14 December 2012

Christmas-time in the Apartment

While this doesn't exactly count as our "first" Christmas together because we're drove home on the twentieth. .  it's the first time that one of us has our own place to decorate.  Being college students, wedding planning, and without really good paying jobs. . we had a little wiggle room when it came to decorating funds. I did however manage to "borrow" a few awesome vintage pieces from my grandmothers house during the summer and they blend in quite perfectly if I do say so myself!




We also we out and bought our first Christmas tree! I had finals until the 19th which means we spent most of December in our little abode and there was therefore no reason not to have a tree. Getting it into Nic's mustang was a little bit of an ordeal but we (he) managed to fit it in. I even muttered my mom's favorite words of "how hard can it be?" and made my very own wreath from the branches that were trimmed off of our little guy. It's a bit quirky but I did it all by myself and I am darn proud! 



I'm really proud of how home-y the apartment feels. I'll admit that I was a little weary of this holiday season because of how off last years was but it's looking like it's going to be just magical.

I hope your decorating is going well and you're in the Christmas spirit! 

Ciao love bugs. xoxo

10 December 2012

Army Navy

Finally, a blog post about America's game! I've been planning this post for a while now, I just needed the pictures to go with it and I finally have them!

Army/Navy was held in Philadelphia this year and Nic's family invited me to come with them. The Hajner's flew in Friday morning and came over to our little abode for dinner Friday night. I wish I would have thought of taking pictures because we rarely have people over for a nice sit down dinner. Our apartment really felt like a home -- Christmas decorations and all!

Leaving at six thirty Saturday morning we barely got Nic there on time before heading over to Vicki and Ian's families fabulous tailgate. I experienced my first Bloody Mary (holy spicy) and will officially stick to mimosas from now on. Ay.

It was wonderful to see my friends and spend some quality time with the future in laws ::pause for dramatic effect, yes, in-laws:: In what I feel like is typical Navy football, it came down to the last quarter of the game and a fumble from Army left us winning for the eleventh year. A perfect end to a super fun football season!






Sunday was a dreary day but we ventured into Philly so they could all get a cheesesteak. I will say my hot cocoa breakfast was just delicious. ;) Oh the life of a gluten free individual. Some men were selling trees on a street corner and they did what I only thought happened on tv shows for dramatic effect and made a fire in a trash can. Of course we needed a picture, and I just wanted to get toasty by the fire!


I'm glad Navy continued their winning streak I'm more thankful for such a fabulous weekend. Good luck to everyone dealing with finals this week. Towson doesn't believe in reading days -- lame.

Ciao. xoxoxo

02 December 2012

Awkward & Awesome

A fun way to catch up with what has been going on these past few weeks during my blogging hiatus. I'm going to try to make these posts a monthly occurrence because lets face it, I'm a terribly awkward individual so there's bound to be some good stuff. 
You know how you always joke with people and say they're going to get pneumonia unless the dress warmer? Ya, well, I was that person who actually got pneumonia and ended up in the hospital for five days. Whoops? 

A mouse. Was in my house. And I had a meltdown. I then preceded to tell the office that the only mice I have ever had encounters with were in Petsmart. . But at least it was dead, I would have never been able to kill a live one. We would have just passed our hellos and then I would have been in my car on the way home. It did still take me twenty minutes to get that stupid little carcass on a spoon to put it in the trash. My apartment people at least have something to keep them laughing all month.

I've been fortunate enough to never have to take ice off of my windshield before. The few cold days that even happened at home my daddy took care of it. Needless to say, my excitement over an icey car died when I got in it and the windshield wiper wasn't taking it off. I had to call my dad so he could tell me what to do. .

Nic's eyebrows were shaved off on Wednesday due to his service selection at the Academy. So now my fiancé has no hair and eyebrows for the next few months. I'm trying not to think of how dirty he's going to look once his eyebrows start coming in. . Awk-freaking-ward.

I love pictures where both the girl and guy have this serious/fierce/so in love look so I naturally wanted to capture that during our engagement session. Well, I'm. Not. A. Serious. Person. and that really showed when we got back a few pictures where our immediate reaction was to burst out loud laughing. I'm a smiler and that lesson has officially been learned.
Minus the whole eyebrowless-ness, Nic getting his first choice during service selection is awesome and I am so incredibly proud of him. This also means we're officially moving to California at some point next summer or fall!

I finally finished my craft and have almost finished asking all of my bridesmaids. The wedding is starting to actually feel real and I am getting so giddy excited! Eek!

My apartment is starting to feel the Christmas cheer which is in turn making me oh so happy.

I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my entire family, go to my nephew's fourth birthday party and we were able to take our engagement photos before Nic's eyebrows disappeared. It was an extremely successful break and leaves me thinking Christmas should be just as good.


Not too terribly exciting, but you get the gist of what has been going on as of late.

Ciao love bugs! xoxo

16 October 2012

For Those Off Days

We all have those days. You know what ones I'm referring too. The day where you got enough sleep but are just exhausted. Or maybe it's that you just did absolutely awful on a test (not my case, I just killed my feminism midterm). Or you're just starving and can't find anything good to eat, or rather anything that you actually want to eat. Or your all time favorite jeans decided that a hole in your knee was so fetch l-a-m-e. Or you just don't know why you're having such an off day but you just are and that's good enough. Well, I'm having one of those "table for one with a big serving of self pitying soup" kind of days.

As per usual I turned to Pinterest to try and cheer myself up. But the quote section was just not doing it today. It actually just made me feel like I'm being a baby for having a pity party day. Well Pinterest quote makers let me tell you something, we all have these days so boo on you. I then did what any normal person would do and found cute pictures of cuddly animals instead, and now I feel better. So here's to sharing!

How you feel now (pre-cuteness overload): 


Cuteness:


How you feel now (post-cuteness overload): 


Oh, and I also found a video of a giggling penguin. Because if a giggling penguin doesn't make you smile nothing will.


Hope these pictures cheered up anyone who was having a "meh" day. I know they helped with mine!

Ciao love bugs. xoxo. 

10 October 2012

Grandma's Pumpkin Squares & Cream Cheese Frosting

The leaves are starting to change, the air's getting crisp, and pumpkin's on my brain. Everywhere I turn there are either pumpkins or pumpkin flavored things. Not to mention mums!! I've never seen mums before, or maybe I have and I just never noticed them, but they're so fall. I love them!

The fact that I'm experiencing fall for the first time is fabulous except my cake/cupcake/doughnut cravings have escalated to unbearable levels. Being gluten free isn't terrible but I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that I can't order a pumpkin loaf with my pumpkin spice latte while going through the Starbucks drive-thru. Combine that with thinking about my grandmother's pumpkin squares and I'm going insane. To try and save some sanity I decided to try the pumpkin squares with a gluten free twist. I mentioned the plan to Nic and he was just as excited as I was so I figured we'd do it.

Pumpkin Squares:
- 1 (16oz) can of Libby's Pumpkin Puree
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/3 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of oil
Stir together 
- 2 cups of flour (I use Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free flour mix)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
Mix the wet mixture into the flour mixture until smooth 

Pour into a baking dish (what you would use for brownies) and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes

Cream-cheese Icing
- 3 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of soft butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Powdered sugar to taste (it's a lot)
Beat together until smooth 

Once the pumpkin squares have cooled spread the cream-cheese icing over them. Enjoy!

 

Enjoy with coffee brewed at home with Bailey's Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer (it's actually really delicious) and I promise you'll be in a pumpkin heaven.

Happy baking! And happy fall!

Ciao! xox

08 October 2012

FreeFest & The Weekend

I had a fabulously fun weekend spent with friends and lots of cuddling. It was exactly what I needed after the last two weeks of mayhem with school. After much convincing and perfect timing Nic finally dragged me along to a music festival. I was really hesitant on whether I'd like it or not since I'm not at all into Skrillex. It's a bunch of scratching and not a lot of words to sing along with and I like to sing while I dance. But much to my very happy surprise it was a blast! I got to dance around like I was at eighties night again -- SCORE -- and wear a crazy outfit. Yes, that is my "crazy", sorry I'm not sorry about it. Anyways, the lights were awesome, the base was loud and I was with great people. Oh, and I'm starting to like margaritas again which is most definitely noteworthy.




The rest of the weekend was a lot more relaxing. We had planned on going to Grape Stomp on Sunday which is this amazing festival at a vineyard we love where you actually get to stomp grapes!! I've been looking forward to going since we visited the vineyard in April but it rained both here and there and an outdoor festival in the rain just didn't seem worth the hour drive. :( Hopefully we'll be able to make the trek next week. 

The rain brought in a drastic weather change. Saturday I was wearing a skirt and tank in the day and today I'm in a Northface, boots and considering turning on the heat. Fall has finally arrived! 

I must share some shots of how absolutely adorable Eevah is with the two of us. I love her (and Nicy, of course) beyond belief.  


I'll bid y'all adaeu with another good quote. It seemed fitting after FreeFest. Whether it's country, rock, techno or a good ol' banjo make sure to take the time to step away from everything and dance for a moment or two.


Have a fabulous week and don't forget to break it down a few times.

Ciao! xoxo

03 October 2012

One Day at a Time

I am willing to bet that these last two weeks have been the most overwhelming ones of my life so far. Between getting engaged and an important test in every class I am both exhausted and constantly excited and giddy. My sparkly left finger has acted as good therapy for whenever I get upset (I mean how can you be upset long when you remember you're marrying your best friend?! It's impossible).

While my motivation book is un-motivating to read and this weekend's on my brain I just keep telling myself to make it until Friday. I'll be free from all of my tests for a week and can turn the apartment into a fall heaven. Just keep swimming.

I found this little gem on pinterest the other day and thought it was worth sharing, especially since it's something I don't remember nearly as much as I should. It's easy to look at everything I need to do, and then get overwhelmed but life is a lot less scary when we look at each day individually.


Here's to conquering the rest of this week one day at a time! 

Ciao! 

xoxoxo

17 September 2012

WE'RE ENGAGED!

That title is still hitting me by shock. Slowly -- very slowly -- I'm coming to terms with the fact that this entire weekend wasn't  a dream and that Nic and I are in fact engaged. Engaged!!! Oh my golly goodness.

Words aren't capturing the emotions and joy that was felt this day. So while I am going to try my very hardest to tell you all what happened and convey the happiness and love that we felt, there are pictures at the bottom of this post that I'm sure will get the job done if I somehow can't.

I truly don't even know where to begin. Some of y'all have responded with "it was only a matter of time" and you're right. . you could say this day has been in the making for six and a half years but it still is just so surreal.

Saturday started off extremely busy. While we had a pleasant day planned it was jammed packed and started quite early as Nic had to leave around 5 to get back to the Academy on time for his morning work-outs. We had the whole day. He was getting done with his workouts around 12:30-1 and then Eevah and I were heading over for a quick picnic.

After leaving later than I was supposed to, hitting traffic and not being able to find parking I finally sat outside of seventh wing texting Nic that I was there so we could trek over to hospital point together. While I was excited for the picnic it was warm and I was tired of walking so when Nic responded. "My car's in the parking lot. The keys are in the front tire if you don't mind driving it over for me. :)" I didn't think twice.  Yes, it was a little odd but I didn't have to walk so I was happy.

As I was driving over I looked across the water to the fields where we have our picnics to see a group of mids standing around in their chokers (the absurdly fancy long sleeve special occasion uniforms). I snickered to myself about how much it must stink to be standing out there in the sun. As I pulled up I was directed on where to park by a boy I had never met before. Eevah jumped out of the car as soon as I opened the door (lovely little doggy). Upon finding the other end to her leash I hopped out of the car and was told to "follow the rose petal path". I gave him a quizzical look until I walked around the car and saw exactly that. . a path of red rose petals leading up to the guys in chokers and my Nicholas. I didn't know what to do so I clung to Eevah as though my life depended on it and just followed the rose petals.

Someone said something and their swords were forming an arch that I walked under. When I finally got to Nic he had me put Eevah down and took both of my hands in his. Before I could catch my breathe and process what was happening my best friend in the entire world was down on one knee asking me to marry him.

Only after congratulations from all of his friends who make this so special and while we were sitting by the water enjoying our picnic did it really hit me. My best friend just asked me to marry him in the most romantic, and surprising way I could ever imagine. We're getting married. :: cue giggles :: I haven't stopped smiling since nor have I stopped staring at the gorgeous ring on my finger.

I can truly say I have never been happier in my life and I think I can vouch for the fact that he hasn't been either. I've never felt surrounded by so much love and joy, it continues to bring me to tears.

Thank you so much for all of your well wishes! Enjoy the pictures!

 

12 September 2012

Family Time

I'm the type of person who tries to hold off on the "social media trends" for as long as I can. It took me forever to get a twitter (and even longer to actually use it) and the same goes for instagram. But just like twitter I'm now becoming obsessed. I bring this up because my family recently flew up to Pennsylvania for a wedding and I was lucky enough to meet them at my grandparents for a few days. Their home was jam packed with two toddlers, a puppy, and five adults so it made for quite an interesting time. 

I forgot my camera so I relied on my phone and instagram. The pictures came out quite cute and here are a few of my favorites.




If you don't already and you want to stay more up-to-date with what's going on in my every day life you can click on those handy new icons in the top right of my blog. For those of you who do have instragram you can follow me @kamariahr.

Have a fabulous week and take lots of pictures!

Ciao. xoxo.