Last Minute Gift Ideas

If you're in need of some last minute gift ideas for the hard to buy for people in your life I have the perfect things for you. 

1.) Ipsy
  I joined Ipsy a few months ago, was on a waiting list for just a few weeks, and now have received a glam bag for the month of November and December.  Every time I receive the "your package has been delivered!" message I get all giddy and feel like it's Christmas morning as I run out to our mailbox and spot the bright pink package that is alll for me.  
To me, what makes this subscription so appealing is that it's only $10 a month and you receive $60+ worth of full size products, you can cancel at any time, it's free shipping, and your bag is personalized for you.
Head on over to the website and start a subscription for the ladies in your life (or yourself..:))!  It will be so fun for them to continue to get a gift even after the holidays are over.   I forgot to mention that your products will arrive in a nice little cosmetic bag!  

My December glam bag included the following products, if I would have purchased each product separately the total would have been right around $76!

(nail polish not pictured)

Bombshell The One Stick-$16
POP Brighten Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio- Wasn't able to find the exact one online but a larger one is going for $24
J.Cats The Big Lip Pencil-$3.99
Mirabella Eye Blender Brush-$27.00 can you believe that?!  All in a $10 glam bag.
Nicka New York Nail Color-$4.99

2.) Dollar Shave Club
I got Kyle a subscription to the Dollar Shave Club and ended up cancelling after 3 months because he was stocked up!  Another great subscription that you can cancel at any time and there are three different options: a $1, $6, and $9 a month package, shipping included.  In your first package you will receive a shaver handle and four blades (5 blades with the $1 package), every month after the first you will receive just the blades.  

3.) Spark Box
Something for the little munchkins in your life!  For $23.95 shipping included you will receive a box filled with age appropriate educational toys, after 8 weeks you send back the toys and then you receive another box.  I think this is a great idea because kids grow out of/get tired of toys so quickly.  How fun to be sent a new batch of toys every couple of months!

4.) BarkBox
You didn't really think I'd leave out the pups did you? Never! I love BarkBox not only because they send great toys, all-natural treats, hygiene products, and new gadgets but also because 10% of proceeds from each box goes towards supporting pups in need.  Price starts at $19/month but before signing up look for promo codes.  They always have them!

I hope this helps in your gift buying dilemmas!

Photo Dump and a Trader Joe's Fav

December is by far the busiest month for my family.  I'm convinced we're more than a little crazy because somehow for the second year in a row we are moving in the month of December.  I remember during our move last year I swore up and down that I would never move in December again yet here we are... told you we're crazy oh and it's -4 in Bemidji.  But as Kyle always says,  "we just overcome and adapt" and drink lots of wine along the way.  

On top of packing for our big move, we've celebrated my sister's 30th birthday with a surprise party, dinner and a concert, and dinner again on her actual birthday.  We celebrate birthdays BIG in our family:)  Now for the pictures I've snapped so far during the whirlwind that is December (and some from November)…

The Birthday Girl

Kyle's work party was LEGIT and so much fun.  This adorable bear was our centerpiece and we got to take him home with us:)  Also, I highly dislike selflies but I needed a pic with my new friend.

There were also 4 or 5 different photo booths at the party and we couldn't resist dressing up in festive gear!

Union Depot tree lighting, Rudolph, and a birthday dessert

Girls night in with Brenna and Bella

The night before Thanksgiving with some of my dearest friends.  

The night before Thanksgiving, we are SO thankful for our friends.

Hanging out with Hadleigh, love this girl to pieces.

Heaven in a cup, creme brûlée coffee with peppermint mocha creamer.  

Busted Bella sleeping ON my pillows.  You better believe I changed my pillow cases STAT.   Don't let that face fool you, she has two beds of her own and is SPOILED and guilty.

Festive wine at my parents house.
 Find these glasses here.

And as I promised, my current Trader Joe's favorite…

They are SO quick and easy to make and delicious!

I hope you are all enjoying the festiveness of the season and staying warm!

Wedding Update!

We just hit the 10 month mark, that is crazy to me.  It's true what they say, the time really does fly by and now that we're under a year I feel like I really need to get everything done, like yesterday.

We got an amazing deal on the DJ company that our venue recommended.  They've won numerous awards and I know they will keep the party going and all of our crazy guests on the dance floor:)  If you're in MN check out Midwest Sound.  Friendly tip: Join The Knot and you will receive great email offers for DJs, photographers, and much more!

We had our tasting event a couple of weeks ago and it was LEGIT.  We were allowed to bring two other people and it was set up buffet style with all options from wine to main entrées.  It was so nice to be able to make some decisions on what we will be feeding our guests at our wedding:)  We ended up choosing salmon, chicken cordon bleu, and for the vegetarian option we chose butternut squash ravioli.  It was SO good, I'm 98% sure that is what I will choose.  We will also be doing a cocktail hour with light appetizers and a late night snack of pizzas.  Our friends and family will be doing a lot of dancing and drinking so the late night snack is absolutely necessary;)

At our venue for the tasting event.

I also chose my hair and makeup team.  It's a company called Onsite Muse.  They travel to wherever you are getting ready and you just let them know how many people need hair/makeup and they bring enough stylists to accommodate your number!  The girl who used to do my hair (I haven't had my hair done in awhile:)) is one of the stylists so that's how I found out about their company.  They have also won awards so I think we're in good hands!

Next on my list is deciding what we want to do for flowers and also booking a photo booth.  This is what I'm loving for centerpieces and flowers… (side note:how did we survive before Pinterest?)

via

source unknown

source unknown 

via

source unknown

                                                      I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and weekend!

                                                   xo

Life Update

Sorry for being MIA again folks, it has been quite the week.

First, we found a place to live in Bemidji!  We set up three more places to look at and we liked all three of them.  A welcome change from the first time we looked at houses.  It was a tough decision but we ended up choosing what would be most comfortable for us. We figured the move "up north" would be a big enough change so we didn't need to get all crazy and live in a cabin in the woods off a dirt road.  As much as I liked the idea of singing Dirt Road Anthem all the way there.  It's such a relief to have that very large piece of the puzzle complete.

Our cute little humble abode.

I went back and forth on whether or not I wanted to share the next large change that happened over the last week but in the end I decided it might be therapeutic to write it all out.  It's a huge part of this year and I don't want to pretend like it just didn't happen.  So here it is...

The day after we found a place to live in Bemidji, I got laid off.

How's that for terrible timing?  I've been doing my best to stay positive but it sucks.  Plain and simple. I know there's never a "good" time to get laid off but this sure has to be one of the worst possible times.  (bring wine)
One month before Christmas. Five weeks before relocating for K's job. Ten months before our wedding. 
One of the main reasons the relocating for K's job was even possible was the fact that I worked from home.  My mind is going in a million different directions so I just need to get through the holidays and the move and then I will figure out my game plan.  I'm over 2013.  I feel like I need a new year to start fresh.  Good thing it's only 37 days away, but who's counting?:)
Looking at the bright side, I'm thankful to have had my job for as long as I did, the skills and experience I received, and now I have plenty of time to pack up for our move, rock around the Christmas tree, and get some more wedding planning done!
 
                                               

                                                                               via

 

                

Thanks for listening, friends.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Cartwheel by Target

First, an update on the house hunting...we found nothing. Zip. Zilch.  We looked at 5 different properties, and lets just say the pictures we received beforehand were very deceiving.  We are going up there again to look at a couple more, say a little prayer for us!

Now, onto the handy app called Cartwheel.  If you shop at Target and haven't downloaded it yet, get on that. Like now.

The app is free and saves you money, how can you beat that?  All you do is browse through their current offers and add the ones that you will use.  Then, have the cashier scan the bar code on your Cartwheel app and the savings are applied.  Plus, if you have a Target Redcard the savings just pile up!

I'm extra obsessed with it right now because the holiday offers have arrived.  Here are a few of my favorites...

1.) Chapstick Holiday Lip Balm- Perfect for little stocking stuffers and since you're getting 10% off you might as well pick one up for yourself while you're at it.
2.) Ugly Holiday Sweaters- I prefer to call them sweet ass holiday sweaters and I would rock one every day of December if I had enough. Hey, maybe I will add to my collection since they're 15% off .
3.) Holiday Flannel Sheet Sets- 20% off
4.) Mrs. Meyers Holiday Cleaning Products- 20% off
5.) Holiday Doormats- 15% off

Happy Cartwheelin' my friends!

Weekend getaway and some news...

I am SO looking forward to 2 pm when I am done with work for the day and heading on a little weekend trip with K "up north".  We're heading to Bemidji, MN which is about 3.5 hours away. 

And guess WHAT?!  If we really like it up there, we get to stay!  Actually, come January 1st we have to stay.  Oh yes my friends, we are moving. To Bemidji.  Away from our dear friends and family. But only a car ride away. 

K got a new job, a job he just couldn't pass up and I 100% agree.  I will say though, I wasn't on board with this whole moving idea at first.  Actually, I think our first conversation about it went a little like this...

K: Sooo there's this position in Bemidji...
B: Hell no.

Needless to say I needed some time to think about it.  Now, a month later I can honestly say I'm a little excited.  It's a temporary move, completely drivable, and a new little town to explore together. 

Let's be honest though, it was really the fact that it's the home of  the World's Shortest Parade OR that there's a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue there that sold me on it.  Try not to be jealous.

So our weekend getaway is actually more like a weekend to find somewhere to live.  I was starting to get a little worried and discouraged because there really wasn't a whole lot to choose from but somehow in the past week we've lined up 8 potentials to take a look at.  That's pretty promising!

Wish me  us luck my friends! 

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Dip

If you're looking for a quick and easy snack recipe that everyone will love, here it is!  My sister and I threw it together before going to a Halloween party and everyone from kids to adults kept talking about how good it was.

 

 

 

Happy Halloween (eve)! 

This year...

I'm not one to complain about life's happenings. I constantly think about how much worse things could be and it brings me back to reality and being thankful for all that I have.

But...this year has been pretty brutal. I first want to say that this post may turn into a babble fest and also that I strive to use this blog as a documentation of my life, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I'm happy to say every post has been positive up until this point but I'm about to get real with you. No one's perfect, life's not always a bed of roses and I will not claim otherwise on here.  It's life.

A lot of things have happened in the past few months and I've kept quiet about all of it. I feel like I need to vent, get it all out and let my wall down, maybe even cry a little bit.  So here we go...

It's safe to say this year has been one giant roller coaster.  In the same week, actually within two days, my dear friend Becky's mother passed away after battling cancer for years and the next day I received the call that my former boyfriend died of a heart attack at the age of 32.  A heart attack. At the age of 32. While playing softball.  How does that happen? Kyle and his friends, all around the age of 30, play softball. It could happen to anyone and it shook me to the core.

Our relationship didn't end badly.  We had an immense amount of respect for each other, we just simply weren't made for each other.  He started dating his girlfriend right around the same time as Kyle and I started dating.  At the time of Jesse's death they had a 2 year old little boy and a baby girl on the way.  All I could think about was the pain his girlfriend had to be feeling.  How do you go on?  You're carrying a child, you have a little boy that needs you and you have to go on, there's no other option.  Little things will trigger memories of Jesse and I honestly still can't believe he's gone.

This year has also included people in my life enduring miscarriages, a suicide, loss of job, etc... Yes, there's an etc.

Over the weekend we received another blow to the heart.  My dear grandma JuJu (Judy but we endearingly call her Gma JuJu) was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.  The very cancer that took Jean's life just months ago.  Of course everyone thinks they have the best grandma but I beg to differ. My grandma dances to "Hey Jude" with us at our favorite local bar, wears blue eye shadow, loves Culvers, gives me and my sisters $25 checks and tells us to buy ourselves a "treat", and makes cookies that everyone close to us knows and raves about.

Just my awesome grandma dancing to Gangnam Style, no big deal.

 

She had surgery to assess the full situation and remove whatever possible on Sunday.  The Dr. seemed hopeful and said that after about 4 weeks of recovery from the surgery she could start chemo.  That was until she had complications from the surgery including an infection and her recovery time has basically not even began yet.  She now needs to recover from this infection, then we can work on her recovery from the surgery, and THEN she can start chemo.

4 generations hanging out at our favorite local bar/restaurant (don't worry it's child friendly;))

My parents drove out to Madison (about 4 hrs from us) to go be with her on Sunday and yesterday my sisters and I made the drive out there.  We are her only grandchildren, are very close with her, and just had to be there.  It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do.  She's intubated right now but is completely here mentally which makes it even more frustrating because she sits there and listens to all of our conversations and us talking to her and she can't reply back to us.  The minute we walked in the room she started crying. This of course sent all of us into tears and we immediately began comforting her and telling her everything would be okay.  Comforting our sweet, scared, and very sick grandma who just months ago was shopping, drinking wine, and dancing with us is just surreal.  She has a board that has letters and pictures on it so that she can at least communicate in that way, spelling out words and pointing at pictures.  You know what she spelt out once?  "Pray for me" so this is not me asking you to send prayers in her direction, it is grandma JuJu asking and how can you deny someone who wears bright blue eye shadow  so sweetly asked for prayers?  She also remembered it was my dad's birthday and that she was supposed to have a hair appointment today that needed to be canceled.  That's my gma.

 

Maybe that's why we get along so well...



While thinking of all of the heart ache that has occurred this year I couldn't help but think about all of the blessings this year has also brought.  Three of my friends brought sweet babes into the world, a new job for Kyle, our engagement, weddings, and my friend's sister received a new heart which she needed so very badly. Blessings.

Though I've endured my fair share of devastation this year it leaves me feeling so grateful for my support system and knowing things could be much, much worse.

Ain't that the truth.

Photo Dump!

Between a bachelorette party, pumpkin decorating with my girls, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert concert, and a wedding it has been one memorable month already!  (It's already the 18th, how did that happen?)

My friends Karissa and Andy got married last weekend.  Being friends with the bride AND groom since high school makes for one bad ass wedding.  All of my closest friends were there and we had a blast!  

You might notice I have zero photos of the actual ceremony.  I read this blog post and was convinced to try the "unplugged" approach on my own.  Let me tell you, it was a completely different wedding ceremony experience!  I was able to witness every sweet moment of that wedding without staring down at my camera trying to get it set to the right setting.  And guess what?  Most ceremonies have this person called a photographer that will capture those moments, and they're sort of good at what they do;)

Before the wedding we obviously had to celebrate Karissa's last few weeks as a Ms...here are a few of the blog appropriate photos:)

The Reception 

Pumpkin Decorating

I hope you all have a great fall weekend!

Personalized Gifts

It occurred to me the other day that I'm sort of a personalized gift pro.  It all started about 6 years ago when I met my nanny family, homeboy had EVERYTHING.  Do you know how hard it is to buy for someone who literally has everything they could possibly want and more?  Consider yourself one lucky son of a gun if you have never had to deal with that pain in the ass challenge.

I'm going to save you all a giant headache and share with you the products I've purchased that I can completely recommend, all you have to do is follow the link and purchase it for the difficult to buy for person in your life.  You. Are. Welcome.

Baby Blanket- I've purchased this blanket as a gift two different times.  The first time was over 2 years ago, enduring many washes and still looks and feels the same. DEAL ALERT!  Personalization Mall ALWAYS sends promo codes. The current one is COMPLETE88 and gets you 20% off your order.

Love Canvas- On sale right now PLUS 20% off with promo code above!
   

Wedding Day Champagne Flutes- From Personalization Mall also so snag the above promo code!
  

I See Me Books- I adore these books. The colors are amazing, perfect quality, and they are such sweet stories.  What child doesn't like reading a book about themselves?  Such a great keepsake! I have purchased the three below and I think I enjoy reading them just as much as the munchkins.  They also have personalized place mats, puzzles, coloring books, and lunch boxes.  Promo codes are also available for these books:
 
Promo code for 15% off My Very Own Name items is PERFECT
Promo code for 15% off Pirate items is PIRATE
Promo code for 10% off any order is GRAND10
 

Makeup Bag- I love these little cosmetic bags for gifts. Fill them up with some cute jewelry, lip gloss, lotions, or whatever the women in your life like and you have a thoughtful little gift.  And of course I wouldn't share a good buy with you without having a promo code to also share:)  Get 15% off with promo code COMPLETEKS

 

Money Clip- I was so hesitant to post any of the things I've purchased from Things Remembered because every time I leave that store I leave feeling like I was completely robbed.  This money clip is worth mentioning because there's not many ways they can secretly get more money out of ya with it's simple engraving and inability to add any "extras".

  

Good night all! 



Mom's Chili

I have been seriously slacking in the blog world.  I apologize!  It was one hell of a week last week but I'll touch on that at a later date.

On Saturday evening we went to my parent's house for dinner and a bonfire.  My mom made her chili and apparently I didn't eat enough of it on Saturday night (this is a lie, I definitely had my fair share but it's just THAT good) so I decided to make a batch for myself and K on Sunday night. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 large onion diced
• 1 cup celery chopped
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 can tomato soup
• 1 can chili with beans
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1-3 tablespoons chili powder depending on how spicy you want it, we basically dump half the container in.
• 1 tablespoon diced tamed jalapenos (see packaging below), again, we like spice so I had these but my mom's recipe doesn't actually call for them. 

Directions:

• Brown meat
• Add all other ingredients and simmer at least one hour on stove or crock pot, the longer you let it simmer the more flavor you will get!
• Top with sour cream, cheese, chili cheese Fritos....ya know, whatever your heart stomach desires.

Chili is officially the easiest meal ever.

Bachelorette Party!

Last weekend two of my friends and I threw our good friend Becky a shower/bachelorette party.  We started the night with your typical bridal shower happenings-food, drinks, games, and gift opening.  After the bridal shower was over we moved the party downstairs where the night was about go from PG to R!  Becky opened her bachelorette themed gifts complete with breaks for jello shots and then we played a game of pin the *beep* on the hunk.  We then headed to downtown Stillwater for bar hopping and more party shenanigans.  It was SO fun for everyone to let loose and to have a good portion of our girlfriends together and having way too much fun, if that's even possible.  I wish I would have taken more pictures of the bridal shower but let's be honest, the bachelorette party pictures is where it's really at!

 

 

 

 

Happy, Happy, FRIDAY!