Put a cork in it!

What do you do when you were born and raised by winos, when all your friends are winos, and your in-laws are winos? Well, you collect corks to do crafts!

My cork board process...

First I grabbed my huge collection of corks from a few years of drinking too much wine. Also, my glue gun and a plethora of glue sticks.

Then I decide which part of the cork I like the best and ensure it will be visible

Glue two corks together and then glue 4 sets together in a parquet pattern

Then glue the parquet piece together to the desired width and height and voila! You have a new fancy cork board!

This may be my most expensive craft to date, but it is going to be AWESOME when I get it on my wall in my new fancy craft room! This is going to hold onto all the things that inspire me!

Daily Dose...

Not too long ago my sister talked me into meeting her in Old Town Scottsdale for a little Saturday brunch. If you know me at all, I rarely never pass up a brunch invitation. I love brunch. We went to a new hip joint called "Daily Dose." Outside of this restaurant there are adirondack chairs sitting out front under some misters. You are sure to get a little sun if you are waiting, which we did. But, I think this is a nice touch. You get to people watch and in Old Town, that is always a treat! Tourists, people on the walk of shame, etc...

Once we were sat our server was a little quiet and not outgoing at all, but we will let it slide. I ordered my signature brunch drink, a Bloody Mary, and Tel ordered hers, the Mimosa. (Very telling of our personalities) My Bloody Mary came with an extra large straw, perhaps to allow the bacon to flow freely. We also decided to split our brunch and we ordered the Southwest Wrap. It was delicious, but the chorizo was a little too salty. Had I been hungover I may be singing a different tune about the salt content. Splitting the dish was a good choice because it would have surely been too much for just me!




I think I would go back again to try a different dish and different serve should I be in Old Town for brunch another day. Maybe to enjoy the patio. ..

Finally... It is done-ish!

Well, tonight was an interesting one to say the least. As I mentioned in my last post, the heat of the AZ summer puts me in fight or flight mode, which also puts me in a constant state of anxiousness. When I arrived home P Funk wanted to chat about my current goings ons... but that seemed like a large order, so we went to sushi instead. Going out to eat always seems to ease my mind, or at least distract me for a bit.

When we got home I decided it was time to get my craft room put together. So I did.



This is going to be my new zen space. I have space to do yoga, I have my ergonomic chair and I am really digging it so far. I need another lamp, preferably a floor lamp, some shelves, a small cabinet and a plant. I am also going to re-screen my shoji screen for a little privacy. P Funk has his man cave, and I have this... I am grateful. He can also sit in here with me on my reading chairs, just to enjoy music or each others company.

Do you have a zen space? What makes it so?

Cabin Fever... for the fourth year

Painting by John McClusky

 

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

When it gets this hot out, and the monsoons and haboobs come rolling in, I truly believe my body goes into fight or flight mode. Anxiety rises, the heat stifles  and I move slower than normal and things just seem so much more difficult. At this point in the year, I stand in my closet in the mornings and start to think of my jackets and layering, open windows and eating outside. I long for fall.

But, until that time, I will dream of the golden colors and turn my A/C way up so I can cuddle under my snuggie.

My autumn goal...

 After visiting Idaho and my BFF's house I found my garden envy strengthening. Not only does she have a thriving garden, but my neighbor has a THRIVING garden in AZ, and I may have developed a near obsession like love for Aura Joon's garden.  So, to take care of this envy, I am going to be tearing out my ugly backyard lantanas (my front yard lantanas are beautiful and brilliant) and planting a vegetable garden!



I plan on having the husband build a raised garden bed, as the soil in AZ is garbage, this fall.I will be starting some seedlings indoors this January and then will be transplanting everything as required to have myself a thriving, sustainable garden.

I will hopefully be growing the following veggies and herbs:

• Cucumbers
• Various Lettuce Varieties
• Bell Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Jalapenos
• Lavender
• Basil
• Mint

I am starting my pumpkin seedlings soon so I might have a little pumpkin by fall?

Share any expertise you may have on desert gardening please!

My dark, dirty secret...

I unabashedly admit that I am embarrassed to share this post... but, I believe it will keep me in check... at least for a little while.

This weekend I took a good hard look at my closet... after the wedding it was in worse shape than ever. So... here it is...The door won't even open all the way.

I have a denim and hoodie addiction... cripes...
And, after 6+ hours of folding, organizing, donating, color coordinating, etc... I could see my carpet and feel like I have a whole new wardrobe!!

I got rid of quite a bit... even some hoodies, which, if you would have told me 2 years ago I would part with any of my collection I would have called you a liar.

(I apologize for the blurry pics... I was shakin' in my boots looking at this mess...)

So, what are your plans for the weekend??

Just where I want to be...

26 now, well, tomorrow.
I am exactly where I want to be.
I am married to the man of my dreams, I live in an amazing home, I have a pool to relax in, and I have my family.

I feel very blessed to be where I am. My whole life I thought I would be married at 22, maybe 23 and have a baby on the way by 25. I am so grateful that is not the case. It isn't a bad plan for anyone, but as time has gone by, I have realized, had I gone down that path, I wouldn't be here.

I have developed new friendships, a new family, and new traditions.

Now, hanging Christmas lights in 90 degree weather isn't my favorite thing to do, and spending holidays and birthdays away from my immediate family, well that wasn't in the plans either. But having a place for all my friends and family to stay when they need a break from the cool, gloomy weather... that makes up for it all.


Now, I am looking toward the future. From here on out I am going to be a better wife, better daughter, better sister and better family member. Here is to 26, and the best life I could have ever dreamed of.

I am byaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I have returned, and I have a new last name! Our wedding was outstanding and I couldn't have asked for a sweeter day. My husband and I didn't see each other for over 12 hours prior to the ceremony, and I can't say I have ever wanted to see him more than I did at 6 pm on June 25th, 2011.

I am waiting for my photographer to get her AWESOME pro pics to us, but I am so glad I had some friends sharing this day with us to snap a few candids! Here are some of my faves!

  As soon as the music started playing, I lost it. My dad tried to get me to focus on my steps instead of the music, and my man of my dreams at the end of the aisle. But when you are listening to this song, and it is singing every truth I have ever felt towards my love, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed. I collected myself and managed to smile the smile I have been waiting to smile for the past year!

I made it up to my sweetest of hearts and we immediately held hands. Everything I felt for the entire day escaped through my fingertips and the electricity between us was palpable.

Our first kiss was the best first kiss of my entire life. I have never kissed a boy in front of my family, and man I did it right! Ha! There was more passion in that kiss than any other kiss... what is the Princess Bride saying? "Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."

And now, I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life!