Superstitious...Maybe, Maybe Not

For years now I have loved keeping my nails painted. I have helped keep OPI / Essie in business on a weekly basis! Some of my best girlfriends from college are the same way. We all swap colors and stay current with the latest trends (for the most part.) A few years ago we realized that we all changed our weekly nail color before each Alabama game. We decided that this MUST be the key to BAMA's success (not Nick Saban. Hard Work by the boys, or anything else football related.) Yes I just told you the secret to BAMA winning so much...NAIL POLISH! Call us superstitious if you want but we really know it works! During one game we started losing and Amy decided it was time for a color change. What do you know the game turned around and we won. It is always the games where there is not an extra bottle of polish laying around that we end up losing. On Monday, January 7th BAMA will play for #15!! To say I am excited is an understatement. You better believe Amy took care of us and gave us our "National Championship" color for Christmas. I have painted my nails tonight in preperation for the BIG GAME! She chose the perfect shade of red that also has the perfect South Beach name... "Jag-u-Are"!! I am now Bama ready and will be decked out in all of my gear on Monday. WIN or Lose Bama has a huge place in my heart.

ROLL TIDE

New Year's To Do List

All the hype around this time of year is what will your New Year's Resolution be?? Well I don't really like New Year's Resolutions because I never follow through with them. I do however, live by a To-Do-List. I always seem to check things off one by one and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. So this year I thought why not continue to do what seems to actually work for me. I am going to make a New Year's To-Do-List! Some things will need to be done on a daily basis but some are just things that will need to happen once.

-Spend more time with Jesus daily

I know that my foundation is what helps be get through each day. This year more than ever I want to continue building my foundation and also for Ryan and I to continue building our foundation with Christ.

-Finish planning my WEDDING!

Most everything has been reserved/booked/deposit payed on. We are now down to the final small things to finish up. I am sure as time goes on more and more things will hit me that need to be done. For now I feel like my check list for the most part is under control. I also have an amazing wedding director who is also my advice giver and she is constantly helping me with "little things" I have not thought about. I hope things can work out how they are planned in my mind. I guess only time will tell.

-Do the Best Daily at my Job

I feel I strive for this most all of the time but I want to make sure to remind myself that this job is a Blessing and I need to treat it just as that. I love doing what I do, I love the people I work for, and I love Peak Campus....I want it to stay this way!

-Get Rid of Items and Don't Buy as Much

I have far more than I ever need or deserve. I want to make it a point to save more and buy less. Hey, they go hand in hand so I should not have a problem if I follow the rules! Plus Ryan and I are about to start our family together. I want to make sure that we are secure in paying our bills, not living out of our means, and saving for the future. I also don't want to start our life with a bunch of mess we don't need (insert the clean out/get rid of stuff here). I have no reason to buy more of anything other than selfish want. My closet is bulging, I don't need another book-movie, or anything else for that matter. With all of this being said I am going to ask myself every time I go to purchase something...Do I Really Need This???

-Live By A Budget

I will say that my budget is really just a Save this amount and tuck it in your Savings account type budget. I really do want to map out a budget this year and live by it. I still want to tuck back a certain amount each month into my savings but I really want to set limits for myself with spending. I think this is the only way to do it for me because I'm a spender and I know it.

-Exercise More

I travel a lot with my new job. Since moving to Atlanta I have not made time to go exercise like I was doing back in Tuscaloosa. I want to get back in this habit. I am not saying by any means do I like it but it is something I need to do to better myself. So with that said I am almost ready to check this one off the list. I am going to start doing a program called Walk Away The Pounds. You can do this from the comfort of your own room or hotel room! It is a video that allows you to walk to get your exercise in and to shed some pounds. I am excited about this especially since I can also do it while traveling.

-Take time to enjoy life

I can honestly say that last year was such a whirlwind for me. I did not make much time to enjoy my life. I think we all need to take time for ourselves with no cell phone, no email, and no interruptions. If we do not take time to enjoy life we will work ourselves to death. I want to make a point to take a little time for myself this year.

-Did I mention GET MARRIED?!

This is pretty exciting and I can't wait for my special day to be here! This is one item I can't wait to check off my list! I am looking forward to becoming a wife, learning how to cook (I think), learning how to live with another person who is not Amy Byrd, and most of all having my best friend by my side every day...well when I'm not traveling. I know it is going to be a lot to get through and it will be a learning experience but I am looking forward to this time in my life!

There are so many other things I could add to my TO-DO-LIST but these are the current most important. I am sure it will be a never ending list!


HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Another Year Has Come and Gone

It is crazy to think that yet another year has flown by. I used to remember my parents along with other adults tell me to live it up while you can because time will fly by. Boy were they right. I am now on my third year of being out of college. Only one more year (2014) until my 10 year class reunion. CRAZY.

2012 has been a year that I will always remember. There are some years that some things stick out but this year there were so many HUGE changes I don't know how I can ever forget it.

Serving as Ladies of The Houndstooth President was such a great experience for me. I love The University of Alabama and all that it stands for. Being able to do community service projects for the Tuscaloosa Community on behalf of the Alumni Association was a great feeling. I will forever be a part of UA and hope that I can always guide people to my home away from home.

I celebrated and year with Lankdmark Properties ...The Retreat at Lake Tamaha. This was a big deal for me. I have had part time jobs in college that lasted for a long time but this was my first Big Girl job that I celebrated a year with!

I also celebrated a year of dating Ryan! I know, really this sounds like a middle school girl talking. However, when you are excited about the future and the possiblity of forever it really is a special date to remember.

I became ENGAGED!!! You see that year with Ryan was important after all. It only took me 27 years to find Mr. Right but I'm sure glad I had the patience to wait on THE ONE. He is so good to me that I can't even put it into words. He makes me laugh all the time....which is one of my favorite things about him. Get ready as these next few months fly by, this blog will be letting you know all about my wedding planning. May 25th will be here before you know it.

I took a new job with Peak Campus!! This was a really really big decision for me. I had never left my comfort zone. Sometimes I think change is good and I know this was a great decision for me. I love the company, people, and what Peak stands for. I have always said when you can wake up every morning not dreading to go to work then you have found a great thing!

With my new job required moving to Atlanta. Let's just say this was the HARDEST thing I have ever done. I have lived in Alabama for 27 years and to be honest I really could care less if I ever left. In 2004 I moved to Tuscaloosa for college at The University of Alabama but that was still only an hour and a half from home. I shed a few tears, but I packed those boxes and made a move for my carreer and my future. I can't help but be proud of myself for the carreer I have worked hard for in these 3 short years. I also am proud of myself that I was willing to give up what was comfortable to better myself. I learned a lot about myself during this time. I am capable of doing anything even if it invloves risk. On a side note Atlanta traffic will NEVER become my comfort zone!

I turned 27. Don't know how excited I should be about this :( Each year gets closer and closer to 30. Here we go again ...where did my college days go? GEEZ Taking naps between classes, hanging out on mom and dads money, no "real" bills, those were the good ole days.

 

I spent my first Christmas is 27 years away from my parents. Ryan and I started our new normal this year. Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with his. We are both from Alabama but with us both having to travel from another state there is just no way to squeeze both sets of parents in. So for now possible forever this is how we will do this!

I am sure there are many other memories that I can't even think of now. These are the ones that made the biggest impact. Take time to think of the moments that impacted your 2012. It's so nice to go back and think of the things that brougth a smile to your face thoughout the year!

Terrific Thursday

Today is the 2nd post for Terrific Thursday!! It's funny to me how from week to week the things we are using the most change. Yes I am still using many of the items I posted last week however, I am in major need of some of the items from today. With that being said let me get started with the goodies that I am in LOVE with this week!

It's Winter and my skin is so dry. My hands literally hurt sometimes they get so dry. I have found some amazing hand cream that solves that problem. My friend Paige told me about it so I had to give it a try. "HANDS OF HOPE" by Philosophy is AMAZING! It is a little pricy however, a little goes a long way! I also hate greesy lotion that makes it hard to write or gets all over everything. This lotion does not do that. I purchased this at www.ulta.com but you can also find it at www.macys.com and at www.philosophy.com.

A few weeks ago and I had a stomach virus. Ever since then my stomach has been very sensetive to what I eat and drink. Really sensetive to what I drink. I usually drink Diet Coke like it is going to stop being sold tomorrow. Well since I was sick my stomach has almost said no to Diet Coke :( I can have one every once in a while. My new drink of choice is SPRITE...something I used to NEVER put in my mouth. Until something changes SPRITE will be my best friend.

As many of you know from reading the Blog I am getting married in May. I want to soak up as much knowledge about marriage as I possibly can. I know that nothing will take the place of the 1st hand experience but sometimes books can give us information that we never thought of before. I recently bought a book by Gary Chapman called "Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married." This book has been eye opening. Yes, some things I already knew but at the end of each chapter it gives you questions and exercses to do as a couple. Some of the questions are really hard and bring skeltons out of the closet. I am still not finished with it but from what I have read so far I would encourage anyone to read it.

Flats Flats Flats. I travel a lot with my job. It would be an absolute sight for all to see if I was running through an airport in heels. Better yet I would have some sort of hospital bill. I have noticed when flying a lot that my feet will swell. I have no clue if this is normal or not but without my flats I would have to go barefooted. I have a wider foot so sometimes flats put pressure in all of the worng places. I have 2 pairs that really are wonderful in every sense of the word. Lucky Flats and Tori Burch Flats. These are the exact 2 pairs that I have. I got the Lucky ones at Off 5th the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet store. They still have them as of the last time I went in there. They cost me about $30! They also have them at www.belk.com. The Tori Burch Flats were not a deal as far as price but they are super comfortable. I got them from Saks but they can also be purchased from www.toriburch.com.

My most recent purchase is the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallette. I am not much into wild colors for my eyeshadow color. So if you are like me then this pallette is perfect because it is the nutrals. I of course got it at www.ulta.com I am telling yall any points I can get to get a reward Im sold! With Ulta I get rewards for buying things that I need anyway!

 

Hope someone out there finds something that will become there new favorite item! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! I know I sure did!

Wedding Planning 101...

HAVE A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM.
(Jesus, Jesus, Fiance, Jesus, Friends, attempt Family, and Jesus)

Planning a May wedding for the past two months, I have learned a lot. I love helping others with the details of their BIG DAY but trying to plan mine has been super stressful. Entirely many people want it their way, not your way. I am a believer that there should always be give and take but when it comes to YOUR BIG DAY it should be YOUR way! I have cried far more than I have smiled but I know at the end of this stressful journey I will spend the rest of my life with the man God created just for me!

STRESSFUL SITUATION 1
Vendors: I knew before I even got the ring who I wanted to do what. BIG MISTAKE. Now days weddings are planned so far in advance that you might as well plan a 3 year engagement if you have people in mind for who you want to be your vendors. The day after I got the ring I started calling the photographer, caterer, florist, bands, rental companies, etc.

Call one went something like this. September 28, 2012
Hey _______ I love your photography. I have been dreaming that you would one day do my wedding. The time is now do you have May 25, 2013 available. Well actually I dont have anything until December 2013. Would you like to reschedule your wedding date? If so I can go ahead and pencil you in. Ummmm the date we picked is simply because that is the only date we have so I guess this will not work out. Hang Up Burst into Tears.

Let me just say that this continued on for everyone except the caterer and florist. I called poor Ryan everytime in tears and he would say oh no what happened this time. Eventually I called my friend Kalyn and asked her how in the world did you handle all of this? She is the sweetest thing you will ever meet. In her soft voice she assured me that everything would work out. Just to try to remain calm. I listened to her every word. From the sounds of it all brides go through some form of stress during this process. It may be the same type it may be different but I have yet to talk to anyone where their world was that of a fairytale. I felt better after talking with her. I then called Ryan and we talked and Ryan being the sweet man that he is said look " At the end of the day I just want to spend forever with you. If that means we elope, or if that means we go through all of this to get to that day it does not matter to me. There is a reason things are not working out and I believe it is because something better is right around the corner." Oh ye of little Faith, I should have known the Big Man upstairs had my back and yes everything was under control.

A few days later up pops a photo album of one of my wonderful friends Kimberly Franks who has recently started photography. I instantly sent her a message and got the answer I was looking for. She is open, she will be happy to do it, and most of all I know she will be a pleasure working with. Even better I am saving $4,000.00 dollars...yes you ready that right.

I am learning to Let go and Let God. It's hard but it is much better that way! And now....EVERYTHING is booked and UNDER BUDGET!

STRESSFUL SITUATION 2
Dress Shopping: I went shopping with my friend Shelby for the very first time. I thought the best way to handle the situation would be find the styles I like first then get my parents in on the action. This way I would not have to go through five million options with them I could just have the top 5 or so. The very first dress I put on I LOVED however I felt like my Dad would not like it. So I convienced myself to fall in love with something else. I found nothing else to fall in love with on this visit. I then went to Birmingham by myself and I would one that I thought was perfect and that my Dad would like. It was then time to bring my Mom and MeMe to Birmingham to show them the top dresses. I saved the one I loved for last without ever saying which one I liked. I wanted to see what was their pick before I said a word. My Mom showed up with a picture of two dresses my Dad had sketched. On the paper it said "these are the styles I think will look best on you. What ever the cost do not buy and ugly dress. -Dad" I tried on the first one that I fell in love with because funny it looked exactly like something my dad had drawn (go figure). We continued one after the next until what I thougth was the big reveal. So here I come out of the dressing room in THE DRESS and the look on my MeMe's face said it all. THEY HATED IT. I literally burst into tears right there in front of God and everybody. I went right back into the room and came out in my clothes ready to go. I did not want to buy anything. We went to lunch and I finally had, had enough of dealing with dresses. To be honest I am not that big of a girly girl. Yes I like girly things but to me PICTURES will be the most important part of my day. You will not remember my dress five days after the wedding but you will never forget the SMILE I know I will have on my face all day and in every picture. So we went back and bought the first dress I ever tried on. I of course can't show you the dress, that would break all of Emily Post rules! You will see on May 25, 2013!

STRESSFUL SITUATION 3
The Guest List: Who knew that a wedding could jump from 150-175 to 450 people?? I instructed Ryan to get me his guest list, his parents guest list, I made mine, and then told my parents to do the same. The goal was originally 150-175 people. We are way past that. I am not going to say that I am not stressing it. However, I am learning to roll with the punches and if we are Blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives then so be it.

As time goes on I know more and more will come about that I can fill you in on. I am actually starting to find humor in all of the craziness. However, some exciting things have been happening to us here lately that I can't wait to fill you in on. The first exciting this is ............


NOT SO STRESSFUL SITUATION
We have a WEDDING DIRECTOR!!!! You know that sweet lady I was talking about eariler Kalyn Randolph?? Well she is the type of support system I am talking about you need to have. I have asked her to be a part of my special because she is a precious friend,  wonderful person inside and out, and knows what she is doing when it comes to planning a wedding. She is a woman who Loves the Lord, her husband, cooking and I know she and he husband Tony even thougth younger than us will be a huge guide for us!! I know Ryan is going to look forward to the whole she knows how to cook thing...so I can get lessons!

She also has an amazing blog that you can check out www.lovelaughterhappyeverafter.blogspot.com
So excited for her to be my sidekick. I can rest easy knowing that everything will be perfect!

I was long winded today but I hope that some of you going through some of the same things can get some relief knowing its not just you!!

Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend!