Weekend Recap

This past weekend was glorious.

Being out of town [with a time difference] for the first half of the week

can really take a toll on your body. 

I was exhausted!

I wanted a "no phone" weekend. Hence why there aren't any pictures!

Friday afternoon I got to see Bailey, which is always a treat!

I just love spending time with her!!

Friday night was spent in with the hubs.

We got to catch up on our show, Scandal.

Saturday was intended to be a 7 miler, but I opted for 5 instead.

The sun was shining, so I was outside soaking up the rays.

Sunday was exactly what I needed. 

About 5 hours of brunch and talk with my sweet friend Kylah.

It is so weird to look back on our friendship and see where we are now. 

I wouldn't trade that girl for the world.

We tried out 417 Union, which if you are ever in Nashville..

you better go immeadiately. 

It was delicious.

 So, there is my recommendation for the week.

Glad to get back in the blogging groove! 

Hope you all have a great week!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was great!

Saturday I did a 4 miles and then proceeded to go get some necessities

for my trip today. 

I went to Ulta to take full advantage of the Big Sexy Hair Sale, $9.95/bottle!!

They are normally 17.95.

While I was there, I walked over to the NYM section. 

I love their Beach Babe texturizing curl spray. 

What do you know? Buy-one-get-one-half-off. 

So, I grabbed two of the Dry Shampoo that everyone has been raving about.

Let's see how this goes!

I also grabbed Essie's new color, Spin The Bottle. It is the perfect nude polish!

Thanks to my $2 off Essie and $3.50 off coupons, I only spent $32 for hair spray, root pump, two dry shampoos, and nail polish. Holla.

Thanks, Ulta. You really rock.

Sunday was a lazy, rainy day. Which was perfect. 

Off to Ohio for work in a few hours!

Five on Friday

TGIF! I love Fridays. 

one

 

 I got my first eBates check yesterday. Woohoo! I read about them on a blog, and quickly realized how awesome they are! So, here is to $17 back in my bank account!!

two

I got a text yesterday that one of my dearest friends is moving back home to Nashville in July.

Cue serious happiness.

She got a "big girl" job offer.

I am so proud of her, and I love her heart to teach kids with special needs. 

three

We are already starting to make a list for our beach trip in May. Hey, when you get coupons... strike while the iron is hot, right?!

Anyways...

 I love to read, but I always have a hard time deciding on a book to get.

 Any good book recommendations? I already have Emily Giffin's new one on my list. 

It releases the week we leave!

four

Ulta sent me a $2 off Essie Nail Polish coupon. So, thank you for that Ulta. 

I will see you tomorrow! I am eyeing their new collection...

I am in need of a neutral color. I think I might like their new color, Spin the Bottle

Again, any recommendations?!

five

House Hunting this weekend. We have a mile long list (okay, only 5) of

houses to see  this weekend. 

I am optimistic. 

I am patient.

Repeat as necessary!!

[Linking up with Christina today!]

I am going to Ohio Monday- Wednesday. So I will be back here on Thursday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Here! It's Here!

I am thrilled. 

I cannot wait until next Wednesday to post this happiness!

Our wedding album came in!! 

It is a KISS album.

That didn't mean much to me in the beginning, 

but basically it is a really nice leather and super thick pages. 

Our credit in our package only included 20 pages.

Here is peek at it!

Disclaimer: I took these pictures with my iPhone, soooo not the best quality!

 

 

Wedding Wednesday: The Reception

Right before the reception is when we chose to do family pictures. 

And, one of the groomsmen decided to make me cry. 

I think everyone has certain moments from their wedding that they remember every little detail of.

There are few moments that I vividly remember [because it was all one big FUN blur!!]

But this is by far my top 5 favorite moments.

Long story short: Pat's big brother and a college friend of mine [who had tried to set us up several times without us knowing each other] had passed away when Patrick and I began dating.

It was tragic. So, instead of having a blank spot for a groomsman, 

we asked Blake to stand in Garic's honor. 

 

 

Having the honor of wearing Garic's dog tags on my wedding day was truly special. 

Now onto happiness...

Our wedding party entered to "Tie it Up" by Kelly Clarkson.

I just really felt its upbeat, quirkiness described our wedding party perfectly.

And YEAH is used all the time. So why not spice it up a little bit.

This is my FAVE pic of the entrance. Priceless.

 

oh, and this one..

 

There isn't one "oh my gosh swoon" romantic picture of us while dancing. We smiled and laughed the entire dance. Soooo... at least we are happy! haha!

We danced to This Kind of Love by Sister Hazel

 

 And cue when my dad made every single person cry at least one tear...

Bless him.  

We danced to I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts

- Not your typical FD Song, but it had very special meaning to us, and I had to use that one!

 

We did an "Advice Dance".. If you are wanting to do something different, I highly recommend this! It was so special for us. We asked all the married couples to come dance. The DJ announced if you had been married for less than 1 year sit down, 5 years, 10, etc. until there was only one couple.

I was so beyond happy when I see that my grandparents are the only ones left. 

 Then, they graciously gave us marriage advice which included: Always say I love you. And don't go to bed angry. You can go to bed mad, but never angry.

 

Y'all this a lot harder than it looks. I was disappointed we didn't get a picture of us smashing it (you can hear my Big in the background yelling, GIVE IT TO HIM! Lol)

We had 4 speeches 

I love the "candid-ness" of this picture..

Stu [on the far right[, Pat's brother, included a poem in Mandarin, which was awesome.

 

I was asked to be seated...... 

AND THEN.........................

This happened.

 

Linking up with Jordon again!
 Happy Wednesday!

Big News Tuesday!

So, I am throwing out what I had planned today to post today out the window.

I blogged awhile back about the good news that Pat finally got transferred 

to the same city that we live in [no more of the hour long commute to our college town]!

We really wanted him to be promoted/accepted to a full time position, but

there wasn't one open at the time. 

So, we decided his part time pay (he was approved for "overtime" aka full time hours) would still

be worth not having to commute and waiting for full time to open up. 

Well, yesterday, he called me with even better news. 

And I proceeded to text/call my parents and friends.....

After being at the new location for two months, he officially is FULL TIME!

I cried I was so happy. Not only does this increase his commission check, 

but he gets full benefits!

 

Now, I am going to go work and enjoy this sunshine!!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Weekend Recap

This weekend was full of sunshine, again!

Saturday was great. I spent some much needed time with Bailey.

I brought my sidekick, Hershey, along with me. That dog loves going to her house!

Patrick and I continued the house hunt. No update on that front, but patience is a virtue.

 After I read a post this morning from another blogger, I am spicing up my boring recap.

Life is hard sometimes. And weekends are fleeting. 

So, I am approaching this Monday [and week] with a grateful heart.

Here are a few things I am grateful for this [almost] warm Monday!

- Being able to do a job that I love

- A husband that goes above and beyond

- The ability to look for houses, as stressful as it is

- Sunshine, y'all!! Anyone else agree!?

- Spending some quality time with some great friends[they seriously rock]

San Fran, here I [we] come.

Maybe.

One of my dearest friends lives in San Fran.

Long story short, I am in the process of marking three things off my bucket list:

1. Run another Half Marathon

2. Run a half marathon in a different state

3. Visit Blake in San Fran.

Well, this girl and her hubs might be taking a short mini vacation to the Golden Gate bridge to run a few miles and see a great friend. 

The details are in the works. And, there is a possibility it won't happen.

But, I am letting my tight wad self live a little on this one.

So, here's to maybe running a half marathon this summer!

Wedding Wednesday

As much as I would love to bombard this post with pictures of the best day ever, I felt a tug at my heart to share something else. Yesterday, I read this blog post. Let me tell you, she hit the nail on the head. It said all the things I have said, yet needed to hear again and again and again. Oh, and again. It is so easy to get caught up in the details, flowers, cake, dresses, itinerary, and even sometimes the drama that goes along with wedding planning. You are one giant rollercoaster of emotion.

And that is okay. Repeat after me, that is OKAY. I promise you that no matter what crazy thing happens during wedding planning, you're not alone. A bride [or million] have experienced that very same thing. To me, that was comforting.


I have read and re-read this post about 13 times. I love it. I just pause after every line. Having grace with myself and others is something I really struggle with. My Type-A personality just doesn't want any part of it most of the time. But, like she says, perfection is not attainable. Using your voice is so important. We have found in just a short 5 months that is key. I can't read his mind, nor can he read mine. Continue to invest in your girlfriend. Amen, amen, amen. I had one of my best friends be extremely open with me about this. We had isolated each other, completely unintentionally, after the wedding. It is a weird transition phase that you're in, which she understood. Thankfully, her openness challenged me. I have really taken a look at the friendships I have. I have tried eliminating ones that have hurt me, and bring me down. I have tried being more intentional [which I fail at often, thankful for grace yet again]. I think the most important thing to remember is to invest in friendships that are intentional, that are mutually encouraging, and that help your grow to be better. And when you suck, it is nice that your best friend will tell you that :). Her last point just drives it all home. I have been really convicted of this lately. I don't want to miss life with my husband and friends because I am too busy tweeting, instagramming, or just looking at nonsense. There is a time and place to enjoy those things, but to take a step back every now and then is absolutely a must.

While I fail daily, I love this post for so many reasons. I encourage you to read it- her words are far more eloquent than my own. Whether you are a girlfriend, fiance, wife, or single. It can be applied to any relationship.

Weekend Recap

Am I allowed to do that on Tuesdays?! Of course. Because this gal had a three day weekend.

Thank you Snow/Ice.

This weekend was great. A five mile run with my girl, Jordyn. 

Lots of conversation and a little exercise.

 

Saturday night was a "date night in." Which are personally my favorites. No make up, no fuss.

Sunday I had the crazy idea that I would run another 4 miles. I don't know what has come of me lately! After looking at a house, we decided to contact the realtor about it.

Big step for these picky house hunters. 

It is all in God's perfect timing because.......

there was already a contract on it.

Normally, that would make me super sad. 

But if we are being honest... the only main reason we were perusing it was- location, location, location. The price was high, but awesome for where it was.

Well, our realtor shot back with another house that is an option and right in our location and budget

and......

we are going to look at it today! I am trying to get my hopes up. 

We are ready. But, again, it is all in God's perfect timing, not ours.

Monday was a snow day. Seeing as my car wouldn't even make it out of the driveway, 

I gladly stayed home and was absolutely lazy all day.

No shame.

Have a great week!