Oh, Heaven to Etsy.

Shockingly, I actually haven't spent a ton of time on Etsy. I fear I will waste too many hours, want everything I see, & spend too much money.

BUT.....

I received a gift certificate for Christmas. So waste, want, & spend I do.

Here are a few of the items I'm contemplating:

A. Graphic print...perfect for Seattle.
B. iphone case....perfect for my phone.
C. Mouse pad...perfect for my desk.
D. Watch...perfect for my wrist.

Which is your favorite?

I also wanted to feature 2 specific Etsy shops.

1. Seagate Studio
My sister-in-law & mother-in-law are selling some very fun items! My personal favorite: hand warmers & coordinate pillows.

2. Oh so Antsy
This is a friend I met in Seattle (her boyfriend works with Mr. Fleece). Her jewelry is wonderful!

Valentine's Day is approaching-& I think these items would make for unique, creative, & fun gifts!

Shopping from my couch,

-SJW

Real Life Pinterest

I took pictures at my friend's baby shower this weekend. Check out her uber cute theme & decor.

Good food. Good mingling. Good prayer. Good gifts. Good time. 

Sometimes my friends are trendy. 

-SJW

It's totally acceptable.

It's totally acceptable to wear a springtime skirt & salmon colored pumps in the middle of winter. 

As long as you pair it with dark colors : ) Black top & navy tights. Wearing navy with black...

that's acceptable too.

Whatever you wear, wear it well!

-SJW

Bobby Pin Chagrin

Sometimes I misplace my bobby pins. & then I purchase 500. & then I misplace them....it's a viscous cycle.  Kind of like losing only one sock in the dryer.

Here are some alternative hair options I have to offer.

All kinds of tutorials can be found on Pinterest

Vera Napkins are my favorite 

Only one requires the use of a bobby pin...can you guess which one?

Oh, Hair.

-SJW

Themed Date Night

It was my week to plan date night. I really wanted it to succeed....so naturally, I added a theme : )
See below:

There were 3 chapters.

Introduction: Met Mr. Fleece outside of his building:

Chapter 1: Happy Hour at "The Bookstore Bar" Super chill vibe. I loved all the books around the room. Delicious burger & pulled pork sandwich!!

Chapter 2: Trip to The Seattle Public Library. It is very modern & neon & sleek. We browsed through some books, visited the red room (found "my name" on one of the walls), & went up 5 or so escalators!

Chapter 3: Read at home. Our friends gave us the book "What did you Expect?" when we first got married. So far we've read that we need God's grace, wisdom, and scripture to live out our marriage well. 

Epilogue: We watched this little clip for old times sake (& to complete the theme!). We were both in this musical our senior year : )

Happy reading.

-SJW

PS All photos were taken with my NEW iphone!

Better than Martha Stewart

Mr. Fleece's mother is wonderfully talented. If I were to make her resume, here's what I'd share:

She cooks:

Beef bourguignon!

She collects:

She counted 50+ collections in her house!

She crafts:

She made this entire structure to showcase their family trips!

She decorates:

She paints:

She stamps:

She sews:

She made all the pillows & the slipcover!!!

She makes signs:

She makes jewelry:

Fun words stamped into pennies!

She makes cards:

I love the giraffe!

2 things I specifically want to copy her in:

1. The collecting & displaying of pins. I think this is a unique way to display vacations, trips, activities, & achievements. Plus pins are small & inexpensive. Imagine having this many mugs or shot glasses...pins are a smarter souvenir : )


2. Diligently taking pictures & categorizing them by year, family member, or vacation. I want to start & do one for Mr. Fleece's & my first year of marriage : )

Aside from her skills & creativity, she's also sweet & kind. Plus she knows how to raise great children : ) 

I'm glad to have her as my mother-in-law. 

-SJW

Calendar Catch-up

Happy Happy New Year. Two Thousand Thirteen.

Mr. Fleece & I had a great Christmas in Texas. We stayed with both of our parents & enjoyed our first married Christmas. Here's a taste of our agenda: play Rummikub (an awesome game), open presents, eat 100 cookies, see Les Mis, hike, meet up with best friends, indulge in a bunch of home-cooked meals, enjoy family.

 Mr. Fleece & I had a superb New Year's Eve in Seattle. We helped host a Progressive Dinner. Party started at 5:30 & went till midnight. 3 houses & 3 courses led to 1 sleepy couple.

Mr. Fleece & I had a fantastic New Year's Day in Snoqualmie. We went skiing with two of our friends & didn't break any bones : ) This may have to become a new tradition...

& since it's the trendy thing to do...here are my non-dieting/non-exercising/non-vague New Years Resolutions:

- Learn to ski (check!)
- Learn some basic graphic design skills (for cards/invitations/& blog)
- Read through The Chronicles of Narnia
- Interview at least 10 people
- Take more mini-vacations (Vancouver, Boise, Whidbey Island, San Juan Islands, Oregon Coast, Leavenworth, The Tulip Festival)
-Make a wedding book album/coffee table book
-Stick to a budget
-Grow my hair out : )

Bring on the graphic design knowledge because I definitely did this is word. 

Raising my mimosa to new calendars,

-SJW