Life Updates

Oh hey. It's been a hot minute since I've made an appearance around these parts. Sorry about that. I blame my crazy life. You can catch up on that here.

Because, let's face it I don't have an actual post planned. Bring on the randomness. Plus, maybe you want an update on why I've been MIA. No? OK, cool, then that's not what this post is about... Also, all photos were taken with my iPhone so the quality is not so good.

The spell check on my computer seems to have turned itself off so there's a good chance there are some major misspellings. Sorry, I'm not a good speller. I was in a spelling bee once in 3rd or 4th grade and my word was "pansy." I spelled it p-a-n-z-i-e. True story.

I started a new job about 3 weeks ago and my sweet, sweet friends from my old job sent me flowers to wish me well. The new job is great, but gosh I miss them!

I had to get glasses again. I wore them from ages 10 to 24 until the miracle of lasik came into my life. At my last check-up I found out my astigmatism has reared its ugly head. My doctor doesn't want to do an enhancement until I'm through my "child bearing years." So, to comply with the law, I am again wearing glasses while driving. The only thing is when I take them off, I can't really see. Sometimes I wear them all day, and sometimes I don't wear them at all. Shh, don't tell.

I want something really cool for Christmas. I want to open my gift and be blown away. The thing is, I don't know what I want, I just know I want it to be cool.

Kris & I were supposed to go out of town for Thanksgiving, but shocker, we're not. He's having staffing issues and has to work that weekend. I swear, sometimes his job bums me out. I hate never knowing for sure if our plans are going to work out. But, we did go to Blackberry Farm last weekend for dinner, and it was amazing! The $9 million wine inventory peaked our interest, so the sommelier gave us a tour of one of the cellars.

I babysat 2 of my nephews last weekend and nephew #2 insisted on taking Elmo, Baby Elmo, and Grover with us everywhere. I piled them on top of him in his car seat and he was in bliss.

So that's really it for now. Hopefully things have finally settled down and I can get back to posting on the regular! Until then, Happy Thanksgivng!

Real Housewives, Empty Closets, & Ninja Turtles - Thursday Musings

I haven't made blogging a priority lately, mostly because of all the craziness in my life. But, today I have a few things on my mind so why wouldn't I share them with you?

Teresa Guidice was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to bank and wire fraud. Part of me feels sorry for her, but part of me thinks she'll do just fine. 

I love the Zara blanket scarf. Love it, die for it, but I can't make myself buy it. I know I don't need it, but it's only $30. But didn't you spend $30 yesterday on pedicure you didn't really need? And $30 last week on makeup? And don't you need to buy a birthday gift? Do you ever have these internal struggles?

As it gets a little cooler, I'm finding getting dressed to be difficult. I wonder what in the heck I wore last fall. Surely I wore something, but what? My closet seems full of nothingness.

I had my hair colored back dark in August and again in September. Let me tell you, my hair is not holding the color! Every time I shampoo I see more of it wash down the drain. Maybe it's because it was very light on the ends or maybe the colorist is using a semi permanent color? I don't know, but it's starting to get expensive!

I joined a Diet Bet this week by recommendation from Ryan. If you haven't checked out her blog, do it! She's kicking ass and taking names!

And then there's this guy, who never ceases to amaze me. #TMNTforlife

And on that note, let's call it a day, shall we?

More Changes

I mentioned in late spring/early summer that Kris accepted a job in the Nashville area, and that I would be staying in Knoxville for the time being. Well, in the 5 months since we made that decision, a lot has changed.

We set out to do only what seemed right and gave us peace. We prayed that God would show us how we needed to approach this phase of our life one step at time.We prayed that God would let us know what was best for our marriage, and how long I should stay in Knoxville. We initially thought I would stay indefinitely, but we were open to whatever God had in store for us. So, we put our house on the market and bam, it sold. We looked for an apartment for me that wouldn't lock me into a long term lease, and we found one no sweat. Some things happened at work that made me feel like maybe it was time for me to move on. All signs seemed to be pointing to Knoxville no longer being the right place for me.

Then, a good friend approached me about an open corporate attorney position with a major company in the Nashville area. At first, I was a little unsure, but decided I owed it to myself and my marriage to at least look into it. So I did. The more I learned about the position the more I realized this would not only get me back under the same roof as my husband, but would also be a fabulous career move. My career is a top priority, but it does not take importance over my husband. I was elated at the thought of a win-win.

After a lot of prayer, I felt like God was in my situation with me. I knew that if I was offered that new position, I would take it. Now, I wish I could say I turned it over to God and never thought about it again, but patience is not my strong suit. While I knew it would all work out, I had a hard time letting go. One day, so fed up with myself, I wrote in my planner Psalm 37:4. That day's planner space was full, so I just wrote it in the day's space. Well, the next day I was offered the job, and I accepted it! Isn't it funny and so amazing how God works?

I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining my husband in Nashville starting October 25! I am just beside myself with joy. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers along the way! I truly appreciate it!

To say that I've been slacking off lately would be an understatement. A major understatement. I've got a lot going on, and I can't seem to get it together. Lord knows I'm trying. Bear with me.

When I saw this the other day, I knew I had to share. Enjoy!

Source

Pre-Fall Looks

It's almost September, and I am loving the thought of autumnizing my wardrobe. Autumnizing, I'm pretty sure I just made that word up.

Although it's almost fall, we still experience 80 degree days well into September and sometimes October. It's important to me to dress for the season not the weather, but I also don't want to burn up and get sweaty smelly. So there's that.

I've assembled a few pre-fall looks that are sure to keep me looking and smelling nice!

I'm a jeans and tee kind of gal. Does that make me boring? Maybe, but it definitely makes me comfortable. I like to pair jeans with cute closed toe flats, a great bag, and a scarf with detail to make the outfit look richer and more autumny but without making me feel like I'm sweating to death.

I'm also all about dresses that "breathe" with you. Meaning, dresses that let you breathe comfortably throughout the day no matter how much lunch you eat. Pairing these flowy dresses with a chunkier heel definitely makes them season appropriate. 

What do you love to wear for fall?

Linking up for Tuesday Pretties with Glossy Blonde.

A unintended break

So I really didn't mean to take an almost 2 week break, but I guess I did. I was on vacation last week, and who knows what I was doing the week before!

I will be back tomorrow with riveting content, I promise. Well, maybe not riveting, but content nonetheless!

Tuesday Pretties: Beauty Love

I'm all about experimenting with beauty products lately. For some reason, I'm enjoying mixing up my beauty routine more than my clothes. Here are some of my favorites right now.

Clockwise from top left...

1. NYX Dark Circle Concealer - I don't know about you, but my circles are so dark it looks like someone punched me in the eyes. This concealer really pulls its weight and makes me look normal and not like death warmed over.

2. Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight - OK, so I haven't actually tried this yet, but if it's like the other Smooth Infusion products then I'm all in. It's definitely top on my "to try" list.

3. GVP Volumizing Spray - I buy this hairspray at Sally's for $7.99. It's a generic for Kenra, which retails for $24. I like the GVP version just as well and it costs 70% less. This one is a no-brainer.

4. Trader Joe's Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - I use coconut oil for nearly everything. I use it as a makeup remover, as a cleanser for my skin, as a moisturizer, as a hair mask, and as an antibacterial cream. It smells fantastic, and it really is the wonder salve.

5. NYX Butter Gloss - This new fave makes my lips feel so soft! It comes in great colors (I love Peaches N' Cream), and at under $5 you really can't go wrong!

6. Younique 3D Fiber Lashes - Seriously, the best mascara I've ever used. It lengthens and volumizes my lashes like nothing I've ever seen. If you haven't tried it you're in luck, because I'm giving it away today!

7. OPI Did You Ear About Van Gogh - I'm loving this color for late summer and early fall. It's neutral, but it's very pigmented so you get tons of color. I picked mine up for about $2 at Marshalls.

Ashley from A Fashion Fixation (also a Younique Independent Presenter) has so graciously supplied the 3D Fiber Lashes set for one lucky winner. Make sure you enter by following the steps below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up with Glossy Blonde today