twenty-three

Today I turned 23.

I don’t feel too much different than I did when I was turning 22. I do feel more feminine though. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m married now or if going back to blonde has anything to do with it. I just know I’m wearing a lot more dresses, brighter colors, and floral prints.

This entire week, when the subject of my birthday came up, most people assumed I was turning 18, maybe 19. A few even thought I was still in high school. I remember when I was turning 21, everyone at my work thought I was 16 and the people at the casino had to stare at me and my I.D., back and forth, for like 30 seconds and then began to ask me a multitude of questions about my I.D. just to make sure I knew the information on it. Actually, that still happens.

I’m sure one day I will appreciate that. Assuming when that one day comes, I will still look younger than what my age would have you think.

Brandon got me this snazzy bike for my birthday.

I really wanted a cruiser-style bike because I love the vintage feel and charm they have, but since those typically have no gears it wouldn’t be the best idea with our area being so hilly. This bike is just perfect though. It has the vintage feel and charm I was wanting and it also has gears. I am beyond excited to go riding and exploring around town on it.

My little brother got me these cookbooks.

He knows me too well. I love thai food and while I am not a vegetarian, I have a slight meat aversion, and just love vegetable based dishes.

I also got this lovely candle and candle holder from my mom, with the addition of a killer shopping spree.

Aren’t moms the best?

The best part of my birthday, however, is the fact that tomorrow morning we are heading out and making our way up to Michigan to spend some much needed time with our dearest friends, Jeremy and Candice.

                                                              Our wedding: January 29, 2011                             Theirs: April 2, 2011

Be back soon!

memorial day weekend

Brandon is taking a nap on the couch. I’ve been on pinterest for what seems like eternity. Yep, that pretty much sums up our entire existence this weekend. Oh, and many, many episodes of Lost.

Brandon’s allergies have gotten the best of him, so most of the weekend was spent trying to get him back to health. Lots of soup, baths, real fruit pops and this:

He can’t breathe so he’s been using eucalyptus oil to help. It wasn’t working well enough so he just drenched a cotton ball with it and shoved it up his nose.

We did manage to make it out to Gypsy Caravan again this year. And again we didn’t buy anything… although now I’m kind of regretting not getting a few things I saw.  I’m sure I will find similar things at garage sales this summer so I’m not too worried about it. I just have so many ideas for our little nest. I just wish it would all come together right now.

After Gypsy Caravan we came home and made one of our favorite summertime foods. Mango Salsa. We live on different kinds of fresh salsa all summer long.

(Tomatoes, mangoes, black beans, cilantro, green onions, jalapenos, lime juice, and salt to your liking)

While Brandon was inside making the salsa I went out exploring.

Warm weather is finally here and I plan on taking full advantage of it. Brandon’s allergies better bug off so he can join me.

transparency

Sorry for the lack of posting.

You see, the first three months of our marriage were quite difficult. We were on complete survival mode and barely made it through alive. Or married for that matter.

Luckily, I have an amazing husband who is patient, humble, and self-less. The complete opposite of me. Which brings me to my next point:

Marriage is complicated. And hard. Especially if you think you don’t have to work at it. And let me tell you… you do. You have to work at fighting against yourself. The part of you that wants to hold grudges, fight to the death, and never give grace or apologize. The part of me that became way too transparent.

Everything is getting better though. Things are calming down and we are starting to get the hang of it.

I will start posting more now. I just needed to take some time to not write and just let life happen.

Have a great weekend!

saturday

Even though on most occasions our little home looks like this.

Sometimes, on days like today, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to just turn your head, put your feet up, and watch some opening season baseball in your pajamas with the one you love.

 

(source)

My new motto. Which Brandon will tell me is just another excuse for me to be lazy.

And I’m O.K. with that.

about us.

 

My name is Danielle and this is my husband Brandon…

 

(don’t let that pretty picture fool you though, most of the time we actually look like this)

and we got married on January 29, 2011.

We are complete opposites and drive each other crazy more days than not, but we manage to balance each other out and spend a lot of time laughing at ourselves. He’s humble, I’m stubborn. He focuses on the present, I’m a dreamer. He plays music and sings, I read books and write. And I know in 60 years he will still be griping at me for being so slow and messy and I will still be nagging him for falling asleep during movies and leaving his change everywhere.

We are both laid-back, enjoy good food, crappy pop music, and keeping it simple.

This blog is a way to capture our life as we journey into our latest adventure- marriage,

 

…and everything that goes along with it.

so…how’s the married life?

Ever since getting married, this seems to be the only question I get asked.

And while the question is completely valid and appropriate, it’s kind of hard to answer.

So, I figured I would just start a new blog…

Don’t worry, you won’t hear about every little thing going on in our life.

This is mostly just for us, to be able to capture some of the moments.

And also, maybe a little bit for my mom.