Girls Traveling

a pink & gold 21st birthday

Thursday, October 31, 2013

we have another inspiration board made just for a farmer & the bell reader!

i got a sweet-as-pie e-mail from a gal named emily, who said her 21st birthday was right around the corner.

she loves the colors pink and gold...and she also shared a few other details about the outline of how her birthday was going to go down.

(a small celebration with family and more than likely going out with friends later on to celebrate.)

sounds like my kind of gal!

so...next thing i knew i got slammed with last minute details for my gals par-tay and was unable to toss around party ideas with sweet emily until just this week.

lame...totally lame.

i'm sorry, emily. :( really i am!

i shot her an e-mail with a few ideas and now i've put together a fun and flirty inspiration board...just for her.

i think what was fun about this board is that this is so totally not my style...i mean...i'm a farmer's wife. we use tractors as party accessories.

but i still found it super fun to find all the pieces and see what came together on the board in the end.

this board gives me a very clear picture of what this little par-tay would look like...and me likey.

me likey so much i could see a new year's party taking on these colors.

or really any formal-esque event that needed some girly flare.

just looking at it makes me want to sip some champagne on a wednesday night...and maybe dance on a table. okay...definitely dance on a table.

mood: fun. flirty. cocktails. sparkle.

colors: fuchsia, gold, black

credits
row 1: champagne sign / gold dress / ombre cake
row 2: gold balls
row 3: flowers / headpiece / sofia / mason jar / birthday
row 4: gold clutch / tassels / gold forks

and the drill is still the same! please oh please send me your party ideas/requests and i'll brainstorm with you!

E-MAIL

i only have time to do one inspiration board a week, but i'll do my very best to answer all e-mails!

thank you again for all the kind words and support. you people are the best.

get out and do

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

i'm guilty.

i talk a big talk and then i don't walk the walk.

i'm guilty of having ideas about adventures or suggesting we do this or that...and then when there is a free moment in the schedule i choose to not.

i'll do laundry, or obsessively polish our hardwood floors, or i'll suggest to my farmer that we watch tv and cuddle...and let's be real here. that usually wins.

but last sunday we grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and explored this beautiful neck of the woods we live in.

(less "neck of the woods" and more of a canyon. seriously...we have a canyon in our backyard.)

we loaded our little bear up and set out on our adventure.

we hiked down the canyon as kaye grabbed at her dad's face.

hey...a girl has to keep herself entertained.

and this was our view the whole way down. it really is a stunner.

did i mention it was the perfect day?

slight breeze. about 68 degrees. just lov-er-ly.

and when we reached the bottom i just really wanted to get a good shot with my turtle. we have next to no pictures together.

correction: we have no pictures together when she's smiling. but i swear...she likes me. i think.

we have no question about her farmer. she's head over heels for this guy. #jealous #choppedliver

did i mention i have a new obsession with dressing these two the same? i don't even care if she looks like a boy.

it's the best.

last sunday was a fantastic sunday and sure beat sitting on the couch.

but sometimes it just feels so good to sit on the couch.

everything in moderation, so they say.

kaye's 1st birthday photo sesh

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

well folks. they did it again...

and it was the best sesh to date.

the husband/wife team of two bird studio snapped some goodies of my very best gal to capture her one year old self and as i look at the pictures over and over and over aaaaand over...i crack up every time.

her personality was captured to a "t" and i couldn't be more pleased.

oh my turtle. i'm so in love with this gal...and to have beautiful pictures to share of her just makes me all the happier.

just look at her...

how is it even possible that little old me was gifted this perfection.

she's gonna be a star, folks. a star.

a mother's pride. dangerous stuff.

but back to two bird studio.

are they not oh so talented?

i'll answer for you. yes. yes they are.

my gal is lightening fast on her feet so we plopped her in a big valley of tall grasses and that did a great job of slowing her down...just enough to snap away without being blurry. she's quick.

she's also quite focused.

chica is a professional. it's like the cameras weren't even there. such a natural.

our farmer and i even managed to sneak into a few shots. the walls in our house are still bare and i have big plans for some canvas family prints.

is anyone a whiz with photoshopping braces out of pictures? shoot me an e-mail.

and i'm SO happy they snapped this goodie.

my farmer throws kaye in the air on the daily.

she's typically terrified...valid.

we borrowed this sweet teepee from our farmer neighbor (amy) and i'm thrilled we did. there are so many cute shots of kaye peaking through the window, biting the window, walking in and out of the door...the perfect prop for our gal.

i've NEVER never seen her make this face.

a one year original. just for you guys.

we finished up with a glorious cake smash.

it was girlfriends first time really eating sugar sugar. like...the good stuff.

she was pretty into it at the start...

...and then...

it's safe to say this was the last picture.

girlfriend was over it...and cold.

thank you so so...so so much to two bird studio. you two are always so fun to hang out with...next time lets get a post-sesh beverage...mmmk?

two bird studio

giveaway? you bet.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

so...i hooked up (not like "hooked up" but hooked up...you know...) with miss erin, over at living in yellow for this group giveaway thing thing.

see...there's my picture...third one over.

that's back when i was blonde and my hair hadn't fallen out from all those crazy preg. hormones.

*le sigh*

i digress...

so there's this group giveaway thing goin' on and i think that if you read down you'll probably want to get entered.

so go get entered. whoop!

Love The Campbells // Boho Bunnie // Farmer and the Bell // Peace It All Together
Pink Heels Pink Truck (one month ad space) // Living In Another Language
Venus Trapped In Mars // Daily Style Finds
Elizabeth Nygard (FALLFAVES - Buy 2, get 3rd piece 50% off) // Cinsarah
Lip Gloss and Lunges (25% off all ad spaces LIVINGINYELLOW) // Living In Yellow

Brickyard Buffalo
+

Jersey Girl Design- YELLOW for 20% off

Cadorah Jewelry-LIY15 for 15% Off

a Rafflecopter giveaway

inspiration board - old time ski shower

Thursday, October 24, 2013

oh you guys!

remember last week when i posted that giant inspiration board and asked if you guys would shoot me your upcoming parties so i could make one just for you all you?

well...of the dozens of e-mails i received (seriously...dozens...i couldn't even believe it!!!) i picked one that really stood out.

this great gal is expecting a wee bebe the very first day of the new year! yay!

she explained that for their wedding they went for a vintage ski theme and i jumped right on that bandwagon.

i immediately thought fondu, poutine, merci!, bebe, and all the gloriousness that goes along with skiing such as warm hot cocoa, plaids, old wooden skis. and for pops of color i went with the winter fruit of pommegranate. not only are they the most beautiful fruit, but they sure are delish. yum.

mood: wintery, vintage ski, plaid, french baby shower inspiration board.
(i'll work on my naming.)

colors: aqua, red, natural wood

credits
row 1: print / poms / thermos
row 2: hot cocoa / plaid / powder / wood ski
row 3: wrapped brie / merci / poms 2 / macaroons

and of course it doesn't stop here! please oh please keep sending me your upcoming shindigs! i just loved putting together this board and i would just love to do one for you and you and you!

E-MAIL

tortilla soup recipe

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

there are few things i really like about cooking.

mostly i just like the eating part. a lot.

so when i do whip something up with a one year old tugging at my leg, whining...it has to be fast. like...this bizz better take 10 minutes to prep and i better be able to leave it as it works its way through the cooking process.

my little gal-face is high maintenance. nothing has changed.

so...allow me to teach you how to make a delish recipe right from multiple cans. i know...sounds so appetizing.

it's pin-worthy...promise.

INGREDIENTS

(2) large cans of canned chicken or
1 lb. turkey burger
(1) can diced tomatoes
(1) can tomato sauce
(1) can corn (i prefer white)
(1) can black beans
16 oz. chicken stock with
16 oz. water (the more stock you use the saltier it is...which i also prefer.)
garlic salt to taste
(1) packet of taco seasoning
(2) peppers diced
(1) onion diced (red onion is best)

alrighty...after you feel your hand cramp up from opening all those cans...just throw them all in a large pot.

dice up your peppers and onions...

***tip***

rince those black beans. i've been told it's a little easier on the belly.

throw those in the pot too...obviously.

now set the heat on your stove to medium. pop a lid on it. let it cook for however long. i usually let it sit anywhere from 20 - 40 minutes. i also stir it occasionally to make sure the chicken gets nice and separated.

i'm sure there are loads of ways to make this, but i can tell you this is the recipe i stick to. my farmer loves it. my little lady loves it by the fistful (i just drain out the liquid for her bowl). and most importantly...i love it.

we garnish it up with shredded cheese, sour cream, and a few crumbled chips.

but it's still super yummy without that stuff too if you're shooting for healthy.

and people...i was questioned on this one by a few friends...trust me when i say this is a filling soup. it needs no additions. just enjoy it's glory as is.

wedding inspiration board...another one?

Friday, October 18, 2013

hey you fine folk. it's me. todd kraaaaines.

kidding. thanks keeping up with the kardashian's.

anyway. a few days ago i posted my very very first wedding inspiration board.

no, i'm not getting married. already did that once.

i just reaaaaalllly love weddings and parties and i wa-ish i could make it my full time jobby.

alas...i'll have to settle for putting together these little boards and daydream about the parties within.

anyway, so i put together my very first board (found here) and i was LITERALLY shocked. SHOCKED. with the feedback i got.

about a dozen e-mails and even a few comments regarding the board and their liking for it.

(that's a lot for a girl that normally doesn't hear a lot from the readers...)

so i had a little idea. i wanted to open it up to y'all. you all.

do you have a party coming up? bridal shower, baby shower, 30th birthday, 25th wedding anniversary, baby's first birthday...wedding bells??

well, do you?

allow me to brainstorm with you. i'd love to.

shoot me an e-mail and/or leave a comment with a few details. (color ideas, mood/feel you're shooting for, the actual event...you get the idea.) i'll take it from there!

i'll put together your very own inspiration board...custom just for you!

obvs. you don't have to use it...but it's fun and free and why the heck not?

alrighty-roo. let's get brainstorming!

E-MAIL

and so i can link-up this fine friday...five things i plan on blogging about one day:

1. blog a new inspiration board.
2. blog about our trip to the farmstead.
3. blog about kaye's first birthday ideas which is next SATURDAY!
4. blog about the three doughnuts i ate this morning: two cake, one chocolate. oi.
5. blog about how i plan on wearing leggings most every day for all of fall and winter.

wedding inspiration

Thursday, October 17, 2013

o. m. god. i tried my hand at a little wedding inspiration board tonight and they are difficult.

like...really tricky.

first you have to pick a feel you're going for.

then you have to pick colors.

then you have to hunt down one trillion pictures and start to place them so that they all kind of make sense to create a little story that you're trying to portray with just images.

not to mention you have to organize all these images you're finding by color or whatever organizational system you've decided on AND make sure you're keeping track of sources.

good luck.

i had this idea because i just love parties. i love weddings the most. i thought it would be easy.

and maybe it'll get easier if i decide to do more and more and more and more. but after the amount of time it took me to put this one together...it's not looking good.

colors: navy, brown, ivory
mood: rustic romance

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven

let's hope the next one isn't a brain-buster.

fall vase fillers on the cheap

Monday, October 14, 2013

seriously...so cheap. like $3.

and what beats $3? nada.

i just went to my local (and by local i mean in the big city one hour away) bulk foods store and picked out the colors i wanted to fill my vase thingies with.

the next step is a little tricky, so try and keep up.

i poured them in. boom.

five things i'm loving

Friday, October 11, 2013

ONE
did you know you can curl your hair with a flat iron. i swear i didn't know this until i looked up "dallas cowboys cheerleader hair tutorial" on pinterest. please don't judge me.

pardon my creepy eye.

TWO
another thing i didn't know about? liquid eyeliner pens. i just bought this one. it has taken me a solid week to get used to...but i'm looking less whore-ish and more...i'm looking less whore-ish.

i went with dark brown. i dig it.

THREE
my friend made this amazing recipe for me earlier this week. she added sweet potatoes and a dash or two of nutmeg and it was stellar. as in...you should make this tonight.

slow cooker pork tenderloin recipe

FOUR

these two. they kill me when they hang out together. she's a different baby around her dad than she is around me. she is just relaxed and observant with him. me? whiney and stage five clinger. it can get old real fast.

FIVE

the farmstead festival. yeah yeah. i know i live on a farm, but i'm going to travel to the big city next week to visit this place! it has pumpkin patches, corn mazes, pony rides, pig races...and most importantly? maple bacon doughnuts. i was sold at doughnuts and cider.

i don't think i can picture a better day than munching on a maple bacon doughnut with my best gal watching the daily pig race. count me in.

as always...linkin up.

happy friday.

that one time when i turned 30

Thursday, October 10, 2013

let's start things off with a shout-out to my amazing amigas and my sister.

they planned a little 30th birthday par-tay for me all me and it was oh so fun.

it included five of my most favorite things:

1. costumes. anything that involves a theme is the best.

2. a baby free night. yes please! i'll take one over here, thank you!

3. booze? yes please! i'll take one (or five) over here, thank you!

4. wonderful friends, farmer, and sister.

5. cake.

sweet glorious cake.

let's take a moment for cake.

if anyone in the boise area is in need of a daaaahling cake...i know a gal. shoot me an e-mail.

it was a night of pub golf in the big city and we capped it off with dancing like we were 21, 25 and 28 again at the bars.

okay okay...the dancing has really never gone away...we just don't get to the bars ever in our elderly age.

forgive me now...i'll let the pictures do the talking.

that sign i'm holding up there? you better believe that's a laminated picture of me from the last time we played pub golf. seriously...these ladies thought of everything.

i arrived at hole #1 (bar #1) to giant signs saying "happy birthday" with other pictures of me on them. if i wasn't so excited about them...i could have been embarrassed. but i wasn't. i loved it.

and what's a birthday celebration without posing for a LOT of pictures?

can you believe each of these people were born in september?

in order: september 18th, 22nd, 18th, 14th, and 15th.

my sister's husband and my farmer were born a few years and one day apart.

and apparently they both share an affinity for pictures. or not at all.