my love for tattoos...

I have had my tattoos for about 5 years now.  Both have meaning and are a very important part of me.  I think the right tattoo can represent a person in such a way that defines them and can even tell a story.  I feel that's how mine are.

My first is a star that represents my family - 5 people, 5 points.  It's a pretty simple one.

The other are my angel wings.  I've always had an infatuation with angels, the other world, and part of spirituality that cannot be explained.  I like to feel that there is a greater force watching over me at all times, but on the other hand, wings represent so much more.  Flying, feeling free, peace.

Like they say, tattoos are addicting and I cannot wait for another.  I have the next 2 planned out.

One is a saying that my Grandma used to tell me all the time and the other will be one that Eric and I get when we move on to the next stage of life.

Here are a few that I've run across and loved.

Source: google.ca via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: surifoe.deviantart.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: fyeahtattoos.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: bbc.com via Lesley on Pinterest

What do you think of these?  What about tattoos in general?

I love them and unfortunately I feel that if someone doesn't like them on me, tough.  It's my body and my free will.  I've had numerous people tell me that tattoos don't look good on beautiful people and then they kind of turn up their nose.  It offends me, but I just kind of shrug and don't say much. 

my black friday was better than yours!

...if you went shopping.

Even if you didn't, mine was pretty much a blast.  I don't do crowds, rude people, or late nites, however I do love a good sale, especially when I know I can find a ton of stuff for my selfish self.  However, I just can't justify shopping on that day, not only for the reasons mentioned above, but it seems like it bring out the worst in people - anger, greed, hate, you name it.  Small-Business-Saturday is something that I enjoy a lot better and it supports all the hometown people, not huge corporations.

Our group of girls don't really care too much for the shopping either, so we decided to have a different kind of girl's day.  We went to a couple of our favorite bars in St. Louis while some of the guys did their annual hunting trip.

It started about noon and ended roughly around 10p.  There were lots of giggles, irish carbombs, dance music, too much money spent on the jukebox, cajun shrimp, toasted ravioli, beer, and honestly I can't remember what else.  I can tell you for the first time in my life, I actually used my debit card to play music on the jukebox.  What was I thinking?!  Since only a couple people in my group actually like trance it was my choice and I was in heaven (:  My mom even played a little Tiesto.

Great day for us all, however the next day was spent loving my headache pills, Vitamin Water, pepto, and eye mask.  It was worth it because I haven't had that much fun in a long time. 

me: A to Z.

I saw this over at Lauren's blog and thought it would be fun to do.  I love to do little things like this, so as I'm delaying bedtime more and more, because I have to work tomorrow on Thanksgiving, this will help to pass the time. 

A. age:31

B. bed size:king

C. chore you hate: dishes. it puts me in such a bad mood.

D. dogs: dutch & harris. extreme opposites in size and personality, yet they get along so well.

E. essential start to your day: cereal. i crave it, daily.

F. favorite color: turquoise & purple.

G. gold or silver: i'm liking gold more and more these days.

H. height: 5'7"

I. instruments you play: nothing anymore, sadly. i taught myself to play piano, but haven't touched one in years, and also did clarinet in jr. high.

J. job title: nurse.

K. kids: just my dogs.

L. live: illinois.

M. married: 4 years ago in jamaica!

N. nicknames: none really.

O. overnight hospital stays: knock on wood, none yet. close, but no cigar.

P. pet peeve: people who drive slower than me, interrupters, poor grammar, know-it-alls.

Q. quote: "who are you to judge the life i live? I know im not perfect and i dont live to be, but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean." - Bob Marley.

R. righty or lefty: righty.

S. siblings: 2 younger sisters.

T. time you wake up: workdays, 5a. others, around 8a.

U. university attended: southern illinois university, kaskaskia, & greenville college.

V. vegetables you dislike: peas, cucumbers, & black olives.

W. what makes you run late: myself. as my family tells me, i 'fiddlefuck.'

X. x-rays you’ve had: mouth and neck.

Y. yummy food: chocolate, toasted ravioli, candy, pb&j toast.

Z. zoo animal favorite: i'm a sucker for all animals. 

 

* join in the fun and if you do, let me know so i can read about you! 

Oven Roasted Red Potatoes.

If you don't have anything in mind to make for Thanksgiving, this recipe is a perfect idea for a side dish.  I made these yummy potatoes the other nite and they could definitely become a staple in our house.  Full of flavor, simple, and filling, these hit the spot.

Ingredients

8 red potatoes

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp oregano

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.  Cut up the potatoes into eighths and place in large bowl.  Add the oil to coat and then add all of the other ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Place onto a foil lined cookie sheet sprayed with a little bit of oil.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 and then cook at 400 for another 30 minutes, turning potatoes a couple of times to mix.  They come out being a bit crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. 

* side note: all of the ingredients are to taste.  I just kind of thew everything together and didn't completely measure so you may want to add a bit more for flavor.

i'm really trying to get in the mood...

I don't know about you guys, but it's pretty hard to get in the Christmas spirit when the weather is not the typical holiday weather.  It's been fairly warm here and still feels like early fall.  My mind can't grasp that Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is in about a month.

It's way too early for me to start listening to Christmas music which always helps the situation, however tonite we are venturing off to see one of my favorites - The Nutcracker. 

Years have gone by since I have last seen it or really even listened to all of the music, but there's something about the sounds that are dreamy, magical, peaceful, and enthralling.  Just the thoughts of snow, the Sugar Plum Fairy, angels, and the Waltz of the Flowers envelop me like I'm actually in the play with them.  Strange, I know, but it's just so wonderful.

Tonite is going to be different for a change, so I can't wait to go.

Cheers to starting off the Christmas season just a bit early!

thankful thursday: him.

I am thankful for him, as in my sexy, cute hubby.

I don't know what I did to deserve him or what I would do without him.  Very cliche I know, but he's my rock.  We definitely each have our faults, but I suffer from horrible anxiety and he's there to balance me out in all ways.

He is there to love me, tell me I'm beautiful, leave me alone when I have a temper tantrum, act goofy with me, love my family as his own, appreciate and respect me, and most of all, he honors and supports me.

We have fun together, have our serious moments, and honestly rarely fight.

I can't say enough positive and wonderful things about him.  He truly is a blessing in my life.

 Go link up with 2 cats & chloe for her thankful link up.  I'm so glad she decided to do this because it makes me put others before me and appreciate the golden things in life.

{diy} alcohol inked glitter pumpkin

Before I show you the most amazing fall diy, I just wanted to pass along that I'm also over at Janna's blog where I am defining my own perception, and I'm also at Allana's blog where I show you my fall wishlist from Penney's, of all places!  Go check out what I have to say there along with their blogs.  Pretty good blogs if I do say so myself.

So before all of that, I was talking about the amazing diy I created.  I know I'm a bit near the end of fall decor, but still...when I saw this I knew I had to make it and I'm so happy I created it because it was easy & fun.

Alcohol ink is my new favorite diy tool.  I had not ever used it until this project and I cannot wait to try it on something else.  It's super thin paint made from alcohol that has a super fast drying time, but it only works on certain surfaces.  I don't know a ton about it yet, but it worked great with these pumpkins.

This was such a cool fall project to make.  Hopefully I can do this again for a winter project.

life lately: in pictures.

 

 

 

1) an updated version of this puff paint + canvas.  I wasn't too fond of the original, so I added some color.

2) dutch enjoying running in the field on the 80 degree day.

3) fall eyes. a deep, smoky brown look.

4) harris hates to have his picture taken. he looks so startled, haha.

5) celebrating dad's birthday at copper dock winery. it's so beautiful. 

6) out by the lake. i sure will miss being outside come winter!

7) the view of the lake and fountain out front of our condo. it's breathtaking. 

8) we're going to see ellie goulding! i love her. 

9) my love and me at the winery.

Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Mask

What can I say?  I am obsessed with this mask by The Body Shop, well practically all of their products, but this one today especially.

I am all about keeping my skin clean and healthy, but there are nites that I am absolutely exhausted and cannot make my way into the bathroom to wash off my makeup.  Sin.  But the next morning I know that I can use this and it will make up for what I did the nite before.

I have normal to dry skin and although this is made for normal to oily, it hasn't made my skin too dry.  I apply this to wet skin after I get out of the shower and leave it on for about 15 minutes.  It makes my skin feel a bit tingly and I like that feeling because it makes it feel like it's getting deep into my pores.  It washes off nicely and leaves my skin feeling soft and not tight.  It exfoliates and conditions all at the same time and has a nice, clean smell.

It runs for around $17, but they are always having sales, so I rarely buy this full price.  It is a product that I would though because I like it that much.  Try this out if you're looking for a new mask because it's a nice addition to a skincare regimen.

** These are my own personal opinions and I was not compensated for this review.

do it now!

Source: imgfave.com via Lesley on Pinterest

I have about 15 things I must get accomplished today. I thought with this whole day light savings thing would work to my advantage this morning, but it really didn't. Instead of getting up early like I wanted, I slept way later and threw my whole day off.

But besides the long list of projects, cleaning, and cooking activities on my agenda, I need to do other things that impact my life and even though they may not get done today, make plans to do so.

Things like writing a hand-written note to someone I love, making homemade strawberry jelly, holiday cookies with the girls in my family, a walk in the park, take a day trip, or that romantic getaway to a far off place....plans like that.

I don't know about you guys, but life seems to be moving quicker than the speed of light.  I can honestly say I hate it.  I wish it would slow down and it makes me sad.  I can't believe I am already 31. Where has the time gone.

Take this day to appreciate what you've got and do things that are important to you!