Kate & Trudy | chronicles of a crafty, photo-obsessed, doxie-loving, mrs.

Happy Father’s Day!

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Jessica Leigh

I have been blessed with two AMAZING dads in my lifetime.

First, my own father who has been a truly perfect example of a strong, supportive man throughout my 28 years of life. I may or may not be his clone in many ways…and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I am one lucky daughter (and so are my two sisters).

Second, my father-in-law who raised my husband to think that we all have green blood. Gullibility training, as he coined. The strong, silent, Dos Equis man type he is and I am so lucky to have him in my life.

In addition to awesome parenting, our dads have loved our mothers for a lifetime. We are so lucky to have two sets of parents who provide such wonderful examples of what is love and commitment. The in-laws celebrated their 33rd anniversary in June and my parents will celebrate their 31st in July. Amazing!

Then there’s Husband. Fabulous combination of his own father and mine. Loving our little doghter every day. I can’t wait until we start our own family! Well, yes, I can wait. Hehe!

Anyway, Happy Father’s Day y’all!

Happy Father's Day | www.kateandtrudy.com

Posted in Family | Tagged happy fathers day Leave a comment

Father’s Day Gift Idea: Big Impact, Low Cost!

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Jessica Leigh

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday and we needed to find gifts for our awesome dads!

This past weekend, we hopped over to Target for some cheap toiletries (prices and sales tax are so much lower in Wisconsin). Not a moment before I had taken my first sip of my iced Starbucks beverage did we find the best gift. While perusing the cheapie dollar racks at the very front of the store we came across beer flight paddles ($3/each) and adorable beer glasses ($1/each) that fit right into the routed holes in the paddle. SO fun! We love a good wine tasting in our family…how about a beer flight?! Yes, please!

Father's Day Gift Idea | www.kateandtrudy.com

We opted for two sets per dad (2 paddles plus 8 glasses) so our mamas could reap the Father’s Day benefits too. At Target, we spent $14 to acquire the two sets of beer flight paddles and glasses. Amazing price!

Father's Day Gift Idea | www.kateandtrudy.com

You can’t give a beer flight gift without including the first round. Husband suggested Binny’s Craft Your Own 6-Pack, so I sent him over there to fill up two 6-packs with beers he thought each dad would love most. I think he did an awesome job! I’m loving the names and label designs. Each 6-pack was $9.99.

Father's Day Gift Idea | www.kateandtrudy.com

This gift is one that will keep on giving! The dads can purchase new beers to try every once in awhile and make a fun night of it. The one thing that might be pretty cool would be to finish the paddles with stain or paint with fun sports colors (such as green/gold for my own dad who loves the Packers). Maybe I’ll invite my dad to a craft night so he can paint his own paddles…ha (unlikely)! I do like the rustic look though. The focus remains on the beer which is where it should be!

Father's Day Gift Idea | www.kateandtrudy.com

What did y’all get your dads/grandpas/husbands?

Happy Father’s Day to all of the amazing, wonderful dads out there!

Weekend Recap ~ June 8-9, 2013

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Jessica Leigh

Now that summer has officially begun and I actually DID something this weekend, I think it’s time to start a weekend recap feature. I’m certain I’ll have posts at least through the weekend of July 20th, which is when my little sista gets married out in Colorado! I’ll have LOTS to post after that week, as I’m also off my day job which means fun in the sun with my sisters!

This first weekend was great for a few reasons…

1) I ignored my computer for periods longer than 1 hour.

2) Even though I was away from my computer, I still got some work done on my new photography website design and content over yummy coffee and a quiet house.

3) My dad came home with his new speedboat and the weather was reasonable enough to take it for a spin.

4) I went shotgunning & shot so many rounds that my right shoulder is in immense pain today.

5) When we arrived home from a few days at the lake, I watched my first few episodes of Duck Dynasty and they featured Sadie’s first time shotgunning! Very serendipitous…my dad let me shoot more though, so not quite the same experience – ha!! We also saw the one where the boys break Willie’s samurai sword. new.favorite.show.

That’s a wrap! Here are some images to highlight the weekend. We found our Father’s Day gifts for the dads on Saturday with a quick run to Target. I’ll feature it on the blog this week after just one more piece is acquired!

Weekend Recap | www.kateandtrudy.com

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve already seen the below shots!

Weekend Recap | www.kateandtrudy.com

Posted in Family | Tagged boating on the lake, Kate & Trudy, lake geneva wisconsin, shotgun at mcmillers, sporting clays for fun, summer weekends, summertime, weekend recap Leave a comment

DIY Manicure ~ The Essentials for a Fabulous Home Manicure!

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Jessica Leigh

I have the secrets to a DIY home manicure right here on Kate & Trudy! I’ve been manicuring my own nails for years now and over time I have compiled the perfect bag of tricks. I put together the links to each item that I can’t live without. Keep in mind that painting your own nails does take practice and the healthier and longer your nails are, the easier they’ll paint. The links noted below are listed in order of use.

2013 06 03 Manicure Essentials on Kate & Trudy

1. Zoya 3-in-1 Remove+

2. Revlon Nail Groomer

3. Revlon Nail Clip

4. Diane Cushion Nail File

5. Diane 4-in-1 Shining Buffer

*After step 5, I typically wash my hands to get all of the file and buff dust off!

6. Revlon Cuticle Nipper

7. Avon Moisture Therapy

*During step 7, I try to avoid lotion on my nails. Regardless, I run a cotton ball of Zoya 3-in-1 from step 1 over my nails before moving on so that they are dry and ready to take on the polish! Don’t try to put polish on nails that aren’t completely dried out.

8. CND Stickey Base Coat

9. Any O.P.I. or Essie Nail Polish Color

10. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

11. O.P.I. RapiDry Spray Nail Polish Dryer

*After step 11, allow nails to dry completely.

12. CND Solar Oil

I’d love to know what your favorite OPI or Essie polish color is as I’m always looking for new shades to try out!

Here’s another secret…to get great nails in the first place, drink lots of water and take an awesome multi-vitamin. My favorite multi-vitamin is Lifetime Fitness’ Women’s Performance Multi-Vitamin AM/PM.

No link referenced in this post is an affiliate link…though I should look into that! Can’t wait to hear what you guys think.

Posted in DIY | Leave a comment

30 Before 30 {#1-10}

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Jessica Leigh

I recently came across a really awesome 30 Before 30 list and realized I HAD to create one of my own. You see, I just turned 28 on March 31, 2013. Therefore, I have just short of 2 years to go. I am not at all afraid of turning 30, but I am afraid of leaving my 20s with important items left undone. My 30s are going to be the very best, and I want to enter that decade with a clear mind, body & soul!

This list is a work in progress, so I’ll start here with Items 1-10. I’m excited to tackle each item as time goes on!

1. Read the Game of Thrones Series

2. Finish digital album of road trip to Montana from Thanksgiving 2011

3. Move to a new City

4. Adopt Trudy

5. Lose 10+ pounds and keep it off

6. Open an Etsy shop for photographic prints and handmade goodies

7. Take inventory of all material items we own and purge/sell/donate anything we don’t need

8. Create/sew an elaborate Daenerys costume for Halloween

9. Finish at least one knitting project

10. Compile an image portfolio containing 50 images shot only on my Canon 1V film camera

As soon as I list out items 11-20, I’ll be sure to post along with an update on items completed!