Birthday Blessings

Yesterday was happy 25th to ME! :)

I'm not old at all. But as the years go by (heck, as the DAYS go by), I start to see the changes in myself that I never thought possible, nor ever entertained the idea of. I always thought I knew who I was, but the gal I am today is a far cry from the old-me.

Here are five of the most important things I've learned up until the ripe, young age of 25:

1. I can juggle many things in life, more than I thought I ever could - as long as I'm positive about it all.

2. Life has become much more fun ever since I just let go of my fears, insecurities, and negativity. Saying "yes" has lead to much more rewarding moments and greater memories than saying "no" ever did.

3. I am in control of who I let into my life. If I continue to let someone in even though they hurt me or are negative, then I shouldn't complain about them.

4. Sometimes you have to let go of someone you love. When you've given all you have to someone, and it's still not enough, you need to just let go. It will, by far, be one of the hardest things you ever will do in life, and the scars will always be there, but one day you will heal. And when you're healed, you're heart will finally be ready to love again, and the wait will be worth it.

5. Always be grateful for the small things in life. Doing so makes even the darkest of days bearable.


My birthday was seriously so amazing this year. To kick it off, I got a great package of gifts in the mail from my family, then some of my students sang "happy birthday" to me on Friday. I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers at work (also from the fam). Saturday (my actual birthday), I slept in until 11, skyped with my beautiful momma, relaxed around my apartment, went shopping, then got pampered at DryBar with Erin to go out for the night. My cousin Jim, his wife Erin, and my friends Lauren, Michael, Amanda and her boyfriend Carlos helped me ring in 25 years of life with dinner and a champagne bar afterwards. I got amazingly thoughtful presents and cards.

But the best gift I received was Sunday morning as I checked my mailbox (which I of course hadn't checked in almost 2 weeks...whoops!), and saw that I had a slew of birthday cards from family and friends from all over the country. I didn't even get through opening half of them before I started crying. The fact that so many people had taken time out of their busy lives to actually write a card and mail it meant the world to me.

After several really bad dates, I did start wondering when I would find "the one" or just any good guy. I started thinking "when will my life be complete?" But after an amazing 25th birthday surrounded by loved ones (in person and through cards), my mind has totally changed. When I got about half way through the cards, I cried happy tears because it hit me that my life already is complete. My family, my friends, a rewarding job, a place to call home, food on my table...oh the list could go on. I am so abundantly blessed. I don't think at 25 years old, many people today can say that. My life is good, and anything or anyone else that comes into my life is just an extra cherry on top!

Thank you to all for the birthday wishes, blessings, and love. I have a feeling this is going to be an amazingly wonderful year!

xoxo

Turning junk into beauty...on my own!

While I've been back in Illinois for the summer, I've been stock-piling up on things to get all crafty with! Summer is the perfect time for teachers to do things for themselves, and already a few weeks in, and I have the longest "to do" list I think I've ever made. But I'm excited for ALL of it! It also doesn't hurt that even though I'm almost 25 years old, I still have the talent of batting my eyelashes oh-so-perfectly at my dad, and he'll still fork over some cash for me to purchase my craft supplies. Shhh...don't tell him to read this blog entry ;)

So, I've collecting scraps, junk, knick-knacks, and just plain old crap - to turn into little gems of beauty :)

Here is my pile of shit-to-do:

Paint and distress large frame. Then paint a canvas to go inside.
Clean rust off of tin frame. Take mirror out and replace with chalk board.
Make fall wreath.
Create paper crafts from old books.
Bachelorette party games.
Frames for learning objectives for my classroom.
Sew my first quilt.
Sew a new maxi dress.

Yeah. I told you. Crap. But beautiful crap.

Stay on the look-out for blog entries of each project I do. I'll try and do tutorials for most of them!

xoxo

Pinterest Coveting

To say Pinterest is an obsession of mine, would be an understatement. So much on there to love. DIY ideas, inspiration for home decorating, tutorials on hair and nails, style, etc etc etc...L.O.V.E. love.

I've found some things recently that I'm coveting. And as soon as that summer school paycheck comes in...I might be splurging on some recent loves I found:

iPhone case and money/card holder...inspiration found here

Chanel lipstick "Coco Shine #56"...Pinterest inspiration found here

Striped maxi dress with a cut-out in the back. Super breezy and adorbs for summer. Pinterest inspiration found here

Herb cutters. This seriously would save me SO much time in the kitchen! I hate chopping. Pinterest inspiration found here

These shoes from Bebe. Obsessed. Pinterest inspiration found here

Frayed bikini - in teal. I would be outside every single day if I owned this. Every. Day. Pinterest inspiration found here

Debating getting my first tattoo. I love Infinity signs, and I'm always working on hope and a prayer, so I found this picture on Pinterest and have been debating going for it! ...Pinterest inspiration found here

Anyone else obsessing with Pinterest? Have you found anything I should be re-pinning? :)

xoxo