Why I went MIA and...Relocating!

Well, it has only been about 6 months since I've posted, but I'm back! And I have a good excuse for my absence. Here is a time line of what has happened while I was gone:

July 12- ENGAGED!
July 13- 2 week trip to the mountains of Idaho
August 1- New school year (17 three year olds are now running my life)
August- November- Planning our wedding
November 19- WEDDING
November 21-Dec 28- Honeymoon to Whistler
December- A fluster of moving into our new home, Christmas parties and celebrations, house sitting, and 2 more weeks in Idaho and Portland.

RESULT: I am in a new home, with an amazing new husband, teaching, making jewelry again, getting inspired to decorate, paint, run, love people, and live life to it's fullest. I will try to begin posting several times a week again and have a head full of exciting things to share with you all. 2012 here I come :).

Oh...and big news.  I'm moving! My blog that is...I am headed over to Wordpress because I can update it from my phone,  hopefully this will kick start my goal of posting several times per week. Be patient as I get it all set up and fancified.   Check out the new blog here:
http://diamondinthereef.wordpress.com/

Little Girl Jewelry Set

One of my sweet little students at the preschool is moving away this week :(.  I am SO sad to see her go, she has been such a joy and a light in our classroom this year.  She was always so excited about everything that we did in class, and you could leave it to her to lead her friends in covering their whole bodies in paint or splashing in the water tray.  Sad to see her go, but I just know that she'll grow up to be a bright and confident little girl! Here is a little necklace and bangles set that I made for her as a going away gift from "Miss Kezia".

 (How cute is the heart shaped sea glass found by her mom?)

Busiest month of the year

Well...I have definitely been M.I.A for the past week.  I wont get into all the craziness and busyness of my life, let's just say I didn't sit down in front of my computer for 12 days! Literally...so that should give you an idea of how filled my days have been!  I have been ending the school year at the preschool, paddling activities 4-5 days per week, been swamped with jewelry orders, and moving!  Despite all the busyness, Ashton and I got to sneak away for a couple hours for a Mai Tai cruise in Waikiki.  His sweet mom got us the cruise to celebrate Ashton's 30th birthday, and it was a much needed getaway to play tourist for the afternoon.  We sailed for about two hours, then had a little drink and some fries at a fancy hotel on the beach, ending the night with our favorite:  Yogurtland!  Thank you Pat, and thank you God for this little chance to get away from our "routine".

p.s...in case you've been waiting on the edge of your seat...my favorite stove was the sea foam green one..fourth one down. ;)

Colorful Kitchens

Ashton's getting a new stove and fridge put into the studio that he lives in.  Eventually we will both be living in this humble little abode, so of course I always have a "design" opinion.  Our Auntie is deciding which one...but if I have any say in it, the only thing I'd have to say is: SOMETHING COLORFUL.  How pretty are all these stoves?  

Which one is your favorite?  Can you guess which one is mine?

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Run!

I've never considered myself a runner.  However, right before Christmas, I put myself on a plan in which I would be able to run five miles comfortably.  I did it! But....it's May and I'm not running anymore.  As I'm paddling more and getting stronger, I've decided to get back to it and go running on the days I don't have practice! Here's a little inspiration to get me moving.  Hopefully some day I'll be able to call myself a "runner".

(Images: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4)

Cowboys and Indians First Birthday

Yesterday afternoon Ashton and I went to the cutest one year old's birthday party.  The whole house was decked out in western style and everyone dressed up in their best cowboy or Indian attire.  All the little kiddies looked so adorable and the food was delicious! (Homemade veggie chili, ribs, shave ice, and lemonade). The house was tucked back up in the hills in Pupukea and had a killer view all the was down to the ocean.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon...good food, cute kids, and fun with friends.

Check out these bad boys I made for the party (it only took me like three hours haha....still working on my baking skills)

 Birthday Boy:  Judah

 Butterfly...(yes that's her name) admiring the flowers and talking to the goats

 Pretty Aria...model in the making? I think so...

 Me with Judah's Mamma Nakeli

Free People in Hawaii

Aloha friends....It has been several days since I've gotten to post, but I'm hoping to get back to it!  The school year is ending and hopefully that means less lesson planning and errands, and more blogging, jewelry making, and inspiration posted here!  

Lately I've been so thankful to live in Hawaii....if I'm going to have to work hard to keep up, why not do it in one of the most beautiful places on earth with people I love.  God's beauty is so evident here as if he's showering all of his glory and love on you every day.  

One of my favorite brands of all time is Free People, if I could be dressed only in their clothes I would!  For their May Catalog, Free People sent their models to Oahu, and the pictures are so gorgeous!  I don't know why, but I always love to see my home in movies or tv shows, I get so excited that I know exactly where the picture is at and especially when it's a place I visit every day.  So I'm proud to show you my favorite clothing brand, photographed in some of my favorite places here on Oahu :)