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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Can We Just Start Over?

Let's see...when was the last time I posted? Oh. The end of July? Here's what you've missed:



Dad, Mom and my sister came to visit in August and we had so much fun! My poor husband had to work so he missed our fabulous day. We went to the (free) Lincoln Park Zoo, dipped our toes in Lake Michigan and had ice cream sandwiches. It happened to be National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and if you know my family, you know that this had to happen. My family got to experience Chicago traffic, save my husband for a blown transmission (bleh) and cuddle puppies that we knew we weren't going to buy (J and Dad refused to be a part of this, but my sister, my mom and I had a blast).


My sister came for a long visit and it was awesome! She went to babysit with me all week. The kids I babysit are STILL talking about how nice and funny she is. She got to meet our Chicago friends! We learned how to make pizza (gluten free and regular). My favorite part of the trip was our girls day. We got pedicures, ate sushi, went shopping and I colored her hair! I mean...come on?!


J and I went to White Sox Stadium when the Rangers came to town. It is off the checklist. We have been to Wrigley and we have been to White Sox Stadium (both when the Rangers have been to town). There are no more baseball stadiums to see. Check and check.



We made some more friends. We went on double and triple dates. It's been really fun building relationships and watching other young, Christian married couples grow with us. One of the most comical multi-dates was fitting eight people (quadruple date?) around our tiny TV in our tiny apartment. Picture it. Let it sink in. We went to Lincoln Park Zoo, football games and coffee (and hot chocolate for J) dates. Disc golf and camping and the Chipotle Festival and A LOT of awesome food. Have you ever seen homemade pasta being made? It's pretty cool! I can teach you now...if you want. Just sayin'.


We went to Texas! We went home! Together, at the same time. Everything was going great until our flight got delayed 2.5 hours. There were storms earlier that morning and it backed up the entire airport. Blah. I tried to keep the mood up. It worked...can't you tell?



I had a wonderful early birthday dinner with my parents and sister and aunt and cousins and grandparents. I love watching my cousins grow up. I didn't think it was possible to love them anymore, but every time I am around them I am reminded of how much I love their personalities and jokes. I was feeling pretty loved by everyone that night.

So that's it. It isn't like I didn't have anything to blog about, but I was really enjoying the visits and living life. I'm happy and content with my life right now. I miss my family every day, but I love my husband and trust the plan Christ has for us.

Be back soon (maybe, but probably),
B

Monday, July 29, 2013

Recovery

Hey y'all! Sorry for the short hiatus of blog writing. The past few days of my life have been pretty hectic and pretty great.

The shotgun wedding I was in as a bridesmaid was this weekend. I shouldn't have to say more...J and I got to get all dressed up and eat cake.




On Friday, one of my friends from church and I volunteered at Feed My Starving Children and had such a great time! The organization is a Christian non-profit that provides meals to children struggling with hunger all over the world. I was most impressed with the fact that over 90% of donations go directly to the products needed to pack food. The packing is done solely by volunteers. Pretty cool. I recommend checking them out. www.http://www.fmsc.org/ It's a really great cause and I will be returning.
                                    



J and I both had such a great weekend and got even closer with a couple from church. They have been an answer to our prayers. We continually learn from them and can't wait to see what else we can learn together about the Lord and His plan for our lives.

Be back soon,
B

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

What Would You Do?

 
Hey y'all! I saw this story on Facebook and wanted to share. Let me know what you think.
 
Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.
 
Some websites are calling this story a lie. They are saying that it is purely fabricated.
 
Ok?
 
Does that change our opinion of the story? Does it still make me think about how I would have treated the homeless man amongst a congregation? Yes.
 
If you think that this hasn't happened countless times in all denominations of religion all over the world...you're delusional. It's real life people. Real or fake, who cares? Take it and learn from it. Apply it to your life.
 
p.s. I am not condoning lying or creating stories to manipulate Christian believers, but I want to focus on the main message of the story. I did not post the picture that was attached to the article because it has been confirmed that it was not the preacher. (Why do people post pictures of people that are not of the people they are talking about?! Come on folks.)
 
p.s.s. I want to cite something so I don't feel like I'm copy and pasting someone else's work, but all I found was Facebook posts and other blogs. Sorry!
 
Be back soon.
B

Blessings


10,000 Reasons
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

Thanks azlyrics.com. 

Little Jesus for you this on this Tuesday. 
Be back soon.
B

Monday, July 22, 2013

Monday Funday

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We sure did. J's dad came to visit and we went for a little walk in one of our local downtowns. They were hosting a car show so the boys had fun talking cars. I had fun eating a massive brownie fudge sundae.

J and his dad played golf on Saturday morning then we did a little outlet mall shopping. Basically the point is that the weekend was chill. No sight-seeing or train riding. Hallelujah.

Today is a fun day because it is loaded with appointments! Ellie has to go to the vet for her check up and shots. I have a dentist appointment. I'm pumped because I love clean teeth! J and I have to go to a business dinner for his job. The guys he works with are pretty nice and easy to hang out with so it should be a good time. As for the remainder of my day, a grocery store will be involved and maybe a haircut. I'm not getting ahead of myself.

I don’t know how I am going to make it through the rest of the week with such a hectic start, but I bet I will figure it out. The wedding that I am in is this weekend so I’ll be prepping for that this week as well. Wish me luck.

Be back soon.
B

Friday, July 19, 2013

Finally Friday

Hallelujah! It's Friday! I want to quote one of my favorite YouTubers, Melmphs: Y'all ready for the weekend baby! Y'all ready for the weekend baby!

Hey y'all! I hope everyone had a great week and is preparing for a nice fun and relaxing weekend. My weekend is going to consist of a family visitor. J's dad is coming, but it should be a quiet weekend.

 
Thank you Chicago Tribune for letting everyone know that Adam Levine is off the market. Sorry, little sister.

 
Picked up some blackberries on a whim and they were absolutely delicious! Thinking of you mom.

 
J didn't feel very good so he laid down on the floor -- Ellie came to check on him.

Be back soon.
B

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thankful Thursday

This week I am especially thankful that it is Thursday because it means that after 4:00 pm today my work week is done. I had to be at work early this week which means the alarm went off early...I don't like that. 

I am thankful that my car ran out of gas in a safe place while I had the kids. 

I am thankful for the kids behaving so well during that whole ordeal. 

I am thankful for J and his friend from work that came to rescue us. 

I am thankful for the library, gym and pool that the kids and I go to every week. 

I am thankful for the warmth of the sun and for summer!

Only 8 more hours to go until the weekend. 

Be back soon.
B

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Out of Gas

Literally. I literally ran out of gas for the first time ever...with two small children whom I am responsible. Ugh. 

Hey y'all! So I am babysitting for a living right now. I watch two kids three days a week. One girl (age 5) and one boy (age 3) are keeping me busy during the week. 

The summer has been providing us with great things to do! We have been going to the library every morning to practice reading and to go to story time. "Nature hikes," pool days and open gyms at the local rec center have made the days go by so quickly. 

Yesterday, we went to the pool! Great, right?! It was...until we went to load up and my car wouldn't go. I assumed it was gas, but the battery and low oil pressure lights came on so I got nervous that it was more serious than low fuel. I called J. We carpool so he had to get a guy from work to come rescue us. 

Everything worked out. It was just out of gas. They rescued us and the kids were so great and I didn't get grumpy (miracle). I thought I would get the kids a special treat since their babysitter and her husband are ridiculous sometimes. They had never had a slurpee! Then I went into panic mode again--thinking their mom doesn't want me to give her kids slurpees. 

All turned out well. Their mom was so great about everything. The kids were so great about the whole situation. The little girl always tells me that they are my practice kids since I don't have any kids of my own. Well, I actually felt it yesterday.

Glad yesterday is over! Here is to today.

Be back soon. 
B

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Twenties Tuesday: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Hey y'all! It has been a while since I have done a "Twenties Tuesday" post because I had not finished any books. I finished up The Handmaid's Tale yesterday and thought I would tell you about it. 



This book is set in the future after a Christian society takes over the United States and forces women into subjection. The novel follows the storyline of a handmaid whose main purpose is to reproduce with the Commanders. 

Weird. This whole thought is strange. Our world is going in the opposite direction. It was interesting to catch myself through the book appreciating the freedom our country gives women while simultaneously wondering if a "stricter society" would be more conducive to leading a Christian life. Obviously I don't want to start living the way the book entails, but the handmaid states the frivolousness of so many things in our daily lives. If nothing else, it gave me a little perspective and has kept me thinking about it. 

I would recommend it, but be warned that it isn't an easy read. You actually have to pay attention. This book has less fluff than the other books on this list so far. 

Be back soon. 
B

Monday, July 15, 2013

Back to Reality

Hey y'all! I am back home from my speedy trip to Texas. We have been in Illinois for a little over six months. My body has been going through the motions of missing everyone so when I got to see my people this week it was like a fresh wound. A fresh and new reminder of the crappy parts of living 14 hours away from everyone we love.

Here are the highlights of my time in Texas:

- Snow cones
- Wrestling my cousins
- Babe's Chicken
- Tex-Mex
- Shopping
- Hanging out with my family

There is plenty more where that came from. I can't wait to go back...permanently. I really missed my husband while we were both out of town. Swapping stories about our time away and really appreciating each other was a bonus though.

Until next time, Texas...

Be back soon.
B

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Oh...Texas

Oh, Texas. How I love you--and your heat. The instantaneous sweat that appears on your body as soon as you step outside even at 9:30am. I didn't know I would have missed the heat. 

I'm with my people. The only thing missing is my husband.

I might even get Babe's Chicken tonight! I'm going to eat Tex-Mex too. Everything about food. You know me. 

Be back soon. 
B

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Texas Bound

A last minute trip to Texas to see...

this face...

 
   these faces...
 
 
 and hopefully these faces too!
 
I want to see a few more people's faces while I'm in the south, but with such short notice...you never know. I'm pretty pumped about seeing the faces above. Pretty pumped indeed. 

P.S. I'm flying standby so this whole post could be a joke in a few hours--just so you know. Ugh. 

Be back soon. 
B





Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Movies

Hey y'all! During our long weekend we saw two movies! We never do that. 


We saw Despicable Me 2 and The Lone Ranger. Surprisingly both of them were pretty good! We laughed out loud in both of them which is a rarity with me in kids movies. Despicable Me 2 was better than most sequels--pleasant surprise. The Lone Ranger tried to walk the line between serious western movie, but include sarcasm and irony. Army and Johnny Depp were great, but I think the world has forgotten about the original "Lone Ranger." I think we were one of five couples in our theater. P.S. The movie was PG and I thought it was a little gory for little kids. I recommend both. 

P.S.S. Isn't the best part of going to the movies is the Milk Duds?!

Be back soon. 
B

Monday, July 8, 2013

Worst Blogger Ever.

Hey y'all. I am so sorry for being the worst blogger ever. I'm back. I promise.

Our month of visitors has begun! Here is a little bit of our lives lately:


Field Museum

"Sue"

July 4th

Buckingham Fountain

Millennium Park

Sculpture outside of Navy Pier

cutest boy ever with his ice cream with cookie dough 

Millennium Park
Be back soon.
B

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Pool Tales

Hey y'all! So, I have a little story for you. Let me give you some back story so you can enjoy the story a bit more, First of all, Chicago has gloomy weather. This week for example has a ratio of five gloomy/rainy days to two sunny/summer days. Secondly, speedos and crowded swimming pools are not my scene. Ok, now that we have that out of the way...here is the story.

This past Sunday, J and I went to a great church service and had a delicious lunch together. On our drive back home we noticed how beautiful and sunny the weather was for our last day of the weekend. As mentioned above, I feel like it is never sunny here so when it is...I spend the whole day outside. We decided it was a pool kinda day. We changed and headed to our apartment complex's community pool.

We scanned our key card to get in the gym/pool area and walk through the each designated locker room to get into the actual pool area. We walk in and almost all of the beach chairs are taken. (Again, as mentioned above, I do not like millions of people in a small pool area. Think peeing in the pool and who knows what else.) We are left with the last two available chairs that just happen to be next to two gentlemen from India. We get all set up with our books, beach towels and head phones. Then it happens.

One of the gentlemen we are sitting next to gets ready to get in the water and when we look over he is wearing a 'boy short speedo.' That is what I am going to name it anyway. Fine, I can handle it. Except for then he proceeds to strut around the length of the pool with his 'flag at half mast' so to speak. There are children at the pool, people. I'm giggling at this point, but I'm trying to hold it together. Oh no, it doesn't end there.

Besides the fact that he is hairy, has a nice sized gut and I can see the under crease of his bum sticking out of his 'boy short speedo' (you know what I'm talking about, the part of your body that only your significant other and doctors are supposed to see where your legs meet your rump), he has the nerve to be hitting on any female that doesn't have a man with her in a very creepy way. Oh by the way, as he is drying off, he is propping his legs up on the pool ladder to dry his legs. I lost it. I completely lost it. The best part happens next.

I think, finally he is going to leave! Hallelujah. I start reading my book. J is sitting in the chair closest to these gentlemen and quietly says "did you see what just occurred?" First of all, I start laughing because of how he said 'occurred' and reply "no, what happened?" He says, "nothing, just keep reading your book." He proceeds to tell me that the gentlemen who has "entertained" us all afternoon just changed out of his 'boy short speedo' into his regular clothes IN THE POOL AREA. J said " I can't un-see that." Our apartment manager happened to be there at the pool laying out and reading his comic (?) and came over to explain that would not be tolerated.

Sorry this was so long. I had to share. I'm laughing as I'm typing this thinking about J's facial expressions and my inability to control my laughter. Needless to say, pictures will not be provided for this post.

Be back soon.
B

Twenties Tuesday: One Day by David Nicholls

Hey y'all! Happy Tuesday. I worked so hard to finish One Day so that I could stay on track with Twenties Tuesday. Once I got over the initial dismay mentioned in this post I sped through it pretty quickly. It became an easy read that ended each chapter with a cliff hanger that left you wanting more.


 I am not sure how I feel about the book yet. It’s a book about life stages, bad timing and waiting. The novel follows the lives of two college friends over the course of their lives for 20 years and the marriages, loss and loneliness that ensues. Is it relatable? Yes. Is it realistic? Maybe. Did it leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling as I turned the last page? No.  

 The problem could be that I am in my early twenties and have not lived enough of life to find the book extremely relatable. The thought of crushing and lusting after the same man for 20 years as he sleeps with half of Europe does not seem realistic to me. The main female character portrayed herself as a stout feminist, but her actions contradicted her beliefs time and time again. Annoying.  

Overall I thought the book was alright. I probably would not recommend it, but I would not verbally attack the book (or movie, for that matter) if it were brought up in conversation.

Just a side note: I do not remember much from the movie, but as I was reading I had flashbacks to scenes in the movie. I think that is a good indication that the director, Lone Scherfig and David Nicholls did a good job keeping the movie paralleled to the book.

Be back soon.
B

Monday, June 24, 2013

Missing

Hey y'all! I'm so sorry I have been missing for the last couple of days, but I have been a little busy.

 
This pretty much sums up what the past few days have looked like. My friend from church is getting married and I was helping her pick out what the groomsmen will be wearing on her big day. Yes, we dressed mannequins. It is what it is. J saw this picture and just shook his head. Thankfully we found what we needed and the bridesmaids and groomsmen will look gorgeous! I should be back to regular blogging now.
 
Be back soon.
B

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Hey y'all! This week I am thankful for this past weekend and the quality time I got to spend with my husband. Our summer is about to get crazy because we have our friends and family coming to visit almost every weekend from now until the end of the summer...and a wedding that we are both in and helping plan. We are so pumped! We took last weekend to really spend time together and reconnect. Life gets in the way of that sometimes. So here's to loving God, loving life and loving each other! 






I love being busy. I cannot wait for every single one of our visitors to get here! So blessed. 

Be back soon. 
B


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Weekend Brunches

Hey y'all! J and I love food. Our favorite brunch spot on Saturday mornings is a place called Honey Jam. The ambiance is really cozy and nice. They have the best pancakes I have ever eaten. That is seriously a bold statement. J is a little partial to a more manly meal: The Boars Head Benedict. It even sounds manly. This time I tried the Pecan Belgium Waffle because my mom got it last time and she described it as tasting like pecan pie. Oh yes. Enough said.
 
 
For all my Texas readers looking at this fire place while dealing with 90° weather...I know it's weird. It was around 60° for most of the morning and evening today. The fireplace was cozy.

 
Manly...Boards Head Benedict.
 
 
Pecan Belgium (Pecan Pie) for breakfast. No judgement.
 
It does not get much better than sleeping late and eating good on a Saturday morning.
 
Happy Wednesday.
 
Be back soon.
B
 
 






 



 
 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Twenties Tuesday: One Day by David Nicholls

Hey y'all!
I'm not going to lie to you. I have not read enough of One Day to give you a well written review. I did not recognize the book title when I saw it on the list, but when I went to pick it up at the library I realized this book has already been turned into a movie. I'm disappointed. I'm one of those annoying people that always say "the book is better than the movie." I've already seen the movie! I think my parents rented it and I just happened to see parts of it. Most importantly, I know what happens at the end.
 

 
Moral of the story: I'm having a hard time getting motivated to read this book since I already have Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as the characters in my head and already know the ending. Bummer. Give me some time.
 
Be back soon.
B
 
 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Father's Day

Hey y'all! Hope everyone had a great weekend.
 
Yesterday was Father's Day and I did not get to spend it with my dad because I'm in Illinois and he is in Texas. I sent him a present and gave him a phone call, but it wasn't the same. I love my parents very much. When we decided to move I was ecstatic about a new adventure, but my only source of heartbreak was not having easy access to my family. Yes, they are only a phone call away, but sometimes a hug or a friendly debate in person is what I need.
 
I found one of those "All About My Dad" Questionnaires that you are supposed to ask little kids, but I am going to fill it out...as a grown woman.
 
My dad's name is David.
 
He is 45 years old.
 
My dad's favorite food is fried chicken and his favorite treat is cheesecake or pound cake. I think.
 
He is really good at a lot of stuff: fixin' everything, grilling, athletic stuff - racquetball, basketball, volleyball, Frisbee, snorkeling and such, cutting his own hair, wearing skeletoes...and lots of other stuff.
 
He always makes me laugh when he laughs really hard. Oh my goodness, best thing ever. Oh and when he tries to trick us and makes up ridiculous things to try and make us all believe. Example: Los Lonely Boys on the side of a water tower. I fell for that one.
 
When my dad goes to work he spends his days working on airplanes and I don't know if he plays cards at his new place.
 
One thing my dad has taught me was how to change a tire. Thankfully I haven't had to use that skill.
 
Before he had kids, my dad was taking care of his parents and working hard.
 
My favorite thing to do with my dad is just hang out and talk. Politics, religion, life. He always brings up points that I would not have considered.
 
When I grow up I hope J and I can leave our work at work and not take it out on our family just like my dad.
 
I know my dad loves me because he takes care of me, worries about me, misses me and wants the best for me.
 
My aunt brought some more stuff to my attention. There's not many like him, if any. The "I can't breathe" tickling, the launching of your shoe right off your foot at any given time, pretending to trip you...and you actually trip, his laugh when he cracks himself up, when he hugs you he means it....and he braids hair really awesome too! The greatest Dad for you....and the definition of what a perfect brother is for me Gotta love him
 

 
 
So...Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you very much.
 
 
Be back soon.
B
 

Friday, June 14, 2013

Favorite Blogger Friday

Hey y'all! I don't remember how I found Emily from The Doctors Fleming, but I am so glad that I did. She is such an inspiration to me.

Isn't she cute?!

Here is a few reasons why:
1. She is a medical student.
2. Not only is she a medical resident, but she wants to work in emergency medicine.
3. She is in the Air Force.
4. The travel posts are so beautiful and makes me want to travel the world.
5. Her blog posts are sincere, genuine and she puts her "real life" emotions into it.

All of this and she is gorgeous and hilarious! She is just really relatable to where I am in my life right now. J and I have been married about as long as her and her husband have and if she is having a bad day because they are having a fight...she is going to blog about it. I love it! She also lived in Chicago for a while and is now residing in San Antonio, TEXAS. Oh, Texas. How I miss you. She has also provided support and inspiration to one of my friends from church going through medical school. I recommended her blog to my friend after I read about Emily's struggles with balancing married life and wanting children with the medical field. We just can't get enough. She is seriously great.

Check her out! Tell her I sent you. Show her some love.


Be back soon.
B

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thankful Thursday

Hey y'all! I hope everyone is having a great week so far. Count down until the weekend. This week I am thankful for:

 
Sunny days and the first pool day of the season. I did not get in. It was 66°.
 
 
This little thing. Seriously. So cute. Chipmunks are everywhere.
Random fact: I was named after Brittany the Chipmunk...from the Chipettes.
 
 
This boy.
 

I am also thankful for our church and the friends and opportunity that is has provided us in the short five months that we have been here. I have learned so much.
 
Be back soon.
B

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

New Products

Hey y'all! I bought these products last weekend and wanted to try them out before I actually gave my opinion on them. Summer is so close to being here which means I need a tan and my hair needs some extra lovin'. I refuse to get skin cancer so I'm going to start faking it. Period. I need all the extra moisture I can find for my hair.
 
I purchased:
  •  FakeBake Flawless (Travel size)
  • Macadamia Nourishing Leave-In Cream
  • Macadamia Nourishing Oil Spray
  • EOS Lip Balm (Mint)

I have heard great things about all of these products. LSilverStyle brought my attention the FakeBake when she raved about it in this post. I could not agree more! I have used it for about a week and I love the color and lasting power. It smells wonderful and that is pretty important to me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone I know. The Macadamia brand has been everywhere. I have not heard a single bad thing about it on any of the blogs that I read or YouTube videos that I have watched so I went for it. I am impressed with the Leave-In Cream and the way it leaves my hair feeling. My one complaint is that I do not enjoy the smell, but it's worth the results. I'm not loving the Oil Spray. My hair does not need any help looking oily...let me tell you about it. I am going to keep trying different ways to use it. It stinks too. Just putting that out there. EOS - wonderful and can do no wrong. Nothing else needs to be said about that. Am I right? Check these out and let me know what you think!

Be back soon.
B

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Twenties Tuesday: MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New BestFriend by Rachel Bertsche

Hey y'all! I finished MWF Seeking BFF on Sunday afternoon and really want to tell y'all about it.


This book is a national bestseller and is a real life tale of a married white female (MWF) searching for a new best friend forever (BFF) after moving to Chicago from New York for love. Her best friends are still in New York and while she loves her husband, she desperately needs a pedicure buddy and girl time. The novel documents her process of going on 52 "girl-dates" over the course of a year in hopes of finding her new BFF.
 
I am not going to lie. This was a little bit difficult to read for a few different reasons. First of all, do you know how hard it is to keep up with 52 different women’s names?! They would show up later in the book and I would think “who was that again?!” At the end of the book, there is a guide to help clarify, but it gets confusing pretty quickly. Secondly, I did not agree with some of the beliefs the author held about friendship and it was hard not to feel that she was acting desperate for love at some points.
 
Here are some reasons I thought it was weird:
1.      It is based out of Chicago – I’m in Chicago.
2.      She just moved here – I just moved here.
3.      She needs some new friends cause she doesn’t know anyone – I need some new friends cause I don’t know anyone
4.      She wants local friends, but she already has BFFs at home – I want local friends, but I have BFFs at home.
 
Are you catching my drift?
 
I enjoyed it overall because it was humorous, educational and made me realize I need to come out of my shell. She included statistics that continually proved that J and I need friends in order to be healthier and happier. I know she is right. I like that she recognized that a married lady is looking for a different friendship than a single lady. She also recognized that grown up friends look different than the friendships made in high school. The books feel sincere and I can always appreciate sincerity.

Be back soon.
B

Monday, June 10, 2013

Tart Decco vs Flip Flop Fantasy

Hey y'all! Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was filled with good food, great company and a few 'firsts.' We had dinner at Lou Malnati's with a group of guys from J's work. One of the guys brought his girlfriend so thankfully I was not the only girl. I really hate that. On Saturday, I went wedding dress shopping with a friend from church who recently got engaged. She has about a month to plan her wedding so we were on a time crunch, but we found the dress she will walk down the aisle in! I've never gotten the pleasure of helping shop for another girl's wedding dress. Pretty great 'first.' It brought back so many memories about our wedding. Great weekend overall. 
 
So can we talk for a second? I cannot get into this orange/coral nail polish trend. I'm trying, but my skin tone is just not working with it. My sister got me on this search with Essie's Van D'Go which is absolutely GORGEOUS. I am at Ulta looking through the what feels like millions of finger nail polishes and find these two: Essie's Tart Deco and China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy. They looked identical in the container.
Price point at Ulta: $8.00/$7.99

 
 
 
Here's the deal. I chose not to purchase either of them for a few reasons:
1. As previously mentioned, I'm going to have to be IN LOVE to buy an orange polish. I was not.
2. Tart Deco was not complimentary to my skin tone, but the color pay off and sheen was good.
3. Flip Flop Fantasy was NEON with no shine. Not impressed.
 
Moral of the story: Looks can be deceiving. They looked the same in the bottle, but they were completely opposite.
 
I'm still in the market for an orange nail polish. Just sayin'.
 
Be back soon.
B

Friday, June 7, 2013

Favorite Blogger Friday

Hey y'all! The week is finally over and I could not be happier that it is the weekend. I'm planning a pedicure, naps and time in the sun. Apparently the sun hides ALL YEAR here in the north so I feel like I need to be in it every second of the day when it does decide to shine.

I decided that this week I would tell you about one of my favorite bloggers: Veronika's Blushing. I'm pretty sure she was the first blog I read and it had been all downhill from there. I started following the girls she had on her blog roll and then it was a continuous adding of 'must-read' blogs...all thanks to Veronika. She also lives in Houston which again, makes me like her even more. She just had her baby girl, Harper and it has been wonderful watching her document her pregnancy. I first saw her on theknot.com when she was planning her wedding near the time I was starting to plan mine. Her wedding hair is all over Pinterest. Check her out and tell her I sent you!
 
 
Be back soon.
B

Thursday, June 6, 2013

New Decorations

Hey y'all! So I have lived in my Chicago apartment for about five months now...and I am still decorating. I found this canvas at Marshalls a few weeks ago with our wedding vows on it and I had to have it. (It was on clearance for $13...I mean, come on.) I thought it would be a perfect addition to our bedroom. Once I got it home, I realized it would have looked a little lonely up there all alone, so I found some square frames at Hobby Lobby for $5 each and put some black and white wedding photos on either side. I think it really makes the two red 'love' words POP!
 
 
 
It is a nice reminder of how to love one another. Sweet memories.

Makes me sleepy just looking at my comfy bed.
 
Be back soon.
B

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Last days of Spring

Hey y'all! There are only a few more days of spring left this year and although summer feels as though it has already begun (in some places), I want to relish in the last few moments of spring. Our first spring in the north has been beautiful. More than likely we were just so thankful to see the sun again and feel warmth on our skin, but the trees blooming and seeing our little town with actual grass on the ground for the first time since we have moved here has been nice too. Our nights and weekends have been filled with family vistors, admiring all the new blooms on the trees and noticing the "wildlife" outside our door.
 
 
Rabbits and geese are everywhere. Seriously, it's kinda weird.

 
My favorite part of spring so far has been the momma robin making a nest outside our bedroom window. Three eggs. Only two baby birds though. They actually look like baby robins now! Love.

 
Spending the days outside playing golf and taking Ellie for long evening walks have been pretty great.

 
Rain brings rainbows. Makes me remember the power of God. Every time.
 
Bring on summer.
 
Be back soon.
B