Fall Swap

I think I have mentioned {several times} before that I absolutely love getting mail.  It's one of those simple things that really makes my day.  So when I saw that Mia at The Chronicles of Chaos was hosting a Fall Swap I knew that I was definitely in.  

We were to choose our fave thing about Fall and it was a no brainer that my favorite thing is Fall traditions.  It turns out that Victoria over at One Crafty Momma also loves Fall traditions so we were paired up!  I am so glad that I was paired with Victoria because I love reading her blog.  She is so darn creative!!!

The highlight of my week was getting a package in the mail from Victoria for the swap.  She was so generous and I can't imagine getting a package more fabulous.  She sent me a handmade scarf she made herself for crying out loud!  AMAZING!

In my package I found two packages of notecards {a perfect gift for me as I love sending mail as much as I love receiving it}, nail polish, candle melts, a notebook that I intend to use to plan blog posts, an amazing handmade headband, a handmade scarf, and a colorful pair of socks!

I forgot to mention that the wax melts are Paula Deen!  I LOVE Paula Deen!  I think Victoria might be psychic!

Is this headband perfect for Fall or what?!  I'm going to wear it everyday possible for the rest of the season.

The first thing I did when I opened my package was paint my nails with this Fall color.

And check out the scarf!  LOVE!   

I wore this exact outfit to work today and got so many compliments!

Oh, and don't forget the fun socks {ignore my ginormous feet}!  

Thank you so much Victoria!  I absolutely love everything!!!

If you haven't checked out her blog yet, head on over to One Crafty Momma and be sure to follow her.  You won't regret it!

Hello!

Just a quick "Hello."  Taking a few moments to take care of myself tonight.  Blogging and an Octoberfest.  Aaaah... perfect after work activity.

Happy Thursday!

Did I Mention Martha's?

Did I mention that I went to Martha's Vineyard?  Why yes, I think I did!  ;)  And I LOVED it.  

It rained almost the entire time.

I didn't care.

As soon as I stepped on the ferry I knew that I was going to like everything about this island.  The color of the water under the grey sky was a dark turquoise/gray/blue and I kept thinking how I wanted to paint a room that color so that I could remember it every day.  I even had a brief moment when I thought that I should decorate my entire house in a nautical theme because I was so entranced by the rope, the water, the boats, the houses, etc.  The weekend was definitely full of perfect moments.

Even though it was rainy, even dark and stormy at times, I think that in a way it added to the beauty of the island.  The color of the houses and flowers contrasting with the flowers and grasses was amazing.

We went shopping on Saturday before the wedding and the heavens had mercy on us and the rain stopped.  We were able to walk along the docs and waters were calm and glassy.  Maureen, my friend and travel buddy, and I ate at a yummy restaurant where we had omelettes, coffee, and cocoa.  

And the beach?  Beautiful would be an understatement.  

The grand finale of the weekend was Lauren's wedding.  The ceremony was held in this pretty island church and Lauren was absolutely stunning.  The details at her wedding reception were amazing.  There were little stations where you could write a message to send out to sea in a glass bottle and instead of signing a guest book we signed adirondack chairs for the couple.  I won't even talk about the crab cakes that were carried around on trays during the cocktail hour... DELISH!  

Maureen, Lauren, and I at the ceremony.

 Lauren and Derek,

Thank you so much for the amazing time.

The only downfall to the weekend was realizing how much I miss you both. 

{and I know Caleb does too!}

We can't wait to see you again!

Perfect Moments.

This post has been on my mind for a few weeks now.  I'm just now getting around to writing it because I have been trying to figure out how I can express my thoughts in words that make sense.  This post is about perfect moments.

The best example that I can think to describe was last week.

Thursday, Caleb and I went to a wine class with one of his co-workers.  I was dying to take pictures because the setting was so beautiful.  We were in a small room with floor to ceiling windows on all sides.  The table was set with white linens and pristine crystal glasses.  We sat at long tables with twenty people all gathered and sharing a common passion.  Wine.

The instructor of the class opened all the windows to allow the breeze of the first perfect Fall day to wisp around the room ever so lightly.  The restaurant was riverfront and the sun was setting on the water.  The light was golden and rays of sun streamed into the room, playing off of the wine glasses filled with varying shades of red wines.  The scent in the room was that of fresh baked bread, aged grapes, wood, and the very first scents of Fall.  Clean.  Crisp.  Clear.

Glasses were clinking.  People were softly laughing.  Caleb was smiling.

Most participants in the class were taking notes on paper supplied by the instructor.  Scribbling reminders of the hints of smoke and fruit, brick color, or scent.  Anything that would remind them of the wines that they tasted during the class.  I quickly lost interest in the note taking.  I was entranced by the atmosphere.  The sun.  The linens.  The scent.  The sounds.  It was a perfect moment.  My first instinct was to capture the moment on film, but I dared not tarnish it by searching for my camera.

The moment was fleeting as most perfect moments tend to be so.  Some outside noise distracted me or the man across from me started talking about his son's liquor store.  It was gone, but not forgotten.

There are so many of these perfect little moments in this life.  The question is will you recognize them?  Will you appreciate them?

Sun beams bursting through the trees at the Cloudland Canyon waterfall.

Clear water, green moss, waterfall, a hike with my Love.

A perfect Southern Indiana wedding.  Cool breezes, friends,
locally brewed beers, dancing.

Cool green grass, Caleb's arms, wearing cowboy boots, feeling pretty.

Sometimes the simple things are the best things.

I would love to hear about one of your perfect moments...

Fall Is Here!

Its official!  The Fall decorations are out!  

Enjoying a birthday weekend of cooler temperatures, family, and wine.  What are you up to this weekend?

Sometimes the simple things are the best things.

What a Beautiful Woman.

I've been thinking lately about what inspires me.  This woman.

Lizzie Beautiful.

An interview from HLN with Dr. Drew

Current Crush Thursday

I'm getting geared up for Weekend of 1,000 Projects.  I'm going to shut myself inside my house and lock the doors.  I'm not going to leave until I have completely organized our office/craft room and finished a minimum of three Pinterest projects.  

Does this even sound possible?  Because I'm skeptical.  And I really want to go back to IKEA.  And I just learned about some new antique stores in the area.  Sheesh, people!  I have no self-control!!

BUT... on a more serious note... I have been gathering supplies and getting organized to minimize the number of side trips I take to Lowe's and Joanne's after I actually begin my projects.

Oh the things I have in mind for these...

Moving on...

So maybe you are starting to wonder why I titled this post "Current Crush Thursday."  In addition to updating you about my "Weekend of 1000 Projects" I am also linking up (yes, one last link up this week... I'm a linking up fool lately!) with Danielle at Framed Frosting for Current Crush Thursday!

I'm definitely crushing on getting things in the mail.  The first thing I do when I get home is run to the mail box.  It probably has something to do with my recent increase in ETSY orders and housewarming gifts I have been receiving.  My friends have been so thoughtful in sending me wonderful little gifts and cards in the mail to congratulate me on our newly purchased home and new adventure in Chattanooga.

I've also been spending hours scouring ETSY for unique decorations and handmade ideas.  Recently I contacted an old friend from high school who is an awesome photographer.  I've really been wanting some original art for our house and I wanted a piece of Indiana in our Tennessee home.  

So Brittany listed one of her prints on ETSY for me and I was super excited when I saw that it had arrived!

Perfection!  An Indiana cornfield by an Indiana artist!

If you would like a print like mine check out Brittany's ETSY shop.  You can also check out some of her work on her website, Britography or "like" her on Facebook!  I can't wait to show you all where I display my new artwork!

So yes, this week I am crushing on getting the mail.

And Moon Pies.  But mostly the mail.  :)