Friday Faves

What a week. I know it's Monday. Do I care? Not really. I forgot about Friday faves on Friday and then on Saturday I went home. So blah. It's Friday faves now.

1. Basement Art Creations

Dad and I went to the EL Art Festival this weekend and we found my favorite artist, Lori of Basement Art Creations. I bought this lovely print of Captain America. My next purchase will definitely be the Hulk. Check out her Etsy shop here.

2. Time with the baby

Baby and I watched the Cat in the Hat. We got snuggles in and it made my day. Love this kid.

3. Walks with the Doggy

Dotty and I got some walkies in. Twas excellent.

4. Purple Llama

Just look at that and not smile. I dare you.

5. Thanks for describing my current mood, doggy.

Friday Faves

Oh what a wonderful week it has been. I wish I had a time machine and could go back and sprinkle this awesomeness all throughout those hard weeks I endured this semester. I just keep reminding myself the rough ride is over. Now I just have to go hard at everything that means something to me. This whole new attitude journey I began still hasn't come close to reaching the end but I try hard and it's fabulous weeks like these that help me.

1. Kate's Graduation Dinner

GVSU had graduation on Saturday and one of my very best friends walked and had dinner at Rockwell's Republic to celebrate. We drank amazing wine, took a million pictures, and had an all around fabulous evening. I had the salad of all salads. If you ever go there, get the pecan brie salad. It will change your life. The whole evening was so Kate: dresses, drinks, live music floating in from the bar, and the first amazing day after a week of flooding. I will miss her as she goes on to do grown up things but I am so completely proud of her and so honored I got to celebrate with her.

2. Time at Home

I spent Sunday and Monday at home with my family. Liam and I got play time, I went shopping with Jessica, and I grilled out with Padre. It was completely relaxing and totally what I needed after the hell semester. We even took Liam to see his great grandpa and he enjoyed running from the front door to the back door. He is a sweetie pie even if he did yell no at me over and over while kicking me to protest putting on his shoes. The toddler years don't last forever but I think that face makes up for the tantrum.

3. Fun Day with Joe

I spent Tuesday having a blast with my best friend. We played mini golf and despite my two hole-in-ones, I lost but a great time was still had and that will definitely happen again soon. We also fed some ducks and acted like ducks in the park. Sometimes, I don't understand why people let us out in public together. We topped off the day with some grilled shrimp and Iron Man. Exactly like summer should be.

4. Fro Yo with Shelby

Shelby and I explored Rosa Parks Circle in down town Grand Rapids and got frozen yogurt. I absolutely love Shelby because she is so different from everyone you've ever met. She likes what she likes and she is honest and she is funny. And Sweet Yo's is so good. I had mango fro yo with pecans, coconut, blackberries, and raspberries. Yum!

5. New Job!

I started at Family Video this week! I am so excited! It's a great place to work and I am looking forward to this new part of my life.

Spring Cleaning

Another post from my Spring Bucket List. As much fun as all the food and activities are, I put spring cleaning on my list for some motivation to get stuff done. I didn't actually clean my whole room. I limited my cleaning to the reorganization of my closet. With all the crafting I've been doing, the shelf in my closet became unruly. I'd been storing stuff I meant to up-cycle on my floor and I had already begun to clean out my wardrobe so it was getting a little out of hand. Here are the before pictures.

View from the door: All that stuff on the right is on the floor because I had literally no other place for it. The big blue bin is full of sorority shirts.

The cubes on the back wall were over flowing, particularly with purses and hoodies. As you can see, they also were home to all the beauty products that didn't fit on my shelf in the bathroom.

#shortpeopleproblems. I had just been tossing things up there because it had been so hard to get things off the shelf and put them back up in an orderly manner.

I began by clearing the shelf off and pulling everything out that was on the floor. Which gave me a tiny panic attack because it just made a big pile of stuff in my room that would all have to find a home before I could go to bed. Just look at the mess!

What you can't see is the pile that also took over my closet and how I was stuck in the closet while I attempted to reorganize.

I set my priority at the beginning: Crafting. I wanted all my crafting supplies organized in such a way that it would be easy to find what I was looking for. All those pretty patterned boxes and only one small box was dedicated to crafting. I knew I could consolidate my other boxes to make room for more crafty things. I ended up making all 6 pretty patterned boxes craft stuff along with a clear plastic tote for current projects so I wouldn't get down all 6 for one project.

All the sorority clothes and bag made it into the blue tote. The plastic bag just has plastic bags in it to use as garbage bags. The cubes got reorganized and the beauty supplies were consolidated down to just one shoe box and my box of samples.

All the stuff I use regularly got pulled to the front and everything else creates a secondary row at the back of the shelf. The big box of papers got sorted into two shoe boxes that have been labeled to make it easier.

The best part of this whole project? I can find what I need now and the whole thing cost me absolutely nothing. I didn't have to spend any money buying new organizational tools. I just rethought some stuff I already had and created a priority for the space. Perfect!

Fabric Covered Cork Boards

I have a problem. I love pictures so much that if I'm not careful, they will take over my room. I just love seeing the things that make me happy every day. And for the last 18 months, that has been my nephew. So obviously, I need pictures of him from every age all over my walls at all times. Well not all over. My OCD does apply to my walls so one wall is AST stuff, one wall is for my family and friends, and one has art I picked out from the arts & crafts festival in East Lansing. But anyways, the wall over my desk felt like it was missing something and I acquired some small square cork boards when we cleaned out the chapter room.  I didn't like the brown color so I decided to cover them with some leftover fabric from my stash. This project cost me NOTHING! Yay! So here's how they came together...

Seriously. Just cork boards, fabric, scissors, and a stapler. You might want some push pins to hold the fabric in place while you're folding and stapling it into place.

See my little push pins? So helpful when you're making sure the pattern stays the where you want it. Also, ironing it first and then adding creases as you go might help. That just sounded like a lot of work and I didn't want to drag my iron out.

Add some ribbons to the back if you like that look. I attached them with a little fabric glue and a couple of staples. I just wanted to make sure they wouldn't fall off my wall.

Aww they're cute! The green and black fabric is leftover from Grace and my failed attempt to make letters when she first joined. I really like that I get to look at it everyday and be reminded of those memories.The other fabric is just something I accumulated when my big graduated.

Now I realize the black frame isn't straight. I straightened it out before I took the picture but I'm pretty sure it hates me because it does that every time I straighten it. Also I just noticed one of the pics I put on my new cork board is also framed so I'll print something new to put up there. Oh well.

What do you think?! So cute right? Do you have any projects that you made from just stuff you had? It's the best when something like this comes together with no extra investments.

How To Clean Your Stove Top

Boys are kinda gross. Well, my house isn't much cleaner than a boy's but that's because I live with two girls who act like boys. So anyways, I was helping Joe clean his kitchen and this is what his stove looked like when I started.

Can you say ew? Yeah. Don't ask me what that brown goo in the middle is but it was very hard and scrubbing was getting me know where. I remembered that white vinegar is used for cleaning a lot so I poured some of that on and then I was like what the hell, I've seen pinterest posts use baking soda so I poured some of that on. Which was really fun by the way. And I let that sit for a few minutes. It didn't clean everything but it did make it easier to get most of it up. I have other plans to try other products because I'm determined to make it look like boys never touched it. It left the caked on stuff that is right around the burner but it got all the big stuff up. See?

The actual grey burners need to be cleaned and as you can see on the front left burner, there is still some caked on stuff but I have plans of attack with some harsher chemicals so I'll let you know how that goes!

Friday Faves

Well, this week has been a long one.

1. Haircut and Sister Love

Saturday, I went home and saw my lovely family. I got a haircut which was desperately needed and I got to love on my sister, also desperately needed. I miss having some Jessica in my life.

2. Little Man Haircut

Just look at that drool-y  little guy. Little man was so into his sucker. His haircut just made him look so much like a little man that I can't get over it.

3. Playtime

Is there anything more necessary in life that playtime with your nephew. I think not. We rocked on Tigger for a while and then Liam brought me his baby and had me hug his baby and then he hugged his baby. And then spiked it like a football. No one said 18 month olds are good at parenting. 

4. Best Friend

If it wasn't for Joe, I'd fall apart daily. 

5. AST!

Wednesday night, we had a recruitment workshop and then the spring break group got together to discuss details. I am just on an AST high this week.

If You Really Knew Me

It's my birthday! Woot woot! In honor of my awesomeness, I present this list of things you would know if you really knew me.

If you really knew me... you would know that I love teacup piggies! I really love a lot of animals but right now teacup piggies tops the list, followed closely by hippos. I want to own a teacup piggy one day. His name will be Franklin. We will be BFFs and his hobbies will include skeet shooting and snuggling. His dislikes will include bees and mean people... Don't judge me.

If you really knew me... you would know that would only buy skinny jeans if I thought that was socially acceptable. I own three pairs plus quite a few pairs of regular jeans but I only wear the skinny jeans if I can. Other jeans are for laundry day. Skinny jeans make me feel skinny. And they are an excuse to wear cute shoes since everyone can see your feet that are not covered in extra material from your pants.

If you really knew me... you would know I love my nephew more than the world itself. I don't think I have ever met another person who loves their nephew as much as I love mine. And that makes sense since we are BFFs and he is the coolest kid in the world. So if you have kids that aren't my Liam, I'm sorry you will forever be disappointed. Liam and I play lots of games like "Wiggle" and "Sit Ups" and "Nom the Fingers". Which are exactly what they sound like. And I don't think it's physically possible to be any happier than when Liam laughs because you nommed his fingers.

If you really knew me... you would know if I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life, I would totally choose shrimp pasta. You think you know what shrimp pasta is but you don't. Joe came up with the original recipe and I helped him perfect it. Only Joe makes it perfectly. It is garlic-y and cheese-y and delicious. Joe and I describe it as our first favorite food cooked in our second favorite food all over our third favorite food. It's awesomeness in your face hole. Hopefully, I will have a free day to post the recipe. It's on my list of potential blog posts, but every time I schedule it, I come up with another post that would work better for that time.

If you really knew me... you would know that I am currently working on myself. I am not overly happy about this change in my life because I feel guilty about spending any time focusing on my health and that is exactly why I am forcing myself to do this. You really only do live once and I am tired of rushing through life and settling for what life hands me so I'm taking some time to work on letting go and seeing the bigger picture. Being 22 might prove to be the most difficult age yet and I'm oddly at peace with that right now.

If you really knew me... you would know that I have self-diagnosed O.C.D. For example, I have perfect numbers that I stick to. If it's not a perfect number, I will be frustrated until I can make it a perfect number. I plan out each month's blog posts so I can ensure there is a multiple of ten. Again, don't judge me.

If you really knew me... you would know that I might be the most stubborn person like, ever. For real. When I argue, I even know I'm being unreasonable and I just keep barreling on. Sorry I'm not sorry?

If you really knew me... you would know that I have become really obsessed with my blog. If I have nothing to do, and sometimes when I actually do have things to do, I get on blogger and admire finished posts that haven't been published and scroll through the long lists of posts I'm working on. I am really really bored if I don't have a post to work on.

If you really knew me... you would know that if you are riding in my car and we see cows, I will make you say "cows" in a way that makes it sound like you would get out and frolic with the cows if you could but you know that I will drive away and leave you with the cows. And I do the same even though I'm the one driving. The only person who gets it is my sister. We're too cool for school.

If you really knew me... you would know that polar bears are "polaa beaaars" and fish are "feesh".

Friday Faves

Here we are again. The end of my third week blogging. I have to say I'm really enjoying it and I really love doing these Friday Faves because it gives me something to think about all week so I'm not saying the same thing over and over again.

1. Joe

He is always a fave in my life but this week he has definitely been the best. He helped me move into my new place. And by helped, I mean he carried all my stuff up two flights of stairs while I obsessively hung my clothes on hangers that are color coded. He really is the best friend I could ask for. And he drove me to my interview on Monday. And dealt with my nonsensical worries about not getting a job I am totally qualified for...

2. Subway!

That's right! I got a job. But not the one I was expecting... I ended up going to the wrong Subway for my interview. They asked me what my availability was and told me to come back after my interview with the right Subway. When I went back, they hired me on the spot! Awe yeah! And then, for the first time in my life I got to turn down a job when the first Subway called me back. And then also for the first time in my life, Biggby called me for an interview and I got to turn them down! It was so exciting! I started training this morning and I'm hoping everything goes well and I don't have to think about interviews and nonsense for a while.

3. Five Guys

Have you tried this place? You really need to. The best burger I've ever placed in my face. Except for Joe's. But still. And the Cajun fries? OMG! Get a regular order because I can't even imagine what a large order looks like. With the regular order they put a scoop of fries in a cup and then added an extra scoop to the bag! It was just so yummy. And at the Five Guys we went to, they had these crazy cool pop machines where you could get basically any flavor in any pop. I had raspberry sparkling water and Joe had raspberry Sprite. We are so looking forward to going back for his birthday!

4. My bed

Seriously. After 3 and half long months, we have been reunited. And I am so so so happy. I had forgotten how comfortable it is. I have missed having a big bed all to myself for so long. I have a feeling this will be one of my faves for a while. 

5. Picasa

Have you tried this software?! It helped me create my fall bucket list image that I will be sharing with you and it was so much easier than when I tried to do it in point. It was so exciting! It's the little things, people.

Friday Faves

So I've decided to at least have a post once a week and a great place to start is by sharing 5 favorite things on Fridays. It's really more about giving the week a positive spin and start the weekend right. So here we go...

1. My Vapur Bottle

If you haven't heard of these, you need to check them out. They were an absolute life saver at Cedar Point earlier this week (post to follow). They fold flat when they are empty and they have the caribiners so you can clip them to a belt loop. They are made from recycled materials, BPA free, and cost less energy to make and transport. AND they work with the Anti-Bottle Project to provide clean water around the world and get rid of disposable bottle as well as their own charity, Drops of Hope to provide aid to causes around the world. I can't say enough about how cool they are. Check out more here.

2. A nephew in Snoopy ears!

How sweet is this cutie? I couldn't stop laughing when my sister sent me a picture of my nephew in Snoopy ears! He doesn't even bother taking them off. 

3. Friends

So I know I'm behind the times on this one, but my friend introduced me to this show and I've been watching it non-stop. It is absolutely hilarious!

4. Grand Rapids

I can't wait to be back to my adopted home! Just 12 days until I move into my new place and only 24 days until I go back to class. I may be a nerd but I am so excited!

5. Scott Disick

I don't like the Kardashians but Scott Disick has got to be the funniest man alive. Every time I've had a sad moment this week, I just googled Scott Disick. If you ever want a laugh, he's the guy to do it.