SUMMER!

Well Okinawa, rainy season is over and summer is officially here! Drink lots of water and wear your sunscreen!

XOXO

Happy Monday!

Last Day, Thanksgiving Weekend, and Christmas Decorating!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend with family, friends, good food and shopping!!

The last few days have been pretty insane for me. Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was my "last day" of work until after baby Wizini is born and my maternity leave is exhausted. It was bitter sweet since it was also the last day I'll be working with my supervisor, since she is PCSing.

Thursday was of course Thanksgiving, which we spent with my parents and a couple of our friends. Oh, and let's not forget going to the movies later that night and watching Breaking Dawn! Yes...I'm a Twilight fan.

After Thursday, it was mostly shopping, shopping, shopping. But I must say, I was able to buy Christmas presents for the majority of people on our list. We only have about four more people to shop for.

And of course, I can't leave out that we decorated for Christmas! Well, Josh helped with the tree and I did everything else. He was kind of a scrooge last year, so I was surprised at how excited he was when I said that it was time to put up the tree. Maybe it's because we're about to have a baby....

This post is getting pretty long so I'm gonna end it now with a few photos of my Christmas decor. Enjoy!

Table centerpiece

I love my Japanese Santa!

XOXO
Happy Monday!

37 Weeks and Waiting

So...last Sunday Josh and I had our maternity photos taken and I just can't wait to see them! I'm so excited about them that I had to go out and take some of my own to keep me satisfied until I get the "real" photos! So here are a couple that I had the hug-a-hubby take for me at the seawall. And of course I got one of him as well =)

XOXO,

Happy Monday!

'Tis the Season...

...to send Santa my Christmas wish list! Family, please be sure Santa gets my list since I should be on the "Nice" list! *This is not in any particular order*

This here, this is not a book. This is actually a clutch. A very cute clutch by Kate Spade. This can be found here: The Importance of Being Earnest Book Clutch

I just absolutely LOVE Michael Kors...this MK bag can be found here: MICHAEL Michael Kors Handbag, Grayson Large Satchel

...And this MK watch can be found here: Michael Kors Watch, Women's Goldtone Stainless Steel Bracelet MK5166

Now we have something to help me with my crafting...a Cricut! This handy dandy machine can be found here: Cricut Expression 2

And last on my list is some lovely jewelry from Suzanne Somersall. I've been wanting some of her pieces for a while now, so I figured I'd go ahead and add them to my Christmas list. Although she has a website: http://kirakirajewelry.com/ She sells some of her pieces at the Kadena and Navy Gift Shop's here on island...and for much lower prices too!

So friends, if you're reading this, please let my family know. And family, if you're reading this...please make sure Santa sees it. I mean come on, I've been extra good this year, carrying this baby in my belly for nine months and all!

XOXO

Happy Tuesday!

The Nursery

I'm 36 weeks now and so I have been working on getting Jaycen's room ready and it's pretty much complete! It's supposed to be "Jungle" themed, but as you can see, it's more "lime green" themed. Which is completely fine because I think it still looks good!

You see the kinda bare wall to the left with the elephant painting? Once I get our maternity photos printed on canvas and his future newborn photos printed, that wall will no longer be bare!

Fall = My Favorite!

The Fall season is my favorite time of year. It's filled with such wonderful colors and oh so yummy smells. It puts me in the "holiday" spirit. This year I had thought about skipping out on the fall decor and going straight to decorating for Christmas since 1) baby Wizini's 9 month journey is coming to an end and I'm getting to the point where I just don't have too much energy anymore and 2) because I'm just so excited for the Christmas holiday! But I decided not to skip out on the fall decor because I absolutely love my big ole Thanksgiving turkey figurine!

See the big ole turkey next to my lamp? Isn't he beautiful?!

XOXO

Happy Monday!

Coconut M&M's???

Yup. That's right. And I bought 5 bags...but I'm down to 4 now. These are the best things since sliced bread and I'm so happy the PX got some back in stock! Ever since the first time Josh bought them a couple months back I've been craving them and the exchange has been sold out. But today, as I was in line to check out, there they were. Calling out to me. So of course I couldn't resist. And now my tummy is satisfied.

XOXO
Happy Monday!

Before & After

I can't believe I'm doing this post, because 1) Who am I to give a "tutorial" on how to do something and 2) The before photo of me is HORRENDOUS! But I decided to do it anyway because I think it's a nice simple tutorial that I think a lot of people will find useful. But first, here is the before, super ridiculously not-so-pretty photo of me and the well improved after:

As you can see I made some major changes...er, improvements to this photo. Mainly, I got rid of all the nasty little pimples on my forehead along with some of my "beauty marks" and I also smoothed out my skin. You can also see that I didn't go overboard with airbrushing and the image still looks natural and not plasticky like some of the airbrushed photos that are out there. Before I begin the tutorial, let me just say that there are many ways to correct facial blemishes and to airbrush skin, but this is the way that I find works best for me.

1. Open the photo that you would like to correct.
2. For blemishes and pimples, select your Spot Healing Brush tool and adjust the brush size to what you think is best. Then start clicking away on the blemishes.
3. Once you have corrected the blemishes, create a Duplicate Layer. You can name it whatever you want, but I usually name it "airbrush".
4. Then go to your filters and select Gaussian Blur. This is where you'll have to use your best judgement so that your photo doesn't look plasticky. For doing this, you'll want to adjust the radius, it'll somewhat vary between all photographs. Be sure to look at the preview screen to see how much it smooths out the skin. Be sure to select "ok" after you've set your radius.
5. Once this is complete, you'll want to go to Layers, Layer Mask, then select Hide All.
6. After doing this, select your Brush tool and start "painting" over your subjects skin. Be sure to avoid the eyes and lips. Once you have painted the skin, everything should look nice and smooth like the above photo on the right.

Here's to nicer looking skin! ...No cosmetic surgery required.

XOXO
Happy Tuesday!

I Know It's Only September....

But I just couldn't help but get started on my Halloween decorating! This is only the dining table, but I also plan on decorating the buffet/entry table as well!

...And yes, I know I spelled "pumpkin" wrong...I blame it on baby brain.

XOXO
Happy Monday!!

Hugs & Bugs {Non-Fall Weather & The Military}

Today Josh and I attended a class offered by the Airman & Family Readiness Center called "Bundles for Babies". The class basically covered how to budget for a baby and a bunch of other "administrative" things we need to do once baby Jayce is finally here, like enrolling him in DEERS and Tricare, getting his passport, SSN, etc. If you're a first time parent out here with the military I do recommend attending this class because it's very informative about what documents and paperwork you need to complete once your baby is born. And as an added bonus you get this awesome "bundle" of goodies!

If you can't see everything, this is what came in the bundle: A blanket (of our choice!), the Air Force Aid Society tote, two crib sheets, a pack of white onesies, a pack of sleep 'n plays, a thermal blanket, a bath set (hooded towel & washcloth), two pairs of mittens, three bibs, and three burp cloths.

And that leads me to today's Hugs & Bugs!

Today's Bugs go to:

• Heartburn!! I never had it before getting pregnant, but now it seems to attack me all the time! This baby better have a lot of hair on his head!
• Starbucks...the one out in town. Because they don't do decaf Caramel Macchiatos.
• Non-Fall weather. Oh Okinawa, I love you, but I wish you had a Fall season. How I miss the Fall weather of Georgia....

Today's Hugs go to:

• Gap maternity work pants. I love you. I might even consider wearing you after the baby is born.
• My mom. Who hems said work pants because I'm a shorty.
• The military. For all the benefits and programs it offers to those who serve.

XOXO
Happy Tuesday!

27 Weeks and Some Days

Well, I haven't posted in anything in a while and I haven't posted any photos of my baby bump lately...so here it is! This post also serves as a fashion post. I'm still lucky enough to be able to wear some "normal" clothes a.k.a. non-maternity clothes and this top is one of them. I actually think it's supposed to be a dress, but it's a little too short for my comfort...at least right now because of the baby belly. So I paired it with with some leggings and whaddaya know?? A perfect outfit for work...and any other day for that matter.

XOXO

Happy Wednesday!

Fashion Friday: Scarfs!

Although it's not "Fall" weather here in Okinawa and never really gets "fall-ish" around here, I still love me some scarfs! I just feel like scarfs can pull an outfit together. It's an accessory that can make something plain look a million times more classy.

In this photo I'm just wearing jeans, a white tank top and cadigan...but with the added scarf...walla! A completed look!

XOXO
Happy Friday!
Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Fashion Friday

Well, it's been a minute since I've done a fashion post!

It used to be the mindset that when you got pregnant, trying to look cute and fashionable was out the window and in came the dreaded muumuus. However, today's pregnant women have a wide variety of fashionable pregnancy clothes to choose from. In trying to keep my "style" and not let myself go "down hill" I've invested in a few maxi dresses, some maternity jeans, and these super awesome pants....

I don't know what kind of pants these are called, but they're in style right now. These best thing about these is that the waistband is stretchy!

XOXO
Happy Friday!

The First Inspiration Board!

So right now I'm loving all things yellow and grey. I think they are two of the prettiest colors when joined together. I mean what's not to love about a happy pretty yellow and a sophisticated grey? Since I was feeling inspired by these two amazing colors, I decided to make an "inspiration board". This is the very first board in what I think will become a frequent thing on my blog, so let me know what you think!

*Made with Syle Me Pretty's easy "Build A Board" application.

XOXO

Happy Monday!

Artichoke Beauty

There is certainly no absolute standard of beauty. That precisely is what makes its pursuit so interesting.
-John Kenneth Galbraith

XOXO
Happy Wednesday!

Lazy Day Blog

I'm not feeling very bloggy today so I'm just gonna leave you with a TOTALLY AWESOME website:

Ladies and Gentlemen...may I introduce you to Pinterest. I absolutely love this website!

XOXO
Happy Monday!

The Plan

In preparation of my belly slowly getting in the way of everything, I would like to announce that I will not be scheduling photo shoots after September. FOREVER. Ha! Just kidding! You know I can't stay away from photography! I plan to pick back up on my biznaz in February. That's the plan, but don't hold me to it since life will be different once baby Wizini is here.

Another thing that I'm working into my plan is increasing the cost of my photography packages. Since starting up in 2009 I think I have come a long way in honing my skills and therefore feel that my pricing is a little low. When will the new fees apply you ask? When I start back up in February (knock on wood). So don't worry, you still have time to book a session with me at my lower prices. Just be sure it's not passed September.

Jorge, this is for you.

XOXO
HAppy Friday!

Not so Cuddly

Charlie. She's not a cuddler. This is evident in the photo below....

She definitely does not look too happy to be trapped in Josh's arms.

XOXO
Happy Thursday!

Just Like This One....

I'll admit, I was a little scared when I met this little guy. I mean, he was a bit hairy...with a long little beard and some scary horns...wouldn't you be scared? But once we got to know each other I SO wanted to take him home. Maybe one day when Josh and I are settled and not moving around so much, I can have a little guy just like this one....

XOXO
Happy Wednesday!

Passion Fruit

One of the things that I love about the summer is that it brings out a lot of fruit. And I LOVE fruit. One fruit that I had forgotten all about until attending a friends' wedding is the passion fruit. It's tart and gooey and seedy, but oh so yummy! If you've never had passion fruit, I encourage you to try it.

XOXO
Happy Thursday!