Ye Olde Renaissance Faire

For Valentine's Day, Andrew got tickets for us to attend the Renaissance Festival. I decided to redeem those on Saturday so off we went. I always enjoy going to things like this because I'm a big people-watcher. If you've never been to the Renaissance Festival or anything similar, just know that it's mostly populated by, ehem, some "interesting" folk, which make it a people-watching paradise. I do have to point out that almost everyone who dressed up for the festivities were very historically inaccurate. For some reason, lots of Johnny Depp look-a-likes frequent the fair. And women seem to take it as an excuse to dress a bit.... risque. You own a corseted dress? That most certainly fits the medieval time period as long as it reveals all of your cleavage. Oh, you have a bedlah from last Halloween's belly-dancing costume? There were definitely large colonies of belly-dancers in the 14th century so rock it Esmeralda. But again, it makes it a marvelous place to people-watch.

We spent the day watching the free shows available and most importantly, the joust. There are three jousts during the day and the final one is a joust to the death. Andrew loved it and most importantly, our knight came out victorious. Sir Don Vincenzo for the win.

Four Reasons To Blog

I always hear the question, "Why do you blog?" This can usually only be answered with a complex explanation that is different for everyone. It's tricky to articulate and explain your reasoning, especially to a person who doesn't blog or know what the blogging community has to offer. After pondering the question for a while, I think I've come up with four universal reasons why most people blog.

1. For the enjoyment. 

I think this is the most important reason and that's why it's number one on the list. When I first started blogging, no one read my blog- and I mean no one. It was just a little space for me. I liked writing and I liked designing my blog. It didn't matter if anyone read it because it was fun and enjoyable for me. Obviously if I didn't enjoy it, my blog wouldn't have lasted very long. But here we are going on a year and a half of consistent blogging. 

2. For finding great friends.

If you don't blog, you won't understand this, but man, I meet some of the coolest people through blogging. These usually are of the virtual nature at first (ie: I stalk your blog, you stalk mine). If you're lucky, you'll get to meet each other at a real-life, in-person blogging event, and once you get over the initial I-know-everything-about-you-but-we've-never-met awkwardness, some of the greatest friendships can be formed. The only weird thing about blogging friendships is explaining them to others outside of the blogging realm, when referring to them in normal day-to-day life. "So my friend... well not really my friend... I mean we are friends... umm, yeah, I just follow her blog..." 

Peeps just don't understand.

3. For making connections with other bloggers.

This technically could fall under #2, but it's getting it's very own number because.... I decided, that's why. I love finding other bloggers who I relate to. You love Disney as much as I do? Awesome. You have a pet English bulldog too? Let's be friends. You own an Etsy shop like me? How about we collaborate on something? You're a Jimmy Eat World fan? Let's go on an impromptu trip to Yuma to see their concert in a dinky, ill-light bar together. 

Bloggers are just so easy to make connection with and it make you feel like there are others out there that understand you. It's great not to be alone in this big scary place they call the internet.

4. For talking about yourself.

I saved the best for last. Who doesn't love being a narcissist? Being a blogger entitles one to continually talk about how awesome life is while posting a million pictures to prove it. Because let's face it, I'm amazing. ;)

Engagement Photos: Part 2

Here is the second half of our engagement photos on this fine Mushy Monday:

Suns vs. Celtics

Wednesday night, Michelle graciously offered me one of her two tickets so I could tag along to the Suns vs. Celtics game with her. Andrew and Hannah decided to come last minute after finding some super cheap tickets on Craigslist. I even remembered my big girl camera and took a few pictures of the night.

Michelle was obviously thrilled to take a picture.

Engagement Photos: Part 1

Mushy Monday continues- you're not getting rid of it that fast. 

Here's the first half of our engagement photos shot by the talented and wonderful Jonathan Gibson.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to express your love for others. 

So on this holiday, I'd like to express to you, my followers, how much I truly adore you. 

Finding Motivation

I love my Etsy shop. I love messing around with design. I love when people buy my prints. But it still shocks me every time I get a notification that someone just purchased a print from me. Why would someone want to spend money on a silly print I designed?

I also love when people request custom orders. Again, with the shock. Someone looked at my work and thought, "I really like what this chick designs, I bet I could trust her with my ideas and she'll come back with exactly what I want." I just don't understand how that happens. 

Even with how much I enjoy making simple prints, I still have a hard time finding motivation to keep my shop updated. I think it comes with how easy it is to be doubty. I haven't quite found my confidence with this hobby of mine. I avoid telling people about my Etsy shop. And when it is somehow brought up, I brush it off and pretend that it's no big deal. But it is a big deal. I am selling things I created. I am making a little extra cash by doing something I really enjoy.

Finding the confidence to freely broadcast my shop is something I'm working on.
(Well I broadcast to you guys, but you don't count because you're awesome and supportive.)

Engagement Story

Back story: Andrew's dad once read us a children's book called The Trip To Panama. It's about Little Bear and Little Tiger who go on a journey to find Panama. The underlying theme is that no matter what happens to you in life, as long as you have your best friend by your side, everything will be alright. Throughout the book, they repeat the line, "With a friend like you, I don't have to be afraid." We always quote that to one another and Andrew has taken to calling me Little Tiger. It was a very touching experience having Andrew's dad read that story to us and the book has become dear to our hearts. 

Now on to the real story...

The Inevitable Love Story: Part Seven

Welcome to the final installment of The Inevitable Love Story. If you need to catch up: 

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six

July 27th, as we were laying on my rooftop watching shooting stars and lightning off in the distance, we decided to become "official". I say we've been dating since that night, but somehow Andrew claims we've been dating since June (I have no idea where he came up with that). Regardless of when it all started, things progressed quickly from that point on. Those three little words "I love you" came on September 14th. Wedding talk came about in October. Dates were had, trips were made, and our lives slowly fused together.

He asked me to marry him on November 29th and we're planning on forever starting April 12th. 

Read about the day we got engaged here.