Our Honeymoon

Scott & I had an amazing time on our honeymoon to the Dominican Republic. The sun, beach, resort, food, countryside, and the people made our trip pretty close to perfect.

Plus the fact that we were both just so dang excited to be married.

We called each other 'husband' and 'wife' every chance we got. "Shall we go sit by the pool husband?" "Why, that sounds wonderful wife." And yes, I know we're dorks ;)

I decided not to take my SLR with me on our trip - I wanted to really enjoy our time together and not have to worry about sand, or water, or rum getting on my camera! Also, it was fun to challenge myself to take photo's I really loved with only my point and shoot.

Most of these were taken while we were on an excursion to the Dominican countryside. It was the highlight of the trip for me - to experience the culture and see how Dominican's really live.

Enjoy a taste of the Dominican!

This photo below is my favourite - it's a sugar cane field and it's completely unedited.

Oh, take me back to paradise please.

The Key Chain I Couldn't Live Without.

Have you ever had that experience - when you find what you didn't know you needed?



You are walking about the Mesa Swap Meet, just browsing. When you find it - that something you can no longer go on living life without.



Dramatic much?



Well, that's kind of how I felt. I needed this key chain. It was so perfectly me - I could not live knowing it existed and I didn't have it.



This key chain is not just your ordinary elephant key chain (is there such a thing??). It is a purse hook key chain. You just hook it over the edge of your purse so when you go to grab your keys, they are right there! No more searching through the depths of your purse to find them! Genius, I tell you. It's just an added bonus to have this cute little elephant hanging on the outside of your purse - I dear you not to smile at the sight of him!

Alphabet Photography: Round 2

Remember when I had a little fun for a wedding gift?

A friend emailed me before Christmas asking if I could do one up for her - so she could give it as a Christmas gift. Such a great idea! And I was more than happy to go out and scour my neighbourhood for more letters.

I love how, LAJOIE, turned out!

Backyard Beauty: Wildflowers, a Bike, and a Wagon.

When Shelley told me we would be doing the portraits of her and her almost husband in her friend's backyard - I was skeptical. I wasn't sure what to expect.

I. was. blown. away.

It was photographers heaven. I still daydream about its awesomeness. Here is just a tiny peek into the wonderful backyard - that, unfortunately, isn't mine.

Maybe one day?





Did you notice the new Portfolio tab? I've been wanting to make one FOREVER and am quite impressed that I actually did it!

100th Post!

I can barely believe it. I've actually written 100 blog posts. Sure, it's taken me 20 months to do it. But - I did it.

The first year of this blog, I only wrote 20 posts. Then, last May, I decided to push myself to make more of an effort and share more of ME on this little blog. Something it was sorely lacking. After 30 days of posting every Monday to Friday (and doubling the number of posts from year 1!) there was a whole lot more of me going on.

The response I've received has been amazing - thank you to each and every one of you who has spent time viewing my blog. It blows me away whenever someone tells me they likes my photo's and I wanted to cry and hug the first person who told me they like reading what I write. My heart explodes with happiness when I hear of people actually making the recipes I post or when they pick out a gift that is so perfectly me because 'I saw on your blog you like to experiment in the kitchen' (Thanks Victoria for the adorable apron!).

In celebration of 100 blog posts, I wanted to share a little bit more of me. I love reading Abby Grace Photography's blog - especially her '10 Things You Probably Didn't Know'.

So, without further ado...

10 Random Things About Kari:

1) I used to be a competitive gymnast back in the day. Not Olympic level or anything; but, I can still whip out a mean cartwheel.

2) I am allergic to kiwi's.

3) New Girl is rocking my world. If you haven't seen it yet - you need to. So awkward, ridiculous, and absolutely hilarious.

4) The Beatles are my all time favourite band. All you need is love, baby ;)

5) I am irrationally afraid of sea creatures and open water.

6) I want to wear red lipstick. In public. But, I feel silly and can never go through with it.

7) It takes me at least 2 or 3 tries to leave the house. I forget my keys, purse, coffee, phone, or shoes. Or, you know, all of the above!

8) I desperately want to be able to raise one eyebrow. Scott can and is trying, unsuccessfully, to teach me.

9) I can never spell Pheon Phoenix right. I don't know how I lived before spellcheck.

10) Travelling to Thailand and riding an elephant through the jungle is on my bucket list.

$7 of Awesome-ness (or How to Make a Necklace).

Randomly enough, Scott and I found ourselves at a Gem & Mineral Show right here in Mesa, Arizona. Think farmer's market type set up; but, with rocks as the main attraction.



I have to admit - it was kinda fun.

AND, I happened to find a steal of a deal. 2 stone bead strands for $5. For that price I thought I could definitely give necklace making a try.



I went to Walmart and bought Bronze Beading Wire. No idea if that's what you're supposed to use for necklaces - but it said 'beading' on the label and more importantly it only cost $2.

All I did was strand each bead onto the wire and tied a knot once they were all on there.



And viola! A necklace for Kari! Or as the title suggests - $7 of Awesome-ness:)



And yes, our bed in the background isn't made. Don't judge. Necklace making is higher priority than bed making around our place ;)

36 Dollars.

U.S. Dollars that is. We spent $36 at the 99 cent store and look at what it got us!!



Minced garlic, dryer sheets, gatorade, baby carrots. Random? Why yes, but I like it ;)

We are starting to settle in and are loving our condo and complex - this is the view from our front door...



And here is a little look into our life here so far - all taken in, from, or around our condo.



I think I just might like it here!