Sentimental Heart + One Lucky Hat

{Left} Jason in Preschool. How cute is he in those glasses?! {Right} Yours truly devouring a Flintstone's Push-Up. I was born a blondie.

I love these photographs, because both of us are with our brothers who are both named Michael.

I have a great story about this hat. When I was little we often went to Ocean City, Maryland in the summer time. We had an awesome condo really close to the beach. I have wonderful memories of watching the fireworks over the ocean on the Fourth of July. But one year I lost my hat {this hat} in the sand. I was so sad because it was my favorite hat, and I wore it almost everyday. A whole year went by before we came back to the beach. This time I was old enough to go down to the ocean by myself. I sat in the sand, and saw something sticking out that looked familiar. It was my favorite hat! Granted, by that time I had already outgrown it, but I've kept it all these years because it reminds me that no matter how much time passes, anything is possible.

One year for my birthday my brother gave me this wooden wine box. Ever since I was young I have kept my most prized possessions in it. There are letters from loved ones, old photos, and family heirlooms that have been passed down.

These are my dad's old glasses. I remember taking them off his face, and playing with them when he'd accidentally fall asleep while watching television.

There are my grandmother's opera glasses. When she passed away they were given to me. I can't wait to actually use them at an opera.

Another one of my grandmother's gems. She was so classy!

This was hanging up in the kitchen where I grew up. It was the first word I read & said. My sister gave me the nickname "Milk" because that's all I would say for a while. Now it's hanging up in our kitchen.

I keep this photograph of my grandmother on her wedding day on our bookshelf. She was so beautiful!

Have a wander-full weekend :) 

Love,

A Sentimental Heart

Random Topic Tuesday + Anchors & Arrows

1. We just booked our flight to New York City on August 7^th at night. We will take a redeye, and will spend three full days there. Then the plan is to take the train down to Baltimore, Maryland and spend three days there. One day will be designated for Baltimore City, one day for Reisterstown, and one day we will take transit to Washington DC. We will come home on August 14^th in the afternoon. I’m really excited, and it’s wonderful to see all of our plans coming together. It’s not too far away now!

2. Elephants always remind me of my grandmother on my dad's side. I think she would have really enjoyed this photograph. It makes me smile!

3. Scalloped skirts are so classy! I love it! I just bought one from the Gap on sale for under $10.

4. I need a new pair of TOMS for our East Coast trip. We will be doing a lot of walking, and I've already worn through the one's I have. Aren't these cute? They've got a bit of whimsy :)

5. I'm kind of obsessed with anchors and arrows lately. Both of these photos are products from Etsy. The one on the left is only $2.50! I think I'll be getting that one soon :)

6. This has been my favorite song for a really long time. My last post got me thinking about how much I love the band Say Anything. "Alive With The Glory of Love".

Liebster Award + Sets of Eleven

Chelsea over at {3...2...1...} has nominated me for the Liebster Award!

Here's the description of the award (taken from Chelsea's page):

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs!

{11 things about me}

♥ I always make a wish at 11:11.

♥ I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. 

♥ My favorite thing in the world is to travel.

♥ My dream car is a blue Mini Cooper convertible.

♥ I'm going back to school to be an Elementary School Teacher.

♥ I got married at the most romantic place {Boojum Tree Hidden Garden}.

♥ My next big adventure is our trip to New York City in August.

♥ I would love to own everything from Anthropologie.

♥ I read the ingredient list of everything I buy. 

♥ I learn a lot from The Big Bang Theory.

♥ I think Han Solo is a badass.

{Chelsea's questions}

What is your favorite song lyric and why? 

♥ "They let us play with markers, but I keep trying to draw infinity" in the song "The Church Channel" by Say Anything. They have been my favorite band for a long time, and I've always connected with the lead singer, Max Bemis.

What is an average day in your life like?

♥  I try to not let any day just be average. I like to embark on something creative everyday, as well as taking long walks/runs with my awesome hubby + puppy. Our runs are more frolicking and galavanting than trying to keep a serious pace.

Sweet food or spicy food?

♥ Well I don't like spicy at all, and I rarely crave something sweet. 

Why did you start blogging? 

♥ I love that it's a unique way to express yourself, and connect/relate to others.

If you were on a desert island and could have one person with you, what person would that be and why?

♥ Hands down my husband. I have more fun with him than anyone else in the world. We laugh, play, and he makes the most mundane things interesting.

Where do you find inspiration? 

♥ Pinterest, and history.

What are your goals for the next five years? 

♥ I want to move somewhere with seasons {obviously completely opposite of Arizona}, buy a house with a backyard for Joker to run around in, and visit Europe again.

What are three things you wish would disappear from the world/your life?

♥ Poverty, Excessive Social Media, and for something trivial: the Arizona summer heat.

What do you do in your spare time?

♥ Hike, kayak, and all things crafty :)

What are your guilty pleasures? 

♥ I try not to feel guilty for the things that I enjoy, but I can't help but going on wwzdw.com. Please don't judge me, but I love all the outfits Zooey Deschanel wears in New Girl.

What is your biggest dream?

♥ To be a mom.

{My Questions} 

1. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

2. What does your perfect day consist of?

3. Are you a dog or cat person? Or both?

4. Do you have a lucky number, and why?

5. What is one thing in your state that you haven't done, but would like to do?

6. If you could travel any one place in the world, where would it be?

7. What book are you reading? Or one you've been meaning to read?

8. Do you feel like you were meant to be born in a different decade, or era? Why?

9. Do you believe in love at first sight?

10. Do you still possess a stuffed animal from your childhood?

11. When was the last time you took a really nice, long walk? How was it?

{My nominations}

1. Amanda in Wonderland

2. Build Castles in Air

3. Free as a Bird

4. Mr. and Mrs.

5. There's a double meaning in that

6. love always, Jamie

7. An Unordinary Hello

8. Pink Wonderland

9. Jazz lips and tulips

10. Jump Into Puddles

11. Tabi Happy

Senses Saturday + Abraham Lincoln

{Sight} Last night we went to the movie theatre and saw Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was a lot better than I expected. I love Tim Burton, and am compelled to see all of his films.

{Scent} I picked up some Method hand soap from Target, and the Coconut Grove scent is absolutely perfect for summertime!

{Sound} I'm in a Bruno Mars kick. I have to admit, I'm not putting this song up just for the musical aspect of it. "The Lazy Song" music video is so funny, and had Jason + I laughing all morning.

{Taste} Starbucks Dark Espresso Roast in Whole Bean! Whole Bean is key here. Doesn't a freshly ground latte sound magical? It's because it IS magical.

{Touch} This is the final product of the free Shutterfly book I've been working on. The book contains photographs from our Honeymoon in London, Paris + Belgium. I still need to be pinched to remind myself it wasn't all a dream.

Hope everyone is having a blissful weekend! Does anyone have a favorite sense they'd like to share?

♥ Naomi

Silhouettes + Another Finished Wall

What you need:

♥ 5 x 7 photo {stand in front of a bright window + don't close your mouth all the way}

♥ Specialty paper {we got these from a book on sale at Wal-mart for $2.50}

♥ White + Black paper {white: computer paper; black: Michael's 48¢}

♥ X-acto knife

♥ Frame {this 8 x 10 was $4 at Wal-Mart}

♥ Scotch tape

What to do:

♥ Tape the photo to a black piece of paper with the photo on top.

♥ Using an X-acto knife with a new blade, cut around the edges while pressing hard so it goes through both. {don't forget to add detail like the eyelashes, and definition in the hair}

♥ Cut an oval shape out of the specialty paper. {we used an oval matte as a template from Michael's for $2.50}

♥ Tape a piece of computer paper behind the specialty paper, tape the silhouette on the white paper inside the oval, and frame that bad boy up!

This was a fun + inexpensive project. I'm definitely thinking of doing these as gifts, because they are so personal. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :)

Painted Grey + Thoughts of Chevron

Last weekend ACE Hardware was doing a promotion where they would give you a free quart of paint in the brand Clark + Kensington. I thought it was amazing that they could match any color you wanted {they even gave us a free painter's key, which makes it easier to open than using a screw driver}. I brought in a paint chip that we picked out from Home Depot. It was called "Granite Grey". It's a really calming color, and I switched our lamps around because this one looks better against a darker color.

The next project I want to do for this area is to make our own curtains. I found the exact pattern I wanted, and the fabric is quite inexpensive. It's going to be black + white chevron pattern. I can't wait to get started on this. I've never done anything like this before, so it will be interesting :)

Has anyone ever bought fabric online, or made curtains?

♥ Naomi