cooked a little extra, slipped in a few workouts and was showered and ready before he even came home from his workout. Seriously a big deal. Then we could ride together for his eye doctor appointment while I grocery shopped.

 

I discovered the key is to be intentional with my time. I know that I have the power to change and I'm going to do just that, and I'll let you know how it continues to go. Hopefully great because I feel happier and healthier already.

 

Lauren

 

new stuff

It is clear, if you've been following along, that I like to change up the look and name around here. By the number of people who have asked specifically if I will be blogging our Japanese adventures, it seemed appropriate for another change. I'm sorry if this is confusing for you but I hope you'll stick around.

Brandon got some baseballs in the mail from his new team. They use a slightly different ball there. It's more sticky. Yay for fun facts. Now he has something to practice with. I can't believe how quick the days seem to pass. The 22nd is going to be here before we are ready.

Lauren

2013 - New Beginnings

 

Happy New Year from us!

 

We had a low key new year with shrimp creole and some apple dumplings. We could barely stay awake for the new year but we did and then sealed it with a kiss.

 

Remember that Christmas package from Hoteiosho, well we put them to use last night. Well actually, we faked it for the picture because I wasn't ready to start trying all these new things at once. I am not a seafood person so for me to really like the shrimp creole my mom prepared came as a shock for all of us.

 

I don't have a word or even any resolutions for the new year. But I hope I really embrace all the change and stay open minded to new things coming our way.

 

Lauren