we are dancing machines!!

These were actually taken on my birthday (well, the night before when we went out with friends to celebrate). A friend posted them and I loved them so much I had to share. Plus these are the only pictures I have of Steven and I from my birthday weekend. Shameful, I know.

I'm also pretty sure that about 10 minutes prior to these photos, it turned midnight and I screamed across the patio bar "It's my birthday!!"

I never do anything like this, but for some reason, I channeled my inner Lilly (How I met Your Mother reference) and just let everyone know.

 Love this guy!!!

xo- kel

26 before 27

 I love making lists anyway, but these birthday lists are my absolute favorite. Although, sadly I've been pretty bad about achieving them all. I think from last years I may have only fully completed 8 and almost completed another 5 or so. I really do loathe the fact that I haven't had one year where I've reached every single goal, but maybe this is the year!!! (One can dream).

So my 26 before 27 list:
photograph a family (new family)
make my own postcard
visit a new state
walk rim to rim at the Grand Canyon
get in shape for said trip
repurpose at least 3 things
teach Chloe new tricks
photobomb a photo
finish my 25 restaurant list (a halfway goal from last year)
fill/finish an art journal (another not completed item from last year)
go on a girls trip
take really good self portraits (and I hope to use the tripod Steven got me for my bday to help!!)
lose about 10 pounds
do vlogs
pay off debt
write a book
host a game night
go camping
get better at writing friends and pen pals
create a new tradition
write a kickass maid of honor speech
bike more
go on a trip with just Steven
start a photography blog
make homemade popsicles
do at least 5 acts of random kindness


Well, there you have it folks. 
Have you created one of these? If so, please share!! I love reading other people's lists!

 PS:

Last year's 25 before 26.

My 24 before 25 (and 23 before 24).

my amazingly awesome birthday weekend

 Today is my 26th birthday. A rather insignificant number if you ask me, but I'm hoping this year is anything but. 

It's been an amazing weekend and birthday. I feel so truly blessed to have such great parents, friends, coworkers and of course boyfriend. They made this weekend complete.

So did the rainbow sprinkled custard, a new restaurant, sangria, a new donut shop, my favorite coffee place, the dancing, the singing, caching up with friends, birthday cake, birthday cupcakes, a relaxing afternoon with my parents, breakfast at my favorite local spot, and a relaxing night with my handsome boyfriend. 

The good life.

 

 

365 (may)

I cannot believe that May is over after today. So much has happened....

It was the last month of school for us.

I celebrated my 6th year at the lawfirm.

I celebrated my 25 birthday (and made sure to cross off some last minute goals on my 24 before 25 list).

I read a bunch of books and got hooked even more on the Tudor/Boleyn history.

I celebrated Mother's Day and my mom's birthday.

I wore leggings....dumbest idea ever.

I started working on my 25 before 26 list, including trying new restaurants with Steven (thus creating Stellie points).

I started doing jazzercise.

I made a peacock painting. All on my own.

We got to visit with Steven's sister and her boyfriend.

Rod came to visit!

I had some awesome mother daughter time.

I had some awesome Steven Kellie time.

I had some girls night dinners with some of my closest girl friends.

I ate tons of salads.

I said goodbye to my students.

I watched a lot of The Tudors and Survivor.

I got a promotion of sorts.

We started planning for the catalina wine mixer...what up.

I made wonderful memories.

 

25 before 26

Last year I made my "24 before 25" list.

 Looking back on what I accomplished from this list, I only got about half of them done. Which kind of  disappointing because the year before I didn't accompish all my goals either. So this year, I put some of them back on in hopes of this year getting them marked off.
The ones I did do: travel to a new place (Tampa, FL), finish the Kellie and Steven year 1 minibook, go on at least 1 photoshoot (i did 2), go on a bike ride in riverside, make a minibook out of paintchips, have a picnic in the park, let go of grudges (still working on this, but I've come a long way), declutter home, save monet, finish Lost seasons, bike more, and fingerpaint.

Now for this year's list...... my 25 before 26 list:

As you can tell, most of my goals are oriented around the numbers 5 and 25. I thought it would make it funny and more fun this year.
And I already started....last night I went to a new exercise class with a work friend. I loved it too, can't wait to go back tomorrow!!

xoxo
kel

the day i turned 25

My 25th started with pancakes (the acceptable cake for breakfast) and time with my mom and step-dad. And then we spent the afternoon at the pool drinking and eating yummy cake and cookies (all made by my wonderful friends).  Yes, we even went to a mexican restaurant too.

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday or celebrated with me or sent me a card. It meant sooo very much to me and I appreciate it more than you know!

xoxo
kellie

it's my birthday!!!!

You know those people that don't really care that it's their birthday?  Yea...UI'm totally not one of them.
Think more of Lilly from How I Met Your Mother...only maybe a tad bit more tame.
In fact, she may have dubbed her birthday "Lilly Day", but a few years ago I dubbed mine "Cinco de Kellie".
True story.
And just in case you don't know Lilly (ps shame on you) here's a little video!

dear 25

 Dear 25,

I am looking so forward to what you have in store. Maybe it sounds corny, but I just have this good feeling (or at least a lot of hope) that you will be good. How could you not? You are my favorite number squared (that's 5 for all you non math folk). And trust me, I am serious about this number stuff. How could I not be, when my birthday is 5-5 and 5 has been my favorite number since I can remember.

So I'm excited for tomorrow, the cinco de kellie where I turn a quarter of a century years old. Where I get to celebrate a new year with friends and family, pancakes and coronas. And I am excited for this upcoming year and all the possibilities it holds.

This year I plan on achieving all of my 25 before 26 goals. I am going to try my absolute darnedest at being more positive and looking on the bright side of things. I plan on getting closer to God and remembering that He knows what's best. I plan on regaining hope for my future.

I hope that all of you will stay with me. I know that this blog isn't always the most exciting, nor is it always the happiest, but I really am anxious for what this new year brings and I can't wait to share it here with yall as well.

Here's to a new year. A new age. And a new outlook.

 

Happy birthday to me!! (And happy Cinco de Kellie to you all! hehe).

ps. my dear friend Chelsea blogged about me and my birthday. i'm seriously honored (I love that girl sooo much). Please stop by her awesome blog and say hello.

my 24th

My birthday, also known around here as Cinco de Kellie, was great from start to finish.
I started the day off with this outfit (and my favorite shoes) for a bbq lunch with my mom and our friend.


(above outfit:
shirt- old navy
sweater- targert
shorts- j crew
purse- LV
necklace- gift from a friend
shoes- american eagle)


I read a little :)

And then my mom and I went shopping, had some starbucks, painted nails, and got ready for dinner.
Of course, no cinco party is complete without Mexican....so a bunch of us went to a local Mexican restaurant by the beach. It was tons of fun drinks, cupcakes, cake, sombreros, friends, and parents.










A pretty good night....and some great memories (and presents...mom got me an iphone and cake, my good friend Jenn made me homemade cupcakes, and Steven got me a kindle!) Whoo!!! I am one happy/lucky girl.

Happy birthday fellow May babies (especially YOU miss cuppy!!)