Iowa Nice

[This is somewhat old news, but I found a video response and wanted to share. Enjoy.]

I am proud to be from Iowa, and plan on staying here for the long run. Of course I will want to travel and visit other places, but I want my roots to stay here. My family is here, I appreciate Iowa values, the cost of living is low, we have 4 seasons (though winter seems to be hiding this year, but I'm ok with that), I feel safe, and, as a teacher, Iowa has a great education system. Culture can be found if you look for it, and we are a progressive state. I could keep going but that's not the point of this post.

Stephen Bloom, a (former, I believe) Iowa professor wrote an editorial of his opinions of Iowa after having lived in Iowa for 20 years. I will let you form your own opinion on the article, which you can find here.

Pete Temple, Sports Editor at the Monticello Express, our local newspaper (our family newspaper), wrote a column in response to the article I appreciated and enjoyed. You can read it here. I thought he had some great points, and wasn't coming from a jaded place.

I came across this youtube video, also in response to the article. I have watched it a few times, and I think it's pretty witty. Please note this is not work-appropriate and does contain "adult language". You can view the clean(er) version here.

Go Panthers.

Wedding Dress Inspiration

I have been holding out on going wedding dress shopping because... I guess I don't know why. Maybe I would prefer to try on beautiful during the summer when I have sun-kissed skin and have been working out regularly? Who knows. I just haven't been overly excited about it. But my mom on the other hand has been begging me to go wedding dress shopping since BEFORE I even was ENGAGED. So, I thought I'd throw her a bone and look at some dresses.

I won't post any pictures of the dresses I tried on or liked because I would like to leave my wedding somewhat of a mystery. I also don't want Kevin to know what my dress will look like and he reads my blog from time to time.

However, I WILL share with you the dresses I have pinned on Pinterest over time. I think you might see a trend in my preferences. These are all dresses I saw at first glance and was immediately drawn to.

I must say, after today I am excited to do some more dress shopping. I'm not the kind of girl that can go dress shopping once, find the "one", and buy it. I am extremely indecisive, and given this big decision, I will be even more hesitant to jump on a dress right away. I'm excited to go again with some my mom, sister, some friends, and some future sisters-in-law and a future mother-in-law. :)

The Wonders of Spray Paint

Alas, here is your weekly craft project. First, I have some news on the personal front to share!

As you know, I have been filling out applications and getting together paperwork like a madwoman. Finally, I am seeing a very distant, glowing light at the end of the tunnel. I have my first job interview! I know a job interview is a a very distant cousin (probably like a 20th cousin) to actually landing a job, but it's a good first step. Not only did I get one interview call today, I got two! So my new job is to practice my interview questions and get my portfolio perfected. I'm also handing in 4 sub packet tomorrow...talk about productivity!

Aaaanyway, onto the good stuff!

Andrea and I were dashing around town, hitting thrift stores and craft stores like crazy. We even snuck in some Napoli pizza at Red Rosa and tried to relive our college days at Cold Stone (the Cedar Falls Cold Stone offers buy one get one Wednesday when you show your college ID... not the case in Urbandale...what the heck?!) We planned a day of a bajillion crafts, but instead had more fun frolicking. We did get my sewing machine up and running and I did make my first project with it (a pillow!) and we managed a few crafts.

We went to a flea market and I bought a retro magazine holder for $6! I had seen this exact piece once before with Kevin, but he didn't see the beauty in it and talked me out of buying it. Shopping is always more fun with your girlfriends, and of course Andrea convinced me I had to have it. Now I do.

Here she is in all her rusted, dirty, 60's glory:

I saw the potential in it, and we made one last trip to Menards (Fun Fact: Andrea taught me spray paint is half the price at Menards as compared to Hobby Lobby) to find some spray paint to jazz it up.

(I finally discovered if I cover most of the patio with newspaper, I find much better results and less sticking if I put the object on tin foil)

Here it is in our living room! Isn't it pretty?

Oops! Today I realized JUST how much paint ended up NOT on the newspaper. Ehh... anyone know how to remove spray paint from concrete? I think next time I'll wait for it to be less windy. I also have some leftover purple from Tonia's birthday present. Crafter problems! (Jersey Shore anyone? Meatball problems? PREMIERE TONIGHT!)

Andrea Comes to Town

One of my best friends and college roommate Andrea is coming to visit today! We are planning a day of crafting-- JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, Goodwill-- lots of good things planned. I promise to take lots of pictures of our crafts to update the ol' blog. Here are some of our pins on Pinterest you may be seeing in the near future.

Earbud Keychain! How cute is that?

I need one of these to beautify my coffee table 

Remember this iPod cover I made of felt? This takes it to a whole other level.

We need new pillows in the living room and some throw pillows for the bed

I just think these are pretty

I love this and it's very Andrea. Hoping Goodwill prevails for us.

Andrea made me one of these for Christmas! She did an amazing job.

While we're on the tie bandwagon...

Andrea also has her sights sent on an apron and I think this one is adorable (I don't cook enough to warrant an apron, though maybe an apron like this would motivate me?)

Living with two boys has me extra excited to see my friend. I am excited to show her my crafts and frolic around town for the day like old times. 

Booty Camp

Ow. That's what I'm feeling today as I wake up. I started boot camp [again] yesterday. This is the boot camp I took this summer for 3 months that kicked my butt and got me in shape. But when I started student teaching, I couldn't motivate and/or dedicate myself to keeping up with it. (I know, excuses excuses.)

Now that I'm [technically but momentarily] unemployed, I have plenty of time to motivate AND dedicate myself. For Christmas, I asked Kevin for a month of boot camp. He 11-uped me and got me a year of boot camp. Yes, that sounds like a terrible gift to receive from your significant other but it's what I wanted, I swear! :)

I was welcome back with "open" arms with an intense workout. I was a little nervous to start boot camp again, as I knew I would be in significant less shape than I was when I left. I spent enough time with my instructor that he knew my fitness level and knew how hard he could push me. I went to boot camp fired up and ready to give it my all!

However, when I left, I didn't feel like I gave it my all. I was a little disappointed in myself and I knew I could do better. This feeling sucks. There's nothing like leaving a workout feeling like you kicked some @$$. I am writing this to remind myself of that feeling. Tomorrow when I leave boot camp, I want to feel like I'm about to pass out, throw up, or collapse. I love that feeling.

On the bright side, I did go immediately to the grocery store to get a bunch of healthy food options. I know you need the diet and the exercise in order to see results. Again, I'm utilizing myfitnesspal to keep myself on track. You can hear me rave about it here. HIGHLY recommend it if you're serious about getting in shape.

I genuinely enjoy working out and I am excited to get back on track with my program. It doesn't hurt that I had the added motivation of looking fly in my wedding dress for my hubby. 

I know a lot start thinking about their health at a good starting point in the year (i.e. a new year!) so here's some motivation in the form of typography for both of us. All images found via Pinterest, of course.

What your motivation should be

 I know this is gross but it's a good visual

I should read this everyday. The fact that someone else paid for me to work out is also good motivation. :)

 A good thought

Love it

This is a good reminder for when I don't think I can do anymore. Of course I can.

Leave a comment and I will.

[If any of my readers in the area are interested in signing up for this boot camp, here is the link. Pricing varies. If you e-mail him he'll work with you. There are lots of time slots available and it WORKS! http://www.tworkitoutfitness.com/]

Wedding Inspiration: Brooch Bouquets

The idea of having a brooch bouquet is one of the first things I was sure of, and it's one of the things I'm most excited to make for our wedding. I know I have blogged about this idea before (instead spelling it "broach", I have since come across the correct spelling), but I have started receiving brooches and it's becoming a reality. I wanted to share the beginning of my collection and show my inspiration for the idea.

My collection:

My mom gifted me the purple one. I believe it was her grandma's. I remember admiring it in my mom's jewelry box as a kid, so I'm excited to be carrying it with me on my wedding day.

Kevin's mom gifted me the orange and white pins/clip on earrings (thought they are not technically brooches they will work perfectly!). She said Kevin's sisters used them for dress-up, and they originally belonged to his Grandma Clark. I'm excited to have meaningful flowers to carry down the isle. 

You may be having a hard time picturing my vision for my bouquet, so here are some examples I have pinned on Pinterest over the last few months.

I love how colorful they are! I also think it will fit in perfectly with our rustic/vintage theme, which is coming together quite nicely in my head and on my Pinterest boards. Though these bouquets mostly have flower brooches, I am open to any colorful thing! I plan to start searching for these on my own soon.

I also know a lot of my family and Kevin's family reads this blog. If any of you have a vintage brooch you are willing to part with, let me know. I would love to have a piece of family history in my bouquet. Even a gifted brooch (or earring or pin, as seen above!), just knowing who it came from would be special to me. 

Happy New Year!

Happy new year! I hope you all had a great celebratory new year with friends and family. We had some friends and family over to out apartment and had a lot of fun. I don't usually get too sentimental looking back on the year around new year's, but 2011 was a great year for me so I thought I'd rewind the highlights.

In 2011 I...
*Finished off a fantastic senior year with some of my best friends
*Graduated from college
*Moved to a new city
*Worked my first real full-time job nannying for an amazing family
*Found my passion in the teaching world working with at-risk children
*Moved in with my boyfriend
*Got engaged to my best friend
*Received my teacher's license
*Watched one of my best friends become a Mrs.
*Started my blog
*Developed my talents in the handmade world
*Saw two of my favorite bands, front row
*Spent lots of quality time with loved ones

*I never make resolutions, always goals, and these goals are always elaborately designed (I'm talking a step-by-step typed out outline to complete them). However, it always seems by February school and life take over and I lose focus. This year, I will make a few goals for myself, but mainly reminders for a happy life.

In 2012, I hope to...
*Get a full-time teaching job
*all and visit my close friends more often
*Find an organization to volunteer for in my new city
*Save more money
*Be the best maid of honor in the history of maid's
*Cook for my fiancé more (when I say more I mean period.)
*Go to boot camp for days per week
*Run another race
*Find new music I love
*Read more books
*Call my siblings more
*Maintain positive thoughts and be appreciative daily

I started my blog this summer as a personal blog to keep my family and friends updated and share my daily musings. The feedback I received was more than i ever expected or hoped for. It's something I love doing, and something I find worthy of my time. If I am going to put time into it, I want to put genuine thought and effort into developing my blog.

2012 Blog Goals
*Update my blog 5 times per week
*Make one craft for my blog each week
*Become a sponsor on other blogs to increase my viewership
*Monetize my blog
*Develop weekly features
*Host guest posting
*Be consistent

Happy 2012 :)