Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 3

Yay it's hump day!

Thanks so much to everyone who is linking up for Neely and I for our fabulous holiday blog challenge! We hope y'all are having just as much fun as we are.

To play along, just grab the button (to the right), type up your post with the day's topic and come back to link up.

{For a complete list of topics, go HERE!}

Day {THREE} - Holiday decorations/decor

I don't go as "all out" as I would like because I live alone in a tiny apartment, so to me it's just not as much fun.

When I get married and have a bigger place, I'd like to think that I'll do it up big. :)

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I love seeing all the decor.

I did snag some sparkly red and silver ornaments from Target last year after the holidays on major clearance. And since I don't put up a tree in my place, I'd like to find some cheap apothecary jars and put them in. Something like this..

Source: craftydesignsanddecor.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

I really like the traditional red, silver and white all together. The colors look so great to me!

I'm also in the process of making a Christmas ribbon wreath. Something like this..

Source: kehorton.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

What kind of decor do you guys put up during the holidays? Come and share with us!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 2

Happy Tuesday friends! Welcome back to day 2 of the fabulous holiday blog challenge!

Thanks to everyone who linked up with us yesterday! :)

To link up, you just need to grab the button to the right, type up your post about our topic of the day and come back to link up!

{For a complete list of topics, go HERE!}

Day {TWO} - Fave holiday tradition, new or old

We don't really do this as much anymore since we're not kids anymore, but when we were little, we were always allowed to open one gift from our parents on Christmas Eve. It was always Christmas PJs to wear to bed that night. :)

We were also allowed to open one "small" gift which was usually something we had gotten each other.

Now that I'm older, the main tradition we have is we always open our stockings first, all together. Then dad plays "Santa" and passes out the presents. My little sister and I open ours together, then mom and dad open theirs after us.

At Nate's place, his mom always makes Swedish meatballs on Christmas Eve night. So that's the tradition there that I have been able to participate in.

I love traditions because it gives you something to look forward to. :) I can't wait to begin my own traditions with my family and children someday!

What are y'alls fave traditions? Come link up and share!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 1

Mornin' y'all! Welcome to day one of mine and Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!

We have 2 weeks of fabulous holiday topics for you guys to play along with!

All you gotta do is grab the button to the right, type up your post for said topic, and come back to one of our blogs to link up! Easy as pie!

{For a complete list of topics, visit here}

Day {ONE} Fave gift received for Christmas

Okay, so this is going to sound totally superficial, but last year Nate got me a metallic red (my fave color) CHI flat iron.
I had been wanting one forever because all I'd ever had was crappy, cheap straighteners. When I opened the gift, I literally screamed like a little girl, and didn't really care about my other gifts, haha!

Sooo, I know that's not super exciting, but when a gift makes me forget what else I got that year, I'd say it was one of the best ones I got! ;)

What about you.. best gift you've received? Come link up with us and share!

Book Club Friday #5

TGIF friends!

Today, I'm sharing the 1st book in the Bridal Quartet series by Nora Roberts.

I read this about a year ago, but I'm just now getting around to reading the 2nd book, so I thought why not go ahead and review the first one?! :)


Description from GoodReads:

After years of throwing make-believe weddings in the backyard, flowers, photography, desserts, and details are what these women do best: a guaranteed perfect, beautiful day full of memories to last the rest of your life.

With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera – ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, begs Mac for attention and money. Mac’s foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

Carter Maguire is definitely not her type: he’s stable, and he’s safe. He’s even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There’s something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bride-zillas and screening her mother’s phone calls. But a casual fling can turn into something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends – and business partners – Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories…

This book was amazing. I finished it in a few days. Very romantic, passionate and funny all at the same time. Nora makes it very easy to fall in love with these characters!

Have you read this book before? What's your favorite Nora Roberts book?

It's OK Thursday #17

Happy Thanksgiving sweet friends!

I hope you're all spending time with loved ones and have plenty to be thankful for.

Now, onto It's OK Thursday. If you wanna link up with us, just grab the button, type up your post and come back here and link up.


Because I'm in the holiday mood, I'm doing Thanksgiving edition of..

It's OK..

..to be happy your mom is back this year so she can cook

..to already be looking forward to the tryptophan induced nap

..to offer bringing wine when your mom asks you to bring something

..to be making a dessert recipe that was found on the one and only Pinterest

..to be super sad that my boyfriend will be working all day

..to plan to save a plate for him so he can have turkey too

..to be super grateful for a paid day off of work

..to actually enjoy listing what you're thankful for at dinner

..that you'll be missing the boyfriend's mom's twice baked potatoes

..if your dad eats a whole pumpkin pie all by himself

..to plan on eating 'til you're miserably full

What's OK with you today? Come link up with us!

Happy TURKEY day! :)

Thankful for the special people in my life

Today, I'm linking up with some lovely ladies for their Thankful Blog Challenge!

I'm THANKful for the special people in my life.




My parents - I may be biased, but I truly have the most awesome set of parents that any girl could ask for! They've always been 100% supportive.

My sweet grandparents - They're the epitome of true love, and I can only hope one day to have what they have. They love spoiling me, and I'll always be the favorite because I'm the first born. ;)

My siblings (Alyssha not pictured) - I know that they would do anything for me at the drop of a hat. The best thing about having siblings is that you have friends for life.

Nate's family - Never in my life have I felt more "at home" with people that weren't blood related to me. They've been so amazing these past 3 years. I was certainly blessed when I started dating Nate.

Nate - The love of my life and my better half. He truly makes me a better person! Y'all know how much I adore this man!

Jillian - My bestest friend in the whole wide world. She's more than a best friend, she's my sister. She seriously knows everything about me, and still loves me for it!

The amazing women I've met through blogging - some of you are in this picture, some of you aren't. Thanks for the best support system out there!

It's the little things in life

Ya know how they say a lot of people don't notice the "little things"? I'm the total opposite. It's the little things that make me the happiest, the things I pay more attention to.

So many "little things" make me as happy as can be, and I wanted to share a few with you guys.

So, without further adieu.. things that make me smile! :)

When my best friend introduces me to people as her "bestest friend in the whole world"

Getting the crafty itch

When people praise my cooking and want seconds

Nate's silly faces

A good glass of wine

Listening to old school mix CDs with friends

Seeing Christmas lights/decorations

Peppermint mocha coffee creamer

Crossword puzzles with Nate in bed

Fresh nail polish on my nails and toes

Delicious, creamy cupcakes

When my best friend's daughter reaches for me to hold her

Reese's peanut butter cups

A Tylenol PM induced sleep

The drive thru barista at my Starbucks

Reaching gold status at Starbucks, holla!

Taking off my bra when I get home

Fresh outta the dryer towels after a shower

What "little things" in life make YOU happy?

P.S. Don't forget about mine and Neely's holiday challenge beginning next week!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge!!!

From the brilliant minds that brought you....

ITS OK THURSDAY

and....

Neely and Amber's FABULOUS FALL BLOG CHALLENGE COMES.....

The challenge is all things Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years related!

Its going to be 2 weeks Mon-Fri and Mon-Fri of fabulous Holiday fun :)

It begins next Monday November 28th!!!

Here is the schedule of post topics:

Monday November 28th: Fave gift received for Christmas

Tuesday November 29th: Fave holiday tradition, new or old

Wednesday November 30th: Holiday decorations/decor

Thursday December 1st: Favorite Holiday movies/tv specials

Friday December 2nd: Ideal outfit for Christmas/NYE festivities

Monday December 5th: Christmas dessert/treat recipe
Tuesday December 6th: How do you celebrate the holidays? Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, etc.
Wednesday December 7th: Christmas wish list

Thursday December 8th: 2012 goals/resolutions

Friday December 9th: NYE memories/pictures

Doesn't this sound super fun!?!?!?!

We are so excited and we hope you are too!

Now here is what you can do!

1. Grab the button and put it on your sidebar

2. Blog about this and help us spread the word

3. Tweet about it and help us spread the word

and OF COURSE...

Participate with us! Link up! Lets start the holiday season off right :)

We hope to see you back here next Monday!

Also ITS OK Thursday will be happening this week (Turkey Day) and both Thursdays of the challenge as well as Boob Tube Babble! It's OK to do multiple posts in a day :)

Have a great Monday :)

XOXO,

Neely and Amber

Just Add Color Swap Reveal

I've got more goodies to reveal to you guys!!! :)

I participated in the "Just Add Color Fall Swap" where we were to send a scarf and a bottle of nail polish to our partner.

I was paired up with one of the hosts, Ashlee, and we had so much fun getting to know one another.

She did a FAB job at sending me just what I like!

Isn't that scarf just gorgeous? I LOVE it! The nail polish is Essie's Little Brown Dress. Funny story, when I was shopping for her, I almost picked this polish up for myself because I liked it so much.. glad I waited to see what I got from her first. ;)

Please excuse my awful cuticles.. I painted them immediately after receiving my package! :)

101 in 1001 Swap Reveal

As you all know, I'm a bit swap obsessed.. they're so much fun! So, when Holly told me about one she was hosting on her blog, I immediately went to check it out.

The swap was for people with a DayZero account, where they have made a list of 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days.

I signed up and was partnered with Christi who was so easy and fun to shop for!

She sent me some great stuff that I want to share with you guys today!

All the good stuff in the box!

She sent me awesome stuff to help me cross some things off my list!

She sent luggage tags to help me with #3 Visit a foreign country and #4 Visit 5 states I've never been to before.
She sent mistletoe to help me with #8 Kiss my boyfriend under the mistletoe.
She sent the cutest little journal to help me with #54 Make a list of my 100 most favorite quotes.
Annnnd, she sent me an adorable ring as an extra from her Etsy shop!

It's OK Thursday #16

Hi there lovelies! We're almost to Friday, so hang on!

Thanks so much to everyone who links up with Neely & I on Thursdays. We appreciate y'all SO much, and love hosting this link-up for y'all!

It's OK..

..to take your laundry when you go visit your parents

..to go buy soup for your boyfriend when he's sick even though he claims he's fine

..to wish you had the capability to give yourself a shellac manicure

..to make enough for leftovers when cooking

..to take 3 hour naps

..to not be able to drink the same stuff you could when you were 21

..to have your key ready in hand to stab someone in the jugular when walking alone at night

..to google everything, and use it as your main source of learning new things

..to be ultra dorky and check out the "word of the day" on your dictionary app

..to re-load your Starbucks gift card every time you get paid

..to worry that you're repeating yourself sometimes on these posts ;)

..to hate the Cowboys because it means my boyfriend has to work on Thanksgiving

..to still cry at the end of "When Harry Met Sally" even though you've seen it a thousand times

..to eat a king size package of Twix

..to complain about being cold, but insist on sleeping with the fan on

Come link up with us and say what's OK with you! :)

Thankful for my hometown

Today, I'm linking up for the THANKful blog challenge because the topic pulled at my heartstrings a little. ;)


I grew up in a teeny tiny town in northeast Texas. Campbell, TX. So small, that we joke it's not even on the map! Population WAS 549. I remember because the sign was right at the end of the road we lived on.

The 2000 census stated the population was up to 734.

My graduating class only had 20 people in it. My school was one big building grades K-12.

We all knew each other, our parents all knew each other, and we were all friends.

The neighboring city, Commerce, was where we did the majority of our hanging out, where I worked at Sonic, and where I first attended college.
These little bitty towns are where I made my memories.
It's where I made my best friends.
It's where I gained most all of my life experiences.
It's where I got a place of my own.
It's where I was confident enough to join a sorority.
It's where I got in trouble.
It's where I drank too much and had too much fun.

I said all my life how much I hated that town and how I couldn't wait to get out of it, and move onto "bigger and better things".

I am glad I moved on, but I will always have a little place in my heart for the little country town where everyone knows everybody else's business.

Birchbox: Month 4

Did everyone LOVE their birchbox this month? I know I did!

When I do these posts, I've had people ask me what exactly Birchbox is.

Birchbox is a monthly subscription, and for only $10 a month, you receive 4-5 samples of high-end beauty products. It's a lot of fun, and totally worth the money.

Wanna see what I got this in my November box?

Ooooh, aaaah!

Atelier Cologne - Warm notes of vanilla, oak wood, and amber anchor this autumn-ready perfume.

Borghese Fango Active Mud - This classic Italian treatment has mineral-rich mud from Tuscany, plus nourishing avocado and sweet almond oils, to smooth skin on face and body.

LaRocca Skincare Champagne & Shimmer Supreme Creme - Shea butter and olive oil join forces to leave skin firm, supple, and ready to set off your favorite party dress.

Zoya Nail Polish in Izzy - The perfect party polish, this bold pink shade from Zoya's holiday 2011 collection has a touch of look-at-me sparkle.

TREAT: Two Paper Dolls Ampersand Coasters - Our favorite letterpress studio adds a hip, playful touch to everything they do, from notecards to coasters.

My fave part was the nail polish. I couldn't wait to use it!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any form by Birchbox for my review. This is my honest opinion only.

Cell Phone Fun #4

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Today, I'm linking up with Savanah for Fun With Our Phones!

I like to take pictures of..

The cutest baby I know!

My bestie and I out for her birthday!

Us with our sweet ginger friend Kelly ;)

Essie's Little Brown Dress

Sprinkles strawberry cupcake, yummm

Pulled pork sammie, garlic mash potatoes & a glass of chardonnay - b/c I'm classy like that ;)

My dinner most nights last week :-/

1st scarf day of the season!

Ahh, the wait is FINALLY over!

Sharing an engagement with special friends..

Introducing my best friend to Sprinkles!