Latest Etsy

I stumbled across Etsy a few years ago, and didn't quite trust or understand it. I understood that it was a site where individuals could sell homemade items. Be it things you've owned for a certain amount of time, or things you've created. You can find the specific criteria here. But now that I've educated myself about Etsy, and will soon be launching my own line of greeting/note cards, and invitations I've become somewhat obsessed with the idea of "Etsy."

During the wedding planning period, Etsy became a friend of mine. My fiance and I wanted our wedding to be "different." We wanted people to walk away saying, "I've never been to a wedding like yours. It was so unique." And luckily people are still telling us that. I did't buy tons and tons of things off Etsy, but I did buy quite a few items that I would like to share with you.

my photo

The first thing I purchased off Etsy was our cupcake toppers. I was immediately intrigued by these because I had never seen anything like it. Amie at Enamorweddings was always available and was able to produce every single detail of my dress, jewerly, hair, and even birdcage veil. It was truly amazing, and Amie is one talented lady. Right now the toppers are sitting in our basil pot, but hands down the best purchase I made for the wedding.

Have you stumbled across unique cake/cupcake toppers?

Andi*

September goals

I've been known to procrastinate every once and a while. Especially when it comes to things that scare me. The doctor scares me. No. It really scares me. Flying scares me. I've flown at least twenty times, but I haven't done it since 2006 and even the thought of it freaks me out. I am also aware that the only way I'll be able to conquer those fears is to just do it. And when it comes to procrastinating, if I make my priorities known say maybe in a public forum, then it helps me to be held accountable. Which is why at the beginning of every month I'll create a list of monthly goals.
One of my inspiration behind a monthly goal list was Elise.

I'll quickly touch on a few of my goals. I got married last month:) (I'll share pics soon), and I have tons of pictures that I want to make into a book. I love the site blurb, and finally have a reason to create a book with them...so excited! I am a graphic designer by trade, but currently work in the school system with special education students. It has its rewarding moments, but it's not what makes me happy. It's not what I was put on this earth to do. I am a creative person at heart, and creativity in the visual sense is what. Makes. Me. Happy. So I've finally decided to transfer all those ideas in my sketchbook to my Mac, and have a crack at Etsy. Keep me in your prayers ya'll:)


What things do you do to hold yourself responsible? What makes you stay on target? I would love to hear your suggestions...maybe I'll use one or two along the way:)

Andi*

Our Garden

So a few years ago, I got into the whole organic scene. I bought a lot of organic veggies and fruit, and I even created a organic garden bed in my mother's front yard. Unfortunately the garden bed only lasted a summer, but the veggies were awesome!

I've been able to keep up the gardening. Mostly flowers, but some vegetables. I think tomatoes are the easiest. It seems as though you see the fruit of your labor quickly when it comes to the tomato. And this year we have a big boy tomato pot, and cherry tomatoes in their own pot. About a month ago we picked a lovely large juicy red tomato from the garden, and haven't seen anything else since:( But our cherry tomatoes are thriving! We have them several times a week with our salads.

We also have watermelon, peppers, broccoli, and basil. Of the four we've picked one pepper, and have yet to see watermelon, and the broccoli. But we use the basil almost daily. Now I understand some of the veggies need to be in much much larger containers, but I think I'll just continue to give my love to the tomatoes...sorry other veggies. Maybe we can try it again next year:)


Andi*

Neighborhood Walk - Colors

I've fallen in love again-with my camera. I've been taking my camera on my walks while getting to know our new neighborhood. I feel like a photography student fresh in school, wanting to capture everything that might be worth framing. Of course the day I decide to go on this walk it is 85 degrees at 9am, and I'm sweating my you know what off. Usually my love accompanies me on these walks, but he clearly gets a little annoyed because I stop every 20 seconds to take a photo, and that slows us(him) down. So on this particular day I decided to walk alone. At my own pace. Loved it!

 Just wanted to remind you guys that I got this idea from Elise Check out her post on her photo walk-colors.

Andi*

Neighborhood Walk - Lines

I love our new neighborhood! Walkability was very important to us when looking for a place, so yesterday we walked to breakfast. I decided to pick a theme and to take pictures of everything related to that theme. I got this idea from elise joy's blog. So my theme for this walk was lines-vertical/horizontal lines.



my photos



My love became very frustrated with me after a while because I stopped every couple seconds to take a picture. BTW, I put the pics in Instagram because there filters make images look awesome. I love this activity because it makes you look at things differently, and it helps you to appreciate the beauty in things you wouldn't normally look twice at. If you've done this, or plan on doing it feel free to share your images:)

 

Andi

Yummy Cupcakes

Before we got engaged, one thing I was certain of was that we would have cupcakes instead of the traditional cake. I love love love cupcakes. Especially moist, can't only have one kind of cupcakes. For my birthday last year my love brought home four cupcakes from Abby Girl Sweets. Hands down the best cupcakes I've ever tasted. My soon to be sis-in-law and her boyfriend were also there, so we cut the cupcakes in half, so we all could try one of the flavors. We had red velvet, and cookies n' cream that comes with a cookie on top. OMG! Nothing should be allowed to taste that good.

The first item on my list after we got engaged was to book Abby Girl Sweets. We've tried several flavors since then, but since we're having 4-5 different flavors we wanted to make sure we tried most if not all before we settled on the final flavors. So yesterday after work I went downtown to pickup a few new flavors. Carrot Spice Cake, Vanilla Bean, and their signature Strawberry Delight. Carrot Spice Cake was amazing, definitely a winner, and Strawberry Delight was a favorite of my love's. Vanilla Bean was good, but it won't be at the wedding.

my photo

my photo

 And the winners are...Cookies n' Cream, Carrot Spice, Lemon-Licious, Strawberry Delight, and more Cookies n' Cream!

Getting Settled

We've been in our house for a little over a week, and have only had furniture in there for four days. It's really starting to feel like home:) There's not much to do around the house. We want to paint some rooms, add hardware to the kitchen cabinets. I've been planting tons, and my love has been staining several pieces around the house. Haven't been taking many pictures, but I wanted to share a couple with you.
 

my photos

Hopefully in a week or so when we start painting, and upholstering you'll come back by to see how our projects are coming along.

"Best Friends"

I've never been one to use the title "best friends." Growing up, I thought it was jive, and loved going against what was popular, so it gave me pleasure saying I didn't have "best friends."
I've also only kept a few friends in my circle, and obviously I considered them best friends, only I didn't use that title. But as I've gotten older, I use that word often. Maybe it's because my circle has decreased in size. Or maybe it's because I use it without thinking. Whatever the reason, I'm totally cool with the word now. I have several close friends, but my two closest friends I met in college. Sarah lives here in the city, and the other in North Carolina. But Sarah is moving in a couple days, and it just hit me today:( It made me really sad.  So we went to get sushi at Teak, as a last relaxing hurrah! I'm so happy she's doing what's best for her and her family, but it also made me reflect on my life.

my photo

my photo

After living in Chicago for almost 5 years, I thought I was only going to be home in Cincy for a year, 2 max. And almost five years later I'm still here:( I love that I met my husband to be here, and we're going to be starting our lives together in a couple months, but I really thought I would be living somewhere else:( And doing something that makes me happy. So I bought two books last week Creative, Inc. and The $100 Startup, that will hopefully get me out of this creative-less funk. I'll review them in a couple weeks.



I need to do something creative...:)

First Bridal Shower

A couple of weeks ago I had my first bridal shower! My future sister-in-law, and future aunt-in-law hosted it, and it was amazing! I brought along a few members of my family--my mom, grandmother, and two aunts.

I was really excited about the shower because of the fellowship, and the newness of my family meeting his family. Our parents met a while back, but that's about it. So this was kind of a big deal.

I woke up the morning of the shower with a stomach ache. An ache all too familiar. Since elementary school, on the first day of school I always had a stomach ache that was brought on because of nerves. But I think the older I've become, the aches now are anxiety pains. I couldn't eat breakfast, and kept conversation to a minimum while on the drive to the West Side. Once we got there I was fine, but it's so funny that I still, twenty years later have these uncontrollable stomach aches.

I'm not a huge fan of corny shower games, but my sis-in-law picked an awesome game. She asked JP questions and I had to answer them correctly-or the way I thought he would answer them. But before she asked me the questions, the guests had to guess how many they thought I would get right. If you know me, you know my memory isn't the best:( But in the end I got 4 right, lol. I really enjoyed that game.

I'm not one who loves being center of attention, but it's something you have to chalk up because you are the lady of the hour. Everyone who's there is there because they are an important part of your life, and will be until the end. My first bridal shower (I say first because I'm having another in July) made me realize how blessed I am. I'm becoming a part of an awesome loving family, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Btw, why didn't anyone tell me about tearing the ribbon??? I had no idea that when you tear ribbon that means you'll have 10 kids..say what!

Kentucky Derby

It's that time of the year again....Kentucky Derby time!

credit: times union

I've never been a huge fan of the races, well that was until I met my fiance' who is a lover of the sport. We're actually going to the track this evening to celebrate his father's birthday. I must remember to bring my camera because I will be doing more people watching, then betting. Side note, don't you love to people watch:)
I have also become a lot better at placing bets. I never bet more than $20. And I don't think I've ever won more than $10. But it's something fun to do every once and a while.




my photo


 I remember our first date consisted of going to many places in the Queen City, one being River Downs. I was so intimidated/humored  by the retired men smoking their cigars, and wearing their very short khaki shorts. Tube socks pulled higher than most:) makes me laugh just thinking about it.

My grandparents enjoyed going to the track, so I vaguely remember watching a few Derby races with my family. But I've also decided that I want my bridal shower to be a hat themed shower..so excited! I'm kind of more excited about the types of hats friends and family will be wearing then the gifts I'll be getting. I love watching the Derby because of the fashion. What girl doesn't. But it is a bit annoying of how mainstream it's become nowadays.

Will you be watching the derby, and do you have a favorite memory?

Andi

Week In The Life - Recap

I've mentioned before that this was my first Week In The Life, and I am definitely hooked! This project has help me to realized how blessed I am:) I mean I knew I was blessed before I started this, but the number of people that I come into contact on a daily basis. The amount of "stuff" I do during the day.

I forgot how much I love documenting my story through the lens. So I'm making a promise to myself to continue this adventure, and much much more!