Starting.

Sam and I celebrated our first anniversary a few weeks ago. I can't even begin to tell you how fast this year have gone. It's been incredible, and more everything than I could have imagined. It was harder in someways, easier in lots of ways, and just plain fun on most days. We had an extra hour of time left from our wedding photo package with our photographer, so we jumped at the chance to have some anniversary photos taken. Can't wait to get the rest of them back!

We recently started reading a book together. (We've found that reading together is a good way to begin some awesome conversations - having a common idea to start from, and setting the tone for a great discussion.) But first let me back up....

Months ago, our friends asked us to join them in attending Dave Ramsey's financial class, "Financial Peace University". The class itself probably deserves its own post... maybe another time. But a huge benefit of taking this class was learning about a fantastic writer, Jon Acuff, the author of the book that we're reading now. It's called, "Start.". Basically, the book chronicles the 5 majors steps to "becoming awesome" at something and how to START becoming awesome. I'm nearing the end of the book now, and it's definitely helping me to realize that blogging is not something that I have time for, instead is something that I need to MAKE time for. I may never be awesome at blogging, but it's something that I enjoy, and something that I hope helps to keep our Etsy store open. Jon Acuff would call this step "learning". I read a lot of blogs, more than I probably should admit....but the ladies behind these blogs are such amazing role models and examples of what I could only dream of this blog becoming some day. (If you're interested in seeing a list of the blogs that I LOVE, check it out here.) It's been over a month since I've posted anything here, and multiple months since I was posting regularly. As Jon Acuff states in his book, I'll never be awesome until I actually start - start learning, start making the time, start actually doing what it is that I say I want to do. (Obviously the phrase "actions speak louder than words" comes to mind.)

So...here's a risky move - putting your goals out on the interwebs for all to see, I'm hoping this is a means of holding myself responsible to my dreams. My first move is to get back into blogging, even if it's only one post a week - it's a start, and it's a step towards where I want to be. And I'm hoping that by posting this out here on the web, I'll start to get support for all of you! There ya, go! Welcome back to the blogging world, and until next time! 

InstaFriday - On time!

Linking up again with Jeannett from Life Rearranged for InstaFriday.

It's a random assortment of iPhone pictures from the past week.... honestly though, about 80% of the pictures that I post are from my iPhone. It take such good photos, that I forget to carry around my big DSLR.... But anyway, here ya go:

Our good friends, Bethany and Chad, who were both in our wedding in August, are getting married in June! We're so thrilled that they asked Sam and I to be in their wedding as well!  This past weekend they threw an engagement party in Bethany's hometown, about 2 hours away from where we live. But since my parents were in town, we weren't able to come celebrate with them. So we wrapped up a special little gift in special engagement paper ;) and sent it over. Chinese Massage anyone?? 

Here's the fam on Campus at NAU. It had been a while since they had seen all the new things on Campus, so we went for a little walking tour. 

Aren't these gorgeous!? I have no idea what kind of flower these are, and I never would have imagined that they would grow at this high altitude, but they are all over Campus! Does anyone know what they are? I want to plant some at my house next year.

After the fam left on Sunday morning, Sam and I hopped in the truck to go to Prescott, AZ where his parents live. Kona must have been exhausted from all the playing she did with her sister, Honey (my parents dog). She slept in my lap (not spoiled at all, I tell ya!) with her nose pressed against the AC vent...she's an odd one. 

Back to work on Monday, Kona didn't want to get out of the car. Still recovering from the weekend, I suppose. She was soakin up the sun.

PS - check out my new purse! Dillards - it was on clearance PLUS an additional 40% off the clearance price! Now that's my kind of shopping!

Sam is heading out to go hunting again this weekend, I'll be joining up with him after work on Friday. But we slaved away in the kitchen Tuesday night preparing food so he doesn't starve out in the woods. We made cookies, hard boiled eggs, breakfast burritos, rigatoni, and peeled, chopped and sliced about 200 carrots. Ok maybe not 200, but enough to turn my hands orange.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this cute little guy! My Grandparents gave me a collection of cartoon character glasses when I got my own apartment, and they've traveled with my to this house now. Refreshing evening beverage: raspberry lemonade with some cranberry juice - that will wake up your taste buds. 

Kona and I have been walking on Wednesday nights with our friend, Lani and Mac...Mac is the dog. Lani and I will both be bridesmaids in Bethany and Chad's wedding in June, and conveniently she lives right around the corner from me. It's been a great way to make a new friendship and wear out the dogs! 

Well, that's it for now! You can follow me on Instagram @Leahheffelfinger! 

And check out the new social media icons on the top right of the page! Thanks to my hubby for getting those up and running for me! 

Also, head on over to Floral + Ivory on Etsy for a 10% off coupon code, beginning today on all products in stock! Code: FALL10

Happy Shopping!

Late Night Painting

After seeing all of these beautiful images, I got a wild hair up my you-know-where and decided to give it a go in my living room.

 

Click the photo to go to the original source.

 

 

  

 

 So, you know....When the hubby is away, the wifey will play! I whipped out my painters tape and started measuring the space to make sure I had it all right. 

I'm sure Sam would have laughed at me trying to stand on the fireplace mantel to reach the ceiling (not recommended), trying to figure out how many points I should have if the space was 117" wide... I struggled with my nonexistent math skills until I had the tape perfect.

After an hour of staring at the perfectly taped chevron pattern, trying to decide what color to make it, mind you it's 9:00 at night already...I grabbed my keys and was about to head out the door when I happened to glance at my kitchen cabinets, which happen to be a creamy beige color...and I remembered that I had an extra gallon of that particular color in the garage already. 

Voila!

 Free paint = happy Leah.

So, I'm going to debut my chevron stripes now! I still need to redecorate the mantel, right now it's an assortment of things that don't have a home in our home yet. I'm also thinking a round mirror would be a better solution to the square one that's there now. I'm thinking bright green or yellow would look pretty snazzy!

So here goes:

Ok, I realize the Before picture is really a picture of the coffee table, but it's the only one I could find that remotely showed the mantel...use your imagination. 

 

 

 I most definitely peeled that tape off about 12.5 minutes after painting...Breaking painter's rules left and right! Did you know, that a q-tip with acetone will take off paint that accidentally got on the wrong side of the tape?

 Now you know. 

So, there you have it. What I do when Sam is away. Pardon the horrible phone pictures, I didn't think to take arsty-fartsy pictures until just now...too late. 

What do you think?? Do you agree that it needs something round to soften all those harsh lines? What colors should I pull up there? 

Happy Monday to you all!

OH, and PS - there are new products up at Floral + Ivory: sneak peek here:

 Check it out!

 

InstaFriday

1. My saving grace. Literally. Get some. 

2. Who's going to get me this couch? It needs to be in my home!

3. Latest kitchen feat: zucchini bread. Love it. 

4. Embroidery hoops, by yours truly. Need to get some more of this gorgeous fabric. 

5. Pretty little candles for my not-so-pretty laundry room.

6. Looking to repaint this mirror. Thinking green, or yellow.

7. Me. Tired.

8. I officially killed a cactus. Didn't know there was such thing as overwatering. 

Linking up with Jeannett at LifeRearranged!

The sale at Floral + Ivory ends tomorrow, so stop by the Etsy shop today for %15 off! The discount code is on the shop home page!

The shop is OPEN!

The title says it all, folks! 

Here's the link to the brand new Etsy Shop! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FloralandIvory

Here's a smattering of products that are listed, remember, many items are available to be customized to your liking, so contact me for something special for you, a gift, or an occasion! 

Happy Shopping!

PS. There is a 15% off code on the shop homepage for purchases made before September 8th! 

InstaFriday

1. Kona hard at work.

2. New pillow made by yours truly - for sale on Floral and Ivory @Etsy (Starting tomorrow!)

3. Devil's Bridge with the lovely Miss Ashley.

4. Pretty new shirt.

5. My first BirchBox!

6. The inside of the BirchBox!

Don't forget! Tomorrow is the Grand Opening of Floral and Ivory on Etsy, so come check it out:

www.etsy.com/floralandivory 

I'm linking Floral and Ivory with Life Rearranged today!

Floral and Ivory

 

Here it is! The new blog! 

What do you think!? 

Sam and I are very excited about sharing it with you today, we've been hard at work brain storming names and trying to make the entire thing a cohesive, smooth change.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we decided to open an Etsy Shop under the same name. The shop will be open on September 1!

(And FYI, there is a discount for all purchases made within our first week of being open!)

The instant the store is open I will post the link to the store so you can easily find it from here, there is also a new Facebook page that will be going around, so "Like" it and become our friend when you see it!

I'm still working out some technical kinks, but that's what happens when you decide to try something new in life!

SO, stayed tuned for more information!