Dec 31, 2010

Happy New Year

Andy and I are celebrating at home with a delicious array of yummy foods and a movie. We may even get ambitious and start the puzzle that I picked up today while I was out for a little 'me time.' That pedicure was just what I needed. I also picked up a darling little trench coat with lace cuffs at the Charlotte Russe after Christmas sale. I've been searching for the perfect trench for so long. Successful day, I think. I can't believe it's the last day of 2010. So strange how fast time goes. School starts back up again on Monday. I'm ready, but then again, I'm not. Well, cest le vie!



May 2011 be everything you hope for and more.

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 30, 2010

2011 Goals

As I said before, I don't typically make New Years Resolutions. But that's just because I'm superstitious about it. It almost makes me feel like I'm jinxing my goals if I make them at New Year's. But what the heck. I'm going to give it a go this year and see what happens.

Without further ado, I present:

Kim's 2011 New Year's Resolutions

1. Complete the rest of the credit's for my bachelor's minus my senior seminar which I'll save for January of 2012.

2. Read five new books of my choice. I know this doesn't sound like much, but it's hard to get any pleasure reading in when you're a full time student. (One of my classes this semester has six required texts-yikes!)

3. Finish my spreadsheet and research on my chosen grad schools and narrow it down to the top three choices.

4. Finish the new Master bedroom and get everything moved in there. This includes coming up with a functional and organized closet plan that works for Andy and I (and our shoes.)

5. Put together a comfortable guest room so I can finally feel at ease having friends and family stay overnight.

6. Maintain the budget plan that I have followed this year but be better at reconciling it weekly.

7. Clean and organize the basement and all the accumulating random stuff that is just laying around down there.

8. Set up a weekly schedule for homework and study and stick to it. No more procrastinating.

9. Walk/take Ash to the park twice per week at a minimum. Boy do I get lazy.

10. Double emergency fund. I dipped in to this for Christmas so I'd like to get it back to where I had it as well as double it by the end of the year.

11. Pay off GL student loan. I'm close on this one so hopefully I'll even be able to get cracking on the other student loan I have. I got a small scholarship for this semester so that should help a bit.

12. Remove my makeup and wash my face before bed every night. I don't know why this is so hard for me to do, especially because I wake up feeling so much better and refreshed when I take the time for it.

13. Try one new recipe per month. I wish I could do more, but it's hard finding the time or energy to really cook during the week.

14. Continue my dance lessons and work out on my own one additional night per week.

15. Do one thing off my projects list every weekend.

16. Complete the wedding plans and then enjoy the fruits of my labor!!

So that's it. What is your number 1 goal for 2011?

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 29, 2010

2010 in questions

Recap from Kim at PCL.

I have to say that 2010 was a pretty good year for me. I thought I'd participate in this little recap survey to sum it all up.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Went to Washington DC and did all the touristy things. Love, loved it. I want to go again.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I actually don't make any New Year's resolutions. You'd think it'd be the perfect excuse for this list/goal/accomplishment obsessed girl to have some fun but it's just something I don't do.

3. What countries did you visit?

America. Let's hope the honeymoon will bring something a little more exciting next year.

4. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

I'd like to have an organized basement. A nice office and guest room. A gray couch & armchair. A kitchen floor. A new master bedroom. Peonies in the yard. A new front door and dark shutters instead of white.

5. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?

May 16.

6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Get my new job in special collections and getting my associates degree.

7. What was your biggest failure?

B- in History of England. Ugh.

8. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Bruised up my arm in a car accident.

9. What was the best thing you bought?

My wedding dress. Can't wait to wear it.

10. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Lindsey's

11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Genny's and a couple other people.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Planning a wedding, getting my new job, being so close to graduating, finishing my first crossword without any help from Andy.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I can't think of one particular song but I've been listening to a lot of dance music these days. It seems that last year it was all about dreamy stuff from Sia and Bon Iver.

14. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

I've gotten progressively happier over the last five years as things start moving in the right direction, so I'd say I feel happier this year.

15. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I had gone to the gym more. I wish I had read more. I wish I had gone camping more.

16. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Homework. Although, I didn't really have a choice on that one.

17. How will you be spending Christmas?

It's over but we spent it with family.

18. Did you fall in love in 2010?

No.

19. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope. Still hate the same people I hated last year. ;)

20. What was the best book you read?

Can't pick just one. The Hunger Games Trilogy and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy

21. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Kinda fell in love with Michael Grimm's sound and got hooked on Glee.

22. What did you want and get?

I wanted Andy to ask me to marry him.

23. What did you want and not get?

The house remodels to be complete. The honeymoon to be booked. The truck to be sold. New couch and chair.

24. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 29 on March 1. It was kind of a let down. I'm hoping that this year will be much better.

25. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If I had graduated, moved out of state and been accepted to grad school.

26. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Evolving. I've spent much of the year wishing I could wear my heels again and being sad that it's not really practical to wear heels while walking around campus. I gave in to the skinny jean craze and was surprised to find that I love them. I've let my hair grow longer than it's ever been. I bought my first pair of Toms.

27. What kept you sane?

Andrew's patience, cuddles from the animals, Miss H, books, music, blogging.

28. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

None.

29. Who was the best new person you met?

The girls I work with in the library.

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 28, 2010

Luisa Beccaria


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xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 27, 2010

dull

Winter is just not my thing. It depresses me to see everything so gray and dead. I miss the vibrant colors of summer. Every year the cold weather does a number on my emotions.

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linen and lavendar

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linen and lavender

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linen and lavender

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marie claire

I can barely stand it. I need to get back to being busy so I can have something to distract me. The last few days at home have found me staring sadly out the window wishing for bike riding weather.

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 23, 2010

for you

I think I'll be checking out for the next few days, but before I do I thought I'd leave you with some cozy Christmas images.

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images via Love Nordic


Happy Holidays!

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 22, 2010

Something blue

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1. Tiny wall art
2. Handbag
3. Keyhole flats
4. Recycled Security Envelope Coasters

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 21, 2010

Future Self


Reverb 21

"Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)"

It's been about a week since I responded to any of the Reverb prompts. I thought I'd check back in and try to answer the last few.

The advice I'd give to myself for the next five years would be all about taking chances and not letting things hold me back. Over the next five years I'm certain my life will change drastically. Andy and I will have a lot of serious choices to make and I don't want fear of the unknown to stop us from taking chances. I don't want us to stick to our comfort zone just because it feels safe.

As far as writing a letter to myself, I did that here. Now, I'm off to wrap some presents.

xoxo-Kimberly

Thank you

Yesterday Andy and I spent the night watching The Muppet Christmas Carol and relaxing. I can't believe Christmas is just days away. Time goes so quickly-especially when you're busy. This week will be the busiest yet. Projects to finish at work, family Christmas parties, my sister's birthday and lots of fun planned. I'm excited for it all.

When I left the house for work this morning, there was just a light dusting of snow on the ground. It looked so pretty and it gave me the happiest feeling.



Since I didn't do this at Thanksgiving, I thought now would be the perfect time. As the year comes to an end, there are so many things that I have to be thankful for.

-I'm thankful for Andrew. I can't imagine my life without him. He is the most patient and loving man I've ever known. He puts up with my quirks, loves my Ashland and Mauney, and makes every day better than the one before.

-I'm thankful for my family who are always there for me at the drop of a hat, if I need them. We have each others backs and through the years we've been shoulders for each other to lean on. I'm thankful for all my mom did as we were growing up to give us all the amazing opportunities we had. I'm thankful that she realized the importance of family vacations once a year, holiday traditions, and teaching us to be each others biggest cheerleaders. I'm thankful for my sisters. Growing up with them was amazing fun and I'm grateful that we got to share so much.

-I'm thankful for Andy's parents who treat me as if I was their own kid. I'm grateful for his dad who really seems to 'get' me. I'm thankful for his mom and how I know I can call her any time, whenever I need to chat. I'm thankful that when I go to their home I feel just as comfortable and welcome as if I was at my mom's house. I'm grateful that they've welcomed me into their family with open arms and never once judged me. I'm thankful for Andy's brother's- Corey who is always willing to watch the animals when we go out of town and who puts up with Mauney's vendetta against him and tells me thank you when I make dinner and Bret for always being so nice to me whenever we are all together and thinking to personally invite me to the family camp out.

-I'm thankful for Heather, Andrea, Stephanie, Erin, and Dana who have proven to be true friends and have stuck by me and make an effort to keep in touch. I'm thankful for lunch dates and facebook messages and packages and phone calls that remind me what great friends I have.

-I'm thankful for the chance to finish school and for everyone's support and encouragement in accomplishing this goal.

-I'm thankful for a good job that challenges me and a boss who sees my potential and gives me the opportunity to learn more.

-I'm thankful for this blog that really allows me to be myself. I'm thankful for all of my bloggie friends who keep in touch and care what's going on in my life. I'm thankful for all of the other blogs that I read that inspire me and spur my creativity on a daily basis.

And I'm thankful to be moving into 2011 and starting new adventures. I wish you all the best this holiday season. May 2011 bring good things to you and yours. Much love.

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 19, 2010

From 'meh' to yeah! Someday.

If Andy and I ever get the kitchen remodel finished, then we'll go back to working on the bedroom remodel. And if we ever get the bedroom remodel finished then I'd like to tackle the living room.

Right now our living room is 'meh' at best. It's seriously lacking. Our couches are comfortable and in good shape, but they don't fit the space-especially now that we've knocked out the wall between the living room and the kitchen. Also, while I typically love green, it's just not the right match for what we envisioned.

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I've been playing around with some ideas and this is what I came up with.


Living Room Orange
(CLICK)

Both Andy and I are sold on the gray couch so I tried to work around that. It's just an idea of course, and will most likely change, but I had fun dreaming of having a living room that fit our style and personality a little better. This is something we'll have to work our way towards.

What do you think?

xoxo-Kimberly

Organization + pretty = love

I am completely in love with this mudroom.


xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 17, 2010

Just what I needed

The other day, when my sister Jen came to visit, I was complaining to her that I couldn't find a cute wreath for my front door. Little did I know that my mom and Jen were actually in the process of making a wreath for me! What a great surprise. Isn't it cute?

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I think Jen said they made five of these wreaths. It took them a couple of days to complete them as it required cutting out quite a few circles of burlap and cute fabric. I'm so lucky that one was for me! Now my front door can have some Christmas cheer.

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xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 15, 2010

Wednesday *Christmas* Wishlist-on a Thursday



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I've had my eye on this sweater for awhile now.


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Wouldn't mind a reason to spend more time at Barnes & Noble


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These earrings. Love them.


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One of my favorite perfumes from Clinique-Heart.

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This clock would be awesome.


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This houndstooth purse would be perfect!


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Love this print!

What's on your wishlist this year?

xoxo-Kimberly

Dec 13, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree

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xoxo-Kimberly

Weekend Images

What an awesome weekend! I took a half day on Thursday and then took Friday off so I could go with Andy to his company Christmas party. This year we stayed at The Canyons in Park City. I thought I'd share some pictures from the party and from the rest of the weekend.

My sisters, Jen and Lindsey came by on Thursday afternoon for a visit.

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Jen brought Nellie and we had so much fun playing with her. She's discovered that she can stick out her tongue so we kept trying to get her to do it.

Lindsey also cut and colored my hair. So convenient to have two stylists in the family.

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Then Andy and I headed to Park City. Our room was gorgeous! Here we are all fancied up ready to go to dinner.

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The view from our room. It was nice to relax in that hot tub and heated pool after dinner and the show.

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This is at dinner. The food was so good and the talent show after was really funny. We had a great time.

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I had to take a picture of the centerpieces because I thought they were so pretty. They even had an ice sculpture in the shape of ES3's logo but I didn't get a picture of that.

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The next day we bummed around Park City for a while but it was raining to we came home.

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On Saturday I did some Christmas shopping. I also made my ornament for the family ornament exchange. I thought this one was going to be easy this year but three hours later I was still working on it!

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We also watched some movies. Last night we watched To Catch a Thief by Alfred Hitchcock.

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And I make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies and hot apple cider. I found the cookie recipe at Little Brown Pen.

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Definitely a successful weekend!
xoxo-Kimberly