summertime

It's here. Wanna know how I know? There's watermelon. And barbeque chicken. Mmm. 

I love summer. It tastes so good. 

Also, it's true, that sauce is boss. And hot, white hot (as long as we're using 80's adjectives meaning awesome).

m.i.a.

On Thursday husband got lasik for free, thank you Marine Corps. Which turned that smiling, spectacle-wearing guy into a red-eyed, vampire looking man (which might actually be a turn on for some Twilight lovin' ladies). Poor guy was also sick through it all as well. We spent a lot of time on the couch (snuggle time = best time) and watching Dexter on our new, flat screen television. The new television was an early anniversary gift to ourselves and could not have come at a better time seeing as we spent a lot of time in front of it as Dan recovered. Also, in between our Dexter/Buffy marathon I made a skirt out of an old dress that I loved and ruined. Gotta love elastic.

     

Every once in a while

They act like they like each other. So I had to take a picture to commemorate the moment. It's historic. That second one reminds me of this which makes sense because Houston thinks he's a god. 

Aaaand just because they are so cute: 

 

Yep, I love my cats. Weird, I know. 

messy eater

Sweater: Forever 21, Shorts: AE, Glasses: UO

I am going to live in these shorts this summer.

I used to hate shorts for a plethora of reasons but this humidity leads people to do crazy things. Like, drink sweet tea. Ride a bike in a bikini. Or, in my case, buy shorts. These ones are pretty hard not to like though. Ridiculously comfortable. 

Also, that shirt? I didn't start out wearing that. We went to Panera for lunch, I got the soup in a bread bowl, and when attempting to scrape some sourdough yumminess onto my spoon, "sploosh!" broccoli cheddar soup all over my shirt. I'm a class act. 

P.S. I got tired of waiting to change out Dan's glasses so I just bought a pair of my own. Best purchase ever.  

I could be a bond girl now.

This skirt came in the mail yesterday and I was so excited to wear it. I got dressed and upon showing my outfit to Daniel he responded: "It's got a kind of Indiana Jones chic thing going, huh?" 

What? Indiana Jones? Leave it to the boy. 

Well, I took that as a compliment because, who doesn't like Indiana Jones? Plus, we were going to the Aquarium and that's always an adventure, Indie would be proud. It was pretty cool. I love underwater creatures, they seem so foreign. It didn't take long, maybe an hour and we still had plenty of daytime left so we decided to go to the gun range. Yep, the gun range. Dan has two guns, a pistol and a rifle, and he's asked me a few times if I wanted to try out the pistol and each time I have been very wary to do it. I don't like guns, I don't like what they represent, and I don't like what they are capable of. That being said, I was not completely comfortable having a weapon in my house and not be able to operate it or at least disassemble it. 

So we went. And guys, I cried. Yep, I'm pathetic. 

You go in with ear plugs in because most likely people are already shooting but it doesn't completely muffle the sound. It's still very loud and very scary. It's completely safe but the closest I've ever been to a gun is through the television. It freaked me out. It was so loud. Dan offered to leave but, I mean, we had already paid and Herringtons Burkharts are winners. So I stayed. I even shot it a couple times. And I learned how to use it and take it apart. I probably won't go back but I definitely feel more comfortable having the gun in my house now that I know how it works. And that was the whole point. Glad that's over. ;)

p.s. Dan never keeps the gun loaded and/or assembled in the house and they are locked up at all times. He takes every precaution for safety. Also, he's a Marine so I figure it comes with the territory. 

a picture is worth one word.

Posted over here on the sister blog today. At least two of us are back ;)

Check it out. And have a fabulous weekend!

Why I love Pinterest

Because my fabulous friends (in this case Brandilyn) find amazing ideas and share them and then I steal the idea and feel much better about my home. I didn't do a before picture, partly because I forgot and partly because nobody wants to see the disaster that was our refrigerator. Disaster like hadn't cleaned it since we moved in disaster. Gross. I just shared that. Well this idea inspired me to get to work. And then magic happened. My refrigerator was clean and organized. That just happened. We need to go shopping, that fridge looks way too empty. 

collegiate

Because you aren't actually a college student until you own some collegiate apparel, right? Right. Plus it was on sale (still too much for a sweatshirt, but obviously that didn't phase me). It's funny, when I first got accepted at UNCW I wasn't that attached to the school. I applied because it's local and I just needed to finish my undergrad. After finishing my first semester I have grown really attached to the History program and the professors. The whole experience has been amazing. I'm one of those people who will probably have some attachment to my alma mater. Yep, the good ole days.

celebration

I got my final grades in the other day. Lowest grade? A-*

Needless to say we were pretty proud of my first semester at UNCW. So, Dan called yesterday while he was at work and said, "Let's go out to celebrate! Pick a restaurant." So, I scoured the internet for a little bit and realized that what I really wanted was a steak and a quiet evening at home. So, we grilled up my favorite red meat and enjoyed a yummy dinner over candlelight. And what celebration is complete without cheesecake? The correct answer is no celebration is complete without cheesecake. 

As for today, today I am being laze, like, still-in-my-pajamas-on-the-couch-watching-glee-episodes-online lazy. Soaking up my last couple days before my summer classes start. 

p.s. That bottle of wine is from a winery in our hometown. Just reppin' the Bay. 

*Who made up the rule that you get less points for an A-? It's a stupid rule. A rule that kept me from a 4.0 this semester. Rude. 

Jewelry

Remember that jewelry frame I made last week? Well, the insect pins came in the mail over the weekend. Finished project. A more organized Rachel.

Happy Campers

We almost didn't go. The forecast said major rain was coming this weekend and to be honest, I am not a hard-core camper. I am a set-up-your-tent-make-a-fire-and-eat-a-s'more camper. Rain does not sound appealing to my demographic. After a little convincing we ended up going and I am so glad we did. We had a blast. The lake was beautiful (I even got a little tan!), the food was great, and the company was fabulous. It did rain a little but it ended up being a bonding experience, so take that mother nature! And even after all that eating Dan and I still managed to work up an appetite for our favorite local burrito joint on the drive back to Wilmington. Weekend well spent. 

coralicious (p.s. I made this)

My sister Julia got me an amazing vintage skirt with chickens on it for my birthday years ago. It didn't really fit me then. It doesn't really fit me now. Vintage people were just so much skinnier than modern people. But I couldn't part with it. I just love the print -- it is too cute. So I kept it in the back of my closet pretending that some day I would create something out of it. Then I found this pattern (it's free!) and I decided that I would make that skirt out of the old skirt (there is more than enough material, the waist was just way too small). I printed out the pattern. And then got cold feet about cutting into my beloved skirt. So I went and got some bargain material to practice on and I totally did it! It took a while because I didn't always understand the directions -- thank God for google -- but it came out just wonderfully. I can't wait to make the chicken skirt too! Plus, now I know how to sew buttons AND buttonholes. There's no stopping me now!

p.s. that room is filled with camping stuff. we're going camping. we're not slobs. just wanted to make sure you knew. :)

this is why being in school is such an important part of my life

Because, if I didn't have school, I would spend all my time making things. Not that making things is bad, I mean, I am getting better at it. It's just, I don't have room for all the things that I would potentially make. I could see an episode of hoarders in my future if I didn't have school. Luckily, this project is completely useful. It was one of the projects from an online sewing class that I signed up for... last September. And, I'm back. With a caddy. Ta-da! For all my electronical charging devices. Perfect for travel, no?

p.s. I made this

The other day Dan picked up two handfuls of jewelry that had been lying in various places all over the house and said: "Here, I don't know where they go but they've been out here for about two weeks." The reason he didn't know where they went is because they didn't have a specific place to go. I usually just pile my jewelry on a shelf, waiting for the day when I would recreate the jewelry frame I found in a Real Simple issue... like a year ago. Well, now seemed like the perfect time to make it. The insect pins are on their way from Amazon but I couldn't resist putting up pictures! I kinda love it. Now all I need is a Greek bust. 

Wanna make your own? 

Here's what you need:

1 Foam Core board (I just got a presentation board from OfficeMax)

Velvet Fabric

A Frame (I used an 18x24)

Insect Pins (You can order them on Amazon)

Here's how I did it:

Cut your foam board to the size you need. I just used scissors -- it didn't look perfect but you are covering the thing, don't worry. Pull the fabric taut around the front of the board and secure in the back. I was going to staple the fabric onto the back but I couldn't find our stapler so instead I used duck tape (classy, no?) but can you tell? Neither can I. Remove the glass and cardboard from the frame and insert your velvet covered board. Place pins wherever and accessorize with your fabulous jewelry. And voila, you're done! Easy huh? Send me a link if you re-create it, I want to see!

sweet freedom. for seven days.

I had my last final of my first semester at UNCW! I also turned in my final draft of my research paper. Twenty-one pages, ladies and gentlemen. Oh. SO glad to be done with that. I remember when I was freaking out because I didn't even have a thesis for my paper and now it's finished. Complete. The end. I think I might treat myself with Chili's fries this evening. Not that I ever need a reason to indulge in Chili's fries.

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so.

I did it. I created an etsy account. I already had one to buy things. But, now, I have one to sell things. Here is my logic. I really want a new camera. Really bad. But we don't have money to throw around, you know? So I figured, maybe I should try selling some of my photography to see if I can raise some money for a camera. I'm not kidding guys, I am literally shaking. I'm kinda nervous. Like, who do I think I am to try to sell art? But, I did it. It's too late now. I put them up. No big deal. Check it out if you like, here is the link to my shop. That's all. 

i think about you more than i think i should

It's finals week. I can't believe the semester is already over; it has gone by so fast! It's actually perfect. See, last week Dan had his hell-week with a big case and tons of work, so I took care of most of the housework and cooking so he would be able to just work and relax in a calm, neat space. This week is my week and Monday morning Daniel said "Don't worry about doing anything, I'll take care of the dishes and food -- you just focus on your finals. And when you take a break, don't take a break and do the dishes. Actually take a break." Ha! I loved it. I do tend to "break" by tidying up. I don't know where I picked up that habit, my mom would be dumbfounded if she saw my cleaning anything voluntarily. Anyway, I love that Dan and I get to take care of each other when things are crazy. That's love. 

I'm on a roll

lo siento for the camera photo. I was being lazy. 

Today I turned that hawaiian-ish dress into a hawaiian-ish skirt. I got the dress at goodwill the other day for a hawaiian themed work party Dan has on Saturday. I was just planning on belting it, adding a sweater, and calling it good. But then, Dan didn't really like it. And, even with the belt, I still felt kinda frumpy. So, feeling very confident in my elastic abilities, I decided to turn it into a skirt. I was slightly nervous right before I cut into the dress but then I remembered I spent $4 on the thing and then snip snip snip. And voila, new skirt. Much better, right? Yeah, I think so too. 

p.s. I did this

Dan makes fun of me because I am not good at modeling. I pretty much do the same pose every time. Which is stand in front of the camera and smile.  But I really wanted to show off this skirt. I got it at goodwill about 2 months ago. It was super long, like mid-calf, so I attempted to blind hem it but gave up on that because I am still a novice on the sewing machine. I hemmed it the regular way the other week and just needed the occasion to wear it. I love it. And, while hemming might be the easiest thing to do, I did it. I hemmed this skirt. And it's cute. So, score.