Dear Vista House,

Did you know that's your name? You were named for the street you are on. It's a pretty cool name I guess. I didn't name you, but hope you like it. :)

Tomorrow begins the third consecutive weekend I have spent painting your walls. Confession: I'm a tad bit OVER it. I mean, can you blame me? I still can't get some of last weekend's paint off my left leg (despite my scrubbing efforts in the shower) and painting a house alone can become extremely monotonous and boring. But this weekend is hopefully our final weekend of painting. Soon, your walls will have fresh coats of paint and you will be cleaner than you've been in months. Have you been lonely without anyone living in you? Do you miss the sound of little feet running around? Well no worries, in about 2-3 weeks you'll gain a new family and a sweet little puppy that loves the sound of her own paws running around on your floors!

After you are all cleaned up and painted, Luke and I are going to Ikea. We're going to buy you a brand new kitchen table and chairs, a bed frame for the master bedroom, and some fun organizational items. Luke has never been to an Ikea before (yes, I am embarrassed for him too) and once I take him there, I just know he will be thrilled out of his mind to buy you some fun prizes!

Vista, I don't care that your floor creaks. It's part of your personality. And the built in shelving in the corner of the "master bathroom" (quotations because let's be honest, it's not very master) is too cute for words. I'm absolutely in LOVE with the color we have chosen for your kitchen walls and you better believe I already have a plan as to where I am hanging our wedding pictures, mirrors, and other wall decor. You're going to be pretty cute once I'm finished with you! :)

But until then, I'll just continue to daydream about what cooking my first dinner on your stove will be like. Or envision Luke walking through your backdoor after a long day at work and kissing the cook. Because no matter your imperfections, you're our first big adventure as husband and wife, and I know we'll forever look back on these days with fond memories. You're a cozy little house in the country and I cannot wait to make you our first home.

I've got to go to bed now so that I can be rested and ready to paint in the morning! I'm looking forward to our next two days together. And don't worry, I won't forget my iPhone. I mean, what would we do without Pandora while painting?

Love,
Sara

Wedding Invitation Ornament

Last night, I went over to Aubrey's apartment to make/eat tacos and watch the DWTS results show. When I called her to let her know I was on my way over, she said, "I made you a prize today!!" I love when Aubery makes prizes because they are always super artsy and extermely thoughtful. I had no idea what she had made, but I was super excited when she showed me this...

{It's an ornament with my wedding invitation inside! It is cut into thin strips and wrapped around inside a clear, glass ornament. LOVE!}

Isn't this the sweetest, most thoughtful gift?! I had no idea that she was putting this together and I seriously think it's the cutest idea. I definitely want to do this for my friends that get married in the future. In the first picture, you can see my name. In this next shot, you can see Luke's. On purpose, no doubt. :)

And no artsy DIY gift/project is complete without a picture of the creator. Isn't she the cutest? I am so blessed to call her one of my best friends!

Boot Craving!

I'm can't stop lusting after these boots. I want them. Now.

Pay day cannot come fast enough! :)

Tuesday's Confessions

1) I dyed my hair again this past Sunday. It's REALLY dark now, but I had to! My first coloring experience was great, but after 5 washes, I was almost blonde again. Hoping this one stays a little better.

2) I did it. I listened to NSYNC Holiday Pandora this morning. I couldn't hold off any longer! The urge was just too strong.

 {90's hair/boy band love}

3) I had a dream last night that I was pregnant. Like, 3 months pregnant and starting to show! Although I don't want babies for the next couple of years at least, it felt SO real and all I really remember was the way I kept touching my growing belly. I was in awe and in love with this baby already and it was only a dream. WEIRD. (But cool?) I'm blaming this on all the people having and wanting babies around me. :)

4) I bought a rug for the new house yesterday!! I'm pretty pumped. It's a 5x7 and I got it for $24.70 (originally $128!). My mom might have had something to do with this. Thanks mom!!

 via.

5) Luke and I have been looking for another puppy. Not to replace our sweet Brooklyn, but to add to our little family! With us moving out to the camp where Luke works, Brooklyn is going to be at home by herself most of the day. We want her to have a brother or sister to play with while we're both at work. Although we love how ridiculously precious newborn maltipoos are, we're actually hoping to adopt a 9mo-12mo. old maltipoo that is already (hopefully!) trained (to a certain extent). If you know of anyone in Texas trying to re-home their maltipoo, let me know!!

{I mean, who wouldn't want another one of these faces??}

Miscellany Monday

This past Saturday, I participated in the Making Strides For Breast Cancer 5K/Walk in Corpus Christi with a team from work. We wore gray shirts with our stations logos on them in pink and we also wore pink and purple leis. There was so much pink EVERYWHERE and I loved seeing our community get together for such a great cause! My cousin died at a very young age of breast cancer, so it is always very important for me to participate in such events that raise awareness and support early detection. This event was the perfect way to kick off my weekend!

{Walking and raising awareness with Jessie, Nicole, and myself}

Would you like to guess what else I did this weekend? Yes, I PAINTED! This seems to have become my weekend norm, huh? We're definitely over half way through painting the new house and I'm going to start packing boxes in the apartment this week. After spending two consecutive weekends in the new house and realizing how close we are to the move, I have found new motivation to get to packin'!

{A few of our paint colors. I'm a blues and greens kind of gal.}

And I'm getting really excited because in 11 days, I will be reunited with these lovey ladies and I can't wait!! We will certainly be drinking Common Grounds coffee, cheering on our Baylor Bears at the homecoming game, watching Pigskin, and, knowing us, doing a little shopping! I can't wait to be these sisters again soon!!

 {College roomies, sisters, friends}

Sometimes, all you have to do is sit on the front porch

 {This is what peace looks like for me this morning}

Do you ever feel like the world is spinning madly around you and that you can't slow your brain down long enough to have one complete thought? This has been me over the last week or so. It is also the reason for my lack of posts. With the craziness of life that I have been encountering recently, I have found it extremely difficult to blog about anything because I haven't fully processed my thoughts. Before I can complete one, a new one is being created. This has been extremely tiring, if you can imagine.

"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." 

Isaiah 54:10

At this very moment, I am sitting on the front porch of the Camp Zephyr office and it is a perfect 66 degrees with a light breeze. No words can describe the peace that comes with sitting on this front porch. It is a familiar place to me; a place I've sat and read my Bible, blogged, and had both serious and hysterical conversations with friends and family. Although the world spins madly on, here I find rest. I think this is what I'll love most about living out at camp. I yearn for those mornings of quiet time with my God on the deck in my backyard, Bible and coffee in hand. And from what those who have lived in our house before us have told me, the view of God's majestic, starry sky from our backyard is going to be breath-taking. I know I'll never get enough of this.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

James 1:7

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. on my own this morning with tears in my eyes. This never happens to me and sort of freaked me out. I don't think I was having a bad dream, but in all honesty, I can't remember. Maybe it's because I have to say goodbye to not only two of my dear friends today (who are moving to East Texas), but two people who have helped mold me into the woman and leader I am today. This couple has been a huge part of my time at Zephyr and I'm really having a tough time accepting that they won't be here as Luke and I move in. It could also be because I haven't slept well the past week or because of the pressure I'm putting on myself to pack/move/figure out our car situation/etc. in just a few short weeks. I don't know why I woke up with tears, but I'm telling you if you ever wake up this way, drive or fly to Zephyr and spend a quiet morning on this porch with me. It will do your soul good.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 

 

Your prayers would be appreciated.  :)

Weekend Wrap-Up

This past weekend, Luke and I started painting the house. 8 coats across 4 different rooms. Needless to say, there is still some paint on my body that I can't seem to scrub off in the shower. But I'm in love with the colors we chose and am very happy with the progress we made! I think we'll be moved in within the next 2 weeks or so. :)

{About to start the painting process!}

{My painting buddies!}

After 2 long days and finally setting the paint brushes down, Luke and I drove back to Corpus and met up with Aubrey for dinner at Grimaldi's. I love eating there because it's like being back in Brooklyn (kinda). This is my favorite and the BEST pizza in town! 

{Pesto pizza with pepperonis and jalepenos}

And just for the heck of it (and beacuse I needed to do SOMETHING with this mop), I let Aubrey dye my hair. Surprisingly, Luke loves it! And I'm thinking it's a good color for fall. Thoughts?

Work It! Express Business Suits // Sponsored Post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

What type of work environment do you work in? Is your normal work attire more casual, business casual, or business professional? As hard as I try, I don't feel like I ever quite get that business professional look fully together, although I work in an environment where I probably should!

The other day I was browsing a couple of websites, looking for women's business suits, when I came across the website for Express. As I began to look through the women's suits, I started to wonder why I had never thought to shop at Express for professional business looks before! I'm in love with this Womens' Luster Tweed Suit and the way a white blouse looks under the jacket. Another great quality about Express' women's suits is the fact that they can go from work to play so easily!

Any and all of you ladies looking to upgrade the "business professional" section of your closet should definitely check out the Express sweepstakes! At this link, you can enter for a chance to win a $500 suiting makeover from Express. I know I'm for sure registering!!

Check out the women's suits at Express and let me know what you think. Which ones are your favorites? What would you use a suit like this for? Work, networking events, job interviews?

Hey It's OK Thursday

Hey, it's ok...

To have "scrunched" my hair for work every day for the last three weeks. 30 more minutes of sleep each morning > waking up early to straighten my hair.

To use Pinterest as a search engine as much as (if not more than) Google. "I'll Pinterest it!"

To still be trying to figure out the perfect tattoo. I've seriously been debating, drawing, and discussing this very permanent decision since I was 16. I want it to represent my marriage and the promise my husband and I made to each other on our wedding day. With/without picture? With/without words? Where to put it? I hope to someday figure this out.

To be in denial about packing even though I'm excited to move. For some reason I think all our crap will pack itself perfectly into the boxes I haven't purchased yet.

To be obsessed with/plan my Wednesday and Sunday evenings around Revenge and PanAm. Who doesn't love a show that keeps you on your toes?

To already be working on my Christmas list. It was actually started about a month ago, but I'm just now getting around to confessing this.

To continue daydreaming of the day I will get to move back to this city...


Metropolis - A New York City Timelapse from Will Boisture on Vimeo.

via.

Thanks for sharing this video on your blog yesterday Stevie. 

I'm slightly obsessed. 

:)

Happy 1 year KRIS!!

One year ago today, I started working at KRIS Communications. This past year I have learned so much more than I ever thought I would and can give much of the credit to my amazing director, managers, and colleagues. I work with people that teach me, push me and want to see me succeed, which I consider to be a huge blessing! I've been to countless lunches, run in a 5K and relay marathon, competed in work competitions, celebrated birthdays, and served our community with this team. They even threw me a sweet wedding celebration the day I took off to go get married! I feel very blessed to work for such a great company and a wonderful group of people.

Happy anniversary KRIS!!

{Yes, I did take an iPhone pic of myself, at my desk, with my coffee cup and my pointer finger up to represent 1 year at my job. I'm a nerd.}

Tape, paint, and outlet covers...oh my!

I just got a very fun call from my husband. It went a little something like this...

Luke: Hey wife.
Me: Hey babe. What's up?
Luke: BJ and I have been walking through the house for the last hour and a half. I'm making a list of all the things we need to get taken care of before the house is ready for move in.
Me: Oh really? What's on the list?
Luke: Paint tape, caulk, foam, cabinet hinges, outlet covers, paint...
Me: Whoa, cool!
Luke: Yeah. Do you know what color paint you want for the different rooms?
Me: Umm...

The answer to that last question sort of turned into an entirely seperate conversation, but the important thing is that we're down to the last little details before move-in begins!!! Paint will be purchased soon, which means painting will begin soon. I will probably be looking at some paint samples by this evening. :)

{Where does one begin??}

I must say, it was a little weird having that conversation with my husband. Weird in a cool way. I mean, we've only ever lived in an apartment where we weren't given the option of paint colors and have never needed to worry about details such as outlet covers. There is definintely something sexy about a man making sure a house is ready for his wife to move into! Luke has made such a sweet effort to make sure I'm happy about moving out to camp since he knows the sacrifice I'll be making to travel an hour to and from work every day. When he started listing all the little details he was taking care of, I giggled outloud to myself just a bit. He sounds so husband-like! But I guess that's the way it should sound, right? He's a cutie.

I'm getting excited!!

Hinton Update!

Hey everyone! After a crazy week, I am so grateful for the weekend and some downtime to catch you up on all that has been going on in the Hinton household!! Luke has to work today, so Brooklyn and I are just hanging out at the apartment and being lazy, minus the laundry piles I still need to work on and the 3 mile run I have sworn to complete. I've been a little disappointed in myself lately because I'm way out of my normal workout routine. This all changes starting today!

{mo.ti.va.tion.}

House... Luke and I got an update yesterday on the house we'll be moving into (get caught up on that story here). It looks like the house should be ready for us to start moving into next week! The last few weeks have been a little stressful with working out the details of the move, but we're excited and are trusting in God's plan for this time in our lives. Be looking for more moving and decorating posts soon!

Work... When I showed up to work this past Thursday morning, there was a piece of paper laying upside-down on my desk. When I turned it over and read what it said, I got very excited!! On this paper was a travel itinerary for my very first work trip. I will be flying to Phoenix, AZ with two other colleagues of mine for a sales training seminar this December! I'm pretty excited for not only the chance to travel, but also the opportunity to grow my knowledge of this industry. Call me a nerd, but I can't wait for my business trip!

{Oh, hey Phoenix!}

Brooklyn... The pup is doing good, but she's been a little extra whiny lately. Her new favorite thing to do is to sit in front of the laundry room doors (we store her food and treats on a shelf behind these doors) and cry until someone gives her a treat. I have no idea where she learned this! When Luke has to stay the night out at the camp, Brooklyn loves to curl up in a ball and sleep on his side of the bed. I can tell she misses him when he's gone. She can't wait to move out to camp to live with her dad full time and to finally have a backyard to play in!

Travel... Luke and I are headed up to Waco, Texas for Baylor Homecoming in 4 weeks. I can't wait!! This will be our first Baylor Homecoming as a married couple, which makes this trip even more special. We're driving up to Waco early Friday to catch Singspiration Friday night. We'll go to the football game Saturday afternoon and to Saturday night's performance of Pigskin as well. I can't wait to see all of my college friends and to be back on Baylor's campus!

Shopping... Didn't you know there would be one of these? :) I haven't shopped too much lately, but last night Aubrey and I were walking around the mall and noticed that Gap was having a big weekend sale. I bought a cranberry-colored, 3/4-sleeve t-shirt (perfect for fall!) for $9.79, originally $24.50 and 3 pair of low-rise bikini panties for $2.79 each, originally $12.50 each. 68% savings, huzzah!

And last, but not least, I'm guest posting on Following The Walkers today! Go check it out! :)

Hope y'all are having a great weekend!!

Hill's Pet Nutrition // Sponsored Post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hills Pet Nutrition for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you know me or read my blog, you know how much I love my pup, Brooklyn. One my my favorite things about her is how energetic and playful she is. There is hardly ever a moment when she isn't bringing me a ball or chew toy so that we can play fetch. I can't even begin to imagine Brooklyn's level of energy or health ever digressing.

So when I was asked to write about Hill's Pet Nutrition and Healthy Mobility Challenge, I jumped on the opportunity! Not only am I able to share this product with you, but I was also able to learn more about Hill's product and how choosing the right dog food can help all dogs live a healthier lifestyle. There is a good chance that Brooklyn will be eating this dog food in the near future!

All dog owners and lovers should definitely check out Hill's Healthy Mobility Coupon! You can register now and receive $30 in coupon offers from Hill's. Also, registering automatically enters you in a Sweepstakes where 30 winners will receive FREE pet food for an ENTIRE YEAR! Pretty awesome, huh? My favorite part of this challenge is that you can track your dog's progress over 30 days of eating Hill's Science Diet and then share your success stories with other pet owners. Who doesn't love talking about their pup with other dog lovers?

To read more about Hill's Pet Nutrition, make sure to check out their Facebook page: Hill's Pet Nutrition on Facebook.

Good luck in the Sweepstakes! I know that Brooklyn is sure hoping she wins a year's worth of free dog food. This would make her momma very happy. :)

Matthew 6:25-34

It has been one draining week. I've done a lot of thinking and a lot of praying, for myself and for others. My brain feels like it could not absorb another bit of information, make another decision, or deal with another deadline.

Dwelling on these verses tonight and finding rest in the One that gives peace.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

P. S. Sorry I've been so MIA on the blog this week. After a restful weekend, I'll be back. :)

He's Not Perfect

I just had to steal this! My sweet friend, Tamara, posted this quote on her blog this morning and I couldn't help but smile while reading it. If you haven't visited Tamara's blog, you definitely should! She lives in Portland with her soon-to-be-hubby (literally, like a week) and their two pups and blogs about all of their adventures in the gorgeous city of Portland.

I love this quote because it is so true. Luke and I aren't perfect by a long shot, but we're perfect for each other and I love that. This weekend we were talking about how different life would be today had we taken different paths out of high school or college. I told Luke that it made me sad to think that we may not have found each other and he told me, "I would have found you." *Gush!* Every once in a while, that boy gets sappy. :)

But I believe this to be true as well. As Phoebe says about Ross and Rachel, "See! He's her lobster!"

Why Do Weekends Insist on Flying By...

I mean, seriously. Why? :(

We had a fabulously quick weekend. Luke had to work a half-day Saturday, so Brooklyn and I were bums most of the day. But Luke asked me if I wanted to go see a movie Saturday night (love dating my husband!) and let me pick which movie we saw. Now, before you feel sorry for him, understand that he could have had a say in the movie we watched. I chose What's Your Number. Poor Luke rolled his eyes through most of it, but was a champ nonetheless. Plus, he held my hand through most of the movie, which reminds me of going to the movies in junior high and I LOVED it! Cheese bomber, I know. :)

On Sunday we hopped in the car and drove up to Victoria for a quick visit with my mom, sisters, and Papaw (and since he reads my blog, LOVE YOU PAPAW!!!). We had lunch at Casa Ole, did some shopping, and grabbed some Starbucks before heading back home. Brook went with us and had a great time hanging out at Papaw's house while we shopped. It was a quick trip, but well worth it!

{Outside of Starbucks, enjoying the beautiful weather!}

{Brooklyn with her Aunt Becca}

After we got home, Aubrey came over and she and I baked cookies while Luke played video games. I gladly let him zone out of the baking after all the girlie movies and shopping he had to endure this weekend, ha! Baking was awesome because I FINALLY broke out the Kitchenaid mixer we got for the wedding. I tried to re-create some orange zest cookies w/sweet orange glaze that I saw on Pinterest. They were pretty good, but not as fabulous as I thought they be. Maybe they'll taste a little better tomorrow since I'm pretty sugared out this evening!

{You can find the recipe here}

Hope you all had a relaxing weekend and are better prepared for Monday than I am!

October :)

A lot has been going on around here!

First off, I must say thank you x100 to Bethany at L&B for helping me get my button codes on my blog. If you don't know this about me, I have no HTML skill whatsoever. Thanks Bethany!!

Also, check out my new sponsors on the right-hand side of the blog!

Umm, and can I just say that I'm THRILLED about today being the 1st of October?? It's currently a gorgeous 81 degrees in Corpus Christi (this is AMAZING for South Texas, btw) and I'm enjoying a wonderful cup of jo w/hazelnut latte creamer. Mmm, I love fall!!!

P.S. Does anyone know of/have any travel tricks? Like a secret way to book cheap flights, find cute, but inexpensive places to stay, etc? I'm itching to book a flight and take off on an adventure, but I want to be as cost efficient as possible. Help? 

{Because I can't get this place off my mind}