Gone for a long time....

Now back with two posts in one day! So as I mentioned earlier, I really want to commit to a more natural, homemade, hopefully simpler way of life. It will hopefully make me healthier, increase energy, help the environment, and save money (at least in some areas). Efforts thus far:

1. I have been looking for a good, natural deodorant for a while as I've heard that the aluminum in most deodorants has really bad side effects, especially in the long term. I have tried Tom's Original Aluminum-Free deodorant, but it didn't work at all. It definitely didn't fight my odor. But good news, Tom's has now come out with long-lasting formula (pictured here, sorry for the blurry pic) and it works! Or at least it has worked thus far. I have the apricot scent, which is wonderfully light and fresh, but they have about four different scents including unscented. So... attempt one at a more earthy lifestyle: success- at least for now. I'll let you know in a month if my pits have gotten stinky :)



2. In search for a natural shampoo, I found a recipe for some homemade shampoo and decided to try it out. Really though, this shampoo is "No'Poo." It's a shampoo free method that keeps those nasty chemicals in shampoo away from our bodies, but still cleans your hair. I got the idea from a friend's blog and did some personal research and then decided to try it out. The recipe and instructions:

1. Use an old shampoo bottle. Mix 1 part baking soda to 3 parts water. Shake well to mix (every time you use it since it will separate).

2. Squeeze the baking soda solution onto your dry scalp, then massage your scalp for about 30 seconds. Don't worry about cleaning your hair- just your scalp. Leave in for 1-3 minutes, then rinse completely.

3. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water. You can also add essential oils or herbs - I added some vanilla extract. It covers up the vinegar smell, which is great since I didn't want to smell like a pickle.

4. Cover your hair and leave it on hair for several seconds and then rinse.
My No'Poo is above. I've only used it once, but my hair feels so good I had to go ahead and post about it! I can't keep my hands out of my hair. It is soft and clean! I'll let you know how this "No-Poo" goes. I know different people use different recipes with the same ingredients so I will let you know what works best for my hair. I've also read that it sometimes takes a couple of weeks or more for your hair to adjust so I'll keep you updated on that too. Let me know if you try it out and how it goes! Attempt two at all-natural: success.

For now, that's about it. I've also found a great recipe for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies which I tested out tonight on Andrew and his roommate. They can't stop eating them so I will be posting that recipe soon! Till then....

Dear Blog,

I have not forgotten you, but instead have forgotten to bring my camera to Knoxville where I am visiting Andrew *yay* so I feel that I should delay the post from our family vacation in Italy a bit longer. Sorry readers! Pictures are worth a thousand words and since I don't have time to write a thousand words, I need pictures. :)

In the mean time, I have decided that once I move to school (next weekend), I am really going to make a very pro-active attempt to go natural/organic on everything I use/consume (or at least as many things as I can). Last year was a good first try. I bought all organic veggies and some meat on my weekly trip to the local farmer's market- really increasing my veggie intake in addition to eating better, healthier veggies. But this year I am determined to do more- to not just use "green" cleaners bought at Costco, but make my own and I also really want to make my own shampoo. I have found what appears to be a decent recipe and I will let you know the results. Two other things I never made myself but really want to... Bread and laundry detergent. We'll see how those go and I will keep you updated on my adventures. I really wish I could keep a garden, but I don't think that will work out since I am in a dorm. :( Anyways, lots of pictures and such to come once life slows down a bit.

In other news, Sam has moved into Georgia Tech. It was a great move-in and I think he is really excited. He will love living in a big city with lots of opportunities to explore. My prayers and well-wishes go out to him and all of those other college freshman adventuring out for the first time. What an exciting period of life! Also, wedding planning is moving on a bit. I have decided for sure on wildflowers and am contemplating going DIY on all the flowers in the ceremony with my awesomely creative and generous Aunt Kathy! She is awesome and I think it would be a fun project to take on. In the mean time, I designed centerpieces for the reception tables which include lots of thrifted glass vases of different shapes and sizes. I've started collecting such vases with much luck thus far. So I am starting to get excited! (Will post pictures soon.)

But that about wraps it up for now. Hope you all have a great week!

PS- These posts on gourmet.com are great about frugal living. They make you laugh and have great ideas about taking life back to the basics.

Wedding Planning Anyone?

This week has been filled with, you guessed it- wedding planning. I would love to get some stuff planned (mainly reserved if it needs to be reserved) before I go back to school since it will be hard for me and Andrew to come back to Nashville to plan. One of my best friends at Rhodes, Jackie, also came in this weekend so we did a little wedding dress shopping and lots of flipping through magazines. I am loving the look of wildflower bouquets, centerpieces, etc. I love flowers so this is something fun to check out. This one is pretty and simple.



While this one is small, but quietly bold.


It has been fun thinking of ways to entertain all of my family and friends. I will probably be posting ideas and such up here so feel free to post more ideas and critique the ones I have. We are hiring a coordinator so it's up to my brain. :) In other news, I saved this very cute set of china (see below) right before it found its way to the dump. I am really into dumpster diving these days- one of my small efforts towards reducing, reusing, and recycling and fighting consumerism. When I brought these home, my dad recognized the brand name on the bottom and suggested I look it up. Turns out these little lovelies run for $50 a dinner plate on ebay and I have 10! The mugs, which are my favorite piece, go for $30. I have over $1000 worth of china free. Gotta love the treasures you can find on the side of the road. They are perfect for a summery Sunday brunch.

All of this kept me pretty busy this week. Harvest Hands went on one of my favorite field trips, to the Adventure Science Center here in Nashville. You should check it out if you are in the area and have kiddos running around the house. It's a definite must-see for this area.

My vote for blog of the week: Uncooked Art by my cousin Jessica. You have to check it out for its awesome recipes and videos on how to cook vegan and raw goodies. The most recent posts are full of tasty looking recipes. (I haven't tried them yet or I would say just tasty.) She is quite the chef (and an artist too)! Definitely worth a peek.

So didn't take me long....

to get around to posting the pictures of our engagement story and the story itself. yay! Here it is:

About two weeks or so ago, Andrew asked if I wanted to go to Knoxville to visit. I said that that sounded great, let me check in with Mom and Dad, etc. I always love going to Knoxville. We have a great time hanging out and lounging around his apartment and exploring downtown Knoxville. (I love exploring just about anything, especially cities.) Then Andrew asked if I wanted to go hiking when I came to visit. I said I would love to. We both love hiking and the Smokey's are unbelievably beautiful. Then he proceeded to ask me several more times over the next day or two if I was "sure I wanted to go hiking." Since it's something we do a lot, I got a bit suspicious and asked him if he was planning on proposing or something- just giving him a hard time. Well he said no and completely played it off even when I bugged him about it several times. Usually I can totally tell if he is not telling the whole truth about surprises and such. This time he tricked me.

So a week or so later, I headed to Knoxville to visit not expecting a proposal. I got there Friday and we got up early on Saturday to go for our hike. We packed lunches since it was going to be a day hike and headed out to Rainbow Falls. The hike was gorgeous. Lots of creeks flowing through the rocks and trees. I love the sound of moving water. (See below)


We made our way up to the waterfalls. Andrew kept going so fast I had to ask him to slow down. (Turns out he was a bit nervous :)) At the waterfall we climbed up to some rocks to eat lunch. Usually on our hiking adventures, we just plop down on the ground to eat, but Andrew whipped out a picnic blanket. This made me a bit suspicious. I thought he either really didn't want to get dirty or wanted to make things special for a reason (aka a proposal). So we ate our lunch and then he proposed. Everyone had cleared away from the waterfall so it was just us when he asked. So cute!! I loved it and couldn't have imagined anything better myself. Here is us post engagement at the bottom of the waterfall.


You can see the slightest hint of my ring in this picture.


Then we packed up and hiked down. It was gorgeous and beautiful and amazing (sorry I can't stop using those words). The Lord has blessed us so much and we are so thankful. The proposal and ring could not have been better. So that's the story and now we are charged with the task of planning a wedding. Sounds a bit overwhelming, but I can't wait to spend time with family and friends all in one place on the special day (which we haven't picked yet). Anyways, here are some more pics....

Bit of bling in this one too ;)


Loved the trees and how they really made the sun sparkle.


Andrew actually pre-proposal. Look nervous? I really couldn't tell!


And there's my man. :) When we came back to his apartment, Andrew's roommate and his roommate's girlfriend had champagne chilled and ready to celebrate.

BIG NEWS!

So I didn't post this weekend like I was going to because BIG NEWS, Andrew and I got engaged! We are sooooo excited and I've already subscribed to a couple of wedding planning blogs (overkill?). I will post pictures soon hopefully, but he proposed by a beautiful waterfall in the Smokey Mountains. It was perfect and the ring is GORGEOUS. Good one lovey! Anyways, hope the week is treating you well. If you have helpful wedding tips or ideas, feel free to drop me a line or two. :)

Whole new world...

Took a ballet class for the first time since I was six today. I felt like a giant, awkward frog, but laughed a lot. So as if that wasn't enough of an adventure, I alsotook my first pilates class tonight. Also lots of fun! In one day I have managed to realize exactly how poor my posture is (which is really poor) and reminded continuously that I still have yet to gain the ability to touch my toes. No photos to prove of these good times (probably a good thing), but just thought I would share. Hope you have a great Hump Day!

Dear Bloggers,

I know I promised a daily photo, but with the summer sun and beautifulness outside away from the computer, I have found it very hard to stick with that promise. So, I am switching that promise to a weekly photo update. I may once again fail, but I will try my hardest. I may even post more than once a week, but this is just an expectation. That said, here is this past week minus some great times where I forgot to take pictures (oops!) Hope you all had a great 4th of July!


1. Made a fun stop at McDonald's for a "cold treat" in order to combat the unbearable heat of unair-conditioned car. Got some icecream, milk, and Dr. Pepper :)

2. Made some soap with WOW- Women of Wisdom, women's teen mentoring program at Harvest Hands.



3. Experimented with some firework photoshooting. I liked this one, which though a bit shaky, captures all five shots of a Roman candle. This is my brother who was also named Williamson County MVP today in the newspaper with a huge article on the front page of the Williamson AM in the Tennessean. (Sorry I have to brag on my brother.) Check out the article here.