Ginger's Adventures

Before You Ask...

2013-06-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hello there, my wonderful family and friends! I am back in the US, safe and sound :-)

Everyone has lots of questions about what's going on with my man, wedding, life, and such. I know that the multitude of questions is because y'all love me so much (and I love you too!), but I'd rather not answer the same questions over and over. No offense. I mean, I like talking about myself and all, but it makes me sad to have that constant reminder of all the endeavors we have ahead of us before we will get to begin our happily ever after.

So, here is your Q&A session, A's provided without any Q'ing effort from you!

-When is Rob coming over?
We don't know. We have begun the process of getting his green card, but it can take anywhere from 6 to 10 months.

-Whoa, 6-10 months?! Why so long??
It's the government. You figure it out, let me know please.

-Can he visit during that time?
Theoretically, yes, but it depends on the border agent that he talks to when entering the country. If he tries to enter, they will see on his record that he is in the process of getting a green card.. and why would he be coming to visit if he is getting a green card? So, maybe they would let him in, and maybe not. We don't plan on risking it.

-Can you visit him?
Sure, it just depends on the money and work. Wanna buy my ticket? ;-)

-How does it feel to be married?
Well, seeing we are in different countries, no different. I am having a blast planning our future home though!

-Are you changing your name?
Yes, I will be changing my name after wedding #2. I'm not quite ready to give up my magnificent last name!

-What's the plan for wedding #2?
We haven't started planning yet. Going to start doing that this week, just gotta unpack first (yuck).

-So who is going to be in the wedding party? ;-) ;-)
Rob and I are blessed to have so many amazing and wonderful people in our lives. Choosing those few to stand with us during the ceremony is proving to be a very difficult task. If I could have everyone I wanted standing with me, I would have 15 Bridesmaids! And don't even get me started on flower girls! We ask that people understand that when we do make our decisions.

-Need any help with anything for the wedding?
Actually yes- wine bottles and corks! If you can save some for us, I'll come around and pick em up. Even I don't drink enough wine to fully decorate a wedding reception!

-Where do y'all want to live?
Ideally, in or around the St. Augustine area. However, we will live wherever we need to depending on work... Wherever, as long as it is below the Mason-Dixon Line!

Any other questions? Leave them in the comments below, and I'll add em to the list!

Thanks for caring enough about us to read this. Our situation is difficult, but with the awesome support you all provide, I know that we can make it through!

DIY 4 Ingredient Mini Spa Bath

2013-05-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

I love Pinterest. I love the ideas, possibilities, inspirations. The crafts. The foods. The beverage concoctions. The pictures of men's abs. Yum.

One thing I don't like, however, is the sometimes unrealistic attitude about the creations. In my opinion, a recipe labelled "Easy Mongolian Barbecue" should not need 13 ingredients and 2 hours to cook. I don't have an endless supply of herbs and baubles sitting around my house, waiting to be forged into something fabulous. No glass cutter, no mini blow torch. Just a normal household, with normal things.

That being said, I wanted to have a bit of pampering before my wedding, without spending any money. I scoured Pinterest for things I could do at home with what I had. I decided on extremely simple homemade face and hair masks, because I wanted the least amount of stress and risk*. I combined them with a nice bath, and the combination of the three left me feeling relaxed, revitalized, and moisturized.

What can you expect from your spa bath? The olive oil and yogurt are working to moisturize. The egg provides protein, and the honey works to kill bacteria. The bath is just a fabulous way to relax and moisturize your whole body.

DIY 4 Ingredient Mini Spa Bath

You will need:

Olive Oil

1 Egg White

Yogurt (plain)- Greek works best

Honey

Step 1: Hair Mask

Combine olive oil (about a half a cup, maybe more or less depending on the length of your hair) with an egg white.

Step 2: Face Mask

Combine yogurt with honey. My honey was a bit hard, so I microwaved the concoction for about 15 seconds, which made it easier to combine.

Step 3: Run a Bath

This is pretty self explanatory. Got your rubber duckie ready?

Step 4: Get in bath

Duh.

Step 5: Apply hair and face masks

Yes, apply while you are in the bath. Massage them into their respective surfaces. The hair mask is a bit messy, some of the mixture will fall into the bath water- that's good! The oil and egg will moisturize your body while you soak. And the yogurt mixture in the water won't hurt either. Wrap up your hair so the mask doesn't wash off in the water.

Step 6: Relax

Ahhhhh. Candles, wine, a little background music really helps the ambiance of the bath. Just don't fall asleep- safety first people!

Step 7: Remove masks

The face mask should stay on for up to 10 minutes. Wipe off with cotton swabs. A little may drip into the water, which is again, ok.

The hair mask can stay on for 15 minutes, then massage with warm water. Use a small amount of shampoo on your hair to remove the excess oils.

And that's it!

Simple mixtures, simple steps, maximum relaxation. I bet this spa treatment leaves you a lot calmer than if you had to drive across town and pay exorbitant costs for the same thing.

Looking to spice it up a bit?

If you have these other ingredients, try adding:

Face Mask: oatmeal, avocado, lemon, pumpkin

Hair Mask: mayonnaise, banana, avocado, pumpkin

Also, you can:

1. Dab peppermint oil behind your earlobes

2. Add a few drops of coconut oil to the water

3. Get that special someone in your life to massage your feet

*Risks: I choose ingredients that I knew I would not have an allergic reaction to. If you are doing any of these in preparation for a special event, try them weeks before to make sure there are no adverse affects.

Any other ingredients you have tried? Ideas for other additions? Leave me some love below!

A Wind-Swept Theatre Trip and Tips for Enjoying London Theater

2013-05-20T11:58:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend, my man and I got a chance to indulge in an experience I had been craving ever since I began to habitate this small town on the outskirts of London- The Theatre.

I am a self-admitted musical zealot. I sing, laugh, yell, and weep along with the actors, as if I was a part of their magical world. I took part in drama clubs and performing groups throughout high school, and I guess I never really lost the passion for the stage. I actually considered studying musical theatre in university, but the practical part of my mind told me no way- go for a more certain career. Thus, education. Luckily for me, teaching is performing, sometimes even with singing and dancing!

Anyway, back to the trip. On Saturday, we went to the theatre, specifically, to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The tickets were a gift from my wonderful brother (thanks Chris!). If you have been considering seeing a production of Wicked- DO IT! Especially if you are a fraction of the Oz fan I am. It is of course, nothing like the classic film, though it ties in quite well (just with a different point of view). And of course it is no where near similar to the newest Oz movie (which I also adored). So, as long as you are not trying to compare them, you'll love it.

Now, the London theatre environment is almost indistinguishable from Broadway. Mostly the same shows and amazing quality of perfmorance and production, just with some funny accents added in. If you are a person who lives in a big city and often goes to the theatre, I'm not sure I can say that it would be worth it for you to attend a show while experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London. The prices are quite high, and the shows are always crowded. However, for people from small towns like me, it is a great treat. Sure, I've seen lots of shows, and a show does not have to be in a huge auditorium to be good (some of the best shows I've ever seen were performed locally!). But, it is wonderful to get dressed up and have a classy night out on the town.

In this instance, the "getting dressed up" part was tricky. See, we had to take my man's motorcycle into the city. Taking it reduced the time of travel by 15 minutes, which was fabulous, but also introduced an issue- clothes. Riding on a bike requires padding and protection.. not something you would want to wear to the theatre.

Now, obviously one does not have to be dressed up to attend the theater. Many people don't. However, I was raised that you should dress up, and personally, I love it. If I was just planning on spending a night in jeans, I could have gone to the local cinema and paid $10. No, this is the London Theater! A night of glamour and prestige, a place to see and be seen! So yeah, motorcycle gear was a no-go.

However, this was easily rectified when we took into account the services most theaters offer: cloakrooms. For just £1 ($1.50) a bag, we were able to easily store a backpack and our gear. Doesn't work out much better than that!

So, thanks to a backpack and a place to store our things, I was able to go from this..

The bike is hiding it, but I am wearing pants and boots.

to this!

High heels, a dress, and hose- I am ready for the show!

So feeling all classy and ladylike, I was able to enjoy the show to it's fullest!

The Wonderful Land of Oz!

So, taking a trip to London, and planning on going to a show? Below are some tips that will make your trip go off without a hitch!

Tips for Visiting the Theater in London

1. Drinks

When we booked our tickets on Ticketmaster, it gave us the option to "Have a drink waiting for us when we arrived"... uhm, yes please!! Well, it turns out the program is still in it's infancy, and when we got to the theater, most of the employees had no idea what were talking about, or where to get the drinks. And just as we were saying "Well that was a waste", we got our drinks and saw the prices for drinks at the bar. See, to preorder a drink was £5, but at the bar, the same drink was £6 or £7! So long story short, preorder a drink, and while you might have to do a little work to get it, you will save a little money.

2. Theaters

The area where most of the well-known theaters are located in London is called The West End. However, for the 50 or so in the West End, there are even more in other areas of the city. Yeah, it's a big city. So when planning your trip, make sure to take the location of the theater into account.

As for the theaters themselves, most of them are historical protected buildings. This means older architecture, which for some means a building not conducive to the large crowds of a theater. For example, the theater we were in for Wicked. The theater itself was large and spacious. But the lobby was tiny and crowded. We arrived 45 minutes before the show began and, due to the fact that the doors were not open yet, we were soon squished against the walls because of the crowd. People who arrived closer to the start time had to wait outside the building until the people in the lobby filed in. The lesson we learned? Get in early, get a drink, then post up near the entrance to the seating area.

3. Bags

As mentioned before, take advantage of the cloakroom. You can take a small purse to your seat. But don't risk any enjoyment of the show because you are concerned about your stuff falling out, etc. I mean, if you don't feel safe with it being in a cloakroom, then you probably shouldn't be walking around a major city with it anyway.

4. Attire

Also as mentioned before, there isn't really a dress code. Matinees during the week are going to be pretty casual, evening shows on the weekend a bit more dressy. I saw people in jeans and gowns, sneakers and heels. If you are paying upwards of $40 a ticket, I'd think you'd want to get a little snazzy. If you are worried about travelling by train or walking or something, take a bag, leave it in the cloakroom. See how everything is connected here? Pretty much, you can look like a slob, but there is no excuse to!

5. Tickets

When you walk around London, you will see advertisements galore for "cheap theater tickets". Well, sometimes they are. But sometimes they are not. And they are not always real tickets. We booked our tickets on Ticketmaster, and they actually ended up being cheaper than some of the "cheap ticket" websites. So where is the best place to get them? Well, if you want to be 100% sure you are getting real tickets, then use Ticketmaster. If you want to go with the flow, and try to get a cheap one, then stop into one of the shops in the West End area, and see what they have. You might not get to go to the show you want, at the time you want, but hey, it'll be quite the adventure!

Questions, comments? Love me some love below!

Add a Few Smiles to your Monday

2013-05-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

I dream of a world where Monday's coming brings joy to the masses, instead of despair.

Advice I wish I had received years ago! Though, there is wine in the trap, which makes it a little better..

Ok yeah, you are right. As long as people love weekends and hate their jobs, Mondays will be loathed by the world. Heck, even people who love their jobs still feel the melancholy of two days of freedom coming to an end, and 5 days of bondage looming.

Lucky for me, I get only one day of liberation- Saturday. I mean, not really good for me. I'd love to have a whole two days off from explaining why answer is not pronounced "ans-Wer". But working on Sundays means that when Monday comes, the misery is more on the same level as a Tuesday for normal people. Ya know, there is something to be said about working fewer hours but more days.. what do you think? Would you rather work fewer hours and more days, or more hours and fewer days? I guess it really depends on the week, and what I have to look forward to during the time when I am not working..

Anyway, I digress. Fancy a smile?

Ok so, I took a picture of the bag from which my dinner last night came from.. Can anyone tell me what full fat soft cheese or medium fat hard cheese is? What's with the adjectives? Why does Cheddar have it's real name used, but the others judt get descriptors?!

Ohhh, this is something that really should be taught in classrooms. Can you find your country/state/city?

I bet this could be used to teach Geography in a fun and silly way!

DON'T TASE ME BRO!

Hehe this was the question (err answer) on my Jeopardy-esque game app last night.

One of those times where being a Gator has me so proud!

And one more for good luck..

Well, I hope that gets you going on this Monday! Cheer up, at least tomorrow is Tuesday, not another Monday!

One Down, One To Go...

2013-05-20T07:03:00.001-07:00

Well, we've done it. Tied the knot. Gotten hitched. Taken the plunge.

Legally, I am married.

Ahhhhhhh! Weiiiiirddd! WHat?! How did that happen? I feel so old!!!

Ok, sorry, had to get it out of my system. I mean, believe me, it's a good weird. But that doesn't make it any less of a strange idea to get used to.

So, how did the epic day go? Well, I'd say it went pretty near perfect. Don't get me wrong, there were issues. Obviously, my family (other than an aunt and uncle) were not in attendance. It rained (What? In England? Nooo, surely you jest!). When we left the ceremony room, the registry office lounge was packed with people waiting to go into the room for the next ceremony. The food at the reception took forever to be served.

But to be honest, nothing really bothered me (well the family part did, but I sorta came to terms with that weeks ago). I went into the day planning on being positive, and thus, had a magnificent time.

Want the story? I know you do. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be reading. Well, I shall quench your desire. Enjoy.

What do you think of my "something blue"? 'Murica!

9:00 Wake up.

Yawn. So early. I'm a big fan of the whole sleeping in thing. Coffee was a no-no this morning (let's not yellow the bride's teeth on the morning of the wedding!), so I got to indulge in my guilty pleasure of Monster energy drinks. The blue one. YUM!

Made myself and my friend Caitlin breakfast- sausage, egg, bacon, and cheese skillet. Delish. And not the most healthy of things, but hey, on a day so stressful, why not at least make sure your tummy is happy?!

10:00 Begin to get ready.

Sloooooowly. I have a bad habit of rushing when putting on makeup. Now, I worked at Sephora for a year (seriously an amazing job, just for the free makeup ;-), so I can do makeup pretty well (sorry, tooting my own horn a little here). However, this was not a day to speed through, but one to savor.

Oh yeah, and it was about this time when the mimosas started. Booze and juice? Yes please! Fun fact: In the UK, they are called "Bucks Fizz", thanks to the creation of the drink at the London's Bucks Club in 1921. The mimosa was invented in France 4 years later. Actually, a Bucks Fizz is two parts orange juice and one part champagne, while a mimosa is equal measures. Thus, we were drinking mimosas (more booze;-).

11:00 Hair Time.

Big thanks to my new sister-in-law, Georgia, for tackling the laborious task that is my hair!

Also combined with hair and mimosa time was Skype time with my mother! It was 6am Florida time, so you can understand the dedication of my mother to be involved. And the dogs of course. Can't get ready for a wedding without the dogs being involved.

12:00 Leave for Registry Office.

No great adventure story here, it was a car ride. Pretty sure you have all done one of those before. Again, thanks to Georgia for driving us!

1:15 Pre-Ceremony Interview with Registrar

This was a litte nerve-racking. We'd already gone through the interview, when we gave our intention to wed. Doing it again, right before the ceremony? Well, I sure hope I pass the interview, seeing we already paid! I mean, it's not like the questions were hard, I know my dad's name and my address and such, but still.. This did not help the butterflies!

Spoiler alert: I passed. No issues.

1:30 Ceremony.

D'awwww.
Our ceremony was at the Weybridge Registy Office in Weybridge, Surrey. It's a classic old manor house which is the perfect setting for a English wedding.

The ceremony was short, no more than 30 minutes. Concise and to the point, and conducted in a fabulous British accent, I could hardly believe how fast everything was going by. Nobody gave reasons why we should not be married, and there were no mistakes on the vows by either the Bride or the Groom. All of the sudden, we were husband and wife! Clapping, smiles, and a few tears, and then- party time!

2:30 Reception

Our "reception" was a small, personal affair. It was not like a normal American reception, with dining and dancing until dawn. We had about 20 guests, and rented out part of a local pub, The Swan. Quaint and idyllic, it provided a comfy place for relaxing and chatting. A small buffet and nice bar tab kept everyone content for several hours. Rght outside the pub was the Thames, filled with, surprise, swans. The rain came and went in normal UK fashion, providing oppotunities to wander along the river for a bit of alone time.

About 7pm, my new hubbie and I headed off to our accomodation for the night, the wonderful Brooklands Hotel. A little room service and Harry Potter rounded out the day in perfect fashion. The next morning we headed back home, and for me, back to work. Just a tiny "honeynight", but fitting for this wedding.

So, in a nutshell, that was my wedding day! Simple, relaxed, and calm. Perfect for a first wedding!

Number 2, however, is going to be quite different....

Sorry for all the changes...

2013-05-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

I know I weekly change the look of my blog... Believe me when I say it's more annoying for me than it is for you!

So why the numerous changes? Well, because I am constantly looking for the *perfect* blog look. Something fun and interesting, but still organized and easily navigated. Trust me, it is not as easy as it sounds! Especially when your blog has no real theme to it, like mine. One background for a travel, craft, cooking, teaching, workout, randomness blog? You see my issue here?

Bear with me, mon amis. I'm happy with this one.. for now! I can't promise that this current one will stay for more than a few days... but hey, it makes the whole experience a bit more interesting, right?!

Fitness & FIlms #20- The Silver Linings Playbook Workout

2013-05-16T05:04:00.003-07:00

Welcome to my first guest blog post!

It's actually pretty exciting.. Getting to post something on my blog that I didn't spend a ridiculous amount of time creating? Yes please!

This workout was created by my friend, and fellow exercise afficiando, Lara.

The Silver linings Playbook Workout:

1. Anytime Bradley Cooper “goes for a run”: Run in place for the duration of his

**If run is interrupted by conversation with Jennifer Lawrence: Do lunges until they go back to running

2. Anytime Bradley Cooper works out (ie pushups): Copy whatever he does
3. Dance workout scenes: Again, copy the movements.

**When there’s a lift: Copy it using weights, if you have none, a heavy book

4. Bradley Cooper or Jennifer Lawerence’s mental health is discussed: Wall sit until the conversation is over

**After, if conversation entailed just yelling: 10 jumping jacks

**If someone throws something: 25 jumping jacks

**If it involves calling/arrival of the police: 50 jumping jacks

5. Witty one liner: 30 second plank

6. Robert De Niro does something concerning good luck charms or “rituals” concerning football: 20 tricep dips
7. Bradley Cooper’s former wife is mentioned: Jump rope for 30 seconds (No jump rope? Mimic the actions)
8. Chris Tucker does something to try and get out of the mental health hospital: 25 bicycle crunches
9. A scene involving a football game: 10 candle sticks
10. A physical fight breaks out: 50 regular crunches

Wow, that is quite a workout!! Hope you ate your Wheaties this morning, 'cause you will need some energy for this one!

Comments, questions? Leave me (and Lara) some love below!

Now Is A Good Time

2013-05-15T03:57:00.001-07:00

When yesterday’s gone and tomorrow is near

Why look for a thing when it’s already here?

And tell me you never once asked yourself how

Some people end up in the middle of the now.

Now is the beat of the feet on the floor

Now is the then we were all waiting for

It’s the strike of the luck

It’s the go with the flow

It’s the sharing the love with the people we know.

See a wise fool once said kind of out of the blue

That life is a dream that’s already come true.

It’s the less of the what, of the where and the how

It’s more of the you, of the me and the now.

This poem is from an advertisement, which you can find below. I'm not sure if it was written for the ad, but regardless, I love the meaning behind it. Very inspirational!

Some Wednesday Funnies

2013-05-15T03:40:00.004-07:00

How's everyone's week going?!

Yeah.. I know.. it's going..

Here in the UK, it is dreary and rainy and cold (Surprise!). Yuck.

Well perk up people, you are halfway through another week! Yay!

Need a few smiles to round out hump day? Yep, I thought so.Enjoy!

Oh yeah, so true! Too bad they don't taste good when mixed..

Kids say the darndest, and smartest, things!

Ahhhhhhhahaahha! Well played, Legos.

Haha yeah I agree.. They get so nervous!

It's Not Quite Friday Yet..

2013-05-09T07:39:00.002-07:00

How about a few pick-me-ups?

Don't you just love a show that is silly, exciting, fun, and inspiring at the same time?

Ahhh nothing like a captcha to inspire you!

Teeheeheehee this one always cracks me up! Ohh, silly Bob.

D'awwww how precious is this?! Even if there is one extra Toddler Mutant Ninja Turtle..

"Speak with a British Accent!" Tips and Traps for Americans Visiting England

2013-05-09T07:25:00.003-07:00

Considering a vacation to England? Do it! England is a great place to visit, historically and culturally. Since we speak the same language (mostly) it is easy to plan excursions, get around, and overall enjoy your stay.

Believe me when I say that I am no expert on England. I've spent about 7 months out of the last 2 years here. I've seen a decent amount of the central and southern areas of the country, but have yet to experience the north. However, I know enough to be able to give some advice.

Now, these tips and traps are aimed at someone who is planning on visiting England for vacation. The definition of vacation is "an extended period of recreation". So, what I am trying to so here is to help you have the most relaxing and happiest trip possible. No fights, no embarrassment, just enjoyment.

Tip #1

Know the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England.

England: The country
Great Britain: The island, made up of England, Scotland, and Wales
United Kingdom: The sovereign state, made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Why is this important? Well, for some of them, it is a matter of either great pride, or great disgust. Most people don't care, or won't say anything about it. But occasionally, you will meet someone who gets quite offended if you use the wrong word. In England, you won't just meet English people. There will be people from all over the UK, and of course the world.

How would you feel if someone addressed you as a North American? I mean, it is correct, but it's just weird. Now, imagine you are Scottish, and someone calls you English. Not cool. A very easy way to avoid a bit of embarrassment.

Trap #1

If they ask you to speak in a British accent, don't do it.

This is one of my greatest pet peeves with people from every country. See, if I ask someone to do an American accent, and they do the one they learned from watching Jersey Shore, then to me and my southern roots, the accent will be wrong. But that doesn't mean they did a wrong accent.

That is the trap you will fall into if you speak in your "British" accent. Most Americans think of British accents to be those from the Victorian times, while nobody actually speaks like that anymore. So if you speak like that, they will laugh at you. It doesn't mean you are wrong! Just that what they heard is not what they expected to hear. Again, avoid embarrassment, don't do it.

Tip #2

They don't care about your ancestral history.

Ok, so when we are growing up, we all spend time in school researching our family history. For me, it was an assignment I loved. Learning about my family coming from Northern Ireland, and making it all the way down to Florida. It is an area of great pride for me, and many other Americans.

However, when you come to England, or any country where your family hails from, please be aware that they don't look at it the same way we do. Unless you still have connections with family members in that country, don't even bother telling them that you are from there. They don't study it like we don't, and they don't get it. If you want to talk about your family coming from a country, then say "my family comes from" or "my heritage is". That way, you can share your relationship, but without claiming to be something that might offend them.

Trap #2

If they ask you how you feel about gun control, don't answer.

Obviously, we have really strong opinions about this topic, and other controversial ones. Hey, we are Americans. However, our opinions are formed by living in and experiencing the American lifestyle. English people think about the American lifestyle from an English point of view. Huh? Let me explain.

When we talk about guns, we are thinking form the point of view that the police officers, the bad guys, and the normal lay people have guns. However, except in extreme circumstances, English police do not carry guns. Most of the bad guys don't have guns either. And the guns that regular people have are rare, well documented, and used for hunting. So, you cannot expect the English to understand your point of view about the topic. Even if you are for gun control, it will still have a different meaning to you than for them.

Now, you can spend your whole vacation attempting to explain. But hey, that probably doesn't go alone with that whole relaxation thing, huh? This goes for all controversial topics. They want your opinion, but most likely, it will not match there's, which opens the possibility of arguements. Eww.

Tip # 3

Avoid the classic "British" vocabulary.

As I mentioned before, they mostly speak the same language as us. Some of the words are different. However, a lot of words have changed from what they used to be. For example, yes, they did use to say "loo" for bathroom. But now, they say toilet.

In some cases, the American word is used as well. Yes, it is called the "Underground", the "tube", or the "metro". However, if you say "subway", they'll get it.

This is a pretty good list of words. Not perfect, not complete, but a good start.

All-in-all, England is an amazing place to visit. Don't let any of these things dissuade you from visiting. It is just like any country, where there are differences between people, ideals, and lifestyles. The key is to be open-minded about their thoughts, and understand they might not get yours.

I'll add more tips and traps as I think of them.. or experience them. Comments? Questions? Leave them below!

DIY Bride: Bedazzled Wedding Shoes

2013-05-09T05:57:00.000-07:00

Brides everywhere dream of finding the perfect wedding shoes for their perfect day. For me, I yearned for something a bit different and fun, but still classy. I didn't want overwhelming crazy colors or in-your-face designs, but I did want them to grab people's attention. I was not opposed to spending a chunk of money beyond my budget, granting that I fell head-over-heels in love. However, after a couple weeks of searching, scouring the internet and the malls, I couldn't find anything that captured my heart.

Eventually, when I realized I wasn't any closer to finding my perfect shoes, I decided to go another route, and decorate my own. Since I love DIYing, I wasn't overly miserable about it. Hey, any chance to get a little crafty shouldn't be ignored, right?

On that note...

Haha saw that picture a few days ago, and couldn't ignore it! Ok, I'm not a hard-core crafter who always has pinking shears in my handbag or puff-pant in my purse. But I still like to get my creativeness on when I can!

Anyway, back to the shoes..

I decided to get some simple colored shoes, and then bedazzle the heels. Just doing the heels mean that the shoes look fun and creative, but not overpowering. Plus, it doesn't make them look so "weddingy" that they can never be worn again.

I found these plain mint pumps at Forever 21. I'm a huge fan of the color, not too bright and not too boring. Then I hit up the craft store, and got my rhinestones, pearls, and super glue.

I didn't really want square rhinestones, but that's all the had. Craft stores are not that common in the UK!

Ok, you're right Eintein, obviously they are not real pearls. Both the pearls and the rhinestones need to have flat backs so they can stick on the shoes. Mine actually had sticky pads on the backs, but I still super glued them on. Better safe than sorry!

First, I stuck all the gems on WITHOUT the glue. Like I mentioned before, mine had sticky pads on them so they stayed where placed (but could be picked off). I only did this for one side of the first heel, so I could get a general idea. I then removed all the gems.

When I started applying the gems with glue, I applied them to the inside side of one of the heels, at the bottom. That way, if it didn't look good ,or the glue didn't work or something, the problem place wouldn't really be seen.

There are several different ways of strucuring your application of gems. I focused on one "side" of the heel at a time. I applied the biggest rhinestones first, then smaller and smaller. Then I applied the pearls in the leftover spaces.

After I finished one side, I flipped the shoe over and did the other. I saved the middle part for last, since it is the largest and most seen area.

And here are the finished shoes!

What do you think?! I'm in love with them! I'm so happy that instead of settling for something that was good, but not great, I made exactly what I was looking for!

Here are some tips if you are trying them at home:

TIP #1: Use tweezers to place the gems on the shoes, so that you don't get glue on your fingers (though, to be honest, I did anyway..)

TIP #2: Place the largest rhinestones first, then go down in size. This will give you the most even dispursal of sizes.

TIP #3: Don't use too much glue! Since my shoes where fabric, any glue the went outside of where the rhinestone was actually made the fabric darker.

TIP #4: Keep it simple! Start with just a few rhinestones, then add more later. It is easier to add them to take them away!

Comments? Questions? Leave me some love below!

Bring On Twilight: Why I Will Let My Child Read Whatever They Want

2013-04-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

I've seen lots of posts on the internet about why children shouldn't read some book or another. Sometimes the reasons are about the quality of writing, and sometimes about the ideas the books espouse. Things like "No girl should ever strive to be Bella Swan, as she is a foolish child who purposefully puts herself in harm's way just to get the attention of an older, dangerous man".

Well, I think a bit differently. If my children (of which I currently have none, but will in the future) want to read a book, they can read it.

Now, I'm not saying that I want my daughter to want to be Bella Swan, or that I'd like my kids to be acting out The Hunger Games. What I am saying, though, is that I want my children to have the most wordly views possible. I want them to be able to look at a belief or a concept from all sides, and then make a well-thought-out decision. So if my daughter comes to me and talks about Twilight, then I will give her Pride and Prejudice to read and compare. If my son shows interest in The Hunger Games, then I will also introduce Ender's Game and Lord of the Flies to him. Comic book? Cool, as long as it followed up by a classic.

See, silly/idiotic books are not the root of all evil, just like violent video games or meaningless TV shows don't ruin a child's sense of decency. Unless that is all a child is introduced to. Sure, if a 12 year old girl only reads romance novels, her views on love are going to be skewed. But completely cutting them out is not quite the answer either.

Yeah, supplying your child with only the classics might save them from the pop culture obsessions with shiny vampires or zombie apocolypse theories. However, ignoring a part of the modern world just to make your job easier is not fair to your child. Want them to become high-functioning members of society? They need to see and understand all of the world. The good and the bad.

I am blessed in that my childhood was very enlightening. My parents have traveled and are well-educated. As long as it was age appropriate, there was never a book we couldn't read, or a movie we couldn't see. By having all avenues of information open to us, my brother and I were able to see and understand the complicated nature of life. Thus, we are also well-educated and worldly adults, and are able to make well-informed decisions.

So what kind of adult do you want your child to be?

Also, we were taught early on that stories were just that- stories. A person can write anything they want. There is no reason that a child cannot read any fiction story, as long as they understand that what they are reading is not real. Teach them- Fiction=Fake. Enjoy a story, learn from it, then move on. Read something else. Grow.

Try it. Open your child's mind to the world. Who knows, they might be able to teach you a thing or two.

DIY Bride: Ring Box

2013-04-30T05:39:00.001-07:00

I saw this link, and was inspired!

How I see it, when you have a ring pillow, you have something that can only really be used once. You don't really use it as a throw pillow on the couch. I wanted something that was original and functional at the same time.

So, I made a box! It will be used to carry the rings for both of our wedding ceremonies. Then, we will use it in our bathroom in our home, as a place to put our rings while showering or whatnot. Yep, it's all about the multi-functionality!

So here is what you need:

Box with two compartments (mine was a "tea box")

Wood stain

Paintbrushes

Paint pen

Pencil

Cotten filler (I'm cheap, so I used cotton pads I had for removing nail polish)

Fabric for the top of the "pillows" (I used our respective flags!)

That is actually a dry erase marker standing in for the paint pen, shhh

His and Her compartments!

You don't need to get a massive bottle of stain like I did, this just so happened to be what they had at the pound store!

Step 1: Stain the box. Don't worry about getting the stain on the metal clasps, that can be wiped off later with water.

Make sure you give the stain time to dry before you start on a second coat (if you decide you want to do one). My biggest problem when I am crafting is that I have no patience. This time, I made myself sit and enjoy the sunshine and a cup of coffee while it dried.

I chose two coats for mine, giving it a nice color, but not too dark. Consider your wedding color scheme before you stain- would light or dark brown match better?

Step 2: Fill the compartment with the cotton stuffing. For mine, I filled it about 3/4 of the way to the top.

Step 3: Cover cotton filling with the fabric cover. This was the trickiest part of it all. You have to wrap the fabric around the cotton filler, making a pillow.

Depending on how stiff your fabric is, your pillow might be more square or rounded. As you can compare in my final picture, the American flag was stiff fabric, and made a flat, rectangular pillow. The UK flag was not stiff, so the flag is more loose and rounded. Ideally, you will be using the same fabric for both sides, so they will look the same for you.

That's a good looking pillow right there ;-)

Step 4: Trace your writing lightly with a pencil. It will erase completely if you write lightly, but I can't make any promises if you press down hard.

Step 5: Write text with the paint pen.

Don't worry too much if it bleeds. It'll take a few layers to get the paint coverage to look good. I went back and restained the areas where the bleeding was a problem- after it had completely dried.

Sigh, my heart is slightly wonky. Oh well, it'll have to do.

Step 6: Touch up paint and stain, and then enjoy your fabulous new box!

Pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.

D'awww.

Questions? Comments? Leave me some love below!

English Language Fun #2

2013-04-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

Yet another set of hilarious English awesomeness.

Oh yeah, he is definetly someone I would hire to teach me English! Though, I guess if people don't have good English, then they wouldn't realize that he doesn't have good English..

Great set of rules! You could do a whole lesson on what each of those mean, and how to avoid them.

Total booklover here! I am a read-a-holic, so this cracks me up!

Ohhh to true to true.. I'd rather be full of awe, than just have some..

Shipception! I love giving setences like this to my ESL students, and informing them that this is in fact a correct sentence. Isn't English fun?!?!

Double the Parties, Double the Fun

2013-04-24T06:32:00.002-07:00

As many of you know, Rob and I will be having two wedding ceremonies. One will be this year, actually 2 1/2 weeks from now (yikes, that's soon!). The other will be sometime in 2014, most likely in the springtime. So, why?

First understand this: it is not because I am such an attention-seeking bridezilla that I expect people to be celebrating my dream day twice. Actually, I don't particularly want two ceremonies, especially not a year apart.

Our first ceremony has two purposes. The main one is so we can start the process of getting Rob's green card to come to the states. The other is to give people living in the UK a chance to come to our wedding, as some of them will not be able to come to the US for the other. This ceremony is going to be small and simple, and is actually being planned all by the groom. Yes, I have relinquished wedding planning to my man. It's not easy, believe me!!

The second ceremony will be in the US next year, and all our friends and family will be invited. It will be a much bigger affair, and I am so excited to start planning it (which will happen once I get back to the US in June). I have so many ideas from Pinterest that I am not sure I will know where to start!

So why don't I want two ceremonies? Well, it's not so much that I don't want two, it's that I want to have one with everyone, not two with people missing. For our UK ceremony next month, I won't have anyone from my family there. While I completely understand them not being able to come (money, time, etc), it still makes me sad that I will be alone. I know I know, I'm not alone, because Rob's family is also my family. I'm lucky to be gaining such an accepting and wonderful family. However, it's still going to feel a bit sad.

Anyway, I am going to make the most of everything. I have accepted how this ceremony will be, and it is not going to bring down our special day. Thus, I am embracing the positive part of having two ceremonies: Double the parties, Double the fun!

Ecard Tuesday

2013-04-23T05:06:00.001-07:00

Funny eCards are everywhere, but let's be honest- they aren't all funny. More and more, people are just using them to type whatever they are annoyed about, and then pretend they found it somewhere else. "LOL So true!! Glad to know I'm not the only one!". Seriously. We all know you wrote that.

Anyway. Ranting aside, I have seen some very funny ones, but hate being that person uploading one a day to my Facebook. Thus, I am adding them all on here.

Enjoy.

Redheaded and proud!

Seriously. There is so much going on in my mind. My fiance attests that men usually have one thing at a time. No wonder we can never understand each other without a lengthy explanantion!

Uhm hello, wine is made of grapes. Obviously, it is good for your physical health.

Also it makes me happy. Good for everyone's mental health.

Hehehe love this one. My name means "princess" so obviously this is about me!

Fitness & Films #19- Wedding Movies Workout

2013-04-23T03:31:00.004-07:00

So, since I am getting married soon, weddings are almost constantly on my mind. Between my two ceremonies, being a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding, and two other friend's weddings coming up this year, nuptials are everywhere.

Of course, like any bride, I want to look absolutly stunning in my wedding dress. So, what better way to get in shape than to do it while watching a film and getting wedding ideas?

There are tons of wedding movies out there- comedy, drama, horror, etc. I planned this workout so that it could be done for any type of wedding film, as long as they use the typical wedding jargon and cliches.

Some possible movies this workout can be done to:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Father of the Bride

My Best Friend's Wedding

27 Dresses

The Wedding Date

Check here for more film ideas.

Wedding Workout

1. Someone says "bride" or "groom": 1 burpee (for each)

2. Someone says "bridezilla": 25 sit ups

3. Couple's first kiss: 50 crunches

4. Couples first dance: 20 squats

5. Wedding speech: 20 pushups

6. Crazy family member does something: 30 second plank

7. Priest says "If anyone can think of any reason this couple should not be married": Wall sit until the wait is over, 25 jumping jacks if no one interrupts or 50 jumping jacks if someone does

8. Anything related to dress and/or dress fittings- bride or bridesmaids: 20 tricep dips (per dress or per scene, your choice)

9. Anything related to bachelor parties and/or strippers: 10 candlesticks

10. Arguement related to wedding planning and/or future life together: 20 v-sits

As always, it is your choice as to how you use this with the film you are watching. Some will coincide and you will have to pick one exercise, or do one after the other. Enjoy it!

Any ideas for specific movies? Comment below!

Stonehenge

2013-04-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

Recently we went to check out Stonehenge- i.e., we drove an hour and paid £8 to look at some really old rocks. Rocks that you can't even get close to.

Stonehenge is run by English Heritage, which runs many historical locations in the country. If you have a membership to English Heritage, then your entrance to Stonehenge (and the other places) is free.

Ok so from my first comment, it doesn't really sound like a place you'd want to visit, right? That was not my reaction, but the reaction of the others with me (ahemm) BEFORE we went. I am proud to say they were singing a different tune after.

When you arrive, you do your basic park, pay, and enter. From the road, it looks like you could just walk up and jump the very low fence without paying, which I am sure you could do. However, for those of us who like to do things legally, it's the former.

Now, what I mentioned before is true. You can't get close to the stones. This is due to graffiti, vandalism, yadda yadda. Instead, you get this cattle herd circling around the stones (minus the "moos").

However, it is ok that you aren't close. The stones are massive, and the walking circle is far enough out that it gives you a perfecty clear and unobstructed view the whole way around. Sure, climbing in and out of the stones would be fun, but if I can't do that, the second best thing is getting a fabulous picture.

Pretty fabulous if I do say so myself.

The cost of the tour covers a free audio guide- I am a huge fan of these, because they let you get information while still getting to move at your own pace. Some people paid for tour guides to come along with them, but I learned very early on in life (thanks to growing up in a tourist town), that you don't need to shell out for a tour guide as well.. just meander behind someone else who has!

Testing the electromagnetism of the stones- the woman held the metal rods towards the stones, and they pushed themselves away- without her doing anything!

So how long do you stare at these stones? Well, we wandered around them, stopped and took a ton of pictures, pondered over the construction...all-in-all about 20 minutes. Yeah I know, it's not a lot of time. There is a cafe near the entrance if you want to stay longer (I guess to "make more" of the trip).

Another reason I didn't mind not being able to get close to the stones is cause I have an awesome camera... Just look at the zoom!

The countryside around the stones provides a nice view as well. There are many ancient burial mounds near the area.

Currently, they are building an addition to the simple tourist trap that is currently Stonehenge. It's a good half a mile away, sure, but it will definitely add some much needed facilities to the landmark.

This stone is randomly off by itself.

So, what's the final say on visiting Stonehenge?

I say do it- but don't drive all the way out just to visit it. Stonehenge is about a 45 minute drive from our house, on the west side of London. If you are in the city, you are looking at almost 2 hours.

While we were in the area, we went to Cheddar Gorge (which I will blog about soon). Combined, those two made the perfect day out! Also nearby is Longleats Safari park, and the historic city of Bath.

So, do yourself a favor and check out these mystical and awe-inspiring stones. But don't stop there- take advantage of getting to learn a bit about the England outside of big city life!

Monday... and Tax Day...

2013-04-15T08:52:00.003-07:00

Another week has begun.. and it is Tax Day! Everyone file your stuff?

I know, not something to be cheerful about.. so here are some things I hope make you smile!!

Sorry for the bad word. But pretty hilarious, don't you think?!

Too true, too true..

Yes! I hope I have a few Doctor Who fans among my readers?!

Red solo cup! I fill you up! Let's have a party!!

Oh.. how I miss college!

If a miniature octopus wearing a top hat doesn't brighten your day, even a bit, then there is no help for you!

A World Traveler's Views on Tipping

2013-04-10T08:36:00.001-07:00

I realized that I have't done a post addressing anything controversial or thought-provoking in awhile. So, here we are.

Tips.

Now before I get into this, please bear in mind that I have the utmost respect for waiters/ waitresses, and everyone in the service industry. I've been a waitress (though luckily my salary did not rely on tips). I have several friends still doing it. I know the work is hard, and that dealing with people is not easy.

That being said, here are my beliefs about tipping.

Customers

1. You know that when you go to a restaurant, they will expect you to tip. This is not a new thing to America. If you don't have the money to tip, don't go to a restaurant.

2. You are not a child. You know how to behave in public. You also know when you are not behaving correctly in public (or when your children are not). You know when you are being too demanding, or rude. Think you are perfect? You are not. So don't be a jerk. Tip more than 25 cents.

Waiters/ Waitresses

1. "Tips" does NOT MEAN "To insure proper service". Linguistically, this does not even make sense. If tips were to insure service, it would be paid before the service was provided. Tips are paid after. So stop saying it. To anyone with a firm grasp of the English language, you sound like an idiot.

2. Proper service? Wait a second, I have to give you extra money to do your job correctly? Oh interesting. I know, as a teacher, I am expected to do my job properly, without the expectation of gifts or money.

3. It is not the customers fault that you get paid so little per hour. Stop complaining to the world that the customers are jerks for only giving you 15%- why don't you try complaining to the company that pays you $2.50 an hour? Or the government, for allowing it? Or.. get a job not reliant on customers?

4. If you are a bad waiter/waitress, do you still expect the tip? If I only taught your children A-T of the alphabet, would you still give me an end of the year gift? That's what I thought.

I bet now you are confused. I am telling people to tip, but telling the waiters that I am not tipping them to do their job correctly? Well, before I outline my beliefs, let me explain to you how tipping works in the rest of the world.

China

The only place where people tip in China is in the expensive restaurants in the big cities (and usually at American franchises). It is a modern addition to their society. They are paid normal wages, and the tips are extra income.

United Kingdom

In the UK, tips are paid at restaurants- for great service. The tip isn't dependent on the price of the meal, but on the quality of service. Bad service? The customers probably won't tip. Tipping is not expected in bars.

Japan

Nope, no tipping. Telling them you enjoyed their service is enough of a reward for them.

Russia

Tipping is becoming more common, but the expected percentages are lower. 10% is usual.

Italy

Tipping is not the norm and usually not expected. Sometimes service fees are added on, in nicer restaurants. "Rounding Up" is a gesture done with good service- if it is 57 Euros, people leave 60.

Interesting, isn't it- the US is the only place where it is mandatory to tip? Also interesting is that in other countries, the restaurants seek out Americans, expecting tips (even where it is not tradition). So really, we are costing ourselves more money, home and abroad!

My Beliefs

So here is how I feel about tipping. Realistically, I hate it. Leave it to America to start a trend like this. It is annoying having to pay an addition onto what I am already paying. However, I understand the need for it, with the salary for waiters/waitresses being so low. So, I tip. Always.

However, I do swing more in the direction of the UK, in that what you get depends on the level of service. I don't mean whether the food was cold or the TV was too loud. Great waitresses get a good tip from me. Bad waitresses? You will still get something, just not like you could have. Don't even try to get snippy with me, however- your behavior is your responsibility. Bring me my food with a smile- and I will gladly tip you. Just as I will always teach the full alphabet, A-Z, even if I don't get a thank you card or cookies.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Comment below!

The Tuesday + Travel Blues...and a Wedding Update!

2013-04-09T09:34:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

I'm still over here in England, and it's fiiiinally getting warmer! Slowly, though, very slowly. Currently it is 46 degrees. Ok that is most definitely not warm, but when you compare it to the 32 degrees and snow of last week, it is a big improvement!

Originally I planned on heading to Paris this weekend, then flying back to Florida. Well, neither of those are happening. Partly good, partly bad.

The good part is that I will stay in the UK until the end of May- yay, more time with my fiance! Once I leave, it could be another six to TEN months before we see each other again! I gotta get my quality time in now! (If you are asking why so long, it's because that's how long it will take to process his green card. Obviously I hope to be coming back over here during that time, but financially, who knows).

The bad part is that I am going to have to miss visiting Paris. This makes me really sad, because it is something I have dreamed about for years. I mean it's Paris, come on! However, financially I cannot warrant the trip. I've got a green card and a wedding to save up for- and Paris is expensive! Hopefully, no zombie apocalypse will occur, and I will get to visit next year.

Anyway, for those of you wondering what is going on with our wedding, the answer is nothing. Sorry, I bet when you read the title you expected a date or something? Here is the deal: the date of our wedding depends on when Rob moves to the US, and on him and I getting jobs and settling in. We are expecting spring or early summer of next year, though it could be as late as fall (don't worry- before football season!!). Once I get back to the US, and his green card paperwork has been handed in, I will let y'all know more. Scouts honor.

I can tell you one thing, however- it will be in or around the St. Augustine area. We are expecting a lot of out-of-town guests, and will be doing everything we can to find places for people to stay. For those out-of-towners, please contact me or Rob to start discussing options. I hope to have our wedding website and blog up in a week or so (if Rob will pick a website theme...), which will be used to share info with all our friends and family! (Sorry, random blog readers- I love y'all but don't think I can invite everyone!!)

Anyway, any questions, comment below!

At least it's not Monday...

2013-04-09T05:37:00.001-07:00

Happy Tuesday!

Anyone else out there need a pick me up on this wretched day?

Thought so.

Enjoy.

This photo cracks me up! Not just when I look at it, but whenever I see one of these jacket hooks in real life. And since there is one of these in my room at home, I giggle a lot.

Anyone else out there?

This is definitely me!!!

Haha, the sad part here is that I am in each of all for groups.. and more.. What can I say, I love science fiction! If I win the lottery, I'll be on one of those tourist trips to outer space!

Yummy Hasselback Potatoes and The Little Things in Life

2013-04-04T04:48:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, we rely on the little things in life to get us through the day. This doesn't mean that life is bad, or not worth living. Just that our long term plans and goals are so far away, that we need something closer to us to pick up our spirits.

Yesterday was a pretty standard day, some work, some chores, blah blah. Lucky for me I had a trifecta of little things lifting my mood and pushing me on.

First was getting to have a lovely sit down on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a nice cup of tea. Even better? Drinking out of my "Morning Gorgeous" mug. Perfect way to start a chilly morning. Nothing gets the day going like a bit of caffeine and an ego boost!

The second pick-me-up for the day was finally having the time to try "Hasselback Potatoes". I had been wanting to try them since I first pinned them several months ago. Now, these potatoes are really easy to make, they just take a bit of preparation time. However, the time is worth it, as they are delicious and enjoyable to eat!

Hasselback Potatoes

Ingredients:

potatoes

butter

olive oil

garlic

salt and pepper

herbs (I used thyme and rosemary)

1st: Cut slits into the potato, almost all the way to the bottom. The pieces need to still be attached, but you should be able to easily spread the pieces apart with your fingers.

Cut the slits about 1cm apart

2nd: Here is the time consuming part. You need to put garlic and butter in EVERY slit. Ok, it won't be a disaster if you don't do every single one, but hey, if you are going to do it, do it right! Unfortunately I don't have an easy way to do this. This time I tried sprinkling the garlic, then pushing in the butter. I'm thinking, next time, I will mix the butter and garlic, then push it in? Or go super lazy, and just buy garlic butter.

3rd: Drizzle olive oil on top of the potato, then sprinkle salt, pepper, and herbs.

4th: Bake for 30-40 minutes at 425 F.

All filled and ready to go in the oven!

While I was waiting, the third little thing happened- my wonderful fiance brought me flowers! Pretty sure that there isn't a woman out there who doesn't love receiving flowers. Definitely brightened my day!

And here is the final potato!

I didn't take more pics, as it was so yummy I just cut right in and ate it all up!

Have you tried any other ways of making a Hasselback potato? Comment below and let me know!

Current UK Hits

2013-04-02T03:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the internet, the globalization of countries has reached amazing levels. Where in the past it was considered the epitome of popularity to be liked outside your native country, today we often find that a group's biggest fans are from other countries. I mean, have you seen how the Japanese react to Justin Bieber? Or American tweens and One Direction?

During my time in the UK, I have gotten to hear a lot of music that has not made it to the US yet. Thus, I would like to share some of the current UK hits that I really like. Some you may have heard, others, not. It's possible some of these songs are very popular in the US now, but hey, I'm not in the country, so how should I know that?!

Enjoy, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

As you can see, boy bands are still really popular over here...

Charlie Brown, "On My Way"

Loveable Rogues, "What a Night"

Olly Murs, "Army of Two"

The Mend, "Where Were You"