2011 - A Year in Pictures

Last year, I did a 2010 picture post, and it was a lot of fun reviewing my year in pictures.

I've seen some bloggers do it already this year, and it made me remember how I enjoyed writing my post last year, so I decided to do it again.

To see my post from 2010, go HERE.

January

1. Spent plenty of time with girlfriends
2. Had many a'beer with the boyfriend
3. Goodbye party for my oldest friend

February
1. Experienced a snowstorm
2. Had a wonderful v-day
3. Moved into my new place

March

1. Hung with friends who came into town
2. Got super sunburnt on a fun St. Patty's Day
3. Met a blogger for the first time, Neely

April

1. Spent quality time with my 2 fave men
2. Shared my love of Sbux cake pops with my little sis
3. Met even more bloggers at the DBM - this is Ashley! :)

May

1. Enjoyed lots of Sprinkles cupcakes
2. Got my very first pair of TOMS
3. Visited Savannah, GA & ate at Paula Deen's restaurant

June

1. Got to meet the lovely Meg
2. Enjoyed a fun 80s cover band concert, but not without a marg first ;)
3. Celebrated Nate's mom's 50th birthday

July

1. Took in a Rangers game for Nate's birthday
2. Got a Kindle for my birthday
3. Soaked up lots of sun at the pool

August

1. Started back to school to get my RN
2. More baseball games with my love
3. Drank lots of ICED coffee, it was a hot month!

September

1. Got my hair did
2. Prepared for the start of flu season
3. Attended Brew at the Zoo with my beer lovin' boyfriend

October

1. Got dolled up for nights out with friends
2. Had a blast at the Texas State Fair
3. Made a trip to LBK for some Tx Tech football

November

1. Got to see my favorite sweetest baby turn 1
2. Busted out the scarves for fall weather
3. Witnessed my first engagement between 2 very special friends

December

1. Got dressed up for a holiday party
2. Had a wonderful Christmas with BOTH of my parents
3. Went to my first Stars game, thanks love!

I hope you all had just as fabulous of a 2011 as I did. Here's to an even better 2012!

It's OK Thursday #22

Morning lovelies! Today, not only am I posting my It's OK Thursday (duh!) but I'm also guest posting over at Ashleigh's blog! I'm talking about winter style. Go check it out! :)




Now, onto mine and Neely's weekly link up of Iiiiit's OooooK Thursdaaaaay! ;) Okay, that was annoying.

Thank you, as always, for linking up with us. We appreciate each and every one of you!

It's OK..

..to already be thinking about how after this weekend you won't have anymore short weeks until Memorial Day

..to be dreading your doctor's appointment this afternoon because you're almost certain of how it will end

..to count down the minutes to when you get to go pick up your boyfriend from the airport

..to be excited to have a little late Christmas now that he's back in town. Gifts from him AND his family now :)

..to register your Starbucks gift cards the minute you get them

..to be excited about planning on a roadtrip to Blissdom!

..to save gift bags from Christmas for next year

..to hit up Target for clearance Christmas items

..to have pumpkin pie AND peanut butter fudge for breakfast

..to use dry shampoo more than you should sometimes

..to be excited about doing a giveaway after the new year!

..to toy with the idea of having sponsors on the blog

..to wish someone would get you a Clarisonic, late Christmas gift perhaps? ;)

..to think it's ridiculous that your voicemail was full after being off work one day

..to still not have plans for NYE

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

Oh, How Pinteresting #5

It's been SO long since I linked up with the lovely Michelle to show off some goods I've found on Pinterest.

So here goes! :)

Source: etsy.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: crazierxx.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: staceysnacksonline.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Amber on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Glasses USA Review & DISCOUNT code!

Good morning and happy Monday friends. I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas weekend!

I know that most of us wear glasses and/or contacts. Myself? I wear both. Mainly contacts, but I also have my glasses handy for when I am sick, too tired or for reading before bed. Oh, and when I want to feel sophisticated. ;)

Well...

I was recently contact by Hillary with GlassesUSA.com to do a review in exchange for a pair of their eyeglasses.


I was due for my yearly eye exam anyway and knew I would need to update my glasses, so I was excited to work with her on getting some new specs! :)

Hillary gave me my unique code to order my prescription glasses and I logged onto their site, and took a look around to see what they had to offer.

They have SO many different designs, styles and brands to choose from that are very affordable. They make it very easy for you to narrow it down to which pair you would like, too.

One of my favorite parts of the site is that before you buy glasses you can try them on! They have a virtual mirror which makes it easy to see what the glasses would look like on your face shape. You can even send the pictures to your friends, which is always fun!

I quickly found a pair that I loved and knew would look great on me, so I started the very simple process of checking out. All I had to do was fax my prescription (you can also enter it in online or scan it), and I was set. The site is SUPER easy to navigate.

I got my fabulous glasses in less than a week. Seriously, people. That's expedited shipping if I ever heard of it! I'd most definitely use them in the future.

I'm sure you're all dying to see which pair I picked and how great they look on me right? Well, look no further!




Because the people at Glasses USA are so amazing, they've offered 2 different discount codes to my readers!

Use Holiday11 to take 30% off any pair of eyeglasses and get FREE US shipping or you can use Blog10 to take 10% off any order.

How great is that?

Also, don't forget to "like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to get exclusive discounts just for their fans!

Now, what are you waiting for? Go use one of those discount codes to get yourself a pair of glasses now!

Happy Birthday Daddio!

Hey y'all! Christmas may be over, but the celebration doesn't stop in my family. Today is my dad's 60th birthday!I wanted to dedicate a post just to him to wish him the happiest of all birthdays!

As a kid, my dad said his birthday kinda got over-shadowed by Christmas. Because of that, my little sister and I have always made it a point to make him feel super special on his day. We buy him gifts that he has to wait until his actual birthday to open, NOT on Christmas morning. We also decorate his house and take him to lunch or dinner.


So again, Happy Birthday Daddio! I hope your 60th is your best year yet!! Love you!

Book Club Friday #6

Happy Friday and Merry Christmas Eve Eve! :)

First things first, today I'm guest posting and sharing my wishlist over at Jen's blog, so go check it out!


Now that you've read what I have to say over there, I'll share my review of the latest book I read. Linking up with Heather! :)



Today, I'm sharing Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts. It's the second in a quartet series. To read my review of the first book, go HERE.

Here's the summary from Good Reads:

Since she was a little girl, Emma Grant has always loved romance. So it’s really no surprise that she has found her calling as a wedding florist. She gets to play with flowers every day and work with her three best friends in the process. She couldn’t ask for a better job…

And on the surface, Emma’s love life seems to be thriving. Slim and sultry, she brings color into every room she enters, just like the arrangements she creates. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.

But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s been best friends with Parker’s brother for years, which makes him practically family. But the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. And when Emma returns his passion—kiss for blistering kiss—things start to get complicated at Vows.

Jack has never been big on commitment. Emma yearns for a lifelong love affair. And if the two are to find common ground, they must trust in their history—and in their hearts…

In my opinion, this book was VERY sweet. The characters were lovable as always, and I really found myself rooting for Emma and hoping she found her happy ever after. Nora Roberts hasn't let me down yet, so I'm going to finish out the series.

Be on the lookout for the review of the 3rd book soon. :)

It's OK Thursday #21

Morning sunshine faces! I hope you're all having a fabulous week, and looking forward to some good times with family and friends this coming weekend!

For now, I'm glad you're here to link up with Neely and I! :)

It's OK..

..to like watching hockey mainly for the fights

..for you to be just as excited for Christmas as you were when you were a kid

..to be ready to start saving money instead of spending it

..to go to bed with your hair wet

..to look at apartments online that you know you can't afford

..to really hate not having a lunch break, especially when reps bring by food

..to stop by places just so you can check in on Foursquare when you're really close to mayorship status

..to never be able to remember to take vitamins and medicines unless you put them in a pill box

..to be pumped about having a slumber party with your sister on Christmas Eve

..to really effing hate the Blogger app on your phone. It makes the spacing look funny.

..to be planning on buying a new computer with your income tax money

..to take cheesy self photos

..to nurse your headaches with more caffeine

..to feel bad about not sending out Christmas cards this year

..to still have gifts to wrap

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

Birchbox: Month 5

Happy Monday lovelies!

Another month of a fabulous Birchbox coming at ya! I always look forward to this little box of goodies.

Wanna see what I got this time around?

The info card looked like a little Christmas card, so adorable.

The goods! I loved it all this month, and I can't wait to start using some of these products.

And just in case y'all can't read the info card, I got....

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional - Camouflage visible pores with this velvety face primer. The translucent formula works wonders beneath makeup.

Harvey Prince Yogini - Take a deep breath and relax with this calming scent. Notes of sandalwood, Egyptian myrrh, and grapefruit will help you feel as good as you smell.

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink - We teamed up with one of our favorite brands to create this custom fushia shade. Apply one coat for semi-sheer pigment, or build it for a hot pink pout.

Olie Biologique 004 Huite Moderne - Five organic essential oils - including argan, rosehip and bergarnot - team up to moisturize face, body and hair. A true superhero product for the winter months.

Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape - Celeb stylists swear by these double sided tape strips, which will ensure that your party dress stays perfectly in place.

EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster - Bounceback post party with this tangy citrus energy booster, packed with a mega-dose of nutrients.

I was pretty pleased with this month, and can't wait to try these products. Especially the pore minimizer!

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? Was your box this month similar to mine? If you don't already subscribe, and would like to, click HERE!

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

Christmas Quiz!

In the spirit of Christmas being less than one week away...

I've seen this floating around the blog world, both on Kristine and Erin's blogs. Love those girls, so I jacked it for myself. ;)

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
I like both. I usually just drink hot chocolate though. I do love me some eggnog though.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa definitely wraps it all! With the help of his colorful elves of course.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Growing up, we always had colored lights. Now we usually do white. THANK GOD.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I did this year. It's not real, but it still counts if you want to get some sugar ;)

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving, but this year it wasn't until last weekend. Oops!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
I'm all about the ham and mashed potatoes!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
My little sister and I would always leave Santa milk, cookies, a little note and an extra gift. He would ALWAYS write a note back to us, and we loved waking up in the morning to see the empty plate and read his note. :)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Casey and I had heard some kids talking about it at school, but of course we wouldn't believe anything until we heard it from our mom. We came home to ask her if Santa was real. She said, "Of course he is!" We told her we'd heard otherwise and wanted to know why people would say that. She said, "Do you want the real truth?" Um, yeah of course. "No girls, Santa isn't real. Your dad and I put those presents under the tree for you." Oh. My. God. Talk about traumatizing! We threw fits and cried and cried. We even called our Nana and she got onto my mom for telling us, HA!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We always did as kids, and it was always Christmas PJs to wear that night. :)

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
It's a whole random mess of ornaments. We have ones that we made in school as kids, we have one from our 1st Christmas that our grandparents had made. They're all different and don't really match, but they all have meaning. :)

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
I live in Texas, so we don't typically get a white Christmas. It is a pleasant surprise though when we do.

12. Can you ice skate?
I can't skate, period. Plus, I'm scared of ice skating because when my mom was a kid, she fell on her knees and sat back on her legs and the blade went into her leg. That story scared me enough!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I've had plenty of amazing gifts. My friends and family always know just what to get me. :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with family and participating in traditions. It makes me so happy.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Pumpkin pie, of course!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Waking up SUPER early in the morning, not even getting out of PJs and all gathering around the tree while my dad plays Santa and passes out our gifts, but not without opening our stockings first!

17. What tops your tree?
Growing up it was always this star that had garland and lights on it. So wonderfully tacky.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
I LOVE giving. I get a little carried away and buy too many presents sometimes, but I love seeing people's reactions as they open what I got for them.

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum?
Ehhh, mainly yuck. I hate how sticky they get. Gross.

20. Favorite Christmas show?
Christmas movie? I love them all. I've been watching a lot of Elf this year. :)

21. Saddest Christmas song?
Christmas Shoes, for real. Look it up.

22. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
Hands down, All I Want for Christmas is You. Santa Baby runs a close second.

It's OK Thursday #20

Whoa, I can't believe we're already at week 20 of this fun and successful link up!

Thank y'all so much for helping make this fun and successful.. it wouldn't be with y'all linking up each week. :)

It's OK..

..to have a hissy fit when you wake up to a flat tired

..to have completely forgotten what day it was because you've been unable to blog/read blogs

..to spend 2.5 hours wrapping gifts because you're so OCD about them

..to think that shopping for stocking stuffers is more fun than other stuff

..to already be thinking about how much you're gonna miss your boyfriend when he's outta town for Christmas

..to be super excited that you hit 500 followers

..to also have a hard time coming up with a fab giveaway for reaching said milestone

..to squeal like a little kid when you become the mayor of Genghis Grill on foursquare, holla!

..to have nothing but Christmas cards from bloggers on your bulletin board

..to be ready for, yet dreading your doctor appointments

..to have a hard time deciding if you should take Chemistry or A&P first

..to be addicted to the dollar spot at Target

..to not feel very "Christmas-y" because it's currently 67* outside

..to drink coffee AND diet DP some mornings

..to think of what you'll do for next year's Christmas cards :)

What's OK with you this week? Come link up and share with us!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge - Day 10

Welcome to the last day of mine and Neely's fabulous holiday blog challenge!

Thank you all SO much for playing along and making this linkup successful!

In order to play along, just type up your post for the daily topic, grab the button and come back to link up!

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

Day {TEN} - NYE memories/pictures

The first year Nate and I were together, we went with some friends downtown to Victory Park and celebrated with the rest of Dallas, ha! That's what it felt like anyway.

Us with our friends Chris and Brandi.. after a few drinks, HA!

LOVE this pic of us!

Me with my NYE hat on!

Our first New Year's kiss at midnight :)

The next year, we met up with his parents at a wine bar in Grapevine that was having a NYE party. It was a lot of fun! His parents are such a good time.

Us when Nate had A LOT of facial hair ;)

Nate, Chris and I with Nate's sweet parents

Our midnight kiss!

Last year, we went out with a group of friends to a sports bar in downtown Plano. They offered a 4 course meal with a bottle of champagne for each couple. It was a lot of fun!

Our fabulous looking group!

Us looking all spiffy!

CHEERS!!!

It's become a "tradition" to capture our midnight kiss ;)

What are some of yall's fave NYE memories? Come link up with us and share!