Don't Keep Score

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I thanked my husband the other day, as he loaded the dishwasher, for cleaning up dinner. I was feeling particularly tired after my 'paid work- nonpaid work- workout' 15 hr day and was thankful I didn't have to box up dinner and face the always growing pile of dishes. 

He said he was feeling bad about not doing more around the house and wanted to make up for it. I laughed and hugged him hard - Sometimes I forget how sweet Ben is.  The truth is, I don't mind doing the dishes - junk piled on counters stress me out. I usually will come home from work or wake up Saturday morning and start marathon cleaning the kitchen.  I don't hold Ben accountable for how many times he cleans the dishes because I know we're not keeping score of how many times I've picked up the dog poo in the back yard.  

I would like to think it's a success of our relationship - we don't keep score and it doesn't matter who does what or how often - we'll get to the dishes when we get to them.

Also, I'm pretty sure only I can pack 

and run the dishwasher correctly.

What are you finding to be part of a successful relationship?

Stripes for the Bridesmaids

I saw a picture of this wedding -- and fell into a jealous love rage.  OMG STRIPES!  How stunning, unique, and fashionable does this look!?!!

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I went on a little stripe hunt, so you didn't have to - these are the looks I loved.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

Nordstrom Stripe Full Skirt

Nordstrom Stripe (Plus)

ASOS red lace stripe

ASOS Maxi Stripe

ASOS & French Connection Long Sleeves

Dorothy Perkins Navy

Dorothy Perkins Bright Blue

J.Crew Blue

anthropologie red

put a little rubble in your step

Blue spot circle dress from DP

This blue dress from Dorothy Perkins reminds me of a certain prehistoric trendsetter...

'

Betty Rubble

I'd still rock it.

a cake in season

With the influx of blackberries in the northwest, I needed some creative recipes to use up a batch.

And boy did I score with this one -- This cake was so yummy! 

I used blackberries in the cake and strawberries for the top -- both were from my CSA box 

Original recipe from Whisks & Whimsy

End of Summer Set

End of Summer Set by sonodana featuring kate spade jewelry

Crop top
sheinside.com

Mango cotton shirt
mango.com

Pleated skirt
allyfashion.com

Dorothy Perkins nude pumps
dorothyperkins.com

Dorothy Perkins clutch handbag
dorothyperkins.com

Kate spade jewelry
katespade.com

Kate spade jewelry
couture.zappos.com

Kate spade jewelry
piperlime.gap.com

Michele Ficeli Raw Pattern 1
inprnt.com

Dress Up Never Ends-Kate Spade-8x10-4 Color Options-Custom Colors...
etsy.com

I wish

That every student could meet an Engineer or Scientist.

project:scientist

Before and after students met a real scientist.

looks like science

real people are nerds too

Are you making a difference in your field of passion?

summer dress

Finally, in August, I find the perfect summer dress.

my requirements were

1) I can eat an entire bbq, and my extra pudge won't show

2) if it gets hot, my sweat won't show

3) I can sit in the grass and not worry about everything showing.

I think I will go back and get all the colors.

find at TARGET for $25

Baby Bucket List

DeerHead

Remember this post?

Ben and I... okay well maybe just me, pride myself on this idea that I am a highly responsible, super street smart kind of adult.  I know what it means to save money, I've always kept a budget of where things are going, and if something costs more than $150, I have serious buyers guilt about it, so I don't do it (alone).

We have been fortunate enough to have traveled and visited friends and family in different states, so when we were thinking about a baby bucket list, nothing really jumped out - YES we would love to go to Europe - Spain - Germany - but we don't have the vacation days or money to do it. And we already make trips to Yakima valley (heaven, really) multiple times a year to get some quality ben-dana-wine time.

We decided on two very important (and time consuming) things to accomplish before Baby could be a reality.

1) pay off our debt (Credit Cards strictly, and create a budget we can both agree on to pay off our house & student loans, and build up our savings account)

2) get Dana to a healthy weight (It's so important to me to create a healthy body for a baby to grow in)

When we accomplish these things, I think both Ben and I will be able to rest easier knowing that we have created a financially secure place surrounded by a healthy lifestyle for our kids.