DIY Projects

So I've had this dresser for 15 years

(I can't believe I'm old enough to say I've had anything for that long)

It was this unfinished wood dresser which still works great. I think it was partially stained once upon a time, but never finished.

I've been planning to paint it for months but hadn't decided on a color until recently, let alone had time to start said project.

Anyway,

I needed to feel crafty.

So I just did it.

Our 1 bedroom apartment was a disaster for about a week. The dresser was in the kitchen, and the kitchen was in the living room, and all our clothes were all over the floor. It was a bit ridiculous.

But, Thanks to some borrowed paint supplies, a Home Depot clearance sale on handles, and a lil' grease work-I'm quite impressed with how it turned out.

Check it out!

Before

And some sanding, 

Then some priming,

And one coat of paint,

A few action shots,

        

A final coat,

A few new handles and BAM!

We really love it. The picture really doesn't do it justice. I'm so happy with it!

We're thinking there will be more wood-painting projects for us in the future..

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day

I had it off.

Tay and I woke up fairly early for a nice hike at San Felasco Hammock State Preserve (a mouthful).

It was alright, definitely nothing like Washington beauty, but somewhat pretty in its own right.

Also to be noted. After deciding I needed a quick pee break prior to starting our hike, I chose to use the Port-o-potty nearby (the restrooms were "Out of order").

I would have rather peed in the bushes. Or not peed at all. Or have gotten a bladder infection.

Worst experience of my life. I left dry heaving, and puking in my mouth. True story.

...And I'm a nurse. So that should tell you how bad it was.

Annnnnnnd after our hike we did some neighborhood scoping. Pretty houses.

And THEN we ate Chinese food (first in Florida) and I picked up my handles for my awesome project to be discussed soon ; )

PS Don't mind my drunken sleep deprivation stare, and Tay's Harry Potter scars. I think I was switching from nights to days and Taylor got into some Softball incident and scratched himself.

We're quite the pair.

PPS We love our Vets!
Thank YOU for serving.

Halloooweeen!

This year Halloween was smack dab in the middle of the week/school/and work.

We played it pretty low-key, and I surprisingly had the evening off.

So, we went to Willy's for dinner. Did some window shopping. Target exploring. And relaxed.

It was a pleasant holiday.

I sure miss trick-o-treaters, decorations, and costumes.

Our ward did their trunk-or-treat the night before (I was working) and no kids come around at our complex for treats.

So depressing. Maybe in a few years we'll get to resume true Halloween festivities.

Tia n' Tio go all out for Hallowwweenie-I'd love to spend a Halloween with them in TX. Seriously.

Their house is the one ALL the kids go for . ...dreamy.

'Til Then,

Happy Halloween!

Cupcakes

My sister in law got me this killer cupcake mix for Christmas two years ago (shout-out to Brynn).

I've thought about making it like a bajillion times, because I LOVE cupcakes, especially fancy ones.

They were just so perfect in their cute lil' tin with pretty wrapping, I kept thinking I had to have some Crazy awesome reason to make them..

So at first I thought. I'm making these when I graduate...when I pass the NCLEX...when I get a job.

Blah.blah.blah.

One night I decided, whatever. I'm dying for these. And they.were.divine. The cream cheese frosting recipe they came with was delic.

PS I shared them.

It was my first ever red velvet cupcake batch.

It did not disappoint.

Now if I had made them 2 years ago, maybe I'd have been purchasing Dots Cupcake kits for the past few years...

So dumb. But so so good.

Fun Runs

I did the Healthy Hearts 5k Fun Run with a few gals from church a couple weeks back.

We had so much fun.

I LOVE races.

LOVE<LOVE<LOVE them.

Tay and I decided to stay for the results announcement and believe it or not, I placed first in my age division. What what?!

I'm pretty sure it was the lack of contestants in my division that allowed me the honors, however, I still got a cup out of it.

Taylor calls it my Champions Mug. 

I'm okay with it. 

Also, the race was near a lake, so I let Taylor feed my victory bagel to some crazy geese and ducks.

Fun times.

Dinners and Dates

We love this restaurant called Leondaro's. 

It's between Midtown and downtown and makes bombdotcom pizza. 

If you come visit, we'll probably take you there. 

It's a fun, almost-hole-in-the-wall location. 

The catch is you have to get it HOTT.

Also, their rolls were change your life, and your pant size. No biggie. Totally worth it.

The BIG LEO, is really big.

Also, on a side note, Taylor took me to dessert after a splurge dinner.

I was craving ColdStone.

For real, I was still on my "I passed the NCLEX, I'm a nurse, please treat me to something delic," high. Perhaps juvenile, but I got a good run out of it.

Who doesn't love some Birthday Cake Remix, or Cookie Dougn't You Want Some.

Fall

I love fall.
It is my absolute favorite.

It makes me think of Washington trees, big leaves, colors that cannot be described, dewy pavements, cool breezes, warm drinks, wassail, baking, baking, and more baking.

I love fall.
I think I'm happiest in the fall.
And my house smells so so good.
I just want everyone to come on over...

I made my first pie.
Sweet potato pie to be exact, and I have wassail in the crockpot.
Seriously, come on over?

P.s. I didn't make dinner.
Just pie and wassail.

TAKING NCLEX

I took my boards
(which I have since found out I passed)
Woot

They were on a Saturday.

Taylor took me out to lunch to try a new burger place called "Relish"

--sister company to our favv Famous Burrito

We were impressed.

We also stopped at Lowe's to get details on a DIY project I want to start (details to come)

Meandered through BestBuy

Annnnd, grocery shopped.

Happy NCLEX days are over.

Three Years and Countttting..

For our 3rd Anniversary,

We celebrated with ease..After our holla-cation, we needed some respite from the respite.

I can't remember, but I might have been ill/studying for the NCLEX.
Taylor has an insane Wednesday school schedule.
Our anny was on a Wednesday.

Taylor made a delic-dinner,
Bought me lovely flowers and I made him a small surprise.

We ate dinner, and I think we got half-off Sonic shakes at 8p
(I got a chocolate covered banana, and Taylor chose a slush)

We love annnnnyys.

Last First!

Hip-Hip-Hurray!

Taylor celebrated his LAST FIRST day of law school this year.
Wootwoot!

What a stud.

We're so excited.

Water Slides

I failed to mention the water slides that were on our cruise ship.

Taylor loved them.

I enjoyed them too.

Ch-Check out our action shots; they make me so happy. 

The ship also had a deck called "Serenity" which Taylor and I just called "Serenity Now" 

It was a no-kid zone...which just meant it had more sun chairs available at night.

We loved it!

Not so much the mediocre, and overcrowded hot tub.

But the sun chairs,

They.were.comfortable.

Stirrup Cay Nature Hike

One of our days was a bit overcast and we opted for a nature hike around the island...

What sights we saw!

I loved every second.

Stirrup Cay was one of the island spots owned by Carnival

They ferried us from the cruise line to the island port on mini-ferries

When it was time to leave at the end of the day, we all had to funnel into lines to catch the last rides back to the ship..

It.was.so.hot.

I have never in my life been as hot as I was then, waiting for the ferry, in a hopelessly long line.

PS I forgot to add Taylor found a sting ray...and then decided to pursue it into the depths of the sea.
I was afraid we'd have a Steve Irwin incident so I kindly suggested we lay low.

Happy Bahamamama days.