My Thoughts For The Week

~ The Fault In Our Stars.....hands down my number one on this list because it was perfect. I had my fears that the movie could never do the book justice, but I was so wrong. For 2 hours on Friday I sat in the theater and laughed hard and cried even harder. The director truly brought John Green's beautiful story to life and the casting was on point. I am now on my third John Green book and plan on reading them all because he is such a beautiful writer. I randomly had tissues in my purse and I was glad I did! P.S - We had to wait outside in a line for about an hour and let me just say the heat and being surrounded by 11-15 year old girls was not pleasant - I honestly hope I wasn't that rude, and awful at that age. 

~ Summer School starts next week and boy am I sad that this is my last free week of summer for a while. Granted, I am only taking one class over summer - but it was just so nice not to worry about homework after real work all day. 

~ Too many sales. This week is the week of semi annual sales, and I just know how this one is gonna go already. One of the things on my summer bucket list was to and I quote "save,save,save" well damn you Victoria's Secret because your semi annual sales always get me. I'll be there tomorrow don't you worry. 

~ Joe's birthday is the 17th of this month and I have no idea what to get him. We're planning a dinner, but he never has anything specifically that he wants. I wish we could take a trip but with everything else right now we just cant. Any ideas on fun gifts?

Oh...another thing. It's supposed to be 109 here today and I have never been more thankful to work in an air conditioned office. I guess it's officially summer here. 

Did anyone else read and see TFIOS?? I hope you loved it just as much. 

Summer 2014 Goals

Happy halfway through the year! Originally this post was going to be my "June goals" but I had so many things I wanted to do/goals that I have for the entire summer that I really wanted to get them all out and in the open so I can start working on them. In order for me to make time for fun this summer I need to have a mini bucket list because in the midst of work, summer classes, and wedding planning I will need to make some time for fun. So here are some of my goals and things to do this summer! 

Goals:

1. Take nightly walks 

2. Find engagement outfits for Joe and I 

3. Decide flowers, DJ, Food situation for wedding

4. Pass my summer school class

5. Get new bedroom decor/furniture

6. Blog 3-5 times a week

7. Get financially organized and save, save, save.

8. Start DIY and home made decorations for wedding

9. Get back to using my planner diligently. 

Summer bucket list:

1. Go camping at least once

2. Have at least one bonfire with smores!

3. Take a mini beach trip

4. Watch fireworks and have a BBQ on the fourth of July

5. Read at least 4 books (not school related)

6. Plan date nights for every two weeks somewhere new each time

7. Get in a body of water this summer

8. Have at least somewhat of a tan - hopefully!

9. Go to our local farmers market

10. Get at least two shaved ices 

11. Go to our fair at the end of summer

12. See a country concert

13. Try some new summer recipes and drink recipes

What are some of your summer goals and bucket lists? 

I am linking up over at Travel-Babbles

Wedding Wednesday | Update

Guys, we're finally making some progress! These past few weeks have been filled with hardcore wedding planning. If you read my past couple wedding updates you would know that we hadn't even found a photographer, or more importantly - an officiant! Well I'm here to tell you that we finally have both! We met with a photographer, loved her and told her about our awful mishap that happened with the first officiant, she recommended someone that she knew and boom, we have a photographer and an officiant. Joe and I both loved her from the second we met with her, and knew she was the perfect one to marry us. She also owns her own ranch and is a florist - therefore we are meeting with her again next month to go over flowers! I know that we may be a bit behind on planning, but I think things all fall into place when they are supposed to. I also wanted to share some pictures of other wedding planning progress as well letting you know that I am  updating my wedding checklist as we progress in planning! 

A couple months ago I found so many pretty things in the dollar section at Target, and I am so happy I snatched them up when I did because they no longer have any of this stuff at my Target. These things will either be used for my bridal shower and some for the reception or both, we're not quite sure yet! 

Our Save the dates, I can honestly say did not turn out how I had planned for them to, and that's my fault. I purchased them through an Etsy shop and they just weren't what I had planned for them to be. But that's okay. After spending more than planned on them at the printer itself, I have let it go. I will make sure our actual invitations are just what I want. We actually received free samples from Wedding Paper Divas and I am in love with the quality of their invitations!

My hair is a wedding update too! I always knew I wanted to get rid of the ombre before our engagement pictures and wedding so I am now in the process of doing just that. After one time visiting my hair dresser I am so excited to be a blonde again. The lack of upkeep needed with an ombre was amazing, but I missed my blonde hair and I needed a change. I'll only have two more times visiting my hair dresser before the wedding! 

                            (Before)  I may look angry, but I swear I'm not. People were looking at me! 

(After) One time after starting the highlighting process

I am so happy with all of the progress made, and I can't wait to start all of the little details of decorations and music selections! I got an oriental trading wedding magazine in the mail the other day, and I am obsessed! They have so many great things such as candy for candy bars, and other things needed for a reception. 

Happy hump day!

Linking up over at Belle in Boots

Contro

I wish I could start out this post by saying that I'm a control freak in a cute way such as: "I have to have my closet color coordinated, or my shoes perfectly in a row"...(I mean, I do) but I realized some time ago that always needing to be in control is not a cute thing.

Let me start out with a not so nice story,

We have a couch, now mind you it was given to us when we moved into our apartment so we didn't have to worry about buying a couch for a while. It's not the cutest thing, but it was so nice of the person who gave it to us since we really cannot afford brand new couches at the moment. This couch has a slip cover over the top because the couch is a bit worn down. I have a daily fight with this couch cover every single day, I mean constantly. This thing just does not stay down perfectly like I would prefer it to, it's always ruffled up or coming out of the couch cushion. Every single morning before work, and every night after dinner I fix this thing. I mean I pull out the couch and rip the cover off and start from scratch. Sometimes I want to cry over how sad it is that this bothers me so badly. I do not want to feel this way over A SLIP COVER none the less...but I do.

 Joe does not feel the same way about the couch as I do, of course. One day after I spent at least 20 minutes perfecting this stupid thing, put the throw pillows just so on the couch he did something that made my blood boil. He SAT down on the couch... and I shot him the ugliest, dirtiest, glair and I could feel it. I think there was steam actually coming out of my ears. It was like he just personally offended me. He had no idea how long I worked on fixing the couch and had no idea that purely sitting on our living room couch would make me furious. How could he have known.  

I felt so embarrassed and sad for how mad I was, and that's when I realized that my control issue is not at all in anyway cute.

I have to pray for the help to not obsess over silly and minuscule things like this everyday.

Thankfully I have a fiancé who knows this about me, and thankfully understands and does try to help the best he can.

Trying to control your thoughts can be really hard, just this morning I resisted fixing up the couch before work and I know that it'll be okay. My new daily prayer will be to help me control my thoughts, because I do not need to feel controlled by a silly couch cover.

Joyce Meyer, you speak to my soul.

Anthropologie Giveaway!

Hi Lovely's!

I hope everyone's week is off to a great start; and if you're snowed in and having the winter blues, then you need something to brighten up your day!

Brittany and the girls on her sidebar have a giveaway for all of you, and I am so excited about this one! It is an Anthropologie gift card giveaway! If you don't know what Anthropologie is then check out their website, because they have everything! Especially the cutest mugs I've ever seen.

Go check out Brittany over at Happy is a Choice, she is truly the best host ever since I have been on her sidebar. She makes everyone feel special and hosts these amazing giveaways.







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black Friday 2013

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the people you love! I know mine was great. With Thanksgiving comes probably the biggest shopping day of the entire year. Black Friday is something that I love participating in not only for the deals but for me it is really fun to go out with everyone for the experience also. I am super excited to say that I think this is my most successful Black Friday yet...I had somewhat of a list of things that I knew I wanted to pick up for sure and then something's were honestly impulse buys. So here is a breakdown of my night / morning!

I did go to Target on Thanksgiving night when they opened at 8pm, and honestly it did not interfere with my family plans whatsoever. We do everything in the morning and afternoon and my family really didn't mind us going that night when we were finished. We stood in line with our Starbucks for about 1.5 hours before the store opened and it was really fun we talked to a ton of people and made it a good time!

Target:

A new vacuum on sale for $25.00 I was way too excited for this, our vacuum recently just broke and this girl needs a vacuum!

Towels on sale for $2.00 each

Justin Bieber Christmas CD (don't judge me) on sale for $5.00

Black Riding boots on sale for $18.00 normally $40.00

Two pairs of gloves buy one get one free at $3.00 (my hands and feet are always freezing) and they're touchscreen compatible.

After Target, we went home and slept until 4:00am when we got up and went to the mall. The Victoria's Secret PINK didn't open until 6:00am so I first off went to Bath and Body Works..

I purchased:

2 Winter Candy Apple Wallflowers on sale for $5.00 for a two pack. Normally $12.50!

At Victoria's Secret / PINK I purchased:

A pair of yoga leggings on sale for $25.00

Two gift sets on sale 2 for $25.00

Two other gift sets each for $15.00

I also got a really cute free tote back with my purchase because I spent over $70.00 inside it also came with a sampler of their popular fragrances too!

I also got two secret reward cards that I cannot wait to use, I always hope for a high amount but I usually only get the 5 or 10 dollar ones!

I did some shopping online at American Eagle because they were having a killer deal and I love their jeans!

I bought my boyfriend several things from there online but cant say because he may read this!

Everything was 50% off and free shipping so I bought myself a pair of jeggings for $20.00 and they're normally $40.00 plus free shipping.

I plan on keeping my eye out on Monday for the Cyber Monday deals as well!

If you did shopping, let me know what you got and what stores will be having good Cyber Monday sales!!

Our Thanksgiving picture!

XO, Vivian