Life Planners

Okay, two posts in one day, I need to calm down!

BUT, I just saw/became obsessed with the CUTEST little planners ever. I love my planners, I write down literally every single detail of my life in planners and I recently discovered Erin Condren's life planners:

How cute is that?!

I want one so so so bad! I've gone so far as to pick mine out but, I just can't let myself pay $50 for it...YET. I will own one of these one day!!!!!

http://www.erincondren.com/

Go look and see all of the fun things on this web site!!

So many great and adorable organizational things, she has EVERYTHING!! I want, I want!!

On another note...back to my Kohl's Saturday...my madre and I were walking out after we paid and the little alarm went off (you know the one that usually goes off when you know you've paid for everything but the thing is broken or something so the employees tell you to just ignore it but everyone in the store is looking at you and silently judging you), yea that one.

Well...when I put on my super cute new Lauren Conrad skirt this morning I realized...they left the little plastic thing on!!! The one that will spit blue ink or something all over my adorable skirt if I try to take it off.

Did that stop me from wearing it today?

Nope...luckily the skirt is kind of flowy and the tag is heavy so the skirt folds over that part.

So...I guess I really do have an excuse to go back to Kohl's next weekend...

Now I just need to find my MAC receipt to see if they charged me for eyeliner cause girlfriend didn't get no kind of eye liner in my bag and I remember asking for it...Hmm...

GET A PLANNER! :)

Bob's

I'm sure all of you have heard of TOM's, the shoes that for every pair you buy they donate a pair to a child in need...for those of you that have never heard of them here they are:

When I first saw these I did not think they were very cute and to be honest I still don't think they are that great. They look so cute on other people's feet but mine, not so much...

Anyways...this weekend my sweet little mom and I went shopping and one of the first place we hit up was Kohl's...I LOVE Kohl's...LOVE IT!

So we were browsing the shoes section and I saw these...BOB's!! Haha!! I thought it was the funniest thing. So my mom and I bought a pair of BOB's and I did a little research because they look exactly the same and they both have a generic man name.

See look, they're like little twins!! Bob's are made by Skechers and apparently they too donate a pair of shoes to a child in need when you purchase them. So both go to a good cause but I still think it's so funny...Tom's and Bob's...of course there are a lot of differences in them, for example the creator of Tom's I'm sure is much cuter than the creater of Bob's...see look:

Tom's cutie!

We got lots of goodies on our day out and we even got $60 Kohl's bucks that you can bet we will be using this weekend, right mom?! ;)

Hope everyone's having a great week so far, can't wait to go home and put on my Bob's ;)

Ants...

Woke up this morning to a hundred ants just roaming around, doing as they please in my bathroom...UM WHAT?!?!?!?!?!??!?! Where the H did you guys come from?! You were not in here last night...

So I call my landlord at 7 in the morning and say "GET AN EXTERMINATOR OVER HERE ASAP HELPPPP!!! THERE'S FIREANTS IN MY BATHROOM AND THEY'RE HEADED TOWARDS MY ROOM!"

"Thinks he's a genious about ants" lanlord: Oh those aren't fire ants...they're....uh....I can't remember the name...

Bewildered Kristen: Wait...so you've had these before???

Annoying Landlord: Yes, and right now my budget is kind of tight, I can't afford to get an exterminator to come...

Really annoyed Kristen: umm....Okay..........can you give me the name of the exterminator you use...when was the last time they were here???

About to have a black eye landlord: Well...I had it done two years ago, I did it myself..........

Okay Mr. "I do everything possible so my tenants never have to pay me the full amount of rent every month, so really I'm just cheating myself" Landlord, the ants and I will just figure it out on our own....deducting it from your rent for this month along with the other deductioins we've been enjoying since we moved in because you still don't have your act together....Breathe.......exhale.......okay. I'm trying to be understanding...it's not like I have extra money lying around for something like this either. It should have been taken care of before we moved in...

So I did the next rational thing...called my dad. He gave me the number to his exterminator friend John with Spring Pest Control. Super nice guy! He'll be at my house around 2:15 or 2:30. Praise the Lord!

I don't know where they come from or why they chose my room but I sincerely hope that this fixes the problem...I cannot handle the stress these little ants could cause me. SO ANNOYING!!

Here's to hoping the ants haven't carried all my precious valuables to their queen by the time I get home!

Back to School!

It's that time of year again!

Gosh high school and college seem like a lifetime ago...it hasn't even been two years since I graduated...almost but not quite ;)

I remember going to Tennessee for the first time and when my mom left me I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't know a single person. I had no idea where or what anything was. My roommate was...well...let's just say we were VERY different. I was scared. But in those 3 1/2 years that I was there I made some of the best friends and the greatest memories and I am so happy that I had that experience and I'm excited for other people as well. I can't believe that some of these girls are seniors this year...I can remember when they were just little Freshman...sad. Time goes by so fast!! Wahhh....

Okay enough reminiscing!

Shawn is about to start school too and is heading back up to Huntsville pretty soon (which is close to an hour and a half away from my house...not quite that long...but close) So in the spirit of school starting I decided to make him a little care package as a way to send him on back!

(Super cute Mac computer not included) ;)

How fun is this!

I love school supplies so I had to really hold myself back from getting a million trillion things.

This super fun care package holds:

• Notebooks (for him to scribble my name with hearts around it while he's not really paying attention in class, right??) ;)
• A dry erase board for grocery lists, or to do lists. Which probably won't get used for either of those hehehe!
• A really fun pack of mechanical pencils, pens, and highlighters! I died...I love this kind of stuff!!
• A little stress ball for him to squeeze to get his frustration out (he's a math major...I should have bought him some more...)
• WINE CUBE!! You read that right, a little cube filled with wine packs...LOVE!
• Poptarts
• Bubble Gum!
• Oreo's
• Chips and Homemade Salsa! (his fav)
• Ritz toasted chips
• Chex Mix
• Gatorade
• Some Laundry Detergent 
• Hair and Body Wash (which really freaks me out but I guess for guys they can use the same thing on their hair that they use on their bodies...boys are so weird!)
• Toothpaste
• Razors
• And to put it all in: a crate. Which can easily be used for storage once he empties out my care package

I love making little things like this for people and I will find any excuse to make a basket of things. So if you want one just let me know ;)

If you're starting school I hope that it is a GREAT year and that you enjoy every single moment, even the most stressful ones! 

So to everyone starting school again HAVE FUN! I'll leave with a little picture of my baby crab...already sick of me taking a million pictures of him.

Hehehehe!

How many more days till football season?

Passion

passion(noun): enthusiasm, eagerness, zeal, zealousness, vigor, fire, fieriness, energy, fervency, animation, spirit, spiritedness, fanaticism. ANTONYMS apathy.

Disclaimer: I am a very lucky girl, very lucky. I have a great job, get paid fairly well, flexible boss that lets me take off when I need to and come in and leave when I need to.

That being said, lately I have really HATED going to and being at work. Things have gotten so busy lately and there is so much to do that sometimes it's really hard to find any kind of enjoyment in what I'm doing. This has really got me thinking a lot lately about my passions. 

What am I passionate about??? 

uhh...think Kristen...umm...photography? Well not really, it's just kind of a new hobby I'm starting. Cooking? Not a passion, again just a hobby...crap...I have NO idea. I should know this right?! I'm a 23 year old girl with the world at my finger tips, I could be doing anything I want. But I have ZERO idea of what that is. 

Examples of people with passions-

1) My mom: Growing up my mom always cooked for us, breakfast, made our lunches, after school snacks, dinner, etc. But she was always so busy taking care of 5 kids that I don't think she really got to enjoy cooking that much. Then once life got a little less busy, all of a sudden she was a cooking machine! She is amazing at it, the best (right along with my dad). She goes to cooking classes, is obsessed with Hubble & Hudson (as am I!!), reads cooking magazines, watches the Food Network and she is never afraid to try any recipe and it works. This is her passion. She's dying to go to Italy (mostly for food reasons) and it really made me think. If she had figured this out a long time ago (like maybe when she was my age) her life would have been a lot different. Maybe she would have gone to Italy and explored before she started having kids, maybe she would have gone to school to learn to cook or opened a restaurant. (This is an example of a later in life passion discovery)

2) My brother: Tony is so passionate about the Marine Corps. He tried to get out but found himself going right back in. It's what he loves. It's what he lives for. (That and working out, skinny jerk) ;) This is his passion, what he will be doing for as long as he can.

3) Shawn's cousin: So passionate about sports, ask him anything about anyone, anywhere and he can tell you every little detail. He knows his stuff. He's passionate about it, this will be his career.

4) Shawn's sister: She is an AMAZING photographer, she's done the training and she even does this for a living. She turned her passion into her career and lives it every single day.

I know so many more people like this.

I am so envious of them. 

Before I worked at my current job I really enjoyed the job I was at. I liked the interaction with people, learning about the law, I loved working in the same place as my dad. But it wasn't my passion and I knew it wouldn't last forever. 

Can you imagine, going to work everyday and LOVING what you do. 

Counting your blessings all the time and never second guessing the decision you made.

I want this.

So Shawn and I were talking about this yesterday. I brought up how I wasn't looking forward to going to work and how I needed to find something that would get me excited every day. Honestly, (and this is so roll-your-eyes-cliche) if I could do anything in the world, something that I think would make me really happy, it would be to be a full time mom and wife or a teacher of some sort. Now, obviously I've never experienced this (family of my own thing) so how would I know for sure, but I love taking care of Shawn, everything about it. I love cooking for him, cleaning for him, doing his laundry, etc. (He does a lot of that for me too- just giving you some credit too, boo!)

So after our little phone conversation I texted him this: 

(I hope he won't mind me sharing this)

Me: Can kids be a passion? Maybe when the teaching opportunities get a little better I'll get certified to teach. I'd make no money but I think I'd really like it!

Shawn: Do it! I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe our passion is family!

One of my favorite things he's ever said. 

I'll take it.

If family is my passion, I think, what could be any better than that?

I can't wait for the day when I have little ones to take care of and I have a family to be proud of.

A lot of woman fight to get people out of this frame of mind but really, that's what I dream of doing. 

Now whether this is considered a passion, I'm not 100% sure. I had a nannying job once taking care of two year old twin boys and it was SO FUN!! I loved it. But aside from that and some babysitting gigs that's about all the experience I have. Little kids love me and always want to be around me, so maybe that's the universe's way of telling me that's where I'm supposed to be.

Or maybe my current job will become my passion or lead me to mine. I just need a few more years under my belt. I just don't want to wake up one day and be 30 years older and realize that I've never truly enjoyed what I've done. 

People always say: Live life to the fullest!

And even though I don't exactly know what my definition of living life to the fullest is yet, I hope that you'll start thinking about what that means to you and maybe get your life started.

Especially if you're still in college. Oh how I wish I had done some things differently (But then my life would have turned out differently and I love the direction it's going)

Try to find something you love.

And if you don't know what it is yet...well I guess the first step is just loving the life we have now. 

Tomorrow is another day

We can choose to change things at any time.

As cliche as that is, it's so true. 

Find your passion.

Slacker!

I did so good last week posting blogs and this week I have just not been motivated! (Not that I've had anything better to do...) So I'm doing two posts tonight because I have a lot to say (HA! not really but I have had some stuff on my mind lately but that's for the next post...) ;) So this is the personal life post, just little updates of what's happened since the last time I was here: 

So what have I been up to???

I'm still playing around with my camera trying to figure it out.

Groupon has this great deal for a photography class so I'm thinking about taking that and a photoshop course (unless my sweet friend Caleb will help me out with that) ;)

I spilled and broke nail polish all over the bathroom...I got it off of everything except for the wall...YIKES!!

 I just love him so much :) Even though I'm the one that broke it he got right in there and started cleaning it up.

 Seriously, it was bad and smelly! It looked like I murdered Barney or something...oopsies!

So I promptly rearranged the little area that the nail polish was sitting so that an accident like that wouldn't be happening again anytime soon.

After we partially cleaned the bathroom we headed to the grocery store (just to get stuff for one meal though, not full on grocery shopping yet, but I'm about to crack and have to go, all I have are noodles, rice, canned/frozen veggies and tuna...this girls needs some red meat or some chicken!)

Shawn and I love looking on tastespotting.com at recipes for little inspirations and we've found so many things we want to try but I actually ran across this recipe for steak salad on my friend Sarah's blog (I'm sorry if you see this Sarah, I don't know how to link to your blog!) but you can find her blog here: Cupcakes and Bunnies.

She found the recipe on www.thepioneerwoman.com (lots of goodies!)

It was super easy to make and the marinade for the flank steak was TO DIE FOR! So Delicious!!!

I thought the whole thing was really good but Shawn didn't care for the dressing very much.

(I always get way to excited to start taking pictures that I never really wait till it's finished so here are pictures of our salads without the dressing!)

So colorful and yummy! I had it for lunch the next two days and it really held up well!

My suggestions: It calls for a whole small thing of mayo and a whole can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, this is not necessary just doll out enough mayonnaise and peppers in sauce that you can see yourself using on a salad and save the rest for something else because it makes a LOT of dressing.

Find the recipe here!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/08/chipotle-steak-salad/

The marinade for the steak was so good and I still had some ravioli stuffing left that I decided to try to make shrimp ravioli (instead of the usual mushroom). So I marinated the shrimp for about 4 hours in a marinade of olive oil, worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, honey and I also used some of the leftover dressing. Super simple. Super good!!!!

I didn't have any eggs to make the ravioli dough so I used the egg substitute (called Egg Beaters) and I couldn't even tell the difference and neither could Shawn.

Mmmmm....of course I took the picture before I added the diced fresh tomato and grated parmesan cheese to the top but it was so yummy!!

Shawn had two full plates (the kid never eats so this was definitely a success!)

Tonight, I have no idea what to do for dinner...like I said before with the things I've got it doesn't really cater to my creative cooking side. I'm thinking some tuna and seasoned rice tonight but this weekend I might have to make a trip to the grocery store. But don't worry everything will get used!

Hairs, a doorknob and one cute kitty!

20-50, This is the number of hairs that the average person loses per day...are you kidding me right now!? This girl loses what seems like a million hairs every day...I find them on everything, on the bed, my shoulder, chairs, floor, EVERYWHERE. It is driving me insane today, I feel like they're sticking to everything. Leave me alone, hairs!

Anyways...yesterday I came home, "gingerly" opened the door with my featherlight touch, and this happened:

Now, I know I'm really strong and like super buff cause I work out all the time but still, I really don't think this is normal or SAFE for that to just come out of there like that haha!!

My roomie got home right after me and he had this little box with him...hmmm...late birthday present?! Not a chance, but it did contain a little, tiny, precious baby kitten!!!!! He found him in the yard by his office screaming (it was over 100 degrees yesterday and this little guy is so...well... little!) so he scooped him up in a box and brought him home.

I named him Franklin.

He's SO cute and SO tiny and everyone who knows me knows my love of cute, tiny things but unfortunately I happen to be SUPER allergic to members of the feline family so I can't pet him. 

He was shaking and so scared. We gave Franklin some milk and he tried his hardest to lap it up but he kept just licking the dry part of the plate (silly Kitty!!). I so wish I could just scoop him up and cuddle him but, A) I don't want to die and B) I'm not sure if he has some kind of disease or something. He has a lot of buildup around his eyes.

We know we can't keep him but we're just holding on to him for now. Chris, my roommate is this HUGE manly man. But he scooped up this kitty, saved his life and even bought a little mini bottle to hand feed him HAHA! Bless his heart.

Sorry Franklin, as much as I love to peer in your box and watch you, you can't stay! But we'll find you a very nice home leetle kitty!

P.S. I've decided my blogs are way too long winded so I'm going to try to post more to keep them short for those sweet enough to read and so I don't have to try to remember a week's worth of super cool and ridiculously exciting events that happen.

The best thing about a picture...

 

 

Love this so much...

C is for CJ

Confession: I broke my "no grocery shopping until I eat everything in the fridge" rule yesterday...now before you get upset with me it was for a very good reason, I promise!!

I got my pasta maker for my birthday last week and I was originally going to wait until I needed to go to the store to get the flour and eggs that I needed to make the pasta but I just couldn't resist! It was practically calling my name from the cabinet. So since I was getting the flour and eggs I thought, I might as well get the rest of the ingredients for the sauce! And I was kind of hungry...so I bought a pre-made rotisserie chicken too (cause I knew I could get a couple good uses out of it) ;) and some french bread to go with the pasta.

It. Was. Delicious!!! So good! In total it took me about 5 hours to make, but it was so worth it. It was my first time making pasta without my mom being there for me to ask a million questions and see if it looks right. Needless to say I was proud, I make the best little ravioli's ever! ;)

(Not the best picture, I took it on my cell phone, but it was cheese ravioli with a delish mushroom sauce)

Yummyyyyyy, I did that!

Back to that little chicken I bought, I had some for lunch on Sunday, for lunch at work today and I even used it for dinner tonight. I used the rest of my chicken stock and beef stock, threw in some of my favorite hot sauce, boiled some noodles, added some mixed veggies, threw in some of the chicken and added salt and pepper. Super simple. Super quick. REALLY good!

This whole not going grocery shopping until it's all gone thing has really allowed me to explore flavors and I am so happy that I decided to do it! I feel like everyone should! It really is all about getting in your kitchen and using what you have to make something delish, and you'll be so surprised with yourself. I really do feel proud every time I make something and my roommates or Shawn tell me how good it tastes. Can't beat that!

Saturday I met with my friend Brittany and her daughter Breniyah (and the special guest whose arrival we're patiently waiting for, CJ!!). I met Brittany when I worked for Judge Connelly in Montgomery County before I moved on to my new job. I miss that office so so much!! Anyways...Brittany is pregnant with a little baby boy and she was nice enough to be my model so I could experiment with my pictures. I'm super happy with the way they turned out! I'm still playing around and editing them but here are a few of my favorites so far! (You can click on the pictures to see them a little bit bigger, but seriously they look so much better if you click on them and make them bigger) :)

CJ is already so loved! I can't wait to meet that little guy!! And he's going to have so much fun with his big sister, Breniyah is so sassy and so funny!

It was so so so hot that morning, I would have sworn it was 276 degrees but I got in my car and the thing only said 86...you have GOT to be kidding me Texas. Get out of here with this super hot summer!

So basically I'm in love with taking pictures and I am having so much fun playing with my editing toys. I can't wait to get even better at it. If anyone wants to let me practice on them ;)

On to roomie news...we've been living without a table of any sort since we moved in and the other day I got onto Facebook Marketplace and found a glass top table and six chairs for 125 bucks! Such a good deal, the seats definitely need fixing but, compared to prices we had seen this was a steal. I'm planning on buying some fabric and covering the seat cushions with it. Maybe that will be my next crafty project?! Hmmm...

I am so already sick of work and ready for the weekend again, I've been in such a weird mood today. Here's to hoping the week goes by fast!