Entryway Upgrade!

Another area of my house I've recently updated is my entryway. It was so bland, boring, and uninviting. Before, I had two key hooks on the right side of my door that always fell whenever we'd hang our keys on them...it seriously got old...especially hearing it fall when either myself or Tiffany would come in late at night. Other than that, there was a canvas on the other wall when you walked in, but that was it!
See...? This is the definition of bland

 See!!!! You'll notice in the picture directly below that the tin/picture/saying-thingy hasn't been hung yet but it had a better view of the new key/mail collector :)

 I LOVE it!!! The bookshelf was only $20 at Target and for $20 and the few, light things I have on it, who cares if it breaks a year down the road?! I already had all the other accessories other than the bookshelf and the rug. I never would've picked out the runner but I saw it in an entryway picture recently and loved it!!

Lamp: Ikea (about 7 years ago), Picture Frame: Out of the Box gifts, Runner: Target (Spring 2012), Flowers: Hobby Lobby, Turtle Dish: Francesca's (in Texas!!-yeah, lame, I know...go all the way to Texas to bring back a turtle dish)! Books: just collected over the years, Picture/Saying/Tin-Thingy: Hobby Lobby, Key/Mail Holder: Hobby Lobby! There you have it! An easy redecorating project for about $40! Hope you like it!!

The Who's and What's Wednesday!

First off, happy Wednesday to everyone. If you haven't noticed, something might look a little different...it's my blog design, title, and url!!! You like it?! Personally I'm in LOVE with the new look. I got my design  here. Go check her out! She did an amazing job and the turnaround time was less than 24 hours! Anyways, I decided I wanted to do "The Who's and What's Wednesday" where each week I either tell you about something new I've tried, had on my heart, or have a guest blogger come in.

This week I want to tell you about three new products I've recently tried.

The first is the aquage uplifting foam. Now, if you've seen my hair, you know that I don't have a problem with volume, but I'd like to have a little more lift on the top and back portions of my hair than what I do. I couldn't wait to get home and try this out last night and let me just say that I'm in LOVE. Be careful not to use too much, but if you're looking for something to give you a little lift (and hold), this product is for you! I've heard some say they didn't like they way it made their hair feel, but I love it...I love being able to tell that I have a product in my hair and the hold I had the rest of the night, was insane! (It also made it much more manageable to style).

To find out where the nearest Aquage provider is, click here.It's $12.50 for this bottle and I would've paid more!

The second product(s) that I tried last night and couldn't wait to try again this morning was the Olay Regenerist eye serum, moisturizer, and facial cleanser. The moisturizer was the smoothest, lightest thing I've ever used on my face before. This came in a pack, although I'm sure you could buy them separately from Target for about $30 and it was well worth the $$ spent. I'm telling you, it made my face as smooth as a baby's bottom :)

And the final product is Kenra Volume 25 Hairspray. Now, it may of been that I had too much aquage in my hair that provided enough hold, that is the reason behind why I don't think this held any better or worse than other hairsprays, but I'm going to finish it out and give it a few more tries before I give my final opinion about it (so keep reading)!!

Hope you've enjoyed these reviews! Be sure to follow me, post comments, link up through email (if you don't have a blog) so you can continue to receive my blog updates! Thanks for the support and Happy Wednesday ladies!!

Bachelorette Blogging

As some of you may or may not know, I'm OBSESSED with watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette. I mean OBSESSED! I can quote Chris Harrison almost to a "t" by the end of each episode, I try to find camera men in the background (that aren't supposed to be seen), figure out if some of them are wearing an outfit more than once, and so on. So, after many weeks of facebook commenting back and forth with some of you, I thought maybe I should bring this into my blog. Here's a picture from this week and although I was busy in between the commercials with laundry, cleaning, and what not, I still managed to take a few notes (as seen by the journal I have sitting next to me on the bed).

 So here we go. My rave and review! I must say (maybe it was because I was so busy doing other things while the show was on), that I wasn't too pleased with this week's episode. It was kinda boring...or at least I thought so. On one of her last dates she made one of the guys bake cookies, run errands, bring in groceries and I thought, "oh, maybe they're actually going to try and make this as close to real life as possible." Well, this week proved me wrong. Let's get real...who has Luke Bryan or Dolly Parton sing on a date, climb the side of a building with a crowd watching in the street, OR play the 100 Questions game with your best friends (ok, maybe that last one is pretty close to real life--at least with me and my close friends it is)!

My Top Picks so far are:
1. Arie-she seems SUPER into him and he seems genuine!
2. Sean-another one that she seems really into, although I feel like her friends like him more than she does.
3. Chris-the guy she went on her first one on one date with this week!
(and I would put them in that order).

Awkward Moments of the Week:
1. Smashing the egg-I felt awkward just watching it!
2. Tony crying over his little boy-I know he misses him but as much as a he was crying, it just got to be a little much for me.

Horrible Moments:
1. Alesandro takes the cake on this one. First off, not only did you have a relationship with your COUSIN but you also admitted it, along with cheating, and having a one night stand AND telling Emily being with her and her daughter would be a compromise! #WINNING
2. Ryan in general...he just needs to take his cockiness and go elsewhere!
3. Kalon-Emily has more class than I do. First off, I wouldn't have kept him around, and I definitely wouldn't have let him finish his sentence!!

So there you have it, my review of this week! Check in next week for another review!

Laundry Room Overhaul!

As most of you know, when it comes to me and organization, those two words go hand in hand. I LOVE all things organization. I obsess over all things organization, so it's no surprise that while I was in Old Time Pottery yesterday I picked up some organizational bins to assist in making my laundry room not only more colorful, but also more organized and functional. My laundry room is immediately to your left when you walk in my apartment and I hated the fact that it was so disorganized. I added the bins, did some laundry (crazy, huh?!), and added my "Spring" banner to add some more color.

Before....

and After!!

I LOVE it!!! Whatcha' think?! I seriously could be a professional organizer...I just LOVE it!

Texas Part III

She is the sweetest, cuddliest baby ever! We'd be playing on the floor and she'd stop, walk over to me, and just hug on me! So stinkin' sweet!

She's ready for our afternoon walk!

Amy and I waiting for the Running of the Bulls leisurely walking of the longhorns!

Here they are!!

Late night Froyo trip!

Amy, Shelby, and the Chin girls!

Saying our goodbyes!

Texas Part II

After the stockyards we went and met another friend of ours at an outlet mall (can't go wrong there). Katie grew up in the same church as Amy and I and when we were younger we were inseparable...literally, so it was great getting to see her. Amy wanted to buy some new clothes that didn't scream "mommy" and Katie and I were glad to assist. We took turns asking, "does this look ok?" "are these jeans too tight?!" and "should I get this?!" All in all, the day was a success for everyone involved and I must give some serious props to that sweet Aubrey who was SUCH a trooper, considering we were on the go constantly! After some serious shopping we went back to the house, visited some more, and then got pizza. Of course no day is complete without a late night run to Target (and to get some more froyo)! Saturday we went to a nearby lake with Amy and Paul's small group and just enjoyed the company, scenery, and sun! Later that afternoon we went back to the house, showered up, and headed to their church, which was AMAZING!! The preacher spoke straight from the word, the sermon wasn't topical, but biblical and the music was AWESOME! It was definitely a great end to a great trip, with great people! 

Texas Part 1

Well, as most of you know, last Wednesday I flew out to Dallas, Texas to visit my friend Amy, her husband Paul, and their sweet, sweet baby girl Aubrey! From the time my feet his the Texas soil, we didn't stop. Wednesday night Amy, Aubrey, and I went and met Paul at my favorite, Chipotle prior to small group. To be honest, I was kind of nervous about going and meeting new people but I can't tell you enough how sweet and genuine these couples were. We returned to the house around 10pm and Amy and I stayed up until almost 2am catching up. Needless to say we both regretted that decision the next morning when Aubrey was up and at 'em at 7! Thursday we took our time getting ready, headed out to a mall (one of about 40 in the area), stopped and got some frozen yogurt, and then headed home to meet Paul and rest for the remainder of the night. Friday was probably my favorite day (Saturday was a close second). Amy, Aubrey, and I headed to the Fort Worth Stockyards. This place was what I had pictured Texas looking like. It had cobblestone roads, stores filled with boots and cowboy hats, and the smell of manure (which I totally could've done without). Amy had told me prior that twice a day they clear the main road and have longhorns parade through the streets (now imagine my surprise when this wasn't at all like the Running of the Bulls-which is what I had pictured in my head the whole time)...no, there were about 15 of them just leisurely walking at their own pace but nonetheless, it was totally worth the drive and gave me my "Texas experience" (plus I got to see where the Bachelor was filmed last season)!

High Five For Friday!

This week seems to have FLOWN by...I can't hardly remember what I did this week but here's a shot at my High Five for Friday! I've linked up with Lauren from My Grey Desk for High Five Friday!

1. I got to meet and catch up with one of my best friends, Brooke. This by FAR was the highlight of my week! We don't get to see each other that often so everytime we get together we exceed our word limit (imagine that) and really encourage each other, laugh together, and just catch up on life.

2. I received the best "letter" in the mail. This MADE.MY.DAY! This was from my friend Jaime's sweet little boy Tyson, who is just full of life and my little buddy!

3. I went by Books-A-Million and picked up a new journal (I LOVE it but forgot to include it in my picture), compact mirror (random, I know), a planner, and some 3x5 cards to keep in my purse to help me memorize and pray the scriptures.

4. This weekend, in case you didn't know is Mother's Day. I can't wait to spend the day with my mom, getting into who knows what, spending time together, and making sure I make her feel appreciated! Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without her and am so blessed God made her my mama!

5. Monday afternoon I got to hang out with Mrs. Val. Visits with just her are few and far between as we're both really busy and her husband is usually around (don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, but he's also my boss so I see him every day), so I really like it when we can have time just the two of us!

Well, there you have it...my High Five for Friday! What's your top five?! Happy Friday!

Project Workplace

For a few weeks now I've had a burden...a burden for my coworkers. I work for a pretty large company (for Panama City anyways) that has a couple hundred employees and although I know the majority of them, there are numerous ones whom I've never met, let alone know their name. A few weeks ago I began to feel the burden that not only do I not know these people, but I haven't made much of an effort to get to know them...let alone be praying for them. So, I decided to start what I like to call "Project Workplace." Now don't get me wrong, this project isn't just for coworkers whom I've never met, it includes coworkers I see daily, know well, and even call friends. I sometimes feel as though most people I work with don't know about my love for the Lord, and in turn my love for them hasn't progressed in the past year since I started. So, a few weeks ago I decided that I would start praying for and/or make a coworker feel special and appreciated every day. The funny thing is the first day I set out with this in mind, I kept coming across coworkers that I felt needed prayer, encouragement, or that they were genuinely appreciated. From that day forward I decided that I would pray for the first few hours of my work day that God would place someone in my path or put someone on my heart that I could "take on" that day. I write the date at the top of my wipe off board and out next to the date the person's name that I will be praying for, taking time to speak to, and encourage that day. I know that not only will this make my coworkers feel appreciated and hopefully change their lives, but change mine as well; that it will be a constant reminder that I am to love others, that I need to slow down to encourage others, pray for them, and live out my walk...daily! I encourage you to do the same and would love to hear about what's going on in your daily lives and how you're working to live out your faith! Disclaimer: the person's name in this photo is a very good friend of mine, and although I pray for her often, I erased my original person's name and put her's up for this picture as I knew she wouldn't mind her name being in a picture (or at least I hope not)! hehe!

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people." Philemon 1:7

The Big Reveal!

Well, as the votes proved, I decided to take on my bedroom this weekend and a full 24 hours later it is complete! It really wasn't that bad...more fun than anything. My friend graciously gave up her Saturday to come help me and after deciding on a color palette, the rest is history! We started off at Lowes, then on to Hobby Lobby, TJMaxx, Chic-Fil-A (gotta make time for that)!, Target, and then I ran to Walmart this morning to pick up a few other finishing touches. We cranked up the country music, made sure a Dr. Pepper was in arm's reach and went to work. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story but a HUGE thanks to Ginny for giving up her Saturday to help me! 

Before...

No turning back....

After!!!

Here are some of my favorite things in the room!

Flowers and vase from Hobby Lobby (both 50% off)! Doesn't get much better than that! And yes, I know I need to cut the stem...I just didn't have wire cutters on hand!

These flowers are also from Hobby Lobby and the vase is something I've had for awhile.

The milk jug is from Target (Winter 2011) and the lantern I also got from Target yesterday for just $3!!
The duvet cover is from Target, sheets from TJMaxx, curtains from Walmart and everything else was just stuff I had laying around. I'm also looking forward to hanging this bad boy up...I just haven't because I want to bust the panes out so it won't be so heavy and I still need someone to hang it for me. Speaking of...anyone know how I can bust these panes out? I tried a hammer and surprisingly it didn't work. Suggestions please?! I got this window pane from my friend Jaime...she had it lying around and couldn't use it at the time, so I got it for FREE! But there are also some at a local Antique shop for about $20.00!

Hope you love the room as much as I do! The blue is a little darker than I thought it'd be but I think it'll just take some time to get used to...I was used to a pretty blah color so it's just a change but I really do love this room!!

Extreme Room Makeover

Alright y'all...this will be my first blog that requires votes. I am someone that once I make my mind up about something, I'm ready to go! I HATE starting projects and not finishing them (or not finishing them quickly)...it drives me bananas! Anyways, I've been brainstorming all week about redoing my apartment. After all, I'm going to continue my lease for another year come October and I'm tired of saying, "I'm going to really make a room pretty when I...(fill in the blank)." You only live once...why not live in a pretty house now instead of waiting and then wishing you had done it long ago?! So...here we are! I can't decide which room I want to do first (I will eventually do all of them) but, one room at a time. So...it's up to YOUR votes! The room with the most votes, is the room I will take on this weekend to TRANSFORM! Ready?! (P.S.-I want to paint too...the walls are just a bland tan color, so I'm open to suggestions for those as well)!

Room 1: The kitchen! It's pretty bland, lacks color, personality, and FLAVOR!

Room 2: My "officeinacloset" space. Lacks function, brightness, and organization!

Room 3: My Bedroom. It's kind of a catch-all for a bunch of mismatched stuff. I want it to feel soft, relaxing, and sophisticated.

 Sorry about the bed. I usually make it every day...it drives me crazy not to have a bed that's made (but I guess that's what everyone who doesn't make their bed says, eh?) ;)

Room 4: My bathroom. It lacks color, brightness, and is just kinda drab and for someone who isn't a morning person, I want it to be cheery, bright, and organized (maybe that'll help me become a morning person, no?!...well, we can always hope)!

So there you go! (I obviously have other rooms in my apartment but don't feel that they NEED to be redone (at least not yet) :)

So let me know...which room do you think needs the most work?!

Birmingham Blessings!

A few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine asked if I would like to come up to Birmingham and spend time with her and her kids while her husband was out of town on business. Jaime and I were trying to do the math this weekend and figure out how long we've known each other (5 years in case you're wondering), but needless to say when she invited me, I didn't hesitate to say yes! It doesn't matter how much time has passed, we always pick up right where we left off and this weekend was no different. We spent countless hours just sitting and talking about our dreams, God, her kids, our families, and everything else in between. Here are just a few pictures to highlight the wonderful weekend we had together!

Saturday evening we enjoyed a nice pizza picnic in the back yard!

We rode these down the hill over and over...and over and over...

Tyson and I resting after he convinced me to play soccer in the heat of the day!

One of us learned how to drive (well, not really but she was all about sitting in my car)!

Peyton asked me to paint her fingernails and toe nails! How cute is she?!
Needless to say this weekend was jam packed with fun, talking, love, excitement, joy, and laughter! These 3 kids and Jaime are such a blessing to me, I always look forward to the next time I get to see them and can't for more weekends like this! They are my Birmingham blessings!

Georgia Peaches...kinda!

Well, as most of you have seen by the pictures I've been posting, I went with some other girls to Savannah, GA for my friend Megan's Bachelorette weekend. Even though I've known Megan since Middle School, it wasn't until we were in college when we really got close. Megan is one of friends that always has your back, listens with an open mind, judges no one, and has a heart of gold and I mean GOLD! Although we don't see each other as often because she is in Med School at FSU, we try to see each other every time she comes in town and trust me when I say, we NEVER run out of things to talk about! (hard to imagine, huh)?! Anyways, Friday morning my friend Katie and I set out to pick up Megan from Tallahassee and on we went to Savannah. Friday night we met the other 5 girls at the hotel, changed and set out for dinner at Tapas. I LOVED the atmosphere at this place and the food wasn't bad either. After dinner we decided to go back to the hotel since it was already getting late and let Megan open her lingerie gifts and then I hit they sack (I had been sick last week and knew I should forego social hour to try and get some good rest so I'd be ready for the following day and it worked...Saturday I felt like a new woman). So Saturday we got up and ate some delicious food that one of the girls had brought along, got ready and hit the town. We first made our way down to Bay Street to go in the touristy shops and then it was on to Paula Deen's for some down home cookin' y'all! The peach cobbler was to DIE FOR!! After being rolled out of PD's we then made our way into some more shops and finally decided to take a carriage tour through the historic district of Savannah. We had walked so much that morning we all thought our legs were going to fall off. Our tour guide was gracious enough to offer to take us back to our hotel so we wouldn't have to walk back which we all were SOOOO grateful for. After returning to the hotel we decided to snack/watch My Best Friend's Wedding/rest/get ready for the night ahead. We later set out to have dinner at this place called Rocks on the Rooftop and it was GORGEOUS and awesome all at the same time! I can't even describe the beautiful view! After dinner we decided to head down to a Chocolate Bar (need I say more?!) which was also WONDERFUL! We piddled around a little after that, ran into some interesting people, saw some interesting things, and then headed back to the hotel. The next morning my friend Katie and I got up and got packed before everyone else so we decided to walk down a few blocks to the cutest, quaintest coffee shop for some breakfast and then it was on the road to head home! This weekend we made new friendships, strengthened existing ones, experienced new things together, laughed, talked, slept, talked, shopped, talked, well...you get the point! Here's to celebrating Megan and the wonderful guy, Cameron's marriage and the beautiful people they are!

THIS is the reason for Fusion!

As I'm typing this, I'm asking myself why I decided to start typing at 10:07, knowing I have to get up at 5am tomorrow, but I know if I don't type it now I'm going to lay in bed for the next hour thinking about him. That's right, HIM. Tonight was my first night volunteering at Fusion (it's a sports complex/a campus of LHUMC, which is the church I attend). We bought it a few months ago and have recently opened it for people to come and use our gym facility, soccer fields, and to have a place to worship on Sunday mornings. I was really looking forward to volunteering tonight, however, my thought process changed at about 8:20 when a young boy (who lives in the trailer park down the street) and his friend came in. Let me jump back and say that a while ago I heard about this lady that started praying for a stranger every day. Well, I've thought a lot about doing that as well and I think tonight is the first night that I've done it (and I'm going to try my best to continue it). When this little boy walked in (who's probably about 10 years old, I was told by someone else that he lived down the street, is in a bad living environment, and was the first person through the door, the day Fusion opened. He comes regularly during the week at 6am when Fusion opens until its time to go to school and a lot of times late at night. There was something about THIS boy though. He had the sweetest, cutest smile, nicest personality, and just wanted some love. Its THIS boy that I decided to start praying for tonight...that I added to my prayer journal when I got home, and its THIS boy that is the reason why I'm praising God for allowing our church to open Fusion...so that children like THIS have a safe place to come, to receive a hug or a smile from a stranger, and know that they are cared for. THIS is why I'm extra thankful for Fusion today...because it is a safe house for some, it is a place of rest and at the same time a place for some to let go and be themselves. THIS is something I'm thankful to be a part of. THIS is something I'm thankful to have experienced tonight. THIS boy will continue to be in my prayers. He was invited to the morning services' that  my church is holding this week and I pray that I see him again, but if I don't...I know that he at least has my prayers if no one else's. Please join me in praying for THIS boy!

It's beginning to look a lot like...SPRING!

If you know me well, you know that I LOVE to decorate my house for each holiday. I used to always tease my mom about having to buy new decorations for each holiday, but now...I'm her! I just LOVE to find new things, cute things, cheap things, and different things to decorate my house with and since Spring is here, you guessed it...I bought some more decorations and I must say...I LOVE them! My dining room has been looking pretty sad and lonely lately, so I decided to do another Pinterest project. I found some CUTE patterned place mats at Target AND some coordinating napkins. So I cut the place mats up (they were almost too cute to cut up), framed them and I know have the wall art that you see below.

While I was at it, I figured I'd go ahead and buy some cheap, cute, springy dishes to go on my table along with my cute napkins...

I love the brightness and cheerful colors in this room. It really brightens up the whole apartment! And last but not least, I came across this little banner that I just HAD to have! (Ok, well I didn't HAVE to HAVE it...but I really wanted it, and it was only 5 bucks) so...

Not your typical Easter bunny, eggs, and flowers that you might imagine when decorating for Spring but I really love it...all of it! And besides, Hobby Lobby (which is where I usually get all of my holiday decorations) was kind of bare this year when it came to cute things to hang on your doors, mantles, etc. So whatcha' think?!

5 Favorites of the Week

I've been meaning to post this for a few days now but have been crazy busy and have been without a computer these past few days. I decided I'd post my 5 favorite things from last week. Some are serious, some are silly, but all are my favorites!
1. These ducks greet me every morning when I leave for work and every day when I come home and although I don't always take time to sit and enjoy them, I love watching them! Look at the cute little duckies!

2. Fake Bake! I went and got my hair cut this weekend and one of the hairdressers looked so nice and tan and I've been wanting to do something about my pasty white skin but didn't want to opt for the tanning bed...so I gave this a try and I'm in LOVE!! It worked beautifully, didn't get splochy, and makes me feel like I won't scare everyone off with my pasty self anymore! I was contemplating on whether or not to share my little "secret" but figured I'd share! It's only $14 which is even better (comparable to a tanning membership or wasting money on self tanners that don't work).

3. My new earrings that I'm in LOVE with! I got them from Francesca's (a cute little boutique out at Pier Park) and I'm in LOVE!

4. Attending a wedding...with all the weddings I've been in and attended I sometimes don't always look forward to them, but I was really looking forward to attending this one! It was a beautiful day, a beautiful couple, a wonderful time, and we danced the night away...plus I got to hang out with some of my best girl friends! What's not to love?!

And finally, number 5! I'm trying out two new recipes (which that in itself is a miracle)...hopefully I won't burn either of these! I've tried the buffalo chicken wrap and loved it and am currently cooking the roast (which I've set my alarm to wake up at 2 am just to turn off the crock-pot!...yes I know..I'm crazy!) I'll let you know how it turns out!

I found that having the mindset this week of trying to find some of my favorite things, more and more blessings were revealed to me! Funny how your mindset can change so drastically! What's some of your favorites?!