A Little Engagement Story

This is a story that has been a long time coming. And I'm so completely beyond thrilled to have finally reached this point.

Our story began just over 4 years ago when I received a facebook message from a guy. Skip and I had several mutual friends, and I guess things I would comment on and say intrigued him enough to send me a message asking if I'd be interested in going out. Being the commitment phobe (1st dates would give me panic attacks, the thought of a second date was more than I could handle) I was, I kept putting him off and finally told him I wasn't interested in dating. He said that was fine, he just wanted to at least be friends, which I could totally handle.

So one night I took the kids to see Rio and thought I'd invite Skip to come along. He brought his son Asher. As Skip tells the story, he was so nervous he spilled popcorn everywhere. He definitely had a hard time speaking to me. I know, I know. I'm definitely the intimidating type. :P It was so cute though, and as we left he gave me a copy of Audrey Hepburn's Funny Face.

Another time he texted me and said he was going on a business trip and asked if he could bring us a souvenir. A few nights later, a bag of seashells that he'd picked up along the beach showed up on our doorstep overnight.

He even brought me a cake at work, to make sure my birthday was being celebrated.

The night we went to see a screening of one of Richard Dutcher's films.

We hung out here and there over the next couple of years. Taking the kids to things like the Color Festival in Spanish Fork, or just hanging out at the apartment, after I'd moved to Bountiful. He was always there, ready to save me when my car battery died, or take care of me when I got sick and he brought us dinner.

In the fall of 2012, Skip and I took a trip to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil's Love. He showed up in a new Mustang convertible that he rented and off we went! Rode with the top down until it got dark and cold. One night there, he surprised me with dinner at the top of the Stratosphere. SO YUMMY! It was hard watching all the people jump off the building, though. Made me cringe every time! On our last night there we stayed up super late. I just couldn't sleep and we talked and talked. And then he kissed me and I realized he still wanted to try to be more than friends, which I just wasn't feeling.

So after we got home, I thought the kindest thing would be to stop seeing him. I didn't feel I could give him more than friendship, and it felt mean to lead him on, even inadvertently.

That lasted until April of 2014 when I sent him a facebook message, apologizing. He kindly forgave me and we set up a time for him to come over and hang out. Which we started right back, like we'd never stopped.

For my 30th birthday, he got me tickets to see Elton John! I was SO excited! When we went to the concert in September, he put his arm around me and I lay my head on his shoulder, and it just felt so comfortable and good. The little idea started in my head that maybe . . . just maaaaybe I could drop my walls and begin to see him as more than a friend. But I quickly put that idea out of my head, because, seriously, I don't date. (Ok, ok, at the time I was getting to know a truly amazing man who lives in Scotland. Which, luckily, we are still friends.)

In October of 2014, Skip invited me to go to a thing called An October Evening. It was a short film festival and fashion show, which was a lot of fun. Again, he put his arm around me and that was the only place I ever wanted to be again.

But, like the emotional idiot I am, I shut it down.

He kept telling me he wanted to watch Downton Abbey with me, thinking it would be a show I would enjoy. So I invited him over for dinner, which ended up being my older brother's family birthday dinner. After we ate, Skip, Alayna and I ended up in the kitchen and we had a little group hug. And it just felt so natural . . . it just felt like being home. And I realized I couldn't ignore or shut out how I was feeling anymore. So I told him that night I loved him. Which, I've never said that to someone before in that way. That way of saying I need you like I need to air breathe. 

I think I took him by surprise. Just a little bit.

A week later I left on a cruise to the Western Caribbean. The whole trip I kept thinking, "Skip would love this!" and "I can't wait to bring Skip back here to experience this!" I was with my best friend in the whole world, Megan, and I was truly having an amazing time. But I just couldn't get Skip out of my head, and was SO excited to see him again! I told all the girls from the Teresa Collins group about him, before we were even officially together. I just knew it had to work out! How could it not, right?

This guy tried to beat Skip to being my husband. He kept telling me he was coming home with me. (Jeweler in Costa Maya)

Skip picked us up from the airport and I was SOOO excited to see him! I was deliriously tired from being up most of the night before and traveling across the country, but it didn't stop me from running to him as soon as I saw him! He had flowers for me, which was just so sweet.

We made it "facebook official" on December 2nd, but by the end of December we were talking about how we were ready to just live our lives together and by January we were planning the wedding. But he wanted to officially propose with a ring before we announced anything to people outside close friends and family, which was fine with me.

When he asked me what I wanted in a ring, I sent him styles I liked, which he shared with a jeweler friend of his and they decided on a style. He asked me what I wanted for a center stone, and I told him about the yellow emeralds I had seen while on the cruise. I loved the yellow color, the vintage feel it gave, and that it was a stone I found while on the cruise where I couldn't stop thinking about him and feeling excited for being with him. So he ordered one, but they ended up sending 4 stones for us to chose from. That was so much fun!

Once the ring was made, and Skip had it, he let me see it. But then he told me I didn't get to keep it yet. I was totally fine and hadn't really thought about there being a ring up until that point. But once I saw it I didn't want to give it back! It was so pretty! My finger already felt naked without it, and I hadn't even worn it yet.

A few weeks went by. I was being patient, but it didn't help that almost everyday my best friend would ask me if he'd proposed yet. LOL! haha! She was almost more excited than me! (Freaking LOVE you, Megan!)

So, Skip let me know that he had secretly asked my mom to babysit one Saturday morning so he could take me to a screening of a movie about the Beach Boys that his friend invited him to. (He let me know this because I had asked him if he wanted to go to the Living Traditions festival, and he had the weekends confused, so he made up the Beach Boys story to let me know he'd made plans that day, without telling me what they actually were. But it turns out it was a different weekend, anyway.)

I woke up that Saturday at 5:30 and couldn't go back to sleep. I wondered if he was planning something, but then figured coming up with a Beach Boys movie was a pretty specific thing and why would he make that up? I still woke up with some crazy nervous energy that kept me awake. I chalked it up to being startled awake from a crazy dream. (Which, is actually a fairly common thing for me. I have weird dreams!) So I started getting ready early. Took time to straighten my hair. Got a load of laundry going. I kept thinking about my dad, and decided to take the little honey bee keychain (he'd picked it out to give me as a Valentine's present right before he died) with me and kept it in my pocket. I just felt like having it with me for some reason.

I got to his house early and he was out. He told me he was taking a flash drive to a friend. Hung out at his house until he got there, and then we took off. We went to the Broadway Theater, and some guy was sitting outside, also waiting for the "screening." Skip called his friend and found out we were supposed to be at the Tower Theater across town. So we hightailed it over there, but he kept texting! I thought he was going to kill us. I had to tell him when the light turned green. He told me he was texting his brother about a charger he took to him that only worked half the time. Something about the prongs weren't doing something. I don't know. Techie talk. I was like, "Couldn't this wait until we're NOT driving?" (Turns out, he actually had about 8 conversations going on at once, about the theater change. LOL) So as we're driving down 9th south, he was rambling about the buildings and just not making a lot of sense, so I told him he was being weird. He laughed and said that was funny.

We walked in to the theater, and the guy asked if we were there for the free screening and he checked us in on his computer. (I'm still not sure what he was actually doing. LOL) We went in to the theater and sat down. We were the only ones in there. Skip said how romantic that was, being alone in the theater.

The previews started, and there was one for a Beach Boys movie, which was odd, since we were there to see a Beach Boys movie. I chalked it up to it seemed more like a film and I thought Skip had said what we were watching was a documentary so I figured it was two different things. Some more previews played, and then they cut off. I whispered to Skip that he broke it.

Then a film started playing, and it was Skip's voice, with "our song" playing in the background. HOLY CRAP!!! Then it cut off! AGH! I told him he really DID break it! haha! It started back up again and played through. I honestly can't remember everything it said, I've realized a lot of the details after first hearing his voice have already become jumbled, I was so surprised! The film ended with Skip sitting in a movie theater, talking about when we first met at a theater and he spilled that popcorn, then movie Skip said he thought the guy sitting next to me had a question for me. Skip stood up, pulled the ring from his pocket, and asked me to marry him.

Of COURSE I said yes!

As soon as I did I heard clapping! What the heck? I had thought we were alone! I turned around and there was my family, my kids all dressed up and clapping and cheering. His family and friends were there, and best friend Megan was on Skype, since she's in San Francisco. OH MY GOSH! It was so amazing. I never heard them come in! Even the guy sitting outside the first theater we went to was there. Turns out he was a friend of Skip's who he had invited to see the engagement happen. Skip's brother Steven was filming it all. He later said I had said yes so quietly, he started clapping so everyone else would know to start clapping. HAHA! I hadn't realized I'd needed to be loud for an audience.

Most. Amazing. Man. Ever. Seriously. And he's all mine!! He is the smartest, kindest, most loving and supportive man. His patience with me is endless (and needed!) and his encouragement and acceptance of me for who I am is beyond anything I could have imagined having in my life.

I can't wait to spend my life with someone who loves me so completely, so unconditionally. Who supports all my crazy ambitions and dreams, who is excited for everything we get to share together. I can't wait for our lifetime of adventures and days of just being in each other's company.

Life is an adventure, as I have always said. And now I have someone to share it with. And I can't wait!

But seriously. The ring!

Cake Bite Truffles

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since last posting. YIKES!

Well, what better way to jump back in then to start where I left off?

This month we did another Mother's Day treat sale. We modified the cake pops to be cake bites inspired by truffle flavors.

First, of COURSE, we had to do a practice run. ;) 

And then, of COURSE we needed to test out different flavor combinations:

My daughter has become an expert at making a cup of mocha in the French press. 4 more years, Starbucks, and she's all yours!

We did five flavors this go 'round.
1- Coconut Mango (pictured below)
2- Salted Caramel
3- Raspberry White Chocolate
4- Mocha Toffee (pictured below)
5- Mexican Cocoa

Again, I was surprised and amazed at the support we received from our friends and family! Y'all are the best!

We took this as an opportunity to raise some money to donate. The homeless have been a cause Alayna has always been passionate about, since she was little, so we will be taking the money received and getting supplies to put kits together to take to the shelter in Salt Lake.

Thank you, everyone!!!

CAKE POP YUM!

So this story may require some backstory.

Alayna has wanted to open her own candy factory for years. That has been her life goal for the longest time. To grow up and be the next Willy Wonka, complete with Oompa Loompas. A few months ago she asked me if she could start babysitting to earn money to open her factory. She's still a little too young to babysit, so I had the idea to let her take baking and candy making classes so she can make treats and sell them, and earn money that way.

She jumped on the idea. So did the boys.

So now this has become a family endeavor. We took our first class today! I found this fantastic place in Murry, UT called Baker's C&C. We actually had signed up for a marshmallow class a couple weeks ago, but it had been cancelled. We didn't realize it until we got there, but the owner was there and he was the NICEST man! He gave us all a sleeve of Sixlets and talked to Alayna about her candy factory dream, and even talked to Bridger about his dream of becoming a scientist and helping Alayna with her candy. Seriously. I HIGHLY recommend this place, just because of how fantastic the people there are! He was so excited for Alayna and was so encouraging. It was just fantastic!

Anyway. So while we were there we signed up for this cake pop class. Alayna and the boys had decided they wanted to make and sell cake pops as their first venture. And with Mother's Day coming up, it just kind of worked out to have an "occasion" to do this for.

So we got to class this morning and our instructor was just so fun. Alayna took notes on ideas she had while listening to the teacher demonstrate. It was super cute! Then we got to get up and decorate some cake pops ourselves. We went to town! We learned how to make simple frosting roses, and there were TONS of candies and sprinkles and flavors of dipping chocolates to coat our cake pops with.

Bridger did two, then ate them both. After that he kept telling us that "big chubs" was full! Turns out, he named his stomach Big Chubs. LOL I about died! He was walking around, patting his little belly and saying "Big Chubs can't take anymore! Two is too much for Big Chubs!" Oh man . . .

So we left class with our heads full of ideas, stomachs full of sugar, and another great family adventure. Unfortunately they aren't having anymore classes until this fall. I guess people just don't sign up for many classes over the summer. But we're first in line for when they start back up! They told us about a series of truffle classes that they do that we're WAY excited for!

At least I have the whole summer to hit the gym and get ahead before we dive into more treat making. ;)

DETAILS > > >

All righty. I'm going to get into the details of my living room and show you how I put it all together. (I'll pretend I had a plan to begin with. HA!)

I don't know about you, but I am fascinated by the stories that are behind things. And people. And places. (Which is probably what makes me such a huge history buff, but that's another story all together.) Antiques intrigue me for their story and history, not to mention the beauty of most pieces.

So here is the story of my (current) happy place.

What finally started/ended the living room decorating was the arrival of my new couch. I sold the last couch I had over a year ago, and it's taken me this long to find/have the money to get the couch I wanted. (West Elm.)

We'll start with the above dresser. A lady who used to own a vintage shop in Layton, UT posted this on her facebook page. She's moving across country and is unloading a lot of her stuff. This piece came with a mirror that I will use elsewhere. It also needs quite a bit of work. I'm going to keep it the original color, but it definitely needs a good sanding down! And the drawer bottoms are falling apart. But the knobs on this piece were almost worth the cost what I paid for the whole thing! ($60. YAY!)

That huge doily is one that my mom let me take from her home. ;) She had it in her yardsale last summer! AGH! I snatched it up as fast as I could.

I LOVE having random groupings of eclectic pieces. It just makes my heart happy having lots of color, and textures and things to look at. This is probably my most favorite part of my whole living room!

That blue bottle with the silver ball top is an old 1960s(ish) Avon mouthwash bottle. How gorgeous is that?! If Avon still had bottles like that, I'd totally order all the Avon things! ;) The blue and gold candles are from Target. The milk glass was given to me by a friend. The glass star was from Target, years ago when they had that "global bazaar" collection. The porcelain pitcher I found at a local thrift store for 50¢. I use it to hold spare change. (If anyone needs any, I have TONS of pennies in there. I always end up using the larger change. haha!)

And my little elephant! Oh, now THAT'S a story. I've had that little guy since I was 10 years old. My mom and step dad got married two days after my 10th birthday. They left my siblings and I with various neighbors and friends while they went on their honeymoon. I was at my best friend's house, happily enjoying my time there, when after only a day, my mom and step dad showed up. Turns out, they came back and ended up taking all us kids on their honeymoon with them. (I think my older brother was severely misbehaving at the place he was staying. My mom just says she missed us. lol!) So for a week, possibly two (time for a 10 year old feels so different!), we drove all over the place. Colorado. New Mexico. Idaho. I can't even remember everywhere we went. But the only places we really stopped (that I can remember) were either train museums or antique stores. And I found this little elephant at one of those antique stores. In southern Utah, if I remember correctly. Honestly, I can't believe I still have him after so many moves and years have gone by. But I treasure him!

The white frame with blue flowers was from Hobby Lobby a couple months ago. (Their alternating 50% off sales are my favorite!) The frame on the right is one I found for $4 at Fleatitude, a local vintage flea market type event. I found the little glass dish for $1 at the same market. 

These gold frames were actually black as of last week. I found them at a DCWV warehouse sale about 5 years ago. (I was trying to utilize existing holes in the wall, ignore my un-aligned picture hanging there. LOL) I spray painted them gold. Curtains are IKEA.

This chair is one of my favorite vintage finds. $15 off a Facebook vintage yard sale group. My favorite go-to place for finding old things. ;) Pillow came from Joss and Main.

Quick project idea:

See that canvas with the heart?

Materials:
Paper
Hazel & Ruby letter masks
Burlap Canvas
Gold spray paint

1. Draw a heart from your paper, to fit the canvas.
2. Cut out heart.
3. Adhere heart to canvas.
4. Stick Hazel & Ruby letter mask letters to spell "LOVE" underneath the heart. (They are self adhesive, removable, washable and REusable!)
5. Spray paint. (spray paint doesn't wash off the top of the masks too well. But they'll still work again.)
6. Let dry.

Done and done.

When I found this lamp on a Facebook yard sale group, I had NO idea how big it was. This thing is HUGE! When it's on the floor, it goes up between my elbows and shoulders. I LOVE it! I'm probably going to redo the shade, I love the concept, just need to update it a little. Side tables from IKEA.

 My gallery wall isn't quite done, but it's getting there. I'm still deciding what to put in my big giant gold frame. Which used to be a mirror. But it shattered a few weeks ago. So now it's a frame. (Facebook vintage yard sale group.) The gold mirrors are 1950s(ish) plastic ones that I found for 50¢ each at a local thrift store, that I sprayed gold. Bird prints and white frames are IKEA. My butterfly frame is a project I did when I was working as the graphic designer for Roberts Crafts. (Oddly enough, within a year of making this project, I was hired by My Mind's Eye, who manufactured the paper I used on the butterflies. Go figure! LOL) My random zebra print frame is Hobby Lobby.

Photography (in the frames) credit: Amanda Hendrickson Photography and Leslie Smith.

Mason jars painted blue on the inside. Frame from Hobby Lobby.

(Photography in the frame credit: Tara Dawn Photography)

So that's my living room. I can FINALLY move on and decorate the next room on my list.

DINING ROOM!!

Most of what I used I just shopped for from things I already had. Which is always fun, and a challenge, to see how different something looks when placed in a different spot or updated with a little paint. No need to spend tons and tons to get the look and feel you want! :)

LIVING ROOM DESIGN

Living in a rental always presents a challenge when you have custom design taste without custom design options. LOL! I LONG, nay YEARN for the day I can take a paint brush to my walls and go to town with color and all my ideas. Until then, I have to figure out how to add color in all my odds and ends that I've acquired over the years. When I moved into this townhome, I was briefly put at pause with the wall space. It's a very odd configuration of walls. Super tall, full of windows (which is NEVER a bad thing) and with funny angles. Wall sconces in inconvenient places for hanging items. All kinds of interesting things came up that you just don't really think about until you're in the middle of trying to hang a multitude of pictures and pieces. (I'm slightly obsessed with frames and wall art. I'm going to start meetings soon. ;) 

A year ago, I had a couch. I sold this couch because I didn't care for it. It was brown. Comfy. Just not pretty. I started my search that ended up taking a year to find a new couch that I love. Enter West Elm. My new love. I ordered this couch clear back in February, and it arrived last week. After I got it placed in the living room, I ended up moving around all my pictures and other furniture, and this is what I ended up with:

It's still a work in progress, a bit. I plan to switch out the floral curtains for something more neutral. Now that I have my main pieces in place, I can see what adjustments I want to make. And I'd still like to find a coffee table or a big ottoman. And as much as I LOVE my wing back chair, it needs to be reupholstered. I just need to learn how to do it first. (That chair is one of my most favorite thrifting finds!)

I've been asked about those gold frames a bit. I found them at a DCWV warehouse sale about 4 or 5 years ago. They were black, and I spray painted them gold. I've been spray painting ALL the things gold, or Ocean Blue, lately. ;) 

The rug and most of the pillows came from Joss & Main sales, the other pillows came from West Elm, as did the couch. 

So now all I need is a few visitors! But maybe wait until after I'm done with my dining room, and we can make it a dinner party! lol ;) Who's in?