From Blog to Real Life Linkup!

First of all.... I reached my first little milestone today... 100 Followers!!!!!! Yay! Get ready for a big ole group giveaway with 9 fabulous ladies on July 1st!!! I can't wait!! XOXO Love y'all!



Today I am linking up with two beautiful ladies that blog over at Lovely Little Things & The Magnolia Pair. I actually heard about it from Dusty though who got me excited to do this linkup!!

I think this little questionnaire linkup is a great idea, because let's face it: who doesn't love meeting new bloggers, shouting out your favorites, and getting to know your blog friends better? I could name several bloggers that I wish that I lived 15 minutes away from so that we could hang out!
So you answer the questions here, and then you go over to those ladies blogs an/or twitter and let them know you gave em a shoutout! :-) So here is mine!

The Questions:

1. Do you have any real life blog friends?

Since I live in Austin, we have had several blogger meet ups and happy hours, and I have to say I just love all of these girls: Ruthie Hart, Mallorie Owens, Jenni D, Nikol Shiller, Shalyn Nelson, and Brittany W! We just have so much fun together so we try to meet together as often as possible! Out of all of them I probably see Ruthie the most since we attend the same Church.

2. Which blogger are you just dying to meet?

My Italian Sista ASHLEY from Luce Blog!! This girl and I have connected in so many ways through blogging for almost a year now and we exchange emails all the time! This is one of those things where she just happens to live in DC, so we are already talking about me takin a flight there someday just to meet her! She has the kindest heart, her faith shines through her blog daily, her love for her man is so sweet, and she is so talented havnig her own shop - she's recently started making these cute little bowtie's for boys!

3. Which blogger's closet do you want to raid?

Steph from Beautiful Mess seriously always has the cutest clothes, boots, jewelry! Gahh even just pics of her home decor are fab! I would totally raid her closet. :-). Also would be a great excuse to hang out with her! She is so funny and her blog really shows her personality, I have been following her forever now! xo I briefly met her at a blogger hang out recently but there were so many of us gals never really gotta chance to chat much! ////// Another FABULOUS Fashion/Design Blogger I just LOVE is my girl ASHLYN from Let it be Beautiful! Gosh it seems like every day she is wearing an outfit straight off of Pinterest and she is so gorgeous! Half of the clothes I know I probably wouldn't look all that great in but gaw she can pull off anything! I love her style and her blog is super cute! I've started o get to know her better over the last two months and I am loving her! :)

4. You are stuck on an island. Which blogger would you want with you to help you survive?

Hmmm... this one really stumped me because I don't know many hiking, adventure, or "survivor" type bloggers... so I'm just going to go with bloggers that would be at least fun to be stuck on an island with (hopefully there would be a bar on the island too lol) Shalyn and Dusty from Girls Love Fried Pickles! These girls are always making me laugh and I know we'd have a good time.  

5. The first blogger you remember "meeting" and connecting with ?

The first two girls I connected with quickly and really enjoyed talking to are Heather from Finding Beauty in the Ordinary, and Ruthie Hart. They were both so helpful to me with blog-stuff and still today are super encouraging, and I love emailing/talking with them both! Love these girls!

6. Any blogger that you admire and look up to?

I know I just mentioned, but I have to say Heather from Finding Beauty. Everytime I talk to her, read her blog, read her testimony, it just amazes me how gracious, strong minded, and gorgeous she really is! She and her hubby are about to have a beautiful baby girl, she is so great at putting her faith into writing, no matter how many followers she may have you are always treated like her greatest friend, you can just tell by talking to her what a great person she is. :-) I love her heart and I definitely admire her writing abilities when talking about faith, fear, life, triumphs, sometimes I am not that great at wording how I feel about things.

7. Who is the craziest/funniest blogger?

These girls are my fav - everytime I read their blog I am laughin about something! Shalyn with her enthusiasm - the first time I met her she did a heel stretch!, Dusty who is always so positive but has a funny twist of sarcasm.. also I learned this word going around "Hot Snot?" lol, and Steph from Beautiful Mess who is a mixture of both being so enthusiastic and sarcastic at the same time! These are the girls you wish attended happy hour with you every week!  

8. There's a reality television show for bloggers, who would you want to be casted with you?

I am pretty confident the "Real Housewife Bloggers of Austin" would take over television! We had a Co-Ed party a few weeks ago with these girls and their hubbies, and it was hilarious. All of us are so different in so many ways I think it'd make a really fun & crazy show! (Ruthie Hart, Mallorie Owens, Jenni D, Nikol Shiller, Shalyn Nelson, and Brittany W)

9. Some bloggers have really cool jobs, anybody you'd like to swap careers with?

I know she'd never swap with me but I am actually striving to get back in school and get my RN like she has! Brittany is a nurse which is what I've always wanted to be and WILL be someday! I met her through twitter more than blogging, but she also is from Louisiana which I looove!

10. Favorite blog design?

My favorite designs are Megan from And Here's to You Mrs. Robinson (love love love her!!), Alana from Mrs. Alana's Miscellany,  whose design was created by Katie Price (who actually designed my blog too - love love her too!), Jenni from Story of My Life, and Nikol from Who's Austin!!  

 

and my OWN Question/Answer:

 

11. New FAV Blog that you must go check out:

BROOKE from Loving This Unique Life! Brooke is new to the blog world. I've known Brooke for a long time and funny enough she ALSO graduated with Ruthie and me! :-) Go show her some love right now! :) You will love her! kthx!

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y'ALL!

Today is also my kings birthday, Scottie!!! Who is turning 28!!!! Tomorrow is my little sister, Maddie's birthday who will be 14, and so we'll be super busy but I'll take TONS of pics for yall as I have a fun Saturday birthday surprise planned for them! :).

See you Monday!!

Heart Bootcamp

Happy Monday!! Today I have a fabulous treat for y'all as one of my favorite bloggers that I've become so close with is guest posting today! I have to say I just LOVE Ashley from La Luce! She has such a full honest heart and encourages so many people daily by giving back to our communities, growing our faith with God, and just being such a sweet, positive person! :) And she is an Italian sista like me! - so we get along GREAT! hehe oh! and did I mention she has a HOTT etsy shop?? Check out her fabulous items here! Enjoy!!!

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heart bootcamp

So let me first say how much I love that I've gotten to know Amanda these past few months. She and I have tons in common...besides being Italian of course ;)  and I'm so thankful to have met her. She has always been the sweetest encouragement and I love how genuine she is. When she asked me to guest post the first thing that came to mind was a post I wrote a few weeks back. So I wanted to share it with you...

Ever have a day where you feel like everyone is coming down on you? I did for almost two weeks straight. It felt like everytime I encountered someone they were looking to argue, make a point, or just have an attitude. I’m not saying this at all for sympathy, trust me, it's just fact. What’s almost funny about that, is for years I had the worst attitude ever. I was snappy, saying whatever came to mind without thought for how it would make someone feel, and never backed down from an argument. That is something I gave to God awhile ago and I believe He is continuing to work it totally out of me. Not only just not to say anything back or just leave the sitation alone BUT to not even be moved in my deepest of hearts to feel like saying something snappy back AND to use that time to love on them instead.

After the first few times of being in a situations where I was like "ummm where did that just come from?" I started asking God what the heck was going on. I wasn’t in victim mode of “why is everyone being mean ” it was more like… is there something still inside that you want me to see and is this how you’re doing it? Am I doing something to invite this that I need to be aware of? For almost two weeks I didn’t feel like God was saying anything to me about it, so I just kept trying to handle each situation with at least not getting into a negative exchange.

Yesterday though this lady was on a whole other level and while I didn’t say anything rude or argue, I walked away totally pissed and vented to Kevin. While we were in the car later I was thinking about it and God put it on my spirit that “as long as I was still moved at all by situations like this, they were going to keep happening because He has to prepare my heart, and this was just heart bootcamp.” Can you imagine the mental image that accompanied this? Yup… hearts climbing over walls and swinging off ropes into muddy pools of water...my imagination is still that of a child, can you tell?

But once I really started thinking about it, I realized that when God puts a call on your life He has to make sure you are equipped. He has called me to literally spread His love. Spreading His love to his people. People are not always easy to love at times and He wants to make sure my heart can go beyond my own personal defenses or reactions and continue to love especially when it’s hard. I also got understanding that when the enemy is scared of you he will do anything to change your heart and distract you from your purpose. I say this to put a giant spotlight on one of his oldest tricks in his book of whackness. It would only make sense right? If God wants me to love people wouldn’t the enemy want me to resent them or not want to be bothered? Wouldn’t he do whatever he could to change my heart towards people? Not going to work buddy.

If you’re aware of his tricks you can step on his head and keep walking down the path God has for you. I share this because I also don’t want any of you who have been doing GiveLove or whatever you have been trying to do better with in your own life...to feel discouraged if you encounter situations like this along the way. Stay encouraged and  BEING love.

Back to Austin

I am back!!!! Ahh this trip was so much needed and so fulfilling. I definitely want to do recaps of my week in Louisiana, but I have to say I'm extremely swamped in emails and work so I'm going to post a bunch of pictures, and I'll do a fun recap tomorrow and some on Monday/Tuesday as well.

Thanks to all of my amazing guest posters, if you missed it - check out these links. These beautiful ladies mean so much to me and I'm so honored to have had them on my blog this past week!

October 27th: Heather-Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

October 28th: Ruthie-The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart

October 29th: Leah/Jac-Sweet and Sour Showers

October 30th: Kristen-Mrs. T, Naturally

November 1st: Mallorie-Home is with You

November 2nd: Alana-Mrs. Alana's Miscellany



Alright. Time for some photos!



Note: 13yr old sis and I are taking RED BULL shots. Non-Alcoholic! lol



More to come :)

Sweet Finds and Intro to Guest Post Week!

Today I'm linking up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for "Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday" and decided to just post some randoms that I thought were pretty interesting/fun!


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This first one is a 30 day challenge for Homemade Lunches which you can read up on [here]. For a workin' gal like me - I prefer a little variety with my lunch because as soon as I get bored - I race to the nearest cafeteria with my debit card! These are super helpful and delicious looking recipes!


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 Is this not the coolest thing?? Now, I know I have no artistic abilities, but I am going to try to make this!!! My family is a bunch of wine-ohsssss and this would be such a cute gift for my mom, grandma, etc! And for myself, duhh! I need to jump on the craft wagon and practice until I AM good. lol!


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 HA! How hilarious is that?


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This pin takes you to a link - a website full of jello shot recipes! Most of them are pretty darn creative! Will be using this for planning mi madre's bachlorette party later in the year!

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Bahaha! Cute.



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How cool is this? Again, I am horrible at crafts... but this would be so neat to try! I promise to post about what crafts I attempt to complete or do good or bad! :P



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Holy YUM I am making this!!!!

Click the below button to linkup with Michelle and see what others are pinning today!

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In other news, tomorrow will start my GUEST POST week as I will be leaving town to Southern Lousiiana to visit family (most importantly my dad being that Oct 31st is the ONE year mark of his passing away..), eat some great food, and introduce my man of 4 years to everyone!

Check out these AMAZING beautiful ladies that will be posting while I'm gone.... [click on the pics to view their blogs!!]

Oct 27th - Heather from Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Oct 28th - Ruthie from The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart

  

Oct 29th - Leah&Jac from Sweet and Sour Showers

Oct 30th - Kristen from Mrs. T, Naturally

 

Nov 1st - Mallorie from Home Is With You

Nov 2nd - Alana from Mrs. Alana's Miscellany

Nov 3rd - Ashley Marie from La Luce

[Note: Oct 31st, I will be doing a tribute post dedicated to my dad.]

I am so excited and blessed to have so many influencial, wonderful women to be entertaining you while I'm gone! Stay tuned, and have a great week loves!!!!!

XOXO

Embracing the Camera: The Versatile Blogger

Today, Ruthie, who has an amazing blog and I also went to high school with, included me in such a special little award for blogging she had also been nominated for a few days ago called the Versatile Blogger Award. It was so sweet! So I'm totally participating and sharin' some tidbits about myself with y'all and then passing it on! :)
(Thanks so much, Ruthie!)

So the Official Rules are:

• Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
• Tell your readers 7 things about yourself
• Give this award up to 15 recently discovered bloggers
• Contact those bloggers and let them in on the exciting news!!

Here's 7 things about me!

1. I went to a Catholic Private School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana most of my childhood years... I actually loved it! But of course not until after I moved away. The whole package: uniforms, no makeup, no nail polish, and on free-dress day: no flip flops, shorts have to be about to your knees, no tank tops, etc. Church is required for parents and students twice a week (Thursday and Sunday). Loved it!

2. I was always in a choir at church, but because I was quiet in theater my first year of taking it, they made me lead actress in the school play and I sang in front of almost 800 people. A WHITNEY HOUSTON - MARIAH CAREY duo ("When you Believe") with another girl. Thankfully, that day I realized I was really good at singing! Since I don't have a picture, you can listen to the real thang below. Have I pursued singing? Nah..after I moved I didn't sing much, but when I have had too many vodka tonics or margs? Oh yes. It's on!! LOL

3. I have never been stung by anything (bees, wasps, jellyfish, whatever) NOR have I ever broken a bone in my body and so I freak out like an idiot every time I see a bee lol. It is hilarious. By the way, *knock on wood*. 

4. I have four brothers, one sister, one sister in law, three nieces, and one nephew. Talk about big family huh?

You can read more about them on the "Who's Who" Page!

I am so lucky to be a sister and aunt to these amazing people!

5. Whenever I am super stressed out or angry, I totally take it all out on my kitchen. You'll either find me rearranging everything and cleaning until there is nothing left to possibly clean... OR I'll be cooking some huge meal that ends up tasting so amazing I lick my plate clean with a smile!

6. There has once been a short period of time two and a half years ago where I got wrapped up in the restaurant industry, developed an eating disorder, and was extremely self concious . It was about four months, and Scott's and my relationship suffered badly. I hit just about rock bottom before I finally started to get better. I am so blessed to have so quickly recovered, put the pieces of my life back together (slowly, but surely), restored my even stronger and fulfilled relationship with Scott, and I have my family (especially my step-dad Roger) my close friends, and most importantly God for giving me the strength to get my head straight, get back on track, and to focus on the important things in life. Today I work at Dell and am as happy and fulfilled as ever. I may do a post to deep dive more, I am not sure yet. Pretty deep...

this is really hard to look at sometimes, but i am more healthy (and probably better looking) than ever now

7. I am still pursuing a degree in Healthcare. I've wanted to be an RN my whole life practically... so I'm not going to give up the goal to get that degree. The job that is paying my way through college is Dell and I absolutely love-my-job. I have never been happier and been able to grow as a person professionally and personally since I started working here, and will continue to until my degree is finished and I can do what I've always dreamed of doing... helping others. :-)

Phew! So there is some of my story, there are many other facts like me loooooving my future hubby so much! Also, we're getting a puppy soon! I've been dying to have a Boston Terrier forever, we've just been waiting for the right time to bring the little man into the home, and to find a reputable breeder. I am a cooking fanatic - I love DVR and wine, and I am terrible at motivating myself to hit the gym (you ladies ARE helping - thank you!!) 

My turn! I'm nominating these amazing ladies for the Versatile Blogger Award!!! 

Delaney @ Living By Faith

Katie @ Minivan Diva
Liz @ My Life as Liz Taylor
Megan @ Mackey Madness
Jami @ Call Me Blessed


Your turn ladies!! ;-)


*Also some blogs I love that have already been nominated:


Michelle @ The Vintage Apple
Claire @ Navigating North
Abbey @ Life Treasured
Heather @ We Are The Holdens
Mrs. T @ Mrs. T, Naturally (Ruthie nominated her as well - that's how great she is!)
Ruthie @ The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart (of course!)

Hope everyone's having a great night, tomorrow is Friday!!!