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 :)