These are a few of my favorite things

The theme of this link up is so fun! So, naturally I had to join Cheers Y'all and Down with the Deamores. Here are a few of my favorite things right now!

 

1. Lauren Conrad Bedding

2. Emily Ley planner

or

3. Plum Paper Designs Planner (On Etsy or Website)

4. Puffer Vest

5. Modern Muse (I already have this, and I am in love with the smell!)

6. Pioneer Woman Cookbook. I've looked through this, and it has some great info and recipes!

7. Love this Southern Lady coffee mug. Too Cute.

8. One of the items left on our registry that I really want- Simply Caphalon Nonstick 7qt Dutch Oven!

Weekend Recap

My, oh my! What an eventful weekend! Saturday began with the obvious of Pat having to work, and a nice little interval run with Dad. Then, Mom and I had a date to the Nashville Christmas Village. It is basically a flea market of Christmas themed booths with products from local and not local boutiques and shops. Which, we all love a good boutique shop. She had gone a couple years ago, and didn't really love it. So, we decided to give it another chance since I had never been. It was $10 per person to get in, with $5 parking. Despite the insane amount of people (emphasis on insane), we had a good time. I don't think we will be going back in the years to come, mainly because we both agreed it was a little overrated. We could easily pick our favorite local shops, and do some shopping in those... with a lot less people!!

We did get a few goodies. Mom got an "L" to paint, and put on the door. She is slowly jumping on the monogram train! bought me a super cute hounds-tooth coat. Losing weight definitely has its perks, but one love-hate is none of your clothes from previous years fitting. I will post pictures later. I am really slacking on that. My goal for the whole adventure was to find a "we're married" ornament. However, I am really picky, and I know exactly what I want. As Pat said, "That doesn't surprise me!" I did get Patrick an ornament- he is just as sentimental as I am! It's a wood ornament that has "best dog ever" engraved on it, and you can put a picture in it! He absolutely loved it, and can't wait to pick out a picture to put in it!!

Patrick and I got to spend a few hours together that night watching Scandal. Have I mentioned how into that show we are?! Have I also mentioned how glad I will be when he doesn't have to commute two hours a day?! It has its advantages, we appreciate our time together a little more than if we both had the 8-4:30 jobs, like I do.

Sunday was full of rainy, stormy weather. And maybe a nap or two. I tweeted earlier in the week (since it was 23 degrees) that is was time for the Christmas tree to come up. Well, when you are sharing a house that is currently under construction (and by under construction, I mean there is like no floor on the attic- just beams), it is a little difficult to get decorations down that are located in said construction zone. Needless to say, it is going to be a large team effort, and I was really sad when Pat and I couldn't get the tree down. So, next weekend- It is on.

One thing that drives me crazy: the "It's not even Thanksgiving!" I'm sorry y'all... I just LOVE Christmas.

Five on Friday

Five on Friday can be extremely difficult some weeks. Especially when you don't want to overload on wedding... again. I usually do items I want,things that have happened, or something that makes no sense whatsoever! So, to step back from all of that... I wanted to show some love for the upcoming season! I am very guilty of overlooking Thanksgiving. It is not because I don't absolutely love Thanksgiving, but I really LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it. I guess I could summarize by saying I love this holiday season as a whole. Here is what I am most looking forward to this holiday season:

O N E.

First Thanksgiving/Christmas as a wife. I am still getting used to that. We decided instead of getting each other gifts (because we were just abundantly showered with all kinds of presents from the wedding), we are going to adopt an Angle Tree Kid. This is a tradition we want to start as a family, and we are so excited!


T W O.

Christmas Cards. Patrick and I spent way more time that necessary picking out our first Christmas Card to send to our closest family and friends. After much research and a lot of "coupon hunting," we finally put one together! We made a joke that we feel really married now. Haha! We used Shutterfly- not only were they quick, but we ordered 50 cards and envelopes for 35.50. Talk about a deal. And they were delivered in a week. We got free shipping, and 40% off with a coupon code. I highly recommend going to retailmenot.com .... they have coupon codes for everything. I've used 5 so far for different sites, and all are legit.

T H R E E.

House hunting. Yes, we have officially started house hunting. Right now, living situations are less than ideal, but we are saving money- a lot of money. And for newlyweds and recent college grads, that is crucial. So while this process is so stressful and testing our patience, we are trusting in God's timing and guidance on our future home, wherever that may be.

F O U R.

We have started "marriage goals."  I saw this on a few blogs I follow, and I love the idea- so kudos to whoever came up with this. Each month, we set goals on what we want to work on that month. It can be anything! I am excited to set our goals tonight! It is hard when we have such opposite schedules right now to actually have time to sit and enjoy each other! Cheers to date night tonight!

F I V E.

Lastly, but definitely not least, Patrick graduates on December 14. I am so excited for him, and for us to start this journey without a two hour commute every day!



So here is to all the happiness, and sometimes sadness that comes with the holiday season. Here is to being intentional with those you love and making this season about what it is supposed to be about.

One Month

I cannot believe we have been married for a month. I would like to say not a lot has changed, but I don't want to jinx it, and in a way, it has changed. It has been fun. It has been a learning experience. I can say "my husband." But more than all the formalities, it has been fun to grow together. Just in a month, I can tell how we are adjusting to one another and figuring things out. I can't wait for more laughing at (with) one another, and  having our typical "Patrick/Sara" moments like the ones in these pictures. So, here is to the first month. Can't wait for many more to come.

Untitled

For some reason, this didn't post yesterday. Buzzfeed recently did a 24 Reasons Childhood Friends are The Best Friends, and I could not agree more! Even though I am not a huge HP fan, the article definitely brings truth to lifelong, childhood friends.

Sunday, my matron of honor calls me up, and said she was coming over. I was so excited, considering we hadn't really talked much and I hadn't seen her since the wedding. You don't realize how much you miss them (or just needed to be around them) until you are both gushing about the past month. It was so nice to not have to plan anything, or make a to-do list!

We talked about the hilarious (and even the not-so-hilarious) things that happened on my wedding day that we didn't quite realize were hilarious at the time, like me shouting her name anytime someone asked me a question ("BAILEY!??!"). Sorry guys, it's just habit.

Not only did a good laughing session do my heart some serious good, but catching up on her life was so much fun too! Love you, B!

 

Beef Stew

I am a lover of soup. And you can really only justify soup in the Fall and Winter. Here is an easy, inexpensive, great go-to stew that takes about 15 minutes to prepare, and is ready when you come home from work!

Ingredients:

1 pound of Stew Meat (usually one package)- this typically costs anywhere from $5-9, mine was 7.50.
1 can of tomato sauce $1
1 can of chicken or beef broth $1
2 Large Potatoes- I buy the 4 pack, that way you don't waste any $2
1 Beef Stew Seasoning Packet- $1
2 cans of Green Beans- $2
1 can of Pinto Beans $1
1 cup noodles (Patrick loves noodles in his!)


You can add any veggie or bean you would like, for example: Carrots, chunks of tomato, Onion- however much you choose to use, I only use about 3-5 slices for flavor

Total cost: about $15.50

Directions:

Peel Potatoes, wash, and dice. Drain excess water out of green beans and pinto beans. Place stew meat into crockpot, along with diced potatoes, green beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, broth, and seasoning packet.

 

Cook on High for 6 hours, or Low for 8 hours. If you choose to add noodles, put those in about 20 minutes before serving.

Place leftovers in small containers for lunch during the week!

*Crock pot tip: Every time you open the lid, it takes 15-30 min to heat back up to its temperature, so just let it be!