My Secret Addiction

I love school supplies! But most of all I have an obsession with post it notes and planners! I had a friend once make an interesting observation about me. She said when I was stressed or anxious about school I would go to Target and go through the school supply aisle and come home with a new package of post it notes. She was right! As far as my planner went, it was color coded and I could not function a day without it! Sometimes I wouldn't be finished with the planner I was using and would change to a different one the next semester. I felt like it was a fresh start!

Since I have graduated, I have had a difficult time finding a planner that works for my life now. I'm finding the "school" spiral bound planners and the fancy, big, bulky planners that are filled with a bunch of things I don't need. I came across a blog called A Bowl Full Of Lemons and discovered that she had a posting for a planner organizing idea. I just loved the planner she had put up on her blog and it was just what I was looking for. She used supplies by Martha Stewart which you can find at Staples! This is what I came up with!

Tabs:

- Monthly
- Budget
- To- Do's
- Notes
- Blog

Sub tabs: (blogging)
- ideas
- weekly schedule
- link ups
* I'm still working on this since blogging is new to me

And yes, I did buy more post-its, but they were too cute to pass up!

                                                 Have a wonderful day!

10 Things I'm Thankful For

Today I'm linking up with Jessica, at Lovely Little Things for the Smell The Roses link up to list 10 things I'm thankful for...This was a challenge because I definitely have way more than 10! This was also hard because I wanted to add so many more pics than I did. 

Hope you enjoy!

1.My relationship with God. My faith has carried me through good and hard times. 

2. My husband, Jon. He is my world. He is such a kind, patient and smart man. He makes me laugh all the time! I love him so much! I thank God everyday for putting him in my life. 

3. My family! I think family is one of the most important things in life whether they are blood related or not. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for the family members in my life teaching me those important life lessons. 

 * missing some family members in these pictures but they all mean the world to me

 4. Merle and Helen are two wonderful neighbors I grew up living by who pretty much adopted our family when me moved to Texas several years ago. They have been such wonderful grandparents and I just love them dearly. I'm so thankful for all the happy moments and shared memories. 

5. My friends. The are wonderful! I love all of them so much! It is tough to all stay in touch sometimes, especially since we are out of school, but these are friends that when we get together it is as if we never lost touch.  

 * missing friends in the pics! But I love them all! You know who you are :)

6. My in-laws. I know this belongs in the family category but I just wanted to say that they are the best! They are all caring and loving and welcomed me into their family with open arms. Even though my parents don't live here (yet ;) ) I know that I have them to go to especially when I need a hug :) My mother in law gives good hugs :) 

7. Mom and Dad. They have always been there for me, encouraging me to keep moving forward when things get touch. My dad is our Hero and my mom has become one of my very best friends.

8. I'm thankful for coffee, not only does it help me start my morning, but I love coffee dates! I love getting together with my girlfriends for a cup of coffee at Starbucks but here lately I'm been trying to stick to the smaller, independent coffee houses in the community.

9. My car! I have had this little 4 door white Saturn since I was a sophomore in high school. My parents surprised me with it one night! That little car brought me to school in Denton, Florida and back to where I live now with my wonderful Husband.

10. I'm thankful that the only financial debt I have is student loans! :) Thank you mom and dad for teaching me about money growing up and the importance of saving when you want something :)

                                   Have a wonderful day!

High Five For Friday

Yay! It's FRIDAY!!!!!! I'm linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog to look back on the blessings from this past week!

1. I met up with a good friend of mine, Hope for a nice cup of Mexican Hot Chocolate and some catching up! A little hot for hot chocolate, yes, but this stuff is just too good to pass up and since I don't live in that town anymore, I will take any opportunity I can get to get some! I miss this little coffee shop so much!

2. I reached one of my blogging goals! I now have 10 followers!! Thank you to all my followers :) This has made me feel so good!

3. I get to have lunch with my sister in law and mother in law today! I think we are going to do some shopping too :) Well I was until I had to take a trip to the ER this morning. They stopped by though :)

4. I had to go out of town last weekend and when I got home Sunday night, this is what I came home to. My husband surprised me with dinner and wine! I love him so much :)

5.My husband and I went and had ice cream after dinner and took it to the park. :)


                                           Have a wonderful weekend!

Sending Sunshine Your Way

In college,  when I would be feeling homesick my mom would send me care packages and they would always make me feel better. So, I decided to send her a little something to cheer her up. I was looking through Pinterest, as always and found this wonderful gift idea from Karrie at Happy Money Saver! My mom hasn't been feeling well, so I thought sending her a Box of Sunshine was just what she needed.

Items include:
- Yellow Bath Sponge
- Rubber Ducky
- Lemon Drops
- Burt's Bees Chap Stick
- Little Debbie Nutty Bars
- Lipton Lemon Iced Tea Singles
- M&M's
- Butterscotch Candies
- Scented Wax Cubes in Mandarin Orange (they didn't have lemon)
- Bar of Lemon Soap

If you know someone who needs a little sunshine in their life, put a little box together for them and I promise you it will brighten up their day!

                                               Have a wonderful day!

A few of my favorite beauty products

Many of the products I use have been introduced to me by my mom or my friends. I would like to share with you some of my most favorite products that I use on a daily basis! Disclosure: The statements made in this blog post are my own personal opinion. I am not being rewarded to promote or critisize any of these products or brands.

The "tray" being used in this picture is actually a framed mirror that I found at a random Thrift Store! You can't really tell by the pictures but it looks like the frame was brown and distressed it with a silver paint!

Everyday Protection Face Lotion by Eucerin: My mom is always stressing to me the importance of wearing sunscreen every day! It is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking healthy. Usually moistrurizers are too greasy for me and make my skin irritated, but this stuff seems to do the trick! There are different kinds depending on your skin type, but the one that works best for me is the one for sensitive skin. It has UVA+ UVB SPF 30 protection and I wear this product everyday under my make up! $7.87 at walmart!

Magic Protecting Base by Loreal:  This is a face primer my mom introduced me to a few months ago and it is wonderful!! My makeup has never looked this good! It only takes a little bit. Just a dab on your forhead, each cheek bone and a dab on your chin. Then rub it in in a circular motion. Next apply your make up! $10.97 at walmart! It's a bit pricy for such a little thing but a little goes a long way!

True Match Naturale Makeup by Loreal: My best friend Amy introduced this makeup to me about four years ago and it is the best thing ever!I  I have not even tried another makeup "foundation" since! It really feels as if I'm not wearing a thing on my face! $11.97 at walmart!

True Match Naturale: I started using this concealer at the same time I started using the makeup and it works wonderfully! Again, I barely feel like I'm wearing anything on my face at all. I use it everyday to cover up the circles under my eyes as well as some of those annoying blemishes that may pop up once in awhile. $10.48 at walmart and totally worth it!

BB Cream by Garneir: I'm still new to this product but I'm liking it! It did make me break out at first, but not too too bad. It does have a slight tent to it so I mostly wear it on days i'm not going to wear makeup but need just a little cover up. It also has SPF 15.$11.97 at walmart!

Please, let me know if there are any of your favorite beauty products you would like to share!

                                            Have a wonderful day!

A single act of kindness

Have you done something for someone else today, whether it was for someone you know or a complete stranger? I asked myself this question after a stranger showed me an act of kindness yesterday.  It all started when I realized I had a flat tire. I was 45 minutes away from home and couldn't get ahold of anyone. Suddently a random stranger, who was only 18, stopped and asked if I needed help. He was kind and polite and changed my tire immediatly. I was blown away that this random stranger would take the time out of his day to help me! It's crazy what a simple act of kindness can do for someone! I'm challenging myself to be more aware of people around me and to take time to help someone each day. I even think something as simple as a smile or a hello can brighten someone's day.

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves" -Amelia Earhart

                                                            Have a wonderful day!

30x30 Challenge

Here are my next 3 outfits I have put together for the challenge!! Sorry about the quality of the picture! My iphone camera is just going to have to do for now.

Outfit 4

Outfit 5

Shirt: JCrew Oulet
Skirt: JCrew Outlet
Belt: Target
Necklace: Target

Outfit 6

Pants: JCrew Outlet
Shoes: Macy's

Be sure to link up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog to join in on the challenge!
Have a wonderful day!

High Five For Friday

Today I'm linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog.
She is sharing this link up as a chance to reflect on five of your favorite things during the week! Be sure to check out her blog and link up!

I

                     
                                           1. I launched my blog this week!!! I have been following a few blogs since January and it has inspired me to start my own. I used to be a sporatic journaler back in high school and through college and I feel this is a way for me to not only "journal"some of my favorite things in life that inspire me but also journal about my craftyness, thrifty finds and inspiring people among other things.

                                          2. I pedicure always turns a bad day around ;)

                                           3. My husband and I went over to a friends house to go swimming and cook out. It was looking really dark in the distance and was hoping it was just going to pass on by. I mean it had been in the triple digits and was sunny all day! Then the clouds came rolling in and the sky began to fall!!!It didn't last long  though and a beautiful rainbow appeared. It was actually a double rainbow but it's hard to tell in this picture.

                                         4. Wednesday night we went out to dinner for Papa Joe's (Jon's dad) 60th birthday! I love going out with his family! I just wish my family lived here near so we could go out together!!

                                         
                                          5. My mother in law made this for me and Jon's 1 year wedding anniversary and brought it over to us this week. There was one similar to this at the beach house they stayed at a few weeks ago in Florida and she decided to make one similar to it. I think hers came out much prettier :)

 Have a wonderful day!!

                                                     

60 Sucks!

Yesterday was my father in law's 60th birthday! We decided to celebrate his day by going out to dinner at Maggiano's. I didn't have a gift for him and needed something fast and something that would give him a good laugh! This project was super easy and took no time. I have seen the idea done before, so I wanted to give it a try!

I purchased the box and the Styrofoam at the Dollar store and bought a bag of Dum Dums from Walmart for only $2.50. The yellow ribbon around the box was something I already had. Next, I put hot glue on the bottom of the Styrofoam and placed it into the box so it wouldn't fall out. Then I began sticking all 60 suckers into the Styrofoam. Next I cut out two different size circles and used my Cricut to cut out "60 Sucks" for the sign.

The gift was a hit and sat in the center of the table at the restaurant!! Now go try it out for yourself and see how creative you can get with it!
Have a wonderful day!

What jump starts your day?

 Do you drink coffee or tea while watching the news or reading the newspaper? Do you go for a morning run or hit the gym?  Or, do you run around like a mad woman because you pushed the snooze button too many times and have to rush out the door? I'd be lying if I said I have never done that before!

I would like to share with you something I have been doing in the mornings since May. I've been reading a short daily devotional book titled Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. A friend of mine gave me this devotional during a tough time and I feel it has strengthened my faith and has reminded me many times He has a plan for me and that He is going to take care of me no matter what happens in my life here on earth. "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13. I hate to say it but I am somewhat of an anxious person, I have always been, but since starting my day out with my Father, that anxiety has begun to diminish. 

"In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice, In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch". Psalm 5:3

Thank you for letting me share this with you. I hope this will inspire you to find some quiet time for both yourself and your relationship with God.

Have a wonderful day!

30x30 Challenge

I'm starting this challenge a little late in the game but I think it's too great to pass up. I may have to catch up the best I can. What is this challenge you may ask? Well, I'm linking up with Lauren at  From My Grey Desk Blog for the 30x30 challenge, where you take 30 items (shoes, jewelry, scarves, shirts, dresses, skirts, ect.) from your closet and make 30 newly inspired outfits with them! I don't know about you but anytime there is a special occasion like a wedding, shower or birthday party to go to, I feel like I have to have a new outfit. This is a way to do that without spending anymore money and challenging yourself to look beyond what you already  have put together. So let's get started!

{5 Blouses}

{3 T-shirts}

{Pair of shorts, skirt and 1 dress}

{Pair of pants, 2 cuffed pants)

{5 necklaces, 3 pairs of earrings and 1 watch)

{5 shoes}

{Belt and scarf}

Outfit 1                                                                                                               Shirt:Ross                                             
Cami: Target                                           
White Pants: Old Navy                              
Sandals: Target (not shown)
Earrings: Brighton silver hoops   

Outfit 2

Shirt: Charolette Ruse
White Pants: Old Navy
Sandals: Target
         

Outfit 3

Shirt Charolette Ruse
Skirt: J Crew Outlet
Shoes: Ross (Jessica Simpson)
Watch: Fossel
Belt: Target 

       

Link up and join in on the challenge!!

                 

                                                        Have a wonderful day!