Potty training, say whaaaat?!

Guys…that time has come…to potty train!! {sigh} For the past couple months, I've been dreading it. I've been hearing remarks such as, "Shouldn't she be out of diapers now?" "When are you going to start?". But being in school full time, and running a business from home was hard enough to time manage, how was I going to throw in potty training? 

Well yesterday I had the day off, since I couldn't find a babysitter for school. And I decided to tackle it! And oh, did I tackle it. I went out and bought Madalyn a little potty. She wanted the princess one, so that's the one I got. I figured the more excited she was about the potty, the more likely she'd use it. Then I placed it in the living room (since thats where we've been spending all our time today) and put a box of her favorite books, iPad and snacks next to it. 

Finally as some cherries and whipped cream on top, I printed out this chart for her and put together a bowl of candy she got to choose from every time she went on the potty. I found the chart on pinterest {let me know if I should link it} and decided to hang it up on the bathroom door. Everytime she uses the potty, she gets to color in a heart, and after they're all colored in, she will get a new toy! {bribing momma say whhhhhha} 

But I was beyond excited because she woke up dry this morning! On her first day ever potty training!! I went out and bought a bag of the nighttime pull-ups, and put one on her, but she still didn't go. She woke up, I put her in underwear and a few minutes later she just pulled her pants down and went on the potty. So now she's celebrating with a big Starbucks pumpkin cookie and a protein shake for breakfast. Sometimes everyone deserves some treats, right? ;)

Fall Collection!!

My Fall collection is up and for sale on Etsy! I'm so excited to share with you guys my first installment of products that are going to be up. This is only the beginning! Bigger and better things are coming for DA! Heres a couple of my new cards that are for sale. Don't forget to check out the other ones!!

I've also been thinking of things new to make for the upcoming season. :D What would you guys like to see for sale in my etsy shop? Handmade wrapping paper? Gift tags? Totes? Pillows? Let me know what you're most interested to see!! 

I'm feeling 22!!

Cue T-Swift, It's happened!! I've turned 22!! October 1st was the big ol' day. My birthday was nothing special. Aside from school work, and working on new products for my etsy shop, I've been decorating and rearranging my home {Pictures soon, I promise!} But working on these new products and re-thinking my novel has been getting to me! Not to mention all the ceramics and printmaking work for school…sigh. I need a vacation, for reals. 

The one great thing I've gotten for my birthday was from the greatest guy everrrrr ;) He gave me a Keurig Coffee maker for my new apartment!! Yes, if you're wondering, I squealed. 

But other than that, I've just been a busy bee. A very busy bee. Who's ready to see some new stuff in my etsy shop?! I know I am!! WHEW! 

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice.

Yesterday was officially the first day of Autumn…but it's been Autumn for the past couple weeks in my home!! I absolutely love that I can decorate little things in my little apartment to give it a nice feel. I've also been obsessing over Pumpkin Spice everythinnnng! I have a collection of Pumpkin Spice candles and air freshener plug-ins all around my home. Did I mention that Fall was my favorite time of the year? 

I also got this Ikea bookcase from a friend, in which I love! I love decorating it and giving little homey touches that matches my living room area. It's the one spot that I do not allow the kids to touch! (I've very defensive over my bookshelf lol). I have my pictures all on the top shelf. On the left is a box full of photos that I haven't found a place for yet and my Boba Fett bank on top. In the center I have a photo of  Myself, Madalyn, my Grandma and my three cousins, Zachary, Ben and Andy all going down a bouncy slide. And on the Right I have a small stack of some of my photo albums. On the next shelf down I have my decorating book and magazine collection. Accompanied by a single rose that my boyfriend gave me a year ago and is dried out in the center. My classic book collection is on the third shelf and is decorated by a fall flower pot from Michaels, and a photo of my brother and Madalyn in an ikea picture farm. And isn't that little owl on the fourth shelf down just darling?! I found him at Michaels and I just had to have him!! But I'm currently obsessed with these fall colors: Red, orange and yellow. Can't you tell? ;)

With Fall in the air, I had to take the little ones out for a little play date. Madalyn and her little boyfriend Ryan who is currently staying with us for a little bit, just love to run around and play behind my apartment building! They both wanted to be Batman for the day, and who doesn't want to be Batman?! They're both simply adorable!!

 And with that overload of cuteness, I hope you all have a great first week of Fall!!

Newborn Sessions and Baby Fever

GAH! Baby fever strikes again!

Last weekend I got a call to take newborn pictures to the family that I recently did a maternity shoot for. And needless to say the little dude was ADORABLE! Unlike other newborns I've taken pictures of, this little guy had his eyes open almost the entire time. He was so alert and knew how to work the camera for only being 3 weeks old.

So now that I've been around and held this little precious guy, my baby fever has definitely returned. And that's so bad, lol. I'm sure other parents out there understand. Or even just females who have a random urge to have a baby, or even get a new puppy. There's something about little babies that just give you that urge. New baby names are just floating through my head…I'm pretty sure my boyfriend is going to murder me. (whoops)

Please excuse my little ramble about this new disease I like to call baby fever.

Let's play Cat(ch)sup!

Oh my goodness!! Things in my life has been so hectic, and…AMAZING! I'm finally starting to get settled into my little apartment (When the little touches are finished I'll do a home tour for you guys), I'm back in classes (all art!) and business is booming!!

The past couple days I've been doing more photoshoots, been designing more cards for the holidays, and extra special pieces that will be added to my Etsy. Also, I've been invited to be a vendor at a craft show coming up in October! I love that someone found me on Etsy and invited me to join!! That only made me feel like my work was worth it. That I didn't just have to sign up, that I was actually desired to attend. So much so that my going was put above other vendors who have been trying to get a spot!! (Insert me squealing like a little girl here.)

So here's a little random update of things or details of things that have been going on. I present you with, my TO DO LIST. 

1. Find a clock for my gallery wall.

2. Finish carving for printmaking class. 

3. Fix the break line on my Jeep Cherokee. 

4. Make display stand for cards.

5. Get more paper for *BEEEEEEP* (thats a censor ;D because I want you all to be surprised)

6. Get mine and Madalyn's Halloween costume.

7. Go to the aquarium on Wednesday.

8. Go apple picking on Friday. 

9. Finish sketches for new card designs.

10. Try to control current obsession with pumpkin spice ANYTHING. 

Welp there you have it!! There's a little sneak peak of things to come! Have any questions? Any ideas on what the surprise is? Gah I'm so flipping excited to the point where I actually have to stop typing right now or I'll just spill my guts! akdjgakldg. BYE! 

Madalyn's Summer Lookbook

I did a lookbook for Madalyn back in the beginning of spring, and it's actually gotten a lot of view. What can I say, my two (almost three) year old dresses better than I do! But that's what us mommies take pride in right? So I figured, why not do another one? And show off some of her summer outfits. :)

This is Madalyn's "Beach Babe" outfit, as I like to call it. 

What she's wearing:

Shirt: Boys department in Target

Shorts: Oldnavy

Flipflops: Roxy

What she's wearing:

Dress: Thrifted

Boots: Thrifted

What she's wearing:

Dress: Maxi dress from Target

Belt: American Eagle 

What she's wearing:

Shirt: Target

Shorts: Target

Headband: Target

What she's wearing:

Shirt: Boys department in Target

Pants: Leggings from H&M Kids

Shoes: Yellow Hunter boots

What she's wearing:

Hat: Target

Shirt: Target

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Target

I love getting complimented on how adore Madalyn is dressed all the time. Once you have a baby it becomes less about you and more about your child, and I love getting compliments about her. It's a very prideful feeling. Which outfit did you like best?!

Late Night Thoughts- Vol. 1

Image found on Tumblr

• I want another tattoo!!
• I already plan on getting Madalyn's birthday in roman numerals, but that one can wait for now since I don't know the exact placement.
• I want a little fox tattoo.
• I think I represent a fox perfectly
• Description of a fox:
• wise
• noble messenger
• strategic
• clever
• adaptable
• passionate
• desire
• intensity
• trickster
• I think I want him on my ribs or my side
• Or maybe by the tattoo I have on my hip…
• Not 100% sure yet, but I'm getting there.
• I had my first college class of this semester today.
• CERAMICS!
• It was awesome because we actually got to use clay and such today
• I like that I'm taking mostly art classes this semester
• I really need to focus on my creativity and becoming stress free
• I'm excited to make stuff though
• My apartment could use homemade pottery
• I start my Printmaking class tomorrow
• I'm excited and anxious to see how that turns out
• Madalyn was pretty rotten today
• We made a hilarious video earlier though :D
• Click here to watch it. :3
• I thought about him only a few times today
• That's a lot less than normal
• So I guess that means I'm starting to get over it
• GO BRITTANY! 
• I need to be my own personal cheerleader when it comes to heartbreak
• I don't deal with it easily
• I wrote a poem today and put it on tumblr
• …people actually reblogged it

• am I a writer yet?
• This is a long list of thoughts
• Longer than the last time I wrote in my journal…
• I guess that means my brain is becoming functional again and not just a sad clump of meh. 
• Yippie for my brain and my feelings!
• Whew, time to watch Pretty Little Liars.
• Screw the cable guy for not coming to set it up yet. 
• I need my cookies and cream ice cream…
• okay, now I can watch Pretty Little Liars.

Love & Misadventure

I wanted to share with y'all a book that I've stumbled across and absolutely love. Love & Misadventure by Lang Leav. This book is full of poems and stories about love, life, and hardships that can take place. Only having this book for a short amount of time, I've already fallen deeply in love with it. When the words rein completely true to my heart, it's hard for me to ignore.

This particular passage has touched me the most, and has completely opened my eyes. It relates so much with what I've been going through in my personal love life. And even though I still want to hold on, I still want to fight for it, sometimes you just have to let it be. As much as it hurts us.

"One day you meet someone and for some inexplicable reason, you feel more connected to this stranger than anyone else—closer to them than your closest family. Perhaps this person carries within them an angel—one sent to you for some higher purpose; to teach you an important lesson or to keep you safe during a perilous time. What you must do is trust in them—even if they come hand in hand with pain or suffering—the reason for their presence will become clear in due time.

Though here is a word of warning—you may grow to love this person but remember they are not yours to keep. Their purpose isn’t to save you but to show you how to save yourself. And once this is fulfilled; the halo lifts and the angel leaves their body as the person exits your life. They will be a stranger to you once more."

Step Forward.

It's super excited for me to say that I'm back and in full swing again!! The hospital visits have been shorter, and I officially moved out of that crappy living situation that I was in. Madalyn and I are starting to settle into our cozy little apartment. All the furniture hasn't arrived yet, but for the most part, we're set up and ready to go! 

With classes starting back up tomorrow for me, and Madalyn's big third birthday coming up the weekend after, I have a lot of planning to do. But if you know me, or are an active reader, you know how much that thrills me. :)

One thing I did want to write about today was categorizing blogs. Who cares if you're a "Beauty blog", "Fashion blog", "DIY blog", "Food blog"?! I say…Blog about what ever you want, whenever you want. And I've been making sure to do that for myself. If I'd like to blog about my beauty products, then that's what I'll do. If I want to blog about cooking or planning, I'll do that too. Being a mommy lets you put your foot in a lot of doors that can be blogged about, and I like sharing them with all of you. 

So prepare yourself bloggers for a variety of blogposts that are going to be coming your way! ;)

Why I've been missing,

So I've been in and out of the hospital for the past couple days. I've had kidney problems since I was a child, and now apparently I have a cyst on each one of my ovaries, and I have IBS. Which is irritable bowel syndrome that is a stress disorder that makes your colon have spazz attacks. So needless to say that I haven't felt "on point" in my life. Not to mention at the same time, I've been going through a huge heartbreak, family issues and trying to change my living situation.

No one ever said this life was easy, but it's worth it. And I feel myself fighting for everything lately. Fighting for love to last. Fighting to stay healthy. Fighting to stay strong for my daughter. It's tough. So hopefully I'll be back shortly. Hopefully starting off with apartment decorating tips, if my application goes through for me to move. Hopefully.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!! I hope your Friday is going or going to be better than mine. I'm currently attached to my bed for being ill. I have like 5 things wrong with me at once. I have two cysts, kidney problems, and some kind of stress disorder. It's been nothing but hospitals and medicine for me the past couple days. I even had to pass up going to the zoo with my family today. But no matter, It's Friday!! 

I figured it's a great day to do a "Currently" post. 

Currently:

Working on: Expanding my business by creating new cute little products to sell for y'all.

Lately I've been feeling like greeting cards {while I love them, and still will continue to make them} are not exactly what I want to be known for, I've been coming up with fun great ideas to add to my etsy shop. Also because my style is similar to other shops {like you can really do so much with greeting cards? I didn't even know you exist, so no I didn't copy you.} I'm going to be true to myself and try to branch out a little more. 

Listening to: Clarity- Zedd (ft. Foxes)

I've been completely obsessed with this song for like a week now. It's been on repeat and blasting through my record player speakers. Just the lyrics alone are amazing and completely relatable, and the beat makes it so much better. 

Drinking: blk water {lots and lots of h20}

I have dehydration problems and I know I need to drink a lot of water all the time. I love the blk water. It's alkaline fulvic trace mineral infused water to make the color of the water black. I just like it, kay. 

Excited for: Looking for a place to move out to and decorate. 

With my health the way it is, I have to stay where I currently am for a bit longer. Also the fact that I'm so stressed out all the time is making me ill, I realized I need to do what I've wanted to do since I got here, even if it is only for a short period of time. So I've been looking around for little apartments for Madalyn and I. And if you know me, I'm going to be decorating that place up as soon as I move in! And I love thrift shopping, so I'm really kinda pumped to get started. 

The Honest Truth

I know this isn't something that blogger's usually post about, but this is my blog, and I'm going to post how I'm feeling. No matter what the outcome is. I've been battling depression for a while now. 

Actually since I was a child. My mom was never around, she worked three jobs, and I had to take care of my brother and sister. On top of that, she dated all the time. And I felt like she never actually cared about me because all she cared about was the man she was dating. I use to literally beat myself in the head with a bookshelf, of some type of heavy object and leave bruises on my face and body so that she would notice me.

Then it went away for a while. But came back after I got married and then 3 months later found out that my husband was cheating on me with a girl that I worked with everyday. I mentally broke down. I cried in the closet. I started smoking. I started feeling like my 8 month old daughter at the time was the only person in the world that I had. I didn’t even want her to be near him. But I sucked in my pride, forgave him for our family and just hid behind a lie ever since.

Then I tried to move on from that. I went up to where I grew up. Met someone, and only had more heartbreak. I’ve gone so far out of my way to try to make people feel like I care about them. I buy them things. I make them things. I cook them things. I drive over an hour out of my way just to surprise them with Sonic since they were craving that all weekend. And my living situation while I’ve been here hasn’t been good either. Cops have been called, arguments have been had. And I’ve left in the middle of the night to try and protect my daughter.

Sigh. I just…I just want people to realize that everything is not always okay. People see me and they automatically think that I’m happy all the time because I’m smiling. I’m a small, bubbly person who apparently always looks happy. But all of these demons just keep growing inside of me. Sometimes I feel like I don’t know what to do. But then I look at the little two year old who tries to get into my makeup, and jumps and dances on my bed. Then I realize, it doesn’t matter how depressed I am all the time, because that little girl needs her mom, and she’s worth everything in this world. I’d do anything for her, including smile. 

Hair-istory

After High School Graduation '09 --Natural hair highlights

I saw this post by Scribbles of Valerie and I was inspired to do my very own post of my hair history! And this is going to be adventurous for me, considering I change my hair all zee time. But I figured I'd give it a shot! And also try to spread it out a little bit. 

Three Months after Madalyn was born- October 2010

 After Madalyn was born, I cut my hair to a medium length and died it darker, just because it was Fall. I tend to do that…a lot. I have naturally dark eyebrows {darker than my natural hair color} so the dark hair colors often looks good on me.

Winter of 2011

 After Madalyn got a little bit bigger, I let my hair grow out. I found this was easier since she wasn't constantly pulling on it. I love my long locks. I just prefer long hair to short. And this was when I was sporting messing bangs. What can I say, Lea Michele's look from Glee got to me. It still looks cute!

Summer of 2012

First time I ombre'd my hair. I actually have a DIY post here. I did like it, but eventually I got a little tired of how it just went from brown to blonde and didn't have a lot of fade to it. So I dyed my hair to a red-ish color. 

Fall of 2012

Then after the red set it, I thought it would be a great idea to ombre it again. And after I did, I completely fell in love with it!!

Winter 2012

Then after the blonde tips started to dry my hair out really bad, I cut off the dead ends and stayed a short reddish color for a little bit before completely doing something new. One day I went to the hair salon and decided to get a lot of blonde highlights in my hair. 

Summer 2013

I have a lot of low lights and highlights and I'm a lot more "blonde" than I've ever been before. Plus my hair naturally lightens in the sun, so it just keeps getting lighter and lighter. I have got to say, I love being blondish, haha. 

How much has your hair changed in the past couple years?! I'm anxious to know!