Fashion and Thirty

I’m going to pretend for a moment that it hasn’t been 3 months since my last post.

::: Moment:::

Done.

In 2 months I will be turning THIRTY… As I’ve talked to various people some of us struggle with the idea of 30 and some just don’t give a flying fart, “It’s just a number”. This gal happens to not be a fan of hitting this milestone. When you think of it, 30 years old now is like the new 20 when people are living to 105 years of age. This is what I tell myself.

I no longer struggle with 30 being a goal to hit like I’m checking off a to do list. Who the heck said you HAVE to be married, with children, with a home you own, in the job of your life by this age? I think society sucks and that this is really NOT a social norm any longer.

A quote I have just grown to love is, “Do not compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 30”.

::AMEN::

Moving on.

The biggest thing I do struggle with in turning 30 is fashion. I know, how vein of me. What can I wear and what can I no longer get away with? In all honesty, I still get told I look like a college student (maybe a graduate student) but I still struggle between wanting to be youthful and being taken seriously in my career.

I had seen so many other bloggers rocking their Chucks and thought to myself, “Am I too old”? I wore these back in high school, are they really appropriate for someone my age? Then I saw more and more “older” people  wearing them. Mommies out running errands & cool dad’s in the museums with their kids rocking good ol’ Chuck-a-roo-nies.

I couldn’t help myself! On July 4th weekend I took the plunge to purchase a pair of Classic White Slip on Chucks and I have never looked back. I did receive a weird glance from the hubby the first time I wore them but nothing more and nothing less. I try not to take too many styling tips from my Carhart totting, boot wearing, manly man. Side note: He really is the cutest though. Who wouldn’t love a country boy?

With this said, I want to give a tip to all my fellow turning thirty companions. “Life is too short to worry about what others think, however, not everything at Forever 21 is forever.”

Keep it Classy!

Top: Lularoe Irma

Shoes: Converse All Stars Classic Slip Ons 

 

Two Years and Settling In!

That’s right! Today is my two year anniversary of being married to my wonderful husband!

I really can’t believe it has been two years! Some days it feels like it has been a decade and other days I feel like it just happened last weekend.

I really feel blessed to have found my other half at such a young age. It’s funny where life will take you and it sure has taken us places we never would have gone with many first for us both.

Our First

House together

Furry Child (WINSTON!)

4-Wheeler

Snow Mobile Weekend

Moving Trip

Farm-ette (not suppose to call it a farm :)

Stock Car Races/Trailer Races (Most red Neck thing I have ever witnessed)

I’m sure there were lots more but those are the ones that come to mind.

I have done a lot of thinking over the past month and not a lot of blogging. I think I was in a deep Blog-pression over what to talk about and was over thinking things so I just didn’t post at all. So here’s what’s happening!

G and I are settling in to life here in Iowa. We went to an auction (one of our new favorite weekend events) last weekend and ran into lots of people that we had met from around the area. Mostly old farmers that G met through trying to find a tractor but also some of our neighbors. It’s SO nice to go somewhere and just be able to recognize faces and just chat for a few minutes. Over time I’m sure these will be people that we come to know more and more.

Speaking of Tractors… today our F5000 will arrive at our house!

G looked far and wide to find one that he really wanted. He bleeds blue… not green, red, or any other color for that fact. . . unless it’s red and yellow hay equipment (New Holland) He did try and venture out for the best deals by looking at other brands but when it came down to it there was no way any other equipment besides a Ford or New Holland was going to park in our shop. This is more of a hobby tractor for cutting hay and bailing along with other farm chores. There is the prospect of getting some other equipment later down the road.

Venturing out

I have been trying new ways to meet people, last night I starting a beginners Quilting class! How fun! I love to sew and my mom took a class not to long ago and loved it. I had to drive 30 minutes to Ames for the class but it’s worth it to get out of the house and MEET people! There were only 4 girls in the class, one a little younger then myself, another a sophomore in high school, and another retired and in her 70’s. Maybe not people that I will become friends with but socialization it the key! Also, I learned so much and surprised myself by being the most skilled in the class. I have already cut my fabric and started piecing with the sewing machine. I will probably work all this week in the evening to get all my pieces together before my next class.

I’m making a Fall Quilt… love the oranges!

Craig’s List …. meet ups!

Okay, I know this rings a little “Craig's list killers” for some of you but really it’s not bad. If you go under “Community & Activities” you will find post of groups wanting to meet up. I went on and found a co-ed soccer league that will meet up this Fall once a week in Ames. It’s just pick up ball so no competition, anyone can play, and again a nice way to get out and meet people doing something I love! There is nothing scary about it, your are meeting in a public place, with lots of people, and if you go once and don’t like it then your aren’t committed since you didn’t pay anything.

Here is my theory… I can’t just sit around and hope to meet people by some act of God. I have to make myself get out there and explore a little. This is now my home and could be for many years to come so the sooner I start making the effort the more I will feel like this is now “home”.

Canning Season

Holy cannoli has my garden taken off! Every day I harvest at least 4 big boy tomatoes from my 6 plants and a 1 pint of cherry tomatoes!

I made some fresh Bruschetta the other day and it was AMAZE! Probably more so because I grew it and made it myself of course. My mission tonight is to make some hot salsa using the Jalapenos in the garden along with this basket of Toms that I have before they turn to waste.

G and I’s favorite Garden snack are the Jalapeño Poppers I make… super easy!

1. Cut off stem end and hollow out center and de-seed
2. Mix Cream Cheese and Sharp Cheddar Cheese in a bowl
3. Stuff peppers with cheese
4. Wrap with bacon, secure using tooth picks
5. Bake at 410 degree for 12-15 minutes
6. Enjoy :)

Wow… I was all over the place today but was happy to finally share what is going on at this Rigdon house. I promise to post again sooner then later. :)

{ Tips for Tuesday } Trim that Shrub

Whoa whoa whoa… this is a PG…13 blog here. Get your mind out of the gutter! Yeah, you know who you are…

I have been working my tail off at the new house trying to get everything looking good. My husband cares more about large trees, grass, and anything with the up keep of buildings whereas my passion is definitely in the garden. I love to weed over grown beds and I especially love how a garden bed looks with a fresh blanket of mulch. Since I have had so much practice with gardening I figured I would share some tips on how to make your shrubs around the house look the best they can be! Don’t settle for overgrown just because “their still alive” get out there and give them some love.

Here is my project for the day. No… there should not be all the growth at the base and up through the core of the shrub. Plus if you have any plants that close to a fence, house or building, you should prune them back so they don’t start damaging the property.

{ What you will need }

Loppers, Hand Pruners, and Hand Saw

 

{ Where to start }

I always start with removing the larger growth at the base of the shrub with the loppers. You want to make sure that you are cutting the stems at the correct angle so that you do not damage the shrub. By not cutting properly your plant could be prone to plant diseases.

You can tell the new growth by the green color in the stem and the flexibility. You will want to cut these stems at the lowest point that you can get to the base.

All cuts should be at a 45 degree angle.

{ Now what }

After I have removed all of the larger growth from the base (as shown above) I then go in with my hand saw to remove larger branches (more then 2 inches in diameter). To do this I use my friend the hand saw. { Seriously, if you do not own one of these bad boys go get one! I started using them during my time working in college at the Horticulture Farm and I will forever own one of my own. You can buy them at any Lowes or Home Depot}

If you look at the picture above you will see that the shrub is heavy (fuller) on the right side. We had a really bad storm hit before the move and this shrub got ripped in half. To help it grow back on the left side we need to remove the dead branches to allow new growth to take that space.

Again, go to the base of the branch and saw at an angle. If you want a work out this is great too! Continue to removed all dead branches.

{ Are we done yet? }

Almost, I promise! Now what I like to do is go into the shrub with my hand sheers and cut off most of the little suckers left over at the base and up the main branches of the plant. This makes the tree open up and the more light that gets let in the better!

 

It’s always nice to have a little helper around as well! He was a good little guard dog to my tools.

I know it seems like a ton of work but really this only took me 15 minutes and one wheel barrow to beautify this shrub.

      {Before}      

 

{ After }

 

Doesn’t that just make you smile. :) My plans for this bed is to add a few Hostas that are over grown in the back of the house. This will help fill in the dead space in the bed that will help cure some of the weeds coming up as well. I’ll definitely be posting another tips for Tuesday on how to split and replant Hostas in the near future.

If you have any questions please comment :)

Tips for Tuesday – Make it yours!

Yesterday I put of some photos of the home from before we moved in and today I’m going to show you how we made it our own! It’s hard to believe we have only lived here 4 days so far and have gotten so much done. There is still a lot to do like hanging shelves and pictures in various rooms but for the most part the “Big” stuff it done.

When I originally moved to the Midwest I moved into a house that {G} had been living in for over a year so it was really hard to make it feel like it was my house. He still had all his bachelor crap items up around the house and was very reluctant to change so I left it be. Now with us coming into a new home together we discussed where to put things and it feels more like “Ours” then “His”. I love this house.

Entrance Way (foyer)

Finally Wedding photos displayed! Can you believe we didn’t have one in the Mitchell house?

We love having this book shelf to actually store Books… We used to just keep them in boxes hidden in the basement because we had no where else to put them.

Living room – I love the large bay Window to the right and of course the HUGE window facing east looking out to all the beautiful fields. Lots of natural light.

Living/Dinning room

That 70’s Kitchen :) We have the cabinet company coming out Monday to take measurements, good news, we only have to replace the cabinet/drawer fronts and not the entire kitchen! I actually love the flow. and YES we are going to get a new counter top as well. :)

Guest room – We need to hang the shelves and decorate more. I also hate that I told them to put the bed in front of the window… that is going to have to change.

The office – After talking a lot about our office dilemma we decided to share the office. I use it during the day when {G} is gone and when he is home at night he can use it. We are going to paint it a neutral color and leave all the New Holland stuff up.

Master SWEET Suite – No really it is SWEET, HUGMONGO, Large and In charge! I love love love this room. We have a large closet for my stuff, my dresser, a closet for him, his two dressers, a chair, a loveseat, and a bed and still have room!!!

We need to upgrade our full bed to a queen, it looks so tiny!

Entrance 2 – Breezeway from the Garage, driveway, and to the back patio

Basement – Okay I did say there is still work to do! The basement is in shambles right now so bare with me. :)

Left side (Finished side)

Basement – Right side (Storage and my craft area)

 

We have lots of ideas for the house, such as repainting the family room and the finished side of the basement, the kitchen (Obviously) and the office, but so far for living just four days in our home we have done a good job of adjusting.

Tips:

I would say for anyone moving to a new home that you should get to work unpacking right away. Don’t put it off for too long or else you will never make time for it. Then you are left with boxes sitting around rooms that just remind you that you need to unpack them. {G} and I worked really hard over the past few days to get these items done but at the end of the day we sat around our new fire pit, burned some crap we found around the farm, and drank a beer.

Tips for Tuesday { Organizing before a BIG move }

7 days until the moving truck is here and I have GOT to get organized! Yesterday I came home from work an hour earlier than usual due to nixing my lunch break. I was Swamped all day with visitors and paperwork that needed to get done. I just LOVE days like that though because the days seem to fly by. Here I was thinking, “This will be GREAT! I’ll get home at 4pm, go for my run, eat dinner, then continue to go through my list of things to do before the move!”

I’ll be productive!

{YEAH!}

Don’t we all know what really happens when we think this way?

I CRASHED!

Okay, that’s a picture of my pup, but he is much cuter when he crashes then if I were to put a photo of myself up.

Seriously, I got home, took the dog out, said I would sit down for 5 mins to catch Ellen which I NEVER get to see anymore…. It was over before she even got past her opening dance off. I wasn’t going anywhere! The day had completely taken me over. Go for a run… who was I kidding? I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so I had no energy. This mission was a complete fail.

As much as I want to get my runs in this week I NEED to go through our house and get stuff Organized. My goal is to skip running today and tomorrow so that when the Trash truck comes on Thursday morning I can have it all out of the house. If I am successful at this then I can try to fit my short loop into the day.

The trick before the big moving day comes is going to be organizing what we use everyday into a few boxes that we can live out of for weeks on end in a hotel.

Areas that I need to organize:

1 week of Clothing for myself: We will need more then a weeks worth but with limited space I can do laundry so I need to “DISIPLINE” myself to getting my wardrobe down to the necessities. This is coming from a girl that stuffs a suitcase to it’s max potential for only a 2 night stay. . . I’m Screwed.

Food: I REFUSE to throw out food that is still good in our pantry and in our refrigerator. I am going to wait to the last day to pack a cooler for the cold items. Then I will need a box to put the cupboard items in to take.

Bathroom: I suppose again this will just be the necessities, but my needs and my husbands needs are different. I NEED- my flat iron, hair products, shampoo & conditioner, makeup bag, hair accessories, brushes, etc. I can’t use the little hotel bottles they give us, they make my hair yucky.

Winston’s stuff: Food, toys, treats, kennel, bowls

Garage items: The items that the movers will not take.

My House plants: Currently I have 3 house plants that I am taking with me; a fern, a hydrangea, and a begonia. The movers will not take these either so to the hotel they go. Hopefully they survive the trip.

I am starting to get anxious during my work days. A million and one things are running through my mind and it is super hard to stay focused. I have a feeling it is only going to get worse.

Tips for Tuesday – Desk top Organization

Have you started your list of spring cleaning??? Don’t worry I haven’t either! :) I have been a fan of smashing magazines desktop photos since back in November when I discovered the site through another blog. They have artist that submit their designs to the site for that month. I like to go in at the beginning of the month and pick a new wallpaper, it’s very refreshing!

This month I came across a neat design called “Tidy Desktop”.

 

Usually I go for something with more pop of color or fun doodles but this one caught my eye because you can arrange your desktop items into the categories listed; Work, Apps, Multimedia, and Fun. My work desk top is a mess with excel sheets, quick links to sites I use often to direct parents and students, and of course all of the multimedia icons that I have cramping up my desktop. See how I arranged my desktop below. :)

I also really like the theme of “spring cleaning” since it is about that time of the year. Hopefully this will be a daily reminder to get me on track to cleaning some stuff around the house before the big move.

Click here to go to April’s desk top wallpapers provided for free by Smashing Magazine.

Tips for Tuesday – Preparing Lunch Salads for the Week

I am super L-A-Z-Y when it comes to making meals for the week when {G} is gone. I only work a few minutes from home and since he is rarely home during the work week anymore I make it a point to have lunch with him when he is.

He is super spoiled too since I make his lunch for him… I’m pretty sure that ever since we got married that he has made himself a less then 10 meals… we’ll be married for two years in August. Also, don’t get me wrong, {G} and I are both super traditional when it comes to who does what in the house. Do I WANT to clean and make all the meals? Not always… but does {G} want to pay all the house bills and mow the lawn in 90 degree weather.. I’m guessing that’s a no as well. As much as I could complain I love to take care of him so my hour lunch breaks at home are our special time.

When {G} is gone it is really easy to just stop at subway or in most cases a fast food place a few times a week. That habit can break the bank and not to mention my pant size so when I came across this idea I knew I had to try it.

On Sunday nights I prep all of salad lunches for the week, then each day I have one ready to go either for lunch or as a side at dinner! It may take a few extra minutes but you save all that time during the week and can take them to go if you wish.

My favorite lettuce is FOXY romaine lettuce. I have learned not to buy bags of lettuce anymore, they always go bad within a few days time. Think about it - the lettuce is grown in the fields, harvested, cut and mixed in a factory, packaged, shipped, then shelved. By the time you get it on your dinner plate it’s already a few days old and once you open the bag all the oxygen gets in a takes the only freshness that was left behind. I always by the heads of lettuce and cut them up myself. Yes, they are still harvested, packaged, shipped, and shelved but with my experience the lettuce ALWAYS last much longer in the fridge then the bagged stuff.

                

After I chop up two heads of romaine lettuce (this usually gives me exactly 6 mason jars of salads for the week) I always wash my lettuce. I am not a "supporter of organic” foods. If you are great but there is nothing wrong with washing your produce the old fashioned way – or with a lettuce spinner.

After I wash the lettuce and dry it in the spinner I add a pinch of salt and pepper to the mix then section it off into the mason jars.

Some times I make hard boiled eggs to add to the mixture for some extra flavor but leave the croutons out. 

When you are ready for a light lunch just reach in the refrigerator and grab a jar! Dump it into a bowl, add some dressing, and enjoy. Always Rinse and Reuse the mason jars.

Like I said, I can be lazy with meals so if I put all my efforts into Sunday evening I can enjoy a simple lunch with zero effort.

Try it out! :)