7 Things on My Birthday Wishlist

Happy Veterans Day!
I want to first take a moment to say a big and very special thank to all of you who have served so bravely. Your courage is so inspiring and I greatly appreciate the many things you sacrifice for our freedom.

 Thanking and honoring our beloved vets is just another reason why the month of November is the very best birth month. ;) And speaking of birthdays, my 28th is coming up a week from tomorrow. I've had lots of raised eyebrows and questions about what would be on my birthday wish list, so I thought I would help my family out by making this extra easy (**wink wink, hubby**).

 These few things are things that I already love or have had my eye on for quite awhile. I always have an on-going "Wishlist" board on Pinterest, because I have a habit of forgetting! :)
Do any of these items make your birthday or holiday list?


 1) Crate & Barrel // Pottery Barn - Christmas Decor + Gift Cards

 I know, I know... I hear it every year { Mom! }, "Why on earth is there Christmas stuff on your bday list?" Well, quite simply? I have a complete obsession with Christmas, and there is absolutely nothing I would like better than cute decor to make our house feel more magical and cozier.

I'm in love with anything rustic, modern, and chic (hello sparkles!), so I am eye balling a few things. I want our home to feel like a cozy whimsical lodge, and would love gift cards to shop 'til I drop!

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2) Artwork + Prints

Yup, I love anything you would find at a hole in the wall fair trade, organic, hippie chic coffee house, including these spectacular prints! We need some fun artwork for the Haskins House!

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3) Nespresso Machine

My cousin Tracy made me the world's fastest most delicious almond milk lattes with this Nespresso machine and I have been googly eyed for one ever since last winter!

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4) Rifle Paper Co. 

I absolutely love Rifle Paper Co. and all that Anna Rifle creates, including her cute calendars, redesigned classic book covers, and prints!

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5) Turbo Fire DVD Set

I have seriously wanted this workout set for a year and have yet to buy it. With the winter months approaching quickly, getting out in the cold to hit the gym is losing it's luster. I would love to be able to get a great workout in at home! My friends RAVE about Turbofire!

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6) Pottery Barn Robe + Slippers 

These are hands down the softest, coziest set I've ever felt! I am loving the ivory/gray ombre robe and slippers. 

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7) Cute Kitchen Accessories

I always love every kitchen Anthropologie trinket! I would love a gorgeous pie plate and spoon rest in a cool pattern. It makes cooking twice as fun. And then as a perfect duo to cute dishes, I think I need to top it all off with some cute Barr-Co. or Cucina soap + lotion sets. Love.

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Welp, now I am all partied out and exhausted... just kidding!

What is on your wish list?

 

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Adam's 30th Birthday Bash

Last Saturday evening was one of those moments that will forever be branded on my memory.
It was the perfect recipe for a stellar evening. KC local hole in the wall. Cold beer. Good food and even greater company. Mr. Evans turned the big 3-0 and celebrated with our nearest and dearest friends.

It all started when I asked, well begged, hubs to let me throw him a party. Once I wiggled a positive confirmation out of him, I began the hunt to find the perfect spot. After writing down a list of what would make this party uniquely for him, I knew I had to find an awesome local place that poured microbrews and international beers by the pint with a chill atmosphere.

So when I waltzed into Haus in the Martini Corner area of KC on a whim, I knew I hit the proverbial jackpot.

I was thrilled to sit down with Desmond Carr, the dynamic managing partner for Haus KC, to hammer out a game plan. Lucky for me, it wasn't too hard to come up with some great ideas after choosing some great items to serve off of their gourmet German pub themed menu. 

We also worked together on an idea to put together a special birthday beer flight, where Adam could pre-select four specialty beers for our friends to try at the party. I mean, what could possibly be more manly than German pub food and hand selected beers. It was a done deal.

Once details were finalized, it was time to focus on my favorite part - the creative side. I ordered these invites that I loved from 2 Bird Studios on Etsy (check them out - they were great to work with!) and before I knew it, the date was saved. I recruited my ever-so-crafty mother-in-law to help me with some simple DIY decor, and we were ready to party hardy, my friends.

 Adam's parents surprised him with a limo ride to the party, which was fun to see him so embarrassed by it. Once we got there, I loved how they laid out beer flight sheets at every table. When we ordered our tasters, they matched them to the description by placing them on the info sheet in order. I am pretty sure the beer nerd in Adam totally geeked out in that moment, and that made me smile from ear to ear.

Shortly after, friends and family from near and far started to arrive to celebrate how awesome my buddy is. We had a horrible time... can't you tell? ;)

 

We have such great friends and family. Some even traveled hundreds of miles just to make Adam's birthday special. It was perfect.

And just in case you wanted to see the best/worst photo of the night... here you go.

You're welcome.

Needless to say, we ate, drank, and went home merry. 

The perfect night.

PS - Don't miss out on the WEEK-LONG "Mingle Monday" link-up! Get some exposure for your blog HERE!

PPS - Don't forget to check out my awesome giveaway! Deadline is Thursday!

Dirty 30 + Birthday Wishes

If you came over to the the Haskins House this morning, you would smell scents of maple syrup, smoky sausage, and blown out birthday candles wafting through the air as the two of us lounge around in our jammers.

Today is a very special day as Hubbers turns 30.
When I asked him how he wanted to spend the day, he simply said "together and relaxing". What a perfect way to celebrate.

So we've had our waffles (the best way to celebrate anything), and we're playing the day by ear. We may take Bella Beast for a walk or check off a restaurant from our ever growing wishlist. The beauty is we don't know what the day holds, but it's going to be fun.

On Saturday, I have planned a big bash at a cool new German restaurant that is rustic, manly, and has an extensive craft/import beer list for family and friends to celebrate Adam. I am thrilled how everything has come together and it will be so laid back and fun.

We are looking forward to seeing many close friends that we haven't seen in quite some time! It should be a fun, intimate, relaxing weekend celebrating this amazing man that we all know and love so deeply.

{I can't get enough of that little baby afro and diaper booty!}

Dear Hubs,

I am so thankful for you today and everyday. That sassy red hair has livened up the party for three decades now, and I can't wait to celebrate you. May you feel as deeply loved and cared for as you make everyone around you feel on a daily basis. I hope your birthday weekend is filled with Beast kisses, plaid, tasty brewskis, ample Mexican food, March Madness marathon watching, and an ample amount of sour patch kids.

Love you, sweets!

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

In case you missed it this week...

+ week long link up party

+ our disney trip in photos

Have a lovely weekend, fun ones!

Time to Party Like We're 75

See that old lady?
Yup, that one. The one who looks ancient and has a sassy smirk?

That's going to be me tonight.

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Believe it or not, I am having a geriatric themed birthday tonight and I couldn't be more pumped! Our crazy friends are coming over dressed like old fogies and we're going to have a ridiculously fun time living it up at the Evans casa.

Adam and I went a little crazy at Goodwill this past weekend - I almost peed my pants from laughter twice - so our granny and gramps outfits are set and ready to go. I am cracking up right now just thinking about how fun it will be.

We will have bingo, cards and snack time, which everyone knows is an elderly staple, of course. And then we're going to shake things up by blasting tunes from my childhood (hello BSB, Spice Girls, and Britney!) while my girlfriends and I dominate the old men at wine pong.

Don't worry, there will definitely be a ton of photos shared with you lovely people come next week.

Then I'm going to dress up like Katniss to go see Catching Fire on Saturday morning.

93% joking. 

Good grief.

There is a really good chance I've consumed entirely too much coffee and am extremely hyper/jittery writing this post. Hollllaaaa!

{ What are you up to this weekend?}

In case you missed it...

+ Mingle Monday Week-Long Link-Up

+ Goodbye 26, Hello 27 (a little birthday thanks) 

+ Holly Jolly Ornament Swap

+ Easy Canvas Prints giveaway

Have a fantastic weekend, you old farts!

Goodbye 26, Hello 27!

As I sit here in my bed all cozy and warm, I feel overwhelmingly loved and so graciously blessed. 

Today was my 27th birthday (well, Monday was - before it turned Nov. 20th three minutes ago!!), and I felt the love in such big ways all day long.

As I look back on this past year, I can hardly believe what wonderful things have happened. 

1//  I was honored to stand beside several of my dearest friends and family member on their special wedding days and celebrate the love they found. We had so many great celebrations with friends - wedding, babies, new houses. 

2//  I was completely surprised under a sea of fireworks as I got engaged to the love of my life.

3//  My sweet daddy was declared cancer free.

4//  I've watched old friendships grow and have had new friendships blossom, and it's so incredible to feel apart of a welcoming network and family 

5//  We found a great church home and I began volunteering as a Sunday School leader for my sweet 3rd/4th grade girls.

6//  My sister started college and moved 30 minutes away from me, and my parents soon followed by moving to Kansas City to allow our family to spend so much more time with each other.

7//  I had one of the happiest days of my life walking down the aisle to promise forever and always to my sweet Adam. 

8//  I got to travel outside the country to the beautiful island of Antigua on our wonderful honeymoon adventure.

9//  We've started several new traditions in our first year of marriage, and it's such a blessing to have such incredible families that we love and cherish unconditionally.

10//  I was offered a fantastic assistant director promotion at my dream job, and I know it's exactly where God wants me.

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As you can see, 26 was sure sweet to me, and I feel so grateful and blessed beyond measure. I am especially thankful for each and every one of you as you faithfully visit my humble blog and provide a wonderful network of friends and creativity. 

Thanks for being so great. 

I pinky promise mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Can't wait to see what 27 brings!

PS - Don't forget to link-up and gain new readers ALL WEEK at my Mingle Monday Link-Up!

PPS - Don't miss out on my Holly Jolly Ornament Swap! It's such a blast every year - make new blog friends and get a cute hand picked ornament in the mail! :)




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Advice Needed - DSLR Camera Shopping

So, my birth month is rapidly approaching (yes, I said month!), and the hubs has been asking for my birthday/Christmas wish list. Of course there are a few trinkets and such on there, but I've really had my eye on a DSLR camera!

Or a puppy.
(but that got vetoed.)

Ever since I've started this humble little blog, I've been dying to learn how to capture beautiful photos of my own and share them. If I got a DSLR, I would have a blast learning the ins and outs of a big girl camera.

But first I have to know which one to go for.
This is where you come in...

1 //  What DSLR camera do you recommend and why?
2 //  Do I need to add specific lenses to my wish list too?
3 //  What about editing software? Any faves?
4 //  How did you learn to use it? Tips/tricks?


I would love to have a camera that could beautifully photograph food as well as everyday photos.
Any help, advice, or recommendation are gladly welcomed!

{eeek!}

I'm Baaaaaack!!!

HOLY SMOKES!

It's been f-or-e-v-e-r. How are you, dear friends? Everyone hanging in there?
It sure feels good to be back to real life (and blog world!) after an insanely amazing wedding and honeymoon vacation. I cannot wait to show you photos from the big day, but don't have them back quite yet!

In the meantime, here's a few to share (thanks to the help of a few friends)...

So our wedding was incredible. The food was great, the wine was flowing, people were breaking it down on the dance floor, and it was a blast. The best part? Being completely and utterly overwhelmed by the love and blessings of our dear family and friends. What an unbelievable feeling.

Our sweet little cake.

The venue being set-up in the morning.

The candy bar, which was a total hit.

Pretty mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Getting beautified.

Besties since elementary school.

Our first dance as husband and wife.

So that's a little quick photo teaser for ya! More coming soon (wedding, honeymoon, new house!), so stay tuned.

In other news...

I was so thrilled to cut off 8 inches of my hair yesterday! I am just loving my short, swishy new do, and feel so sassy. What do you think?

 Do you see the sass?

I'm telling you, this haircut has made me a whole new woman!

And most importantly of all...

Today is my very sweet hubby's 29th birthday.
I woke up extra early to make him some tasty homemade birthday waffles and give him his presents. He looks like a happy camper, doesn't he?

That smile.
Swoon.

And yes, that is a candle in his waffle...

(I'm cheesy and sentimental like that - haha)

My goodness, I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much. I didn't realize I could be more in love with him today than on our wedding day, and I know it will be even more tomorrow than today.

I am blessed by such a wonderful, selfless, funny, thoughtful, affectionate, caring, handsome (and I could go on for days) man.

Love you, bud.

Looking forward to seeing all of our friends and fam for dinner and dessert at our house (!!) tonight. Don't worry, lots of pics will be coming!


Missed y'all.
Like so so much.
xo