Fourth of July Surprise

With K and I being such procrastinators and do pretty much everything last minute, it's no surprise that we just decided on our Fourth of July plans. With Panama City Beach only being an hour and a half drive, we thought it would be fun to go there for the weekend, and Kaylee loves the beach. Well, apparently everyone and their Mother decided to go there for this holiday weekend as well. I called and scoured the web for hotels... nothing. Absolutely no rooms available in any hotel for our chosen dates. Lovely. I guess that's what we get for waiting the weekend prior to set plans.

 

No way do I want to be stuck home for the holiday weekend. So, I got to thinking of other places nearby that would have a good firework show to watch, and Wild Adventures came to mind. Valdosta is a little under an hour and a half drive, not bad at all. We could definitely make that happen... the big question now being, are there any hotels available for that weekend?

 

YES!

 

The only room left available being a King Suite. Score! We'll take it. The main thing is now checked off of our list. We don't have to travel and camp out in the car now. Trust when I say, that I wasn't opposed to doing so. I've got to get out of this town, if only for a weekend.

 

As I was browsing the website for park hours and admission rates; a sweet surprise was listed... the park is hosting a concert for the holiday weekend, free with park admission. Who will be playing in concert, you ask? Oh, just BILLY CURRINGTON! I'm definitely more of an indie junkie, but I do listen to country music on occasion, and I'm fully aware of who Billy Currington is, and even know a handful of his songs. Double score. I do love a good ol' country boy. 

 

 

 

 When you purchase a ticket for the park, you get your second day free. So, we're going to drive over Friday morning purchase our tickets, watch the firework show that night, and then return Saturday for our free day to watch Billy Currington in concert. I think it's going to be quite a fun filled weekend. This just goes to prove that procrastination isn't such a bad thing.

 

The best part? Kaylee has NO IDEA what-so-ever! She's going to be beyond surprised when we pull into the theme park. I can't wait to see that sweet little face of hers light up with joy. I live for that face. K and I have never been to Wild Adventures for the Fourth, so we will get to experience it together as a family for the first time. I'm stoked to see the firework show they're going to put on. I'll promise to take lots of pictures for posting next week!

 

What are your plans for this Fourth of July holiday weekend? Whatever it may be, I hope you have an amazing weekend filled with memories to last you a lifetime, and safe travels for those of you traveling!  



Confessional Friday

Hi Friends!

 

I can not believe that another week has just passed us by! I had to do a double take at the calendar this morning because I could have sworn it was only Thursday.

 

Yay for Friday! Let's get this Confessional party started...

 

 

1) I would like to confess that I went over to my parents house on Sunday to watch the premiere of TrueBlood with them. Let me just say that it didn't disappoint, and picked up right where it left off last year. Mmm Alcide! Just what I needed to jumpstart this season and my Sunday.

 

 

Now, that is one fine man, and if you think otherwise you're absolutely cray cray. As in you've done lost your damn mind. I promise to seek help for you!

 

2) I would like to confess that K and I are going to look at a house this weekend! Is it the "one"? We've only been looking for a week so it would be a lie if I didn't say, I sure hope so. Easy usually doesn't ever happen for us, so I'm definitely not going to get my hopes up. Keeping my fingers crossed is something I will do though.

 

3) I would like to confess that I'm quite excited for tonight. Kaylee has been attending Vacation Bible School this week, and they're doing a little graduation for it tonight. It's going to be so cute. She has enjoyed every second of it, and has come home with so many stories along with things she has learnt. So cute.

 

4) I would like to confess that my weekend is going to be spent starting some of the many DIY wedding projects on my list. I have full intentions of doing this. Hopefully. Ask me on Monday if said projects took place.

 

5) I would like to confess that I haven't cooked ONE meal this entire week! Not a single one. Well, I take that back... I did pick up a pizza on two separate occasions this week, brought them home, and placed them in the oven. That has to count for something. Right?

 

And that concludes this Confessional Friday. Tune back in next week for another edition. Have a fantabulous weekend!



Slightly Obsessed

DAILY BOUTIQUE SITES!

 

My. New. Obsession.

 

 

I've frequented GroopDealz and SassySteals for the last year, at least. Each site offering a variety of products ranging from jewelry, to clothing for both adults and children, accessories, and décor for your home. All merchandise at very reasonable prices. You get to purchase boutique pieces without those crazy "boutique" prices. It's a win-win!

 

You will also find many handmade goods on these sites, along with monogrammed things. I've bought different styles of jewelry, and have no complaints to date. I have yet to buy any articles of clothing for myself, but have made purchases on dresses for Kaylee; of which have been great quality.

 

A new site has moved in, and I think it is now my favorite. Jane offers the same as the other two daily boutique sites, but has a superior selection to choose from. I've found things for the home to bridesmaids accessories for my upcoming wedding. The seller's profile offers all need to know information, and a way to contact if needed. Giveaways are offered for chances to win prizes through the site.

 

If you haven't caught wind of these three awesome daily boutique sites, well, now you have, and  you're welcome. Go check them out, and take advantage of their cheap prices. If you are one of the millions who know the site , then I don't have to tell you how marvelous it is because you are already well aware! 

 

I love these boutique sites so much that I've made them part of my morning routine. It goes a little something like this... Walk into my office, fire up my computer, check my emails, pull up the internet, and browse all three sites to see what new goodies have been posted!

 

Happy shopping, ladies!

 



Target for Girls

I usually hit up the sale racks at Gap, or stroll on over to Old Navy for all of Kaylee's clothing needs. However, I've been finding myself browsing the girls section of Target more frequently. Where her closet was once Gap, it is now slowly filling up with Target wear. I love this place!

 

Here are a few of my favorite picks...

 

 Outfit #1

 

Outfit #2

 

 

Outfit #3

 

 

Outfit #4

 

 I could add so many more favorites, but don't want to overload you on girl picks. Summer styles are added weekly in store, and I'm loving all of it! Every. Single. Thing. Target has been my go to for sandals lately. Kaylee destroys any type of shoe by dragging her feet; so the cheaper the better when it comes to those!

 

Looking for some cute summer styles for you little girl? Go. To. Target. The material holds up really well, and lasts for a quite a while. Great prices, and a large selection to choose from. I've also found some good deals on their clearance racks as well.

 

Have a fun filled shopping day with your little one. Kaylee loves having a "Girls Day". Let me know about all of the great deals you find! Enjoy.



These are my Confessions

It's Friday and you know what that means... I'm linking up with Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition for another week of Confessional Friday!

 

This week has literally been a complete drag, so I'm really looking forward to my weekend out of an office. Of course, it's calling for rain in my part of Florida. Go figure. Looks like Kaylee and I will be playing in the rain all weekend, and crossing my fingers we won't catch pneumonia.

 

Anyways... Let's get this confessional party started, shall we?

 

1) I confess that K and I are "house hunting". He's finally decided that he wants to move in to the city due to working an hour away from our current house. He is over driving 2 hours per day for work, and I am totally fine with that. I've been trying to get him to move in to town for the last two years! Buying a house is a nightmare from what I have been told, so I'm torn on how I really feel about this adventure we're about to embark on.

 

2) I confess that getting up early this week and taking Kaylee to dance camp wasn't all that bad. I kind of liked getting in the office early and leaving early. Maybe I should change my hours? It's debatable.

 

3) I confess that I didn't work out a lick this week, and I maybe drank 4 bottles of water total the entire week... along with 3 cups of sweet tea! Awful. What has happened to my self control? I haven't had sweet tea in almost six months!

 

4) I confess that yesterday I received my first speeding ticket in six years! I knew this car was going to be trouble... but it's soo much fun to drive! I've owned it a total of two weeks, and have already gotten a ticket; a whopping $265. How lovely.

 

5) I confess that it's time for a change... in the hair department. Due to the wedding, I can't have any length taken off because I've been letting it grow. So, the only other thing to do is color. I have really been loving the red/brown color, and was thinking something along these shades. They're different, drastic, and I love it. The color is still up for debate; depending on how it may affect my hair before the wedding, because I don't want red hair for my wedding. If it's doable, I'm going for it, if not, then I'm adding lots of blonde.

 

 6) I confess that I've been a horrible blogger for the past two weeks. If it weren't for my "Wedding Wednesday" and "Confessional Friday", I wouldn't have had a post at all. Not sure what has been going on, but I just haven't been able to come up with any topics for discussion. Nothing has been on my mind to talk about. Boring, I know, but next week will be different. Promise!

 

That concludes this week's confessions. I'm excited for this weekend... Kaylee has a birthday water party tomorrow, and Sunday we have a Baby Q to attend. Our very first one. These Baby Q's are becoming quite popular, and I love this new take on a couples baby shower. It will be interesting. Hopefully the rain will stay away for both parties.

 

Happy Friday, and I hope you all have a marvelous weekend in store!



Wedding Wednesday!

Today has found me browsing wedding cake after wedding cake in search of styles that I like. I've found quite a few that I could see being displayed on the cake table for our wedding.

 

A friend that I went to school with, has started and owns her own bakery. Every year I have her bake Kaylee's birthday cakes, or desserts for any parties that I may host. She's unbelievably talented and loves what she does; it really shows in her finished products. I knew without a doubt, she would be the baker for our wedding cake and dessert table. If you are getting married in the Florida Panhandle area, having a party, or looking for a caterer, give Heather, the owner of A Bite of Delight a ring, and she will hook you up!
 

So, my day has went a little something like this... Browsing page after page on Google Images and wedding blogs, oooh that's a pretty one!, save picture to the "Wedding" folder on my Desktop, pull up email, send to K for his input, get negative response, browse page after page again, find another pretty one, save to Desktop folder, email to K, met with another negative response... Do you see the pattern here? My guy would be the only one out there to care about what the cake looks like. How lovely. "That one is too plain" "You've shown me better ones in the past" "No way, I don't like that one" "Can't you find something better?". Men can be so infuriating delightful.

Something simple yet beautiful is what I'm in search for. I don't want or need anything fancy or unpretentiously over the top. Simplicity is key.

Here are a select few of the cakes I've sent K today...

1) This was the "plain" cake (his words). I love it, but would downsize it to only three tiers as opposed to the five.

2) I really love the ruffle style of this one. Very simple yet so pretty!

3) I think this is one of my favorites. Again, I think three tiers would suffice, but even with the fourth tier, it doesn't look enormous or overwhelming. I would change some of the flowers to go more with our style being used.

 4) My second favorite. A favorite verse of mine, and I may or may not have already designed the flag toppers in Publisher! The only thing I would do different is add one more tier. 

5) I think this cake is very rustic chic. However, I would want all three tiers to reflect the style of the middle layer.

What are your thoughts on these cake choices? Do you have any cake choices of your own that you'd like to share? Click on Contact page, and send them my way. If you've already experienced this, how did you and your fiancé fair through the cake selection process?
 

 If choosing a style of cake has been this much fun, I don't even want to think about the tasting and selecting a flavor portion. Heaven help me.

I'll gladly accept any words of wisdom during the course of my wedding planning journey. Believe you me; it has been a journey up to this point. I can only imagine how the next nine months are going to be. I can't wait!

Have a lovely Wednesday ladies.


Confessional Friday

Friday? Already? Hallelujah!

After last week being a complete drag, I absolutely needed this breeze of a week. 

 

It being Friday, you all know what that means... I'll be airing my not-so-dirty laundry. 

 

Without further adieu, I give you my confessions...

 

 

 

1) I confess that I have yet to buy a Father's Day gift for K or my Dad. Procrastination at its finest. What can I say? I do everything last minute. I really should start working on this little problem of mine.

 

2) I confess that I'm beyond excited for lunch today. I have a lunch date planned with a special friend, our wedding photographer! I'm so thrilled to talk wedding details and plans for our Engagement shoot coming up in the fall.

 

3) I confess that this has been a good week for my healthy lifestyle jorney. I've stuck to my workout schedule along with my meal routine. I have yet to cheat this week, and have felt so great with more energy than I've had lately.

 

4) I confess that next week is going to suck. Kaylee has dance camp beginning at 8:00am; meaning I have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get us ready and out of the house by 7:00 am. I'm usually just rolling out of bed around 7, and leaving the house for work at 8 in the morning. I'm not a morning person what-so-ever. This is going to make for a long week.

 

5) I confess that I can't even tell you the last time K and I had a "Date Night", with just the two of us. I need some adult time, just he and I, no child, some kind of bad. Dinner and a movie, a stroll in the park with coffee, or even simply sitting at the house. Something, I don't care what. These things are very important in a relationship, and we need to get back on some type of "Dating" routine like old times.

 

That wraps up my confessions for this Friday. Do you have anything you want to get off of your chest? If so, link up with Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition. It's load of fun!

 

Happy Father's Day to all of your Daddy's out there. Have a fabulous weekend, friends!    

Wedding Wednesday!

Good Morning lovely ladies... and I suppose gentlemen, if there are any of you reading this.

 

I haven't posted a Wedding Wednesday in a few weeks. To be quite honest, every time I've opened my checklist and/or wedding spreadsheet, I've just gotten this really overwhelmed feeling, and exit out of each within a minute. The days and months are passing by so quickly. I feel like we're running out of time, and there is so much left to do. Elopement keeps looking better and better. I wish I could just hire a wedding planner to do it all. If only it were that simple.

 

This week, we have accomplished a few things... Deposits have been made for our DJ, Photographer, and the Details Company. Our March date is now secure and we're locked into a contract with each vendor; which was a huge sigh of relief. After making those deposits, I felt some of the weight on my shoulders melt away, and started browsing whimsical/boho styled weddings. I may or may not have spent a few hours looking through 104 pages of wedding dresses. I have an idea of what I'm looking for, but definitely opened to trying on anything. The dress talk will be saved for an entirely different post though.

 

Today, I want to talk hairstyles. Updo's, side braids, or down and simple? I was pretty set on what I wanted about a month after K's proposal. Nothing fancy, just a simple messy braid running down my shoulder.  

 

This being my absolute favorite of all, but with a little less volume.

 

.... and a couple of other's I've found along the way.

 

 

 

Once again, Pinterest is clouding my judgment and making me second guess myself. Go figure. I've never been a fan of updo's. I personally just don't care for them. Never really have... until I came across this one on Pinterest. This is the only updo I've found and could actually see myself wearing for our wedding.

 

 

Here are a couple of other simple messy hairstyles I've found and really love too...

 

 

 

 

So, the million dollar question being... Shall I stick with the messy side braid that I've loved from the very beginning, a braided updo, or a wavy yet messy free flowing style? There's such a variety of styles to choose from. I love them all.

 

At least this is one decision I don't have to make until a month prior to the wedding when I go into the salon for my trail run. Yippee for one less stressor at this moment in time.

 

Until next time...Happy Hump Day!



Confessional Friday

It's Friday, and with it brings my confessions. I'm linking up with Leslie once again, for another round of Confessional Friday!

 

 

 

 

1) I confess that, I woke up this morning 100% certain that today was in deed THURSDAY! Who does that? So much for getting to wear my casual work day attire this week.

 

2) I confess that, K and I went car browsing last night after work. Completely unplanned. We just wanted to ride around and look at cars. No harm in looking, right? Then we saw one that we really liked just sitting there all shiny and pretty... and we left the dealership with it!

 

3) I confess that, I'm not at all excited about this hot Florida summer we're about to have, but I am excited that Kaylee is out of school and we get to plan fun trips for the next couple of months.

 

4) I confess that, we just began house hunting... and I hate it. This is going to be such a long drawn out process. Why can't we just find one that we like and move right in? Where is an easy button when you need it?

 

5) I confess that, I better be looking hot at the end of this 12 week boot camp! These classes are intense, and I'm beating my body up to lose these last twenty pounds. I want to pass out during every class, and have never sweat so much in my life. I've been so sore this week, barely able to move or walk, and have worked muscles I didn't even know I had. Forget taking the stairs... the elevator works just fine. TMI I know, but you get the point. Boot camp is tough stuff, no joke.

 

 

I'll share pictures of our new ride with y'all next week. I hope you ladies have a lovely weekend! 





And We're On To The Next

 

Time.

It's fleeting. Gone in the blink of an eye never again to return. It's like a thief in the night. You’re left with only memories, and sometimes those aren’t enough. I wish nothing more than to grasp every waking moment, and never let go. I remember wishing it away as a child; always wanting to be bigger and older. As a child, you're too young to understand just how significant it truly is. I remember my parents telling me to slow down and enjoy it because it passes by faster than you think. No way, time is so slow, it drags on forever, I would tell them. I couldn't have been more wrong. Now that I have my own child, I get it. They were right.

 

Time is literally passing by right before my very eyes. Where has it gone? It feels like I was just expecting, and couldn't wait to hold Kaylee in my arms for the first time...Fast forward to seven years later, and she has just completed her last day of first grade. First grade. How has seven years past K and I by so quickly? Thinking about it has me on the verge of tears. I'm not ready for her to grow up. I miss my baby. I want these last seven years back! She's going to be graduating before we know it. I'd give anything if time would just stand still. Time can be just as bad as it is good.

 

With that said, Kaylee has had a great First Grade year. She received an award for making A/B Honor Roll during both semesters, and is currently reading above grade level. She's still the class clown (thanks to her Dad), and becoming a bookworm (thanks to me). K and I are so very proud of her, and the accomplishments she has made this year alone. First Grade is down and we're now on to the next. We have an upcoming second grader. She's excited for this next school year; us not entirely. It's insane thinking about it; the time that has past us by so rapidly. Every passing minute is being savored, along with every memory being etched into my mind. I haven't put my camera down lately because I don't want to miss a single moment. These are the best years of our lives, and we are cherishing them completely.

 

Here's to the Last Day of First Grade...

 Let the summer family fun begin; staying up late watching movies and eating popcorn, trips to the beach, camping, amusement parks, riding four-wheelers at the farm, and spending time with family. Treasuring every minute spent together, and making memories to last a lifetime.

What Was I Thinking?

Boot Camp

5 Classes per week for...

12 Weeks!

 What in the <insert British accent> bloody hell was I thinking when I signed up for this? I literally just paid to have my ass kicked and handed to me. Why? At what point did I think this was a good idea? I'm doomed.

 

I completely changed my eating habits, January 1st, and threw exercising into the mix around March. I've been going to the gym after work five days a week, and doing Turbo Fire at home as well. My goal weight loss has been 40 pounds. I'm hallway there, and down 20 pounds since this lifestyle change.

 

My fiancé proposed last November, and that was the push I needed to make these changes and get back into shape, leading a healthier life. I decided to hold off on looking at any wedding dresses or trying them on until sometime in September. That gave me a total of 9 months to lose the weight in a healthy manner that will allow me to keep it off. I've learned the hard way that a "quick fix diet" doesn't work, and really isn't good for you in the long run. You almost always gain back all of your weight plus some.

 

So here I am, three months out to searching and finding that one perfect wedding dress for myself. I've been stuck on this plateau for the last few weeks, and feeling a little defeated. I've read and heard about these little problems along the weight loss journey. You're doing everything right, but not getting the results like you once were. It sucks, and can really make you want to give up completely.

 

My Sister-in-Law sent me a link to a deal she had found on Living Social last week. It took me to boot camp classes being offered by one of the biggest Karate companies in our city. It couldn't have come at a better time. This is the type of training and workouts I needed to surpass this plateau. The company offered a 4, 8, and 12 week boot camp classes along with 2 kickboxing classes a week included. We decided to go big or go home, and signed up for the 12 week boot camp! Those 12 weeks entail 5 boot camp classes per week, and two kickboxing classes per week.

 

12 weeks. I can do this. That will have me finishing right into September, before searching for a wedding dress. Perfect timing!

 

Day 1 of Boot Camp: What did we get ourselves into? What were we thinking choosing 12 weeks of this? This was an insane irrational decision. Holy workout! Army crawls - I hate you. If there's one thing I took from the class; I could never make it through basic training for the Army. If I were in war and had to crawl my way out... I'd die. Those things are no joke, and crawling with the addition of hand weights didn't make it one bit easier to accomplish. I stared at the clock; wishing the time to pass by, counting down the minutes, the seconds. It was tough. Not one bit of that hour was easy, BUT we made it. We endured the physical exercise and didn't give up (as badly as I wanted to). The instructor was quite pleased with how well we kept pace with everyone, stating we done great for our first boot camp class ever taken. I'll take it. I thought I was going to pass out, but luckily didn't. One person gave up halfway through and left the class. It felt good not being that person. As sore as I am today, I'm looking forward to the classes the rest of the week. They aren't easy, but I'm going to endure them and think about that wedding dress. 20 more pounds to go! I think I can make that happen within the next three months... at least I hope I can. I'm excited to try the kickboxing classes for sure.

 

Wish me luck on these next 12 weeks! I'm definitely going to need it.

 

Have you ever signed up for a boot camp before? Did you make it? How did you feel upon completion of the program?