Currently {rainy day edition}

Happy almost-Friday lovelies! This week has absolutely flown by and it's almost the weekend. I don't think I could be more excited. This weekend will be full of relaxation with the husband, wine, friends, and taking it EASY. The best combination if you ask me.

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Here's my Currently list for today...

Thinking About: How true is this? Our mothers always make the best meals, and they are hard to match!
 

Listening To/Watching: Listening to the thunder and watching it rain. I had planned on making a short trip to the mall on my lunch break, but as soon as I said I was about to leave, it started to pour. So here I am writing a post instead.

Daydreaming About: My birthday wish-list. There isn't a single thing I need, but I definitely wouldn't be mad about getting a few sweet things. Birthday wish-list to come....
 

Reading: Blog posts. I have been trying to catch up for a while now.
 

Thankful For: My family. Ryan and I are so blessed with the support system we have. I have no idea where we would be without them! 

Loving: My husband. The bad weather (storms, rain, yuckiness) makes for tough working conditions for him, and he's been powering through like a champ! I always feel so proud of him :) **Also loving: this quote that Lindsay posted today: "As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen." -Winnie the Pooh
 

Drinking: A green monster for lunch.
 

Enjoying: Drinking my green monster. And eating very well over the last few weeks. Yes, I still sneak in a treat here and there, but I am getting the best nutrition for my body right now and I can feel a big difference!

Feeling: Productive. I have been on a roll the last few weeks with getting things done and staying on top of my {many} to-do lists. Is it a coincidence that I started feeling more productive at the same time I started eating better? Think about it...

Contemplating: I've been mulling over my next DIY project. On the top of my list: creating a succulent terrarium! These are so cute--I would love to have some green inside our home, and we have the perfect spot of one in our living room! {Here's a short+cute DIY mason jar terrarium tutorial}

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Here are a few of my fave blog posts from this week's blog catch up sesh: Be still my heart...these family pics are adorable! I live for good before and after pictures {who doesn't??). All of Sami's talk about Red Rocks makes me want to go. Like right.this.second.

What are you currently into?

Wedding Wednesday + Engagement Photos

Alright ladies, it's time for a little Wedding Wednesday update. 

Before I get into the nitty gritty {aka wedding checklist}, I have a little something to share with you. A few of our engagement pictures!

What do you think? I am just head over heels with them {and my guy}. Our photographer, Photos by Alex, is amazing and so fun to work with! -------
Now for the Wedding Progress Update!
Things We've Done.... Picked the date : May 18th 2013 Picked our bridal party! Picked our colors! Picked our ceremony and reception site! Picked a caterer! Picked a photographer! Picked our ceremony and reception musician! Had our engagement party! Started Finished the wedding website! Picked Sent our Save The Dates! Picked out our invitations! Bought THE DRESS! Picked the bridesmaid's dresses {a few are ordered}! Working on the mother's dresses{one ordered, one to go}! Picked the rehearsal dinner restaurant! Finalized our guest list! Started Finished our registry! Picked our cake baker and cake style! Purchased our wedding bands! Finalized shower invitation list and bachelorette party invitation list. Picked our day-of point of contact. Bought a few items for decoration (twine for bouquets, burlap for banner, etc.). Meet with our officiant and scheduled pre-marital counseling! Took our engagement pictures!! Called the rental place and finalized all of our rentals! Finalized a block of rooms for our wedding guests!
Things We Still Need To Do.... Finalize our reception menu. Have our invitations printed. Find a way to print special maps for invitations. Order the rest of the bridesmaid's dresses. Pick shoes for bridesmaids. Pick ceremony shoes. Schedule one dress fitting/steaming. Pick out ceremony accessories (for the BMs and I). Decide on my something old, new, borrowed, and blue. Finalize ceremony music. Decide on ceremony readings. Pick the mother's dresses (1/2 way there!). Order groomsmen suits. Place the wedding flower order (I found the perfect vendor!). Pre-marital counseling (scheduled). Work on wedding hair and makeup ideas (for everyone). Book our honeymoon (at the end of January!). Finalize our hotel plans (getting ready rooms & wedding guests). Pick rehearsal dinner invitation.  Finalize rehearsal dinner menu. Decide on shower and rehearsal dinner decorations.  Decide on + order bridal party gifts (40% done). Decide on + order groom gift. Decide on + order parent gifts. Print + assemble program fans. Finalize our guest book alternative. Create banner for wedding reception. Finish cake topper (twine wrapped E!). Decide on cake/cupcake stand. Yarn wrapped letters for reception decoration (initials/Mr+Mrs). Finalize and work on reception table decorations. Finalize aisle decorations. Work on aisle decorations (DIY!). Finalize ideas/materials for ceremony/reception signs. Decide on + book day-of transportation.  Marriage license. Finalize a day-of schedule. Decide if we want special ushers. Decide on out-of-town guest goodies. Purchase dresses for bridal events, rehearsal dinner, and bachelorette party weekend! ------- Do you have any wedding advice? Fill me in if you do!
P.s. Check out the rest of my wedding posts {here}.

Wedding Wednesday {sort of}

First things first ladies. It's Wednesday. The half way point of the week. Hump day. The down-hill point of the week.  I. Am. So. Happy about this! Can't you tell?
Now, onto Wedding Wednesday business.

This week I'm going to share a book I read. I said this was {sort of} a wedding post, mostly because it doesn't have anything to do with our wedding. But, it does have something to do with learning a little before our wedding.
Last night I finished a great book.  I Do, Now What? Secrets, Stories, and Advice from a Madly-in-Love Couple

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This is a super cute and very helpful book by Giuliana & Bill Rancic. This book talks about everything from fighting, to exes, holidays with families, to eating amazing meals, and even sex.

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They give some great tips and pointers about communication, staying connected, and learning about each other's love style. If you have ever watched their show {I love it!}, you know that they have a pretty great & real relationship. I really enjoyed their transparency in the book and the fact that they write act like real people. 
I mean, how cute are they?!

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They are one of the few celebrity couples that you never hear terrible new/rumors about.  That makes it a lot easier to take the advice they offer in their book. 
This book was an easy read that offered a few chuckles and a great story that you can learn from. ------- Have you read this book? What did you read before your wedding?  I'm open to reading more books about love and marriage if anyone has a suggestion!

Day Of Love + [Guest Blogger]

Happy Valentine's Day ladies!

A few of the sweet-tart hearts from our plethora of Vday candy!

You didn't think that just because I'm away on vacation I would leave my favorite readers without something [sweet] to read, did you? Today, one of my favorite bloggy friends [Amanda] is here to sweeten up your day with a little Valentine's Day love!
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Hey all! I'm Amanda from Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures. Ashley and I met via Leslie's link-up for pen pals. And we've become fast friends writing each other back and forth. It turns out that we have endless things in common, including formerly being in LDRs (long distance relationships). Yes, my LDR will end as of this Friday!


While Ashley is away, I'm here to say hello, and happy Valentine's day!

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Today is a day that I absolutely love! Not because I have a boyfriend and am in a happy, healthy relationship, but because it's a day of love. And it's a great day to remind all of the people you love and care for, how much you truly love them. At least that's how I view it.


Yes, I'll dress in red or pink, and be overly peppy. But that's only because, since I was little, my parents were my sister and I's Valentines. We didn't have to a boyfriend to feel the love. And I've continued to send my love to them, and to my closest girl friends, since I realized how much those three small words can do.

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Many people view the day as just another overly-hyped holiday created by Hallmark, but I don't agree. I think it's just a day that you can share and show some extra kindness and emphasis on love, who you love, and what love is all about.

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How do you view Valentine's day? Do you love the holiday? Hate it? Don't care about it?


I'm wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day and lots of love! Thanks for having me, Ashley!


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Isn't she sweet! I absolutely agree with her...it's important to show your favorite people exactly that--that they are your favorite! Thanks SO much for taking care of my readers today, Amanda! Be sure to visit her blog and show her some love this Valentine's day!

[Our Love Story]

Today's post is brought to you by the ever popular holiday, Valentine's Day! I'm linking up with Becky at From Mrs to Mama to share our love story with the world!

Taken Ladies
1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
A little over 4 years : )

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
Without giving too much away, I'll give you this shortened [100 word] version of our love story that I recently submitted for a Valentine's Day read.
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Through a random act of Facebook contact, running into each other on campus, and unknowingly sitting near each other at football games, I met my best friend (and boyfriend) during college. When I found out that his football student ticket seat was near mine, I decided that the time had come—I had to make a move! We hung out during that football game, after that game, and we still hang out for games today! We’ve been together through 2 college transfers, 3 years of long distance love across 2 states, and a total of 4 awesome years!

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3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry?
We aren't married [yet]! Haha I know this one's the one! It's just a matter of time until it's official. Until then, you can catch us hanging out with each other having just as much fun together!

4. If you are married, where did you get married? Big or Small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
Well, you already know we're not married! I We imagine it being a small affair and I imagine it being something very intimate. Although I want the ceremony to be intimate I could see us having a large get together with all of our favorite people to celebrate.  
You'll just have to stay tuned to see what happens! ; )

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do Share!
I call Ryan Pine-Sol. It involves a very loud basketball game sophomore year where I was trying to share his name with a friend and she kept thinking I was saying Pine-Sol instead of his last name [that doesn't sound anything like Pine-Sol]. From that moment on, he's always been Pine-Sol in my book : )

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
His personality. Hands down. He's so funny and personable--he could be friends with the devil! Also, his outlook on life always inspires me to be a better person [not for others, but for myself]. It always seems like he has a handle on things, and I can see why-he doesn't take anything too seriously. Also, he's an amazing cook!
Also, he always has a glass of wine ready for me when I need it most. He knows me best!

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal.
I haven't been proposed to....and to be honest, I'm trying not to formulate some spectacular (to my standards), or magical expectation. Because, honestly, I don't know if that's what I want. To be perfectly honest, I want him to do it however he'd wish. It would make it waaaay more special to me!

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
Ryan is a little bit of everything. Our first v-day together he did the flowers [roses] and teddy bear [build-a-bear] thing and it won.me.over! But now, we don't put too much into the holiday. Yes, we celebrate, but after the first year, I've been happy ever since : )

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
I like both. We can't really take advantage of sunset dinners, seeing as how we're in TN (who really can??), but I really enjoy a special night out to a special restaurant. And anyone who says they didn't like a night in on the couch, watching a good movie with popcorn and cuddles, obviously has never had a night like the above mentioned! Hahaha I love it all!

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant other one day. 
I would love to take a nice, long vacation in another country. One of the things that I think we do the best is go on adventures together! We've traveled a few places together before that we didn't have a schedule, but just went. It was amazing! I love going new places, seeing new things, and getting a good local feel for a place and Ryan always goes along with it (if not pushing me to do it even more). It's a perfect match!

11. Tell us what you plan on doing this Valentine's Day.
Well, we'll be in a car travelling to FL on the actual day of Valentines, so that makes it a little hard! BUT, I think we'll probably have a sweet meal and treat each other to a little something on Sunday or Monday night, before the trip!

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
Not really. If I could have anything I would ask for some new body spray from Bath and Body or a trip to the movies to see one of the newest cheese ball films. I'm not hard to please! :)

13. Give us one piece of advice for keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
I'm not the perfect person to get advice from, but from what I've learned over the last few years....you can't get too uptight about, well, stuff! It's just that, stuff. It doesn't matter a week from now what you're upset about. Just focus on loving each other and treating each other well. And always, always treat each other special. Don't let the other person forget that they are your favorite!


14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.
This picture is of use when we went to Mexico this past Spring after we both graduated from college. We were SO happy to be together and starting off our lives together [in Mexico]. We were ending our college careers and our 3 year LDR by celebrating on the sunny beaches of Mexico, with a drink in our hands, and beautiful views all around. We were, and still are, so happy!

What's your story?? Link up [here] to share your story!