ivyPINK

Firsts in 2013

What a crazy year 2013 has been...

LOTS of firsts for me this year.....

 

*1st time in NOLA to celebrate all of us turning 30 was the best BFF vaca ever!                              (besides our Euro trip of course)

*For being a Chicagoan for 22 years, this was the first year I've gone to a cubs game & set foot at Wrigley Field it was also the same day I got an offer for my new job.

*FIRST.TIME.IN.DISNEYLAND gah! It was my favorite!!!

*First time pulling off a birthday present hunt surprise! (YES I blew all those balloons up by mouth!)

*First time in SeaWorld San Diego...lol this was my fave pic from that trip, Rein HATES Roller coasters & I pleaded him to ride this one with me & our friends caught this pic of him holding on for dear life it was awesome! (Yes, I know I'm evil...insert evil laugh ___here___)

*FIRST TIME CHERRY PICKING!!!! It was fun....BUT prob wouldn't do it again. I realized I was too much of an anal person cuz after 3 hours of cherry picking I only had a bag of cherries to show for it I'd rather just buy it from Costco! heehee

*First Chicago Gourmet experience! I was so FULL I thought I was going to burst! Definitely worth attending again :) Thank You so much Jolynn & John for bringing me with!

*Gah I've dying to see Wicked ever since it first came out in 2003 I don't know why I hadn't seen it yet but all thanks to my super sweetie pie I FINALLY got to see it this year & it's even more special because I got to see it with him!

Last but not least......the most EPIC first..... I got ENGAGED! It's seriously a dream come true & the wedding planing has not stopped since. Who knew there was so much stuff that happens after you get engaged?!? I'm not complaining. I'm savoring each moment & having an extremely helpful fiance definitely helps keep me sane.

I have so much to look forward to this coming 2014 it's a HUGE year for Rein & I

I'm not sure if I've announced it on here yet but we're getting married

9.26.2014

 & I couldn't be more excited!!!

 

I hope you all have a very HAPPY & HEALTHY wonderful New Year!!!!

Cheers to 2014!

 

Thank You for keeping up with lil ole me.

XOXO ivyPINK

Happy Friday & Currents

I haven't posted much it's been really hectic

so here's a quick "currently" update:

Listening: NONONO Pumpin Blood

 

Eating: Marinos Chopped salad IM OBSESSED!

Drinking:

Grande DECAF Peppermint Mocha

with soy no foam no whip...yes seriously that's my starbucks order *SMH*

 

Wearing: These shoes! I got them from Urban outfitters

Feeling: GREAT B-day just past so being 31 hasn't really sunk in just yet lol

Weather:

It's my FAVORITE time of they year here in Chicago

and we were blessed with great weather & sunshine

this past Sunday so the fiance and I decided

to take our fall pics

Wanting: This from SEPHORA!

(sorry I cant find a link maybe they are sold out online)

and this....I know...I'm 31 BUT this lil hedgie is SO CUTE her tail wiggles!!!

LOL I was talked out of it at the store but now I regret not buying it

which mean I need it lolololol I hope my future kids LOVES hedgehog stuff

cuz she'll have a lot of hedgie things to inherit LOL

Needing: MORE TIME!!!!!! wedding planing is seriously consuming my brain

time just needs to slow down!

& I "NEEDED" this in my life I seriously stalked my Costco

& called them every single day for this... for $20 this is a steal!

Thinking: I REALLY NEED to start X-MAS shopping!!!!

Obsessing: OVER wedding table linens/decor I feel crazy! but I knew this would happen LOL :)

Enjoying: Wedding planning with the fiance hes seriously THE BEST EVER

I'm so indecisive & he helps me with EVERYTHING!

 

I think that's about it for now :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

xoxo ivyPINK

                     

New Fave iPhone/iPad App

If you love photography apps & you have an "i" device then

 YOU MUST purchase the A BEAUTIFUL MESS app

 created by Elsie & Emma from A Beautiful Mess blog 
it's my new favorite & trust me I own a TON of photography apps ;)

It's so fun to play & add texts & borders to all your photos ;)

Here's a sample of some of my photos!

Happy Friday guys ;)

xoxo
ivyPINK

Last week & this week

If you follow me on Instagram  

 @ivyPINK  then you've probably

seen all these pics :) BUT for those who don't

here's some random updates :)

 
Last week my friend told me about the Custom Crops garage sale

Look at all the goodies I got for only $21.80

I was so happy about the ATG gun! I really needed an extra one.

Last Wednesday Rebecca Minkoff came to town

for her #RMroadtrip event it was at Nordstroms Michigan Ave.

I got my bag signed this is NOT that great of a pic

I still have to upload the one from my camera. It was a FUN event

to attend & the lines went by really quickly.

I've been obsessed with the color BLUE lately.

 royal blue, teal blue & aqua

It's all I wear recently.

I bought these new super cute rings :)

aren't they adorable? The little fox has blingy eyes & nose

& that camera....whats not to love :)

& Look at my new AWESOME bag

I don't know when or where I'd use it

BUT I thought it was the coolest bag ever!

I want the PINK "first date" one too :)

                                                                                       
On Tuesday I FINALLY got to go to Wrigley Field to watch a Cubs game!

I've lived in Chicago since I came to America 22 years ago

& I've never been to Wrigley or seen a Cubs game.

I was so excited. It was also my BFs 1st time so it was extra special.

To TOP it off it was the 1st 80 degree day in Chicago

It was THE PERFECT day to watch an EVENING game :)

On Tuesday I also got some good news

and yesterday this guy came to my work to drop me off

some congratulatory flowers & treats from my FAVE cupcake place Molly's

He makes my life SO SWEET (literally) LOL

I was pretty obsessed with Starbucks for a while

BUT  I haven't gone in a while since I bought my 3 in 1 coffee mix

I've been hearing so much about the cotton candy frap that I HAD

to make a pit stop today & I have to say

it does taste pretty good if you want something fruity

it's a vanilla bean frap with a pump of raspberry & it's pink & caffeine free

might be my new fave summer drink :)

    That's all for whats up with me :)

I'm really looking forward to savoring every minute of this weekend

I have so much stuff going on.

 

I'm leaving you guys my fave song of the week

 

I hope you guys have a great weekend!

 

xoxo ivyPINK

Currently

Sorry, I know I've been a bad blogger lately

I wanted to just catch you guys up with a CURRENTLY List :)

Here we go:

 

Listening: Beyonce LOVE ON TOP on serious repeat :) 

Eating: Oh Lordy! I'm obsessed with eating these seaweeds!

YUP that was really my cart at H Mart & I may or may not have added

a couple more packages after I took this picture LOL

 
AAAANNNNDDDD a YOGURTLAND  my FAVE frozen yogurt place from CA

Opened up a shop kinda close to me *OH GEEZ bad new bears is all I'm sayin' :)

Drinking: I'm not really a big coffee drinker & when I do it has to be a

super decaf one well, I think I finally found one it's an instant 3 in 1 coffee

(perfect for me cuz 1 I have no clue how to brew coffee &

2 I just pour this one in a cup & go)

I found it at H Mart its the Maxim Mocha Gold Mild

I got it on sale for $13.99 fr 100 packs when I went  I haven't been to Starbucks since :)

Wearing: Oh these floral jeans & Platinum Sperrys are my new LOVES

I plan to live in these during spring

and I've also been living in hoodies I've recently stocked up on some

spring colors from American Apparel

Feeling: In L♥VE is that so mushy of me to say? LOL

Weather: Man I'm soooo over this Bi-Polar Chicago weather

I'm ready for spring sunshine :)

Wanting: To get started on my Project Life I bought the kit from the HSN TSV

Needing: A new good book to read

*any suggestions? let me know!

Thinking: How ridonkulously HUGE Hailey is in comparison to Abbey!

Obsessing: Over this! CANDY CRUSH

UGH! FML!

don't even start playing it I swear it will ruin your life

 by draining your time & making

you dream of candy when your asleep! LOL

Enjoying: CUTIE-fying out my phone cuz who doesn't

want a cute home screen to look at right?!?! LOL :)

That's all for now :)

xoxo ivyPINK

 

2012 Recap & One Little Word 2013

   
My 2012 came & went in a blink

BUT, I'm so looking forward to 2013

This year I decided to pick ONE LITTLE WORD

that I can focus on for the new year and that One Little Word is:

F O R W A R D

 Definition: *Toward the front; in the direction that one is facing or traveling

 

It doesn't have quite a depth meaning yet, all I know is

I use to be that person that always looked forward to the future before...

 when my brother passed away I really just STOPPED

looking forward to anything and just took in each day as it came.

This is the first year since my brother died that I have looked forward

for things to come. So therefore that is why I'm choosing FORWARD as my word.

 

Here's a quick recap of my 2012 highlights

1. Vegas

2. Underground water tour *LOVED it there*

3. MY MOST memorable snorkeling experience with my dad :)

I LOVED that I was surrounded by all these fishies it was AMAZING

4. I got to see my BFF fr. CA twice in 2012 &

I got to have my very first sleep over at my house EVER with my GF's :)

5. OMG HOGWARTS!!! I wanna stay there 4ever lol

6. I turned 30

7. My baby Abbey passed away *this was NOT a highlight

BUT it did impact my 2012

8. My dad bought me a new baby HAILEY

9. Love found me

OVERALL 2012 was quite a year

 

CHEERS to 2013

xoxo ivyPINK

The 30 List Part 6: 30 Pics

Todays the day I am officially THIRTY!

Another milestone & a number like 30 is hard to go unnoticed.

I plan to approach my 30s head on & relish the upcoming decade

because I plan for it to be the best yet.

Here's 30 of my FAVE moments from 2012 captured in pics :)

Cheers to 30!

xoxo ivyPINK

 

Some Favorite Things

I just wanted to share some of the recent things

that I'm LOVIN' right now with you guys! :)

#1 on the list is this delicious de la Costa Sangria (I'm obsessed w/ sangria)

and usually I buy the "Real Sangria" brand BUT I liked the bottle of this

de la Costa one & it was only $7.99 @ Costco so I thought what the heck?!

& boy am I glad that I bought it! It's so yummy!

I hope they'll always carry this sangria brand!

Oh, & that PINK Moscato is also delicious I just bought it cuz it said "PINK"

I'm such a sucker BUT it really is also delicious :)

Next is another drink....from Taco Bell :)

It's the Cherry Limeade Sparkler

It's like a kiddie cocktail with a twist :)

I'm SO NOT a pop drinker but dang I'm addicted to this!

It's a great thirst quencher for the summer

Oh boy.... don't even get me started this bread its SO yummy

I dreamt about it for over a year since that's when I had it last

from the Madison Farmers market

It's the Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread from Stella's

They bake it right there at the market so you buy it

right when it comes out of the oven

& it's just SO DELICIOUS & totally drool worthy

& most definitely worth it for $8 each!

*wow I just went on their website & it can be mailed! <---TROUBLE lol

 

Next food fave is THIS

Crispy Kale Chips I got my recipe here

BUT next time I'm going to try a garlic infused olive oil

I love garlic flavored things & maybe some garlic salt for some flavor

BUT the original is also really yummy!

 

Fave new treat.....

Switzers candy

It's like twizzlers but with flavor

& I'm hooked on these watermelon ones

I found them @ Crackel Barrel

OK enough about food & drinks geez!

Next new favorite thing is my new

oranized nail plates system! :)

So easy to do, I just used my brothers old baseball card holders

and bought a non slip mat from the dollar store

cut them up to 2 1/4" x 3" and voila!

NOW I can look through my plates faster & easier :)

This is my FAVORITE vintage find of the DAY!

OMG I almost peed in my pants when I spotted it

I'm obsessed with lil luggages & I swear I squeeled a lil

at the store when I found these :)

Pretty much its pristine a lil rust but I can totally look past that

a perfect set of 3 vintage japanese luggage! YES PLEASE!

Don't ask what I'm going to use it for cuz I have no idea heehee

As if that wasn't amazing enough

I found this too gah!!!!

I think the cute luggage fairies we're with me today :)

Last FAVORITE is this pic of my lil munchkin Abbey
she loves EXPLORING outside!

That is all for my list of fave's right now :)

What's your new favorite?

xoxo ivyPINK

2011 Recap and Highlights

WOWZERS this year REALLY went by SUPER fast!

 Where do I even begin?

January

I started the Calendar series which was super fun

thinking of new themes each month &

using up oldies but goodies supplies

February

Besides the Chicago SNOWMAGEDON

I really hope we do NOT have another one of these this year

or if we do, crossing my fingers that I wont be in IL to see it LOL

Made these cute V-day treats & I'm regretting I didn't

stock up & buy more plastic hearts they were so cute!

March

Besides my new "trendy" haircut

(the bangs didn't last too long)

I was just busy creating samples for the shop

April

2 girls weekends what could be better?

Here we are @ PDH

and this was in Madison

 May

Ahhh, May :) Start of my Mission Vacation lol

But before that my one HUGE May highlight was getting to go

to the FINAL taping of the Oprah show

definitely one of the MOST memorable things I've ever done!

Then I got to end the month by heading off to Ft. Lauderdale

for a couple days before sailing away on the Oasis of the Seas

to Nassau, St. Maarten & St. Thomas

June

Well.....this might be the only creative project I made the whole

month of June

Cuz I was pretty much in CA the whole month

CA is really one of my favorite places to be

I cant wait to go there again this year :)

July

HOLY MOLY in prep for Creative Escape

I made all my SWAP stuff in a matter of a week

crazyness

Because I was leaving for Canada

Here's 1 of my adventure highlights in Muskoka

August

I went on the BEST CREATIVE trip ever

with my cousin Rosa :)

Here's a link to the album with all my CE pics

September

Phew FINALLY the 1st full month I was home

kinda glad...& sad mission vacation is over :)

This was also the official start of my full pledge

obsession with NAILShahahaha

Also this month was like "reading month"

I read like 10 books I was @ the Library multiple times a week :)

& this was my FAVE project of the month

October

MY FAVORITE month :)

I turned 29 (bleh)

I also made my 1st Youtube videoI guess that's a highlight lol

November

wow...looking back I posted a lot of "HAULS"

I guess I went shopping a lot in Nov. heehee

my project highlight would have to be learning

how to make a paper turkey & "miniaturizing" it for Abbey

December

So this is 4sure a highlight

& attempting this December Daily challenge

is also another

WHICH BTW I just have to add some pics & I have a few pages left

& I only went up to Day 25 instead of the 31

I know this is def one of those albums I'll always treasure :)

 

& that folks sums up my 2011

This is one of my FAVORITE years by far

I feel so blessed & I'm so thankful for the support that

my Family & Friends has given me

CHEERS to 2012

I hope you all have a happy & SAFE New Years

xoxoxoxooxoxoxooxoxox

ivyPINK

Currently and SMASHbooking

I haven't posted a "Currently" since June

So,this week I decided to create a "Currently" page on

my smashbook

I have a massive amount of Making Memories Rub-ons

(circa 2003 *good to know they still work!)

So, here's a Fall edition of my CURRENTLYs :)

Listening: Boyce Ave. Covers on YouTube (SOOO GOOD)

Eating: These ensaymadas from Red Ribbon my dad brought home from Cali

Drinking: My new FAVE Tea!

Yogi Organic Tea's :)

Wearing: Oh geez, my outfits are so boring these days!

I live in Yoga clothes ALL day!

I recently bought a cute a cute workout/yoga tank @ Target

looks like this but in purple

(cuz it was on sale & they didn't have PINK one @ the store)

I'm starting Zumba classes next week (excited for that!)

Feeling: Uninspired lately :( Sad!

Weather: Definitely starting to feel the chicago FALL start to creep in again

we've had a warm FALL for Chicago recently but this week we got some rain

Wanting: One of these floor armoires

I told my parents it's what I wanted for Christmas :)

My jewelry is all over the place! I figured this should fit all my stuff!

& all my bedroom furniture is black.

Needing: To get my car fixed! I don't know what's wrong with it :( Tear!

Car problems always leave me poor!

Thinking: About the holidays, I want to give & make handmade presents this year!

What should I make though? Oy vey! I feel overwhelmed already.

Obsessing: You mean besides NAIL crap right?!

cuz you guys already know all about that!

Gah! Seriously been crazy over make up! I don't even use that much make up

But I've been watching some YouTube Videos of  Make Up Guru's

& let me tell you...they are very good enablers! LOL

So I organized my SMALL stash yesterday

Enjoying: READING!!!!!! The Library is my new fave place :)

 I've been reading A LOT lately

I'm just finishing up the 1st 3 books in the Vampire Academy series

by Richelle Mead

It's VERY exciting! Which I like in books I hate slow dragging books

That's about it for now.

PLEASE Share your thoughts and ideas

for handmade x-mas presents with me!

xoxo ivyPINK