Kate Spade's Words of {Sparkly} Wisdom

I have a slight obsession with Kate Spade, that's no secret...
She is a Kappa sister and a fabulous designer.
I frequent her website, and her blog...
And the mention of a Flash Sale makes me giddy.

I came home last night to a package on my bed and it put a huge smile on my face. It was the latest of my KS online purchases. Inside was an adorable polka dotted travel bag and a to-die-for necklace that I ordered last week. One of my favorite parts of receiving new things from KS is that tucked inside each piece is a KS tag with a tiny saying. I never throw them away, because they are so cute and {heaven forbid} if I ever decided to sell them, it validates their authenticity. The tag in the purse I bought about two weeks ago said, "occasionally she dreams of italy. she dreams of cheese shops, persnickety fiats, and very fine leather goods." Sigh.

I found these online and I plan to use them someday in decorating my {future} home.

How could you not love KS?

Homecoming Mums

Some of my favorite memories of High School center around Friday night. Texas High School Football. Cheering on the sidelines. Some days I wish I was 15 again, starting my Freshman year with high hopes and big dreams.

LVHS Varsity Cheer, 2004

Those were the days...Thankfully, I have my sister to live through.

Here are the mums I made for her and two of her friends.

For Siri

For Lana 

For Fran 



Photobooth Fun

This past Saturday we attended the wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy and Tiana Smith! It was tons of fun celebrating such a wonderful occasion with lots of our friends.

As if food, drinks, and dancing weren't entertaining enough, they had a photo booth! Have you ever been to an event where one was present? Was it not the 'funnest' thing ever?!

This first one is by far my favorite.

Gang's all here . . . 

Wait. Zoom in. Please check me out. Pretty sure I'm saying, "hey, don't knock my tiara off!" What's new?

Hilarious. 

This was my least favorite. Cute? Yes. Fun with props? NO.  

And, check out Blake's awesome "deer in the headlights" pose .

The Future Mrs . Casey and I.

Take two. Check out that first shot-- Mr. Casey is a l-u-c-k-y man ; ) 

Thanks to Magnolia Photo Booth Co. for the laughs!

Martha Geek-out

I'm about to geek out . . . prepare yourself .

I this post by Little Birdie Secrets yesterday that showed a craft projects using . . . wait for it . . .
The new line of MARTHA STEWART craft products by Plaid.

The paints come in 160 amazing colors and GET THIS: they work on indoor or outdoor projects and on ALL crafting surfaces.  Hold . The . Phone .

It gets better. The clouds opened up and the angels sang . . . Martha also came up with a genius way to turn EVERY paint in to SPRAY PAINT .

There are tons of pretty stencils & useful tools , too !

And , Plaid is offering a discount right now !

I know, I know . . . total nerd.

The One That Got Away

So, the other day I composed a post, then decided not to post it. I didn't want to 'jinx' it...Well, here it is:

Dare I post it? Dare I jinx it?!

I put a bid on a home. Whoa, whoa, whoa... you did WHAT?!

I wasn't {really} looking. It found me... and I fell in love. They say, "when you know, you know."

It's a DR Horton Garden Home. The Chadwick plan, to be exact...

1,496 square feet of Barbie's Lauren's Dream House perfection. It needs some work. {Hooray for DIY!}

I put the offer in on Friday evening, and I'm still waiting to hear. On pins and needles...mentally pacing.

It is with a heavy heart that I report... I did not get the house. I was heartbroken. I had seen it inside and out, several times, and I was already creating to-do and DIY lists. I was nervous but excited. It just wasn't in God's plan for me to have a house yet. It was in His plan, however, to show me that I can get a house. That I have good credit (thanks to my New Year's goals) and that I can get approved on my own. I'm a big girl, now!

So, the search will continue until I find another dream home.

Resolution Check-up

It's August, almost September... it's time to look back at what I planned to accomplish this year and see how far I've come. I'm not great at keeping resolutions. I mean, who is, right? But this was my list from my New Years post: "Pay off my credit card debt. ALL of it. One. Card. At. A. Time." Well, I am happy to report that I have paid off SIX of them. **Update: As of 8/26/11... I have paid off all but ONE credit card. That's right, you heard me...ONE!


And, I paid off the car I bought in 2006... early. You may be asking yourself, "self, why does Lauren even have 6 credit cards?" Well, I don't... I have TEN. Listen, putting myself through college AND having a social life was expensive, ok? Don't hate. Just learn from my mistakes. There were a few other goals I set for myself:

1. Complete another 5K. CHECK. I did the Diva Dash 5K.

2. Build up my savings account. CHECK. Even with paying off my debt I've been able to put money aside...thanks to my parents for letting me move back in...again.
3. Continue my weight loss plan by eating healthy, working out, and drinking more water. Eh, this one has been more difficult. School and work have kept me busier than I would like. I have cut out Dr.Pepper, except the one or two a weekend I allow myself to have. I drink water like a fish. I workout when I can...I'm trying.

4. Read a book or two...for fun. Nope. Not quite. Just reading for school keeps me tied up. I hope to read on my upcoming beach vacation. Perhaps, The Help? I hear it's good.  
5. Increase young alumni participation in the Austin Kappa Alumnae Association. CHECK-ish. Well, I'm on the Alumnae Board now. I'm in charge of the Night Owls, so I'd like to say I'm getting closer to this goal.

I think I have done pretty well so far. I guess I CAN finish resolutions. How have you done?

"Team Bride" Tank Tops

This past Wed-Sat, I was in Sin City celebrating a Bachelor/Bachelorette party with The Future Caseys. We had a great time, but by day #4, everyone was ready to be home.

Before we went, I had the great idea of making matching shirts for the girls. I did some googling and came up with the idea to make "Team Bride" tanks.

Originally, I purchased some glitter iron-on transfer paper. It used my Cricut to cut out the letters and I was in love...

...until I went to peel the plastic off the front of the letters and the glitter came with it. I was furious.

So, Plan "B" was to iron no-sew backing on to fabric, then use the Cricut to cut out the letters. My first attempt was a huge FAIL. My mat wasn't sticky enough, my Cricut settings were off a little, and the letters would not cut out properly. I was just about to give up, but then I googled "cutting fabric with a Cricut" one more time.

I found a few great tips, recommended settings, and I was again renewed. On to Plan "C."

After a few trips to the fabric store, a new blade and sticky mat, and some hand-sewn flowers...

Viola!

And, of course, the Bride-to-Be needed a personalized sash!

Congratulations to The Future Mr & Mrs. Casey! Can't wait to be a part of your special day.