I started by compiling a list of cities (Hamilton, Long Branch, and Brick in New Jersey; New York City; Marsfield, Australia; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia) that hold a special place in my (and Brad’s) heart and decided to see how far I could get with Google Maps. I started with Phnom Penh, assuming that would be the hardest to get a street map to work off of, and what I realized is that after zooming in and switching to terrain view, I could pretty easily create a lovely, vintage style map:

Using Grab on my Mac I took screenshots, cropped the images, and sent them to the local photo printer to have printed as 5×7 photos (I’m pretty sure this does not infringe on Google’s copyright). A few hours later, they’re hanging and I just love their simple, understated beauty.

I guess I’m feeling slightly sentimental tonight, and so I put together the following (might need to make it into a Mother’s/Father’s Day card for my Etsy shop). It says: Yours were the first arms to hug me, to pick me up when I fell down, or to give me a piggy back ride. They wiped my tears, bandaged my knees, and came together to cheer me on. Poised in a thumbs-up or to give me a high-five, they supported me, just as you always have. As old as I get and as grown up as I become, I will always be your little girl. 

I had a (slightly) rough day; some crazy person tried to drive me off the road on my way to work this morning with no regard to my life, their own, of that of the cars around us. Out of sheer road rage because I was in the left lane (going over the speed limit with cars next to me that made it impossible for me to move over) he or she attempted to cut me off and then slammed on their brkaes. By the grace of God I was able to miss hitting them and the person behind me was able to stop before hitting me. The worst thing that happened was that I was left shaken (and crying in the parking lot of my work).

Before you ever consider doing something like that, please realize that everybody is somebody’s someone. I’m someone’s daughter, girlfriend, sister, friend, co-worker, etc. The cars around me contained mothers, brothers, and other loved ones. Don’t ever, EVER, let your anger make you endanger the lives of people like that; don’t have complete disregard for how precious life is.

Be thankful for what you have, for each breath the you take, and try to leave this world better than you found it; put good into the world.

In case you forget, here’s the deal:

1. Follow http://pinterest.com/breaviedesigns/pinterest-polls
2. Each week I’ll post a new question for others to answer.
3. Every Sunday, I’ll update my original post with some of my favorite answers.

Go to the pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/243827767295663402/

Source: GloriousTreats.blogspot.com

And OMG what about this dress? (PS. The bride designed it herself. Amazing!)

Source: 100LayerCake

And in elegant floral arrangements/centerpieces too:

Source: Martha Stewart Weddings

So I needed to jump on the bandwagon and designed a simple Ombre Wedding Invitation.

Who knows – maybe I’ll use this for my “I’m Moving!” announcement!

Interested in my Blue Ombre (or whatever color you desire) invite? Visit my Etsy store: brea.vie designs

When I was back in high school, I had a really great teacher who, in the beginning of class each week, let me write a question on the board for other students to think about. The first one: Would you rather slide down a giant razor blade or drown in a vat of snot? I. AM. NOT. KIDDING. I’m pretty certain I didn’t make this question up, but I also know that I had a very hard time coming up with an answer for it.  (Wouldn’t you?)

I’ve decided to revive my weekly poll question, so here’s the deal:

1. Follow http://pinterest.com/breaviedesigns/pinterest-polls
2. Each week I’ll post a new question for others to answer.
3. Every Sunday, I’ll update my original post with some of my favorite answers.

Here’s the first one (inspired by one of my favorite movies, Leap Year):

Some of my favorite answers:

• My cat. Hands down, no question, she’d be first on my list. -Amanda Ivey
• My cello and my Teddy bear… Or my mother’s sewing machine. It’s a toss up. Thanks for reminding me what matters. -Karen Hayes
• If i dont have to worry about ppl or pets i’d grab: Laptop/ext hd, wallet/personal identification docs (because dmv is more horrific than a fire), and i would start throwing clothes and shoes out the window until the last second… Because that’s really where my money is invested. I’d probably grab a few sentimental things as well if there’s time… -Meagan Cullen
• My best friend’s family home burnt down a year ago (she was there for a long weekend) she said, after the fact, that she wishes she was able to get their baby books and pictures. Her mom wishes she grabbed some china that was passed down in her family. I really think I would take things like that, you can replace everything else but, you can’t replace family pictures or family heirlooms. -Kate Jahns
• The art of hurricane evacuation causes me to keep photos and papers together all the time still -Cynthia Wadsworth

Go to the pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/243827767295643223/

After I got over it, sort of, Matt walked us through all five rooms, showing us where the outlets, sprinklers, and all those necessary things will be. I looked out for the closet (lovely), bedrooms (will a queen fit in these?!), and contemplated where everything would go. Oops, I’m not a very good observer.

Clearly, because as we were snapping pictures and I chattered on endlessly about how dirty the bathtub was, ultimately prompting Brad to say, “Wait, I thought you weren’t having a bathtub in the master.” HOLD UP! Yes, that’s right! I knew he was there for a reason. But don’t worry, we called Matt up and it’ll all be pulled out and fixed. Goodbye bathtub:

And yes, I know that I should have just shut my mouth and kept the tub for resale value purposes, but I’m really not a tub gal (and there is one in the guest bath anyway). I don’t think I’ve taken a bath in the last 7 years, and I don’t plan on laying in my own filth anytime soon, so I’m completely happy with the idea of a shower. I like look of them, that I don’t need to worry about buying a shower curtain, and that this one will be nice and roomy. I’m strange, but really, are you just learning this now?

So now that the pre-drywall is done, it’s on to securing the mortgage, Homeowner’s Insurance, and all the financial parts that really aren’t fun, IMO. But wait! I do have the best news of all:

I HAVE A CLOSING DATE!!!!! April 25th! I am super excited that I’ll be closing 3 days before my 26th birthday, which means anyone interested in coming to my birthday party (starring a TV-less wall and a bottle of wine, as I do have glasses) will need to carry a box up the stairs! Be there… or be.. at home comfortable on your own couch, whichever makes your heart happy.

I’m interested though – what’s your opinion… shower or tub, shower or tub? And why?

He was mid-yawn, not mid-I’m-going-to-bite-you-like-a-python (though he does that too) when I snapped this one. I like to think he was saying, “Moooomm, I’m working on my ROAR.” But either way, George plays an important role here at brea.vie designs: Packaging Quality Inspector.

What does this mean? When I receive a package of materials in, they usually come padded with kraft paper. I’ve learned to let it fall to the floor so that George can roll in, scratch, bite, and check crinkle-noise quality. To date, every package has passed the test! Here’s him in action:

George knows his role though and stays away from any package going out; he knows that our customers might not see the genius of his ways.

Years ago a friend said this to me and I’ve continued to think about it whenever I’m going through a hard time: “Guy troubles. Man troubles. Study troubles. This is not a trouble. This is some suspense in your daily life.” I’ve relayed it to friends over the years, hoping it has done some good, and so now I share it with you. Don’t let little trivialities get you down. Enjoy life. After all, it is so very beautiful.

xox

To all the strong, resilient, beautiful women who have helped to advance and empower our gender: Thank you.
To every little girl that has grown up to fight for women’s equality: Thank you.
To every individual who understands that ensuring women’s rights helps to fight poverty and malnutrition: Thank you.

Learn more at www.internationalwomensday.com