Not so Green thumb....

Good morning ya'll! Happy Saturday! Most of you are just beginning to enjoy your first day of the weekend, while mine ended yesterday. As you read this I will be at boot camp, and then off to a full day of making people beautiful. My favorite thing!

Yesterday I was a busy bee and started my garden. I had been contemplating starting a garden for about 3 years now. However, in Arizona our ground is really hard to dig into (and unforgiving/drying on our plants). You are really only able to plant 6 weeks out of the year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

So my solution was a pallet garden. I found a lonely abandoned pallet in a business park near my house. I got lucky as it was labeled "HT-" (heat treated) so there are no yucky chemicals. I purchased my little plants from Whole Food for a smoking deal of $1.99 each, the mulch was $3.60 a bag (I used 1 & 1/2), and the Weed blocker was the most expensive thing at $6 at Home Depot. So I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous little garden for under $20!

Pallet Garden Steps In Pictures

Supplies!

Heat Treated Pallet

Weed Blocker/Ground Covering

Dirt/Mulch/Organic Growing Material

Staple Gun

Plants

& Of course, Your Muscles!

 1. Staple your weed blocker/ground cover to the back side of the pallet. This would be the side that has the least openings. My "back side" had only  two openings. So my front has 4 :)

 3. Get your muscles out and fill it in with your growing dirt!

4. Plant your green babies! 

And of course having a helper always make it more fun. Here's my helper...

Meet Sadie! She's a little old and only has one eye, but she gives lots of kisses and likes to nose around in the dirt too. 

Do you garden? Have you thought about growing any vegetables or herbs for your family? What's your favorite thing to grow?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Please send me some positive vibes for work tomorrow, I was out sick two days last week and have some making up to do.

As Always, 

Liz

I'm Back!

So it's been months since I have posted anything. The past couple of months have not been easy. What I thought was the end of a rough patch, was really just the beginning of a huge mountain. I wanted to start this blog on a good foot and get you guys excited too. A lot has changed for the better and I'm excited I get to share it all with you!

My last post was May 17th, so he's what's happened since then....

• Aiden Michael arrived! June 10th. (excuse how gross/stressed I look. I just had gotten off a 13 hour shift) 
• He is now 3 months old and is wearing 6 months clothing!!

don't you love his hand dimples *swoon*

• I have two awesome room mates now!
• I finally quit my job!! And I am now a full-time hair stylist. My dream job.
• In August, I got to visit my mom in Portland with my some of my other family members.

Just a few things that have been going on in my life! How are things going for you? 

Aiden is coming

 

My very best friend is having a baby boy and I could not be more excited for her. A baby boy! A lot of my friends from high school already have children, but this will be the first of my close circle of friends to bring life into this world. A beautiful amazing miracle, that still humbles me. It may not be in the best circumstances, but I know that she is a strong amazing women who will be an outstanding and loving mother. Her due date is weeks away, June 23rd (!!!) which feels so soon.

 

I first met Rochelle when we were eight years old. She was one of my very first friend's and lived just two doors down from my childhood home. We got 90's perms together and roughed it through middle and high school together. She moved to Austin, TX last year and ended up coming back and shortly announcing her pregnancy. Aiden's birth will be very bittersweet for me. I am not currently in a place where I think that I could properly care for a little baby of my own. Although I do sometimes dream of having a beautiful family. And I think one day, maybe sooner than later, or later than sooner, I will have one. When the time is right!

 

In the mean time, it's been so much fun, crib shopping and prepping and painting everything for Aiden. I have never in my life gone into a store and run toward the baby section. I have bought more bottles, diapers, binkies, and spoons for this little guy. I never knew little baby suit jackets could be so cute! I come from a very small family, so this little guy will be like a new part of the family. I get to be an auntie! and I am so proud and excited!!

How to NOT go to Vegas and Arizona Wine Country

My plans this past week end included a nice little escape to Las Vegas from the soon to be 100 degree weather here in the Valley. That did not happen and I am very sad to say I lost money and some respect for some people in my life. Oh well, C'est la vie! On a more positive note, while trying to decide what to do with my last free weekend before summer school, my girlfriend called. We were bouncing between trying to do Vegas, LA, San Diego, or going up North. Phoenix is really an amazing place to live because it is within driving distance of a bunch of great vacation spots. We decided on wine tours!

I had never been to a wine tasting before. My exquisite taste have been exclusive to the likes of Bud Light. Thank you high school and freshmen year of college. Arizona wine was surprisingly excellent! We only made it to two wineries (thank goodness, because I had to nap in the car). We spent an excellent afternoon basking in the "spring" sunshine and enjoying the creek.

Have you ever been wine tasting? What's your favorite wine?

Mom? Mom!!

This is what our dinner looked like Saturday night. We had eaten a big lunch and just snacked with wine, yum!

My mom is my best friend. My mom visited this weekend from Portland (where she moved about 3 months ago), and we have had a blast! She is here until this evening and I really don't want to say goodbye. Growing up my mom and I had many arguments and tiffs but I was very blessed, my mom never pushed me away or disowned me. She was proud that she raised me to be a strong women even if that meant I was as strong headed as she was. Now, we never fight..ever. I love her and I am so proud to say she's my mom!!

Thirsty Thurdays & Summer Essentials

The end of my 16 credit hour semester is finally coming to a close and boy am I ready! I've been day dreaming of summer and relaxing on the beach, with a drink in  my hand. This yummy June Bug looks delish! (source).

June Bug

Ingredients

3 cups ginger ale

4 tablespoons grenadine

4 tablespoons orange juice

3 scoops orange sherbet

white rum (optional)

Directions 

Blend together ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice, and sherbet. Pour into ice-filled cocktail glasses. (To make a version with alcohol, add white rum.)



I have found some time to book some exciting trips in between my school summer sessions. I have exactly 1 1/2 finals left until I have three completely free weeks off (well from school at least, then it's back to the books). My break time is quickly filling in with plans, two out of town trips and my mom will be here next weekend! I haven't seen her in almost 3 months and it's been dreadful. Hope I can squeeze in a quick trip to visit friends in L.A. too! Here are my beach must haves...

Swimmer: Target, Flippers: Volcom, Tote: Kate Spade, Sunnies: Coach, Hat: ASOS, Chappie: Smith's, Ring: Boticca, Towel: Victoria Secret (similar)

I'd love to see some of your favorite summer drink recipes! Do you have any beach must haves?

Spring!

dress, Fashion Union: here/ shoes, Kate Spade: here/ bag/earrings, kate spade: here & here

Spring has finally hit the valley and I am so excited! We really don't get many seasons here, so I am trying to finish up this semester strong and get outside! Phoenix only has a couple weeks of beauty until the heat wave of death follows for 8 or so months. The summer really is awful here. But the in between weeks are absolutely amazing. High of 78 with a light breeze. We also have some the greatest hiking and I can't wait to get out and climb some mountains!!

What outdoor activity have you been missing this winter?