A Hairy Situation

I have such a love/hate relationship with my hair.  It's thin, but I have a lot of it.  It was a beautiful blonde color when I was young, but when I got older it started to darken just like everyone in my family before me.  I also have a tendency to get split ends and my cut never looks great for a long time.  I was told when I was little that I should sleep on a satin/silk pillowcase and it would help.  I haven't ever done this.  Anyway, just about the only thing that I love about my hair is the fact I can dry it in like 5 minutes (from sopping wet to dry).  However, that makes blowing it out with a round brush a little difficult because I have to be fast!  And I am here to tell you my hair will not hold style.  And the coastal GA humidity makes it look frizzy and wavy every day!!!!  I'm not writing this as a way to get "Oh no, your hair is pretty" comments, nor am I trying to degrade myself.  It's just how I feel about my hair and it honestly causes me insecurity.  I long for gorgeous, silky, and long blonde hair!  I have been thinking a lot about my hair lately because I am in major need of a cut and color. 

I am also kinda cheap and I HATE spending 100 bucks getting my hair colored.  I get all over highlights (foils) and sometimes lowlights depending on how blonde I'm getting and the season.  My stylist is awesome, but I feel like I get stuck in a hair rut so often because I never know what to tell her to do.  Also, the highlights that I have been getting for about 7 years have made my hair get very dry.  This is a new thing for me since I have never had issues with that before coloring.  I talked to my stylist about Keratin treatments, but she told me it would be too heavy for my hair being that is is extremely fine and thin.  So...I'm in a rut with my hair and need you girls to get me out of it!  I am planning to make an appt in the next week or so for a cut and color.  I have pinned a few styles that I like (the Jessica Simpson one is the inspiration I had in high school and loved that cut).  I am contemplating bangs too.  I will definitely go medium length on the cut.  I adore long hair better than anything, but my fine hair has NO body with it.  It looks more frumpy than bombshell on me.  I need lots of layers and a shorter cut to make movement and style in my hair.  I also can't do short short though (bob is a no) because it makes my face look fat and like a chipmunk. 

Source: None via Jennifer on Pinterest

 I wish my hair would hold this style!!!!!

Source: jenniferaniston2011.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

So, here is what I really really need to talk to you about What products do you like?  I currently have Bed Head shampoos and conditioners in my shower, but I HATE them. It feels like my hair is so dry after using it, even though it is for dry/colored hair. I have used Biolage forever and really liked it, but I wanted to switch it up some too. I really only use salon quality hair products because I have not had luck with drugstore stuff, but I am open to anything! I am planning a trip to Ulta soon to get some stuff that I feel like I need desperately. I have also been doing a ever other day washing cycle, but I have such a hard time styling it on the second day. What do you girls do on your off days for washing? I feel like I always look a hot mess on those days! HELP!

My Bachelorette Party

One of the things that I have been meaning to blog about for the longest time is my fantastic Bachelorette Party!  It was just so awesome and so me!  Ashton (my Matron of Honor) planned the whole thing.  She wanted to do something special and BOY, did she!  Ash planned a weekend at Walt Disney World!  If anyone knows me, they know that I am NOT a partier, and I didn't want some crazy bar hopping Bachelorette party...and from many numerous posts, I think y'all all know that I am a Disney nut!  It was a fabulous party!

Friday, the weekend before my wedding, right after work, Kelly (my Maid of Honor and new SIL) and Ashton got in the car to head down to Orlando.  Unfortunately, not all of my bridesmaids were able to come, and we missed them a lot.  We got to Orlando around 9, and went straight to Downtown Disney to eat!  One of my favorite places to eat down there is Rainforest Cafe.  It's just a fun atmosphere and the food is yummy.  We went and ate there, walked around Downtown Disney a little, and then headed to our hotel to get some rest.

Saturday morning, bright and early, we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  We planned to get there before the park opened (to see my FAVORITE, the welcome show!), but unfortunately the monorail was broken.  We had to ride the ferrry which took forever!  I love the ferry, but I much prefer it at night.  We got pins to commererate our trip and of course I had to get a new pair of Minnie ears to add to my collection!  For those that haven't been reading long, I get a new pair every time I go to Disney.  I have ALWAYS wanted the bride ears, and I finally had a reason to wear them.  Funny story though...it was Gay Days in Orlando that week and that Saturday was the official Disney day.  We kept wondering why everyone was wearing red shirts (and some of them were in terrible taste which made me very upset, but we won't go into that).  Well, throughout the day people kept congratualating Ashton and I on our wedding.  I first I thought they got that it was a Bachelorette party and were just congratulating me, but then I realized some people thought we were gay.  What are ya gonna do?  It does make for a funny story.  We had a great time at Magic Kingdom...and stayed until about 11, so we were TIRED!

We went to Epcot on Sunday.  I love Epcot because there are so many interactive rides and it is just a neat place!  Ashton and I went there by ourselves in the morning because Kelly was so tired, and then we went to get her after lunch.  We had a great time looking around the World Pavillon, riding some of my favorite rides, and of course getting yummy treats at the France pavillion.  I got Creme Brulee and Ashton got Cheesecake, and we shared.  YUM!  That evening, Ashton surprised me with reservations at the Italy pavillon (my favorite kind of food) at Tutto Italia.  It was so nice and delicious!  Ash planned out this whole thing were they would recognize that I was getting married by bringing desert to the table.  I am allergic to chocolate/cocoa, so she made sure they knew not to bring chocolate desert.  She told them when she made the reservation, and again at the restaurant when I went to the bathroom...but I guess the Italian waiter didn't quite get what she was saying because they sang me "Happy Birthday" and brought me chocolate cake.  Haha!  Ashton was upset because she had specifically planned that for me!  It was really funny, and is a memory.  I know Kelly and Ashton enjoyed the dessert though, so all's well!  After dinner, the show that Epcot does was starting and we really enjoyed watching it. 

We had to go home the next day, so we headed back to the hotel for some beauty sleep.  I unfortunately wasn't up to shopping on the way home like we planned because I came down with an awful upper respiratory/sinus infection that Sunday and couldn't shake it off any more.  Ashton ended up driving straight from Orlando to my doctor in Savannah, and Thomas met me there.  I had to be on antibiotics the whole week of my wedding, and finished them up on the wedding day!  Thank goodness it came on early in the week!!!!  I just adored my Bachelorette party and had such a great time!  I bought a Disney pandora bead while I was there (Cinderella's pumpkin coach) and remember that awesome trip every time I look at it! 

*Sorry for crappy photos, I only took them with my iphone bc I never pulled out the camera*

Questions Answered

This is so fun!  If anyone has anymore questions, feel free to ask and I will do another post like this!

How did you and your husband meet? 

We met in high school.  I was a freshmand and boy crazy.  He was a junior and very quiet and shy.  I had a crush on his friend, so I got to school early one day to try to see this boy before school.  Well, the boy didn't get to school early, but a group of friends were hanging out with Thomas.  I hung out with the group and they introduced me to Thomas.  Thomas was so nice and funny...I couldn't tell he was shy at all.  For about a week, I got to school early hoping to see his friend, but ended up chatting with him everyday.  By the end of that week, I had forgotten about his friend and really was having a fun time getting to know Thomas.  Friday after a couple of weeks, he asked me if I was going to the Seafood Festival.  I said yes, and that I was performing with my cheerleading group...but it was pretty early (like 9:30 or something) and that I doubted he would want to come.  The festival is a big thing in our town so we left like we would see each other at some point since we would probably run into each other.  Well, that Saturday morning while we were warming up, I saw Thomas and one of his friends.  He got my attention and waved and sat in the front row...with like a whole group of like 30 people...mostly parents.  It was pitiful.  I realized that day that I had a big crush on Thomas and we spent the whole day hanging out together, riding fair rides (which he hates I found out later), and eating fair food.  That night when the fireworks were going off, he asked me to officially go on a date to the Homecoming Dance.  The next weekend after the dance, he asked me to be his girlfriend.  The rest is history.  We are both each others first real dating experience and we feel like God truly laid these plans for us to find each other.  We feel truly blessed to have found true love so early in life. 

8 1/2 years later, so in love!  Credit: Sean Azul Photography

What are some goals/projects that I would like to accomplish in life?

Wow, that is a big one.  I would love to learn to speak French, and then travel to France and use the language and immerse myself in the culture.  I also have the goal to visit Versailles as I love French Royal history so much.  In keeping with the previous answers, I really want to travel.  I have been blessed to travel a good bit in my life through my generous dad.  It is one thing that I have a huge passion for.  If I could take my family with me, I would be a travel show host in a heartbeat!  The main places that I really want to visit that I haven't been before are NYC, Washington DC, London, and Greece.  Thomas and I plan to one day save a LOT of money and go on a long European tour starting in Ireland and ending in Italy or Greece.  I also really want to go on a Disney cruise.  Thomas and I are saving for that to be our next big vacation. 

My other big goal in life is to one day work for Disney.  I love my job and will likely never leave the organization that I work for until I retire.  However, when I retire I dream of working for Disney as a seamstress.  I would love to make those gorgeous costumes for the characters (especially the princesses) and know that I made a little girl or boys time in Disney magical.  Sappy, but true.  I can't explain my love for Disney. 

Source

What is your favorite book?

I don't know if I can pick just one!  If I had to I would say book number 4 in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  My favorite book series in general is Harry Potter.  I just love these books because they pick you up and take you to another place and make you never want to put them down. 

I am working up a whole post devoted to the last question regarding Savannah, and I am planning on incorporating a link/sidebar thing (haven't decided) on sewing shops and resources I use.  Have a great Monday!

Mad-Eye Moody

I may have mentioned before that Thomas is very funny!  Ask any of our friends, it is true!  He can crack jokes out of nowhere like no other.  Well, this morning on the way to work, I was whining to him that I couldn't think of a single thing that I really wanted to blog about.  I want to blog, but I don't know what to blog about.  The conversation naturally progressed to the fact that I felt cruddy today.  I had ugly clothes on because none of my cute ones fit, I felt bloated, my lower back was kinda achy, etc.  I just wasn't feeling it today.  Thomas looked over at me and said I was an "Icabod Crane."  That just made me burst into giggles.  He didn't pronounce it like normal, but instead like "Icky-bod Crane."  In my laughter, I told him he gave me the perfect thing to blog about today. 

(One of my favorite Disney shorts)

This would be a cute and funny story if it ended there, but it gets better.  Thomas has names for pretty much all of my moods.  I don't remember when this started, but it has been going on for years.  It started with me being cranky and he called me "Mad-Eye Moody" out of nowhere.  It pulled me right out of my mood, and was just so funny.  Through the years, he has added quite a few to the list. 

• Mad-Eye Moody - moody or cranky behavior

• Whaylon Jennings (sometimes Whaylon Jennie) - whiney behavior
• Romilda Vain - when I start taking too long to get ready

(Romilda Vane sent Harry chocolates that were laced with Love Potion, but Ron ate them without knowing in the Half-Blood Prince)
• Icabod Crane - when I don't feel good. 

I know there are more, but I just can't recall them right now.  Anyway, thats my sweet Thomas...always a joker. 

Questions?

Okay, so you may have noticed from my lack of posting in the last week...I'm in a bit of a blog rut.  I have a few things I would like to blog about, but I haven't been able to actually get myself in gear to write out the posts.  Instead, I keep pouring over cute new blogs and pinterest for hours while I procrastinate.  Ha!  Do y'all ever do that when you don't really feel like you have much to write about?  So, I decided since I have quite a few new followers that I want to do a post where y'all ask me questions.  Ask away...I am an open book (mostly). 

Drapes

Let's discuss drapes today, shall we? We were lucky enough to move into our new construction home with blinds already installed. We asked the builder to do so because we didn't want to have to be in a rush to buy blinds, drapes, etc. or have to put sheets up for privacy. The blinds we have are nice too, and the builder installed moldings on the tops in order to make it look nicer. BUT, I am sick and tired of sitting around and looking at beige walls (paint could be another post in itself) and blinds. I need color!!!

As of right now we have beige carpet, beige walls, and beige couches in our downstairs. I would describe my decorating style as French Country with a Modern Traditional twist. You will probably be able to tell that when I start showing you the things I put in my home. I am pretty good on knick knack type items, but I really am ready to paint and more importantly, make my drapes! Of course, I am not planning to buy your run of the mill Target or J.C. Penny drapes, and custom drapes are WAY out of my budget. However, I am always so happy that I have such an interest in sewing because it helps in my frugal ways! Here are the plans I have made for drapes in our home.
For the downstairs - Our downstairs is basically one big room. I have to choose one theme/color scheme for it's entirety and I have chosen red/gold/chocolate brown as the colors. I don't really like a themed room, but as I love french country and all, it seems roosters are emerging as a central element in this area. I am okay with that in moderation, but I am trying to steer clear of too many so that I don't have a "rooster kitchen" I would get sick of that quick. So, when I set out fabric window shopping and found a cute rooster toile that I loved...I was a little worried of it becoming "rooster land." I have since found another fabric that is similar and has peacocks on it...similar enough without it becoming a theme.

Source

I plan to make the drapes out of this toile fabric and suspend them on those hook things you buy for drapes like these pictures below. I am contemplating lining them with chocolate brown and then kinda flipping out the middle to show it and have some contrast. We are painting this room a warm golden yellowish brown shade so it will mix nicely. Unfortunately, this fabric hasn't been ordered yet and I will need to make about 4 panels, so we are having to save up for this until next month or so. I have priced these treatments at around $200-300 depending on if I decide on tassels, how much the hardward will be, etc. As you can see, sewing for yourself does cost a good bit less as if I got these drapes custom made they would cost a lot more, but it still isn't cheap. That is one thing I have learned about sewing! It's cheaper than retail, but you most likely will still spend more than if you bought your stuff at Target (drapery-wise) or Old Navy (clothing-wise) but obviously the quality is much higher. I am also planning some other sewing projects for our downstairs, so I am waiting until I can go ahead and buy ALL the fabric to buy any of it in case I change my mind.

Source

The next room that I need to create drapes for is our master bedroom. The color scheme of this room is seafoam green/blue, chocolate, and beige. I am planning on painting the walls the seafoam color which will contrast nicely with our cherry furniture. Our bedding is beige silk with chocolate and seafoam pillows for accents. We have one double window in here, so I will need to make two panels and then I am also working on recovering a chair as well. I am thinking that I will do a chocolate dupioni in our bedroom since the other fabrics in here are silk and I want our bedroom to feel serene and like a luxuary spa. Ahhhh! :) I am thinking I will do pinch pleated drapes in here with an overflowing romantic bottom. The chair will be recovered in something, but I just haven't decided yet. I also want to get it monogrammed with our last initial! I am estimating the total cost of fabric and drapery hardware for this room will be around $200.

Source

Source

The only other room have I have to worry about decor wise is my sewing room. The third bedroom is going to be a nursery one day (not too soon, don't worry), so for now it is storage/Thomas' man cave. I have purchased all the fabrics for the sewing room and am in the process of creating this space now. I bought 8 yards of white linen to make the window treatment (one panel needed) and a tablecloth for my sewing table. I also bought 4 yards to recover my sewing chair, 2 yards for piping and an ironing board cover, and 1 yard for a dog bed. In all I believe I have spent $130 on fabrics for this room. I have given you a snippet of what I am doing in here, but it is not done yet! I will give you before and after pics too! For now though, you can see what I am planning to do with the drapes. I really want this room to have a light and airy feel to it. I am planning to do something different on top (maybe just a loop to put the rod through), but other than that the panel will be the same only white on white instead of the colors here. 

Source

Menu Monday

I apologize for being a day late with this post, but I have just been under the weather over the last week.  I don't know what is up, but I swear I have have had so many afflictions that I feel like I am falling apart.  UGH! Thomas joked last night that if anything else happens to me this week, I am going to be a regular ol' Jobe!  I do wish I had his patience though!  Anyway, enough complaining.

Last week we didn't end up eating all of the meals I planned because I got sick with a virus and didn't cook or eat for a couple days...so we will be recycling those meals. 

Sunday - Tater Tot Casserole - this isn't a recycled recipe, rather Thomas just LOVED it and requested it again!  He had never had it and was in heaven eating it! :) 

Monday - Bean Burritoes - Our weekly staple!  We had to go to Wal-mart last night to get some medicine for me and we ended up getting Taco Bell Mild sauce.  I had no idea they bottled and sold that stuff!  I was so happy though because I LOVE that stuff.  I am even more excited for burrito night every week now. 

Tuesday - Pizza Night at our friends house.  I am debating going tonight, so it will either be pizza or just cereal or something.  It's usually a guy thing, but Ash is going tonight so I am contemplating. 

Wednesday - Italian dressing marianated chicken, hashbrown casserole, and garlic bread.  I really need to get a veggie in here too...hum

Thursday - Chicken Teriyaki and Fried Rice - my own recipe that I really should share!  Tastes just like a hibachi restuarant! 

Friday - Date Night

Saturday - whatever/leftovers

It's not too terribly exciting around our house this week.  I was contemplating making chicken roll-ups for myself tonight (recycled from last week) but we will see.  I might just go eat pizza...or be too lazy to cook.  What are you eating this week? 

Kate Middleton Style

I may be one of the last people to blog about this, but seriously, how great is Kate Middleton's style!?!  I have had a bit of a girl crush obsession liking of her for a while now.  I remember when she and Wills would show up in the tabloids when they were on again, off again, and thought she was so gorgeous and that they would be a cute couple.  I was always pulling for her!  When they got engaged, I was so happy, along with the rest of the world! :)  Plus, I got to see a lot more of her in the tabloids, which made me very happy! :)  haha!  (Have I ever told y'all I have an inherited love for tabloids?  My mom and grandma love them too)  Of course I watched the wedding (and am thinking of buying the BBC dvd), but I didn't wake up at 4 or whatever to do so.  I do like to think that Kate and I have something in common.  Our wedding dresses had a similar neckline (which makes me feel like I was very fashion forward for picking it before her, haha) and we are both newlyweds.  I feel like we would be great friends if I was in her royal circle! :) haha! And this may or may not be the image I see when I go to google. 

Okay, so now you know that I am a little teeny bit obsessed with the Duchess of Cambridge.  Of course, now I am following all of her appearances through style blogs that are full of people just like me...who want to dress just like Kate!  I know Kate has taken a bit of flack that she isn't a style setter because she wears classic clothing and that she hasn't pushed the envelope enough.  I have to disagree.  Classic clothing is known for always being in style, and I like that she wears clothing that people can relate to.  She wears clothes that are tailored and high quality, as well as pieces at all price points.  I also love that you will see her in an item more than once.  I wear my clothes more than once, and it's nice to see someone with celebrity status and a lot of money doing the same thing.  She has also gotten flack on this too.  On the same vein, I like that you will see her going to the grocery store and doing things that us normal people do...she is just so down to earth.  I know people like to point out that she was a "commoner" and she was when you take into account that she wasn't royal.  BUT come on, yeah, her family had normal working joe jobs at one point in time, but now they own a big company, are millionaires, and Kate went to the same school as Wills, which in itself shows that she wasn't just some common girl working her way through college.  She obviously came from a life that is not quite like mine, but not quite like Wills.  For her to be down to earth makes me like her a lot!  Anyway, I feel like Kate has brought back to the masses the idea of tailoring your clothing to fit you.  It isn't like the idea ever went away, especially for those who seem to relate more to classic styling, but it is nice to have someone bring the idea back into the forefront of your mind so you don't forget it! 

I enjoy checking out what Kate is wearing through many style blogs dedicated to her like What Kate Wore and the Kate Middleton style blog.  I am currently working on a post dedicated to my plan to bump up my work wardrobe, and I am taking cues from Kate on what I should be looking for.  I would love to have a bunch of dresses like these in my closet.

PA/MyTheresa.com via What Kate Wore 

Flynet/Getty Images/Heritage via What Kate Wore 

Canadian Heritage/Reuters via What Kate  

 Lionel Hahn-Pool-Reuters via What Kate Wore

 John Stillwell/Pool/Getty Images via What Kate Wore

 Splash News via The Daily Mail via What Kate Wore

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for British Consul-General via What Kate Wore 

  Bruce Adams/The Daily Mail & London Sole via What Kate Wore

Seriously, I wish I looked this put together when I went grocery shopping!

So, are you obsessed with Kate?  or are you sick and tired of all this talk about her?

Menu Monday

Now that I have a husband to cook for...I can participate in Menu Monday! :)  I love love love to cook, so I am really excited to start posting our menu plans! 

Sunday - Chicken Bacon Carbonara with Sourdough Garlic Bread

We ate this last night and Thomas loved it!  It was a recipe adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.  Here is my recipe for it...keep in mind that I don't measure in the kitchen unless I am baking.  Oh and this definitely isn't low fat, but your tummy will thank me. 

1 pack of chicken breasts, cubed
10 slices of bacon
minced garlic to taste (I used 4 big cloves, but I love garlic)
half of a small onion, chopped
1/2 pack sliced and ready mushrooms
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup milk
butter
1/2 (or even a whole cup) of freshly grated parmesan cheese
fettucine noodles

1. In a pan large enough to make sauce in, cook bacon until crispy.  Crumble when cool and set aside.
2. In the pan with the bacon grease, cook chicken cubes.  Turn the heat up to about medium high or so and put the chicken in a single layer.  Do not touch it, you want it to get good and brown.  After a couple minutes, turn the chicken over and let it brown on the other side.  Remove from pan when done and set aside with the bacon.
3. Turn the heat down to medium and add two heaping tablespoons of butter to the bacon grease.  Add onions, garlic, and mushrooms to the pan.  Let them brown up and get soft.  After a couple minutes, add cream and milk to the pan.  Let this simmer for a couple minutes. 
4. Add in the cheese and let it melt into the sauce.  Add the chicken and bacon back in the sauce.  Toss with fettucine noodles. 

This is a yummy yummy recipe, but definitely not one to eat all the time as it is fattening! 

Monday - The Duggar Family's Tater Tot Casserole

Tuesday - Pizza Night for Thomas and Chicken Roll-Ups for Jennifer and Ashton

Wednesday - Bean Burritoes (or leftovers) (nothing special, just a can of refried beans and burrito shells with whatever toppings you want.  This is our go to when we don't want to cook)

Thursday - Mushroom Stroganoff (I know I posted this before but I can't find it.  I will post it again this week)

Friday - Date Night

Saturday - Italian Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese (crockpot) (I will post this as well this week)