New Year's Resolution??

It's time to start thinking of New Year's Resolutions. Honestly, I think there are enough stresses in life and that we are already very busy people so why add another thing to our list that we HAVE to get done? Instead, I think it is more fun to make a list of activities we want to do, projects we would like to complete and if we don't get to them, oh-well! However, if we do...it will feel amazing and very accomplished!

Carson and I are planning a trip to D.C. and New York in February. Other than that, I am hoping to travel a little less this year and spend our time and money on at home projects. This is where the list comes in. Over the next year I would like us to do the following (if we feel like it, have time, have the money) and if not, no big deal!

• Make a headboard for our bedroom


• Make a little wall next to the stairs so nobody can fall


• Stair rail


• New kitchen floors


• Sofa table for behind the couch


• Update Carson's grandma's buffet and bring into the house
  

I will make sure to post as/if I accomplish! = )

xo Kristi

2011

Is just around the corner!

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Christmas has come and gone, seriously...that fast. Christmas was very good to me. This year was the beginning of some new traditions that I know I will continue to love. For the first time, I did not spend Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family. Instead, Carson's family invited me to spend Christmas Eve with them. I am a huge traditions girl so this was a huge change for me but I REALLY enjoyed it! Carson is one of six kids which makes family get togethers a ton of fun because there are a lot of us. Christmas day we went to my parents at 5a.m. (I know, we are nuts) and then came home to open present to each other next to our own Christmas tree. It was perfect. This was my first year really decorating for Christmas and I already can't wait to add to our collection next year! Later in the evening we went back to my families house for dinner. My mom always makes the perfect Christmas dinner and everything was delicious! I got some great gifts that I am excited to share with everyone but I am going to leave that to a future post (I need to take pictures).

New Years Eve we are having dinner with friends and then probably going to get drinks. We haven't done anything for New Years the last couple of years which has also been nice but this year I am getting excited to venture out!

The last couple years have been some of the best and I am hoping 2011 is just the same, if not better!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

xo Kristi

Craigseasy

Have you heard of Craigseasy??? If not, you are going to be happy you have now! It is amazing and will save you so much time. You will no longer have to search through pages and pages of listings, you can search by pictures instead.

You will need Firefox to use this feature. Pull up Firefox and then go to Craigseasy. There will be an orange EASY button on the top of the screen, drag into your tool bar. You are ready to start using this excellent tool now!

Go to Craigslist and search for whatever you are looking for. Next, click on the EASY button that you have added to your toolbar. Now you should be seeing all posts under your search in pictures! You will no longer need to open each post to see pictures. AMAZING!

ENJOY!!!

xo Kristi

Bed

This bed is GORGEOUS! I love the chunky legs. I found this picture on a blog once and they didn't say where it is from so I have no idea where I could get one. I am sure even if I found it, it would probably be way more then I want to spend. I hope to have a bed like this one day, I have yet to find anything like it. I am thinking of creating my own version of the art above the bed soon. I will post pictures and details if I do.

xo Kristi

Bedding

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I love the look of white bedding, it looks so fresh. I would love to have white bedding but I find it difficult to keep clean. I don't mind cleaning my bedding often, however, our king size bedding never fits in our washer and going to the laundromat all the time sounds like no fun! So, I decided a white duvet would be perfect and then I could just pull it off and throw it in the wash. The one issue with the duvet cover is that it drives me crazy when it does not stay in place. I am not sure what to do or where to find the perfect white duvet cover.

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ANY IDEAS??

xo Kristi

About Me

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1. The most spontaneous thing I've ever done was ... skinny dipping while camping (we were camping in the middle of nowhere, nobody was around...I made sure!)
2. The best gift I've ever received was ... my baby blanket fell apart, my mom fixed it back to new and gave it to me for my Birthday... BEST MOM EVER!
3. A time that I was truly and genuinely surprised was ... when my mom and dad picked my sister and I up from school when we were younger and took us to Sunriver for the weekend. We had a blast!
4. I can't leave the house without ... it depends on where I am going, I don't have anything I am too attached to.
5. My favorite day of the week is Friday because you have a normal productive day, wear jeans to work and then get to do something fun at night and sleep in the next morning :). Plus the next two days I get off work!
6. Something that can always make me laugh is ... my sister, she has literally made me pee myself. She is H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S!
7. My perfect day would include: I love a lot of different things about life so I can't think of one thing but it would be with those I love and the day would not rush bye.

xo Kristi

Some things I would like to save for...

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xo Kristi

Giving Back

Have you heard of The Adventure Project?

I love what they're doing. And I'm copying this post from an e-mail I recently received from them :)

While Jack Frost has been nipping at our noses this week, you'll be nice and warm by putting coal in everyone's stocking. For every box of coal you purchase, The Adventure Project will give a charcoal-efficient stove to a family in Haiti.

Know a few people who deserve a lump of coal? Or someone who has been extra nice? It's the perfect present for your co-workers, as a housewarming gift, or for the sister who has everything. Spend $20 and give so much more to a family in Haiti.

Final Days to get coal by Christmas:

Standard Shipping: Friday, December 17th

Express Mail: Monday, December 20th

xo Kristi

Favorite Things - Week 2

A few different bloggers are having favorite things parties on a weekly basis so I thought I would join. This week I have decided to share my most recent favorite, Avon Luminosity. I am not usually an Avon consumer, however, I got a good deal on this so I thought I would give it a try. I LOVE IT! It makes my skin even toned and takes away all blemishes! I hurried and ordered two more just to make sure I would not run out. Give it a try!

I linked up to The Speckled Dog.

xo Kristi

Christmas

I LOVE CHRISTMAS

The End

xo Kristi

My Favorite Things!

Hello!! Today I am linking up to 320 Sycamore's 2010 Favorite Things Party! I have a ton of personal favorites such as my family, friends, babies (dogs), and baby blanket (yes, I still sleep with my blanky). I know these are things that other people can't go out and buy, so for now I am going to post five of my favorite things that are available in stores. = )

Update: The Speckled Dog is also having a FAVORITE THINGS party. I will be linking up there as well!

In no particular order my favorites include:

1. My MacBook Pro - My boyfriend bought this for me for my Birthday last year and I have used it everyday since. I LOVE my MacBook!

2. Converse - My Converse are my "go to" shoe on the weekend. They are so comfy and I love the look. I have been thinking about trying TOM shoes, but I can't seem to step out of my Converse to give them a try.

3. Marc Jacobs perfume - I have both Daisy and Lola, I love them equally!

4. My camera - My Mom and Dad bought me a simple Kodak camera that I could always carry in my purse. I feel like it takes better pictures than my more expensive camera and love that I can take in everywhere so that I never miss a picture perfect moment!

5. My Hobo wallet - I have had this wallet for years now and I am still not sick of it! Wallets are so spendy but this one is worth the money. If I go out, I can use it as a clutch.

xo Kristi

Thankful. Blessed.

I am extremely fortunate, I am exactly where I want to be in life. Everyday I feel thankful/blessed and as Thanksgiving gets closer I feel a stronger need to thank those around me.

I have an amazing family that I love so much. My parents have been there for me during my most exciting and happy times but they have also been there to support and encourage me when I have felt lost. My sisters are my best friends, they are both so kind, generous and beautiful.

Carson, my boyfriend, is unreal. I could not have dreamt of a better partner. He really is my best friend and I enjoy every single minute I am with him.

My babies (dogs) are so sweet and loving. They know how to put me in a good mood when life is tough.

I have great friends who I love like family.

Carson's family has been so welcoming. I feel so comfortable when I am around them. I am fortunate to have another wonderful family in my life.

This year, I am beyond thankful for Maci, my niece. Maci was born in June of this year and she is perfect. I knew I would love this little girl when she was born but I did not realize the affects she would really have on me. I find myself looking at the same picture of her over and over again. Re-watching a video I have already seen a dozen times. It never gets old. I look at Maci and I see my sister, my best friend, my sidekick and I see her Dad, my brother in-law, my protecter, my friend. I am excited to watch this little girl grow and I know my love will continue to get stronger.

I am so THANKFUL. I am so BLESSED. THANK YOU!

xo Kristi

3 Months

Not to long ago I was blogging about loosing weight. I was doing pretty good but then completely stopped. I have gained back 3 pounds and am not feeling to happy about my appearance. So, not only it is about time for me to get back on the diet but I have also made myself a new goal. I want to loose AT LEAST 20 pounds in the next three months. In February, Carson and I are going to Washington D.C. and New York and I want to feel good!

I know hearing about diets and weight loss (gain) is not the most interesting topic to read about but I am going to continue blogging along the way to keep myself going. The Holidays are always hard but I know I can do it!! Here's to healthy eating!

xo Kristi

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I hope everyone had as nice of a Halloween as I have had! Today was relaxing, productive, exciting and FUN!

McKnight was a spider this Halloween. He usually hates clothes but he loved wearing his costume and helping pass out candy. We are thinking Halloween is his favorite holiday! = )

Kloee was a pig. Poor girl has such a little head that we can't ever get costumes or hats to stay on her little head. Oh well, she still was cute and had fun!

My niece, Maci. Cutest hot dog ever, RIGHT?!? Poor girl had such a long day and was so tired so she wasn't a very happy camper. I am happy we got to see her in her costume anyway. Because she us usually such a happy girl, I am posting a picture of her big smile below. This picture was taken at the pumpkin patch last week.

What a fantastic day! Now time to relax and prepare for my interview tomorrow!

* I linked up to Love Stitched

xo Kristi

Where to shop for home decor

These are some of my favorite stores to shop at (or get inspired by) when decorating our home.

xo Kristi

Waiting for the call...post interview

Three weeks ago I interviewed at another company. I have worked at my current employer for almost nine years and I LOVE it, however, I am ready for a challenge so I interviewed elsewhere. The day of my first interview I was asked to come back the following week for a second interview. I felt like they both went fine but it is always hard to tell. The same day as my second interview I was asked to take a personality/IQ test called the Caliper Assessment. It was a lengthy but I felt like I did fine on it as well. It has now been a week and a half since I took the test so I decided to email the hiring manager for an update (I was very professional about it, of course). She quickly emailed me back with the following:

I’d like to set up a quick time to chat tomorrow via phone, about 5 minutes. Do you have a time that would work well for you? I have from 9-10 or from 11-12 available.

Of course, I can't help but analyze this message.

1. Quick time to chat, about 5 minutes. Is this so she can quickly tell me they have decided on someone else?

2. Do you have a time that would work well for you? I have from 9-10 or from 11-12 available. If she is not interested why didn't she just call me quickly to get it over with?

I find out tomorrow, 9:15. Ahhhhhh! I am not sure what is harder, knowing I find out tomorrow or not knowing and playing the waiting game. I am fine with either decision but I feel like this could be an exciting new adventure for me!

I will keep you updated! Please cross your fingers....

*Update* I called and she let me know that she just wanted to tell me over the phone instead of via email that the process is taking longer than they had anticipated and I am still in the running. They will let me know when they have reached a decision. Back to waiting! = )

xo Kristi

One of my new favorite cleaners!

I recently learned about Bar Keepers Friend while looking around on different blogs. I happened to come across another new favorite of mine, Newlyweds Next Door. On her blog she mentioned how much she loves Bar Keepers Friend. I decided to give it a try. Believe me, I made sure to really try this product before blogging about it.

My first unexpected surprise was the cost of the product, less than $2! I love myself a DEAL! I bought it at Fred Meyer (that sounded a little like their jingle, not what I was trying for but it works). = ) Anyway, I brought it home and decided to first try it on my shower doors. The glass was no longer see through and I wanted to get that back. So, I got in the shower and scrubbed and to my surprise it worked and I did not even have to work that hard. Once I saw how well it was working I decided to read a little about what it could be used on. It mentioned it could clean glass top stoves. We happen to have a glass top... YAY! I have one spot on my stove top that I had been having a hard time getting clean so I gave it a whirl, it worked!!! Next, I pulled out a pan that was completely covered in rust (I had been so sad about this because I love this pan) and it worked again! I do not own stainless appliances but if I did, I would definitely always have this product around.

xo Kristi

Gunny Sacks

A couple posts ago I showed some gunny sacks that I found on Craigslist that I am interested in. Here are some Google images I found that give a better idea of what I want the gunny sacks for.

I also think they would be awesome on my dining room chairs!!

One issue... I have never sewed or reupholstered anything. This should be fun! = )

xo Kristi

Swagbucks

If you are not using Swagbucks right now when searching the web, you should! Searching the web is only one of the ways to earn Swagbucks which you can eventually turn in for a bunch of cool prizes! Click on the below picture and check it out for yourself!

xo Kristi

Church Pew

I would love to buy this church pew off of Craigslist. It is just perfect for the project I have been thinking about lately and I have just the spot for it. I think I might need to see if it is still available tomorrow!

I would also love some of these (75 cents!?!)... but Corvallis is just a little far. I might need to call and see if I can get some mailed to me.

xo Kristi

Saturday Night Outing

I love the weekends! They are always so perfect... perfect paced, perfect amount of sleep, perfect activities, just perfect!

Tonight, Carson went to Bally's to workout and when he got home I mentioned going out to dinner. He was thinking the exact same thing so we got ready and headed out. I asked if he would be interested in trying the Montage since he had never been there. He agreed it would be the perfect place so we headed there. There is always a long wait at the Montage but tonight we didn't have to wait too long (excellent timing)! We were seated at a long table in the middle of a bunch of other people. The couples next to us were extremely nice and dinner was amazing! I had the ham and cheddar mac and Carson had the alligator jambalaya. Both were YUMMY!! We shared a bottle of wine and pumpkin cheesecake for desert. I look forward to our next visit to the Montage and for the rest of the weekend. I LOVE WEEKENDS!

xo Kristi