My Christmas list has started!!!

I know, I know it's only October, but I've already collected some items I really want for Christams...hint, hint B!!
Since we just moved into our new townhome I am looking for some items to spice up the light walls and make it the house a home.. Of course the list is not complete...come on I have 3 sets of parents I have to give my list to....Bonus of having divorces parents...What can I say, I'm a glass half full kind of gal! Anyway here's what I have so far!
This West Elm bedding in clay.

This coat from my favorite store Target

These flat boots once again from Target

I'm loving this vase from C&B, but not the price! I need to find a knock-off!!

I think that's all I have for now....I really need to start thinking of things!!! Help please!! Any ideas???

Let's get festive

With Halloween fast approaching I thought now would be a great time to post some festive and fun pictures of Halloween and the people who celebrate it! Have a happy Halloween everyone!

love this idea!!

and this one too!

oooh, not so much!

too stinking cute, if you ask me!

there are no words!!!!

I will leave you with that imagein your head!!!

Happy Halloween from Ruby

Since Friday is Halloween I thought I would share Ruby's halloween costume with my faithful readers!! This year is her first Halloween and since I am a crazy dog mom, she will be dressing up!!! So without further a do....here is the little darling...

She's a chicken!!!

Happy Halloween from the Rubes!!!

Yesterday was my stepdad Bob's birthday! The rents were on vacation so we will be celebrating on Sunday! Bob has been my stepdad for almost 20 years, so needless to say we are close! Anyway, I've grown up having Bob there by my side and even was able to have him coach me in swimming in high school, how lucky am I!! Bob has always been there for me and never asked for anything in return. He's help raise me and my sister as though we were his own flesh and blood. I couldn't ask for a better stepdad! The grandkids call Bob Pobo hence the title of this post! Here's to you Bob and hope you had a wonderful birthday!! Love you

Good news!!!

I was offered a job today and I couldn't be happier! I will be working with little kiddos ages 5-10, I start Monday! Wish me luck! Have a great weekend! I will leave you with one of my favorite pics of our 7 month old puppy Ruby!

Oh and did I mention we are watching my parents dog Sparkie while they're in Napa, so here's what he's been up to for the past couple of days!

I have fallen in love

I HEART

and it's fall decor! Although I won't be purchasing anything from Pottery Barn, I love to find or make the same things for much less dinero!! Here are some great rooms from their fall magazine!

Ok, now to my favorite part.....where I find stuff and make it look like good ole Pottery Barn for much, much less!!! Here are things in our house that I think are similar to PB.

First, our wine bar! Here is the one from PB at $700

Now our wine bar that my good ole Padre refinished for us. A total cost of $0. This used to be my great-grandmothers ice chest.

Next is a coffee table. Here is the one from PB at a whopping $600.

And our coffee table that DH refinshed. Ours cost us around $40. The table was free from my in-laws

On to side tables. Pb sells this one for $199 on sale, originally $299.

Then there's our side tables, at a total cost of $20 for both. Tables were free from my in-laws once again.

Then there's an upholstered headboard. PB sells an upholstered headboard for anywhere from $849-$1699.

A few weeks ago I made an upholstered headboard and here's how it came out!




Next, is our guest bedroom bedding. I saw this in a PB magazine and loved it, but not the price!

I found this little number at smart bargains for $40.



Ok, then lastly, I will shut up after this....is our kitchen table. PB sells this beautiful table for $999.

My dad refinished this FREE table for us and we simply love it!



Now don't get me wrong, I love, love, love Pottery Barn and love their style, but I do not love the prices nor can our pocketbook afford their prices. So that's why I love being able to simulate their style. I know that our belongings are no where near Pottery Barn's but they work for us, and we think they look simple and put together! I am a baragin girl! What can I say! Happy Tuesday!

This past weekend B and I had a discussion about having a baby and although we know that we do not want a baby in the near future, we do know that it's due to us being a little selfish. Could we financially afford a baby? Yes. Could our house accomidate a baby? Yes. Would we be excited about expanding our family? Absolutely, but since we do have the choice or so we think we are waiting! We do however know that God will bless us with a child when the timing is right, we just hope his time is in line with our time!!

So here are a few things I would like to do before we have a little bambino!

Run a marathon

Back in college I was training to run the Chicago marathon and completed a half marathon, but them suffered a stress fracture and my quest was over! Now I know I can do it if I set my mind to it! Shhh, don't tell my mom I'm training, she thought I was nuts the first time!

Travel to Greece again!

We had such an amazing time last summer and it would be a bit hard to leave a baby with my parents for that long! Not to mention that we probably wouldn't want to leave the little on behind!

Pay off all of our debt..

Not that we have a ton, but we still have B's student loan and I would like to have that all paid off before we expand out little family.

Buy a new car

B would like a truck, I want a small SUV, and this debate is a never ending one....who will win??? An SUV is more practical for a baby!! Here's what I would like! More realistically, here is what we would look at...

Two of my favorites....

Today I got to spend most of the day with two of my most favorite people in the whole world! These two have fun just about anywhere and can make you laugh in a heartbeat! They love to eat snacks just like me and hang out at the mall. I have known these two for years and intend on being just as close to them till the day I die! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of these people and moi, doing the things we love to do together!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers!

Playing dress-up

Taking funny pictures!
tumbing on the living room floor
making funny faces!

Coming to visit their favorite aunt & uncle

Riding on a choo-choo train

Watching our favorite movies

Going to the amusement park

Going to Pump it up

Playing with Uncle Brendan on the Uhaul

and last but certainly not least.....plaing outside when it's nice!

These two if you haven't figured it out are our niece and nephew Noah and Estella. These little kiddos are the light of our lives and so much fun to be around! We love them more than anyone could ever know and look forward to spending much more time with them since we moved back to Iowa!