It's the end of June already?!

Wow, what is happening with this year?!  I feel like this whole year has been just flying by.  I can't keep up!  I think my head is still left somewhere back in May.

Here is what my June looked like according to my Instagram...

My hubby and I are complete weirdos. LOL!  But after almost 6 years, if were're still having fun then that's all that matters.

"just because" flowers from my hubby....he must like me or somethin'

This was the month that I started trying to paint watercolor portraits...  I'm pretty happy with them

I know I'm biased and all, but seriously my daughter is the cutest little girl EVER.

Is your year flying by too, or am I just a little crazy??

"You know nothing, Jon Snow" watercolor painting

Hi everyone!  I'm back again with another watercolor portrait.  I decided to stick with the Game of Thrones theme and try Jon Snow, mostly because all of the ladies I know were begging me too. haha! 

Here is a close-up of my finished portrait...

This is the whole painting.  I don't think it's my best but I still kind of like it.  I don't paint too many men so that's always a challenge for me, and I'm still learning watercolors so it's not too bad.  I have a hard time getting the shadows as dark as I would like them to be.  Something is also a little off on the face but since I have been staring at it for a couple hours I can't figure out what it is.  Maybe the eyes?? 

Here are a couple progress shots

Here is a reference photo for the people who may not watch Game of Thrones:

Dressing up a plain gray maxi dress

I know I've already posted so many outfit posts about maxi dresses but I can't help it!  I love them!  They are so versatile!  Just to show you what I mean I created an outfit started with just a plain gray maxi dress and then started accessorizing.  Once you start adding all of your little details you can end up with a nice edgy/dressy look that's very put-together.

Dress  |  Necklace  |  Belt  |  Shoes  |  Purse  |  Bracelet  | Jacket

What do you think??

If you like this outfit you might also like:

Red Maxi Skirt with a Little Edge

Chevron Maxi with Mint accessories

Leopard Maxi Skirt

Fourth of July Fashion Finds

Wedge heels  /  Converse shoes  /  Earrings  /  Sandals  /  Shorts(Bottom Left)  /  Top  /  Shorts(Middle)  

10 Fun Summer Date Ideas

My husband and I absolutely LOVE summertime and warm weather.  We are very outdoorsy people, so I thought I would share our list of things that we want to do this summer.

1. Picnic in the park-  Go for a nice walk in the park and bring a basket for a nice lunch date.
2. Mini golf- Have fun and flirty time and place bets on who will have the best score at the end.  Loser buys the ice cream!
3. Bonfire- Sometimes summer nights can get a little chilly, so gather around a nice warm fire and roast some marshmallows.  Maybe even start a marshmallow fight!
4. Back yard BBQ- What's better than firing up the grill and inviting over some friends for a cookout.  Throw in some cards or a drinking game and that's even better.
5. Check out the stars-  Lay out a nice blanket, maybe even pop open a bottle of champagne, and try to find constellations together
6. Go biking/skating- Nothing is better than going out and being active together.  Just soaking in the sun and getting a nice workout at the same time.
7. Boating- You could spend a nice lazy day in the river, bring a few fishing poles and see who gets the bigger catch, or if you're feeling adventurous you could try some tubing or water skiing.
8. Drive-in theater- It's a nice classic date with a summertime twist.  You can bring as many snacks as you want and no one will yell at you for talking during the movie!
9. Go to an amusement park/water park-  Who wouldn't want to ride some roller coasters or fly down one of those speed waterslides?! 
10. Food festival-  Have fun trying new foods together, and seriously who doesn't LOVE to eat!?

What are some things that you want to do this summer?? 

Sunday Social

This weeks questions:

1. What’s your favorite scary movie?
I don't know that I have a "favorite" but the ones that always scared me the most were the Freddy Krueger movies.

2. What is your favorite weird TV show you think no one else watches?
For a while a was a little obsessed with the "Say Yes to the Dress" shows. haha!!  Those are the one were a lot of really obnoxious women are looking for their perfect wedding dress and having a really hard time.  I just liked to see what one they ended up with.

3. What is the song you can sing all the words to without any music?
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz.  It me and my hubby's song <3

4. What is your favorite book to re read?
I have re read the Lord of the Rings book SO. MANY. TIMES. that I had to rebuy them because they were falling apart.

5. The one website you visit more times a day than others?
Facebook.  I'm addicted

Game of Thrones watercolor portrait

I'm still trying to get a little bit better with watercolor so I wanted to attempt another portrait.  This time I tried Daenerys/Khaleesi from Game of Thrones.

Ignore the line under her eye... the paint found a rough spot on the paper and stuck to it. lol!  It's definitely not perfect and I've got a lot of learning to do but I think you can at least tell who it is supposed to be!  Maybe??  Okay, if not here is the image I used to draw and paint it.

Sorry, I don't have any progress photos for this one.  I didn't have much time so I kind of took it and ran with it until it was done.

My husband is SUPER obsessed with this show.  I have a love/hate relationship with it...  If you've ever watched it then you probably know why.  Any time you start to like a character they die or something completely awful happens to them!  I think the only reason I still watch is because it's like a train wreck and I can't look away.  I HAVE to know what happens to the characters and that keeps me watching.

Are there any shows out there that you love to hate??

Linking up to: Artsy Corner Thursday, Creative Every Day, Paint Party Friday, Friday Sketches, Artists Playroom, Sunday Sketches

Three Rivers Arts Festival

I've lived in Pennsylvania for a very long time and I am obviously a HUGE lover of the arts, so it may come as a surprise to you that I have never gotten my butt out to the Pittsburgh Arts Festival!  The festival showcases over 300+ artists from all over the country!  They also have live bands, a bunch of different food booths, and a craft section for younger children.

This year the festival ran from June 6th-13th.  We went last Sunday and had a lot of fun!  Little miss Paige got a little cranky because she was hot and she wanted to run free but other than that it was great.  She loved the fountain.

I've decided that I am going to try to be a showcasing artist next year at the festival.  I have to wait until open submission time at the end of this year to try to get accepted, but fingers crossed I will get to try it out next summer!

My 2nd Liebster Award!!

I am so excited to be accepting my second Liebster Award!  I was nominated by Neisa over at The Flannel Flower, and I couldn't be happier.  Big thank you for reading my blog and thinking of me for this great award.  I really appreciate it! Neisa blogs about just about everything!  She has a great grungy/bohemian fashion style that I really love and awesome taste in music!  Soooo what I'm saying is, you should probably check out her blog and say hello! 

THE RULES

• thank the blogger who tagged me.
• say 11 facts about me.
• answer the 11 questions written by the person who tagged me.
• write my own 11 questions.
• tag 11 up and coming bloggers.

11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1. Sometimes I pretend to be a T Rex and chase my daughter around the house.  She LOVES it!  Thinks it is the funniest thing EVER!
2. I gave up all soda/pop over 2 years ago.  We say "pop" here in Pittsburgh! I gave up coffee after college. Now it's only tea for me.
3. I LOVE football.  I scream at the tv until I lose my voice...and then I try to scream some more.  And since I'm from Pittsburgh, I love my Steelers.
4. When I watch scary movies I have to have my husband with me and as soon as they start to play the suspenseful music and you know someone is about to jump out, I look away or pretend to rub my eyes so it doesn't make me jump. hahaha!!  My husband caught on and teases me about it all the time.
5. I'm kind of a pack rat.  I keep all kinds of memorabilia that I think is special.  Ticket stubs, theater show programs, my hospital bracelet from when I had my daughter, etc.
6. I have a HUGE shopping addiction.
7. Most girls love chocolate, my happy food is strawberries.
8. I am pretty accurate with a gun, bow, and throwing knives.  I must have been a bad-ass in a past life or something!! haha
9. I'm a big cuddler.  I could probably spend an entire day just snuggled up with my hubby and baby....if she would let me.
10. Indian food kind of scares me.  I don't know why.  The bright orange sauce just makes me think of how bad my stomach will hate me if I would it eat.  But I hear it is very good!
11. I don't really drink much but I love margaritas. Sooo good!

ANSWERS TO THE FLANNEL FLOWER'S QUESTIONS

1. Buddy the Elf, What's your favorite color?

Purple!  I love purple, but I wear wore black and grey than anything else.

2. What's your favorite type of music?

I like a little bit of everything.  I love rock, alternative, punk, etc.  Not a big fan of country but I'm used to listening to it because that's all my family listens to. LOL

3. What is your favorite hair product?

I'm insanely lazy when it comes to my hair.  Or to put it nicer "low maintenance".  I let it air dry and I brush it...that's about it. If I put anything in it, it's Aussie's leave in conditioner.  It smells so good!

4. If you had a time machine, where and what time period would you travel too?

I don't think I would go too far because there was always something scary (like wars) going on, so I would probably pick the 80s! Best. Music, Ever. hahaha!!

5. What is your favorite book, if you don't read, what is your favorite movie?

It's super lame but I always saying The Lord of the Ring's trilogy because I reread them once a year!  I love them!  Favorite movie of all time is a tie between Jurassic Park and Robin Hood:Men in Tights

6. What is your blog about, and why did you chose the topic?

I blog about art, fashion, and life.  I started this blog to keep myself motivated to continue my art and as sort of an online journal.  Art has always something that I have loved creating and felt really passionate about.

7. Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Donuts? if you have never been to either, where do you buy donuts?

Dunkin' Donuts! So good!  I feel like Krispy Kreme are mostly are and sugar...not that most donuts aren't mostly sugar, but they are actually crunchy from sugar. Yuck!

8. What is your favorite holiday?

When I was younger it was Halloween, but now that I'm a little older it's Christmas.  I loved shopping for gifts that I know people will love.  Their faces when they open them is the best!

9. Pick any two celebrities to be your parents.

I don't think I would want to be any celebrity's kid.  Paparazzi chasing you around with cameras and parents never around.....ehhh

10. If you could go into any book or movie, where would you go?

Avatar. Only because it looks SO beautiful there.

11. What food do you absolutely hate?

Sushi.  I just can't do it.  I don't like foods with strange textures...yeah, I'm a weirdo

My questions for my 11 bloggers I'm going to choose:

1. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be and why?
2. What is one food that you could eat every day and not get sick of it?
3. What is your biggest pet peeve?
4. Do you have any strange talents?
5. What's the most embarrassing song on your playlist?
6. Who is your celebrity crush?
7. What is one thing you couldn't live without?
8. What is you favorite part of summer?
9. Why did you start blogging?
10. What is one talent that you wish you had?
11. What is your favorite quote from a movie?

I nominate any new or not so new blogger that is giving it a shot!
***If you accept and answer my questions, make sure you message me and let me know!!  I would love to read your answers and learn more about you!***

Thanks for reading!! <3

Happy Father's Day!!!

I took a day off of blogging yesterday, so I just wanted to say HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of the dads out there!!  

Most of all I would like to say how much I appreciate these men right here..

TOP RIGHT:  My hubby.  He is the best daddy a little girl could ever ask for.  The way her face lights up when she walks into a room shows me that she knows how lucky she is and she loves him with all of her heart.  Paige is definitely a daddy's girl.
BOTTOM LEFT: My dad.  We haven't always seen eye to eye, but we've become much closer over the past few years.  I'm very glad that we can let go of the past and move on.
BOTTOM RIGHT: My father in law.  A huge thank you to him for raising my husband to be the man he is today, and for also being so welcoming to me from the moment he met me, and treating me like I was your own daughter.

And a very special Happy Father's Day to my Pop Pop in heaven.  I miss you every day <3

Social Sunday

1.)  4 favorite phone apps

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• The Weather Channel

2.)  4 favorite Summer TV shows

EEEKK!  I don't actually have an answer for this one.  I don't watch tv in the summer.

3.)  4 things you would NEVER do
(I'm going to have a little fun with this one, don't take me too seriously)

• trip an old lady
• hug a clown
• wear flippers to the bar
• eat tacos for breakfast

4.)  4 items you carry with you no matter what

• Cell phone
• Debit Card
• Keys
• Chap Stick

5.)  4 blogs we should follow

• The Grits- She is probably one of the sweetest bloggers out there.  Always willing to help new bloggers in any way she can
• A Beautiful Mess- They have probably one of the biggest blogs ever but they still have new content every single day.  They are always doing the best DIY projects.
• Talk2theTrees - I've been following her blog for a very long time, WAY before I was ever blogging.  She's a fantastic artist and a very unique soul
• Vintage Lollipops- She is another art blogger, whose style I absolutely LOVE.  She creates beautiful work and shares her great photos.

Friday Favorites- Father's Day Gift Ideas

Happy Friday everyone!!  It's almost the weekend!  Don't forget, Sunday is Father's Day, so make sure you have something for your dad, husband/child's dad, grandpa, whoever!!  In  the spirit of the holiday I thought I would share some of my favorite Father's Day DIY projects around the web.

I love all of these great ideas!  I have a few ideas to try too but I don't want to post what I'm doing until after Father's Day, just in case my hubby decides to snoop on the blog. haha!  Here is where you can find each one around the web:

Finger-painted stenciled canvas- Silhouette Blog

Craving some Creativity

Design Dining and Diapers

"I love you this much" Card - Day In My Life

Tie Rack- Poppies at Play

Having a momma moment

I'm sorry if I haven't been getting back to all of your comments and your new posts as fast as I normally do.  I've been snuggling with this little bug and I haven't been able to pull myself away.  I can't get enough of her cute little face.  

I was looking through pictures over the weekend and actually had myself a good cry looking at all of her pictures and watching her grow.  I can't believe she's almost a year and a half old!!  Yeeessh! She will be 1 year and 4 months in a few days..

She is such a sweetheart and does the nicest things...  I had a migraine and was laying on the couch and she went and got her "Whoo whoo" (owl) that she sleeps with every night and she handed him to me and gave me a kiss on the forehead and pushed the hair out of my face...just like we do with her every night and at nap time.  It's the little things!  I hope she always keeps her kind heart. 

Paige's hair is finally long enough for pig tails!!  I am way too excited about that!

Being a stay at home mom is the best "job" I've ever had <3

15 Things About Me

I saw this random facts post on Bourbon, Lipstick, and Stilettos and she had such amazing answers that had me laughing out loud, so I wanted to give it a try too!  

1. What’s a nickname only your family calls you? My mom calls my Jul but no one else does...mostly because I hated the name Jewel....but it's different when my momma says it.  It just makes it okay!  My husband and I have all kinds of SUPER dorky names we call each other.  We are one of those "gag me with the cuteness overload" couples.  We've been together for almost 6 years and we're still that way.

2. Do you have any weird habits?  I'm a chronic phone checker.  I will check my phone for the time, put it back down and then have to check it again because I wasn't paying attention the first time.  I've got the worst ADD ever!

3. Do you have any weird phobias?  Driving!  It sounds so stupid and weird but I have a huge phobia of driving.  I'm going to be 30 this year and I STILL don't have my license.  My husband has been helping me overcome it though and I'm going to try for my license at the end of the month!  Wish me luck!  I'm also very claustrophobic.  I will walk 10 flights of stairs before I take an elevator

4. What song do you secretly love to blast and jam out to when you are alone? “."I Believe in a Thing Called Love" - The Darkness....and I sing it as loudly as possible.  The song is so ridiculous that it's good...does that make any sense??

5. What’s one of your biggest pet peeves? People who post vague status updates on Facebook just to get people to ask what's wrong, and then they don't answer anyone.  Same thing goes for vague texters!  Seriously?!?!  What's wrong with you?!

6. What’s one of your nervous habits? I stutter  and my hands shake so bad.  I was the maid of honor at my friend's wedding and I had to give a speech....It. Was. Awful.  I wrote it down on notecards because I knew I would freeze up and forget everything, but my hands were shaking so bad that I couldn't read the cards.  Aaaand then my voice started trembling...soo embarrassing 

7. What side of the bed do you sleep on? The left side.  And I curl up in the tiniest little ball possible

8. What was your first stuffed animal and what was its name? I don't remember my very first one, but my favorite was my "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" stuffed animal.  I took him everywhere with me...and I simply called him my Wabbit.

9. What drink do you always order at Starbucks or Dunkins? I love Starbuck Shaken Black Tea...so good!  If I'm craving a coffee drink, I go for the caramel frappacino   

10. Which way do you face in the shower?  I start by facing away but I end up facing it.  Apparently I'm a spinner.

11. Do you have any weird body skills? I can pick things up with my feet like a monkey.  Comes in handy when I have my baby on my hip and don't want to bend too much.  I'm kind of like a monkey. haha!

12. What is your favorite comfort food that you know is bad but you eat it anyway?  Vanilla oreos.  Why must they be so tasty?!?!  I once went through an entire container in one week...  I'm gross like that

13. What is a phrase or exclamation you always say? "Really?!" and it's usually spoken out of frustration.

14. What do you wear when you go to sleep?  Whatever hits my hand first.  I'm not very picky.  I have a drawer with comfy clothes and I just grab whatever.  I'm super attractive in my mix-matched clothing. 

15. What did you used to wear that you thought was cool, and now realize it wasn’t?  When I was in high school, I was such a tom boy.  I didn't really care what I looked like.  I wore all of my brother's hand me downs.  And then I started wearing big baggy pants.  I was so cool back then. haha!

If you liked this post you might also like:
5 Things I'm REALLY bad at
10 Things on my Summer bucket list
Sunday Social

Kennywood Park, PA

I already crossed one thing off of my Summer Bucket List!  My husband and I went to our local amusement park called Kennywood Park!  My mom watched the baby for us because we decided she was still just a little too small to go.  Definitely next year though!  We ended up going on a double date with my sister and her girlfriend.  We all had so much fun!

(another no makeup photo...cringe)

I wish I would have taken more photos while we were there.  I actually had to steal this collage photo from my sister's instagram. (Thanks Tehya!!)

Kennywood Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in America!  A couple cool facts about the park:

• Kennywood Park has been around since 1898!
• The Original Racer was the world's largest racing coaster when it was built in 1910.  It was later torn down and replaced by Kiddie land.  They built the newer racer in 1927
• When the Steel Phantom was built in 1991 it was the fastest coaster in the world (80+ mph) with the longest drop (225ft).

 Do you have any neat historic landmarks around your area??

Sunday Social

1. When do you take time for you?
When my daughter takes her nap in the middle of the day, and sometimes after she goes to bed at night. She's 15 months old so she is at that age when she is into EVERYTHING, so I have to watch her closely.

2. What do you find to be your biggest weakness?
I'm very overly critical of myself.

3. What is your biggest attribute?
I'm a very creative person. I always have a new idea in my head that I can't wait to create; whether it be new art, a craft, or even a blog post idea.

4. What is your favorite place to shop online?
Oh man, I don't think I can pick just one... Forever 21, Express, Charlotte Russe, and Wet Seal. Clothes!! I'm obsessed!

5. What is your favorite place to kill time?
The internet. That counts, right? When I turn on my computer it's amazing how much time goes by. lol!

Maleficent watercolor painting

It's been a little while since I created some art and I wanted to really challenge myself.  I'm still learning how to paint with watercolors and this was my first attempt at a portrait.

I have always been a really huge Disney fan so I was super excited to hear about them recreating this classic.  Maleficent was the scariest bad guy in any Disney movie, in my opinion.  I also love that they used Angelina Jolie in it because I am a HUGE fan.

I haven't seen the movie yet but it is definitely on my list!!

Here are a few progress shots:

If you liked this post you might also enjoy:
The Notebook- my painting
Sin City- Jessica Alba painting
Mila Kunis- Charcoal drawing

My Summer Bucket List

Last year Paige was still too young to do a lot of things so I spent most of my summer indoors. This year now that she is a little older (15 months) and able to move around, I am really excited to go out and do a bunch of things.  I've started a list of things that I want to do while the weather is nice.

1. Drive in movie- Because, why not?!  I think it would be a lot of fun, and it's something I haven't done since I was a little girl.  Last movie I saw at the drive-in was Jurassic Park...yeah, it's been that long!
2. Trip to the zoo -  I think it would be really fun to see the look on my daughter's face when she sees all of the big "kee cats".  She LOVES animals.
3. Hiking-  I'm a very big outdoorsy girl, so I love hiking trails...or making our own.  My husband and I hike near the state park and go rock climbing.
4. Watch fireworks-  I missed them last year because Paige was still so young and needed to go to bed.  This year it will be past her bedtime but maybe if we are out with people she won't be terrible.  Wishful thinking maybe??  She loves lights so I think she will enjoy seeing them.
5. Hang out by the pool- So, last year I was only in a pool once....for 10 minutes.  Yeah...I reeeally need to find a pool. Paige loves bathtime so she should like that too!
6. Go to a food festival- I LOVE to eat!  I should seriously be 300lbs.  I like the food festivals because they set up stands with food from all around the world so you get to try all kinds of new things.  But who am I kidding, I always go for the pierogies, halushki, and bourbon chicken. Mmmmm!!
7. Go to an amusement park-  I haven't been to the local amusement park (Kennywood) in 3 years!  That's craziness!  I want to ride some roller coasters and feel the wind in my hair and scream until I lose my voice.  Okay maybe not the second part...
8. Be a beach bum-  I also haven't been to the beach in a couple years.  I used to go every year of my life, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  BUT this year I already have a hotel booked!  We are going for a long weekend at the end of July, since I have to be out that way for a family reunion anyway.  This will be Paige's first time at the beach.  She may hate it because she hates when things stick to your hands and thats all sand does...All. Day. Long.
9. Have a bon fire-  Nothing says summer like roasting up some marshmallows and keeping warm by the fire.  And of course SMORES!  I like to make Sm-oreos.  A roasted marshmallow between an oreo...so sweet!
10. Play in the sprinkler-  Because every once and a while you have to act like an 8 year old.  Also,  I have a kid so I can use her as an excuse. haha!!

Perfect purple summer outfit

This may be my favorite summer outfit I've ever posted.  I am a little too obsessed with the color with purple.  I love how great it looks with both grey and black.  I also have a big soft spot for anything with leopard print.  I love the edginess of this outfit, while still looking completely put together.  The sandals are Tory Burch, whom I absolutely love!  The bag is Prada....which I could only dream of owning.  haha!

Necklace /  Shoes  /  Bag  /  Shorts  /  Top  /  Earrings  /  Makeup

What are some of your favorite colors together in an outfit?  What are some of the items on you wishlist?

Hope you had a great weekend!!