Germ Awareness

With this flu epidemic going around it made me remember my amazing AP Biology teacher in high school.

When we walked into the class she had everyone go to their lab stations. There were pumps of lotion on each table. She instructed us to pump some lotion on our hands, rub it in on our hands, then go to the sink and wash our hands. After everyone washed their hands we went to our desks where she proceeded to teach class.

Before the class was over she said she had a surprise for us. She turned the classroom lights off and a black light on.

All of a sudden everything was GLOWING! The lotion had a black light residue in it, if you didn't wash your hands well, everything you had touched since we sat down was glowing! People's pens, desks, noses, eyes, chins, notebooks, etc were glowing. You could tell some people had just used water because their hands were 100% glowing! Others had spots closer to their wrists. I remember looking at my hands and the lines on my palms were still glowing. It was one of the coolest classes ever.

She effectively taught everyone that day the importance of germs and how quickly they could spread, and how to properly wash your hands. I wish there were more teachers in this world with fun interactive lessons like this, even if we were seniors in high school.

Color In Motion 5k

This is a post that is a bit over-due, but better late than never right?

My lovely bestie, Taylor over at Pink Heels Pink Truck, was kind enough to invite me to join her on my first 5k EVER, the Color In Motion 5k Dallas. I had bought some new running shoes from Nike a few months before and had been slowly doing Couch to 5k. However, I stayed on Week 1 for about a month. HA! She reassured me we didn't have to run the entire time and that we could wear some awesome tutus. When she said tutus I was sold! I freaking love tutus!

If you have never done a color run, I highly recommend you finding the next one near you, grabbing your best friends, and DO IT! It was exhilarating to do something healthy that was SO. MUCH. FUN!

Each K there was a color station. So you would progressively get more and more color, until the end when you had all five colors. At the end there are all sorts of vendors passing out free things, a DJ, photographers, dance parties, etc. It is truly a party.

Now I look forward to the next Color In Motion 5k/Color Run! I also hope to do the Foam Run with Taylor in April too. YIPPEE!! Who knew running could be such a blast?

Hope you enjoyed the photos and that you were inspired to do your own color run!

Alana XoXo

Country Style New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve we had intended on traveling to Houston for a celebration with our friends, however Henry had a basketball game NYE that put a big damper in our plans. We then made plans to visit his parent's farm before ending the night with friends Lorenzo and Leslie. However, when NYE came around there was a fog so dense you could cut it with a knife. You couldn't see one thing! So, we spent the entire night at his parent's farm. 

My New Year's Eve Outfit, ready for the Ranch!

Brother-in-law, Aaron, with our Boogers! LOL

Talk about a redneck New Year's Eve. Complete with fireworks, moonshine and a pig! Family and friends were all there. My brother-in-law attempted to make a brisket, ribs and sausage, but the brisket was so burnt the Aredale even had trouble chewing it. It was terrible to say the least. I ended up eating Banana Pudding and later the guacamole we found in the fridge that had never been opened. 

Father-In-Law, Herman, and my Hubby, Henry

Herman and myself

My other brother-in-law Wes brings some moonshine with strawberry slices. After some time people start to loosen up and get brave enough to try the strawberries. Henry tries one and immediately yells how awful it tastes, Herman tries one, followed by Henry's Mom. Henry's mom's face was classic! It became puckered like eating a bitter lemon followed by gagging. I decided I would pass.

Then Wes decides it is a good idea to get Herman, another guy and himself to take turns chugging the moonshine. Bad. Idea. Herman holds his weight, but Wes was gone!!! He could barely walk, and had the most hilarious things to say. A kid left a pile of banana pudding on the table and proceeded to grab handfuls, while aiming for his mouth, but more rubbing it all over his face. Some dropped on the remote and he thought it would be a good idea to lick the remote, which in turn made the remote very sticky. I got a wonderful 5 minute video for future blackmail. Enjoy a small clip below. 

WARNING: Foul language can be heard.

His wife finally coaxed him into going home around 10:30, got him in the bed of the truck, yes bed, and drove home with him passed out. HAHA

Next thing I knew there was a giant pig running around. What else do you do when a pig is there? You take pictures! 

Sister-In-Law, Audrey, with the pig eating dog food.

Most of the people passed out by 11 pm. Some people just can't hang. HA! We shot off some fireworks around 11:30 pm for the kids, then finished off with a New Years Kiss. 

Purple Haze Firework

UFO Firework

It wasn't the New Year's Eve I had planned, but it definitely did not lack in entertainment. 

Love my crazy in-laws! 

The Love of my life <3

Merry New Year's Eve! 

Alana XoXo

DIY Photo Ledge Wall

The Hubby and I recently rearranged our living room. This left a large empty wall behind our couches where our once small entertainment center sat. I have seen all over Pinterest these photo walls and photo ledge walls.

The photo ledge walls were very appealing due to the minimal holes drilled into the walls. Less holes = fewer patches if you decide to sell = no matching paint. Which the previous owner did and it did not turn out well. 

I was shopping around various sites and those ledges are not cheap! Either they are not cheap or have horrible reviews, and I am all about reviews!! 

Target - One ledge had a decent price, but horrible reviews. The other ledge looked good, but was pricier and no reviews.

Pottery Barn - They have the Holman ledge, which I am sure this will be no shocker, they were pricey. $35-$55 for one ledge. Not to mention I had bought their wine bottle and wine glass shelves earlier this year and I swore I would NEVER buy shelves from them again. Their anchors are the most destructive anchors I have ever encountered. Let's just say if you screw up, too damn bad, or you have to saw out a good 4" circle to get it out of your wall. And their templates are obviously just preprinted and not necessarily checked for accuracy with the shelf it is shipped with. Can you sense my hostility?

The Container Store - Their Tchotchke shelves had almost great reviews, and the price was decent.  $28-$38. 

Still, I wanted something cheaper. Not to mention, when you say $38 it doesn't sound too bad, but when you need 4 or 5 of them that is a whopping $152- $190 before tax. Don't forget you have to buy frames too if not already in your possession. So, when I stumbled upon Be Simply Organized I was squealing with joy! DIY Photo Ledge for about $10/ledge. Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Ma'am! Sign me up! 

I plan to make a trip to Home Depot tomorrow to buy the necessary supplies. Hope to have them up and running by next weekend, so stay tuned!

Alana XOXO

All photos from Pinterest