Sunday Funday.

(Matilda modeling on my new duvet cover from IKEA.)

Hello, from a chilly house in Central Florida. Word on the street is we're supposed to get down in the low 40's tonight so I'm  preparing my body for a cold Valentine's Day tomorrow. I have a t-shirt with hot pink lips I bought months ago to wear, so it looks like I'll be layering a bit.

This afternoon Harbor and I took a trip up to Orlando so he could furnish his new apartment. Neither of us had ever spent a significant amount of time in an IKEA before, so we were looking forward to the trip. I was especially excited because we've never furniture shopped together, and it just seems like a very adult thing to do. Feel like we really took this relationship to the next level today.

Anyway, we had our monthly photo adventure scheduled for this afternoon, but since we also really needed to hit up IKEA, I decided that we should just knock them both out at the same time. So, yes. We definitely took photos all around the Orlando IKEA store. And yes, that is a very 20-something-white-person-young-love thing to do.

However,  I refused to fit the stereotype completely. I told Harbor we had to be sneaky so that we wouldn't be completely obvious that we were actually having a photo shoot inside of an IKEA. It only added to the challenge and made it more fun. And a hilarious sidenote: My roommate Linds said that she's surprised IKEA stores everywhere haven't posted a sign that reads, "Absolutely no recreating 500 Days of Summer in this store at any time. Thank you."

Here's what we came up with:

Harbor selects a fine wine in his living room.

Kaitlyn considers what she'll be making for the evening in her kitchen.

Kaitlyn and Harbor have a moment in the mirror in which Harbor looks angry but really is not.

And we used the rugs as giant backdrops! It was my favorite part of the trip. Here, Harbor can be seen with his brand new water pitcher.

All in all, it was super fun. I learned a lot about the way Harbor is able to use his money wisely and make this most of a budget. (Great life skills, if you ask me.) I also learned that you can't just "run in real quick" to an IKEA. You have to spend 2 - 3 hours there, minimum. As we were leaving, I heard a young child say, "Ahh, I love the smell of IKEA." Made me wonder how regularly they frequented the store. Must be a pretty trendy little fam. 

On the way home I even got to work on my blanket, which is nearly completed, by the way. I wrapped up the evening cooking vegetarian Indian food with my roommates. It's one of our favorite things in the whole world to eat. We probably make it twice a month at least. 

And here's a sneak peek at my nearly-finished granny square blanket! I can't believe how long it's taken me, but I'll be pumped to have it done. Matilda already approves of my handiwork.

I hope you had a restful weekend and that you're anxiously awaiting Valentine's Day tomorrow, even if you don't have a significant other to celebrate with. It's just a great day to care about others. 

K

Happy Caturday!

Having a really productive Saturday thus far, and it hasn't even felt like work! (The best kind.) I'm still on the hunt for a sweet bridesmaid dress, but I am so thankful for all of your suggestions, links, and happy notes. I've narrowed it down to a few, though one of my top choices just SOLD OUT OF MY SIZE! Grrr, I'm bad at shopping. haha

Anyway, I'm planning a relaxing dinner and evening for HB since he works a ton all the time. And while I was at Publix buying stuff for dinner I found those darn girlscouts at it again. So now I'm chomping on a Lemonade shortbread cookie with the toffee nut latte I grabbed from Starbucks. (Oh, and you'd better believe that box of Thin Mints went straight into the freezer.)

I'm off to edit a few photos from our event last night in Cocoa Beach. We had a ton of fun sending CJ Hobgood off on the 2011 ASP World Tour. He's currently sporting TWLOHA gear in lieu of a corporate sponsor. Pretty great guy, and fun to have an event so close to where we work. 

Back to enjoying my day. It's great to be on the computer with a cat on your lap. If you haven't ever tried it, I highly recommend it. 

What are you doing today? Anybody need to run out and buy Girl Scout Cookies now? (Sorry!)
K

I need a dress!

, originally uploaded by bonniecakes.

I'm in need of a huge favor. I am in a wedding March 5th, and I still haven't found my dress! The beautiful bride is one of the most creative people I know in my life, and she's creating a gorgeous, vintage-vibe spring wedding held in her backyard near the woods.

She has requested that we find short dresses with a classic style, and have a sort of magical, dreamy feel. Think lace, florals, and well-made vintage dresses.

I am in a time crunch and am willing to spend a bit more than I would have originally liked. Anyone know of good dress shops, Etsy shops, where I can snag a to-die-for dress under $100 that I can be beautiful in come March? (I typically wear a size 6.)

All shop suggestions, links, and altering ideas are welcomed... shopping for these types of things is not my forte. Unfortunately, I have the eye and appreciation, but not the skillz.

Thanks!
K

It feels like Friday.

I've had a pretty wonderful day today. Here's why:

Lunch with my parents & Harbor made me so happy. I ate a huge fish sandwich with sweet potato wedges.

I got to cross a ton off my to-do list, which always makes me feel good.

We posted an updated version of a blog I wrote on this blog last Saturday. Boy, this week has been rough and I've had to eat my words a ton but that's the beauty of pain and grief and hope and perseverance. And life, really. (We usually know what we are "supposed" to be able to do better than we actually do it in reality.) Thank God for growth and patience with ourselves and others.

Oh, and the day ended on the sweetest note when my boss bought me a cherry slurpee just because he's kind. Thanks, Jamie.

While I was snapping a slurpee photo, my coworker reminded me... Harbor got a red slurpee smashed on his face once! And, no joke, I was pretty tempted to walk over to his apartment, knock on the door and then pour it all over his head when he opened it. I decided to go over and share instead. :)

However, I did screenshot a progression of slurpee smashing for your enjoyment. (If you want to watch his band's video and see it in action, feel free to do so here.)

What a good sport! And, I think I will leave you with that for now. I'm off to the gym for Zumba with my friend Holly.

K

Tomorrow.

... my parents come to visit! They arrive in Brevard just after noon, and we plan on going to lunch with Harbor as soon as they arrive. Life just feels better when I sit across the table from these two.

I'll have to remember to snap some photos during our meal -- we're eating at my favorite place in the Village. Ossorios!

(Photo found here.)

Sweet dreams.
K