Wedding Showers Bring May Flowers

My amazing bridesmaids hosted our first wedding shower this past Saturday! I was so excited but nervous at the same time. I was so scared no one was going to show up....not really sure why but for some reason it was a concern. Good news....people did show up!!

I am having a southern barn wedding. The girls took this idea and incorporated it into a shower. They used burlap, logs, and southern style foods! It was ADORABLE!!! When you walked in they had a sign in table set up with two baskets that I had registered for to hold the gift cards and favors (most amazing cookies ever).I thought that was a cute touch that also went along with the southern theme.

We invited both guys and girls so that it would be a fun event for all of our friends! We really enjoyed getting to see our friends and catch up. It was nice to be home for a weekend.

Well glad to know Ryan made it in a couple of pictures! You can tell who loves the pictures in our relationship. We did not get pictures with some people because I was talking and forgot. I am so glad someone brought it to my attention that I was not getting pictures. You know what ...of all things Ryan and I did not even get a picture together.

We are so blessed to have great friends and family. We were loaded up with gift cards and presents and we could not be more thankful. BLESSED BLESSED BLESSED is all I can say. Thank you to everyone who made this day so special for us.

I thought long and hard as to what gift we should give the hostesses for this shower. I have always been told you give a gift based on the theme of the shower. Well I did not want us to give them just a gift card so I came up with an overflowing cup. Psalm 23 talks about a cup overflowing with blessings and that is what I feel our life is like. So we stuffed cute coffee mugs full of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and soup. We also included a gift card inside the cup. I think it turned out really cute and it really was from the heart.

As I mentioned earlier Landi came into town from Texas for the weekend. I was so excited to see her. It was so nice to be able to catch up and just see her precious smiling face. On Sunday before she flew out we met and had breakfast. Before we left she told us she had something for us. I can't wait to share with you the most thoughtful items that Landi gave us.

First a hanger made for my wedding dress so that I can have pretty pictures of it hanging.

Then she had forks engraved with our wedding date with "I Do" and "Me Too" for us to eat our cake with!!! I LOVE THEM so MUCH.

I love sentimental gifts and will cherish these forever.

I will remember this time in my life forever.

Florida State Visit

As many of you faithful readers know I just got back from Tallahassee for work. It was a good trip but somewhat stressful. I love being able to see all of these amazing places where our company is expanding. However, I am traveling to work not just enjoy a vacation. While there I go and "shop" the comps (check out our competition), then I make trips to the University to see good places to market, also I get a feel for the market and what works/doesn't work here, last I give tips and suggestions for what I believe will help bring in the leases.

The past few days have brought back so many memories of being at the Retreat as a Leasing Manager. We have been so busy I have been able to help answer phones and give tours while I have been here. That is the job that got me to where I am today. I remember the crazy days of running around signing leases, 15 phones ringing at the same time, giving tour after tour to seal the deal, bar nights, trivia nights, etc. It's crazy to think that I was doing that just a few short months ago.

The tress at Florida and Florida State are to die for. I love mossy trees!! So Southern

Another thing I have reminisced about are the fun times that you have with a staff mixed of college students and adults. It is great to see students get their first job and be successful at it. It is so exciting to see someone get a lease that they worked so hard for. Most of all it is a great feeling knowing you have a staff looking up to you even though they pretend they are hardball's and they know it all.

 I would be so skinny if I went to school here. It is a long walk no matter where you want to go on campus. However, they do make the Legacy Walk pretty nice so that the walk is not that bad!

Beautiful monuments in the middle of campus. I was working at this time so I just had to snap the picture and go. So I don't really have all the details about this.

The Florida State Student Union. Not really nice on the outside but it had a bowling ally inside, lots of really nice food chains, and a neat area to sit outside and enjoy your lunch!

I loved getting a taste of Leasing again at a new start! It was such a great trip! Florida State University is a beautiful campus. I had a blast out Marketing to the college students. I for once was ready for a trip to be cut short....only because I knew what the weekend had in store!

I left after purchasing this........Let's just say my opinion has changed of Florida State!

Next up will be all of the fun that I had at our FIRST WEDDING SHOWER this weekend!!!!!

Sometimes we just need a Lazy day!

I must say I have been nothing but LAZY this weekend. Minus my workout each day I have literally laid around and watched TV. I am gearing up for a busy week so I will excuse myself.

On Tuesday I am heading out to Tallahassee, Florida for a few days. I love work trips. Sounds crazy I know. They all tell me one day the traveling will get old. So far it is not getting to me. Since I am still so new I think that helps. I am getting to see places, properties, meet people and staff's that I have never met before. Each trip brings something new to the table for me to learn. I went from having a portfolio of 3 properties to now having 25 and growing. It is a different world but I LOVE what I do and I LOVE the student housing industry. "Find a job that you love to do and you will never feel like you have worked a day in your life."

During this trip I will be helping a start up property market, host focus groups, and make connections with the local Universities. For those of you who know me I LOVE to talk. All of these things involve talking, talking and more talking. Even more exciting I will be doing this with one of my co-workers who is from Mississippi but currently lives in Cincinnati. His nickname is Big Country. Let's just say they are sending the two countriest (not even a word) people to take on Tallahassee. CAN NOT WAIT. 

Once I get home Thursday night I will re-pack my bag and leave Friday morning to head to my second home Tuscaloosa. Ryan and I are having our first wedding shower this weekend. There are so many exciting things about this weekend beyond it's out first wedding shower. 

On my way down to Tuscaloosa I will stop in Birmingham at the airport and pick up one of my best friends Landi. You can check out her amazing blog here. I have listed our history before but let me give a short rundown again. Landi actually was a Community Assistant for me at one of the properties I was a Leasing Manager. In other words I was her "boss" is you want to call it that. Landi needed no boss. She was WONDERFUL in every sense of the word. She always went above and beyond anything I ever asked her to do. The more time we spent together the more we began to talk on a non-work related level. Even though she is younger than me, she is mature beyond her years. I have never met anyone with such a giving heart in all of my life. She will do anything for anyone who needs it and even those who don't. It is not everyday that you come across people like her. I am so thankful to call her my friend. She is now back at TCU finishing her degree in Interior Design. We may not talk as often as we would like but the minute we pick up the phone it is right back to where we left off. With that being said, I have not seen her in over a year. I am literally jumping for JOY that I get to see her for 2 days this weekend. 

After I get Landi I will head on to Tuscaloosa to get my hair done by the wonderful Emily. To say that I love my hairdresser in Tuscaloosa is an HUGE understatement. I miss her so much. I am so happy that I booked her in enough time to make sure she will be doing my wedding day do. It says a lot for your work when a client is willing to take a day off work to plan a hair appointment and be coming form Atlanta. Let's just say I have got her a mess of a head of hair to work on. These roots are out of control.

What I looked like when I walked in to see Emily on one of my last visits. 

What I looked like when I left. New highlights and some beautiful curls. 

Saturday, my bridesmaids are hosting our first shower. It is going to be a gift card shower. These have become very common in the past few years and I am thrilled they chose to do this for me. All of my friends that had one said it was super helpful to get the final things that you need that you don't happen to get. The invitations were the absolute cutest things ever. My friends know me way to well. Ryan and I can't wait to see all of our friends-wedding party. Get ready I will have a large post coming up after this weekend. 

The most important/exciting part about this weekend is we get to see a lot of the people who have played an important part of our lives-relationship. I would not be half of the person I am today without all of the relationships that I have made along the way. Tuscaloosa is my home away from home. I would live there forever if I could. I spent the last 8 years of my life there. When I packed up and left for my new job venture it was really hard. I was leaving my Church, being close to my family, friends, and a life that I had made for myself. I am so proud of the decision I made with taking this job. It is just so nice being able to go back and be in my comfort zone for a weekend. Get ready Tuscaloosa I'm coming home and I CAN'T WAIT. 

Just a few pics that bring back great memories. I could pull old pics for days!!!

Furniture that gets better with time

Have you ever bought something that you really really love?? Of course we all do but then we get over it with time.

Well a few years ago when I got my second promotion(the first one with a true sign of financial growth) I decided I wanted new bedroom furniture. I was still using the furniture that I had when I was growing up. I love it and I want to keep it but I wanted something grown up, something that was up to date, and something that fit me. I talked with my dad and asked him to help me purchase it and I would pay him back with each paycheck. He agreed to do so and we went on the hunt.

I decided to go with a set from Pier One. The headboard is light blue and fabric covered. It also has a bench that matches the headboard that I sit at the foot of the bed. The nightstands as well as the dresser are mirrored. It is so me and beautiful!!! The other day I was cleaning my room after a trip for work. I looked at my dresser and thought I am so proud that I bought this for myself. Even more than that I fell in love with it all over again.

This furniture will forever be a reminder of my second promotion, my responsibility as an adult with managing money,  and my first large purchase of value!

Take a peek at why I am so proud!! Yes, Ryan and I will be a football family so the football is from our engagement pics...I had to keep it.

Working on my Fitness

So I mentioned a few weeks ago at the beginning of the month that I was starting to eat better to become a HOTT BRIDE for my Ryan. Well I am happy to report that I am down 10.9 pounds.

I have been working really hard and making exercise a daily part of my life even if it is from my own home. When I am tired or just don't want to work out with a lot of people I do my "Walk away the pounds" DVD. It is great and let me tell you Leslie does not play. I sweat more than if I were laying out in 100 degree weather with no water to cool off with. It sounds easy but it is by far the fastest walking I have ever done. I have worked up to doing 2 miles back to back she does 5. I am going to keep working on it but it will be a while before I can do all 5 and make it out alive!!

I drink enough water a day to supply the Pacific Ocean. I have not had a diet coke in over 2 weeks....MIRACLE. Ryan wanted Mexican this weekend and i only ate about 5 chips...another MIRACLE. Mexican is my FAVORITE food without a doubt. I have been so proud of myself for watching what I eat. I use My Fitness Pal which is a lifesaver when it comes to traveling and dining out.

Next I would like to introduce you to my little friend.....

Friends meet WORST THING EVER
Worst thing ever meet my friends

Let me tell you stopping working out when I moved to Atlanta was a bad decision. It is so much harder getting back in the swing of things than I ever dreamed. Biggest Loser is one of my all time favorite shows. They always use the "worst thing ever" and shed pounds like crazy. I know they are doing so much more than just this but it is a fast calorie burner. I see the contestants never giving up and just pushing through. That is when the trainers tell them they are really getting their best workout. I usually do the worst thing ever for about 15 minutes and feel like I am dying. Tonight I decided to push myself and try to make it to 30 minutes. I made up in my mind that I was going to do it no matter how bad it hurt. WIth my determination along with a text messaging Fiance who is supportive, I DID IT. My body hates me right now but I DID IT!!! I could not be more proud of myself. It really is mental...the pain is horrible but if you keep pushing you can do it. I am proof of it. Why yes, I will give myself a gold medal tonight!

Friday starts my company Peak Biggest Loser contest. I really really want to win it because their is money involved. More than that it would mean that I worked really hard to accomplish becoming a HOTT BRIDE. I can't wait for it to start so that all of my co-workers and myself can encourage one another to get fit. It's actually fun getting healthy when you have others around you doing the same thing. I will keep you all updated where I stand each Friday on weigh ins.