Spring has Sprung

Well it's officially Spring time. And besides the snow blizzard yesterday morning, it's actually starting to look like Spring around here. Sure, there's snow and ice everywhere still but if you look up into the sky, you see blue and sunshine.

This weekend is my studio's first competition. I'm excited to attend my first competition and support the girls (and boy). They've been working so hard. It's going to be a whole other universe then I'm use to. I'm excited to feel like I belong somewhere.

It's also around the time where I start looking for a new job again. I've pulled out the ol' resume (which isn't so ol' as I've updated it more times this year then I know what to do with) and dusted it off. I've made a list of all the job websites and companies I'm interested in in Arkansas and am hoping for the best. Send me your good thoughts?

I'm having good feelings about this move. I'm really excited to experience a part of the country that I've never been to before. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and exploring a culture I know nothing about. I think a good feeling about finding a job there and if that doesn't pan out, I have back up plans. 

But moving isn't the only thing I'm looking forward to in the next 6 months! My best friend is coming to visit in May (AHHHH!) and it's also my boyfriend's birthday in May (as well as my momma!). In June, Jake and I along with some close friends, are heading to Las Vegas to check out Electronic Daisy Carnival for the first time! I'm so excited, SO EXCITED. Then we move in July! Holy cow.

What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months?

Summer Eatin'

I don't know about you but when the heat hits,

all I want to eat is something cold.

No soups, no pastas, no melted sandwiches.

It's too hot, yo!

So my summer eatin' routine? 

Wonderful, chilled, delicious salads!!

The Wedge.

The wedge salad is always a great way to go.

I enjoy them because they can be dressed nicely on a plate,

mostly because there's no tossing or mixing all the salad

fixings together, you just cut a wedge of lettuce and sprinkle, drizzle

and dash everything on top!

Traditional wedge salads are made with Iceberg lettuce...

But lets be real, there's nothing in Iceberg lettuce so...Romaine is way better.

Click on the caption for recipe ideas courtesy of EatingWell.com.

Panzanella.

Have I ever told you how much I love Panzanella salads??

I made my first one last year for my sister's Bridal Shower.

They are so simple and fresh and lovely.

Fresh tomatoes, lovely baked croutons, fresh basil, yummo!

The recipe is easy, just look at the picture!

I like to make variations on the Panzanella, too!

Add chucks on fresh mozzarella and red, orange and yellow peppers

for a nice "Italian" feel.

Spice it up with by baking the croutons in Cajun or Jerk seasoning.

Add feta cheese for a Greek feeling!

These salads are very versatile.

Spinach with Fruits.

Lastly, I love summer salads because you can incorporate

fruit in!

One of my favorites is the above picture.

The base of spinach with added berries, maybe some toasted

nuts and throw on some goat cheese!

Mix with a light, maybe citrus dressing and BAM!

Delicious summer eatin'!

Adding fruit to a salad is a great way to mix it up.

It's healthy and different!

I love grilled shrimp tossed with citrus especially

because you can utilize the grill while diverting off the

hotdogs and hamburger track!

What are some of your summer salad faves??

Bloggy Blog Blog: What I'm Reading

As I work to expand my blog and my knowledge about blogging,

I do a LOT of reading.

A LOT.

I follow and read 37 blogs daily,

(Thank you Bloglovin!)

and try to keep lists and binders of inspiration!

So as I sit here catching up on some blog reading 

before I catch my train to work,

I decided that I want to post in honor of Spring this week 

and show you the 5 blogs I read that are talking about,

you guessed it,

SPRING TIME!

1. Camille Styles is everything I want to be and MORE. I don't know how I came across her blog but I am SO glad I did! Today she didn't really post about Spring necessarily but she did post about something that I noticed yesterday myself: All my friends are having babies! Check out her latest post but also stop by her inspiration section, it's wonderful there!

2. A new blog I'm following is EatDrinkChic based out of Australia! Her page is so pleasing to the eyes and has given me lots of inspiration! Check out her post for today, it talks about Spring fashion! 

3. Kendi Everyday is slowly working it's way up on my favorite's list!

I just love her fashion! I find myself shopping at the same places as she does 

she it makes me excited that one day I can have fashion posts like hers! Today, her outfit is just too adorable!

4. City of Dionne is a place I am still exploring but the first few glaces at the page are so aesthetically pleasing, you can't help but read further!

With a post titled Colors of the Sun, I couldn't NOT mention her!! So much color! it just brightens this day!

5. Dream Delight Inspire does all three of those for me! It's so dreamy, delightful and inspirational! She has such a variety of posts that I love. Today isn't about Spring, which would be the theme of my post, but she talks about dreams, and to me, that's Spring like!

I hope you enjoy reading what I'm reading! Maybe you can see where I get some ideas and who I idolize! I love that I idolize seemingly normal and everyday people!

What do you think?

Who do YOU enjoy reading??

Bridge The Gap: Nautical

Alright, I have something to confess:

I love the nautical look.

The blue and white.

The stripes.

The hats and the accents of red.

Love. Love. LOVE.

I have something else to confess:

I have gone sailing at least sixty times not even ONCE.

But there's something about the beautiful, classic look of 

those stripes and cuffs.

*SIGH*

Looking at pictures makes me want to summer at the lake

with the family.

I really love that the nautical look has traveled through time and is finding it's new home in fashion today!!

I got inspiration for my post today from Tomboy Style,

which I talk about in my post, "Bloggy Blog Blog."

There's something about the light blue stripes that just does it for me!

What's your favorite fashion trend from the past

that's making a come back today??

Wreath-er or Not!

Whether it's Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter...

I think there is always room for a cute WREATH to brighten up a room,

a door,

or an outside wall!

I know that wreaths are associated with Christmas and the holidays, 

but I'm on a new mission to make wreaths for every season!

Before Christmas, I stumbled upon my new love for wreath making on A Beautiful Mess (One of my FAVORITE blogs..she's so cute and talented!) She inspired me to use different materials and different colors to brighten up any season! 

This was the product of the tutorial:

After I saw how EASY this was, I went straight to the fabric store.

Follow the directions on the link above or follow me to the directions here!

This was my product:

My colors weren't as Fall-like as the original picture but this has allowed me to keep my wreath up all winter and now into (hopefully *fingers crossed*) SPRING!

Over the next few weeks, I plan on making a new one with more bright colors! Maybe a Spring garland?!

So many possibilities!