Day 1: Bridal Portraits!

Hey, y'all!

It's WEDDING SERIES TIME! And what a better week to do it than the week that Charles proposed! That's right, Charles proposed last year on November 2nd {which is saturday} <3 I can't believe it has already been almost a year since then and we are married! Enough of that, and on to a few of my favorite Bridals!

Just as a reminder, all Photos were taken by Beaty Photography. Go visit them here!

Me and the awesome Beaty Photography team! {Emily was put on bedrest a few days prior, so we held up her picture so she was there in spirit!}

Can't wait until tomorrow...XO

Sunday evenings--The best or the worst?

Hey y'all!

I can't believe I didn't get to do a "Five for Friday" post on Friday! Shame on me, but here's my attempt at an excuse for why I didn't get around to making one...

First, it was a busy day at the office. Yeah yeah, bad excuse {No matter how true it may be...}

The real reason I didn't post my Friday routine was because I got all of my wedding photos back!! Insert HUGE, CHEESY GRIN HERE! I spent about two and a half hours posting all of my pictures on Facebook {yeah, again, cheesy, but I was SO utterly happy..by the way, check the sidebar and you'll know that Beaty Photography takes the most AMAZING photos in the world. If you don't use them, I don't even know who you are...

I figured I would do my weekend re-hash on Sunday so that I can start my "wedding/honeymoon mini series" this week! Without further delay..

Friday night we spent time cooking with friends and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Charles and I both had long days at work and had some projects to finish at the house, so we headed home early, worked around the house a little bit, and then hit the hay!

Saturday morning was spent at an early breakfast with my parents. After breakfast, the boys headed to the sporting goods store, and my mom and I went shopping around the pavilion. We tackled some Christmas shopping {YEAH! Early bird gets the worm and all that} and we got some amazing deals on some autumn decor {thank you, Kirklands and Pier One!} We also scored the cutest buckets to put our Halloween desserts in. We have a tradition that every year before Halloween, we watch the Charlie Brown great pumpkin and make dirt cake! It's a world of fun.

Check out the CUTE decor! I got the balls and the room sprays from Pier One, and the two cute candle holders from Kirkland's...all 50% off. Who doesn't love a good sale?

After shopping around with my mom, I went home to steam clean the carpets with our new Bissel steam cleaner {works like a GEM}. I also did some tidying up while the husband worked on finishing the window in the guest bedroom. Just because we were cleaning, doesn't mean I can't be cute!

Leopard scarf from Liz Claiborne, studded sweater by Rock and Republic

Then, we met up with some of Charles family members who were in from out of town. Some came from New Mexico, some came from Fayetteville...We had a blast! Then we met up with some old friends for some drinks and games and good conversations.

Sunday was a busy one! Just look and see. There was...

Church time! Boot socks, sheer cream blouse, leggings, boots, and a fall scarf!

FUJI! Yummo, it had been too long!

Puppy pawprints! We are making the molding to put alongside a photo of us for framing.

Now, I am sitting with a glass of wine, after working on chores and cooking dinner, and I'm debating going and taking a hot bubble bath, but to be honest, I think it will be a "jump through the shower in the morning" kind of day.. this day has done me in and I'm ready for bed.

I hope you are as excited as I am for my wedding mini-series! Love you all<3

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11

At least it's ALMOST Friday..

Hey, y'all!

Ok. You caught me. I'll admit it. I stayed out too late last night {...yes, 10pm is too late for me when I wake up at 4:30am..}. I'm not feeling my best or most productive this morning. I wanted to throw my iPhone when the alarm went off {mental note to change the alarm music, it's way annoying} but I got right up, brushed my teeth, picked out my clothes, did my hair and makeup, albeit not to my best abilities..and shuffled on in to work. Typically I don't get my morning cup of coffee until 7am..I'm a creature of habit y'all, but I couldn't resist grabbing a cup to wake me up. Plus I'm sitting right under the air conditioner at work and I'm FREEZING, so I needed something to warm up my body and to warm my soul. Coffee is a game changer, I don't know where I would be without it..

Here is the reason for my "too late" night:

Bonfire nights are clearly the best kinds of nights. Plus, how can you really beat a fire like this? Answer? You can't.

I opted for my wine colored long sleeve Piko top with my Liz Claiborne cheetah print scarf from JC Penney. I paired it with my columbia jacket so I could stay warm ;) I love these nights!

 

 

We headed out to a neighboring town {because they don't let you have this much fun in the city limits} and had a few drinks, ate some good food, and engaged in great conversation while sitting by the fire. I needed that escape after my horrible, horrible Wednesday. It was a truly gorgeous day, but I had a long work day and I left with a headache and a to-do list. Never fun...but look at the pretty sunset I captured while we were heading out to the fire!

The husband informed me that he had a potluck at work today, so I whipped him up a dessert to bring, and I doubled the recipe so I could bring something to the bonfire last night {because a lady never shows up empty handed..thanks mom}, so I made this quick and easy {cut me some slack, remember, I had a horrible day and I was in a hurry} dessert that I used to make for all of my little boyfriends in high school..behold the "magic bars":

Yummo! Here's the recipe:

• 1/2 cup {1 stick} butter
• 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 {14oz} can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups coconut flakes
• 1 cup nuts {optional}

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, or 325 for a glass dish. Melt butter and pour in a 13x9 dish.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top of butter
Pour condensed milk over crumbs
Pour butterscotch and chocolate chips over condensed milk
Coconut flakes over chips
Nuts over coconut flakes
Bake for 25 minutes or until slightly browned! Cool for best taste. Cut into bars and voila!

Have a blessed Thursday {here's hoping for a better day}!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.”  John 14:7

Mid week treats!

Happy Hump Day, y’all!

When I leave work on Wednesdays, I always feel amazing, because the work week is already half over! Which means only 2 more mornings of waking up at 4:30am…yeah! I also usually try and treat myself to a Wednesday treat. Just a little something to say “congratulations for making it through the beginning, here’s a treat to hold you over until Friday..” Usually it’s a Starbucks Captain Crunch frapp {if you haven’t had one, shame on you} or maybe I’ll treat myself to a mani or pedi {or maybe pick up another one of the game-changing lip gloss from Walgreens…right, Katie?!} Do you guys have incentives to spoil yourself? I’m always looking for more excuses.

If any of you follow the “Pretty Little Liars” series, you know that every year there is a “between seasons” Halloween episode, and every year, my good friend Jaclyn and I watch this episode, cook an amazing fall meal, and carve pumpkins! Last night was the night of the episode, so this happened:

 

 

THE most incredible beef stew {made by Jaclyn} and the greatest chocolate chip banana bread {made by me!} to go with our pumpkins {our men helped us, and carved some of their own, such cuties.} Such a great time with great friends! Cholla and Milli wanted to help eat the pumpkins..Milli even ate a seed {I told her if she drank water now, a pumpkin would grow in her puppy tummy!}

 

If you’re going to do fall like activities, you have to dress like it. I give you my pumpkin carving attire: Steve Madden cognac boots, cheetah leggings from Rachas, a cute, local boutique, and an oversized zip cardigan from Old Navy. Helloooo, fall!

I’ve decided that now that I’ve got some extra time on my hands {wedding planning is done!!}, I need to get myself in shape! I used to do cross country running, so I decided I needed to start back up with my running! Now I’m not the type to have a ton of tennis shoes in my closet {I have one pair of baby pink Nike shox to my name}, so I had to go out and get a pair of shoes. After trying on what felt like half of Academy, I chose the FILA women’s memory therapy gradient training shoe. This shoe has great reviews and it is SO comfortable. It is also light, which is something I look for because I have very weak ankles. I’m excited to take these shoes out for a test spin, it’s always such a great escape to go for a nice run, and it’s even better when I’m wearing a shoe that doesn’t weigh down my foot.

 

I’m pleased to inform you that BBW is having their 2 for $22 candle deal starting again today. It only lasts a few days each time it comes around, so take full advantage! I need a few more fall candles to get me through November {on Black Friday every year, I go to BBW and stock up on holiday candles, and I start burning them on Black Friday while we are decorating for Christmas!} Be aware of Black Friday ad’s coming out. My sweet friend Jaclyn told me about the Black Friday app for iPhones that is already starting to post some Black Friday deals. You don’t want to miss out on the great deals J

This week, something on my mind is family. Charles’ grandfather became pretty ill, and his family is all coming in to see him. Some of the family I haven’t even met yet, so I’m pretty excited to meet everyone. Family doesn’t only apply to people you are related to. My parents best friends are people that I consider my family. They are all like aunts and uncles to me, and I’m proud that they are in my family. Charles parents also have similar friends who are like family to us. In fact, we are going to a bonfire at “Aunt Donna and Uncle Richard’s” house tonight {I’m so thrilled..what to wear, what to wear? And on a work night..I feel like a rebel. It’s good to break the rules every once in a while..}Bonfires are just plain good for the soul. The smell, the friends, the drinks..absolutely on my fall bucket list. I have “my family,” which consists of my parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, etc. Charles also has “his family” consisting of the same. Now that we are married, it is becoming a reality that now, my immediate family is Charles, and will someday be our children. We have branched off to form a totally new family, which is a little scary to think about, but also excited. I can’t wait to start our own family traditions, and to go through everything in life with my greatest, most true friend. Marriage is NOT for everyone and it certainly isn’t to be taken lightly. When you know, you know.

 

 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”  Mark 10: 6-9.

 

I hope you have blessed Wednesday! <3

 

A picture's worth a thousand words

You have all heard the saying "A picture's worth a thousand words," and it is amazingly accurate! This weekend, pictures more accurately explain my whereabouts and what I was up to better than I would ever be able to explain to you. So without further delay..



There were martini's

There were handsome dates..

 

Charles bought an Elf on the Shelf {he says he will use it to scare me during the holidays. I don't really think that's what the poor little guy was designed for..}

There was cooking...and watching my handsome man build a fire throught the window

Charles practiced being a dad..

There were s'mores with the sissy {I FINALLY got to wear the handmade poncho I got in Mexico..happy dance!}

This happened....holey moley

The dogs helped out a lot, plenty of this occurred.

The beautiful Monday morning rainbow I saw outside the office today. "Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hand hath made.."


It was a beautiful weekend filled with friends, good food, family, shopping, cleaning and organizing, and resting / pampering. How could you complain about a weekend like that?! I'll see you all back here soon! XO

Michele

It's that time of the week again...

Happy, happy, HAPPY Friday, y’all! <3

This week flew by, which is surprisingly welcome due to the fact that the past three weeks have just continued to drag on. I am so excited for a weekend at home to enjoy this wonderful fall weather, work on the house {I got most of the cleaning done last night so I can relax on the deck tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee…yeah!}, and enjoy friends and family. Oh, and football, lots and lots of football and snuggles. Insert cheesy grin here.

Isn’t it funny that your idea of a “fun weekend” changes with age? A fun weekend to me used to mean a party on Friday AND Saturday. Maybe a big show in Fayetteville. Now? A fun weekend is sitting at home, cleaning house, cooking food, reading, maybe getting some shopping in {I plan on doing ALL of these things this weekend, by the way…} Even though Charles is about to be 27 and I’m about to be 24, I feel as if some of the people we associate with feel like we are “old and boring”. Well, maybe we are. But I’d take that over young and reckless any day of the week, I’ll tell ya.

I hope my Friday passes quickly. This girl just has a few hours and an afternoon meeting to make it through until my weekend begins! 3pm, I’m longing for you!

Since it’s Friday, let’s hop right in to 5 for Friday! Here’s what’s on my mind this Friday!

{ONE}

Good deals! When I’m shopping, I try to look for the best deals around in order to get the most bang for my buck. I got incredibly lucky this week with some of the deals that I stumbled across. First, I made the trek to Old Navy, where I found 2 zip front oversized cardigans, 2 cozy, lounging shirts, 2 pairs of the most adorable boot socks, the cutest mustard yellow sweater, and 2 pairs of super cute funky flats! That’s 9 items that would have totaled well over $150 dollars. I scored ALL of these items for $62 dollars. Old Navy is having a KILLER sale going on right now, so I highly recommend scooting on over to your local store and getting your fall “must haves.”

Another place I stumbled upon that had killer deals was JC Penney. Now, I normally always find amazing deals at Penney’s but this time took the cake. I got the about 6 tops and sweaters and two scarves, which, before all of the sales, would have been over $200. Of course everything there is typically on an extreme sale, and this time was no different. With all of the sale they had going on, it brought my total down to $110. Then, after all of the coupons they emailed me and sent to my home {y’all, I CANNOT stress enough how important it is to subscribe for email updates and mailing coupons from stores…it only works to your benefit}, I spent only $68 dollars! I mean, could I have gotten any more lucky with that? You best believe I was thrilled. Of course, I made my weekly visit to Suite One on new arrival day {wild horses couldn’t keep me away}, and got a few cute pieces as well, so I’m just all set! Want to get a JC Penney discount? Go to JC Penney and say “BOO” to the cashier. You’ll score 20% off of your total purchase! So worth it.

My final deal of the week comes from my beloved TJ Maxx! I scored a Columbia jacket for Charles AND one for myself. These puppies were only $24 dollars, and they had all kinds of styles, colors, etc. Way to top off my week right, TJ Maxx!

 

{TWO}

Crockpot Recipes! Crockpot recipes tend to always be on my mind around the fall / winter. Warmer weather means warmer food, and crockpots just make my life SO MUCH easier. I know Charles doesn’t like it if I continually make the same thing {he loves variation and trying new food}, so please send me your favorite crock pot recipes my way!

{THREE}

Holiday Parties! I was out for drinks with Charles and his bosses, and the topic of their company Christmas party came up. Naturally, this got me into holiday party mode: What will I wear? Where will it be? How will I accessorize? What scent should I go with? Dressy or casual? The list really goes on. I LOVE planning for holiday parties, I love the atmosphere around the holidays. This year, my girlfriends and I are toiling with the idea of a special “holiday” girls night. More info on that later, I’m sure it will deserve a whole post dedicated to the occasion. What do you like most about holiday parties? Holiday season please hurry hurry hurry!

Here's Charles and I on Christmas last year!

{FOUR}

I can’t believe that tomorrow will be a whole month since I married my best friend! It feels like yesterday. Where did the time go? How bittersweet. I should be getting my pictures back within a few weeks, and I promise, when I do, I’ll do a post on the wedding AND on the honeymoon. Married life honestly hasn’t changed my life drastically like people said that it would {granted, I’ve only been married a month, so what do I know?} but everyone made it seem like as soon as I said I do, everything would just feel different, and they were right. It feels SO much better. Charles and I lived together for 2 and a half years before we got married {yes, I know, I’m a heathen, but I don’t think it’s bad to test drive the car before you buy it..}. We know each other’s bad habits {he leaves his clothes, shoes, and dishes everywhere, he doesn’t clean his bathroom and it’s gross…and I nag him and take up all of the closet space…} Being married was an easy transition for us, since we have been “Playing married” for a few years. I agree I am young, and most people might not think I am fit to be married, but I think I was born to be a wife at an early age. I always knew I would marry young and have kids young, and cook, clean, and take care of my husband. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about women working {I love my full time job and wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING}, but there is something so fulfilling about taking care of the ones that you love. I feel very blessed to have Charles as my family, and I will never take him for granted.

 

{FIVE}

Weekend plans! They always seem to be my #5 on Five for Friday! It’s going to be a great weekend! Tonight, we are meeting up with one of our favorite couples for a dinner at 21 West End {chicken Caesar salad and pomegranate martini, y’all are calling my name!} It will be so great to catch up with friends we haven’t seen since the wedding. Saturday, we have decided on cooking out, football, and a backyard “bonfire,” since the weather is supposed to be divine. I couldn’t be more excited for a fall weekend here in Arkansas {I wonder what I’ll wear…} =) I'm ready to put this week in the rearview!

 

Isn't Cho the cutest pumpkin you've ever seen?! She just loves her mom.

 

What’s on YOUR agenda for this coming weekend? And what’s on your mind this Friday? I hope you had as wonderful a week as I have had. Until next time! XO

Michele

DIY No Sew Dog Bed!

Hey, y'all!

I can honestly say yesterday wore.me.out. But I had such a wonderful fall evening at home with my babe! Homemade potato soup, a little decorationg, crafting, cuddling...Can't get any better! I know I say this in every single post, but THIS WEATHER!! <3 it! Can't get enough. Perfect "drive with the sunroof down" kind of weather {and trust me, I have been}. I was at the grocery store picking a few things up for my soup recipe, and saw the prettiest of mum's sitting out. I decided I had to have some. While perusing the aisles, I found a mini hay stack {only $7!} and some cinnamon smelling pinecones and mini pumpkins. Of course, I wanted needed all of these things. Here's what I created:

It's tutorial Thursday over here! I've been needing to make Cholla a little dog bed, because her and Milli aren't the biggest fans of sharing the razorback bed I made for them {I guess they didn't read the "sharing is caring" post from yesterday...}Anyhow, I figured I would use up some extra fabric and polyfil I had and make Cholla her own princess bed {because dogs are family, after all}. I won't keep y'all waiting. Without further delay, let's make a DIY No Sew Dog Bed!



You'll Need....

• Scissors {make sure they aren't dull or they will fray the fabric}
• Two layers of fabric {you can use whatever you'd like, but I've found that the fleece material or anyother kind of soft material works best}
• Polyfil

{Step One}: Place fabric evenly on floor, one layer over the top of the other. I usually pick two different colors, typically I go with black on bottom because it will be mainly sitting on the floor, and will get dirty.

{Step Two}: Once fabric has been perfectly aligned, Cut a square out of each corner. These don't need to be big squares, just big enough to make the edges. {Tip, one you cut one square out, use an excess square of fabric to make the other edges the same size}. Look at my handsome helper!

 

{Step Three}: Cut slits in the fabric approximately 1.5-2 inches wide. along the perimeter of the fabric.

{Step Four}: Tie the two slits together {I would double knot it so that your pups can't untie it and get all of the stuffing out. Our dogs just love stuffing.

{Step Five}: When you're tying the last row of slits, leave a few slits open and start stuffing the dog bed with polyfil {or, if you don't want to stuff the bed, you can continue tying and it will create a blanket}. Once you have stuffed with polyfil, continue on to finish tying the rest of the slits.

{Step Six}: Let your princess enjoy her new puppy bed!

We actually put this at the foot of our bed last night and she slept on it the whole time! They love the beds. I will be putting it by the window in the bedroom so that she can be comfy and cozy while she looks outside and waits for us to come home.

Stay tuned tomorrow for 5 for Friday! XO

Michele