Today my is my guy’s 22nd birthday and we’re all excited and ready to celebrate around these parts.
Tonight we have cake, presents, a dinner date, and possibly bowling planned for us. I am more than excited to welcome Scott to the 22 club (now he can’t really say I’m his older woman, even though I will always be 6 months older than him). I remember when Scott turned 18, exactly four days after we started dating. I bake him his very first Chelsea cheesecake, and we danced the night away at his Halloween themed birthday party/show. That year I dressed up as a lady of the 80’s in a flashy fuchsia vintage dress, and Scott was a clown (I hate clowns).
This year I’m excited to continue with our tradition of having my homemade cheesecake for dessert, and to celebrate Scott’s life and the wonderful man he is.
Awhile back I won a giveaway on the Our City Lights blog, and the prize was a brand new copy of the Wreck This Journal book.
A few weeks ago I received a lovely package from Diana with the book in it, and since then I’ve been itching to start on it.
On Sunday morning, during our anniversary breakfast outing, Scott and I started working on a few random pages in the book.
The results:
When I saw Scott splashing coffee onto this page I was instantly mortified (who would splash coffee onto a perfectly good book), but then I realized that the page said fling your coffee onto this page and instantly felt ok and accepted that that was just the fun of the game.
Next Scott took a big stomp and jump on the book.
I’m pretty sure he got a few weird looks while he was doing this, we were in the middle of a very busy restaurant.
Next up was poking holes into one of the pages. My fine point pen barely got the job done, but I had fun trying to make it work.
Lastly was the scribble page-we both took turns with three different sharpies and scribbled until we felt like we were done.
So far we’re really having a lot of fun with the book. Over the last few years I’ve spotted this book at my local book stores and have always felt the urge to go forth with breaking the spine of this book, splashing coffee and food on it, and essentially wrecking it my way.
Thank so much again to Diana for giving me the opportunity to “wreck this journal”.
Have you ever looked through this book before? What about actually going through and wrecking it?
Today I have a really sweet interview with a soon-to-be mama that I like to call my friend, Danielle of Sometimes Sweet.
Danielle and I first met sometime around January of ’09 via the internet. I remembering reading her blog, and thinking she was the cutest lady around. I really took an interested in Danielle’s blog because she was a local gal (she lives about two hours away, but used to live in my town and still comes to visit), and because I thought she had great style.
Since then, I have had the pleasure of meeting Danielle and her husband Hank (I spotted them at the Johnny Cupcakes lectur back in February), and still feel that she is one of the most well dressed, and sweetest ladies in the blogsphere.
Danielle was kind enough to do an interview with me about her life, blogging, and fashion.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m a twenty-something girl married to the love of my life Hank, with our first baby on the way in just a few weeks. I’ve been a high school English teacher (10th grade/American Literature) for the past five years but in just a couple of weeks I am leaving that all behind to embark on a new journey- becoming a full-time stay at home Mom! I’m so excited! In my spare time I really enjoy working out/exercising, cooking and baking, watching live music (especially any of my hubby’s bands!), reading tons, all things blogs and internet, traveling, and spending time with all the people I love. I feel like I lead a fairly simple life, it’s a happy one and I’m very thankful for that.
2. What got you interested in blogging, and how long have you been blogging for?
Well I’ve been writing in online journal format since the nineties, via livejournal (I will always love you, LJ!). A few years ago I decided I wanted to change it up a bit and move into the big-girl world of blogging, so I jumped over to blogspot and started Sometimes Sweet. I never envisioned having thousands of people read my words everyday, but it just kind of evolved into that somehow. I started with just a handful of readers and it just grew and grew, which for awhile I was kind of weirded out by, but now I pretty much embrace it and really enjoy being able to reach out to so many people. I’ve met some of the most amazing individuals through this experience and I’m just so happy I decided to stick with it. Being an English major and someone who loves to write, I’ve been able to use my blog not just as a daily record of all of the happenings in my life, but also as a creative outlet. When I don’t blog I feel a little “off,” and I definitely know that it’s become a space for me to really just get my thoughts and feelings out of this busy head of mine. I love it. And even more so now I can use it as a virtual baby book for our son Henry. I’ve documented my entire pregnancy, and I’m looking forward to doing the same kind of thing once he’s born.
3. I’ve noticed that you’re one fashionable lady! Tell us a little bit about your style.
Lately it’s been whatever fits and is comfortable (I’m over 9-months pregnant!) but when I’m not sporting a big ole baby bump, I usually gravitate towards pretty, girly items- especially dresses. I’m a total dress junkie and most of my closet is full of all of the lovely dresses I’ve collected over the years. I’m a big fan of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie, Orla Kiely, and J. Crew. I really, really love a good deal though so I enjoy shopping at places like Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21, and Last Chance in Phoenix. Although I definitely have to be in the right mindset to enter the last place on that list- it’s a ZOO! Overall I feel like I can find cute things anywhere, and I have no shame in pairing a blouse from Target with say, a MBMJ skirt. Autumn and winter fashion is my favorite and I really get inspired right around this time of the year. I love layers, tights, high waisted skirts, peter pan collars, nice heavy cardigans, and cute flats. I’m not a trendy person at all, so most of the things I buy I can wear for years and years. The older I get the more I tend to have preference for spending more on quality pieces I can keep forever.
4. What does your daily routine generally look like?
Currently I’m still working so here’s an average work day for me: I wake up around 5:45am (when I wasn’t pregnant I’d almost always hit the gym before work, so I’d get up around 4:45am, but these days I like my sleep in the morning!). Shower, get ready, have a big, healthy breakfast, and head into work around 7:45am. Teach 1st and 2nd hour, have my “free/prep hour” 3rd. During this time I’ll get stuff together for the rest of the week, but I’m pretty organized so I can usually just enjoy the hour with a snack and whatever book I’m reading at the time. Teach 4th hour. Lunch. Teach 6th and 7th. Head to the gym right after school, then head home. Get home (so tired at this point) but usually Hank and I will take our pup Madeline on a walk then cook dinner. I’ll then spend the rest of my night doing various things: hanging with my family, watching tv or a movie, blogging, reading, or going to sleep really early (again, pregnant = TIRED). On the weekends anything goes! 🙂
5. With your little one almost here, what are you looking forward to most about being a mother?
Oh gosh. Seriously EVERYTHING! I knew I wanted to be a wife and mama since I was a little girl, and I feel like this is the biggest dream I’ve ever had coming true. I just can’t wait to see Henry, and hold him, and kiss him and hug him! I’m excited to see my husband as a Dad, and really just embark on this amazing/crazy adventure with him. I’m so grateful I get to stay home so I don’t have to miss a thing, and every day that gets us a little closer to meeting our little guy is another day of multiplied excitement.
6. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
I kind of touched on this above, but I’d say two things: one, the relationships I’ve made and the support that’s out there in the blogging world, and two, the creative outlet it provides me with. To talk about number one for a moment, it’s pretty amazing how supportive all of my blogging ladies are. It’s like having a little team of friends that is always there for you, encouraging you during good times and bad. A lot of people don’t “get” blogging, and I do think it may be hard to wrap your brain around it if you have no idea how it works, but it’s really, really wonderful. And then number two, I just love that I can share the things that I write with so many people. It’s great to get feedback and kind of just put yourself out there, as scary as that can be at times.
7. You live in a pretty small town, what do you like about living there?
So many things. I grew up in a small, small town in NJ but moved to a suburb of Phoenix when I was a teenager, and a part of me always missed the small-town vibe that my hometown exuded. For college I went up to NAU in Flagstaff and got to experience that again, and I definitely loved it. I never would have guessed I would have ended up in Prescott, but I’m so glad I did. My husband and his family have been here for generations, so it was never a question of where we’d decide to live. From the first time I visited him in 2004 I fell in love with this quirky little place, and I’ve truly enjoyed living here over the past five-plus years. I couldn’t imagine raising our family anywhere else. It’s funny though because my friends from Phoenix will come and visit and they get a total kick over the fact that you can’t go anywhere without seeing seriously ten people you know- it’s a “hi! “hello!” “how are you?” fest all over town, constantly. And being a teacher at the only high school in town, I’m sure you can imagine how many recognizable faces there are! I love small towns, and Prescott especially. Our downtown is adorable, we have fantastic holiday celebrations for every season, and we experience every type of weather from blustery snow days to hot, hot summer evenings. I sound like an advertisement, but really, I love it.
8. What are you favorite fashion trends for fall?
tights with shorter skirts, corduroy, different textures, I’m loving chunkier boots, big knits…Autumn colors of course but especially forest green, mustard yellow and burnt orange, tortoise shell…so much!
9. What does your husband, Hank, think about your blog?
I know he reads it on occasion and he definitely supports me doing what I enjoy! 🙂
10. Do you have any advice to new bloggers? What about new mommas? How about fashion enthusiasts?
I get this question a lot, and the main thing I can tell new bloggers is to BE YOURSELF. That’s the biggest thing. If you are your authentic, genuine self then you will attract people just like you, and you’ll be able to find your own little community within this large blogging world. Like attracts like, for sure. Write for yourself. And write about what you enjoy. Maybe you love going out to eat? Then write some reviews. Perhaps you love fashion? Then start documenting your outfits. My blog is kind of all over the place- I write about personal things, daily things, inspiration, fashion, books, movies, you name it. I like not putting myself into some sort of label so I am free to write about whatever my heart desires. It definitely makes it more fun! For new mamas- I have no idea yet, but I will get back to you on that one! And for fashion enthusiasts…again, be yourself! Wear what you love. That’s kind of a good motto for all of this- do what you love and what makes YOU happy, always.
Thanks so much Chelsea for asking me these great questions. I’ve had a good time answering them, and I hope you guys have enjoyed reading them! Feel free to pop over to my blog and say hi- I’d love to meet you! 🙂
Thank you so much Danielle for doing this interview! I really loved reading your answers and learning more about you along the way!
Don’t forget to stop by Danielle’s blog and say hello!
Friday Scott and I went on a fall adventure-we went to Schenpf Farms with our friends Courtney and Sanford (they’re fiances, and I just love them). For all of you non-locals, Schnepf farms is located about 40 minutes outside of Phoenix, and offers seasonal activities including peach picking, apple picking, various fall themed activities, etc.
This was Scott and I’s second time out to the farm, but first time for Courtney and Sanford. I think we were all pretty excited though, because it was a new experience for everyone.
We started with some posed photos on top of the giant hay bail by the front entrance. Behind the bails were smashed pumpkins and rows of newly planted soil (said the little boys that told us not to walk through it to get to the sunflowers-oops!).
On the way in Scott and I also took a iconic head-hole picture (is that what you would call these?). We were a ghost, and a train passenger.
Next, we all took a ride on the 1920’s carousel. Generally these rides make me a little woozy, but I think I was definitely able to handle this one because I was more focused on taking cute pictures!
Schnepf Farms also has a large petting zoo, complete with goats, cows, a donkey, etc. We figured our trip would not be complete without a little cute animal sighting.
Scott was very excited about the petting zoo!
They had sweet baby goats, and next to their pen there was a gumball machine full of food pellets to feed them.
Courtney met this cute little guy and decided to give him a treat.
There was also a sweet faced donkey that thought I needed some hand kisses.
They also had a pen with mountain goats in it, and one of the goats (the white one with big beard specifically) apparently really like Sanford and decided to give him a little love by sneezing all over him and biting his pant legs. Oh geez it was funny! What a cute guy the goat was though!
Schnepf Farms also has a mini amusement park area, complete with carnival rides, food stands, and a tennis ball launcher that was a big hit in our group.
Since it was starting to get dark, we figured it would be best to venture through the corn maze before the daylight was completely gone.
The maze we went through was actually a mini maze, compared to the 40 acres maze in the shape of the faces of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw that was on the edge of the farm (we unfortunately didn’t have time to go through).
My outfit for the day was:
Cardigan: Frenchi
Button up: Levi’s
Jeans: Leavi’s
Black Boots: Steve Madden
This was my first time in a corn maze and I really loved it. In Arizona I feel we don’t get many chance to experience fall staples such as this, so I was really excited to finally be able to venture through one (after 22 years of life!).
My favorite picture of the evening.
Before the day was over we took a walk through the sea of pumpkins, and decided that our Home Depot bought pumpkins were just as nice (even though one of them already molded over).
After the sun went down we went on a hunt for apple cider (no luck) and went on a hay ride, complete with a chance to feed baby dears.
Overall I had a wonderful time at Schnepf Farms, and feel lucky to have experienced such a wonderful fall themed evening. If you ever have a chance to visit the farm, I definitely suggest that you do!
Did you go to a pumpkin far yet this year? What was it like?
This morning Scott and I took a little trip to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). This was a returning visit for Scott, but my first time visiting the SMoCA. We have been talking about visiting this museum for ages now, so when we knew Scott would have a Saturday morning off we thought it would be the perfect time to drive down to the museum and take a walk through.
After roaming around the museum and looking at almost every piece in their collection, we headed out and walked toward the giant LOVE sculpture that sits in a lovely park in Scottsdale.
I’ve had this place in mind for outfit photos for awhile now, but figured today was the best day to take photos in front of it, what with major love in the air around these parts (hello four year anniversary).
The LOVE sculpture is iconic, and can be seen in a few others cities in the country. I feel lucky to have one so close to us.
On the eve of our anniversary I have to say that I am so incredibly in love, and I am so thankful for Scott and his love. He is the kindest, most artistic, loving, caring, unique person I know, and I am more than thrilled to be spending the rest of my life with him.
My outfit for today was pretty simple and classic. I’m a sucker for a good white shirt, cardigan, and jeans.
Sunglasses: Ray Bans
Cardigan: Gift from my mom
Shirt: Levi’s
Jeans: Levi’s
Flats: Ruby and Bloom
Today my hair was a little bit of a frizzy mess. I have naturally straight hair, but when I leave it in a bun over night and take it out the next day it generally is pretty wavy and stays that way until I wash it. I usually enjoy this messy, wavy kind of look, but some days it can be too much for this straight haired girl.
Scott was wearing his beloved Sperry’s today, as well as a shirt from H&M, Quicksilver jeans, and Ray Ban sunglasses.
Today was overall a wonderful day. Breakfast together, museum mini-date, photoshoot, lunch date at Slices, homework, dinner together at home, The Social Network at our favorite local movie theater.
What did you do today? Do you have a LOVE sculpture in your town?
As mentioned in previous blog posts, this Sunday is Scott and I’s four year anniversary. Almost exactly four years ago he swept me off my feet with his gentleman ways, and huge heart. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Scott has taken the entire weekend off (first one off since he came to visit me in Colorado in the beginning of July) and we have planned a weekend of fun.
First up (well, second if you count my surprise that I will share later) was a trip to Modern Burger.
Modern Burger is a tiny burger shack inside the Scottsdale mall. The shack is a part of Modern Steak, a semi-fancy restaurant that caters to the high-end crowd that goes to the mall. Usually every time we go shopping in this area we walk by Modern Burger and wonder how good it really is. So for our special weekend we decided to have a little lunch date there.
Modern Steak is the room to the right, complete with fancy furniture and a pretty ceiling.
Modern Burger has five things on their menu: burger sliders, french fries, turkey salad, ice cream sandwiches, and drinks.
Scott and I decided to go with the burger sliders (I usually don’t eat burgers, but figured these were mini and extra yummy-so I went for it), french friends, passion fruit iced tea, and a shared ice cream sandwiches.
Overall, the food was very good and very filling. The ice cream sandwich we shared was made out of oatmeal cookies, and granny smith ice cream (seriously amazing). If you’re ever in the area and feel like getting some quick and delicious, I highly suggest Modern Burger.
This evening Scott made us the most lovely dinner. Lately we really haven’t had much time to cook together (one of my favorite things), but tonight we decided to take a little and cook up a storm (well, Scott did, and I helped).
We had:
-breaded eggplant with bruschetta like topping on it
-sweet potato dish made in our ramekins
-bread with olive oil
(Scott bought me those three little pumpkins today as a little surprise. I’ve been searching for cute little white pumpkins everywhere.)
We also attempted to make cookies, but the mix that we ended up using was too soupy for what we had in mind, so we got this:
Good news, the cookies still tasted delicious with the maple frosting we made, but unfortunately they weren’t as pretty as we hoped. Oh well, there’s always next time!
Do you and your significant other cook together? What’s your favorite thing to make?
Lately I’ve been yearning to wear cute plaid shirts. However, its still been too hot here in Phoenix (until recently that is). Fortunately though, the weather has decided to finally cool down- ya know, chilly mornings and evenings, 80-85 degrees during the afternoon (today it’s actually only going to be 79 though). So I decided to take advantage of the cooler weather and break out some of my best fall plaid.
Flannel: Levi’s
Cameo: Purchased in Greece a few summers ago
Jeans: Levi’s
Booties: Jeffrey Campbell
Not too far from my school in downtown is a series of galleries all connected. The front of the galleries used to be painted with a carnival/circus theme. I thought it would be a neat area to take a few pictures in front of, what with their barred windows keeping in circus animals, and a couch made out of noodles, but unfortunately the paintings were gone, and the area is now painted a mixture of pastel colors, and disproportion people (really).
Just around the corner though is another set of galleries, and there Scott and I found this:
I’m really loving this giant red arrow, and the whiteness of the background. Just to the right on this picture is a lovely Mondrian esque painted doorway that I’m in love with.
This same day, Monday to be exact, Scott and I had lunch at That’s a Wrap (their food was just too good the first time to not go back very soon), and also did homework and watched Pawn Stars and American Pickers (our new favorite show!).
Have you had a chance yet to break out your fall plaid? Is the weather cooler nowadays where you live? -Chelsea
Today I have a special treat! Rachael Thomas of Talk2thetrees has graciously agreed to do a little interview with me and talk with me about her blog, shops, and life. I’ve known of Rachael for about four years now, as she was a college roommate of one of my good high school friends. I remember meeting up with my friend one day while I was in Salt Lake City, and meeting one of her roommates, and wondering why Rachael wasn’t there. Hopefully one day we’ll have the chance to meet in real life!
Also, I did a little interview for Rachael as well and it is being featured on her blog today. So, please stop by Rachael’s blog and check it out! Ok, on to the interview…
Tell us a bit about yourself:
My name is Rachael Thomas from Talk2thetrees blog. I am a huge nature lover and I talked to trees when I was little, I still do. I am also a huge art lover as well. I was going to school for fine art but took a hiatus when I got married. I had plans to continue school, but my husband’s job has us moving all over the country every couple of months. If it weren’t for us moving so much I never would have opened my two shops on Etsy, Talk2thetrees where I make and sell hats and Tree Talker where I sell artwork and prints. My husband is extremely supportive of my creativity, which is good because it can be very spontaneous and random. When I feel like making something, it needs to get started right away. I’m currently living in Little Rock Arkansas, but I have lived in 6 different states in the last two years. I love to travel and I hope to see the whole world some day.
2. Tell us a bit about your blog. I started blogging way before I was married. It started out as just a place for me to write about college and vent about roommates and homework. That only lasted about a month or two and the blog lay forgotten. Last November I deleted all old negative posts and started fresh.
I began blogging a bit more about my artwork and my hats, then in April I started blogging almost everyday. I blog about art, traveling, nature, my shops and all sorts of pretty things. I no longer complain on it, in fact I try to never post anything negative. I post inspirational quotes and beautiful things, I hope to inspire others, if not just myself.
3. What is your favorite part of blogging?
My favorite part about blogging is probably all the people I get to meet.
I move so much so I don’t get to make many friends, it gets pretty lonely. I love sharing with other people and through blogging I have learned so much from others. My blog helps me feel less lonely.
When I’m not blogging I can usually be found painting pictures, knitting hats or making all sorts of things. I wear silly hats often and take lots of pictures. I cook delicious dinners, go on adventures through the woods, play with my silly puppy and my smelly kitty, and occasionally clean the house. I normally end up blogging about all of that, except the cleaning part. It’s very rare.
6. Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
Blog often and be positive. The biggest turn off for me when I visit a blog is too much negativity. I also love lots and lots of pictures!
Thanks so much for doing this interview Rachael! I hope everyone will check out Rachael’s blog, and all of her shops! She is a lovely lady, and really deserves your support! -Chelsea
This past weekend Scott and I visited a local pumpkin patch in search of a hayride, pretty landscape, and of course, pumpkins. We ended up going to Mother Nature’s Farm in Gilbert, a cute little farm that we had never visited before, but passed many times. At the farm they had a pumpkin patch, a hayride, a mini maze, farm animals, and a snack shack.
We first took a little walk around the farm. The farm is pretty tiny compared to most farms that are outside of the city, but definitely was big enough to have some pretty trees and dusty path ways.
Outfit-
Felt fedora: UO
Shirt: Gap
Jeggings: Levi’s
Boots: Steve Madden
After wandering around a bit we took a look at the farm animals. They had a few goats, chickens, pigs, etc. They were all definitely cute to look at, but unfortunately we weren’t allowed to feed them.
Next, we took a ride on the hayride. We were a little sad because there wasn’t actually any hay on the hayride (didn’t this happen to Tieka too?), but it was still fun. The area that surrounds the farm consists of industrial buildings, and palm trees, so for awhile we had to pretend our view was more fall farm themed, than busy city living.
After the hayride we stopped by the corn maze, however it was made out of hay bails, so I would call it more of a hay maze, rather than corn maze. Scott was a trouper and went through the maze, while I stood on the sidelines and cheered him on.
And last but not least, we took a little stroll around the pumpkin patch. The patch was a little flooded, so we didn’t go too far in, but it was so cute and made me feel like it was finally fall (It’s still in the 90’s here, can you believe it?).
Going to the pumpkin patch was a lot of fun, and I am definitely looking to Scott and I’s trip to another local pumpkin patch with our friends Courtney and Sanford this coming weekend! We plan on picking apples, and I’m hoping to get some hot apple cider this time around.
Have you been to a pumpkin patch yet? What was it like? I would love to hear!
