Show Us Your Life: What Do You Make

Over at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing what we make. I have tried a lot of hobbies in my day: scrapbooking, cross stitch, jewelry making, card making, but sewing has probably been the only hobby that I have kept with over the last decade.

I first started out making curtains and pillows for my home. These are my dining room curtains, and it was my first sewing project. I just love sage green and toile, so what a great combination for me. I have had these curtains for like 10 years, and I don't know if I'll ever get rid of them.

I then started making table centerpieces for my dining room table. I actually got this pattern from my Grandmother. She told me it was the only pattern for this she had, and to be very careful when I copied it. It was fun to have something passed down from my Grandma.

I am now into making bags, and totally love Amy Butler designs and fabrics.

I have also gotten into making scarfs, and am hoping someday to make a dress. My mom keeps trying to convience me to start with a skirt, she said it was much easier.

My goal this year is to also try and make a quilt, but I am still looking for the perfect pattern to start. I also need a couple of weekends with some downtime to actually get started on it.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what I make. For more projects, check out my Sewing/Craft Projects tab above.

Show Us Your Life: My Alma Mater

This week over at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing our alma maters. I actually attended 2 colleges and have 3 degrees.

The first college I attended was a 2 year technical school in my hometown called Muskingum Area Technical College (MATC), although a few years ago the college changed the name to Zane State. Because I was in the top 20% of my class, I got a scholarship and got my Associate's Degree in Marketing Management for free. I figured it was a good opportunity to get my college paid for, and I wasn't crazy about moving away from my family, so it was a win-win situation for me at the time.

Source

This is the best pic I could find of the campus. MATC

shared campus with the Ohio University Zanesville branch

After I graduated with my Associate's Degree, I knew the next step was to get my bachelor's degree. At the time I was dating this guy (who I ended up marrying, and then divorcing), who lived in the big city -- Columbus, Ohio. We had been dating about a year, and I was ready to move closer since we had been doing the long-distance thing for about a year. I came across Franklin University and actually found out that this girl who's mother knew my dad was going there, and she was looking for a roommate. She had actually just gotten a job at Franklin as well, and they were paying for her college. I totally applied for a job, and ended up getting a job and accepted to be a student within a few weeks of each other.

Source

This is a picture of the courtyard and the clocktower at

Franklin University, which was the main icon for the University.

I worked at Franklin University for 6 years in the Marketing Department and started out as the Assistant to the department, then after graduation became a Marketing Coordinator, and then a Print Buyer. Also during this time I got my Bachelor's degree in Marketing and my MBA.

Franklin University is a non-traditional college. The students there are typically adult students who work during the day, and then either take evening classes or online classes. I worked full time, and then went to school about 2 nights a week. I loved that they had accelerated classes (which we half a term) so I was able to take 4 classes a term, but only had to go to class 2 nights a week (all classes were 4 hour classes, 1 night a week).

Me at graduation for my MBA

I am a little bummed I didn't get the traditional college experience of living in dorms and waking up at the crack of dawn for a lecture class, but it was right for me at the time, and I saved a ton of money because bascially I got my undergrad paid for by working there, and then half of my graduate degree paid for. In the long run it was probably for the best, and Franklin is a pretty credible school, especially in Ohio.

Show Us Your Life -- Hair and Beauty Tips

This week over at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing our hair and beauty tips. I am not a huge beauty guru, but I do have a few tips I can share.

1. Wash your hair every other day:
This is not for everyone, especially if you have an oily scalp, but if you have normal to dry hair, it's best to try and wash it every other day, especially in the winter. It takes a little bit of time for your scalp/hair to get used to washing it every other day, so I started by not washing it one day on the weekend. Then I would try not washing it on a weekend day, and then another day during the week. Now I only wash my hair every other day, and its just normal routine. A couple of times when it is really dry, I can go 2 days, but usually that is on the weekend if I am not going anywhere important.

It's funny because I typically plan my hair washing on the days after I go to the gym. It's funny how I can plan my week around my hair washing schedule. The best thing about this is 1) it keeps your hair from drying out, 2) it helps your color last longer because you are not washing it out and 3) you can save money on shampoo and conditioner, which helps if you buy really expensive shampoo and conditioner.

2. Exfoliate and moisturize everytime you shower:
Do you ever get those little bumps on your arms and/or legs? I used to, and then I started using those loofahs with shower gel everytime I showered, and then immediatly moisturized after getting out of the shower. I love Bath & Body Works lotions, but they are not moisturizing enough, so I mix them with the generic brand version of Vaseline Intensive Care lotion and slather that on after every shower. I have been doing this no lie for about 10 years, and I haven't had those bumps since. I totally swear by it!

3. I would love to say drink lots of water and get lots of sleep, but I totally can't follow my own advice on this one, but it really is the best for you. Oh, and eat lots of fruits and veggies!! Ha!

Some of the products I love are:

I have been using this stuff for a couple of years now, and I totally swear by it. If I do not use this, my t-zone area is like an oil slick. But even on the hotest days, this will keep my face pretty matte. It also helps to keep my breakouts to a minimum because it controls the oil (which is the biggest cause, besides hormones for my breakouts).

Although I do have a pretty oily t-zone, the rest of my face is really dry, especially in the winter. I slather this all over my face day and night (even my t-zone) in the winter, and I typically use the Dramatically Different Moisturing Gel (by Clinique) in the summer months when the humidity gets out of control.

I just started using this about a month ago, and so far I like it. I have a huge problem with my ends getting frizzy and they always seem to have split ends. The last time I got my hair cut/colored, I mentioned this to my stylist, and she suggested I try this stuff. It's about $20, which is a bit much considering the bottle isn't that big, but you only use a pea size amount (if that), so it is going to last me a while. I put this on my ends only after I dry my hair, and then I go over my ends again with a blow dryer and round brush, because the product kind of wets my hair a little. So far I am liking it, but we will see how my ends get in another month or two.

I am seriously obsessed with OPI nail polish. Its the only polish I use. It seems to last longer than many other polishes (especially drug store brands), and I just love the funky colors and the names. I totally need a new nail polish for spring, so if you have any suggestions let me know.

Any amazing products you would like to share? I am always looking for beauty/hair advice. Especially for my nails which always seem to be breaking/splitting.

Show Us Your Life -- Bathrooms

I haven't been very good at posting these last couple of weeks due to traveling for work, but since I am back in town for the next couple of weeks, thought I would kick things off again by sharing another "Show Us Your Life."

This week we are sharing our bathrooms. I am lucky to have 2 full baths all to myself! The master bath gets used mostly for getting ready in the morning and for getting ready for bed at night. The guest bathtub rarely gets used, only when I have company.

Master Bath:

Here is the view from the master bedroom. My master bedroom is painted a sage green, and I wanted the bathroom to compliment it, so I painted the bathroom a light yellow, and I have sage green towels and a sage green bathmat which ties nicely with the bedroom.

Here is the view of the vanity/sink area.

Guest Bath:

I love this dark blue color, and think the white towels and shower curtain really pops! The towels and shower curtain are that white waffle pattern, which reminds me of a fancy hotel room.

This room also houses my washer and dryer which is located in a closet opposite the sink (right behind the door).

Right now my guest bath is decorated for fall. I just love the yellows and oranges against the blue walls.

My mom bought me this picture for my first apartment (a very long time ago), and I still love it today. In case you can't read it, it says "There is a 'Hare' in the tub."

Thanks for stopping by my home. Hope you enjoyed!



Show Us Your Life -- Kitchen

This week on Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life we are sharing our Kitchens. Kitchens are one of my favorite parts of a home. Also, one of my favorite things to shop for are kitchen gadgets and stuff. Last night my boyfriend and I went into Crate and Barrel, and spent some time going through all of the fun kitchen gadgets and mixes and stuff. I am really starting to love to cook, so my kitchen gadgets are starting to really get a good use, so I can justify all of my shopping now (ha!).

So here is my kitchen. It is very small, and someday I would love to have a big open kitchen with an island my family can sit around. I do love how bright and cheery it is.

This is the view into my kitchen from the dining room (which I shared last week). The baby gate is not for a baby/child, but to keep my pup out of the kitchen. She likes to get into the fridge, and also the trash (which I keep under the sink). It's not totally fool proof, she does sometimes managed to get in there, but it does help for the most part.

My color scheme as you can tell is bright colors of green, yellow and orange. My wall color is a med brown, and my main living areas (living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway) are painted this color.

I love aprons, and have started collecting them (my big collection of 2!). The pink one is from Williams Sonoma, and the blue/brown is one that I made a few months ago.

Here is the view into the kitchen from the living room. I love having plants all round my home, and these 2 little flower pots (from Crate & Barrel) were just so bright and fun, I had to add them to my breakfast bar. The plant on the far right is my basil plant. I had it outside, but it started to cool off overnight, so I finally brought it inside. The little pumpkin is from Bath & Body Works from a few years ago, and it used to have a little candle in it.

My couch actually backs up to my breakfast bar, so I really don't get to use it much for that purpose. My girlfriends and I have had some fun times standing around the breakfast bar, chatting, eating appetizers and drinking wine while I am preparing dinner.

The platter in the corner is also from Crate & Barrel. I love to show off seasonal platters on that stand in the corner. The baskets on top of the cabinet are Longaberger baskets. The Longaberger plant is not too far from where I live, and actually a lot of people from my hometown actually work there, so it's probably a much bigger deal around here than in other places. Most of these baskets I actually got as gifts. I am not a big collector, but I do like to display the ones I have.

This is a view of the other side of the kitchen. The fruit stand is also from Crate & Barrel (love that store) and the wine rack is something I got from my Grandma. She was going to sell it at our family garage sale, and it didn't sell, so I ended up with it. Some of the wines are from my trip to the Biltmore Estate.

The little cleaning caddy is also a favorite of mine. I got it at Target, and it holds Lavendar scented hand soap, dish soap and counter spray. Makes my kitchen smell sooo good!! The binders in the corner holds all of the recipes I have printed from online. The spice rack was made by my Grandfather for my first apartment, many years ago. I just love it!

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen! Hope you are having a great weekend!

Show Us Your Life -- Dining Rooms

This week's topic for Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner is Dining Rooms. My dining room is pretty small, and I honestly don't use it often for the purpose of "dining." Sometimes when my boyfriend comes over and I cook dinner, we will eat at the table, but this is mostly to keep the dog from bothering my boyfriend. I typically eat on the couch while watching tv. For the most part, I use my dining room table when I use my computer for work (I like to spread my papers all over the table and floor), and for when I use my sewing machine.

This is looking into the dining room from the living room. You can't really see the print I have hanging, but it is a really cute watercolor print that I got from Garden Ridge about 12 years ago or so. I have loved it ever since. Also, that little stool on the left is actually an ironing board/stool that my Grandfather made for me. I have never used it as an ironing board, but when I used to have a home phone on that wall (now only use cell phone), I used to sit on that stool and talk on the phone. I also have a message board/chalkboard on the wall next to the stool that I use to display pictures, and other little messages.

I have had this baker's rack since my first apartment. I actually have had the dining room table and chairs since my first apartment also. The baker's rack holds my cookbook collection, some baskets with odds and ends, and on the lower shelf is the dog's basket with toys and my shredder. The platter is the one I got in Savannah. I like to switch out my platters every so often, but I loved this one so much I have had it on display since my vacation in May!


Here is a closer view of the table. I got this cute fall table runner from Pier 1 last weekend. The iron pumpkins were from Pier 1 and I have had them for about 10 years or so. I made the curtains about 10 years ago or so also. It was one of my first sewing projects, and the fabric is a sage green toile. I just love toile!

Thanks for stopping by to see my home!

Show Us Your Life -- Master Bedrooms

This week over at Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life, we are sharing our Master Bedrooms.

This is the view walking into my bedroom, and this is pretty much where Abby hangs out for most of the day. I typically have a blanket that I put on the bed for her to lay on. It helps to keep the hair off of my bedspread and keeps me from having to wash it all the time. I typically end up replacing my bedspread about once a year, and this one I got at Target. I loved this purple color, and love the color combination of purple and green together. Also, as you can see, the little chest is Abby's little step up into the bed.

Here is another view of the bed, and yes Abby hasn't moved one bit!

This is my dresser and little sitting area. A lot of times I sit in this chair if I am talking on the phone, or sometimes to put my gym shoes on. Abby sometimes likes to sit in this chair and look out the window. I think it's kind of funny to see her sitting there, just hanging out.

This is a view of the door and the view into the little hallway that leads to the master bathroom. The little hallway has closets on either side of it. It kind of reminds me of the hallway closet Carrie had in SATC (although hers was much bigger!). Makes me feel like I am channeling her sometimes.

Stop by later this weekend for an update on my 30 Day Clothes Challenge. I am still going strong, so I'll be post this week's outfits soon!

Show Us Your Life -- Living Rooms

I am so excited that Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life is back. I totally didn't realize this until today, or else I would have participated sooner. This week we are showing our living rooms. I posted pics of my living room a while back, but wanted to share what it looks like as of this very moment (well after a little bit of straightening up...ha!).

I live in an apartment, so it's pretty small compared to a lot of living rooms on here, but it is a pretty decent sized living room for apartments.

This is the love seat, coffee table and entertainment center (which my boyfriend thinks is huge, but I love being able to display the things I love). Wish I had a slightly bigger tv, but I will someday! The lamps I got at Pier 1. I think they add a little modern to my traditional style with their silver curvy bases. Plus I loved the red lamp shades...which is why I bought them.

This is the sofa, and a peak into the kitchen (which I assume will be another week). I got the pillows at Marshalls. They are down-filled pillows, and I got them both for $20 total! You can also see the beginnings of my photo collage on the wall. I just started that project this weekend. I am not sure what other photos I will include, but so far at the top are handprints of my niece and nephew, photos of my 2 nieces and 1 nephew, and then a pic of my boyfriend and I and a pic of my pup Abby.

This is my fireplace wall. I just loving having a fireplace, but I have never used it! I just like decorating a mantal. The little mini-stove is an electric heater. I do use that a lot in the winter, but I am not sure how to build a fire, and my boyfriend and dad don't want me trying, so it just looks pretty!

This is a DVD cabinet that my Grandfather built for me when I had my first home. As you can see, it's pretty filled up! I love having pictures of my family around. The pic on the left is of me and my boyfriend and the one on the right is of my entire family (including Grandparents!). This was taken at my niece's baptism at the church. I am so grateful that we could all get together for a picture.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed my home. I haven't had a chance to decorate for Fall yet, so I'll have to post an update once I get around to that (hopefully before Fall is over!)

Show Us Your Life - Share Your Testimony

This week’s Show Us Your Life over at Kelly’s Korner is Share Your Testimony.

This is something I have wanted to discuss for some time, but it’s hard to share your problems with everyone on the Internet. But at the same time, you never know who might benefit from hearing what you have to say.

For some time I have struggled with the path my life has taken. At this time in my life, I expected I would be living in my dream home, married with kids, with a career that had really taken off. I felt that overall I was a good person, l went to school for my bachelor and master’s degree, I followed the law, paid my bills on time and did everything a good citizen should do. Although I don’t go to church on a regular basis, I believe in God and try my best to be a good Christian.

So why am I in my early-thirties, divorced, living in an apartment, with no kids, in a job where people who are 3 and 4 years younger than me are in positions above me? I heard a fellow blogger a few weeks ago mention “I plan and God laughs.” I thought how true is that?!?

I am a very analytical, left brain, OCD type person. I typically believe that if you do ABC, then XYZ will happen. For example, I go to school, get my masters, work really hard and a dream job should magically appear. Anyone else feel that way? I can control my destiny, I can control everything, or at least I wish I could.

I looked up online where “Man plans, God laughs” comes from and it is actually a Yiddish proverb “Mentsch tracht, Gott lacht”

I then also found a bible verse, which I felt totally relates to this: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

We try to control our destiny, whether with good or bad intentions, but no matter what, God is really in charge of our destiny. He has a plan for each of us, and although we may not agree with the path our life is taking, God knows what is good for us, and in the end, he will make sure the what will happen is in our best interest.

I recently purchased the book Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would by Pete Wilson. I haven’t had a chance to read it, but I have heard great things about this book which focuses on when your plans (Plan A) doesn’t happen, why God’s plans (Plan B) probably will work out even better than your original plans. Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? I can’t wait to read it and will be sure to share my thoughts.

It’s taken me a while to realize all of this, and to be honest, every day it’s a struggle to remember God’s plan for me. I keep reminding myself, I am now in a better relationship than I was in before, I recently got promoted and feel that even though I had some road blocks with my career, it is now back on track, and it is probably a good thing I didn’t have kids in my first marriage, because how awful would it be for my kids to deal with a broken marriage. My day will come, and all of my dreams will be fulfilled, I just need to practice having patience (yet again another trait I struggle with).

Thanks for hearing me ramble. Sometimes it helps to just get it all out. Also, I have had the opportunity to help a few women who have come in my life deal with the emotions and questions that come with going through a divorce, so if anyone ever wants to chat, I am totally open to that. Just feel free to leave me a comment with your email.

Show Us Your Life -- China Pattern

This week's Show Us Your Life, over at Kelly's Korner, is show us your china pattern. Mine is Brookhollow by Noritake. I just loved all of the flowers and it kind of reminded me of my mother's pattern which also has flowers on it. I was really into the princess/whimsical theme at the time (I was 22 years old), so I think this really reflects my personality at that time.

I would like to get a more sophisticated pattern, and since that marriage didn't work out, I have the chance to get even more china right!! But in all reality, my family was really generous, and I ended up with 10 place settings of my china.

I haven't used it in a couple of years, but would someday like to get a nice china cabinet to display it. Right now it is in Rubbermaid bins in the back of my closet, but I keep thinking I need to get it out sometime and just use it just for the fun of it! Maybe make a nice dinner for my girlfriends and set a fancy table. Or possibly even have a tea party, well and adult tea party!!

Show Us Your Life -- How We Met

My boyfriend and I have been dating for about 10 months. It's crazy because it doesn't feel that long. Anway, we actually met through online dating. We both hate to admit it though. But as you get older it gets harder and harder to meet good quality men (especially when you are working all the time!).

So around the first part of June I had decided to give online dating just one more try. I had been doing the online dating thing for about 9 months, and I had gone out on a ton of dates, but just never clicked with anyone. For some reason I just kept finding things wrong with every guy I went out with. Part of me was worrying that I might have some type of commitment issue going on, and because of my ex, that wouldn't suprise me.

Anyway, so I decided to give it one more try for one more month and then see what happens. If I didn't meet anyone, then I was going to take some time off (online dating is actually a lot of work!) So I was searching for potential guys, and I came across this guy that was kind of cute. I think I "winked" at him, and then just went on. I don't normally like to make the first move with guys, but the "wink" option is a great way to let a guy know you are interested, and then they can make the first move by emailing you. He emailed me back a few days later, and we instantly hit it off.

It's interesting because we found out in the first couple of emails that his hometown is like 30 mins from my hometown. And then we found out that we both used to work at the same grocery store (in the same town!). He worked there until the Spring of 1995, and I started working there in the Fall of 1995, so we just missed each other by 6 months! We always say, wonder what would have happened if we met each other back then. We could have been together for 15 years!! (Ok wow, now I feel kind of old...ha!)

Anyway, so on June 17, we went on our first date to PF Changs. I remember watching him walk through the door and thinking, wow he is even cuter in person! We both had great conversation over dinner, and then after dinner he asked me if I wanted to go somewhere and get a drink. Of course I didn't want the date to end, so we went and had a drink at Adobe Gillas. We left around 10 pm, and he walked me to my car and told me he had a great time and then gave me a hug.

Of course I worried will he call me, but he did call me the next day, and I think we have spoken on the phone almost every day since then (there have only been a few times that we haven't spoken, but we typically at least leave each other voicemails if we can't get a hold of each other (usually due to traveling).

For our second date (if you can call it that), I actually went to one of his hockey games. I kept thinking to myself, I hardly know this guy, why am I going to his game, but I did and thought it was kind of cool.

I am so excited because we are going on our first vacation together beginning next weekend. We don't spend a ton of time together (usually because of my busy work schedule...we see each other a couple of times a week though), so it should be interesting to spend an entire week together! Wish us luck!!

Show Us Your Life: Life of an Advertising Account Executive

This week's Show Us Your Life, over at Kelly's Korner, is to share your typical day. I am an Account Executive at an advertising agency, and every day can be different, but my typical day is:

7 am (or sometimes 7:15 am) -- wake up, shower

7:30 am -- let out dog, eat breakfast, finish getting ready

8:15 - 8:30 am -- leave for work

8:45 - 9 am -- arrive at work

9:15 am -- tea time with my friend Jenny (this is aka therapy or gossip time)

9:30 - Noon -- meetings, client calls, emails, processing paperwork, giving my team direction, reviewing layouts/copy documents, etc.

Noon -- my friend Jenny and I head to the kitchen to heat up our frozen meals

12:15 - 1:15 pm -- eat lunch, read blogs/personal emails, Facebook or sometimes Jenny and I quickly eat our meals and take a trip to Target for some retail therapy

1:15 - 6'ish -- more meetings, emails, paperwork, sometimes we get out of the office for a client presentation

3 pm – sometimes Jenny and I need a hot chocolate break (aka more therapy/gossip time, especially if it has been a really difficult day)

I typically get to leave around 6 or 6:30 pm (although this last week it was more like 7 or 8 pm!!). Typically my evening schedule is:

Mondays -- watch my boyfriend play hockey, or sometimes I go to my Latin Fusion class at the gym

Tuesdays -- gym date with my boyfriend

Wednesday -- date night with my boyfriend

Thursday -- kickboxing class at the gym

Friday -- grocery and sometimes my boyfriend comes over and we hang out and get caught up on tv shows on my DVR

I try to start getting ready for bed around 10:30 or 11 pm. Many times I'll take a hot bubble bath and then curl up in bed with my beagle and read for a bit before I turn out the lights.

That's pretty much my life during the week. Nothing too crazy, just a lot of working. I'll have to do another post sometime on fun on the weekends!

Show Us Your Life -- Collections

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner has a weekly Show Us Your Life every Friday. This week's it's all about collections.

Now I don't have anything major that I collect such as antiques, or Barbies, or anything like that, but over the last few years I have found that I have an obession with collecting recipes. It's funny because I am not that great at cooking, much better at baking, but I get obsessed with cookbooks and other kitchen gadgets.

Lately I have been challenging myself to try at least one new recipe from my collection a week. Since I typically only cook for myself, even one recipe a week can lead to meals all week long. In addition to cooking a dinner item, sometimes I might try someting for breakfast or snacks/desserts as well. So far I have been doing pretty good, and am really enjoying it.

These are just a few of the cookbooks that I have collected.

Some of my favorites include:

Giada's Kitchen -- love her! And I watch her show every week! And some of her recipes can be very simple, even though the dish looks like it can be complex.

Hungry Girl 200 under 200 -- these are such simple recipes and not bad on fat and calories. There are a lot of ingredients that you may not typically have on hand that you need such as splenda, egg beaters, vita tops, etc. Other than that, everything I have tried has been pretty good.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks -- I ordered this off of amazon and recieved it this week. I am really excited to try some of these recipes.

Giada at Home -- I have this on pre-order, so I can't wait to get it!! Did I mention that I love her!!

In addition to cookbooks, I have been collecting recipes online for a couple of years now and my collection is getting rather large. I have put together some binders (I am now at 2) to organize all of my recipes.

This is just one of my binders, and you can read more about my recipe binders here.

Does anyone have any cookbook recommendations or favorite websites to find recipes? I am always looking to add to my collection.