SkinnyTaste

Yesterday I was trying to find a recipe that I could make with all the garden fresh tomatoes I was given recently. My brother and his girl are great with keeping plants alive. I on the other hand was not given that gift. Pasta sounded yummy and while searching for recipes I stumbled upon www.SkinnyTaste.com. Previously my goto website was allrecipes.com since I am able to see what others said about the recipes before trying them. I am so happy to have found such a great resource! Not only is the food yummy but most of the recipes seem to be pretty easy, which is right up my ally.

I made this recipe and I'm sure I will be making it again.

photo via www.skinnytaste.com

I have found lately that after working 40 hours being in the kitchen just doesn't excite me, so we always seem to default to eating out. Simply for convenience sake. I'm hoping to start using this website to help me get back on track!

I'll try and post some of my favorites from the site as I try them.

ReDecorating the Insurance Office

I have been in the process of decorating my office at home, as well as my Farmers Insurance office. :) I'm nearly done with my office, at the office and will post picture's real soon. I am have on last thing to find for it before it's compete... I decided to decorate in chartreuse green, blues and grays. I really love the process of designing and taking something so simple, and beautifying it. I haven't had much time to work on my office at home unfortunately. I have big plans for it, but just need life to slow down a bit in order to get it done. My in-laws will be here next week for a cousins wedding, so once the wedding is over... I'll have more time to relax and decorate the home office!

Pictures to come...

Promise.

Joining the Gym

I never thought I would join a gym. Not for any reason specifially. I just prefer running outside. For me, it's too easy to just stop if you're on a treadmill but if you are outside and running... well you still gotta get home! My husband on the other hand, has always been pretty loyal to the gym. He works out daily and seems to enjoy it. Recently I have become so busy with working that I just don't have a ton of extra time to go and do stuff with my husband. We don't even have kids right now... so how you Mom's do it all. I'm amazed. With his membership coming up for renewal it was the perfect time for me to jump in, get healthy, and give us a set time everyday that isn't work related. I know this probably sounds pathetic but it's us. We aren't perfect and learning to balance everything in life seems to become more and more difficult. So we are getting creative. :)

I would love to do a marathon with Jeremy one day. He used to run in high school, but that was many years ago... so we'll see how it goes.

One day at a time!

Air Show

This past weekend, Jeremy and I went to the Beale Air Show. Since he was in the air force, it was fun for me to hang out in his old stomping grounds. I know it's crazy being so close to Beale, but I had never been to an air show. So it was alot of fun being able to see everything for the first time with him. The wind was crazy that day, and I was surprised that they even let the pilots off the ground. After talking to our friend, who is still in the military, he said on any normal day they would have grounded the plains.

Despite the weather, I must say they sure know how to put on a show! Such a fun time...

The sun is shining!

It has been so beautiful around here. Its finally starting to feel like spring, and I am loving it. It always amazes me how a little sunshine can change your whole mood. A few weeks ago, I thought it would never stop raining... So I am LOVING the change.

Besides the weather changing, we have had some big changes around our house as well. Jeremy, has been thinking about going back to school for a while, and recently signed up. He is working towards becoming a Paralegal, and I couldn't be more proud. Funny how things work out. I had always dreamed of working in a law firm, and my husband always thought he'd be an insurance agent. But we both couldn't be more happy with the path God is taking our careers. I love building my career and enjoy seeing myself challenged to achieve personal goals I've set for myself.

I hope you all have been able to take some time out of your day, and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

You know those friends that you rarely get to see, but when you do, you have so much fun together and it seems impossible that you only see them once a year. Well that's how it is with Paul & Brandy. Jeremy and Paul have been best buddies since they were kids running around the streets of Oklahoma. And I'm so excited that we get to see them. They are flying here this week and we get to spend Wednesday with them. I know it will be a day full of fun, and exactly what I'm needing to break up my crazy busy work schedule.

I thought I would have to work on Wednesday but I am so very excited that I get that day off. So that means I have a million things to do before then... Oh but I'm so excited!!

And to make things better... I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow. It seems like it been raining NONSTOP here and I'm ready for summer. Even though the weather isn't cooperating with me, I'm going blonde! So ready for something new.

The Newest Addition

Introducing Gary Jr.

I have been so excited about my newest nephews' arrival! And he has finally made his debut. Isn't he perfect!

Zumba

So I mentioned last week that I was ridiculously out of shape and was going to do something about it. Where I live, we have a studio that offers Zumba classes everyday. I didn't really know what to expect but had heard it was always a lot of fun. Well I love it. I took my first Zumba class on Monday, with my friend Kirsten, and had so much fun. I don't think I have ever had so much fun working out, let alone feel like the time went by so fast. I think I'll be Zumbaing [that's a word... now:)] a lot!! I certainly would recommended it, if you're interested.

On another note... I'm married to the most amazing man in the world!

Shower Season

Whether it's for a new baby on it's way or a soon to be bride, it's officially shower season. Which is so exciting because that means we have lots of reasons to celebrate. This past weekend I hosted a Baby Shower for my brother and his girl. She wanted a dinosaur themed shower, and I was up for the challenge. I had so much fun planning all of the little details and can't wait for my nephew to be here! I designed these invites for this special shower. I'll post pictures soon with all the details. They are on my camera still.

I also had the honor of attending a special Bridal Shower on Sunday for a friend of ours who will be getting married in May. Everything was so beautiful and detailed. I love showers that are full of gorgeous details!

In between hosting a baby shower and attending a bridal shower, I somehow fit in the time to go and inspect 9 homes for my job at Farmers Insurance, complete a business card order, and put in an order to the printers for these fun shower invitations. Needless to say it was a productive yet exhausting weekend. But I am so thankful that in a time when work is scarce, God has blessed my family so much and continues to do so.

Plyometric

Yesterday after work, a friend of mine invited me to take her Plyometrics class with her. I'd never taken one, but she insisted that it was a lot of fun. So I went. I pre-warned her that I had the worst cardio of anyone I know. I used to be very athletic growing up, involved in every sport imaginable but in the past 5 years haven't done much. I was excited to go and figured 30 minutes, how bad can it be...

Well about 15 minutes into the class I felt like I was gonna pass out. She mentioned that it wasn't this intense last time, and I laughed because no one else seemed to be struggling. It didn't help that I hadn't eaten anything since lunch. I ended up taking a breather when I looked in the mirror and had no color in my face...

After the class was over, we went back to my house, where our men had prepared a yummy dinner for us. We joked and laughed about how bad my cardio was. But it made me realize that I'm 23 I should have no problem finishing a 30 minute Plyometrics Class. So I'm determined to go back, I'll eat something before, and finish the class... My little heart needs to be healthy!

Office Makeover Inspiration

I have been spending a ton of time in my office designing for Peasley Design Studio. I have had more success than I ever imagined when I started designing and anticipate that this is only the beginning. When I started designing I thought it would be a great stay at home job, when we decided to start a family. And at the rate it's going, it will be a great job. If I decided to stay home. But I want to have a place that is more of a studio than a home office. I want a place that I feel inspired in. Which leads me to my office makeover. While browsing the internet I found this picture and fell in love with everything about this room.

Isn't it beautiful!! I found it on one of my new favorite sites... Decor Pad

Now my office currently holds no resemblance to this beautiful studio, but I hope that by the end of the year it will. I absolutely love the desk and have been searching high and low for one similar. I have a decorating dilemma already :( I love the openness of the desk, but where do you put the computer? Just sit it on the floor? That would just look silly? How would you hide it, if you were using a writing desk like the one above?

Priorities

If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got.

-Lee Lococca

The past few months I have spent a lot of time thinking about my life. I have so many amazing opportunities ahead of me and I know I can succeed in any of them. It's simply a matter of, which path do I want to take. I go round and round with different ideas, but I just want to make the best one for my family. One that I will look back on and think, I picked the right one.

I love working for Farmers Insurance. I have been blessed with an amazing boss, and am constantly learning new things. I enjoy being able to see my progress and know that I am only limited by myself. What I mean by that is, I have the luxury to decide how much I would like to make, and I must make it happen. And EVERYONE needs Insurance!!

Then I have my Design Studio. I enjoy having a creative outlet, something that is mine. At times it can be difficult owning you own business, but I LOVE it. I love that it's all mine. Something that I started from nothing. I love waking up in the morning to an inbox full of design request. God continues to bless both of my ventures! It amazes me... But it shouldn't. I mean He is God after all.

When faced with multiple amazing opportunities how do you decided which path to follow? Do you ever worry, that you'll look back and wonder... what if? Would love any input you may have!!

until next time... xoxo

Valentines Day

My hubby has a way of making every holiday so special for me. This Valentines Day was no different. He mentioned that I should take the day off and other than that he would say much about what he had planned.

Now let me say, I have a love/hate relationship with surprises. It drives me crazy knowing something is planned but not know what it is. AND I drive my husband crazy with all the questions I ask, trying to figure out what the surprise is. But when the time comes for the surprise, I'm like a little kids.. utterly excited.

The day before valentines day, I woke up to these beautiful flowers, a card, and a balloon. I'm not a fan of chocolate so this to me was the perfect gift! I have always felt you can't celebrate without balloons. I'm not sure why that is, but I've always felt that way. So coming down the stairs and seeing my gift totally put a smile on my face.

Aren't they beautiful!!

Well, Valentines Day rolled around and I he had another surprise for me! He bought me this for my office.

I was so shocked... I had been wanting to redo my office, and still plan to but wanted to get out of debt first before I bought anything. I'm still in shock!! And I have been enjoying it everyday!! We finished the night off with a wonderful dinner at the Olive Garden. It was so special and exactly what I had wanted.

Jeremy is such an amazing man. Everyone that meets him, loves him. I don't think he has a single enemy. He's the kindest, most loving man I know! And I am the lucky girl he fell in love with!

Baby Shower

I will soon b having a new little nephew! I am so excited for my brother Gary and his girl Chrissy! But before the little one makes his debut, a proper shower must be given. I love planning showers. All of the little details that go into making the special day, such a wonderful event.

The invitations were design by yours truly. I had so much fun with them. Chrissy's only requirement was to involve dinosaurs... I can't wait for her to see all of the other details that I've been working on. I'll post pictures at the end of the month!

Decorating fever

I always love to decorate, and re-decorate everything and anything. Seriously I find so much joy from decorating. Lately I've been going through my house room by room. I started with the master bedroom.

Here's some of my inspiration for the master bedroom decor:

This the bed we have, my husband picked it out before we met... and although it wouldn't be my first choice, I'm learning to work with it.

Someday I'll have a headboard like this. I've always loved the diamond pleated look. It's so classic yet elegant. I think it would look fabulous in white leather! Someday :)

Back to more inspiration

I've made a few of these for my bed... minus the butterfly. I used rhinestones for the center too! It adds a bit of glamor without being too much for my husband!

I'm loving this color, not too girly or too masculine. Just right

I bought a dark charcoal duvet cover for our bed from Ikea. I know this picture is horrible but it's absolutely stunning in real life!

For the sheets I got some that matched the curtains to brighten the bedding up, and the flower pillows help a bunch too.

Right now for accents I have hurricane vases filled with wild grass river rocks. It adds a bit of freshness to the room and pulls it all together.

I'll post pictures of the fine project in a few days once I've finished all of th final details!