in with the old..

A few weeks ago, I discovered a hidden gem in the Cultural Arts district of downtown Fresno:

Urban Salvage.

This amazing warehouse turned shop at 1515 Broadway Street houses all things vintage, antique, old, rustic, amazing, etc. 

I explored it a few weeks ago with Nicholas, Brother & Oliver, and we were pleasantly overwhelmed by the awesome and reasonably priced treasures lurking within. 

As I walked up, I immediately fell in love with a vintage school chair on display. At only $15, I couldn't live without it. Sadly, since we drove there in Brother's small car, we could only buy things that would fit in his trunk so I could not bring home everything that my heart desired. However the chair is mine.

Oliver likes it, too. :)

*Notice my bookcase in the background? I took the doors off an old entertainment center and used the shelves for my favorite books. 

I placed the chair with my other fabulous finds as part of my creative workspace. So far, I think the chair really loves its new home.

The old wood desk is courtesy of my in-law's storage unit. They were planning on getting rid of it but I convinced them to let me haul it away for free. Win-win :)

I dream of someday opening my own vintage shop, but for now, my home showcases my inspiration.

This week, I encourage you readers to look for ways to recycle and reuse things you already have to create something beautiful.

~Bethany

life

one. two. three. four. five.

*

five photos.

five fingers brush his face as he sleeps.

five little toes on each foot.

5

Oliver is five months old now.

this month has been full of energy, baby babble & giggles..

lots of Oliver learning how to roll around and grab his toes.

each day he grows a little more.

each day he grasps something new.

little things that may seem simple, 

but i see him changing, growing, learning

& it is a beautiful thing...

watching Oliver's life.

my munchkin.

Oliver is growing so quickly. He has already been with us for 11 amazing days and we are loving every minute that we spend with him. He likes to smile at daddy, and to be wrapped tightly in his fuzzy blankets. He sleeps in his bouncer but also will sleep for hours cuddled up against mine or nick's chest. I sit and watch him as he looks around, wiggles his arms and legs and fingers and perfect little toes. He is so full of life, and we fall more in love with him every day...

~Bethany S.

one year (and a few weeks) ago...

On March 27, Nicholas & I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. (I know this is a bit overdue but better late than never, right?) It was a beautiful spring afternoon in downtown Fresno, the day we said our vows. Surrounded by a few of our closest family and friends, we pledged the rest of our lives to each other; our hands clasped tightly together taking in the solemnity of our actions. Our joy overflowed that day and I will never forget it.

A year later, we spent our anniversary weekend reminiscing over our first year together as husband & wife. A year may not seem very long; a mere three hundred and sixty five days. Yet, I feel like we've grown so much this first year, both emotionally and spiritually. We've learned much about each other, yet I know we still have so much more to learn. We look forward to all that God has in store for us in the next days and months and years of our lives. 

One year ago, I married my best friend....

And now, I can't imagine life without him. 

"Grow old with me,

the best is yet to be."

-Robert Browning

Domestication is bliss, i think. (:

August snuck up on me this year.

So did the length of my hair. I looked in the mirror today and noticed that it actually has grown quite a bit. I think perhaps the summer heat and my new relaxed attitude since graduating factor into this.

I'm starting to feel like a housewife. Well, aside from working extra hours at Spag. This morning I ate yogurt and cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast. I don't even like raisins, but it was strangely satisfying.

I'm also realizing that caffeine hides in way more than soda and energy drinks. I made Nick buy this awesome looking fruit juice from the grocery section in Target only to find out when I pulled it out of the fridge that it has "natural caffeine" from coffee beans. Gah! Bloody caffeine leave me alone. So I had to resort to something of my own creation which turned out to be peppermint ice tea with blueberries sans caffeine. Ah..lovely. (:

My birthday is in ten days. I heard on KLOVE yesterday that a recent survey showed that the age women feel most beautiful is something like 31. So basically, I should be getting more beautiful with age, right? So I'm welcoming this birthday (and many more, Lord willing) with open arms. I only hope that the majority of the women taking that survey were 31.

Love,

Bethany.