Katie Stories {Scrapbook + Crafting Blog}: beach

Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Summer Goldfish Yarn Wreath {Home Decor}

Happy Wednesday!

This summer, I really wanted to make a goldfish wreath. It was partly inspired by goldfish crackers, and part by my new fish doormat from Target (that I totally forgot to photograph and now its dark outside and the bugs are there...so I'll try to add one after work when its light out!)

I actually started it in May, but then life happened and I got sidetracked.

So while my mom was here and I was hanging out on the couch, we finished sewing the fishies and stuffing them with polyfil!

I used matching thread for two of the fish, and contrasting thread for the third one. I like how simple it is, but from far away (like when I'm driving up to the house after work), it looks like the fishies are swimming on my door! And it makes me smile :)

Do you dress up your door for summer?

Friday, August 1, 2014

Project Life 2014 {Week 24}

Hi guys!

Its Friday...which means its surgery day. So I might not be able to respond to comments and things until later this weekend. Unless I say stuff today that sounds all crazy. Then let's blame the anesthesia and pain medication!

Fortunately, my Project Life pages are way more fun that surgery (I hope!)

Week 24 | June 9 - June 15, 2014

Week 24 was our vacation week this year. We spent a week on Harbor Island, SC. Mostly, we ate and drank, watched the wildlife, sat on the beach and relaxed by the pool.

But we also went on a day trips that earned its own insert.

The first one was to Savannah, GA. We'd never been before, but the city was beautiful! We both said that if they had a "real" fall and winter, we would consider living there. But they don't, at least, not by our north east standards. And we both love fall too much to give it up for much longer (I'm talking about you and your not very fall-y fall weather Louisiana!)

On the back of the insert I included a few more pictures from Harbor Island, including me in my running gear - we ran on the beach a few times and AJ even got me in the gym working with some of the weights! And my favorite picture of this random wooded path on Hunting Island. We didn't go down that path, we went down a similar one...but it had snakes, and possibly an alligator, so we didn't get too far before we ran back to our car!

I wish I was on the beach this weekend. But I'll be relaxing on the couch instead. At least I will get to pick all of the movies and tv shows and dinners for the whole weekend! I'm thinking lots of When Harry Met Sally, Mad About You and any other romantic comedies I can think of!

What are you up to this weekend?

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Pacific Ocean {Scrapbook Layout}

Happy Tuesday!

Last week, I went a little scrap-crazy. I made 13 layouts in just three days! I think it was a combination of having lots of time, lots of pictures and a newly cleaned (and unpacked) scrapbook room.

I found lots of papers and embellishments and stickers that I forgot that I even had! So I just had to play with them :)

This layout is about my first trip to the Pacific Ocean. Even though I grew up a short drive from the beach, and spent a week every year on the Jersey Shore, it was always the Atlantic. So having the chance to see the Pacific while in California for a close friend's wedding was pretty awesome.

I loved it. Part of it was exactly how I imagined - palm trees and lots of people on the beach.

And part of it was not at all how I'd imagined - it was freezing cold. I guess I just assumed nice weather in California meant the ocean would be super warm. But I found out because its warm during the day, but cold at night, the ocean temperature never gets a chance to really heat up.

I also didn't expect all of the cool tide pools and sea life. I had so much fun photographing the ocean and climbing all over the rocks.

But mostly I was just proud of myself for venturing out by myself (AJ had a major project at work and couldn't attend the wedding with me) Just a few years ago, that definitely isn't something I would have done. But I'm so glad I took the opportunity and didn't let the fact that I had to drive in a unfamiliar area by myself stop me from seeing an ocean that I've always wanted to visit!

Have your crossed any locations off your "must see" list lately? Where do you still want to visit?

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Atlanta + Savannah + Harbor Island {Summer List 2014}

Happy Tuesday!

I was definitely quiet here last week, because AJ and I crossed a few things off of our summer list. We went on road trip!

In April, we decided we wanted to go to the beach this summer {we are both really struggling with living so far from the water down here} AJ did a ton of research and found Harbor Island, South Carolina - we could drive there, it was the Atlantic Ocean, and it was quiet. So we booked a condo on the beach, and away we went!

Well, not really as easy as that. A wasp flew into the car as we were leaving, and it totally threw us off. So we ended up having to kill it, then go back into the house to get stuff clean off the window, then go back into the house because we forgot to turn off the light after we got the windex. Then go back around the block after we left because we couldn't remember if we'd shut the garage door with all the craziness.

But after that - away we went!

Since the drive was 13 hours, we decided to stop in Atlanta on our way to South Carolina. Neither of us had ever been there before (aside from the airport!)

We didn't do too much sight seeing, since we were very tired from driving (and fighting wasps at 5:30am!) But we did walk around the city a little bit, and went for dinner and drinks.

the view from our hotel room | walking around Peachtree Street | grabbing a drink at the hotel bar

The next morning, it was a not terribly long drive to South Carolina. Even though we were staying on the sea islands, we were super close to Savannah. So we took a day trip over there.

We didn't take one of the tours - although we saw them all over the place. We just really wanted to walk, as opposed to taking the trolley {walking is another thing we desperately miss since moving down here}. Fortunately, Heather had some really awesome posts about her family's trip to Savannah {here here and here}, and we used her posts as our tour guide!

city hall | the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist | AJ in front of the historic Savannah theater | Juliette Gordon Low's house (as a former Girl Scout, I so loved seeing this) | the square where Forest Gump was filmed

We also did some sightseeing of a different type. The next island over was Hunting Island - a state park with beautiful beaches, nature trails and a lighthouse.

We took a walk on one of the trails. Until we saw a snake. Then two steps later saw another snake. We decided that was enough nature for us and ~~screamed and ran~~ walked very quickly back to the safety of our car and the snake free beach!

But mostly our vacation looked like this.

I seriously can't believe we are back in Baton Rouge. Even though we just got back Sunday night, it feels like this was weeks and weeks ago.

But AJ had to go back to work and I guess I should start getting back to our regular routine. Which means I need to do all that vacation laundry!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Summer List {2014}

Hello Summer!

Well, summer's officially starting tomorrow at noon. And if we are going by the weather, summer's been here since April. Yay Louisiana...

The past few summers, I've created a list of things to do before school starts - and sometimes I even throw in a list for fall.

I usually wait until after the last day of school to post my list. But I am so so ready for it to be today (and I accidentally wrote it as today in my day planner!) and tomorrow's only a half day, so I decided to just post it now!

Sometimes they work out great {fall 2013} And I end up with lots of fun pages in my Project Life album {summer 2012} And other times, it doesn't work out so well {summer 2013}

But that's okay, because I still love making a new list every summer, even if we start school with none of it being done!

I already know that a few of things this will happen {road trip | beach} and some have already happened {concert} But there are a few I know probably won't be perfect {take a picture every day} but that isn't going to stop me from trying!

What's on your summer agenda this year?

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Honeymoon Album {Part 4}

Happy Tuesday!

I'm a little sad about sharing the end of my honeymoon mini album today.

It has been so fun sharing this with all of you, and reliving some of my favorite memories from our trip to Sandals Emerald Bay.

Sunday was the start of our "Bonus Days". You see, most of the people we met at the resort were only staying for one week, which would have meant leaving on Sunday for us. But we were staying for 10 days, so everything after Sunday morning was a bonus! Sunday, we got our favorite seats at the pool again, with the cute little in the pool table. And we played pool that night. I wasn't very good, but it was fun!

Monday, we hung out at the pool for most of the day. We were supposed to go snorkeling at 1:40, but just before the trip, it started to pour! So the trip was postponed until the next day.

It was also Canadian Thanksgiving. So we went to the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner that night! Of course, I thought of Tracy :)

Tuesday we were able to get another cabana on the beach! I was so glad, because I loved hanging out there. We stayed there all day, until it was time for our rescheduled snorkeling trip. To be honest, we debated not going. It was our last day, we had a great spot by the beach, the weather was gorgeous. But we decided to just go anyway and it turned out to be awesome. It wasn't very long, maybe an hour, and we saw some really cool fish on the coral reef!

And when we got back, our favorite seats were open by the pool! So we hung out there for a bit as well.

That night, before our second dinner at the French restaurant, we walked around the resort and took some pictures. They one on the top left is my favorite, and the one on the bottom right is the background on my phone right now!

Wednesday morning we were sad to be leaving. But we had one last omelette breakfast - wow did I eat a ton of omelettes while we were there! And then we just hung out and waited for our car to the airport. When the cars first got there, everyone jumped to get on them, but we stayed back and ended up getting a private car to the airport! It was a great way to end our trip.

And before we knew it, we were back in Florida, and after one more flight, we were back in Baton Rouge!

I wish we could go back tomorrow, but I know that's not possible, you know, because of work and all that. Maybe for an anniversary trip one day?

Where did you go on your honeymoon? Did you ever return for another trip?

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Honeymoon Album {Part 3}

Happy Tuesday!

Did you have a good St. Patrick's Day? We did our taxes...but we also had green mashed potatoes and green broccoli and green beer! So it was a little festive!

Over the weekend, I almost finished organizing my scrapbook room. I'm looking forward to creating a few new pages to share. But first I want to finish sharing my honeymoon mini album.

Friday we decided to hang out at the pool. We played BINGO in the morning, and as we started playing AJ told me that he's never ever won BINGO. Of course - he won! Then, some of the other people staying at the resort asked us to play volleyball. There was no way I was playing, but AJ had a lot of fun! While he was playing volleyball in the pool, I decided to read, take a nap and run around and take lots of pictures.

That night they had a mini Junkanoo party at the resort. Junkanoo is a big party/parade that is traditional in the Bahamas. The parade at the resort was very cool, there was dancing and music and a guy who did all sorts of crazy things with a flaming limbo stick. Unfortunately, it was getting super windy, and there was lots of biting bugs in the sand, so we didn't eat at the outdoor party. Instead, we ordered in in our room!

Saturday morning the weather had cleared up a lot! We decided to start the day off with a walk on the golf course. But as we were walking over, I noticed that there was a cabana on the beach open! Those can be so hard to get, so we threw our towels and beach bag on there and started our walk. I loved the golf course, it was right on the water, and there were beautiful views from there.

We spent most of the day on the beach, playing in the water and taking pictures. There were photographers who would take your picture, but when we went to go look at the pictures, they were super super expensive. So I used our cabana as a tripod and took a bunch of pictures myself!

Saturday night was our 1 week anniversary, so they decorated our bed with towel swans and flowers! I thought that was so cute. We also went to the bar before our dinner at the French restaurant (that we loved so much that we immediately made another reservation!) But back to the bar - they noticed that I was taking pictures of my drink, so they decided to show me something fun to take pictures of and lit a shot on fire! That was so so cool!

Well, that's it for today! I'll be back tomorrow with another wedding update :)

But until then, I'll just be working, and maybe starting to paint another wall in the house! Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Honeymoon Album {Part 2}

Happy Tuesday everyone!

How was your weekend? AJ was off Thursday and Friday, so we had a long weekend together. We got a lot done around the house, including having our alarm system installed, finally picking a paint color for behind the fireplace and ordering a dining room table!

Last Tuesday, I shared part of our honeymoon album, so I thought I'd continue on this Tuesday and share a bit more!

Wednesday we decided to skip the pool and got a spot by the beach early, but while we were eating lunch, it started to rain! So we took all our stuff back from the beach (after it had gotten all wet!) and went to the pool after the rain stopped.

We also had a special dinner to go to on Wednesday night for people who had been to Sandals before. The dinner was really fun - we ended up (totally by coincidence) sitting with two other couples from Louisiana! And our Sandals hosts bought each couple a professional picture by the golf course. And the food was so so good, it was seriously the best dinner we'd had all week!

Thursday morning started off with breakfast on our patio. I was so so excited about breakfast on the patio, I'm not sure why exactly, but I thought it was very cool.

After breakfast, we decided to get off of the resort and explore Exuma a bit. We called the taxi driver who'd dropped us off at the hotel, and he drove us around the island so we could sight see a little bit.

He dropped us off at the water taxi that brought us over to Chat'n'Chill. This place was the coolest. It is a bar on a tiny little island that you can only get to by boat. And they have sting rays that you can feed and pet
them, which I absolutely loved doing. And I even got to pick a conch shell out of the water to take home :)

AJ loved the fresh conch salad that they made in that little shack, and we both loved sitting at the picnic benches by the water, just relaxing. For almost the whole time, we had almost the whole island to ourselves. Around 3, some more people started showing up, but that was about the time we were taking the water taxi back to the resort.

I would love to go back there again, and just hang out on that island again!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Honeymoon Album {Part 1}

Happy Mardi Gras!

I am super late posting today. I'm super late doing everything this week. But that is probably because we are on a school vacation, and I am just loving not being on a schedule this week.

Even though I still seem to be waking up at 6 every morning.

But anyway, today I unpacked my mini albums. I'm not sure where I am going to keep my big albums, but my minis will be in a bucket in the living room.

And when I did that, I realized I never shared my honeymoon album!

I really loved the idea of using a Project Life mini album for our honeymoon album, specifically this kiwi one. But, I couldn't find a Project Life kit that worked with what I wanted for the album. And you guys know how much I love Project Life, but there wasn't anything beachy and tropical enough.

But the Bella Blvd Sand and Surf line was perfect! I scooped up lots of this paper + stickers + embellishments and got to work with my paper cutter and corner rounder.

Fortunately, I was able to make all of the cards over the summer, while school was on break.

So when I got home from the honeymoon, all I had to do was add the pictures + journaling + Bella Blvd cards and it was good to go!

It ended up just taking one evening to put it all together!

I just did one spread for Sunday night, since we got to the resort late. But they had champagne and flowers waiting for us in our room, and we were able to order dinner and relax after a super super long day of traveling (that included a 6 hour layover!)

Monday morning was our first real day of our honeymoon. I had so much fun taking pictures of everything on the resort. I couldn't believe how gorgeous everything was, and I had so missed the beach after my first summer not living close by the water. It was so wonderful to be able to walk to the beach again! We spent half our day at the pool, and half on the beach. And I'm sure AJ is going to love that I shared this picture ;)

Tuesday was more of the same, beach + pool. We got my favorite pool seats today, under the roof, but right next to the pool, with a table in the water, perfect for pizza eating! And there was a chocolate party at the resort that night. Before dinner, we played some pool, and after, we filled up on lots of chocolates. My favorite was the Nutella filled crepes...which didn't last long enough on the plate to get a picture!

Looking at these pictures makes me wish I was in the Bahamas again! It is freezing here, and I couldn't have sworn they told me the south was warm!

I'm off to go figure out how to start the fireplace, and start dinner! What are you up to today?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Project Life 2013 {10.07 - 10.13 + 10.14 - 10.20}

I am so so so excited that it is Friday!

And, better than it just being Friday, its the last day of school before Thanksgiving break!

And, better than it just being a break, my parents and brother are coming to town to visit!

So on this fabulous last day before break family coming to visit tomorrow Friday, I have some Project Life pages to share! It really is an awesome Friday!

Even though last week I was only up to the week before wedding week, I'm jumping right over the wedding week and moving on to the honeymoon. I have an idea for the wedding week, but I have decided exactly how to do it yet, so I'll come back to it!

October 7 - 13 was the first week of our honeymoon. I decided to include a picture of AJ and I traveling (even though that's technically from the previous week) because it just made more sense here! I tried to include one picture from each day.

Monday: the pool, Tuesday: the view from our room, Wednesday: playing croquet, Thursday: at Chat n Chill, Friday: at the pool, Saturday: on the beach, Sunday: mimosas!

I also mixed in some papers from the Bella Blvd Sand and Surf collection that I used in our honeymoon mini album.

October 14 - 20 included our honeymoon "Bonus Days" - you know, the extra few days since we went for ten days instead of a week, and also our getting back to Baton Rouge after being away for the entire month!

Unlike the first week of the honeymoon, I included more than one picture from each day. Monday: champagne + me and AJ + the pool, Wednesday: AJ leaving our building + taking pictures before dinner + a sunset, Wednesday: AJ waiting to get through customs + our Wedding Poem candles

I didn't include pictures from the rest of the week, but I did include it in the journaling!

Alright, I guess I better go get ready for work! The last day before Thanksgiving break!!!

Just a few hours of teaching, then home to clean and get ready for Thanksgiving. What are you up to this weekend?

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Bachelorette Party {Mini Album}

Happy Weekend Eve! I'm so excited that it is Thursday.

AJ is on call this weekend, so we can't really go out and do anything, and I am so looking forward to that! We are just going to stay home, clean a bit and watch the Boy Meets World marathon that I created on DVR :)

But first, we need to get through today and Friday...then its Boy Meets World time!

Earlier this week, I shared a layout about my bachelorette party. But, I wasn't done after just one layout.

I made a mini album - similar to the shower mini album.

I cannot wait to get the pictures from AJ bachelor party...I've already got the mini book made, just waiting on the pictures!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Scavenger Hunt Sunday {09.08.2013}

Oh man guys. I had a great time visiting Julie in Texas. We took tons of pictures, and I so wanted to get this post up as soon as I got home. But after I got home yesterday, I completely crashed - super long nap on the couch followed by a super early bed time and work today.

So, this is going to be a Scavenger Hunt Monday instead, featuring Labor Day + Dallas :)

Labor Day

Breakfast on the beach. This was my number one request when we went home (and is every time we go out east) I love sitting by the water to start off my morning!

Phone Call

Wait? People still make phone calls? I thought we just texted now ;)

Pill(s)

Yep, I got nothing for this one. But, I do have this picture from Texas! Dr. Pepper made with real sugar...yum!

Up Close

I loved this guy. It was like he was posing for the picture. Although I wasn't as close as I seem thanks to my extra big camera lens!

White Space

Waiting and waiting and waiting for our plane on Labor Day. And watching all of the other planes come and go.

Linking up with Ashley Sisk

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Summer 2013

Today is the last day of school! At noon today, summer officially begins!

Last year, I created a summer list for myself. I really loved it because it helped me make sure that I got to do everything I wanted.

So I created one for this year too :)

What's on your summer list?

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WOYWW {04.24.2013}

Its Wednesday!

The day that we share our desks and get to sneak peeks at everyone else's, thanks to the fabulous Julia.

My desk has migrated to the floor. I wanted to see the TV, so this was a better spot for me.

I'm working on making Project Life like cards from Bella Blvd's Sand and Surf papers for a mini album that will eventually be about our honeymoon.

What are you working on today?

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Monday, January 7, 2013

Katie Stories Etsy Shop

Happy Monday everyone!

I am back at school today. To be honest, I'm not super excited about it. Waking up before the sun is out will take some getting used to again!

But, I did something over break that I am super excited about! I opened an Etsy shop!

I am selling some of my favorite 8x10 prints. Here a few examples of my favorites...

Please stop by and see what else is available.

If you see something you like, I am currently offering a coupon code for my blog friends! Just enter "JAN10" at checkout to receive a 10% discount. This code is active now - January 31, 2013.

I hope you are able to stop by! I'll be back tomorrow with a crafty project :)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Memories, Dreams and Reflections {2012}

Happy New Year!

I am so excited that it is 2013! Now our wedding is this year!

But before the new year begins, it is always nice to reflect on the past year. And the perfect way to do this is with Ashley Sisk's Memories, Dreams and Reflections.

That's me. Hahaha. Except my hair is growing out again for the wedding!

I Love You

My fiance drinking from a coconut on our trip to St. Lucia. This is one of my favorite pictures of him, because it was such a great day!

Still Laughing

Ohhhhh the pumpkin picking adventure...

Winter Wonderland

Hopefully it will snow again soon!

Birthday

How we celebrated my 25th birthday!

Friends

This little guy was our friend on vacation. But not too close of a friend - I'm terribly allergic to cats!

I Was Inspired

By a tutorial on Ashley Sisk's blog :)

Spring Fever

I love this city in the spring and summer!

Travel or Vacation

Waking up and enjoying a cup of tea on a hazy morning in St. Lucia.

Summer Days

Fireworks off of Navy Pier. I am really going to miss watching these from our window next summer.

A Day in My Life

I try to craft every day. It doesn't always happen, but I try!

All Smiles

Little felt gingerbread men

Autumn Harvest

This fall, we went pumpkin picking (and ended up with just gourds) and we also bought out wedding bands for our October wedding!

Family or Home

Spending the weekend at home for Labor Day :)

Celebrate!

The beginning of winter. And I love that these berries look like confetti!

Let's Do It Again

We loved this costume so much it may be making a repeat preformance next year!

I Miss You

My family

Beautiful

We ran across this art installation while going for a walk along Michigan Ave. Plus, this is one of my favorite views of the city!

Dress Up

Okay, I didn't take it because I'm in it (and please excuse my "I just tried on 12 wedding veils hair!") But this is my maid of honor and I trying on bridesmaids dresses for my wedding.

Macro