november has come and gone

Wow this month seemed to fly by. So many things have happened. First off I started working woth 4year olds in a pre k class for some of my practicum hours. Its going alright but feels an awful lot like the nursery I work in...makes me rethink my desire to teach kindergarten. But we will see what jobs are available when I'm out there looking.
The biggest news by far is that I might not be student teaching this spring!!! I'm going to have to turn in an appeal to the education rewiew board and dopefully they will allow me to teach. I missed the november VRA test because of a mix up with the registration. I am realllllllly hoping for a may graduation date it fits in with all my plans and robbys too! So hopefully it will all work out one way or another. (Side note I'm typing this on my phonw and akl the letters are jumbled looking, so I hope this is readable)
Also its that time of year again. I'm trying to figure out what to give everyone for christmas. I love to make things as gifts but understand that people don't always want something handmade by me...so I'm trying to figure out what else will work. I've been making and painting these super cute letters at color me mine and have been stringing them together to create cute words for the home, like "joy" and "welcome" I'm thinking about getting robby a beer making kit for christmas? I dunno I'm not really sure how much work that takes and if he would keep up with it or if it would fall by the wayside as other little projects have.
Speaking of projects I'm about to start a major one I'm trying to make the "amy butler weekender bag" I am a very beginner sewer? (Why does that word look like the street sewers...ugh I hate not knowing how to spell) and hope that even though this is above my ability level I will be able to finish it. The bag is just so darn cute. I will be posting pictures and any advice/problems I run into along the way.

Alright off to work I go. One last thing...happy year and 6 months baby :) I love you! (I know 1 1/2 years is like a middle school sounding anniversiary but hey its a personal best lol)

<3c

Happy Halloween

Robby and I carved pumpkins this past weekend. It was something that we had done last year and I loved. We were both very excited to get pumpkins and even more excited to carve them. When we were scraping out the pumpkins to get all of the seeds out mine started to fall apart! I was pulling out stuff that looked like shredded carrots and it was unraveling the pumpkin! it was weird. I had never seen anything like it, and was very concerned for the fate of my pumpkin.
Robby managed to console me and assured me it would turn out fine.. and if it didnt he would buy me a new one. Well i went for it and I carved a evil big pumpkin eating a smaller pumpkin. It turned out great. I had such a blast and really liked the effect. Robby went with a scary face after much deliberation. He is such a perfectionist and his face looked amazing. Now they will greet the imaginary trick-or-treaters that never come to robbys house :(

Hope everyone has a happy halloween!!!

a little before and after

So about three years ago my mom purchased these kitchen chairs and a cute little table from a garage sale for me to take to college. I really liked the modern look of the set but the black fabric was a little plain for me. And it got these weird stains on it? idk. So anyways I was bored one weekend and looking for a fun little DIY make over. I decided to just look at the fabric store and see what they had.
I found this cute little print it is gray and green (i know it looks kinda purple? i dunno why) and decided to recover them. Robby got really excited and helped out too! It was a very fun little project. I think they turned out great. I am still unsure if I like the color of the wood. I am thinking about either painting it white :) :) or staining it darker brown, an espresso kinda color? Any thoughts? Let me know.

A fun night preserving another fun night

I have been looking at encaustic art for a while now. I think its a very interesting style and have been wanting to try it out. After experimenting on my own for a while Robby suggested that we use this method to make a collage of our Virginia Teach trip pictures and game tickets! It was a wonderful idea. We spent last Saturday night melting wax, arranging photos, and having fun with the heat gun. It was awesome and turned out super cute!

Lots to blog about

So much has happened in the past few months. Made some great purchases and had some fun times. Nicki has my camera but as soon as i get it back be ready for lots of pictures and fun postings!!

ps. totally going to the tech vs. miami game with Robby <3 <3 <3

Doggie treat jars

So i made this treat jar. I have made dog bowls in the past and would really like to sell them. I think it is so much fun to make custom designs for people and create something that others enjoy.
i made this to take to robbys house. It turned out soooo cute. I am going to try and sell ones like it at my etsy shop!

June

Wow another month of summer... gone.
I made cupcakes for kelseys graduation! and Helen's Birthday! they were beautiful
I love cupcakes it was such a fun girls afternoon decorating them.

Super Busy sumemr

Ugh.... between summer classes, babysitting, and finding dime for my friends, robby, and myself I have been SOOO BUSY!

The things that are currently on my mind:

wanting to paint...lots of pictures.
wanting to start a bakery.. and sell cupcakes.
going to buy a new bathing suit. (soon i hope)
Would like to have a coach purse.
Have decided that as soon as I graduate and get a job I am getting an iphone. (sorry berry)
would like more time on the beach.
Wishes that libraries were set up like barnes and noble.
Can i just graduate already???
Already decorating my future house in my head.... basically done still working on the office in my mind.. and what to do about the pool room... :/
stoked on my runs. Holding strong at 3 miles a day :) and going for 4 at the beach tomorrow.
Feeling semi guilty about saying i couldnt babysit tonight... when i really could i just need some free time.
Wanting to cook. (see above cupcake shop dreams...lol)


Ok i think thats about it... these are the thoughts that run through my mind when im daydreaming..
<3c

In a good place

Right now things are going pretty well for me. I really feel like I am in a good place. Summer school classes are starting, so I am getting ready for that. I am developing a workout plan and am trying to make better choices when I eat, and eat SMALLER PORTIONS!! i think that is going to help out a ton. I am still waiting to hear back from the interview that I had last week. I am really hoping that I get the job. or at least get some of the weeks.
I also discovered this wonderful artist, and learned that she uses encaustic technique when creating her collages. I really want to get into doing that and am looking at taking a summer class on that.
Also got my hair done ( I LOVE IT ) it looks awesome I think next time I might want even more blond in it but it looks super cute. Picture to be posted soon! as soon as i get my straightener back from michelle.
One more little note I am trying to buy the blackberry world edition from ebay. I think i can get one pretty cheap and i will just use it to see if i like it better than my storm. And if i don't i can just resell it on ebay. I just dunno i mean the storm is awesome 75% of the time i just dont know if the world edition will be even better.

<3c

smile

smile
Originally uploaded by thirteenwinks

Yay Nicki!
She graduated this Saturday from Radford University!!
So proud of her :)

March 17

March 17
Originally uploaded by thirteenwinks

Its a little late but this is me and the girls on st. pattys day. We were too late for the green beer :(

Flickr

hmm i wanted to delete this but i dont know how

My one free day

Thinking about trading in my storm for the curve.
Busy weekend ahead.
Stoked on my hair tomorrow :)

What to do, what to do

As I was laying in bed last night, I was remembering this time last year. It was a struggle for me I had not heard from my boyfriend in a week and was basically breaking up with him at this time. So I was looking for something to distract me and get really involved in. I decided that I wanted to design dog bowls for people and sell them. Trying to start my own little business. I came up with designs, researched places to get supplies and where I could fire the ceramic bowls. I even had a title for my business.... And then I started dating Robby. And that became a happy summer distraction and slowly I was too busy with him and school work to really put the time into my "business" that it needed.
Well as I was about to fall asleep I really wished that I had some sort of business to run. I know that I am about to receive my degree in education and then my masters. So I know that ultimately I am going to be teaching for some time. Which will be great because I will have benefits and a steady salary.
But I feel that even then I am going to want more. I am going to want to do something creative. I want to make money designing and selling things for people. I just need to figure out exactly what it is I want to do. As I was falling asleep listening to the announcers saying how impressive Lebron James was doing and he was only 24! i just turned 22 and I want to have that i want to be making money and doing something impressive for someone my age.

p.s. Yay! for selling books back and getting money!!!!

Something like this?

necklace via here

Im thinking this necklace is cute to for kay. Maybe get 09 stamped on one and Kelsey on the other?
or Ollie (her doggies name) stamped on one?

Wow...another semester ends

Super cute necklace via here

Finally I am almost done with this semester and a wonderful 3 days off before i start my summer classes! whoot!

So much to talk about but first Kelsey, Robby's little sis, is graduating HS this year. I have been looking for something cute to get her as a gift. I just found this necklace on etsy.com its super cute and her style I think.. i just dont know if thats what i want to get her yet. I also want to get myself a hand stamped necklace, not sure what I want on it though. Thinking "stella" on one "c&r" on the other? my initials on it instead? So still thinking about that.

I have my hair appointment is friday! super excited. cant wait to post before/after photos. Hopefully it will be super cute!

Lately I have this desire to just up and move to southern california (after i graduate of course) get a small appartment, a teaching job, and live there with stella and just enjoy my surroundings. I dunno it just feels sometimes like that was where I was always supost to be. I mean i love virginia Beach but sometimes i just want to get away. I am thinking that next summer I might take some vacations by myself.. or with courtney just as a break i could just relax and do whatever I want.
I think that most of these feelings are brought on because I feel like Robby and I are so final. We basically live together, but dont. Which is very trying for me I am constantly moved around not feeling truely settled at either location.
Also I wonder if I am ready to be so close to living with someone, I always thought I would have my own place after I graduated and decorate it the way I wanted to, not having to make compromises, or get permission to have something. I just feel like that step is going to be the next step in my life. I am going to go straight from graduating to offically living with robby. I dont know If i am ready for that, I dont know if he is ready for that. Granted this is all still at least a year away but still. Its just that feeling. I guess time will tell.. hopefully it will all work out.

<3c

grr

So yesterday I had to attend a substitute training session. It was so boring in there were all the types of people i remember substituting in my classes when i was younger. They were clueless, and the lady who was teaching us did not understand nor answer any ones questions correctly. Ugh.

Following that i had my hair appointment. So i went to the salon a little early and waited (i even checked in with a lady). Then at 4:10 (my appointment was at 4) a lady walks up to me and asks me if i am a walk in or if i had an appointment. I tell her that i am waiting for a 4pm appointment with Sarah, she looks at the book and turns out they had written me down for a 10 am appointment? Ugh so after waiting a month for my highlights i had to reschedule. For another 3 weeks down the road. I dunno im thinking about just not going there and trying to get in to another place. I just am trying not to spend too much money.

Tonight is michelles b-day dinner. So that should be lots of fun, her birthday isnt till saturday but it will be nice to see everyone and have some fun :)

<3c

A rainy day

man it is pouring outside right now. i just sat down to write this and heard a noise outside, i was like "wow its really coming down out there... ohmygod Stella!!!" She was in the backyard. So i just rescued my wet little puppy. And now she has curled up on my bed as revenge for being out in the rain.
Yum im enjoying a fresco style chicken ranchero taco from taco bell. I am really trying to get some healthier options from fast food restaurants when i have to stop at them.

a pic of my baby

blah

wow talk about not being current with my posts.
So much has been going on i haven't really had the time for updates. I have had my 22nd birthday and am finishing up my 4th year of school. I took the night off from hanging out at robbys and im just looking at stuff on my computer and procrastinating getting my work done.
Notes:
i bought some books to read today :)
i need to take some clothes to the goodwill
i really want to make some stuff for etsy
i need to make some birthday gifts for michelle and mr.ryan
I want to graduate!!!

that pretty much sums up my life currently
ooh and im getting my hair highlighted on wed!!! super excited about that

<3c

So ready for the weekend.

Well dinner last night was a step back from my splendid valentines feast. The chicken some how just was not that good, so I was glad I bought some pasta to supplement it. I went to Borders last night with Robby. I love going to the bookstore. I don't know why but I can always find so many books that I want at a bookstore, and I struggle to find interesting ones at the library. Don't get me wrong I love my local library and I check out so many books during the summer. But there is just something about a bookstore that makes books so easy to find and so much more interesting. I broke down and bought a book last night, Robby wanted to buy it for me but I feel bad when he spends so much money on me. I got American Wife, it is supposedly the story of a first lady from her childhood to the white house. When I got into it a bit more I found it was based on the life of Laura Bush, so that should be interesting. 

I taught my lessons for Kindergarten today, and they went well. I didn't realize that they were so short, and should have planed for more activities. But oh well the kids were great and so much fun to teach. I love kindergarten, I think if I was teaching a younger grade like that I would really enjoy it. :) 

Oh and side note I'm thinking about dying my hair blond .....

a nice afternoon for a canceled class

Well on wed. my lesson plan went pretty well. I was a little unprepared with focus questions and perhaps what the teacher wanted the kids to gain from the lesson. No matter, I think i presented it very well, and the kids had fun. 

Robby and I went out to a nice dinner yesterday at the Texas Steak house at Redmill. It was a nice evening out and quite a fun Wed. My waiter was the same guy who had hired me when I first started waitressing. It was nice to see him he was a really great guy, and very pleasant to talk with.  After dinner I drove around for a few minutes so we wouldn't be super early to the movie, and proceeded to almost get into an accident while in the parking lot (Of course yet another driving blooper happens when Robby is in the car) so he decided that he would rather me park and be early to the movie. We saw some movie with Clive Owen... it was not a bad movie..Robby fell asleep. But over all a fun night out, I love that we still go out on fun little date nights like that <3

This morning I had my book talk. I swear Elementary Education is the only major where your doing a dress up book report when your 21. I did the paper bag princess, a childhood fav. Eh it turned out alright, I of course forgot a few things that would have made it better but ooh well. Then my next teacher canceled class!! WHOO hooo! (and I took it upon myself to declare that my afternoon class should be canceled for me as well) So that lead to a nice afternoon JOG! I know right.. finally a jog. This has been the most ironic new year. I am in exactly the same shape as I was last Jan, even though I ran a 1/2 marathon in Aug. I know its because i despise running in the cold and just choose not to do it. So now i'm back to wheezing after a mere two miles. ::ugh:: oh well. time to get back on track

Tomorrow I am teaching two more lessons for the little Kindergartners! Im super excited about that. And those lessons are much more laid out so I don't feel so out of the loop. And I am going to make some yummy chicken dinner tonight, I have started collecting recipes on allrecipes.com :) 

typical tuesday

Making myself some mac n cheese. Yummm!

Ugh so I have to teach my first lesson tomorrow morning and I am a little bit concerned. I hope that the kids are able to stay on task, I haven't really developed a "hook" or intro to the lesson I just have the pre-made science lab the teacher gave me. Im stressing about it I want it to go ok. 

Wow and I am supost to be keeping a teacher journal, and well that has gone about as well as my blog updates. Im going to need to work on that soon too...

But in other news I am still thinking up crafty ideas for my esty shop. I still kind of want to get the dog bowl thing up and running, but I just have not had the time to really get into it. 

Speaking of running that has not gone so well. I think i am going to do some "work out weekend" updates a-la wishcake. I have signed up to run a 8k for the shamrock marathon weekend in the middle of march here in VB. Yeah well, needless to say im up to about two miles and hate going running in the cold. Im seriously regretting signing up for this guy. Oh and my boyfriends mother is running in it too (i thought it would be fun for us both to do it) so I don't want to be too embarrassed. :/ 

Yum yum the mac n cheese is ready. 

<3c

exit exam

Ugh. Up early after having to miss a fun night with my friends by going to bed early. Off to take the exit exam for school. Hopefully I will pass this thing the first time, but (as im sure some readers have noticed) my grammar is not the best. I just want this to be over and have me pass. Blah. 

Off to type for a few hours. 

Crafting

Yay! new stuff on my etsy! Go check it out, leave me comments and let me know what you think!

My First Blog!

Hi, I wonder if anyone will actually read this, I hope they do. I have sort of a romantic idea of blogging, I feel it is such a wonderful way for others to get to know a side of you that you might not often share. I am curious I wonder if I will have enough to say, If I will keep up with my blog etc.

Currently I live in Virginia Beach, VA with my wonderful fiancee Robby. We are getting married July 9th, 2011. I am so very excited to be starting the next part of my life with him :)

I am a 2nd grade teacher and spend all of my free time reading interior design blogs. I love great design and the thrill of a great craigslist find that I know with a little TLC will be wonderful!

I love interior design and hope that this blog will showcase some wonderful design and have some DIY projects for you to try!

okie Have a great day everyone!!!