Love Remains the Same

Once upon a time, I had written a witty and amazing blog post. Perhaps the best one of all. And then reality set in, I was trying to do 5 things at once, and I ended up accidentally deleting said blog post before posting. The struggle IS real. I was extremely frustrated with myself at first, but then realized that I couldn’t do anything about it, so I decided to take a break and restart later. So here I am!

I don’t think I can even attempt to mirror what I had previously written {I’ve slept since then, HARD!} but I will try to think of something right around the same level of amazing {wishful thinking, wishful thinking..} I’m currently sitting on top of my comfy bed, with my new cozy blanket, a cup of tea {with marshmallows in it..because, well, marshmallows!} , a fall candle burning right beside me, and my husband sitting in the other room watching a few pre-season NFL games{which I must say, makes my heart very happy, it's a pleasant sound to hear. Happy fall!}. I think I’m ready for this. Aaaand, go.

As I grow older, I’ve noticed a lot of my tastes changing. They say your tastes start changing every 7{?} years {or so?}, and for me I feel that this is pretty accurate. This ranges from a wide spectrum of things, from my taste in company, food and drink tastes, musical tastes, pretty close to everything.

Ever since I was about 18 or so, I’ve been {gradually} incorporating, and dare I say even liking vegetables, but recently I’ve been LOVING all vegetables that I used to loathe. Tomatoes? Yum. Brussel Sprouts? Pass ‘em over. Okra? Gimme. Carrots? Mine. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with these vegetable cravings. Was I pregnant? Was I having some sort of mental breakdown? What was the root cause of this sudden onset love of vegetables? As it turns out, neither of the above were the culprit {although I’m sure some people would argue the latter..} I honestly think that I am just getting a bit braver as I get older and more willing to try new things.  

This is a change I am kind of extremely happy about: I am not longer just a sweet white wine lover! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dumping all of my moscato d’asti and Riesling down the drain, but I’m no longer reaching for them at the liquor store. Now, I’m looking for chardonnay and cabernet {and dare I say even the occasional shiraz..} Do I somehow feel more sophisticated drinking these newfound wines? You betcha. In case you were wondering, my current favorite brand is actually by Dave Matthews. The brand is called Dreaming Tree. DELICIOUS and your wallet will thank you, because this wine is budget friendly. A couple more of my favorites are Freakshow and 14 Hands..so walk run to your nearest liquor store and get your hands on a bottle {or two, or three..}

Musical tastes have absolutely changed. I hear most electronic music and I think “wait, is this music?” I’m over my “only rap music” phase, although I do love myself a nice rap song when I’m driving with the windows down. Don’t judge, you know you do it too. I’ve been really digging the Michael Buble Pandora station lately. It features good ole Michael himself, Frank Sinatra, Ben E King, & of course, Norah Jones, the classy lady herself!

You know the saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same. There are a few things in my life that aren’t going to change: my love for Charles, my faith, my love of my family, my chocolate & coffee obsessions, and my habit of watching reality tv shows, just to name a few. And you know what? I’m ok with that. My life is in a better place than I could have ever imagined.

Let's get down to the recap portion of our blog post today:

Fresh Farmers Market flowers..$5 for these beauties that will last weeks. Go home with your $15 bouquets that last 2 days, Wal-Mart. Although I still do love walmart..

You can't beat end of summer nights on the deck with your handsome hubby and a nice glass of red wine. You just can't beat it!

Honestly, it's felt more like fall lately than it has summer {well, at least the nights and the mornings feel that way} so I've been trying to spend as much time as possible outside on the deck with the girls {yes, the dogs..}

While at the lake last weekend, the mister and I woke up at around 6am to a thunderstorm. There's nothing quite like the sound of thunder when you're waking up. We decided to make the most of it and spend the early morning hours cuddling on the deck listening to the storm in a hammock.

When thunderstorms disappear, it's time to take a sunset boat ride with the family..and I'm glad I wore this shirt over my swimsuit and we were BOTH glad I had this blanket, because it got CHILLY.

Lake views..why isn't this my permanent view?

 



You know we love local things, and Friday we got the pleasure of trying out CORE brewing company that just came to our town. What and awesome place! If you're around my area, check it out, you won't be disappointed.

I hope as much as your life changes, some things remain the same. 

On my Radar..

Well I’m back again for my 6 month check in!

That’s what it seems like anyway. I haven’t exactly been the best at keeping up and checking in lately. I don’t mean to be this way {and by this way, I mean sporadic in my blogging} but life keeps getting in the way! I’m really trying to make a conscious effort to get back into the habit of regular check ins. I feel like something is missing when I’m not writing about something anything {and if you’ve read any of my previous posts…everything}.

So what was I up to last time? Scrolling through my last post, it looks like it was right before Valentine’s Day as well as right before I hosted my sister’s gender reveal party at my house.

WOW. I can’t won’t even try to find the words to describe the whirlwind known as my last few months. {I said I won’t try to find the words, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t show you via pictures…} That being said, I will be posting some “rehash” pictures at the end, but I figured I would do a segment on “What I’ve been loving lately.” Can this be a wonderful transition post before my next post about what is happening in my life in the present? We’ll see {I do love something to aim for….}

Let’s get right to it:

»   Library Cards. Enter back with me to, approximately, 15 years ago. I was always amazingly in love with reading. Reading by the pool. Reading in bed with a cup of coffee & pj’s. Reading with a flashlight {light’s out is no joke, thanks mom}. Then IT happened. Yes, I’m talking about becoming a teenager. Friday nights meant movies with friends and listening to music, talking on AOL Instant Messenger with my boyfriend, trying out new makeup…the list goes on. Then I grew out of that phase {Lord, help} and then something ELSE happened. Yes, college. Between working and going to college full time, the only books I was reading were textbooks. I have now been graduated from college for 3 years {Hallelujah, thank you Jesus} and I’m finally getting back into the reading swing. But books aren’t cheap, y’all! Enter the library card. Here’s a few suggestions for you: Sparkly Green Earrings, The Antelope in the Living Room, & The Devil in the Junior League.

»   Organizing anything {and everything..} Y’all. It’s as if I’m pregnant and nesting. I don’t know WHY I have been feeling the constant need to organize everything I can get my hands on. My house thanks me for it, so I guess this I don’t really care why this has been such a love of mine lately.

»   Oversized sweaters in statement colors – Particularly loving mustard yellow, burnt orange, and wine colored sweaters..and booties..and jewelry..It’s not even fall yet and I’m already lusting over fall everything. I have to literally talk myself out of putting fall wax in the scentsy burner. I think it has something to do with when they start putting out school supplies, I go into fall freak out mode. {I will wait until football season, I will wait until football season…}

»   Farmers markets – It’s been so much fun walking around farmers markets in the mornings and trying new, fresh food. Not only do you get greater portions of the food for a fraction of the price, the quality is top notch. Charles & I have been having too much fun thinking of all sorts of fun, healthy recipes to create with our farmers market finds.

»   The Bachelor / The Bachelorette – I realize that I’m late to this party, but guys. I’m hooked. Yes I realize it’s one of “those” reality shows, but I can’t help it. It just keeps pulling you in. Nothing quite like sitting in your pj’s drinking wine, & watching 18 girls cry in the span of an hour or two. Genius.

»   Classical Church Music – There is a Pandora station that I have been LOVING lately and it’s called “O God Beyond All Praising.” I love listening to it when I am particularly anxious about something {a musical Xanax, if you will..} and I even like to listen to it at work while I’m working on a project or have a few spare minutes. This is primarily an instrumental version of church music {not Christian radio music, think church music, old school style – As the Deer, It is Well, Be still my soul, Jesu joy of man’s desiring…} Do your soul a favor and have a listen.

If anyone is reading this and you have a new obsession, send ‘em my way.

 

And now what you’ve all been waiting for…I know, the suspicion, the intrigue..A few photos to document my last few months.

We had a gender reveal party at my house {because y'all know how much I love to be the hostess!} My sister was going to have a sweet baby BOY!

We went to a motorcycle rally with great friends..

We got pictures taken by the fabulous Erin Wilson.

We partied for baby Liam!

We Lake Ouachita'ed all over the place.

We were blessed with a new niece, Tess!

WE WENT TO HARRY POTTER WORLD!

We fell more in love.

We became Godparents to sweet baby Liam.

 

That's all...until next time.

"You can't litter negativity everywhere and then wonder why you've got a trashy life"

Freshen up your Spring Look

Happy Friday my fashionable friends!

 

It’s been a cloudy, thunderstormy, muggy week here in Fort Fun, and I’m loving it! I’m patiently hoping that the rivers around where we live are filling up so that we can go floating sometime soon and take full advantage of the spring.

I know that in the spring, people tend to get out a lot more, or at least around here, we all do! We have been cooped inside for so long, we are thankful for the opportunity to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the extra daylight.

With people getting out more, people also tend to have more events. My spring and summer seems to be full of baby showers, bridal showers, concerts, dinner on the patio, cookouts, and the like. I wanted to show you a few examples of what I would wear to certain events during the spring and early summer!

 

All of these clothing options are brought to you by Suite One boutique in Fort Smith. Any {and all} of these outfits would be perfect for a spring or early summer night out, afternoon barbecue, or the like. I happen to own a few of these peices as well, so I know from a firsthand account how great these items look and the heads they can make turn! Loose, flowy floral tops are going to be a constant trend, as well as maxi skirts, graphic tee's, and floppy hats!

We've all been caught getting that last minute invitation to go to a barbecue, so having these options on hand can make it easier to find an appropriate outfit on a minute's notice. You also don't want to show up empty handed, so keep on reading for my favorite {and most requested} summer barbecue treat that's easy to whip up on a minute's notice!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 bundles broccoli, florets only
• 1 red onion, chopped to your liking
• 1/2 cup raisins {optional, my husband hates them so I don’t include them in mine}
• 10 to 12 slices bacon, fried and crumbled {turkey bacon for a healthy substitute!}

 

• Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar {can substitute white vinegar if you prefer}
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Prep:

Combine salad ingredients; top with dressing mixture. Chill if desired {it tastes SO much better} and serve!

I hope you've all had a great week. I can't wait to share mine with you this Sunday! Until then!