Currently

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Happy Tuesday! Does anyone else think it should be Wednesday already? I'm not sure if it's because I'm so excited about this weekend, or just that Monday was so long? 
This past weekend was so fun--hopefully I'll have a recap post up before the week is over. Are you getting excited about St. Patrick's day this weekend? What do you do to celebrate? I love having an excuse to get together with friends and just let loose :)
I'm blogging during my lunch break today, so this post will be short and sweet. Here's my currently list... ------- Currently I am...
Listening...to the printer on my desk. Eating lunch at your desk is lovely, I tell you :) I wish I was listening to music, but we aren't allowed to stream and ain't nobody got time for a dead iPhone battery.
Eating...leftovers from last night. Healthy wheat pasta and veggies. We are finally taking the extra steps to getting healthy in our house!
Drinking...Water! Trying to put down as much of that as possible during the day. No more sprite or tea.
Wearing...My trusty ol' black cardigan, black tights, and a bright pink skirt. Hello Spring! I'm also rocking my fave black wedges.
Feeling...Happily overwhelmed. Everything is just so busy, but I am not letting it totally take over mentally. I am happy that time seems to be moving quickly lately (I can't wait to be a Mrs.!), but it seems everyone else is equally as busy. I miss the slowed down version of life...and I definitely miss my closest friends.
Wanting...The weekend to get here! I can't wait to get out of town for a bit, catch up with my BFF and have a fun time with our friends (and celebrate St. Patty's day!).
Thinking...About my favorite people. I have had some bride guilt lately. Lately a LOT of what I think/talk about revolves around the wedding (naturally, unfortunately), and I hate that I might have forgotten that other people have lives too. If I have talked your ear off about the wedding and forgotten to ask how YOU were, I apologize.
Enjoying...The sunshine! I love that I have a window right in front of my desk, so I get to see the sunshine (but also the rain, when it's here). It helps make the day enjoyable :)
Thankful For...My friends and family--they've done so much for my sanity over the last few months. AND My time with Ryan everyday. After our pre-marital counseling I really felt closer to him. It's strange how little things like that can make a big difference. ------- What are you currently?

Ramble On...

If it was ever the right time to ramble, it's now...I am SO in the mood to relax and just put all of my thoughts in one place. Hence I have a BLOG! haha Here's what's been on my mind lately... ------- Planning a wedding = stress, right? I expected that. What I didn't expect? Major (like, SUPER major) heartburn. I have been so uncomfortable lately, all because of the stress. I am trying not to let it have a negative effect on me. Hoping it goes away the closer we get to the wedding! *Fingers Crossed*
I haven't been able to find the PERFECT wedding shoes in person...so Ryan talked me into ordering a few of my favorite pairs online. Which I never EVER do. I hate ordering shoes online. The good news is I LOVE both pairs :) Now, to just make up my mind.
Speaking of shoes...since having ankle surgery last November, I haven't really been able to wear heels or high (3+ inch) wedges. I've been working my way up to my regular shoes (I even had to buy kitten wedges haha) and I'm finally back into my regular wedges!! I still take flats to work with me just in case my ankle starts to hurt, but I'm so excited to be back in my regular shoes. This means my ankle will definitely feel up to the task of walking in pretty and high shoes for the wedding!
I feel terrible about finding someone to do my wedding hair. That sh*t is expensive, and I just don't think it's worth it to pay someone $100 to do what I can do. I just want someone to do my hair while I sit an relax the morning of my wedding, but paying that much isn't relaxing to me. Anyone know of a good wedding hair person in Nashville that doesn't cost a small fortune? I'm looking for myself and at least one other bridesmaid. (And yes, this makes me seem cheap. Guess what? I am cheap! It doesn't hurt me when I try to save money.) 
I've been trying to determine what makeup I'll need for the wedding (to have a good photo-ready look), but since I don't wear much to begin with, I've had a hard time figuring out where to start. I only wear eye makeup, blush, and maybe some concealer and/or primer when I need it. I've only figured a little bit out so far...I'm definitely going to wear a good primer (photo finish Smashbox), and a good concealer for under my eyes (leaning towards Erase Paste). I've still got a long way to go it seems :) Any suggestions or wedding day makeup pointers are welcome!
I finally get to cash in on one of my favorite Christmas presents next Monday---laser hair removal for my legs! I can't wait to not have to shave my legs, especially with the honeymoon coming up. 
I know everyone else is loving Jennifer Lawrence as much as I am, but I've had a major crush on her for a long time. I am so excited to see her finally hit the mainstream and to be getting so much love!
I've had a terrible case of the Mondays this week, especially today. It seems like every thing I try to do turns out wrong or backwards, etc. I just can't get ahead and I don't enjoy that feeling. Since it's been such a long week, I was ridiculously happy to hear that Ryan wanted to grill out for dinner tonight and that our friends were getting together for trivia. The day really started looking up after work. Except after dinner I put my comfy clothes on and got sleepy. and here I am on the couch, folding laundry, catching up on PLL and blogging. I can't complain because I'm finally feeling relaxed. Thank the heavens!
Remember this post? It's probably the best pep talk advice I've ever given myself and I'm glad I blogged about it. It's a really nice post to go back a revisit. Those words helped me get past something that I am SO GLAD to be past. I'm so much happier now because I decided to let myself change what wasn't making me happy. Thank goodness for having the freedom to make my own choices (and the guts to change)!

Talk about making good choices...I've tried so hard lately to NOT each junk food. I've made some changes and I've cut down on my bad-food intake, but I just can't seem to kick it all together. What's wrong with me?!!? haha I just love a good snack, I guess... :(
We kinda-sorta inherited Ryan's grandmother's china cabinet/hutch and I can't wait to re-do it with Ryan! I think we are going to do an all white makeover, similar to this, this, and this. Thoughts? Have you ever redone a hutch?
------- Alright, alright. That's it for today! If you made it this far, I hope you have a great day! :)

I'm the kinda girl who...

I'm the kind of girl who.... ...blogs on her lunch break. ...cooks chicken and dumplins when someone is sick (instead of chicken soup). ...picks clothes out the night before. ... over thinks everything. ...is very much 100% or nothing at all. ...loves to find a good deal. ...is very sensitive. ...lives to LAUGH! ...worries too much. ...loves life despite the worries ;) ...plans plans plans! ...loves to wear my hair curly/wavy. ...but feels like it's too dang long sometimes! ...can't go out without a little of my fav perfume. ...can't sleep without cuddles. ...is very protective. ...loves to keep up with the news. ...collects recipes but rarely uses them. ...but uses family recipes over and over again. ...is scared to have kids. ...but very excited to have them with the future Mr.  ...can't stop eating candy. Oops. ...doesn't enjoy a lot of makeup. ...drives her fiance crazy with instagram+twitter. ...wants to be a better person all the time. ...usually drinks wine or bourbon in the evening. ...is very superstitious.  ...is a complete Louisville Cardinals sports fanatic! ...links up with Running in Stilettos for this blog post :)
------- Happy Tuesday!

5 Thangs

I've finally accepted that I'm never going to NOT be busy. At least not anytime soon. I mean, when I left work yesterday my phone still had more than 70%. Y'all. That never happens. Like, ever. I usually have to charge my phone as soon as I get home. New job is keepin' this girl busy (on top of everything else!). 

So, I've decided to just embrace it and blog when I can. Or, when I feel like it. I hate feeling pressured into something and that makes me want to do it even less. My goal is to NOT feel like that :)
That brings me to today's post. Something easy and fun! ------- I saw this post idea on Melanie's blog and decided to play along. 5 Thaaaangs...(say that with a country accent, it makes more sense that way!)
...that you'll find in my bag. 1. my planner 2. 3 different change purses 4. gum (light blue orbit to be exact) 4. my keys (always at the VERY bottom) 5. an itty bitty Babble Bar jewlery bag full of extra earrings
...that you'll find in my bedroom. 1. lots of water glasses 2. electronics//phones+kindle 3. lots of laundry--sometimes it's clean :) 4. pictures frames 5. no tv! go us!
...that I've always wanted to do. 1. find+marry my perfect someone :) 2.have healthy babies and a happy family 3. graduate from Louisville  (I have a degree, but not from my fav school!) 4. win the lottery. duh. 5. take a ride in a hot air balloon
...that I'm currently loving. 1. planning fun wedding events! 2. Shopping for new clothes for spring/wedding/honeymoon 3. reading newlywed blogs 4. the show Shameless--my new fav. 5. the ladies in the lingerie department at Norstrom I was sized for a bra to wear under my wedding dress (busier to be exact) and when the lady sized me she told me I was in the wrong size and that I'm actually a size bigger.  Holla!! haha It's the little things!
...quirks I have. 1. I laugh at myself a LOT 2. My mind likes to wander and therefore what I say is really random a lot of the time 3. If I get really tired my legs are the first to feel it 4. I almost refuse to pay full price for anything (it bugs some people!) 5. I pretty much can't delete photos. no matter how many places they are posted online. I have to have my own copy! ------- Happy Tuesday!

Mixed Nuts

Today is a very mixed-nuts kinda day...you know, a little of this, a little of that. I know I don't have to keep explaining it to you {my lovely readers}, but I have had a hard time lately with making time for this ol' blog. It's not that I don't care, it's just hard to set aside time in the evenings. That time of the day is spent working on stuff around the house, spending time with Ryan, and planning a wedding! I'm sure y'all understand!  ------ Onto bigger and better topics. Wanna know something? Although I don't get around to blogging about my own life enough, I DO read everyone else's posts. I use Google reader, Blogger's dashboard, and I have twitter. So, your posts are front and center just about everyday.
Speaking of which, I want to share my favorite posts from around the blog world from the last few days.
Gotta love a good fashion post...especially during award season...especially from Sami!
A sweet post about making bloggy friends! {and an awesome Friends GIF}
Finally, someone else who LOVES the Kate Spade MRS necklace..and who thinks it's way too damn expensive!
Red Velvet puppy chow?! Don't mind if I do!
I love seeing other people's DIY projects in progress. 
Jayme has some great Valentine gift ideas for the guys!
Lastly, I am just loving Ruthie's baby week!  They just found out they are expecting and she has been sharing their story with us everyday this week!
------- Happy Friday!!

Nice to meet you!

Good morning & happy Thursday! We just have one more day until we can start to celebrate the weekend. If you're anything like me, you celebrate the weekend all day Friday. That usually makes the day go by faster ;)
I decided that since I have some new followers around the blog that I would introduce myself to the newbies and try to get to know y'all a little better.{I'm taking the cue from Kym at Travel-Babbles}

Hello!!
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Blogging is so much fun because we get to meet people and form bonds {and if you have blogger friends over the internet you know that those friendships are awesome}. I'm ready to get to know all of you and hopefully build relationships! I'm always open to making new friends & I love having people to chat with and share a laugh with.

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If you haven't commented before, today is your day! Share a little about yourself so that I can learn more about each of you---and others can learn about you too! Here's the plan. I'll share a few fun things about myself, and then you guys can do the same. I can't wait to hear more about all of you!
A few things about me... 1. I've lived in TN for almost 2 years & lived in KY for most of my life before that. 2. I work from home. It's not as glamorous as you might think ;) 3. Crafting/painting/taking photos are my favorite hobbies. 4. I am getting married in May of 2013!! My fiance's name is Ryan. 5. I love anything fashion/style related and it's my favorite thing to blog about. 6. I have a grumpy old pup. He's a jack russell and his name is Tiger. 7. My favorite {adult} drink is cake vodka+coke. 8. My most visited favorite vacation spot is New Orleans. 9. I live and breathe Louisville Cardinal sports. 10. I can't wait to get married in 2013 and start my life as a Mrs!

Hi! That's me!

You can read more {here}.
Things I would like to know about you!  {Answer all or just a few--it's up to you!} 1. What's your name? 2. Where do you blog? {Or twitter/instagram} 3. What's your favorite topic to blog about? 4. Where do you live? 5. Do you have pets?  6. What's your favorite drink? 7. What's your favorite vacation spot? 8. Tell me something silly about yourself! 9. What are you looking forward to the most in 2013? 10. What industry do you work in? OR what are you studying in school? ------- I hope you participate! I reply via email so look for an email from me this week!

Hitting a Wall {real talk}

Today is the day. I've hit a wall.  Have you ever done something that is not right for you for so long that you finally just hit a wall and say "I'M DONE" (mentally, at least)? It happened today. I've been trying to fit myself into a mold that isn't meant for me. It's not fair to myself or those closest to me for me to continue on this path. I have an amazing life. Less this one thing that bothers me day in and day out so much. 
Unfortunately, I can't get into too much detail right now. One day I'll fill you all in. I want to share how I feel right now and maybe pass along some wisdom to others. Maybe someone will read this who needs an extra push to make a change. Maybe someone just needs to know that they aren't the only one who feels this way about something in their life. Maybe this is a pep talk to myself.
Here's what I say. Don't put so much value in what other people think. No one knows the walk you are on or the path you've made for yourself in your life. Do be hard on yourself in terms of setting goals and achieving things that matter to you, but don't set the bar too high and then refuse to readjust when needed. 
Learn to be nice to yourself and to let yourself be happy. Not everything needs to be perfect. No one is perfect and no situation or part of life will be perfect. You will learn to love the imperfect. 
Be your own person. Make sure you make yourself happy. Yes, it is nice to take into consideration the people closest to you, but really at the end of the day you have to deal with your own mind and your own happiness. Those people want you to be happy too, so don't pressure yourself so much on their behalf.
You really can't be happy with someone else unless you're happy with yourself.
Be kind to yourself.
Be YOU!

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Currently

I'm incredible busy today playing a little catch up with work, and trying to get ahead before the end of the short week. Here is my {short+sweet} version of blogging today. Hope you're having a great Tuesday lovelies! ------- Reading: Paperwork. Writing: Lists on lists on lists. Wedding, work, and life related. Listening: To a movie {The Wedding Planner}. Thinking: My momma, who just had surgery today. Smelling: Fresh baked cookies. I'm on a chocolate chip cookie kick. Wishing: That I could get rid of these crutches. Hoping: That our engagement pictures turn out well (despite having a boot on). Wearing: Jeans, my favorite soft Gap shirt, one sock and the boot on my ankle. Go ahead, laugh! Loving: Ryan. He is more than I could have ever hoped for. Wanting: To start our Christmas shopping. Needing: To find the perfect new place to live. Exactly 2 months 'til we move. Feeling: Thankful for Ryan's family. They're great people to spend holidays with! Clicking: Through emails.

1 part negative, 2 parts positive

I'm "borrowing" today's post theme {high-low} from Taylor at Goings On In Texas. The idea is to write out your recent high and low points. Who doesn't need a personal day every now and then? 

Am I right, or am I right?

Lows +With my recent injury {broken ankle, surgery} I am unable to drive, travel for work, or any other normal day to day activity. Can you just imagine how that makes me feel? BLAH +There are some other things that have gotten complicated with work as a result of my injury. Too much to get into, but enough to stress me the eff out. +Feeling unsatisfied. That is all. +Finding out my friends are planning a ski trip for the end of the year. That'll be real fun in a cast, no? Highs +Reading Erin's post. Trust me, you'll want to read this. It made me feel 10,000,000 times better about myself.{Secrets Anonymous} +Ryan has been AMAZING since my injury. Even though it's his busiest time of the year with work, he still comes home to take care of me, cook dinner, and clean {what I can't do each day}.  And he never complains.  +I've made it through one week in my cast. That's one week closer to not being in a cast! +My friends have been amazing over the last week or so. Random visits are my favorite. +I've received lots of love from the blog world this week too. +Our families have ALSO been amazing this week. I just can't even tell you how lucky we are to have awesome parents! {And my momma will be here this weekend just to 'keep me company'} +My future SIL (and pretty much already a sister) sent me a get well package. Encouraging words, candy, silly socks, and GAK=The perfect feel better combo. ------- Like Taylor, I ended on the highs...being positive can help you turn your day/week around. Plus, typing this all out made me feel a lot better about everything. 
Speaking of turning my week around...here are a few things that have put a smile on my face this week.

Out to lunch with a good friend :)

Cuddles are the.best.thing.ever. 

Just a friendly reminder...

One of my new favorite snacks--whipped peanut butter on grahams. 

Parts of the super sweet care package I got today.

Because I can't get any of my jeans over this cast, I now live in yoga pants.
This was ok the first week--not so great now. I'm really trying to keep my hair and makeup
at the normal level so I will feel like a regular human being through my recovery.

Blessed Habits

Wanna hear something funny? 

Not in a ha-ha way, but in the "Oh, what a coincidence" kinda way.

 If you follow me on Twitter, you might have caught my
wedding budget tweets yesterday...

Well, right after I tweeted about being blessed, I actually felt the part for a bit. I was in my car driving home and enjoying Tom Petty on the radio.

Naturally, I rolled my windows down. In case you don't know, when this [Tom Petty + windows down] happens it causes your happiness levels to peak.

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That's exactly what happened....I was feeling beyond blessed and thinking of several other ways that I had been blessed that I hadn't tweeted about.

After I enjoyed a few minutes of Tom Petty induced cloud nine time, I realized that I was traveling on the interstate in the sweltering heat. It took about 1 of those minutes for my arm to sunburn and I had about 200 new freckles...so I rolled the windows up and cranked the AC up. 
Well, I tried to anyways...it didn't work. It was spitting hot air into my face, onto my feet, and all through the car. The AC was not working. I think it was in that moment that I quickly remembered the blessings I had been counting just minutes before.  Then I laughed. I couldn't help it. Though I knew that this problem would be expensive to fix, and that I would have to drive 30+ minutes both ways for work the rest of the week with this kind of weather...

I laughed anyways.

It will all be ok. Even if it means I'll be hot for a few days, I know that's a small problem compared to the ones other people have...I can handle it. I guess that's what Bob meant when he said "Don't worry, be happy"? Either way, I enjoyed the positive outlook I had for those 15 minutes. ------------Happy Thursday ladies--try out feeling blessed today, it might turn into a habit!

Thrifty Tuesday [Real Talk]

I don't know if I've ever completely laid this out there for my readers, but I am a recent college grad who has student loans, a decent job, a 20-something [budgeted] lifestyle, and a dream of a wonderful future! In case you don't know what this means....it means that I have to maintain a very tight ship when it comes to spending, and that I need to keep in mind my goals for the future. I have to remember that I want to own my own house someday (in the near future, please!), but I also want to go out and live it up while I still can! I also want to dress to the nines and feel my best.

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Pretty clothes? Yes, PLEEEEASE!

Over my whole life the last few years I've learned, that if I try hard enough, I can be fashionable. I can feel great about myself. I can stay up to date on trends (or anything that I really want to do). And most importantly, I can stay on top of my budget!

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What's my secret? I have no secrets. It's hard. Every week, day in and day out, I want to buy a new outfit. I'm convinced that, that part of me will never change. I take every opportunity to 'window shop' online. I like to create outfits, create wish lists, and find great deals. Taking my time to find the perfect item at the perfect price has taught me a TON! I have more patience, more understanding of what it takes to get what you want, and the value of a dollar. I now face most parts of my life the same way I face a shopping trip. I'm focused, I know what I want, and I know how to do research! HA! I sound like a nerd, right?

Well, I'm here to tell you that it all pays off. Today, after lots of focused savings, and allocating my money to the right places, I was able to start something I've wanted to for a while. In the spirit of Thrift Tuesday, I'm here to share with you the result of my Thriftiness.....

Yes, that's right! I opened a legit savings account today. Not one that I'm going to throw a few pennies in every now and again. A REAL life account that I'm going to focus on building. If you've ever listened to Dave Ramsey, you know about the 7 baby steps. Well, step 1 is all about your  emergency fund. I've accomplished that and a little more (part of step 2!). I'm about to pay off my first individual loan completely! Hello celebration!
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How do you deal with your money? Do you have a budget? How do you stick to it??

Holiday [Family] Time

Okay, let's get serious for a minute. I know I can't be the only one who feels like they stress about holidays more than they enjoy them. Right?? As you probably know, I live in TN and recently moved from KY. Most of my family is spread out in KY. This proves to be a bit of a complication each year around this time. Who do I see this year? Where do I go this year? Who did I recently see? Should I see these people because of this or because of that? Should I skip these people because they came to see me recently? I’m a girl, so these thoughts go on and on and on and….you get the point. I spend more time worrying about the impending plans then I actually spend enjoying the time I DO get with each family member.

Don’t get me wrong…all of the thoughts I have come strictly from my own overworking mind.

I don’t get pressure from anyone, but I know in my heart everyone wants to see me. I think back to the days where every single person in my Dad’s family would squeeze into my grandma’s house and we’d all have Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and then nap around the house, watch football, or open presents. I remember that I would get beyond excited right before the holidays. Even at a young age I would look forward to seeing my aunts, my uncles, and my grandparents. There was something comforting about being together with everyone all at once. Security.

As the years have progressed, my family has grown apart and each person has developed their own branch of the family. Aunts and uncles have their own children…parents add new babies to the family and stay at their own home to celebrate with them. People move away and get older. While some families can keep it going for years and years, some families lose interest. Some people just get tired.

I don’t ever want to be too TIRED to celebrate having my family around. Last year when I was at my wits end about where to go for the holidays and trying to figure out how to be in 5 different places, Ryan reminded me that I should be thankful that I have that many people that want to share their special moments holidays with me. I try really hard to keep that in the front of my mind, but here I am again this year worrying and TIRING myself out.

I know that I shouldn’t worry so much because family….well, family should be there no matter what. However, over the years I’ve learned that it’s not that simple. When family members are spread out there’s a lot more that goes into keeping a family together. Sure it’s easy to say hi or swing by when someone lives right down the street, but what about the ones that are 50, 100, 200 miles away? Those are the ones that need more work. That’s where the holidays come into play. I feel like the quality of time spent together during the holidays should be better and should fill some of the gaps. I think that’s where my stress comes into play and is the reason I care so much.

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Holidays used to mean the world to me and I don’t want to lose that feeling! I spend time with Ryan and that makes me beyond happy! I love sharing moments with him, making memories with him and building our own holiday traditions : ) It looks like we’ll be moving into our new place around the holidays this year so I shouldn’t be worrying so much about where I’ll travel to. I won’t have to think of as many reasons for being in one place instead of another. I won’t have to disappoint anyone by telling them I can't be there because I’m spending the holiday with another equally deserving family member. I will be moving and I will be doing something that is necessary. As un-heartfelt as that is, I feel like I was blessed to have a reason to travel less this year. Blessed to just enjoy the littel things....enjoy being with Ryan (and the dog!) and to enjoy the home that we have together.

That’s what the holidays are really for, right? Enjoying whoever is special to you and counting your blessings and eating delicious food!

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Do you travel for the holidays? Do you worry about pleasing everyone?

Okay, so maybe I am the only one ; )