Three

With the weather changing and me working a completely different type of schedule I got sick this week, my first cold of the season :/ On the brighter side, there's this new app called Vine where you can make short videos and watch other peoples. It's like Instagram but with videos instead of pictures. It is the coolest thing!!! Get the app, it's free!

Lastly, we got a rifle yesterday. We figured it would be a great pass time to go to the gun range when there's nothing else to do and only pay for bullets instead of renting everything each time. We plan on going hunting at some point, it's just a matter of when. It would be cool to say that I killed a chicken. haha. *We picked it up from a pawn shop and realized how easy it is for anyone to just walk in and get a gun, we were there for 15 min top and they ran a background check and everything that fast.

Close enough. Haha

Find me on Vine

Marlin 795 rifle. 

UCF alum art

Being back in the Orlando area has reminded me how much I missed this part of the state and UCF. I found some printables on Pinterest a while ago and held on to them for the longest time before I figured out where they would go. We have a huge wall in the den that was perfect for these.

I originally had 3 sings in the bathroom that said, "flush", "wash", and "brush" that I didn't want to use at the new place so I replaced the UCF printables with those. AKA no cost project!

covered up the old pictures

And put them in a frame

UCF campus

UCF subway art

I heart central Florida

The 3 frames on the wall. When I figure out how to hang a diploma without buying an expensive frame that will go on the same wall as these. 

Weekend update

Sorry this is a little late, we don't have internet so I had to wait until I went to Starbucks to do some stuff before I could blog. Anyways, we made it to our new place just fine and the next day I worked Luke Bryan with my sister then the next day a Magic game. It feels so good to be back in the arena, it was like I had never left. I sure did miss the fast paced environment.

Today is my first day off in 7 days days and I don't work again until Wednesday for a Solar Bear (hockey game.) The next few pictures are what I've been working on in the new apartment. Things are still not completely put away so the final apartment tour pictures will start next week. For now here is a sneek peek.

Don't we look hot in our uniforms. haha NOT.

The start of the mini bar. 

A fireplace!

Wood floors in the kitchen. 

A very long hallway. 

I think I need more clothes. 

We finally have a bookshelf that isn't in our room. 

Three

Today is my last day of work and last day in Palm Harbor!!! After we turn in the keys this afternoon Ryan and I are heading to Orlando for good and I start work at Amway tomorrow! This week has been busy and stressful. I officially changed my name and we've been packing and taking multiple trips to the dumpster. Thank goodness we took most of our things to the new place over the past few weekends. 

In other news the weather has been gorgeous, it's not too hot but not too cold. Around the country it's much colder though. Also, for Christmas I got an Auntie Anne's pretzel kit and tried it out. The pretzels didn't taste like they came from the stand in the mall but they were pretty good. 

It's officially official. 

I don't think it got that cold when we lived there. 

My pretzel bites. 

Ipsy review

This is going to be my last Ipsy bag for a while. Even though I keep getting great products I am canceling my subscription because I am going to start putting aside $10 a month for the vacations we have coming up this year instead. I know it isn't that much, but it all adds up. I can sign back up at any point so maybe later in the year I'll join again. This month I got lotion, nail polish, hair spray, an eye brush and hydrating oil. It's funny because no joke I am almost out of hair spray, I've been wanting red polish and I needed something for the frizzes in my hair and I got all 3 this month! Score!!

Right out of the bag!

Lotion that smells really good. I'm very particular about lotion and have used the same brand since 8th grade. This particular one is the perfect size to keep in my purse. 

Red nail polish that is worth $13.

Hydrating oil that can be used for dry skin or to smooth out your hair (works great on both!)

Eye liner brush. I used this after I put on eyeliner with a pencil to even it out and that worked really good for me. 

I've seen this brand before but never bought it, it works and smells really good. 

Cute makeup bag with stars inside.

How to: shredded chicken

Last week when I saw this on Pinterest I knew I had to try it because it looked so easy, who would have thought you could shred chicken in a mixer? All the pins I saw used a stand mixer, but my handheld one worked just fine. This trick is good for chicken salad or BBQ chicken.

Step 1: boil chicken breasts for about 20 min. 

Step 2: put chicken in a bowl directly from the stove (the trick is to make sure it's still hot) 

Step 3: mix for about a minute depending on how much chicken you have or until it is to your liking

Step 4: enjoy!

Three: mini bar ideas

I've always liked the idea of a mini bar where alcohol is easily accessible to your guests or just a great way to put your boo's on display with some fancy cups instead of bottles lined up on top of a fridge (which is our current method.) With our new apartment being bigger I know just the spot to put a bar cart! I already have most of the things like, glasses, mixers and coasters so I'm just on the hunt for the perfect table/cart/shelf thing. 

There are many different ways people put their areas together and I have gotten some great ideas like; using a bookshelf and creating a space for your alcohol, putting bottles on a tray to make it a little more "put together" and lastly, filling up an entire cart with all the necessities for a good drink. Here is what I'm talking about....

This blogger already had a shelf full of things so she just made a space for alcohol on top and cups right below. 

This blogger used her divided bookshelf and put similar items in the same spot and the bottles on a tray right up front so her guests know what she has to drink. 

                                   

This blogger has everything you need to make a perfect drink, including many different types of alcohol so a number of drinks could me made. 

After doing some research I will be collaborating ideas from all of these ladies to make the "perfect" mini bar. So if you're ever in the area or want to stop by to see the new place come on over and I'll make a drink for you!

Problem!!!

So yesterday I went to the social security office and finally changed my name after getting married. Only a year and 4 months late but that's OK. I know it's a long process to change everything (debit cards, utility bills, credit cards, car insurance paperwork... the list goes on.) I'm not going to lie, I waited this long because I didn't want to change everything, I've had the same name for 24 years so it was a tough decision on what name I was going to use. 

I went in thinking I'd leave Shannon Heit Ruddy but the lady informed me that I could not do that?? Not sure why, but my only options were, "Shannon Ashley Ruddy" or "Shannon Ashley Heit Ruddy." My dad is the last "Heit" and I knew the name was not going to go on anymore and I wanted to keep that name in the family in honor of my paternal grandparents. I didn't think twice when I had to loose the Heit or keep it and have 4 names until I got home and my aunt asked me legally what my middle and last name is? 

So my question to you, do I have 2 middle names or 2 last names? I've been googing this and can't find an answer. If I still don't know by the time the card comes in hopefully the DMV will know when I get a new license?

Tour of new apartment

Ryan and I took a car full of stuff over to our new place and got the keys on Saturday! It is right under 1000 sq ft, has a huge kitchen, and even a den with a built in desk. We are slowly moving in and won't be there for good until the 25th so the final room posts won't be for a couple more weeks. I tried to get as many good pictures as I could but some of the rooms are just to big to get a good shot, so here's what I got. 

Outside of the apartments

Master bedroom

2 huge closets in the master (one is a walk in)

Bathroom

Bathroom

Living room and patio

Den with built in desk

Den

Kitchen with full size washer and dryer

Dining area

Panorama of the living room, den, hallway and kitchen

Three

This past week has been great because we're moving to Orlando and we start the actual moving part tomorrow!! Besides packing (because you've seen enough pictures of boxes on here) I'm going to focus on some other things that happened this week. But the empty apartment tour starts on Monday!

Also during the week I fell in love with my color blocked nail. I got the idea from someones blog and was a little intimidated at first but it's my new favorite way to paint my nails. I've gotten so many compliments that I just had to share a picture of it. I also made puppy chow for the first time and it was delicious.

I never mentioned what my new years resolution was, this year it will be to legally change my last name to Ruddy. It's a long process to change a name on every single thing that goes along with well, life. I'm not going to lie, that is one of the reasons I've been putting it off. Ryan and I have been married almost a year and a half so I think it's time. A new year, a new name. Let the process begin.

Color blocked ring finger.

Puppy chow is addicting. 

First step in changing your last name. Go to the social security office and file for a new social security card. 

Guess what?

We're moving back to Orlando (Apopka to be exact) !!!!! If you're keeping track, this is our 5th move in a year and a half so I've got this packing thing down to a t now. Ryan got security analysis internship at Sea World and I will be working at Amway again! We are so excited to go back. It is where we went to school, where we met and where all of our friends are. 

We get the keys to our new place this weekend but will be there for good starting the 26th! We've been talking about moving back to Orlando since we moved back to Florida, so when the opportunity came for Ryan at Sea World we knew he had to take it. I over the moon excited!!!! Having lived there for over 5 years I consider it home and think of the Palm Harbor area as a place I visit to see my family. So as long as any jobs in the future don't move us around I'm pretty sure we will be staying in the Orlando area for good!!!!

Motivation Monday

Sometimes you've got to do what is best for you and not worry so much about others around you. When someone tells me they want to do something, move somewhere new, or go on a road trip I always tell them go for it! There shouldn't be anything holding you back (maybe money, but that's what a piggy bank is for.) You really only do live your life once and shouldn't always be thinking "what if."

Personally, I am working on letting things go, not stressing over what people think of my life decisions, and not organizing my life out so much. I need to go with the flow. I'm only in my mid 20's and have already done so much in my life. I keep wanting more and it's only going to continue that way if I stay focused on what is ahead in life, not what I have left behind. Moving, changing jobs, changing friends, going on vacations, I can't let what other people think of my decisions effect the ones I am making in the moment. I know this all sounds selfish, but in today's society you have to put yourself and your needs ahead of the rest.

So think about it, have you been doing things you say your going to do or just let the days pass wondering about what you could be doing instead?