caldera with my bestie

Pinch me now, and please take me back. I'm pretty sure that those two days spent in Caldera were the best days of summer so far. I can't even put into words how thankful I am for those three. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time. Who knew that watching the Kardashians for multiple hours could be so shamelessly hilarious, or that my eleven year old cousin was more mature in her fashion sense than I?, or that laying beside a pool for an afternoon not doing anything could be exactly what the doctor ordered. I'm really glad that I get to do life with such wonderful people. Thanks for kidnapping me for a few days and letting me vacation with you, Beals girls. I loved every second of it.

summers are for diy-ing

I am obsessed with painting anything and everything white. So, when I had the chance to paint my dresser, I jumped on it. Watch out, I'm on a painting-everything-white rampage.

{Essentials for painting furniture: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White & Annie Sloan Soft Wax in Clear}

Step 1: Clean the dresser with warm soapy water. The reason why I love chalk paint {it's not literally chalk paint, it's just the name of the particular paint}, is that you don't have to strip any furniture before painting. All you have to do is clean it with warm soapy water.

Step 2: Start painting. Use a regular bristle paint brush.

Step 3: Once the first coat of paint is dry, begin the second coat. Depending on how dark your original piece of furniture was, the number of paint layers will vary.

Step 4: Once the second coat of chalk paint is completely dry, begin distressing your furniture with a medium rough piece of sand paper. When you finish distressing, go over your entire piece with a piece of light sand paper, just so the piece is smooth. Finally, with an old t-shirt rub all of the debris off of the furniture.

Step 5: Apply the soft wax. This wax goes on like butta... You will love it. One coat will do. Once it's dry, go over the entire piece with a piece of light sand paper.

It's finished! I've been wanting to paint this dresser white ever since we got it for our wedding, and I finally had the chance to do it! This baby is gonna look so good in our apartment, I can hardly wait to start decorating. My next diy project... It involves spray paint and something in the kitchen... Stay tuned :]

easiest/most tastiest salad. ever.

Friends, this salad ROCKS. It's super simple, delicious, healthy, and easy to make. It's been my go-to lunch lately.

Here's what you need...

{fresh lettuce, a pear, pistachios, goat cheese, oil & vinegar}

This is the best thing that has happened to me this summer... Well, maybe not the best thing.... But I really really like it.

Enjoy!

the only thing missing from my weekend was my husband

I'm not used to all of this girl time, but I'm liking it. Apparently red was the only acceptable color to wear this weekend. 

The closer our moving date gets, the more real it begins to feel. I'm beginning to realize that these girl friends won't be coming with me, and that hurts... More than a little. But, I'm not gonna let myself go there yet. I've already cried a time or two thinking about saying "goodbye" and I don't need to torture myself any longer. I still have a month, and I'm going to spend every chance I have with my wonderful Oregon friends {I really only have Oregon friends, I don't know what any other kind of friend looks like yet... What do Utah friends look like?}. I'm a little nervous. However, the glimpse that I've had already of my peers in Utah has been great. I know Brad and I will find lots of great friends, and our new community at Center Point Church has already been so warm and welcoming. But, no matter what, no one will replace my Oregon friends. The friends I grew up with. The friends I went through awkward stages with. The friends who encouraged me in my walk with Christ. The friends who stood beside me on my wedding day. Oh sheesh, I need to stop. I need to not be so emotional, but I really can't help it. This is going to be a huge adjustment for me... It feels like we're getting ready to move to a different country, even though it's only 12 hours away. Thankfully, some of them already have plane tickets to come and visit me. And praise the Lord for face time.

Speaking of face time, I got to skype with my handsome guy on Sunday. We had a Starbucks skype date. I'm so glad there's a Starbucks right in between our church and apartment... The Lord knew we would need one there :]

the highly anticipated graduation pics

I'm sure you guys have all been waiting in anticipation to see my graduation pictures... Or maybe that's just my family. I guess they're more obligatory than exciting. But hey, they're exciting to those people with either the last name of Kidd or Nelson. So bare with me, and at least pretend to be interested in my graduation pictures, and tell me how flattering my robe is.

Riveting, no?

I do have to admit I'm pretty dang proud of husband for graduating with his Masters degree and being the first person in his program to find a full time job. Stud, no? I think so.