Random things about me

I thought it would be fun to share some random tid bits about myself today, just because it's fun and I like to get to know others like this too.

I sing a lot. Like I turn everyday things into songs. Oh, and I am a terrible singer! I have no idea where I got this from.

My first job was writing names on a grain of rice. Yeah. I know.

I am a Scorpio and full on believe in horoscopes.

When I was little I wanted to be a fashion designer.

I haven't owned a T.V. in 5 years, and I don't miss it!

I HATE when my hands, feet or lips are dry. I can't function until I have slathered them in oil or lotion or chapstick or something! It's bad!

Walking in the dark still scares me a little.

My purse is a giant black hole. You can find just about anything in there, IF you can find it.

I cut my hair once a year... or even longer.

I love planners, but hardly actually use them.

I'm always excited for the new season. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... I guess I just like the change.

I use mason jars for everything.

I have a ridiculous fabric/ yarn stash compared to the amount of time I spend sewing/ crocheting.

That being said, I will always buy more fabric and yarn. =)

My favorite color changes all the time. Today it's sea-foam green.

I love reading and can't pass up an interesting looking book, especially at a thrift store!

I am a little OCD and have to do things balanced... chew on the right side, then on the left... crack one knuckle, crack all the rest...

I almost never 'accessorize'... I don't know why, it just doesn't happen.

My husband is my best friend. I know, cliche, but he is.

I feel naked without polish on my toenails.

If I could I just might eat burritos everyday... they are my weakness.

Being a mom is the coolest 'job' I've ever had.

Making My Happy Spot

A while back I read the book Happier at Home, which inspired me to create a spot filled with things to make me smile and inspire me. It also brought to my attention the fact that I over think everything causing me to never get things done. So, I got the nudge to just go for it and not worry if it turns out perfect or not. This is harder than I’d like to admit to, but sometimes inspiration comes and you just go with it.

My inspiration to make myself a happy space came to me from one of my favorite creative gals, Lindsay from Pen & Paint. She makes the cutest prints that have the greatest quotes, and I just love them! I picked two prints that I just had to have and waited patiently for them to arrive. When they got here I was so excited and then quickly fell into my usual ‘oh the possibilities, what am I going to do with them?!’ contemplations. I know, I’m crazy.

I finally decided on making a wall of Happiness and started to gather other prints, pictures and things that make me smile. I picked a wall and laid it all out and just did it! It felt so good to get it up and to finally have a spot for myself, even if it is just a wall.

One of the prints says ‘Do small things with great love.’ This one really speaks to me right now. One of my personal goals is to do everything with love. For all those I am around and especially for myself. I think that we tend to be the hardest on ourselves, when we should love ourselves completely. I am so glad to have this daily reminder to keep me on track!

Some of the other things I added to my Happiness wall:

A painting a friend made for us of the spot that Matt proposed to me. I just love that she did that for us, and love to think of that day!

A vintage needle point of a basket of flowers, because who doesn’t need that!?

A Nikki McClure calendar. She cuts out all of her prints by hand with an exacto knife. Inspiring for sure!

The little owl that my baby sister talked a shopkeeper in Germany into selling her because she knew I would like it. It wasn’t for sale, but she was determined.

The abalone shell is from our yearly camping trip to Albion and I filled it with succulents because it was just begging for it!

And most importantly, pictures of my family. Okay, mostly Sage. They bring a smile to my face no matter what is going on.

All of this above my cozy chaise filled with too many pillows and a bouquet of fresh flowers to boot!

Now I have this space where I can read a book, play with Sage, crochet or just sit and be inspired by where I’ve been and where I am heading. It’s my new happy spot, it’s not perfect, but it’s exactly what it needs to be.

Need some inspiration in your life? Lindsay is so kindly offering a $20 credit to her Pen & Paint shop for one of you lovelies! Pretty awesome right!? She has so many amazing things in her shop, I just know one will speak to you too!

To enter please use the rafflecopter form below. This contest will close on Sunday the 27^th at midnight. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Thank you all so much and good luck! Happy Monday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS… Make sure to checkout Pen & Paint on instagram, her posts always brighten my day!

28

This week I turned 28. I'm officially in my late twenties... yes, I was counting 27 as mid twenties.
27 was such an amazing year, it's going to be a hard one to top. The only thing that can top having a baby is going to be seeing him grow in the next year! He is already getting so big it's amazing. It's funny trying to think of what I want to do in this next year, and all I can think about is watching my little boy grow and taking in every small change as it happens. The past five months that he's been here have gone by way too fast, I know the next year is going to do the same, and I'm not going to miss one single bit of his cuteness! That's my goal for the next year, tough I know! ;)

...like that cuteness. {he doesn't get the whole photobooth = funny face thing yet... or even the making funny faces thing at all!} So, here's to 28! I'm sure it'll be a fantastic year!

If you can't laugh at yourself...

I just came across these pictures from my cousins wedding. I got a pretty good laugh out of them, so I thought you would too!

Apparently when told to make a funny face this is what I come up with!

Matt says the last one looks like I just smelled a fart! I really don't know what it's all about! Lol!

Hope that brightened your Tuesday!

Striving for health

In the past four years I have been on a journey to become healthy.  It all started back in 2008 when my husband got really sick and we started looking into what was causing his illness.  One thing led to another and we ended up finding that diet was the number one cause to ALL illness.  So we started to change how we ate.  With every new book we read, or film we watched or natural doctor he saw we would learn more and change something.  We started by removing all processed foods from our diet. Then switched to all organic foods. We soon gave up most meats, then dairy and after a while most things with gluten.

Now, this was over quite a big span of time, we didn't just change overnight.  It took time and adjusting before it became a way of life.  When we started all of this it was to save my husband, which I'm very happy to say that it did... completely!  But, the other great thing that happened with all the changes we made is how much better I felt!  I didn't realize I was so unhealthy before we started this.  Yes, I knew I could lose a few pounds, and stop eating so much garbage food.  I did have for years what my doctor at the time called 'a sensitive stomach' and they assured me it was completely normal. Basically every time I ate I had a stomachache. Sometimes it would be minor, sometimes I would have to go lay down.  I had become used to this, it was just a part of life.  Well, about two months into our diet change I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had a stomachache from eating.  I was stoked!

So, we have been eating healthy ever since, still modifying our diet when we learn about anything new.  Since 2008 I have lost over 20 pounds just from eating healthy. Most of that came off in the beginning, but a little more here and there since then. Now I have come to a new challenge, I have lost the extra weight and eat healthy, but I am NOT in shape.  I do not work out at all.  I have the muscles of a 10 year old girl!  I have been wanting to shape up for a while, but have been completely unmotivated.  Now that is changing!  We are taking a trip to the Grand Canyon in September and I just might die if I went in the shape I am now.  Not to mention the fact that I deserve to be in shape, what good is a healthy body if I do nothing with it!?!

I am sharing this today in hopes that one: I will hold myself accountable{if I tell everyone I am going to do it I have to, right?}  two: I hope to gain support from others possibly doing the same thing.  and three: to inspire someone else to shape up and be healthy!  You deserve it!

I am taking measurements to track my changes.  I figure I'll probably gain weight, or at least not lose any while working out because I should be gaining muscle! =) I also happened to find my starting measurements from 2008.  It's crazy how much of a difference 20 pounds makes! So, here they are, and I'll post them again after a while.

I think a little fitness motivation is in order now!

Source: pictureperfectbodywerkit.tumblr.com via Ameryn Marie on Pinterest

I want to be that toned!

Source: iowagirleats.com via Ameryn Marie on Pinterest

Seems easy enough.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Ameryn Marie on Pinterest

Love this!

So, happy working out everyone! Let's get in shape!!!

Me, Myself and I

So, you all want to hear more about me right?!
Of course you do! lol!
I just came across a link up party that Jenna and some other fun girls are doing called 'Me, myself & I'
Sounded fun, so here we go...

1) What is your biggest phobia?

It use to be heights for sure, but maybe it still is.
I couldn't even get on a ladder without that "I'm gonna die" feeling!
I have since gotten over that, but you still won't find me close to a cliff or leaning over a tall balcony!

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No thanks!

2) If you could re-live any day of your life, what would it be? and why?

That's a tough one... I'd say the first {kinda} date me and my now husband went on.

At the end of the night he gave me the best hug ever! The kind where you know it's special and you never want to leave. That was a great night!

Yup, that was us back when we first met. Dang.

3) If you could chose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

Honestly I might pick right now! I feel like I have changed a lot in the past few years, and I like where I am right now. Healthy, happy and comfortable with who I am.

4) Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?

A few years back {in my platinum blonde days} it was ALWAYS Gwen Steffani, Now I get a lot of Cameron Diaz.

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I don't really see it, but I get it a lot.

5) What songs are included in the soundtrack of your life?

I have a long time love affair with Incubus, so pretty much anything from them!

Jack Johnson is always a good go to for any mood I'm in!

All NoDoubt... did you know they have a new album coming out! YAY!

Weezer rocks my socks.. lol! that was so nerdy!

I also love me some Etta James and Billie Holiday!

Then there are certain songs that I just love and couldn't tell you why, like 'Pimp Juice' lol.

Yes, I love 'Pimp Juice'!!!

Feel like you know me a little better?

Why don't you check out some of the other girls linking up here too!