engaged!

Friday night was quite a surprise when a package I expected to have a shirt from Forever 21 in it turned out to be a diamond ring! Surprise!...and a lovely one at that! Exciting times for Brock and I ahead! Can't wait......

delightful find....

I stumbled across this beautiful, old dresser drawer and instantly fell in love. I loved the color, the worn paint and the adorable hardware and key hole. I knew right away what I wanted to do with it....

My laundry closet....yes, just a closet....is my favorite now.

exposed.

Meet Brock.

He is my boyfriend...most of the time.

Brock=studying, studying, studying for FINALS.

.....SOO....I think I'll rearrange, rearrange, rearrange.

I decided to take my cabinet doors off to EXPOSE all my white dishes that I LOVE. {thanks taisj} I've been wanting to paint my boring wood cabinets to lighten up my kitchen but haven't mustered up the courage yet...This is a quick fix for now but it already feels lighter!

happy birthday mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most amazing woman I know! You are the strongest, most positive, truly amazing woman I know. I look up to you so much. Love you more than anything... hugs and kisses and lots of them on your special day! P.S. To everyone that has been so wonderful...THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your words of encouragement, prayers, flowers, cards, gifts, meals, and last, but not least, company!! Words cannot express the appreciation from me and my family. She came home from the hospital for a third time now earlier this evening and gets to be home for a week before she goes back for another surgery...

Please Pray for my Mom

Many of you know my mom is in the hospital (for those of you that don't, she had to have surgery due to a sickness she has been battling for almost 4 years). It's day 13 now and she is still not well enough to come home. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you.

Oh Sweet Sadie and aLpHaBeTs!

What you ask?? Oh Sweet Sadie is a 'traveling boutique' that is sure to delight your fancy...especially if you heart Farmer's Markets and the like. Oh Sweet Sadies features over 80 talented local artisans; beautiful clothing for adults and children, original home decor, everything for baby, retro toys, neck ties for your man, scented candles, pettiskirts, card and gift tags, mineral makeup, jewelry galore, funky hair accessories, vintage cake plates, useful notepads, designer jeans, original art work and photography, beautiful handmade quilts, dress ups, adorable ribbons, gumballs, scrumptious baked goods, homeade candy, games and toys for girls and boys, and oh so much more!

*Note, while you are there, check out 'Oopsie Daisy', a new children's boutique in Daybreak. I hear it is adorable! They have everything you need from pregnancy all the way through- maternity clothes, furniture, beautiful children's clothes, shoes, toys, and gifts. A B.G. client was in today and she has been helping with the opening of the store and said it is wonderful!...{{Wish I was prego and could partake of its cuteness}}

Where you ask?? SoDa Row, Daybreak's new Retail Shopping District

When you ask?? Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! 9:30 am- 8:00 pm
I am going right after work...can't wait!

And speaking of work....the Black Goose Design is bustling with aLpHaBets...

New aLpHabeT charms and aLpHaBet letters to decorate with...cute chunky painted and distressed letters! Who knew letters could be so fun?! I will post some pictures soon..when I find my camera!

F is for FALL...F is for FAVORITE!

I think Fall is the most delightful time of the year! I love the smell of pumpkins burning around Halloween, I love how the colder air feels so crisp, I love the colors in the mountains, I LOVE Fall clothes (you can layer and layer and layer--scarves, tights, boots, hats..so fun!), I love drinking hot apple-cider, curling up with a book and turning the fireplace on....I could go on and on. These are some of my favorite Fall ideas. I want to have a little dinner party just so I can make place cards in mini pumpkins and then maybe I will serve SCARY spider-web cookies for dessert (or even better, do that treatment on chocolate cupcakes!!)

{Recipe Spotlight}

If you like apple-cider as much as I do, you will really enjoy this recipe...

.::Hot Strawberry-Apple Cider::.
8 cups apple cider or apple juice (Tree-Top is the best!)

1 10 oz. package frozen sliced strawberries

4 inches stick cinnamon

1 teaspoon whole cloves

Fresh strawberry or apple slices

Cinnamon sticks

Combine cider or juice, frozen sliced strawberries, the 4 inches stick cinnamon and cloves in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve lined with 100% cotton cheesecloth. Serve with your favorite teacups and garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh strawberry or apple slice. Makes 8, 8 oz. servings. Yum!