the new blog

Hey everyone...I have started a new blog where I will focus on my crafting projects, sewing, and other things called thesimplesussie.blogspot.com. I am working on opening a big cartel shop called The Simple Sussie, and will use the new blog to share the journey! For keeping things easy, I will also use the new blog for updates on life and what we are doing around the unthank casa!

I will be doing some giveaways in the next couple of weeks so hop on over and follow. I will be posting some fun projects later this morning!!

-Lauren

felt flower wreath

This weekend was filled with lots of fun (ringing in the new year!) and some wonderful crafting!

I made a really cute shirt which I will post later this week. It definitely has some spots that will need improvement next time I make one...but I was happy with it being the first one I made.

Then I made a wreath (to replace the Christmas one). I have seen these precious felt flower wreaths all over the place. From anthropologie to numerous blogs. I also saw this cute flower tree at City Craft when I was buying fabric the other day and combined the different felt and fabric flowers I have learned to make and put them on this cute little wreath!

You should definitely google search "felt flower wreaths" and use your own twist on making one for yourself.

Total cost was $4. I got the wreath for $2.99 and the felt on sale for $1. I used scraps of fabric to make the other flowers.

fredricksburg, tx

I know it is a little late, but here are some pics from our anniversary trip. James and I wanted to get out of Dallas for a little "getaway weekend" to celebrate one ear of marriage (kind of weird going back to the one year after dating for over 7!)

We started our trip in Austin (on our way back from Kevin and Lauren's wedding in CS). We stayed in downtown and got Iron Cactus for dinner. We had our rehearsal dinner at the Iron Cactus in Dallas, so that was really fun!

Then we headed to Fredricksburg and checked in at our precious B&B, The Cameron Inn (see below).

We spent most of the first day shopping around at the adorable boutiques and antique shops. I even found my dream dishes. I had spotted these before our wedding and they are ridiculously expensive, so I enjoy drooling over them when I see them in boutiques like this one.

We also enjoyed some yummy ice cream...of course!

(this picture is a product of the stick your arm out and try to get a picture together...good thing James got a tripod for Christmas.)

Just a little taste of the many amazing antiques they had.

This place was amazing! We enjoyed some homemade chili for lunch and grabbed some sweet treats to go!

Overall it was a wonderful trip! I cannot believe it has already been a year! I am so blessed for an amazing husband that I got to enjoy this trip with! If you have never been to Fredricksburg I highly recommend it for a weekend getaway!

stockings

I made these awhile back, but they were my last big project (until Christmas break) and I am really happy with how they turned out. Especially hanging on the fireplace!

There is even one for Jaxon in the middle.

it's the most wonderful time of the year

This weekend was so wonderful! I am so grateful for weekends that are relaxing and spent with people I love.

On Friday, James and I went on a date to Urban Taco (oh, how we lovveee Urban Taco). Saturday morning we headed to Houston with my family for a very quick trip to visit my side of the family. It is always so good to see them. We headed back Sunday morning and it was so nice to have time to just get things done. James and I actually really love going to the grocery store together and planning out our meals for the week. It will be nice when his work schedule is not so crazy and we can cook together more often.

I got to end my weekend with this...

family, hot chocolate, a fire, christmas tree, and mad men

I know it is a tiny and blurry blackberry pic...but still wonderful

Happy Holidays! Hope everyone is enjoying some relaxing with hot chocolate and family!

mmm the holidays

I know it has been awhile...like over a month. I do love the holidays, but somehow they always seem like the craziest time of the year. James and I have been busy with hosting Thanksgiving for the first time and getting ready/decorated for Christmas.

Thanksgiving went so wonderful! James made a delicious turkey and I worked on the stuffing and making everything look cute of course! Our families each brought a side and all in all we had a TON of food!

Here are a few pics from Thanksgiving...

my wonderful hubby (who is an unbelievable cook) prepping the bird

the table all set up

(I got the burlap for $2 a yard and the red fabric for $1.80 a yard on sale at JoAnn's for a perfect table cloth)

each place setting

(when everyone sat down they wrote what they were thankful for on their place card)

our first thanksgiving as husband and wife AND our first turkey

After a long day of cooking and family the unthanks took a nap....including jaxon

After we hosted Thanksgiving over here, we celebrated with James' side of the family on Saturday and I made Pioneer Woman's "Dreamy Apple Pie" with whiskey sauce. It was truly that....Dreamy! I love everything she comes up with!

Overall it was a blessed Thanksgiving with great family and lots (maybe too much) yummy food!

peter pan and pumpkin dip

The week of Halloween is always a little crazy. It is red ribbon week at school (which throws it all for a whirlwind) and it always seems the end of October is just a "busy time."

Among all the craziness there has been some fun Halloween/Octoberish things to enjoy...

First, my sister and Caden came over on Saturday morning and we made Caden's costume. Now, of course he tried it on and in the split second I moved on to make one more part to the costume he managed to get his hot chocolate and add his own touch. Overall, it turned out great and of course is unbelievable stinkin' cute....

(again disclaimer for the blackberry photo)

I mean does it get any cuter?

Also, I took some pumpkin dip to community group last week and forgot how yummy it is to share! I got this wonderful recipe from Kristen Campbell my junior year in college and have loved it/made it EVERY fall ever since. It is great to take for a group of people. I recommend getting ginger snaps to dip. Although, I highly recommend getting the thin ones and the only place I have found them so far is Whole Foods.

Here is the recipe....

Pumpkin Dip

1 can of organic pumpkin

1 block cream cheese

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. clove

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

I put it all in the mixer and whisked away!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and yay for weather in the 70's tomorrow!