♥ all things vintage, thrift & craft

Summer storms, time with friends, good eats, & awesome music

2014-08-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, first I need to apologize for the photos.

1. I am by no means a photographer.

2. These photos are from my cheap cell phone...bare with me, haha!

1 & 2. Storm that came through last week--these storms during the summer months help me to get through summertime in the Mojave desert. Seriously, if we had more of them, I would enjoy the summer months more. Heck, I may even look forward to them! I'm more of a Fall & Springtime type of person. Supposedly rain is not in this week's forecast but having lived in this area for quite some time now, I've come to the conclusion that weather is slightly unpredictable in these parts. So, there is still hope!

3-6. Mad Hatter tea party for Ms. Kandice Avila's 1st birthday. OMG, what a cute little girl! Made an awesome lemon cheesecake, however I failed to take any pics of it :/

7. Only the best pot roast ever. Usually this is a winter meal but the husband & I had a terrible craving.

8. My first attempt at potato pancakes. They were delicious--greasy but heck-a delicious. I'm surprised at how easy they are to make!

9. If you are ever in the Morongo Basin & are looking for great food, live music and a little rowdiness, Pappy & Harriet's is the place to be. We LOVE Pappy's--they have the BEST pork chops & steak. They cook them outside over a pit of mesquite. Can't get a better pork chop or steak. Seriously. Also, they have the Shadow Mountain Band (pictured above). They play some awesome bluegrass!

Have an awesome week!!

How I've been filling my days since graduation

2014-08-11T14:22:00.001-07:00

Since Friday, June 13, 2014...I've been no longer a student and unemployed. However, I recently was hired by the county I live in, in the town that I live in (I am beyond lucky) but cannot start training until September 5th. Having never really had the opportunity to enjoy time off, to myself...I've been trying to keep myself busy. I really love my alone time. Time to finish laundry, do dishes, clean out closets, organize craft supplies, SCRAPBOOK, and spend time with loved ones. Although I'm usually very good at keeping myself busy, I've found it slightly lonely, lol. I CANNOT wait to start work & be around people during the weekdays. Here are a few things I've been up to keep myself busy:

SCRAPBOOKING

Scrap'in with my good friend and colleague Angela

PAINTING NAILS

The colors I chose for my sister's wedding ceremony

(her bridesmaids wore blush dresses)

Just last week I painted my nails blue and top half gray...I call it colorblock:

CRAFTING

SPENDING TIME WITH LOVED ONES

RELAXING

Although I've enjoyed much of my vacation, I am eager to get back into earning a living, doing what I've been educated and trained to do. Plus...I've got bills to pay, lol.

Geez it's been a long while since I've posted...anything.

2014-08-08T09:09:00.003-07:00

Oh my gosh. Hello bloggers!! So, the past three years have been, well...a little nutty, to say the least.

Let me just list a few events that have taken place over the past three years--nothing too deep into detail; just a few key happenings...in bullet fashion to catch y'all up. Here goes:

- Made it through Grad School! Yes, I can now officially introduce myself as Cassandra Nafziger, MSW.

- Marriage to my love is better than ever these days...we have made it through, amazingly, a rough couple of years and are now stronger than ever and the closest we have ever been. We both made some pretty bad choices over the past 2 years and I don't want to go into detail but it's amazing to me how resilient and strong my husband is and I'm very proud of all that he has accomplished. We have wonderful, awesomely supportive family and friends to thank.

- I have reunited with my best friend and we are closer than we ever were. I'm so excited to announce that she is pregnant with her second child, and is soon to be married to her love & I CANNOT express in words how ridiculously excited I am to be a part of these amazing events in her life.

- My husband & I both landed new jobs...and we will soon be looking into buying our first home. EEK! What's exciting about my job is that it's in town...it's been many years since I've found a job in town. I've commuted for a long time and I'm looking forward to the super short trip to and from work. Not only is the commute awesome, but both of our jobs offer benefits! We have not had medical insurance for years...and now we have secondary insurance!

-My sister & her boyfriend were married my first year in Grad School but didn't have the chance to hold a wedding ceremony until last month. The ceremony was beautiful and sooooo worth the wait!! I was so happy to be able to finally witness my gorgeous sister walk down the isle. I don't know if she realized how important the ceremony and having friends and family witness such a life event was until the big day.

I have to say, things are looking up at an almost overwhelming pace and I am so thankful for everyone I have in my life and for all of the help, guidance, and love I have all around me. I'm so lucky.

Cool Ideas...via Pinterest

2012-09-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

I was surfing around pinterest this morning--mostly for nail ideas. I also came across some super cool crafting projects! I had to share them :)

Newspaper Nail Tutorial

Paper Quilt

DIY Tissue Paper Wall Art

Awesome projects! I tried the newspaper nails today.

I'll post pics later ♥

Love it!

Fall Wishlist...

2012-08-19T15:50:00.001-07:00

Currently daydreaming about Fall...and impatiently waiting for school to start.

Found here

Would love to get some grey boots...

As well as rain boots

I am desperate for a backpack...

Fall Candles for the bed/bath

There are many, many, more things I love about fall--mostly the weather as it gets close to winter because I can wear layers and bundle up as well as be super comfortable.

I die a little bit in the summer--mentally and physically.

Over the Weekend

2012-08-17T14:26:00.001-07:00

So...it's Friday and I'm finally getting around to posting about last weekend.

This week has been Cuh-ray-zeee. I work at a community college library...a VERY small library and school started Monday. Let me just say, I'm totally relieved it's Friday and I'm off already. I need to re-coup from all of the running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Not to mention I began a 5 day Hospice training this week and it gets out pretty late at night. Late for me anyway.

Last Sunday, I took my mother and youngest sister to Oceanside, CA to visit my grandparents and my brother who were staying at a condo there for a few days on vacation. We had a BLAST! And that's saying a lot because I'm not a beach person...I hate the humidity in the summer, hate sand sticking to me...EVERYWHERE, and hate salt water. Hate is a strong word. But really, I very much dislike the beach more than any other place. Although, it is a beautiful sight.

Anyway, here are a few pics I was able to take during the day:

So there ya have it...and please poke fun at my ridiculously short bangs...Can't wait until these suckers grow out!

TGIF!

This Past Week...

2012-08-04T18:10:00.001-07:00

I cannot believe it is already August...this year is going by so quickly that I can hardly keep up. August is a super busy month for me and my family: we have the hub's bday, my best friend's sister's bday, my sister's bday, and my best friend's bday...all the while getting ready for school by purchasing ridiculously expensive textbooks and school clothes, not to mention I have to pay out of pocket (no medical insurance) for blood tests, vaccines, and drug tests that must be submitted to the hospital in order to clear me for my internship that begins in September. Anyway, here a few things that happened this week (not necessarily in this order):

Made a few cards...

Organized and de-cluttered my scrapbooking/crafting supplies...ignore the carpet that is desperately in need of a vacuuming.

Got in some much needed scrapbooking and there is only 1 page left to work on in my scrapbook--so this means it's about time to buy a new one! I've worked on this for the past year or 2.

Also worked on a 21st birthday gift for my sister...with my youngest sister, lol. She's going to love it and I can't wait for her to open it in front of everyone at her party! She's going to be excited, embarrassed, and happy all at one time--it's going to be awesome!

I used tape on my big toes to paint stripes in different colors and I love how it turned out! I will definitely use this trick again in the near future.

Birthday pics coming soon!

Life Lately

2012-07-29T14:47:00.001-07:00

Because I am soooo bad at blogging about random, daily happenings and things that go on regulary--here is kind of a mix of life happenings lately.

1. Scout--my sister in law's doggie

2. A little lizard I made friends with on a hike

3. Windmills heading down Highway 62 in Desert Hot Springs, CA

4. Chicken--I couldn't decide on 1 seasoning so I made 2 with lemon pepper, 2 with chicken grill rub and 1 with just garlic salt, onion, salt and pepper. They were delicious!

5. My friend Randi and her daughter, Melody--such a stinker!

6. The crafting/coffee table Randi and I were painting. In this pic, we had just finished taping a design on it. We painted the table white so the wood would still show through the design.

7. Me cowgirlin' it up in Randi's backyard

8. Birds waiting for their birdseed in my boss' backyard

9. Me...with bangs that are too short, lol. I can't wait until they grow in a bit.

10. My nightstand that is piling up with books that I need to read--I just can't get motivated lately.

11. Orange, sparkly finger nails! I painted them orange and put glitter as a top coat. I normally dislike things with glitter on them--but I love wearing glitter on my nails!

12. This is the closest our bed EVER gets to being made...usually it's just a big pile of blankets and pillows.

Hope you had an amazing weekend! Any plans for next weekend? Me...uh, not too sure yet but I plan to do a little shopping soon--I must get ready for school and internship!

Floral Fancies

2012-07-20T17:09:00.003-07:00

Floral Shoes

Embroidered Floral Necklace

Red Poppy Earrings

Floral Messenger

And the dress to match it all...

So "Mad Men"

Celebrating An Old Friend's 26th Bday

2012-07-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

In February I got a chance to reunite with an old friend--we've known each other for 10 years and I never once got to celebrate her birthday with her. I was super excited to be a part of the celebration this year--Happy 26th Randi!

She enjoyed herself and I was stoked to finally be able to celebrate with her. Randi is in the Air Force so she travels A LOT and has never really stayed in one place for very long.

We are hoping that she is finally happy here in the desert and will make this home for good.

2 Year Anniversary & A Long Overdue Vacation

2012-07-20T14:57:00.002-07:00

The 2011-2012 school year ended Friday, June 15 the for me--and then my husband and I were off on a week-long adventure that we so desperately needed. We haven't had a vacation in years--not since 2009 when I graduated with my BA, lol. Plus, we were celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary and 10 years together. It was wonderful!! Here are just a few photos of our adventure (ignore the grainy-ness from taking photos with my cheap cell phone...my camera died 2 days into the trip):

Scrapbooking our adventure...

Baby Black Bears...so cute!

Ready for the day...

Boarding the train in Durango, CO

Ready to head to Silverton, CO on the train

Again, please ignore the grainy-ness...they look awesome small :)

Anyway, things are looking up for the two of us--just getting ready to dive back into school and prep for my internship coming up in September.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer and staying cool!

More posts and updates coming soon. I plan to update a few things around here beore September!

Morning Views

2012-06-06T08:07:00.002-07:00

These are things I see every morning...

If I don't see them, my day is all off.

Yesterday I woke up late so I didn't get to make coffee before I headed out to school--and by the time 1p rolled around, man I had the worst headache! As soon as I grabbed a cup of joe at the kiosk near the library and took a couple of sips--POOF! My headache was gone.

Uhm, coffee dependant? Yes, I admit I have a problem. But I'm a functioning coffee-aholic, so I won't be detoxing anytime soon.

Lol.

Anyway, currently my days are filled with finishing projects and working on presentations.

But, what keeps me going is the realization that I only have 2 more class meetings and I'm FREE--until September. Then it starts all over again. Only it will be more intense with an added internship on top of class work and my regular job.

Life is about to get very interesting.

Catching Up...in Photos

2012-05-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous Joshua Tree

Feet...mine of course.

Creepy Tree...

Bottlecap magnets and a pin that I've made recently

Awesome cloudy sky

Our little friend Beast passed away a few weekends ago. We loved him for about 4 years--we miss him dearly.

Cute, funky statues at the Off-Road rental place in the lower desert. We stopped by to say hello--

Cory has done some work for the owner.

Whitewater, CA--gorgeous place, right off the I-10.

On the way to work...don't worry--I hadn't left the driveway yet.

A natural spring on the backway to Big Bear, CA

A lovely quiche I made a few weekends ago--delish!!

artichoke hearts

squash

garlic

onion

sun-dried tomatoes

mushrooms

pepper jack

cheddar

bacon

eggs

cresent rolls for crust

**sometimes I add diced green chiles, but I completely forgot about that until just now. I guess I'll have to make another one!

Latest Happenings in My Crazy World

2012-05-17T08:04:00.001-07:00

Oh my gosh...I'm a terrible blogger. Life has been so crazy this past year--with school especially. It's totally sucked up all of my time and energy. I'm nearing the end (few weeks left) of the first quarter of my MSW program at CSUSB and I'm dying a little bit inside because I wish my life were different.

I'm so tired of being stuck--or feeling stuck. I want my life to start already...I'm probably just being impatient but I don't know if I can mentally handle 2 more years living with family. It's not my family that's driving me insane, it's my own need to have space and to have my own house. I desperately want my own kitchen and the freedom to decorate as I wish. I'm trying so hard not to come across as ungrateful because the invitation to live here has helped me tremendously with school and saving money when I can, especially with the cost of school, my car, and gas. I'm just having a difficult time adjusting to the fact that I can't have a house or live my own life until I'm finished with school (2 yrs. from now) and have an awesome job with benefits.

Then there are my student loans...

It's never ending.

And I tell myself that it's not going to be like this forever. It's just for the time-being. But it only numbs the eagerness, despair, and anxiety for a short time. Then once again, I'm beating myself up about choosing to go back to school. But in reality and in the long run, it's the only way I will ever break away from welfare--which my family has lived our entire life on.

I just want to do everything in my power to do well for my husband and I. And someday, I want to be able to buy a house and to be able to give my family things they have always wanted and could never have. Just little things.

It helps to just get it all out sometimes.

When I write, I can say everything--without judgement or interruption. I'm sure I'll get out of the slump I'm in soon enough. But it always re-visits me.

Thanks for listening.

For the time-being...and the next 2 years, I'll continue to spend most of my time on the computer, writing, reading, and working on presentations...as long as I can pay for it.

Don't even get me started on the issue of student loans and grants that may not be available to grad students in next year or so.

Idea Board for Much Wanted Owl Tattoo

2012-03-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Somehow these bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush would be incorporated into my owl tattoo...not sure how, I'm open to ideas!

I was thinking a background of sorts, and then the owl would be perched on a joshua tree branch or something to that nature.

Any thoughts?

It would be relatively large...on my side.

I so want this! Can't wait to have it done--uhm, maybe this june? Or maybe Spring Break...in 2 weeks??!!

Bright Red and A New Project

2012-03-05T09:02:00.001-08:00

Sorry I haven't been religious about posting and taking pictures AT ALL lately. School has me wrapped around it's little finger--which is really a good thing but is super stressful at the moment.

Here are a few photos I have taken lately...

* Favorite red scarf

* Lunch

* New project

* Sam

* Calimesa area on my drive to San Bernardino twice a week...so pretty!

* View from work

* Me

* Beast

* School pride

Happy Monday!!

Pinterest ♥

2012-03-02T09:51:00.002-08:00

etsy

hgtv

http://fillipa.tumblr.com/

http://nattybydesign.blogspot.com/

http://www.odetteny.com/

9gag

spoonflower

anthropologie

Pinterest loves for the day...I feel a shopping spree coming on.

My Life Lately...

2012-02-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

and all sorts of other things :)

But for the most part...just school work.

Ugh, but we are half-way through this quarter and soon I'll have a little bit of a break.

This is what I keep telling myself anyway.

A Valentine's Day Cause

2012-01-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

I was browsing around Etsy yesterday and found this blog entry that's really focused on a good cause:

Share Your Love 2012

So this morning I made a couple of cards to send to Etsy to help make an elderly New Yorker's Valentine's Day a little more special this year.

If you decide to make a few cards or even purchase some to send for the cause, please send them to:

Etsy

Att: Katie Rose Crosswhite

55 Washington St., Suite 512

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Oh! And they do have a few rules you must follow like:

- NO GLITTER

- Print Clearly...etc.

So, make sure to visit Etsy's blog to see all of the rules before sending your sweet valentine's cards out. We want to make sure they can give them out since they need all the cards they can get!

Happy Sunday!

Another Awkward Outfit

2012-01-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite colors...I love earth tones and neutrals.

My mother in law just gave me this striped sweater and it's super comfy. I love getting hand-me-downs :)

My little sister gave me this cream short-sleeved vest, jeans were a Christmas gift--decree brand from JCP, and my flats are super old and I bought them from wetseal or forever 21 a few years ago. I really need some new ones cause I love them to death! I was thinking about buying some of the new ones earlier this week--I just have to find the right pair.

Today will be dedicated to homework/reading and filling out the application for my internship that's due, uhm...next week? I better get moving on it!

Thrifted Finds

2012-01-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

As promised, below are my thrifted finds from my week off from work at the library. I spend too much money when I get time off--BUT, it's been quite some time since I've really been able to enjoy thrifting.

And I have no regrets.

3 pairs of shoes AND a pair of super cute sandals in one thrifty outing--AMAZING! This never happens to me!

Oh & I'm totally dying over this green sweater right now.

I made another trip out thrifting today with my sister, Caity--so, I'll have to post those finds soon.

Awkward Outfit Post

2012-01-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

It's been a super long time since I've done an outfit post--and I hardly do them anyway since I'm so awkward...and my timer really isn't working that great on my camera at the moment :(

So, I am super in love with this awesome greenish yellow sweater I found at Target last night for $5.95!!! I couldn't pass it up. Also in love with these nifty new flats from target--but I found them brand new at Goodwill last night also!

I found a few other nifty things at Goodwill but more on that later--I'm off to the dentist, AGAIN for another root canal.

Yay.

Then I head of on my hour + drive to San Bernardino for class.

And somehow I have to squeeze in some reading for homework since I fell asleep last night when I planned on staying up to study. Story of my life at the moment.

Happy Thursday!

New Year...New Quarter...

2012-01-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

So, classes have begun...and I felt I needed a mini make-over to start off the new quarter.

Things were getting a bit drab over here.

Love this hair color brand by the way...it smells delicious and it's vibrant!

So, this photo doesn't really show the awesome difference the hair color accomplished...cause it was blurry and then I played with it in photobucket and didn't save the original photo. Ooops. But I love my hair now, that's all that matters. :)

Oh! And even though I got a ton of awesome colored nail polish for Christmas, I went ahead and bought another awesome color: lavender...because I have been craving this color FOREVER.

And, I've really got to stop messing with these photos--you can hardly see the color of the NP.

Now, it's back to my homework...this quarter just may be the death of me. There are non-stop reading materials to study, take notes on and discuss...not to mention some pretty time consuming group projects ahead. Did I mention I'm only in the part-time Master's program?

Yeah, I don't even want to think about what it would be like if I were going full-time.

Yikes!

To Dos for the Day

2012-01-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

Awesome booties made by Dena Gast

So, I'm off work until Friday--it's weird to not work all week and then go in on a Friday. But I do have a second job so I'll work Wednesday--and school starts for me tomorrow night so I'll have things to do this week for sure! It's like I'm off, but I'm not really off. I just a few more hours to myself during the day until Friday. Ugh, my schedule is overwhelming to think about...

Anyway, so for today:

1. finish the dessert stand I've been working on since two days ago (it really should not be taking this long).

2. Surf ebay in hopes of finding the movies my brother wants for his bday...and pray that I order copies he can actually play in his dvd player. Why can't all dvds be the same format?! Seriously.

3. Wash husband's work clothes...cause I'm sick of seeing them laying around, lol.

4. Thrift store? It's an addiction.

5. Pay bills (poop)

6. Work on swaps for swap-bot! Fun!!

7. Paint my nails--I've had the same chipped NP on since before Christmas...I just keep putting glitter over it to disguise the chips. Man, it's going to be tough to get all this dang glitter off!

A New Years Resolution

2012-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

This year, I would like to finish a few more dessert/h'orderves platters to add to my tiny shop...

What's in the shop at the moment:

Blue & White H'orderves Platter

Green & Clear Glass Platter

Mustard & Olive Green Dessert Stand

Yes...I only have 3 items in the Etsy shop

I've found a few more items recently that I hope to use...hopefully I can get back into making these platters as well as some other ideas I've got in mind :)