Collin Makes Me Pee My Pants...

Today is Halloween! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Suki dressed as a leopard and Collin and I didn't dress up. Instead, we went out for happy hour and dinner! We did, of course, leave candy for the kiddos on the porch!

We then proceeded to get margaritas at our local mexican joint and then went over to Highlands Tap & Burger for wings and mac & cheese...we planned to get a burger to share too but the apps were just too rich to eat any more.

After dinner was actually my favorite part of the night.

Collin makes me laugh most of the time...even when he doesn't try...which is the reason he's so funny.

Here is my first video in a LONG time...VERY poor quality video but hopefully you find him as funny as I do. Basically, Collin is trying to move a fallen log that our neighbor placed in front of both of our garage doors. Wrong move bud. But highly entertaining for me... and you I hope...

Cozy Fall & Snow

Our house this fall :)

Mini pumpkins

Snoozing kangaroo!

Our first snowfall of the year.

Cozy winter Suki

My little love bundle

Peplum Cowboy Shirt

Yes...you read that right...the peplum cowboy shirt is my latest sewing adventure. While in Pennsylvania earlier this year, my mom, brother and I went thrifting (one of my favorite pastimes). I found some great stuff including two XL mens button up shirts; one a purple plaid pearl buttoned cowboy shirt and the other an indian motif button up. I pictured sundresses made out of the shirts but haven't actually tackled the task.

The other day I saw a blog post where a girl took a men's shirt and turned it into a fitted shirt with a peplum bottom. Stinkin' cute! I decided that the purple plaid pearl buttoned cowboy shirt that I had tucked away would be perfect for this re-creation.

 Some 'before' pictures...

It ended up being much more difficult than it seemed. Cutting the sleeves off, resizing them to my size, and reattaching at my length....whoa....not easy. I actually messed up pretty bad but you really can't tell on the outside of the finished product. And the only reason I kept going to make the sleeves work (after messing up royally more than once) is because without them it was looking more along the lines of a snug jean vest....and that's rarely a good look.

See what I mean.....?

Soooo...here is the finished piece:

I ended up wearing it out to eat that night! I'm pretty happy with my first "real shirt" redo...$2 men's shirt turned custom women's shirt! Hopefully more to come! :)

Coconut Oil Revisited

I'm a believer all over again.

I strayed away from coconut oil over the past couple of months which is no surprise because even if I find a product that I love/works I'm still compelled to try others. So that is what I did. A few months ago I found a new night cream that was cheap and I liked it. Over the past week I started breaking out for some reason, my skin texture was not as smooth as it usually is, and I couldn't figure out the cause.
I dug out my jar of coconut oil the other night and used it as my night cream.

I kid you not. I woke up with my normal smooth skin and my blemishes were either totally healed or well on their way. I repeat...I'm NOT KIDDING! I've used it every night since and have not had any additional issues with my skin. Guess I shouldn't stray away!

If you have yet to try this awesomeness...do so! Remember, raw|organic|virgin|unrefined. And it's great for cooking too!

Have a happy day!

One Year Ago

Two days and one year ago we received the news that Collin's brother Brennan was dead. As many can relate, it does not feel like it was even close to a whole year ago.

Family and friends in Collin's hometown celebrated Brennan's life by getting together and eating Brennan's favorite food, sushi. Since I worked on Sunday and didn't get home until about 830pm, we decided to celebrate Brennan yesterday, on our own, in Denver. Collin is a very private person and rarely talks about how he is feeling especially when it concerns his brother. I knew that he knew his family was having sushi in remembrance of Brennan so I suggested we go for sushi on Monday while we were both home. We didn't talk about Brennan or how Collin was feeling that day but we did have a simple saki toast to Brennan.

Honestly, I still have a hard time believing that he is actually gone. With moving across the country just months before, it feels normal not to see him. I can tell myself that I won't ever see him again but I can't 100% comprehend it.

He is missed, loved, and remembered by so many. It's just hard to believe.

In loving memory, a whole year later, of Brennan.

Find Happiness Within

DIY Mercury Glass

Mercury glass is awesome!

I never knew what it really was but after a little research I foooooound that it is made by double blowing glass (yeah, no idea) and 'silvering' the inside space, originally with mercury. Derr. They slap a seriously high price tag on it these days, therefore, I won't be buying any anytime soon. But I did find a great tutorial {@ 17 Apart} to make faux mercury glass.

image: 17 apart

Apparently, it won't work if you don't have this exact type of spray paint: Krylon Looking Glass. It's a little pricey for spray paint, about $12 for a small can. Then, in an empty spray bottle, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. And thaaaan, Gather glass stufffffff! You'll also need paper towels.

The directions on the Krylon paint instruct you to paint the inside of the glass for the 'looking glass' effect. But for this method, spray the OUTSIDE of the glass...unless you don't plan to put anything inside of your glass piece...ever! Actually, I don't know what happens...that is just what the tutorial told me to do.

Basically, you just spritz the glass with the water/vinegar so that it beads lightly on the surface and follow with the spray paint. Repeat a few times with blotting and waiting in between.

I was mighty pleased with my results!

I will be scrounging up glass and giving it another go soon! I love it!

Newest Pillow!

Copperplate Calligraphy

I'm fascinated by script and beautiful writing. My regular handwriting is not the best. I'm sort of a sloppy writer actually, so I kind of figured that would translate into any fancy schmancy writing I attempted. Well, I was right! HA! Kinda. In a way that I like, though. And anyway, I'm just learning! Practice makes perfect ya hear!

I bought a step-by-step book a few months ago but without supplies to start...smart I am. The other week I finally ordered what I needed (not too many things actually), received them and finally started reading and practicing.

Those little thangs are "nibs"...never knew

There you have it. My very first attempt. Raw and sloppy. On the first half of the page I was testing out the pen/ink/nib to get a feel and then started practicing real letters.

Of course, I am lazy and have not taken the time to draw out the guidelines you are supposed to use to practice but I'll get around to it. In the mean time, I plan to practice my way and hopefully find my own style...a mix between the classic and the uniquely modern.

I was expecting to feel frustrated while practicing but in reality it is very soothing and almost relaxing. You can hear the metal nib dragging across the paper and watch the black ink slowly spill out onto the plain white surface and it clears my mind for a little while.

I shall continue! And keep you posted on my progress...if progress happens! :)

Geneva NY Wedding | Home Visit

This past weekend, Collin and I flew home for a minute (literally it seemed) and then drove north to up-state New York, Geneva to be exact, for a wedding. One of his dental school buddies got married and it was a great time for us to catch up with some friends from the 'dental school years.' I thought I had this blog thing down but actually I do not....and did not get even ONE picture from the entire weekend. My storytelling will have to do for this one.

We flew in Thursday, my parents picked us up at the airport/let us borrow the truck, we had a drink in Harrisburg, and then drove up to Williamsport. That night we had the famous Tags italian food...which ended up making all of the ladies sick (to the point that I left the bar early that night...yes, that sick) so I don't know how much famous-cred I can give them. My apologies! Collin's mom had to leave the next morning for Florida....bummer for us, win for her...so we spent some time with her until she left for the airport and we headed up to New York.

New York is actually WAY closer to PA than I thought, it only took us two hours to get to the Finger Lakes! We stayed in a cottage with Christian & Colleen, Mike & Lauren, and two guys from the grooms dental residency. It was a dreary kind of weekend but still beautiful and fun. The leaves were changing colors already and it was so nice to see the East coast fall...all we get out here is yellow...beautiful yellow for sure, but just yellow.

It was a full weekend of wedding eventfulness but we only stayed for the wedding ceremony and reception on Friday. The wedding was held at Bellhurst Castle which is gorgeous and right on Lake Seneca. We all had a great time!
Saturday morning we said our goodbyes and headed back to Williamsport for some more family visiting. We hung out with Collin's brother, sister-in-law, and sister and of course saw the babies!

On Sunday morning we drove back to Adamstown, whewww...no down time this trip...to visit with my family. We had our fill of hoagies, pizza, and cheesesteaks; that is for sure. I got to see my parents, brother, nana, and aunts and uncles all before having to leave for the airport that evening!

Our flight was to leave at 8pm. At 930, they announced that the flight was delayed, therefore everyone who had connecting flights in DC would miss their flight. Sweeeeeet. We were stuck. Luckily, they changed our flight to early the next morning, paid for a nice hotel room at the Sheridan, and paid for our dinner that night as well. I was actually happy to have a nice nights sleep instead of flying through the night.

We made it back to Denver this afternoon after two uneventful flights. Although, we're always sad to leave PA it is nice to be home with Suki and sleep in our own bed. :)

Wandering back to Pennsylvania tomorrow and then to Lake Seneca in Geneva, New York for a splendid wedding! More to come soon! :)