One Year

One year of marriage.
It's had it's sad, trying moments. A lot of times, it has been really hard.
But it has been even more full of laughter and growth. And going through those things with you has made it all worth it.

I love you, Scotty. I can't wait for the times ahead.

Our Christmas Weekend

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! First, I want to give a shout out to Bri from The Secret Life of Bee for designing my blog! Isn't it lovely? I wanted something simple and she did a fantastic job. I also was very indecisive, but she worked with me until it was done. Thanks, Bri!

Our Christmas was spent in Vegas, with Scott's family, which was so much fun. It was my first Christmas away from home, ever. That was hard, but I'm grateful that my in-laws are so wonderful. I missed my family big time, but we had a great holiday break!

1- Cookies and milk for Santa 2- Christmas Breakfast (which we may or may not have bought at midnight on Christmas Eve at Walgreens) 3- Kitty with festive ribbons 4- Santa came! (and also didn't exactly go all out on pretty wrapping)

And lastly, we watched Elf and decided to make spaghetti with syrup, chocolate syrup, m&m's, and chocolate pop tarts. I tried to make it as authentic as possible, by getting each ingredient and mixing it with my own hands. It was SO MUCH FUN. I may see a new tradition in our future...

Scott was pretty grossed out by it because of the maple syrup. I thought it tasted like a big chocolatey, sweet mess.

P.S. Do you like my first gif? I'm pretty excited about it, even if it is grainy.

A Christmas Card for You

Well, it's the week of Christmas. Hooray! I just wanted to pop in to say that I'm going to take a little blog break until the holiday rush is over. Hopefully you'll be with those you love enjoying this time as well.

I wish I had enough money to send a card to each of you... but I'm definitely still a poor married college student. So here's a little internet version:



Cards via Brightside Prints (simple, beautiful designs. I highly recommend.), Photography via Katrina B. (I also highly recommend her. Her work is fantastic and she's so sweet!)

Merry Christmas, friends! I'm so glad to know you and hope you have a great holiday :)

Ginger-bread Houses

A couple of nights ago, we decorated gingerbread houses with our friendly friends! Get it? GINGER bread houses? I know, I'm so punny.

It was something I haven't done in years, but I know for sure I want to make it one of our new Christmas traditions. It was so fun making a mess of the kitchen with icing and candy!

I even made the cookies from scratch! Would you like to see some pictures? Thought so!

That poor last picture is mine and Scott's house. Our pieces weren't too evenly cut out and then wouldn't stick together right. Hahaha... we put a dinosaur cookie on top to make it look like it was his fault.

Maybe by next year we'll built a decent house and actually get to decorate it. We'll see. :)

I hope you all have a great weekend! 9 days until Christmas!!

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap

I got to play along in the one of the most fun little swaps this year! I was a little nervous at first because who and what you get is a total surprise. But I wanted to add a little spice to my life, so I jumped in.

Sandy and Ilene host a swap in November and December to bring a little happiness despite the terrible cold. You send out gloves or mittens and some fun winter goodies and then the best part is... you get some in return!

Here is what I sent Karina:



(badly) Pictured: some cute gloves from Target, a cup with hot chocolate, and a chocolate orange (my favorite Christmas treat!)

I hope you liked it, Kary! And look at the amazing package she sent me (which was all wrapped up!):



I gave a hint or two that I liked mittens... and she was so kind to gift them to me! Along with some cute cupcake wrist warmers. And a pretty flower ring and earrings! This was the best early Christmas gift ever. And we all know those are the best kind of Christmas gifts. :)

I would definitely recommend checking this little swap out next year! That is, if you like amazing gifts, staying warm, and surprises. And if you don't, then I don't know if we can be friends. Just kidding! But srsly.

Happy Wednesday!

Ugly Sweaters

We love them.
And only get to wear these cozy things one month a year, so we have to enjoy it while we can.

(Why yes, I am still in the process of covering up that hideous gray box on the wall. Thank you for noticing.)

Do you have an ugly sweater? Does it get the love it deserves?

Awkward Get to Know You Game

Do you remember that dreaded first day of school when you had to share 3 random facts about yourself? Vomit. "Hi people I've never met, here are three awkward facts about myself that I only had one minute to think about. Let's be friends." Or even worse, unique facts about yourself. "Um, I have red hair?" That's really the only unique thing I have going for me. And it's just a tad obvious.

ANYWAY. I found these fun questions over on Caitlin's blog, and thought it would be fun (and hopefully not awkward) to play along!

1. What's a nickname only your family calls you?
My dad calls me "Gardner", or "Kaycie Gardner". My great-grandmother's last name (on my dad's side) was Gardner. And my dad has wanted me to change that to be my middle name because he likes the sound of it. Haha, I don't know.

2. What's a weird habit of yours?
I can't think of a habit off the top of my head. So here's a weird fact: sometimes, when I go into a scary, empty public restroom, I'm afraid someone is going to murder me. And what worse time than when you're in a bathroom and totally vulnerable?! I know, I'm kinda crazy.

3. What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast & belt out when you're alone?
Lately, "Moves Like Jagger". It has that beat, you know? But any day, anything Broadway!

4. What's one of your biggest pet peeves?
People who don't listen. When I'm talking about something important, I need your full attention.

5. What's one of your nervous habits?
My hands and body start to shake.

6. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
The left, next to the wall. Usually I would insist sleeping on the edge of the pillow and bed, but I'm also paranoid about scary people breaking into the house. So I make Scott sleep nearest to the door to protect me. Don't worry, he's okay with it. :)

7. What was your first stuffed animal & it's name?
One of the first I can remember was a pretty teddy bear from my BFF at the time, McKenna (Gentri's sister, actually). The bear's fur was the same color as my hair and I named her Ginger.

8. What's the drink you ALWAYS order at Starbucks?
I can honestly say that I've never even been to Starbucks! Crazy, I know. But their hot chocolate looks divine!

9. What's the beauty rule you preach.. but never ACTUALLY practice?
Well, once upon a time I preached to my blog that you shouldn't wear your towel a certain way when you get out of the shower. And I haven't worn it the "right way" in months. Oops!

10. Which way do you face in the shower?
I usually walk in circles to keep my whole body warm. Ha ha, that kinda sounds odd. Does anyone else do this?

11. Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'?
Not really. Sorry!

12. What's your favorite 'comfort food'/food thats 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?
Does Dr. Pepper count? Totally addicted. As for actual "food", the list is much too long. If it's delicious and bad for you, then I probably like it. :)

13. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?
I say "vomit" whenever something sounds, well, bad. And vomit-worthy. Ha ha. Gross, but one day I just said it and now it has stuck. Example: see first sentence or two of blog post.

14. Time to sleep - what are you wearing?
Jammies or undies. It depends!


Voila! Some factoids about the redhead. I hope you don't think I'm a total weirdo. :)

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Tannenbaum sounds so much more fancy and classy, doesn't it? And pretty.

We finally got our Christmas tree up!! I am SO happy. Why can't all holidays be this exciting? Stringing the lights just makes me giddy.

It's not much. A lot of the ornaments came from Walmart. I'm just so glad it's ours. And that we got giant retro-like light bulbs. And that it's real. And that it smells heavenly. Here are a few pictures.

I used this tip to take better pictures of my tree, and couldn't really tell a big difference with mine. I think it was because of my giant lights. But when I was at a friend's house, I shot a picture of their tree, with little lights, and I think it turned out beautifully!

Have you put up your Christmas trees yet? I want to see them!

Happy Tuesday!

What We Wore V.1

Sweater- Forever21 Skirt- Walmart Shoes- Payless


With the new Reb, and lots of beautiful Utah scenery, I had to at least take one little outfit post. And Scott decided to join me with his thrifted $8 gap shirt! He absolutely loves good deals on clothes. And because he hardly ever buys things for himself, I've found that thrifting is the way to get him some new (to him) clothes. Score!

This is what I wore Thanksgiving day. The colors were just too perfect for that fall day and the pattern on the sweater just make me oh so happy. I'm not amazing at fashion-y things and putting together outfits. I'm definitely not a fashion blogger. I just post these outfits because they make me happy! On days when I feel extra pretty, I want to show it off a little. Don't you?

A lot of the time, my outfits are pajamas or some old shirt from my closet that's not exactly picture-worthy. So when one of them is cute and brings a smile to my face, I want to share it with you all like you're my close girlfriends. Which we are, right? :)

I also believe in honesty. So don't worry, you'll probably get to see a lot of my pajama/sweats days, too. Just to be fair.

P.S. Today is my half birthday! I LOVE celebrating half birthdays. I'm going to use this cupcake recipe for 2 from pinterest and cut my cupcake in half, in celebration. hehe!

Do you post outfits on your blog? Why or why not?

Birthday Week

This guy's birthday is tomorrow. And let me tell you, he has been spoiled!

He got:

• a delicious family recipe ice cream recipe inside of a pie "cake",

• this cake, (which only semi-turned-out), while celebrating with friends.

• while celebrating a nephew's birthday, he got delicious steak.

• tonight, a Red Lobster dinner (you don't even know how much seafood makes me want to vomit all over myself. that lucky boy.).

• And another birthday celebration with his side of the family on Sunday.

It's been a very fun birthday week. I absolutely love spoiling him and he deserves every bit of it.

Happy Birthday, Scott! Love you!

(A rather late) Thanksgiving

I'm sure you're a little sick of the Thanksgiving posts all around blog land. But sorry! This is my blog :)

This was the first day I got to really try out my new camera! It was so so so so so so so so so SO much fun! I don't even know what I'm doing and I'm having a blast doing it!




The obligatory food pictures.



Why yes, that is steak. New Thanksgiving tradition? I hope so! Don't worry, traditionalists, we had turkey too.



Gorgeous sister #1.



And gorgeous sister #2.





A little taboo while the food digested (gotta make room for pie somehow!).







And a little mandolin-in.


All in all, another successful Thanksgiving! My only regret is that I didn't dress up as an indian this year. But because of my complexion and hair color, maybe I should go as a pilgrim next year.

Question for all of you photo-takers: how do you edit your photos? All of the above are not edited. I wasn't really sure how to go about it.

ALSO, I'm having a fun little Christmas/vintage giveaway coming up next week! Just a little way of saying thank you to you readers! Get excited.