Things I'm Loving Lately

It's been a while since I've done one of these so I thought I'd share little things I've been loving lately!

First up: Annie Sloan chalk paint. I've been painting up a storm and sharing my projects with the new house and it's been so fun thanks to chalk paint! No sanding or priming. Just two coats and some wax and there you go. I love it. Here are some of my favorite projects:

 And what am I doing while I am painting? Or driving in the car? Podcasts! I'm late to the game, I know. But ever since we moved down here and I find myself being in the car for longer stretches than before just doing regular things, I have discovered podcasts and I love them. My all time favorite is Oprah, of course. She has had some incredible interviews and she talks about beautiful, spiritual things: most of the time I end up in tears. Favorites: Tracy Morgan, Nate Berkus, and Joe Biden.

Other podcasts I alternate with Oprah are the Young House Love podcast for some more lighthearted content, and the LDS Perspectives. LOVE the one with Fiona Givens, which brings me to my next love:

The God Who Weeps. Started it and never finished, so I am starting again and really loving it. A great read, but it's rich, so it takes time.

Next up are some food items I am loving. If you haven't tried these oreos, get thee to a walmart! They sure are yum. And for a girl who is trying to cut back on sugar but still craves soda badly, cherry coke zero is a win.

Next: Taylor Swift's new cd. I had open expectations for this album since I did not like the first single she released. But you guys, it's good! Also loving Miley's new cd too.

And lastly, for some good period drama, I finally have watched Victoria on amazon prime and LOVED it. Can't wait for season 2. I am a long time lover of period drama. Part of this favorites list includes the instagram account "period_dramas." Love the girl that runs this account. If you are a fan, you should follow. She has given some great recommendations!

Last on my list are Oceanside sunsets: they have been so gorgeous lately.

 These were taken on the same night! So beautiful.

Anyway, let me know little things you're loving so I can try!!

Halloween with the Von Castros

 Guten tag! Hope you had a good Halloween last week. It's safe to say we had a much better Halloween than last year. J was so into it. I asked him about a month before what he wanted to be and he replied "the Muffin Man!" (not from Shrek. From the actual nursery song haha) Anyway Victor bought these adorable liederhosen for the boys in Austria this summer, so I may have told him that's how a muffin man dresses. Good thing he loved it too.

And since I can't resist it seems, I made it a family affair with my Captain. We have the sons and the gazebo...just are missing the 4 daughters ha. Oh well! Our backyard is alive, with the Sound of Music!

I got my skirt from Germany last summer, and I made this vest. For Victor's costume, I got the jacket from goodwill and pinned some Soviet pins I had. Shhhh don't say anything ha. His hat is just from amazon. The only way I will keep doing family costumes is if it's easy and cheap. 

 ^^the Captain trying to keep them in line with his whistle^^

 There were sooo many Halloween festivities this year. Too much candy. First the ward trunk or treat. J and Lucy here look like their costume is Hansel and Gretel. So cute.

 Then we had a trunk or treat for Victor's work. That was pretty fun. And then of course, actual Halloween trick or treating with our friends, which started with such a gorgeous sunset. There have been a lot of them lately!

 Happy Halloween! So long, farewell, auf wiedersen, good night!

My J Says

 Ever since J turned 3, his talking has exploded! He talks so much now and I'm amazed at how he just picks up on proper grammar and usage. He obviously isn't perfect, but it's just so cool to see little kids just pick up languages! And I love hearing what comes out of his mouth, so I have been jotting things down and I want to put them all down here in one place. I love this kid sooooo much.

"Mommy I sick. I have the hiccups."
When I gave Dominic medicine for a cold. In other words he wanted some medicine too.

"Mommy I sick I'm in a bad mood."
Also when Dom was sick and I had said earlier he was in a bad mood.

"Where Papi go?"
"To work, J"
"Mommy I no want you go to work."
Oh, my heart!

"Mommy hear me!!"
What he says when he wants me to listen

"Yes mommy, you way strong!"
"Mommy, you way tall!"

"I go in privacy, go away!"
Potty training conversations

"Don't say 'come here puppies.' Say 'come here J and Dommic."

"I want some of your snuggles."

"No want to smell something!"
When we were driving through a smelly area ha

And one of my favorites
"Mommy, why you eat all this pie? It going to make you a tummy ache like the hungry caterpillar."

It was only one slice of pie in my defense. He is something.

I Made A Table!

Alternate subject line: I helped my friend's husband build me this table. If we are being accurate. This has been something I've wanted to try and do, and he was like "then do it! when are you going to do it?" He even came to Home Depot with me to pick out everything--that just shows how clueless both Victor and I are when it comes to these things ha. So thanks again, Keyla and Geoff for your help!

This table was definitely a learning experience. It's not perfect, and it is not a "forever" table. Pretty sure it will get its wear and tear. But it was a fun learning experience, and for the time being, it's nice to have a farmhouse table that only cost about $150 total. But if I were to invest in all the stuff you need to make a table, that would up the cost a tonnnnn. I can't believe all the types of saws and stuff you need. 

Progress shots

 I loved how the wood looked all sanded down. I didn't want to stain it! 

  But I'm happy with it. And I'm so happy to have a designated dining room! I love having a real space to have people over for dinner. I hardly hosted people in our tiny cottage because it was just so small to. Now that we are getting settled, I hope to change that.

"Welcome to the World" Baby Shower for Brooke

I am grateful for time to spend in Utah so we can plan get togethers like this. My good friend Brooke (and next door neighbor growing up) is having her first baby! She had baby Hudson a couple weeks ago. So back in July, Me, Kelsy and my sister Jennifer hosted a shower for her. I always love putting together these things and it was fun doing it with Jenn and Kelsy. Once the shower started, I got no pictures which I'm so bummed about! I guess that means we were all having too good a time to remember. But Jenn got the one pic below of Brooke getting some food. 

Brooke and Roman like to travel, and their adorable nursery is airplane/exploring inspired, so I loved doing this cute theme for the shower. It's so fun and easy to decorate for. I just used maps around the house and borrowed some globes from my sisters. I made the map buntings from those free AAA Road maps. And I found that awesome vintage suitcase from the D.I. 

^^Jenn made the super cute clouds and airplane mobiles^^

^^My other neighbor growing up now is an awesome cookie designer and did these for us. Love^^

 ^^And Kelsy did the adorable favors^^

Congrats on your beautiful boy, Brooke and Roman!

A Spontaneous Weekend at The Del

In the week leading up to Labor Day, San Diego had a heat wave. It got progressively hotter with each day. And yes, I have lived places where it definitely gets hotter, but in those places we have air conditioning. A lot of people don't have ac here, so that's why a heat wave is a hardship ha. By Saturday, it was unbearable, and it didn't cool down at all at night. I did not sleep well at all.

I was still sweaty trying to get ready for church and I said to Victor, "we can't come back here after church. Where can we go spend the afternoon with ac?!?" I wasn't implying we should go to a hotel, but that's what Victor proposed, and not just any hotel, but the Hotel Del Coronado! I loooooove that place. Victor called and got it all figured out, and we headed out after church. Down to cooler temps, and that iconic hotel. 

(Side note: we got the room because The Del was recently acquired by Hilton. Our credit card gives us one free night at any Hilton a year, so our room was freeeeeeee!)

Our friends The Yanes' also have the same credit card with a free night, so we convinced them to come down too! Love that they are willing to be so spontaneous with us.

 ^^cute little friends ha^^

 ^^I love this shop and always want everything they have^^

 ^^Love this pic of my boys!^^

 Ended our Labor Day afternoon getting ice cream. And then we headed home to cooler temps thank goodness. But at least the heat wave happened with the three day weekend so we could have this mini vakay. We love these little trips with the boys because they love it too. They love staying in hotels. J woke up when we arrived back at the house and he was upset because he still wanted to be at the hotel haha. I feel your pain, J. I wish I could stay at the Del forever too.

Happy Belated Labor Day!