A Walk Through Little Havanna

I have been wanting to learn more about editing pictures so I found this cool app called Camera+. It's only 99 cents but it allows you to take pictures in the app with a better exposure and zoom and then edit the pictures in the app as well. It's nothing too fancy but I decided to give it a try. I read a little bit about how to take the best pictures and they said the key is good light. So Friday afternoon I took a stroll through the neighborhood by us called Little Havana. I love the architecture of the buildings and I love how there is a really interesting blend of cultures in the neighborhood. Below are some the pictures I took, all edited with Camera+. It was great exercise and a fun way to spend my afternoon off! Who wants to come visit now? 

Master Bedroom Update

As part of my "30 before 30" list, I decided I wanted to finally have a decorated master bedroom. For some reason that always seems to be the room we neglect. I have been very indecisive with bedding and I think we have been through 5 or 6 different comforter and sheet combinations in the 4 years of our marriage. A few months ago I found some beautiful deep purple sheets that I fell in love with at Costco. I impulsed purchased them and luckily Derek was on board. We already had the yellow and grey bedding and I think the purple was the perfect icing on the cake. I rummaged through some old frames my mom had at her house and I found inspiration for the print collage on Pinterest (duh). With a little spray paint and a good printer we were ready to go. Derek helped me hang the pictures and actually make the bed and viola! I don't know how long this will last but I love it and it really feels nice to have everything put together. The last thing we have to work on this summer is the book shelf next to my side of the bed, but once again I have a few Pinterest ideas that I think will be perfect!

The headboard and dresser are from Rooms to Go 

My favorite is the picture of the two of us from Nathaly Blalock Photography 

You can see the book shelf we need to decorate here. Any ideas? 

Bucket List: 30 by 30

I have been thinking about a lot of things that I want to do with my time. Some weeks go by and I feel like I don't accomplish all that much in the time that I have been given. I saw a story on Facebook that talked about how time is like a bank. Every day our bank is restocked with time, and often we just spend the time, not noticing where our time is spent. I totally feel like that! Since I am a manic list maker, I decided to make a list of all of the things I want to do with my time. I have had this list slowly building on my desktop at work and then today I figured out what to do with it! I was on my friend Caitlin's blog, stalking her cute kids and saw a link to her 30 before 30 post. She made a list of 30 things to do before she turned 30 and I was inspired. I added 6 or 7 more things to my list to complete it and boom, here we are. My own list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. Some are rather bold, but at least I have some fun things to look forward to! Maybe if I don't accomplish all of them they can be added to my 40 things to do before 40 list ;)

Here it is:

1. Run a 10K
2. Go to England and see all the places I have read about
3. Read the Book of Mormon and New Testament as a family
4. Go on a vacation every year with Derek
5. Make a quilt
6. Re-learn how to knit and make a scarf
7. Make a scrapbook of the first few years of our marriage
8. Learn to play my favorite hymn on the piano (Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide)
9. Have a 3 month supply of food storage
10. Participate in the dedication and ceremony for the Ft. Lauderdale temple (Coming 2014)
11. Go to Pennsylvania again
12. Visit Mike while he lives in Chicago
13. Learn how to use my camera and take pictures
14. Get to know the city of Miami
15. Rescue a dog
16. Throw a New Year’s Eve Party
17. Grow an urban garden
18. Enjoy the ocean at least 1 time a month while in Miami
19. Learn to give myself a professional mani/pedi
20. Read a book about a prophet (recommendations welcome)
21. See John Mayer in concert
22. Finish decorating my master bedroom
23. Write more
24. Learn how to make homemade tortillas
25. Help Derek graduate from medical school
26. Be a better sister/sister-in-law
27. Go to the Keys
28. Receive my Young Women Recognition again
29. Volunteer with a political campaign I care about
30. Read Pride and Prejudice every year