So by now, through Facebook/Twitter/etc and word of mouth, I'm sure everyone has seen the verdict heard 'round the world: Casey Anthony was found "not guilty" of killing her two year old daughter Caylee. I was SO upset when watching Headline News live. I just couldn't understand. The only thing that brings me comfort is knowing little Caylee is in a much better place now, and WHOEVER did kill her will one day face the ultimate Judgement, as I and every other person on Earth will. (This is my blog, my faith. If you take offense, maybe you should read elsewhere.) Anyway, just had to get that off my chest.

On a much lighter note, I've been meaning to post about our recent adventures but have been busy and distracted. However, here it is! My mother and I recently went to Lexington for a little girl's day out. We started the day with a fantastic lunch at this place: Flag Fork Herb Farm & Garden. For those of you familiar with, I'm sure you will agree that this place is de-freakin-licious and absolultely adorable at the same time. It's one of my favorite places to eat. They offer farm fresh high quality food, including quiche, chicken salad, sandwhiches, soup, and more.

Here are some highlights:

(I apologize for iPhone quality pics! LOL I really need a point-n-shoot camera!)

Flag Fork is located at 900 N. Broadway. Reservations are recommended (for a good reason!) and they can be made by calling 859-252-6837.

This is the front entrance:

They have gifts scattered through out this 1790's house, including the upstairs rooms. Here are a few things that caught my eye:

Vintage handbags, seen in the upstairs gallery-

Original artwork:

Adorable little girl accessories!

Teasets, stationary, and much more!

Mom & Little Miss exploring the gardens located in the back of the restaurant and gift shop-

She's got her shades on and ready to go to the next stop!

We had a great day...I have an adorable necklace to show for it too...I'll have to remember to get a pic of it to show you lovelies!

Our next stops included two awesome shops...Feather Your Nest and Street Scene. Post and pics from those to come soon! :)

A Little Bit of Randomness...

So...first of all, let me just say how SHOCKED I am that I am actually blogging while sitting on my front porch! Little Miss is playing in the lava rock and her Radio Flyer wagon, and we actually have a slight breeze blowing!

(photo from Instgram app on my iPad, so if the quality is poor, there's my excuse!)

The past few days in the 'ol Bluegrass have been quite unbearable! The humidity is out of control, people!

Anyway, So excited that "So You Think You Can Dance" is back! This season is going to be amazing! I'm still mourning the finales of my favorite shows (Greys, Vampire Diaries, etc) but I really think that my poor little DVR needs a break!

I'm feeling so blessed at this point to be home with Little Miss, but girls let me tell ya, after working for so many years, and for the past year and a half going to grad school full-time on top of work, this little homebody is getting a little cabin-feverish! LOL My husband would say I'm just never satisfied, and I try to roll my eyes and protest, but he's usually right! (Shhhh!) I'm the girl who LOVES buying a new planner just to mark and scratch all in it! It's definitely been an adjustment so to speak! Especially the whole not being able to run to my favorite stores and buy new pretties, now that we are down to one income! It's a new adventure! ;)

However, I did just recently celebrate my 26th birthday. (Now officially closer to 30 than 20, man I feel old!) I say all that to say this: I got a new pretty! My parents instead of actually buying me a gift, gave me money so that I could buy my own. Now normally, I like to hoard gift cards and whatnot, but with this shopping dry spell, it didn't last long! Bought a DIY project kit at Hobby Lobby, (more on that later!) AND because I am a certified bargainista, I hit up my local TJ Maxx. (LOVE that freakin place!)

And this beauty found her way into my arms and heart:

My newest baby, chillin with the Petunia's I've manage to keep alive for more than a few days...

For months now, maybe even a year, I had been pining for a tan Michael Kors addition to my collection. Howev, after perusing the aisles and not finding what I liked, or anything in my little price range, I decided on the sweet little Cynthia Rowley number seen above! She will be an excellent neutral "go-to" bag!

At least I can enjoy my MK sunglasses:

Night ya'll!

Two Years...

First off, let me reiterate: I'm a self-professed horrible blogger! I have all of these fun and cute ideas for this little 'ol blog, and then...well, life happens. I'm Type A and have all of these to-do lists and things I want to do, but I'm a Gemini and get easily distracted! Ha! Sorry for such a long absence, if I have any readers out there! If not, well, it's fun for me, anyway! :)

Little life update: I'm no longer employed! Well, I'm working, but for free! I'm finishing my Masters degree for Elementary Education. My Bachelor of Arts degree is in Communication Studies. After working in a corporate setting, I just wasn't satisfied. About 8 months after Ava was born, I was so unhappy and frustrated. I decided to go back to school to be a teacher. My mother has taught for almost 30 years, so I've kind of been raised in it! It's one of those life things where you think, "Why didn't I do this 7 years ago in undergrad!?" But sometimes it takes living a little to really decide what you want to be when you grow up! So, I've been working a full-time job, taken on a full load of classes, and have tried to balance both of those with being a wife to my husband and a mommy to our little girl. I hope I haven't let either of them down.

I'm now almost finished with my Master of Arts in Teaching degree. In January, I started my student teaching requirement! I am having a BALL, let me tell you! I'm currently in a 3rd grade classroom in a public school in KY. The kids are sweet as pie, and I have the best supervising teacher I could be working under. With all of the snow days and holidays we've had this month, I've only been in the classroom for about 9 days...but I already feel like I've learned so much! She's just amazing! I'll graduate in May and hopefully find a full-time position in the fall.

Now, that little baby girl that convinced her Mommy to completely change her career will be turning TWO in just a couple of short weeks! Here's a little recap from her first birthday party! I LOVE planning her birthday parties, and have a little stash of ideas to pull from in these next few years when she's still young enough to let ME plan it all! Ha!

Her first party was a little ladybug theme. I made almost all of her decorations, and with the help of my cousin, and her nifty Cricut, even made the invitations!

Take a little looksie:

Homemade banner...Found a LOT of cute banners on Etsy, but thought I could make just as cute of one as I could buy!

Banner for her highchair:

Ladybug cake & cupcakes! :) Made by a dear friend.

My little lady at her first birthday party...Bib was ordered from Etsy.

For this year's party, I really wanted a cute Candyland theme...however, in this house, it's ALL about Dora the Explorer! So Dora it is!

I've been a little busy here lately with all of my lesson planning for school! So this year, I skipped the homemade invitations! I actually went with (gasp!) store-bought invitations. I know, bad DIY Mommy. Oh well. She won't even notice! Ha!

I do still want to make a banner for her highchair, and I've got several other cute ideas for the decor...more of that to come later!

I'm home today on another SNOW day, so I'm catching up with my blogging and the Real Housewives of Atlanta on another Bravo marathon! LOL

I really can't wait for the RHOBH reunion. Kim and Kyle's fight broke my heart. It really was like watching a train wreck. I couldn't tear my eyes from the screen. I really felt that they were genuine, and that the whole scene wasn't just for reality TV. Camille on the other hand, dirves me up the wall! Her voice alone is like nails on a chalkboard...ugh. That I could do without! But I love Kyle, Lisa, and Adrienne! Thursday will be a big night for sure!

That's all for now, ya'll! Have a wonderful Monday!

PS-Can someone please help a girl out with my blog header? I have tried several templates, made my own in Photoshop, and finally just ended up with this plain 'ol thing...and it's still fuzzy and out of proportion...I want a CUTE header! Not a happy girl right now!

One Step Closer

I know I just blogged about this, but it's pretty much dominating a huge chunk of my life right now...but-I'm one step closer to fulfilling *one* of my dreams! Tonight is the first night of my last semester of classes for my Masters! Next semester will be spent doing my student teaching. I have officially turned in my letter of resignation to my supervisor! whoo hoo! That was a big relief! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Also-I've submitted my application for graduation. I belive this was the real "WOW" moment. I remember printing it off, looking at it, and reading "APPLICATION FOR GRADUATION." I still almost can't believe it. I'm so close!

Anyway-I love love love reading new blogs...I'm really into photography as *some* of you may know...and two blogs I'm loving right now are Jasmine Star and Ashley Ann. They are two completely different bloggers and photographers, but I'm so drawn to them. They are both beautiful, energetic, light, happy, and fun gals. I would love to have even an iota of their talent...they are amazing and for lack of better words, so inspirational. I highly recommend both if you are interested in photography or pretty things as well!

So glad it's finally Wednesday. Looking forward to the weekend. I think my little tiny sweet family will be taking a drive, searching out antique shops. I of course, will have my camera in tow. Maybe I'll get around to posting some pics!

Teacher, Teacher

My countdown has begun:

Actually, I've been counting down since about May, when I realized I only had a few classes/semesters left in working toward my Master of Arts in Teaching Degree.

So now that it's October, I feel like I can actually really begin looking forward to the end. My classes will be complete in December! I'm finishing this "term" next week, and then my final two classes will begin! In January, I will begin my final term as a student teacher. And i.cannot.wait.

Can I get an Amen!?

My supervisor at work is aware that I will more than likely be leaving soon...I just have to discuss with her the final days....dun.dun.dun. I really will truly miss *some* of the people I work with. Many I consider to be some of my greatest friends...but I am ready to move on, sister!

I don't consider working in a cube the rest of my life a high priority, so I literally can't wait to bust out of the corporate office setting and leave my cube sweet cube behind in the dust! I can't wait to have my own classroom, with 24 small chairs, and 24 small desks, and 24 (hopefully) smiling little faces. I've sepnt some time in different elementary school classrooms and I truly feel like I belong there!

I am SO looking forward to these new chapters in my life!

My random stream of consciousness

Soo...I'm sitting here bored in class...

I should mention that I'm almost to the end of my Master of Arts in Teaching (ELEMENTARY) degree...and all of my classes are online...

But this Seminar class is just killing me...soooo boring! And someone even said to the professor: "You should be a night radio DJ...you're voice is so soothing."

Um no. It puts me to sleep. I completely zone out.

Anyway, I've at least gotten to watch The Vampire Diaries' and Grey's tonight...which reminds me, I had totally fallen off the Grey's bandwagon last season...UNTIL THE FINALE! Wow! I was totally disturbed after seeing that, but the writers did their job! I was roped back into the madness...and have been pretty pleased so far this season...

Moving along in my stream of consciousness thought process...I remembered that I STILL have not posted pictures of the office re-do...I will really try to get to that this weekend...

I really want to attempt to get back into blogging...so here goes!

Fresh Season, Fresh Layout :)

Enjoy.

Totally ready for Fall weather!

And I've been in a shopping frenzy lately. It's all I want to do! We'll not discuss the weight that I need to lose first. But I have a wishlist a mile long for fresh cool-weather shoes/boots, sweaters, tops, and heavier pants. I'll post some of these wish-list items later! :)

My high school alma-mater is having Homecoming festivities this week. I won't be participating, but I did download Kenny Chesney's "Boys of Fall" to my iPhone. That counts doesn't it?

I <3 football weather.

Five Months...

Hangin out...

Sweetie pie is five months old already! I can't believe it! Time definitely flies when you're having fun!

I've taken her picture on each "monthly" birthday to document her growth! It's a really cute idea, I recommend it to any new mom!

See ya later alligator!

Outdoor Upgrades...Part 1

In an effort to beautify our home, we decided to go with concrete curbing to add to our "curb appeal." LOL The man who owns this curbing company actually lives in the next subdivision over, so it was really convenient for the both of us! Here are some pics of the project in progress, after the curbing was complete. This weekend, we'll be filling in with more lava rock and hopefully some more greenery and pretty flowers! :)

This area needs the most help...the boxwoods need to be removed, as well as the unknown dark purple bush in the middle. The curb man suggested something taller, such as a weeping cherry tree, over there on the corner of the house where he brought the curb around. Any suggestions on what else we can put there in front of the big window?

This tree will also have some pretty lava rock put down around it as well.

I sense sore backs and blistered fingers this weekend! We'll have to be sure to slather on the sunscreen! Ouch!

Any big 4th of July plans for you all?

Weekend Wrap Up

Hope all of the Mama's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! My first was so sweet...I woke up and while the hubby was still sleeping, got some quality quiet time with baby A...it's funny how the center of your universe changes when you have a child! I would've rec'd a gift card for a massage but since the storms knocked power out of the whole town, I got enough cash to get one instead! LOL My lovely Mom gave me money also to start a Pandora charm bracelet (LOVE those things!) and in return, I gave her a GC to Ann Taylor Loft...

Here's my little sweetie pie:

She was a little apprehensive about making a blog appearance! But then I talked her into it!

We had some pretty rough weather this weekend...an F2 tornado touched down in a local community, destroying a subdivision...we just barely missed it! A school spring carnival was taking place, but luckily, it missed the school! Spring time in Ky has arrived!

Counting down until tomorrow night:

The ladies, from L-R: Kelly, LuAnn, Jill, Bethenny, Ramona, and Alex. (Where's Simon?)

Housewives Reunion, baby! CAN'T WAIT! I'll be waiting with bated breath to hear LuAnn call Kelly a liar...or at least that's what it was made to look like in the previews...gah, I cannot stand her! When she was running on the streets of NYC in all of her spandex glory, I was like, "Really? Really?" Who does that!? It'll be interesting to see how all the drama unfolds...

Happy Monday!

And they're OFF!

Just a quick note to say:

"Happy Derby Day!"

Congrats to "Mine That Bird!" Enjoy the roses, and good luck at the Preakness!