WE GOT MY WEDDING DRESS TODAY!!

I'm beyond ecstatic because we found and bought the PERFECT wedding dress today!! As I'm sure you know... the wedding gown is "top secret" to the groom. I don't want my fiance to get any hints or know ANYTHING about what I chose. (and i don't want to ruin it if he stumbles upon my blog...) Therefore, if you would like details (or even pictures!) just comment with your email address and I'd LOVE to share this exciting time with you!

Outfit post &&& 2 lil' models

Two-tone dress: Ross - $10
Cardigan: Goodwill - $4
Snakeskin shoes: Marshalls - $40
Earrings: Bella Cene' - $10

These earrings added a unique elegance to the outfit

Bella Cene' - $10

Now introducing my 2 fabulous footwear models for today

Sarah & Lilly

Little sis' Lillian (5)

Little sis' Sarah (7)

My little brother's a graduate now too...

My little brother graduated tonight!!

Before he left for graduation

Justin and me after graduation

No cap & gown shots :( He NEVER wore it except for the actually ceremony... We'll have to get him to model it tomorrow for the sake of photos. Anyway, I can't believe he's finished high school! Man we're growing up and it's weird.

Now I've graduated college, he's graduated high school, and my little sister Lilly graduated from pre-school. :)

My sisters Lilly (graduate) and Sarah

**UPDATE ON NOAH**

He came home today!!! And he's doing pretty good... Thank you to everyone who kept him in your thoughts & prayers. :) My family and I really do appreciate every single one of you.

Noah hugging his big brother after the graduation. :)

Possible Wedding Venue

The house was built in the 1940's

Side angle view of the house

The back patio


Picture from the back patio

View from the back patio

Downtown Dallas Skyline

A picture of the house... but from a short distance

... perfect for a "vintage" inspired wedding ...

GIVEAWAY TODAY!!!!!

Today's the big day!!!

Go to Kristin's blog

The Faithful Fashionista

to enter.

Do you like this necklace? Would you like it for FREE??

Dream Bird Necklace by Bella Cene' - Retails for $22

There's multiple ways to enter! More entries = more chances to win!

Head over to The Faithful Fashionista to enter NOW!

Check out the rest of the items in my shop...

Bella Cene'

Please pray for my brother Noah!

Noah has RSV (a type of bronchitis found in children) and he's real sick. :(
He's having difficulty breathing so he has to stay overnight at Children's Hospital in Dallas.

He'll be fine but we just want our little man home!

... Thanks so much to everyone ...

Outfit Post & Giveaway Reminder

We went to my aunt's for a swim party on Memorial Day. However, I didn't have shorts or a swimsuit with me when I came into town for this week and a half. I really didn't see the point in buying a new swimsuit (I already have 4 or 5 since I live by the beach) so I went and bought a pair of shorts last minute only to find out the day of the party that they don't fit. I'm no fashionista but here's the outfit I resorted to:

White undershirt - Walmart $4

Zebra tank top - Forever 21 $8

Jeans - Charlotte Rousse $20

[I apologize for the horrible quality/lighting! I got click-happy in the photo editing software (it needed to be brightened just a bit) and I accidently hit a wrong button and hit "save" when I needed to hit "undo."]

Don't forget to check out the giveaway at Kristin's blog!!!!

My "Dream Bird" necklace is featured tomorrow!

Check out other items in my shop - Bella Cene'

I'm Only Me When I'm With You

I made this video last summer (1 year ago). It's got random video clips of my family and friends. (Mainly family) I found it again just recently and it brought such a smile to my face so I thought I'd share it with all of you. :)

... by the way, that's my sister jumping of a cliff at Lake Travis when she was 6! ...

So we're getting into wedding plans! I'm home in Dallas for the next week so my fiance (who's still in Corpus) is driving down to check out a venue I've recently discovered. It's a place (looks like a house but has a huge room for weddings, etc) that was built in the 1940's. It sits on the top of a hill and overlooks White Rock Lake. I'd love to have a "vintage" wedding... simple and classic and I think this place is very fitting for it. Here's a picture of the house for you:


The house sits on top of a hill and overlooks the lake.

&&& I found out I got into the graduate program at my school!!!!!! =] I'm set to start my Masters of Science in Counseling in the fall...

GIVEAWAY ALERT!
I'm being featured this Wednesday on Kristin's blog The Faithful Fashionista for a giveaway! You could win this "Dream Bird" necklace! See Kristin's blog for more details. :) (There's more than 1 way to enter!! Multiple entries = more chances to win!)

Dream Bird Necklace
by Bella Cene'

"For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them."

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people will accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa
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I found this on Kate's blog over at ...be happy anyway and it really opened my eyes. ESPECIALLY the very last one.

What I'm Loving Right Now: Bold Floral Prints

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Forever 21 - $19.80
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Hello to all! I'm at home (in my hometown... Crandall, Tx) for the next week and a half! I surprised my mother by just showing up today. I left Corpus Christi at 8am this morning and made it here around 3pm, which isn't bad timing at all! She was so shocked... She was upset because I convinced her that I wasn't coming home until next weekend and that I couldn't stay longer than that weekend. :) And tonight we had a "girls night" with my mother and 2 sisters (ages 7 and 5) and we went to see Hannah Montana - the movie. It was so good! Much better than expected...

I just wanted to make this little post about the bold floral print dresses I came across. I wouldn't usually say it's within my "style" but I've come to love it! (This dress here for example) Ok, so maybe "bold" floral isn't the word for my dress... but I'm taking baby steps here :) It's still pretty floral and that's what counts! Anyway, I found that Forever 21 carries a lot of these...

Smile! It's FRIDAY!!! :) &&& a 3-day weekend!!

Fashion, Etsy, && Blog Awards =]

Dress: Target - $35
Cardigan: Ross - $10

The interview went good today! I won't know anything until next week... so we'll see. :)

I'm so proud of myself too because I wore this dress all day today, not just for the interview. Usually, I would've come straight home to get into "comfy" clothes (i.e., jeans, tshirt, etc) but I felt so pretty in this dress, I decided to wear it all day! (Hey, that's 1 day for Kristin's challenge from The Faithful Fashionista!)

New Etsy Items! (I was quite productive today)


This one's a lot like the "Dream" necklace (with the bird) but I added the little black bead off-center for a bit of uniqueness. Passion is in your heart, right? :)


These earrings are probably my most favorite item I've made so far... They are so simple and elegant. I think I'm gonna keep a pair for myself!

I'd like to give an AWARD!!!

To my 3 favorite bloggers at the moment:

Kristin - The Faithful Fashionista & Beautifully Adorned
(She does both blogs and she's amazing... Love her!)

Rachel - Rachel's Pink Thoughts

Lindsay - One Day at a Time

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*I also want to give this award to ...lovemaegan for
"Most Addicting Blog"*

New Etsy Items!

Zebra & Black - A great way to wear something a little wild without having to go overboard.



Peace? I love bird accesories... very fresh :)

And my favorite!!!!!!
Dream - GORGEOUS, unique silver necklace... I may have to make one of these for myself to keep. :) I love it!

...and more @ http://www.bellacene.etsy.com/

I got a surprise at my door today

So, earlier today Dierks was sleeping on the couch when (and I don't know how he knew this because I heard nothing) a UPS truck stopped by. After shoving Dierks into the laundry room before he could eat the UPS guy, I got handed this lovely package.

It was a surprise graduation gift my one of my besties: Kelly :)

Kelly & I at our high school graduation in 2005

She's one of my closest friends I met my senior year in high school. It was her first year at the school I grew up in and we just clicked. Although we've only seen each other once in the past 3 or 4 years, we still keep in touch on a daily basis through the wonderful technology that is email. :) Unfortunately, we live 4 hours apart so we never get to hang out but that will change!! lol (I'm working on it) lol

She included some summer essentials along with "Smarties" candy because she said I'm a smarty since I graduated college. (And she's right) lol

Anyway, it was real sweet of her to put together this graduation gift for me :) Thanks Kelly and I miss you!!! One (or both) of us will DEFINITELY have to make a trip soon!

With how much this small gesture made my day, it really makes me want to do something similar (maybe a bit smaller) randomly for one of my loved ones. I think it's something we should all try in the next month or so.

Whether it's a gift or just a card, trust me... it'll make a difference in someone's day. :)

What a wonderful day...

First off... I'm so proud of my Dierks! Look what he can do!

I have to say "Stay... Stayy... Stayyy" lol But he balances his toy on his nose. Soon we wanna start working on him balancing treats :)

Second, I've got a job interview this Wednesday @ 2!! A psychologist here in Corpus called me today to schedule an interview and I am beyond thrilled! Wish me luck!

My fiance and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunset this evening to take Dierks out for a walk and here's some photos he took:

Now last but certainly not least... I have to give a special "Hello" to my Aunt Kathy!

She let me know this weekend when she was in town for my graduation that she reads my blog every day!! :) And keeps up with my Etsy shop... http://www.bellacene.etsy.com/ . She has been one of my biggest supporters (along with my fiance) in my jewelry making "business." lol Love you Aunt Kathy!

Oh I almost forgot! I got an award today too:

Pretty cool.... :)

I've got a BA in Psychology!

I did it!! :) I graduated this past Saturday, May 16. And let me tell you... it was NOT an easy task on Saturday. Let me share the story with you:

First off, there was a "Beach to Bay" marathon which caused horrible traffic on the island (North Padre Island... right beside Corpus Christi). I happen to live on the island and it took me an hour and half to get off the island! It normally takes about 10 minutes to get off the island from my house, but ONLY due to the stop lights. (I always seem to hit the red lights) So I left my house at 8am and didn't get to my graduation until 10:20am... Graduation started at 10:30am.

My fiance and future father-in-law drove me to graduation and when we were ALMOST there, we missed the turn and headed the opposite direction. However, this seemed to work in our favor because the traffic was really bad where we were supposed to go, so since we had to turn around and come in the opposite way... we didn't have to deal with the traffic. :) We finally got to where my graduation was and the traffic to park was so bad that I had to get out and run about a quarter mile or so in my dress holding my cap and gown. Thank goodness I didn't wear heels! I wore these super cute strappy flat sandals... I finally made it to the building only to find I have to go ALL THE WAY AROUND to the opposite side where the graduates were meeting. I finally made it in and as I grabbed my name card (for the announcer to read before I walk across the stage), I had to find my alphabetical spot in line and I pretty much was zipping up my gown as we walked out of the "holding room." BUT, I made it!!

That's not where this story ends...

I finally get there and I'm listening to different speakers and such while simultaneously browsing the stands (full of thousands of people) trying to find my family. I had my cell on me so I could text them... Well, my parents were running late because of the bad traffic on the island (they left after me) and I get a text from my cousin (who was there in the stands) saying that they won't let my immediate family in. (This includes my parents, siblings, and grandmother) They've locked the doors because the place has "reached capacity." I was furious because my family that did make it in the stands had a whole row saved for them! I was almost about to get up during my graduation and walk out... I was so upset. I was thinking, my parents are the only reason I'm even sitting here, graduating college and if they can't be here then I don't want to walk the stage. I decided to wait it out a bit because my whole family were all working on getting them in. (Keep in mind it wasn't just MY family who got locked out... I heard it was a riot out there)

I get a text from my brother, who's locked out with the rest, that my mom's about to get arrested. This lady pushed my mother to get in front of my family (she even had the nerve to push my 12 year old brother out of the way) and started waving to her family in the back to come up there with her. My mother did NOT let that happen, and let's just say that lady went to the back of the crowd. I heard my mother almost punched that lady for pushing one of her kids. I was told people were screaming, crying, kids were crying, and people were about to get into fights from pushing. I also heard that some people almost started to break through the doors. I guess my mom raised enough hell that the guard said that only 150 people could get in and I was just blessed enough that my whole family made it in as part as that 150. I'm glad I didn't leave.

So, I walked the stage, didn't trip, smiled and waved at my parents from the stage and blew a kiss to my fiance :) (He loved that lol) He was so proud of me. I can't believe that I made it... I did it! And my whole family had to go through HELL to be there for me. Honestly, if it weren't for my parents pushing me and keeping me motivated, I don't know if I'd ever have finished school. Our school has about 9,000 students in it and only 914 graduated. (It was the largest class ever to graduate from my university)

Sorry for this long book but I had to share the whole story... :) Now that this is out of the way, you should be hearing more about a wedding!! Fun, Fun! June 5, 2010 will be here before you know it. ;)

Create your own joy... you may be surprised. :)

Well, I will be a college graduate as of Saturday, May 16th! My last final was yesterday @ 7pm and I show up to find that there is no final! I'm so excited to see my family tomorrow! I'm in Corpus Christi and my family lives in Dallas. I haven't seen them since Easter!

I finally made some sales in my Etsy shop! I was beyond thrilled when I made 3 sales this past weekend! I really don't think the people understand how amazing it feels that YOU want what I created... It's just so weird to me and makes me very, very happy.

I'm still searching for a job :/ Wish me luck in that department of my life...

Here are a few things that bring joy to my life... maybe it can do the same for you:

The way my dog sleeps.

Creating new jewelry.

This picture of my sister Sarah (7) and brother Noah (20 months).

When my brother makes this face.

wow! I JUST made another sale! RIGHT THIS MOMENT! :) :) :) Man, it looks like my luck is going up since last month. Last month was horrible... not just in my Etsy shop but life in general.

I read in another blog that someone was having a bad month and at the start of April she said "This will be MY month." So, at the start of May I said (and believed) "This will be MY month!" And it's working... you should do the same. Don't wait for next month. I believe it can work as soon as RIGHT NOW, tomorrow, or whenever you want. :) Try it...

Wow, what a day!

Well, what a day it's been! I took a dance class this semester and tonight we had our "performance". I haven't performed in 5 YEARS! I've danced since I was 4 but I haven't had the opportunity to dance since high school until now. I quit right before my senior year of high school and haven't danced until the semester. I'd totally forgotten about the adrenaline rush of performing and dancing on stage for an audience and I think I'm hooked again. ;) I'm considering taking dancing classes throughout my graduate school but I'm not too sure yet. I had a blast though. My fiance (we've been together for 3 years almost) had never seen me dance until tonight and I think he was kinda shocked. (in a good way)

Well, I've got a Sensation and Perception final tomorrow at 11am and I've been studying since 10pm and it's 12:55am and I am TIRED. (In case you're wondering, this class is about how our body works physiologically in perception ... like sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.) Well, I hate posting blogs without pictures (because I've found I prefer blogs with photos but maybe that's just the ADHD part of my brain) but I've got no photo to accompany this blog :( I really wanted to film my show tonight but we forgot the video camera! Ugh...

Well, wish me luck!

ps. I'll post a picture of the skirt I made BEFORE I turn it into a pair of shorts. lol Yeah, it's not the most flattering piece of clothing created. lol Oh well, it was great practice!

Oh, by the way... no new jewelry :( I've been busy.