A Little Shout out to my Family

I should first start this post by saying HAPPY TUESDAY!  It feels like such a long time since I've blogged, and yet, it's only been a week. 

Anyways... I just wanted to write a little something about the people who have helped me through so much in my life.  Starting a business has been pretty rough so far, and I haven't even gotten into the hard parts! Without my family, I probably wouldn't have enough faith in my abilities to move forward.  It's scary to think that someone's big event rests in your hands!

I also need to say that my family is huge.  Now, some people count family by the amount of blood they share with someone or the legal bond that ties them.  It's not like that for me.  My family extends far beyond my blood, my legal bonds, and even past my sorority sisters.  My family includes my friends, and it includes my Aggies. 
To start off with, I'd like to say that my parents are the hardest working people I know.  They seem to constantly be doing something: fixing the house, cleaning, cooking for us.  They are also the strongest people I know. I am constantly seeking their approval, looking toward them for strength and inspiration.  They are amazing and supportive.  When I told them about Sarah Ashley Events, they gave it to me straight, told me it would be hard but that they knew I could do it.  And I couldn't be happier with their responses.  They have made me the woman I am today by creating such a strict yet loving family.  If I didn't have their direction and guidance, I would be nothing.  I love both of them so much and can't imagine life without them.

Photo by Savannah Smith

Next, there's my sister, Julie.  When we're together, well, let's just say things get a little crazy.  We are the biggest goofballs when we're together.  Things that are not funny to anyone else or not even remotely funny at all are funny to us.  We're practically twins... well except for the fact that we we're two years apart and completely different looking.  We have the weirdest sense of knowing what the other person is saying at all times.  I could look at Julie and she'd know what I'm talking about.  She's my other half (sorry Ben).  When we're not goofing off, Julie supports me in every possible way.  I can honestly say that she has forced me to seek professions out of my comfort zone by constantly asking me the right questions about me.  She genuinely loves who I am, and I genuinely love her.

Photo By Savannah Smith

My husband is the perfect man.  He and I have been together for almost 8 years now, married for 1, and he has never been anything less than my rock, my inspiration, my love.  He makes me feel safe, and he makes me feel beautiful.  His only fault is that he can never say no to me, even when he knows he should.  I am even more and more in love with him every day.  Did I mention he built me a website, works as an engineer and can cook a pretty amazing omelet?  Didn't I tell you? He's perfect!  Of course we don't have perfect days, but even then, he makes me fall in love with him more.

Photo By Click Chick Photography

Now if I were to list all of my friends, my in-laws and my entire Aggie Family, I would keep you here forever, so just a little wrap up.  My best friends have been there for me even when I didn't think anyone was.  Ashley, my best friend and roommate for 2 and a half years of college, really, truly helped me get through Freshman year.  Without her love and her parents, I wouldn't have done it.  The boys were also a big part of making college amazing.  Everyone of the people I became friends with in Aggieland will hold a special place in my heart.  No matter how far we get or how long it is between talking to them, I always know that I can count on them.  The Aggie Spirit isn't just something we boast about, it isn't just about showing up to football games or wearing maroon. It's about the 12th man, being there for each other when we need each other. 

I still cannot believe how blessed I am to have these amazing people as MY Family.  I cannot believe that the Lord has given me so much when I am still so young.  He is amazing.


Last thing I should say is Thank You to my entire family.  I could not be so happy without them. 

Design: Julie's Dallas Apartment

It has taken me since early July to get all of these details finalized, and yet, I feel like we still have more to do.  My sister Julie is probably the busiest person I know. She goes to Southern Methodist University, has a double major, and makes sure to constantly be cast in the dance shows.  She is always on the run.

So last year, when I went to Maryland, Julie finally moved into an apartment, and when I visited, I realized that she had not yet had the time to decorate.  But what could I do? I was 1300 miles away, and the apartment is most definitely not portable (come on Star Trek, can't you create a REAL teleporter that we can all use?)  When we finally moved back, I jumped at the chance to decorate my sister's apartment.  I knew that it would be a huge task to make it perfect especially with her running between yoga and summer school classes.  But I also knew that it would give me design experience.  Anyways: I know ya'll didn't really want to hear that whole long winded explanation, so here are the pictures.

First I designed a little sign for the kitchen.  Julie had mentioned that she and her roommate both really love France, and on top of that Julie really loves coffee. So I painted this for them.

Since her roommate hasn't moved in yet, we decided it would be best to move on to Julie's bedroom.  She love Audrey Hepburn (as many of us do), so I decided to use a very famous quote on a canvas surrounded by two canvas' that held my own designs to put above her bed.

Above her desk space, we put some reminders of her favorite cities, London, Paris, and New York.  I'm so proud to say that each of the framed pictures was taken by either myself, my husband or Julie.  We're a pretty proud bunch.  Then she had an old London decoration that had fallen off of her dorm room wall her Freshman year of college, so I added some ribbon to the back and hung it up.

And finally, Julie's bathroom was finished.  It had originally been a grey and white and black color scheme, but she wanted a pop of color.  This part was easy! I'd already taken so many pictures of gorgeous flowers in Washington DC and Maryland.  I had this covered.  Again, I'm really proud to say that these are my pictures taken with my amazing Canon.

Hopefully soon, we'll get something up in her living room.  Until then, at least she's in love with her bedroom.  It's a proud day to be Sarah Carpenter today, if I do say so myself!  Happy Tuesday!

The end of the 30th Olympiad

Today is the end of one of my favorite events of all time.  I can not believe that the Olympics are already over and that my life will not be filled with the sweet sound of cheering fans, grunting athletes, or the Olympic games commercial breaks coming to an end.

Is it sad that I'm actually having Olympics withdrawals right now when the closing ceremonies just ended? Well if it is then I'm pretty lame. I'm having post Olympics depressions.  Honestly it will probably last until the winter Olympics which isn't that bad since it takes a shorter amount of time to get to them.  At least football season starts soon! 

There really is nothing like some good Olympic drama.  Why does it only last for 17 days? Now we have to go back to arguing over silly politics and catching up on election drama...

Good bye for now Olympics. It's been fun! Maybe next year I can head out to London for a peak at the stadium and East London.  Here's hoping...

Inspirational Sunday

Today my dad and my husband set out to fix the water heaters in my parents' house.  Well actually, they set out to continue fixing the water heaters.  This process has taken so long, not because they are slow at it but because these things weigh 150 pounds each, and, wait for it, because they have to go in the attic.  Anyways, as usual, things have gone wrong.  Why does that not surprise me... a leak here, a rusty pipe there.  Does anybody care about quality anymore? This house is only 6 years old!

While the boys were sweating away in the 102 degree (probably hotter) attic, I was sitting in the air conditioned living room, cutting inspirational pictures out of all the bridal magazines I collected when I was planning my wedding. (I'll admit to feeling a little guilty for that.)  I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty much obsessed with clippings now. 

It makes me excited to start an inspiration board for my business and makes me feel like I can collect my thoughts better.  I usually feel so out of control of my ideas.  I have wedding ADD.  So today, I remedied that, and that makes me happy.  The problem is, I just keep cutting more and more pictures out.

Hopefully I'll be able to decorate an inspiration board soon so I can start pinning these clippings to it! That's all for tonight!