its so dang hot. milk was a bad choice.

The trees are changing! Well, some of them are. And I didn't notice until I was editing this picture. I'm oblivious to life sometimes, guys.
It might have something to do with the fact that the History building has been without A/C for the past three days and melting in class with sweat dripping down your face seems like something one would do in Summer, not Fall. 
However, we are not allowed to complain because, as my German History professor told us: 


"In Nazi occupied Poland, when the universities were closed down, the POlish students would meet in basements by candlelight for their education. What do you have to do for yours? Deal with some heat?" 


We shut up pretty quickly. What can you say to that?
First world* problems? 




*I think that term is technically wrong these days. Governments have stopped using the term 'third world' because it's slightly deragatory. They refer to nations as developed or underdeveloped. I think. I read it somewhere. Or a teacher told me. All valid sources I'm sure. 

today in my world

Mild Annoyances:

(because you always want the bad news first)

- It was hot and humid and I decided to wear boots and a sweater. AND the AC was off in my building. Mmmm. Sweaty feet. Yummy.

- I think I just got my first C on a test at UNCW. Which might actually be my first C on a test in College. It doesn't feel good. Definitely not as good as an A. 

- Cramps. They suck. 

Greatness:

- My best friend is pregnant! She is with child. She is going to be a mommy. And how ADORABLE is that announcement picture. TOO MUCH. I love you, Brandilyn!

- My hair is just about long enough to put in a high bun again. Woot!

- I get to hang out with some wonderful ladies tonight AND it includes ice cream. Win.

We're gonna chalk that up to a good day. 

(Still working on that focus thing haha)

dee-es-el-aar

I got a new camera!!!! (that deserved lots of exclamation points) Technically, bought it last week but it finally arrived yesterday. Nikon D3100. Pretty dang pleased with myself (I am going to be a famous photographer now, right? I think that provision came with my warranty). I couldn't stop playing with it last night. Dan was working and didn't seem to understand why being my model was more important than his defendant's sentence. The nerve of that man! Oh well, Houston sufficed.

Now, to figure out what this baby is capable of...

Hot. White Hot.

I think someday I'm going to get over looking at our wedding pictures. Someday. Maybe. 
I think its a combination of the photography (which was awesome) and the fact that I just love that day so much (despite the windshield factor). Marriage is more than a wedding, I fully believe that, but I just remember being so stressed out that morning (that dang wind!) but the minute I got to see that guy I was good to go. I think in my mind it went something like this, 
"Oh yea, where the plates go doesn't matter.* I get to spend the rest of my life with this guy."


This is by far my favorite picture of him on that day. 


Photo booth = best decision ever. 

*disclaimer: I was not a bridezilla. Ask any of my sisters. Up until the day of I was the most laid back wedding planner. I had a vague idea and generally went with most of the advice my trusted sisters and friends gave me. But that day, the huge gusts of wind threatening to ruin my table arrangements... ooh boy. And it did ruin my table arrangements, but that's okay because no one knew what they were supposed to look like anyway. 

carbs make the world happier.

{Interview}

I really liked this. I also agree, a world with no carbohydrates would be really sad!

hunter

I am so down for cooler weather (and low humidity) but just about the only reason I am pleased that the rain is here is because I have an excuse to wear my hunters (without receiving funny looks). 
Love them. 


p.s. I made that skirt. 

rain

That is what my face looked like when I walked out Morton Hall and had to quickly make the decision to wait it out or brave the torrential downpour and run to my next class. The classroom that is approximately half a mile away. Without an umbrella. 

I learned something about myself today. 
Turns out I am a scaredy- cat. 
Because here I am, sitting in Morton Hall. Not in class. 
The ONE day I don't lug my umbrella around with me is the one day Wilmington decides to make good on its promise of 50% chance of precipitation. 

"And then the skies opened up and God said, 'I hate you Alfalfa." 

I hate missing class. But apparently not as much as I hate walking around in drenched jeans. 

fall=boots

I have been waiting for this day for at least a month. 

Boots + Fall. 


Happy Girl. 

food.

I have been trying to eat healthier (you know, minimize the cheez-it intake increase the fruit intake -- I'll let you know how that works out) 

And in order to help my achieve this goal I bought myself a nifty little lunch box. And, yep, it's for kids. But it holds more than enough to get me through the school day. Which is awesome because I always get hungry during class and then sprint to the closest vending machine I can find. Which is as cost effective as it is nutritional and we all know the nutritional value of Strawberry Pop-Tarts is... not important. 

So, all this week I have been packing my little lunch in the morning and taking it to school in my little book bag. And yesterday, my professor was eyeing it. And I think a little coveting was happening. Lunch box envy. 

And I don't blame him. This guy makes personal little picnics on perfect days like these all the easier. 
I love when money feels well spent. 

bro hug.

Aaaand the reason we went to Georgia last weekened:

And the reason I told Dan he should wear his uniform to his best friend's Army graduation. 

Those pictures right there. 

ps. Dan hates the term "bro" like when I say, "you goin' on a bro-date?" He always rolls his eyes at me. And I chuckle to myself because I think I am so terribly funny. Deep down, I think he agrees. 

sister blog

My take on Simple. 

Sister's take on Simple.

For about forty-five minutes of the eight hour drive we took to Georgia this past weekend all you see is huge, colorful, mexican-themed billboards. And then finally, you reach the destination. Which seems like a mexican theme park. I pretty much belong there. Because I am mexican. Okay, 25% of me belongs there. And that is the 25% of me that I am listening to as I plan our trip to the land of sombrero rides and fish tacos.


Also, as I was writing this I thought of the maid in Clueless, 


"I not a mexican!"


"What was that about?"

Imma be a little ambitious today.

Its all wrinkly but you get the idea :)

 
 


Today's list of to-dos:

Go to school.

Make a skirt. 

Write an essay. 

Pack for Georgia. 

Yep, we are going to Georgia this weekend. One of Dan's best friends is graduating from Army training so we wanted to go and support him! And, I wanted to wear a cute black skirt to the ceremony. Unfortunately, I didn't have one. So I decided to make one. How Andie Walsh of me (name that movie). I really like it! It's not perfect -- nothing I make ever is -- but it totally works and is pretty much exactly what I imagined it would look like. 
I'm thinking I might do a little tutorial as to how I did it... It really wasn't that hard. If you are at all familiar with a sewing machine you can do it. It does take a zipper though... we'll see. Let me know if you are interested though, because I would probably do it even if only one person wants to see how its done (though, it might take me a little while to get it all accomplished). 
Anyway, off to Georgia tomorrow!

got my hair did.

Initial curls

Brushed out. 

Mmmm. Pinterest. A collision of all the best ideas. 

I've done a few of the pinterest inspirations around my house. Refrigerator cleaning, picture hanging, and now, hair! 

My hair is in this in between stage where it was super layered (I used to have a mullet of sorts, which I loved but then I moved away from my hair stylist and friend and no one out here could recreate well, lame) and now I am trying to grow it out. And, of course, the one time I want my hair to grow, it takes for-ev-er. 

Curling my hair has been the bane of my existence but I am always down to try a new technique. I tried the no-heat-sock-bun-on-top-of-your-head one but my hair is waaay to layered and short for that. Luckily, I found this other technique on pinterest, also no heat, that would work with layers. I think I even did a little fist pump upon stumbling across it. Here is the idea/pin: no-heat-curl. 

So, I tried it last night. The process took all of about 7 minutes. Slept in it, no complaints there. And, voila! It was super curly when I took it out but I brushed it out a little and it looks great! Also, I'll have to try harder next time to make sure the back under pieces done because I had to re-curl some of them. But, really? Easiest hairstyle ever. 
Now to See how long it lasts.

Online Sewing Class!

I am so happy to tell you that the online sewing class I am taking, that some have asked for in the past, is back up! They are offering the same course and there is no time limit. 27 Projects. Videos to help you get started. I have loved the experience. If you are a beginner and you want to learn more at your own pace, this is an awesome way!


Go check it out. Here is the link:
HomeEc


And here are a few of the things I have made with this class:

1. Napkins, 2. Gift Bag, 3. Grocery Tote, 4,5. Bunting Banner, 6,7. Roll-up Carry-all, 8,9. Shoe Organizer. 

I have seen my skills improve with every project I accomplish. Looking back at my first project, the napkins, to where I am now... Shoot, even just my confidence with the sewing machine has improved! 


Other projects I've been inspired to make because of my new found confidence:
Chicken Coop
Coral Skirt

p.s. i made this

I have been veeerrrry productive this Labor Day Weekend. And it isn't even over yet! 

I finally made this shoe organizer that was a part of the online sewing class I signed up for... last year. Needless to say, I've been taking my time. Sometimes finding the time to sew is impossible. 

For this particular project I had a pretty big incentive. 

My shoes sit in wicker baskets in an unorganized heap. Or rather, they sometimes sit in wicker baskets, usually they are all over our apartment. Strewn about in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, office, wherever I decided to kick them off. It drives Dan nuts. We were cleaning the house yesterday and by the time the living room was picked up there was a pile of about 6 pairs of shoes near the couch. 

Time to find a better system, no? 

So I did. 

And I like it. Burlap and blue gingham. I feel like Laura Ingalls. 

AND almost all of my shoes fit. Happy husband. 

military wife life

I may have pinned his bar on the wrong way and had to do it over. 

Dan got promoted to Captain! Which means he will no longer be referred to as "Lieutenant Dan" (insert Forrest Gump voice). 
Well, people could still call him that but they would be wrong. He's a Captain. 
He's already made me swear to refrain from standing on our chairs and shouting "Oh Captain, My Captain." Dead Poet's Society was one of our Hurricane Weekend Movies so it was still fresh in our minds. But, while he has made me swear to not refer to him as such, you have made no such oath. So, next time you see him go ahead and make him feel like Robin Williams. I think he'll enjoy it more than he knows. 


They ended up do the ceremony fairly early in the morning so I got to race over to Jacksonville to be there for the ceremony and pin him and then race back to Wilmington for class, which I was late for, but it was worth it. I'm pretty proud of him. 
The guy performing the ceremony, that's Dan's boss, he could not say enough good things about Daniel. The fact that, as a Lieutenant, he has had three acquittals was a pretty big deal. Apparently, guys who have been doing this for way longer never even attempt it. I mean, I know how amazing this guy is, but it's always nice to hear someone else thinks so, too. 


Congratulations, Daniel! I am so proud of you! 

oxfords

I wore oxfords and a long skirt today. 

I felt like Anne of Green Gables. 

Not really sure why. 
But I liked it.

Also, Dan got promoted today. More on that tomorrow.