From Miss to Mrs: One Year Later

Sometimes we refer to big events in life as game-changers. The day we're born. The day we head off to college. The day we get our first job. The first time we experience the death of a loved one. Moving to a new city. Winning the lottery (still waiting for that one to happen.) I can only assume babies can fall into that category, as well.

One year ago today, September 17, 2011, I married the love of my life.

Game officially changed.

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Our wedding day was perfectly imperfect.

It poured. Not a light rain or passing thunderstorm, but a monsoon occurred that Saturday of our wedding. In fact, on September 17, 2011 the state of Arkansas received the most rainfall in one day in the history of our state during that month.

Obviously, I was elated.

But around 4:00 p.m. that afternoon, just two hours before our wedding was to start, the clouds faded and the most beautiful, promising sunshine ripped the sky in half.

A little wink from God, I think.

The picture-taking ensued without missing a beat and the rest of the day and night were absolutely picturesque.

The ceremony, I'll never forget.

And the reception was magical.

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This year has gone by in a blink, but oh, how I've enjoyed every minute of it!

My love for Stephen only grows every day. I never would have imagined that there were men out there like this. The way he puts our marriage above everything makes me all the more grateful to have found him.

As I reflect on the past year, I can only get more excited about the future. Excited on the trips we'll take, the adventures we'll have, the family we'll make, the moments in life we'll experience together...it's enough to make one Southern belle ridiculously giddy.

It's funny; I still get butterflies in my tummy when I'm getting ready for date night. I still blush when he tells me I look pretty. I still sometimes catch myself staring at him, amazed that someone that good-looking would want to marry me ; )

More than anything though, I'm just appreciative. Appreciative of Stephen, of our families who have supported us and given us words of wisdom, to Pastor Carness Vaughan for his guidance throughout our pre-marital counseling and continued encouragement, most importantly, appreciative to God for bringing him into my life.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Fancy a Friday?

Belt via American Native

I have a confession. I couldn’t stay away from Confessional Friday. I tried. I had big dreams, big ambitions for Fridays this fall. But in the end, something grabbed ahold of me and I came to my senses.

And I received a few emails from truly very downtrodden ladies on how the removal of this lighthearted little weekly link-up had a negative effect on their blogging. And frankly, I couldn’t live with that.

I love y’all far too much to deny you the God-given right of a good, weekly vent session on the World Wide Web. So it’s back, starting next week. That’s the confession of the day.

In other news, I really wanted to tell y'all about...

-I'm so proud and excited for my co-worker Bobby and his brother Clayton, as they debut their line of leather goods called American Native at Riffraff, a local boutique in Fayetteville. The trunk show will commence today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Riffraff, so be there or be a total square.

The Chamberlain brothers pour a lot of hard work and attention to detail into their amazing products, so check them out online if you can't in person. You won't be disappointed!

So hey, if you get tired of tailgating in the rain, get thee cute derriere over to Riffraff and check out Bobby and Clayton's line...American Native...what the cool people are wearing. Pinky swear.

Sorry to cut things short today, but there are emails and projects that must be attended to. Have a safe and relaxing weekend, ladies!

P.S.- Don't beat us too badly, 'Bama. ; )

Be blessed, lovelies-

Latter Week Ramblings

We've talked a lot of fashion for the past few days, so I thought today we'd talk nonsense. I mean, I love clothes as much as the next gal, but occasionally we all need a good dose of nothingness. Amen?

1. I baked two loaves of pumpkin bread last night and our house smelled unbelievably scrumptious. I ate so much of the batter while I was making it that when the actual bread was baked, I wanted nothing to do with it. Tonight though, we dig in. (Note: I added a cream cheese filling to the pan on the left. A little Philly never hurts, right?)

I used this recipe from My Baking Addiction.

2. Our boys (Arkansas Razorbacks) play Alabama on Saturday and, though I'm hoping they don't squash us too badly, I'm SO excited for the SEC fabulousness that will take place. A lot of y'all know that I'm a big 'Bama fan (second of course to AR), so this will be one of the most fun games of the year,  at least I think.

3. On that note, I was talking to someone yesterday about the mutual respect that a lot of our conferences' teams have for one another. I think it's cool! Seriously, if I'm not yelling for AR, you can always find me cheering on 'Bama, Ole Miss, Georgia (LOVE the 'Dawgs), the Gamecocks, LSU...you name it. Love 'em all, I really do.

4. Don't forget to purchase your items from my Scentsy party with Megan. It closes Saturday, so get thee to her site!

5. And yes, I just emboldened the aforementioned item. #ShamelessSelfPromotion

6. We need a new vacuum cleaner. Any suggestions?

7. My husband ordered a batch of McDonald's fries and a burger last night. I opted for oatmeal, (yes, for dinner.) I snuck a couple of them and OH MY...so tasty. I'm sorry, but McD's has the best fries. Bar none. Hands down.

8. My Stephen (yes, I refer to him as 'My Stephen') and I have been married for one year on Monday. ONE YEAR. It went by in a blur. Cannot wait to celebrate with him this weekend and next week in Chicago : )

We scheduled a one-year anniversary photo shoot for October and we plan to use the pics as Christmas card photos!

Enjoy your Thursday, ladies.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Meesh & Mia...and Moi!

You ladies may remember last year when I posted about Meesh & Mia and their faboosh gameday items. Well, the sweet girls there recently emailed me to see if I wanted to review a piece for the blog and, of course, I said yes!

A bit of backstory on Meesh & Mia first. The company was founded by Elizabeth Turley and is a hub of style for fashionable collegiate sports fans across the entire country. Not just SEC, not just Big 12...all schools and conferences! As it says on their website, Meesh & Mia is "team style with an edge."

I chose this adorable Button Back Dolman Top featuring a Razorback logo for University of Arkansas, (like, duh!) The great thing about Meesh & Mia is that they have over 100 other schools though. So see? There's an item for almost everyone! Even better, all items from Meesh & Mia are made right here in the U.S.A. - amen!

The top was exquisitely comfy and the fit was perfection. It was the ideal amount of "cropped" and was longer in the back to offer just the right amount of booty visibility : )

Also, the detailing was presh! The little Razorback is actually done in red glitter and the back of the shirt featured burnished silver buttons. It's definitely what I'll be sporting to the Arkansas vs. 'Bama game on Saturday.

I paired it with a bold necklace from Belle Boutique - Fayetteville and my skinnies from Forever 21.

Other items from Meesh & Mia that I loved:

The Tennessee Dolman. Oh my, so cute!

The University of Alabama Cutaway Shoulder Top. Adorable for all the Crimson Tide fans out there.

Flirty Dress in Purple and Gold. I think y'all know which SEC would rock this frock!

The University of Florida Flair Tie Cardigan is so chic and stylish.

Tulsa gals will love this University of Tulsa Hooded Team Tunic in striking TU blue.

And finally, who could resist these orange jeggings for Clemson University? Well, I suppose Gamecock fans probably could : )

So many cute things, so many amazing schools to choose from. Stay in touch with Meesh & Mia by following them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Fall Fashion Q and A

By B.B. Dakota via Planet Blue

Sometimes I like to skim my email inbox for questions from readers that could be answered publicly. And by publicly, I mean on this blog. (But you probably gathered that from the title.)

So, if you've been chomping at the bits to find the perfect pair of tuxedo flats (or smoking slippers, (if you enjoy the occasional stogie), you may want to read this post.

Or, you may not.

Totes up to you.

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Where can I…

…get a cheap and chic pair of tuxedo flats?

Cheap is the key word here, fair fashionistas. I wouldn’t spend more than $40 on tuxedo flats, only because I’m not sure this trend will linger for longer than a season or two. 

I found this pair at Target and will most certainly be investing a whopping $19.99 into them myself.

Cheap? Check. Chic? Check.

Done and done.

……….

Where can I…

...get a cute animal print cardigan that won’t look cheesy?

I swear, every fall I think, “This will be the last hoorah for animal print”, and then the trend comes back to life the very next season. Not that I’m ready for it to die or anything, but I am impressed with its stamina.

I’m fifteen kinds of in love with this Lucky Leo cardigan from Savoir-Faire.

Or this one from Forever 21, if you’re looking for a grey option.

………..

Where can I…

 …find the perfect dressy sweater for the office this fall/winter?

I have an answer for you and you’re going to die when you see it!

Okay, don’t die.

Just buy it.

It’s from The Rage and it’s spectacularly rust-red and ruffled and cinched. And, um, only $39. It’s a win-win-win-win.

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Where can I…

…get a pair of cute, office-appropriate ballet flats?

At The Elle! The Elle! The Elle!

I love these flats from…you guess it, The Elle! Only $39, gals. That’s less than one shoe at most other boutiques! (That's what you can tell your husbands when they ask why you bought yet another pair of shoes.)

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Where can I get...

...an Aztec-inspired sweater that doesn't look gaudy?

This Knitted Aztec Cardi is really chic and cozy and doesn't look like an old, tacky blanket. I love the Aztec sweater trend, but you have to be really careful to keep it subtle. 

Please note: If you go Aztec, avoid turquoise jewelry like the plague. It goes from trendy to costume-esque in a hurry, kids. Keep accessories bold and modern, like chunky gold cuff.

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So that's it, ladies! A few fashion A's for all your fashion Q's. Come back tomorrow for some outfit photos from this weekend featuring a brand I LOVE.

Be blessed, lovelies-