What we gave our moms

One side features the appropriate kid and mom, and the other, Shawn and I.

Now that Christmas is over,  and our mom's have indeed received their packages, I want to share our gift to them: Lockets. My hubby bought me a bracelet for my birthday, and onto it I attached a silver locket with he and I on one side, and Bully on the other. 

This way I can bring my family to work with me without having them sit in the breakroom with coloring books.

I got the DIY charms from Anthropologie, of course, and thought this would be a great little gift for someone we love, but simply can't see all the time. So I shopped lockets, consulted a mother or two on which one she thought our moms would like, and shrunk some pics at Walgreens. I started the project and the Hubbs finished it. I came home to the image of him sitting at the dining room table, wearing my shuffle (with earphones), cutting the tiny pics into little ovals. 

SO CUTE. 

I should have taken a picture.

Secret Santa

For my work secret secret Santa, I made this fruit arrangement. He's mentioned a few times how Edible Arrangements are so cool, and suggests them whenever we're sending someone flowers for any reason. I've never really seen him eat a piece of fruit, but when someone says they like something, I listen. The real present is in the card holder: there's a Domino's Pizza gift card inside.

It was pretty fun to make, and I hope he likes it!

Christmas Tree

This year we wanted a real tree. With real smells and sap. It make is feel like our little family is complete and ready to celebrate Christmas. I grew up with big extended family holidays, so I just wanted to make it feel like home by starting our own traditions.
    Decorating trees is expensive! With the skirt, the stand, ornaments and the lights and the trips for extra lights, it all added up. I think it is worth it. From the fabulous senior tree lot lady at Home Depot to plugging in the tree topper, it's the experience that counts.
This one is from a friend who knew we called each other "penguins":

 This is from 2010 and my love of nesting dolls:

 This is from our friends Alison & Luke, as a wedding present:

 New fish and octopus because we decided on a "sea" theme:

 From my cousin & her family as a wedding present:

My Stacks: A Quest for Rose Gold Rings

My wedding rings are tiny, delicate stacks, each carefully curated. I've pretty much picked each one myself, including the ink. I wanted small with a low setting because I use my hands a lot. I don't like the feeling of bumping something so precious. Ugh. When I got married I was still bartending and I was taking a sculpture class. I also have a love for power and handtools and will eventually take up wood working again.
So I will show you my newest addition to the stack:

It's from Gabriela Artigas, and my Hubbs got it for me for our anniversary.

I plan to get one for each child we have, so I can have my family with me all the time. I've looked at rose gold rings for months before deciding on one that I like with my other rings. I want them to be delicate, yet detailed with an authentic artisan quality. I'm also toying with the idea of black gold, as I love to mix metals!

Here are some others that I considered and still am:
1

 2.

 3.

 4.

From Top
1. Left: From Forkwhisperer on Etsy
    Right: From Zoe Chicco
2. Left:  Eternity Stackable ring from Barrio Neal
    Right:  Rope ring From Adiza on Etsy
3. Left: Knot ring From Barrio-Neal
    Right: Single diamond stackable ring from Barrio-Neal
4. Stackable eternity rings from Edelprecious on Etsy

The 100 Layer cake post about rose gold rings helped me on my search.

Two Years

We went to Orlando this weekend and celebrated our two year wedding anniversary! The rest I will say in pics because I'm tired, hungry, and Bully needs a walk. But I'm still pretty excited about it.

1. Me in front of a ginormous tree at the Millenia Mall in Orlando
2. Shawn & I at Hogsmeade
3. Shawn and I in front of Hogwarts
4. Overlooking downtown Orlando from 27 floors up.