Fashion Fun and Friends

Black bubble necklace

Checking out my booty

I'm totes digging my new blue pants.  Ok, let's be honest, I'm obsessed!  Last time I wore them, my adorable husband said, "Who is the lady wearing the hot pants?  Oh yeah!  It's my wife!" This comment immediately turned me on (we're newlyweds... it's to be expected!)

Since I've had more free time in the last five weeks than I have in the past five years, I'm really having fun experimenting with styles.  Lest you think, "But it's June!  Why are you wearing a sweater?" let me explain.  It's cold here in Washington!!  There's not even been a clear enough day for me to wear short sleeves yet!  Yesterday, I wore a sweater on a bike ride!  I am not used to this weather and I am terrified that I will miss out on my HOTT summer.  So I'm wearing hot clothes instead!  

Also, before someone rains on my parade about sock buns being "so last season" let me say, just say, this the easiest hair do I've ever had!  Please don't ruin it for me.  Yes, I've read that they can look "matronly" in the words of Elle magazine, but seriously -- what's matronly about a bright orange-red sweater with flowers?  Or my cute, young and adorable face?  If you think "matronly" while looking at these photos, I may have to punch you in the face.


Besides overanalyzing my closet, I've also spent a lot of time skyping/face-timing my lovely friends around the world!  My day is always brighter when I get to talk to my Mom or Sister (who live in Abu Dhabi, UAE). And if Courtney calls me from Alpine, I can be sure that no house tasks will be done for the next two hours (or three, or five...)  Viewers beware; we spend most of that time making faces at each other.  As shown here:

 And of course we laugh together afterwords about how weird we look.

Recently, I've discovered a new friend in Oak Harbor who has a beautiful view off her back porch.  The best part is that we're related! My great-aunt-Wanda is the aunt to my uncle!  It really is a small world (and Wanda's world is the prettiest of them all!)  I'm looking forward to grilling some hot dogs and enjoying the view this summer!

Wanda's backyard view

1st Month Anniversary

Today is our First Month Anniversary!

I posted this picture on Instagram saying, "Yay, baby!  We made it!"  Of course, this is only the first of many anniversaries, but we still wanted to make it special.  I made sure to capture the most important things in our home right now -- our wedding rings.  (Of course, I had no table to put them on, so they're resting on the TV for now, but THINGS don't matter!)

Before I could even get my picture posted, Anthonie wrote me a sweet love note before leaving for work.  Of course, it made me cry. The best line was, "Thank you so much for making this place a home. I love what you have done with it."  I am so blessed to have an appreciative husband who loves to compliment me.  I am so grateful for everything he is doing and how hard he works to provide for us.

Right after the inagural anniversary post, I opened the front door and found this:

My diploma!! I feel so honored to finally have a piece of paper showing my sacrifice and accomplishment in college.  Yay!!

Later, Anthonie took me on a special date.  We hiked to the highest spot on Whidbey Island.

Panorama of Goose Rock, near Deception Pass

We ate a little picnic of summer sausage, cheese, and "Mormon Wine" (aka. sparkling apple cider) as we basked in the spectacular view and enjoyed holding each other.  We also finished the book we've been reading together, "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss.  I highly recommend it; the main character, Kvothe, is so interesting.  All in all, it was a very monumental, romantic and memorable day.  I'm so happy to be married to my love, for time and all eternity!

Joy in the Journey

Today we went for a walk along the beach on the base.  I cannot put into words how relaxing it is to walk hand in hand with my love and reflect on the beauty of this island.  I feel so blessed to be here, next to my sweetheart.  We are finding joy in the journey every day.  Married life is just the best.  This time is so precious for us because we know that soon enough we will be joined with little ones who will take more time and attention.  So for now, we are happy to just be together and to be in love.

We are also extremely grateful for good friends.  Anthonie tells me all the time that he feels more calm about his deployment knowing that I will be surrounded by great friends here.  One of my insta-best-friends was Caroline.  She has such a giving heart and is so kind to me.  She stopped by with her family to welcome us home and brought me these beautiful sun flowers!  Then, the next day, she gave me this awesome planter because I happened to mention that I liked it on her front door step.  She is so generous with her love and a true example to me of the Christian spirit.  I can always count on Caroline to be there for me and is helping me to feel like I belong here in Oak Harbor.

Gifts from a good friend make my heart happy

Cute Cuts

Apparently, we've been spending a lot of time primping post-wedding.  I don't know why, but lately ALWAYS I am obsessed with pictures of my nails:

Aren't these chevron's to die for?

And my bedspread is pretty cute too!

Not only am I pimping out my nails, but I'm also now the professional hair-cutter in this house!  Can you believe Anthonie actually ASKED me to cut his hair?  My sister, Tessa, would have probably advised him against it. (I tortured her with hair dos and 1st-degree-burns from curling irons for years!)  To have a willing patron, I am flattered to say the least!  Plus, I think it turned out pretty great!

So relaxed!

Perfection is a Process

I went for the emo / old-school swoosh in the front on this one.

UPDATE:  The next time I cut Anthonie's hair, I totally trimmed the front off and didn't even take pictures.  I'm already so casual about it now... Funny how time and practice takes away the magic!  But we work hard to keep the magic in other areas of our marriage!

A Windy Walk Along the Beach

I love sleeping in and enjoying time with Anthonie. Lately, he's been on the night check schedule, which means that he has to work at 3:00 pm and doesn't get home until 9:00 or 11:00 pm (sometimes 1:00 am!) at night. We don't like it very much, but it has to be done.


Yesterday we decided to enjoy one of the lovely state parks close to our house before Anthonie went to work. We packed a picnic lunch and our favorite book and drove to the beach. I love being so close to the water! It's so new!

Also, we had the the missionaries over tonight for dinner. I found out that they get tired of spaghetti, so we made salmon, steak and potatoes. It was delicious! I also enjoyed feeling the spirit they brought to our home.

Pillow Talk

Today I put up our bedroom curtains.

I know everyone is waiting for the full tour of our house, but to be honest, there's nothing to show yet. We have no furniture! Everyone who visits, including the bishop, asks us if we are planning to get any furniture. Which of course we are, but it takes time to acquire the money, especially when, we've just paid for a big wedding. For now, we're happy to have a bed to sleep in!
Speaking of beds... my husband is too hot in the bed. But I am too cold with just a sheet. Do you have this problem? If so, what do you do?

Friday Night = Date Night!

 Anthonie has started our marriage off on the right foot.  He has officially declared Friday night as DATE NIGHT!  This makes me happy for several reasons:
1.  I love going out!  Trying new things is something we love to do together.
2.  I love getting dressed up!  (It helps that Anthonie always tells me I look beautiful too!)
3.  I love spending time with my husband.  He really is amazing.
4.  I get to eat yummy food! 'Nuff said!

 Tonight he took me to Greenbank Farms, which is a cute little community farm located 15 mins south of Oak Harbor.  It was so quaint and lovely!  We loved exploring the cheese shop, watching the geese and going on a little walk.  We also loved the panini Anthonie ordered from the cute cafe there!  If you have the chance, take your kids!  It would be so fun to walk around and see all the stores!

We arrived a little late, when everyone was closing up, so we will have to go back again soon!

Lastly, this is the view from our backyard.  So lush, green and perfect!

Also, I got the bedroom curtains up!  It's looking very quaint if I do say so myself.  I'm loving sharing a bed with Mr. Nederhand.  I feel so safe and warm cuddled up next to him at night.  I highly recommend getting married.  It has made life so much simpler.  Plus, if you have a husband, you always have a date on Friday night!  ;)