It's Warming Up and So Are My April 2013 Mini Goals!

Greeting April means a plethora of things; warmer weather, opened toe shoes, opened windows, and more mini goals!! I really can't believe we are saying hello to the month of April! It seems just like yesterday we were celebrating New Years! I am beyond excited to see what this month has in store for the hubby and myself, hopefully a list full of completed goals!!

Via

1. Complete at least one Pinterest project that I posted about here! I'm hoping painting the front door will happen this month, however, I have some serious crafting to accomplish for my cousin's Bachelorette festivities at the end of the month. I know I will be busy trying to complete that, so I may work on something a bit smaller that will be easier to tackle and finish! I certainly do not want to set myself up for failure before I even get out of the starting gate!

2. Arrive on time to work, every morning. Y'all know about this goal, so no need to explain! If you are new to the blog you can read about it from March, February, and January! At least I know I'll get there on time this week as it is Spring Break and traffic was a breeze this morning!

3. Buy a scale. We have not had a workable weighing scale in our home since we moved into this house over 3.5 years ago! I don't like weighing myself because I am usually very disappointed by what it tells me! However, I've been working on my fitness since January and I really wish I would have started keeping track of my weight at that point. Now that I have added running into my fitness routine, I really am hoping to see a drop in weight and the only way to track that correctly would be through using a scale! It's not something I hope to use every day, maybe just once a week so I can see a significant change! Anyone recommend a good scale? I haven't done my research yet and would love recommendations!

4. Host at least one family lunch, dinner or activity. I have said it more times than I can count, how hard it is to divide time between all of our families. We don't do a lot of random, just because get togethers because there are often birthday celebrations or holiday's traditions we participate in! I wouldn't mind hosting a dinner or lunch for some of the family or even an activity of some sort, like visiting the local zoo! I'll have to get creative on the activity but you get the point!

5. Accomplish the 30 Miles in 30 Days workout plan. Nikki over at The Pink Growl did this last month and I think it's a BRILLIANT idea!! The point is to clock at least a mile a day, whether it's running, biking, walking or the doing the elliptical. If you miss a day or two, you have to make it up in another day! I am reeeeeeally excited about doing this and hope adding this to my fitness routine will help me see more good results with my body, energy levels, and stamina! I've already started clocking miles with running a few days a week but I love the option to use other methods to clock miles as well! I plan on hitting the bike or elliptical after my Pilates class tonight to clock my first mile!



6. Figure out if blogging is really something I want to do and stick with! I'm not going to lie, blogging is exhausting me. I stay up incredibly late creating posts the night before. I mean like midnight to 1 a.m. which has really taken a toll on me! I don't feel like I'm forming solid relationships either, because I can't seem to show many readers and other bloggers the attention they deserve! It's hard to juggle this with a full time job and an active home life! Seriously, I'm dying to know how some of you do it, especially those of you with children!! I hope to really reflect on this for April. I don't necessarily want to leave the blogging world, because I do love it, but if I don't learn how to juggle it correctly, I'm going to end up dropping balls in other aspects of my life and I just can't sacrifice those things for this little piece of the Internet world.

7. Start working on renovations in the kitchen. Being that we've been in our home for so long now, I have no idea why we really haven't tried harder to complete the kitchen! It really is the one room in the house where we haven't done ANYTHING, except for replacing the dishwasher and the oven. Our goal is to replace the flooring, refurbish the cabinets, add new hardware, paint the walls, add back splash, install new faucet, purchase a new refrigerator and replace the counter tops! It seems like a lot reading it but our kitchen is small enough that it's not going to be a crazy project to take on, as long as we do one step at time! First step?! Take the hideous 80's wall paper border down!

8. Try harder to prepare better for birthdays and other special events! I will always promise that I will never show up empty handed for a birthday or other special occasion celebration! However, I am HORRIBLE at waiting until the last minute to buy a gift! I would loooove it if I could think so far in advance that we can purchase something more sentimental and personal! I'm a lover of ANYTHING personalized, but I never seem to treat anyone to those kinds of gifts because I'm a crazy procrastinator! I also want to utilize Etsy for more unique and thoughtful gifts as well, which also involves thinking far in advance! I just need to reference my planner more frequently! What's the point of having that if I don't use it?!

9. Develop the attitude of "It is what it is". Here's your shout out Taylor! My little sister and the hubby have this mindset which is very different from my own! I tend to worry about everything, to over analyze everything, and to try and fix everything and sometimes that adds an unnecessary amount of emotional stress to my life! I don't want to adopt this attitude completely, because I feel that my personality allows me to express my compassion on a greater level, but I do want to rid myself of emotional stress beyond my control. It is what it is, there is nothing I can do to change it, therefore I must accept it.

10. Secret goal! As much as I want to share this, for my well being I can't. If things change from this goal I will, without a doubt, publicly tell you about it, but at this moment I have to protect myself and certain parts of my life. I'm including it on this list, because if I write it down, I tend to stick to it!! If your curiosity is getting the best of you and you would like to know what it is, shoot me a comment or email, I'm totally okay with sharing it privately!

As always, some of these are a bit easier than others! I brought a few over from last month but I am really excited to have added some new ones to the list! Any of you trying new goals for the month of April?! I'm looking forward to what this month will bring, including warmer weather, though the forecast for this week isn't looking too swell in the warmth department!

Be sure to check out my April Sponsors to your left in my sidebar!!! I am beyond thrilled to add them to TRYHOSOVA Family!

XoXo!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I am crazy excited that I finally decided on how I will be changing up my Wednesday posts {Remember I kind of chatted about it last week here?}. There are still a few things I need to do in order to get it finalized and ready for sharing, like creating a button and setting up the link-up for y'all to join! I think it will be a way for my readers to get to know me on a more personal level and hopefully relate to me even more than they may already. This probably won't get underway for a few more weeks so until then I will continue with the "What I'm Loving Wednesday" series!

1. I am in love with Daylight Savings Time!! Okay... maybe not in love with the fact that I lost an hour of sleep, I'm still trying to catch up,  or that it's still pitch black when I wake in the morning, buuuuuut I'd trade pitch black nights for longer sunshine evenings any day of the week! It's the first sign that warmer weather is around the corner and who doesn't love that?!

2.  Attending my first official Pilates class on Monday night! I'm actually pretty excited and proud of myself for going! I switched my gym schedule around to Tuesday and Thursdays, however because I had my monthly YAAA! meeting last night I decided to go to the gym Monday night and try out Pilates! Holy Moly, if you think it's easy, you are in for a rude awakening! I've done it with at home DVDs so I knew it wasn't a cake walk, but I didn't realize just how much it was really going to work me! I've been quite sore in areas I very rarely work, and it's a darn good feeling! I'm really thinking about adding Monday night to my gym schedule and upping my workouts to three days a week!

3.  Celebrating lots of Birthday's this month!! March seems to be a pretty huge month in our lives when it comes to celebrating birthdays! There is my mother-in-law, my stepfather-in-law, my stepbrother-in-law, our nephew, my close friend Tatiana, my awesome boss Jen, our dear friend Matt, and a slew of other friends of ours! Lots and lots of celebrating going on around these parts!! 

4. Having my first cup of coffee in almost a month! I'm not a coffee addict whatsoever. I've been a one cup a day drinker for forever and can function fine without it. I actually like the taste of coffee, however. about a month ago I noticed I wasn't enjoying the taste of it much anymore so I gave it up and started drinking tea! Lots of green tea, chai tea, and herbal teas and even using my Starbucks giftcard for Chai Tea Lattes instead of fancy coffee beverages! This weekend while at my girlfriend, Whitney's house, I had my first cup of coffee in almost a month and boy was it yummy! I don't think I'll be going back to drinking it every day but I think it would be a nice pick me up on an extra lagging day - say like this week when I'm trying to adjust to this Daylight Savings Time! 

I found this really interesting!!! 

5. Working on our taxes! To most this is probably a daunting task but this marks year number two that we have done our taxes ourselves with the help of TurboTax. Since we don't have a ton of "extras" to worry about like second properties, self employment, or rental income we are able to do them ourselves! It's usually a few day process as I like to, obviously, make sure they are 100% accurate before filing them! I won't lie though, I am always completely nervous when hitting that submit button! It's a great feeling seeing what we should be getting back from the government during the entire process! I'm quite satisfied with the figure we've been given! These suckers should be completely finalized by weeks end and we will be on our way to get our little check back and this will be another task I can cross off our "To Do" list! 

Happy Hump Day my darlings!!! Hope you all are having a wonderful week so far and didn't miss me too much yesterday!!! XoXo! 

Four Favorites - Link Up!

I'm linking up today with Let it be Beautiful and Fancy Things for the four things I am obsessing over this week! It's a random mix of awesomeness that I think y'all will be obsessing over too! Allow me to just cut to the chase!

Macaroon Ring Box*Jennifer Lawrence*Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pastry Crisps*Fascinators

1. This Macaroon Ring Box! How flipping precious is this?!?! And what a fun gift they would make for your gal pals! I'm simply dying over their cuteness! Ordering one is definitely on my agenda. Now, if only I could decided on what color to choose?!

2. Jennifer Lawrence is most definitely my girl crush! She's actually been a girl crush of mine since I watched her in The Hunger Games back in October! She is so laid back and humble! I love love love her Hollywood innocence! She really has no idea how huge of a star she is and I believe her fabulous gold man won't even allow her to realize that she's made it to the big leagues! Love the girl! She can do no wrong in my book! And falling while walking up stairs?! It makes me love her even more! She's real and honest and flawed and she's not afraid to admit it! She is genuine to the bone. What's not to love about her?!

3. Kellog's Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pastry Crisps. I am a huge fan of Pop-Tarts but they are not the most healthiest treat to eat! My most favorite flavor is Brown Sugar Cinnamon and I literally jumped for joy in the middle of Harris Teeter when I found this box of Pastry Crisps next to the Chocolate flavored ones I was looking for! I feel like I've hit the jack pot! Brown Sugar Cinnamon 100 calorie pastry treats that taste JUST LIKE POPTARTS!? Talk about guilt free!!! Pick your own up at your local grocery store!

4. I've always loved the English. The accents, the Monarchy, and the hats! I would love nothing more than for American women to start wearing hats and fascinators to formal events and not just the Kentucky Derby! I'm starting the trend or at least trying too by wearing one to the YAAA! event on Saturday! I can't wait! If you love fascinators and hats as much as I do, you should start wearing them as well! Take photos, lets blog about wearing them, and start the American trend!!!!

Have a fantastic Hump Day my dears!!! Just think, half the week is already finished and we have half to go until the weekend! Wooohooo! XoXo!

If you missed my post yesterday please take a read of it here! We are still accepting donations and would love for you to assist in helping us raise money to help find a cure for Alzheimer's! Follow this link and just click on the green donate button! 

Friday's Letters!

Well, Well, Well, Heeeeellllllllllooooooo Friday! How fabulous it is to see you! It's nuts how short work weeks end up feeling like the longest work weeks of my life! I think I would prefer to work the normal five days than have a holiday because it just means I am going to come in on Tuesday to twice as much work and then have to play catch up all week! Regardless, Friday is here, the week is over, and I'm pretty excited to not have a loaded weekend staring me in the face! I think a beer tasting may be in the works tonight for a fun little date night for the hubby and I! Y'all know I am trying to be more creative with our date nights so we shall see! For now though, I just have some Friday Letters for ya! Enjoy my rambling thoughts!

Via

Dear Forever Young, Has anyone seen the advertisements for this? Probably not since most folks my age don't watch TV Land! Anywho, they put young twenty something-year-olds in a house with elderly folks and they learn to live and have fun together for a certain length of time! I think it looks pretty entertaining!!! I really believe we young bucks could learn some valuable lessons from the old and wise and I think the old and wise could learn to have more fun from us young bucks! I'm pretty sure that's the direction of this new show! I am quite curious to see how the two age groups handle one another! Dear U.S. Department of State, Do I really need to renew my passport if all of my IDs and my Social Security number are in my married name but my passport is in my maiden name? I am highly annoyed with myself that I've just realized this "problem" and I am supposed to be booking our Jamaican trip today! If the travel agent needs the "names as they appear on our passports" in order to book the flights, than does it really matter?! Ugh and to think I may have to pay the renewal fee too?! Hopefully, if I do have to renew it, it won't take the full twelve weeks to get it back! Dear YAAA!, I was really excited to join your organization and represent a group of young adults doing something insanely awesome for a great cause. Now,  I am even more excited to officially be serving you as your Social Media and Press Chairperson! This is an unbelievable opportunity for me and I can't wait to hit the ground running!! Dear Groopdealz, It is quite possible that I am addicted to you and your fun deals, especially when it comes to all of the costume bracelets and jewelry!!! I need my pay-pal account to disappear so it's not as easy to feed my new obsession! Dear Followers, I promise, promise, promise that I am still doing my favorite things give-a-way soon! I slowly keep picking up goodies and I am unsure of when to stop! I will tell you this, there are some fun items included and I can't wait to kick it off! I'm thinking early March, so be on the lookout!!!

Hope all of you pretties are having a fabulous week and that you have an even more stellar weekend!!! See you Monday!!! XoXo!

Four Favorites - Link Up!

Today, I'm linking up with Let it be Beautiful and Fancy Things for Four Favorites! Check out what I am digging this week!!

1. Faux Rabbit Beret

2. Nikon 1 J1 Compact System Camera

3. Remington Curling Wand

4. Katy Perry's Grammy Dress

1. I am a huge fan of fur coats, well allow me to rephrase that, I am a huge fan of faux fur coats. Not that I am an animal activist but I do become overwhelmed with emotion when I think about being draped in rabbit fur! Therefore I think faux fur is the way to go! I am dying over this faux fur beret! I'm not sure if it's worth the splurge considering it doesn't get THAT cold here, but it's still adorable for winter! 

2. We purchased the Nikon 1 J1 Compact System Camera this past weekend! I am really excited to learn to use it! I've already snagged some great photo's of Baby Reef! I am also pretty stoked that I now have a camera small enough to fit in my purse again! 

3. I finally purchased this Remington Curling Wand after not being able to find the one here after Christmas! I played with it tonight and I am thrilled that I now have a wand to give me waves in no time at all! 

4. Katy Perry's Grammy Dress! I've heard mixed reviews about this dress, but I have to say I LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Despite the excessive cleavage it still looked classy because the rest of her ENTIRE body was completely covered! If she had any inch of skin showing in any other place it would have looked inappropriate, but the fact that she covered everything gave it a smooth sophisticated look! I would seriously love to know what kind of spanx she had on as not one little dimple, roll, line, or imperfection showed! She looked simply fabulous! 

Wishing my darling fans a wondering Wednesday! The weather is less than stellar today so I have to forego my power walking today! Boo. This does leave me some extra time to take care of other obligations! Baby Reef is at Doggie Daycare and dinner is already in the crock pot at home! I have a feeling tonight will be one relaxing evening with a pooped out pup and an easy dinner! Very much looking forward to the relaxation! Happy Hump Day! XoXo!

Friday's Letters!

It really has been one hellacious week and when I say hellacious, I mean I feel like I got in a fight with the week and the week won! I'm usually pretty excited for Friday's but I can assure you I'm not just excited... I am ecstatic it is finally Friday!! I mean, actually get-up-and-get-moving-in-the-morning type of excitement! Between a hormonal migraine lasting two whole days and zapping me of all energy, a trip to WalMart {also known as Hell on Earth}, and having to deal with a crap ton of rain this morning in rush hour... I am just OVER IT! Luckily I'm sporting my bubblegum pink Hunter wellies this morning and praying today goes by fast so I can get home to my hubby, my furrbaby, and my weekend!! The combination of wellies and prayers makes everything better!

Via

Dear Coffee, I think I am giving you up! Considering I only drink one cup a day and I'm not a Starbucks junkie, I don't see why I really need you. I find Chai Tea to be much tastier for a morning pick me up, Green Tea is really becoming my beverage of choice besides water during the day, and I'm really loving drinking Chamomile Tea at night to help me relax. I'm really having a hard time seeing where you fit in anymore! I love you, I do, I'm just not in love with you. Sorry I'm not sorry! Dear Self, Am I completely nuts for wanting to apply to a summer internship in NYC? I kind of feel like I am but then again, I've never done ANYTHING career related outside of the box. I've never taken a risk or a chance! I mean seriously, who knows if I would even get the internship, but how will I know if I don't try? Is it silly though to leave my hubby, furrbaby, family, and home for a whole summer for something that technically isn't even a real job?? Is it worth it?? You've got a lot of questions to answer and not much time. I think maybe I should just do it, what do you think? Dear Readers, I feel like I am starting to fizzle on topics to write about! What do you all like to read, especially from me? What is it that keeps you coming back to my little neck of the blogging woods? There are some things I don't feel comfortable blogging about {my fashion/style for instance} but in given time I hope to expand upon those subjects and branch out of my comfort zone. Until then, though, what types of subjects to y'all like to follow and read?! I need a wee bit of inspiration here! I feel as though I'm losing my blogging moe joe! Dear my American Girl Doll Felicity, I randomly think about you from time to time. How you were my very best friend for so many years of my early pre-teen life! You were seriously the best doll a girl could ever ask for! I know you are safely tucked away at mom's house but I hope to unpack you and all your accessories and clothes one day soon to reminisce about my childhood with you and to maybe even share you with my future daughter {if I am lucky enough to have a girl}! I also hope, with the help of Ebay, to finish your collection! I am quite certain there are only 5 sets of items from your original 1991 collection that I do not currently have! I have no doubt I'll pay big bucks for those sets, but I think you are plenty worth it and you'd be even more worthy with a complete original set, not that I would ever sell you! I just want to be able to say I have the ENTIRE original collection! I loved you a heck of a lot, spent countless hours playing and talking to you, and I can blame you for my love of anything and everything colonial! I've even entertained the idea of naming my future daughter after you... that's how much you impacted my childhood! Dear Special K Pastry Chocolate Crisps, You.Are.Heavenly! I really enjoy the strawberry and blueberry ones as well, since they do remind me of pop tarts, but you my dear, you rock my socks! So tasty and how quickly it helps me sooth my sweet tooth and ALL for 100 calories... as long as I don't eat the whole box! I think I may treat myself to you right now!

Happy Friday my loves! If you had a pretty crummy week as I did, I hope that your weekend is full of nothing but greatness! And if you had a pretty stellar week, well I still hope your weekend is fan-freakin-tastic! Here's to a glorious weekend and a fabulous week next week! Cheers! XoXo!

Four Favorites - Valentine's Day!

As much as I love having my normal go to blog posts throughout the week I've been wanting to mix things up for a bit to prevent myself and my readers from getting bored with my content! Last week I was asked to join in this week's Link Up with Fancy Things and Let It Be Beautiful and I am quite excited! Each Week these ladies host a Link Up showing four of their favorite items pertaining to a certain category! This week is Valentine's day and these are my Four Favorites! 

I am drooling over the rustic yet classic valentine decor! I love the simplistic romantic feel and the silhouettes are an added bonus! You can't go wrong with a classic pale pink nail polish! I own several shades of pale pinks; mattes, shimmers, sparkles, you name it, I probably have it! Something about pale pink screams girly and Essie supplies many many girly pink shades! My next manicure will most definitely consist of pale pink in honor of Valentine's Day! Kate Spade is one of my all time favorite classic designers! All of her details are simple, clean, and concise and can be worn for years to come. I considered her pieces an investment! These Karolina Bow Pumps are to die for! They can be perfectly paired with a black pencil skirt or ivory slacks and can be worn year round! Lastly,  what gal doesn't love a bouquet of pink peonies?! I wouldn't mind coming home to a bundle of these for lovely ole Heart Day! *hint hint hunnie* 

 
Happy Hump Day my loves! I will be enjoying the 70 degree weather today and gearing up for the end of the week and an eventful weekend! XoXo!

Friday's Letters!

Here we are, another Friday, another weekend on the way! This weekend will be busy like most as we will be celebrating my momma's birthday tomorrow and then celebrating Christmas with my Dad, Stepmom, brother and sister on Sunday, since they were in NYC for the holidays! I also hope to get some purging and organizing done on some down time, that is if I find any down time!

Via

Dear New Antique Chairs, I am so thrilled Mallory was getting rid of y'all and that I was able to snag you at an unbelievable deal! Y'all are going to look fantastic in our office/library! Dear How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Thank you for being on TV last night! You must know how much I love Matthew McConaughey! You do know he was only 33 in that movie right? Annnnd that he welcomed his third child into the world just a week ago?! Dear Crossfire Series, I think you are better than Fifty Shades! However, I am royally irritated that you left me hanging in book two and I now have to wait until May to purchase the third book! Dear Homemade Leg Warmers, I made you out of an old sweater and I love you. Enough said.  Dear Fears and Intimidation, Can you please refrain from making me feel inferior to others? Can you also stop causing me to be terrified to chase my dreams? Furthermore, can you simply just take a hike?! You are really inhibiting me from reaching some serious goals I'm yearning to achieve! Please and Thank you!

Hope you lovies are having a fabulous Friday!!! Have an equally fabulous weekend and I'll see y'all Monday!!!

August 2012 Mini Goals Roundup!

Once again we are saying goodbye to yet another month of this year! I mean seriously where is the time going?!?! Do you realize Christmas is less than 4 months away?! Oh dear me! I don't even want to think about that! Something I do like thinking about?! College football season has officially started!!!! Gooooo Hoooookkkkkiiiiieeeeeessssss! Okay Okay, enough of me cheering! I know y'all are dying to find out how I failed miserably at my goals this month! I am actually pretty proud of myself this month as I was able to accomplish a few things I've been trying to do for months!!

1. Write one handwritten note to someone once a week! Win Win Win! I finally accomplished this and hope to carry it out for months to come! I wrote a total of four notes and the fifth is going out today! I received the most heart warming and sweet messages from each person thanking me for making their day so bright! It seemed too, that they all received their notes at a point when they really needed some encouragement! It warmed my soul to know I made them feel better! It's the least I can do, to let others know how loved and appreciated they are.

2. Send wedding set off to be redipped and soldered together! Another win for the books! I dropped my beauties off almost 2 weeks ago! I hate the feeling of my naked finger and have been sporting my promise ring in its place! One thing is for sure, I can't wait to get my gems back! I don't like looking down at my hand and not seeing them!

3. Make it a priority to spend more time with ALL of our families! I'd say this is a sorta win! We spent a three day weekend in Emerald Isle with Todd's mom's family. My mom came over to take care of me when I had my wisdom teeth removed and she came over another afternoon/ evening! I even visited my sister one day at her work. We failed to see Todd's dad or my dad but I hope to change that soon! If you are from a divorced family you know how difficult it can be to split time amongst everyone and still have time for ourselves. This will always be something I strive for.

4. Attend at least two gym classes a week! This was a half win as well! My mom gave me a good point to not set the bar to high so that I could actually follow through with my goal! Instead of two classes a week I did one, and I stuck with it! I picked Zumba on Monday nights and have gone every Monday this month except for the first week of August, as I was still trying to figure out what classes to attend! I have really enjoyed Zumba! It is a killer work out and I leave the gym literally drenched! It's a great feeling and I hope it's something I continue to do for myself!

5. Call out of town friends more often to catch up! Failed. I called one friend who even came into town to visit. I really need to try harder at this! It's just too easy to not call with you have Facebook, Twitter, Texting and Email! Sometimes though, I need real voice interaction.

6. Enter more blog contests and Link Ups! I did one Link Up and entered 0 contests! FAIL! How am I supposed to get any cool stuff if I don't enter contests? Exactly.

7. Decide on paint color and flooring for kitchen! This has been put on the back burner since our roofing quotes came in WAY over the entire check the insurance company gave us for ALL the repairs. We did get the roof replaced, but the ceiling damage and the floor will be coming out of our pocket. It shouldn't cost us much to fix but it explains why we are putting the floor on hold. It's the least of our concerns since there is nothing wrong with it.

8. Continuously keep the house picked up and vacuumed! I've done a much better job at keeping things picked up. Baby Reef is now staying in the house uncrated {more on that later} and while he doesn't mess with things AT ALL I still don't leave things lying around unattended just in case he were to get bored while we are at work! I could stand to have vacuumed more but we don't have tumble weeds of yellow lab hair floating around, so for now, I'll just assume it's okay!

9.Save more money - $50.00 to $100.00 per pay check! HaHa this one just makes me laugh! It is definitely the hardest goal to accomplish!

10. Complete at least ONE house project! Would you consider the roof a house project?! If so than I win! If not, I failed. Your choice!

I feel really great this month about my accomplishments and I am excited to cross a few things off the list that don't need repeating! I know many of y'all have decided to make goals for yourselves! How did y'all do?!?! Can't wait to hear!

Hope y'all have a fantastic Friday and a safe and spectacular Labor Day Weekend! Can't believe summer will officially be over next Tuesday! Make sure to wear all the white you can before then! Yes, I follow the know white pants/white shoes/white blazers & jackets after Labor Day rule! Call me "Old Timer" if you will, I just can't do it. It just feels wrong!

XoXo,

It's OK Thursday - Link Up!

I always participate in It's Okay Thursday when I am completely out of thoughts and ideas for a post! Sorry in advance for the lack of creativity! I've checked out for the evening! Enjoy!

It's OK to...

Send belated cards for any occasion, it's better than sending none at all!

Cry, knowing you are leaving your furrbaby for the weekend! 

To be irritated when your favorite shows {White Collar} latest episode {that you missed} is not showing up in the Primetime On Demand que! 

To be patient when buying a new car... so you can make sure you get the perfect one at the perfect price!

To not wear any makeup to work except for mascara!

To be a nosey neighbor when you notice an ambulance and fire truck in front of your house!

To actually love and appreciate your managers!

To be completely excited for the Fall season!

To wear your husbands deodorant when you run out of your own! 

To love the new Old Navy commercial featuring Jennie Garth, Luke Perry, and Jason Priestley! 

That's all I've got for this evening!!!! Wishing you all a glorious Friday!!! We will be on our way to Emerald Isle around noon tomorrow but I hope to leave y'all with a wee little post before we do!!! 

XoXo,

August 2012 Mini Goals!

And here we are... the 8th month of the year! Wow, where has this year gone?! Am I the only one kind of glad that Summer is coming to an end soon?! I'm over the heat... if I can't spend my days on the beach there really is no point in having a summer! Just saying!

I've created my August Mini Goals. Once again there are quite a few that are repeating goals from previous months! As I've said before... maybe I will finally accomplish them if I keep writing them down??

1. Write one handwritten note to someone once a week. I went and bought a planner today from Target and decided that I will write down the person who I am going to send the card to every week. That way I will see it and hopefully send them a thoughtful piece of snail mail!

2. Send wedding set off to be redipped and soldered together. Considering that it is up for its 6 month service... I know this will get done! Need to shop around for a pretty replacement while it's away getting all shiny and new again!

3. Make it a priority to spend more time with ALL of our families. This just needs to happen plain and simple. I will say with divorced families it is more difficult to split our time amongst everyone but we need to see them all waaaay more often. That's that!

4. Attend at least 2 gym classes a week. I've already discussed the schedule with my boss {many of the classes start at 5:30} and she agreed to let me work two days a week from 8 - 4:30. Now if I could just commit. The gym scares me, but I need to get over this fear or I'll end up fat... and I can't have that.

5. Call out of town friends more often to catch up. This is almost just as important as family time. I want my distant friends to know I still love them and appreciate them. What better way to make that apparent than with a phone call! Screw facebook comments and messages... I need some real interaction!

6. Enter more blog contests and Link Ups. This helps find new blogs and new friends. Yes, I've been bogged down with work and haven't been very active in the blog world the last few weeks. Hopefully that will change!

7. Decide on paint color and flooring for kitchen. Maybe I shouldn't have said DECIDE. I should have said start thinking about. Our insurance company is replacing our whole kitchen floor which means we may be starting kitchen updates sooner than later! One thing I have been struggling with is paint colors as I wanted it to match our current flooring. Well... if that flooring is going... I get to start from scratch! I like it!

8. Continuously keep house picked up and vacuumed. {No... I do not know how to spell vacuum apparently}. With all the dog hair, tired evenings, and plain laziness, sometimes the house can get OUT OF CONTROL. I really need to try harder at picking up shoes, filing mail away, and putting clothes in the hamper instead of on top! Not that I keep a messy house all the time, but sometimes I am ashamed to look around at the chaos that it is in!

9. Save more money - $50.00 to $100.00 per pay check. I am going to try this again. TRY being the key word.

10. Complete at least ONE house project. So many things, replace all doors with paneled doors, work on a gallery wall, replace sliding glass doors with French doors, revamp the patio, update the kitchen {of course}, finish details in dining room, hang blinds in 2nd guest room, revamp 1st guest room... etc. Soooo many ideas, not enough time!

Are y'all working on any goals this month?! Anyone have any advice or techniques on how to achieve goals you set for yourself!? I need some serious help!

XoXo,

It's OK Thursday - Link Up!

Helllloooo there my lovely readers AND NEW fans!!! I seriously hope y'all enjoyed yesterday's Messy Project Reveal! I hope even more that y'all participate in Kelly's upcoming Messy Projects!

Anywho... I totally didn't plan a post for today and since one of my July goals was to enter more link ups... why not link up with Amber at Brunch with Amber and Neely over at A Complete Waste of Makeup for the day! Makes today's post a bit easier on me and at least y'all get to find out what I think is "ok" to deal with!

Here goes!!!!

It's OK to...

Forget to wear deodorant on a super hot day! {Okay maybe this isn't totally okay and why I am going out to buy some at lunch... and yes I pretty much just called myself out on this! Oh well... somehow in my getting ready routine I got distracted and forwent the Secret or Dove... whichever I use... Im still smelling fresh as of lunch time}

Drive to the "good" mall, 20 minutes away from my work, to pick up one of the hubby's birthday presents AND get my eyebrows waxed when I am there AND try to make it back to the office all in an hour!

Really Really Really dislike the girl at work who does ABSOLUTELY nothing! Seriously... NOTHING! Not to mention she just isn't a nice girl in general.

Feel bad when you don't answer your readers comments right away! I hate when I cant respond in a timely manner due to work or being busy! I promise I'm not being rude and I WILL respond!!!

Be a little agitated when folks follow you on Twitter but NEVER respond to your personal tweets to them, but yet you see them responding to other folks. Rude much? Why are you following me anyway!?

Still be so happy you were able to see an old friend/roomie and meet her precious daughter last weekend!

Call your Best Friend at work and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY at 8:30 in the morning but refrain from Facebooking her wall with Happy Birthday! Yes, I think when you are that close... Facebook is for the birds!

Buy a birthday gift and card for the hubby from our sweet Baby Reef! Yes, he gives his Daddy gifts!

Not have a blog post prepared for today!

Ok Ok Ok, that's all I've got for today!!! Soooo glad it is Thursday and we will be celebrating the Hubby's Birthday tomorrow and this weekend! Hope you lovelies are having a beautiful day!!!

XoXo,

The Messy Project!

It's HERE!!! 

July 18th is finally here and I am finally able to share a really really fun project I have been blessed to be a part of for the last month! 

I know you've seen the button, have seen the tweets, and have read a time or two about 

The Messy Project! Well the day has finally arrived to share it with all of you! 

I am sure y'all are wondering what The Messy Project really is...

Here goes...

The awesome thing about fashion and making it our own is that we can all look at a blouse, skirt, or even a pair of shoes and wear and style it the way our fashion sense tells us to. Because of our own personal style we can wear the same thing as the next person but yet look completely different! It is what makes us all unique and allows us to be our own Rachel Zoe. 

Kelly over at Messy.Dirty.Hair developed The Messy Project for several reasons. One being, the gal is a true fashionista at heart and wanted to do something different than any other blogger. Two, she wanted to put, not only her creative mind to work, but several other blogger buddies minds as well. And Lastly, she wanted to show our readers and fans that our own personal style no matter the type can ALL look fabulous. 

The Project:

1 Blouse

5 Bloggin' Buddies

5 Different Styles

1 HUGE Blog Post Party

Kelly picked out this top for all five of us gals to wear for The Messy Project. We were told to do whatever we wanted with the top! Wear and style it how we would if we had bought it ourselves! There were no rules!

I spend a lot of time at work and decided that making this top work appropriate would be my goal! Because of it's sheerness I put a black tank under it, paired it with a black A-line skirt, black pointy toe pumps and my infamous goes-with-everything black Coach purse. Yes, a lot of black but in a corporate environment you want to keep things as professional looking as possible. Plus, with a blouse of this color, the black plays it down and keeps it from being too loud in an office environment! 

As far as jewelry, I just wore simple silver. I added 2 bangles and 2 other bracelets to my watch wrist and wore silver dangled earrings. I'm all about simplicity and tend to shy away from loud jewelry especially at work. 

What do y'all think?!

I know you want to see how the other four gals styled their shirts! So give them a visit and check them out! They all turned out freaking stellar! And I have a new found love for each of these gorgeous ladies! 

Kelly @ Messy.Dirty.Hair

Janna @ Perception is Everything

Kelly @ Mrs. In Training

Jenna @ Ramblings from Yours Truly

I have to thank Kelly for putting this all together and creating such a fun and unique blogging event!! She did so much of the hard work, like shopping, mailing, and organizing it all! You ROCK girlfriend!! 

And thank you loves for hanging in there as we worked on this surprise project! I really hoped you all enjoyed it! Kelly will be doing this monthly so if you want to participate in the next event be sure to let her know!!! 

Hope you all are having the most fabulous Wednesday!!! Half of the week down, Half of the week to go! Sounds good to me!!

XoXo, 

Friday's Letters Link Up!

Happy Friday to y'all!!! Who is excited the weekend is here?! I know I am!

I am doing a new Link Up today, as I wanted to enter more Link Ups and more give-a-ways this month for my July goals! I am excited to be joining the Link Up over at Adventures of Newlyweds!! She always has lots of participants and everyone's letters are always entertaining!

Dear Homeowner's Insurance Company, I think I may have given you a little too much information over the phone yesterday. More so that it may come around to bite me in the butt. Please be considerate to us when you come to assess the water damage and leak and DO NOT SCREW US OVER! Dear Toenails, I know I need to paint you, desperately! I hope to get to it this weekend! What color would you like to be? Maybe I should go pick up a new hue to make you feel pretty! Dear Skye {next door neighbors dog}, Look I know you are beyond glad to be home with your momma and no longer protecting your uncle's house from robbers, but can you please chill on the barking incessantly?! The past several months have been amazing for my ears, both inside and outside my home. Now that you are back I have to turn the television on volume 30 just to over power your yaps! Not to mention Baby Reef runs around in circles in the back yard when you freak out over his presence. It's annoying. Please stop! Dear Hubby, I was thinking today, when it comes to buying this vehicle we want, you are going to have to do the negotiating. I'm not good at it, period. Brush up on your skills k? Love you to pieces! Dear Dyson Animal Vac, Be prepared to get a good workout this evening! You know I haven't pushed you around since, well a month ago, and Baby Reef's shedding hair is blowing around the house like tumble weeds. Plus, I am starting to looking like I am turning into Jacob from Twilight with the amount of hair I have on my clothes at all times. This has to end. You need a workout and I need to push you around a bit more. How do you feel about that? Yea I thought so! Dear Readers, Follow me on Instagram @lhhisfabulous61111 and Twitter and keep loving me as much as I love you! AND have a fantastic freaking fabulous Friday!!!

See you lovies on Monday!!!

XoXo,

July 2012 Mini Goals & Guest Posting!

Well Well Well Hello there July! It's good to see you! Lots of fun things happen when you roll around, like the Hubby's birthday. Even more celebrations this month as Baby Reef turns a year old too! I'm very much looking forward to celebrating my two favorite guys and their big days!!

Just a little "FYI" today, I am guest posting over at Paging Dr. Grace while she is on a fabulous get-a-way in Europe!! Be sure to check out all the guest's posts from the last week! We are all reliving our most favorite vacations... mine being our trip to Costa Rica! Why not our honeymoon you may ask? Well that's how I met Mrs. Emily... she did a guest post on Page Twenty Two about her honeymoon 3 years ago to Cabo where they stayed at the Riu Sante Fe! Well, a year ago the hubby and I spent our honeymoon in Cabo at the Riu Sante Fe!!!! Too funny right?! Well I felt like many of her readers had all the details they needed for Cabo... why repeat them all?! So I'm sharing my second favorite vacation! Be sure to head over and check it out!

Now for today's post... I've already greeted July with open arms annnnnnnd now a new set of mini goals! I'm trying to see them in a positive light and do hope more than one can be accomplished! We shall see we shall see!

1. Write one handwritten note to someone once a week. I know, you've seen this one on every mini goals post I've blogged. Well guess what? It is staying until I complete it!

2. Purchase bed frame & bed skirt for master bed. This just needs to happen. I need to get off my lazy behind and buy the dang frame so we can finally complete the room, until I find a headboard that is!

3. Send wedding set off to be redipped and soldered together. Since we don't have anywhere crazy important to be in the next two weeks, I think I may be able to part with it! We shall see!

4. Save more money - $50.00 to $100.00 per pay check. I, plain and simple, suck at saving money! This one is important to me and I am hoping with the job promotion it may be easier for me to do this now. Although all I keep hearing in my head is, the more money you make, the more you spend. I don't want to be like that.

5. Call out of town friends more often to catch up. This should also include local friends too. We are all so busy and I know I allow too much time to pass before chatting and catching up with my buddies! I want to make more of an effort to spend time with them, whether on the phone or hanging out, and rekindle some of the friendship flames that may not be burning so brightly. I think we are all guilty of this. Husbands, children, furbabies, jobs, etc change so much in our lives but those friends we have had in our lives for years need to be taken care of as well!

6. Have a blast celebrating the Hubby's 26th birthday in D.C.! Yes ladies I married a younger man! A year and a half younger to be more precise! Anywho, this year I am taking him to D.C. {Yes, he knows all of this already} to go see the Braves play the Nationals. He is a HUGE Braves fan and has been talking about wanting to see them play for sometime now! They just happen to be a 3 hour drive away his birthday weekend ... sooooo why not?! I know he'll love it!!

7. Enter more blog contests and Link Ups. Entries to contests and give aways scare me! There are soooooo many things you have to do to get an entry. Follow, comment, tweet, like, follow someone else, tweet someone else, like someone else. Sometimes I think it's a bit much, BUT I do want to win SOMETHING. Plus it gives me a chance to add new bloggers to my Reader! I really need to concentrate on participating in more Link Ups so that I can meet new ladies! Meeting new people is a huge reason why I have enjoyed blogging so much so I need to be more proactive at that!

8. Powerwalk EVERY morning with Reef. I mean this just needs to happen for my sake and the pups sake!

9. Make it a priority to spend more time with ALL of our families. If you don't already know, Todd and I come from divorced families and the majority are all remarried. Meaning we have TONS of family. It is extremely difficult to see everyone but still have time for ourselves! We do enjoy our weekends where we go on dates and just spend time together, but family is VERY important to us and we really need to try harder to see everyone more often. Point Blank.

10. Complete at least one house project. I was thinking yesterday about all the house projects I want/ need to do. New French Doors to replace the sliding glass doors. New blinds in the second guest bedroom. Replace all interior doors with paneled doors. Redo the kitchen. Redo the decor in other guest room. And the list goes on and on and on. Well, I'm tired of just thinking about the projects. I'm ready to complete some! Home Depot is about to be my best friend!

Any of y'all have any goals for the month planned? Any one have any advice on how to stick to goals you set for yourself! Obviously if you've been keeping up with my posts you know my goals end pretty disastrous! I could use all the help I can get!!!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!! Ours was quite relaxing!! Friday night, I of course went to see Magic Mike! Which I will say did not disappoint me in the grand scheme of things, but I did think the ending was pretty freaking abrupt! I could have used a couple more dance numbers and a little more Matt Bomer on the screen. Saturday we went and checked out a Volvo we've had an eye on, went to a few surf shops for the hubby's addiction, and then had dinner! It was a perfect little date night. Yesterday we literally lounged around all day! Tried to play in the sprinkler with Reef but he wasn't having it so we came inside and took naps! Nothing too crazy exciting and it was pretty darn awesome!

I assume everyone is gearing up for the 4th of July Festivities!! Wishing you all lots of fun with whatever you are doing! I'm pretty excited about being off in the middle of the week! Yay, for a little break!

Have a fabulous Monday!!!

XoXo,

Simple Pleasures - Link Up

I’m Linking-Up today with Classic & Glam for Simple Pleasure Thursday!!! I know we all have simple little pleasures that brighten our days, make us relax, and keep us smiling. It’s all about the little things in life that keep you going!

My simple pleasure is when my sweet hubby caresses my face. I think many of you ladies can relate to this. A caress has an incredibly calming affect. It is also one of the most affectionate ways to touch someone and it can even be more reassuring then words or a kiss. A caress is never expected but very much appreciated and I am always left smiling afterwards! It has a way of melting away all my worries and stresses. For that reason alone, I think we could all use a little caress time!

Source: amantedelladia.tumblr.com via Marissa on Pinterest

What are you’re simple pleasures in life?! Link-Up with Classic & Glam and be sure to share!!!

Have a lovely Thursday!!! See ya’ll tomorrow, also know as, Friday, Friday, Friday!

Xoxo,

It's OK Thursday - Link Up

I’m Linking Up today with Brunch with Amber and A Complete Waste of Makeup for “It’s Ok” Thursdays! These link ups are a great way to find new blogs and sweet friends! I’m thinking with both Throw Together Thursday and  “It’s Ok” Thursdays I will be able to stay out of the Thursday rut I always seem to find myself in! Enjoy!

It’s OK...


- to eat kid cereal in your late 20s and enjoy it!

- to spend your whole tax refund on paying off debt

- to voice your opinion on an online newspaper article and apparently get under some readers’ skins

- to want to shake people by the shoulders when they simply can’t do their job

- to feel good about yourself for accomplishing something, even it’s as small as taking the stairs instead of the elevator

- to wish people all the happiness and joy their hearts can hold

- to rid yourself of toxic people who suck the pure life out of you

- to contemplate going back to school for your Masters but being absolutely terrified of the GREs

- to just be quiet sometimes

- to wrap up in a bright pink snuggie in your office chair because it’s freezing in your office

- to not really like Facebook anymore

- to allow yourself a positive outlet, like blogging, working out, and/or crafting to bring you personal satisfaction

- to stand your ground for what you believe in

- to get hungry every time you smell food

- to want a new car even though gas prices and car payments are ridiculous right now



That’s all I’ve got for today!! What is “OK” with yall!? Link up and share with us!


Hope ya’ll are having an “OK” Thursday!! See ya’ll tomorrow!!!

Xoxo,

Time Travel Tuesday - Link Up

Today I am linking up with Britt over at The Magnolia Pair to share my future Dream Home(s)! Obviously, as most females have done, I have pinned lots of house loves on Pinterest! Now I get to share them with the blogging world! Enjoy and feel free to link up with Mrs. Britt to share your own!

I love a mixture of older houses! Colonial, Cape Cods, Victorian; I'd be perfectly content with any one of these styles!!

When it comes to decor I am really indecisive. I LOVE most any decor and can't really pinpoint my style! Here are some rooms I really really really love!

Living Room

Dining Room/ Library

Kitchen

Office/Quiet Get-a-Way

Master Bedroom

My closet!

Guest Room

Nursery

There are a lot more photos I could post, but for the sake of making a mile long home post, I narrowed them down! Looks as though I really like crystal chandeliers!!! By the way all photos are courtesy of Pinterest!

 

Hopefully one day we can all live in our DREAM homes! For now, I'll just keep daydreaming!!!

 

Hope you friends have a fabulous Tuesday! See y'all tomorrow!!! And thank you Mrs. Britt for hosting such a fun link-up!

 

Xoxo,