The Last of Fall

In November I was really inspired to do a work attire outfit post and also to take a lot of pictures of all the pretty scenery that the leaves made in all their colors.  I had Elizabeth help me with my outfit pictures at work and that weekend I took some fall pictures around my house before Taylor and I went to see the newest Hunger Games movie.  It wasn't all the fall pictures that I would have liked to have taken but at least there's a couple!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

I’m obviously not an fashion blogger because I felt super awkward and had no idea what to do to make myself look fashion photo cute plus I felt really vulnerable with Elizabeth taking my pics. LOL  But whatever I went with it and this is what you get.  I felt really feminine and classy in this work outfit and I think it’s perfect for Fall in Texas.  The short sleeve sweater from American Eagle is perfect because it’s warm enough for Fall but not hot and if you live in Texas you know what I mean.

 

Oh and Hunger Games Catching Fire rocked….it was really long but held true to the book in my opinion…only if we didn’t have to wait a whole year for the next and sadly the last one.

Winter Bucket List

Well December is in full swing and that means another seasonal bucket list to crank out but first here's an update on what I accomplished from my Fall Bucket List.

I didn't accomplish all of my items but what I did do I really enjoyed.  The only two things I really wanted to do that I didn't get to do was probably go to a haunted house and hike during the leaf change.

Now for some good Winter activities to tide us over until Spring!

 

Book Review: The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.

You might remember that an item on my Fall Bucket List was to read a book that I saw called The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.  Well I read it and I hated it.  I wouldn't recommend this book to you but I am also not a big literary reader but more of a fluff reader.  This book had it's good points but overall I was left with a not exciting ending and a man (Nate) who over analyzed every emotion in his head but was a typical 20 something male on the outside.  I felt like I took nothing away from this book except a feeling of YUCK especially for all the women characters who were involved in Nate's life.  I say give it a shot if you want but I won't be going back for seconds. 

but the cover is super cute...don't you think?

Amazon Synopsis:
In this sharply written first novel, Waldman homes in on a self-absorbed writer living in New York City. Nate Piven is still basking in the glow of having sold his first book after years of struggling to support himself with freelance work. His newfound success has given his love life a boost, and a number of women are pursuing him, including his beautiful ­ex-girlfriend Elisa and brainy Hannah, also a writer. As Hannah and Nate’s relationship gets more serious, Nate is quick to blame any communication snafus on Hannah, whose calm and self-­confidence begin to evaporate. Although Nate thinks of himself as enlightened, a product of a postfeminist, 1980s childhood and a politically correct, 1990s college education, his actions continually belie that self-image. Nate is constantly jockeying for status among his friends and critiquing women’s bodies, clothes, and looks even as he tries to figure out why his relationships never last. The novel is most likely to appeal to twenty somethings, who will no doubt recognize the preening male so thoroughly skewered here, but older readers may be put off by such an unlikable lead character. --Joanne Wilkinson

Happy or not so happy Reading

I Love My Job.. no REALLY

The bank that I currently work for is fantastic!  It has turned out better than I ever thought, especially since the job I had right before this bank was a HUGE disappointment.  There’s nothing worse than when an organization has you completely fooled but on the flip side there’s nothing BETTER than when you don’t even realize how great it can be until you get there and experience it you just have the mentality of anything is better than what I have.  I’ve mentioned before that I’ve moved through the ranks quite quickly at my current bank.  I’ve gotten raise after raise not to mention the 3 promotions in under 2 years of being employed here.  The icing on the cake is now that I work in the accounting department directly under our Controller.  I’ve had this position since February and I still love it.  I love how my desk can start out squeaky clean at 8 AM in under an hour is looks like this…..

organized piles

Then by 5 PM it is back to squeaky clean.

 

The people I work with (my friends) are great supporters and make the job even better.  Although one day I would love to stay at home do DIY projects, raise babies with a hubby, and do my own thing... right now I’m loving where I’m at.  I can afford all the things in my life all by myself and that makes me feel very accomplished and successful…..I’m a grown up now I guess. LOL 

 

I’m very grateful for a job that makes it easy to come to work my life has more fulfillment because of it. 

Book Review: Vampire Diaries Unspoken

 

My goal of reading 50 book this year is failing...by half.  To date I've read 25 books and I'm currently reading 2 but this post is about one of the latest that I've read...another Vampire Diaries book.  I've raved about these books before especially if you like the TV serious.  Although they are very different from the TV series they are so good and just keep your reading for more and more details.  The Elena, Damon, and Stefan love triangle is still alive even though Stefan is actually dead in this novel. The main struggle through it is finding a way to kill Stefan's murderer a scientist/fake hybrid vampire.  Ok so it sounds far out but I'm telling you they are GREAT, easy, and fun reads.  These books are the kind that suck you in and before you know it you're done reading it and can't believe you did it so fast!

 

Amazon Synopsis:
Elena Gilbert’s entire world has shattered in a single moment. Her true love, Stefan, is dead, staked through the heart by their so-called friend Jack. Now the only thing Elena cares about is destroying Jack and his race of scientifically created vampires. But Jack’s creations are impossible to kill—immune to sunlight, stakes, and every traditional weapon against vampires. Elena and Damon set out to uncover the mystery of Jack’s dark past in hopes of finding his weakness. As they spend more time together, Elena and Damon can’t deny that their connection is stronger than ever. Can she face her feelings for him without betraying Stefan’s memory, or are some things better left unspoken?


I'm impatiently awaiting the third book in The Salvation trilogy.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Update of the Past Few Months

So...yes MOTHER I know you're sick of looking at my realistic wish list but I've been busy living. 

I'm finally making time to catch up on posts that I've had drafted forever!  Although I have been living I don't have many pictures to show for it or many exciting activities so here are some recent iPhone pictures over the past few months.  Overall I've done a lot of ordinary things and have been really just enjoying life (and being in love ;) )

September

Learned how to do my hair with one of those styling rod things!! I look like a REAL GIRL!!! We had a double date with my brother and Lara this night.  We went to eat sushi and hibachi in Paris.

Beautiful early morning sunrises

got plenty of pig hunting in

and got my first pig kill on a Saturday night.  I literally brought home the bacon that night and cooked a four course meal the next...pig back strap included.

September was a great month.  It was jam packed with a ton of hunting, school, and winding down the summer to get ready for fall.

October

Played bunco at my Mom's as a fill in for their group and it was Halloween themed.  Mom as a scarecrow and her BFF, Monica, as super woman.

Hoss (Hendrik's dog) sad that Daddy was leaving him behind in the office

Hendrik's parents were out of town a few night so we kept his mom's dog, Bella.  We went on a little Jeep ride.

Oh I forgot to mention that for the past 5 months I've been dating Iron Man!!!  Just kidding but this teeth whitener is hilarious.

October was super relaxing for me.  I took my last week of vacation from work before the busy season started up and did absolutely nothing.  It was glorious.

November

The above few pictures are of me and Mom's trip to Canton the first weekend of November.  It was the perfect day. My mom and I spent some great quality time together just chatting and being our usual mother/daughter selves, the weather couldn't have been more perfect, and Canton DID NOT disappoint...but when does it ever.  These are just a few of the super cute things I was eyeing but not buying!

a late night cafe mocha from Starbucks on a Wednesday night drive home from Rockwall.  Hendrik and I went to see our chiropractor, a little shopping at Aldi, and sushi eating

Football weather... we attended several of Caleb's football games but this one was the last one of the season!  Senior night...brought back great memories of my own senior night especially when they played the Star Spangled Banner (tear)

Can you believe he's a sophomore already and on Varsity? Seems like yesterday he was just a baby and having a diarrhea diaper blow out on my lap at my 10th B-day sleepover...just a reality check that was 17 years ago...shit that makes me feel old

S.P.O.I.L.E.D ROTTEN that's all

awe so sweet loving on his Daddy!  really just an excuse for him to get his 80 lbs self on the couches

November flew by in no time.  This past weekend was the last of it before all the Christmas and holiday hustle and bustle really went into full swing.  We had a great Thanksgiving at Memaw Sue's and then me and my best girlfriends had a early morning breakfast before we all started our week back up and a new month...December can you believe it?!

That's what I've been up to, what about you?

DIY: Deer Silhouette

Everyone is an artist...right? 

Well I don't claim to be an artist in any form or fashion but I do have a flare for interior design and I thought up this little project all by myself.  No help from Pintrest or any other idea forum. 

 

I'm trying to really stick with a general theme throughout Hendrik's entire house which is pretty much modern day, classy, bachelor pad with a feminine flare.  I think it's working....If I ever live there some things will need to be changed up but for now it's perfect and not too much to run me off, although the curtains are almost that bad! LOL

My inspiration for this little project was this....

I remember doing these at church.  We would stand really still and the ladies would trace our shadow on construction paper with chalk then we'd cut them out for our moms. 

Put a modern day, bachelor pad spin on things and you end up with this timeless, classic print....

Here's how I did it!

Find a nice picture on the Internet that you would like to make into your silhouette.  I printed the image on regular computer paper then cut it out....DON'T cut the excess paper out cut the image out of the paper so there is a whole where the picture used to be.  Then get your super enthused boyfriend to hold the paper up while holding a flashlight in the perfect spot to cast the perfect shadow on your canvas.

 Then, using a pencil trace the outline lightly on your canvas.

Once your tracing is done then comes the fun part...painting!  I used a plain light brown that I already had on hand but don't be afraid to mix it up.  This would be a great chance to get crazy with color for a kid's room or to simply color coordinate a specific area. 

And VOILA!  It's done.  This project was simple, easy, cheap and lastly CUTE!  I can see this print being reused long after it's master bedroom days are over...a baby boy's nursery could rock this buck!

Now for what you need:

Your chosen image printed out (don't worry too much on the size of the image because you can get closer/further away with your flashlight to make the shadow grow smaller/bigger)
Scissors
Canvas (I bought mine for $12 at Hobby Lobby...the only item that cost money)
Pencil
Paint
Flashlight
and don't forget your helper i.e. Super enthused boyfriend or husband LOL

See I told you simple!