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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Simple + Chic Scrapbook Layout // Complete

Hello loves!

I know it’s been AGES since I’ve shared anything craft-related. As a matter of fact, you might be staring at this photo right now and wondering if you are in the right place. HA!

Yes, before we left Italy I actually found some time to make something. And oh, did it ever feel good. So good. Like riding a bike, it all came right back to me.

I never shared the layout here so today seems like a good time.

Complete // via Stephanie Howell

 

When all else fails, I stick with a classic Stephanie Howell formula.

Centered photo/photos

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Floral Border

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Bow

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Journaling around photo

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Oversized Titlework

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Pure Happiness.

 

Oh, that bow is made out of washi. I cut a piece of washi in half and tied it like a bow. The center is an enamel dot.

That’s about it for today, hope you didn’t all faint of shock, hehe!

 

xoxo

American Observations

American Observations via Stephanie Howell

  • It is loud.
  • It is bright.
  • It is super overwhelming.
  • The roads are huge and the drivers are slow.
  • It is cold everywhere.
  • The portions are enormous.
  • Servers come to your table a lot and we feel rushed almost everywhere we eat.
  • Ice water is delicious.
  • There is an app for everything.
  • There are too many choices.
  • People don’t seem to look up from their phones.
  • Much less cigarette smoke.
  • I miss the coffee.
  • I love the convenience.
  • People randomly engage/talk to me less.
  • I love Target and go 4x a week.
  • I really dislike Starbucks.
  • I miss affordable produce that is naturally free of any chemicals.
  • I don’t miss the inefficiency.
  • People are more impatient here.
  • I can’t get over the fact that mail comes right to my door and I can get anything from Amazon in 2 days.
  • I forgot about tax.
  • The cars seem huge.
  • It’s nice understanding what everyone says, all the time.
  • I walk MUCH LESS.
  • I miss hearing and speaking Italian.
  • I LOVE being able to run the washer, dryer, dishwasher and oven without tripping a circuit breaker.
  • It seems like there is excess everywhere.
  • I can find clothes that fit me again.
  • I really missed Chik-fil-A.
  • I can text anyone in the country for free and I don’t have to pay for each voice mail!
  • Gas is cheap.
  • Gelato is ridiculously expensive.
  • I feel like a newborn American baby.

Let the Madness Begin!

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The movers are here and the packing has begun.

Cora does not know what to make of the entire experience. I told her that she’d better get used to it because this is a regular ocurrence in this family.

Wish us luck!

 

xoxo

S

Update!

A. First and foremost, I haven’t gone crazy yet. I can still form a (mostly) coherent sentence…so there’s that!!!

B. We found a house!

Leaving Italy // via Stephanie Howell

It’s 3 miles from J’s work and .25 miles from the elementary school. Talk about a weight off of my shoulders! That’s a big check off of my to-do list.

We are planning to leave Italy in a couple of weeks, spend to days in London, and then on to Virginia.

Talk about a whirlwind!

So what am I up to?

Hmmm…mainly frantically checking things off of my massive to-do list. And then adding more things. It’s never-ending.

Also? We are in a bit of a buying frenzy. To say the least. I think everyone probably does this when they leave Italy.

Leaving Italy // via Stephanie Howell

Leaving Italy // via Stephanie Howell

Some of my favorite keepsakes?

WINE!!! Some of our favorite labels are only a few euros a bottle here and TRIPLE that in the states. So we are definitely stocking up, and we aren’t done yet!

We purchased some hand made copper pots that we personalized “the howell family kitchen”. We will pass them down to our daughters and they will be so loved.

Olive Oil, Italian antiques, Venetian masks, A special wine carafe, and a few handbags.

Again, these things are all a fraction of the price they will be back in the USA. So they are investments well worth making.

 

We have so many adjustments to make in the next few weeks. Speaking (and hearing) English. Things will move faster, louder, brighter. I’m overwhelmed and a bit scared, but mainly really really excited. It’s time to go home.

 

Love to you all.

xxo

And Team Howell is Headed to….

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Yep. In three weeks (yes, you heard that correctly) we will be Virginians.

I LOVE Virginia, always have – and we couldn’t possibly be more excited.

NOVA here we come!!!

 

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