Arts+Crafts

The perfect birthday gift is always a tough one. I either have wonderful inspiration or nada. My sweet JMU friend, Amanda, recently had a birthday and I discovered the perfect gift! Well, the perfect gift for us. I signed us up for a Crazed Card Making Class at Paper Source. It was a delightful two hours of experimenting with Paper Source Goodies and using a little bit of our creative mojo to make some handmade cards! We played with embossing, stamping, and even cut decorative paper lining for the envelopes. It was totally worth every penny to spend some much needed time with Amanda and end up with some cheery cards to send to others! At the end of class we all got a little discount coupon and I couldn't resist picking up a few extra things for the craft box. Here is a sampling of the newest craft box additions: envelope line template kit, and the birthday card making kit.
*picture courtsey of papersource.com

My Little Itty Bitty Apartment and the 42" TV That Lives There

This past July I made the big adult leap and rented a one-bedroom apartment for me, myself, and I. While I am still getting used to living on my own and the challenges that come with it, I absolutely LOVE it! I think I am blossoming in my own little space!
With it just being me, there has only been one person to pay all the bills, making things a little tight. So for the past two months I have gone without a TV, internet and cable. YIKES! Actually, it hasn't been too bad since the summer has been busy with travel and time spent outside. However, one little visitor was getting quite antsy living without the modern luxuries, especially with football season starting! S2H gave me a strict football opening deadline to get a TV or else his presence would be missed for the season! Well I barely made it but a HUGE TV was purchased this week and the boy is glowing with excitement! All 42" is now proudly displayed in my living room! I may not be too excited about football, but I am secretly excited to get back into Project Runway and all my guilty pleasure shows!

{S2H so excited for the new living room addition}

Read Along...

I love to read! And it is so much more fun to share good books (and good wine and treats) with a group. My friend, Angela, brought me along to her book club about a year ago and I am hooked! Book clubs are the best idea EVER! I always love hearing everyone's different perspectives and it makes you appreciate all different types of literature. This month we are reading The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Read along if you want and let me know what you think. I hope to start this weekend and give you an update! {see my side bar for past reads}

Night in Greensboro

My little sister, and best friend, started at UNC-Chapel Hill a few weeks ago. I was dying to see her in this new chapter of her life and made the decision to visit over the long Labor Day weekend! In an effort not to disturb her new party hopping schedule I decided to visit on Sunday & Monday. This actually ended up to be a bonus as I was able to have a quick visit with my newly engaged friend, Lo! Lo and I have known each other since 7th grade and it is so crazy to see her with the bling on her finger!
My soul mate, Nina, meet up with Lo and I in Greensboro and we spent a fabulous 24 hours getting mani/pedis, sharing a yummy dinner, discovering the most precious cupcake shop, sipping on wine spritzers and watching Project Runway. It was just what the doctor ordered! Here are a few pictures to document the day!

(Maxie B's Dessert Cafe, Nina & her Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcake)


(me, Nina & Lo)