# 74 Buy a pair of boots

I have been looking for new knee high boots for years! I either don't like the style (who wants their ankles to look slouchy and wrinkly?), they are way too expensive (my husband would die if I spent 1K on boots), or they don't fit my athletic calves. I finally found a pair I love this year! Enter Old Navy's Sliver wedge boot:

For only $40 they were quite a steal. They are very comfortable and I even found a pair of skinny jeans to wear with them (all my sister's idea). yay!

# 73 Buy a pair of shoes costing more than $20

I have a tendency to buy cheap shoes for the sake of them being cute and/or cheap. While sometimes they are super comfy and last a long time, most of the time they give me blisters or fall apart way too soon. Enter this goal to find shoes that are well made and comfy. I bought these:

They are saffron TOMS. They are so unbelievably comfy, and if you know me I'd rather wear sandals or no shoes at all than wear real shoes. They are now sold out of this color on the TOMS website, but I think you can find them other places. One of the reasons I decided to buy these is their awesome program. For every pair of shoes bought they give a pair of shoes to a person in need. How awesome is that!?

#69 Halloween Wreath

Done! It took me a few weeks, but I think it turned out great. If you want to see more pictures or instructions on how I made it, check it out on my scrapbooking blog.

#48 plan and go on a date

On our trip up to Illinois we decided to make a small detour and go to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Tulsa. While it wasn't the best aquarium we have been to, it was a nice break from the 16 hour drive and an activity we love to do together. Plus, if we had never gone, we wouldn't have seen this fish below that we dubbed "horse fish". It was quite hilarious in appearance and gave us many laughs through out the rest of our trip. PS - it was a whopping 106 that day in Tulsa!

On a separate day, but in the same trip, we went back to one of our favorite places to go when we were dating (aww). This was an extension of the fourth anniversary being the fruit and flower year. We left for the Missouri Botanical Gardens super early because it was supposed to be a scorcher that day. Man was it ever! It was 104 that day, but what you Texas natives don't realize is the humidity is far worse north, with a feels like of 114! We sweat, and sweat some more, and then took a break in the air conditioned diner for lunch. Even though it was hot hot hot we had tons of fun. That park holds so many happy memories.

#39 Round Rock Donuts

On our second journey back to Illinois this summer, this time for a graduation party, a birthday, and an anniversary, we stopped at Round Rock Donuts (at 6am!) on our way out of town. I have to say that one of their hot off the line glazed donuts are divine. Definitely worth hitting up if you can go when they are hot and fresh. I don't know how they taste a few hours later though.

#43 New TV

We have been price comparing and browsing for a new TV for a little over a year. We had decided we would most likely get a 32" flat panel, but we were still debating between an LCD and a plasma. Well, the decision was made for us. As mentioned below, my husband's grandfather passed away and we inherited his 42" TV. It is huge to say the least, but we are grateful we didn't have to buy one. If you know us well, we don't really want the TV to be our focal point in the living room...there is no avoiding it now :P Plus side: It makes stomping C on the Wii easier :)

Thank goodness Ash C came and picked up our old clunker TV for her Sister in-law!

#14 Meet my niece

Sadly, this happened before I got my new list posted. It isn't sad because I met my niece early, but because of the circumstances. My husband's grandfather passed away in June so we made the trek back to our hometown to attend the funeral. On the bright side, his oldest sister came as well and brought Nora with her. We were so glad we got to spend a day with her. She was 6 months old when we got to meet her, it is such a fun age!

#5 two new restaurants

Two new restaurants down!

We took my sister in-law to College Station to take a tour of the veterinary program at A&M. We stopped into Freebirds on our way to the tour. It was pretty good, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. Plus waiting in the really long line in front of the meat grill is HOT! They need some fans, or better yet, A/C.

I have been avoiding trying Texadelphia because for some reason I think it is Thundercloud. I don't really care for Thundercloud hence my hesitation to go. Not really sure why I associate the two because they couldn't be more different. I had the most awesome beef cheesesteak there! They also have chicken cheesesteak and veggie and lots of toppings to choose from. I just went with the standard cheesesteak my first time around. Yum! We will definitely be going back. :)

101 List take two

This time around I am doing things a little differently. You will see that several goals are To Be Announced. I left them that way so that they can evolve or be revealed as life's changes come my way. The next 1001 days will hold a lot of changes. Hang tight and we'll see what happens by May 7, 2013!

1. Have a caricature made

2. Have a photo booth picture taken every year (0/3)

3. Get first stamp in my passport

4. Get second stamp in my passport

5. Visit 10 new restaurants (0/10)

6. Plan golden birthday party

7. Have professional photos taken of us

8. Buy a house

9. Complete a knitting project

10. Complete a sewing project

11. Make one Martha Stewart Craft

12. Visit a new National Park

13. Go on a vacation a year (0/3)

14. Meet my niece, Nora

15. Buy a new camera lens

16. Go to the farmer’s market every Saturday for a month (0/4)

17. Try a new fruit

18. Find a new general physician

19. Start a new tradition

20. Buy a new scrapbooking tool

21. Plant a garden

22. Plant a tree

23. Finish a painting

24. Paint a room

25. Buy a couch

26. Host a party

27. Try 12 new recipes (0/12)

28. Buy a new piece of luggage

29. Find a dermatologist

30. Finish a sewing project

31. Re-do photo collage wall

32. Make a wedding album

33. Visit a friend

34. Visit my sister

35. Host a shower

36. Post 20 food blog entries (0/20)

37. Pay off car

38. Get at least two pedicures a year (2/6)

39. Try Round Rock Donuts

40. Go zip lining

41. Give a gift for no reason

42. Adopt a child from the angel tree for Christmas

43. Get a new tv

44. Go to a fortune teller

45. Get a facial

46. Go bowling

47. See a drive-in movie

48. Plan and go on 10 dates (0/10)

49. Take a carriage ride

50. Donate to a charity each year (0/3)

51. Go fruit picking

52. Take a cooking class

53. See a movie at Alamo Drafthouse

54. Remove stickers from china pieces

55. Wash all china pieces

56. Join a CSA

57. Volunteer at Johnson’s Backyard Garden

58. Pay off a debt

59. Plan something great for 5 year anniversary

60. Lose 20 pounds (0/20)

61. Take a photography class

62. Build savings to 2 months of salary

63. Buy a china cabinet

64. Visit a new State Park

65. Meet Tobin

66. Turn 30 without too many tears

67. Make a cleaning schedule and stick with it for a month

68. Eat at trailers for a weekend

69. Make a Halloween wreath

70. Go to a show

71. Visit a cave

72. Go to a drive through safari

73. TBA

74. TBA

75. TBA

76. TBA

77. TBA

78. TBA

79. TBA

80. TBA

81. TBA

82. TBA

83. TBA

84. TBA

85. TBA

86. TBA

87. TBA

88. TBA

89. TBA

90. TBA

91. TBA

92. TBA

93. TBA

94. TBA

95. TBA

96. TBA

97. TBA

98. TBA

99. TBA

100. TBA

101. Celebrate the end of 1001 days

Unfinished goals recap

6. Go to Costa Rica - due to weddings and other expenses this didn't happen. Moving it to next list.
8. Take a hot air balloon ride - this is a lot harder to accomplish than I thought. Moving to life goals list.
9. Learn to Scuba - Moving to life goals.
11. Make wedding album - moving to next list. Hoping that since my sister is almost done with hers I will find inspiration and finish mine.
13. Lose 25 pounds (10/25) - boo.
19. Go to Yellowstone - Lesson learned, don't make goals so specific. Moving to life list.
21. Buy a house - we simply weren't ready to do this in the last 1001 days. Moving it to the new 101.
23. Buy a car - We have no real need for two cars. We make having one work for us.
24. Get a couples massage with the hubby - This goal failed because my hubby didn't want someone else to see him naked. bah!
28. Find a new church - My heart has not been in this one. Need to make a greater effort and realize that it isn't the people that make the church.
32. Get back into yoga - I haven't found a class I love and my yoga buddy lives so far away.
37. Buy a china cabinet - Hopefully after we have a house!
44. Help SMD get a new job and relocate - I can only hope to see her more.
60. Learn about investments (401k, ira, etc) - I can probably cross this one off. I know way more than when I started this list.

68. Go to Big Bend Park - Again too specific, plus I had not idea when I made this list how freaking far away it was!

69. Make a new piece of stained glass - no real excuse here.
80. Volunteer at an animal shelter - Turns out I think I need a friend to do this with me.
87. Go to the Texas State Fair - Fail.
88. Learn how to decorate a cake - Never found the right timing for taking this class.
90. Go parasailing - I imagined this happening on a vacation. No real vacations = fail.
95. Scan and print wedding photos (or order prints) - I just need to get this over with.
101. Blog about all 101 - I blogged about the ones I finished. Does that count?

Is that right? Did I finish 78 goals? Awesome! New list to be posted soon! :)

4 wonderful years

Four years ago I married my favorite person. :)

Later today we will be enjoying dinner at the Melting Pot. At the end of the evening my list deadline will arrive. Soon I will update on my unfinished goals and my new list. For now though, I am spending time with my hubby!

#43 Make Creme Brulee

As crunch time approached for my list deadline, I decided to give this one a try. It turned out pretty tasty. I think that there are other desserts that I would rather waste my calories on, but for my very first try it came out great. I will try and remember to post the Creme Brulee recipe for two on my food blog soon.

#36 Find a job I love

While it isn't my forever job, I do have a job that I love. I get to spend time with two of the sweetest girls every week. While some days it is work answering so many questions, most days it is just tons of fun. I love babysitting L & E. Soon I will get to meet their newest baby addition :)

#18 Finish Loveseats

The before fabric is on the right ;)

After the bottom was stapled under and new legs put on.

When we moved to Austin the only furniture we had was our mattress and my drafting table. Our "foster parents" in Austin gave us these two love seats. They were, um, how do I put this nicely? They were 80s in oh so many ways. The lines are great though so I decided to make a combo slipcover/reupholster on them. It was time consuming but worth it!

#40 Get Wedding Dress Cleaned

Can you say procrastinator? My four year wedding anniversary is tomorrow! My dress is currently at Austin Cleaners. I payed a little extra to have them put it in a box, along with my shoes, veil, and headband. I will do a full review once I get it back, which should be any day now. Fingers crossed that it looks just like the day I bought it!

#81 Learn to play Chess

My opponent was smart and agile. heehee.

I have now played several games with my husband. I have yet to win a single one though.

#71 Take an Art Class

When I originally put this on my list I was thinking it would be a painting or pottery class. That didn't happen though. I did however take some card making classes and some scrapbooking classes. So I am crossing it off!

#67 Visit a Texas Winery

When my parents were in town visiting, my husband and I took them to not one, but TWO wineries. I doubly crossed this one off. ha.

We went to the Driftwood Estates Winery. It was my favorite of the two we visited. Of the wines we tasted everyone liked the orange muscat and the Sangiovese.

The second winery we went to was the winery at Mandola's. It recently went through a name/owner change and is called Duchman Family Winery. It was ok, but more "commercial" feeling.

We had a blast winding along the roads to get there.

#20 Start House Hunting

The home search has officially begun. I am dragging my feet while my husband is all sorts of excited. Hoping to be home owners by the end of the year.

#78 adopt an animal through WWF

I did it. I adopted a seahorse today. I have been putting it off because I couldn't decide between the frog and the seahorse. I finally decided on the seahorse. Now I am looking into the matching program at my hubby's office. Maybe they will get a frog? haha

So glad to cross another one off the list!

#49 Swimsuit

I added this to the list because I have a longer than average torso, which makes buying a one piece a struggle. My sister found me this swimsuit, available online only. I think she was tired of hearing me complain about not being able to find a swimsuit :P I ordered it and it came in yesterday. I really like it. It is *just* barely long enough at 4 extra inches! It is a very classic style and I got it in black. Now I just need to test it out in water before I decide to buy another.

P.S. That is not me in the picture :P

Summer Must Have

With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer is in full swing. I have used this product for two of my own burns already this year and two of my husbands. I am the super pale type that burns easily. Then that burn peels and goes back to Arctic white. My husband is the type that burns, stays red for a few days then goes to tan. Usually some peeling.

This stuff is magic. Overnight my burn fades to almost tan, just a hint of pink. His fades as well. The heat is gone from it much more quickly and since it absorbs into the skin, unlike the green aloe goo, no peeling! I can't say enough great things about it.

Oh, my husband has all sorts of product allergies. This stuff doesn't bother him at all.

#38 Finish buying china

I just placed an order for the last few pieces of our china pattern. I am so excited that we will now have a full place setting, including bowls, for 12 people. :) Now I just have to wait for them to arrive. The list deadline couldn't come at a better time, they are discontining our pattern on August 1st.

A close-up of our pattern:

# 70 Finish Dining Room Chairs

When we first moved to Austin, the only furniture we had was our bed and my drafting table. We hunted for months to find a perfect dining room table. I was raised to buy pieces that are made well and last forever. My standards seemed to be way too high. Then we found our beautiful reclaimed teak set at Jaya, and we knew it was meant to be. The only down side, I didn't love the fabric. About the time I started this list I had started to recover them and they sat in the above state. Seemingly finished, but the fabric on the underside hung down and the cat would play with it since the edges weren't finished. So I put "finish the chairs" on the list because I thought it would give me the drive to finish them. Turns out the drive to finish them didn't come until utter panic that my list deadline was coming up way too fast. So I finished them this past weekend. YAY!

The finished underside.

Close-up of the new fabric. Sorry for the flash, it is an old picture from my point and shoot days.

2 months to deadline!

Trying not to hyperventilate. The deadline is so near now. I must get in gear and knock out a few more goals, not to mention, finishing my new 101 list.

#4 Vegas

We came, we saw, we did not conquer the buses. :P
Some picture highlights:

#3 Get a Passport

My passport came in! It took less than three weeks for it to arrive in the mail. It is so hard to see a picture of yourself intentionally not smiling. At least I know what my mug shot might look like. :) Who am I kidding? I would have giant streaks of tears down my face if I got arrested while out of the country!

Spring dress

As I mentioned in the purse post below, Target has the new Liberty of London collection for a short time. As I was perusing the items I tried on a few shirts and dresses. I really needed something to wear to Vegas. I like the way this dress fits and the colors are so me. I think with a pair of heels and a handsome date this will be great for dinner and Cirque du Soleil. :)

#55 Designer purse

Sadly the Etsy bag I bought had to be sent back :( When it arrived the fabric was so dark brown that it was almost black. Which was not at all like it was pictured. The Etsy seller was really awesome and let me return it for a full refund since I didn't love it.

I was super sad to have no new bag, but then I was wandering Target on Friday and they had started stocking the Liberty of London collection a few days early! I really lucked out and was able to snag this bag. I love it! It is so springy and fun. It is much bigger than the bags I normally carry so I might have a hard time adjusting.

Then, since the bag was only $19.99 I decided to also snag the wallet. :)

#56 Fountain for the Patio

Finally after two years we have finished the fountain for the patio! There have been quite a few words exchanged between us and the fountain. That is why it has taken so long. We would just get frustrated and leave it for a month or two and come back.

As of today it is finished! Tomorrow is another story. We could go out tomorrow and the whole thing could have fallen apart. That is how well this project has gone.

Here is a little video clip to enjoy the sound of it :)

Beauty Products I Love

Those of you that know me in real life, know that I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to my beauty routine. However, I love to keep my skin hydrated and looking healthy. The following products are products that I love and use on a daily basis.

First up is Cover Girl's Lash Exact mascara. Even though I have really dark hair, my lashes are blond and look non-existent. I almost never leave the house without putting on mascara (which, aside from chap stick, is all the make-up I normally wear). What I love about this mascara is that it doesn't clump and it looks really natural.

This product is the newest in my skin care line-up. It is L'Oreal's new Go 360 Clean - Deep Exfoliating Scrub with scrublet. My sister and I have the misfortune of inheriting our dad's large pores. This means that no matter what I do they are visibly huge through my nose, cheeks and chin. Since they are so big they clog easily and I have found that this wash does a great job of cleaning them out and keeping them clean.

In the winter I get really dry skin, especially on my arms and legs. Most of the deep moisturizers I have tried have left me feeling greasy or sticky. This Body Butter from Say Yes to Carrots is amazing! It got rid of my dry flaky patches in two days and leaves your skin smooth and soft.

I love the lip butters from Say Yes to Carrots so much that I gave them out as Christmas gifts to other people. Not only does it feel and smell great, but it is also organic. Yum! I love the mint flavor, but I also carry the melon one with me to switch things up.

This moisturizer is my #1 must have product. If I could only have one item on a deserted island, this would be it. I love how it feels on my face, it doesn't make me feel/look greasy. It also has SPF 28 to protect me from sun damage. It is such a great product that even my hubby uses it. It has diminished his sun damage (broken vessels) to the point where they are gone or no longer noticeable. Love!

These two products I don't necessarily use on a daily basis. Along with large pores I inherited dark under eyes. There is not much I can do about it, but when they are particularly bad or I want to look a bit brighter I use the eye brightening cream and the under eye roller. The eye roller reduces puffiness and lightens the coloring by way of caffeine. The eye cream helps to cover up the darkness. I also use it under my make-up when I do actually wear it.

There you have it. Those are my essential beauty items. I hope someone finds this list helpful!

New design

I just updated my blog layout. If you view me through reader, hop on over and tell me what you think.

I also added a space for a "bucket list". These will be items on my lifetime to-do list that can't necessarily be constrained to 1001 days.

Happy Tuesday :)

#55 buy a designer purse

I just purchased this bag. I have not had a new purse in over three years, maybe four. I fall in love with a purse, but don't want to spend the money on it. Then I convince myself that I should go ahead and buy it. When I go back it is gone :( So I was debating this bag and three different people that know me well so do just go ahead and buy it or you will regret it. So I did. Can't wait to have my new purse home with me!

January goal recap

• Catch up on Quicken (I am more than a wee bit behind) - fail
• Clean out closets and dressers - done. We only had one bag of stuff we don't wear anymore or need anymore.
• Donate any items we don't wear or need anymore - sorta done. The bag is in the car to be dropped off.
• Shred outdated files - fail. Being stuck in bed for a week with neck pain hindered sorting and shredding.
• Back up and sort photo files - Done!
• Clean out the pantry - Kinda done. I need to finish it up on a trash day.
• Start a list of what is in the freezer - Done! this has helped me so much. Before I would forget what was in the freezer and it would end up going bad. It was such a waste of food and money.
• Start a weekly cleaning schedule and encourage C to help :) - I can't find the dry erase board I want for this locally and the one I had in my cart at Amazon sold out. sigh.
  

5ish out of 8 isn't too bad. I really need to finish up the remaining items soon though!

6 months remaining!

I have crossed quite a few goals off since my last cumulative update and I have several in the works. Let's so what's left.

3. Get a passport - I plan on getting our pictures taken for this over the weekend as part of C's birthday and filing our paperwork this week.
4. Go to Las Vegas - Booking this trip in the next few days. I am meeting up with my bestie!
5. Make a coffee table - Still waiting on C to wrap this one up!
6. Go to Costa Rica - Hopefully happening in the next 15 months or less, likely not in the next 6 months. Stupid economy!
8. Take a hot air balloon ride - I wish Austin had a huge festival for this. I have been to ones like Steamboat Springs, CO. That would make this alot easier!
9. Learn to Scuba - Likely not happening
11. Make wedding album - I have tried to get ahold of our photographer. Apparently her email address is no longer valid. I am going to have to try and snail mail her.
13. Lose 25 pounds (10/25) - Slowly chopping away at this.
18. Finish love seat project - I need to just do this!
19. Go to Yellowstone - not happening.
20. Start house hunting - We got scared away by the crazy lady at the bank.
21. Buy a house unless we have a sudden windfall of money, not happening.
23. Buy a car - no need.
24. Get a couples massage with the hubby - hoping somewhere has a good discount for Valentine's day. Anyone know??
28. Find a new church - I need to accept that nothing will replace my church family I grew up with. then maybe my standards won't be so high.
32. Get back into yoga - I need a yoga buddy. SMD why don't you live here!?
36. Find a job I love - I love spending days with little miss Eve, but it is just temporary until she goes to school in the fall. sigh.
37. Buy a china cabinet - harder quest then I imagined. I can't find an antique one that is just right. ie exactly like my moms.
38. Finish buying china (nearly done!) - Just have 6 soup bowls to buy and maybe a platter.
40. Get wedding dress cleaned - I recently got some dry cleaning referrals for places in town. I just couldn't bring myself to ship off my dress.
43. Learn how to make Creme Brulee - I have purchased ramekins and have looked at recipes, now I just need all the hours it takes to make it.
44. Help SMD get a new job and relocate - this has officially become a lost cause. She is not moving anytime soon and certainly won't be closer to me :(
49. Find a fabulous swimsuit - I think I have to go to a swimsuit store for this so I can find a long one piece.
55. Buy a designer purse - At this point I would take any purse that I loved. I can't find a new bag at all. boo!
56. Make a fountain for the patio - Waiting on the hubby...
60. Learn about investments (401k, ira, etc) - I have a much better understanding of these now, wonder if I should cross it off?
67. Visit a Texas winery - I have been to one, just wasn't able to partake in wine since I was working...
68. Go to Big Bend Park - Likely not happening
69. Make a new piece of stained glass - i have a piece in mind I just need to see what glass I need to buy.
70. Finish dining room chair project - my sister claims every time she visits that she is going to help me with this, but she hasn't. She was even here in December!
71. Take an art class - I think I should count a scrapbooking class for this that I have taken. It isn't the sort of class I had in mind, but I think I should count it.
78. Adopt an animal through the WWF - I can't decide what to adopt!
80. Volunteer at an animal shelter - How do I go about doing this?
81. Learn to play chess - I guess I could ask hubby to show me this weekend...
87. Go to the Texas State Fair - I think I missed my chance on this one.
88. Learn how to decorate a cake - need to sign up for a class, but it would be more fun with a friend!
90. Go parasailing - sigh
95. Scan and print wedding photos (or order prints) - See #11.
100. Make a new list of 101 things - in progress
101. Blog about all 101 - in progress

Well that leaves 40 things. I wish I was farther, but at least I have made progress in the last 6 months!

#61 File Taxes

Just finished filling in all the forms. We actually got the W2's in the mail before February this year! Glad to cross this one off my list.

#17 and #84 Decorating the Bedroom

Before

After

When we first moved to Austin we had to pieces of real furniture. Our bed and my beloved drafting table. We had a crappy MDF bookcase from college that we stacked our clothes on in the closet and another smaller set that we used as nightstands until we bought furniture. One of my goals for this list was to decorate our bedroom because it was the last room to get done. No one ever really sees it so it went by the wayside. Well it is done!

Here you will note hand-me-down dust ruffle (not our colors!), the cheap nightstands and the down comforter that you need for maybe one week in Texas. There are no pictures of the other walls because there is simply nothing there to show, just empty space.

Now there is a much cooler quilt and a much more stylish dust ruffle. My dad made the floating nightstands to match the dressers we purchased. I love them! Both of the lamps are from Target as is the bedding. Our new body pillow is our headboard. It is perfect for what we need now. Maybe when we move, something else will be done.

Here is a close-up of the frame on my nightstand. My sister made this for me as my Matron of Honor gift at her wedding. It is pictures of us all through childhood. :)

Here is a close-up of the poppy painting I made. I painted the sides to match the quilt so it pops against the wall. The quote says "You're my favorite person" and it is something that my husband says to me all the time. :)

This is on the wall that has the door and the entrance to our closet.

This is the opposite side of the room. We purchased these dressers from Furniture in the Raw and stained them ourselves. We also purchased the stylish knobs.

This is a painting my sister-in-law made us for our wedding. The best part is that is looks just as good when we have our glasses off laying in bed.

Photos on my husband's dresser. He think pictures of us in the bedroom is weird, so we have various items we have photographed.

Here are the photos on my dresser. My sister helped me pick out all the photos and put them in their frames.

There you have it. The only thing that isn't new is the black-out curtains, as they are necessary for the security lamp that resides under our window, and the mattress.