My Version of Halloween

Tuesday, October 29, 2013


I have never been a huge lover of Halloween. Do I like it? Yes. Am I going to go over the top crazy about it? No. But it definitely makes a good holiday to decorate and a good holiday to have great times with friends. (Oh, it also helps if you have a friend who has a birthday on Halloween!)

But there poses a dilemma when you are married to a Halloween lover. And I mean, my husband loves the concept of coming up with the best costumes that will have people loving our lives. And if you follow my Instagram, I'd say he did a pretty great job this year.


May I present, our first year as Mr. and Mrs..... Halloween costume...


Sorry this ain't Atlanta so no tank top!


I could not keep that straight face.


I mean it was my kind of costume. I got to wear skinny jeans and boots, didn't have to worry about my nails or makeup too much. And still got to go out and say I dressed up.


You can see the mud a little!

Thanks for having a Halloween birthday!

And that my friends, is a successful Halloween.




A Little Christmas Cheer

Thursday, October 24, 2013


Yes, I know it hasn't even hit Halloween yet. Yes, I know we have plenty of time until the big holiday arrives. But Christmas Cheer is something we could all use some days, year round. 

And lucky for us, Kelly Clarkson has released her Christmas single, "Underneath the Christmas Tree." And lucky for my husband, he has heard it played multiple times already. 




How much do you love it? And if you're a crazy Christmas lover, the album arrives on Tuesday the 29th. It's time for more Christmas cheer I say.

October Birchbox Review

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

I have been lacking on sharing all of my recent Birchbox goodies, but no more! This months theme is "Beauty Buzz" it's all the best of beauty products that Birchbox has decided are amazingggg and they did a pretty great job.


And just to tell you how much I LOVED this month's box, I have already used every single thing. 



 

Bain de Terre Macadamia Oil Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner 
$12/$13.50 

Since I just had a serious hair dying incident (more on that later) my hair can probably use more than a little TLC. After using this, I can say my hair absolutely feels softer and more nourishes. And that's after one use! The smell is great too. 



 
Benefits Cosmetics Fake Up 
$24

For some reason, I have been blessed with the plague of under eye circles. Even after a week of vacation those pesky things are still there. And other under eye concealer a never really so the trick. But this had great coverage that lasted. It's like Birchbox was living in my mirror and knew I needed this. 

Karuna Clarifying Mask 
$28 for 4 masks 

*not pictures because it was used immediately thanks to a nice breakout that showed up on my face the same time I received my box. No time for pictures. 

Loved the smell of this and it was so easy to use. No lathering or smoothing. Just plop on your face and let it sit for 20 minutes. And I felt like it have those breakouts a great kick. 



Chapstick Hydration Lock 

I have been a Chapstick lover since I reached for my moms at a young age. I rarely stray when it comes to moisturizing my lips especially during the winter months. This lives up to the Chapstick name and really hydrates your lips. The vanilla creme is just a bonus. 

Wedding Wednesday: Wedding Music

Wednesday, October 16, 2013


Choosing your wedding music. When you say it like that it sounds easy and straightforward. Nothing to stress over. But that my wedding planning friends, this is a lie. It is hard and will take you longer than you think. You will also change your mind more than a couple of times.

Traditional or Non-Traditional

 If you choose traditional, it might be an easier route. Canon in D, Wedding March, etc. We went with non-traditional, I did not want to walk down the aisle to the bridal march. I wanted it to be personalized and something different, out of the box.

I highly recommend the Vitamin String Quartet. They have beautiful instrumental versions of popular love songs.
Ceremony


Bridal party- "Chasing Cars," Vitamin String Quartet

Chasing Cars (String Quartet Tribute to Snow Patrol) by Vitamin String Quartet on Grooveshark


Bride- "Can't Help Falling in Love," Vitamin String Quartet

Can't Help Falling in Love by Vitamin String Quartet on Grooveshark



Recessional
"Ever Ever After." Carrie Underwood
Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood on Grooveshark



Reception








Bridal Party



Feel This Moment by Christina Aguile/Christina Aguilera/Eaturing Christina Aguilera/Pitbull on Grooveshark




Dynamite by Taio Cruz on Grooveshark





Wedding Song

This is the song that will forever bring you back to that very day, that very moment. It can be a new song to symbolize your new start together on this journey of marriage. You can also choose a song that has always had a special place in your relationship.

Ours: "You and Me," Lifehouse.

When me and Brian first met, he was really into playing the guitar. This is one of the songs he played for me and it has always been a special song for us.





Cake Cutting

You can go for the usual, "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "Love is Sweet." We chose another song that we have always loved.  Basically, it's all about what gets you going to shove that cake in his face.

"1,2,3,4" Plain White Tees




Garter Retrieval 

Justin Timberlake "Suit & Tie"

He worked that song like a pro.





Bouquet Toss


I launched that thing

Garter Toss




Last Song
"Don't Stop Believing" Journey
This was my mom's favorite song and I wanted to honor her presence on our wedding day



Blogger Comforts

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

As bloggers we all have that cozy spot we retreat to to get our juices flowing to the keyboard. 

The place where inspiration comes and where we can really tap into our zone.

For some it's the comfort of a desk surrounded by order and for others it might be just pulling up the laptop in bed. I am the latter. 

I choose my spot on the corner of the couch. It's where I feel most comfortable writing and can really get involved in what I'm saying.



These spots we call our blog spaces, cozy corners, retreats or whatever your name for it, are an extension of us as bloggers. Sometimes without this go to spot we might not find the creativity we are looking for (hence this blog post;) 

Other times it might not matter if you pull up the bloggo app and type up a quick post on your iPhone. But no one can deny they love the comforts of "their blogging spot." 

As I sit here typing on my iPhone it just doesn't feel the same. You see, yesterday my dear laptop took a turn for the worst and will no longer be a part of my life. There were tears shed as I lost most of my wedding stuff. ( yes, I am aware I no longer need it for me but I had all kinds of wedding planning advice posts in mind for them) 

And gone is my comfy spot for blogging. The place I sit to get my blogging juices flowing. A new laptop is not in My future anytime soon due to my inability to be a saver (darn you, Homegoods) 

Now, I am more than blessed because we still have a gorgeous iMac that sits beautifully in our office corner. But I am still saddened by the loss of my place to blog. I can't sit Indian style on the couch with a blanket using that iMac. I can't pull it up in bed when I just want a cozy morning in. 



 

I will get over this. Just will take some getting used to calling this my blogging space now. So my posts might be far and few between as I get used to sitting in front of the computer in a stodgy desk chair. Or maybe you will just keep getting gems of blog posts like this one. 

So where is your blogging spot? Do you change it every so often? 

I've Got a Sunshine Award on a Rainy Day

Thursday, October 10, 2013


It's true, the East coast is in for lots of rain the next 4 days. But I was given Sunshine Award by the lovely Ericka at This Crazy Thing Called Life.  We are both newlyweds, married within weeks of each other and she writes all about her new home and new life as a wife. This award is for bloggers whos posts make can give you sunshine on even the rainiest of days. Or you just love their posts. Went a little corny there hehe.



The Rules
1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog. 
2. Link to the person who nominated you. 
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself. 
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award and ask them 10 questions.


My Questions For You:
1.  Do you have any pets?  What kind?  Names?
I'm sure you have heard all about my kitty, Lily. She's our little fur baby.

2.  What is your favorite season and why?
I love fall. The leaves, smells, pumpkins, apples..I love it all.

3.  What is your favorite drink?  Alcohol or not, doesn't matter.
I'll give you both..I love Diet Coke and margaritas. Or wine.

4.  Why did you start blogging?

I started writing in 2010 just writing about my life without my mom, no set job and just not sure what in the heck was going on. It was a journal for me and only I saw it. It was a few months later I started to share it more and become involved. I finally got serious in the beginning of 2012 and started getting involved with bloggers. 


5.  What is your dream job?
I would love to own my own business one day.
6.  If you could only clothes shop at one store for the rest of your life, which store would it be?
Charlotte Russe

7.  Starting with the oldest photo on your phone, what is the 7th picture?



It would be this munchkin 

8.  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookie dough. Mmmmm.

9.  What is your "go-to" outfit?
Skinny jeans, casual tee, scarf and flat or boots.

10.  What is something not many people know about you?
I am a country girl that was raised in a place where my closest neighbor was a walk down the street. I had a horse in my backyard and cows across the street. 


Now, it's my turn to nominate a few of my favorite bloggers

Kate at Classy Living
Mandi at And So I Did
Laura Beth at Mrs. Laura Beth
Angela at The Harrells on Hood
Kayli at Kayli Wanders
Stephanie at Not Entirely Perfect
Jena at Recently Roached 
Lauren at Wifestyles
Katie at Katie Did What
Casey at Aslans auspicious Albany Adventure 


1. What is your favorite thing to make from scratch? cooking, baking, etc.
2. What is your take on zombies?
3. One place you would tell everyone they HAVE to visit because it's the best ever
4.What is your favorite holiday and why?
5. The new years resolution you are trying to accomplish in the next 2 months
6. You win the lottery, first thing you would buy
7. Your comfort outfit when you just want to get cozy
8. What is your favorite movie?
9. The one makeup item you cannot leave the house without
10. Why did you start blogging?

Friday's Letters

Friday, October 4, 2013

Last weekend.



Dear work-I am pretty sure we are in a fight. No, I am actually quite positive we are. This might last awhile.

Dear Spotify-Thank you for knowing I needed a good, quality, Carly Rae Jepsen dance party to ease the horrible, no good day I had.

Dear Lily-It seems even though you are a month away from 4, you want to relive your kitten ways and go back to biting. Lose the 'tude and biting. Like yesterday.

Dear Jaclyn-Wishing you a very happy birthday as a momma!! Hope to see all of you very soon!

Dear blog friends or people who listen to my blabber-I am looking for a big change with this blog, name, design, etc. but I have hit a stump. I know I gotta get me a picture of me all dolled in my wedding dress as my profile pic (I mean, that's the norm right?) but what else do I need? Any suggestions, helpful hints, ideas all appreciated :)

Dear wine-Get in my belly.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend of fall activities!!

Well, Hello October

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Very nice to see you on this high 70s of a day. Sun is shining, the windows are open and the scent of Autumn is flowing around the apartment. You will bring me a month of a week of no work and I know that will make us get along quite well.

And with this month of October upon us, it promptly brings images of pumpkins, apples and witches dancing in our heads. Oh, and apparently a nice laced expletive to the government on this fine, government shut down day. But back to the task of enjoying the start of fall and October. 

Here are a random mixture of my fall favorites




From left to right: 
Fall Staples:  Phillip Lim for Target Tote and Target Mossimo Vonnie Shootie Booties. Two new additions to my wardrobe that I know will be seen many times this fall.
Must Have: Scarves.net has every scarf you could ever want. You search by season, style, color, anything else. You will thank me if you love scarves as much as I do.
Decorating: Fall is always one of my favorite times of the year to decorate (aside from Christmas of course!). This year I get to add "M" to everything pumpkin and Halloween.
Fall Dates: Pumpkin picking, apple picking, leave throwing, corny picture posing.
Hocus Pocus: The obvious fall movie you have to watch on every channel during the month of October. No matter what age you are.

What are your fall/October favorites?
Does it upset you when people say they never saw Hocus Pocus? Because it does for me.

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