Be Back Soon!

Spring is here and I'm about to graduate! I know I've been gone for a while, but planning a wedding, taking three writing intensive classes in my last semester of college has taken up a lot of my time. Don't worry though, I'll be back soon with more of all things fabulous. See you soon!

For Real Christmas List

So, here's my for real Christmas list.  It includes all the things I already have that I am so grateful for:

The best family in the world including:

The Cutest Niece That Ever Lived.

  Nora makes the best handmade birthday cards ever. They are so precious. She loves books, princesses, and pink and purple. She reminds us all of the innocence of childhood, she gives hugs, kisses, and jokes unselfishly. 

The Best Parents.

I can't even tell you all how amazing my parents are. I am 28 years old and have never seen them fight. they are what I hope my marriage is like; devoted, wonderful, giving, and sharing. They gave everything to my brother and me. They gave us the best childhood and after 35 years we can tell they are still just as in love as the day they met. 

My Grandparents

My Grandma Spornitz is 90 years old and still kicking. She and my Grandpa set the bar for the rest of us. My maternal Grandparents were not as fortunate to live such long lives, but they were an inspiration to us, they stayed together through thick and thin, sickness and health, and I was fortunate enough to spend time with Grandma McDole for the last years of her life. My Grandmothers especially were such strong women

They gave us the tools we needed to be the best we can be. I thank the universe for everyday my Grandma Spornitz can still share her wisdom, her generosity, and her compassion. she will always be my inspiration in life.

My cousins.

 How could I be the person I am without them? They inspired me to go to college, be the person I am, I will always be a better person because of my cousins!

My wonderful Fiancee

He always makes me laugh, makes me feel good about myself, encourages me when I feel ready to quit, helps me feel happy when I feel broken, is my partner in crime, and loves me even when I'm being an unequivocal crazy person.  And I know he'll make a great Dad!

Being Back in Kansas City
I've been back for almost 2 years and I'm so glad! (Even though no one here knows how to drive.)

My wonderful friends

some I've known for 25 years, some for 16, some for 10 or less. All the friends I've made, have been loyal and wonderful and amazing and there for me for everything. I wonder how I've deserved so many wonderful friends and I thank the universe for every one of them..

I also Love my cat. Ollie.

He snuggles on my lap on days that I feel people have failed me, he purrs on my lap when I feel like I've had the longest day ever. And he is the sweetest little snuggler  I have in my life. 

Thanks to everyone, all my family and friends who make my life so full. 

I am so grateful for everyone who is generous enough to share their time with me.

I have the best parents

I have the best brother and sister-in-law

I have the best niece

I have the best fiancee
I have the best mother and father -in -law to be

and I have the best cat

and that's all I need to be happy.

so thank you all for sharing your love with me

I am lucky to have such a wonderful group of people (and animals) to enrich my life.

you all keep me going, and I love you.

Merry Christmas!

Dream Christmas List

If my friends, family, and I had all the money in the world this would be my Christmas list....luxury items no one can afford. from J.crew and Anthropologie, beautiful jewelry, scarves, gloves, slippers, etc.

Curiosities

Antique bird cages are so cool! They add that cool bohemian charm to whatever room they're in. I've decided I'd really like to have one, although i'm not sure what exactly I'd do with it. I could leave it empty or maybe put plants in it. Some are so ornate, others are more simple, but I love these two at the bottom, painted teal. 

Oh, Hermione.

I am one of those huge dorks that obsesses over Harry Potter books and movies. Just went to see the latest installment of the films this weekend and it did not fail me. Such great movies and books! Hasn't Emma Watson turned into a beautiful woman right before our eyes? I love her as Hermione Granger, she perfectly plays the super smart and super cute witch that dorks like me idolize. 

Too Cool

Wishing that I could ever look so effortlessly cool. Here is some inspiration from The Satorialist. 

Speaking of Mary Poppins

While I was looking around the web for some info on Mary Poppins, I ran into this great website that forges weathervanes. Here is great one featuring Miss Poppins herself. check it out for lots of unique weathervanes! Black Forge Art.

Kid Movies

Some days you just need some comfort. Just like comfort foods, we all have comfort movies. Those flicks that restore our faith in the world. Most of mine are movies that I watched as a kid, like The Parent Trap. I used to watch this movie with my mom on lazy days around the house when were snowed in or sick. Now and Then came out when I was about twelve and it was so great, it really captured that little known undying friendship that you make when you're young and stays strong all your life.  A Little Princess was a magical movie for me. This little girl was so good no matter what life handed her, she was a blessing to every one around her, and never lost her imagination. And of course, Mary Poppins. Practically Perfect in Every Way. I hope to be Mary Poppins one day, complete with a carpet bag full of furniture and a magical umbrella.

Grant Wood

I love Iowa. So, I love Grant Wood. Grant Wood, along with Thomas Hart Benton and John Stewart Curry, showed the world the beauty of the Midwest. So often when people think of natural beauty its all about enormous snow capped mountains or the span of the Pacific Ocean, but the Midwest has its own enchanting beauty. Grant perfectly captures the overlooked beauty of Iowa's rolling hills with rows of corn, sunsets among groves of trees, and the brilliance of the changing seasons. 

From top to bottom: Fall Plowing, Young Corn, Near Sundown, January

Kansas City Knits

Knitting is one of my most favorite things to do when I have some free time. I find it so relaxing to curl up on the couch with a project, a glass or wine, and movie at the end of a long day. I love being able to make gifts for my friends and family for birthdays and holidays. Most of all I love shopping for new yarns, needles, and notions! I can lose my mind in a yarn shop, looking at all the different textures, soft and chunky, fine and fuzzy, and of course, warm and cozy. These are some of my favorite knitting shops around Kansas City. The Studio is located on West 47th street just off The Plaza. They have a great selection of all different yarns, on Tuesday mornings they have Coffee and Stitch, bring in your project, they provide coffee and muffins, and stitch your heart art with some cool people. Florilegium (it rhymes with foreign legion) is located in downtown Parkville, on the south side of the train tracks. I wish my house looked like the inside of the place. They have beautiful displays, really creative decor, and enough yarn, beads, threads, ribbons, and charms to make your head spin. They also provide any class you want for two or more, just purchase the materials and they'll show you how! Urban Arts and Crafts is not just a yarn store, its a yarn, fabric, jewelry, scrapbook, card, and book store. Its an awesome burst of color as soon as you walk in the door. They have a great selection of of yarns and some really great crafting books, they also have a wonderful calender of classes, I am always inspired as soon as I walk in the door.