It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!

Its my FAVORITE time of year.   Even the smell of Fall excites me.  Pumpkins, hayrides, apples & leaves falling, sitting on the porch drinking hot chocolate, and most importantly COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!!!!  This is the time of year that my house becomes divided and Brandon and I get "divorced" on Saturdays.  haha!

I read this blog a couple of days ago on The Pioneer Woman's site. Its pretty much describes every feeling I have about football, so i'm just going to share it with you!

"By Melanie Shankle | The Big Mama Blog
We are just a few days away from the most wonderful time of the year. And I don’t mean Christmas.
I’m talking about college football season.

Which means there is hope that temperatures will eventually begin to drop and there will be days ahead filled with twelve straight hours of football and bowls of chips and queso eaten while wearing yoga pants and a Texas A&M football t-shirt.

Or maybe that’s just me.

There is not much better than a Saturday morning filled with ESPN Gameday and rolling your eyes at Lee Corso and cheering on the team you love while desperately hoping the team you love to hate is losing to some unranked team that no one has ever heard of.

But it’s not just college ball. It’s Friday night lights at the local high school and the opening theme to Monday Night Football. It has a way of bringing people together.

And I appreciate that it usually brings people together with plenty of guacamole."

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!



Inspiration 8.8.12

Many of you know I have been out of school for 4 years now.  I was able to teach for almost 2 years before the economy completly went south.  Since then I have yet to find a teaching job.  I have a wonderful job, but its not what I know I am called to do.  This past week I decided to take a positive approach (because obvioulsy what I've been doing wasn't working) and apply to grad school to recieve my Master's in Elementary Education.  Last night, I read this passage and knew it was meant just for me!! Don't you love God's perfect timing... I know I do, once its here. hahaha.. I am so darn impatient sometimes and wonder what God is trying to show me or what in the world he is waiting on.  But he always has a better plan for me than I could ever have for myself....

Here's your inspiration for the day, maybe this will mean something to one of you!!

My Princess…Wait on Me

Wait on Me, My Princess, My timing is always perfect. I know you’re anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don’t run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of my blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love, Your King and Lord of perfect timings.

Monday Love 7.30.12

I don't know about you, but I had a GREAT weekend! One of my best friends, Hannah, who I have been friends with since high school lives in Atlanta with her husband. Brandon and I decided it was time to go visit them for the weekend.  Thomas (Hannah's husband) was out of town, and we missed him terribly, but we still had a blast!

We left after work on Friday and got to her house about 10pm.  Wasn't too bad of a drive.  We stayed up late chatting and watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics (which I am super stoked about!). 

Saturday we had breakfast at a local favorite, The Flying Biscuit.  This place was packed! I guess I should say it was more of a brunch, since we didn't even sit down to eat until about 11:30.  But it was well worth it! They have these AMAZING, tall biscuits that are topped with sugar.  Yummy Yummy!

Mmmmm.... my mouth is watering just thinking about it! And look at that giant fluffy biscuit.... this is a must for our next trip!

After breakfast, we headed to Ikea.  This was my first Ikea experience, and I was in heaven.  I kept begging Brandon to take me back again on Sunday.  We will definately be taking a trip back to Atlanta for an Ikea shopping day!

That's Hannah posing with an outdoor table I fell inlove with!

I was super proud of myself though.  I only spent $126!  Brandon told me later he expected it to be a whole lot more.  Maybe if I had not been so tired I would have taken more time in the marketplace.  I had no idea how big this place was!!!!

After going back to Hannah's for nap time, it was time to go to the Braves game.  And my FIRST Braves game at that!  (and yes, I have lived only 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta my whole live, I know I have missed out on a lot!)

We were officially ready for the game! They played the Phillies and won! Great night!!  I had a blast and I know Hannah and Brandon did as well.



We had a wonderful weekend in Atlanta.  I can't wait to go back and visit again!!!! Lots more to see and do, and I need another trip to Ikea! =)

Favorites Friday | Etsy Edition

So, I am totally obsessed with Etsy! I found it about 3 years ago when I was planning my wedding.  I bought everything on there, from bridesmaids gifts to flowergirl bags and even my invitations.  I love how inexpensive they are (for the most part) and that everything is homemade.  You know I love me some DIY! I make it a point to find most of my gifts on Etsy.  My mom's last two gifts came from there.  So I thought today for Favorite's Friday I would feature some of my favorite items and designers I have come across on my Etsy adventures.

1. I bought this recipe box from rfrantzdesign right after we moved into our house.  I had tons of clippings from magazines and wanted somewhere to organize all of my recipes.  This box fit my decor and budget perfectly! I love it and it looks so cute sitting on my kitchen counter!

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2.  When my cousin's little boy turned 1 I knew I had to come up with some great gift!  He is OBSESSED with sock monkies and was having a sock monkey themed birthday party.  I found this stack of blocks that I had personalized for him from SimpleBlockSayings.  I loved that they could take off the Happy Birthday blocks and use the mokey and name blocks in his bedroom after the party.  She has blocks for all occasions!! I've got to buy some more from her!

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3.  My iPad had to have the perfect cover.  I didn't want one that just covered the back and I certainly didn't want a sleeve I had to take it in and out of.  I found ElizabethDavidDesigns and loved her folio's.  My iPad fits perfectly and plus it is super cute and stylish!!!

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4.  As many of you know I am a photographer.  I found this necklace today on Etsy and I MUST HAVE IT!! You can even get it customized with your studio initials.  I see an Etsy purchase in my future!! This necklace is from MyBeadedButterfly.

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So... what are some of your favorite Etsy shops???? Lets hear them! 

Wednesday Inspiration 7.25.12

Favorites Friday

I haven't done a Favorite's Friday in a while, so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to start again!!

Here are some of my favorite things at the moment!

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dutch oven from Target! Its a Giada DeLaurentiis design.  I have never had a dutch oven before and I am amazed at how fast these things heat up!! I love cooking in it now and plan to use it for EVERYTHING! 



My new favorite foundation.  Revlon Photoready Airbrush.  Its a foam and it goes on SO SMOOTH! I use it with a primer, so it stays all day.  This is the best foundation I have found in a while.

Sharpie Pens. If you know me, you know I am OBSESSED with pens.  I found these about a year ago and have been using the every since.  They come in about 10 different colors and have a fine point.  They dont bleed through your paper either! I love the way they write.  PERFECT. PEN. EVER!

Well, those are just a few of my favorites this week! I have to save something for next Friday =)  I hope everyone has an awesome weekend! My parents will be here.  I haven't seen them since Christmas so I know we are going to have a blast!!

Have fun and be safe =)



Weekly Inspiration 7.18.12