Christmas Card Photo

So about 2 weeks ago Ike & I had our photos taken for our Christmas card.  Last year I bought these super cute cards off Etsy....but quickly found that it took so much time writing out all these messages, and vowed to do photo cards the next year.  Thankfully I remembered this vow & got set up with a new friend of ours.


She's trying to start a little business, mom of 2 precious little girls -- and so we felt really good about scheduling with her.  We weren't looking for anything fancy; not really our style.  And in typical Oregon fashion, the weather was BEAUTIFUL alllllllll week -- that is until Sunday.  The day of our photo "shoot."  So with the rain coming down we had to get creative.  Insert standard rain coats & umbrellas.  Oh...and our giant black lab Boston.


Here are a few:

I only wish I didn't have my hood on! :)

This one made the official Christmas card

Quick little smooch

I've said it before & I'll say it again -- my husband is a BIG kid sometimes! :)

All in all it was a fun afternoon with my husband & our dog -- regardless of the rain.  I'm a true Oregonian, so I wasn't fazed a bit!  We've already got the cards in hand, most of them addressed.  The next big step is hitting up the post office....always my least favorite part.  

Do you send Christmas cards? What's your favorite way to send them, favorite design site?

<3

Summer Color

And no I'm not talking about the color of my skin! I'm naturally pretty fair skinned, so a change in my coloring is very slight every year.

What I AM talking about is my new favorite summer nail color!  I have always been a big fan of Essie nail polish, two coats & you're done...sometimes even one!  So on a recent Target adventure, I snapped up a couple new polishes to add to the collection. 

The first being Ballet Slippers

So cute & feminine!  Definitely more of an every day color.

And the second being Cute As A Button!

I normally don't wear brighter colors on my fingers -- but I took a risk, and am SO glad I did! It is quintessentially the perfect summer color.  Somewhat coral, somewhat orange, just enough pink tones.  Perfect! Two quick coats & I was done.  I think they may have changed their formula a little too, because I'm pretty certain it didn't take as long for my nails to dry either!

I love the color, hubby loves the color and family loves the color. 

It makes think retro 40's/50's -- very fun :)

Here's a picture of the color on....although in the photo it looks more orange - scouts honor, in real life it looks more pink/coral

What's your go to summer nail polish color?  Any tips or tricks for at home/DIY manicures??

<3

In need of FUN!

I'm in need of some serious fun.  The last couple of weeks have been wretched, and though I have blogged recently about how wonderful hubby Isaac has been - I'm finding myself in a self loathing, un-fun rut!

He & I need some FUN!  Any ideas on cheap dates to kick start the fun factor?  I'm realizing now more than ever that fun must be an integral part of our relationship, so we don't get bogged down in the mundane activities of life.  

So I say it again...I'm in need of FUN!  Throw your ideas my way - I will greatly appreciate them!
 <3

Zumba Craze!

Alright I have to admit this...I am quickly becoming a ZUMBA MANIAC!  I'm loving it more and more every time I finish a class.  Oh my gosh - I love it!


It doesn't feel like you're working out and you get to listen to super fun music.  Now hear me when I say I am not your typical person who adores working out.  Just the opposite in fact.  But this class is making it easier and easier to get myself to the gym and enjoy it.  And not just the gym -- but working out in general.  I'm enjoying running more, while trying to find other ways to just be active in general.


Hoping that this winter Isaac & I can take some dance lessons!  Wouldn't that be a fun thing to do in the dreary winter time?! :)


<3
ps - 36 days til Hawaii, time with Isaac's family & reunion with my best friend Heather...I've been missing her.  She's a great friend to me

Excitement!

A dear friend of mine owns a bridal shop here in town - and the last two years I've been able to help her at the local bridal shows.  It is so fun & I love working with her! 

In planning my own wedding I found a real love & appreciation for all things wedding.  I love how couples incorporate little pieces of who they are in & thru their wedding; from invitations to song choice to even food & favors; and everything in between!  It is such a fun process, and yes there are stressful moments that every girl experiences - but with a reminder every once in a while of the big picture it can be a great time.

So here in lies my excitement -- as I said I love working with my dear friend Angie.  She's asked me to start working at the store come this November.  I'm still working for my mom full time - so I'll really only be at the shop on Saturdays.  But Angie has plans for some possible growth where I could play a part as well.  I am just so excited!  Isaac thinks that wedding planning is my calling...but we'll see.  Maybe this is a step in that direction.
I just struggle with not working with my mom - yes there's a piece of fear of the unknown if I didn't.  But also the fact that this is an incredibly challenging time in the R/E market, and I could in no way see leaving my mom on her own...  It just would not be right.  My mom has done so much for me and I feel like at this season in my life I owe it to her to do my best and serve her in this way. So I'm proud of myself for being upfront about this with Angie. 

But I'm still soooo excited! Even working the front desk at the store is exciting to me! Yahoo!! (Plus...the small extra side money won't hurt either!)

Can't wait!!
<3

Card Games

Well like I said...last week Isaac & I were taught how to play pinochle & we love it! What a fun game!

So yesterday we got a deck of Hanafuda cards from Isaac's grandmother.  It's a Japanese card game - and Grandma Chiko wants to have a big tournament this Christmas when everyone is home visiting.  So my next card game adventure will be to learn how to play Hanafuda...  We'll see how this goes.  Isaac & I are pretty competitive... so we're hoping for big wins this Christmas!

'

Hope I can pick this game up quickly!!

Friendships, Fun, & Dancing

That is what the majority of my weekend consisted of.

Spent Friday night with some great friends (an old YL kid of mine -- who's now becoming a great friend) & she & her boyfriend taught us Parkers how to play pinochle!  Let me tell you! That is one confusing game when you first start, but it sure is fun! I wish I had my camera with me to show you the scores...at one point Morgan and I went from 900 some points down to minus 20! Sheesh! We had so much fun we didn't leave until 1am!

Saturday was so fun & filled with friends & laughter.  The day really began at a BBQ thrown by the weighs teacher from the school my husband teaches at.  A bunch of other teachers & coaches gathered for some great food, good drinks, and lots of laughter.  It was really fun - probably the most fun staff BBQ I've been to with Isaac. Then it was quickly off to meet up with another coach & his wife, along with another couple who's kids are on Isaac's football team at the local Bite & Brew festival downtown.  It was so much fun too!  A Neil Diamond cover band (named Super Diamond...check them out! So fun!) was playing & everyone was dancing & having a great time.  The night was going so well - that our whole group headed off to the local country & western bar for some dancing.  Hilarity ensued while I sat with the two other ladies cracking up at the antics of the other girls at this bar...who were obviously overly intoxicated...  But everyone danced & had a great time.

I hadn't had that type of weekend in such a long time...  It was so nice to be with friends, relaxing, enjoying life.  I love the summer...everything is so much more fun!

<3

A Quiet Day = Day Dreaming & Music

This quiet day has been such a treat - I've been working on my real estate courses, my wonderful husband picked me up for an impromptu picnic lunch & frozen yogurt, and now I'm rounding out my day listening to "The Beatles" station on Pandora again.

I'm in love with "Imagine" & "Yesterday" by The Beatles... well I think technically "Imagine" is by John Lennon.. Regardless, I loove those two songs specifically.  So calming - and their quiet way, just scream summer to me.

here

And I'm finding myself dreaming of a place like this today...

But here in the real world - we're having people over for our first BBQ with the new backyard & pergola this Saturday.  I'm pretty excited!  A little nervous too if I were being completely honest - I want to make sure it all comes together beautifully.  Any suggestions for good summer drinks or easy side dishes??  Ike is whipping up some steak & chicken with his homemade Strawberry BBQ sauce.  

And thankful for the way our small group is coming together -- It is so fun moving towards a place of trust, fun, and honesty with a group of people.

Loving summer this year!

<3

It's Like Christmas!

Ever have that moment when you find a missing $5 in a jacket pocket?  And it feels like you've hit the lottery or opened the best Christmas present ever?!

I just had a moment like that.... thanks to a couple of hidden/forgotten gift cards from my wedding last summer.  $140 worth of gift cards sitting in a back pocket of my purse!
Love it!

<3