Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Nata Gallery

Wow! It's been a little while!
 Hopefully I still remember how to post :)
If you follow me on Instagram, or are my friend on Facebook -
I'm sure you've already seen this...
But for the rest of you, I really wanted to share my Hubby's new adventure!

(My 3 loves - aren't they the cutest??)

This is Michael and his business partner's new space! WAHOO!!!
As most of you know, Michael graduated from Culinary school and
has since been pursuing his dreams of becoming a Chef.

He and his business partner have a wonderful idea of creating a community space -
That will be a gallery, a restaurant, and so much more!

Anyway, enough of my blabbering...
Please check out their page on
Kickstarter.com for more information, pictures and
an opportunity to donate to support the launch of

I'm so proud of Michael and so excited for this new adventure!  

Friday, June 15, 2012

FRIDAY Photo-dump

I bet you thought I was going to skip my FPD
Because I skipped WIWW...
 Well, thank goodness - for you - {HA!} I'm not THAT big of a slacker :)

1. Hubby tempting me by leaving my Birthday presents on the table,
all wrapped and unattended the day before my Birthday!
I'm proud to say I was able to exercise self-control and waited till the morning of my Birthday!
{He SPOILED me with a super cute watch, 2 new tops and some yummy perfume!}
2. Took my Birthday off {I'm now convinced I should do this every year!}
And spent the afternoon doing my favorite thing: shopping at City Creek
with a couple of my favorite ladies the ADORABLE Morgan and BESTIE Jenna!


3. Daddy and Johnny napping. Seriously, CUTEST-PICTURE-EVER!
Ugh, I love them so much!!
4. Kisses for my sweet boy Cashy

 5. That face! So dang cute!
 Flipping through my phone pictures while at work, found this one I hadn't posted....
I seriously miss my boys so much while I'm gone!!
6. First (and hopefully last) shoe casualty -
thank goodness it was only a $2.50 Old Navy flip flop!
They didn't even do that much damage... but enough to have to throw them away.


7. & 8. DOUBLE-DATE!  Man, my hubby is such a hottie! I'm such a lucky gal!
We always have a blast with Jenna and Kevin!

9. Michael went fishing with his friend Noah Saturday morning -
I never knew fishing could look so good!
10. We were lucky enough to go on 3 date nights last weekend!
Sunday night we got to go to the Art Institute's Culinary school 
(where the hubby graduated last year)
To enjoy and judge an 8 course meal for the student's final project! So fun!

{All FPD pictures from Instagram @lauraburtis05}

Sunday, June 10, 2012

{27 Things}

About a month ago I was tagged by the lovely Mrs. Indepenent to post
25 {very random} things about myself that you probably didn't know....
BUT... since it's my birthday on Tuesday - and I will be the big 2-7
I decided I would throw on 2 more!

1. I have a love/hate relationship with the phone - I'm addicted to all social networking on it, Instagram and Facebook are my fave... but I really don't like talking on it! HA!
2. I am seriously obsessed with all things my hubby! I just really cannot get enough of him, after 7 years, I still would rather spend time with him than do anything else in this world! He is my most favorite person/thing on this planet!

3. I am a gal that absolutely HAS to get her sleep! And it's not just 8 hours for me, it's at least 9, 10, 11 or even 12 hours for me to be a happy camper! 
4.  I work for State Farm Insurance as an Executive Secretary - and I absolutely LOVE my job!
5.  I've never been much of a dog person- When I was 13, we got Lucy, a Shitzu/Toy Poodle mix, and honestly, that's the only dog I've ever truly liked... until now! Now that we have Johnny and Cash, I've really grown to enjoy being around other dogs! I used to be scared of bigger dogs, but I feel like I've gotten so much more comfortable with other dogs having 2 of our own!

6. I eat candy every.single.day - in fact, it's usually multiple times a day :). I have had a candy basket at our house that was always full, until recently when my hubby asked me to get rid of it :). Anyone who knows me, or spends time with me knows that I most likely have candy with me at all times.
7. I am a BIG time planner! Some times it's almost to a fault! It definitely drives my hubby nuts - but I just love knowing whats going on :)
8. I'm a sucker for reality TV! I LOVE me some Real World, or Teen Mom, or Bachelor/ Bachelorette and the list goes on!
9. I am such a worry wart, I seriously worry about EVERYTHING! I've been this way my whole life, I remember one time when my dad took us on a ride and my mom stayed home to have some alone time, I was so worried about her being home alone! HAHA! I worry about Michael and the puppies constantly, I don't know how I'm ever going to be a mommy! I'm sure I will worry myself to death!
10. I am getting more baby hungry lately... The puppies have definitely made me more and more excited to be a mommy :) ...{Don't get too excited, it will still be a year or so :)}
11. If you've been following this blog or know me even a little bit, you know that shopping is my happy place! In fact, I may have a little, tiny, slight addiction to it!

12. I haven't had long hair since probably 3rd grade! I've tried to grow it out so many different times, but I just have zero patience for it! But I'm sticking to my 2012 goal of not cutting my hair all year!
13. I have small feet {Size 5} and small hands -  I really don't mind my small feet, but I've always been self-conscious of my small hands.
14. One of my faults: I have some major MAMA-BEAR syndrome, I am very protective of my friends and family... and to top it off, I'm a grudge holder - not the best of combinations :)
15. I have definitely become more high maintenance in my old age - I always have to have my nails and toe nails painted, I VERY rarely will leave the house with-out make-up on {Probably because I look like a boy with out it :)}.
16. I'm a bit obsessed with my teeth... I had some VERY crooked teeth before braces, and had to have them for almost 5 years! So now I'm always careful to take extra-good care of them! {Although, the candy probably doesn't help so much :)} Oh and Teeth are always the first thing I notice on other people.
17. I have a very distinct, loud and obnoxious laugh. I tend to scare babies when I laugh :)

18. I have the smallest bladder and always have some sort of drink - so I use the bathroom at least every half hour. I'm no stranger, and have no issues with public restrooms.
19. I can only chew gum for about 20 minutes before I get sick of the flavor or start to get sick of chewing.
20. I LOATH cooking! I would rather have a bowl of cereal or a sandwich then spend the time planning ingredients and prepping for a meal! I am so lucky {and SPOILED} that my hubby LOVES to cook and is seriously so fantastic at it!

21. I LOVE all things food and honestly while I'm eating, look forward and plan when I get to eat again next :-)
22. I cannot watch scary movies, or shows like Cops or CSI - I'm such a scaredy cat!
23. My name is LAURA, not L-O-RA, it drives me nuts when people call me Lora.
24. It's nice to go out every once in a while, but I really am a home-body! I love being home in my stretchy pants, watching a movie with my loves!
25. I am a "sucker".... I've bought the Bender Ball, and Shake Weight {And NEVER use either of them}. I will also almost always buy any treat/candy with the word NEW on it! Just to try it... HAHA! I get this from my Grandma :)
26. I HATE feet! I think they are so gross, I won't touch any ones feet except for my own and my hubby's... I really don't like anyone else touching my feet either and didn't get my first pedi until about a year ago!
27. I watch TV out of the corner of my eyes, I've done this since I was little, and have no clue why! It can get a little awkward if Michael doesn't sit on the right side of me at the movie theatre!

And there you have it!
Hopefully you learned something about me you didn't know before :)

I'm going to totally cheat and tag whoever wants to do this!
{I did a similar post for my hubby's birthday too - see 27 Things  about my hubby here}

Friday, June 8, 2012

FRIDAY Photo Dump

THANK GOODNESS it is FINALLY
FRIDAY!!!
WHOOT WHOOT!!!

Lots of adorable puppies on this edition of
FRIDAY PHOTO DUMP
1. & 2. Cashy and Johnny looking so fresh and clean
 (and freaking adorable)
After spending much needed time at the groomers!

3. Evening spent with my besties since Elementary school!
I sure love these ladies!! {Kandace, Alex, me and Alicia}
4. Sushi date nights with the hubby are fantastic and delicious!


5. Cuddles with sleepy Johnny
6. Uncle Michael is SO much fun! Our nephews and nieces just adore him!

7. My family! {How lucky am I?! I sure LOVE my boys!}

All pictures taken from my Instagram: @lauraburtis05

And finally.... my very FAVORITE picture of the week...
 
Cashy really wanted a close-up.
Everytime I see this picture it makes me SMILE!
I hope it makes you SMILE too!!
Happy Weekend!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

WIWW

As I'm looking at these pictures, a few things come to mind:
#1 - I really need to work on my posing :)
I seriously have the same 2 poses that I'm comfortable with,
but maybe it's time to step out of my comfort zone and try something new??
#2 - I also really need to work on my photo-editing skills...
I love that there is just a button that says "Fix Image"...
But sometimes that doesn't work so well (See below :))
And finally #3 - I also need to stop being lazy and wear more heels/wedges...
They would definitely help my legs look longer
(They look SO short in both outfits! HA!)
But I'm all about comfort, and definitely love a cute sandal!
Anyway, now that I have pointed out a few of my faults to you all...
Let's get on with the What I Wore Wednesday Post :)

This dress, oh this dress!
I'm completely smitten!
It's so comfortable, the pattern is totally flattering -
and the A-Line (aka Mullet trend) is a current fave of mine! 
 {Dress & Sandals: Target/ Belt: F21/ Watch: DKNY}


I got this skirt from F21 awhile ago {For $12.50!!!}
If you can't tell from this, or this WIWW posts -
 I'm a gal that LOVES her mid-length, flowy skirts!
I had a couple of ideas for tops for this skirt and couldn't decide what to wear...
But luckily due to a puppy incident on my lunch - I got to wear both that day! HA!
 So what top/ belt combo do you think looks best with this skirt?
{Sandals: American Eagle/ Skirt & Belt: F21/ T-shirt: Target}

OR
{Top: H&M/ Belt: Target}

As always, I'm LINKING-UP with these LOVELY ladies:
Rolled up Pretty for Whatever, Whenever Wednesday and
The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday

Friday, June 1, 2012

{Friday Instagram Photo Dump}

I've kind of been all over the place with my Instagram pics on my blog...
So I've decided to start joining one of my favorite blogs:
for Friday Photo Dump

1 & 2 - Took the boys for their very first hike on Memorial day -
They absolutely LOVED it! We will definitely be going on many more in the near future!

3. Bestie shopping at our FAVE place: Target
4. Picking out my favorite flavor of the rainbow!
{Side story: the yellow Starbursts are also my favorite,
 one guy that I went on a date with actually bought 2 big bags of Starbursts and
picked out all the yellow ones, put them in a big bag
and brought them to the door when he picked me up instead of flowers :)}

5. Pedis with the girls for my sister Kathrin's Birthday
{Pictured: Me, my SIL: April, niece: Victoria and the Birthday girl}
6. Dusty my brother & SIL's adorable and sweet puppy

What would IG be with out food pictures?!
7. Delicious {and healthy} snack: Fat Free Cottage Cheese and Tomatoes
8. Sunday dinner {I would rather my hubby's steak than any steak house! His are the BEST!}

9. My adorable niece: Ellie in her super cute super-woman cape
my very talented mother made her!
10. The Birthday girl and I {and Ariel too :)}

{Find me on Instagram @lauraburtis05}

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

**What I Wore Wednesday**

So sorry that I took another {un-planned} vaca from the Blogging!
Sometimes life just gets a little crazy and it's nice to take a break
and not have to worry about taking pictures to blog, setting time aside to blog,
or trying to think of topics to blog about!

But don't you fret, I'm back now with another WIWW!

First up... a totally easy, casual outfit for a family BBQ:
I'm completely LOVING this fedora!
It seriously goes with most my colored jeans,
and is the perfect fix for a lazy day of not wanting to do my hair!
{Sandals: Target {last year}/ Pants: Macy's/ Top: Target/ Fedora: F21}

The dress code for my work is Business- Casual-ISH
{I say ISH, because it's very a very bendable business-casual :)}
I used to wear black dress pants every.single.day! {BORING!}
I got so sick of it, plus I can never find any cute black dress pants that fit me right!
So lately, I wear dresses or skirts pretty much every day!
I'm absolutely LOVING Target for dresses/ skirts this season!
They are killing it! And with their prices,
I have to exercise some major self control to not buy everything on their racks!!
{Skirt, T-shirt & necklace: Target/ Sandals: AE}

Finally, I posted this dress on Instagram...
Another FABULOUS find from Target!
The back is my absolute favorite!
It is so comfy and seriously so much cuter in person!
I told Michael for my Birthday he could just set me lose in Target and
I would be a very happy camper - I have a serious Target addiction!
{The big 2-7 in 2 weeks! When did I get so old?!}

As always, I'm linking up with these lovely ladies:
Momma go Round for Real Momma, Real Style,
Rolled up Pretty for Whatever, Whenever Wednesday &
The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday.