{Do I Look Too Weird, Wendel?}

Yup...those were the words that came out of my mouth as I walked out of the bedroom for date night...

"Do I look too weird, Wendel?

Not "do I look weird?" because I know this outfit is a little strange for my little non-fashion forward town, but is it too weird? Like...is this going to scare people? 

The moment our waitress came to the table she said "oh, are you going to a show?"

No ma'am...I just like to get uber dressed up for a normal date night...

It's just who I am. And if I'm 100% honest, I'd prefer dressing up than wearing jeans and a t-shirt. 

I think I should have been in the business professional world...preschool teacher is close enough...right?

Anyhoo...here I am...wish polka dots, sparkles, and leopard. The leopard may have been too much...but go big or go home right?

Jacket: Target {old}

Skirt: Target {also seen here}

Blouse: Loft {similar}

Shirt: Loft {super old}

Lights: Target

Boots: Target {also seen here, and here}

Clutch: Mimic Designs {obsessed...I could pet it 24/7}

Happy Monday! I'm spending my day off by doing some organizing and decorating for Valentines Day! Ahhh Valentine's Day...you make winter so so wonderful! 

{Friday Five: Working out, Valentines, and A Shopping Hiatus}

Happy Friday Everyone! 

I have Friday's off, so I'm sitting in bed watching the snow and trying to talk myself into going to the gym...good luck with that! 

Here are a few random thoughts on this Friday morning. 

1. I am falling more and more in love with Miss Corilynn. 

I adore her skirts but I love hearing her heart in her blog. I pray I'm as sweet, real, and adorable as she is when I have elementary age kids. She doesn't pretend to be perfect and this post was easily the most heartbreaking blog posts I've ever read. My heart hurt dearly for her and I felt like I mourned for her a little. I've never carried a baby, never been pregnant, but I understand the overwhelming desire for children. I can't fathom, and pray I never have to understand what she went through. But this woman is strong, incredible, and I want to be her friend :) 

2. Wendel and I went to see Book of Mormon on Sunday. 

Skirt: Target {fall 2013}

Coat: Target {spring 2013}

Boots: Target {fall 2013}

Tights: Target

Purse: Mimic Designs 

Sunnies: Target

Man oh man...it was funny but wow! I was not expecting the craziness of that show. I'm pretty confident that 90% of the blogging world is Mormon so I feel like I have a connection with them {haha...stupid I know} and I felt terrible for how bad Mormonism was made fun of. However, it was a perfect excuse to get dressed up for a date with Wendel! 

3. I get super annoyed with the large amount of stick figure fashion bloggers. 

For real...how are these girls so flippin' little. But then I read this blog post and she does 1 hour of cardio, 300...300 lunges, and 300 ab exercises three days a week. So yeah...if I did that much working out, I'd probably be a tad smaller. So yeah...respect. 

4.  I've been on an unintentional shopping hiatus

I haven't shopped all month and it's awesome. I'm discovering new outfit options in my closet and falling more in love with some of the pieces in my closet. I'm not purposefully not shopping, I've just been so busy with school and family. I haven't walked into Target since Christmas {it's my downfall} and I'm okay with it. Less shopping...more saving...more options later down the road! 

5. I'm so excited for Valentine's Day!

This is pretty much my dream Valentine's morning. It's true...I'm a five year old and love balloons. My dream is and always will be to talk into a room filled with balloons. This one day, I was having a sad day, so I went and bought myself an awesome balloon and my day was so much better. So the next time you have a rough day, treat yourself with a massive hula girl balloon...I promise your day will be better! 

Have a fabulous weekend ya'll! 

{Our First 2014 Project}

Happy Wednesday! Anyone else feel like this week is super long? This is my first full week back to school in over a month...so yeah...it's long.

Anyhoo...stop the griping, Lelia. 

On Monday, I shared our 2014 house to-do list and I'm excited to be crossing one of these off our list this month! 

One of my New Years Resolutions is to complete one project for month. It may be a small project {like a craft} or a big project {like one of our to-do list items!} My goal has been to get the project/materials all ready by the 10th of the month so I have a few weeks to get the project finished. Thanks, Wendel, for that idea! 

I always have the best intentions of getting projects done, but the month just flies by and before I know it, we never got anything done! 

Not this month! 

The plan worked! We got all of the materials for our first project this past weekend, so we are ready to go! Eeee! 

So what project are we doing? 

We're building some storage for our garage! 

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Because of our big basement redo, our garage was taken over with storage boxes and clutter. So we are on mission "Organize The Garage" this month and I'm so thrilled! 

I'm that super-nerd who gets excited about organization, so I'm over the moon! 

Here's some more inspiration for our big garage organization overhaul! 

I know some of these are super-unrealistic, but hey...aim high, Lelia. Am I right? 

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Hopefully I'll be back next week with some before and after pictures for you! 

Anyone else doing some organizing this month? I feel like it's the January thing to do. 

Happy Hump Day! 

{Listy McListerson: 2014}

I love lists. A lot. I know I'm not alone in this, but sometimes I add items to my list even if I've already done it just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing something off. My assistants know that if it's not on my list, it won't happen. Ridiculous, right? So it comes as no surprise that I'm here again to share our 2014 house to-do list! 

One of my all time favorite blogs is Young House Love, and they will randomly do a little list of things they would like to accomplish in their home. They typically call it Listy McListerson, and I always chuckle at the title...so I'm "borrowing" their title for this list...I'm sure they won't mind! 

So without further a due...our 2014 house to-do list. As time tells, we complete about 50% of these, so I wonder which very few will actually happen!

{Check out how we did on out 2012 and 2013 house to-do list}

1. Update The Staircase Railing

This comes as no surprise. This made our 2012 and 2013 list. I'm determined to make 2014 the year that this gets done! Here's our inspiration! 

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2. Spruce Up The Sun Room

We have a cute little sun room just off the basement that will be perfect for relaxing. Right now it's gross, dirty, and dark. Our goal is to lighten everything up, install tile floors, and create a little oasis for lounging! We think it will be a perfect spot for the kids to hang out in the summer if they're over the pool. Also a spot for future little bits to nap while we're in the pool {there's a large window for us to see into the room...no need to worry!} We have a few obstacles to get around {like two large round poles in the corners of the room that supports the upper deck} but we'll figure it out! 

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3. Install Built-Ins Around The Fireplace

This is one of the projects I'm most excited about. For one, this will mean more usable storage, but also, they will create some incredible architectural details! So excited to get this one underway!   

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4. Add Wood Detail In Basement Bathroom

I have my heart set on this, and Wendel even brought home a bunch of pallets from work. But they're evidently super hard to take apart. So we've priced out buying wood and staining it. So we'll hopefully start this process soon! It should be a simple project that just takes some time for staining, staining again, staining some more, measuring, and using Wendel's favorite tool...the pneumatic brad nailer. Ladies, if you want a happy husband...get him an pneumatic brad nailer. I swear he nails random things in the garage just to use it. 

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5. Organize Upstairs Closets

We have been slowly upgrading our closets in the bedrooms upstairs. We are using California Closets and we love them! The are very affordable {less expensive than Ikea closet systems} and they design and install for free! It's pretty incredible! We need to get them back out here to price out the yellow room, the guest room, linen closet, and coat closet.

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6. Add A "Popping" Detail To The Bedroom

This is another addition from the 2013 house to-do list, and I'm glad we waited. I liked the idea of stripes and such, but wasn't set on anything. Then my heart stopped when I saw what Farmhouse 38 had done in their master bedroom. I love how bright and lovely the white planks look. It seems very simple too, so hopefully we'll knock this one out this year! 

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7. Fix The Upstairs Bathroom Ceiling

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8. Do Something Fun With The Entry 

I've been wanting to do something to add some pizzazz to our entry, as well as make it a usable space.  I would like to add some wainscoting and hooks for people to hand their coats/bags. I would also like to start collecting frames from Goodwill and yard sales to create a little wall of gorgeousness up the staircase.   

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9. Organize The Garage

This is a major goal for us, especially since out garage is a mess from the basement renovation. I have lots of plans to not only make the garage more organized, but look a little nicer as well. 

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10. Build A Pergola 

This was on our 2013 to-do list, but I had a hard time deciding if I truly wanted one. Plus, the cost of re-staining the deck was a bit more than we expected, so we decided to hold off. Maybe this year! 

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I'm excited and super motivated to get these things checked off this year! Hopefully, I'll have a better success rate than 50% like 2012 and 2013! 

Happy Monday! 

{The Lady In The Leather Jacket}

I was dead set on getting a leather jacket this season. 

I especially love leather when paired with feminine pieces like lace, flowy skirts, and silk. 

So here's my take on feminine with a dash of leather!  

Skirt: Loft {Winter 2013}

Jacket: Old Navy {Fall 2013}

Blouse: Loft {old}

Lights: Target {recent}

Booties: Target {Fall 2013}

Purse: Phillip Lim for Target {old}

 

Wendel and I have a busy weekend of lots of fun! If you want to follow along in real time, make sure to follow me on Instagram @leliawendel

Have a great weekend! 

{Our House List: 2013}

Like I mentioned on Monday, I love me a list! So the past year years, I've made lists of goals for our house. It's a fun way to organize our thoughts and then see how well we did. We got about a 50% in 2012 and I'll be honest, 2013 wasn't much better. 

1. Build a New Railing In The Entry {Fail}

This was on our 2012 list as well, and still in 2013 we haven't completed this. I plan on making this one of our monthly projects {from my new years resolutions} and knocking this baby out! Or we'll see this on the 2015 list as well :) 

2. Install a Tile Backslash in The Kitchen {Check}

This was the first thing we checked off our list, and we love it! It was s bit shocking at first, but we adore the personality it adds to the kitchen! 

3. Help Out Our Deck a Bit {Check}

We did this, but I didn't really document it. Bad blogger! We did a lot of staining {on the hottest week of the summer, might I add} and it looks a million times better! The color is a little funky, but the wood is less splintery, and it's shockingly a little cooler to the touch! Here's my best picture of the deck!

4. Build a Pergola on The Top Deck {Fail}

We didn't do this, because we started to re-think the idea. But I think I'm still in favor. So some saving for lots of wood is in store!

5. Install a New Front Door {Fail...Kind Of}

We didn't get a new front door, but we got a new back door. Exactly what we really needed! Here's all the deets of that process! 

6. Jazz Up Our Cutting Garden {Fail}

We actually changed the location of our cutting garden. The side didn't get enough sun. We moved it to the front and we planted tons of daises and lavender. Of course I didn't get any pictures, but I'll try to remember to share this summer when we get it up and moving again!

7. Add an Popping Detail in Our Bedroom {Fail}

This will defiantly be added to our 2014 list! I'll have some more brainstorming very soon! 

8. Re-Stain Our Bedroom Furniture {Fail}

I think we are going to save and buy new furniture. We're not sure that we can fix our current stuff, so let the hunting begin! 

9. Make Our Basement More Livable {Check}

This was our big thing for this year! We are in love with how it turned out, and we have many more plans for in the future! Can't wait!

10. Enjoy Our Pool More {Check...kind of}

It was a very cool summer for us in Cincinnati, and our pool is not heated. So we only used our pool about five times. Sad, sad! But at least I documented it!

Coring apples with Wendel's mom for making applesauce! 

I'll be back on Friday with our list for 2014...it's kind of strange because we don't really have any huge projects this year. 2012 was redoing most of our flooring, 2013 was the basement and sliding door redo, and 2014 will be a few smallish projects. 

Do you all have anything exciting happening this year in your home? Any big/small projects you have planned? We'd love to hear! 

{A New Year}

I have to start by saying thank you so much for all of your sweet comments about this post. I've pretty much always been an open book, but there is something extremely cathartic about putting all of my thoughts onto virtual paper.

Anyhoo...

I cannot believe 2014 is among us! We rang in the new year at the beach with Wendel's family and it was wonderfully relaxing. It was pretty chilly {we went to Disney for a day and it was 45 degrees...cold, cold, cold} but vacation is about relaxing and enjoying time with family, not getting a tan. 

Wendel and I have talked a lot about this new year. 2013 was a hard year for us...especially for me. I laugh because I've heard a few people recently say "it takes getting married to realize how crazy you are" and I have to agree. Wendel is so self-less, patient, and wonderful and I am so so thankful for that! 

Now it's no surprise that I really love lists! I love me a bucket list or to-do list because I love being able to see all that we have accomplished {or more realistically laugh at all the things we did not do} so here's a list of our new years resolutions! 

{Check out last years resolutions here}

Lelia's Resolutions

1. Social Media Free Weekends

 I am not a complete addict, but I end up wasting time on social media instead of doing important things like resting. So less Instagram, more naps! And maybe more breakfast in bed, Wendel?

2. Truly observe the Sabbath

So I guess there's a theme of rest in this years resolutions. I am terrible about procrastinating and having to do lots of work on Sundays. So I am going to make Saturdays a day of productivity so I can relax on Sundays. 

3. Work on growing this little blog

I really love blogging. I love being able to watch back on the years past and see how my family has changed and developed. I have lots of changes in store {like a whole new design/url} and want to grow the blog. I would love to get a few sponsors and figure out a way to make a little money while doing this. But it's all about baby steps! So get ready for big changes ahead! 

4. Get back to my goal weight

I've gained about 8 lbs and need to get them back down. I know 8 lbs doesn't seem like much, but if I don't get it down, then it will turn in 15, 30, and I just don't want that to happen! So there's nothing like a fresh start to make you feel encouraged! 

Here's to less cookie cake...and more elliptical! 

{Wendel and I ate pretty much this entire thing by ourselves...oops}

5. Caffeine Free

I've been caffeine free for about a month now {except for the random times I've forgotten to tell them decaf at Starbucks and I can always tell because my heart begins to race} and I've loved it! I feel like I have much more energy and don't need that afternoon pick me up. I'm enjoying my decaf, diet ginger ale, and sleepy time tea...oh and water. Lots and lots of water! 

I still miss Cherry Zero...a lot! 

Wendels' Resolution

1. Run 1000 miles

Yes, you read that right...1000 miles! Which equals out to about 3 miles a day. Wendel is also planning on running the Flying Pig Marathon again, so training for that will knock out a large chunk. I'm just so thankful he is a motivated and healthy person. Can't wait for him to teach our kids to run one day! 

Yeah...he only had one, but that's a big one! Excited to have a major party for him when he reaches it!

We also decided to make some resolutions as a couple...so here they are!

The Wendel's Resolutions

1. Complete one big project a month

We always have big plans, but have trouble following through. So Wendel and I have a plan to have the project idea and the supplies for said project by the 10th of each month. That will give us a few weeks to compete our project by the end of the month! Hopefully I'll have 12 wonderful finished projects to show for it! 

1/2/3/4/5

2. Make Saturday Date Night

We go out on dates, but it's super spastic, and when we do go out on a date night we tend to take it for granted. So, we're making Saturday's out date night. We're going to try to only eat out one day a week, so that would be Saturday. 

3. Take a few weekend trips

We would love to take a few tiny vacations for places we can drive. We've booked a B&B via Groupon, so we're going to try to look for deals, and go where the coupons lead us! We already have two weekend trips planned {one to Birmingham to visit friends} so we're excited! 

4. Be Intentional

I would say one word that we use more than any other word is intentional. We try our best to be intentional with each other, with our families, with our jobs, and with our lives. We want to continue that forever! We are helping to start a marriage community at our church called M2 {Missional Marriage} and we're really excited to see where it goes! If you're in the Greater Cincinnati Area, like the Facebook page so you can be aware of things we have planned in the future! 

I'd love to hear some of your resolutions! Any really amazing ones I should add to my list? 

Have a fabulous Monday!