My Favorite Things!

This list has been sent out to my family and hinted at numerous times, but now I get to share it with you all as part of the "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" Link-up today! I have been wanting all these things for the past few months, and honestly plan on buying them the day after Christmas if there are any missing from my pile!

1. Calligraphy Set - I've recently started hand-lettering some of my favorite quotes, and putting them around my house and office, as personal encouragements. I feel like having an actual calligraphy set will make this even more fun! This one is a bit pricey, but you get your money's worth from the other smaller kits I was looking at, I also noticed their prices rose just within the past month, I'm assuming for the holidays, if this isn't under the tree I may wait until January to see if it drops down again! 

2. Druzy Ring - I have always loved druzy jewelry, and I have been swooning over the top ring (the platinum). I've probably hinted about this the most so here's hoping this or a similar piece is under the tree!

3. Phone Case - I've been on the hunt for a new phone case, I'm kind of picky, it has to cover the edges, be rubber/silicone, but still feel sturdy, I'm way too paranoid about dropping my phone! I currently have a Fossil case and love the way it feels and fits! This pattern is so much fun, I love the colors, and feel like it's right on the verge between leopard print and floral which I think is so fun! 

4. Faux Fur Blanket  - I haven't met a fur blanket that I don't like! We've been working on revamping our bedroom, and I've decided on this beauty as a throw for the end of our bed! I may break, and get this before Christmas! 

5. Cards for recipe box - I saw these cards in a boutique about a month ago, and fell in love! Since I've been married I've been collecting quite a few recipes. As much as I love Pinterest I hate having to to look for a specific recipe on there and then look at my phone or go back to the app 10 times while I'm making something, and I just love pretty paper so why waste a reason to get some? 

6. Recipe Box - Once I saw the cards above I began a hunt for the perfect box that would match them! I think this box isn't too obnoxious, but it has just the right amount of glam! Can't wait to fill it up with all of my favorite recipes! 

I'm linking up with Elise, Katie, Zelle & April! Check out all of their wishlists! 

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Five on Friday

Wow can't believe we're already back to Friday!! Hope you guys all had a wonderful week!

1. Halloween Giftcard! Our office does a Halloween scavenger hunt every year. Last year my team won. . . and I may have talked some smack to everyone about how my team would be winning again this year! But we did win!!!! $5 Kroger giftcard - I am living the high life! 

2. Saturday Shopping - A friend of a friend was selling all of her open house Christmas decorations, and we went there on Saturday, wow everything was such a great deal, and there were actually a lot of things that weren't Christmas. I got that boxwood wreath for $10, the acorns for $2, and everything was in great shape! We then went to a local gift shop, and I finally found some cotton bolls! I have been looking everywhere for them, and either they don't sell them or they were sold out. I was so excited! Now I just need to decide what I'm going to do with them! I'm thinking a wreath!

3. Birdseed wreath - Speaking of wreaths. . . my Dad's birthday was on Monday, so they are coming up this weekend to celebrate! He absolutely loves birdbaths, birdfeeders, basically anything to do with birds. I found this nifty recipe and made him a wreath and some ornaments! I'll be sharing the recipe next week!

4. Voting = Starbucks - I hope that you voted on Tuesday! As a reward for doing my duty as a citizen I picked up some Starbucks on my way back to work! 

5. Umm Pizza - I couldn't really think of a 5th item, but I am going out for pizza at lunch today, and that always helps me get through a Friday workday!! only 7 hours to go! 


I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth, Meet @ the Barre, Carolina Charm, and The Farmer's Wife! Check out these awesome ladies, all of their blogs will keep you entertained for hours! 

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Current Reading

Wow, I have not keen very good about my reading list this year! I only put 10 books on there, because I knew I hadn't been reading a lot lately and wanted to feel accomplished when I went way above and beyond my reading list. . . that plan didn't work out so well! Here is the list I made at the beginning of the year. I ended up taking off the Monuments Men. . . so really there are only 9 on my reading list. 

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff
 In the middle of this book, it's been very encouraging so far, and I definitely recommend it. 

Divergent, Allegiant, & Insurgent by Veronica Roth
These were an easy read, it only took me about 2 days for each book. They were very interesting, and the movie was a very good adaptation!

The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide by Francine Jay
Wow this book is wonderful! I finished reading it right around when we were moving so it     really helped as I was going through things to sell, donate, throw away. I did not go to the extreme that the book mentioned sometimes, but I do feel like I got rid of some useless things, and streamlined my closet more. I probably need to go through objects in my house again with this "Joy of Less" mindset!

L. O. V. E.: Putting Your Love Styles to Work for You by Les & Leslie Parrott
Hoping to get to this book in December!

The Monuments Men  by Robert Edsel and Bret Witter
The movie was amazing which made me want to read the book, but it just isn't going to happen this year!

Every Woman's Battle  by Shannon Ethridge
 Eh - that's all I have to say about this book, I found it in a pile as I was going through some things, and thought I should read this to see if I would recommend it or could ever use it in the ministry. It was an okay book but I had to force myself to read it, and I think there are better written and more interesting books that cover the same topic matter. 

Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen
Hoping to get to it on Thanksgiving break or maybe December!

Balancing It All: My Story of Juggling Priorities and Purpose by Candace Cameron Bure
This was a good book, she has an interesting writing style that took a while to get used to, but all in all it was very encouraging and challenging!

I still have 3 books to go; L.O.V.E. Love Does, and Water for Elephants. I also really want to re-read the Hunger Games Trilogy before I go to see the movie in November! I also still want to read The Fault in Our Stars so that I can watch the movie! Looks like I'll be pretty busy before 2015. 

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Happy Monday!

Happy Monday! You don't see those words too often, but I had a wonderful weekend, and I'm only working half a day today! So I would call that a happy monday!

We had Pastor Appreciation yesterday at our church, and I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it was! We are so thankful for the church the Lord has put us in. When I was growing up I never even heard of Pastor Appreciation, but our current church (my husband is the Student Ministries Pastor, but there are only 2 pastors so many times he seems like more of an Associate Pastor) goes all out. We had a couple of people who completely ran the service so that the pastors wouldn't have any responsibilities. I know that sometimes pastor's can be overlooked, but this is a wonderful way to show love for the staff you may have at your church! October is Pastor Appreciation Month so you still have a couple days! It can be as simple as getting him his favorite candy bar, or a heartfelt note! We were so overwhelmed at all the love we received, between the kind words said at the pulpit, and the gifts we received! 

 One of the ladies in our church made flower arrangements for the wives, and this bouquet is just too beautiful. Every time she does the altar flowers I love them, she has a knack for finding the perfect balance of arranged and handpicked. 

I loved the decorations they put on the door to the Youth Room! They did such an awesome job! 

Over the weekend we had a gas fireplace put in! There's a little more staining/trim work to do, but I was too excited to not put decor around it! 

She Reads Truth just started their study on Hospitality, and it was already an encouragement! Make sure you go check it out on their site!

Another happy thing I don't have a picture for, is Aaron and I booked our trip to Disneyworld for next year! I've been talking about it since we got married! He seems to think he doesn't like Disneyworld, but he hasn't been since he was 10, and last time they went with his 8 yr old sister and 2 babies, in July, and there was some kind of big convention. Ugh I might not like it under those circumstances either? October 19th I am already counting down the days! 

Hope that you have a wonderful Monday!

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Five on Friday

This week was so busy, and when I am stressed I shop especially online when I'm tired of work. . . probably not the best option, because after the initial rush of joy that comes when you confirm the order comes the dread of having spent money that you're trying to save for new glasses and Disneyworld! But then all those beautiful things come in and you wonder how you lived without them! Here are my top 5 purchases from this week, and most if not all of them I consider fall essentials! 

1.  These shoes! For the past 4 years I have had these beautiful Nine West leather flats, and they were one of my staples every fall, they had gorgeous weaving, were the perfect color, and were so amazingly comfortable!! This past spring they died. . . and I have been on the hunt for a new pair. . . I shared some here that I had my eye on but a few days later when I went to buy them "Sold Out" seriously? Well I came across these Target shoes, and we'll see if they can fit the bill. . . I'm a little nervous, but we'll see!

here

2. Pearls! I dropped one of my pearl studs on the bedroom floor a couple weeks ago, and unfortunately Zeke got to it before I could, it was quite chewed up even in the 1 minute it took to get it out of his mouth, I got this trio of pearls, and they are awesome! I don't really like tiny pearls, but even the smallest size would be acceptable for me in a tight spot. The middle ones I've already work a couple times, and the larger ones make a bit more of a statement, but aren't too obnoxious! 

here

3. Cardigan! I just got this cardigan, and wow I don't ever want to take it off! It's a wool blend so it's warm and oh so cozy! Definitely will be a staple this fall!

here

4. Christmas music! Ok I really can not wait for Christmas! This CD was on sale and Target had the exclusive 2 bonus tracks, so I went ahead and ordered it. (clarification - I was an Idina Menzel fan before Frozen or even Wicked) This is an awesome Christmas CD with alot of well loved songs that have a new twist, and a couple songs you don't hear that often and an original song by Idina. Definitely check it out, if you like something to listen to other than the classics!

here

5. Not technically a purchase. . . but I'm going to see my family this weekend and am so excited to see them! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth, Meet @ the Barre, and the Farmer's Wife! Check out all of these awesome ladies! 

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Sushi & the Opera

Whoever did the design for the opera was amazing! I think it is so beautiful!

Well as you can imagine after that all-nighter on Friday all I wanted to was sleep! But we had tickets to a brand new opera that was premiering just down the street from us! Since my husband was so sweet to come with me, I decided we could go to a sushi place for dinner (I hate sushi- probably stronger than hate, but anyway. . . ) Luckily I think that made him a little bit happier about sitting through an opera with me! 


This opera was so cute, it was written as a children's opera so it was very easy to follow. It was written in English rhyme. It had everything that a fairy tale needs: a princess, a magical quest, a frog you know the deal : ) 

This was the only photo of us we got that night, we didn't even think to charge our phones!

I feel like we didn't even have a weekend from how busy we are! O well! eventually things will slow down, but right now I'm learning to be content with the busyness, and to get things done as fast as I can when I have the chance! Any awesome time-saving tips out there for me? ; ) 

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Five on Friday

I've been off this blog for the past 2 months, and it feels like it has been forever! I figured the best way to jump back in is with my favorite Five on Friday! So here it goes! These are some of my highlights from the week!

1. Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa - This hot chocolate is ssoooo wonderful! Seriously I love salted caramel, in fact a salted caramel mocha is my choice fall drink at Starbucks. I've been having a tasty cup of this almost every night since I found it!

2. Fall decor - I love fall. . . but honestly I don't care that much about decorating for it, I'm basically chomping at the bit to decorate for Christmas!!! But because some of my regular decor is summery/springy (think lemons, pineapples etc.) I decided I should at least switch those things out. So I went down to my Christmas bin and got myself some pinecones. . . they count as fall decor right? And then hit up Dollar Tree for some pumpkins, and paint! Voila my kind of fall decor, subtle but still in season!

3. Alexander, and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day - When I was little my aunt would read this book to me every time I came to visit her. I always loved that book, and was so excited about the movie. . . my husband was a little scared about how excited I was! And it did not disappoint! Seriously, I think if something has Steve Carell in it, it's a pretty safe bet that it will at least be a little funny! But really the entire show was just cute, and so funny! Check it out!

4. The Three Feathers - You guys, my husband seriously loves me! We are having an all-nighter with the youth group tonight. . . yes you read that right! an all-nighter. . . bring on the coffee and Pib Extra! Well there is an original opera that is premiering over at VT this weekend, I mentioned it in passing to Aaron, one of those "I know we can't go, but isn't it awesome that it's premiering here, and I'm sure it would be wonderful. . . " and that amazing man said we should go! So the plan is all-nighter from 8PM-8AM sleep 8AM-5PM opera 7PM-10PM my dream Saturday huh?

5. Mocassins - These wonderful slippers were a surprise from my husband yesterday! These kind of slippers are my absolute favorite, and I wear them out in public way too often. . . 

Hope that everyone had a wonderful week, and that your weekend is much more restful than mine! I'm so glad to be back in the blogging world, and the plan is that you'll be hearing from me more! Hopefully, I can keep it up!

I'm linking up with Carolina Charm, Meet @ The Barre, The Farmer's Wife, and Lauren Elizabeth! Check these awesome ladies out, they are some of my favorites!

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