Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

I would like to wish everyone out in blogland a safe and Happy Halloween. This Halloween we will be heading over to a good friends house to pass out candy and BBQ. Since we live in an apartment we never get trick or treaters so we will get to ooh and ahh over all the cute kiddos with some great company. I'm sure that the hubby will overload on a couple of pieces of chocolate and perhaps indulge in a little cocktail action....it should be a great night! I am not really into Halloween, but we usually carve the obligatory pumpkin and watch Hocus Pocus, but this year we are not dressing up so I thought that I would give you a glimpse into Halloween past! Some of our crazy outfits.

2008 Jack Sparrow

2008 Pumpkin Carving

2008 Pimpette

2009 Costume Event

2010 Scottish Highlanders

Overload on Shower Gifts!

Hi guys......I am surprised I am even alive after this weekend. Seriously I spent almost my entire weekend at a sewing machine! I went a little crazy with baby shower gift making! But let me back up a little. We also went to a Halloween party.

Friday night......after waiting until the very last second possible to pick up the supplies for our Superhero Gender Bender Halloween party, I went home to make our costumes. Basically....men went as a masculine versions of a female superhero and vice versa. Darin went as Poison Ivy (I know she's a villian.....I don't even care) and I went as Tony Starke (Iron Man in normal clothes.) I bought nylons, fake ivy and some sick on eyebrows to make D sleeves of ivy and ivy brows. I mixed up some hair gel with food coloring and dyed his hair red. It was completely awesome. Unfortunately he lost an eyebrow on the way to the party, but improvised and made it a mustache.....I.DIED!

I only had enough creativity this Halloween for one costume so I just threw on my business suit and put a mini disc around my neck. Everyone thought I was Pepper Potts instead....whatevs!

 

Saturday was spent at my sewing machine and listening to Grey's Anatomy reruns. But I managed to get a million (ok like 10) things made for the baby shower! I am so excited to write a post on what she's getting! I made my first official solo messenger bag (diaper bag!) Super excited! I hope she loves everything! I seriously want to keep it all!

Sunday we drove up to see my folks for the afternoon. The pup decided that she was going to be so comfortable lying on a bolt of fabric for the hour and a half trip! Super silly.

She had a blast playing with my parents dog Gracie, running around the sectional about a thousand times. She seemed slightly sore when we left. D and my dad watched football all afternoon and mom and I hung out in her new craft room putting the snaps on the bag.....snafu-ed by the fact that the snaps I bought were not heavy duty so they popped off! >/ Now I have to go buy more "heavy-duty" snaps to finish it before the shower!

Other than all that it was a relaxing weekend. I hope you all had a great one! Hopefully I can get some good photogs of these gifts and do some tutorials as well! Stay tuned for that!

#TBT and an App Freebie!

Hi guys. I realized I have been a very bad bad blogger. I have been super busy reading posts and catching up with all my vlogging peeps that I run out of time to actually post one myself! I will remedy that right now! Things have been busy in the Kimball household because I am craft craft crafting away for an upcoming baby shower! You saw me post a little teaser here, and I am going to give you a little more of a glimpse now too. I went to Beverly's to find a couple coordinating fabrics to go with the cute item I already made and it just put the baby itchy WAY into full swing.

It's not done, and but it's going to be a car seat canopy. Just needs the straps. Stay tuned
for a DIY on this puppy!

Here's just a tiny glimpse into all the materials that are going into this gift. If you didn't know me, I'll have you know that I HAVE to coordinate my gifts. They all need to work together. So I pulled some items from my stash and coordinated new fabrics with it! I will also throw in a couple of items off her registry just to tie it all together.

It's been chilly so we have been bundling up in our sweatpants and under all out blankies....it's what we do best. I went to leave for work and I caught our pup all snuggled up with them the next morning. I realized that I need to crochet her a little blanket for her bed with all my leftover yarn. She's an important part of our family and deserves her own handmade blanket from mommy.

In other news....if your an Instagramaholic like me then you'll be ecstatic to hear that Sephora is giving away the ABeautifullMess app for free. I put off getting it because I just didn't want to buy it, so I jumped on the chance to get it for free. I love the doodles and cute things you can add to your photos as well as filters too! I was able to do a Throwback Thursday with a dressed up photo from our wedding!

There are a couple of other free apps that I think you should check out on that link as well. Silk is pretty cool if you like to doodle! I hope you all are having a great Thursday. I need to run to the dollar tree tonight and pickup some items for D's costume. Tomorrow our friend is throwing a Halloween party with a twist on a superhero theme. Hopefully they turn out and I can get some photos! Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see them first!

Boys Behind the Blog - October Style

That was when our pup was just a baby! Love this photo!

Ok, so this post is late......not due to me, but because Le hubby forgot. I reminded him yesterday, but he didn't get a chance to finish until to tonight. But here they are, this month's boys behind the blog questions. As usual my comments are in purple.

1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Honest. Honesty is huge for me. I would rather tell the truth and have someone mad at me for a short time then lie and then the person find out later and know I did/said what I did and now they would be upset/mad at me due to deceiving them. This is beyond true. My husband despises liars! Any deception makes him upset.
Punctual. I just hate being late places so you can always count on me being where I need to be on time. I would rather be early than have someone waiting around for me. And when I say I will be somewhere on time I am usually there 5 minutes early. If you want me there at 11. I'll be there at 1055. I had to learn this early on in our relationship.....now, unless I know for certain that the person will be late, I am always early to functions too.
Social. I love meeting new people. Growing up, I would meet new people on family vacations that would usually end up hanging out in my families hotel room. I enjoy meeting new people.  He is the social butterfly, always wanting to meet new people and I.AM.NOT.
Helpful. I would consider myself helpful because I am always willing to help a friend or family in need. Again true.....even when he doesn't want to, he is willing to help out!
Stubborn. My wife can attest to the fact I can be extremely stubborn. Something I am working on for sure. :-) Um, yes.....but people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, so I have no place to talk. Super stubborn myself!

2. What's your biggest fear?
Umm I would probably have to say not being able to provide for my family. One way I feel I could not be able to provide would be by simply losing my job for any reason. If I lost my job I wouldn't be able to bring in any income. That's probably why I always make sure I perform staying within all rules and guidelines because it is my fear the one time I bend the rules it will cost me my job and cause me not to be able to provide for my family. Hopefully this fear will never be a reality!

3. Whats your favorite candy?
Man you have to ask me, a diabetic, what my favorite candy is!  I have to admit I have a HORRIBLE sweet tooth. My favorite candy would probably be Hot Tamales. I love cinnamon. Probably hence why I like Fireball whiskey so much. It used to be Sour Patch Kids.....but I think he turned those onto me. And yes.....worst sweet tooth, however it has been curbed since we cut the cola.

4. What was the best Halloween costume you have ever worn?
My favorite costume would have to be when we dressed up as Scotsmen. Yes, this couples costume was rather epic.....however, my favorite was when he went as Jack Sparrow.....had the wine bottle labeled "Rum" and actually filled it with Bacardi and diet! Ahhhh memories!

Ok, so in the email that he sent me with the answers....included in this question was (attach photo.) Like I need a directive for my own blog! Silly!

5. Who is your favorite football team?
I don't really have a favorite team but prefer to watch the San Diego Chargers play. I will also root for any team playing against the Oakland Raiders! Amen to the Raiders thing.....although that's my saying! He also watches the Patriots too.

Once I had this post set and almost ready to publish, the hubby came in and saw Stephanie's post and said "that's all I had to do?" I love that he puts in the real effort and actually writes out his answers instead of onsie twosie liners. Hopefully he continues! Check back next month for more questions!!

This or That Beauty Tag

Makeup: 
1. Blush or Bronzer: When I put on a full face of makeup I usually do both, but if I had to pick I would probably go for blush over bronzer because I have such pink skin that I usually don't have a tan.
2. Lipgloss or Lipstick: Again both, I like to use a pink nude with a gloss over.
3. Eyeliner or Mascara: Mascara, definitely.
4. Foundation or Concealer: Concealer with a press powder!
5. Natural or Colored Eye Shadow: I use neutral purple colors. So I guess colored
6. Press or Loose Eye Shadow: Press....I would make a mess with loose! I do every time with my bronzer! Haha
7. Brush or Sponge: Brush for everything.

Nails:
1. Opi or China Glaze: I buy Julep mostly or cheap stuff from Target, but I would go for Opi probably
3. Acrylic or Natural: I like the look of acrylic, but I cannot function with them. They are Au-naturalle.
4. Bright or dark: Brights on my toes most of the time.
5. Flower or No flower: At the salon, always a flower.....when I do it myself it just looks like a blob so I go sans flower.

Perfume: 
1. Perfume or Body Splash: Perfume. It last longer, but I tend to wear nothing. 
2. Lotion or Body Butter: Lotion.
3. Body Wash or Soap: Bar soap mostly with a body scrub.
4. Lush or other: Never tried them....but would be interested!

Fashion:
1. Jeans or Sweat Pants: Sweat pants! I love to be comfortable, but usually go out in jeans
2. Long or Short Sleeves: I like to layer, because I am usually cold. So short sleeves.
3. Dress or Skirt: Dresses, especially maxis! I don't wear skirts very often.
4. Scarves or Hat: Scarves. Hats don't fit my pinhead!
5. Studs or Dangling earrings: Studs for the main hole. If I use both holes I do studs and dangling.
6. Necklace or Bracelet: Necklace. Bracelets don't fit my wrists. They slide around and bug me!
7. Heels or Flat: Depends on my mood, but I love flip flops so I guess that qualifies as flats. 
8. Cowboy Boots or Riding Boots: I have fake riding boots that I love, but I want a pair of cowboy boots. It's on my holiday wishlist!
9. Jackets or Hoodies: Jackets, but hoodies if I'm lounging.
10. Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe: Forever 21. 

Hair:
1. Curly or Straight: I have straight hair so that's usually how I wear it, but I love to curl it for special occasions.
2. Bun or Pony Tail: Bun. I usually want it completely off my neck when I pull up my hair.
3. Bobby pins or Butterfly clip: Bobby pins.
4. Hairspray or Gel: Hairspray.
5. Long or Short: I have long hair and I am DYING to go short again. I wish the hubs liked short hair!
6. Dark or Light: Always my natural strawberry blonde!
7. Side swept or Full Fringe: Side swept. But I have nothing right now!
8. Up or down: Down. 

Random:
1. Rain or Shine: I could live in Seattle.....I love overcast and rainy days!
2. Summer or Winter: Winter.....not that it matters in SoCal...we don't get snow. It's a permanent fall.
3. Fall or Spring: Fall :) 
4. Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate!!!!!!!

I would like to tag: • All of you!!!

Free Fabric Haul Weekend

Last week(end) was CRAZY! So much stuff happened at home and at work that I am completely wrecked on this Columbus Day. When that alarm went off this morning I was very hazy....I needed my Fizz drink badly today. Lets recap shall we.

Monday, my mom and grandparents made their way out to our apartment to deliver our new-to-us recliners. My parents have had these recliners (that don't look like ugly recliners) for years and we have been eying them. Well our prayers were answered and we are now the proud owners of two comfy leather recliners.....now I need to redecorate because our couch doesn't match. I see a new slipcover in our future. The hubs reluctantly vacates it to go to bed every night.

Think he needs new sneakers? Look at those worn soles!

On Wednesday we had our first rain storm of the season and I was so happy.....except that I had a photoshoot for work, and the lighting was awful. However we got back to the office and we had a female peacock just hanging out in our parking lot all afternoon. It was really fun.

Our feathered friend

Beautiful sunset

Friday we took our old wing chairs over to my dear friends house and we had a fun evening of Cards Against Humanity.....I was winning at the beginning but ended up losing! Bummer.

Saturday was the day I had been waiting for. My mom, grandma, Aunt and I made our way out to Camarillo to our dear friends home to check out her haul of free fabric. She got well over $8K in upholstery, felt, fake fur and quilting fabric, all free! We thought that we could go through it all in about an hour, but after 4 hours we were just finishing up and exhausted.

I managed to find some throw pillow fabric, denim, possibly fabric to make a new duvet cover, and some things for baby crafts!!! I managed to make one of the gifts for an upcoming shower Saturday evening and didn't end up getting home until well after 1AM. We had such fun and everyone got some new swag to create with! I will give you a sneak peak of the craft, but your not going to be happy with it.....it's a serious teaser!

Above is my serious fabric haul. There is over 20 yards of fabric in that stack!!! Everything below the pink is going to turn into pillows, duvets and draperies......eventually.

Baby Craft Fabrics Teaser

Sewing it together......can you guess what it is?

Sunday, as you can imagine was a lazy day. I got donuts and we watched Man Woman Wild on Netflix all day, also we both passed out in the living room....completely missing lunch. I remembered that I needed to make some items for the hubbs pregnant boss so that will be my task for this evening. Whipping up some quick gifts for her and her son! I.AM.TIRED.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

When all you want to do is cry......

I had a little breakdown mid day yesterday. The hubs shared some news with me about another couple that was successful in conceiving a child and I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Coping mechanisms say to let yourself have a pity party....it's healthy. So that's what I did. I went into the bathroom and cried for about 10 minutes. Feeling like a failure at the one thing we should naturally be able to do. Everyone says to relax and just let it happen, and I know that I have great support, but honestly sometimes I just need to vent my frustrations. That's where you all come in. I can just write how I feel and nobody's feelings will be hurt if I don't take their advice.

I know I am not alone in these feelings or in this situation. But can't we be honest....you feel like there is something incomplete when you get to this point of wanting a child and it doesn't come, or doesn't come easily. You feel utterly helpless. You try all you can do, read all the research (not wanting to take the fateful trip to the doctor so they will give you the facts and possibly bad news.) We decided that it was time. 10 months of nothing and a year since the last one has made us say.....it's time to find out what the deal is. So that's what we will do. Make an appointment for us both to go in and get checked out.

So back to the pity party.....I had it, talked with my loved ones...then took an ovulation test. We are not giving up! Staying strong through the weak moments! It's all we can do.

Pushy...pushy...pushy

Last weekend the hubby had the entire weekend off from work. It's rare and I love it. Upon our exit from the bedroom on Saturday I asked him what he wanted to do that day and he said he was content with lounging around. Well I had other plans in mind, as usual, and asked him if he wanted to go see a movie instead. We planned on getting lunch and seeing the 4:30 showing of The Family......a movie I wasn't entirely too interested to see. I just hate spending $12+ for a ticket each, plus snacks (hubs must get snacks) to see a so so movie. It really bothers me. We got our lunch and because we had an hour and half or so before the movie, went window shopping for rugs and possibly a new television. Upon leaving the store, I made a comment along the lines of, "one of these days we should test drive some cars." We have been considering the prospect of a new car for a couple of years, but like the idea of not having a car payment. Once I uttered those words, he responded with "We can do that today!" And so began our adventure into car sales.

I had no idea what to look at. I know what I like, but rarely get a make and model when I see it driving down the road. My requirements were: affordability, reliability, good on gas, and 4 doors. (hello were trying to start a family) The hubs had seen the Hyundai Sonata at a car show and wanted to try it out, so we went there first. I was surprised at all the features and storage the car had, and it was relatively decent priced for a fully loaded sedan. We drove it around and for a 4-cylinder it had a lot of get up and go. It was a really nice option, but something about a sedan just didn't seem right for a family. Once we got all the information we needed we made our way over to Honda. We walked the lot a couple of times, but no-one came over to assist us, and really I don't see myself driving a Honda....they aren't very spacious comparably to other vehicles. After Honda, we decided to make one last stop. We went to Ford to look and see if they had anything comparable in a sedan. They did, but affordability-wise we would have had to purchase a used vehicle, and that's not something we had considered. I had mentioned to the hubs before that I like the Escape and the salesman took us over to the base model. The new body style and features were very nice, and I like the fact that it was a mid-size SUV. Something that sounded a little more up the alleyway for kids. It was spacious, but not overbearing, it got decent gas mileage for an SUV, and it was comparable in price to the Sonata. I was ecstatic that the prospect of buying an SUV was in our reach (well lease with option to buy.) We are still interested in looking around for other options, but getting our feet wet and knowing our options is very exciting

Here's my problem.....car salesman are just plain PUSHY! They ruin the experience. We told each salesman we spoke with that we were not interested in buying at the moment, just weighing our options. And since then we have had emails, phone calls, and just plain annoyances about getting cars appraised. UGH! If they continue to push like this, they will lose the sale to Cars Direct. Anyways, I was wondering if any of my blog friends had any good recommendations for cars. Preferably with the above specifications. Let me know what's good and whats bad! We need more things to go look at!

12 Months of Instagram

I was a longtime holdout on getting an iPhone. I thought that my blackberry was THE way to go. Well, after battling with the crackberry for months, I decided to make the change last year and switch over to the Apple product. I can't believe I held out as long as I did. I love it! With this smartphone came another social media.....Instagram. I never thought that it would be something that I would get so addicted to, but to be honest.....it's my favorite one! Just above Pinterest. I am not a crazy poster, but I do post anywhere from 2-6 photos on any given week. It could be more or less depending on what interests me. Since were coming up on the year mark, I figured it would be cool to go through a year in my Instagram. So that's what I did here. Compiled 12 of my favorite photos from the last year that were uploaded to IG.

// October: This was taken at my very first basketball game. Lakers, 10th row center baby! // November: Thanksgiving Day with the family and yummy pies! // December: Bokeh of my Christmas Tree. That was fun to do. // January: I made a quilt for my best friend for his 30th birthday. This was taken when he received it! // February: Our trip to Catalina Island and our zip line adventure! // March: City Walk and Saddle Ranch where we road the mechanical bull. // April: We bought a beautiful succulent to sit on our patio. // May: A camping trip to Lake Piru with our neighbors for Cinco de Mayo. // June: Visiting family and the Fresno zoo with our goddaughter. // July: Our surprise 30th birthday! // August: Paint balling for our brother's birthday. What a blast! // September: A trip to Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Reno for our 6 year wedding anniversary. We bought cowboy hats! //

We have had quite a fun and eventful year! It's so great to be able to have wonderful memories with my hubby and all our family every year. Our lives are very rarely boring that's for sure! I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for us, as well as IG. If you'd like to please follow me on Instagram. My user name is: dianekimball07. I think it's really important that you and your S.O. find things to do together that create memories. It keeps you active and always together. Trying things that are outside of your comfort zone are a must as well! What do you and your S.O. like to do?

Handwriting and October Goals - Tuesday Topics

I am sad that this is the last Tuesday Topics. Lauren and Tiffany have decided to take a break and that is completely understandable. I hope they decide to do another link up that is just as fun! This week's topic is a picture of your handwriting. Now I cringe a little when I think of my handwriting. I used to have good penmanship, but now it's just sloppy, unless I actually try.....which I have done for you today! Hehe.

I love Audrey Hepburn and I think that this is a perfect quote! Especially with everything that has happened in my life. Just be strong and know that you can always try again tomorrow!

I realized that I haven't done a goal list in a while. I think it's about time to accomplish some new monthly goals. So, with that being said I should go back to my June goals and see what fell by the wayside and start there.

1. Finish all the books I have started (June Goal)

I have made headway in a couple, but there are two books I NEED to read before November and the second Hunger Games movie comes out. 

2. Complete another check off our Bucket List (June Goal)

We have kinda stopped making time to do bucket list items and I really want to get back into doing them!

3. Work out at least 3 times a week for a minimum of 20 minutes (June Goal)

4. Start keeping on top of housework.....i.e. laundry and cleaning. I need to do things a little every night during the week so I don't have to spend an entire weekend day cleaning. It's no fun!

5. Unplug more and spend more quality time with the hubby and pup.

6. Find and buy fabric for the hubby's quilt. Start assembly of the quilt.

Well....it appears that I have given myself a full schedule for October. Lets hope I can accomplish everything I put down! I hope you all have a great 1st day of October! :-) Halloween is coming quick, and Christmas will be here quicker than that! AHHHHHHHH I need to start planning!