Daily Drawing: 151 | Crazy May...Mayzy?

What an incredible month!  I know June is going to offer up even more excitement as we start to really explore Austin ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Leaving the East Coast - Part 1

A week and half ago, Andy and I sent all our earthly belongings (save what we could get by with for a month) on a truck to be shipped across the country.  We curled up in an empty bedroom for our last night in our first apartment.  The kittens were amazingly confused.  First wondering why there were boxes everywhere and then mad at us that we took their climbing towers away.  They're very opinionated kittens.

Andy and I had been wanting to leave the East Coast for a while.  Working in DC for a few years was fun, and I loved being around all that National history.  Going to the Natural History Museum was one of our favorite things to do!  But we were both transplants to the area, myself from Texas and Andy from Michigan, and we really couldn't see ourselves setting down roots there.  Any time I would think about starting our family...what our house would be like...it just seemed so far away from DC/VA/MD.

Cue, Andy's new job!  He got a position with a wonderful company in Austin!  I went kind of out of my mind with happiness for a little bit.  It was so hard to believe I'd finally be going home!  I grew up in Central Texas and the Hill Country is my favorite place to be.  But they wanted him to start in just a few weeks!  So we launched into packing and all the fun logistics that go along with moving across the country.  Those few weeks were a whirlwind of activity and emotion.  As much as I'd been wanting to leave the area, I knew I was going to miss the people we'd be leaving behind.  I lead a team at work of some of the best people I could imagine!  It was really hard to leave them and what I'd built, but they were so sweet and gave me a wonderful send off.

And of course, my parents and sister are still on the East Coast, and I can't even tell you what saying goodbye was like.  They are always there for me...constant support and encouragement.  They've always been within driving distance and it's so weird to think I can't just pop over and surprise them.  But the internet is a wonderful place!  Communication is a very different thing than just a few years ago, and that's a comforting thought.  I've already been google chatting with Mom like crazy ^_^

So!  After all the packing and farewells...we shoved off!

Most of the trip out of Virginia looked a lot like this.  Gorgeous.  Once you get away from the city, the state is really beautiful.

And then...there was Foamhenge.  We were planning on stopping by during our stay-cation week, but it was just a smidge too far after we'd already been all over.  I was thrilled when I found out it was on our route!  Like seriously...giddy!  When we got there I just ran around giggling haha!

Foamhenge is pretty much the definition of roadside America...and kitsch.  It's the best!  If you ever find yourself out that way, you MUST stop by!  Our first day on the road took us out of VA and into Tennessee.  It was a long day and a good day and it was our first step into a new adventure!  More on Tennessee and Arkansas (We did both in one day!) in another post.  There are just so many photos to share!

Daily Drawing: 150 | Holy Cow! 150!

Tomorrow is going to mark 5 months of daily drawings!  It's so crazy to think it's been 150 drawings already.  I'm working on catching up with the monthly posts so I can see all the girls together.

Keeping up with this has really made me want to branch out a bit from just drawing myself.  I think I'm going to be a creeper and draw some friends ^_^ I'd love to be able to do custom family and couple portraits.  Let me know if you want a drawing and I'll see if I can do it!  I need some good practice!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Thrifty Thursday: LMS

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LMS 

address : 415 Race St. Cambridge, MD 21613-1835
hours : Monday-Friday: 9:00-4:30 | Saturday: 9am–2pm

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This is a shop I found while at school on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Cambridge is a tiny town off of Rt. 50 about half and hour from Salisbury, MD.  If you're ever on a mini road trip to Ocean City, MD, I would definitely pull off for a few mins and check this place out.  LMS is huge, open and full of goodness.  It takes a little digging, there's a lot of 90's in here too, but if you've got the patience then you can find some cool stuff.  The front is full of clothes and accessories all organized by type and all the home decor is in a little space toward the back.  There's also a little section of crafty things (vintage patterns and supplies) near the back, too!  It's a quiet place and usually pretty empty, so you'll have no problem taking your time and meandering around.  

***If you've got any shops you love, or own, that you'd like to feature, just shoot a note over to becky@thepinksamurai with the name, website/facebook, address, hours a few things that make it awesome, I'd love to take a look!!!***

Daily Drawing: 149 | Closet Creep

Turks figured out how to open the closet door today.  I walked in the bedroom and saw the door wide open.  Upon further inspection, I found Turks in the middle of a pile of laundry that he'd knocked over. What a jerk!  He was super cute sleeping there, though.  So I just left him.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 148 | Fun-employment or Self-employment?

Today was Andy's first day at his new job and my first day being officially un-employed.  Austin is a hot-bed of creative and tech, so I'm hoping to plug in somewhere quickly.  I've got applications out to some really cool places and I'm crossing my fingers ^_^ But whilst putting myself out there professionally, I'll also be working on some personal projects.  A good friend of mine told me to take advantage of the time and I'm going to do just that!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 147 | Happy Memorial Day

Today, we got to spend some time with family at my cousins house!  They invited us over for bbq with friends.  We finally got to meet their baby, who is painfully adorable, and meet some of their friends who dropped by.  It was pretty much my perfect day.  Sitting around a table with good food, my other cousin playing the ukelele, with my baby cousin on my lap.  It's the reason we wanted to move back in the first place and I'm looking forward to so many more times like that in the very near future.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 146 | Around Town

We took some time to tootle around to my favorite spots outside of Austin today.  We ate delicious food and visited with family at my Aunt's home ^_^ I can't believe we get to just go visit whenever we want!  It's all still sinking in.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 145 | Homecoming

We're here!  We made it!

I'm going to post a big long thing with lots of pics of our trip.  But for now...I'm just glad that we're here...that the cats don't have to get back in their carriers...and that we've got Bluebell Ice Cream in our bellies.

Daily Drawing: 144 | Straight on 'till morning

I'm posting this one a bit late because we had quite a day on the road.  We went from Morristown, TN to Mt. Pleasant, TX...775 miles...in one day!  We also took some time to meet my Aunt Becky (who I'm named for) for lunch.  It was full day!

Daily Drawing: 143 | On the Road

We spent the day getting out of Virginia and made it to Tennessee before stopping for the night!  The wifi was tricky, but I got it to work the morning ^_^  More later!  Gotta get back on the road!

Daily Drawing: 142 | Goodbye, East Coast!

This is the last drawing I'll be doing from the East Coast!  We'll be shoving off tomorrow and I'll be drawing from the road as we trek through Virginia and Tennessee.  I'll have to write a big soul-searching post about my time on this side of the country sometime.  I did a lot and learned a lot here, but I feel the wonderful sense of peace as we head back home.

Later, Maryland, DC and Virginia!  I've lived in all of you and you did me well.  But you're bbq's got nothing on Texas ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 141 - Goodbyes will punch you in the gut

The movers come tomorrow! Erm...today :/

We saw my parents and sister for the last time before our move.  It was so nice being able to pop over and surprise them with some early birthday cake for mom and yummy pizza dinner.  It's so hard to leave them here and I'm going to miss seeing their faces and hugging their necks.  But thank goodness technology has made the world such a small place.  I definitely had a hard time saying bye, but I know Daddy will still call me on his way home from work, and Mom will be on gchat so I can bug her.  So much love will definitely stay in Maryland as we head down to Texas.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 140| T-Minus 3 Days

Ahhh!  We're running the last of our errands and still packing like crazy people.  I had my last appointment with the wonderful doctor who did my nasal surgery.  If you're in the DC/VA/MD area and need sinus polyps removed, go to Dr. Marc Dubin.  Hands down, he's just the best!  He got me set up with folks down in Texas for last follow-ups, too.  So good.

Now...to sleep and get up early to take care of the last of the packing before the movers get here on Wednesday!  Andy was just saying that I picked a pretty eventful year to do my daily drawing project ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 139 | The Final Countdown

We're moving THIS WEEK!  There's still so much to be done, but we're thisclose!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 138 | Professional Napper

Today was another day of packing.  We're down to the little stuff that's just getting thrown in the closest empty box, and the furniture that we've decided to break down and purge.  It's really liberating to get rid of most of your furniture!  I'm excited to really start from scratch and decorate our home like we really want, instead of around pieces we've just had out of necessity.

Also, we took a nap today and Turks was all about it.  He really loves bedtime.  As soon as he sees us getting in bed, he leaps up on top of us, stomps his boots around for a bit and then settles in on top of me purring like a mad man.  It's kind of adorable.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 137 | End of an Era

I had a lot of feels today :P  It was my last day at my job.  I'd been there for over 3 years and seen it through from a start up, when we were just a handful of people on the top floor of an office in Chinatown, to becoming an international company and household name.  I'm so proud of the work I did there and ridiculous experience I gained from it.  I lead a team of photographers / photo editors and I can't believe how wonderful they've all been to lead.  I've watched them grow their craft and their professional careers and I couldn't be more proud of them!

Another plus, was that I met my husband there!  Little did I know that when first met him during my interview, that I end up married to him!  I guess talking about Star Wars during your interview is a good thing ^_^ During this crazy transitional time he's been my rock...my best friend.  I'm so lucky!

But yeah.  There were lots of laughs and a few tears today.  But I know we'll all stay in touch and hope some folks come to visit us in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 136 | The Singing Sea

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 135 | The Stars at Night

Work is getting busier and busier as my last day approaches.  So many loose ends to tie up, plans to set in place and toys to take home.  That on top of everything Andy and I have to keep track of and do at home to get ready for the move means that we're both operating at about max capacity right now @_@

We're just so excited to get to Texas...and be able to stay.  That thought is so comforting right now.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 134 | Virtual House Hunting

I've been spending a lot of time on mlsfinder.com, drooling over the houses in the Texas Hill Country.  They're just wonderful!  Hopefully we'll be able to find (and afford!) one of our own soon ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 133 | Blerg

Today, I took off of work to go to one of my last appointments with my surgeon.  He's so great and is helping me find a new doctor down in Texas!  I also spent the day running lots of errands and got to stop by my parent's house for a bit on the way to meet my friend Kendall (I interned for her during school!) for lunch and met her two adorable girls for the first time.

There was a lot more packing tonight...it's getting to the 'just throw this random junk in a box' phase.  I'm about ready to turn in for the night ~_~

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 132 | Happy Mother's Day

My mom has always been such an inspiration to me.  Teaching me to be resourceful and always seek out knowledge.  She always said to have a lot of arrows in your quiver ^_^  It's a mantra I keep with me at all times.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Last week, on Instagram...

Last week, I shared that Andy and I are going to be moving to Austin!  We started packing and it's incredible how quickly you realize how much stuff you have :P 

 

• We left New York after Bust and I totally made an awesome bun with no mirror.
• Packing for Austin commences   I've been finding lots super cute things while going through everything.  Like this from the Hello Kitty for President event in DC last year.  (I went every day it was open!)
• Turks is the king of power naps.
• We were waiting at Metro Center Station and I did my best blogger face / outfit pic.  I'm usually suuuper awkward :P
• Summer's in DC can be...challenging...with all the tourists.  If you see a hoard of teens in the same shirt, just be sure to get ahead of them on the metro escalators.   
• Finding more super cute things while packing! My original Cheer Bear!
• These guys.
• Typical box labeling.

Daily Drawing: 131 | Packing Extravaganza

My sister-in-law is here and helping us pack!  Thank goodness...because she's a packing genius.  We've been going at it pretty much all day and are totally ready to crash.  Gonna catch up on Parks and Rec, get the last of the laundry done and call it a day ^_^

Also...thank goodness for yoga pants.  They're my favorite.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 130 | Metro Strikes Again

We went to pick up my sister-in-law from Union Station in DC tonight.  We thought it would be no big deal to pop on the metro and scoot over there.  2 hours later, we got home :P  But we're home now, with pizza in the oven and all is right with the world.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

T-Shirt from Fraggles & Friggles

Daily Drawing: 129 | There's secrets in my hair

Today was a really fun day at work...there were so many lols!  I might have cried laughing a couple of times ^_^

With the impending move, I'll be suspending my regular features.  Thrifty Thursday and Friend-spiration Friday will be back soon...and probably with a Texas Twist.

You guys...I'm moving back to Texas!  It's still so crazy to think about!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 128 | Makers

Today was full of wonderful correspondance with wonderful people about our move.  We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives!

I'm finishing up a couple of projects and some freelance work and Andy's already full-on into packing. I took a power nap a few mins ago and I think I'll launch into some packing of my own!  So many boxes!!!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 127 | We're Moving to Austin!

Andy and I have big news!  No...I'm not pregnant.  Everyone we've told so far as thought that big news = pregnant :P

We're moving to Austin!

Andy was offered a job in my home state and we'll be moving at the end of the month!  Not a lot of time to get packed and cram in all the DC stuff we want to do before leaving, but I'm beyond excited to be going home so soon.  The Texas Hill Country is the most beautiful place on earth.  And the food is better there, too!  Omg The Salt Lick...Gil's Broiler...mmmm

So just as a warning...my instagram will be full of boxes and kittens in boxes.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 126 | Super Cute Kitten Powers

I knew today was going to be a tough Monday and I wore my most favorite shirt to give me special super-cute kitten powers.  It totally worked ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 125 | Making Good Time

We drove back from NYC today and really easy trip.  Too bad I always forget about the obsence tolls along the way.  Thank goodness for EZ Pass!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Last week, on Instagram...

• My favorite new moccasins from Minnetonka.  The colors are most perfect.
• I made this ridiculous thing!  I don't know what to do with it, but I love it.
• Metro-cheting.  I'm that girl on the DC Metro who's always making something.  The businessmen don't really know what to do with me.
• I added so many crochet necklaces to the shop!  I'm long overdue for a shop update on the blog!
• I channelled my inner Kristen, and woke up early to make a delicious scrambled egg breakfast in the middle of the week.  It was a really great idea haha!
• The state of our home right before leaving for NYC for the weekend.
• Buttons!  It's been forever since I made any and I still have tons of supplies, so I thought it would be fun to make some free buttons for folks at the Craftacular.
• My power foods during my quasi-all-nighter.
• This guy!  Also, I wore a lot of stripes last week?

If you want say hey, you can follow my silly instgram at @thepinksamurai.  There's lots of yarn and cats.