Saturday Snippets

Happy Saturday! I definitely woke up with a happier heart today. It's the weekend and I have plans to go pick out fabrics for this quilt I'm planning to make. Instead its raining but I think I'm going to go anyway. Here is the quilt. I have had my eye on it for quite some time and when I found the PDF file for sale online, I decided to make that my September project. Now to pick some gender neutral colors. Only thing that can make it cuter is a snuggly (not to be confused with ugly, Mom) little baby!

Image property of honeybearlane - pattern available here

 

I also just finished booking our flights HOME! October 16th is the lucky day and we have a three night layover in HAWAII. What travel agent booked that - oh wait, I DID!!! A little early two year anniversary celebration/vacation before baby. Two birds. One stone. We are simple like that. 

 



SkY wIrE ....LivE.

The Grand Canyon...really?  I'm watching this... live...and there is a knot in my stomach. Read: Not live.

 

Is he really wearing jeans? I feel that is a little casual for the occasion.

 

I don't even know what reverb is but apparently the cable has some.

 

He looks so tiny over that HUGE canyon.

 

I'm glad he is praying the entire walk because there is no other way he would make it across. I mean hopefully make it across, forgot this is live.

 

An extra 43 pound pole on top of it.

 

Probably the slowest 5 minutes of his wives life so far.

 

How did he do this over Niagara Falls last year with out getting the urge to pee. Sorry but its true, nerves and rushing water, I would have. Also since we've been to Niagara Falls, we should probably go check out the beautiful wonder that is the Grand Canyon.

 

Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.

 

That's all I have to say about that.

 

Today we went to see G.I. Joe in 3D and I usually don't love action movies but since Brandon and I've been together I've kind of grown to like them. Really really great graphics in this one in particular that won me over.

 

Then we found this amazing pizzeria that we've been told about. It was SO delicious. We had different plans but lots of places are closed on Mondays. It was in a new part of the city we normally don't go to which was great because we also discovered some cute little shops.

 

 

My sister arrives on THURSDAY and I just finished writing up the to-do list that I have for the days leading up to her arrival.

 

One which included clean the toilet which I randomly just did at midnight on a Monday. Just had to throw that in there so you remember that this is and adventure but not quite a vacation. Tomorrow I have some bills to pay, which we can do at the convenient store. Convenient right?

 

This guy is only halfway.. and he is squatting down.

 

 

I bought these pretty flowers yesterday to welcome summer. While I was at it I had the urge to make something so I made this new little frame for our very first picture of or little babe. It was in a pink frame which I felt was misleading, not because we wouldn't be thrilled with a girl, but because we aren't finding out the gender of our little one until he or she makes her arrival in January. The ultimate surprise.

 

 

 

I've been slacking so much lately in the writing department that even though this post is really random, I just enjoy slapping some thoughts down and tidbits from the week.

 

PHEW he made it! I really had no idea how that was going to end. What a miracle though really. I don't give this guy enough credit.

 

But since I stayed up just to watch, and kill some time with a post, it's over now and  I can shut it down for the evening!

 

Hope you all have a great week!

Books and Random Updates

I didn't write any special Father's Day post for my dad or father-in-law but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate all the support they give to Brandon and I.

 

Although last night at 3am when I turned off my kindle after finishing a book I realized a trait I inherited from my father. It is almost guaranteed that if you give my dad a new book or let him borrow one he will be up until all hours of the night, possibly til morning, drowning in his new read. And I'm no different.

 

I read in spurts. Sometimes I'm really into books and others I am not. I know that if I was back home I would spend my time sewing and crafting instead of reading but that isn't an option here. I also got an Amazon gift card from my grandparents for my birthday in May thus encouraging summer reading.

 

In the last two weeks I have finished four books and am halfway through a fifth. (I wanted to re-read The Great Gatsby before we saw the movie but only made it halfway.)

 

Bloom - Kelle Hamptom

The Duck Commander Family - Willie and Korie Robertson

The Next Best Thing - Jennifer Weiner

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald.

 





I've enjoyed them all. Each different than the others but when I finished these I was stumped what to read next. So I ask one of my favorite blogging friends Chelsea who also happens to be the cutest book worm I know, and she recommended this list for me and I'm starting at the top.

Gone Girl: A Novel - Gillian Flynn

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Love Anthony - Lisa Genova

Defending Jacob: A Novel - William Landay

 

So there you go a few recommendations for summer reads. If you've read anything else great I'd love to hear.

 

 



 

It's rained here twice this week which isn't very much considering it's rainy season. So I just keep cherries in the fridge and my nose in a book.

 

For now I enjoy the rain but if it could hold off the 27th through the 6th it would be highly appreciated. My calendar is full of sightseeing with my sister and rain is not invited. Speaking of, that special sister had a birthday over the weekend and I got to facetime with the entire family at  3 a.m. in the morning...their time! They were quite entertaining. So bummed to miss out on these family celebrations so we sent a birthday surprise for everyone to enjoy, because it's the least we can do 5,000 miles away.

Remember that teeny tiny injury I mentioned that  man of mine had? It is practically all healed up and gone. So grateful for that and having him around here extra. I realized last night that I'm going to miss him when he starts leaving on the road again.

 

This past week I also ordered my bridesmaid dress for my sister-in-laws wedding. I can't believe how quickly that is approaching.

 

And while all of that is going on I am anxiously waiting for word from one of my best friends back home that her new baby boy has decided to come into this world.

 

If it wasn't for technology I would be lost and although it seems like we are missing out on quite a bit going on back home, our family and friends are doing an excellent job keeping in contact with us making us feel connected. And we are grateful.

 

Love and miss you all!

Things I'm Loving

I like to think I'm easy to please and as of late it's been the really really little things.

Laying on the couch with my guy. Reading, chatting, watching TV, like normal people. 

Spending time with my second family aka the other baseball wives/girlfriends/fiances. Don't stero type my friends - these lady friends of mine are amazing and funny. For nine innings every night or almost every night we sit and chat about anything and everything. It is so fun and I really love the friendships I've made this season. Not to mention all the cute little babes we have running around. Ironically there are no little boys at all. 

I deleted the Twitter app from my phone. GASP. Yes I did it for three whole days. It was awesome. It helped me learn I don't have to check it every two seconds which I'll admit I had been doing. Glad I broke myself of that habit. I feel free again.

Gold glitter nail polish. Easy as that. I know glitter is a pain to get off but I'm hoping this will prevent the chipping. I had been doing my own at home gel mani's and it tore up my nails. You know how I feel about that. Not in my house!

Dot Sniper. I don't have an iPad, but B does and he has me hooked on this game if he isn't playing Jurassic Park, Disc Drivin or some other dot connector game that last night he was "crushing."  He told me every time after he beat a round which seemed like every ten seconds, " look babe I crushed this round" and I ignored him until he couldn't be a round 220 moves later. Haha, such a silly boy!

My new sunglasses that my B treated me to for our three year anniversary. I have a very sensitive head and almost every pair of sunglasses leave me with a headache. Not this pair.

Goodwill shopping with blog friends & Jerry's Sno Cones. Yep I hang out with people I've met online and I love it! I scored some fun new tops and two new pair of jeans. Brandon told me bell bottoms were not in again but I LOVE them. They aren't bell bottoms just really wide legged jeans. I also love this almost full set of mug-suring cups I scored.  Then there is the greatest sno cone shack on earth. I can't wait to finish up our stay in Memphis treating myself to these delicious cups of ice + flavor juice + ice cream.

Olympic observations via Blair and vol 2.  Be sure to check out volume two and the links in it.. seriously awesome. ***side note does anyone else think mckayla maroney looks like a kardashian?*** Blair is a hoot and a really good writer! Thanks again to baseball for allowing our paths to cross. 

Blog & Baseball friends yep it happens, best of both my worlds - this girl is amazing. You should stop by and see all the happiness on her blog. I can't wait to meet her sometime sooooon. I dream of the days we can sit and watch games together and take really goofy/awesome photos its going to happen! And she is on the most beautiful beach vacation right now so start stalking her instagrams. I am.

Been eyeing these gorgeous cuff bracelets. Do you love them? Should I do the 3, 6, or 9? Gosh this girl is talented and I've had the privileged of meeting her a few times before. Follow her on IG too 

And finally g-chatting with friends cross country on their birthday! 

And one more funny story because it's happening as I write this post a sneak peek into some baseball life. One of my good friends and her husband have an apartment here and they have had two roommates all year. One of the roommates was sorda illegally crashing in the living room. Well he got called up to STL. Then the other roommate got released. So another couple that we are good friends with got sent down so they moved in. Well guess what they were there a few days and got called back up. This past week, I mean yesterday yet another couple moves in and today guess what? Ding ding  -- they get called up. OBVIOUSLY that room is lucky or cursed you be the judge. My dear friend puts it like this. "I feel like an old grandma sending these peeps off to St. Louis every other week."  What a good sport.  I think Brandon and I decided we are moving apartments this week ;) As crazy and bizarre as our life is - we learn to love and laugh through it because frankly there is no other way. Thank God we have each other.

That's all I got what has been making you happy lately? 

LD

Something Different - The Last Thing Thursdays

The last thing I...

cooked: cream of chicken casserole & broccoli and cheese 

baked: red velvet whoopie pies

bought: at home gel manicure kit - I'll let you know how this one works. I already returned the Red Carpet brand cause it peeled off in one day. Rut-row.

drank: sweet tea

received in the mail: new business cards - so excited!

did for someone else: babysat our roommates little girl so they could have dinner out and enjoy some adult conversation. I love doing stuff like this for others, there is no gift like it. 

blogged about: a recipe for mozzarella cheese dip.

movie I went to: The Lucky One. Zac Efron, you are a looker.

was in awe of: the sunset over the river.

snacked on: frozen Rolo's & chocolate covered strawberries.

sewed: an iPad case, two clutches, and a giveaway and review piece. I need to get working on some new stuff.

Tweeted: "Checking out from twitter for a few days. I need a break."

Pinned: a dress tutorial 

Instagrammed: my little roommate

played: scramble with friends... vs my husband... and lost.

read: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

listened too: Carrie Underwood's album Blown Away - get it. Ahhmazing!

I planned to do: 

Things I want to MAYke

Welcome May. I don't know what you have in store for us. I spent all day sewing until my back hurt so much from my wonderful 'office' arrangement I couldn't take it any longer. 


Instead I've been mulling around for a couple hours online in awe of the creativity that is in the online universe. I found some really cute projects that I think I'll have to try. 


This quilt is awesome. It reminds me of my sister - maybe in different colors.

Source: vanessachristenson.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Then there is this darling fat quarter dress. I love fat quarters and how you can usually find them in the clearance bin. I think I know someone this would fit. 

Source: u-createcrafts.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Speaking of fat quarters, have you ever heard of a jelly role? No it isn't a donut but that does sound a bit delicious at the moment. They are one of my favorite things, fabric wise. Isn't this awesome? I'll take ten for decoration please.

Source: vanessachristenson.com via Lauren on Pinterest

These jellies are used mostly for quilting. Unfortunately I haven't taken up quilting but I think I could manage to add some ruffles to a cute little tote. 

Source: sewcraftcreate.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Maybe one day I'll just have some jelly roles to decorate my craft room and I'll sit them next to this fun pillow. I don't make pillows now because it's just an extra to move at some point. This also makes me miss my Silhouette that's getting dusty back home. If only I could be adding vinyl, rhinestones, and other fun things with that mack daddy. Sigh.

Source: sewcraftcreate.com via Lauren on Pinterest

And finally something I that I couldn't take my eyes off. A very simple sunburst flower head band. I've been trying the last few days to use accessories to dress up my outfits. Slowly but surely I'm becoming a fan. 

Source: sewcraftcreate.com via Lauren on Pinterest

 quilt / dress / jelly roles / bag / pillow / flower headband

I know this isn't any kind of update with whats been going on but that's just it, not to much has and we are okay with that. Just wanted to share with you some things I might be sewing on and welcome the month of May.




**I know that Pinterest is not a source for photos so I have included links back to the original site I found them. None of the above photos are mine.**

New Looks & Random

First, tomorrow morning I'm packing up again and moving to Memphis. For real this time. Since we won't have internet hooked up until Tuesday I thought I'd leave you with a wee ol meaningless post to hold you over. I've been staying in MO with my parents while BD was out of town on their first long road trip. No sense me being lonely when I can be home with my crazy family. Which brings me to this. My new look. Not really, I don't need glasses. I thought glasses were the new fad. Apparently these aren't the new stylish ones. 

Don't I look adorable? Actually I look almost exactly like my brother Jake. Freaky I know. It gets goofy around here when my family is home. All six of us were together over Easter weekend, no +1s and we had a good time. 

Normally Easter week is for coloring eggs. This year I decided to color something different.

This girl has NEVER, not once in my whole 24 years and 11 months of life have I ever put any color on my hair. I was scared but I did it anyway. Ombre much? I'm thrilled with my BOLD decision. But it's just hair and I can color it back if I change my mind.

Today I may have stooped to a new low in spoiling my husband. I've been driving his truck and I'm either super paranoid that it's going to get dirty or I really love him and treat it exactly like he does. I'm a little on the messier side. I don't mind a car that looks lived in. He on the other hand has it empty at the end of everyday. So today I headed to the car wash, with a step stool. I'm 5'6 so not that short but I can't reach the top of that bad boy. Silly? No. Genius I tell you. Plus it made him happy to know I cared so much about getting the top clean too.

And finally to top off most of the nothingness that is this blog post. I started this thing that has just caught on. This is the third week of Winstagram Wednesday. I find something usually at random from my craft box that is already made that hasn't been sold or given away and I then give it away. It's usually and hour to two hour window late Wednesday night. All you have to do is comment to enter. Since there aren't too many entries, I write them all down and pull a name from a bowl. Yes please picture it just like hunger games! I've really enjoyed giving something I've made away each week and I think I'll continue to do it. Hope you'll join me next week...from Memphis!!

Last Week In Florida

I can't believe our time here in Florida is down to days. It seems like we just got here. We have not gone to the beach or pool near enough. I will be making up for that in the next few days.

The seven weeks prior I've kept myself busy learning to sew, watching baseball, and hosting visitors. Wow. It's so crazy thinking that most of the new things I've sewn have been while we were here. It's awesome. I am going to be SO sad leaving. I have grown to LOVE Florida. If I hadn't married a country boy I would think maybe I could talk him into moving here. Not going to happen. Moving on.

Do you love my new 44oz cup? I do. I enjoyed the movie as well. I was giddy the entire time. It's almost exactly how I imagined it. So did my Mr. because he started reading the first book. He usually doesn't read so this is sort of a big deal.

I was blessed with this beautiful view one morning this week when I dropped BD off at the field. Sometimes I HATE waking up early but this was so breathtaking it was worth it.

One of the other wives had a baby shower this week so I busted out some really adorable rosette headbands for the new baby coming in May. I love making headbands. Unfortunately so do 200 other bloggers and shop owners. Oh well, I can spoil my friends and family "fo free."

And finally this week I leave you with a project I am pumped to announce I completed in under 24 hours. In a post coming soon you will understand that actually finishing a project is a huge deal. I have seen this skirt from Lil Blue Boo on numerous occasions when looking for easy patterns to try and sew. I had some red jersey laying around and I was saving it for this skirt. Let me tell you sewing with jersey knit is not that easy. But I continued on to see if this was going to work like I planned. Luckily with the gathering and ruffles it's very forgiving. Maybe I like sewing with jersey knit after all.

As soon as I get back home and get to see my little lady I will show you just how cute this skirt is! I think I should make one in my size next. It feels so comfortable and is perfect for spring and summer. Plus jersey comes in so many bright fun colors. Yes, I think I'll be making my own.

Now it's time for me to go relax by the pool and enjoy our final few days in the sun. Later gators.

Another IG Dump

Wello friends. Thats like well and hello put together - get me? I'm kinda feeling like the dorky kid right now cause its Friday and I'm blogging. I'll never forget a famous quote my younger brother said one time..it sticks with me.

"You're lame. Not only are you making Turtles, you're blogging about making Turtles." 

True story. My man crashes early these days what am I supposed to do besides blog and rack up points on Draw Something ( fyi username laurenD65 play me I'm funny at drawing).  Enough about me.

How've you been all week? Ok enough about you - back to me. #selfcenteredmuch I've been staying off the internet because, um, well, uh, yeah.. I don't have good reason. Basically I'm lazy and don't have unlimited internet on my phone. I hardly ever go days with instagramming so if you CAN'T live without me, which I'm sure you can't, then check me out there.

BD's family got into town tonight - YAY- and my family will be getting here starting Wednesday! I'm pretty much beside myself I haven't seen them since.... January and for me thats TOO long. Company at dinner is nice.

I was going to have a normal post with photos NOT from my phone, but my awesome photographer - BD - decided to have a man-date and I wasn't ready before then for the photo shoot.

I had a terrible morning and tried to post this in order to help myself. #fail. Unfortunately it didn't work. I did not choose to be happy. Blah. I want to erase today and start over. I didn't treat my husband very nicely at all. #badwife I will take full responsibility even though I'd like to blame it on the deathly cramps that took over my body. PMS = pretty much sucked.  Too (is it to or too) much info yes but you need to know that I have bad days too. Also I don't usually talk about things like this on the blog. Periods won't be a frequent topic. Anyway.. I haven't had many bad days lately but today was a bad one. They are not all hunky dory filtered instagram pics. Truth. That's another reason I'm writing, it makes me feel better. 

I was productive this week making myself TWO things. Both which I'll get you better photos of soon. A skirt of this crazy print using a pattern. Now I've learned and can do the next one without a pattern. I honestly don't know how often I'll wear it but at least if I'll my other clothes burn I won't be nakey. Can't wait to tell you about the great skirt debacle of 2012. 

The other is my new messenger bag. I love it!

In fact these are the first two things that I've made for me!! Everything else has been for others.

Thursday I did our signature home cooked meal here at the apartment. Ever in a jam these are go-to. Just add water. Even dum dums can do it. 

I've discovered I love these alone or dumped in with some cake batter frozen yogurt. Mini yummy bears.

I have puppy fever again. Like right now, I'd love to cuddle up with said puppy and just watch some TV since my husband has been sleeping since 9:45. But not gonna happen for a while. Although we did make a deal to throughly discuss it as an option if we start the season in STL. Instead I cuddle up with my iPhone searching #puppies and #dogs on IG. 

But all in all I know that...

P.S. The neighbor has her slider door open so I got to blog from the couch. Yip Yip Yippe. No time out stairs for this girl!