Farmers Market Freshness

Farmers Markets.
Why have I not visited you more?
The sweet smell of fresh produce
and all your yummy samples for Tre to get his hands on.

I don't know how it happened but I had TWO Saturdays off
in a row!  That's basically unheard of!
So I took advantage and went to our local Farmers Market
BOTH Saturdays.

Tre couldn't keep his hands out of the raspberries.
It was super cute.

The following Saturday my sister-in-law and I went and loaded up our bags with freshness.

That night dinner was a most scrumptious Salad filled with
Cucumber,
Pepper and
Avocado,
Sugar Dot Corn on the cob and
Brown Sugar Bourbon Chicken.

YUM!

Getting Introduced to Skinny Jeans

Number 3 on my Life List is "Get Some Fashion." And boy do I need it! I don't know what it is but every time I go shopping I come home with NOTHING! I just can't seem to get into the oversized shirts that are off the shoulder and up past your belly button. Then again I have to admit that I haven't been fair at giving some new trends a chance. And to top it all off I'm not in a city that has a wide variety or good selection of stores. Blah.

Enter… Portland, OR

Enter…Forever 21

Enter…H&M

Enter…STYLE!!!

Our little family took a weekend trip to Portland recently and I was so excited to do some shopping! 

 I walked around the first store a couple times and picked up 2 really boring shirts. I couldn't believe it! I wasn't finding anything! Then I told myself to step out of my boring black and white wardrobe and try something totally different.

I went to the dressing room with two armfuls of colorful shirts and new pieces…including skinny jeans (no they aren't the newest thing but I have never even tried them!). Mr was SO SUPRISED when he came back to see my outfit…He loved it!

It's a work in progress but I'm loving the new colors and pieces that I've tried.

Shirt: Forever 21

Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Buckle

Do you see my tangerine nail polish?  Love it!

Jacket: Forever 21

Flower: H&M

Pictures by: Photography By Claire

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-by-Claire/244211565611393

Linking up here and here.

Photo Op Backdrop Tutorial

When I started blogging I knew tutorials would be my downfall.  I'm not a creator, I'm a copier.  I love doing all the tutorials I come across in blogland but coming up with one of my own was out of the picture!  But then it happened...I got asked to be a part of a surprise birthday party for a friend and I just went crazy!  The theme: 90s Dance Club.  And of course I'm a picture freak so I needed something fun for pictures.  So as I'm making this I realize..."I just came up with something all on my own!"  And I was so proud of myself.  Yay! 

Here goes my Photo Op Backdrop Tutorial.

What you need:

Newsprint or Butcher Paper

Red and Black Spray Paint

Scissors

Tape

First cut out your desired design to make a stencil.  

I used my cricket and made 3 just in case I messed up.

Next I rolled out two long sheets of newsprint.  Make sure they are tall enough that you can stand in front of it and it is taller than you.

You want to make a frame for your stencil so when you spray paint you're not getting the paint everywhere.  I used more newsprint, cut a piece much larger than the stencil, cut out the middle and taped the stencil in place.  Like so...

I covered up the heart because it was going to be a different color.

Start painting!  The spray paint dried really fast so I didn't have to wait in between stencils to move on to the next one.

After I got all the black painted I made another framed stencil for just the heart that was going to be red and then painted each one.

And then I made another one!  Then you can fit more people in front of it.

Maybe I should have worn gloves.

Simple craft, super fast and super fly!

What do you think?  Good tutorial?  Have you done anything like this before?  I would love to see other versions....so I can copy!

P.S.  I'm linking up here…

Secrets To A Happy 40 Years

Lately I've been thinking a lot about relationships.  Specifically marriage relationships.  I've had a lot of opportunities lately to chat with friends about marriage, observe couples in love, observe couples that are struggling, observe relationships that are suffering and relationships that are fighting to win.  It's troubling to see so many marriages that end in heartache and separation.  And it's exciting to see marriages that have made it through thick and thin!  40 years!  Holding hands in the park!
Kissing in the kitchen! 

That's my parents.

How cute are they!?!

Mom and Dad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year!  Looking back my parents were never really "open" with us about their relationship...but they didn't have to be because we all saw it in their actions.  Dad was always so patient and kind.  Mom supported Dad in everything he did.  They held hands all the time and we could always catch them sneaking a kiss in the kitchen.  And when they were apart they would call every night and not want to be the first to hang up the phone.  They are like two teenagers in love!

I asked Mom to share with me some secrets to a happy marriage.

A FEW WAYS TO STAY MARRIED FOR 40 YEARS...

*MASSAGES - great on SO many levels!

*He goes to TWILIGHT with you - he gets to watch Swamp People on TV.

*COMPLIMENT his ties (besides, you picked them out!)

*He brings you flowers - just because.

*He did diapers for all those years, cloth diapers. 

*Don't decorate the bedroom like a girl - or any other room.  Heck, we have a Willy Nelson bathroom!

*He bought concert tickets to 3 Dog Night (A WHILE ago!). That was a big thing when we had so little.

*Once you have kids, have a Daddy Appreciation Dinner at least once a year...the menu, the hand-drawn pictures, the favorite foods...he deserves kudos!

*Remember how much you loved each other when you were dating - and remember - and remember!

(this next one is my favorite)

*One day it happens - You want to be with him all the time, hold hands, kiss and hug - and you're over 60 years old, and the beginning's kinda fuzzy, and the other side seems way too clear and way too close, and you never ever want to be without him.  That's what 40 years of love does to you.

Thank you Mom and Dad for your love of each other and love for your family!

Mr. and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary on August 11th!  I can't believe it's been six years!  I'm not as wise as Mom yet but I have learned a few things in my 6 years...but I'll share those with you in my anniversary post!  Keep you waiting!