back forrealz this time

Hello all!  So, life's rather been taking over around these parts [dastardly kittens, family pictures, birthdays, anniversaries, new car purchase, the-ever-dreaded-"work"-excuse].

And yours truly [very sadly admitting] hasn't been taking care of this blog.

[shoes pictured above: Bjorndal boat shoes in "tan"

cushion-y-leather-insoles, thick-rubber-bottoms, comparatively low price]

- IN LOVE -

See that sweet, furry friend above?  This is Riley.  He had been with our family 13 years the day that picture was taken.  A 5-lb-pot-roast-eating, chocolate swindling, bark-at-every-noise-but-deathly-afraid-of-thunderstorms best friend.

And unfortunately enough, that same day we said the final goodbye to him.  Have you ever had to do that?  If so, you can probably agree wholeheartedly with me that it's the most bittersweet experience.  But he was overtly protective, loyal, nurturing toward the other pets, and always hoping for affection.  He had it pretty darn great.

So, I hope you're well where you are, beautiful boy.

Okay, moving on.

The best part about this [unintentional] time off, is that I have a much better idea of the content I'd like to blog about.  THANK GOODNESS!  Easily, the most difficult aspect of blogging is quality/quantity/specification of content.  Ya feel me, fellow bloggers???

Now, excuse me while I go chase a kitten away from my turkey sammich! #petownerwoes

red-purple bricks & hand holding walks

Does anyone else have one of those towns, [regardless of if you grew up there or not], that will just always feel like home, no matter where you travel?  If you can tell [from the intense, chariot-riding, color fiend above], that place for me is Kansas City.

OOBER IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE:

MO or KS?  noooo, Kansas City is just Kansas City, no matter what

This city is just plain beautiful, mixing history [as emphasized by the majestic, art deco buildings] with the fast-paced style of a modern city.  BUT, what my heart races all the more for, is the relaxed & sophisticated ambiance - [entirely reminiscent of New York City].

Owen and I strolled around, taking it all in - that this city is ours now - HOME.

Those last three pic-tahs are of the downtown movie theater, which is very regal & elegant looking inside and out.  Plus, they have theaters with RECLINERS......

......and a DINNER SERVICE

...........which they BRING TO YOU

................DURING THE MOVIE.

....Okay, I'm very easily won over, mind you.  I sort of have a love affair with gorgeous, old-world style buildings, and movie theaters, and drinking during movies, and laziness....

SOOOO, where do you call home?

xoxo

it was a night filled with baseball and love

So, the last weekend, boyfriend Owen got to do what can terrify the crap out of many.......

....spend time with their significant other's extended family.

And by extended, I mean 6 aunts/uncles [and 5 spouses], 18 cousins [with 6 spouses, 1 fiance, 4 bf/gf's], and more second cousins than I could easily count.  AND that's just my mom's side of the big ol' family - [not including grandpa's & grandma's siblings, and their own extended bunches].

We kinda took up the majority of a hotel.  But, if any of you out there come from a big family, you might agree that it's pretty awesome.

And, may I just say, that handsome man can really hold his own with these people!

. . .

Okay, okay, you all probably are yawning now, right?  I just had to post about it - it really was just the perfect weekend!  Can ya blame me??  Okay, alright, I'm done blabbering now.  Oh, hey, look.... 

        ...FIREWORKS!!!! 

I know, oooooooh and aaaaaawe, right?  I've always been a total sucker for fireworks, especially during those warm summer nights spent having a blast with your favorite people.

xoxo

surprises have always been my favorite

You know what's terribly annoying?  Photo editing websites that are CONSTANTLY CRASHING.  I hate to point fingers [so i won't], especially considering that opinion is hardly worth bashing anything for, but a girl's gotta get some work done!

GEEZ.

Anywhoooo.  An explanation has certainly been owed, and me hopes the photo goodies I've collected will make up for it!  I may be biased, but they're pretty darn good ;)


BUT, for now, a surprise!

Introducing....

The beautiful, furry little babies Kali and Luna!  Call me a total softy [which i really really am], but when I walked into the adoption area of my local pet store the other day and saw these adorable fur blobs, I FELL IN LOVE.

And see that blue donut-looking-thingy?  I literally don't think I've ever seen an animal [or, plural in this case] so overjoyed and spastic to play with a toy before [and that's including my goofy cockapoo pup Marley who ADORES chewing caps off of plastic bottles... it's like the most important challenge in the entire world to her...].


So wish me and boo bear Owen luck with the new fluffballs!  [it'll be quite the adventure ;)]  Hope you are all well with your loved ones and own special little fur babies!

:)

commencing the happy dance

FINALLY.DONE.MOVING.  And it feels sooooo good, cause this apartment is AWESOME.


AND finally time for blogging again!  ;)

revamp

Soooooo... you may [or totally may not...] have noticed that something's a little different around here - nay, cleaner and sharper looking.  After [truly] numerous hours of sprucing, I've finally come up with the new look I've been wanting for my little blog.  And I very much hope that you all enjoy it as much as I do!

[...especially the social media button thingys, cause - no joke - that part legit took the longest, and they look SOOO COOL!]


* SOURCES FOR THE SUPER NEAT SOCIAL MEDIA BUTTONS: *
     http://www.hernewleaf.com/2012/05/11/freebie-friday-set-of-ten-free-social-media-network-buttons/
     http://blog.noisettemarketing.com/2011/12/pantone-social-media-icons/

props to the best man ever - Papa Bear!

Have I ever mentioned how awesome my Dad is??  I've always known, but little moments lately have really opened my eyes to it much more than normal.

Awesome Dad moments:

Taking it upon himself to go on a total life-changing diet and still sticking with it after starting months ago.

He's looking so healthy, energetic, and just happier now.

This one is pretty neat to me since my Dad has now

become all the more of a role model!

Along with the diet, he's also taking it upon himself to help my mom out more with household chores.

This makes me the absolute happiest of anything.  The

moment came when I was home and watching him do

laundry.  He usually never does it, so I asked why.

Response: "Just so your mom doesn't have to always do

it, and keep going up and down the stairs."  Right after

that, I watched him clean out the cat's litter box [another

thing he never does].  Totally sweet, right??

Unbeknownst to me, he wanted to make a little trek up to my new apartment with my mom to check it out, aka make sure the building won't crumble and/or burglars won't do horrible things to me/my stuff.

To be fair to Papa Bear, I am his first born AND his only

daughter.  That special place-in-heart that everyone has

has gotta be filled by me!  ;)

Lastly, he's somewhat changed how he hugs me.  They've always been perfectly good, but now the hugs are lasting longer.

Could be that I recently graduated from his alma mater.

Could be that boyfriend Owen is exactly the man he's

always wanted for me.  Could be that he's been thinking

about his future grandchildren [......YEP].  Whatever the

reason, it's been totally appreciated and enjoyed!

So, here's to you, Papa Bear!
On a day dedicated to fathers, you certainly take the cake!

 <-- look at that handsome man!

pardon my hiatus...

Oh boy.  It feels SO dang long since I've posted anything - [so sorry to you wonderful followers, as well as my poor little bloggy].  You all truly are wonderful, and I can safely say that even years from now I will still remember you followers who gave me my confidence to join in the blogging world.
I am one heck of a grateful lady.
I've been feeling rather sentimental lately - mainly because I've been packing up all my stuff for the huge haul to the new apartment.  I made a promise to myself that I would get rid of a lot in order to make room [or, in all reality, to upgrade from the less-than-classy college-esque home style i once had].  The hiatus came unintentionally due to this, along with numerous errands and trips home.  Not to worry though, that new apartment will be mine within a couple of weeks [muahahahahaha!].  Until then, I have quite a few photo goodies and "awww"-worthy posts to share!  Stay tuned?

legit wholesale makeup

[MAC- wonderstruck lustreglass, lipstick #5, lipstick #11]

[Stila- convertible color dual lip&cheek cream in "lillium"]

[named #5/#11 because they're "blemish" products - read here about that]

Ever heard of allcosmeticswholesale?  This website is like a freakin' goldmine for all my favorite quality makeup products [MAC, Nars, Stila, etc.], and what's awesome is that they are sold at a lower price than retail!  I purchased this bunch of lovelies a mere five days ago and the package arrived today [which i ripped open like a christmas fool].

SO...

I highly recommend this website for all you fellow makeup lovers and beauty enthusiasts.  Smile pretty!  : )

summer teasing

[in . gre . di . ent = YUM]

[big juicy baby!]

[so juicy, so sweet]

[viva glam VI   .   live and dye]

Post-college bliss.  The first week after graduation, I didn't quite notice a change, but now I'm finally feeling it.  So what does it entail?

lunch date with my mister

tons of perfect watermelon - right in time for SUMMER!

a clean apartment (it's the little things in life...)

gussying myself up for a day with my momma of job hunting and lunch dating

AND

my first MAC lipstick and lipgloss

Yes, I caved.  Although...to be fair, I've been waiting to cave.  Graduation moolah provided my reasoning.  And my local CCO provided an excellent price [only $10 for each!].

So, [as i raise my glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon - which is absolutely refreshing], here's to you, Summer.  May you continue to delight me, as well as anyone who reads this.

<3

something exciting

Can you believe I'm officially a COLLEGE GRADUATE?!  Yes, that glorious day has come and gone, and it was far better than I imagined.

[i will never lose that inner kid  ;) ]

[and, of course, boyfriend Owen was there looking sharp - and proud!]

And always remember...

Whatever you do,  always do what you love

Wherever you go,  cherish your place in life
Whomever you become,  just be the person you see in your heart

unwind

[fresh berries & mug of juice. ends the day perfectly.]

[coral & turquoise. match made in heaven.]

[natural volume hair day.  favorite.]

[Avengers date with my mister - Owen, not Thor ;) ]

[HULK SMASH]

Sometimes there's really nothing better than a wonderful, leisurely day.  [more than one is even more spectacular]  I couldn't have planned it out any better.

THURS:

official end to college classes!

best workout i've had in a long time - [my legs still burn]

pizza & Avengers date with boyfriend Owen

FRI:

hibachi grill, with my first taste of sriracha - [YUM]

leisurely day of napping, pet shelter, & graduation preparation

second Avengers night with my family

Now on to finals, graduation, and FREEDOM.  Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

[P.S.  I strongly recommend everyone see The Avengers!  AMAZING movie!]

new york city

[small clutch instead of a purse in a big city = WISDOM]

 

[Grand Central really is as big as everyone says]

[legit New York City diner - with amazing food!]

[pre-NewYear's-kiss]

[such a charmer]

[make friends wherever you go - you'll meet the best people]

[view from the beautiful Central Park]

[there's nothing better than sharing a major life experience with your best friend]

[made. for. each. other]

[i can just smell those NYC hotdogs, aka perfection]

[Rockefeller - it really is so breathtaking]

[and the love affair continues...]

[bucket list: see Carrie Bradshaw's stoop]

[this should be in every major city]

[atop the Empire State Building]

[at the well-known Magnolia's Bakery ... YUM]

[Just come as you are, and when you leave, you will be changed.

Everyday is a gift, everyday is a gift, and it's all slipping away.]

"New York City" - Among Savages

Months later, and I'm still missing New York City.  [the architecture, the subway musicians, the bistros/diners/streetfood, the magic & electricity ceaselessly glowing]  I love, and fully appreciate, having the ability to reminisce.

Great: having the privilege to experience something awesome.

Greater: having the privilege to re-experience.

Greatest: the moment of realizing the gift of those privileges.

So..

Thank you, Big Guy Upstairs, for all the privileges I've come to realize, and especially those I have yet to.