I feel like I’ve been rather neglectful of my dear blog as of late. I feel like I’ve had so much going on, and unfortunately, the first thing to go is normally internet time. Ah well. I’m back now {fingers crossed}.

If we are friends on facebook, you may have noticed some fun comments on my wall {not all of which have to do with my birthday, which is TOMORROW!}. Jon and I just found out that there will be a new little Arnold gracing us with his/her presence next July!! We are so very excited, and tried to wait to share the news until our close friends and family found out – which I think we did a pretty good job of. It was probably one of the hardest secrets I’ve ever had to keep!

I have my first doctor’s appointment tomorrow, which I am really excited about!! All the nausea and fatigue and everything else that is changing my body will all be worth it when I see that sweet little heartbeat for the first time!

Sorry for all the exclamation points. I am sosososososososososososososo excited about this, and it only seems right to have lots and lots of them!

If you have any fun baby advice, books, websites, etc., please pass them on! I have lots to learn!!

{image via theblackapple}

And, and… the ever so adorable Naomi from The Rockstar Diaries posted some AMAZING new headbands that she made that are for sale – and I AM GETTING ONE!!! YAY!

The one I wanted was already sold out, but I emailed her, and she is making more in the next month and will be setting one aside for me. Its the one pictured below – how perfect is it that its named RACHEL??

{can you tell I’m slightly excited about this??}

dearest blog,

I am so so so very sorry at what a slacker I have been as of late at keeping you up to date with all the random things that have been exciting me. I promise, I will do better. Things have just been so crazy in the Arnold household, but I think they are calming down, which means more time for being inspired and posting all the lovely little things that are making me happy.

A big one is this:

As part of my birthday (coming up in 1 week and 2 days!) I am going to be starting RedVelvetArt’s Online Style School Class. YAY! A description of the things we will be working on is on Elsie’s blog A Beautiful Mess. I seriously cannot wait.

Other things that are making me happy today – getting to see New Moon for a second time with two great friends who enjoyed it as much as I did.

Now I need to go make some dinner for the husband and I – and then, some cleaning, and Christmas decorating!

xoxo,

Rachel

I found this image of John Lennon on ffffound! today and I had to share.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!! I know I did – went to a wedding, did some shopping, ate lots of yummy food and spent time with family. It was relaxing and oh so fun. Spending time with my family is one of my favorite things to do!

Hello lovelies! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend ahead of you! I will be… going to a wedding, hanging out with my little brother and my parents exchange student, playing in Nashville and a little bit of working tomorrow. I just wish I could also be playing in the snow somewhere, like last year in Chicago!!! What are your fun plans?

xoxo,
Rachel

Music has always played a huge part in my life. In middle school, when I got in trouble, my parents would ground my from anything related to The Beatles, because they knew that would teach me a bigger lesson than taking away television. In college, I chose to major in the Recording Industry program at MTSU, where I met my husband in one of our mutual classes. I then proceeded to work in the music industry for 5 years, up until just recently. All major moments of my life I can attribute certain songs, or genres of music to. I love it. I live it, I breathe it, I couldn’t live without it.

This band is one of those bands I know I will remember this part of my life by. I have listened to their live album more times than I can remember, and they have touched me in ways I can’t explain. I know I will be listening to them for a very long time. The song below, “Poison & Wine,” I first heard when I was having doubts about marriage, and what being married and loving someone unconditionally actually meant. And I think I probably cried uncontrollably in my car listening to it. The words are haunting, but sum up, to me, what love is all about.

Check out the official music video to “Poison & Wine,” and while you’re at it, go download their free live album (I mean, its free!!) Do it. You will not regret it.

Anyone who knows me knows of my complete and neverending obsession for the show Lost. I research it. I play the ARG’s. I get on message boards. I’m even enrolled in Lost University. I am a nerd, and I don’t care.

Lost is, in my opinion, the best show that has ever been on television because of how well they tie everything together. Rarely ever does something happen on the show that doesn’t have something to do with something that happened 3 seasons ago – i’ll stop here. But if you’ve never watched it, you need to stop what you are doing and go watch now. The first 4 seasons and the first 9 episodes of season 5 are on Hulu. Yep. I’m obsessed.

So how did I completely forget about these awesome posters and the game that goes along with them?? These are all sold out, but there are going to be a few more – different artists are contributing for these special commemorative prints, and there are only a limited number available for each one. My favorites below:

{via Damon, Carlton And A Polar Bear}

Jon sent me these amazing handmade clutch bags made to look like first edition books – I am IN LOVE. If only I were this creative….

{via weloveyouso.com}

Tonight… just hanging out at home, cuddling on the couch with my puppy, watching guilty pleasure TV {think 90210, Melrose Place} and eating queso. I needed a night like tonight.

have a lovely evening!!

Soo, I convinced Jon that we needed to go with a white tree this year (which i’ve been dreaming about since seeing this Rachel’s white tree and adorable handmade Chrismas decor). I mentioned it on Twitter, because I am on a strict budget this year, and Annie came through!!! She found one for me at Wal-mart for only $35!! Say what you want, that was MUCH better than Target’s $199 white tree. I immediately ran out and bought it!!! And… its already up, as shown in the picture above:) I also picked up some Santa straws – because drinking out of a Santa straw makes everything taste better!

This week I’m super excited – doing some more training at Anthro, which I am pumped about, and also, getting together with Kristin to start planning out some fun Christmas crafting!! I’m thinking about some of the things below… any other ideas for things I can make??

{click pictures for links}

currently – busy designing new items especially for the craft fair this weekend – i think my life is being consumed with that and dreaming up all the ways i am going to start decorating for the Holidays!! miss you, little blog, i promise i will pay more attention to you next week.

xoxo.