Tag Archives: surprise

Oct25

Crafty Halloween Home Decor

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Crafty Halloween Home Decor

Hello! It is no secret that Johnny and I live for Halloween decor and our apartment is decorated for the happiest season of all all year round. At work, my Johnny is definitely the elder emo of the bunch and his work station is decorated with Halloween goodies too. Earlier this week, he sent me a picture of a craft that one of his coworkers made just for us. We were so genuinely surprised at how thoughtful this was and have it proudly displayed in our living room. I am absolutely in love with it and wanted to share it because it’s something that could be easily replicated. It can also be made to fit the upcoming holiday season too. Check it out:

Johnny and I were aware that his coworker makes crafts like this bottle nightlight and never expected to have her make one for us. It honestly came as a shock and we are just so appreciative for it because it’s so totally us! His coworker claims to not be crafty but we most certainly say otherwise. There are countless fun little details to this display. The spider, skeleton beads, and eyeball flowers took a simple craft into something really special. The bottle of Witches Brew set the tone and it bloomed from there!

A craft like this would make a fabulous gift and I can picture it perfectly for the holiday season. Start with a bottle of sparkling grape juice, Christmas ale, or a seasonal wine and add some twinkling fairy lights. For the flowers, I’m thinking poinsettias with sprigs of holly and a spray of glitter or fake snow. Then, it could be decorated with tiny ornaments, icicles, peppermints, or snowflakes. Any holiday staple that speaks to you! There is nothing better than a homemade gift and this is a great route to draw inspiration from. ❤

This Halloween craft was the perfect treat – no tricks involved. What a kind, generous, and wicked cool gesture! ❤

Have you made any crafts recently? How did it turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep7

OOTD Surprise

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OOTD Surprise

Hello! This past weekend was a glorious one because it was a three day weekend, baby! Very rarely do I take a holiday like Labor Day off but I went for it and I am so glad I did. Minus a visit with my sister and sweet nieces and a video chat with my blogging bestie, this was the first weekend Johnny and I had zero plans since our birthaversary at the beginning of June. All of the summer activities and get togethers were so lovely but we were long overdue for a few days of doing nothing. Of course, other than doing an OOTD shoot. A shoot that got cut short from the most adorable surprise! Check it out:

Johnny and I decided to walk through the path that goes behind some of the apartments in my community for this shoot as it features a lot of pretty greenery. It was the perfect place to post up and the picture taking commenced. Everything was going as normal until I heard a rustling behind me. I turned around and was able to see a cat bolt it into the foliage. I figured it was long gone and then it came back seconds later and I realized it wasn’t a cat at all but a KITTEN! Johnny and I named her Tiger and she was as friendly as can be. Stick a fork in that photo shoot because it was SO done lol.

As we were giving Tiger all the love, her darling calico kitten companion watched from the sidelines as well as the mama cat which we didn’t even notice was on the apartment side of the path the whole time. We must have spent a solid half an hour playing with Tiger and it was so hard to tear ourselves away. We were worried that they didn’t have a home and were blessedly able to confirm with someone who was walking to their apartment who the owner was and we confirmed with them too. Had they not had an owner and if we didn’t have bunnies, I think they would have been as good as ours!

This is the first and cutest time an OOTD shoot as ever not gone accordingly to plan and I am so not mad about it. Our little afternoon with Tiger is easily one of mine and Johnny’s favorite OOTD memories!

Have any of your blog posts or pictures not turned out the way you wanted? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug31

Quelle Surprise!

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Quelle Surprise!

Yoo hoo! As I am self employed, I rarely take a day off or even a half day. Hey, if I don’t work then I don’t get paid because what’s PTO amiright? However, sometimes time off is unavoidable and that was the case this past Monday. My client was feeling unwell so I left about two hours into my shift and decided to head to chez mom and dad’s. They were watching one of my sweet nieces and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity for a play date pass me by. It was a glorious day of seventy degree weather and I couldn’t wait to run around and stretch my legs. After our Columbus Zoo trip last Saturday, Johnny and I literally didn’t move on Sunday so I could have used the exercise lol.

I arrived at my parents’ house as soon as they did and my niece and I went absolutely crazy outside. Bubble crazy to be specific! My parents got my nieces this adorable bubble blower that looks like a French Bulldog and provides beaucoup bubbles with a pinwheel mechanism. We ran and danced through the bubbles for a solid half hour plus. Only pausing for water and juice breaks and adding more bubble soap to the blower! We declared ourselves the Bubble Queens but my littlest Bubble Queen was ready for some lunch.

I stuck around for her meal and some more play, then went on my merry way home. Johnny wasn’t due back for another two hours and I knew exactly how I was going to spend my time: Kicking back and watching America’s Next Top Model AKA my number one guilty pleasure. I couldn’t wait to get home and have some me time and was shocked when I reached our apartment. Johnny’s car was in the parking lot! I was worried he wasn’t feeling well either but that wasn’t the case at all.

When he opened the door, my main squeeze proudly told me he took a half day so he could clean the bunny hutch and surprise me. Quelle surprise! He was also just as surprised that I was home early too! The hutch looked phenomenal and the bunnies were happily romping about with their dad. It was the absolute sweetest and I am the luckiest lady in the whole world. Johnny is the best bunny dad and husband and after my homecoming we enjoyed the rest of our half day together. Johnny played video games while I tucked into the new Rachel Joyce novel and then spent the rest of the day watching our new favorite sitcom, Abbott Elementary. It was the perfect surprise day off followed by a perfect surprise at home! ❤

^^^ What a guy!!!!

Have you had any fun surprises recently? What does a perfect day off look like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul1

Stanley Surprise

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Stanley Surprise

Hello and holy wow! Johnny and I have had an extremely busy month celebrating our birthaversary and we spent another weekend living it up. My bestie, Lea, came over last Friday for dinner and my birthday hangout and Johnny and I went to Outlaw Fest on Saturday! Lea and I both share summer birthdays and this is our seventeenth year having a special get together for our big days. That alone is such a beautiful gift and I treasure the time with my best girl so much! When it comes to gift giving, Lea and I are very similar. We get our ideas from simply listening when people are talking and store them away for later use. That is exactly what she did for my prezzie and I can pinpoint the precise moment when she decided on my perfect gift. Take a look and let’s discuss:

The last time Lea was over a month or so ago, she came walking in with a gorgeous lavender Stanley mug. I complimented the color immediately and showed off my Halloween tumbler I was using after Johnny threw out my beloved sea green Stanley because he didn’t wash it and there was mold in it. SMH. I told Lea that my main qualm with my current mug was that I was refilling it constantly and wanted to replace it with something bigger, perhaps with some birthday cash. Looking back on that moment after Lea gifted me with my pastel pink Stanley, I just know she was like “noted” in her head! ❤ I felt so special and loved that she remembered this and it made receiving the cup even more special.

The funny thing is, the Tuesday before our hang out, I actually did end up replacing my old Halloween tumbler with a forty ounce beast by Manna from TJMaxx. When Lea walked into the apartment this time, she clocked the mug and realized she was gifting me with something I already had. The thing is, what she gave me was infinitely better. There were Stanley cups at TJs that I was going to get, but the one I purchased was cheaper and I didn’t want to go overboard as I was buying new clothes too. She gave me exactly what I wanted and would have bought for myself and there was also the BFF sentiment behind it, which makes it the absolute best. I am now the proud owner of a mom and baby tumbler lol:

Shout out to my darling Lea for helping me stay hydrated all summer long with the replacement of my fallen Stanley. I love it and I love YOU so much, my sweet angel! ❤

Have you had to replace anything recently? How do you like to celebrate your birthday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun19

Sweet Surprises: Birthday Bouquet Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Birthday Bouquet Edition

Hello!! Johnny and I have had such an awesome birthaversary celebration so far and the good times are going to continue rolling all month long. We still have plans for a concert, a baseball game, and hang outs with all of our nearest and dearest and it is such fun to take over the entire month of June with Johnny! I have been surprised with so many wonderful messages and gifts already and had a “but wait – there’s more!” moment when Johnny brought home this gorgeous bouquet that his aunt sent for my birthday:

When Johnny walked through the door, I could barely see him over the huge bouquet bursting with the most beautiful blooms. Of course, I was surprised by the sheer enormity of it, but what really blew me away were the colors! Burnt orange, pale peach, purple, and pink flowers worked in tandem to create a display that is truly stunning. I can’t help but to smile every time I look at it because it’s just so pretty and thoughtful. Johnny’s aunt doesn’t live in Ohio so it’s like getting a great big hug from her!

I absolutely love being gifted with flowers because bouquets are something that I don’t buy for myself and they always remind me of my dad. Whether it’s a bouquet he picks up from the store or one he created on his own from the garden, he frequently surprises my mom with flowers. I think it is the sweetest thing and look forward to seeing his masterpieces front and center on the kitchen table. A bouquet is like a little ray of sunshine just for you and I am so appreciative for the flowers in both mine and my parents’ home. ❤

My birthday and apartment got so much brighter from this Sweet Surprise. I am in awe of this bouquet and it was the most lovely gift!

What is your favorite flower? Do you have fresh flowers in your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun9

Sweet Surprises: Random Money Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Random Money Edition

Hello!! This past week, I had a little moment on my break at work that simply tickled me and I just had to share it with all of you. I don’t know about you, but every once in a while I will see a post on Facebook about someone finding random money on their person. Unfortunately, I can’t relate because I am one of those people that rarely carry cash… Primarily because I want to spend it immediately! However, that statement is no longer true because that is what happened during my break time surprise and, I’ve got to say, it was just as delightful as I imagined it being.

After finishing up some work on the computer, I still had a bit of time to kill. So, I started reading a new book called The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers (Peep the Book Club review soon!). As I was reading, I reached in my purse for anything that could be used as a bookmark and pulled out the first thing that felt like paper. As per ushe, I was expecting a receipt that I didn’t need but wasn’t going to leave my purse until cleaning it out. Rather, it was a small envelope. You can only imagine my surprise when I opened it to discover it was Christmas cash from last year from my parents. I must have stuck it in my purse with the intention of spending it, it got lost in the black hole that is my handbag, and I straight up forgot about it.

When I made this discovery, it seriously felt like getting a hug from my mom and dad. Yes, the cashola was nice but it was even better to have a Christmas surprise in June! I immediately called my mom to announce my findings and what I thought would be a short call turned into a ten minute gab fest and that was the cherry on top. I was already having a great day but this made it an excellent one and it really is the little things in life that make it so much sweeter. ❤

Like I said, as soon as I have cash – I want to spend it! I used it to buy more leafy greens for the bunnies, a couple of dinner options for me and Johnny, and some super yummy dill pickle trail mix too. Dinner and snack time for us and the bunnies were proudly sponsored by mom and dad. I just love them!!! :*)

What is a little thing that made you happy recently? Have you found random money before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

New Light Pink & Purple Glitter Nails

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New Light Pink & Purple Glitter Nails

Howdy!! I had a delightful break time fill at Elysian Nails this past Tuesday and it was just what the doctor ordered. My nails were insanely grown out and were in desperate need of some TLC! As always, my nail tech worked wonders and they are back to their former glory and, I daresay, better than ever. This appointment also came with a surprise – brand new colors to pick from! Take a look:

Prior to my appointment, I selected my nail polish colors and waited for my tech at her station. As soon as she saw me, she called me over to the other polish options which I don’t entertain. They are usually all gel and dip and I just go for regular old nail polish. I jokingly asked her if this was her trying to convert me to gel polish and we had a right laugh! Rather, she showed me brand new nail polishes and my original choices went straight out the window. I instantly fell in love with the pale pink and purple glitter shades! They look like fairy tale colors and are so delicate and pretty. My only qualm is that the two colors are more similar than I had anticipated from the sample, making it hard to differentiate them. However, I never say no to trying something brand new and they actually remind me of the Disney princess nail polish that my eldest niece adores. I think she is going to go crazy for this combo!

Of course, I couldn’t wait to get my nails right but I also was chomping at the bit to gossip with my tech. I had SO much scoop to tell her since my last appointment and it’s always fun to update each other on our never ending sagas. After spilling all the tea, we go through our monthly recommendations. From books we read to TV shows we’re binging, we cover it all and I love hearing her reviews. We have very different tastes when it comes to our preferred genres and it’s nice to have new options when I’m in the mood to break free from the norm. By the time my appointment was done, my nails were exquisite, the tea runneth over, and I was ready to return to work feeling like a billion bucks.

These new nail polish shades are perfect for spring and for letting your inner fairy princess go wild. Mine is certainly having a partay!

What kind of polish do you get when you get your nails done? What is your favorite acrylic shape? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

Sweet Surprises: Bunny Decor Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Bunny Decor Edition

Hello!! I am incredibly lucky to be able to call my sister, brother-in-law, and three darling nieces my best friends in the whole world. They are simply the best and Johnny and I cherish every second with them. My crew is never far from my mind and I know the feeling is mutual – this was further confirmed by a Sweet Surprise from the bestie squad! When I got to my shift at chez parents this past week, there was a gift waiting for me on the kitchen table compliments of my BFFs and it absolutely delighted me. Check out this perfect prezzie for everyone’s favorite bunny mom:

As you all know, Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Not for religious purposes but because of the fact that bunny decor reigns supreme in stores. I have to get at least one new bunny themed decoration per year to celebrate my sweet pets and it just makes me happy lol. I’m even happier to know that my besties got into the spirit too! After unwrapping my adorable bunny in bow tie present, I could almost picture the shopping scene in my head of my sister and nieces. I am sure that as soon as my eldest niece saw it on a shelf, she told her mom that TT, Melvin, and Penelope, would love it. Even if this vision was imaginary, whoever thought I would love it was spot on!

Do I need more bunny decor? That was a trick question because the answer will always be a resounding YES! My Sweet Surprise is proudly displayed in my bunny corner of the knick knack shelf and it makes me smile every time I see it! ❤

Do you have any pet themed home decor? What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar14

Spring Flower Surprise

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Spring Flower Surprise

Hello! The weather in Ohio these past few weeks has been crazy. It went from single digit temperatures and snow to a full fledged heat wave this entire week. Since Sunday, we have been experiencing blessedly warm temperatures in the high fifties and low sixties. It might even get up to seventy degrees this weekend! I have been loving it and it feels so weird to not be bundling up in a million layers every time I step foot outside. The sunshine alone has put a huge pep back in my step because my seasonal depression has kicked rocks and left me with plain old depression lol. But, hey, that’s manageable! 😀

Because the weather did a complete one eighty, spring flowers weren’t anywhere on my mind because it just seemed too early. However, I had an amazing surprise when I worked at chez mom and dad on Tuesday. My dad let me know that a patch of pretty yellow flowers had bloomed! Check it out:

When I visited the backyard before heading home, I was expecting to see a couple of flowers bravely peeking out of the ground. I was so shocked to see a huge patch of yellow flowers, instead! It took my breath away to see the petals dancing in the wind and was just what I needed after having a lot of recent stress. It felt so good to see these beautiful blooms, gulp down the fresh air, and have a big smile on my face. I think I could have stood out there all day. I always look forward to the first flowers of spring and these ones were there when I needed it most – I am so appreciative for that. ❤

I hope these flowers brightened your day as much as it did mine. Here’s to warm weather and all the spring flowers!

What is your favorite flower? What do you look forward to in the spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb27

Spring Cleaning Surprise

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Spring Cleaning Surprise

Howdy! I got home from work way earlier than normal on Monday and had three or so hours to kill before Johnny’s shift was over. I’m not really sure why, but out of nowhere, I got a strong desire to clean. I’ll be perfectly honest with you, it can be very difficult for me to find the motivation to clean outside of necessary chores. Feeling mentally and physically exhausted just seems to be the norm for me as of late and it sucks. It’s not like I don’t want to clean but the energy to do so is nowhere to be found. So, when this overwhelming urge hit me to clean, I went for it!

I decided to tackle one room before clocking in again to work from home and that was mine and Johnny’s bedroom. I cleared up any trash, did several loads of laundry, and organized the closet. I also was able to put Johnny’s clothes in some semblance of order because he needs a freaking dresser lol. As I was doing that, I found an incredible surprise: One of my FAVORITE tank tops that I thought I left in the Poconos when we went on vacation a few years prior. I looked everywhere in my apartment for it and came up empty so leaving it behind seemed like the most reasonable explanation. I guess I didn’t look everywhere, though.

After finally having found my black Rachel Zoe tank top, I was elated. The motivation to clean was there and I was rewarded for it. In fact, after this find, I found myself looking forward to tackling my office next! I genuinely thought that the cherry on top was being reunited with my beloved tank top. However, the cherry on top came after the bedroom was clean as a whistle. I had open access to an outlet again and I was eager to put a new Bath & Body Works wallflower into my Halloween plugin. The room looked so fresh and good that I decided to accentuate it with a Fiji White Sands wallflower. The spotless room combined with the crisp, beachy scent made me so happy!

I guess the moral of the story is, that if you are lacking motivation for a deep cleaning session – it really is okay. However, my first hand experience is that you will start feeling fantastic as you go through the process. Even if it is one room or one task at a time, you are accomplishing something that needs to be done and that is rewarding. There is no need to beat yourself up if you don’t have the energy to clean. Do what you can, revel in your success, and you are on your way to forming a good habit.

I really am proud of myself for getting an early start on my spring cleaning and giving the apartment the love it deserves doesn’t feel nearly as overwhelming. In fact, it is a welcome change of pace!

What is on your spring cleaning agenda? Have you found anything recently that you thought you lost? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah