Whoops!

I have been a BAD blogger as of late! My life outside of the internet has been very busy and that means my blog has been neglected because of it. I've got some exciting things going on so don't hate me if I'm not around much for just a little longer yet. I'll be back to catch up my 365's. I'm taking them, just haven't had the chance to upload! :)

Wee Bit Wednesday

{one} how often do you do laundry?
Once or twice a week... Just depends on how often Andy & I work out, lol. I've been working out 6 days a week so towels and work out clothes get washed a lot!

{two} what is your favorite type of cookie?
White chocolate chip macadamia nut... MMMM.

{three} what would you do with an extra $2000 per month?
I have no idea! Probably buy a lot of clothes that I don't need, LOL. Put it in savings to go towards the second story we want to put on our house eventually.

{four} what was/is your favorite subject in school?
History, without a doubt.

{five} have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?
Noooo. Maybe if they came with parachutes in them, haha.

{six} what was your high school mascot?
We were the Cougars.

{seven} if you had the chance to go into space, would you?
Probably not.

{eight} how often do you go dancing?
Never. I don't like to dance!

{nine} would you rather drive or fly?
Drive. I hate flying!

{ten} have you ever been caught re-gifting?
Absolutely not. I am OBSESSED with giving the perfect gift!!!

365: 4/18/2011

DAY 108: Lines. Lists. LOVE.

I kind of go all out when I cross things off reports at work.

365: 4/17/2011

DAY 107: I like tea. Who knew?

I've never really been a tea person. I'm not sure why, probably because I've only had the good ol' unsweetened or sweetened ice tea you'd get at any restaurant. Andy and I were walking around Kroger and the "Papaya Mango" flavors of this caught my eye. Had to try it and guess what? I love it!

4/16/2011

DAY 106: I <3 nature.

Today was extremely fun. I got to take pictures of Kelli's baby, Leah. It was kind of gray, but Leah is just so adorable that she makes up for the gloomy weather. I can't wait to share more!

365: 4/15/2011

DAY 105: Sadie is awkward.

I think the title speaks for itself. :-P

365: 4/14/2011

DAY 104: Cuddle. NOW.



My rather hefty Goldendoodle thinks that he is a lap dog. It annoys Andy to no end but I not-so-secretly love it and so when he rests his head on the couch and looks at me like "I want up here!" I let him up. He climbs in my lap and I try to do whatever I was doing before, like browse the always important Facebook, haha. Oh, Frank. <3

Wee Bit Wednesday

{one} have you ever fainted?
Once, I was probably 12 or 13? I stood up from the couch too fast and got extremely lightheaded. My mom caught me before I hit the ground, haha.
 

{two} what is your favorite casino game?
I'm lame at the casino -- I only ever play the slot machines. My favorite slot is the Munsters one at Soaring Eagle! I just love that when you win anything, Herman Munster's voice goes "Oh, goodie!" Hahaha. Told you I'm lame.

{three} do you have a good sense of direction?
Not at all. I've lived in Bay City my entire life and I still don't know quite a few of the street names. I just say "screw it" if I can't find some place and the person I ask is like 'go north two miles, then head east...' Whatever. Ain't happening.
 
{four} laptop or desktop?
I don't really have a preference! We have both and I use both about the same.
 
{five} what is your go-to hair style when having a bad hair day?
I do the same thing to my hair every day, lol. Wash it and blow dry it. The end.
 
{six} do you read the newspaper on a daily basis?
No. Our city doesn't even do a daily newspaper anymore. I'll check CNN a few times a week.
 
{seven} do you have a favorite celebrity chef?
I looove Ina Garten.

{eight} what tv show would you like to make a guest appearance on?
The Big Bang Theory or How I Met Your Mother. LOVE those shows so much!

{nine} do you have satellite radio in your car?
Nah. Andy used to have it, though, and he loved it.
 
{ten} what was the last movie that made you cry?
I honestly have no idea. I haven't watched a movie in a looong time (think: Hangover when it first came to DVD... Serious.) and I usually watch comedies when I do.

365: 4/13/2011

DAY 103: Tiny little daffodils

With the crazy weather the past few weeks, the daffodils in our front yard (that we THOUGHT we had totally ripped out last fall -- guest not!) haven't had much time to grow. They've got like, four inch stems. They're so tiny!

365: 4/12/2011

DAY 102: Hockey schedule

For some reason, Andy's hockey team got the short end of the stick when it came to game times. Most of them are 9PM or later. We all know I go to bed ridiculously early for a 23 year old, so there's roughly 2 games of his I can actually go to and watch, LOL.

When boredom strikes...

I do random things like this at work if I'm all caught up and extremely bored.

MASTER BEDROOM (click to enlarge)

I know there are some people that are all "eww, a matching set?" when it comes to furniture of any kind. In some instances, though, I don't mind it... Especially when the furniture I've chosen has a wood finish since I'm not really a fan of mixing wood tones. Hell, I don't even like that my couch has dark-stained legs while the rest of my living room furtinure is mission-style oak, LOL. When we first bought the furniture for our bedroom, it was only the bedset and nightstand. We were picking up our new couch a few weeks later and the store was going out of business. We were just browsing while they were loading the truck (Andy's grandfathers both have trucks for us to borrow, yay!) and they had the display armoire marked down to about 30% of the original price. There wasn't a knick or scratch on it so we had them put it in the truck too! Anyone with a true vintage bungalow (I'm talking not a new construction built to look like a vintage one), knows that the closets are almost non-existant. The armoire is sooo nice for the storage we were previously lacking!

The one thing I'd like to change about the master bedroom, eventually, is the carpet. Unfortunately, unlike most of the house, there's no hardwood underneath it. And when I say most of the house, I mean it -- the living room, kitchen, dining room, hallways and guest room all had the original hardwood!

GUEST ROOM (click to enlarge)

This is more of an "I wish" board than an "I have" board considering that, other than the paint, I only have three things from it, LOL. I posted a few months ago about wanting to get a cream bedset but I was browsing online and became only slightly obsessed with iron beds. I found the one above and fell in LOVE! I figured I wouldn't have to match the nightstand to the bedset and stumbled upon the lively green nesting tables above. They'd be a great contrast against the teal walls with cream trim AND they'd pull in the bits of green in the bedding. Sold! And how great is that rug? Thanks, Target, for having some cute and affordable options!

Remember this post? I talked about Craftsman colors and gave a little grid of the colors in my house? Compare row two there with row two here. I've talked a lot about repainting my dining room (which I still haven't started, by the way... So glad they let us push the pick up date for our set out by a week.) but I'm certain I haven't mentioned repainting my hallway. It hasn't happened yet, but will soon. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I'm browsing art pretty much all the time... I came across this whimsical print:

And, like anything else, decided I needed it. My hallway paint was based on vintage garden magazine covers. I'm not really a floral person. They were pretty and on sale so I ordered them. It's been three years and now I want to change it up, lol. I'm the painter so why not?! I just need to find a few other corresponding prints and the hallway will be added to my to-do list.

365: 4/11/2011

DAY 101: My husband, the hockey pro

The long counter of our built-in is piled high with Andy's stinky hockey equipment. Apparently it needs to air out and the built-in is the most obvious choice for him. Never mind the empty basement we have that he could be using. GRR!

A new favorite

I've been using Organix products for about a year and a half now. They have so many different kinds of shampoos and I've pretty much tried them all. FYI - they all smell AMAZING! I think my two favorite scents are the 1) Pomegranate Green Tea and 2) Cherry Blossom Ginseng. We were out grocery shopping on Saturday and I needed shampoo. Meijer doesn't really carry much of the Organix line (our Target, on the other hand, has tons!) but I saw this, decided to try it and this is what I've got to say about it:

My hair is seriously the softest it has EVER been! I don't use conditioner but even after blowdrying it, I didn't even need to brush it. I did, but seriously. I could have just left the house. My hair is also shiny, smooth and smells amazing! This shampoo has a coconut smell to it and it's sooo divine. I've found a new fave!

365: 4/10/2011

DAY 100: Sleepy Chase

Sometimes with my dogs, I'll switch my camera to auto-focus when they're being cute and I don't want to miss the picture. Apparently the camera decided the white fur on Chase's tail was what needed to be captured, LOL. Actually, I kind of dig it.

Tidbits

- I'll readily admit that ever since I quit playing soccer in high school, my workout regimen has been umm, lacking and inconsistent -- to say the least! I've had a hard time trying to find something that gives me a good workout while still being something I enjoy. It's tricky! I'm not a runner. I'm not a weightlifter. I'm not a "spend my money on a gym membership" person. My sister in law has been doing Pure Barre and the results she's had blows my mind! Like I said, though, I'm not about to spend money on a membership anywhere and there are pretty much NO work out videos out there. There are two set to release next month but I wanted to start working out right away. I started browsing for something similar and came across this:

Let me say this: I am on day 2 and it's already kicking my ass. Its main focus is, of course, barre based exercise but there are also specific workouts for the upper body and core. I am not flying all over the place like Zumba or some dance aerobics class when I use this DVD, but I find myself working up a sweat quickly! It really pushes you to extend and use specific repetition to tone muscle. And there are times that I'm all "No, Andrea Rogers, I really DON'T want to stand on my tippy toes and do squats." But she's all "Come on, reach! You've got this!" And so then I'm all "YAY, I'M STRONG!"

I kind of love that the one frame from the video I've been able to find is of them on their tippy toes. I really want to hate it so much but I actually really enjoy it! When Erin said that she had fun doing barre workouts, it was a "girl you crazy!" moment for me. But she's right! It's actually fun!

- Toning up means I'll look fab in the bridesmaid dress I'll be wearing this October! It took us a few hours to narrow it down. I couldn't believe how many options the associate kept pulling for us! We finally got it down to our three favorites, then all of us tried them on to decide on the winner. For some reason, the Alfred Angelo website makes the color options a lot brighter than they are in person. The dress will be in a dark apple red color. It also had a halter strap that we're removing, so I photoshopped it out of the picture. LOL.

- On Wednesday I celebrated four weeks of vegetarianism! I feel like I'm really starting to get into the groove of veggie meals. I've been experimenting and it's getting easier. It's so, so strange for me to admit that I don't miss meat WHATSOEVER! 

- I need to whine for a second. I've done absolutely NO painting in our dining room and so I had Andy push out our pick up date of the dining room set by a week because I must, must, must paint before any of that gorgeous oak makes it into our dining room. I should really not be so lazy about it. Wah.

- For a few months, I've been brewing Henry's Blend from Seattle's Best. I ran out last week and have not been able to find it anywhere around here! I finally gave up and decided to try Java Love, blended by the Organic Coffee Co. and it is amazing! Not only does it taste delicious, but it's organic AND fair trade!

- Last summer, I decided I really wanted a cruiser bike... And just like anything else that I decide I want, I then decide I need it and obsess about it until I either get it or find something else I decide I want (LOL). In this instance, I moved on... Until today. I am now obsessed with the fact that I need a cruiser bike. Again.

365: 4/9/2011

DAY 99: Favorite shelf in my house

I originally had a glass shelf with brushed nickel holders for below the mirror. I had this shelf hanging out in my basement (I bought it for some other room and decided not to use it, I guess? LOL) and decided it needed to be in my bathroom. Love it!

365: 4/8/2011

DAY 98: As a Beatles AND hockey fan, I heart this.

I saw this hat while at the hockey shop with Andy and it makes my heart very happy. I absolutely adore the Beatles and hockey is just the most amazing sport ever in my eyes so the combination of the two is awesome!

365: 4/7/2011

DAY 97: Tip top shape

I'm starting a new workout and the DVD just arrived on my doorstep this morning. It requires some hand weights and a mat so I ran out really quick... Of course I had to get some cute work out gear! It doesn't matter that I'm doing it from the comfort of my living room, LOL. The top is dark teal with black accents and the yoga pants are black with dark teal and white stripes on the sides. Wish me luck!

365: 4/6/2011

DAY 96: Bring on spring!

Even though the last few days have been pretty weird weather-wise, it hasn't stopped the buds from making their appearances! We've even got daffodils starting to sprout in the front yard! So what if you can't really see many of them because they're still a little snow covered? They're there!

Wee Bit

{one} what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch?Spinach. I was never a fan when I was little and that makes me sad -- it is SO delicious!

{two} did you go to college? if yes, what was your major?Yes, I did... My major was history but that changed when I realized I couldn't do much of anything with a history degree unless I wanted to teach. And I didn't. So I've kind of been on a hiatus until I figure out what I want to major in since my pre-reqs are done, done, done. I think I've finally figured it out, so I'm hoping to go back this fall!

{three} what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)?A mule deer in Colorado. It climbed in our van, LOL.

{four} have you ever been to a fortune teller?I've been to a psychic. She was legit.

{five} can you juggle?Oh Lord. I am sooo not coordinated enough for that.

{six} hardwood floors or carpet?I absolutely adore hardwood floors. We have way too many sets up puppy paws to keep up with all of our rooms being hardwood, though. We have two huge rugs in the living room to cover most of the hardwood (we have a decorative, patterned hardwood around the border of the room and the rugs cover everything else.) and the hardwood in the kitchen = tiled over.

{seven} is it called “soda” or “pop”?I'm a Michigander. We call it pop.

{eight} what was your first car?A 2000 Buick Regal. It had leather interior, power everything... Really nice. :)

{nine} what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?Our wedding cake - one layer was decadent chocolate (chocolate cake, chocolate ganache and whipped chocolate filling), one layer was bananarama (vanilla cake, banana cream and a white chocolate glaze). NOM NOM NOM!

{ten} how often do you rearrange your furniture?Hardly ever, if at all. I like where the furniture is! It's the decor that I change up all the time, lol. 

365: 4/5/2011

DAY 95: My dog is only graceful when she sleeps

Sadie is a pretty clumsy and awkward dog, so it's no surprise that she only ever looks like she's got it together when she's asleep, LOL. 

365: 4/4/2011

DAY 94: My kitty loves me

Andy has his first hockey practice tonight and he's going there straight from work so it's just me and our little herd of animals. There's a Bad Girls Club marathon on TV (Even I like to watch trash sometimes!) and my couch is lined with fur babies. Don't think I'm goin' anywhere. ;)

Erin & Ryan

Saturday, after meeting up with Erin & the other bridesmaids to pick out our dresses, I grabbed Andy and we went out with Erin and her honey (Ryan) so I could take a few pictures of them. The engagement session they have with their wedding photographer isn't until the summer but they needed some pictures for their Save-the-Dates. How could I say no?

Let me start off by saying that Erin and Ryan are PERFECT for each other. Okay, just needed to get that out of my system. :) When I take pictures, I don't pose or stage anything. It's just not my nature -- I like to capture a GENUINE vibe... A lifestyle. So when you see these below, you should know that the only input I had was that I told Ryan I thought it'd be cool if he sat on the railing around the dock. I let them do what they wanted and swooped in with my camera... I really, truly believe that's how photography should be. This is how they are together naturally and that's exactly how they were captured. Love. :)

I think they thought I was some sort of crazy person when I took the one above because I was like "Ahh!! I need to get the sun in this picture!!!" and almost went into the splits I got so low. But now can you see why?! The sunbeams, they kill me!

I was cracking up when I was taking this picture because Ryan had no clue why I was snapping away. He was saying something like "Baby, we should use one of these as our Save-the-Date picture and say something like 'Save the date so you can see our fronts!'" LOL.

So now do you see what I mean? They're so stinking cute together it's unreal.

365: 4/3/2011

DAY 93: It's snowing. Again.

It was CRAZY today. I let the dogs out and the sky was a little gloomy, but not terrible. I came back inside and about five minutes later it was raining. I looked out the window not even five minutes after that and it was snowing like mad! And during the snow storm? It was thundering. There was lightning. I was piiiissed. Come on, Michigan... It's spring and you need to start acting like it!

Share my shame?

(First: This is the Kanye-less version because I think he's terrible and takes away from the song. Second: This is the audio only version since the official video includes Kanye and clips of sad animal things.)

I mean... I don't even know. Anyone who knows me would be able to tell any stranger that I'm a classic, easy rock lover. My mom and Andy joke that I was born a few decades too late because I obviously should have been around to experience the hippie era. However, I'm slightly obsessed with this Katy Perry song. Seriously? Up until Glee covered Teenage Dream I was all "WTF, who is Katy Perry?" Then I hear this song on the radio last week and I'm all "OMG, KATY PERRY, YAY!" Oy.

365: 4/2/2011

DAY 92: Walking through a park

Today I took some pictures of Erin & Ryan for their save-the-date cards. There's a park by their house with a big pond and lots of trails. There's even a little train that rides through it. Here's the path we walked. :)

Friday's Fifteen

This, too, is floating around the blogosphere. Why not, right?

1. What would you pick to eat if you only had one meal left?

A big bowl of my dad's cabbage soup (minus the beef, of course) along side my mom's equally delicious egg salad sandwich.

2. What quality is the most important to you in the opposite sex?

I think an important quality for ANYONE to have is the ability to be kind without expecting anything in return.

3. If you could pick your birthday, when would you want it and why?

I wouldn't change it. I like my October birthday!

4. What is your dream job?

Honestly, I have no idea. Obviously accounting was in no way what I thought I'd be doing, but I really like what I do and I love the people I work with... That's pretty dreamy, right? :)

5. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

Shop. DUH.  

6. What's the best book you have ever read?

Truth be told, I've never read a book that has given me an "OMG! WHAT A LIFE CHANGER!" moment. I loved every second of Moliere's Tartuffe (a play) when I read it, though.

7. Biggest Pet Peeve?

People who complain about everything.

8. What show can you not miss?

Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Bethenny Ever After (guilty pleasure -- I love her!).

9. What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas, without a doubt. I love giving gifts!

10. Do you want a big family?

No. Two babies, please. :)

11. What is more important to you, love or money?

What a cliche question! Obviously love. I wouldn't stick around when I'm not happy just because whoever I'm with buys me things or has money in the bank. WRONG!

12. If you had to live in another country other than America, which would you choose?

Ireland. It's so beautiful.

13. What is your dream car?

I don't really think about dream cars, lol. I love my Saturn Vue and will probably drive it until it dies! Ask me this when it's time to buy a new car. :-P  

14. Which is better, cats or dogs? Please explain why.

I love both! I love all animals, though, so I'm the wrong person to try and explain why one animal is better than another.

15. If you had to live without either a cell phone or internet, which would you choose to give up?

Internet, 'cause my cell phone has it. :)

365: 4/1/2011

DAY 91: Be sure to click on the picture for full size!

Seriously. Click it. Y'all don't want to miss out. This is the back of a two page letter my brother left on my desk for me to find in the morning, LOL.