Right smack in the middle of the mushiest week  you have another mushy, lovey, dovery post featured right here. It happens every year so you'll get used to it.


The Mr. and me are officially 8 years old today!
 I know we have a new anniversary to celebrate now, but if this day didn't happen there wouldn't be any of the rest of the best days.

Were we babies or what?

So happy 8 Mr.!

Thanks for asking me to be your girlfriend after a few drinks ;) And being such a great patient that night. I never thought I would be one of "those girls" who met her future husband in college, but here we are. You got me, aren't you just the luckiest?!

Or maybe it's me that's the luckiest. We were barely freshmen, barely beginning our college career when you hooked me in with your guitar playing and jeans and flip flops. Here's to those little babies and many more!

 Love you always and forever.

Newlywed Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Your very first Valentine's Day as a married couple is very special. Not only is it the first time you can buy those cute husband and wife Valentine's, but also the Valentine's Day you will reminisce about in the future. It's the first time you are celebrating with you"Forever Valentine."

Now that I've really piled on the pressure for you newlyweds to make this a special day, I have done some leg work for you if you are still trying to come up with the perfect gift.

*hint: Listen up guys and gals*

1.Wifey Sweatshirt- Guys, any new wife would love to receive anything that declares her as your wife. And this is the cutest one I've seen. 

2. Wedding Picture Frame-There isn't any newlywed Mrs. that wouldn't love a frame for all those wedding pictures she has. Easy peasy, fellas.

3. Cuddle Kit for 2-Dating Divas came up with this cute idea for a night in. If you are constantly on the go or setting Financial Goals like most newlyweds, this is a special but cost efficient way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your new Mr. or Mrs.

4. Romantic Dinner-Getting dressed up for a night on the town is a great way to celebrate your first Valentine's Day. Or maybe find a new recipe you can cook together at home. That can then lead to some dessert ;)

5. Victoria's Secret-Speaking of dessert...it's all about sexy when you are newlyweds so ladies, cook up something super sexy for your new husband on your first Valentine's Day. 

6. Panty Wreath- And if you are struggling with a sexy idea to amp up your Valentine's Day, this is the perfect option. All you need is a Styrofoam wreath, ribbon and your best panties. It will make your first Valentine's Day unforgettable.

7. Man Bag-Treat your man to a nice "man things" bag filled with naughty or Nice things to tell him how much you love him.

8. Man bouquet- Ladies, as he gets you flowers, throw together this nice bouquet just for your man. He will thank you for it.

Winter Cara Box

Another 3 months, another Cara Box down. I have really loved doing these Cara Boxes that the lovely Kaitlyn at Wifessionals cooked up. It has shown me a whole new world of bloggers and people. I'm married, most aren't. I love cats, some do. But there is always something about connecting with other people for 3 months.

This month I was paired with Rachel from Sunshine and Sinatra and she was quite possibly the cutest partner I've had. Meaning, college girl like myself 10 years ago, full of life and spunk. Plus, she loves paegents and always posts the most artsy Instagram pictures.

I tried my best to put together a Cara Box as cute as her and I was able to find a piece on Etsy that I knew she would love. A vintage Atlantic City Miss America ticket.

#carabox partner got me the coolest thing. Ever. You rock bunches, @KristaLeigh8!!:) pic.twitter.com/MYb153cZGB
— Rachel (@Sun_and_Sinatra) February 4, 2014

My other Cara Box partner was Courtney from Business Suits & Riding Boots. She is a true north Jersey gril that lives just shy of NY and works a fabulous job in Manhattan. Oh, she fancy.  Her and her mister are just about where me and Brian were when we became a little bit more than bf/gf...hint, hint. Does that make me sound creepy? Oops. 

Her puppy is the absolute cutest and as she is just taking off in blog land, it was great to get to know her and you should too!

Courtney put together a great box that really showed she got to know me.

Ignore the drowning teddy bear.

 Mary Kay Mascara-I wrote this was my favorite anddd she bought it for me.

Food Network Magazine-As a newlywed, I definitely need recipes to up my creativity in the kitchen. So this was perfect.

Dunkin Donuts-I run on Dunkin coffee and tea. So this makes me function.

Picture Frame- Newlyweds need all the frames they can get to display their wedding pictures. Pretty much perfect.

Snickers/Chocolate Chips-Snickers are half way gone. Oops. And chocolate chips are always a great treat.

Cat toys- The purple one was stolen. Obviously, it is loved.

Stole it right from the picture. No time was wasted.

Oh, and Lily also enjoyed the box. Thanks, Courtney for the amazing Cara Box!

Loving the Love in Your Life this Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day. It’s coming.  

Honestly, I love Valentine's Day. The concept of red, pink, white, hearts and love, it all excites me. It always has and always will. It never changed from when I spent my Valentine’s Day with friends and now, with my husband

Now that I am married, I’m blessed that I have a forever Valentine. But I will never forget who my first Valentines were. The people that truly teach you about love. Your family and friends. I have honestly never understood the people that get sad and depressed on themselves during this holiday. They call it Singles Awareness Day and say it reminds them they are alone. What happened to loving yourself first? Or just focusing on all the love that is already in your life? Because I guarantee you all have love around you.

Some of my favorite memories of Valentine’s Day were my mom always made us Valentine's Day baskets to celebrate the day of Love. Candy, little gifts, you name it just to shower love to us as daughters. It was one of the biggest things I missed after she was gone. We also always made Valentine's Day cards for aunts, uncles and cousins because families are filled with love. Send a card, flowers to those people that give you unconditional love everyday. 

There are friends that have helped you move, listened to your troubles and done the craziest things with you. I spent my single Valentine’s Days with my friends at basketball games or out to dinner. Give them a shout out and thank them for the friendship of love that they provide you.

When February 14^th rolls around, I always look around at all the love in my life. One of my favorite things to do on Valentine's Day is to send out Valentine's cards to my friends and family. It's my version of grown up valentines that you used to shove in bags or small mailboxes. Who says they have to stop when you become a certain age? This year, I went the route of Shutterfly . Same cost as a paper card, but a little more personalized. 

On top of all this love, you have the love for yourself. I refused to let myself be down for the fact I didn’t have a guy in my life. I knew if it was meant to be it would happen. And even today, I love my husband but I know I have to continue to love myself and have a little treat. So get a massage, mani/pedi because you are pretty awesome with or without someone else and I’m a pretty awesome wife and might just do the same.

This Valentine's Day, start the tradition to love the love that's already in your life instead of focusing on a love you think you are missing. And yes, this even includes any special furry friends in your life.