Taking a Break From Blogging

I wanted to let all of my readers know that I will be taking a break from blogging. I will be focusing on my recovery and school starting in January. I would like to thank you all for your support & prayers. I know everyone will understand. Thank you.
Kayleigh

I'm Alive!

It's been one week since my surgery and I'm still in the hospital...But I made it out! My surgeon ended up repairing my valve instead of replacing it. Surgery went great but it's the recovery that sucks. Should be out tomorrow though! Just wanted to give everyone a quick update. I'm off to lay back down. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving :)

It's Finally Time [Surgery]

After being cancelled 3 times, I will finally be having surgery tomorrow (unless they have a last minute emergency and cancel again). In case you are new to my blog, you can read my story under the "my story" tab. I will try to update my progress as much as I can. Or have Richie update you all. Please pray for me but also my family and especially Rylee. This will be the longest time I have gone away from her :( Thank you all for the support. 

Until then..

5 Ways to Update Your Home Without Spending Too Much Money

For today's 5 on Friday I'm going to go over 5 ways that I like to update my home. We are on a very very very tight budget. So with my love for design and redecorating I have to find ways to do my hobby for cheap. 

1. Use vases with out flowers

Flowers can get really expensive. Especially real flowers. So I like to sometimes use just a pretty vase. I love the simplicity of this vase from Target. It looks better with out the flowers anyways.

2. Play musical art/frames

This is probably my favorite "game" and I hate games. This flamingo picture has been in Rylee's room, the guest bathroom and is now in the dining room. I just put it in a different frame and it's like brand new! 

3. Paint your own artwork.

I usually just paint my own art when I need a filler until I find the perfect piece. For example this knock off West Elm piece only cost $10. The canvas was on sale at hobby lobby and I already had the paint. It's not what I want over my bed but it will do until I fall in love with a piece.

4. Buy from Etsy.

I LOVE finding art from Etsy. Especially for Rylee's room. A lot of shop owners will work with you and give you discounts. I love these prints from Aimee that I have hanging in Rylee's room.

5. Change up your throw pillows.

OK. I have an issue. I'm OBSESSED with throw pillows. They are by far the best way to change up a room. I have a closet full of pillows that I've collected from over the years. If I need a change up, I just change the pillows and it really looks like a whole new room! I regret to show you this closet..

Things you may not know about me [link up]

I'm sure you've already seen the link up going around "20 Things You May Not Know About Me" so I've decided to join in. Feel free to link up with me and join in too.

1. I was born & raised in Fort Myers, FL and have never been out of the country & really don't care to.
2. I'm a complete home body. I spend most of my weekends just hanging out at the house with Ry & I actually enjoy doing nothing at all.
3. I'm a medical biller (eww). Going to school for healthcare administration (a little better). But hope to get licensed in interior design (my dream).
4. I met Richie my freshman year of college in 2006. We didn't start dating until March 6th, 2011.
5. I've never had anything from Starbucks. I've never even had coffee. I hate caffeine.
6. My parents are divorced and I love it. Weird right.
7. I have 1 real brother, 2 half sisters, 1 half brother, and 1 step brother. I'm the oldest.
8. Rylee was unplanned. Not an "accident or mistake" :)
9. I've never pinned anything about a dream wedding because I don't plan on having a wedding.
10. I hate fashion. I only own one pair of heels.
11. I hate talking on the phone. I cringe when my phone rings. I have an overly hyper one year old so just shoot me a text people!
12. I don't paint my nails or get them done. I'm a nail biter so it's pointless.
13. I've danced since I was 3. And so will Ry!
14. I'm obsessed with reality tv. I have atleast 10 shows a week. Thank you DVR.
15. I hate fall & winter. I wish it was summer year round.
16. I LOVE Christmas though.
17. I'm a yoga freak. I would become an instructor if it wasn't so much money.
18. I'm also a cleaning and organizing freak.
19. We have 2 dogs. Deke & Buc. They don't get mentioned to much because Ry is #1. Duh!
20. I'm constantly playing musical decor in my house & it gets on Richie's nerves. I just say its my hobby!

Which leads to tomorrows post on how to update you house without spending money!

Rylee's Latest Happenings & Freezing Weather (65)

This morning we had our first cold front. Down here we don't have a winter. We have cold fronts and this one is suppose to last 2 days. This morning was a freezing 65 degrees!!! Anything under 75 is freezing to me. So I bundled Ry up in her new jacket from target. 

Next week she will be 17 months! And I will be in the hospital hence why this is a week early. 

New Words/Sayings

all gone or all done

boo (as she tries to scare me)

no deke (our dog)

bowl

eww (referring to her poopie diapers)

woof woof

Silly Things She Does

 purposely spills something so she can clean it up over and over again

throws away her own trash and diapers

puts deodorant on

washes her hair (with my shampoo)

feeds me her fake food with fake silverware and makes me say yum to every fake bite

puts my clothes on

takes the keys and tries to unlock the door (great)

pushes every single button 10000 times

She is getting so big so fast. Every day she does something new. Seriously my main concern about surgery is that I'm going to miss something new she does. I'm obsessed with her. Which reminds me, the other day I saw a blog post by a mom that said she doesn't make her children the center of her world and listed all these reasons why. I wish I could find the post. It was all kinds of messed up... Anyways before I go on a tangent I better stop. 

I'm going to cram as many post as I can before Monday (surgery day) including house updates and things you may not know about me :)

My Low Maintenance Beauty Routine

Here is a run down of my beauty routine. I spend no more then 5 minutes a day and I love it that way.

I NEVER wear make up. The only time I wear make up is if I'm going to an event. I usually just put some Vaseline on my lips every day and that's it. 

My hair is usually in a pony tail because I have a lions mane and I live in SWFL. When my hair is down, I go for the beach waves look and I use Not Your Mothers Spray.

I use pantene shampoo and conditioner and macadamia oil or argon oil after I towel dry my hair. I wash my hair every other or every 2 days so in between I sometime use suave dry shampoo. I don't color my hair either. I use to, but it killed my hair and was way too expensive. Are you sensing a theme of "all natur-al" look? :)

Where I spend my money is in skincare. I use various washes but mainly use Elizabeth Arden or vitamin c (wash & serum). 

I use to wear make up and do my hair ALL OF THE TIME. But then I met Richie, and he likes it when I don't? (score!) and then we had Rylee and so there's just no time. So this is what works for me now and to be honest it makes life so much easier and less expensive. Not to mention my skin and hair has gotten healthier :)

DIY coat hangers for $6

So I'm almost done with Rylee's big girl room. Is was starting to look a little to "big girlish" and with the cold weather approaching I thought I would add some girly coat hangers. I bought 3 hangers from world market for $1.99 each. They were black with designs on them. I spray painted them with gold spray paint that I already had then went shopping around my house for flowers. One was from a piece of art from her nursery, one was from a hair clip, and one was from another coat hanger. I hot glued them on and ta-da!

The art work is "made by girl" knock off that I painted. I paint and sell them for $30 (way cheaper then the originals). If interested, please email me. 

Rylee's Christmas Gift Guide

For all of my family members that have been asking what you should get Ry for Christmas, here ya go! I know she will LOVE all of these items :)

Animal Farm

 This is probably number one. Girl is obsessed with animals. 

Squirrel

Cat Purse 

Radio Flyer Trike

This could probably wait til next year, so its just an idea.

Leapfrog Tablet

This is probably second contender seeing as we do a lot of traveling.

She also needs winter clothes and shoes. Size 18 months clothes and size 4 shoes. Please keep in mind we don't have much room in our house for huge indoor toys from everything she got for her birthday! She also LOVES soft blankies from Target. Please let Richie or I know what you plan on getting Ry so that someone else doesn't get her the same. She got a lot of duplicates on her birthday :) She will already be receiving a cleaning set (girl takes after her momma) and a teepee.

Random Ramblings

Now that the Holiday season is approaching, all of the stores are making room for holiday decor. This means clearance on EVERYTHING. Like this AMAZING world market comforter I picked up for $30 for our guest room. It's reversible too.

DIY instagram garland. I use the postal pix app to print my ig photos. I hung with mini clothes pins and washi tape.

Rylee is sick again. With another ear infection. And possibly reflux. She throws up EVERY night. I've never done so much cleaning and laundry in my life. If its not reflux, she will be off to the GI doc in 2 weeks..I'll be in surgery so mom's got that appointment (thank god).

I Ry has a new obsession. Hazel Village Animals. Need an xmas gift idea? This is the way to go. They are so stinkin cute (and expensive). I got her the cat already and it's displayed on the cutest shelf ever. More to come on that later this week. 

I registered for spring semester classes. ugh. 

That's all for today. I have to go catch up on RHOBH, RHOM, Vanderpump Rules, & Teen Mom while Ry is napping. So many shows, so little time. 

Halloween Fail.

Yesterday morning this was Ry...

Not thrilled about it being Halloween and plus she hates having her picture taken. As do I.

She goes to a daycare that is affiliated with a local college. Their teachers took them trick or treating at the dorms. So cute. But that made Ry super tired from all of the activity. Needless to say Halloween night was a disaster. She just wanted to sleep and refused to put her lady bug costume on. So I said screw it and we went home and she was asleep by 7. Oh well, there's always next year.

Old Navy is almost up there with Target

I usually buy most of my clothing from Target, but I've recently started to notice really cute things at Old Navy for a cheaper price. I'm all about comfort and plain jane looks. I do my make up about twice a year and my hair maybe five times. Lucky for me I have a boyfriend that likes this look. So I've rounded up my top favorite finds for comfort from Old Navy that I desperately want need.

Coral Zip Up Jacket

Funnel Pullover

Boxers

Jersey Hoodie

Drawstring Pants

Slouchy Sneakers

Surgery Postponed..again

So right now I should be in St.Pete getting ready for the big day tomorrow but this morning I received a call saying that it was postponed again. A baby came in today needing emergency surgery and my surgeon is going out of town Tuesday so it's looking like it may be end of November now. This is getting so redic. But I guess that's what I get for choosing a top dog surgeon right. Anyways hope everyone is having a great weekend. At least now I can see Ry dressed up on Halloween. She is going to be a lady bug. I can't believe October is almost over!

5 Great Finds For 5 On Friday

1. This Etsy Shop. I just ordered two prints for Rylee's room. :)

2. This Teepee. I think this is going to be Ry's big Christmas gift. I like to do one big thing and then a lot of little things. Or my mom just might get it for her :)

3. If you haven't heard for all of those decor lovers out there, Domino is back! Although word on the street is that most of the photos found in Domino, have already been seen on Pinterest. So I have yet to buy this $12 magazine. But I am DYING to still get my hands on this book if someone would be so kind to get it for me and bring it to me while I'm recovering! Thanks :)

4. Comfy clothes from Old Navy. There's so many great new yoga pants and sweaters. Again, great for recovery. And Target has a pretty good selection too. And so does Victoria Secret...but who can afford that?

5. This bedding. Is it too early for Ry to sleep with a comforter? If not, I'm getting this. I'm obsessed. And it would be perfect in her room.

Wanna join in on the 5?

 

House Updated!..Finally.

Ta-da! Here it is. Almost done. I will forever tweak and play musical pictures to our home but this is the current state and the state it will probably stay in for awhile. My style is very eclectic. I love to mix old with new, bright and girly with rustic natural elements. If I find something I love, I make it work somehow. I love the challenge of bringing everything together that doesn't necessarily match, and making it flow.

Since this is a rental, there was only so much I could do. Ideally I would have white/gray walls instead of this awful yellow/tan color, dark wood floors through out the home, and new counter tops. It really cramps my style.

Get ready for picture overload.

p.s. My house is usually covered in toys. I quickly kicked them to the side for the pics :)

p.s.s: Sorry for the horrible lighting. I was using my phone.

Hope you like!

Rylee's/Guest Bathroom

Living/Dining Area

(over the couch is stumping me. can't figure out what I want to do with it yet.)

 Kitchen

(yes I'm that mom)

Guest Room/ My Office

 Our Bathroom

Master Bedroom

(Horrible lighting. Smallest window ever for a master. And we still need a headboard, new end tables, and a dresser.)

Rylee's Room

(We literally just finished rearranging her room and removing some furniture. Now that she is getting older she enjoys playing in her room more and we needed to make room for the endless amounts of toys. There's still a lot to be done. My plans are to add a small circle mirror over the crib. And hang some Sophie & Lilly artwork. I also want to add pom pom trim to her curtains (sew or hot glue?) and also get some new storage baskets. 

Successful Weekend

This is what our weekend consisted of:

A lot of goofing off.

Painting.

Completing my home office.

Getting a new dresser for Ry. This was actually my moms best friends daughter that passed away. She wanted Ry to have her furniture set. For now she is just using the dresser til she gets older but there is also a queen size bed, night stand, and vanity. Super cute and so sentimental.