Friday: I'm in Love

I'm joining up with one of my favorites, Summer, for her "It's Friday, I'm in Love" Series. Pop on over to Athena in the Middle for some more lovey goodness!

Enjoy some of my favorite finds on Pinterest this week. I'm in love with all of these! 

Source: cfabbridesigns.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{this one is repinned from summer herself! a rainbow riding a unicorn. so fun!}

Source: accesshollywood.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{this will be my new hair, as of saturday at 9:15!}

Source: daniwats.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{gray walls + shabby chic headboard. swoon!}

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday, and that you're able to spend the Easter weekend reflecting on the greatest gift the world has ever received.

Weekend Recap Preview

Ohmygoodness

Christmas

Is

In

Five

Days!

(just had to get that out of the way!)

This weekend I spent a lovely time with Julie as a house guest, and got to meet Kate in person! Julie has posted a full recap on Brown Eyed Belle.

I have yet to transfer my pictures from camera to computer, but I hope to have my own full recap up soon.

Until then: Bloggers unite!

{Lovingly borrowed from Julie. Photo snapped by my sweet husband!}

Tag!

My sweet friend Julie from Brown Eyed Belle tagged me in a little blog game. It was the sweetest surprise for a Monday morning(even though I'm posting on Wednesday...)--the "I Love Your Blog" Game!

Here goes:

1. Why did you create this blog?

I first became addicted to blogs when I discovered Weddingbee. I had high hopes of blogging for that fun and creative community, so I started a wedding blog while I was planning my wedding. My dedication was lacking, however, and with stresses of work, life, and wedding planning, my role as a 'Bee was not in the cards. I loved reading blogs, though, and I often have opinions and random things to say, so I decided to start a "life" blog after I got married. Now this is just a little corner of the internet for musings, pretty things, and friendships that have popped up. I'm still shocked that people I've never met in person would want to read anything I have to say! 


2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

{via}

I follow all sorts of blogs--fashion, music, religious, pregnancy/baby/mommy, photography...My favorites are over on the sidebar! 

3. Your favorite make up brand?

{via}

The only brand I am strictly loyal to is Bare Minerals for foundation and Mineral Veil. I also LOVE the Prime Time make up primer. I hoard it like it's going out of style, usually...For all other makeup, I love to try new things!

{via}

4. Your favorite clothing brand?

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I will be the first to tell you--I am NO fashionista. I like comfortable clothes that are cute and inexpensive. I just have other priorities that I'd rather spend money on. Today I'm wearing jeans from Kohl's, a sweater from (the no-longer-in-business) Goody's and children's shoes from Payless. Yes, I buy children's shoes. I have tiny feet. Basically, if it's on clearance or available at TJ Maxx, I like it. If anyone wants to nominate me for What Not To Wear, I'll be glad to give you my contact info :) (I don't think I dress terribly--I'm not up-to-date on the latest fashions, but I also don't run around in parachute pants circa 1989.)


5. Your indispensable make-up product?

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I always wear Bare Minerals foundation, eye shadow and mascara. I RARELY leave the house without at least those three things. If I could only wear one make-up product for the rest of my life, though, I'd have to go with mascara. 

6. Your favorite color?

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To wear? Black or gray (boring, right??). I also love turquoise and pink to wear, red and navy to decorate with, sage green for everything kitchen. I pretty much love all colors. I think they all have their place! 

7. Your favorite film?

{via}

Always has been, always will be...The Wizard of Oz. 

8. Your favorite perfume?

{via}

I rarely wear perfume. I tend to gravitate more toward scented lotions and body sprays. My favorite place for all things smelly-good? Bath Junkie. My scent of the moment is the "Autumn Harvest" blend--cranberry, red apple & pumpkin. YUM!


9. What country would you like to visit and why?

{via}

I would LOVE to visit Ireland. There is Irish in my blood (and in my husband's), plus, they have CASTLES there! 

10. Write the last question and answer it yourself.
What's on your keychain?

• Caribeener from Divine Rhythm, the young adult event I am on the Design Team for.
• Car key and keyless entry fob
• Rewards/shopping cards: AC Moore, Food City, Ingles, Kroger, New York & Company, Babies R Us (actually from my sister's account--no babies in my house any time soon!)
• Nickle cross that I got on choir tour my freshman year of high school. This has been on every keychain I've had since 2001!
• C charm that was on my wedding bouquet :)
• Apartment key (with sock monkey key cover!)
• 2 keys to my parents' house
• Mailbox key

Now, to pass on the love, I tag:
Beth at Just Me and My Life
Valerie at Next To Heaven
Summer at B is for Brown

Prayers for Baby Brownie!

If you don't know Summer, you are seriously missing out on one of the brightest souls in the bloggy world.

She finds out today if IVF #5 worked for her and Mr. Brownie.

These two deserve to be parents more than any couple I know--online or otherwise.

Say a prayer for the Brownies? I know they can feel all of the prayers being sent up on their behalf.

They will be great parents!

{all images from B is also for Baby}

Cutest lamp I've ever seen!

Whitney and Ashley from Shanty 2 Chic always have the cutest projects on their blog. You can't help but be inspired when you visit them. But OH MY GOODNESS did I die when I saw this lamp that Whitney posted last week.

What are some of your favorite DIY blogs and projects?

OMG! It's a blog!

One of my all-time favorite bloggers, Mandy from OMG I'm a Mom! (and Mrs. Dumpling from Weddingbee) is fabulously funny and real and oh-so-awesome-I-have-a-HUGE-blog-crush-on-her! She also has a new project and I'm excited!





No, no, no, I'm not pregnant, nor will I be anytime soon. But, that doesn't mean I'm not a pregnancy/baby/mommy blog junkie. And, well, this is just one more site to add to my blogroll. It might just go straight to the top, to be honest.

Do you read any blogs that are completely irrelevant to you or your life stage? Share your favorites in the comments!

Southern Sirens: Pass the Sass!

I'm so excited today I can't hardly stand it! The Southern Sirens are officially making our debut!

Grab the button and pass the sass!





<br /> <center><a href="http://3southernsirens.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad218/acrosscreative/siren-button2sec200.gif" /></a></center><br />


Please head on over and check it out. You're going to love it!! While you're there, click to follow!

I'm back!

Hello my loves!

I missed you so while I was gone, but I just know that Julie, Beth and CJ took excellent care of you! And if you're new around here (thanks to these fabulous women, no doubt!) WELCOME! I'm so glad you're here!

The Sonshine Choir (youth choir) from my church had an AWESOME trip to Texas last week--and let me tell you--it was HOT! There are pretty much zero pictures of me because I was the definition of a hot mess the whole time! But, I did want to share a few shots from the week. I plan on a full-tour recap soon, but for now, I hope these will tide you over!

{art at one of the places the kids sang}

{the choir}

{welcome sign at our hotel in Bryant, Arkansas}

{Texas Rangers baseball game}

Happy Monday!

A colorful vaycay

Tomorrow morning I'm hopping on a charter bus with 26 high schoolers, six other adults and one bus driver. And we're going to take this state by storm:

{source}

(Doesn't that just make you hungry? Yumm!)

It's choir tour time, and this will be my first year chaperoning the trip. I went all 4 years of high school--and no, I can't sing a lick, but the choir was much bigger back then, and I could blend in no problem--and it was always one of my favorite parts of summer. My senior year we took Texas by storm, so I know it will be a lot fun to go back!

We'll visit Dallas, Georgetown, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Houston. We'll also stop in Memphis and Mobile on either end of the trip. The youth choir will sing in rescue missions, nursing homes, and downtown ministries in various cities. They'll get the chance to serve meals and to minister to folks who are, for one reason or another, in these various situations. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do in the next week!

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And, even though it's been a little quiet around here lately, I at least had the forethought to ask three lovely ladies if they would stop by next week to keep you all company, and they graciously accepted! It will be a week of colorful vacation, and if you don't already know the three girls who will be hanging out here, I just know it will be love at first sight! They'll be sharing their favorite colors with you, and it's sure to be a fun week!

I'll start things off on Monday morning, then turn it over to my gracious guest-posters for the rest of the week! I Want One! Friday will go on as planned.

Have a great weekend, and get excited for a colorful vaycay next week!

Had to share this

Valerie at Next to Heaven posted this yesterday, and I immediately had to grab it and share it here, too.

 {source, via Next to Heaven}

I don't know if I've ever shared my love for The Wizard of Oz with you all...but trust me...It's a passion that runs deep and is practically as old as I am...and I love this this 8x10 print...

Top 2 Tuesday & an award!

Click over to Taylor's to link up!

I think "Top two things you can't live without" is a great topic to jump in to Top 2 Tuesdays with! Now, I am approaching this topic with an obnoxiously first-world perspective. Clearly, I can live without these things, but they are fun things that improve my mood, if nothing else!

1. Gold Bond Ulitmate Healing Lotion (travel size)

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I blogged about this way back in January, but I really can't say enough about this stuff! I have it with me in my purse at.all.times. I may not use it every day, but it's always there for me when I need it! If you're looking for a travel-sized lotion to keep in your bag, don't let the old lady stigma about Gold Bond keep you from trying this! (I get mine for $1 at Wal-Mart).

2. My MacBook and Adobe CS3.

{source}

{source}

Some days, being able to go home and play with some design stuff really does save my sanity. I have big dreams of working from home, designing all day long and meeting fun people along the way. I've only dabbled in graphic design thus far--working (for free) for people I know and love. I hope to one day really turn it into a business though. It would be even better if I could design full-time, whether for an existing business or myself. But, for now, I'll continue designing in my spare time, for my friends and myself!

In other news, Julie over at Brown Eyed Belle gave me an award! I love this one because we're also BFFs in real life! 

I just have to tag Julie back! Also, I'd like to pass it along to these favorites: 

EmilySarah

Valerie

Eyegirl

Hopefully you don't mind to get this again if it's a repeat for you!