Unpacking

I have spent almost all day helping my friend unpack her stuff in her new home.

I mentioned the other day how much I love organizing and unpacking, needless to say I had a ton of fun today. This was what her closet looked like when I got there...

Almost every shirt was poorly hung or inside out. The longest part of our day was spent hanging them all in the same direction. We made sure that you could see the front of the shirt from the front of the closet. At first she asked if we could just organize them without hanging the correctly because it would be easier. I didn't let her do it halfway though.

This was the after picture...

When your closet is organized like this it is so much easier to get ready in the morning. If you know it is going to be a hot day you only have to look at the shirts in the sleeveless section rather than the entire closet. It also will save you money because you know what you have and don't buy too many similar items.

We also unpacked her bathroom...

Those containers come in packs of three for only $1 at Walmart and are the best things for drawers! I use them in my hall closet, bathrooms and even my kitchen. Having a drawer like this costs less than $3 and will help keep your place clean because it is so easy to quickly pick up.

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If anyone is interested I may do a tutorial on how to organize a closet like this!

It really isn't that hard but there is a method to the madness.

the life of a firefighter's wife

After four years of being together with a firefighter I have just recently started having a hard time spending the time alone while he is at work. My husband works 24 hour shifts every other day for five days then has four straight days off. It is easy to understand if you look at it in a real week, think MWF he works from 7 am to 7 am the next morning and then he would have Tuesday and Thursday off in between as well as Sunday then the next four straight days off.

Make sense?

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It isn't terribly long but still long enough for me to start to miss him.

I normally love my time alone and deal with it quite well. I can have girls nights, friends over and make evening plans with my Young Life girls without having to feel guilty about abandoning my husband. Today felt a little bit more normal though because I was way to busy to even notice he wasn't home. It could be way worse though some places have 48 hour shifts at a time. I would go crazy if that was his schedule, especially if we had kids.

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On the flip side though I am crawling the walls by the time his fourth day off comes around. The dishes start to pile up, our place is trashed and the laundry is in need mile high. 96 hours together that often is not as great as it sounds.

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I do get this coming home to me though so I will stop complaining.

What I'm reading

This summer I seem to be devouring any book that I can get my hands on. I have been reading one and have been listening to another on tape for when I work out.

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I just listened to this on tape... It was decent but not my favorite. I think it may have something to do with the reader of the tape. She read it so fast that you didn't have time to process what was being said.

I listened to Water for Elephants before that since a friend highly recommended it. It was very different from what I normally read but I enjoyed it.

Currently I am listening to Love the One Your With. I was pretty sceptical about this one but I was still hopeful that I would like it. I am about half way through and I am really enjoying it! I can't wait to "read" her other books.

(My husband says I can't say that I read them because I listen to them.)

These are ones I have actually read...

The two I have finished are the stories of Tamar and Bathsheba.

The cover says...

One of the five unlikely women who changed eternity.

They were both so inspiring that I can't wait to finish the rest of the series.

The author is the same one who wrote Redeeming Love, one of the most amazing books ever. If you haven't read it you need to pick it up.

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I also have the Time Travelers Wife waiting for me to read before I see the movie!

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Are there any more amazing books out there I should order from the library?

My new scent

For over 4 years now I have been looking for the perfect perfume that filled two necessary requirements. It had to be one that I loved as well as my husband. I was really looking for a smell that would captivate him, I wanted him to hug me, notice the smell me and smile!

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I guess this is really what we are looking for from most of our purchases whether it is a new outfit, piece of jewelry, new undergarments or a new hair do. We want it to be the one that instantly catches our husband's attention. I have learned by now though that men aren't as observant as we would like them to be about such things.

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One of the biggest problems is finding one that is floral or fruity enough for me without reminding me of the days when over layering yourself with Bath and Body Works products was the thing to do. I am really not a must girl and I don't want one that is overly serious. I want to be able to throw on an amazing outfit and match the way I am feeling with a scent.

This is what I found about a month ago...

We were walking around an adorable boutique and stumbled across a few pretty bottles of perfume. I knew that I loved sweet pea and that men were suppose to love vanilla but I was still shocked that he actually liked it!!

The best way I can describe the scent to you is fun and young with out being too over the top. It was actually what I had hoped that Wink by Lilly Pulitzer would smell something like before I found that it was way too serious smelling for me.

Click on the picture if you would like to go to their website. There are some other scents on it that I would love to smell.

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Now I keep it on a hot pink catchall tray that is directly next to my front door so that I will actually remember to throw some on as I run out the door. My husband has even started commenting that I smell nice when I wear it!

I have obtained my ultimate Goal! He noticed and loves it!

Credit

I have been working really hard on getting our credit score amazing for the next time we purchase a house or new car. I have even taken classes on it for work. I learned a ton in these classes so I figure I would pass it along to you so that you can get the best interest rates. There are little things about credit that go against what we would normally think so it is important to know the facts. Credit really is more than a number so it is good to know how to be in the best position available especially in these trying times.

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Here is what I have learned about credit.

Credit card companies report to three different credit reporting agencies so you can have three different scores.

You can check your credit once a year for free without hurting it.

Free credit report.com is not free.

850 is the best credit score you can achieve.

You can't fail, a lower score means higher rates and more of a liability to loan out to.

Canceling a credit card that is years old also cancels the credit tied to the card. You need credit history so canceling this past credit history hurts you. Cut up your card if you are tempted to use them is a much better option. If you have more than three or so though cancel the newest ones.

Any inquires to your credit ding it as well as late payments. Don't fall for the 10% off your first purchase at a store question when you check out. Most store charge you a crazy high interest rate that will more than make up for the measly 10% saved. I recently heard of a local jewelry store that charged 50% interest.

Paying your credit cards completely off and never using them again will actually hurt your credit. They want to see that you can have revolving debt, basically that you use it wisely.

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There are three magic levels of credit card debt

From worst to best the levels are...

100%

70%

50%

30%

10%

30% is ideal and 10% is the absolute best.

This is the amount of your overall debt not the amount debt on each card. Having a card maxed out is not good though even if your other ones are empty.

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Hope this helps you make the best of your credit!!

Preparing for baby showers

In the past two days I have made two trips to Babies R Us for baby shower presents.

It's really no secret that I love babies and pretty much everything for them. When I pick up baby presents I always take a little time to walk around and enjoy all the cute bedding and blankets. Today I stumbled across bedding that I absolutely love. I swear my ovaries hurt I loved it so much.

Here is the girls version...

And the boys...

The following picture is what we already have stored away in our baby box...

Isn't it just too perfect?

My wedding dress

Kelly has asked us to show us your wedding dress!

My dress was the second one that I tried on and what I compared every other dress to from then on. I wanted something that was simple and classic, the only detail to my dress was the way that it was sewn. The amazing silk fabric was what really made my dress.

I loved my veil and had an amazing time having it made custom for my dress. I went to a place in Denver called Sara Gabriel, she only makes veils, fun headpieces and jewelry. It really was such a unique and fun experience. I went from my appointment there where she had me try on my dress and matched the color and measured out the length to another shop where they could care less that my dress was in the car or what color it was. I was more than happy to pay the extra for Sara to make it! You may have seen her work before in many of the bridal magazines.

Baby mode

My husband is in full fledged baby mode right now! He has calculated out that if we get pregnant this month the baby will be due the same month he turns 29. He even asked me today when I will be ovulating next, I have a phone application that gives you an educated guess. He will be the most amazing father because he loves kids so much. It also helps they automatically fall in love with him right away. I have hundreds of photos of him playing with different kids.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Eli his favorite little girl (don't tell our 4 nieces). She is the youngest of three and absolutely fearless. I can't say her name without him breaking into a huge smile.

This is him and Sydney our god daughter. We have become super close with her family (her father passed away last year from lung cancer). Her mother is already 50 so the possibility of her being our daughter is pretty real.

This is one of my favorite photos of them. We had a sleepover while my husband spent the night at the firehouse. I love the terror on her face and how my dog wants to play.

This is Lukas, he is in mommy mode right now but he will go to both of us! He loves to wave at my hubby.

This is Delaney. She is 18 months now but I had to include this photo because it's so cute. Last time we watched her she was super impressed that he could draw her favorite cartoon character for her, Wall*E.

What other man wants 6 kids in his wedding?

Caraline at our wedding! She talks about him every time she sees a firetruck drive by.

Last but not least this is Eli's older brothers over 4 years ago. We buried them in the sand one night them stripped them off outside and threw them in the bath. One of my favorite nights ever with him.

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I can't wait to see how attached he gets to our own children someday soon!

My new gig

I just booked my first gig as a paid professional organizer!!

So this was totally by accident and I don't plan on starting an official business but I really love organizing closets for people! I am going to do some babysitting trade for my dentist for dental work and I suggested organizing her closet. She was so excited that she wants me to do all three kids closets and the basement as well. I use to live with them as their nanny so I obviously know the kids and house well! I am just so excited she said yes!

I just hope I can get her to get rid of her county style furnishings and stick with only her contemporary style. She has a very bad mix of the two right now and it is not pretty.

(Country can be very cute but not early 90's country mixed with contemporary.)

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Here are a few shots of my closets.

I LOVE baskets!

I also love going into my closet and being able to find exactly what I need for that particular day's weather. All of my shirts are organized by shirt sleeve length then color. I will take before and after pictures to show all of you when I finish! I know it's going to be a huge job, she has a ton of clothes.

Answers to your questions.

Becky said...

Where is your favorite place to shop?

My favorite place to shop is most likely J Crew or Forever 21. I love that I can find such amazing deals at both places. I usually don't buy anything at J Crew unless it is on sale. Everyone thinks they are super expensive but if you know what will most likely go on sale and shop when they have an extra percentage off you can get some great deals.

I find some amazing deals on dresses from both places. I have tons of fun dresses and skirts that I love wearing because I feel great in them. Most of them I find for under $20.

Her other question was, if you were on a deserted island what three things would you want with you-not including people!

I would want my iPhone because I think it maybe already permanently attached. I would also take my computer with all of my audio books loaded. I guess I would also need electricity to run both so neither would really be ideal would they? Third I would take a bed, I love my sleep!

Prissy Southern Prep said...

What has been the best thing for your skin?

I just finished up a three month cycle of antibiotics for my hormonal acne and it worked great. It was worth all of the side effects (dizziness and things tasted funny) and having to use birth control again. I no longer get huge hard cysts before my period and it has gotten rid of the little bumps I use to get. If I didn't take it every 12 hours I could tell because I would break out right away. I was very nervous about what would happen when I stopped taking them but they had already killed whatever was in my body and now my face looks so much better. I still break out but they come to the surface so much faster and go away so much faster now.

Stephanie said...

I'm always curious to see people's wedding and engagement rings. Could you post a picture of yours, and maybe the story behind your proposal?

I loved this question so much I am going to do it as a separate post. It started to get so long and I wanted to take a little extra time to write it.

JaneMH said...

-What type of dog is Ridley?

Ridley is part Chihuahua but since she was rescued we aren't sure what else she is. My husband had her before we even started dating. My husband's friend found her and when he asked a police officer what he should do with her he was told it would be much better to find a new home for her since she was being abused at her current home. She is so sweet to us but as soon as some one else comes in she tries to bite them. She is as sweet as can be though when they sit down. She doesn't realize that people walk to move around not to kick her or attack us. She must have been kicked because she has ribs that haven't healed correctly.

-You have great taste clothing wise. Other then Forever 21 and J Crew what other stores do you shop. Do you have any favorite Etsy sites?

Wow, before you asked that I didn't realize I don't really shop at too many places. I love to stick to stores I know well especially when I know how to get such great deals there. I love to look atAnthropologie but I rarely buy anything. Nordstrom is always great!

I love to stock up on the big sales every year. There is a huge sale every summer in an area that is all upscale boutiques, I use the sale to stock up on designer jeans.

I like Etsy but nothing is sticking out in my head right now. I have only ordered one thing so far.

Just curious about if you have any siblings?

I have one little brother, everyone thinks he is much younger than me because I always refer to him as little. He is only 2 and a half years younger but he is only 5"5 (I am 5"6) hence the little comments. He is such an amazing guy though, he would do anything to help anyone out. His size has added to his great personality notcreated a runt complex.

Katie asked...

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Truthfully I always wanted to be a mermaid. I still secretly may want to! Life just seems so much simpler.

I have always loved houses though and I have always known that I would be in real estate. I can remember paying attention to peoples houses and neighborhoods since I was very little.

Thanks for your questions. I just realized how long it took me to actually post my answers.

Mile High Music Festival Day 2

We had another amazing day at the Mile High Music Festival.

Watching Jack's Mannequin, they were pretty good.

My little brother

Sleeping later that day. A local bank set up a tent complete with free water, some amazing couches and free 80 styles sunglasses. If you look in the above picture you will see my brother rocking them. I couldn't believe how many people were wearing them by the end of the weekend.

Chilling on the couches in the shade!

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The next picture and story were so funny. We watching this goofy man come in to the tent and ask a few different women if they were Laura. He didn't have any luck but started talking to the girl next to us. He ended up leaving arm in arm with the girl next to us. We were pretty impressed that it all happened in under 5 minutes.

I snagged this photo of my friend Kim watching his smooth moves.

Hubby hanging out.

The Fray!

The screen across the top of the stage broadcasted from a camera that was on each member of the band. It was really unique and different.

Part of our group

Mile High Music Festival

We spent a long fun filled day in the sun yesterday at the Mile High Music Festival.

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had any time time to write any posts, I still am going to answer your questions very soon. It took me much longer than I anticipated to answer them.

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Here are some pictures from yesterday.

Matt Nathanson!

We already had seen him play three times so we were so excited to have our friends experience the great show he puts on. Just a song or two in they were already talking about buying the cd when they got home.

Perfect place for a nap on a hot day.

Had to get the turkey leg!

We had to make a little trip to the medic tent. She felt so bad she had to leave early.

A few of our group got vip tickets at the very end. We weren't excited to see tool so we just hung out in the grass!

Here's today's lineup.

Gotta go get ready for another fun filled day!