A Task Filled Weekend and A Treat

Sparky and I mostly Sparky accomplished a lot off of our "to-do" list this past weekend.  I can't wait to share the photos of all the goods.  For now, here is a list to get you excited:

1. Cleaned the house (not too exciting; but very necessary)
2. Got some new "grasses" that are drought tolerant to put in our newly finished planter boxes attached to the deck!!!  Huge accomplishment.
3. Finished staining the small pergola!
4. Prepared another raised planter box for herbs or in Sparky's words, "whatever you choose to throw in there"...
5. Checked out the OKC Farmer's Market.   
6. Got our grocery shopping done for the week.
7. Walked around the Plaza district and checked out an awesome retro store...called RetroOKC.  Super cool.
8. Got a couple of Green Goodies Cupcakes.  yum.

Keep on Keepin on.

Purple and Full of Pride

One of my very many many goals in life (and trust me, there are a plethora; note to self:  blog post on goals), is to be a photoshop wizard.  Now, whether that be self taught or taking a class or just in my dreams, this photoshop wizardry will be accomplished someday and somehow.

I play a lot in photoshop and accomplish very few ah-ha moments.  (note to self:  have more ah-ha moments).  I also purchased way back when not too long ago a Photoshop for Dummies book...which I have yet to start finish perusing.

The other day I took pictures of my one lone little tulip growing proudly in a very sad and dry, red clay consumed, dearth of happiness corner.  Purple and full of pride she was.

So, I delicately primped her up in photoshop and was pretty happy with the results. 

And then, a friend showed me how to place to photos side by side.  Aha!  My first photoshop aha moment! Well, at least that I can remember!  It's not rocket science or anything, but I was pretty darn happy with the event!

Before (left) and After (right)

So, I quickly did one more little photo primping and ended up with the following result.  A little curving, contrasting, and saturation and...voila.

The difference is a bit more subtle than the first tulip but there is a difference! 

Before (Top) and After (Bottom)

I may not be purple like my pretty little tulip, but I am full of pride of my tiny aha moment.

Keep on Keepin on.

Macy

Sparky was making his hanging planter boxes this past weekend when I snapped this cute little pic of our Macy girl.  I can rarely get a cute photo of Macy so this was extra special that I finally got one that wasn't all blurry.  Plus, of course, there are all the beer bottles in the planter as well.  Makes for a good photo if you ask me!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Keep on Keepin on.

Sparky and His Sunflowers

Sparky loves him some Sunflowers.  I know.  Random. 

As Spring has arrived, Sparky and I have been anxious to pretty up our yards once again.  We love planting and gardening and building a better home and Spring has shown to be the time when we get all "ba-jig-adee"...yeah.  bajigadee.

Our recent trips to TLC and Lowes have brought us colorful and sustainable plants and flowers.  I finally got my daylilies and succulants, while Sparky got more green and ground coverage.  I'm always screaming "I want color!" while Sparky always wants more "green" or grasslike plants.  Which, don't get me wrong, I love green and grassy stuff but dang it..."I NEED COLOR!!"

Anyway, the one colorful flower Sparky L.O.V.E.'s is a sunflower.  Me?  I'm not too much of a fan of the sunflower but I can tolerate them if it allows for some dang color.  Beggers can't be choosers, right?  So, he picked up some little bags of sunflowers seeds during one of our trips to Lowes. 

This year we've decided to move our vegetable garden when the time comes to plant those little gems.  So, we went ahead and tossed the little sunflower seeds in one straight long line in the old raised beds along our East fence in the backyard.  This area gets so much sun! 

These little guys are amazing.  They've already started sprouting!  They've only been in the ground for about a week and a half and are doing amazing even though Ruby keeps digging them up.  grrr.

I love that the shells are still holding on!

Peek-a-boo

Ruby thinks this is her play area.  The Jaws song warning of a dangerous shark approaching always comes to mind when I see her approaching restricted territory.

Project post coming soon:  Sparky's floating flower beds.

Keep on Keepin on.

Our January Wedding Video

Our wedding video is done and I am so happy with it!  Aimee Adams Lovebirds Artistic Weddings has it all!  She is so amazing to work with.  She's creative, patient, understanding, a good listener, a great communicator, and a professional.  Basically, she's the whole package.  It is so obvious that Aimee loves what she does and truly cares about her clients.

One of my favorite parts is when the videographer went around to everyone and asked them to write one word about the "union" and Sparky's friend wrote "soviet"!!!  I just want to point out that we are NOT soviets...he's just cooky funny.  I love it!  I giggle everytime! (not that I've watched it a million times already or anything....)  All the words are so sweet and I love watching it!  It makes me laugh as well as feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  sigh.

Enjoy our video!



Keep on Keepin on.

What I Done Did: Hair Donation

Since Sparky and I went ahead and tied our little knot this past January, I decided it was time to cut my hair.

One thing people always say to me is either "Oh my gosh, your hair is so long!" or "Oh my gosh, you have such amazing hair!"


Yes, it was getting very long.  I hadn't had a hair cut in almost two years and I was very overdue for one.  I don't very much like to get haircuts because I don't particularly care to pay money to have it cut and then to have it grow right back and then pay to have it cut again.  It's a vicious cycle and I don't care for vicious cycles...like  a monthly period.  Haircuts are like a montly period to me.  They are high maintenance and expensive.

So, I thought I might as well do it for a good cause.  I looked up some long bob haircuts and made an appointment with the last hairstylist I used a couple years back.  I went in, had her measure out 10 inches, and let her have her way with it.

I'm pretty convinced she dreaded cutting off those 10 inches more than I did.  She was probably in fear that I might start crying.  She doesn't know me very well.  ha!  I was glad to see it gone!  For some perspective:  this was not a one ponytail cut...this was a part my hair in four sections and cut four sections sort of an ordeal.  I'm tired just thinking about it.

wait for it...

whoa nellie!  that's a lotta hair!

Less hair = less shampoo, shorter shower, less water, less hair drying, less time.  woo hoo!  I'm free!

AND

I'm donating it.

win win if you ask me.

After asking a friend who recently went through chemotherapry to remove her stage 4 ovarian cancer, I've chosen to donate the hair to Pantene's program.  Locks of love is a great donation program as well.

Sparky was a bit hesitant when I first brought up the idea of cutting my hair, but after he saw the cut for the first time, he was instantly in love...all over again that is.  :)

Keep on Keepin on.

I'm Crushing On: Three Potato Four

I have the biggest crush on Stu and Janet from Three Potato Four!  They (and their two little kids) are super cute, cool, and awesome.

A friend recently sent me their link and I was head-over-heels in love at first click.  Same friend also got me a sweet little gift certificate and I didn't take much time in spending the little doo-hickey!  My biggest problem was narrowing down what to get!!  My wishlist was super long but since Sparky and I are saving our pennies for our honeymoon this summer, our extra spending money is pretty sparse.  My wishlist will just have to wait for another day. 

My sweet little GC did get me this nifty rad item, though!  I can't wait to set it on my desk and use it to hold my writing tools.  I think it would be cute for flowers and/or plants too.

Mexican Sugar Cane Mold - small $26.00

We recently sourced these beautifully executed reproductions of Mexican wooden sugar cone molds. Pure cane sugar would be melted down into these cones to produce a solid refined sugar cone which would be sold at local markets. This 3-hole sugar mold reproduction is all wood with a weathered antique finish. Measures approximately 9" x 3.25" x 4.5"h.

I also wanted the Large Mexican Sugar Cane Mold but I didn't want to overspend...maybe next time!
 

A few other items on my wishlist:
 

Ceramic Ruled Pitchers $16.00

Ceramic Bird Jewelry Dish $20.00

 

All-Purpose Wire Gym Baskets $35.00

Glass Chickadee Vase $18.00

 

AND...The grande finale super duper uber DREAM item...Industrial Shoe Factory Rolling Rack.  (I couldn't get the photo to post.  sorry)  Of course it's already sold.  boo.  Isn't it MAGNIFICENT?  This would be an amazing bakers rack for my kitchen with the above All-purpose wire baskets.  I'm swooning in my seat just drooling about it in my head. Sigh.
 
I'm also loving their original line 3P4.  The 3-P4 Milk Bottle Carafe - 32 oz. $24.00 might be at the top of my wish list.  cough cough. ahem ahem.
 

 

Keep on Keepin on.

Getting Fit: Barre3 Style

Being married to a competitive cyclist has it's pros and cons:

Pro:  He's really fit
Con:  He's really fit

Yup.  They are one in the same.  Sparky is always on the move and him and fitness are somewhat synonymous.  Me?  Well.  Not so much.

So, since Sparky is quite the site to look at due to his fitness (in my personal opinion), I GUESS it's only fair that I at least try to be fit as well.  AND because health it kind of important to life and one cannot be healthy without working out to some degree.

The problem I have with fitness is that I get bored very quickly.  I have tried all kinds of activities to get in shape and also to stay in shape.  I get bored and give up quickly.  My list of activities goes on and on:

rock climbing
cycling
running
yoga
Insanity DVDs
P90X
Month health club memberships
personal trainers
blah blee blah blah

Sparky says I just need to find an activity that I LOVE.  I enjoy all the above mentioned activities and dabble here and there when I'm in the mood for it, but none are really my go-to activity to get me energized and feeling incredibly amazing about myself. 

Last month I discovered Barre3.  I had read an article in the OKC Gazette about it prior to its opening and then my lovely neighbor mentioned last month that she was "obsessed"with it.  DING!  Light bulb!  My new fitness experiment was born.  February 28th was my first class at Barre3 OKC and, now, I too am OBSESSED and L.O.V.E Barre3.  In the short month, I have already started to notice a difference in my abs, thighs, booty and calves...which are the areas that normally never transform!  I always show in my arms, back, and shoulders as soon as I begin any type of workout program so those have definitely started to shape up nicely.

From the Barre3 main website:

Where ballet barre meets yoga and pilates.
Develop the length of a dancer and the strength of an athlete with our highly effective 60-minute workouts. Each class follows a thoughtful sequence for fast body shaping results and long term postural benefits.

From the Barre3 OKC site:

The 3 in barre3 symbolizes balance, a core value of our business, practice and life. Our classes are designed to transform the body to one of equal balance, strength and flexibility. The company we are building is based on the notion that work is a balanced and integrated part of life.


I love Barre3 because although it is incredibly challenging, it's also low impact and almost anyone can do it!  The instructors at Barre3 OKC make themselves aware of each individual and if anyone has specific injuries or areas that may be bothersome.  Throughout the workout, the instructors will give options for each position for comfort in case of injuries and they are also so incredibly encouraging. 
 
The biggest bonus is that I feel very comfortable at Barre3 OKC and the 60 minute workout doesn't drag out at all...it actually goes by fairly quickly!  I think the music helps a lot to make it fun.  I always find myself either bouncing a little to the music (which I probably shouldn't do!  whoops!) or singing along (which I probably should do either! haha!) 
 
Anyway, Sparky recently said, "I'm so glad you found something you love".  And so am I.
 
One of my favorite songs I've heard throughout the workout is Alicia Keys' "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"....  Enjoy!
 

 
Keep on Keepin on.

So Mischievous

It's a gorgeous Friday and I'm so ready for the weekend!  What makes this Friday even better?  I just got the DVD of all our wedding pics yesterday and there are SOOOO many!  So, I am perusing them and trying to figure out how in the heck I will pick out just a few to a) post here on this wee widdle blog and b) which to print to boost our egos every so often.  (They are all so awesome and amazing!) As I am perusing, I'm dancing in my chair to one of my all time favorite jams....a little "Purple Rain" by Prince and the Revolution.  woot woot!  While dancing along to my kickin-ass jam, I came across the following beauties and just had to share.  This is how you get ready for your wedding nuptials, peeps!

Don't fret.  Just Enjoy.

So mischievous. 



Keep on Keepin on.

My Favorite Evil

Today I had to share one of my favorite little knick knacks that I picked up at the antique store this past winter.  Every time I pass these little monkeys I just can't help but giggle or at least grin a little.  So, I had to share to bring a giggle or grin to all of you.

We all know the saying "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil"...right?  right?  But is there a fourth evil?  Apparently so.

Sparky and I came across this little evil monkey thing and couldn't for the life of us figure out what the fourth evil was?!  We were laughing so hard in the store because we were asking everyone in the store if they knew what it was and no one knew! 

Here were some of my first thoughts....

Pee pee No Evil
Touch No Evil
dert dee dert No Evil
Not So Smart No Evil
Don't Be A DumbAss No Evil
Bashful No Evil
Hide No Evil
Tired No Evil

Most of these don't make sense...I know.  But they are fun to say.  There were some other thoughts that you all can probably imagine but we'll leave it at that...

Anyway, I just had to have the little monkey evil thing.  I love their little belly buttons!  I also love how worn it is, especially in the front where the paint is chipped off.  I have it set on the edge of the bookcase by our fireplace so that I walk by it everyday to the bedroom; and everyday it brings a little happiness to my little day.  A friend finally "googled" it and we found out it means....

drumroll....

DO No Evil.

I'm stupid.  It's so obvious now but all the guessing was sure fun!

What would you have thought the fourth little evil monkey meant?

Keep on Keepin on.

Lunch Time Shenanigans

Working for a design firm, even though I am not an interior designer, has many perks.  Greatest perk of all???  Having friends that are interior designers!  I get to tag along to cool home stores and learn about cool home interior lingo and stuff.

One of my friends just purchased a home and is in the midst of remodeling before her cute little family officially move in to their new digs.  So, yes, I've been priviledged enough to join in a couple of lunch time errands with her.  Last week I got to venture with her to look at slabs of granite for her new kitchen counters!  It was uber exciting!  I know....nerd alert, right?

Well, this week was the icing on the cake!   Yesterday I got to join in on a little excursion to the Habitat Renovation Station!  eeeeeee!!!  I'm giddy just thinking about it!  I was a picture taking fool with my camera phone.  I'm sure people walking around thought I was beyond nuts.

What is the Habitat Renovation Station?  It's a great idea is what it is!  Below is directly from their website.


COHFH’s Renovation Station sells new, used and vintage building supplies and materials, appliances, furniture, and other household items.   The Habitat Renovation Station is open to the public. Proceeds from sales go to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity and we anticipate that Renovation Station stores will fully fund 6 to 8 Habitat houses this year.

This place is not only in place for a great cause but it is also a DIYer's dream!  They had everything from knick knacks to granite scraps!  Items we perused included furniture, kitchen towels, mailing supplies, window curtains, painting supplies, large and small tiles, toiliets, cabinets, dishes, appliances, tools, and so much more!

Be still my heart! Drawers! I have a weird crush on random old drawers. I think they are just so imperfectly beautiful. Especially when they are on rows of shelves to purchase...

There were a couple of rows of doors!  Need an old door?  Need a vintage door?  Need a fairly new door?  Need a glass door?  Need a french door?  Need a sliding door?  Need a storm door?  Pretty sure I saw all of the above...and old shutters!

Need a new to you chandelier or light fixture? Old, brass, wooden, glass? Pretty sure they have it covered.

I have a slight obsession with chairs.  I blame it on the wedding.  These would have been perfect!

Elephant rug anyone?  Sorry...just had to throw that one in there.  tee hee.

 

Talk about a tape measure!  I'd measure everything in site with this hunk of measuring love.

My chair obsession contiues.  This orange is beautiful!  The left arm was slightly damaged but absolutely fixable.  And it  was only $5!  If only I could convince Sparky that we "need" it.

Need a nail or a screw?  They have all kinds!

One of my favorite moments.  Sink anyone?  So many ideas with all the colorful sinks.  Check out that green sink!  Natalie was eyeing the sink's faucet knobs I think.

They even have various tools.  This tile cutter could be used we or dry and was only $49.  I was eyeing it for Sparky because we are about to do a bathroom remodel.

It was a grand old time with you, ladies.  We should do this again in the near future.

Keep on Keepin on.

Someone Is Being Nosey

Keep on Keepin on.

Ruby's Comfort Zone

Scene from my home "office".  Ruby always finds comfort under furniture...yet she hated her crate when she was a puppy.

  Keep on Keepin on.

The "Right" Words

The last few days have been touched with sadness for people around me.  I'm am nowhere near the best person in the "comfort" department and I always feel like I NEVER have the right words to say when sad news is shared.  All I can ever really say is either "I am so sorry this happened to you" or something to the equivalent.  

Many of my work collegues are sad and heartbroken due to the unexpected death of another colleague.  I did not know this collegue very well but his story is sad regardless.  I am sad for those who are hurting right now but nothing I can say will make it better.

I just found out today that one of my newly pregnant girlfriends has lost her unborn baby.  No words can heal that kind of loss in my opinion.  There are no words.

Words may not help in the beginning.  I try my best to avoid cliche statements of supposed comfort and just let that person know if they need absolutely anything that I will do it.  Sometimes it can be so difficult to judge how someone handles and copes with their sadness so I normally do my best to not force them to talk if they don't seem comfortable. 

It does take time to overcome sadness but in both of the above situations, I feel like all people who are hurting right now are coping so well.  It seems that everyone is open and willing to communicate how they feel.  I think talking, remembering, and being hopeful for the future are great prescriptions for sadness. 

I may not have the "right" words.  I may not be able to fix the hurt.  All anyone can do is be there and be supportive however you can.

I hope all is well in all your homes. 

Keep on Keepin on.

Wedding Feature: Emmaline Bride

I'm so excited today, ya'll!  Sparky and I's wedding has been featured on a handmade wedding site.  The clever and amazing site is Emmaline Bride.  They have so many cute and genious DIY ideas that even I could probably accomplish them! 

I am in the process of posting more about our wedding, but you should definitely check out our feature here.

Music To Your Ears: Adele

This morning while doing the same old stuff, I got a trusty little music treat in my email.  One of my girlfriends sent me a link to listen to Adele's new album titled "21" located on NPR.  I'm an uber lover of all things NPR, so this little link was filled to the brim with excitement for me...I know...nerd alert much?  Anyway, I had to share with you all too.

Adele's new album "21" is a fun surprise.  Adele fan's created from her first album "19" are in for a very satisfying and dance in your seat musical experience.  The first song "Rolling In The Deep" kicks off the album perfectly with her sultry voice combined with a nice beat...can't complain a bit about that.

You can either listen to the album in its entirety (which I recommend) or you can listen to individual tracks.  The album is scheduled to be released in the US next week on February 22nd.  Happy listening!

You should definitely check out her tiny desk concert while you're at it...as well as other tiny desk concerts on NPR.



Keep on Keepin on.

Sneaky Peaky: BHLDN

Just because I've already had a wedding doesn't mean that I can't be uber in love with and crushing on BHLDN...Anthropoligie's  spin on weddings.  Swoon much?  I've joked...but I am kinda seriously considering buying a dress and taking photos or bridals in it.  Maybe on the one year anniversary?  perhaps.

How lucky are the bloggers from Green Wedding Shoes?  They were invited to see a private fashion show of the wedding line!  Lucky for us they have shared their exciting experience on their site.  You can check Sneak Peak 1 and Sneak Peak 2.

I have two definite top faves right now.  Oh, dear.

Get ready for Valentines Day by visiting BHLDN on their 1st day launch!

Keep on Keepin

Sneaky Peaky: January Wedding

Eeeeee!  I'm so excited to get our wedding photos back and our wedding video.  We haven't received them yet since it's only been about three weeks of wedded bliss; but I have recently seen a mock up of the video and a couple of pics.  They are going to be so incredibly amazing...at least in my opinion!  But I am definitely biased.  I leave you today with a little sneaky peaky...

Have a wonderful loving weekend!

Keep on Keepin on.

To Gush or Not To Gush

While I was begrudgingly getting myself dolled up for work this morning [ I say "begrudgingly" because I've happily been locked up in the house for the last couple of days with the hubby even though I've been having some chest congestion with the cough from hell.  Leaving wedded snowed-in bliss and returning to work with the cough from hell is just not my idea of something to add to my "favorite things" list.]  But, I digress...as usual.  Back to the point....as I was getting myself dolled up I told myself to not forget my memory card at home and to bring it with me to work so that I could quickly share some photos with you all...and I forgot. 

Sorry.

Sparky was hurrying me this morning so that we could ride to work together and in the midst of trying to get bundled up and saying good-bye for the day to my sweet babies, I forgot the dang picture holding angel. 

So, I promised more blogging.  I wanted so deperately to share photos becuase I strongly dislike sharing a blog with you all without a photo...or two, or three...at least.  I had this whole post planned in my head and it will just have to wait.  I then contemplated about what I should share...

tick
tock
tick
tock
the mouse ran up the clock

Why not post, obviously, about my recent nuptials?  Ok.  I could do that.  But how do I do that without giving it all away before all the amazing photos are available?  Then I remembered the #1, numero uber uno question I have consistently been asked since we got married a whopping 12 days ago...

How's married life?

hmmm.  My answers started out with the  automatic, "great!" or similar exclamation.  They slowly changed to, "well, it's only been a few days, it's the same so far"...and then I thought to myself "do people really expect you to say something along the lines of disappointing, or boring, or something just awful?? Of course not, dingy! - or so I hope.

Today, I'm asking myself this question.  "How's married life?"  I can't really give a legitimate wise answer here; and I know that's not what most people are expecting.  People really just want to know you're happy.  Pretty simple stuff there.  I could definitely gush over my husband and how incredible he is and how incredibly lucky I am that he loves me so much...because that's the absolute truth...but I am a realist at times too.

Sparky and I have been together for two years now.  We didn't grow up together, we didn't meet in college, heck, we didn't meet at our first job out of college either.  Our love story is different in many ways and not so different in many other ways as well...but it's our love story.  In the grandeur picture of life, we have not known each for long, but we've known each other long enough to know we want to spend the rest of our lives experiencing it together. 

Sparky and I knew pretty quickly that we were the perfect match for each other.  After four months of dating and being practically inseperable, we made the decision to move in together.  We started talking about marriage 6 months after that.  Prior to Sparky I had never seriously discussed marriage with any of my boyfriends.  Marriage was something that I never really was in a rush or hurry to experience.  I've always had a sense of independence and attitude that I can do it all on my own...which is probably why I never really get too close to people.  That's how I knew Sparky was the one.  I wanted to be close and I wanted to share and experience life together.  I didn't want to control it all the time and most importantly, I knew Sparky was someone I'd be able to learn from without feeling like I wasn't losing myself. 

How is married life?  My anwer is "I don't know"...ask me again in about 3 years or even 5 years and I MIGHT have an answer filled with some sort of wisdom.  As for today, I can tell you that I adore and love my Sparky.  I love every little perfection and every little imperfection.  I love his quirks and his quirkiness.  I love his sense of adventure and I love his maturity.  I love that when it's 0 degrees outside he will crawl under the house to get the frozen water pipes unfrozen.  I love how he loves our dogs.  I love his passion and his determination (which can also be categorized under "perfections" and "imperfections" depending on my mood).  I love how he will call around to find me soup when I'm not feeling well even though we both know that majority of OKC is shut down due to a blizzard.  I love his mind.  I love his loyalty.  I love that I don't fear that I will lose my independence with him.  I love how he loves me.  I love my husband.  Marriage is pretty good.  Then, again, our relationship always has been.  Not much has changed except that it's even better than before.

Keep on Keepin on.

P.S.  I guess I did end up gushing about my husband in the end!  I just couldn't help it.

Oh, Dear

Oh Dear, My Dears!  Well, it's been well over a month since I last posted a blog...and a lot has happened since that long lost day.  Our home has experienced Christmas, New Years, and a ...Wedding!  Yes, that's right.  Sparky and I had our small personal wedding this past January 22nd and we couldn't have been any more excited, pleased, happy, over-the-moon, and in love with our wedding decisions...and each other of course.

I have so many updates to share with you all that I barely know where to begin!  Prior to the wedding, there were many last minute updates to the house that were documented.  I have some how-to pics to share of some big projects and some smaller and fun projects as well.  I without a doubt have wedding mumbo jumbo to share and discuss with you all that those of you already married and those of you soon to be married will all be able to relate.

As of right now, I'm remembering the gorgeousness of this past Saturday in which temperatues reached well  into the 70's...while I currently look out my desk window at gloominess and am anticipating the blizzard coming in tonight.  Sparky and I have made our grocery trip and are prepared for a newlywed snowed-in day hopefully tomorrow.  We are crossing our fingers!  wink wink.

I can't wait to get back to a regular blog posting schedule and vamp up this blog with some new ideas I have bursting to be shared!

Keep on Keepin on.