planning my life away

3 day weekend is all I needed

2011-09-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

Buddy and Bodee relaxing

We all had a wonderful lake weekend for Labor Day....

All I needed was a break and now I'm back in full force.

Early morning boat ride.

We finished painting the kitchen, laundry room and living room!!

I'm already loving how things are coming together and can't wait to spend the rest of the fall/winter to get the lake house all ready for next summer!!

Painted laundry room, still have to decorate and make the clothes line cute : )

End tables we painted and found these shadow boxes to go on top.

Our friend, Jenny gave us this B and we found the sword in the house and painted it. I love this!

Zac's momma gave us this, how cute!!

I hope everyone else enjoyed their Labor Day weekend as much as we did!!!

the lake house

2011-08-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Still a little bit in shock... but, drum roll please, I bought a lake house.

RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED!!

I got a great deal on it, it's a trailer at lake in Oklahoma. It's right next door to some of our best family friends. I'm going to post pictures but please, don't judge. It is definitely a fixer upper (hence the great deal) and we are pumped to do the work ourselves.

The main things that we are changing first: outside paint color, new carpet in the living room and hallway, paint in the whole dang place, getting rid of the bazillion sheets, towels, etc... that this family left. We spent the majority of the last weekend working on it so I have a lot of before pictures (I'm not showing you all of them until I get more work done) and some "in the process" pictures. Enjoy!

Guest Bathroom before....

Guest Bathroom during the painting process...

HORRIBLE living room before. I know, I know.

Living Room in the process. It's not near as dark as it looks, it's very much a sand color. We're also putting up bead board, which I love. Don't worry, the carpet is going too. Laminate wood will be there in 3 weeks!

Outside... needs a really good power washing, new paint (tan), shutters (black), new larger deck (Z will enjoy this project).

p.s.
if you have any decorating tips, at all... send them my way!

tequila!

2011-08-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

BF and I are taking our very first trip together in October... 44 days to be exact. I'm excited/anxious/nervous! We're going to Mexico and I speak absolutely no Spanish, and he actually speaks a little bit but only enough to get us beer, food, tequila, bathrooms and to a library.... just in case.

I'm so ready for this vacation because I haven't taken a real vacation since March of 2010, before I started my job. So I am in desperate need of some time away from work with no phone (well, that's what I'm telling work), no internet access (again....) and no alarm clock (but seriously).

I've already been buying things up for this trip, like oh, two months ago.

New swimsuit from Target, also the cutest fedora from there. I never thought I could pull off the whole fedora thing but apparently I can and you will all see when I get back from Mexico and post pics.

We are staying at the Dreams Resort, which looks absolutely beautiful... here are some pictures that I borrowed from their website.

Hotel

One of the dining rooms

Room... in love with these tubs!

We got an awesome deal on it through Priceline, so keep your fingers crossed that it all works out well.

P.S.

I also have some big news at the end of the week so stayed tuned. And no- not engaged, not preggo. : )

Thank you for trying to make me fat.

2011-08-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

What is this... Mean Girls?

I have a company that we use on a regular basis for our printing needs and the rep who is such a suck up (I usually enjoy this because it comes in the form of flowers) but today it came in the form of 10 boxes of Girl Scout cookies!

Really? Like what I am supposed to do with that? I handed some out to people I work with and I still have 6 boxes! He's trying to make me fat. Damn you and your Thin Mints!

Yep, 6 boxes going home with me. Lovely.

Am I Pinteresting?

2011-08-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

I have finally joined the pinterest world y'all!

Now cut me some slack because 1. I just rejoined the blogging world and 2. I'm still learning about the whole thing!

I would also love to see what all of you lovely ladies pin!

Follow Me : )

suck it up

2011-08-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

When I got my sweet baby Bodee, he didn't shed at all. Now, 6 months later the dog is like a walking ball of hair. And it's everywhere. The vacuum that we had was my mom's old vacuum because I didn't really want to spend $200 on a pet hair vacuum. BUT my mom got a coupon for Kohl's in the mail for 20% and the vacuums were on sale so I got this for $60 off!!

Can't tell you how much I love it!

Super pumped about it! I know it seems trivial, but it's a big deal for me for two reasons: 1. my roomie is a tad allergic to dog hair and 2. I hate dog hair on my clothes. But who doesn't?!?!

First time I used it, it was a miracle worker. Oh how I love getting a good product at a discount... it really is the little things! I have a picture of what all it picked up in my bedroom... mind you, it's pretty gross. I swear I vacuum weekly so that shows you just how good this vacuum is!! It's a Bissel Pet Hair vacuum so for anyone who is looking, this one is an A++!!

Gross, I know. But at least I know it works!

now playing

2011-08-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

I know that some of these aren't like brand new songs but these are what I've been keeping on repeat:

Crazy Girl

God Gave Me You (Blake Shelton or the original by Dave Barnes)

Country Girl (Shake it for me)

Remind Me

Backroad

Ferris Wheel (it wouldn't let me embed this one but check it out... he's super cute too!)
http://youtu.be/GMnXXPeBQEw

Rain is a Good Thing

Apparently I've been in a real country mood lately! What have you guys been listening to??

no one likes change.

2011-08-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

They say that no one likes change, but I would have to disagree. I think people fear the unknown but I also think they love the excitement of change. That's all my life has been doing lately.

I know that I have been SUPER MIA... so here's a little life update, just the big things.

-My roomie Mal is moving out soon to move in with two of our other friends closer to where they all work. As much as I am sad to see her (and the rest of them) go, I understand that it's the best thing for them. My big hope is that the distance, even if it is just 30 minutes, doesn't change anything about our friendships.

-BF and I have been discussing where our future is going and all of that and we have come to the conclusion that when his lease is up, we are planning on living together.

BF and I at my nephew's t-ball game

*BTW- I never posted pictures after I began the decorating process, and now I've been the house almost a year and I'm still working on it. But here is the complete living room and dining room.

obsessed with this chair. it matched my throw pillows perfectly!

sorry about the blurry iphone pic

my tiny little dining room, but i rarely use it anyway : )

-I got a new boss at work, which was definitely needed. For the past year, we haven't had a GM at our club and all of the other department heads and I have been kind of running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to make it work, doing our own jobs and then running the club as well. So it's been a huge weight off of my shoulders and he's just been here for over a month and we've accomplished so much it's not even funny! It's nice to finally be working as a whole team and things really do go much much smoother.

-Went to Dallas for our annual group trip with my college friends and had an absolute blast. Forgot how much I miss seeing them on a daily basis.

Let's just say this is how the weekend began...

And this is how it ended...

-One of my best friends, Katie just got engaged and I'm super excited to be a part of her big day.

Is her ring not the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?!?

Some of these things have made the last few months happy, sad, excited, nervous and stressed but I am ready and welcoming the change of it all! I have the most wonderful people in my life and sometimes I just need to sit back and enjoy it. So that's what I'll be doing. And blogging.

make it so

2011-05-11T08:22:00.001-07:00

Good humor

2011-05-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Good humor makes all things tolerable."

-Henry Ward Beecher

This is my perfect quote for today.

Cinco de Drinko? Drinko de Mayo?

2011-05-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

Cinco de Mayo??

Either which way, you HAVE to try this:

Jose Cuervo LIGHT Margarita Mix.

I've tried Skinnygirl Margarita and I liked it but I loooved this!

BF and I both had frozen margaritas with it last night and my new Margaritaville machine. It was heaven for under 100 calories, which really is what heaven is like, don't you think???

Enjoy your holiday, you best believe I will be!

Wedding weekend in AZ

2011-05-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we celebrated Laura's wedding in Arizona. Haley, Mallory and I went there for it, and I can't even begin to tell you how great the whole weekend was and how much I absolutely adored the wedding... but I'll try.

Renaissance Hotel Glendale, AZ

We arrived at the Phoenix airport at about 9:00 p.m. AZ time, quickly checked into our hotel and went to grab a late dinner and drinks with one of our sorority sisters, McKenna, who is actually leaving for Germany for a year next week! It was great to see her and get to really catch up before all of the wedding day craziness!

Saturday, we slept in and then ordered room service. It was a dayummm good breakfast, if I do say so myself. We spent most of the morning exploring the Westgate area right by our hotel and had lunch at Margaritaville... LOVED IT. After lunch, we went shopping at a nearby mall (when I say nearby, I mean that it was 10 miles away and we had to pay like $30 for a cab to go that far... freaking ridic.) Bought some CUTE things at Forever, but this store was huge! It was more like a department store than a forever21. I loved every single minute of it.

Westgate.

The wedding ceremony and reception took place in Buckeye, AZ. The bride & groom had a charter to take everyone who was staying at the hotel to the wedding site which I thought was super thoughtful.

The reception and wedding both took place here. Beautiful, isn't it?

Blurry-but the reception site at night.

The favors were chocolate covered pretzel sticks. Super cute idea!!

The wedding ceremony was the most personal wedding that I have ever seen. They laughed the whole time. They did the ritual of pouring sand into a vase but instead of just doing the usual sand thing, the groom had got dirt from the bride's home state of Oklahoma and sand from his home state of California, and surprised her with that special touch!

All of the group with the bride.

All of the girls... it was surprisingly windy there that night.

Throwing up the AXO... some things never change.

We spent the rest of the reception gushing about the couple, catching up with old friends, laughing and dancing under the stars. It was literally my favorite of all the weddings I have been to. I hope you all had a great weekend too!

close to my heart

2011-04-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't been a very good little blogger lately but like I said in my last post, a lot has been going on. A few things that I wasn't ready to share yet, but now I am because I know now that everything is okay.

Before I was born my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and has been a cancer survivor since. She was 35 when she was diagnosed, 36 when she was cleared, 37 when she got pregnant with me and 38 when I was born. Due to this fact, I have spent a majority of my life having doctors tell me how high my chances are and how I need to start getting mammograms in my mid-20's.

Recently, I switched to a new doctor who suggested that I get my first mammogram done now so they can have my records and when I begin to get them yearly they will be able to tell more easily if things ever change with my body. So I went to get my first mammogram just about two weeks ago and it came back unusual. This was probably the scariest thing that I've ever even gone through. They scheduled me for an ultrasound and another mammogram which also came back unusual but after my second opinion I am waiting another month for another ultrasound but doctor #2 thinks I am just fine. All the while that I'm dealing with this, my mom finds a spot on her breast. After doing a mammogram and an MRI on her, they found that her implants had ruptured and that's great news because that's fixable and she's still cancer free (although, it still sucks that she has to get those re-done but much better than the alternative)!

We also have been talking to many doctors about the genetic testing process and found out that although it probably isn't smart for me to get the test done (due to insurance policies), it would be okay for my mom to get it done. If she doesn't have the cancer gene (BRCA) then I don't have it either and my chances of getting breast cancer are just like everyone else's. She had the test done last Monday and we found out yesterday that she has no mutations! I can't even tell you how much all of this has been weighing heavy on my mind and heart the last few weeks, and knowing that both her & I are okay and also that I don't have the gene makes me feel unbelievably relieved! I just continue to thank the Lord every day for blessing both my mom & I so much. I want all of you to know if you don't already how very important it is to check yourself regularly and pay close attention to your body! But that's all the preaching you'll get from me today.

I hope all of you have a WONDERFUL weekend, I will be in Phoenix, AZ for a sorority sister's wedding and don't you worry, I'll post tons of pics when I get back!!

Blessed beyond belief.

2011-04-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Work, friends, family, life... all of it has been crazy busy lately. Which leaves little time for blogging. Or I have entirely too much to say and don't know how to narrow it all down. BUT, my birthday was Wednesday, my birthday party was Friday and it was a wonderful birthday week.

It reminds me how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.

my mom

They made my office smell SO good. I want flowers every day.

roomie

So cute right??

boyfriend

He knows how much I love getting cards apparently...

work

An OU cake... because I went to OSU and it's our rival. I swear they like me at work.

BF and BFF got me maybe the best present that I've ever gotten. A Margaritaville margarita maker. I have wanted one forever and never asked for it, just because it's so dang expensive but definitely worth it. And yes, we've already used it!

My mom got me the grill that I've been wanting and my grandmother got me lots of dresses (that I have to return because they look like her, not me).

My brother got me the Daisy perfume that I've been wanting and I LOVE it. It smells so so so good. Now my bff wants it too, copycat.

I took the day off on Friday and went with the BF's mom to get massages and whatnot. Her birthday is the day after mine so we decided to have a relaxing day before we went out Friday night. About this time is when I decided that I must marry rich so I can get massages daily and not have to work. Great plan, huh?

Friday night we went to a restaurant/bar called Bricktown Brewery and had dinner with a group of about 50. This included my very best friends, BF's parents & their friends, along with BF's best friend (whose bday was the 23rd) and some of their friends. After that, we went to the Piano Bar which is just my favorite place to go! It's always such a good time.

All and all, this birthday was the best that I've had in years! I got to see so many people that I love and haven't seen in awhile and spend time with so many people who are important to me! It truly reminded me how blessed I am.

dirt road on repeat

2011-04-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we went to the lake and it was a fun, relaxing weekend with some of my favorite people. We got some sun, slept a little and ate a lot... it was wonderful. I forgot how nice it was to be normal like everyone else and get away from work for a whole weekend.

I definitely needed that.

My new obsession is Jason Aldean's song Dirt Road Anthem and I'm just going to be completely honest with you guys (don't tell BF) but I created a playlist with like 20 songs and put this song on it multiple times. He kept asking why that song was playing so much... damn shuffle is messing up I guess. HAH.

It's just SOOOO good, right?

We spent a good deal of time out on the boat because the weather was just so nice! Yet, the only pictures that I have from this weekend are of the dogs. Typical.

Buddy, being his lazy self.

Bodee spending time with his dad.

Sweet babies playing

Last Monday was my dad's birthday, or would have been... however you say it. BF reminded me how to celebrate instead of being sad by sending me cupcakes for my dad's birthday. He has absolutely no idea how sweet this was, and it completely changed the mood of the day.

They got a little messed up on the way to my office but man, they were delish!

And no- I didn't eat them all. I shared. Promise : )

you say it's your birthday, and it is.

2011-04-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

I decided to link up with Michelle at A Little Bit of This & That for an AWESOME ~~if I do say so myself~~ birthday post

First off, my birthday is just around the corner... as in 13 days away.

via

Yep, that's rrrrright, my birthday is 4-20. Which is pretty ironic seeing as how I've never done a drug in my life.

Anyway, more about my birthday. Well, I will be 23. I'm looking forward to it actually. If you've read some of my earlier posts you would know that this last year was a roller coaster for me and so far 2011 has been nothing but amazing so I'm hoping that this will continue on to my entire 23rd year of life.

Sorry about the language, it just made me laugh.

The birthday I'm looking forward to most is actually 25. Working so high up in my profession is really difficult being so young. People look at me like I haven't had enough life experience to be anyone's boss, when that isn't really the case and I feel like around the time you hit 25 you just automatically are looked at as more of an adult.

I've never had really really great birthday celebrations, just because it's a busy time of year for most people and my birthday tends to slip by. Except for my 16th birthday, that was a big deal and my mom had a surprise dinner for me. She's so sneakyyyy, love her.

For my birthday this year, in 13 days need I remind you, I have complied a little birthday list that I may or may not have emailed to my mother for her to disperse among the other wonderful people who love me. I'll share with all of you what was on it, just in case you are feeling extra generous...

Perfume. I've been trying to find a new scent and so far I really like Daisy, but I am very open to suggestions. I also like Juicy and Burberry Sheer (that's what I already wear).

A kindle. I also asked for this for Christmas so I feel like it's pretttty doubtful that I'm getting this.

A grill. I asked my grandmother for this and she thought I was crazy. But I love food grilled, and it's almost summer and I want a dang grill. Anyway, now I think I will ask my brother for this.

Ice cream cake from Baskin Robins. duh.

What are you all asking for your birthdays?? I would love more suggestions, I'm sure there are many many many more people who would like to buy me presents than I have a list for!! (enter sarcasm here)

I will leave you with these weird facts about my day of birth:

April 20, 1889 Hilter was born

National Weed Smoking Day (again, doesn't apply to me)

Carmen Electra's Birthday

wee bit wednesday

2011-04-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

Join here

{one} what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch?Hmmmm... onion rings maybe. I have always kind of liked the same things.
{two} did you go to college? if yes, what was your major?I did go to college. When I started college, my major was pre-physcial therapy and I graduated with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. Talk about a 180.
{three} what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)?I saw an elephant at the circus a few weeks ago. I was obsessed. They are so awesome.

They are so huuuuge!

{four} have you ever been to a fortune teller?No but I would really love to. I would be very scarce in my answers/responses to test them.
{five} can you juggle?Probably not, I'm very very very clumsy.
{six} hardwood floors or carpet?Hardwood. SO pretty.
{seven} is it called “soda” or “pop”?Coke. Everything is coke.
{eight} what was your first car?A 2004 Blue Jeep Liberty. I loved that thing...until I got in a wreck with that teacher. Oops.
{nine} what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?Probably the molten lava cake at Chili's. It's seriously so rich. (Not to mention about 1200 calories)
{ten} how often do you rearrange your furniture?Not very often. If we're being honest, I'm not great at decorating so once it looks good, I'm not about to change it.

Tail Wagging Tueday

2011-04-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

For those of you who love your fur baby more than just about anything, you have got to link up to this! So fun!

Today is the first Tuesday and the theme is to post your most favorite or treasured picture of your pet.

Bodee baby

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of him because when we first got Bodee from the Humane Society, he was still a little hesitant about things and a tad skittish. He wouldn't even go into my bathroom at all but after having him for 3 days, I went to take a bath and he walks right into the bathroom and sits down and now he won't leave me aloneeeee!

Such a momma's boy : )

And just to amuse you all, another picture of him. Always wanting to be the little helper...

I was going through old magazines and asked him to get in the box and he actually did. Mind you, Bodee is a lot bigger than he looks, I have no idea how he curled himself up like this.

That picture gets me every time.

Now link up and show us your favorite pictures of your baby!

Target Tuesday

2011-03-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Goooooooood morning all!

I'm in a particularly good mood this morning, maybe it's because I linked up with The Queen Bee to do Target Tuesday.

You guys don't even want to know how much money I spend every single time I walk into that freaking store!

Here's what I'm ~~wanting~~ needing today:

this super cute dress to wear with...

these rope wedges. obsessed.

for a BBQ, which means I may need to buy this grill. Cute huh?

let's be real

2011-03-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

April begins this week. When the hell did that happen??

That means we have just about 8 weeks until Memorial Day Weekend.

You do know what that means RIGHT?!?!?!?!

T minus 8 weeks until swimsuit time. Good Lord.

My BFF and I have made a deal that we both are trying to lose 11 pounds by Memorial Day.

So, I guess I should put down the pizza huh? But it's oh so good!

The big part of the bet involves a tattoo. Now, I'm not really that tattoo kind of girl, but there's a part of me that has always wanted one. A small one, in white. Not super noticeable but something that really means something to me. The deal is, if we both do it, we both can get the tattoo that we've wanted and if we don't then we can't. Now, my BFF isn't really the tattoo type either, but I promise you that both of the ones we have picked out are very classy and won't be trashy in the least bit. Unless you think all tattoos are trashy, then I suppose it would be to you.

But since we're being honest here I'll tell you what I want and why.

I want the word Serenity on my wrist

The Serenity Prayer is the prayer for AA and if you've read this post, you would know that my dad passed away 10 years ago last November. Unfortunately, he lost the battle with alcohol and for me it would always be a reminder of him. This is it for those of you who have never heard it:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

phrase of the day: the best.

2011-03-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

You guys are the best!

Thank you so much for all of the kind words, you have no idea how much it meant to me.

I am in the best mood today for multiple reasons:

-BF finalllly came home from Vegas last night. Such a relief.

-And he walked in the door with this, isn't he just the best?

- I made BF the best dinner last night and it was super super easy, which I will post a recipe of tomorrow. Literally easiest thing I've ever made besides a lean cuisine, and he was raving about it (he also had seconds, that's how I know it was good.)

-It is the best kind of day outside: beautiful, warm and sunny.

-I am blessed beyond measure with the best family and friends a girl could hope for.

I hope all of you have the BEST day!

hmmm... what to say

2011-03-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

I can't really decide if I want to post this or not. But I have to type something.

B, my ex-fiance, got engaged.

We've been broken up for a little over a year and he just got engaged to a girl that he has known for 5 months.

Now, I am ridiculously happy in my relationship with BF. Literally, happier than I ever was with B. But still....

It hurts.

It confuses me.

I think most people don't really understand what it is that I'm feeling right now, probably because even I don't understand it.

I know I called it off, I know I made the right decision. That doesn't change how I feel right now. I'm in complete shock. He didn't even tell me. I found out from a friend. I would have told him, just so he didn't have to hear that from someone else. It's not like we just broke up. We had a life planned together and I changed my mind. I get that. But we were a big deal. What happened with us was a big deal. He was a huge part of my life and it's strange enough that we don't even speak but then to find something like this out from someone who isn't even him. There's a part of me that wants to call him, and then there's a part of me who knows that is a very very bad idea. Luckily, my pride is bigger than both of those.

It's just, it's weird. I don't even know what else to say.

5 love languages

2011-03-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

My mom bought BF and I the 5 Love Languages book and I was going to wait until we both had time to read it but while he has been in Vegas for a week, I got a little bored and picked it up, just to skim. I couldn't put it down. It's such a great, insightful book. Not only for romantic relationships but all relationships in general. Technically it's a book written for married couples but I think reading and understanding it can be beneficial for anyone.

People all think differently, this we know. But we never stop to ask if the things that we want are the same things that another person wants/needs. For BF and I, we need different things out of a relationship to feel loved. This could be from the way we were raised and how our parents did or did not show love, or just the "love language" that we have developed over time. I can't wait for him to get back so we can actually start reading it together to determine what love language we both speak and how to give that to each other.

I've always felt like BF and I understand each other better than the majority of couples, (mostly because we've known each other for 10 years) but we do have a tendency to have problems expressing our feelings. I really think that reading this book will help us figure out how to better express ourselves and show each other that we love each other. If you haven't read this book, buy it. You won't regret it!

who doesn't love a giveaway?

2011-03-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

I sure do!

Check out Heather's blog here for two reasons.

1. Because I just started following her a few weeks ago and I'm loving her blog

2. She's obsessed with the Pioneer Woman... like the rest of us.

2. She's doing a giveaway and it's awesome.

Good luck all!

to be happy...

2011-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

The grand essentials of happiness are:

something to do,

something to love,

and something to hope for.

etsy obsession

2011-03-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

things i ~~need~~ want from etsy

my birthday is coming up, don't forgetttt

a personalized hanger. LOVE these. also a great wedding gift

perfect for my summer obsession with blue

this would be perrrrfect in my entryway

An "L" necklace

I guess I'm all about the personalization these days! But how could you not be?!?!

One other thing I actually do need is a new perfume scent.

Anyone have some good suggestions??? Help a girl out!

pretty pearls

2011-03-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Why are pearls just so classic? I adore them. I could wear pearls every day and not get tired of them.

Maybe it's the sorority girl in me.

But today, this double strand of pearls that I have on is making me happy. And it didn't hurt that I looked skinny when I woke up (because I'm doing the 250 sit-ups a day challenge this week). But it did physically hurt.

Oh well, beauty is pain my friends.

Today I love...

2011-03-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

When I get realllly super stressed out, I tend to be really negative. But I've decided that I need to be more positive on a daily basis and try to appreciate the wonderful life I have. So, today, even though I am stressed to the max about work, having a dirty house and no spare time, here's what I'm loving about today:

The rain. It's been raining all night and morning and I love falling asleep in the rain.

via weheartit

My mother, who is the best person that I've ever had the privilege to know, and who has a birthday coming up this weeeek! Happy Birthday Mom!

The Bachelor. I love that my friends and I can sit and watch this show for hours and laugh our heads off. Plus, it's a great workout for my abs. I cannot wait to see what happens tonight!

I hope all of you take the time to think about what you love about today, it helps put things in perspective.

What Love Really Means

2011-03-10T05:35:00.000-08:00

you have to listen to this song.

i saw it over on Alli's blog and now i can't stop listening to it.

this is me... ranting

2011-03-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

I'll apologize now for this post but I just have to vent.

I work at a country club with a golf course and my degree was in hotel and restaurant management, and yes, I completely, 100% understand that when choosing the hospitality field, you choose weird hours. I get that. I got lucky with this job and most weeks I work Monday-Friday 8-5 ish but I have recently gotten a promotion and took on a lot more at work and now in addition to my normal 40 hour work week, I have to work weekday evening events/dinners once or twice a week (on a normal week), I come in Saturday mornings for a little while and then Sunday mornings for a little while. I have to be at ALL special events and I'm pretty much on call 24/7. If anyone needs anything, I am the person they call.

So when I get a day or two off, I want to savor it. I want to turn my phone off and disregard all emails I get. But this doesn't happen. I have a bride whose wedding is in July and on Friday she asked me if we could set up an appointment on Saturday night. Saturday night. Do you hear this? Saturday nights are the only nights that I don't come into work so I make plans in advance for Saturdays. But this Saturday I went to Tulsa to see the Sugarland concert (which was incredible btw) so I told the bride that I could meet her Sunday evening (which to me is like 4-6) and she asked me to meet with her at 3 and I said that would be fine.

It's 3:30 and she has yet to come.

1. You're telling me that you want to come in on a weekend because of your work schedule but you assume that I don't have days off just like you do? Like when is it that you think I don't work because most people do not come into work on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Just because I work in the hospitality industry doesn't mean that I work 7 days a week. mmmmk?

2. Then you don't show up. Are you freaking kidding me? How disrespectful of my time can you be? Ughhh I just do not understand people like that!

Okay, okay, I'm finished now. And like I said, Sugarland was so awesome that it pretty much makes up for anything annoying that anyone can do for the next few days because I'm still in a post-sugarland high. If you haven't seen them in concert, DO ITTTTT.

iphone love

2011-03-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize how obsessed I was with my iPhone until it died this weekend

and came back to life, praise Jesus!

So, to celebrate, I ordered it a new little jacket like this:

I also ordered one for my bestie because she started her job this last Monday and I thought she deserved and cute little coat for her iPhone too!

wee bit wednesday

2011-03-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Join here{one} do you wear holey jeans? if so, do you buy them that way?i haven't worn holey jeans since highschool, and yes i bought them that way. but it was super cool at the time. damn you abercrombie and fitch.
{two} do you get a full 8 hours of sleep per night?almost always. i have to have my beauty rest or i'm not a very pleasant person.... to talk to or look at!
{three} what’s your favorite way to eat an oreo?i love eating oreo's any way, but if i have to choose then i would say dipping 3/4 of it in milk and then eating it.
{four} do you wear shoes in your house?yeah but we have always done that in my family, most of my friends do too. but no shoes on the furniture. (ahem, haley!)
{five} who would you call first if you won the lottery?ohh that's a toughie, but i think i would call my mom first.
{six} have you ever been in a food fight?unfortunately no, i always thought it would happen at church camp though... never did. so disappointing.
{seven} do you snore?no, but i do talk in my sleep and occasionally sing in my sleep. i'm not sure which is worse.
{eight} do you know how fast you type? i have absolutely no idea, and i don't really care all that much. i type fast enough.
{nine} can you do a headstand (without using a wall)?no, but that would be a sight.
{ten} how do you like your popcorn?super buttery, mildly salty and very movie theater-y. mmmmm

Love is saying you're sorry...?

2011-03-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

"Love is never having to say you're sorry." What a crock. Love is constantly saying you're sorry, even when you know damn well you're right.

-Kim Gruenenfelder, A Total Waste of Makeup

Good Dip

2011-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

2 packages of cream cheese (you can use the regular, 1/3 fat, or fat free kind but the lower fat ones taste just the same....promise)

1 jar of picante sauce (use the mild, trust me on this one)

Slowly pour the picante into the cream cheese and stir.

Refrigerate.

ANDDDDD you're done.

Eat with tortilla chips.

HEAVEN.

this makes me merry

2011-02-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

Marry Me by Train

Can't. Stop. Listening. To. It.

Literally every time I hear it, my eyes start to water ~~a lot~~ a little bit...

Is this not the most beautiful thing you have ever heard?

Properly in love?

2011-02-22T14:55:00.000-08:00

Watching Oprah one day, they played a clip of her being interviewed by Piers Morgan and he asked her, "how many times have you been properly in love?" and this really made me think.

Why didn't he ask her how many time she had been in love, but chose to add in the word properly?

So many times we think we are falling or have fallen in love with someone and later, after the relationship has long since died, we realize that maybe it wasn't love after all... or was it?

I think that what we consider to be love at one point, might just be love. But it doesn't mean that you were properly in love. 100%, all in the relationship, happy, content, crazy about the other person in love.

When I think back on my own relationships, every serious boyfriend I had I thought I was in love with. And maybe I with some of them. But none of them were anything compared to the kind of love I feel at this point in my life. And I'm sure they don't compare to the kind of love that I will feel for my husband. Being in love and being properly in love are two different things. Being properly in love, means even after that relationship is long gone, you still look back on it knowing how much you loved and cared for the other person, even time won't change that.

And if you aren't properly in love, then it might just be a waste of your time.

Top Reasons To Join A Sorority

2011-02-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

I hope this makes you guys laugh as much as it made me!

-LB

If only I looked like a VS model...

2011-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

I would buy this and rock it like all the time. Actually no, let's be real.... if I looked like that I would walk around naked all of the time and rock it.

But, I don't. So apparently I need to get my badunkadunk into the gym. TODAY. Because until I do, I can only wear this:

Which I absolutely love. But still, I would love to look like that in a bikini as well. Let's see if I can make it to a work out class tonight. That is why I joined a gym after all.

i will forever love forever

2011-02-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Whyyyy is forever21 so flippin awesome? I can buy a shirt, 2 pairs of earrings and a necklace for less than $40 and I LOVE it. It's frustrating that I have to drive 20 minutes to get to one but if it was closer I would be there every day on my lunch break. Seriously.

These are just some of my finds the other day...

Obsessed with this shirt. My bff bought it too and we have totally different body shapes so it must be one of those shirts that flatters everyone (we each had to get one because we wear different sizes which is so annoying because she is super stylish and has the BEST shoe collection evaaaa)

LOVE these, love turquoise, love summer.

After shopping on their website all morning I think I need to go again this weekend. But I mean, that groundhog said it's going to be spring and I obvi need some new spring clothes. That's a legit reason. right?

wee bit wednesday

2011-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

I always love Wee Bit Wednesdays, even on my busiest days they put me in a better mood! Join here

{one} what is your favorite breakfast food?you are opening up a can of worms, my friend. breakfast is my all time favorite meal so i love it all. pancakes, french toast, quiche, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos, omelets, hash browns, cinnamon rolls.... would you like me to keep going? because i can.
{two} how many pairs of shoes do you currently own?lordy, asking some very personal things, now aren't we? if i had to guess i would say 40-50 maybe. this is including flip flops/sandals which i absolutely live in during summer time.
{three} city or country?depends on the day. but on a beautiful day like today, i say country. i would love to go have a picnic in the middle of nowhere right. about. now.
{four} what is your favorite part of your job?the members. i work at a country club and you really develop relationships with the members because you see most of them daily. i can't imagine being so close to my "clients" in many other job fields.
{five} what is your favorite junk food to snack on?chips and good dip. i'll be posting the recipe for the dip later. it's super difficult and time consuming, let me tell you (enter sarcasm here).
{six} have you ever been mentioned in the newspaper?when i joined my sorority they put all of our names in the college paper, i feel like that counts.
{seven} do you use post-it notes?hah. do i?

My desk at this very moment.

what do you think?

{eight} do you have freckles?a few on my face that you really can't see unless its summer time, and a few on my arms/shoulders
{nine} is it okay for men to wear pink?i really think it all depends on the outfit, color and man. a few can, most can't. it's just like women and midriff bearing tops. remember this ladies...a few can, most can't. (i fit in the most category, don't you worry.)
{ten} when was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?highschool. i wrote a love letter to my now boyfriend. i bet he even still has it somewhere.

you are mine

2011-02-14T06:44:00.000-08:00

"You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, every day we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. And, my darling, you will always be mine." - The Notebook

mmm tequila

2011-02-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Everyone has things that they usually do with a group of friends, a routine, the reg....

Some people go shopping...

some do breakfast...

some go on vaca's...

but my friends drink margaritas.

mmmm hello love <3

That's what we do. We all get together at some Mexican restaurant (tonight it will be Mex Joes, ohhh how I miss college) and drink entirely too many margaritas before we hit the bars.

In all honesty, tequila is one of my favorite things. It is up there with diet coke, red wine and the cw tv shows. I don't drink margs as much when I'm not with the whole group of girls because 1. I drink too much and 2. They are so so so many empty calories. But tonight I will forget about all of that and let loose because it is one of my bff's birthday party and we have to celebrate like we did when we were all still in college. Our poor bodies are going to be so mad at us tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Bushy.... I love you almost as much as I love margs.

So here's to the nights we'll never remember with the friends we'll never forget!

Valentines schmalentines

2011-02-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

I've never been the craftiest of people and I've never been a huge Valentines Day fan

BUT

I am changing my ways.

BF and I are going to do a low-key V-day to ease my way into it, with no gifts, homemade dinner and a little romance. So I decided that I would make him a super cute card thanks to some great ideas from Miss K on how to be a crafty little girlfriend so this weekend, that's exactly what I'll be doing.

Yes, I said that I didn't want any presents....seriously.

But I would love some cupcakes

And a super sweet, romantic, love-y, hilarious card like this one:

Now-I'm not a love hater. I'm just not a big Valentine's person. It's never been good to me, but maybe this year will change things. Probably not though, seeing as how I'll be at work all night. I will tell you the one "romantic" thing that I will be making BF do on Vday is watching The Lost Valentine.

all photos via weheartit.com

My mom made me record it when it was on tv and I really didn't think it would be good but I was bored and watched it anyway and ohmygosh I cried the whole time. Such a good movie. And Betty White is in it, you can't beat that. Seriously though, watch it. Tell me what you think.

-LB

Mmmm love me some Tacori

2011-02-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Woot! Just entered to win @Since1910 Win a $7500 Tacori Engagement Ring + 100 pieces of Tacori Jewelry Giveaway! http://bit.ly/efREOQ

I would just die if I actually won something, because I never win things like that. I always wonder about those people who win stuff... so freaking lucky. I'm more of a bad luck person. Like if I do something wrong, I get caught. Oh well, I entered anyway. I mean, look at this... how could you not?!?!?!

Wish me luck!!

-LB

the boys who have my heart

2011-02-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

We found Bodee at the Humane Society this weekend and just had to have him. His personality is just so freaking adorable, I can't even begin to tell you!

Bodee and Buddy have really bonded. I can barely stand being at work and being away from these two! LOVE them!

The Ex Files - Part 4/Present Day

2011-02-04T11:14:00.000-08:00

After calling off my wedding last January, I dated off and on, some really wonderful guys who taught me a lot about myself, what I wanted and didn't want in another person but I wasn't finding what I was looking for. In about August, 5 and I started speaking again. He asked me out multiple times but I was very unsure about getting myself back into a situation where I could potentially be hurt. Especially with him, because he has always been the one person that really had the ability to do that. After a few months of his unstoppable persistence, I said yes. We have been together since.

So for those of you who skim (or didn't read all of these long and probably boring stories)...

5=BF

We often talk about what would have happened if I had just picked him in high school but I think every bit of it was worth it for where we are now. I am happier, more fulfilled, and more myself than I have ever been. It's funny how things work out. I never would have expected to be where I am right now, but my life couldn't be better. I can't wait to continue to see how my story unfolds...

5 BF and I - Jan 2011

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”

-Douglas Adams

The Ex Files - Part 3

2011-02-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

B and I the night we met. August 2006.

I met B on my sorority Bid Day, the Saturday before I started college. By the time school started, we were already dating. He was charming, funny, sarcastic. Our first date was basically the two of us just being sarcastic assholes to each other. It was ridiculously fun. He was different than anyone I had ever met. He was always the life of the party and people loved him. Pretty soon, we were inseparable. During the first few months of our relationship, I started to get over my heartbreak from 5. I didn't speak to him at all and thought about him less and less, although never completely forgetting him.

But that happy, new, exciting relationship didn't last long. B lied to me and cheated on me and I took him back. The crazy part of it was that I thought I had control of the relationship because I could make him work so hard to get back together with me, but really all of it was his manipulation of me. I've always been the kind of person who believes that people change, so I always wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was a roller coaster relationship, we thrived on the drama. I stayed in the relationship, but always with one foot out the door. My first Christmas break at home, I saw 5 and every single one of those feelings that I had ever had for him came rushing back. Even the highest "high" that I got from my relationship with B was nothing compared to just seeing 5. But I was not about to put myself through that again, so I returned to college with a new found determination to make my relationship with B work.

B and I continued to date for about 2 more years and then in April of 2009, he proposed. I was thrilled when he asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes. Although, I had talked to 5 off and on throughout my relationship with B, I had tried to keep my distance. I told him when I got engaged to B, I thought he should hear it from me before it was on facebook and all that. He was mad, hurt, and then closed off. Whatever sort of friendship that 5 and I had managed to maintain in those 3 1/2 years was destroyed the minute I told him that I was going to marry someone who wasn't him.

B's Proposal

The summer after B and I got engaged was rough. We were both living and working in Dallas but we rarely saw each other. Our relationship began to feel more like a business relationship than a loving one. I started to wonder if we were really in love with each other. Then I started to wonder if it was just cold feet. By the time December rolled around, I was so confused and stressed out that I could barely function. At the beginning of January I planned a trip with my friend Mallory to Kansas City. I needed a couple of days away from everything to really think on my relationship. The night before we left, I prayed about it and asked God just to give me peace of mind with whatever decision that I made, I was crying and praying all night.

The next day, as Mal and I were driving we were talking about B and the many many times that he lied to me in the past. Once we started to question some of the things that he had been telling me, we found out that nothing had changed. He had been lying to me about these huge things that we were planning our lives around. My entire life with him seemed to be completely made up. To this day his parents don't know, his friends don't know. They all think I'm this terrible person who got mad at him for one thing and called off our wedding without hearing his side of the story, which isn't the case. I realized that I had cold feet because I was about to marry someone that I didn't even know. Thank the Lord, I had the sense to pray about it and God gave me my answers, and with that, peace of mind. I never once questioned my decision. And it wasn't easy. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, because I did love him. But he wasn't The One.

Snow DayZzZzZz

2011-02-03T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right. I am telling you that for the past two days, I have used my snow days to catch up on sleep. A whole heck of a lot of sleep!

I have been ridiculously lazy. The only productive thing I've done is shower, if that counts as productive. BUT I did eat a great deal of food. Now, this isn't exactly a positive thing, but oh how I enjoyed it. I feel like I had a mini-vacation.

Banana Pancakes

PB & J (and bananas...delish!)

Snow Ice Cream

Snow Man cups for Snow Ice Cream!

Dinner made by my fab roomie Mal

That was all in one day. Don't judge. I hope you all enjoyed your snow days as much as we did!!

Wee Bit Wednesday

2011-02-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

Join here

{one} what was your favorite sitcom growing up?boy meets world & full house. i was so obsessed with MK & Ashley!

{two} what song always makes you happy when you hear it?"if you wanna be my lover" by the spice girls. duh. isn't it everyones??

{three} do you still have your wisdom teeth?no, i had them taken out right before i started college and it was terrible being stuck in bed when it was summer, so if i had to do it again, i would do it in the winter. fo sho.

{four} what is your go to way to relax?a bottle, i mean glass of wine, a hot bath, a massage or laughing uncontrollably with my friends. those 4 things can make any day better.

{five} do you play any instruments?oh i play a meannn hot crossed buns on the recorder, but that's about it.

{six} nude beaches: yes or no?no, for so so so many reasons.

{seven} do you chew your pens/pencils?no not really
{eight} can you change the oil in your car?i wouldn't even know how to go about that. sad huh?

{nine} can you curl your tongue?yeahhh girl

{ten} can you knit or crochet?no but i would like to take up knitting if i ever had free time.
p.s.after being stuck in the house for 48 hours, we braved the roads to go to taco bell. i don't care what anyone says about their meat. it was delicious!

The Ex Files - Part 2

2011-01-31T08:27:00.000-08:00

BOY #2.....

19- My high school sweetheart. He was a senior when I was a sophomore and it was such a big deal that he would even notice me. I was head over heels for that boy. He was hilarious, our relationship was so easy. We never fought, we never argued, we rarely disagreed about anything. We dated all through my sophomore year and then he went off to college. We decided to do the long distance thing, but it was a lot harder than I expected. Especially when 5 came back into my life.

19 and I before prom - Spring 2004

5 started his sophomore year of high school when I started my junior year (our high school is sophomore, junior, senior). For months, we hung out every day. We became best friends, and even though we were completely attracted to each other we didn't do anything about it because I had a boyfriend. But this whole time, 19 was off being in college a couple of hours away...we had completely different schedules, rarely got to talk or see each other and we began to fight. We argued all of the time and even when he was in town we wouldn’t get along because we were both struggling with the distance and what it had done to our relationship. Things finally got to a point where 5 told me that he was in love with me and wanted to be with me, so he asked me to make a decision, pick one or the other. And I made the wrong one.

And in all honesty, I was in love with 5. It was like nothing I had ever felt before (granted, I was sixteen/seventeen at this point). I chose 19 though and to this day, no one understands why I did it. We had been together almost 2 years at this point, my family loved him, his family loved me, I was planning on going to the college he went to... it was all planned out, it was the easy choice. I was an idiot. I realized that, a few months later when I couldn't get 5 out of my head, or my heart for that matter. I broke up with 19 and from that point on I tried, every single day, for over a year, to get 5 to give me another chance...but he wouldn't. Almost to the point that I was mildly stalking him.... but I was 17, give me a break here. I went to every one of his baseball games “because my best friend was a manager”... I drove by his house, maybe daily. I wrote him the longest love letter and put it in his mailbox. Slightly (completely, 100%) embarrassing when I look back on it. I went to every thing that I knew he would go to and every single time he totally and completely rejected me.

5 and I - Fall 2004. Looks like an intense convo, wonder what it's about.....

He hated me, or at least it seemed like it. I broke his heart, so he wanted to break mine. From that point on, he would do some terrible thing or say some terrible thing to me and then I would reciprocate. It was a vicious cycle, and by the end of it, I was broken. So when I started college, I moved out of the town 5 was in and I was determined to meet a guy who was nothing like him. Then came B.

The Ex Files - Part 1

2011-01-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

I'm at a point where I realized that my love life is literally the absolute best that it has ever been. Ever. This was a really big realization for me, because just a little more than a year ago I was engaged to someone who was obviously not The One. The more I think about it, it's really so funny how things turn out. So I decided to go back through some of relationships in my life to show you just what I mean when I say funny. This is is the first in a series that will include 3 important relationships in my life that have seriously shaped me and have led me to where I am now.

BOY #1......

5- We're going to call this boy 5, because that was his high school football number... I was a football manager so I really relate people to their numbers, but that's beside the point. 5 and I met in December of 2000. Our church did Christmas caroling at nursing homes every Christmas, and my mom and I went as usual. 5 wouldn't stop staring at me, but not in a creepy stalker way... He was a grade younger than me so I was not about to go out with him. Anyway, he was one persistent son of a ..... And the thing is, I like people who go after what they want. So when he started asking me to be his girlfriend over and over and over, every time I said no, but finally, in April, I told him yes, just so he would leave me alone. I planned on breaking up with him in a week, which turned into five months. To make a long story short, his mom thought that he was too serious about me for our age and they weren't speaking because of it so I broke up with him. He wasn't thrilled, but the reason that this is significant to me is because he was the first boy, and maybe the only one that I ever truly cared about more than I cared about myself. I wanted what was best for him, and I've learned a lot from that.

5 and I in 2003

Fill in the blank friday

2011-01-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

Join here

1. My favorite quote is "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different"-Coco Chanel

2. A bad habit I have is fidgeting when I'm nervous and talking too fast. Like sometimes, I talk so fast that it literally soundslikethis.

3. The first time I felt like a "grown up" was the night I moved into the house I just bought. I was there all by myself, unpacking and just sitting there thinking, "how in the world did I get here?"

4. Weekends are the best things ever. I chose to work in a field where we generally are open on weekends but luckily my job just has me working weekdays for the most part. On the weekends in the winter I never want to leave the house and in the summer I never want to go inside a house. Why can't every day be a weekend?

5. When I was a child I wished my name was Lizzie. Like Lizzie McGuire. Anyone else remember that show?

6. I wish it was summer right now. Except for the fact that I still would like to lose a solid 10 lbs before summer. So actually, I wish I was 10 pounds lighter and it was summer : )

7. A secret I have is well if I told you, it wouldn't be a secret then would it?

I hope you all have a wonderful WEEKEND!

p.s.

Get excited for Monday, I will be starting a little relationship history post. Hopefully it will be as entertaining to you as it was to me.

Sweet Success

2011-01-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished my headboard project all on my own! I don't think I've ever been so proud.

The 2'' foam had to be cut to fit the plywood.

I used this adhesive to hold the foam to the plywood- but it didn't work near as well as I had anticipated.

I laid the fabric down, then the batting, and put the plywood (foam side down) on the batting & fabric.

After pulling the fabric taunt, I used a staple gun to hold down all of the edges and voila! headboard!

The only minor detail left is hanging the headboard on the wall. Now, I'll be honest, I'm a little concerned about this. The plywood that I used for the headboard is 1/2'' thick and it's pretty heavy by itself, but when you add on foam, batting, fabric and a crap-ton of staples.... I'm just hoping my wall can hold it all. But my handy-man says that it will be just fine. And no, my boyfriend is not the handy-man I speak of...although he is quite handy. I am having a construction guy from my work mount the headboard on the wall, just because if something were to go wrong, I would rather be mad at him than the bf. But, if it hangs on the wall just fine then this project might just be the most well spent $100 of my life.

Hopefully this will be on my wall by the end of the week so I can show you all a picture of the beautiful finished product.

Wee Bit Wednesday

2011-01-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

Join here

{one} have you ever been on tv?yes, it's a very proud moment in my life. the hansons were playing live and i was in the background. my mom taped it. i really need to find that and relive my .00143729 seconds of fame.
{two} what was the best movie you saw last year?ohhh that's a toughie. i'm not one of those people who remembers every movie and i certainly can't quote them but i'll tell you what... i saw a lot of movies last year and most of them were really really good.
{three} do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?it's different every single night. sometimes tucked in, sometimes not. and how i fall asleep with them is definitely not how they end up in the morning... more times than not, they are on the floor when i wake up.
{four} do you cut coupons?sometimes, and then i forget about them and they expire. ugh.
{five} do you ever count your steps when you walk?sometimes. i also try not to step on cracks. weird?
{six} what sauce do you dip your chicken nuggets in?ketchup, if anything.
{seven} do you have any magazine subscriptions?negative, but i should. i read entirely too much people, us weekly, cosmo and glamour. these are the things i need for my birthday. (which is less than 4 months away!!!)
{eight} when was the last time you wrote a letter on paper?not that long ago... i like to write and it helps me express things i can't say, but i usually throw it away after.
{nine} what’s your favorite fruit pie?mmm cherry. or peach. or apple. i like them all. now i want one. thanks.
{ten} black olives or green olives?green, soaked in vodka. it's been that kind of day.

you deserve it

2011-01-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

"You, yourself,

as much as anybody else

in the entire universe,

deserve your love and affection."

-Buddha

P.S.

No, I didn't fail on the DIY headboard, but I ended up having to work all weekend so the project is being put off until this coming weekend... I did however purchase everything needed for it!!!

DIY...or MIUY

2011-01-07T07:36:00.001-08:00

MIUY = mess it up yourself. FYI.

This weekend I finally have time to do something that I have been wanting to do for awhile. Since moving into my new home, we have been trying to decorate and slowly but surely, the house is getting there.... every room but my room. It has been left as one of the last tasks because people don't see it as much as the rest of the house. But to be honest, every minute that I am in it I think about how it needs to be decorated and put together and it is driving me absolutely crazy. So this weekend, I am making a headboard.

I want to make an upholstered, tufted headboard. I have decided on a brown fabric and gold buttons to match my new bedding that I recently purchased at Kohl's. I'm sure you all love it, and you can purchase it on the website if you want to be a copy cat.

I have researched DIY upholstered headboards for awhile and this awesome website was so helpful! Now- this is my first real attempt at DIY so wish me luck!

P.S.

If this blog post has been deleted Monday and I don't mention making my own headboard, that means I failed. In which case, we shall pretend that none of this ever happened.

Don't Judge...

2011-01-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Best Beer Pong/Flip Cup Table Ever

But this is exactly what I asked bf to make me for Christmas. I have been wanting one for as long as I can remember, I mean... since I turned 21, of course. A beer pong table. I think he thought I was crazy when I told him. Apparently most girls don't ask for beer pong tables as Christmas presents... but if you knew my friends, you would understand. Hey, we like games, what's wrong with that??? I didn't think he would actually make it because it was more time consuming than just buying a present but he did... and he did a WONDERFUL job. I couldn't be any happier with the final product.

And yes, it's an OSU table. Go Pokes!

My Buddy

2011-01-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

I've decided that another of my New Year's resolutions is to try to take a picture every day, of anything. Just something to remember the year by. It's January 5th and I've already missed a day... typical.

Nonetheless, today my picture is of Buddy. Buddy is bf's dog that he found at the lake over a year ago. While bf is away on a boy's snowboarding trip, Buddy is staying with me and being my buddy. Ha-ha.

Having him around makes me really miss having a dog. He cuddles, he keeps me warm at night, he gives me lots of kisses, he doesn't judge when I look like crap or when my room is messy (he actually likes it better because it gives him more places to hide his bone). He might just be a better version of my boyfriend. I may not give him back. Mark my words.

Buddy hopes you all have a wonderful day! : )

New year, new you.

2011-01-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

Part of the Dirty Dozen- New Years Eve

This year was by far the best New Years that I have ever had. I had my best friends from high school, the Awesome Foursome, my best friends from college, the Dirty Dozen, along with my sweet boyfriend all in one place. All of the people that I enjoy spending time with the most were all in the same place as we rang in the New Year. I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2011.

Couple Pic- New Years Eve

I really have high hopes for this year. 2010 was a year full of heartache, confusion, joy, peace, love. I began 2010 in the most confusing, frustrating and heartbreaking place that I had ever been in my life and I left 2010 in the most happy, peaceful and loving place that I have ever been in. Talk about a 180... every single minute of last year was surprising to me, I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next but I thank the Lord every day for all of those things because I couldn't ask to be in a better place than I am right now.

So here's my New Year's resolution for 2011:

"Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly."

-Henry J. Kaiser

Love

2010-12-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

At this time of year we tend to forget what Christmas is really all about. It's not about the presents, it's not about the parties, it's not about the food. It's about love. No matter what you believe in, love is the reason for it all. Love for your religion, love for your family & friends, love for strangers. Be compassionate, be kind, be loving.

-Best Holiday Recipe-

2010-12-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend with some of my distant family in Houston and literally had some of the best meals of my life. This part of the family is full of great cooks-most of which I am hoping to learn something from. But out of everything that I tasted, this was by far the best thing... (or I like wine more than food...don't judge). This recipe is for mulled wine, which is served warm, kind of like a cider. It is absolutely amazing but a word of advice- don't drink this like it's cider. And don't ask how I know.

4 cups of apple cider

1 bottle of red wine (ex: Cabernet Sauvignon)

1/4 cup honey

2 cinnamon sticks

1 orange, zested and juiced

4 whole cloves

3 star anise

4 oranges peeled for garnish

Combine the wine, cider, honey, cinnamon sticks, zest, juice, cloves and star anise in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs, add an orange peel to each, and serve.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!

Fill in the blank friday

2010-12-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

Join here

TGIF. Seriously though, thank God it's Friday.

1.) I wish it would snow. I know this would inconvenience a lot of people, but it is so pretty and would give me a good reason to miss work for a day or two. Maybe it would give me enough time to unpack and actually organize my new home,

2.) Yesterday I finally began wrapping Christmas presents, with the cutest gold polka dot wrapping paper that I bought at hoblob. Love that place!

3.) Today I will attend my boyfriends parents annual Christmas party! I've known their family for 10 years now and this is the first time I've been invited to the party so I'm pumped! (A little nervous too, as this is our first time around a lot of our mutual family friends as a couple.)

4.) Tomorrow I will relax, and spend the day being a homebody....possibly go look at Christmas lights!

5.) Maybe I'll get all of my shopping finished this weekend (online of course, seeing as how tomorrow is homebody day).

6.) Someday I would like to have my own annual Christmas party, with all of my friends and their husbands while we leave the kiddos with sitters. Doesn't that sound like fun?

7.) I love this time of year. And I love that I get to see all of my best friends on New Years.

Don't forget.... 15 days until Christmas!!!!

wee bit wednesday

2010-12-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

Wee bit Wednesday

1.) If you were granted three wishes, what would they be
-to win the lottery, for both selfish and unselfish reasons. i would like to have enough money that i could choose whether or not i want to work and also to be able to donate loads of money to charities for starving kids
-to wear a smaller shoe size so i could share with my bff haley, who has the best shoe collection evaaa
-to find the perfect man... for my mom. she has been single for years and i really wish that she would meet someone as great as her.

2.) Who is your favorite author?
-jen lancaster. she is so freaking funny. and sarcastic. and kind of an asshole, but in a good way. LOVE HER.

3.) What crowd were you involved in during high school?
-ohhh that's a toughie, i don't think i was technically in a crowd... i just really hung out with my best friends and whoever else was around.

4.) What is your favorite thing to do when you have time to yourself?
-catch up on all of my fav tv shows (so pretty much everything on the cw, abc and then glee). i also love to take a hot bath, drink some red wine and read a book. how i miss having time to myself.

5.) Do you have any hidden talents?
-i can burp on command, but im not sure if that's considered a talent or not. i'm also really good at catch phrase, but again- probably not considered a talent.

6.) Can you fake any accents?
-i like to speak british in the mornings, but it doesn't last very long. i usually forget that im british by 11 am.

7.) Have you ever been mentioned in the paper?
-when i joined my sorority they put it in the college paper... does that count?

8.) Have you ever been arrested?
-negative. nor will i be. (knocking on wood as we speak.)

9.) What is your favorite job you've had?
-my favorite job i had was working for this lady who had a few booths in larger stores that were full of jewelry and purses and basically all i had to do was move around the displays so it looked different every time people came in. fun+easy+money=fav job.

10.) Do you have any scars?
-have you met me? well, if you haven't this is something you should know. i am terribly accident prone. i hurt myself all of the time, i bruise like a peach and i scar easily.

I hope all of you had a much better Wednesday than I did... it felt like a Monday, you know what I mean??

My First Home: Before Pictures

2010-12-07T08:28:00.000-08:00

Some of you might know already- but I just recently purchased my first house. The moment I saw it I fell absolutely in love with it. The whole buying process wasn't near as difficult as I expected, but the moving process was much more difficult. I'm about 97% moved in, thank you Jesus.

Here are some before pictures of the house, when the previous owner still lived in it. So if you hate the decor, don't judge... that wasn't me!

One side of the kitchen

Living Room

Master Bath

fill in the blank friday

2010-12-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

fill in the blank friday

1. Holiday Spirit: is topping the charts. I just moved and I would rather decorate than unpack my stuff. It's a problem. This is one of the many Christmas trees at my work. : )

2. The holidays are incomplete without: hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. mmmm.

3. My favorite thing to do around the holidays is: sit by the fireplace with a good book. I'm in need of a new one, any suggestions???

4. A holiday tradition my family and I have: we go to church on Christmas Eve, go out to dinner so no one has to cook and then go home and open ONE present. The rest are opened Christmas morning! It's something I hope to carry on when I have kids.

5. Holiday music is: the. best. thing. ever. Nsync's Christmas cd is the light of my life. I've been on the Christmas pandora station since November.

6. This year I'll be spending the holidays: with my wonderful family and friends, making up new traditions as we go.

7. Holiday wish list: I would really love a kindle. Other than that, I'm asking for very practical/boring home items.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

-Oprah Winfrey

13 reasons

2010-11-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

I have thirteen reasons to be thankful today.... (in no specific order)

Bushy, LeeeeLeeee, Mals21, Care, Kathar, Lys, Courta, Stace, Fen and Rach.

Hales, Kitty, Smelissa

I have been blessed with beyond amazing friends. Each and every one of you has brought something to my life that I don't think I could live without but most importantly... humor. Let's be honest, if you weren't funny, I wouldn't be friends with you. Love you all.

Thankful

2010-11-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I have been spending a little more time than usual thanking the good Lord for all that he has given me- although this is probably something I should do on a more regular basis. What I'm thankful for today is my mother. She has spent the last 22 1/2 years of her life doing absolutely everything that she possibly can to make my life better. She has been my protector, encourager, believer and best friend. She always puts me first in every decision that she makes. I can't even imagine what my life would be like without her. Not only is she the best mom that I could have ever asked for, she also has been a dad to me for the last 10 years, and a great one at that. So this is for you mom. Thank you for everything that you do. Every good thing about me, I got from you. Every good decision that I have made, was because of you. The person I am today, is due to you... and I love you for that.

If you're reading this...

2010-11-10T13:19:00.001-08:00

what are you waiting for?

2010-10-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

A huge difference between guys and girls are the timelines that they have for their lives. Most girls seem to think that things always have to be sooner rather than later, for example: wanting to get married by 27 where most guys want to be married by, oh.... maybe 30. It seems to be this way with all different types of things... dating, jobs, houses, marriage, babies... More girls are in a rush and more guys are incredibly passive about it. Some people think that everything happens for a reason and it's all about timing. Although a part of me does agree with that, there's another part of me that says, "what are you waiting for?!?"

If you see a chance take it. Don't force something if it doesn't feel right, just because it fits on your timeline. Follow your heart. Listen to your gut. Sometimes fate doesn't care if you are ready or not, nor does it care if you have been waiting for years. So don't give up. Keep your eyes open for the opportunities around you, and don't let anything pass you by just because you aren't sure about the timing. You never know how much time you have left.

Falling in love...

2010-09-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

With the idea of fall actually. I cannot wait for the season to get here (and in my opinion, it should start today, the first of September) for so many reasons:

-OSU football games/tailgating with my favorite people

-this outfit

-this beautiful Tory Burch Carson Satchel

-riding bikes and having a picnic in the park with a boy who looks and acts just like john krasinski (hey, a girl can dream)

-The Great State Fair of Oklahoma!
September 16-26, 2010. I will eat everything in sight. Ride a few too many rides. And hopefully win (or buy) a stuffed animal.

Anddd she's back

2010-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

If you didn't see the MTV movie awards last night, you must youtube Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech for the Generation Award. She was not only classy and graceful, but she was funny. She was the Sandra that we all know and love, Sandra- pre-cheatingwhoreofahusband. And doesn't she look just beautiful? Good for you Sandy.

"No matter what you might have seen or heard or read lately, I love what I do, and I'm not going anywhere" -Sandra Bullock

"It's Vegas"

2010-06-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

7 friends and I went to Las Vegas for Memorial Day weekend and it was the first time for most of us... and let me tell you, it was crazy! So unbelievably crazy that we put The Hangover to shame.

Okay, that's a lie.

The craziest thing we did may or may not have been paying $100 for this breakfast, but let me tell you, it was worth it.

We went for 3 days, and we needed much much more time. There was only time for shopping one day, and that is not near enough for someone like me. We did have time however, to eat and drink our money away... don't worry, we danced the majority of those calories off!

see ya Vegas, until next time.

Absolutely Charming

2010-05-24T07:43:00.000-07:00

My newest obsession is a store called Charming Charlie. My friend Katy introduced me to the one in Flowermound, Texas where I first began my love affair. Then, this past weekend Elizabeth, Carey and I found another Charming Charlie location in Southlake, and now my initial infatuation has become full blown love. Apparently the store began in Houston but now they have locations in many areas, check their website to see if they may have one near you, and if they do... jump in your car.

Seriously, how did I not know about this place?!?! They have clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry and gifts all arranged by color. It was like someone finally had an AH-HA moment and realized how much easier this would make my life (and every other girls I suppose) I don't think you can shop online but they do have the cutest little blog of the newest trends and helpful hints, you must look: http://www.charmingcharlie.com/blog

living vicariously through...

2010-05-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

It's sad how much tv shows consume my life. My friends and I will have an entire conversation about a show, using the characters names as if they were real and were one of our friends. Really. Sad. They are just so darn interesting/ dramatic/ unrealistic, which is why I love them. For an hour or so, I can forget just how uninteresting/ boring my life is. My current obsession is Vampire Diaries. I know some people aren't into the whole Twilight-vampire phenomenon but, if you look at the two main characters on Vampire Diaries, I don't understand how you could not watch.

They are H-O-T.

See what I mean?

thank you.

2010-04-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is for my friends. You know who you are.

Thank you for the last four years. Thank you for accepting that Bid Card that came to you on August 12, 2006. Thank you for going to the pledge and all house retreats, firesides, Formals, chapters, date parties, etc... Thank you for making every recruitment fun. Thank you for being there for each other through every new boyfriend and every break-up. Thank you for car parties. Thank you for keeping secrets. Thank you for being funny. Thank for you Mexico Joe's. Thank you for for the fights, because they have made each of us better friends. Thank you for the game days. Thank you for the movie nights. Thank you for the wine nights. Thank you for being there for each other through everything that was so tough we couldn't handle it ourselves, every terrible family problem, loss of a family member, broken heart. Thank you for making sure that we all know that we have someone who wants us to get out of bed in the morning when we weren't sure that we could. Thank you for keeping Brown's in business. Thank you for senior night last fall and this spring. Thank you for hating whoever your friends hate. Thank you for accepting who your friends love. Thank you for making a sorority house a home. Thank you for being so damn silly. Thank you for limey races at the Penny, flip cup... anywhere really, karaoke at Willy's, the ledge at Murphy's, and every single night at Dirty's. Thank you for standing up for each other no matter what. Thank you for calling each other out. Thank you for the advice, whether it was taken or not. Thank you for dancing in public. Thank you for Bagel Cafe. Thank you for being huge creepers. Thank you for being supportive. Thank you for not killing each other. Thank you for Miley Cyrus. Thank you for all being so different. Thank you for the one thing that brought us together. Thank you for the group. Thank you for Senior year. Thank you for being there.

They say your friends make your world, and in the last four years, you all have made my entire life. Thank you for the memories, and for all the ones to come. I love you.

age is just a number

2010-04-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I turned 22. And that probably doesn't sound old to any of you. I'm sure it sounds young actually, but I was dreading turning 22. It's just that, your whole life you look forward to turning 15 and getting your driving permit, then 16 and getting your license, turning 18 and going away to college, turning 21 and being able to drink (legally at least), and then what? What actual birthday after 21 is some exciting age that you just can't wait to get to? NADA. So no, I wasn't looking forward to this birthday, especially since my 21st year as a whole hadn't been too great to me. But then I realized that as un-exciting as it may seem, 22 could be a very very good thing. It's a whole new year with no expectations (which in my opinion, almost always lead to let downs). Last year I had all of these preconceived notions about the year... being able to drink, my internship in Dallas, planning my wedding, graduating, moving, getting a big girl job, etc... and not one of those things turned out the way that I expected them to. Obviously, seeing as how I am still living in the same place, job-less and single. From the day I turned 21 to the day I turned 22, my life has done a complete 180. I don't even know what to expect to happen tomorrow, much less a year from now. So, here's to being 22, may I start this year with only one wish... to make the most of it!

i miss you.

2010-04-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

After someone dies, people always seem to tell you that it will get better with time. That's a lie. It doesn't get better, the pain doesn't go away... you learn to live with it. It's like a piece of you is gone and your body continues to function but you won't ever be whole again. It will be 10 years in November since my dad passed away. But in just 5 days, it is his birthday. He would have been 63. It's weird how much you can take for granted when someone is alive. It's sad actually. You may not tell your friends and your family how much they mean to you on a daily basis, who does? But what if that was the last day you could ever tell them how important they were to you? All of those little things... the fights with your friends, the bickering with your parents, rolling your eyes at your crazy family... are all of those little things really the memories that you want to be left with? I don't think so. When someone who means the entire world to you dies, your life changes, and it will never be the same. I still think about him every single day. Literally. Ten years has not changed how much I miss him or how often I think of him. Time doesn't make it easier... it almost makes it harder. It makes it harder to remember how his laugh sounded or how he smelled. I can remember the little things... watching Monday Night Football and riding in the car singing "bye bye miss american pie." Those things that meant nothing at the time are all that I have left to hold onto, and I hold on for dear life. So if the memories are all that you will be left with, I urge you to make the very most of them. Every chance that you have to spend time with the people that you love, do it. And treasure it.

no rules, just right

2010-03-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

My friends and I have been having the talk about having "the talk" quite often lately. You know, the DTR, determine the relationship conversation.... the one thing besides facebook that seems to actually validate a relationship that you already knew you had. So what's the point really? And why is it such a tough thing to nail down your relationship status with someone? Are you friends, friends with benefits (that just sounds bad), hanging out, talking, dating, together, boyfriend/girlfriend. Why does it have to be so complicated? Why are there so many different terms and ideas of what two people are to each other. And why does it matter? I'd like to say that it doesn't, that you can just be happy with having a certain person in your life and not have to put a title on it. The problem with that is, if there is no title then there are no rules. People say that they put titles on relationships just so they know where they stand but in all reality, it is because they don't want to get hurt. No one wants to be the person standing outside in the rain alone. So what happens if you don't have that title, and with it, those rules? Then what? What happens if you are the one person who is ready to be in all the way and the other person isn't? Isn't it just easier to have the boundaries, the title, the rules? I would usually say yes. But even that won't stop you from getting hurt. So I guess sometimes, we don't need to define everything. Maybe we can just enjoy it for the moment and when the moment passes, then we move forward. Maybe the best we can do is be around the people who make us laugh, who make us smile, who make us happy... maybe having no rules is just what we need sometimes.

a perfect day for....

2010-03-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone seems to be complaining about the weather if they live in the Southern region right now, especially Oklahoma. It was a beautiful 70 degrees yesterday and when I woke up this morning it was snowing. Now, I love the sun, warm weather and shorts as much as the next person but I can't help but to enjoy a snow day every now and again. Mostly because I sincerely enjoy a reason to stay inside all day to watch movies and eat chili. That is the perfect snow day to me... as long as it only lasts a day or two, then please bring the sun back to Oklahoma.

Here's the super-easy/quick recipe in case you are lacking on your perfect snow day:

2 cans of ranch style beans

1 lb ground beef

1 packet chili seasoning

1 tablespoon cumin

1 can stewed tomatoes

*My best friend's dad makes the absolute best chili of anyone that I know and his secret ingredient is rice. If you'd like to try that, just add 1 cup of cooked white rice to the crock pot. It's delicious, totally adds to it.

-cook and season the ground beef with 1/2 packet of chili seasoning, salt and pepper

-combine the rest of the ingredients in a crock pot and let cook on low for 8 hours

-enjoy : )