Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

We got really into Halloween this year.  We helped host a Halloween party with J's roommates.  We had a REALLY hard time deciding on our costume, but in the end Mary Poppins and Burt the Chimney sweep.  My costume was super simple.  I had almost everything but the hat and the bow tie.

With one failed hat attempt (always read the description when you buy from Etsy) I panicked and ran to Forever 21.  Luckily, Mary Poppins is back in style this year so I found the perfect hat right away!

Everyone's costumes were so great.  From cone-heads, flappers, nerds, and Little Red, everyone went all out!

Some costumes didn't last very long, it is apparently hard to play beer pong in a tunnel.

We may have spent a large portion of the night in the photo-booth.  It didn't hurt that it was right next to all of the delicious food!

Props to Deanna for hand sewing this amazing wolf mask!

He's so special.  

The best costume prize goes to J's roommate:  I don't know what this this is called, but it is amazing.

South Africa Photo Dump (10 months later)

I spent two of the best weeks ever exploring South Africa with some lovely friends last March.  Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  The views just don't quit.

Visiting the Hector Peterson Museum which honors the students who took a stand against apartheid.  

Meet Zoe, the newest member of the Lion Park.  She was only born in October.  

The cubs at the Lion Park were one of our favorite things!  They were so cute, but very naughty.  You see this precious baby eating Cate's scarf.

The people sold just about everything on the side of the road, including fresh grapes!

In Cape Town, we got to go to Holi One, a mix between a rave and the Color Run.  The people watching was first class.  

It was so good to see this beautiful lady.  We have been friends since the awkward, nerdy middle school days.  She was a wonderful host and tour guide!

Remember when I told you about the views?  You're welcome.  

The sunsets were like none I've ever seen.  

The wine farms were AMAZING.  We may have spent a huge percentage of our time there.  

My New Toy

I have a new addiction.  I recently got a Silhouette Cameo and I LOVE IT.  I have been spending WAY too much time looking through the Silhouette Online store as well as figuring out how to make my own designs with the Silhouette studio program.  My sister has a Cricut and Sir Cuts a Lot, so I some idea how to work the program since the two programs are very similar.

I ordered my vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.  It was inexpensive and had a quick delivery time.  It is so much cheaper than buying it at Hobby Lobby, especially since you can't usually use the 40% off coupons for Cricut products, which all their vinyl happens to be.  Bummer.  

I went a little crazy on Pinterest making my inspiration board.  Here are some of the things that I'm sure I will be making in the next few weeks.  

from here

 from here

 from here- this woman's excitement when it works makes this worth reading

 from here

I have already made a few things too!  The bottles are part of my end of the year gift for my students.  I love the way they turned out.  These boxes add a little bit of organization to my closet.  I need all the help I can get!

These are just a few of the many projects in the works.  Vinyl is not the easiest to work with and takes some getting used to.  The best trick I have learned so far is to use contact paper as the transfer paper.  I tried using painters tape first, but it was too sticky and made it very difficult to get it where it needs to go.  I can't wait to show you all of the things I create with it!  

Bachelorette parties galore

My two best friends in the whole world are both getting married next month!!  So I have been in charge of some serious bachloretting.  I got to host J's party here in Nashville which was so much fun!  I took them to some of my favorite places and got to try some new places out!  

I can no longer say that I have never been to a drag show!  We went to a charity show at a local bar.  We were all a little nervous.  None of us had ever been to anything like this before.  We ended up having a great time.  The dancers were so beautiful and made us feel like we need to try a little harder...  I mean check Ms. Chaquita Banana out right here!  

I can't remember this friend's name, but she and J were instant besties.  

Of course, I made decorations, (Thanks for your help D!)

This group shot took 6 minds and about 30 minutes to take.  iPhone pics FTW!

 One of the very talented bridesmaids painted these for everyone.  I mean, come on, how cute are they!

The tradish lingerie shower happened of course!

We finished the weekend out with some Monell's.  It was delicious as usual and we all rolled out and to our respective cities.

Next up was C's!  We met in Atlanta for this one!  It was so nice and relaxing and wonderful!  One of the bridesmaids had pity on me and planned the whole thing.  I am forever indepted to her.  She did such an amazing job!  We met at the hotel on Friday night and headed to dinner at JCT Kitchen.  It was so beautiful!

Saturday morning we went to brunch at Rise and Dine near Emory.  C's "Bride to be" glasses were a hit!  

 Since the valet at the hotel lost the keys to one of the girls' cars (who knew that ever happened!), we decided to have the bridesmaids move all cars to C's apartment complex while K and I set up for the shower.

Her face was very serious when she was opening her gifts so this is her response to me saying "Act like you are having fun!"

Since the new thing at bachelorette parties is crossing things off your bucket list, we took a pole dancing class at Dance 411.

Maybe some of us had to use their inhalers before we started....

Here is our bride ready to do it!  That's our instructor Kitty Purry in the background with the shoes!

 It was nearly as scary as we were expecting and we were all pros by the time we left 65 minutes later!

Next up, WEDDING WEEKENDS!

Baby Cacti are my love language

So I have figured out that baby cacti and succulents are my love language.  I can not get enough of them right now.  They are literally all over my house. 

Recently, I found this picture on Pinterest and was in love.  Between the bright pink, the gold (maybe bronze?) pots, and succulents.  Its like they made them just for me!  

I can't find the original source, so if you know where this is from, let me know!

I'm going to admit that this started a little bit of a gold spray paint rampage.  Anything that was not breathing was getting a coat of spray paint.  Bottles, mason jars, ceramic pots, antique doorknobs, it was serious.

 

Anyway, I painted three small pots, transplanted three baby cacti and covered them up with bright pink aquarium rocks.  I am so happy with how cute and girly they came out.  They sit under my TV so I can admire them everyday!

Travel wishes

I am lucky enough to work in a school district that has two weeks off in the fall and spring. In the past years, I haven't really taken advantage of that time. This spring break will be different!  One of my high school besties/college roommate and I are in the midst of planning a grand adventure to...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

South Africa!

It is the perfect opportunity. One of my best friends since middle school lives in Joburg and it will be summer there!  Really, that's all I need!

We have grand plans of our time there. Mainly exploring Johannesburg, laying on the beach in Cape Town, and going on a Safari in Kruger National Park.  I can't wait to see a real live lion or elephant!  Check out these pictures!

 From here

From here

From here

And I could do nothing but stare at this view for the whole two weeks and be perfectly okay with it!

From here

I think this is going to be a great way to satisfy my travel bug for now!  Or maybe just make it worse...  16 days and counting!