BLOG TOUR

Heyyooo. 

One of my favorite bloggers, Sar, tagged me in a Blog Tour that's been going around as a quick introduction to your blog to say what's up! Of course I had to do it, so here are my answers!

Firstly, me llamo Kelly. 

What am I working on?

Oh gosh. Well, the bulk of my posts lately have been about my mom, who passed away in February after a nearly 30 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis; our recent trip to Italy; and prior to that it was a CRAP TON about our wedding- I DIY'ed a lot. All of the aforementioned has left me wondering what else I should be writing about.. but it's pretty random. 

How does my work differ from others?

Well, very much like Sar I don't blog if I don't have something to say. I know I have a blog, and made friends with some awesome bloggers through it, but I still don't FEEL like a blogger. You won't find birthday or Christmas wish lists curated in cute photo lists, you won't find space filling blog posts full of GIF's (seriously, why are these everywhere. use sparingly, people). I know a lot of people say it but I honestly don't care about numbers, comments, or followers- so maybe that contributes to the content, the frequency. I write when I want what I want. I have no delusions of trying to make money off my blog (topic far too long to get into but one I find intriguing and, gross.. lately..) and I know the place I'm going to make a difference is my real, actual, 9-5 job helping my clients- so THAT'S where I devote my time and energy. 

Why do I write what I do?

I write what pops into my head. Lately it's been some thoughts about mom.. about grief..  I also write to recap fun memories and events. I write to share DIY posts because I love crafting, talking about crafting, and there's really nothing better than a good before-and-after. I also love home decor and seeing other people's homes, so that factors into what I write. 

How does my writing process work?

There's absolutely no rhyme or reason. Some mornings I'll come here and write and hit publish right away. Sometimes Sunday nights I have my shit together and will draft a few posts for the week and schedule. Sometimes I won't be here for a week and don't feel bad about it. 

If you want to know more, let me know! I'm going to pass the buck and hope that the following bloggers give you a little tour:

Since Sar took most of my good blogging buddies and tagged them (hmpf ;-) ) I'm going to send you over to Marla's blog. She is one of the most inspiring, funny, and strong people I've ever met. Battling lupus, a childhood heart condition (I BLANKED ON WHAT IT WAS CALLED SOWWY!), and making the decision to undergo a proactive double lumpectomy. She writes both eloquently about her struggles AND humorously. 

Jenna Sue- who doesn't know I exist, but based on the aforementioned love of interior decorating I couldn't not send you to her blog to drool over her house- (also if you know the Jenna Sue font- THAT'S HER TOO!)- odds of her actually doing a tour are zero but that's not the point here, the point is the FIREPLACE. 

and lastly, Lisa- who blogs about life in Chicago, her travels, and her insanely adorable baby Clara! 

Little bit of errything for you guys today. you're welcome. :) 

If a blogger falls in the woods...

you get what I'm saying...? No?

If a blogger ceases to post, unexplicably, for a short period of time nobody probably cares about bit, do people forget about her? Negatory.

Guys, I haz a buzy. Sorta.
Monday was HH.
Tuesday was camera class (still need to chat with jess about putting together some kind of feature).
tonight I'm going home and going to RELAX TO THE MAX because this weekend is about to run me ragged.
Tomorrow is dinner with a former-very-good-friend turned someone I hadn't spoken to in nearly 3 years, which I'm looking forward to.
Friday is the first part of our religious marital education.. (which I'm just going to decline to comment on because I'm sure to piss people off), followed by a friend's birthday get together after for a bit, followed by TEN HOURS OF MARRIAGE RETREAT on Saturday. DEATH. Hot, sticky death, followed by another family graduation obligation followed by actual graduation, followed by Monday in which I longingly weep for Memorial Day weekend (OMG is that this soon?) because I have NO PLANS, NONE AT ALL.

Did that sound like complaining? It's not. It's just delerium carefully masquerading as complaining. Don't be fooled.

Anyway, mostly I'm just popping in to say HAI, and to remind myself that, I WILL BE BACK. I have a few posts in the hopper, still have to upload mother's day pics (I ACTUALLY TOOK SOME. of the fam. including my mom and I :). Embarassed to admit that was our first photo since 2010. O_O. yeeeaaa you read that right. But hey, A for Effort! annnddd I have a few smaller wedding projects I could post about. I suppose. I know it's 5 months out but I'm starting to feel a little spazzy and like I should do ALL THE THINGS, RIGHT NOW. I really want the last few weeks leading up to it to be 100% exempt from any and all projects, etc.

So that's it. Hi! how are you all?
OH and I've totally been reading blogs but mostly try to devour them quickly on my phone this week and have been lackluster at commenting. Woopsy.

Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

What better time to post this "claimed blog" nonsense than on a Sunday when nobody reads blogs anyway ;-). You know the drill. With Google Reader closing down (even though I haven't used bloglovin' since setting up an account. I'm riding Google until it dies.) I've migrated to bloglovin'....sooo please follow me over there, will ya?!

I've also added the handy little widget over on the sidebar ------->
                                                                                                       

Blogaversary

Wow, you guys. 

Thank you SO much for all the kind words on yesterday's post. 

I had today's post (below) drafted and scheduled and then realized that with the stark contrast of the topics, it'd be an awkward transition if I didn't at least address the response to yesterday's post. (blogging- ah iz lernin.) 

I want to say a few more things. 

First, I obviously knew this, but your sweet comments reminded me: sick or healthy, everybody has VERY complex relationships with their parents and other family members. I appreciate so many of you sharing such personal details about your families. It's always nice to have people to identify with. 

Second, I hope (and I don't think it did? but who knows) my post didn't come off in some weird tone of sickness-competitiveness. I don't think M.S. is 'worse' than cancer, by any means.. just that, not many people are familiar with it, so it can feel more isolating at times. They're not sure how to ask about it. If that makes sense. Or what types of things they should even be asking about, if at all.

Not that I didn't know these things, and not like anybody's comments made me feel bad or anything, but I wanted to put it out there, regardless.

 

(via)

Onto perkier topics! 

One year ago today I finally decided to cut the crap, and just start a blog.
I was always waiting for the right time, obsessed about a "niche" and direction for my writing, saying that once we got engaged.. I'd start a blog. After I finished law school, I'd start a blog. Finally one day, after reading dozens of blogs for years, I decided there was no better time then the present, so I actually.. started a blog. THIS blog, that you are reading at this very moment. 
It's my blogaversary!

Tell me I'm not the only one who has an aversion to working the word "blog" into seemingly innocuous nouns, verbs, or adjectives?
It sort of makes me cringe, and yet, what else do you call the anniversary of your blog BESIDES your blogaversary? I just can't NOT, you guys.

Anyyyywayyy, I just wanted to say thank you for following along.
Thank you for leaving SUCH sweet and insightful comments on posts like yesterday's.
Thank you for telling me my latest DIY is adorable (seriously ego-boost, ya'll are too kind).
Thank you for telling me my outfits are cute, sometimes (it makes this oft-insecure-curly-haired-girl feel really good about myself, which is nice)

I'm feeling more comfortable with this space, with my routine, and with my voice. I've really come to love drafting posts, editing photos, and getting such fantastic comments from you guys. I'm content. I guess the same can be said about my life in general, lately. So thank you, for reading about my (boring?) life and growing along with me.

As a thank you, and because I got my tax return back last week, (but seriously) I want to host my first ever little giveaway! I don't have anything purchased yet, (I think that will largely depend on who wins! tailor-made, yo) but I'm going to put together a little package. Think: statement necklace, earrings, a pretty scarf...something along those lines. :)

All you have to do to enter is follow my blog (I assume if you're reading..you're following? maybe I'm wrong) and leave a comment. Just one from each of you, please! Mayyybbeee, hmm, tell me what you'd like to see more of on the blog, what are you favorite types of posts? random ramblings? wedding posts? Or what you've enjoyed about past posts? Or just say hi! (lookin' at you, lurkers.) I'll use that random number generator thing to pick a winner. (Once I google it and figure out how to use it.)

Awww hell, bonus entry: email me a LOLcat meme photo. No, I'm not joking. aannnnddd leave a comment telling me you've done so, so I am sure to count you.
What's an LOLcat photo? (the normal people, ask). Here's an example:

I'll go shopping this weekend and pick a winner on monday/simultaneously reveal what you're gettin'

annnndd GO!

This and that: a weekend recap.

M chose to spend this weekend in the company of a bunch of dudes whilst sleeping on a lake and drinking. There was also the occasional fish caught.

Friday there was an apparent miscommunication and where I thought I'd be spending the night with a girlfriend, I actually spent the night power cleaning the house and revamping the blog a little bit.
(New header, new sidebar photos, new about me.. if yo' on GFC and curious.)

Saturday morning I shoveled the backyard, took a coffee break (pictured above), and shoveled the front, and then did some more cleaning. I then begrudgingly went to the grocery store, looking like this:

No joke it took me no less than 20 minutes to craft my mop of hair into some sort of respectable top knot that looked more "hipster" and less "greasy mop." I figured paired with the chunky scarf and black rimmed glasses it'd look deliberate to an observer.

Saturday night I had some MN Bloggers over for a little get together.

[**I have to add this: If you're a MN blogger reading this and you did not get an email, I sincerely hope you're not offended. I hope you understand that in opening up my home, and in respecting both my own and my fiance's right to privacy, I didn't feel 100% comfortable inviting people whom I had not met, or had a substantial relationship with via the blog. Also, my house is a crackerjack box. Seriously. I had to draw the line somewhere or not have enough room. We do have a massive deck that I'd love to utilize for a bigger get together on a nice day this summer, after I've hopefully met some more of you!**]

I made some mini-caprese-spears

[mozz., basil, tomatoes, drizzled in balsamic.]

Becky brought baby Bailey, who pretty much stole the show

See what I mean?
Even TJ was enthralled

Dawn brought one of her adorable daughters, Lilli. Lilli was so chill. She kept one eye on TJ at all times (he's a shifty cat) and watched Saved by the Bell on her ipad. She took a liking to the white chocolate chip stuffed raspberries too, and did her part in ensuring minimal leftovers.

[L-R back row: Becky & Bailey, Brittney, Lauren, Leah, Kelly// L-R front row: myself and Dawn]

I'm so lucky to have met some great ladies through blogging.
I've always loved reading blogs but never really knew of, or followed, Minnesota bloggers. I'm so glad Kelly organized the MN Bloggers page, it's been such a great way to connect and organize events.
Annndd actually, while we're on the topic, I've known Leah since 2006. She's been blogging longer than I have, but mostly did it for herself as a journal of sorts. It's been fun to have her interact with some of the same ladies I do, and get to share that as of recently though.

Sunday M came home from fishing and polished off the leftover caprese bites for lunch.
TJ was hopin' for a hand out, but no dice.

We snuggled on the couch for a while and watched Law & Order
TJ displaying his bipolar personality: weekday TJ is aloof and apathetic. Weekend TJ is SO NEEDY and follows you everywhere. 

Must be touching your face at ALL. TIMES.

M and I are currently curled up in the basement watching the Superbowl. Everybody in our group of friends decided to lay low, so it's just the 2 of us.
I have to say, between the Harbaugh brothers, Ray Lewis, Destiny's Child, the blackout, and the 49ers comeback (no matter how the game ends) I am now wishing I had spent the game somewhere. Just sorta. Although Twitter has provided some serious comedic relief. The #bane jokes were killing me.

Hope you all had a good weekend as well.

I'm off to google pallet sign ideas. Swung by Home Depot and got the materials for $12. Expect a DIY in the near (hopefully) future.

Four-eyes

 

I'm here today to talk glasses. 

I know, I know, you've seen a few of these reviews before and are probably rolling your eyes, but hear me out. I'm not going to be so noble in saying I would never do reviews on this site, or give you some kind of a disclaimer that I'll only do reviews that are a good "fit" for me. 

Actually it kind of took me by surprise since I have like, an M&M bag worth of followers (but I lurve all of you M&M's). 

Bottom line is: I wear glasses and contacts and my glasses are scratched to shit and 5 years old SO when Firmoo contacted me about participating in their blogger affiliate program I was all HECK YES!  

Actually, I let the email sit for a while because I'm lazy sometimes and then Antonio at Firmoo sent a follow up email and despite my poor response time and bad manners, still wanted me to participate (YAY!), and despite my usual "eye roll" at reviews, I am so glad I did. 

Their website was clean and easy to navigate. First, choose your glasses (I tried to find my exact pair on the site but they must have been a  HOTT seller because they're MIA. They have similar styles however in the #BD30003, #CP6061, and #SD2326). 

They asked for my prescription, obviously, but also the distance between your eyes so they can fit them to your face. After a quick phone call to my eye doctor to figure out how to read my prescription (der.) I was a few quick clicks away from a confirmation email! As I'm sure you know I've been trying to get more comfortable with my personal style, so I was excited to try a pair of glasses that weren't so "safe" for me, and were more trendy.

Imagine my delight when these pretties showed up (10 days after submitting my order, nonetheless):

They also came with a pink glasses wipe, and a teensy tinsy screw driver and spare screws to fix my glasses, should I ever need to! I have never seen anything like that included with the glasses, so that was a really nice assurance to have!

See!? teensy tinsy.
They also came with a pretty, solid case, which is good, because tossing my glasses in my purse pocket is what got my old pair scratched. That AND my old pair's case wouldn't snap shut fully. 

I LOVE my glasses. They're very "hipster" but they make me feel more sophisticated. They have a pretty studded detail on the arms, and they fit perfectly. They're light on my face and don't give me headaches the way my old glasses used to, because there was so much pressure on my head from how snug they were. 

They also make me feel more studious. I was inspired to read an old book about the Ojibwe from college. Just kidding, I thought it'd make for an appropriately dorky blogger-photo-op. 

The nice thing about them is they DON'T make me feel so dorky when dressed up, and that if I hadn't already put in my contacts, I would've actually worn them out to my work party Saturday night (which is what I took these photos before).

I'll admit, I feel like kind of a hypocrite for saying all this, after seeing 100 reviews for the Hana products that I was all "OK, we get it, whatever." and ignored the overall message. Also, I was a twee bit jealous of peeps gettin' free stuff.

That being said, I think it'd be 100% worth the 5 minutes it would take for you to participate in Firmoo's "First Pair Free" program which means you get to try glasses FREE by only paying the shipping.

Want to hear something even better? Glasses aren't just for four-eyes like me anymore. Glasses are trendy, and Firmoo has all of the trendiest frames, in prescription or NON-prescription! They also have sunglasses available in both options!(Do I sound like a salesman? I feel like one right now. Oh well, these glasses are awesome. I'm wearing them RIGHT NOW).

Worried about ordering from an online store? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but while I took a leap of faith in the fit/look, you don't have to! They have an option to upload a photo of yourself to virtually "try on" the glasses! I didn't have a good photo of myself to use whilst at work, which is when I ordered, but it's nice to have some visual confirmation that you won't look like a total dweeb in your new specs, even if they ARE fo free.

I found myself excited on Saturday night at the prospect of wearing glasses on Sunday, and giving my contacts a break. You guys, that NEVER happens. I avoid my specs like the plague. I'm so thrilled I got a chance to participate in this program and M has told me no less than 4 times how much he likes my new glasses.

GO GET YOURSELF A PAIR, stat.