Lately

Hi everyone!

So it has been quite awhile since ive written on the ol' blog. I even contemplated just deleting it entirely and never returning again, to be able to focus on my photography but... I just couldn't. I basically took an extended 'winter' break and I am totally okay with that. Not to mention the start of 2014 was a rough one.

New years day, there was a fatal car accident that happened right in front of our house. We were the only neighbors around that morning so I called 911 while Josh tended to the kids. I tried to help the man in the vehicle but in the end there was nothing I could do. Since that day it seems like everything just started happening. Like a ripple effect. I flew home with the kids to see my Grandmother who was not doing well. Unfortunately, she passed away before I landed. On the way home my flight was cancelled and I was seemingly stuck in Washington DC by myself with a 5 month old and a 6yr old, bless their little hearts, they behaved soooo well! A tooth that I had work done on before leaving to see the family had abscessed so I needed a root canal and the final straw was I somehow tore the lower tendon on the right side of my back. I was in so much pain. Missed 2 weeks of work. Couldn't move... It hurt just to lay down. I was getting treatment with the chiropractor and after about a month the pain was pretty much gone.

So needless to say, the blog took a backseat over the winter months. But here I am, refreshed and ready to go {and ready to get my shop going!}.

Little Miss P is 8 months old now and is officially crawling {and already trying to stand up}. She loves to explore everything and is such a happy, giggly, excited little girl ♥

Jayden has a month left of Kindergarten and I am left wondering where the heck the time went!? I cannot believe I will be having a 1st grader in a few short months. Time just needs to slow down!

I have been working on some new designs for the shop. Since my photography business is more of just a 'hobby' right now and not a business {because I am not 100% ready for the business route yet}, I decided I would take my love of photography and make some graphic goodies for fellow photogs.

Along with some other digital goodies for even those who aren't into the whole photography thing!

That's pretty much what's been happening over in my neck of the wood. A whole lot of family time, design time and everything else I can fit in between. Just how I like it! :)

Quick Thursday Update

Happy Thursday friends!

Just wanted to pop in and say im still here! There won't be a bump update every week. I decided I am going to do one every '5 weeks' {at least for the blog anyways}. So my next Bump update will be on Monday where I will be exactly 15 weeks :)

I have my first appt. with my new doctor on Monday as well. I can't wait. This is my new doctor that I switched to, the one who agreed on a vbac. I secretly hope she does an ultrasound in which I will casually ask her what she 'thinks' the gender is :) We shall see!

I don't want to jinx myself but I think my nausea and vomiting are finally on the outs. I had a rough weekend of it along with a massive migraine that started Sunday and lasted right through to Monday, but so far the rest of the week has been pretty good otherwise.

In shop news {in case you are wondering}, basically the shop has been on hiatus since finding out I was preggo. I have been so sick my first trimester that all I ever wanted to do was sleep and be lazy or I was attached to the damn toilet. Also, we are in the process of moving everything out of the studio and into the office for the future baby room so all of my things are all mixed up and all over the place. I am hoping sometime within the next month and a half I will have everything more organized and ready to start on some new designs {I have even thought about bringing back some sewing items as well!}.

Other then that, nothing else to report. Just same ol' same ol' in the McCoy household :)

What up Friday!

Hey, yo, it's finally Friday. I say finally like Ive been waiting for it since Monday when it fact I have not. I've been off all week and it has been nothing short of glorious and now that Friday is here, it's just reminding me how it's the end of the week. The end of a nice long week away from the deep, dark abominable abyss that is work. Luckily for me {and Josh} we have Monday off so it will be a nice long 3 day weekend. Yay!

So in case you haven't noticed, the shop is currently on vacation right now.

Yep. Sad but true.

As it says in my vacation announcement, my computer that I had alllll of my original drawings/scans/work decided to just totally crap out on me. Luckily for me I have a man that is a nerd when it comes to computers and whose daily job revolves around computers, technology and fixing said things for people.

He built me a new computer {which im using right now} and luckily he will be able to retrive all of my files from the other computer. The hard drive was fine, he told me what happened with it but all that computer technical talk just really makes my brain feel all mushy and I can never remember later on, what he said exactly {is that bad?}.

So for the time being I have been creating some new prints and im also working on some other projects I have in the 'works' for the shop.

Other then that, not a whole lot going on. Let's see, we are nearing the end of week 6 of Turbo Fire and although my legs are still jiggly, their not as jiggly as when I first started. Week 1 they were a jiggly mess. Now their just a jiggly hot mess. HA, no but for reals, I see changes within myself. My waist is noticeably smaller, even Josh has commented over and over how my waist and in the love handle areas {oh my goodness, thank you Jesus!} has really shrunk.

Right now im pms-ing though and Ive just been craving greasy pizza from the local pizza joint but have I had any of said delicious pizza? Nope. I know it would be okay if I had just 1 slice and moved on, ya that wouldn't kill my hard work... but you see this pizza is addicting. It's easier for me to just not have any at all, to not have any in this house then it would be to only have 1 measly little slice and sit back and stare at the rest of the 7 slices in all their deliciousness. It's less torture for me.

We are currently planning a mid-July family BBQ. I am calling it a 'Luau' because I want to wear a coconut bra and a grass skirt and play hawaiian music while drinking a fruity colorful drink from a hurricane glass topped with a piece of pineapple and a colorful umbrella. Right now I am currently making invitations but because ive been without my Photoshops for so long {crapped out computer, remember?} it's like I am just having so much fun mixing colors and patterns and designs together and can't make up my mind on which designs I like. It's still fun though, none the less.

So tomorrow we are planning on going to the Gulfarium. They are re-opening today after renovating all winter. We shall see if we can get tickets tomorrow. Might possibly be crowded... Tomorrow night Josh is going to a friend/co-workers surprise BDay party so it'll just be J and I hanging out at home. I'm thinking movie night... Pizza would go perfectly but the sad reality is, is that I have the only kid on the planet that does not like pizza and well, we all already know where I stand on the Pizza issue. Boooo....

Sunday will be a trip to the Flea market and then Monday probly just hanging out at home by the pool.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone! :)

Mother's Day, Goodies and 11lbs

Happy Mother's day to all the Mama's out there ♥

First and foremost... I have lost 11lbs thus far {since starting 4 weeks ago}. I am super happy and even more motivated now!

Yesterday we went out for the day to do a little shopping.

It's been a long, very very long time since I have bought some stuff for myself.

First we headed to the shoe store. Josh needed some new shoes and since we were there he bought me some new workout shoes {the ones ive been using have gotten to the point where they make my feet hurt when I workout}.

I don't normally wear Nike but since im doing more HIIT training and not as much running then im 'ok' with Nike's {for running I prefer Asics}. Plus I liked the colors :0)

Next up we headed to the commons and Jayden and Daddy bought me something else ive had my eye on.

Some new makeup! I don't even know if I remember how to put on this stuff. It's been at least 3yrs! You see right after Jayden was born I had this recurring eye issue. My eyelid kept swelling up, happened about 4 times within a year. After multiple visits to the doctor with no relief, I was referred to an Ophthalmologist and he said it was {insert funky medical term here} infection. Gave me some new meds and I was good to go.  Downside? ALL of my M.A.C makeup that I had, I threw out. I didn't want to risk getting another eye infection.

I used to wear the covergirl or maybelline makeup but when I first tried M.A.C I was hooked. It lasted all day and stayed just as 'vibrant' at the end of the night as it was when I first put it on. It's not exactly cheap {$15.50 for an eyeshadow} but heck, first makeup bought in 3yrs? I think it's okay.

Next up we stopped at 'Coach'.

Now this was my treat to myself. I don't go through many purses because I keep them until they are falling apart. I have always admired the style and quality of a Coach bag and so, I took the plunge and treated myself to the Soho Signature hobo bag.

So there are my Mama's day treats from my boys {and the bag from myself}. It's been a really great weekend. Every weekend is awesome, just hangin out at home with my little family. Each new day is like Mother's Day and I couldn't ask for anything better :0)

Happy Mother's Day!!

So. Tired.

Hi friends.

I'm just popping in real quick to say Hello and that im still here but I might be scarce the next few weeks.

Work has been insane. Completely insane. Super busy. I've been going in early and staying late everyday this week so by the time I get home it isn't until almost 6PM. Last night I went to bed at 8 because I was so freaking tired.

I was moved to a new position for a project that's going on and because of my specific job I am the only one {with said job specialty} working on this project with a larger group of people which makes for the busy busy day.

I know I don't talk about my job much, not because I don't like it but because I really can't talk about it. I work for the Government. It's not bad, it just gets hectic sometimes. heh.

SO... that's what's been going on but since I had a quick minute thought I would give you all a quick update.

Now back to work I go!! ...........yay.............

Have a great weekend!

I hate cookie dough, Shop updates and Fav. things

That's probly a long senseless title but it pretty much sums up this whole post.

First thing... I made some edible cookie dough on Friday night for me and Josh to 'snack' on while watching a movie. Ya... ha... never ever again. I want to remind you *edible* meaning it had NO eggs in it, yet around 10PM I started feeling nauseous. Kind of like the nauseous you feel when you have a hang over... or better yet, if you've never had a hang over, the kind of nauseous you feel when you are pregnant. Ya know, when it comes in waves? Ya, sucks. Without going into details I was up every hour, on the hour Friday night/Saturday morning and then spent more then half the day yesterday in bed. Nausea was gone but I had a splitting headache.

Just thinking about that edible cookie dough makes me want to vomit. Never again will I eat cookie dough. Yuck.

Okay, moving on. Before I got a case of the sickness I managed to get some stuff done with the shop. Some new items were added and I added two new *customizable* print items.

Enjoy this Day // Love Happy Smile Laugh Life.

These are my customizable state prints. Each print comes with your background color choice {from the color palette on the right}. 

Each print also comes with the state's motto. 

If your wondering why I have Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington added in there, is because Josh is from Mississippi, we've always wanted to go to Hawaii and I have family that live in Washington, so those are the state's I created for my 'examples' :0)

And last but not least are my customizable State love art. Little fun fact, for the photo shown, I am from Massachusetts and Josh, as you read previously, is from Mississippi :0)

Each print comes with your color choice for the background and hearts from the color palette on the right.

And right now, with Summer right around the corner {we have mid 70-80 degree temps right now so we hardly get a 'Spring'} is all things that remind me of Summer and what I want to do this Summer...

{source}

Lot's of beach time for us this Summer!

{Etsy source}

Buy some cute jewelry off Etsy.

{source}

Weekend mini-road trips... and yes, we are in search for a VW Bus! :0)

And enjoying more of this, right in our own backyard.

What are some of your fav. things lately? Excited for Summer just as much as I am??

Happy Sunday friends! ♥

Azalea's, Coffee and Hunter Green

It's Thursday. Yay. I like Thursdays. I might even like them better then Friday's. Crazy I know, but Friday, although an awesome day in itself, just means im that much closer to Monday {the weekend goes by way to fast}. Thursday is like the 'Pre-weekend', to the weekend. If that makes sense.

Probly not, but whatevs.

Not a whole lot going on over at our household this week. Spring break officially started... as in 'tourists'. There was an article in the news about the 'first wave' of Spring Breakers that were starting to roll on in. Then it had pictures in the article of the beach, which, by the looks of it, already swarming with people :-(

The fence line along our side yard is blooming with red and pink Azalea's. Their everywhere. I love it. I had to run out there real quick earlier to snap this pic before all the bee's woke up {im highly, highly allergic to bee's}.

I think I need to pick some of those Azalea's and swap them out with the dying flowers that grace our dining room table. These are from Valentines day. I know... I know... Don't judge.

J found his stash of play-dough that I *thought* I hid in a really good spot.

Apparently he upped his game and knows of my secret hiding places. Boooo.

A small canvas with a soft, summery yellow painted all over it. This makes me smile.

My whole studio makes me smile.

The MIL snagged this up for like 75 cents {or something along those lines}. Other then the old tape stuck to the little drawers it's awesome for storing card stock and paper... which reminds me. I ran out of my matte photo paper yesterday. I'm just a printing fool right now with all the designs im coming up with :-P

Speaking of designs, here is a sneak peak at what im working on right now. This is actually going to be a 'series'... or 'create your own' type of design.

This helps the creative juices flow. For reals.

And last but not least, we started chipping away at the bead board in the master bathroom. Wanna know something funny. The previous owners had this room painted a hunter green. Hunter green people. Nothing screams 1992 like Hunter Green. When I saw it, it brought back memories of my childhood and the hunter green walls we had in our living room, with a pink/green flower border to match the accompanying light pink carpet. Oooooh... how.... lovely it was not!

How bout you. You remember Hunter green? We had a plaid sofa too. A thick plaid sofa with hunter green and deep red in it {barf}. I saw a love seat at the goodwill a few months ago in the same exact pattern as that old plaid sofa we had when I was a kid. I threatened Josh with it. Saying if he ever got out of line, expect to see the hunter-green-plaid-love seat in the living room :-P

What ive been up to and Master Bath update

Hello friends.

I have been a bad blogger for not posting in awhile but I needed a break. A much needed break, not just from the blog, but the shop, facebook, twitter… the internet as a whole and I guess just creating in general. I needed to re-charged my creative juices so to say and that meant coming home from work and not even stepping foot into the office, studio or even on the computer or laptop.

So what have I been up to?

Nothing really… Jayden turned 4 {!!!!!!!} last week. Im so sad. My little boy is growing up so fast before my eyes. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze time and enjoy every single second with him at this age. Is 4 even considered a toddler anymore? No…. {excuse me while I go and huddle myself in the fetal position within the corner of a dark closet}.

Time just needs to slow down.

So what else have I been doing other then not blogging and anything else that involves ‘technology’? Well spending time with the fam. Has been one thing and it’s been awesome. Coming home, making dinner, hanging out in the living room, just the 3 of us. Yes we are those people who eat dinner in the living room. Not all the time… but most of the time. –I sit at a desk all day at work so coming home and just kicking back on a nice fluffy sofa? Yes please.

Have any of you watched LOST? Ya know… the series? I never watched it when it was still on TV but Josh and I started watching it and we finished the last episode the other day. Other then the fact I want to move to some remote tropical island now and hunt boar and fish...I will say I LOVED that show but what the heck is up with that ending?? I am still confused. I mean I get that they all had to meet up with each other in order to move on {heaven} but what about everyone else? The rest of the people that were on that plane? Michael and Walt? The pilot, Richard, Miles?... heck what about Vincent the DOG!??? It was like so many questions were left unexplained. It’s all theory now. I don’t like that. I want to know where they went too! But anyways, it was a good show. Shame on me for not watching it when it first started out on TV.

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

In other news we are getting back to working on the Master Bathroom. Nothing major has been done yet other then working more on the shower but we will be taking the jet tub out and I am on the hunt for a new double vanity… preferably in a dark espresso color… a little modern looking but not to modern. Any ideas? I found this one on sale at Lowes and it’s just the kind of design I am looking for and almost half the price of all the other double vanities I have seen…

{source}

 

 

I also have my eye on this tile....

{source}

 

We are still doing the white subway tile in the shower, but I want an 'accent' wall now. The wall straight ahead, when you enter the shower I want to put the above tile on that wall. The remaining walls will be white subway tile and the floor will either be smaller subway tiles or we will bring in the tile for the bathroom floor and put it as the floor in the shower as well {we are taking up the hardwood in there and putting down a nice tile}.

 

{source}

 

I really like this tile and about 110% set on this one for the floor {and possibly the shower floor}.

 

We will be doing the glass tiles on the wall above the vanity as well. Expanding the length of the entire vanity and going all the way up to the crown molding. It will just be that section. I am still looking at different mirrors and also light fixtures. I really like the Lantern style type fixtures but im not sold on any yet.

 

For the whole feel of the bathroom, think 'Modern Beach Cottage'. I love the beach and I like cottages {beach cottages} but I also like a splash of Modern... So I want to incorporate modern elements yet still adding in some 'cottage' style items as well... and the colors I want to keep 'beacy' but somewhat modern. Does that make sense? I can totally see it all in my head, but explaining it is another story lol!

 

So there you have it folks. That's whats been up. Im happy to be back. My little break was nice but now im refreshed and ready to start working on some stuff again. Stay tuned for some more bathroom posts. We're going to be removing that insanely large tub very soon {that outta be fun.... hehe}!

Im over the Moooooon.

...and oddly enough this post really has nothing to do with the moon or anything to be over the moon about. See photos and you'll understand :)

Why hello there! Ya, ya, ya. Its been a few days since my last post but eh, what ya gonna do.

There really isn't anything all that interesting going on over in our household worth blogging about. That and ive been busy with gym, work, family <--- {thats what those Jersey shore kids will be saying when they grow up.. get it? Instead of 'gym, tan, laundry'... it will be 'gym, work, family'. Ha, ha ::snort:: I crack myself up sometimes}

So ya. Been hittin the gym pretty hard. Gotta get ready for Summer. This year - shorts! Ya know it's been 15yrs since ive worn a pair of shorts? Yep. Im super self conscious about my legs but if I must say so myself they've been looking a lot better these last couple weeks!

Work? Well... nothing new there. My coworker/friend had her baby girl Friday night {yay}. Both doing really well :0)

Jayden will be 4 on the 21st. Im having nightmares and wanting to lock myself in a closet cry myself to sleep every waking moment because he is growing up so fast, which leads to friends and family with the whole 'Ooooh time for another one!'. Ya, maybe... SOMEday but not right now. I know some people love big families and lots of kids and don't get me wrong. I love kids, but I am totally, super content right now with my little family. The 3 of us and our dog Lola. I might be leaving my job at the end of the Summer to go to school full time. I want to get my degree once and for all. Maybe once my goals are complete for me and my family, we will think about having another one. But right now, totally enjoying giving my little boy all the attention :0)

I know I said Sunday's were 'SHOP UPDATE' days but um ya. Sunday was the SUPER BOWL so that was totally a no-go. and I know I am a total Patriots Fan however I didn't drink any of the haterade going around and want to send out a congrats to the Giants and the Giants fans. Don't worry, we'll be back next year ;)

But back to the shop. I completed 5 more prints. Just have to take some photos and put them up in the shop. So hopefully by this weekend they'll be ready to go :)

Of course I have to have some kind of photo in my post, right? So last night we had some cool cloud cover around the moon so I grabbed my camera and 200mm lens and snapped these pretty neat photos.

Pretty neat huh? It was kinda creepy. And the two cats in the neighborhood fighting didn't make the creepy situation any better :-/ ...Just sayin.

So how are YOU doing?

Camelias, fun colors, and a sneak peek

First I want to say

GO PATRIOTS!!

As you know {or may not know} The Patriots are my home team so even though ive been living down here in ol' Florida, it really gives me the warm fuzzies when my 'home teams' win some!

Okay on to other news. Well not really news, just whats been going on the past couple days around our neck of the woods. 

The Camellia bushes that run along our side yard are in full bloom right now and boy oh boy are they gorgeous! J has already picked me 3 of them :0)

Our collection of sea shells is getting larger. Still need to invest in a big ol' glass canister type dish so we have plenty of room. 

Each time we go to the beach it's our little tradition to look for sea shells. Bonus points for sea glass!

I bought a large pack of sharpies. Im not really sure why I bought them because I really don't use sharpies all that much but I blame it on the fun colors. 

Me + Craft stores/art material isles = bad news

Im super happy my bouquet of lilies Josh got for me over a week ago are in full bloom still.

Josh and J made this little birdhouse. J painted it red and I think it looks fabulous. Now we're just waiting for a little bird to come along and 'rent' it out.

Im slowly buying some new tops. For each top I buy I am going to donate a top that I haven't worn in forever and or don't see myself wearing again. 

We originally went out this weekend to buy Jayden our growing weed some new jeans so he doesn't have to be that kid that wears high waters anymore. I know... bad mama. But he has some super cute outfits now and I couldn't resist a few new fun tops for myself :0)

AND... another sneak peek. 

Those seem to be the norm. these days but sheeesh, I have been having so much fun working on new prints. These designs I worked on today. Their original sketches of mine which I uploaded to photoshop, then turned them into PS Brushes and created some new prints, which are almost ready to hit the shop. Either some time this week or by next weekend!

I also worked on 2 more fun illustration prints which I can't wait to put up in the shop. They could very well be my 2 favs. as of yet! 

So there you have it. The little bits of shananigans that have been happening around our household. What have y'all been up to?

Our weekend and need opinions

{{warning- crazy camera phone pics ahead}}

How was your weekend? I know it's Tuesday but we had a 3 day weekend so not-technically, it's Monday. Heh.

We had a pretty laid back weekend. Hung around the house, Josh worked on the shower some {more on that in bit, that's where I need your opinion} and also worked on the swing set {got the walls up and the framing on the roof up}. We did go out to our favorite eatery 'Callahans' on Saturday for lunch. They have the most awesomest sandwiches. I got me the Turkey club. Yum!

On Friday though I did walk in the door to find THESE....

Sitting on the counter. Lilie's!!! My favorite! What a perfect way to end the week. Love you Josh :0)

On Saturday night we watched 'the game'. As in Pats vs Broncos. And maybe it's just me but I really don't understand the whole hype about Tebow. Im sure he is a nice guy and all but sheeesh... I actually feel bad for him. The media swarmed him into a giant frenzy nation wide. It was like everyone now held him up to certain standards and expectations... but seriously. Coming face to face with Brady and winning? Not gonna happen.

Then again the Patriots are my team... as in my HOMEteam :0)

The next game will be even more intense, thats for sure!

Even though it sucks getting up super early and going into work {Gym first actually}, the one thing I look forward to on my way in are the sunrises.

{yes, that IS my A/C on, it was quite warm this morning}

The colors of the sunrise are just gorgeous in the mornings. This morning it was especially breath taking. The sky was a mix of dark blue, blue, yellow orange and pink. It was so pretty, and because it's so early, it was so quiet outside which just adds to the ambiance.

{yes I really did just say ambiance}

But anyways, in other note worthy news and something I haven't mentioned in awhile.... MASTER BATHROOM!!

Right now we have been working on the shower. That has been our focus and our only focus for that bathroom really. But today, after talking it over Josh and I both decided that we are getting rid of the shower all together. .......KIDDING!

No the shower is very much staying, but we are going to take the jet tub out.

I know, I know, might sound crazy... but our Master bathroom isn't that big to begin with. We would utilize extra storage {seeing as how that bathroom has zero storage right now anyways} and have two vanities instead of one, a lot more then the amount of times we use the tub. Not only that, we almost never use it in the Summer cause it's just to warm out and the last thing we want to do is soak in tub filled with hot water.

Do you see any storage in there? Nope. Cause there ain't none. {the shower is off to the left}. Even the vanity contains zero storage.

If we remove the tub, we will have that entire space to add a large double vanity with lots of storage!

We're not stopping there either. We're taking the floors up, and although I love hardwood... wood+water do not mix very well and it's evident already in some spots of the floor in there. We're going to put down a really nice modern light color tile. The toilet will stay there but as far as other details... are all yet to be determined. Lots of planning ahead to do!

SO I have been asking this question a lot today @ work and im asking you now. Would you rather have a master bathroom with lots of storage space, two vanities and a large walk in shower but NO tub -or- No storage space, one small vanity with a tub? {an added note, we will still have a tub in the 2nd bathroom, located in the hallway... tub/shower combo}.

-Also, keep in mind we have a big inground pool so if you really need a bath... just go jump on in! ;)

Hey guess what

Did I tell you we were building a swingset for J? Or I should say Josh is building the swingset and I take photos of it lol. -Well if I didn't tell you, this post is all about the adventures of building a swingset for our little guy to play around in and have fun with.

We started about a week or two before Christmas. Our plan was that this swingset would be one of J's Christmas Gifts although we knew we wouldn't finish it before or on Christmas day, but his BDay is next month so it's more of a 'Christmas/BDay gift'.

My little boy is going to be 4. FOUR!!!! As in the number FOUR! Four years old. My gosh where does the time go.

Of course I can't be outside with my camera without taking some backyard nature shots :)

Ive always thought these things were weird looking....

Someones excited about their new swingset/playhouse!

Josh has been having a lot of fun building it and everytime he goes out there to work on it, J and Lola follow right behind!

I need to take updated photos because there are swings on it now {obviously from the above photo}, some stairs leading up to the 'clubhouse' part and Josh has started putting some boards/siding up on the walls of the clubhouse and has also started working on the roof portion.

It's going to have a slide too but that will probly be one of the last things we do when we finish it.

It's been fun. On the weekends we'll go out there at lunch time and have a little 'picnic' in the clubhouse. J loves that. He pretends Lola is a sea-monster and we are in our 'ship' and we have to try and sail away from her. ha! Gotta love the imagination of a 3 {ALMOST 4! MY gosh, for real} year old!

Happy Wednesday friends!!! :)