Raspberry Champagne Cake and Celebrating the Blog's Birthday...

Today my little blog is ONE! One year, I cannot believe that I've been doing this for 1 year. Here is my FIRST POST. I have learned so much, and still have so much more to learn. All you readers have been so kind to me and thank you so much for continuing to read. Sometimes I question why I even do it, and then I'm reminded by someones kind words; and that's what keeps me writing. I have plans for improving the whole look and design, as well as getting a new bad ass camera. Not sure when that will all happen, but those are the plans. 

Happy Birthday House of Ruby Jean!!!

Maui...

A dream came true for me, I got to travel to Hawaii for 8 days with my Boo. He surprised me with a Birthday/Christmas present of a lifetime. Anyone that has a birthday near Christmas knows how the gifts are almost always combined, this one is one I won't be complaining about. Though we were in Hawaii it wasn't paradise all of the time, Brandon arrived sick and remained that way the entire time. I was sick on and off. However we still got to do some amazing things...

Aloha...

a great sight after a long flight...

View from our room...

First things first, a Mai Tai...

my first time celebrating my birthday on the beach=AMAZING!!!

a surprise fruit basket from Brandon's mom, Lisa and a hotel credit from Luke and Brenna.
MAHALO guys, you rock!

Bamboo forest on a hike on The Road to Hana. A completely amazing experience that I wanna do again!

Black Sand Beach, so cool...

7 Sacred Pools meet the ocean, something you dream about growing up in Northwest Indiana...

the biggest Banyon Tree ever, breathtaking...

I love this man...

Baldwin Beach in Paia, my new favorite beach. Mountains in the background and baby blue crystal clear water.

a message to Liam when I couldn't FaceTime him...

Whale watching tour, we saw 4 of them. Couldn't really get a good pic though.

Luau with delicious food and beautiful lei's, first and only time I got lei'd the entire trip, LOL!

Such a great experience...

Iao Valley, something out of a movie. 

Maui Sunset...

Maui is simply breathtaking, magical, and inspirational. I wanted to return the minute we arrived back in freezing Colorado. Everything we did was a first for me and life changing. Thank you so much Brandon for giving me this amazing experience. I love you.

Best of 2013...

2013 was the best year that I had in many years. I came out of a shell and finally started this blog that I was daydreaming about for years. I didn't want to start it because I was scared of what people thought about me, my photos, or my words. I just didn't give a hoot anymore. If you don't like it, then don't read it and if you do like it, thank you and help spread the word about House of Ruby Jean.

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2013 was the year of love. I didn't have to look too far, because he was right in front of my face for over a year. He's been the most amazing man to me and Liam. He fits into my life perfectly and I couldn't be happier. I love you, Boo. I'm excited about our future together and whats in store. 

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2013 was the year of experience. I traveled and explored, cooked and baked, DIYed and up cycled like there was no tomorrow. I went from overworking to working the right amount. I learned how to say "no", I would always take on too much for the satisfaction of other people. Not anymore, if its not right for me, its not going to happen. I wish I could make everyone a cake on a moments notice and for next to nothing, but no more. But it doesn't hurt to see if I will, ask anyways.

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2014 is going to be amazing, I can feel it! I have plans to improve myself mentally, physically, emotionally, financially...don't we all, HA! But for real, its going to be awesome, if only I can get out of vacation mood.

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Wow, how time flies...

I cannot believe so much time has past since my last post. The last time I was giving thanks and excited about the Christmas season, but the holidays have come and gone without any posts. I had plans to blog about DIY gifts, Christmas home tour, and many recipes to share. 

Life once again got in the way of blogging. 

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At the end of November I got Vertigo, it wasn't as bad as some but it was enough to keep me off my feet during times that I would be cooking, baking, or blogging.

At the beginning of December we lost a family member. It was Brandon's Uncle Kerry, I say family because his entire family have treated Liam and me as family. It was a devastating time for everyone, and the family bond is one of the strongest I have come across. I'm glad to have met Kerry, he was a great man and he is truly missed. During this time I didn't feel it was right to blog. I had my December schedule ready, but it didn't feel right.

And then Christmas was quickly approaching, and work was picking up. Liam had holiday parties, we had holiday parties, too much to do and not enough time. I did decorate both my house and we all decorated Boo's house, I did a few Christmas DYI's, homemade gifts, and holiday baking. I just didn't have it in me to blog about it.

Christmas came and it was amazing! Liam was spoiled of course and I was too. Best present of all, Boo treated me to a Christmas and Birthday gift to Maui!!! My birthday is New Years Eve and it was amazing. I am truly one happy, lucky, and grateful girl. 

So much planned for the 2014, I'm excited to start blogging again, now is the time. Its going to be an amazing year, can you all feel it?