Day 2: The BEST day of our life

Hi lovies! Back again, with more pictures coming at you from Beaty Photography Visit them!

XOXO

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

Good books, TV addictions, and a steal of a deal!

Hey, y’all!

It’s a wonderful morning here in Arkansas. I'm on my second cup of coffee! The mornings are cool and crisp, and they are reporting that by mid next week, temperatures are expected to drop and the humidity is expected to take a dramatic dip. There are no sweeter words to a southern soul than LOW HUMIDITY! Isn’t it the TRUTH?

The best part of my week so far is without question the birth of my first nephew! I am a first time Aunt to Thomas Patrick Marsh, the most beautiful 6 pound, 12 oz, sweet baby boy ever! Unfortunately, my precious little nephew lives farther away than I would like, so I won’t be able to officially meet him until Christmas! I could just love on him every. single. day if he was here. Naturally, this means I am looking forward to the holidays all the more this year!

Ok, so is he not THE CUTEST thing you have ever seen in your entire life? I'm in love!

 

In other news, I am on the hunt for a few nice reads for my Cancun vacation! This time next week, I will be sitting on the beach with my kindle in hand, enjoying a margarita and enjoying the company of my husband! I’m really looking for a few “feel good” books for the twentysomething woman {no, I’m not talking about Twilight; no, I’m not talking about 50 Shades of Grey, no matter how much I enjoyed that book…} I’m talking about a good for the soul book. I will most likely end up perusing through the Kindle bookstore to find a few good reads this afternoon, but if you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know!

I thought it was about time to share my TV obsessions with you. During the summer, I don’t get the opportunity to sit back and catch up on juicy shows as much, because for some reason, I am CONSTANTLY busy. Anybody know the feeling? I’m sure you do. It’s summeritis in its best form. Fall slows down a little bit, I have a chance to breathe and relax! If we aren’t watching the Razorback football games {yay}, I’m probably doing chores and watching Netflix on the iPad. I LOVE that you can watch Netflix / Hulu on your phone and iPad, because when I’m cleaning the house, I can watch as I go. It makes cleaning all the more enjoyable. Just grab your iPad, click on Netflix, and start folding that laundry, doing those dishes, making the bed, etc. It gives you something to do while you do chores, which makes the time fly by. Here’s what you will catch me watching this fall:

Revenge. I cannot express how much of an addiction this show is to me. I. Am. Obsessed! I have gotten several friends hooked on this show {for which they love me greatly}, and we always compare notes. If you’re looking for a darker show that will keep you on the edge of your seat in every single episode, this one is for you. Seasons 1 & 2 are on Netflix and Hulu Plus, and season 3 starts at the end of this month {so I suggest catching up and quick.}

Nashville. Need I say more? I live in the SOUTH people. Anything with the name Nashville on it, I feel obligated to watch. It’s funny, dramatic, musical, all thrown into one! Not to mention, Hayden P. does a fabulous job in this! I found this show on Hulu Plus…not entirely certain that it is on Netflix.

Mistresses. If you want a scandalous show about four girlfriends who all find themselves in rough spots with their marriage…this show is for you. I didn’t think I would like this show as much as I do, but it’s absolutely fabulous! This one is also found on Hulu Plus.

 

Parenthood. Okay, so I’ll admit it. I {along with thousands of other people, I’m sure} started watching this show because I was OBSESSED {still am} with Gilmore Girls. I literally watched every episode at LEAST 3 times, some even more than that. If you weren’t obsessed with GG…HOW?  It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. Lorelei from Gilmore Girls {aka Lauren Graham} plays a major role in this show, so naturally I had to watch. This is a family show about all of the children in a family growing up and raising their own families. It’s got drama, humor, family fun, and everything you can think of in this show. I’ve been drooling over each new episode. There are currently 3 seasons of it on Netflix, and each season is about 21 episodes or so, so it keeps you busy for a while!

 

Orange is the new black. WOW. This Netflix original has taken me by storm. It’s about this woman who got busted for a crime she committed nearly 10 years earlier. She had completely turned her life around, gotten engaged, etc and then she was caught and sent to prison. Not only that, but she was sent to the same prison as the person who got her caught. It follows her around and documents her experiences as well as her fiance’s experiences with her being in prison. So. Addicted. It’s a problem.

 

 

Sitting here talking about all of these television shows that I am “addicted” to makes me feel even more strongly that Charles and I need a hobby. We are thinking that once we get married, we are going to take up bike riding. That way, we can get some exercise, spend quality time together, and get some fresh air! What do you guys do for “married people” hobbies? What do you do for your date nights? I truly believe that keeping your marriage alive and fresh and not getting into a rut can be one of the best ways to stay active in your marriage {says the girl who isn’t even married yet and knows nothing, haha!}

Well it’s Friday, 8 days before the wedding! It’s time to start the pre-wedding pampering! This afternoon when I get off of work {at 3pm, who doesn’t love that?!} I am getting my hair done, because nobody wants to see a bride with dark roots! It’s just plain unflattering. This weekend will be spent running various errands and lots of cleaning and sleeping in {crossing my fingers, because I can’t ever sleep in}. Sunday afternoon, my friend Angela and I are making a venture across the river for a “final fling before the braces go on” event for my friend Katie, over at www.gloriouslyreallifexo.blogspot.com! I can’t wait to spend a fun night, catching up with girlfriends and forgetting about the wedding week stress! Monday night I’ll be getting a facial with my momma {mother daughter bonding time!}, Tuesday, the girls from work are throwing me a shower, and Thursday at 10:00 am starts the vacation time from work for picking up family from the airport, setting up the reception hall, and a big family cookout! Then Friday will be the day for mani / pedi’s, massages, the rehearsal, and the rehearsal dinner. FINALLY, Next Saturday I get to marry the love of my life! I cannot even stand it. I know you all must be utterly sick of hearing me mention it all the time, so don’t fret, because it’s coming to a close!

Some things I’ve been loving:

 

My Custom dress hanger! Want one? $6.99 and this precious hangers is YOURS for the taking. Go here!

 

My Instagram sign for the wedding, modeled by the fabulous Charles. I picked up a $3 frame from the clearance section of Hobby Lobby, got some chalkboard paint and painted the glass, then glittered the edges and used a clear spray over that. I then took some “Chalk paint” and wrote the words. Chalk paint works so.much.better than chalk, I kid you not. Go to your local Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and try some out. The only downfall is, there isn’t a big collection of colors, you are more limited than if you use regular chalk.

I’ve been using VistaPrint like CRAZY lately doing some cute personalization items. I love this site, but at times it can get expensive. Need some new business cards? Want a custom iPhone case? Want a cute new travel bag? Check out this Living Social deal here! This gets you $60 dollars worth of items for only $16! You just can’t beat deals like that, y’all!

 

Ok, all. I promise, promise, promise I’ll keep you updated on my whereabouts this weekend / week. Have a great weekend. Be a blessing, be a friend. Use your words to heal, not to hurt.

The smorgasbord of all posts

Hey y'all! I'm glad you're back!

I figure you might get sick of me this week. I'm going to try my hardest to do a "blog overload" this week, since for about two weeks after this one, I will probably be a woman in hiding due to the wedding festivities!

I have no theme to this post {hence title, the smorgasbord of all posts.} This past week, I have just had a TON of things I have wanted to share with you all. Charles has been making fun of me because of my constant blog talk. Whenever he see's something he thinks is neat, he says, "Oh honey, you better blog that!" What an adorable man! I can't get enough.

As always, I hope you have had a fabulous pre-fall weekend, full of family, friends, football, coffee, and relaxation {and puppy snuggles, we cannot forget the puppy snuggles!} Something I'm always interested in is finding out people's Sunday evening routines, because everyone is SO different. How do you typically wind down your weekend? This weekend, I have opted to end mine with a glass of red wine {yes, Katie, RED, can you stand it?}, a face mask, and some Netflix.

Now, where to begin on the smorgasbord...

For all of you Keurig lovers out there, I HIGHLY recommend the Folgers K-Cups in the flavor Vanilla Biscotti. I ran across this while I was perusing the aisles at Wal-Mart and thought it would put a twist on my typical french vanilla. It is a bit sweet, but not overpowering. I sipped on it on the deck this weekend in the cool weather and enjoyed some much needed "me" time.

Introducing Vanilla Biscotti by Folgers! You better run grab some <3

I also spent my afternoons trying to prep for the honeymoon! When thinking of where I should go to find travel essentials, of course I thought of Target! Hands down, they have THE best travel section around, although I still can't stand how the body wash and the shampoo and conditioner is sub-par at best. On trips, I really like to have my day to day essentials {my sunflower oil body wash, my moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner, my Macadamia oil deep conditioner, my leave in conditioner, my heat protectant, and my Olay moisturizer.} The problem with these products is that they are SO bulky and not in travel sizes {for shame.} I wanted to bring all of my favorites with me so I feel like myself in Mexico, and Target has the CUTEST TSA approved containers. I still haven't decided if I am going to check these products or not, but the fact that they are small and not bulky was the major selling point for me.

These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I used the green and pink bottles at the top for shampoo/conditioner, and the pink bottles on the side for various hair products and toner. The small, round, blue containers are used for moisturizer, etc.

Since Target is located right next to Ulta, I thought, well why not? I had a 20% off coupon, which I used to purchase two travel sets of new makeup brushes that I absolutely adore! These brushes are the "Real Technique" brushes and were created by a YouTube makeup guru. They are AWESOME. Check these brushes out right here! They are very affordable and are hands down the best brushes I have ever owned. Plus, Ulta is always running some kind of promotion or special deal, so look out for those for an easy way to save a few dollars on your purchase!

Ta-Da! The wonderfully soft brushes that your face will thank you for! Get yourself to Ulta today {or for you savvy online shoppers, head on over to the website with the handy link above!}

Naturally, you have to smell good on a vacation, right? So it only make sense that I had to buy a new perfume for the trip {make that a perfume set..} You guys, I just couldn't resist this deal. Once again, I had a coupon for Kohl's, and "Princess" by Vera Wang was sitting there on a beautiful center display just taunting me, YES, taunting me in all of it's glory. The bottle alone was $50, yet they had a set with the perfume, the body lotion, and a body gloss for $45. I wonder which one I chose? No contest. This is a great scent for those days you just want to feel like a Princess {what can I say, they hit the nail on the head when they chose the name.} If you haven't smelled this perfume, I highly encourage you to go to your nearest perfume counter and check it out. Once I smelled it, I knew I had to have it. Plus, who can beat the packaging?

Here she is in all of her glory! I am beyond thrilled with this purchase! And LOOK at that packaging

The weekend consisted of cleaning and fall decorating! We had about ten friends over Saturday night to watch the Razorback game, so I got to go into hostess mode, which is one of my most favorite modes! I prepared my favorite spinach dip and jalapeno puff pastries for an appetizer, and we had ribs, baked beans, corn, and okra or the main meal! What a wonderful {albeit, a little too hot} evening with good friends! It was a fabulous pre-wedding cookout. The jalapeno puff pastries were a huge crowd pleaser. If you want the recipe, follow this.

Who doesn't love a little fall decor? I went to Hobby Lobby {I know, I know, we have all experienced the Hobby Lobby shopping experience, where "I'll only be there for a few minutes" turns into "Oh my, how did I end up in here for two hours."} I ended up leaving with glitter pumpkins, glitter acorns, pumpkin trays, fall kitchen towels, an Autumn yard sign..the list really just goes on. No matter that I spent too much time at Hobby Lobby when I have about 100 things left to do for the wedding, my house is much appreciative for the festive makeover!

Well, guys, it's been great, but it's time for me to log off for the day! My brother and his wife just had a baby! That's right, I am now Auntie M for the FIRST TIME! I am thrilled beyond words that my sweet nephew is a healthy 6 pound baby boy! I will annoy you with a million pictures next time. Until then!

Michele