In my life, I loved you more

 As I mentioned in my  post yesterday, today is the three month anniversary of our fabulous wedding! 

 Is it weird to celebrate months of marriage? Yes, but I have an excuse...at least enough of one that works for me. The hubs and I dated for close to 6 years before we tied the knot, yet never had an actual anniversary. We never decided on a specific day that we were going to be exclusive, it just kind of happened naturally, so now that we have a real date, it's exciting. (I never said it was a good excuse, just an excuse.)

Our escort cards- attached to vintage skeleton keys

Wedding date in roman numerals...mMm, cant wait to eat that baby in 9 months!

 Anyway...Happy three months (and 6 years- since as the hubs complains that 3 month sounds like we just met and that he has "served under me" much longer and deserves that recognition) to my partner in crime who puts up with my craziness and some how keeps me grounded while always supporting my wild aspirations! Marrying you was the smartest thing I ever did <3

Lists and Challenges...Oh My!

Lists and challenges, I have a love of both, so it was a welcoming coincidence that the same day I promised to share my Summer DIY To Do list with you, I came across a DIY challenge! Two of my very favorite design bloggers, Sherry at Young House Love and Katie at Bower Power, posted a Pinterest Challenge on Tuesday where you have one week to stop pinning and start doing! 

Although I am new to Pinterest, I had my “to do” list written and was up for the challenge! I quickly got to pinning (anyone know a good Pinterest Anonymous group? I may need it) and have two projects in the running. Although Sherry and Katie (and the amazing Emily Henderson of HGTV, who is also taking the challenge) are not disclosing their DIY craft of choice, I am…in a minute.

First, let me share my “Just do it already” list!

As the "projects" are tackled, I will share with you more details of each!

OK, back to the Pinterest Challenge (my adrenaline rushes every time I say the word CHALLENGE!) If you notice in the list above, there is a good amount of light fixtures listed. Maybe it is because I can't stand to look at the “boob” lights in our bedroom and office any more or maybe it’s because I keep coming across great tutorials. Either way, I have narrowed down my craft to one of these two beauts:

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This might win because it reminds me of my DIY wedding decorations (pictures below!) and since our 3 month anniversary is tomorrow, seems fitting to tackle this now. 

However, the capiz chandy below is a close runner up because it's extremely intriguing to me. Will the wax paper really look like capiz shells? I would most likely follow the third pic because a.) A sewing machine is currently foreign to me (didn't you see the last thing on my to-do list?) and b.) I am impatient and this way seems quickest!

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Want to know which project I choose?? Check back on Tuesday for the big reveal and my (hopefully successful) tutorial. Do you want to join in on the fun? Read and watch all about it here and be sure to share your creations with me.

I am off to the craft store! I will wait until tomorrow because a HUGE storm is here and now our power is out and the car alarm is beeping...crafting will have to wait!

Hometown Tourist & Birthday Girl

Prantl's Birthday cake from my wonderful Mother-in-law

July is always a busy month, ten years ago it was packed full of summer swim meets and days at the pool. Now it is a little more work and a lot less play, but every year when July rolls around, I find it is full of great memories.

My parents came to visit a few weekends ago and I always love when they come. Not only is it great to see them, but it gives me an excuse to be a tourist in my own city. On Saturday the hubs, my parents, and I drove over to the SouthSide and grabbed lunch outside at the Double Wide Grill (yum!) Then we made our way over to the Univ. of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. Sounds like a snooze fest, I know, but it is an amazing place. I heard at least three people mention Hogwarts while in the main study room. The CoL (its 6:30 am, I am not typing it out people!) is a must see in Pittsburgh not only for Harry Potter fans but also to anyone who wants to be taken away to 27 countries, via working classrooms decorated to represent the country.

Hogwarts

The Yugoslav Room

The Czechoslovak Classroom "Truth Prevails"

The Greek Room

On Sunday, we took my parents to one of my favorite places, the Phipps Conservatory. I forgot to bring my camera but we had a great day and that place is amazingly beautiful. Phipps is also on my list of must see places in Pitt. 

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Overall, we had a great weekend with the parentals and I am already thinking of places to go for the next time they visit! 

The next weekend was one of my favorite times of the year, my birthday! It was a big one this year as I celebrated a quarter century of life and I wanted to do something. A big party was out of the question for a few reasons, although I love to host a party and birthdays, I don't like having my own b-day party (weird, I know) and I would need more friends in the area (Party of 5 may have been a hit show, but I don’t think it constitutes as a big bash.) Last minute the hubs and I decided to take our wonderful friends up on an offer to use their cabin in Deep Creek, MD and had a getaway, just the two of us and the puppykids! We had a great time biking, running, hiking, kayaking, etc. We even got the babies back into some water and to our surprise they jumped right in and were swimming machines. 

Deep Creek, MD

Hiking with the dogs at Deep Creek State Park

The puppykids enjoying the water

With so much excitement in July, you’re probably wondering, but J what will you do the rest of summer? Not to worry! We still have a family beach vacation in a few weeks and I am determined to finish (well, start and finish) my DIY TO DO list! Stay tuned because later this week I will be divulging my list, full of light fixtures, wedding pictures, and tackling our love deprived dining room! 

Do you have a favorite “tourist” spot in your hometown? Have any great weekend getaway spots? Let me know, I am always looking to add places to my travel bucketlist!