Insta-Fri

The week has flown by for me. It's been my first week at work and the training has been exciting, fun, intense and challenging all at the same time. I can't wait for the weekend because my Hubby will be home and maybe I'll get to sleep-in once! This weeks Insta-Fi was from last Friday when I did a little window shopping in the downtown area. We're renting right now and dreaming of owning a home. I have decorated our rental as much as I can without putting up curtains, painting, or doing any major revamping! I have so many things I'd like to do, but for now it will have to wait. There's nothing to keep me from dreaming though. Do you ever play the game if you're at a store and you think, "What if I had unlimited funds and owned my dream house, what would I buy?" I love playing this game, because it helps me decide what I really like. I have a tricky time deciding what I really like. I like western, I like french country, I like modern, I like.....oh so many styles. Here are few finds which I picked out last week during my window shipping tour.  The pillows were a warm golden color and had a texture almost like burlap. These were so soft and squishy, perfect for a comfy couch. The ottoman was an awesome faux cowhide, I love the warm brown, white, and black color. The table and cabinet where similar in style so in my "dream world" I wouldn't actually buy both so it's not too matchy, matchy. You can't really see it in the picture, but the wood was a smooth un-varnished with a turquoise paint texture over it. Almost like it was painted turquoise at one time and then was sanded off. So far I've determined I believe my style is sophistication that's a bit rough around the edges at times. Kinda of like me.... ;-) What's your Insta-Fri from this past week? I'd love to hear about it!

Love, 

Bethany V.

DIY Miniature Garden

Ever since I was a child, tiny things have always fascinated me. My Grandma Jean had a little curio cabinet with all sorts of little animals and I absolutely loved it as a girl. There's something so darling about seeing something usually termed as "large" or "big" and being able to hold it in the palm of your hand. As a middle schooler I had dollhouse which my Grandpa had dug out from his neighbor's trash. He refurbished it and gave it to me as a present. I literally spent hours playing with my Victorian Playmobile (best kids toys ever!) and making all kinds of tiny articles for them. Such as food made out of Sculpey Clay, tiny bed sheets from scraps of material, cutting out little pictures from magazines to hang on the walls.....and so on. Oh, yes I was into it. Okay. Back to the future, oops, present. Lately I have been seeing a lot of miniature gardens both real and faux popping up in gift stores, garden centers, home decor stores, and of course Pinterest. My mom had a perfect spot for one. She asked me to make a faux mini garden for her front room coffee table. Here's what you'll need for a miniature garden:

A planter for your garden. This could be a miniature green house like the one I purchased at this store  or it could be a simple low cut pot. Basically anything that will showcase your miniature garden in style. ;-) Choosing the size of your container will dictate how big our small you want the garden to be. 

Obtain some small leafed faux plants from your local craft store. Baby ferns, small vines, smaller flowers that you can break off etc. I even cut a couple of red dogwood branches from the garden, entwined it with vines I purchased and used it as a tree.  

You can find miniature pots at a craft store like Hobby Lobby (don't forget their 40% off coupon) or Michaels. I found a small loveseat bench at a local shop downtown, watering can, a few faux succulents, and a little turtle. Basically anything that catches your eye or you fall in love with, go for it! Home/garden decor stores and craft stores will be your best resource.

You will also need some moss; a moss mat and some loose moss, a small piece of cardboard, sissors, wire cutters, and a glue gun. 

Measure and cut the cardboard to fit your container. If you have a low potted planter, place and glue floral styrofoam in the bottom to raise up your cardboard piece. Cut the moss mat so that it has a 1/2 to 1" excess around the edges of the cardboard piece. Taking the cardboard, place and glue the loose moss on top. This will give the illusion of the "ground" having some and texture so it's not completely flat. Turn the moss side so it's facing down on the wrong side of the moss mat (see picture). Glue up the edges around the cardboard. Ta-da! 

Place inside your planter and now the fun part begins! Begin setting up your garden with the miniature materials you've purchased. Use the wire cutters to cut any materials down so they are smaller. Once you have things how you want them begin discreetly glueing to your base. I even added some dirt spilling out of one of my pots and though you can't see it, there's a small ladybug climbing up one of the ferns. 

And you're done! Place in an area where you will enjoy it daily and where the light will showcase your work. Revel in the fact you will never have to water it! ;-)

Love, 

Bethany V. 

Monday Reflections

Today I start my new job in Oklahoma City! I'm very excited and also a tad nervous. So many unknowns right now. I'm certain by the end of the week I'll have less unknowns to worry about than I do right now. I was inspired by this post about picking a word for the year. Even though it's September I'm sure it's never too late to start, right?! I feel like if I had to pick a word the first word that comes to mind is Courage. This past year I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. Between the joy of being newly married and leaving family and friends back in Colorado. There have been times where I have felt so glad I could have burst for for happiness. Other times I have felt so alone the whole world seemed to be engulfed in one giant rain cloud. I have learned something about myself this year: I don't like doing things by myself. Living at home for a good part (well, all) of my life there was always someone to "go with" to the grocery story, Walmart, clothes shopping, you name it. While Hubby and I try to do as much as we can together sometimes it's just not possible as he is often hours away. This means I have to go by myself. Courage. The courage to job search by myself. Courage to grocery shop and come home to an empty house and try to muster up the enthusiasm to "make" dinner. Courage to meet new friends. Courage to drive to new places and embrace getting lost. I found this definition of courage: the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. While I don't pretend the things I'm facing are life and death, they are uncertain and often unknown. Courage. I have to be wiling to confront the fear of the unknown. I must be willing to confront the uncertainty of a new job. I must be willing to tackle the pain of leaving family and be willing to courageously find friends here. Courage. First day at work, I am aiming to courageously take you on!

Love,
Bethany V.

Polka Dots & Yellow // Sweet Style

Summer is coming to an end, even though we're still having lots of upper 90 degree weather. I'm wearing shorts more than normal to live up my last week without work. Next week I start my new job and I'm really looking forward to wearing business casual!! For about a year I've been in love with the color yellow, I feel like it's a good neutral that goes with anything. This yellow purse I purchased right before our wedding and I love that it has a detachable strap so it can go over the shoulder too. On my shopping list for this fall I'd like to find a yellow belt and maybe some yellow ballet flats. I feel like I've gotten a lot done this week and my nightly addiction/ reward has been the Downtown Abbey series. If you haven't watched it I would highly reccomend it. No, run (or drive ;) to the library, Target, or Barnes & Noble as fast as you can and get it. Then sit down for some wonderful enjoyment! There's romance, mystery, and of course delightful English accents. ;-) I hope you are all enjoying the last days of summer too. Live it up 'cause I  can't wait for fall.

Love,
Bethany V.

Monday Reflections

I'm letting you know in advance this is a sappy post. Okay. That is my disclaimer.  If you're not up for sincere sappiness you do not have to continue reading (lol, ;-). On August 24, Hubby and I celebrated our one year anniversary! I know it's cliche, but it REALLY flew by! It's been a good year for us. We've learned a lot about each other. I thought I knew Bret pretty well when we were married. Nope! Every day I learn something new about him and I love that! We learned quickly how we're not perfect. We are, however, perfect for each other. That's probably been the biggest lesson for me this past year.

I had all these high expectations of who I was going to be as a wife. Expectations on how I would respond in certain situations. I was pretty convinced I'd never lost my cool. I knew being on the road would have challenges, but I thought I could handle it. The expectations I had for myself were pretty high and I've learned so much about myself this year. I've grown to love my Savior more and I'm thankful He forgives our mistakes. I've also grown into a greater understanding of what a great man I married.

I'd have to say Bret's expectations for me were zero. He simply loves me for me. He's loved me through happy days and sad days and the-in-between-kind-of days.  I knew I married a great guy on August 24, 2012. A year later,  I see to a greater depth how I've been blessed with this wonderful man. Bret's my best friend, my faithful listener, my encourager. His love for the Lord and for me points me back on track when I'm off my rocker! ;-)

Our faith and laughter has been the glue that's held us together this past year. It's grown us closer. One of my favorite things in flipping though all the wedding photos is seeing how much we were laughing on our wedding day! I love that we have a sense of humor!!

Happy 1st Anniversary Hubby, I love you so much! Second year of marriage - we can't wait to see what you hold for us!! It's an adventure....!

Love,
Bethany V.

Kansas // Travels 2

Today I am continuing our travels from the summer! Hubby and I were sent to Cheyenne County in Kansas for several weeks. I loved the fields of sunflowers we drove past on our way there! In Goodland they have a HUGE (80 foot tall) Vincent Van Gogh replica painting of the Kansas state flower: Sunflowers! 

My favorite day(s) were spent with Hubby in the tiny town of St. Francis. You can drive from one end of town to the other in a matter of minutes. Hubby spent his time in the courthouse while I drove around and saw the sights! :) Something I have loved about traveling with Bret is we get to see places off the beaten path. While most of these little towns I would never set out to visit, I feel like I have been able to see a piece of the heartland of America. The people are warm and friendly. They always know you're a visitor because everyone knows everyone! There is a quietness about these little towns I love. The folks aren't enthralled with the latest fashions, they drive old pick-ups and everyone waves. It's a good feeling!

St. Francis had a county fair going on while we were there. I watched the horse competitions (for free) browsed the local produce, ate delicious berry pie and met a friendly horse along the way! The rides were so ridiculously cheap it would be the perfect place to take a family to! So quaint!

I also visited the local museum of St. Francis. There was a bulletin board filled with pictures of all the old family barns in the area. I love old barns! Some have been torn down, but it's fun to think of how the barns were a place to protect livestock as well as a gathering place for parties and get-togethers. I think I may want a barn someday....

 

A collection of old Valentine cards - too cute! They had also persevered the old soda fountain from back in the day. I wonder how many people sat on those bright red stools to talk about all the latest gossip in town. ;)

Kansas was quaint and pretty. I wouldn't mind stopping by and visiting a few more little towns if we happen to be driving through. Until next time....

Love, 

Bethany V.