Empowerment/Life Thursday

I feel incredibly blessed. I have a wonderful home, a loving husband and so many family and friends that make my day happier and brighter just thinking about them. I don't know where I would be without these people and I don't ever want to know. They bring such a vibrance and peace to my life that I've never felt before. They're there when I need them, whether it be a shoulder to cry on, to listen to my angry rants or laugh and enjoy life with.

I wouldn't wish life any other way!

My parents are the most caring, giving people I know. Teenage life was rough and it was tough getting along like any family, but now I am thankfully out of that phase and have an appreciation for my parents that I've never had before. They are always there, always compassionate and give the greatest advice. They go out of their way to make sure and my sister and I feel loved and happy. They give and give and give, and I want to be able to give as much back and make them proud and happy, as they already are, to have me as their firstborn.

My Grama Mc makes me laugh! She says the funniest things and is so incredibly sweet. She's a no bullshit kinda person and I appreciate that about her. She took me on a cross country trip to South Dakota when I was a kid, and I still treasure that time and the photographic memories from that trip. She always looks beautiful and has the greatest laugh and a love for life and family that I so enjoy! She's thoughtful, caring and is there whenever you need her, no matter what it is. And she brings a fun sarcasm to everything.

I grew up with this beautiful Lady living down the street from me. We didn't exactly click at first, but now Meredith and I are the best of friends and I miss her all the time. I wish she didn't live so far, so we could spend more time together, but she's only a phone call away and I can talk to her about anything. She's funny, sweet, and has a laugh that inspires everyone around her to laugh too. She brightens up any and every room!

These Ladies rock! I always have soooo much fun with them! They are wild and crazy, but then we can talk about the most serious of things and we click together so much! I feel like I teenager whenever I have the opportunity to go and visit my Ames and Krista. Whether it be a night on the town in Laughlin, watching marathons of the Golden Girls or huddling together for a scary movie night, they're where I want to be. I can't imagine life without them and I will never let our friendships slip away. Even if I ever somehow wanted to, they'd never let me! LOVE you guys!

My husband is the funniest man I know. We talk about the weirdest things and we do the weirdest things and totally understand each other. I feel like I've found the other half of myself and he makes me so happy! I can't wait for us to renew our vows on our 5th anniversary this December!

Cousin Joey, Aunt Lanie, Mom, Uncle Mike, my sister Aubrey, and my baby cousin Aubrey

I love these people to death. There is no one like my Aunt and Uncle and I love spending time with them. They're silly, fun and make me feel so loved. My cousins are a huge part of my life and I love being around them. They are silly and crazy fun! I'm so happy when I'm around all these people.

My sister surprises me every day! She's so smart and beautiful and she has such a bright future ahead. I know she's going to achieve all her dreams and kick ass while she does it

My sister Aubrey, Krystle, me, Krista and Ames

My BHC girls! Life is perfect with them!

Katie, me and Kristen

Me and my bar hoppin Ladies. We act wild and crazy and enjoy many a Midori Sour together. I can't imagine life without them.

Heather, Me, Nin, Kelly

All my model lovelies! Pure fun and always ready to chill and have a good time!

I met these gals at a rough patch in my life. But we all helped each other to get through it. Kind, caring and understanding I wish nothing more than happiness and love and hope we'll all get the chance to get together again!

There are so many more beautiful people that have touched my life. Obviously, these are just a few. I am thankful for the joy of having everyone who has touched my life in some way. You all are such a blessing!

Who are your blessings, what are you most grateful for? Please do tell in the comments!

Empowerment/Life Thursday

Yesterday started out wonderful, I had a meeting with my new small business rep and I felt like I could do anything. A couple hours after I got home, I called my Grandmother to talk to her about what I've been up to, to hear that she was really sick, weak and struggling to breathe.

I went into emergency mode, calling my Dad at work to see if he could head over to her place to get her to the hospital. As soon as the hubby got home, I jumped in the car to meet my Dad and Grama at the hospital. I was scared and nervous and thankfully my anxiety didn't overtake me on the way there.

They got my Grama into a room and started helping her. A few hours later when they announced they wanted to keep her overnight, my Dad said we should both head home. This has happened many times in the last few months and he knew if he left without making me leave with him, I would have stayed all night. Thankfully when I called this morning she sounded like her normal self and in a few hours I'm sure I'll be getting the call to come pick her up.

It's amazing how quickly a day can turn, but I'm glad my Grama seems to be okay now and I'm as excited as ever to begin my new small business. While flicking through my iPod last night, I came upon this song and it really meshed with me considering all the conflicted feelings I've had lately.

"When you're safe inside your room, you tend to dream

Of a place where nothing's harder than it seems...

When there's no one else

Look inside yourself

Like your oldest friend just

Trust the voice within

Then you'll find the strength

That will guide your way

You'll learn to begin to

Trust the voice within

Young girl don't hide

You'll never change if you just run away, ohh

Young girl just hold tight

Soon you're gonna see your brighter day, ohh...

Life is a journey

It can take you anywhere you choose to go

As long as you're learning

You'll find all you'll ever need to know...

When there's no one else

Look inside yourself

And like your oldest friend just

Trust the voice within

Then you'll find the strength

That will guide your way

You'll learn to begin to

Trust the voice within, oh yeah"

"The Voice Within" by Christina Aguilera

Rain, rain go away...

I know very well that CA needs all the rain it can get, but I've had enough of the rainy chill. I'm aching for summer to get here! And it will be wonderful as we have our pool and our eco-friendly Coolerado air conditioning system.

I'm going to do my best to post on here more often. I just get so bogged down with school, the job search, keeping the apartment clean and well... life in general.

I have a job app to fill out and take in at the mall and while visiting a cute little stationary shop in Downtown Claremont I filled out a job application there. I NEED A JOB! Me and a few million other people... but let's not go there. lol

As far as I can tell I'm keeping my grades up pretty well at school, but I am a tad frustrated as I feel like I can't focus on the "book" that I'm hoping to write, what with all the english essay stuff I have to keep up on. I need to learn to be better focused. The story I plan to write is beating around constantly in my brain and I bought a cute little journal book to write in... I just need to put pen to paper. And keep on top of my homework.

Originally this blog was to be about our decorating of our apartment and then the eventual transition into the main house and the decorating projects of that. But money is tight, and there's not much decorating one can do on a near non-existent budget. So I think this will just be a blog where I talk about everyday things, inspirational things, music I like, books that catch my fancy and eventually when money is not so hard to come by we can talk DECORATING!

Well, I'm off to more, never ending house cleaning. It's amazing how two people can constantly keep a small apartment messy, but we need to get our organizing and a daily cleaning and upkeep plan in place.
Have a wonderful, happy weekend!

Gin

Worrying and waiting

Received the unfortunate news that little M is not at 100% right now. I'm trying not to let my imagination run away with what-if's, but it's hard when things are quiet. I'd like to think that the phrase "no news is good news" applies, but I'm not so sure. 


I don't really pray anymore, but the moment I got the call about him this morning I've been praying non stop and thinking constantly of him and A, my wonderful and beautiful cousin/best friend and hoping that all is going well and that she and the rest of the family are okay. Fingers crossed that good news is on it's way, and this whole scary ordeal will be over soon with A and baby M returning home happy, healthy and full of joy.




***UPDATE*** 3:45PM


Word through the family news vine is that baby M is ok, but will be in the hospital for a bit.
Awaiting a phone call from my Uncle to get more definitive news. Makes me feel better though to know that he is doing ok/a little better. Of course, as a friend said and I echoed, I won't be completely satisfied until they are home safe.

New addition to the family

Via Captured by Carrie

A few hours ago my wonderful and beautiful cousin/best friend gave birth to an adorable little boy. I am so happy he is finally here and I can't wait to meet him next month! I have so many little gifts and stories for him. 


Congrats J & A! And little A too. You're going to be a great big sister! Our whole family is so blessed to have little M in the world! 

Better late than never...

I know, I've been MIA the last couple days and I'm sorry. School, family gatherings, and medical issues have kept me quite busy the last few days, but I hope to be back on top of this and make up on posts this weekend.


I've taken photos of the apartment, have my list of remodel/decor hopes for each room and will be working on getting them all written up and posted before weekends end. Also I took a little hike with my family up Mount Baldy on Labor Day and will make a little post of our adventures up the mountain.


I was planning to take a bunch of photos at my local farmers market to post about it, but when I showed up downtown yesterday there wasn't a food stand in sight. I ending up asking in one of the stores why the farmers market was missing and they said that the city cancelled it. Last week was the final one for this year! Very sad and disappointed, but I know next door in Claremont they have the Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market on Sundays and I most likely will start hitting that up. Really want some fresh flowers for the living room. 


I got the LOVE print up in a lovely frame, purchased on sale from Michaels and the little vintage door handle rack has found it's home next to the front door. Now I have a spot to hang my purse and a jacket.


So that's a little peek into what I've been up to this last week, and you'll know more by Monday. Have a happy weekend, y'all!


xoxo

In the backyard...

Besides my noted lust for a wind chime and hummingbird feeder in the yard, I've been dying for a comfy spot in view of the pool to sit and read books for hours (as I am wont to do).


Originally I'd been looking into loungers, but they all seem to be quite expensive. Even craigslist left me empty, but then one day my Mum brought me a catalog from a place called Plow and Hearth and from their website I found Wind and Weather.


They both offer moderately priced yard and garden stuff, some of it kitschy, but for the most part some interesting and nice stuff.


While browsing through W&W I found their interesting little swing chairs and fell in love with this one...

It is the most aesthetically pleasing of the fabrics offered and the red Hibiscus will mirror the plant I already have in the yard. Plus I love navy blue, so it's perfect. I hope it's as comfy as the reviews claim. I would love to have two of them hanging side by side, and would plan to put a tall, thin table in between to set drinks on, or my book when taking a break. We have a tall wine rack, with a stone top and unless I find anything better and well priced, that will probably serve as the table.


The other thing the patio/deck needs is lighting. We had a set of string lights from Restoration Hardware that we brought with us when we moved, but they're so old and well, I attempted to hang them, but managed to catch the cord with the end of a staple and bam! Lights don't work anymore. It wasn't the smartest way to do it and well... I've learned my lesson. I won't let myself be in such a rush to get it done next time. I'll have Dad help me. lol


He recommended rope lighting to me last week and I think that sounds like a perfect idea.


I'm hoping to find a wind chime and bird feeder tomorrow, but the chair will have to wait a bit as we are in a tight spot right now and I need to get a job. We shall see how successful I am on that. Fingers crossed!


Anyhoo, I have class tomorrow and it is long past the time I should have called it a night. So off I go and G'night! 


xoxo

New Beginnings

Hello there and welcome to my blog! My name is Gina and this blog will feature fashion, music, films and the journey of decorating my apartment and later my home. It will be my little scrapbook and sounding board for decor/design ideas and just general talk of all the things I love.

As I go through the process of decorating my apartment I hope to feature DIY projects I embark on and tell the story of making my place my home. My partner and I previously lived in Los Angeles, but have relocated closer to my hometown. We live in the guest apartment on our property and will eventually live in the main house. Between the two sits our lovely pool.

I hope you enjoy what I have to say and will follow along. And hopefully I myself won't get too busy and distracted to not keep up with it. Fingers crossed.

xoxo