summer is winding down...

Lately:
1) I've wanted to carve my initials on a tree so during a hike while at Collegiate Week in Glorieta, NM I did just that!
2) The view from the sanctuary at Collegiate Week
3) the prayer garden at Collegiate Week
4) belated birthday cupcakes
5) pretty flowers
6) first time golfing
7) we gained a roomate!! sweet ella girl :)

Collegiate week was great and definitely got me refocused on my purpose as a Christian for this upcoming year and how to live my life.. especially in my leadership roles. Just a few days later, I went to Foundation for a few days! (pictures later)

School starts in 2 days, back to the grind.

favorite things

1) bath and body works summer collection: the candle shown is "summer boardwalk" and it's definitely my favorite. everyone that comes over describes it differently; peanuts, carmel popcorn, cotton candy, etc. And this candle puts all those scents into one! I also have "Seashore" and it's a simpler, clean smell also good. That whole collection has so many summer smells that are so so accurate; check out "sun tan" and tell me it doesn't smell like a long day laying out!

2) bossypants by tina fey. I just got this book for my birthday and haven't gotten too far reading it but I'm practically crying from laughing so hard while reading it. She is just too.dang.funny. I recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted read!

3) cinnamon butter. yum. I got the country crock brand at the store (even though there are multiple other options) and it is just so yummy, tastes just like Texas Roadhouse butter!

4) black coffee. I'm not too sure but lately I've been drinking my coffee black. Skip the creamer and sugar and enjoy a simple cup of joe. During the school year it usually gets me more focused to study than the "fixed up" drink (not too sure why, it may just be in my head...) but lately, i'm a fan.

5) simply lemonade with mango. I'm a big fan of all of the "simply" collection; simply limeade, simply lemonade, simply lemonade with raspberry... but mango is just as awesome also! it's such a fruity drink for the summer.

6) olympics. GO USA! It's all I can bring myself to watch these days. Now that swimming and gymnastics are coming to an end, I'll have to venture on to a new favorite sport to watch but still rooting on USA in whatever we're competing in!

family birthday

I went home for a few days to celebrate my birthday with my family as well as see my brother/sister-in-law. We mainly hung around the house, watched the olympics, and had company over to swim.

 I ended up making my own birthday cake because I wanted to try making a pink ombre cake. We also got "21" shaped sparkler candles!

twenty one

I had just the best 21st birthday in Lubbock with my friends (first birthday away from my parents)! I can now see why there's a store named after staying this age (forever).

I spent my birthday doing what I love most; started off watching Live with Kelly and doing some blog reading, which is when I noticed that Lullaby Lubbock gave me a shout out :)

then me and Morgan got some sun at our apartment pool. Not long after that I received a call that the florist was downstairs looking for me. So I went down to get the balloons my parents sent, and when I got back upstairs Morgan had decorated our apartment! She was a quick one and surprised me :) She also baked some yummy tie-dye cupcakes

We went to dinner with all the girls at the Funky Door; a wine and fondue restaurant. I'd never been there before but loved the atmosphere. There was even live music!

then Cafe J to end the night.

Such a great birthday with friends! 

to be continued (with the family)..

DIY coffee table

This girl loves a DIY project.

I had gone home this weekend to see my best friend Shelby, attend her sisters wedding, and see my family of course. Since I knew I was going home, I had a vision for a wood pallet coffee table and knew my dad would help make that possible.

we picked up some (smaller than normal) pallets at Home Depot. You can find them behind a lot of buildings but we found the perfect size that we wanted there.

we also got 4 wheels for the bottom. not that we'll be scooting around on this table often, but it'll come in handy to move....and vacuum. 

                 

now time for sanding. we also replaced some of the boards that were odd colored or breaking apart with extra boards from other pallets.

some daughter/father bonding time

and staining

and onto the final product...

 I love how it works in the living room and can be a foot rest for both couches

 also, my parents surprised me last week and built this mantle for our living room! I absolutely love it! And the black middle part is chalkboard paint so we can draw a "fire" in the winter :)

psst. did I mention the total cost for the table was $20? The wheels and an extra can of stain were the only expenses :)

moved in!

A week after moving into the new apartment and we finally have internet, cable, and a new home! The living room/kitchen still have progress to go, but my room is finished so I'll just be posting pictures of the thrifting thats become my room for now!

headboard: old door from McKinney Trade Days

picture: Lubbock thrift store, $5

picture above tv: Lubbock thrift store, $10

lamp: goodwill, $15, and re-done lampshade 

desk: Sherman salvation army, $30

chair: goodwill, $5

wood crates: Hobby lobby (with use of their 40% off coupons, of course)

button "s": handmade

yellow chair: Lubbock thrift store, $15

bookshelf: Lubbock thrift furniture store, $40 (see remodel here)

vintage suitcases: roughly $5 each from McKinney trade days and goodwill

books: 20 cents each from thrift stores

lamp: $5 from Lubbock thrift store

this view makes me forget that I'm in Lubbock, Texas! 

and right down the street is Tech's football stadium

party planning on a budget: the fourth

This fourth of July was the best I've ever had. I started the day off with the 4th on Broadway parade with the girls. It may have been 9am but it.was.hot.

                                       

 Later that evening it was time to put the party together that we had been in the process of planning. We had a "pinterest inspired" party complete with fruit kabobs in the shape of the flag, a carved watermelon punch bowl, star shaped watermelon, handmade banners, and roasting s'mores and hot dogs.

I stole the following pictures from my dear friend/roommate/photographer Morgan! Check out her blog for crafts and photography :)

 The party was a hit, and afterwards a small group of us went to a empty parking lot on the outskirts of town to shoot off our own fireworks. 

best.fourth.ever.