WINTER DATE IDEAS

It's that time of the year again, the temps are starting to drop, people are docking their boats and putting up their bathing suits until next year, and pulling out their sweaters, leggings and boots.

 I am beyond ready for some cozy nights at home with my husband and our fire place.

Here are some fun winter date ideas that y'all can do this year!

ONE | Drive around and look at Christmas lights

TWO | Take pictures at a Christmas tree farm

THREE | Go shopping for an angle tree child or fill a shoebox.

FOUR | Have a progressive dinner in your town.

FIVE | Pull out the air mattress or sleeping bags and have a sleepover in front of the fireplace 

SIX | Go on a hike

SEVEN | Make dinner together at home - this cookbook is perfect

EIGHT | Go to a local Christmas play

NINE | Go get hot chocolate and walk around your town square

TEN | Decorate Christmas cookies

ELEVEN | Have another couple over and build gingerbread houses and have soup night - this soup is incredible!

TWELVE | Set up the self timer and take a couple of Christmas pictures in front of your Christmas tree

THIRTEEN | Go to a few football games and grab hot chocolate while you're there to warm up

FOURTEEN | Have a cheesy Christmas movie marathon and make these

FIFTEEN | DIY your tacky Christmas sweaters

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

WINTER DATE IDEAS

FRIDAY NO. 38

With respect, honor, and gratitude, thank you and Happy Veterans Day to all the men and women who have, and are still currently serving our nation. There will never be enough words to express our gratitude for your willingness to serve, and for the sacrifices you have made. It is because of you that freedom rings today.

- We are finally having our pictures made tomorrow for our Christmas cards!! Things just kept coming up and we had to keep rescheduling, but tomorrow is the day....yay. I already have our cards picked out, I just need to add the picture and then place my order.

- Target put their Christmas stuff out in the dollar section this week, and I have to say, compared to their fall stuff I was pretty disappointed!! They had a few cute pieces, but I was definitely hoping for more. Hopefully they'll add more as it gets closer to Christmas.

- Speaking of Christmas, I don't know what has gotten into me this year, but I have already started listening to Christmas music!!!! I seriously always wait to listen to Christmas music until the day of Thanksgiving, but for some reason this year I just couldn't wait. I don't even know who I am anymore. Who knows, I might just break out Home Alone this weekend...kidding, kind of ; )

- Reagan is 10 weeks old (as of yesterday) and Monday will mark a whole month of having her home with us. It honestly feels a lot longer than a month, in the best way, that is! The picture below is from right after we got her...I didn't realize how big she has gotten...excuse me while I go cry now. 

- We are THIS close to finishing our farmhouse table, and since Friendsgiving is in EIGHT days, I am determined for us to finish it this weekend!!

- The weather has been soooo nice lately! It finally feels like fall, cool and crisp mornings and nights- I'm loving it!! We have had the fire on a couple of times this year and I'm excited to use it even more!

- A couple of weeks I reached out to you all regarding our Christmas tree search, and a lot of you sent me tons of suggestions and some of you were even so kind to send me deals on them that different stores were running at that time. I can't tell you how thankful I was for you all and all your help, I really appreciated them all!! We actually ended up finding a really good deal on a tree on Amazon! Gotta love Amazon's deal of the day AND same day, free shipping!

- I go home everyday on my lunch break to take Reagan out and I always send Matthew a bunch of snaps of her and he loves them lol. He also gets a snap of his girls everyday ;)

I am in love with this clock, I am on the hunt for a good deal on one this size and style! I think it would look perfect in our living room.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! 

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

FRIDAY NO. 38

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

...from our cute little pumpkin!

We are staying in tonight and handing out candy. It's our first Halloween in our new home/neighborhood, and we have been told that we have quite a few trick or treaters, so I am very excited!

I hope you all have a great and safe Halloween!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

PUMPKIN CENTERPIECES + (2015) FRIENDSGIVING INVITATION

I am pulling two posts that I wrote last fall to share with you today. It's that time of year to decorate for all things fall, and to start planning for Friendsgiving, if you are hosting! I shared all about hosting as a young wife, and you can read those posts, here.

Last year I decided to make our fall centerpieces for Friendsgiving. I ended up liking them so much that I left them out until it was time to decorate for Christmas. They were really simple to make, and fit perfectly on our tables.

You can find the supplies that you'll need and step by step directions (with pictures) on how to make these centerpieces, here!

Next up is the invitation that I designed for Friendsgiving last year. I went with the Friends theme and they were a hit with all of our guests, especially my sister, who is obsessed with the show. ;)

I designed the invitation in PicMonkey and printed them out at home to mail to all of our guests.

I have already started picking up some things for Friendsgiving this year, and I am getting very excited. I designed the invitation for this year a few weeks ago, and I will be sharing it next week, so stay tuned! 

Are any of you hosting Friendsgiving or even Thanksgiving this year? I would love to hear about it!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

PUMPKIN CENTERPIECES + (2015) FRIENDSGIVING INVITATION

FRIDAY NO. 32

I feel like I can officially say that fall is here in Nashville! It was a very cool and crisp 55 degrees on my way to work this morning and yesterdays high only reached 64. Which is crazy because Thursday of last week was a high of 91! It does look like it's going to warm back up a bit next week, but I'm hoping the humidity stays low. I also can't believe today is the last day of September. September FLEW by for me!

Last night I went to my sister's softball game and completely forgot to bring a jacket or sweater, so it was a very chilly night. They played great, but sadly lost by one point. Such a close game though!!

Different couples in our class at church host an activity each month for everyone in our class, well this month it's our turn to host, and our event is tonight! We reserved the youth building at our church and we're having a movie/game night. We are showing Nemo for the kiddos, and I found some nemo coloring pages for them. We are having pizza and I found some cute Nemo themed snacks to have as well. For the adults we will be playing the game Fibbage. We are so excited and can't wait until tonight!

I am in the process of creating my own planner for 2017, and I am a little too excited about it. This past year I decided not to spend a big amount on a planner like I have in the past and grabbed one from Target for around $12. I like it and the size of it, but I wish it had a little more to it. So when I saw Blair's post on how she created her own planner using Canva and Office Depot I was very intrigued. I made a list of all the things I wanted in a planner and started sketching how I wanted it to look. I then took to Canva to make my drawings come to life and I am thrilled with how it's looking so far! Not only will I be saving money, but I will have a planner tailored to my personal needs. YAY! Here is a look at the calendar I created the other day for my planner...

Yesterday our sweet puppy turned 1 month old, and just in a couple of weeks we will get to bring her home!!!! We are so stinkin' excited and talk about her everyday!!!! Would you just look at this adorable face...

If you missed our fall home tour, you can see it HERE! I'm enjoying everything fall right now, if you couldn't tell ;)

Also, this adorable wreath I posted about on Wednesday, that I will be sharing with you all on Monday...will come with a coupon code!!! Woo hoo! I know cotton wreaths and cotton stalks are very popular this fall and I have loved seeing them around in people's houses, so you won't want to miss out on the coupon code!

One last thing....tomorrow is the first home (preseason) Pred's game and we are going with some friends. Hockey is BACK! They shared this on their Facebook page yesterday and I couldn't help but get pumped for hockey season.

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

FRIDAY NO. 32

FALL BUCKET LIST | 2016

- We can go on and mark the first one off as I decorated for fall over Labor Day weekend!

- Tech is playing against UT this November and I am so hoping we can make it. I have never been to Neyland Stadium, but I have heard so many great things about it and I would LOVE to go see Tech play with all of our best friends!

- I walked into Publix the other day and saw the prettiest pumpkin display, and it made me SO happy! I can't wait to pick out our pumpkins soon.

- There is a small place in Cookeville that sells the prettiest mums that I have ever seen. The two years that I lived there I made sure I got them as soon as they were out and loved seeing them everyday. Seriously, the prettiest! Here is a picture from my apartment that I lived in while in Cookeville. We plan on making a trip up to Cookeville soon anyways to visit friends so I am hoping to grab them then! 

- I have never been a big pumpkin flavored fan. I tried the PSL from Starbucks and threw it away after one drink and I have never liked pumkin pie. Well a couple of weeks ago a coworker brought in some pumpkin bread and I loved every bite of it! So there are a couple of recipes that I want to try this fall!

- I love a good apple pie in the fall time!

- I have never seen all the HP movies. I watched the first one when it came out and that's it. 99% of my friends have read the books and watched the movies so I thought I would give it a try. I told Matthew one day this fall/winter I want to spend the whole day watching the HP movies with the fire going and some chili in the crock pot. Matthew likes HP so he's all for it. 

- We have a date set and the FB invite sent out for Friendsgiving, and I.AM.SO.EXCITED. Last years Friendsgiving was so much fun and I know this year will be just as fun! I have already created the invitation that I am going to mail out and I have an idea of what our tablescape is going to look like. 

- I am SOOOOOO excited about being able to use our fireplace this fall/winter!!!! We moved into our home back in January and it was definitely cold for a couple of months so we got to use it some but I am ready to get it started back up! 

- This might seem crazy to you all, but I am so excited about this. Growing up we never lived in a neighborhood, we lived out in the middle of nowhere, so my parents had to take us into town to a neighborhood where our friends lived to trick or treat so I have never experienced handing out candy on Halloween. We have talked to our neighbors and they said to expect 50+ kids to come through...I'M FREAKING OUT.

- I have a Caramel Apple Spice recipe that I found years ago and loved. I try to make some each year and last year I made it for our weekend in the mountains...so cozy!

What fun things do you have planned for this fall?

Fall Bucket List | 2015

Fall Bucket List | 2013

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

FALL BUCKET LIST | 2016

happy minions happy life

I may or may not have listened to Christmas music while getting ready this morning...

  but before I switch over to all Christmas mode I have to share with you about Halloween!!   **I actually typed up this post LAST Friday and just forgot to post it...oops! So act like you are reading this the day after Halloween**

 

 



 

and all the SOC girls!!



 

 

 

 

 

Overall it was a great night and it was so much fun dressing up and making our costumes!!

We couldn't find overalls like we wanted so we went with suspenders, but we both think they turned out well! Matthew actually dyed our shirts and my tights yellow! He has found a new love for dyeing things and wants to dye all his clothes...haha!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

happy minions happy life

Shine Boutique & coupon code

Fall is definitely here and so is the cooler weather. I have been OBSESSED all these new fall sweaters and cardigans.  Aztec...I don't know why but I just can't get enough of it. I mean not only is it something different than the normal sweaters it is absolutely adorable!!
Well how adorable are these pieces from Shine Boutique? Not only are they cute, they are so comfortable and cozy for these cool months coming up!!

 

 

Shine Boutique is very affordable and has new arrivals all the time that you can see on their Facebook page and if you aren't following them on Instagram or Twitter then you are missing out on all kinds of deals and steals!!
Oh, did I mention that they are giving all of my followers/readers a 20% off discount?! Just enter the promo code CRAFTYSHINE at the checkout.

Don't forget to follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook for all the latest deals!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Shine Boutique & coupon code

Five on Friday

Woo hoo it's Friday and it's not only Friday but it's  LUKE BRYAN FRIDAY IN TENNESSEE Y"ALL!!!!     //ONE// This weather!! I can't even get over it! 2 weeks ago it was in the high 90's and I was about to die of a heat stroke outside on my lunch break and this week I have had my heat on full blast in my car but I'm not complaining I am loving it and I am loving my warm cozy sweaters and boots!!     //TWO// Luke Bryan. Florida Georgia Line. Thompson Square. I can't even deal right now. I am SO excited about tonight!! If you remember Matthew got us tickets to go see them for my birthday and I have been on the countdown every since I found out!!

We saw Luke Bryan a couple of years ago at the CMA Fest and he was HILARIOUS and we both really enjoyed it. We both love Thompson Square and I am a huge FGL fan as well!! So tonight is going to be perfect!! I am getting off early so I can get ready and so that we can leave early to eat dinner and not rush! Nashville here we come :) Also we are going by an accounting firm that Matthew had an interview with on Monday!!!! He wants to show me where it's at and I am excited to see it! He said the interview went very well and they took him to lunch. So we are praying to hear something back!!  #proudgirlfriend     //THREE// Home. I am going home this weekend and I am pretty excited. I have been a little homesick, I guess when you are sick it makes you miss home a little bit more. Can't wait to see everyone and get some sista bonding time in this weekend!! I will also be making a stop by Target :) I seriously have withdrawals.     //FOUR// Essie, oh how I love the!

My obsession has grown and I can't seem to go into any store without buying a new color. There are just SO many to chose from and since I paint my nails so often, why not?? Their new fall colors are to die for and my little nail bag I bring to work is starting to get too full. Gotta love Essie though.

      //FIVE// Makeup, I have also grown an obsession for makeup. I am constantly finding new makeup tutorials on YouTube and watching them and trying out different things. I recently bought some Bobbi Brown makeup and I was so excited about it I met the UPS driver as soon as he got off this truck, I'm sure the poor guy thought I was crazy. I don't know if  I have ever said this before or if you can tell but I LOVE BEING A GIRL. Nails, makeup, hair...it's so fun all the stuff we get to do and play around with, not to mention clothes. I forgot about a gift card I got for my birthday and I found it and bought a few new ADORABLE sweaters for this fall. I love getting things in the mail so I have been giddy all week.   Have a great weekend love muffins!

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Five on Friday

Favorite fall pins

I think we all know how much I love Pinterest and today I wanted to share with you my favorite fall pins I have repined lately! **These pictures are not mine and I do not take any credit from them. To find their source you can look in my Pinterest**    

 

Mums are my FAVORITE!! The yellow one are my absolute favorite but this picture was just so pretty!

 

 

 

 

 This looks so good. I don't even know what is all in here but I am going to act like its ingredients I would like.

 

 

 

 These are precious!! Matthew loves rice krispies so I might just have to make these ;)

 

 

 So fall like! I am just really wanting to visit an apple orchard and pick some fresh apples for apple pie

 

 

 I just want to paint pumpkins, that is all :)

 

 

 I KNOW this would be delicious and it's apples so that must mean it's good for you...right?

 

 

Love the old blue truck and the different sizes of the pumpkins

 

 

 We always go to the same pumpkin patch and I am pretty excited to go and pick out the best pumpkin to carve this year!

 

 

 When I worked at the bank last year we made this hot cider and it was hands down the best I have ever had. I am dying to make it this year when it starts getting cooler outside!!

 

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Favorite fall pins