Chalk-it-up

I have never (and still don't) consider myself an "artist".  However I enjoy art-like things...they just dont turn out that good.  I do think that practice makes perfect though...I am  really enjoying my new chalkboard!

New nail stuff

So my sister-in-law got me a bunch of really cool nail tools and storage items for my birthday a few weeks ago.  Since then I have been playing a lot.  I still haven't used the Gelish Magnetic polish (I'm waiting for my nails to grow a little...they were getting too long and I clipped them real short....they just feel better short)  I will definitely do a pot on that polish...I am very curious on how it all works.

Here are a few of my recent nail designs :)

I even have friends coming over...I'm like the neighborhood nail lady LOL!

We went Geocaching!

Today was a beautiful day for an adventure!  Chris and I finally went Geocaching.  This is something that I've wanted to try for a while, but we've always been too busy, or the weather didn't cooperate.  Today we finally got out, and even met some pretty cool people who were also looking for caches.

Our first cach was a no-go.  We looked and looked...couldn't find it anywhere!  Even when we were joined by some semi-pro geocachers...they couldn't find it either.  I was positive I found the spot where it was supposed to be, but there was nothing there.

We finally gave up on that one, and searched for a different cash.....and BINGO!  We found it!  I never thought I'd be so excited to find a container of junk before LOL.

There was a travel bug in the cash...from, get this....Chris and Rachael!  How crazy!  I left it there because I don't know that we are really to do anything more than search for caches yet.

We left our "footprint" and headed home.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon.  And a really good way to spice up a hike in the woods.

I made a Chalkboard!

Although I am not really all that crafty...I wish I was.  I found a really good chalkboard tutorial online here.  I enjoy this girls website, and she is quite crafty with her chalkboard.

I decided this would be a fun project, and it really wasn't that hard!

First you need to go shopping at your local goodwill store and get a large picture.  Make sure it has a good backing...your just going to throw away the actual picture.  So look for a frame that you like with a good sturdy back (not paper).

Throw away the picture, and paint the backing with chalkboard paint.  I got mine at JoAnn's, but you can also get the paint at Michaels, or Home Depot.

I used two coats and let it dry for an hour in-between (according to the directions).  Then you let the board dry for 24 hours before using chalk on it.

I also painted the frame to match my dining room.

All finished!  I really love the way it turned out!  What do you think?

Mix of Mani's

I've been having a lot of fun with nail polish lately!  Here are a few of my recent mani's.

"Wiggle Fingers Wiggle Toes" Gelish Polish 

I've been a little obsessed with water marble :)

My pointer got a little messed up on this one....this was my attempt to fix it.  It was less noticeable than you see here.

This is my current mani.  A gradient chevron with a matte top coat.  I finally found essie's "Matte About You"!!!

Halloween and a Wedding

What a crazy busy weekend!  You know you've got a lot to do when you show up at a wedding rehearsal in your halloween costume LOL.  

So, this past weekend we had a halloween party to go to on Friday, and a Wedding on Saturday.  I wasn't really in the wedding, and so I wasn't planning on going to the rehearsal or rehearsal dinner.  But I needed to practice walking a flower down the aisle (yes, I'm serious....it needed to be practiced) so Chris and I had to go to the rehearsal in our Halloween costumes, and head to the party from there.

I was a cowgirl, and he was white trash LOL.  I was going to be a jester, but I didnt think the crazy Catholic Church would approve ;)

We had German folks...

and scary Zombies...

Big Ang made an appearance!

There was kick ass Dracula and some % of the American people (dumb costume...but whatev)

Elvis and a paper doll (awesome costumes...wait until you see Elvis later!)

Big Ang brought her friend Snookie, who also brought her son LOL

Our hostess for the evening; Alex from "A Clockwork Orange".

In fact that was the theme of the party.  They had the movie (very disturbing btw) playing silently on the tv, the amazing soundtrack to the movie playing, and the whole house was decorated like the milk bar.  We all had a milk bar drink when we first arrived.

Let the party start!  Bill's witches brew will knock you on your ass if your not careful!

Poison...seriously ;)

My handsome piece of trash LOL

Her boobs were a little lop-sided...they needed fixing ;)

Big Ang is getting frisky!  LOL

We won the two games of the night!  I had the most crazy Alex quotes correct, and Big Ang won the bracelet game (it was close...I was in second place, she won by one bracelet)

Elvis got fat!!!!!

And Big Ang is a guy!!!  What is the night coming to! :)

This is pretty much how the night ended ;)

Great friends, great food, great drinks, great fun! 

Next stop...a wedding!  It was my step-brother Dave's wedding.  He married a wonderful and beautiful girl, Jess.  They have been together for a while, and it was really wonderful to be a part of their special day.  They make a truly beautiful couple.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Britton!!!!  

Doesn't Jess just look beautiful!  So classy, and elegant, and just breath-taking!

There is something to be said for enjoying a wedding with your spouse after you are married.  I do catch myself thinking "oh, I wish I had done that.....what a wonderful idea.....that's so much better than what I did".  But I also find myself enjoying my husband.  Being so happy that we got married, and remembering our wedding day, and how wonderful it was.  Why I love him, and why I continue to fall in love with him over and over again.

And then there's my goofball of a brother who provides us with lots of laughs :)

 

Seriously!  How often have I seen this stupid smile!  He thinks it's hilarious LOL

Ok, so coolest best man speech EVER!!!  Not only was the speech pretty awesome, but Matt brought in a hawk to assist him.  Seriously, a hawk!

 

And everyone got pictures with the hawk. 

Chris didnt want a picture with the bird, I think he was scared.  Hehehe

Matt and Kristen and my little niece Lexy.  She is the most beautiful baby in the world btw :)

And this is how most of my pictures turned out.....because my camera sucks.  

I want a DSLR for Christmas, we shall see.

And this is pretty much how this night ended!  (I practicing my floating skills)