Spring On Pinterest

Yay for link-up day. Firstly, What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jamie at This Kind of Love

I'm Loving that I have another wedding to help plan. My dear friend is getting married in Chicago this summer, and I have been pinning and researching like crazy. She is having a glamorous old Hollywood style wedding which is so different from my laid back lakeside wedding. It has been really fun to plan something in such a different style. 

I'm Loving the Army class I am taking this week. It has been seven hours a day for two days, but I have been learning so much. There is so much to absorb about etiquette and rank. I thought I was pretty comfortable with army lingo, but this week has proved me wrong. 

I'm Loving the bright blue pants from The Gap ( see below). As soon as our moving money is reimbursed, I am making a trip to the mall. 

I'm Loving my husband, who brings me tea, indulges my obsession with primary election results, and has been so wonderful about making this move as smooth as possible. So many women in my class talked about their husbands forgetting to tell them about various army issues. Lane is so good about making sure I have all  the necessary information. 

Spring seems very far away in the north country. It is still below 30 degrees most days, and fell down to below zero this week. Somehow, anything above 30 degrees has started to feel warm to me. Nonetheless, I know that spring is coming. This is the theme for this week's Pinterest link-up with The Vintage Apple

I am craving bright colors both in my flowers and my clothes. I love navy blue, and I think it is gorgeous matched with some brighter colors. My shopping list already has those cobalt blue trousers from the gap on it.

creamaricrea.blogspot.com via Molly on Pinterest

Pinkwallpaper,blogspot.com via Molly on Pinterest

The Gap via Molly on Pinterest

thepoppedcollar.tumblr.com via Molly on Pinterest

autumn-cashmere.tumblr.com Molly on Pinterest 

awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com via Molly on Pinterest

The Glitter Guide via Molly on Pinterest 

dressdesigndecor.blogspot.com via Molly on Pinterest

stylemepretty via Molly on Pinterest

The Sartorialist via Molly on Pinterest

Act of Valor

Lane and I went to see Act of Valor last week. If you aren't familiar, it is about Navy SEALS and includes real life SEALS instead of actors. It follows them on missions around the world, and demonstrates many of the different tasks taken on by SEALS.

 It was abundantly clear that they weren't actors. Some of the dialogue was a bit stiff, but all of the action sequences were better because they weren't actors. The level of non-verbal communication was really cool to watch.

The fact the film used real SEALS causes some spillover into real life. One of the SEALS in the film, Aaron Vaughn, was KIA when his helicopter crashed in Afghanistan last August. I can't imagine the pain his family has been going through this past year. I don't know whether it would be comforting or devastating to see my deceased husband up on screen. I cried my eyes out at several parts during the film. Regardless of the acting skill, I really enjoyed this film. Definitely bring tissues.

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Although this isn't exactly related to the movie, I have been thinking about Navy SEAL Petty Office Second Class Michael Monsoor. Below is the official summary of action from the U.S Navy's website. He was killed after jumping on a grenade to save his fellow SEALS.

While vigilantly watching for enemy activity, an enemy fighter hurled a hand grenade onto the roof from an unseen location.  The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled “grenade” to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm.  Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity.  The grenade detonated as he came down on top of it, mortally wounding him.

            Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional.  Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped.  Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life.  By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor.

Le Weekend

This weekend was all about getting to know our new little area. Lane got released early on Friday and we set off to explore Watertown. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the town square. There was a great art gallery with beautiful paintings and wood work. We had lunch at The Crystal, which has been around since the early 1900's. Good food at insanely low prices. The hamburger is $2.75.

 My camera is still wonky so these are from the web via

 Friday night was very relaxing, as we ate dinner on post and watched the Eric Bana movie Hanna.

Saturday we jumped in the car and drove to Syracuse. I had looked up interesting places to walk around, and Armory Square was one of the results. We should have looked up the basketball schedule, because Syracuse was playing a home game on Saturday. We walked  through hordes of orange clad Syracuse fans and found some great shops. We got coffee at a shop called Freedom of Espresso. I loved the name, and the very tasty latte.

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I was thrilled to find knobs for my pie safe, for half the price of the Anthro knobs I had been dreaming about.  The wonderful sales lady said that she wanted to show us how strong they were. She took one from the display and chucked it at the ( tile) floor as hard as she could. After I recovered from my slight heart attack, I was shocked that the knob didn't even have a scratch.

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During our walk we passed the Wesleyan Methodist Church. It was part of the underground railroad and helped hundreds of former slaves escape to Canada. Susan B Anthony also spoke here. It has been converted into a restaurant, and we definitely plan on going back for a meal.

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We ate at the Empire Brewing Company for lunch. It was delicious and had such a cool interior. I had some of the best chili I have ever eaten. It is below ground right in Armory Square. We didn't try any of their beers, but I am sure we will be back. They also use entirely renewable energy, which is amazing.

It feels good to gain familiarity with this area. I want to like it here, and making these kind of trips helps.

Sunday Art

These are all from Cozamia. I love their art, and am definitely thinking about getting one for our house. The chevron patter below is my favorite, and I think it would be possible to make using a canvas and tape to create the white areas. These have been all over Pinterest, but I wanted to highlight them here too.

All pictures from cozamia

Love by Roy Croft
I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.
I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.
I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;
I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can't help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find
I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.
I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.

Weddings On My Mind

My friend's recent engagement has me thinking about weddings. I loved doing the research for mine, calling all the different vendors and piecing together the different aspects. I wasn't on Pinterest during my planning, but I have gained all sorts of ideas for J's since joining.

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I didn't get one of these hangers for my dress and I wish that I had. I couldn't figure out what I would do with it after the wedding. Regardless of practicality, I think it would be nice for special occasions or just a nice reminder of the wedding. 

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We didn't do a first look. I think there is something nice about having the first look during the ceremony. However, I love this trend of the almost first look. It allows you to get pictures together while still saving the first look for the ceremony.

I had a really long walk to our ceremony site. Our guests could see me for a solid minute and a half before I made it to the front. I really wanted that first look experience, so Lane turned his back while I was walking.

All photos from I Love You Much Photography 

Temporary

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While we wait for housing to become available, we are staying in the post hotel. It is really quite nice, especially for how cheap it is. However, it just makes my urge to unpack and decorate more severe. I have had most of my life in boxes since the middle of the summer. The earliest that we will get a house is the beginning of April, which in the grand scheme of things is not that long. Everything has been temporary for months, and I am just ready for something more permanent.

Clearly, permanence and the Army do not go together, but even two years living in the same place will set a new record for me. Since I graduated high school, the longest I have been in one place is about nine months. Between study abroad and grad school, I have been constantly moving. These experiences have all been so important in formulating who I am, but I am ready for something different.

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In happier news, one my best friends got engaged last night. I am so excited to head out to Chicago for her wedding. I already volunteered for reception hall research to fill my time while figuring out job stuff.

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Blog Awards and Song of the Day

Laura over at Loving Life in Love was gracious enough to tag me with the Cute Blog Award. I love her blog and can't get enough of her adorable dogs. I am also linking up with Goodnight Moon for What's Your Song?


This week I am feeling Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars. I am not nearly as obsessed with The Hunger Games as my sister or others, but I have been listening to this song constantly.

Here's how it works - upon receiving the award, you are to: 

1) Link back to the person who awarded you

2) Answer all of the award questions

3) Award as many bloggers that you think are worthy of this award and make them aware of it

What is your go to make-up brand?

I love Benefit. Erase paste is the best under eye concealer I have ever used. Benefit can be a bit pricey, so I try to either get it on sale or on Ebay. I also love the powder Get Even. I hardly ever wear more than very basic makeup. My obsession with sunscreen has left me with pretty good skin. The one thing I have to do every day is fill in my eyebrows. They are so blond that without pencil they are invisible. 

What is your favorite trend of 2011? 
Oh lord I can't even tell you the trends of 2011. Between finishing my Masters Degree and getting married, I barely bought any new clothes or paid attention. 

What is your favorite dessert? 

Carrot Cake. I try to make a healthier version most of the time, but I love me some cream cheese icing. 

What is your favorite color?
I would probably say blue and green. I wear mostly blue, black and grey but I have been loving emerald green lately. 

What is your middle name? 

When we got married my maiden name became my middle name. I was born with the middle name Philomena. Oh yes, my Irish Catholic background was in full force when my parents named me. 

What song did you listen to last? 

Ha, see first part of this post. Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars.

Dogs or Cats? 

Images can be found on my pinterest

DOGS!! I am allergic to cats which is unfortunate because my parents and my in-laws both have cats. We are getting a dog as soon as the housing situation is resolved. 

Something you haven't told anyone ( on your blog) yet. 

I suppose the only thing I haven't mentioned is that I don't eat almost anything processed. My husband and I have been eating Paleo for about a year now, and I love it. I am not perfect, and absolutely eat stuff I shouldn't. However, the majority of the time I eat only fruit, vegetables, meat and nuts. I differ from most paleo people in that I still eat dairy. I tried to go without it, but horrendous stomach aches were the result.