on playing catch-up...

There's been a whirlwind of things happening this week, all of which I haven't been able to share here. I'm 25! And feeling great. I was spoiled beyond belief and was taken back by how much love I received all over the place. It made my heart swell! 
Let me rewind and start with Tuesday because that was the day that I got my fingers tattooed! I've been wanting to get my fingers tattooed for some time now and I thought I'd treat myself for my birthday (I've been treating myself a whole lot this birthday!). I went downtown near Chinatown to Eddie's Tattoo, a place that was recommended to me by one of my loyal customers at the coffee shop. I couldn't be happier :)

FULL MOON. It turned out just the way I imagined and I love it to death. I got full moon because of my fascination with the full phases, full moon being my favorite of course! For me, the full moon represents wholeness and strength, both things I like to hold on to. It hurt like crazy but only for the first two days and now I am back to normal.

Wednesday was my birthday and I got to spend it with my husband. It was a nice relaxing day. We headed up Peddler's Village which a neat little town full of fun shops that we browsed around for the longest time, hand in hand. The evening was spent at my in laws where my mother in law cooked me the best homemade dinner a girl could ask for. Bobby bought my favorite cake in all the land, an Italian Rum Cake. Delish! And when it was time to open gifts I was not disappointed.

That's right! I got my beloved banjo. I freaked out to say the least. Her name is Norma and she sounds like heaven. I've never played any sort of guitar or stringed instrument so I'm basically learning from the ground up. However, Bobby has been playing guitar for a while and has been teaching me all he can. We did find out that the banjo is completely different and so now we are both learning as we go along. Thursday night I tuned the whole thing on my own and I was proud. I'm excited for this journey and so excited to have a new toy to pour my soul into. 

It's been a fun birthday and so thankful for all I have. Now it's time to have even more fun for we're heading to Dorney Park for day for some thrills :) 

xo. 

on my birthday wish list...

It's that time a year again! It seems, every year it sneaks up on me quicker than it did the last. August 21st I'll be turning twenty-five. Holy smokes. I'm not sure why I'm so excited but I am. I think this year coming up is going to be a great year and I'm exciting about it! Here are some things I have on my birthday wish list this year...

1// I've had my eye on this Washburn Banjo for a long time now. Folk rock has become a love of mine. Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers have been on repeat for weeks now. The sound of the banjo is something I've become obsessed with and ever since I saw Scarlett (Clare Bowen) from the television show Nashville play her banjo I knew I wanted to learn!

2//I saw this on Modcloth and knew that I needed in my life. 

3// Never Cry Wolf is on my reading list. I have this fascination with wolves and heard this book was right up my ally. I'm reading a great wolf inspired book right now that I'm loving so I just know I would eat this book up as well! 

4// Another find on Modcloth, this moon lamp was made to be mine. This lamp not only looks like a moon but also displays all eight phases of the moon! How freakin' cool is that?! 

5// This ring. Turquoise is my favorite and I've been looking for the perfect turquoise ring and found it on Etsy. I'm not big on jewelry and usually stick to my wedding rings and one other ring that Bobby got me for our first wedding anniversary but lately I've had an itch to add to my collection. Over all The Fox and the Fawn shop has some really gorgeous things!

6// I need a new IPhone case in my life and this one suits me. 

7// Since I just got my fancy new camera I thought a fancy new camera strap was in order. This one has me all starry-eyed!

Oh and I'm already scheduled to get a small little tattoo the day before my birthday :) Another treat to myself. 

xo.

on this birthday of mine...

I'm twenty-four years old today! Hurray! Today is for snuggling on the couch, not doing a single chore around the house, spending time catching up on my favorite television shows, painting my nails and cooking food. This birthday is for relaxing!
xoxo

on a birthday wish list...

With all that's been going on lately I sort of forgot that my birthday is in one week! Wow. Where has the year gone? I feel like I was just asking myself the same question a few weeks ago when my little dude turned four. Time is flying by and although sometimes it's depressing seeing time just float away, I am super excited about the years ahead of me. Bring it on! I can only say this; I'm going to be turning twenty-four and rockin' that digit like no other :)
So to kick off the countdown here are some things that I've been swooning over-- a birthday wish list...

I have a slight obsession with Iphone cases and currently swooning over these two cases on an awesome new website I stumbled across- MochiThings. I love this case in Rose Pink. And then I'm sort of in love with this Iphone Wallet in grey.

Fall is around the corner and I'm in dire need of some new jackets. I totally fancy this leather jacket. And this jean jacket basically has my name on it, it's so cute and retro!

In need of some new things in my cosmetics bag! Eyeshadow. Lips. Face. Nails.

I already have one of these skull bracelets in black but now that I saw they have it in turquoise...I MUST have it!

Last but not least, this teal sweater. Adorable!

What are you swooning over lately? There's always something that I've got my eye on!

on a 4th birthday...

My little boy turned FOUR today! Yes, it happened. Ahhh! Today was a success and I am so glad to have made this day a special one for a boy who totally deserves it. 
We had a low key family party with the place decorated in some Legos and some Batman. Hey, it was whatever the little guy wanted. His day, his say :) Here are some photos of all the fun we had...

 Sebastian was a very lucky boy with all the gifts he received from his beloved family. His Aunts and Uncles even surprised him with a brand new shiny Spiderman bike!
Happy day for us and I am one proud parent :D

on some recent projects...

Lately posts have been a little scarce around here. Well, I've been busy alright! Last weekend we threw my mother in law a surprise 50th birthday bash. My sister in laws and I were planning this secret for two and a half weeks and through out that time my anxiety was spiking! I get like that when planning events. I'm really great at party planning or planning anything for that matter but I do tend to stress out a wee bit. Anyways, I was off doing all sorts of things and actually I handmade the invites for this shindig!

I handmade 25 of these bad boys and I was pretty happy how they turned out. The party was a nice size too and the best part about the all of it was that we had the party right in her own house! HA. If you don't think that is talent then I don't know what is...and she had no idea what so ever. You should of seen her face :) It was a success and I was so happy be a part of it. 


Another project, as slow as it is going, is my chevron afghan that I've been crocheting. With planning the party I put this project on the back burner and so now I'm hoping to nip this thing in the butt and go all crazy. 

This is what I've got so far. I will show you the finished product in about a year. Just kidding. I really love the colors! Don't you?! What sort of crafty things are you working on? Get out there and make something. 

♥A.

on a birthday dinner...

Another birthday dinner :) This time my lovely & beautiful sister-in-law Brittany's! She is one cool gal. She lives down in South Philly and is a social worker. Very passionate about what she does and lives life to the fullest. All of the things I admire about her. Also she is a total peach for asking mom to make Pasta Fagioli (which is my favorite dish that the mother-in-law makes) and also my favorite dessert ever! Death By Chocolate Cake :) Yummy!

 It was fun. Happy Birthday to Brittany. We're sleeping over at the in laws since both Bobby and I have to work Monday-- Labor Day. Sebastian gets to spend the day with his Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop :)

♥A.

on some bowling & gifts...

I can't remember the last time I went bowling. It was seriously so much fun! We played on teams since we had only one lane. And the teams were made up of two-three players. I was with Bobby and we all paired off. Sebastian was paired with his little cousin Danny, and they loved it just as much the adults. Mom brought some things to snack on while we bowled. Speaking of Mom, who just had surgery on her right hand, was a trooper and bowled with us. She's a lefty so it worked out :) Here are some pictures of our time. Pay close attention to what Sebastian was using to bowl with, something I never seen before until then!!

When we were done with our two games we headed back to mom & dad's house for dinner, presents & cake. Bobby and I picked up some pizza on the way. I chose spinach & mushroom, a plain and buffalo chicken. Yumm!  I really couldn't of asked for a better day. My birthday was full of happiness and fun, two things I love the most. Not to mention spending it with a great bunch of people who spoiled me! 

♥A