Then and Now

So, Lauren from The Neaves' tagged me a couple weeks ago to post a picture of when I was younger.

Here I am after a dance recital and thats my younger brother beside me. He was always dragged to my many recitals and competitions. Poor thing!



Here I am now (Disney World, August 2008):



Things that haven't changed:
1. I still love to dance
2. I still love to dress up, maybe not with feathers in my hair. But then again, feathers could be cute - I know Blair on Gossip Girl would wear feathers!
3. My hair is still blonde and I have bangs like I used too
4. I'm still the same girl that loves disney movies, loves dessert, loves to laugh and would rather stay at home with my hubby instead of a night on the town.

Now its your turn!

From Drab to Fab!!

This past weekend, I was in the mood to redecorate. I really do feel sorry for my sweet husband. He puts up with my decorating obsession. Usually when he hears that I have an idea, he thinks money signs. But I can be thrifty! And this time I was! I'm always moving things around or finding some creative way to display something or another. I really think I have a sickness! I'm never satisfied! So, I was feeling sorry for my poor little kitchen. We don't have a hutch and I really think she deserves a hutch (before you start feeling too sorry for myself, I do have to add that I have a china cabinet in my dining room). I made my own version of a hutch with things that I already owned. I wonder what area of my house I can redecorate next?!

Kitchen before (from the fall, no I don't still have pumpkins sitting around)


Kitchen after (my shabby chic white display - the picture doesn't do it justice)


Also pictured in the above picture is a chandelier that Derek and I updated. Are you sick of the standard lighting that you have? Have no fear! With just a little paint, some sparkle and a handy husband you can turn something drab into something fab!

Before picture of our kitchen chandelier (ours only has 3 lights):


To update this light fixture, Derek took the light down from the ceiling. I threw away the glass globes. I sprayed the existing light fixture with a cream colored spray paint. Then, we rotated the arms upward. Just hang the light back up, add a few crystals (these I bought at Canton), add a few shades. And Ta da! You have a brand new chandelier! I know my ideas are not exquisite but they can turn something boring into something great if you don't have the money to buy that designer furniture piece or light fixture. I think this cost me about $20 total.

This is a terrible picture, but you get the idea.

Happy Decorating!!

Roxy and her best friend

When Roxy is tired she cuddles up with her best friend, Gilbert (actually her favorite toy). What a sweetie!

New York City!

Warning: lots of pictures ahead!

If you had told me a few weeks ago that we'd be going to NYC, I wouldn't have believed it. We were so blessed by this trip! God knew that we needed some away time and He provided! It still feels like a dream that we were there. It was so cool to see our Baylor Bears play in Madison Square Garden. What a treat! When Derek didn't have to work, we had time to see some sights and we walked everywhere! One of my favorite parts of our trip was touring Radio City Music Hall. I've always wanted to dance on that stage as a Rockette but I think this is as close as I'm going to get. We also were able to snag half price tickets to "Mamma Mia!" Awesome show! Since most of our evenings were dedicated to the Baylor games we didn't have much time for dining at nice restaurants. But we did manage to go to Serendipty for lunch. Such an adorable place! We also ate in Trump Tower and strolled down 5th Avenue. We stayed right in Times Square which was the perfect location. I am in love with this City! Enjoy the many pictures below!

After we arrived, we went straight to Rockefeller Center


Infront of Radio City


Waiting to send off the basketball team


On our way to the first game


Our view of the game, we had seats on the floor!


Derek infront of Dave Letterman with his coffee that he purchased from Ruppert around the corner


The Lobby of Radio City. One word: Gorgeous!


Inside the women's bathroom of Radio City. We toured the men's and the women's restroom - also gorgeous! The walls of the women's restroom were filled with paintings of the history of cosmetics.


Me and Derek with a Rockette


Infront of the cutest little restaurant ever! This inspires me to watch the movie again.


Look at that chandelier!


Our frozen hot chocolate, de-lish!!!!




Yummy cupcakes from Crumbs. Does anyone watch Celebrity Apprentice? The two cupcakes on the top row in the middle were from this seasons show.



Derek had to have his picture in front of NYSE


Beautiful Central Park



Mamma Mia!


This is as close as we got to the Statue of Liberty!


The final game


Derek and Knute


On our flight home, we had an over-the-top flight attendant. For some reason we were his favorite and he gave us this barf bag filled with goodies - we couldn't decided if this gesture was super duper sweet or kinda creepy?!

Easter Idea!

I'm all about themed centerpieces! Here is a fun idea that I stole from Pottery Barn. Happy Easter!