Spring break: wedding dresses and Easter eggs

365 project. 84-90 This week was a good one. Monday afternoon I flew back into Seattle from Augusta GA. My mom picked me up at the airport and we did some wedding dress shopping. We went to J Crew and then Davids Bridal. Unfortunately I didn't find anything I fell in love with. I really liked the dresses from J Crew but they were all in ivory and I want white for my wedding. It was nice start looking though. I need to get my butt into gear because I am getting married at the end of the summer. In about 5 months!! Eeek. I also made these cartoon faces of Clark and I. I said this is what I hope to look like when we are old. ha. 

On Wednesday we colored Easter Eggs. And isn't my families new pup the cutest!! I have featured him here before but this is the first time I have gotten to see him in person. He has already grown so much since my mom got him a week and a half ago. 

Some pretty succulents. My family also just got some baby chicks. I guess we are going to have home grown eggs now. I am exciting, eating more homegrown is always good. 

I also got to be the Easter bunny this morning. My family is at a baseball tournament this morning so my mom put me in charge of getting the Easter baskets ready and hiding eggs for when my little brother gets home in the afternoon. My mom also does a scavenger hunt each year for my little brother. The tradition started when my older brother and I were probably in 5th or 6th grade and we have loved

it ever since. But, since my family is out of town I got to make the scavenger hunt. Thinking of the clues was probably the hardest but there are a lot of different places in our yard to hide stuff, so that is a bonus. Honestly, I am really excited to have children, you know in like 10 years, so I can do all of this stuff with them. I love holidays and getting really festive. It is just so much fun;)

Happy Easter

love, Carlee

Pale pink

I wore this outfit to a meeting with my future boss for my job this summer. I am going to be a lifeguard again this summer. My third summer in a row. It will be fun and I will make good money and work full time so its all good. This outfit is very similar to an outfit that I wore while in Georgia this past weekend. The only thing different is the shirt. I choose a forest green shirt this time instead of a black one that I wore in Georgia. Anyways this is a typical outfit for me. 

I am loving these pale pink pants. I got them at Target a couple of weeks ago on sale for 15 dollars. I always love going to Target. If you go through their sales rate you can usually find some great stuff. I found a these great pants, some boots, and a pretty teal maxi skirt. 

Like the little pup in the background on the last photo? That is my families new puppy Apollo. He is 3/4 Rottweiler and 1/4 Black Lab. He is just so cute and so sweet. He is going to grow up and be so big. My mom is excited to have a big dog around the house again. You will see more of this little guy in the next few post. I am on spring break and loving seeing my family and being home.

love, Carlee 

Pants and Coats: Target

Shirt: American Eagle

Boots: Cathy Jean 

Augusta again

I traveled to Augusta again to see Clark. This is my third time going to Augusta, Georgia in the past 8 months. I was so excited to go again mostly just to see my fiance again after not seeing him for 3 months. We had a great time, the weather was not very good though. It rained and the temperature didn't get over 50. Oh well. I still had a great time. 

1. Plane trip from Seattle to Atlanta. Beautiful shot of Mt. Rainer from the sky.

2. First photo I took of Clark and I. 

3, 4. We had Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast on Saturday morning then munched on the remaining dozen the rest of the trip. 

5. Just in the truck. 

6-12. We went mini golfing. Goofing photos of us just playing mini golf on Saturday. I also won the mini golf. Just saying. 

13. We were walking around Bed, Bath, and Beyond I was showing Clark stuff that I had registered for, for our wedding. He was trying out pillow to see which one he would want. 

14. A couple shot.

15. One of the gates to The Masters golf course. 

16. Clark bought me roses. Sweet guy.

17. Pizza at the airport on Monday morning. 

18. Looked like heaven from my plane window.

19. Selfie on the plane.

20. Almost home. 

Finals and Georgia

365 project. 77-83
Oh my gosh, I feel like I have so much to catch up on. I am sorry I have been gone for a few days as I mentioned before I went down to Georgia and saw Clark this past weekend. It was wonderful but it went by so fast. I hate that. Anyways I will be sharing photos from that trip tomorrow. Right now I want to catch up on my 395 project post for last week.

It was finals week so I spent a lot of time hiding out in my dorm room studying and watching Hart of Dixie on Netflix.

I had the best time with Clark in Gerogia and like I said I will recapping the whole trip tomorrow and I also have some fun recipes in the works since it is spring break and I have a kitchen to bake and cook in. Anyways have a good Tuesday!

love, Carlee 

Year One

I have been blogging one year! Wow this is my first ever blog, I actually didn't even no about blogging until I got to college and found the big blogs. I got inspired and I knew I wanted to start my own. I honestly didn't know what my blog would be about and I wanted to be able to blog about an wide variety of topics. 

I posted my first outfit in April then continued to post regularly in June, July and August and into the fall. I started making more recipes and bettering my food photography skills. And I can't wait to continue to grow my skills further. 

I have also changed my blogger button quiet a few times and also everything on my blog. I do like my blog now and hopefully it will stay this way for a while. I want to have a good brand and have my blog be easily recognizable so I am trying to form that along the way. Throughout this year I have also learned a ton about HTML and CSS which is awesome. I have designed my own blog from the beginning and just focused on Googleing tutorials on how to design/edit things on Blogger. I didn't know anything about coding before I started blogging. Like ZERO knowledge. I guess I just thought websites just magically looked amazing, I was wrong. It takes a lot of work and I admire the designers of the world. I am so happy I have learned some pieces of information here and there and I am sure I will learn so much more down the road. 

It has been a great year and I am so glad I started blogging. It is great. The relationships that form with people you would have never met other wise. I mean how awesome is that! I am looking forward to another great year ahead. 

In this upcoming year I hope to take more outfit post. I mean I wear clothes everyday, I just need to not be so lazy and remember to take my camera with me. I also get really inspired by Tieka and hope to take more trips around my area and photograph my outfits along the way. Just a little dream. I also hope to make more recipes and be more creative with the food I make. I also have a little goal to work on my hair. Maybe change up the hair style and work on styling it everyday. I hope you will enjoy this next year with me. 
love, Carlee

down the path

My last final for winter quarter is today. I have been 'studying' since the last day of classes on Friday. And by studying I mean hanging out in sweats with my hair in a bun, evidence to follow in my 365 post for this week, watching the first season of Hart of Dixie on Netflix, cleaning and packing for spring break and flying to Georgia!, and you know studying a little bit. I am so ready to be done with winter quarter. I want more sunny days here in Seattle. I should not complain though because we have actually had quiet a lot for winter. 

I received a new pair of glasses from Firmoo last week. I was so excited to be able to pick out another pair. I wanted to go for the more classic look this time, with the simple rectangle brown frame. These are prescription and not just for looks. As stated before I just don't wear them all that often. Except for the important things like reading the board in a lecture class and driving. I think you will be seeing these glasses on me more often though. 

These fit on my face wonderfully. I find it hard to find glasses that sit on my face right even sun glasses seem to always be a bit crooked. I always thought I was just cursed to never have glasses sit on my face properly. But it turns out I am not cursed, these fit so well, really. I will probably even wear them to the airport on Friday instead of bothering putting my contacts in. Also if you haven't already gotten yourself a pair of Firmoo glasses you better head on over to their site because your first pair of glasses will be free. 

Happy Wednesday. 
love, Carlee

Boots: Target

Jeans: Old Navy

Jacket: Eddie Bauer

Tank: JCPennys

Glasses: c/o Firmoo

Blog of the spring: Little Red Bowtalk

Hey guys, once again one of my favorite times of the season when I get to share a great blog with you all! Marlyn from Little Red Bowtalk has the best style ever. I love all the pretty dresses she wears. I am also so inspired by her owning her own online shop with the cutest name ever, Little Red Bowtique. 

When and why did you start your blog Little Red Bowtalk?

I first started my blog in 2010, it was called The Marlyn Monologues. It was much like a little journal where I would write my thoughts and things that were going on in my life. I didn't update it much. It wasn't until 2012 when I really found my love for blogging. I changed the name to Little Red Bowtalk, because of my shop name (Little Red Bowtique). I got so much inspiration from reading other blogs that I decided that I really wanted to commit to my own. I'm glad I made that decision too! I really enjoy what comes with the package! 

Tell us more about yourself and your blog?

I am a 23 year old with a passion for thrifting, crafting, and life. I am happily married to my best friend, Jon. He is my partner in crime, and my biggest encourager! We live in a little city called Modesto in the sunny state of California. In May of 2012, I graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting. I currently have an online shop, Little Red Bowtique, where I sell my creations (bows, hair accessories, collars, etc.) and clothes. My dream would be to start a local shop, and I hope to make it a reality in the future. I also love music! I taught myself how to play the guitar a few years ago. Little Red Bowtalk is where I share my outfits, inspirations, projects, recipes, and adventures.

How would you describe your personal style?

I believe that style is the most enjoyable form of self-expression. So would say that my style is very me! I'm really drawn to polka dots, Peter Pan collars, and bows. I also love dresses. I just think that they make dressing up so easy, and they are also super comfy! I also love mixing prints, colors, and textures. 

Who takes your outfit photos and what type of camera do you use?

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T4i.  Recently, I've been taking my own outfit photos. My husband is the man behind the camera sometimes too. I've been getting to know my camera better, and I hope to learn a lot more!

I see you have your own online shop, what inspired you to start it?

Running my own business has always been a dream of mine. I also enjoy fashion! So that mix is what inspired me to start Little Red Bowtique.

What advice would you give to others wanting to start an online shop?

I would advise them to plan, organize, and have fun! Do something you love! Also, stay optimistic and dedicated!

What does your typical day look like?

I try to stay as busy as possible everyday. I usually have a to-do list of the places I need to go and the things I need to do. Most of the time, I stop by the post office first thing in the morning to drop off my orders for my shop. Throughout the day you can find me at home working, cooking, cleaning, planning, and blogging. At the end of the day, you can find me relaxing with my hubby watching a movie. That's definitely my favorite part of the day. Staying busy is important to me. I believe that the busier I stay, the happier I will be. That way I will have no time to sweat the small stuff.

What are some of your dreams and goals for the future?

One of my biggest goals is to keep moving forward with both my blog and my shop. They are both things that I really enjoy updating! Another dream of mine is to be the best wife and the best mother to my future kids. Family is so important to me, and I'm really excited to see what the future brings Jon and I. 

Do you have any advice for new bloggers?

Just have fun, and be YOU! There is no one exactly like you in this world, and that is what will distinguish your blog from others. Happy blogging! 

What do you think of Marlyn, do you like her as much as I do? Be sure to check out her blog and her shop. You can even like her on Facebook and follow on instagram!

Follow

 Just thought I would officially say, follow me on bloglovin'. I am sure you have heard and been nervous yourself about the future of the google friends connect especially with google reader getting the axe. Anyways. Follow along. You can just click the button at the top right!

love, Carlee

New and old

365 project. 70-76. My photos are definitely laking a little bit this week. But that is okay because the photos were still taken and my project will go on. I think this upcoming week will be better. I get to fly down on Friday to Georgia and see Clark for the weekend. I will be taking my camera and taking some awesome photos. Hopefully. Then again I might be to busy catching up with my man. 

This first photo is from the new app imadeface. When I first saw the app, I thought it took a photo of your face and made it into a cartoon. Turns out you just start from scratch and make a cartoon face. It is still pretty fun. I think this would be totally me, if only I had bangs. Maybe I should get bangs. Then again maybe not. 

My friends and I went to another gymnastics meet this week. It was awesome as usual. Laundry day and cleaning day before finals so I am ready to go home for spring break next week! A photo of the cutest couple ever. I sent this photo to Clark and said "I want this to be us." I want to grow old with the man I love and be arm and arm walking with my love. But I mean who doesn't want that. And I will definitely enjoy being young and in love because someday I don't want to be old and wishing I was young and in love again.

My family got a new puppy. I haven't seen the cute little guy in person yet and I hope he doesn't grow to much in the next two weeks until I get to see the little guy. I was at Hobby Lobby and saw this furniture set and thought my family would all just die if I bought this for my first furniture set. Don't worry, not going to happen. The last photo is the view from my bed this morning. 

love, Carlee 

Greeting card box organizer: diy

I knew I needed something to organize my greeting cards after I started finding them all over the place. So I found this kraft box at Hobby Lobby and I turned it into a greeting card holder/organizer. 

I have always loved being organized but I have realized how more important it is when you have a business. I just opened my Etsy business in January so it isn't big (yet) by any means but I know how important it is so stay on top of organization. Keeping track of sales, shipping cost/purchases, receipts, etc. Both my mom and dad are self-employed with different businesses and so I have seen first hand what it take to be successful and one major key is to stay organized. And this is just perfect for where I am at right now.

I made dividers with colored paper and I folded and stamped white card stock to make the tabs. I also make areas for receipts, envelopes, and stamps. This is working great for me so far and I know where to find everything I need when someone purchases a card. 

I think it in the future I will paint the outside of the box but for now I just decorated it with some misplaced pieces of washi tap.
What do you all think?
love, Carlee 

Bright enough

I am sure you have all seen eShakti's new spring line popping up all over. I am loving it, are you? Well I was asked to pick out a spring item to review and I choose this top. I love it. This top is built really well, great material, and pretty button details on the shoulder. And I already expressed my love for this color. I can't get enough. 

Lately all my friends and I have been talking about is seeing the new movie "21 and Over" since it was filmed on the UW campus it is a must see for my friends and I. I am a big fan of movies. Snuggling up on the couch next to Clark is so wonderful. We definitely have different taste in movies. He likes a good action movie, where as I would prefer a comedy or romance. Typical right? I am always up for a good casino/gambling movie though my favs are 21, Rounders, Oceans Eleven, Casino Royale, and of course the Hangover.... that counts right? It will be nice to see Clark next weekend we usually end up seeing a movie together. The last one we saw was Flight with Denzel Washington? Have you seen it. So good.

I have two finals today. Then I will only have two to go. I am pushing through, as I am sure everyone else is. I can't wait for spring break. I was thinking about when I am done with school and get a adult job and you don't have spring break and winter break officially like you do throughout all of your years of education. That will be the worse. Thankfully it is a couple of years off. 
love, Carlee 

Coat: Target

Blouse: c/o eShakti

Jeans and Boots: Old Navy