Let Me Check My Calendar

Planning is not always easy (especially when you throw a wedding, two graduations, an internship, and a cross country move into the mix). Where do you find the time to make appointments, be crafty, spend time with friends/family, and still have time to yourself? This is when a piece of paper with 31 squares on it comes in handy!

My dad says that when you tell people you didn't have time to do something you are not telling the truth. You have the time. The time will come and go, but you can only use it once. This is why I believe that making time is important and is one of the most meaningful things you can do for someone else.

How do we make time? We plan! It is obviously important that you get all pressing matters like appointments and paying bills done in a timely manner, but I think that adventures and down time are also important ... even if that just means you leave a day blank and see what happens. I am in no way suggesting that planning should limit spontaneity!

Statements like "I have no time" are funny when you really think about it. We all have time. We can't avoid time it just keeps ticking away. I am guilty of "running out of time". Personally I do not have the best time management skills, but I like to believe I get points for trying. There are many tips and tricks about how we can utilize our time best. My tip is make planning fun and use your creativity!

This particular calendar project was inspired by wedding planning. There is just so much that needs to be done! I am a visual/tactile learner so I needed a way to be able to see and touch my schedule. I have been clearing out my room to prepare for moving so my walls that were once covered in photos, posters, and memorabilia have been cleared. I needed something to keep me organized and also add a little flare to my bare walls.

To save money on this project I used things I found in my house:
Cork board
Old white board
ical
Printer
Buttons
Hot glue
Fabric
Office clips

The Stars at Night Are Big and Bright ...

Deep in the heart of Texas! Over Chris' spring break we decided to head to the country for a few days of rest, relaxation, and Bluebonnets! I was so excited the whole drive up about getting our picture taken in a blanket of bluebonnets. I've been doing it ever since I was a kid. However, when we pulled into Hondera (dads acres of land between Hondo and Bandera Texas) it was difficult to find any. Where have all my bluebonnets gone? As with most things I guess I am impatient and more bluebonnets will bloom as time goes by. While sitting on the swing we finally saw ONE. Yes, one lonely lovely bluebonnet. Hopefully it will soon be joined by many friends.



Bluebonnets bloom March through May and are the Texas state flower.

Can you spot the Bluebonnet?

Don't Forget to Look Up

When visiting Cape Cod with my beautiful friends Ashleigh and Marissa last semester, we wandered into a thrift/antique/vintage shop. Of course (as most antique shops) it was full of fascinating treasures, but I didn't find what I was looking for until I looked up.

Hanging from the ceiling were beautiful little jackets, petticoats, hats etc. It didn't take me long to realize I had to pay more attention to what was above and get a sales lady to snatch an early 1900s number for me. It JUST fit and I managed to work in a discount =)

I plan to use it in the wedding in some way, so I can't post a full picture yet. Ah anticipation!

While on the cape we also found skiball! Amazing, Amazing. Amazing.



It was a lovely trip with lovely ladies. I am so glad that I will be able to relive the fun we had at the cape on my wedding day via a vintage treasure.



We need to make another trip! Yes?

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

At least in the Monks household we do! Last week I made a run to the local Bluebell factory/distributor/office building place to pick up empty ice cream containers.



Not only are these babies mouthwateringly beautiful they are practical too! For example, can you believe the price of gift bags these days!? No wonder they get re-used so often! They are ridiculous I assure you - I know because I have been stalking craft stores lately. NYC has only one big craft store so stepping in to Hobby Lobby or Michael's back in Texas is like stepping into dream world. Anything is possible ... you just have to do it yourself. Anyhow these buckets with lids were only forty cents a piece! Way cheaper than most gift-bags or wrapping paper. Be creative with your gift giving and make it personal (I promise its not as hard as you think).

These buckets are in my wedding plans and I couldn't be happier! It feels so good to expose people to things Chris and I love. I have grown up with bluebell my whole life. Kinda makes you wanna come to Texas for a scoop doesn't it?

Please Stand Up

I have had so much on my mind lately what with my internship, planning a wedding, and just plain living life, but what have I been thinking about the most? Ohio... NO! Crazy enough I have been thinking nonstop about cake stands.



Ever since I saw a cake stand centerpiece in a recent issue of MARTHA's wedding magazine I have been trying hard to figure out how to replicate it with class and a small budget. I could just make things easy and go into debt sending the 900+ dollars on cake stands just like MARTHA, but that's probably not my best idea. I'm going to have to be crafty.

I tried using ebay, but WOAH watch out that cite can get addicting! I still have a few bids I am waiting on, but purchasing all of my stands that way does not look promising. Plus I am impatient and auctions that don't end for days makes my skin crawl with anticipation.



I have yet to find anyone who rents fine china. Right now I am either headed to thrift stores (which I love, but have yet to find any stands), or asking for friendly volunteers to let me borrow their stands for a day or two. I'm going to be very honest though, I'm picky. Because I have a clear vision of what I want its gonna be hard to borrow. I would hate to insult anyone by turning away their china because it didn't fit in. Having china auditions seems pretty extreme and though I am not a bridezilla, I am sure that casting call for cake stands would raise a few eyebrows.

I am willing to make a compromise though. If I can't figure out how to get exactly what I originally wanted, I am going to buy myself one set of the cake-stands that were MARTHA inspired and keep the rest a lovely mis-match.

Can you tell I have been thinking about this.

25 Things - My Transition to Bloghood

I considered posting this exercise on my facebook page , but then thought that it would be a great introduction to my new blog. Now that we are so internet savvy, peeking into peoples lives seems to be perfectly normal. Here is a peek into mine.

"list 25 random bits of information about yourself"

1. I am currently in love with pink glass – particularly all pink Mosser glass products

2. Even though I am pretty realistic, I worry about being perfect, not being perfect, striving to be perfect, and even worry about what will happen if I give up on trying to be perfect.

3. I am organized, but my room is most always a mess.

4. I interrupt people when they are talking – its how I show I’m listening, but I’m pretty sure it must be annoying … I can’t stop myself.

5. I really miss singing with groups of people, especially around a campfire; something I Haven't done for years.

6. I wish that I could play ski-ball all of the time. I get addicted to simple games easily. My favorite is Rampart. You should never take me to a casino.

7. I am getting married. I am amazed. I am happy. I am excited to start a life of adventure with Chris, but I am afraid that I am either going to pass out or cry through the whole thing.

8. Chris and I are moving to Wright - Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio come July ... and I still don't know military time.

9. When I put my hand over my heart it means that I am feeling something powerful - a habit I developed when my grandpa passed away. Its all I can do to control my emotions.

10. I LOVE working with children of all ages.

11. I have never lived with a dog who didn't pee on everything. This is why I do not prefer dogs.

12. Much to my dismay, I have rekindled my love for potato chips. I blame the variety deli in NYC who slipped bags of lays in with my sandwiches.

13. I don't know what I am being prepared for, but I feel that my surroundings are always challenging me to be a stronger person.

14. Sometimes I think I should be a life-coach so I could make a living off of my advice ... and sometimes I fell like I need my own life-coach ... and then I wonder if that would make me a scam.

15. I really don't like to buy anything unless i've touched it.

16. Chris proposed with candlelight, pizza, and a diamond - I proposed with a cherry ring pop

17. I think pickles and Oreo's make a delicious snack when paired together.

18. I visited my grandpa's grave more before he passed away than after. We used to go feed the ducks at the cemetery and play on the MONKS headstone.

19. I love mail. Especially hand written letters.

20. I get woozy in hospitals, even if I am just visiting.

21. I didn't have a room with four walls of my own until I was in fifth grade. Before then I shared a bed with my sister and three dogs. (In third grade moved onto the landing that had 3 walls). All the while I had my own room at my grandparents house a few blocks away.

22. I don't think I know anyone who I haven't bragged to about being a seventh generation Texan. I am very proud of my family.

23. The first CD I owned was The Wizard of Oz Soundtrack, but today you probably couldn't get me to sit through the whole film.

24. I miss NYC terribly. I often find myself daydreaming about ordinary days walking around the city. I know I will never live there again, but I also don't know how I am going to live without it.

25. I've been trying to start a blog for years. It's like a glorious new journal; you never wanna spoil the pages by writing in it.

Won't You Be Mine?

I wish that everyone could appreciate valentines day. While checking my facebook I noticed that many a status' said something along the lines of 'i hate valentines day' or 'i wish this day was over' . I understand why some people are disgruntled with the stereotypical ideas that come along with February 14th, but to me ... its all about love.

If we don't take time to appreciate the people around us what is the point of ANYTHING? News flash, we interact with people everyday. Its how we live, so why not celebrate it. My dad taught me that the greatest thing you can give to anyone is your time. So why not take time to make a valentine to let someone know you are thinking about them. It might mean more than you think.

The best thing about love is that there are so many different kinds. For example, monkey love.

On Wednesday evening I was asked by my sister-in-law to make valentines for my monkey's class. Of course he wanted Webkinz cards which apparently are not mass produced. I was happy to step in. It did take some doing, but I would do anything for monkey love.