oooo to be a kid again,,,,,

i hope you are having a lovely sunday.

i'm spending some quality time with my couch, so you could definitely say that mine is going quite splendidly. 

today, i'm excited to share a little bit more about myself via the sunday social! :) 

1. what do you miss most about being a kid?

i think i miss being around my family all of the time, and if we're being honest, not having to worry about much, like paying bills or grocery shopping. being a kid means no worries and nothing but fun.

being a kid is the best.

2. did you have a nickname growing up? What was it?

ever since i was a baby, my dad has called me "goose". when i was a kid it was humiliating.  i would be running down the soccer field and he would be yelling "way to go goose!!" from the sidelines. not exactly helpful in racking up the cool points. but now, i think i'm just immune to the humiliation. 

3. what was your favorite thing to do at recess?

the swings! 

even today, they are my favorite part of the playground. they just make me feel like i'm flying. 

4. what did you want to be when you grew up?

i used to want to be a dentist. i've always had a strange facination with teeth, so it seemed to be a good fit.  i even went to dentist camp one summer in high school.  yup...it was a real thing.

5. what was your favorite toy?

i was a barbie girl.  

sometimes, when my dad would be on nap-duty, he would fall asleep before i did.  i would sneak out of my bed and play with barbies while he took a nap. don't get between a girl and her barbie dream house!

6. what is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?

remember the color system in elementary school?  if i ever got off of green, which was very rare, i would be in the worst mood and pout all the way home saying "i just don't want to talk about it." i was quite the perfectionist, and apparently had a flair for the dramatic. 

in honor of today's sunday social, i'm thinking i'll head to the kitchen and make myself one of my favorite childhood snacks, chocolate chip cookies. :)

don't mind if if do...

what was your favorite part about being a kid?

high five! :)

after a super busy weekend last week, and hectic work weeks, bub-hub and i are looking forward to a relaxing and lazy weekend at home. maybe catch up on some honey boo boo, sleep by the pool, go to the grocery store, clean the kitchen, and do some crafts! :)

1.  bub-hub was given a set of tickets for the last astros home game of the season! even though it wasn't the rangers, it was great to spend a night with bub-hub doing one of his favorite things, watching baseball!

2.  i attended a work luncheon event this week, and the giveaway was a bag of mini oatmeal chip cookies! i may or may not have eaten the entire bag in one day. #notashamed

3. i love sleeping on freshly washed sheets. it is probably one of my favorite things in the world.

4. "quinoa get a what-what?" if you didn't chuckle at that, you cray. i know. i'm too cool for school.  it definitely made me crack a smile when i saw the subject line in my inbox.

5. i finally joined the bubble necklace club! hopefully not too late...o well! i purchase one in bright pink and one in white from caroline g, and i love them! :) 

p.s. please read this sweet post from my friend courtney and help support her and her fundraising efforts for the susan g. koman 3 day!

p.s.s. i'm participating in two giveaways right now, so sign up and maybe you'll win a pair of super cool mugs that i making just for you! :)
jen @ that's what she read
jen @ rushing for bagels

happy friday!

 

organized clutter 101

i would probably describe my personal style as organized clutter.

i love walls and shelves full of picture frames and books and prints.

i even have boxes of frames and books sitting in my closet right now. oops. 

but as much as i love being surrounded by stuff, i definitely think there is a fine line between organized clutter and chaos. 

#basicallyhoarderstatus

i'm excited to tell you guys about a partnership that i'm doing with Apartment Guide. they contacted me and asked if i'd be willing to share some tips about apartment living and making the most of a small space on a budget.  so i thought i'd give you a few tips and tricks on how to display clutter in an organized fashion. whether you're living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers tips on how to decorate your apartment and make the most of your space on the Apartment Guide blog

[1] a sturdy shelf or two or three - i love the rubbermaid shelves they sell at home depot.  they are really simple to install and can hold up to 25 pounds. do you know how many picture frames that is?

[2] some stuff!  you can use books, picture frames, knick-knacks, candles, flower pots, anything you want!

[3] patience! sometimes, everything comes together perfectly the first time around. but most of the time, it takes a few rounds of rearranging before you find your fit. just take a deep breath and try again.

1. work in small sections at a time. 
i like to start with larger objects, like these coffee table books, first and add smaller pieces in around them.

i love using coffee table books, especially for their color.  when using heavy books, be extra careful and make sure you have something, like a book end, to support their weight keep them upright. i used a basic book end i found in the dollar section at target on one side and a woodcut on the other.  i like to use frames, or in this case, a container of pretty flowers, to hide the book end and add an extra something special. :)
it's a budget-friendly alternative to the pretty, but expensive, designer book ends.

2. don't be afraid to stack objects. 
i love the way picture frames and art prints look when they are clustered together.  you can lean things against each other or even stack items.
larger art prints, or photo canvases, can rest against the wall to create height, or, you can hang it on the wall just a few inches higher than the shelf, with a nail or hook, for a floating effect.

3. play around and create different looks.
move things around, take pieces out, add pieces in, swap things around.
when you finally have a shelf full of stuff, take a step back and stare at your creation.
it may take a few attempts and some rearranging before your feel that pitter-patter of happiness in your heart, but you'll get there.

here is another set of shelves to ponder over.

this set is a little simpler, but it still allows me to display all of my favorite photos! :)

yes i know, i'm a little obsessed with my bub-hub.

sorry i'm not sorry.

and of course, a girl's gotta display her cookbooks right?

4. have confidence in your creation.

tadaaaaaaa!

you're awesome, so therefore, everything you do it awesome.

duh.

the beauty of this decorating method is that there is no right or wrong.
nothing had to match,
nothing has to coordinate.
you can use what you already have floating around.

so there you have it, decorating with organized clutter 101.

if you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, apartment guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community. “like” apartment guide on facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on twitter, “circle” them on google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

Disclosure Statement:

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

it's tea time :)

one of my favorite things about fall is drinking warm drinks from huge mugs.

something about warm tea on a cool morning just brings a little peace and joy to my soul.

coffee is pretty yummy as well, but nothing beats a giant mug of slightly sweet lady grey tea.

Source: google.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

there is something about china tea cups that makes me feel like i'm taking a trip back in time, drinking tea with the queen or i'm living in a fairy tale. what can i say, i like to play pretend. :)

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

it is highly likely that the girls in my small group will be receiving something similar to this for christmas. i don't know who wouldn't love a gift like this, and it's so simple to put together. perfect gift for a group!

Source: bhg.com via Sarah Grace on Pinterest

the ultimate tea pot collection. my heart is melting.

Source: betterhomesgardens.tumblr.com via Abdessamad on Pinterest

i'm 97% sure i will be having a tea cup display like this in our next apartment. i have the wall already picked out.  what's the point of having cute mugs and containers if you have to keep them behind closed cabinet doors??

Source: thecreamtomycoffee.com via Sarah Grace on Pinterest

cinnamon rolls are the perfect companion for a morning tea party don't you think??
then again, when are cinnamon rolls not perfect??
:)

Source: eat-yourself-skinny.com via Sarah Grace on Pinterest

p.s. i'm participating in my first giveaway! :)

my items are an 8x10 tea cup print and 2 personalized tea mugs! yay!

head over to ms. jen's lovely blog, that's what she read, and check out all of the lovely items and enter the giveaway!!

walking with a purpose

today, i would like to introduce you to my lovely friend courtney.

she has been one of my best friends for almost ten years.

she's an aggie,

a disney guru,

a high school science teacher,

and has the biggest heart of anyone i know.

i needed to put one decent, grown-up photo before you ladies see the photos ms. courtney decided to include with her post. we are sort-of mature now. :)

ms. courtney is raising money for a great cause, the susan g. koman 3 day! i asked her to share a little bit about why this is such an important cause for her, and hopefully it will encourage a few of you to get involved as well!

Howdy gracefully made followers!

 I was so excited to get the call from miss gracefully made herself asking if I would be a guest post. I have had the great blessing of knowing this lovely lady since freshman year of high school. If you need some evidential proof here ya go.

Weren’t we the bomb.dot.com.???

Anywhoo, the reason Sarah asked me to write to you was to let you know of a great opportunity to give support for a great and needed cause. In 2010, my Aunt Kim was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. Through her entire fight and both rounds of treatment, there was never a question that victory was on her mind.

She was strong.

She was determined.

She was hopeful.

I will never forget the trip we took as a collected family to Disney World in December of 2010. The memories we shared will truly resonate in my heart forever.

On February 5th 2011, it was God’s time to call her home and leave her weak and sick body behind. Although it was and still is a heartbreaking season for me and my family, I chose daily to make her legacy a positive step towards a cure.

One of the ways I am doing this is by participating in the Susan G. Komen 3Day. Basically it’s walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days. Fun, right? As a fundraising effort my amazingly talented sister, Maggie designed an awesome t shirt in honor of my aunt.

Check out this girl’s talent:

So I know what you’re thinking, HOW DO I GET ME ONE OF THOSE?!

Easy- peezy.

1. Hop over to my blog at www.courtneyyygirl.blogspot.com

**There are instructions on how to buy a shirt there, a paypal option on the sidebar and a link to my 3Day page if you would like to donate directly without buying a shirt.**

2. I’m placing the order on October 15th so make sure to get your orders in by then! Feel free to email me courtneygirl313[at]gmail.com or comment on my blog or this post with any questions!

I want to thank Sarah Grace for the opportunity to share with you today and thank you for reading and as a reward for hanging in to the very end, here is another winning picture of our youth.

Isn’t it great how God puts people in our life who are so gracefully made for each of us?

isn't she the best?

i'm so blessed to have such a fantastic friend with such a huge heart in my life.

the LORD is so great and so worthy of our praise.  :)

a lovely weekend for a wedding! :)

4 flights,

2 3-hour car rides, 

1252 miles.

the last 36 hours, yes, only 36 hours, have been nutso! 

we started out bright dark and early on saturday morning and headed to the airport to begin our trek to eureka springs, arkansas.  as i was moaning and groaning and threatening my alarm clock, i had a reality check. some people wake up at 6 am on a regular basis...bless your hearts.

two flights and 1 1/2 hazelnut lattes later (thanks for your sacrifice bub-hub!), we met the rest of my family in tulsa for the last leg of our road trip.  nothing gets the abs rolling more than a car full of family members. :)

after a long day of traveling, we finally arrived at the cabin we were going to be staying at for the night. we unloaded, recharged our batteries freshened up, and headed to town to grab some dinner before the festivities began.

side note:

in case you're ever in a life or death trivia match and need to know where the world's largest wind chime is located, it's in eureka springs. you're welcome! :)

after a yummy dinner, we headed over to the world's most beautiful wedding venue:

the thornhill chapel. 

before we headed into the chapel for the ceremony, we had a mini-reunion in the parking lot! :) after lots of hug (but never really enough) from grandparents, we were ready for a wedding!

the chapel itself was beyond beautiful and didn't need any additional decorations. however, at the front of the church, the bride placed a lovely backdrop made of strands of lace. it was the perfect touch. 

after the ceremony, we headed over to the reception at castle rogue manor.  the only way to describe this place is the word fairy tale.  

when we first arrived, we were greeted with a hot chocolate bar, apple cider and yummy coffee! 

there was also a lovely pie bar set up. everything was homemade and so yummy. 

and yes, the groom's cake is an armadillo. 

the groom is from amarillo, a town in west texas, so the little guy fit in perfectly. and luckily, it wasn't red velvet. :)

each place setting was set with a piece of antique sheet music, china, and silver wear. each guest was also given a lovely tea cup to visit the hot chocolate bar! there were also beautiful paper cranes spread out around the room. so lovely.

i know i say this a lot, but i really love my family. 

they are so fun,

they love to dance and laugh and celebrate together, and i absolutely adore every moment i get to spend with them.

and just when you thought the evening couldn't get any better, 

the paper lanterns came out.

yes, paper lanterns! just like in tangled! 

they were so beautiful floating floating off over the pitch black lake. 

i really felt like i was in a fairy tale. 

it was the perfect way to end the night.

after the bride and groom left, we headed back out to the cabin to pass out get some sleep, before we said goodbye to the beautiful weather and headed back home the next morning.

after a reversal of our journey, we finally made it back to hot and steamy h-town.

needless to say, 

bub-hub and i are exhausted.

any family time, however short or busy or chaotic it may be, always fills my heart.

best wishes and congratulations to the newlyweds! :)

super september goodies

my september birchbox finally arrived!

last month, i debated canceling my subscription, just because i wasn't sure it it was really worth it, but luckily, i didn't, because i love this month's box! :)

[1] $25 off of a $75 purchase from Madewell. 

i love this store! :) they have such great stuff, so i will definitely be putting this to good use!

[2] color club nail polish - instathis. 

i this this will be a great shade for fall.  maybe a little less than professional, but i think i could get away with it!

[3] benefit, the pore-fessional. 

pore shrinking moisturizing cream.  not sure how much of a difference this sample size will make, but i've love benefit cosmetics, so i'm excited to give it a try!

[4] tili plastic cosmetic bag. 

this is a great size for traveling.  and perfect timing! i'm using it today to get through security! definitely a little more stylin than a plain ziploc! :)

[5] nexxus split end treatment shampoo & conditioner.  

i'm really excited to try this out.  i have long hair, so split ends are definitely a battle i fight regularly.  maybe this will help keep my hair healthier longer and cut down on the number of haircuts i have to get,,,more fall fashion money! :)

[6] kate spade twirl. 

i LOVE this!! granted, i love anything and everything with Kate's name on it, but this really is lovely.  it's going on my christmas list for sure! plus, the sample box was bright pink with glimmery-gold polka dots. perfection.

[7] a bright pink twistband.

so many people have recommended these to me, and i've been wanting to try them for myself. apparently, they don't leave creases in your hair! yay!

that was my september box. 

pretty great huh?

pardon my bragging...

i put everything in my travel bag for my trip (except the nail polish, because it would put my mama in a panic...), and i'm pretty sure i will use it all! 

did you receive a september birchbox?

what did you get??

check out the service for yourself here: birchbox.com

friday flan!

happy friday everyone! :)

here are a few highlights from my week:

[one] 

i'm loving honeycrisp apples. the perfect amount of sweet and sour, and the perfect amount of crunch.

[two]

this weekend, bub-hub and i are flying to arkansas for a family wedding. i can't wait to see everyone and fill up my hug-tank!

[three]

i received this message on one of my dove chocolates this week. yummy chocolate and encouraging words are a perfect combination. 

[four]

"gracefully and professionally"...this has been my mantra over the last few weeks.  i was reminded by a co-worker that even when things start getting crazy around the office, i have to respond calmly and act "gracefully and professionally". easier said than done, but i'm trying!

[five] 

this week, i tried flan for the first time.  more specifically, flan with coconut cream sauce and pineapple topping. i've falled in love and i think my life is forever changed. :)

how was your week?

what are you looking forward to this weekend?

flowers made easy

it's ok to be terrible at flower arrangements right?

 

i couldn't create an elaborate flower arrangement if my life depended on it. 

side story,,,

on the morning of my bridesmaid's brunch,

i decided i was going to fill mason jars with lovely flower bunches. i wanted to do it on my own and surprise my mom (since she's fantastic at arranging flowers...) and impress her with my floral skills...

i had a nervous breakdown on the floor of my mama's laundry room.

needless to say, i have a high level of admiration for ladies with flower skills.

 

but really, flowers are lovely on their own, so i love displaying them in simple ways.  i've developed this little method for displaying fresh flowers in my apartment, sans stress and breakdowns.

 

[one]
find one or two or three buckets with an opening at the top that is smaller than the base.  if you choose a container that is solid, rather than see through, you don't have to worry about the way the stems are laying inside the container.

[two]
go to your grocery store or farmers market and purchase 2-3 bunches of blooms! :) if you're lucky, they will be on sale for $4/bunch. holla!

[three]
fill your buckets a little less than half way with cold water and add the plant food.

[four]
strip the leaves off of each stem.  be careful not to accidently rip off the buds!

[five]
line your flowers up and measure out how much you need to trim them.

[six]
snip snip!
trim a few stems at a time, at an angle. randomly select one stem at a time and create a bunch in your hand, then place in the bucket.

tadaaaaaaaa!
you have a beautiful arrangement for your island or coffee table.

 

here is a less blurry photo of this arrangement with different flowers:

flowers from HEB, bucket from IKEA.

 

and there you have it, flower arrangements for dummies.