T-minus 6 hours

When I get off today I am headed straight to pick Matthew up and we are headed back to the boro for Thanksgiving break!! Although it's not very long it's still 4 days at home :)   Last night was a good one. Class ended after about an hour, we made it to church on time (we had our Wednesday service on Tuesday night this week since everyone will be traveling starting today), our boys won the volleyball championship and we decorated the SOC house for Christmas!!   Congrats boys!

 

and a few pictures of the Christmas decorations...

 

 We turned on Pandora and listened to Christmas music to help get us in the Christmas spirit

Please ignore the fact that I look like I gained 10 pounds in one night, I had about 3 shirts on under that sweatshirt lol. I am still trying to adjust to the cold weather up here!!

I packed everything up last night and it is ready to go as well! Yesterday while at work I made out a packing list for me and Matthew. I am still trying to decide on what I want to wear on Thanksgiving. By Friday night I will have had SIX Thanksgiving meals. 1. Friendsgiving 2. Thanksgiving lunch at work 3. Thanksgiving lunch with the SOC ($3 Tuesday) 4.Thanksgiving lunch with Matthew's Family on Thursday 5. Thanksgiving dinner with my family on Thursday 6. Thanksgiving lunch at my Mema's on Friday. Abundantly blessed y'all.   We were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow last night but when I woke up this morning and looked outside it looked like it had missed us but as of right now it is coming down pretty good and our cars are starting to turn a little white! Praying for safe travels for everyone over the next few days.   I think I am going to brave the crowds yet once again this Black Friday and get some shopping finished. For the past 3 years Matthew has gone with me and he has agreed to go again this year!! He says he doesn't want me going shopping alone with all the crazy crowds but I think he secretly likes all the good deals.   I do also have a few things on my to-do list to cross off over break... 1. Get everything for Matthew's graduation party (17 DAYS Y'ALL) 2. Get his graduation present :) 3. Finish Christmas shopping 4. Clean out my inbox 5. Finish editing some pictures 6. Finish reading Crazy Love for the second time 7. Get all of my Christmas decorations down from the attic to bring back to Cookeville 8. Decorate the house for Christmas before I leave *and of course enjoy my time home with all my family**   I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to enjoy the time with your loved ones!! :) 

{Source}

 

Also don't forget to enter in the giveaway from yesterday!!

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T-minus 6 hours

Home State Tee Giveaway

HAPPY TUESDAY!! Only one class tonight and one more work day and then I am homeward bound for Thanksgiving break!!   Today I want to introduce you to an Etsy shop that I am loving!! I have been looking for a shirt like this for sometime and when I received this I about died.

 

Not only is it the most comfortable tee in the world but it is adorable and you can style it many different ways. I chose to go with a comfortable everyday look but I plan on adding an infinity scarf and cardigan next time I wear it!

 

 

Obviously I want to show off my home state and this is the perfect way to do so! I have already received tons of compliments on this shirt.

Zeke, from Home State Apparel was very helpful and they shipped this very quickly! So go look around their shop and you can check them out on Facebook as well. This would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone :)

Also they are giving away a shirt of your choice to one of YOU so make sure to enter below! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Home State Tee Giveaway

5 crappy thoughts I will most likely have today

Everyday I think we all have at least a few crappy thoughts, it's only human and sometimes when we are having those crappy thoughts we tend to let it put us in a bad mood and that can sometimes lead to thinking we have it bad or we have a bad life. I saw this quote on Pinterest and it was like a slap in the face for me.  

  Something I have been working on since the summer is that when I have a crappy/negative thought I need to replace it with a positive thought, and I am surprised with how lately every time I think of something negative I automatically think of something positive to replace it and I tell ya it makes for a better attitude and day!!   1. I have so much to do blah blah blah the classic line I use when I am stressing out about something. This is probably a daily thought. I need more hours in the day or I am going to be up so late  or I just want to relax   2. Why do I have to work full time while everyone else my age is a full time college student This is one I have struggled with A LOT lately. I just want to be a full time student or It's not fair that they don't have to work and can go to school full time and their parents pay for everything   3. I'm tired My everyday thought when my alarm goes off and definitely around that 3 o'clock stretch during the week at work.   4. I want her wardrobe and makeup That shirt is too cute I need new boots like hers mine are old How does she get her makeup like that??   5. My lunch is not satisfying Am I really going to eat a ham and turkey wrap again? I just want a salad or pasta  

  1. You are LUCKY you have friends and family to keep you busy!! Last year at this time you didn't have the SOC in your life and you were going home everyday after school & work and you were bored out of your mind. So what if you go to bed late you are young, enjoy it and you can relax later. Enjoy this season of life, you aren't always going to have all your close friends living within 5 minutes of you and all these fun events to go to.   2. YOU HAVE A JOB.  A good one at that, why are you whining?! Many people are searching for a job to provide for their family and you are complaining about working? Be thankful you have a job and can pay for everything!! This is what YOU wanted and knew you would have to work your tail off to live on your own and go to school but you are in COOKEVILLE, remember that.   3. You're alive and healthy!! and having fun everyday with people who you love. Who doesn't get tired? Suck it up and stop whining.   4. These are just material things. You are fortunate to have as many clothes as you do. Be thankful for what you already have. Some people in parts of the world don't even have a jacket to keep them warm.   5. First off are your really thinking this?? Over thousands of people are literally starving to death everyday and you complain about your lunch? I feel like I need to crawl in a dark hole every time I think this.       How do you focus on staying positive? The moral of this post is this, Be grateful for everyday. Be positive. Be happy. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.   and if you need a little bit more to get your Friday going, this should give you a good laugh. Obviously I would choose b.

     

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5 crappy thoughts I will most likely have today

Friendsgiving

Last Friday we had our first annual Friendsgiving! It was a lot of fun and we had plenty of food (and still do, eating leftovers for days). I got off of work Friday and rushed back to the apartment to start setting everything up and to warm up the dishes I had made the night before. I decided to make my nanny's red cinnamon apples and dumplings.   Here are some pictures from the night!

 

 

 

 The fold up table I borrowed from my parents was just big enough to fit in our living room.

 

This wasn't even all the food, there was more on the stove. Like I said leftovers for days y'all.

 

Closer look at some of the details

 

Remember this chalkboard tray I made? Comes in handy for every event!!

 



 

 

 

 I put this adorable banner together right before everyone got there and loved it.

you can find that here.

 

 

  Mason jars are hands down my favorite. I bought those straws at Target last time I was home and loved them as well! I think they add the right amount of color to everything!

  I wanted to make little name cards for everyone but when I was in Target I found these and knew they would definitely work! 

  After dinner I wanted to get a group picture so we made a few...

 

and then someone decided to make an "awkward family" picture so here they are...enjoy

 The guys weren't really for the awkward family photo so they did their own thing, as you can see.

I never thought I would see those boys do the duck face.

 

The girls!

  I am happy to say our first Friendsgiving was a success and I am already excited to have it again next year!! Are you having a Friendsgiving? If you aren't yet plan one, they are so fun!!   

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Friendsgiving

$350 J.Crew giveaway //Just in time for black Friday//

Black Friday is just around the corner, next week to be exact, so in honor of the thousands of sales that will be going on, we are giving away $350 to J.Crew this month. Shopping is pretty much one of my favorite things to do and J.Crew is a classic. I love finding pieces that go with so many outfits. Anyways, I have babbled enough, enter below to win $350 to J.Crew from Simply Clarke and friends! Happy Shopping and Good Luck :)

Simply Clarke

Lip Gloss & Lunges / Helene In Between / Beauty Brawler / Bell Bliss
A Sorta Fairytale / I'm Always Ashley / Stay Crafty My Friends / Rebekah's Ramblings
Life Style Love / Through Crystal's Eyes / All That Glitters / The Dwelling Tree
A Whole Awful Lot / Two Places At Once / Gettin' Fit Fab / Southern Beauty Guide
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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$350 J.Crew giveaway //Just in time for black Friday//

"Marriage Isn't For You" & "A Response To: Marriage Isn't For You" + a video

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! As usual I am excited it's almost the weekend and even better my new schedule allows me to get off early on Friday so I am counting down the hours!   I had another post planned for today but I really wanted to share this instead. I'm sure all of you or most of you have read the post "Marriage isn't for you" being shared all over Facebook and the Internet. It has had over 24 millions views, so if you haven't read it yet go read it. I liked this post and agreed with it for the most part. Now I'm not married obviously and probably won't be for another 2+ years but I do have my opinions on this. Matthew and I talked about this post and we both had different views on it at first. I agreed that when you get married you have to become totally selfless. After many classes and lessons at church and on retreats over relationships and marriage I have learned from people who are older than I am that you must become selfless. Matthew's views on this were, yes you have to become selfless when you get married but you get married to make yourself happy too.  I can agree with that, obviously you aren't going to get married if you are unhappy with the person, or at least you shouldn't.   " You don’t marry to make yourself happy, you marry to make someone else happy. More than that, your marriage isn’t for yourself, you’re marrying for a family. Not just for the in-laws and all of that nonsense, but for your future children."   I would certainly hope that you don't marry someone just to have a family and for children. Overall I think it was a great post with great intentions but I do agree with Matthew on his point about being happy yourself and he agreed on my point about being selfless.   So then I found this... Here is another post that I loved. This man wrote "A Response To: Marriage Isn't For You" I think his response to the article above is not only great but so true.   "Like the author claims, marriage is definitely not about making yourself happy, but it’s not always about making your spouse happy either. True love is focused on God, and that sometimes means making people unhappy in order to draw them closer to God. Marriage is not about making your spouse smile or laugh every day. Marriage is not about being nice, it’s about loving your spouse as God loves them.  Marriage is not only about making your spouse happy, it’s about making them holy."   The last sentence of that small passage from the post really made me think. One thing that I have always promised Matthew is that, I will always love God more than I love him. AND then I saw this video last night and I felt like it definitely tied into this somewhat. I love the part where Jase says "Do it God's way" so many people today are trying to do it their way, I am included and I am learning everyday to do it God's way. I also loved where Missy says "they have a Godly agreement to help each other get to Heaven" Is that not what Jeremy was saying in his response?    

   These are just my opinions (and one of Matthew's) on all 3 of these and I really enjoyed reading/watching so if you have some down time today or this weekend read/watch these! Have a wonderful weekend!!   

P.S. How original is the title of this post? Ya girl couldn't think of anything for it!! So sorry for the long title haha!

P.S.S. Friendsgiving is tonight! WOOP WOOP!!

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"Marriage Isn't For You" & "A Response To: Marriage Isn't For You" + a video

Etsy shop giveaway + discount code

I was recently contacted by Leslie to share her mom's new Etsy shop. I must say she is pretty talented! 

 

  

Today I have an awesome giveaway for you courtesy of Nana's Sewing Closet, my mom's Etsy shop. My mom is the sewing talent and I run the business side of things on Etsy and Facebook.

 

The winner of the giveaway will receive one custom handmade dress that is valued at $30-$35 depending on the size ordered. *Please note that some of the dresses in the shop are over this prize value but the winner may choose one of those and pay the difference.*

One top of the giveaway we are offering a 10% discount code off of any order. Good through Friday November 22, 2013.

 

10 % Discount Code: Holiday2013

To help us spread the word some of my lovely blogging friends have agreed to post this giveaway on their blogs so make sure to go visit them and say hello.

 

Dara from Not in Jersey | Kera from Nugget on a Budget |

| Becky from My Sweet Moose | Julia from Eternal Girl |

|Shelby from Stay Crafty My Friends | Dawn from Dawn's Disaster

 

| Sara from Confessions of a Redheaded Mama | Beanie Blogger Opportunities | Janine from Confessions of a Mommyaholic |

| Mommy Blog Hoppers | Tiffany from My Safe Havens |

| Shana from Organized Chaos |

| Cassandra from The World from the View of Two |

| Ashley from Mrs. Mama |

A big thanks to all the lovely ladies help in supporting Nana's Sewing Closet's first ever giveaway! Rafflecopter is down below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Etsy shop giveaway + discount code

30 days

After church last night I came back to the apartment and went into full cleaning mode and Matthew was back at his apartment studying for the two tests he has today (good luck boo dawg!). Tomorrow is Friendsgiving!! Woo hoo so excited! After talking with everyone about what they are bringing I do believe we are going to have a ton of different food! Tonight I plan on cleaning a little more, finishing up some last minute decorations and start cooking!! Anyways back to last night...I was dreading cleaning because we have put it off so long. It's not that bad but it definitely needed a good dusting, youknowwhatimsayin??

I got to thinking and you know cleaning doesn't have to be too bad. You just have to wear the right outfit, light a fall candle and listen to some good ole Ben Rector and maybe a Christmas song in there somewhere.

While I was cleaning I decided to take a lil break and check Facebook and then I saw THIS.

30 days y'all 30 days until he graduates!! This is crazy!

I remember the day he left for his college orientation (SOAR) and I remember the night I told him bye before he left the next morning for college and now 3 1/2 years later he is graduating?! Whaaa? Time is FLYING by. I mean, FLYINGGG by with Superman and Spidey senses. 

I am SO incredibly proud of him and to be honest it will be hard to hold back a tear or two in 30 days because I know just how hard he has worked for and wanted this. There have been nights where he stayed up late studying and got back up early the next morning to study even more before a test, skipped social events to study and just really worked his tail off.

 

He took the GMAT this past weekend in Nashville and passed with flying colors like I knew he would.

 

 

Just a few pictures I snapped with my iPhone.

 

 

 Y'all Matthew is graduating in 30 days and starting the MBA program in January(I just love that way that sounds!!) Everything he has worked so hard for is happening and he is accomplishing all his goals left and right. I am just SO happy for him and can't wait to watch him and stand by his side as he crosses of the rest of his goals and graduates with his MBA and takes the CPA exams!

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30 days

10 guilty pleasures

1. Reading, updating and creeping on social media sites. Instagram is my favorite and I am constantly checking it and I love posting on there. Some of my family jokes with me that they don't have to even ask what I have been up to they can just check my Instagram haha but I don't really care I enjoy it!!   So if you love them as much as I do feel free to follow along :)

Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest   2. Taco Bell Some people think it's gross but Matthew and I love us some Taco Bell!! We usually don't go too long without stopping by and grabbing lunch or dinner and it doesn't help that there is one right by his apartment!!!!   3. Coke This one and #2 are an unhealthy obsession I know and I have cut back on cokes A LOT compared to what I used to drink. I am hoping to cut them out completely...soon...maybe starting in January??   4. Real Housewives of Orange County I don't know what it is about that show but I just love me some Gretchen, Vicki and Tamra drama!!!!

    5. Nails This has recently started happening. I used to have an awful habit of biting my nails to where they were so short they would bleed. I wouldn't even realize it until I saw blood. Not only is it ugly to have nails like that but that is SO many germs. I get sick to my stomach thinking about it now. I have became obsessed with painting my nails and trying out new designs. As much as I love having my nails done professionally I didn't like paying $15 every two weeks when I can do it myself at work & it helps pass the time.   6. E.L.F makeup I can't go into Target without going to look at the E.L.F makeup section before I leave. First off it is cheap and I'm talking super cheap as in almost everything is $1. I think the most I have ever paid for an E.L.F product was $6 and it will last me awhile. Second, it works!! I love the coverage I get from my E.L.F foundation and it lasts throughout the day. I am OBSESSED with all their stuff and I love trying out new E.L.F products!  

 

  7. Target speaking of Target...I am already having withdrawals. For the life of me I can't figure out why there isn't one in Cookeville, I mean y'all this is a COLLEGE TOWN. Do they not know who much business they would make off all of us college kids?? Target needs to step up their game and come to Cookeville!! Their dollar section gets me every single time and that is where I got all my fall/Halloween decorations for the apartment. I made a trip there this past weekend while I was home and got a bunch of cute Christmas decorations (and E.L.F makeup, ha!)

    8. Pinterest I don't really feel as if I need to say anything about this one.   9. Lotions Especially from Bath and Body Works or Victoria Secret. If you are not following BBW on Facebook then you need to. Every couple of weeks they will post a coupon for any FREE 3oz bottle of lotion. I know it's the smallest bottle they have there but if you like to carry lotion around in your purse like I do then you can't beat this and did I mention it's F-R-E-E and no purchase necessary y'all! I walk my happy butt in there get the one I want take it to the cashier and shoe her the coupon and I'm on my way. So Simple and free :)   10. Shoes One of the best things I have learned to do is buy things at the end of the season when it is on clearance for the next year. This past September, Target was clearancing all their summer shoes/sandals. Guess who got 2 pair of wedged heels and a pair of sandals for next spring/summer $20? THIS girl did. Oh and the original price on one of those pair of wedged heels was $32 :)   What are some of your guilty pleasures? 

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10 guilty pleasures