FINALLY

What you've all been waiting for...
It's very important you remember the BEFORE.

Of course we still have work to do, and still need more art on our walls... BUT.... here you go:

My i-phone really doesn't do it justice.  It is so comfortable and the carpet isn't even that bad now.  The rug is a cheap little IKEA 4x6 for $20.00, I bought the curtains at IKEA back when I had my own place in Atlanta... they are doubles-- a sheer white behind and an embroidered white-on-white pattern in the front.  Same with the little rug-- an old IKEA purchase from Atlanta.

Details:

You can't see this in the picture because it's to the left on the champagne chair in the corner.  It was a Craigslist find in Orem.  $35.00 and REALLY heavy.  I actually had found THIS inspiration image and was planning on painting something eventually, but finding this end table made me SO excited and saved me work in the long run.  Not to mention, I'm a fan of the whole steam-punk thing.

I must say, this chair looks SO much better in my house than in DI.  The pillow is awesome, and everyone has commented on how awesome this chair is.  Kyle is convinced we could sell it for way more than $10.00 when people see how it looks in our home.  It's a keeper though.

And this... this is my love.  Everything about this chair was perfect to begin with, and it's been my dream chair since I took History of Interior Design.  Kyle has REALLY embraced it-- amazed at its comfort even though there's no padding or "fluffy edges".  Best purchase so far at $150.  HANDS DOWN.

Above the couch.... simple for now, and I love it.  HobbyLobby had ceramics 50% off for the antlers.  It reminds me of my dad and home a little bit.  They also had 50% off on frames so I bought the gallery frame and had a mat cut for the "keep calm and carry on" to make it look a little less college-dorm-inspirational-poster.  My lovely friend Cassie Robinson took our pre-wedding photos and printed them for us.  She is a doll.  And, the little frame on the bottom there was a sweet wedding gift from Kyle's sister, Kandace.  It's called a wedding tree and reminds us of our start together.

So.... there you have it.  Our LOVELY living room.
Everything else is coming together and I'll keep posting in the next few days.

YAY.  We have a house!  We had friends over for dinner last night and it was super exciting to have someone see and enjoy what we've worked on together.  Kyle is awesome and has been so much help doing all the awesome guy things around the house.  This whole marriage thing is pretty awesome and keeps getting better.

i don't "want to have" a chihuahua. i already OWN one.

yeah.  that's right.  Kyle wants my four year old chihuahua to find herself another home because he doesn't want her.  even though he knew I had a dog.... he assumed she "wasn't included" in the deal.  he's refusing to let her come live with us in utah.  suggests we get something "new" together.  what the HECK, right?  in my defense, i wouldn't have even suggested a great dane, bunny, or sugar glider (raccoon was just a cute youtube video, not for real) if he would just BE OKAY with the BABY GIRL I ALREADY HAVE.

VOTE LOLA.  Who cares if there is a pet deposit.  It'll probably be refundable and she only weighs 4 lb.  She's not going to do any damage.  Not to mention, she LOVES sleeping under the covers which is not annoying at all.  It's so cute that she loves to cuddle.  She's so tiny, and gets cold so easily-- she NEEDS human body heat.  With out me, SHE WILL DIE.  all.  your.  fault.

She's pretty much the cutest, sweetest thing ever.  A major part of my life... saw me through awkward heavy eye liner stage... all the way to i don't wear make up at all stage... (see picture below).  She is a NEED, Kyle.  ooooh.  best part.  she has a seasonal collar for every month.  hearts for february, snow flakes for christmas, etc.  it's just SO fun to have a FESTIVE pet.

gotta start somewhere.

I'm sure my fiance will be proud.  I'm embracing the stereotype.  You know.  The under-drinking-age  Mormon girl who gets married and... OMGsh!  STARTS A BLOG!!!  Actually, I can't stand it.  It kind of makes me gag a little bit.  But, he thinks it's the sweetest thing ever and already wrote ALL about our engagement and other life experiences on his personal blog.  So, whatever.  here it is.  Brace yourself.

Actually-- the story of THIS is pretty funny, because-- well... we are so opposite.  Kyle and I joke about how we probably wouldn't have worked out if we were living in the same place.  It's pretty true.  Everything about this relationship is anything BUT the way we thought it would be.  I love that.  He hates that.  He is learning to embrace our differences.  I'm thinking... "thank goodness we are NOTHING alike."  Kyle thought his wife would be another version of himself.  HAHAHA.  THAT'S FUNNY.  His classic line when we disagree on something: "oh man.  what am I going to do with you?"  We are learning.  And, it's pretty fun.  And, everyone in the world will probably wonder what the heck we are doing getting married... I. do. not. care.

But, seriously, he is THE MOST AMAZING GUY in a ton of ways... and I CANT BELIEVE IM SIGNING UP TO SPEND FOREVER WITH THIS GUY in other ways.  Honestly, I have no doubts that this [getting married] is going to be the best thing we could ever do for ourselves and each other.

So, if you can't tell already.  I'm over the whole "let's look like we're perfect for each other for the whole world to see".  I mean, maybe if we searched long enough and put out a few ads we would've found someone who was our EXACT match.  But, a. we don't have time for that, b. we both really love a challenge, and c. we are totally into [and crazy-love] each other.

Long distance relationship.... hoping I'll look back and know it was for the best....

In the mean time: our typical Skype conversation...
sweet greetings, talk about our day, vent about problems, disagree on why it shouldn't even be a problem, beginning of argument, decision not to argue, talk about our future, another disagreement... which leads back to the disagreement we weren't going to argue about, then we argue.... laugh about how stubborn the other one is.  talk ourselves in a circle to realize we both agree in every way but just phrase it different (and are too sensitive to try to understand the other in the beginning)... then we argue some more... then we get frustrated and laugh at how it is ridiculous... then laugh and smile at how cute the other gets when we argue about something-- how passionate we are about our own opinions... then, we hang up because we are annoyed.  wait a few minutes, text some silly emoticons and apologies and then call each other back and have real talk about the rest of our lives together-- then have a few smaller versions of the same argument ten times over just to end up laughing, smiling and seriously ADORING each other.

So, while this blog will seriously lack in the DIY, PERFECT PARTY PLANNING, and WE ARE THE CUTEST COUPLE EVER department, I'm sure it will compensate in the THESE TWO LIVE A REALLY HECTIC LIFE AND HAVE NO PROBLEM TALKING ABOUT IT department.  A change of pace for some of you, and a little entertainment, perhaps?

My plan is... (as long as he isn't offended by this first post)  that amazing man of mine, Kyle, will add his two-cents to everything I say with his own post.  I'm sure there will be two sides to every story-- and, it will be good for us to hear each other out... and understand what the other was thinking at the time.

We are excellent communicators and try really hard to listen (I suck at this, he's AMAZING at this) and not judge the other (he sucks at this, this is my strength) when we talk about how we feel.

Anyways.  Wa-HOO, right?  110 days till we are sealed and get to make this work... FOREVER.