Oh, Hey Friday!

Hi Y'all! We can celebrate that we've all survived another week because it's Fri-Yay!! Now, go pour yourself a glass of wine or a margarita. Oh, wait! It's only noon here in the good 'OL G.A. So i'll wait until dinner time. In the meantime you can find me on the couch, watching Don't Be Tardy b/c Kim is a hot mess and fellow Georgia Gal, blogging and ignoring the laundry that is waiting in the bedroom.




This also means it's time to join the adorable Karlie's link up at her blog September Farm's link up called Oh, Hey Friday!!

Oh, Hey Friday!

You can join or just check out her fabulous blog. If you do you should read it from start to finish, you're sure to laugh, smile, and nod in agreeance the whole way through. She's a bubbly, gem of a person & that's just what I know from her blog. She keeps life real.

How does this link up work?

1. Well first off you list 5 things. They can be as random as you want or all about one subject, there are no real rules here.
2. You link up your post at the bottom of hers, not mine. I'm not that fancy.
3. Then you grab the button, from below & add it to yours.
4. Then you spread the word about your blog, her blog, and everyone else's you want.
(I added that part-duh!)


So here's my randomness for the week!

1. My new obsession is a sweet boutique called Altar'd State.
I haven't been yet but my bachelorette party involves going to the shopping center this boutique is in so i've got plans to go.
In the mean time i've been looking on line, swooning and creating my wish list.
Altar'd State

2. This song by Carrie Underwood has been heavy on my heart and mind lately. I think it's a song every girl and woman needs to really listen
to, not just hear it, but listen with her heart and remember every. single. word.



In case you haven't heard it here's the You Tube video.


3. This video of Luke Bryan cracking himself up is priceless. I dare you to watch it and not laugh!
Luke Bryan in hysterics

4. My sweet sister in law is planning my bridal shower for me. We've spent the last three nights searching the internet high and low for the perfect invitations. We had the perfect ones but when my sister in law went to order them it was going to take a couple weeks to get them. Not a problem except we're planning the shower for Aug. 22. Not enough time to get them out so I went to Etsy. Isn't this our favorite "go to" for all things crafty and unique?! I found the perfect invitations. They're kind of nautical & peonies. Why are they perfect? Because I'm getting married on the beach & peonies are my favorite flowers. Swoon!!! Wanna sneak peak? Of course you do!!!



I told you, they're gorgeous!!!

5. So I went into Victoria's Secret the other day to use my free body spray coupon. I asked the super sweet sales associate which of the sprays the coupon applied to, she pointed me in the right direction but not before she took my hand and asked if I'd like to try the new Cotton infused lotion. Of course I said yes. She applied a dab to my hand and I rubbed it in and it felt like Heaven. She showed me where the new line was and told me they were on sale for $8 a piece rather than $18 so of course I indulged a little. I bought this lotion and it's nothing short of amazing.



I'm usually putting lotion on 2-3 times a day but this stuff is a once a day miracle! It seriously keeps my skin that smooth and soft.



So there's my Friday Five! Link Up or post in the comments below and tell me yours.

I'm off to type a list of addresses to my sweet sister in law & indulge in some more Don't Be Tardy.

Happy Fri-Yay loves!!






"post signature

Fill Someone's Confidence




Remember when you were 11-12 years old and you were starting middle school? How new everything was and how awkward you felt? I know that was me. plus I was painfully shy. I was in a different school with mostly different people because that's the time your friends from elementary school and yourself get separated and go to different schools. Luckily, my best friend at the time got to go to the same school with me & I quickly made a new best friend, too who lived just three houses up from me. I think those girls were my saving grace during that time.

Now that I have a 12 year old who is going into 7th grade I see the same things through him. Last year was very different for him & for me, as a mom. He moved up to a new school but since it's next door to the elementary school he went to all of his friends are with him. It was still an awkward year because  he had gone from being the big man on campus in a school where everyone felt like family to being the small man on campus in a school that seemed big. It's smaller than the elementary school since there are only 3 grade levels there (6th-8th) but it just felt bigger to this momma's heart.  I knew he was "safe" but he wasn't feeling settled. Middle school was a big change that he conquered in the end. I had no doubt that he would.  Yet, this was my most favorite year with him.

I'm sure you're wondering why the hardest year of my child's life is my favorite? Because he blossomed into a young man that thinks for himself and that learned how to do things (organizational skills) his own way. He stood up for himself, not because he was being bullied but because he had his own thoughts and wasn't afraid to speak up for them. He, his Dad and I  had several come to Jesus meetings about grades. We had to implement rules about electronic time and we had to create chores for him. Sure he argued about that but I feel like it helped us all create a stronger bond. We worked together as a family to create a flow in our house that worked for all of us. It's something I didn't know we were missing. I had to find the boundary between letting him handle things himself and stepping in. I'd say in the end we all came out on top. I'm proud of the way we made it through and i'm even more proud of the young man he's becoming. My favorite part about last year was that he opened up so much to his Dad and I and talked to us about a lot of major things. Even the car rides on the way home he would talk to me. For 6 years (k-5) of elementary school he'd get in the car, I'd ask him about his day. What did you do? Nothing. What did you do in Math, Reading, Etc? "I forgot". Mmmkkay, sure kid but his grades were all A's and he never had a comment about behavior and I was super involved in the school so I knew everything was fine and didn't push it. Last year he'd get in the car after school and have a full conversation about his day on the way home. It made me smile and beam with pride. His struggles made him a much more confident, stronger boy  young man.

I read this amazing post by the always inspirational and fabulous Stephanie May Wilson
on Change How You See Yourself. She talks about how she used an activity to change the way a group of middle schoolers think about themselves. She sat each student in the middle of a circle of peers and asked the peers to list the good they saw in that person while she and her husband wrote each of those things on a piece of paper for the students to keep. At the end she says they were beaming with pride, blushing with embarrassment & crying. What a simple gesture to let these kids know that they are worthy, they are loved, they are someone of importance. So often we forget to say those things to the ones we love. We assume they know.

Because I believe that we, as parents, can change the way our kids, especially in this awkward time of middle school, see themselves and each other by doing the same activity and by filling their confidence. I think I do a pretty good job at telling my son i'm proud of him but often the daily things that I ask him to do are the things I overlook saying thank you for.
It makes my day when my fiancee comes in from work and says "the house looks great. You worked hard today. Thank you." It's my job to do these things and I don't expect praise from them every time but it sure does help when the small things don't go un-noticed. That's the same with our kids. Praise them for the small things, the things that you'd like to be recognized for, too and watch them beam with pride.
Recently my son helped my mom do some housework and cooking and was helping with his 2 year old cousin. When she pulled him aside and told him thank you for helping with ... and filled in each blank he smiled the biggest smile and beamed with pride. His cup runneth over. Every kid deserves that daily. I try hard to remember to thank him for helping but from now on i'm going to be more specific with my thank you's and make sure his cup runneth over all the time.



If you need ideas on fun ways to slip your kids a compliment here are a couple.

Write a note and stick in it their lunchbox.
Start a journal between the two of you, or members of your family where you can share personal, sweet notes.
Make a "mailbox" out of construction paper and put it on their bedroom door, you can slip notes in to them while they're gone or asleep.
Write on a mirror with a dry erase marker.
Create a chalkboard wall or small one for a counter space to write on.

The list could go on and on but my point is, make sure the people you love know how much and what for. I promise, if you do this with everyone in your life then it will make a difference. Compliment someone everyday and watch them smile with pride. It's a simple gesture that means so much.












post signature

Web Buzz


   I've been saving and bookmarking all kinds of interesting articles from around the web lately. Since Facebook introduced the save feature, really. I thought i'd compile a list of a few of these articles that I find intriguing. So click away. I hope you find something you enjoy :)





Guest Cottage
 Isn't this the most adorable cottage ever? I would love one of these in my backyard. I'm in love with the washboard wall.

Nature Study
This study finds that people who enjoy time in nature are happier. Feeling sad? Get out in nature. It really does help. This is why i'll always be a country girl.

Fuller House
Umm, so who isn't excited about this?!? I grew up watching Full House so i'm stoked. I even read that Steve his signed on, too! YAY! DJ + Steve forever!

Deep Dish Delight
This pizza from Julianne Hough looks amazing. I'm so excited to try this. I love me some pizza so this is on my "to make" list!

An Officer &  An Owl
I love owls so much, so it's true that every owl story I see, I love. I want a pet owl :)

Tree that grows 40 types of fruit
This is the most amazing thing ever. This man started this as an art project, there are now a dozen trees in museums! How cool would it be to have one of these trees blooming in your yard?
"post signature

Monday Coffee Talk 1





     Happy Day my lovelies! I hope this day is treating you well so far. It's not morning here in Ga anymore but that's alright. I've gotten a ton accomplished today. My house is clean, floors mopped, dusted, bathrooms scrubbed, laundry is almost done, dinner is in the crock pot and I'm dressed and ready for the rest of the day. I get to go for my final wedding dress fitting in just 2 hours and 22 minutes. But who's counting? Hopefully I get to bring that beautiful thing home and put it in our spare room closet for the next two months where I'll spend a lot of time going in there and taking peaks at it! The hardest part will be not showing my fiance. I know he won't look. He doesn't want to see any little glimmer of it until I walk down the aisle. He wants that wow factor, I think. It's been hard enough not telling him about it or showing him pics. Ahh!! Two more months, I can do this!

  Anyway, I'm doing something new today. I'm doing a link up with a fabulous new blogger I found through one of my amazing blogger community groups. Her name is Jasmine and she blogs at
Classy Sassy and a bit Smartassy. I love her blog name! It fits me to a t! She does a Monday link up called Monday Coffee Talk. I love Coffee and I love talking so boom!! You can join the link up here Monday Coffee Talk.

  Monday Coffee Talk is where bloggers can list three goals they wish to accomplish for the week. They can be personal, business, blog related. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, just write 'em down and link 'em up.

  This is my first Monday Coffee Talk link up but I definitely am looking forward to it every week!

1. Bridal everything.
    Finish up a few invitations and get them in the mail.
    Start planning my shower with the help of my sis in law and other friends.
    Plan my bachelorette shower. My sis in law has a good handle on this one for me.

2. Blog. Blog. Blog.
    I've got so much I want to do with my blog.
    Pinterest button.
    Add pages.
    Finish my button.
    And read the zillion pins i've pinned on this subject.

3. Cook at home every night.
    I'm usually pretty good at this but we do have one night a week we cheat and eat out.
    This week I want to cook every night & try to have it done when my honey walks in the door.

So there are my goals this week. It seems less lofty when I write them down. I got this!
What are your goals for this week?






"post signature

Oh, Hey Friday!

Hey Y'all! We can all breathe a sigh of relief because we've made it through another week.



That also means it's time to join the adorable Karlie's link up at her blog September Farm's link up called Oh, Hey Friday!!

Oh, Hey Friday!

You can join or just check out her fabulous blog. If you do you should read it from start to finish, you're sure to laugh, smile, and nod in agreeance the whole way through. She's a bubbly, gem of a person & that's just what I know from her blog. She keeps life real.

How does this link up work?

1. Well first off you list 5 things. They can be as random as you want or all about one subject, there are no real rules here.
2. You link up your post at the bottom of hers, not mine. I'm not that fancy.
3. Then you grab the button, from below & add it to yours.
4. Then you spread the word about your blog, her blog, and everyone else's you want.
(I added that part-duh!)



So here's my randomness.

1. I'm loving my succulents. I have two that my fiancee bought me a few weekends ago while we were at Whole Foods. I've had my eyes and heart set on learning about and growing these babies for a while so I finally bit the bullet and got some. I love LoVe LOVE them!! My sweet, sweet neighbor brought me another one yesterday. I've got a lot to learn about here but I'm enjoying finding my green thumb.



2. I'm addicted to Fixer Upper on HGTV. Actually, my fiancee and I are addicted to HGTV period but Chip & Joanna are the absolute best! I love their personalities and how he's the crazy, wild one and she's the calm. They balance each other + their renovations are everything my dream home is made of.
Chip & JoAnna Gaines

3. Neutrals. I used to believe that neutrals were so bland and boring, after all i'm a girl who loves color. All. The. Color. but I've come to love neutrals, especially in home decor. I feel like it's soothing, clean, and minimalist. You can add pops of color in other decor, too. For someone like me (who gets bored with the same thing after a while) it's easy to change up without changing every detail.




4. Essential Oils. I know I say this mucho but they're life savers. Lately i've depended on my renewal oil and aches and pains. I add a drop or two of the renewal or sometimes Peppermint & Eucalyptus to my shower after a morning yoga session and it's amazing. I've depended on the renewal for these headaches I've been getting like crazy lately, too. Just a dab on each temple and I feel better. The aches and pains have come to the rescue more than once lately, too. I added some to baby lotion and rubbed mine and my fiancees legs with it after a long day at the mall recently-it helped so so much!



5. My Essie nail polises.



Especially Need A Vacation & Hubby For Dessert. I've had my nails painted like this for well over a week.


Usually i'm over it by the end of the week and ready to dig out the box of polishes and start over fresh but not now. It's chipping a little but I think i'm going to fix it and leave it. Shocking!!!


So that's my Friday Five! Yay for Fridays! Now we get to sit back, relax, party at my brother's birthday bash & enjoy our weekend.
What are your weekend plans?










"post signature

Thursday Jams

   Hello lovelies! I hope you're all having a wonderfully happy & inspired day so far. I started off right with prayer, yoga, and coffee and now i'm jamming to Foo Fighters on Spotify all up in my bloglovin' group. Loving all the love i'm getting and getting there lately♡.
  
  I had planned on taking the day off from blogging today so I didn't have anything planned but the mood struck so here I am. I was going to do an instagram up-date but if you follow me there then you know what i've been up to & if not, you can follow me  MyInstagram.

  Instead I've decided to share with you something else that inspires me. Music ♬. 
I don't know about you but I can't live without music. Most days I'm listening to it while cleaning house, driving around, getting ready, cooking dinner. The list could go on and on. Music can cover a range of emotions and memories. So here are a list of a few of my favorite songs complete with art work (not made by me but found on Pinterest).

1. Only Wanna Be With You-Hootie & The Blowfish
This is mine and my fiance's song. When we first started dating I came to his house one day and this was blaring through the speaker system and he started singing it to me. Since then it's been "our" song. It's my ring tone for him, even. 


2. Everlong-Foo Fighters
This is another one that reminds me of my fiance. We usually jam out in the car to this one. The opening line "Hello, i've waited here for you everlong" is so us. We were best friends for 13 years before we dated. We both sat and waited on each other until the timing was right. :)


3. Glitter In The Air-Pink
This song has been one of my favorites since it came out. When she performed this at the VMA's I was sold forever. I'm a huge PINK fan so it really doesn't take much. I'd love to see her in concert.


4. 3 Little Birds-Bob Marley
This song, my finace sings to me when i'm upset or worried about something. He'll hold me tight and sing it to me and it makes my worried melt away. 




5. Wildflowers-Tom Petty (Jimmy Buffett's version really though)
I was driving along one day, listening to Jimmy Buffett's Pandora station and heard this. I found out it's originally a Tom Petty song but I fell in love with it. It was like it was written for me.  




6. Margaritaville-Jimmy Buffett
Because, hello, Jimmy Buffett is as american as baseball and apple pie. I truly love everything of Jimmy's. Yeah, we're tight like that (in my head anyway). I dare you to listen to that song and not be in a happy mood :) I'm the woman to blame!




7. Don't Stop Believin'-Journey
No explanation needed here. It never gets old! 


8. Sharp Dressed Man-ZZ Top
Yes, Yes women are crazy about a sharp dressed man.

9. The Perfect Storm-Brad Paisley
This song sums me up perfectly. It's like Brad knows me. 
I don't just rain, I pour. 

10. Hey Brother-Avicii
Even though it's written about two brothers, one whom goes off to war and doesn't return it still reminds me of my brothers. Neither have been off to war and both are still on this Earth but with one, we have a complicated relationship. Every time I hear this song I get teary eyed but it's still one of my faves. 

11. Point Of Grace-Love & Laundry
Because every woman feels this way sometimes. We all have a bazillion things going on and nothing is ever perfect. Often we're taking our coffee and make-up to go while juggling 10 things at once. It's life and this song put it into perspective.

 "post signature


Music is such a huge part of my life that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on for days. What are some of your favorite songs?
















"post signature

Top Three Tuesday




   I post a list of daily happies on my Facebook page at the end of almost every day as a reminder to be thankful for the little things. I see too much negativity and un-happiness in the day to day life and and it shouldn't be that way because there is something to be happy for every day. I hope that my family and friends catch on and join in, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. My hope is that even if they don't post what made them happy for that day then maybe they're at least thinking about it and changing their mindsets.

  When I saw this post from  Top Three Tuesday Becca Dorr I realized instantly that I wanted to join in.  I saved my post I had just typed out for tomorrow and hopped on this because we can all use a little more happiness in our lives. To join in simply list Three Things that make you happy in the comments below or write a post and leave it in the comments of mine & Becca's posts.



ONE. Tomorrow is my baby brother's 20 something birthday. We get to celebrate with him and his friends at an epic pool party at my parent's house on Saturday. I look forward to his parties every year. So much fun + he's the only one with a summer birthday! Happy Birthday to my not so little brother/best uncle/best brother in law/best friend we could ever ask for. Brothers are friends from birth, at least this one always has been.

TWO. Six more days and I get to go to my final wedding dress fitting and I (fingers crossed) get to bring my dress home with me. Guess i'll be cleaning out the spare room closet this week/weekend!!! Eeeekkk!!! 67 days until I say I Do!

THREE. Doing absolutely nothing today and loving it. The laundry is caught up, the house is tidy, & I don't feel like going anywhere today until my fiance gets home. Then it's back to school and honeymoon clothes shopping for this family of 3. Our 12 year old is less than thrilled though so pray that he survives. Seriously, the pre-teen years...ugh!! As If!

What are your top 3 today?

And special thanks to Becca for this lovely idea! It sure was fun!!!







"post signature

30's.



I'm in my 30's now, 33 to be exact. Some people freak out about growing older, not me because my philosophy is simply it's better to be alive than the alternative. Don't get me wrong, I don't fear death I just love life more. I never freaked out about my birthday, instead I celebrated another trip around the sun. No, it's not always sunshine, flowers, rainbows, cuddly kittens, glitter, & unicorns but I choose to make the best of every day that I'm blessed enough to be here.

It always bothers me to hear people whine about feeling old. Granted, we all have those moments when we're tired and achy but I plan on living my life the happiest I can until the day they lay me in the ground. I don't want my kids and grandkids to remember me telling them I can't do this or do that because I'm old. I feel like age is just a number, it's up to us to live a life that makes us feel forever young.

I'm trying hard to make changes to make myself healthier and happier for a long, fulfilled life. I'm doing yoga, taking vitamins, eating healthier, getting active, praying more, and taking time for me. It's not just a fad or a diet, i'm making lifestyle changes. I told my mom the other day that i've gained two pounds back (i've lost 15 so far this year) and she said "it's okay, you know your wedding dress still fits." I know she knew that was my #1 concern right now with my wedding only 67 days away but my thought and response was "yeah but it's not just about the wedding dress. It's about making a lifestyle change. About being healthier and living longer for our son and to get my body prepared to have another baby." I feel like my 30's have brought out a more content side of myself. Of course finding forever love and starting our lives together do that, too.



Here's a list of reasons why my 30's absolutely rock.

1. I found my forever love.
2. I'm raising a pre-teen and I relate to him so much because I was there not too long ago myself it seems.
3. I'm confident in my own skin.
4. I put my heart and soul into this blog and have found an amazing community of inspiring, strong women here.
5. I'm finding balance between sleep (which I love) & waking up earlier.
6. I feel more alive and happier than I ever have.
7. I enjoy doing grown up things like cleaning my house.
8. Decorating for Holidays is the best when it's in your own home.
9. Starting traditions with my guys like looking at Christmas lights every year.
10. Figuring out I need to take care of me.
11. I can say No when I don't want to do something and not worry if that person will be mad at me.
12. Working out & enjoying it.
13. Finding new hobbies I enjoy like jewelry making.
14. Essential oils have become everything to me.
15. I find that my real life is better than my day dream life.
16. I have someone who gives the best big bear hugs when I see him after work every day.
17. Pillow talk with my soon to be husband on the nights we can't sleep.
18. The fact that I have a soon to be husband.
19. Finding a skin care routine that works.
20. Replacing my 6-7 glasses of sweet tea a day with water.
21. Cooking up a new recipe.
22. Family nights at our house.
23. And having friends over for cook outs, too.
24. I get to go on adventures with my best friend anytime I want.
25. I get to curl up next to him at night, too.
26. Celebrating all our son's accomplishments as a family.
27. Knowing that I have gained another family who loves me as if I were their own.
28. Laughter. I've always loved laughing but I feel like I truly appreciate a good laugh session now.
29. Dancing barefoot in my kitchen with my love.
30. The friendships that came along when I my fiance and I started dating. The Howe's, The Moritz's, The Lamberts, Nancy...
31. The bonds I have with my own family have gotten stronger.
32. Realizing there's nothing much in this world that can't be fixed by puppy and kitty kisses and snuggles.
33. And realizing that my parents really have been my best friends all along.
34. And no matter what I know my baby brother and sister in law have my back.
35. I feel like i'm thriving, not just surviving.
36. I've learned the value of a true friend.
37. I enjoy learning.
38. I enjoy taking care of others.
39. I'm less afraid to take chances.
40. I believe in being ME :)


There has been so much in my three short years of being in my thirties that has changed me for the better. I feel like it's way better than my 20s and definitely better than my teens. So far my thirties are my favorites! That's just a small list of things that came to mind in a few short minutes. Some may make sense to you, some may not but I hope that the take away message here is simply growing up is a privilege that many don't get. Make the best out of it and live life to the fullest.

What are some of your favorite things about your age?










"post signature

Monday Motivation & Weekending.

Hi Y'all! Happy Monday! I sure hope the week is off to a great start in your little corner of the world. I know mine is.

The sun is shining bright and i've got plans to go to my Mom and Dad's in a little bit and soak up some rays at the pool and work on wedding stuff then tonight i've got shopping with my honey on the agenda. We still need summer clothes for our honeymoon to Hawaii at the end of September into October and here in Georgia they're getting ready to put swim suits and shorts up and bring out the winter gear. Because that makes sense. We'll be wearing shorts into October but nope! School starts back so bundle them kiddos up and send them off in jeans and long sleeves while it's still 90+ degrees outside. Anyway, on to the next...

I've got a lot of happiness and sunshine in my soul today and I plan on spreading a little cheer wherever I go! Just know that if you run into me before I go swimming then i'm going to be a hot mess in my yoga clothes and dirty, messy hair up in a bun on top of my head. Such is life. At least I don't stink!

I don't know about you but Mondays usually bring me down. Not today though because i've figured out how to make the best of Mondays. Last week I shared this post Weekending & Monday Motivation. I made a mood board that was reflective of what made me happy. While that idea was awesome and something I'll do again I have a little something else in mind today. Today's Monday Motivation is coming from everything that's inspired me to start my mornings off on a happy note :) and add a little pep in my step. You can read more about living with Intention and all that jazz in this post
Start With Intention.
Now, it's only been about 4 days of me starting this Starting with Intention but I promise it's made a difference in me. So without further ado i'm going to share with you what exactly it is that I've changed that has given me such Inspiration for my mornings.




1. I start the morning off with prayer. Before I grab my phone to check all the social media I lay there in the quietness and talk to God. I thank him for everything he's blessed me with and pray he leads me in the direction he wants me to go. I pray for the health and safety of all my loved ones and I pray he keeps them all safe as they go through their daily tasks. I also pray that God helps me to see the happy in everything.

2. I go downstairs, turn on my coffee pot, open the back door and feed the squirrels then I make a cup of coffee. I turn on my t.v. to the Golden Girls, power on my computer but instead of sitting down and being engulfed in hours of social media I turn on my iPad and begin one of the yoga routines I found from the amazing Marie_Yogini while I sip my coffee.

3. After my yoga session then I finish my coffee and start my water consumption for the day along with taking my vitamins. I've only started taking them in the last 3 days so that's new but it's such an improvement. I take a multi vitamin then I take a fruits and veggies supplement. My mom started my son on these a few months ago because the kid won't eat veggies at all. At least with these he gets his recommended amount of daily fruits and veggies and since there are plenty to share I figured I'd take them too because I still don't get enough fruits and veggies in my diet either, even though I love all of them!

4. Then I eat breakfast. Often times this is a struggle for me because none of us are really big breakfast eaters at my house (unless it's breakfast for dinner but that doesn't count). I've learned that even a granola bar and or some fruit and yogurt will do. The calorie count on this morning's breakfast as through the roof but i've decided I need some good probiotics in my diet as well, and what better way than through some yummy yogurt?

Generally after all that I make beds, start laundry, & tidy up the house a bit then it's shower time.

We've become huge believers in the line of Stress Relief products from Bath & Body Works. I'm talking body wash, massage oils, lotion, hand sanitizer, pillow spray...the whole nine yards but while we were at B&BW this weekend we discovered the shampoo and conditioner so we're giving that a try. I love it. Of course I would, it's $10 a bottle but it's worth it! I love it so. In addition to the Stress RElief products I liek to infuse my shower with some essential oils. Talk about heavenly!!



It's amazing how those simple changes in my morning routine have set the tone for the day. I wake up feeling more energized and relaxed. Ready to take on the world. If you're like me and you aren't a morning person at all, I promise these things are life changers.

Now on to the weekend wrap....I'm sure everyone is on the edge of their seats just wondering what I did.

Friday
we spent the afternoon at my parent's house. I got this sweet snap pf my buddy and his Bella Girl.




When my honey got off work we went to my hairdresser's shop and got honey's hair cut. I love going to her shop. We laugh, we talk, we have fun. She's like family and her hair shop is one of my favorite places. After that we decided to go to dinner at the mall and the book store.
My love is the best. He bought me the book i've been dying to read and new Stress Relief.



Saturday My mom, Grandma and I had a Girl's Day Out. We went to see Magic Mike and went to Applebees. The movie was awesome (duh!), the food was great (the service sucked), and the company was wonderful but unfortunately I took NO pics.

Sunday
was a day spent trying to do things and getting nothing done. My love worked until 2 and remained on call for the rest of the day. Our plans turned out to be a bust. We ended up canceling shopping plans and staying home. My honey sent me to the store to buy stuff for dinner so it was bagged salads, a rotisserie chicken and frozen pizzas. Pre-packaged yuck that I really don't enjoy feeding my family but it was alright. It ended up being a fantastic night because my sister in law and nephews showed up and ate dinner with us, the big boys gamed, while the little one hung with his mom and I while my fiance worked...still. In the end we all hung out in the living room watching Disney Channel and laughing together. Yesterday wasn't a bust after all.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that your Monday is off to an amazing start.

If you're reading this please check out my previous post. It was only supposed to stay up until today but i've got other things to do so until Wednesday, please go vote on this post!!!

Please Vote

"post signature

Vote.

Hey Y'all! I'm trying to decide which image I should use as my blog button.

Let's vote. The one with the most votes is the one i'll use!




Comment with your favorite. I'll leave voting open until Monday Morning.

"post signature

Start With Intention


   I don't know about you but i'm not a morning person. At all. I immediately grab my phone and check Facebook & Instagram and lay there in bed for an extra 10 minutes while doing so. Then I stumble down stairs, power up the t.v. and lap top, make a cup of coffee and sit in a glazed over state on the couch for an hour while I watch Kelly & Michael and surf the web. Then I find myself feeling rushed  and un-settled all. day. long.

   I've decided that's no way to start off the day so I decided that today was the day I was changing that. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still sitting here on the couch at 9:30 in the morning watching Kelly & Michael because I love them so but i've started living intentional this morning. I've already done so much that I'm not in that glazed over state of mind. I'm in a much more cheerful, clear, happier state of mind.

   My morning started off with a text message from my sister in law around 8. I grabbed my phone, looked at the message and started to check social media but decided against it. I put it back down and instead decided to pray. My mornings start off so much better when I spend that quiet time being thankful for everything i've been blessed with and praying for the health and happiness of my loved ones. After that I did make my way downstairs, turn on the t.v., power up the computer, and started a cup of coffee then I opened up the back door and fed the squirrels a handful of peanuts.

I sat down on the couch, computer in lap, Golden Girls on t.v. and instantly got a good morning message from my sweet friend Candi. I chatted with her for a minute then decided I was going to start yoga this morning. I saw a yoga challenge for the month on Instagram and decided that was the one I was going to start with. So I pulled it up on my iPad and did the challenge while watching Golden Girls. Win! Win! It's amazing how much better I feel now that i've started with those simple changes to my morning.

I'm going to stop going through the motions of life, doing just what has to be done and start being more intentional about it. I think if we all do this our days will be so much better. Happiness is a choice we all have the ability to make so go out there and Choose Happiness!!

How do you live intentionally?


For more inspiration
Follow lightandlotus.




"post signature

Weekending & Monday Motivation

We all know the #icanteven hashtag. We've all been there, we've all used it or at least saw (or heard) someone else use it. Yeah, today #icanteven. I can't even get motivated. I have a super case of the Mondays and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I had an amazing weekend (we'll re-cap that in a minute) so that's definitely not the cause of my lack of motivation. In fact, it's just the opposite. Since my fiance and I started living together I get the worst case of the Mondays ever, it's way worse when it's the school year because my sweet son is gone all day, too. Lately I've had enough to keep me occupied on Monday, I guess, because it's not been as bad but today, for whatever reason, it's through the roof. It's a "don't mind me, i'm going to sit on the couch in my sweats kinda day." I feel drained in every possible way, like there's not enough coffee in the world today. I don't even want coffee, which is really unusual for me. I almost wish it would storm so I could have a legit excuse not to go anywhere.

Anyway, with that little bit off my heart and out of my head I feel a bit better (I should have made that my personal journal post). Sorry. Kind of. This blog is real life.

To fight off the Monday Blues I've come up with the idea of Mood Boards. I saw the lovely Rekita from RekitaNicole
do this last week and it caught my attention & definitely made my mood better so I thought, why not do one myself? Hers has a theme: Pineapples, Popcorn, etc. Mine is just what I saw that made me smile. I know we all need a little happiness on Mondays so I hope you enjoy.



I should start this by saying i'm currently obsessed with lotus flowers. They symbolize strength through the muck. I've always liked them but after finding the Instagram account Lotus & Light over the weekend my like grew to an obsession.

1. "The lotus is a flower that grows in the mud, the deeper and thicker the mud, the more beautiful the lotus blossom."
When I thought about it I thought, that's a lot like people. The more we go through the stronger we become. We have this incredible ability
to go through hell and back and come out a stronger, more beautiful person if we allow it. Be like the lotus, let the mud make you more
beautiful.

2. Meet Smiley. He's a 12 year old Golden Retriever who was born without eyes. He gets to go around to children with autism and help them. How sweet is that?


3. This picture makes me smile and think about my up-coming honeymoon. What's not to love about that?

4. Colorfy. I found this new app yesterday and I'm obsessed! Go to the app store and download it now. You can thank me later.

5. This pretty, colorful sign really needs a home on my wall of signs in the kitchen. Colorful, cupcakes, and love!?! Swoon.

6. Another beautiful lotus. It looks like it's exploding with light and confetti. A true celebration of life and growing something beautiful
from the mud!


I sure hope that puts you in a happier mood on this Manic Monday.

Now it's time for my weekend wrap up. I'll spare you all the boring details and get straight to the good stuff. Our engagement party was Saturday. None of my bridesmaids got to make it but that's okay. My closest family and a few good friends of mine and my fiance's made it. It was a great time swimming and cooking out.

This is the only picture we got of my honey & I dressed up because it was too hot not to be in the pool.


Now here are all of our pretty people.




So that was our fun weekend. We spent yesterday relaxing and hanging out. I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too.
"post signature