Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Goodbye to 2013

Goodbye to 2013
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
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I've felt the need lately to do a little reflecting. I feel like with every struggle there is also a success and so in order to see all of it, here is my year in review however brief it is.

Success - Wayne finally became full-time in February after 5 long years. Talk about being patient. Yay to health insurance and more money. He LOVES his job and it has been a life-long dream of his to be where he is at and I am so proud of all his hard work this year. Way to go honey!

Struggle - Finding time as a family of 3 or even just the 2 of us. We work opposite schedules so it can be rough sometimes, but I know it is not a forever situation and we are constantly working on our communication skills.

Success - My Husband is working his behind off for the better of our family. We have big dreams for 2014 (buy a house and baby #2).

Struggle - My blog has fallen so behind. It's always the first to go. Sad, but true.

Success – This little blog has helped me meet and make so many new friends this year (locally and nationally). I’m so grateful for this community I’ve found. I also attended BBC in October and made great new connections and met a few people in the flesh and not just through the computer.

Struggle - Building on our savings/house fund. It always seems like there is something more important that comes up.

Success - Wayne and I made HUGE steps in cleaning up our credit. Yay!

Struggle - Keeping up friendships and making time for my girls!

Success - I am so blessed to have the friends that I do and that they understand me and my family and love me through it!

Struggle – Finding a better balance in life in general...full-time paralegal, mommy & wife, part-time blogger and photographer.

Success – I have booked 2 weddings for next Summer. Which may not seem like a lot, but for a side business it's plenty.

Success - Keeping my family healthy and happy. I have the most beautiful little girl that fills my life with more joy than I have ever known and a Husband that works day in and day out in order for us to live. He is the most loving and un-selfish man I know and I am so proud to call him mine.

Happy New Year Friends!!

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Music Monday {Vol. 17}

Music Monday {Vol. 17}
Monday, December 23, 2013
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While I love this song so much, I don't really care for the awkward video. I get the meaning behind it, but I was hoping with this song being so beautiful, that they would make a beautiful video, too.

"Who You Love" by John Mayer featuring Katy Perry



Happy Monday!

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Monday, December 9, 2013

Music Monday {Vol. 16}

Music Monday {Vol. 16}
Monday, December 9, 2013
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I have been listening mostly to country music for the last month or so since the CMA's and I am loving this song and these two so much!

"We Were Us" by Keith Urban featuring Miranda Lambert



Happy Monday friends!

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Friday, November 22, 2013

Five on Friday: TV, More TV & A Movie

Five on Friday: TV, More TV & A Movie
Friday, November 22, 2013
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Happy Friday Friends!

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Can I just tell you how excited I am about Chicago PD? It doesn't start until January, but I love Chicago Fire so much, so I am REALLY looking forward to another new show kind of like it. Plus, Sophia Bush is in it. Who I also love. Win win, right?

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I'm looking at getting a new planner for 2014. I have the Life Planner from Erin Condren right now, but am thinking of changing it up next year and trying the Simplified Life Planner from Emily Ley. It's a little bit cheaper, but not customizable, so I'm just not sure. If I go the more plain route, I really like the momAgenda ones too, which are a lot cheaper. Do you use a planner? If so, what kind?

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So Sexiest Man Alive was named this week...Adam Lavigne. While I do think he is sexy, I'm kind of like whatever. No one can beat Channing Tatum from last year. What do you think?

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes out today! Yay!! So excited. I am hoping to see it this weekend with my family. Are you going to see it?

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My Husband is currently in LA doing a press junket for a new show starting December 4th. It's called Mob City and it will be on TNT. He left yesterday and returns Sunday morning. He saw the premiere last night and he said it's pretty good, so if you're into mob shows of any kind, you should definitely check it out. AND, you might notice that Shane from The Walking Dead is one of the main characters! Yay! I missed him.

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That's all for now. I hope you have a great weekend!

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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Music Monday {Vol. 15}

Music Monday {Vol. 15}
Sunday, November 17, 2013
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I am really loving this song lately. It's not brand new, but they were just on Jimmy Fallon this past week and it made me fall more in love with this song to see their personalities come out.

"Safe And Sound" by Capital Cities (Official Video)



Have a good week friends! Happy Monday!

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Friday, November 15, 2013

Five on Friday: Trippin, Pups & a Giveaway

Five on Friday: Trippin, Pups & a Giveaway
Friday, November 15, 2013
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Happy Friday friends!!

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I'm going to Arizona! It's going to be a quick trip down to the Phoenix area on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving (one way air plane ride), and then Green Grandma, her 4 pups and I are road-trippin it back to Minnesota (in her little convertible I might add...did you read that she has 4 dogs?). Seriously I need a TV show for this trip, cause it will definitely be a TRIP! I'm literally going to be sleeping there and that's it, cause we're heading out the very next morning. Thanksgiving morning. I hope to be back in Minnesota on Saturday. Wish me luck!

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I opened up my email one day this week and got this email from our vet. And although I knew this and I appreciate it, it just made me sad to think about it. :(

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THIS post that Mandy wrote this week! So needed to read it and it came at the perfect time. I so love her and the way she thinks! Be true to yourself please!! As I explained this week in my BBC Recap post, I blog about my life and don't have a niche. I blog to blog, because I love it and want to be able to look back on it. I want to be able to show Hailey as she gets older. I also love the community that there is and the friendships I have made because of it. That's all.

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Be sure to go enter my Target gift card giveaway! It ends on Tuesday!

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And last but not least. There MIGHT be big changes in our personal life happening (no I'm not pregnant), that I hope to share with you all very soon. Sorry for being vague, but I gotta keep it quiet for now. I hope you understand!

Thanks friends! Have a great weekend!

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Thursday, November 14, 2013

My #BBCMPLS Experience

My #BBCMPLS Experience
Thursday, November 14, 2013
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About a month ago I attended Bloggy Boot Camp a/k/a BBC or as to non-bloggers...a blog conference. It was put on by Tiffany and Fran, the ladies behind The SITSgirls.

I would say before-hand if I had to pick one word, it would be terrified.

Absolutely terrified.

I was so out of my comfort zone, I didn't even know what to do with myself. I decided I would go to the Friday night cocktail hour with Collective Bias. I went for the purpose of meeting a few people the day BEFORE the big day, so that way the next day of the actual conference I wouldn't be so freaked out of my mind. And let me just tell you that it helped. Big time. I am so glad I went Friday night. It helped me so much in preparing for Saturday.

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I was hoping that Chelsea and Kenzie would be there and they were. I was so glad to know them, even though I didn't really KNOW them. Ya know? It's weird this little blog community of ours. You feel like you know a person through their blog or twitter, even though you have never actually met face to face. Well, that's how I felt about these two lovelies.

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I was so happy to finally meet them both in person! And let me tell you, they are both just as lovely and beautiful in person as they each are on their blogs!

The reason I was so nervous about the whole thing is because I don't have nearly the following that other bloggers have. I don't have a niche that I blog about consistently. I just blog to blog. Mostly about me and my life and the people in it. I was there for three hours and got to meet a few others as well. I left there feeling really good, more confident and excited for the next day.

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The morning of the conference I woke up bright and early. Made sure Hailey was all set for the day with her auntie Kate and headed out the door with my big purse full of my blog conference necessities.

It was such a great day and flew by faster than anything. My brain was being pumped full of such wonderful knowledge and meeting such great ladies. Some of them I knew in real life, but most of them I did not. I was pleasantly surprised at how many Minnesota bloggers were actually in attendance. We would exchange business cards and I felt like I was making such fun and great connections with everyone I was meeting.

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One things for sure. I didn't take nearly enough pictures. My mind was going a million miles per minute and I was trying to really listen and take everything in I was seeing and listening to. I filled pages and pages of my notebook with notes. I was really trying to stay off my phone and off social media and really be "present."

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After the full day of speakers we had a wine tasting event held by the BBC Team and Mirassou. Such delicious wine. I might have had a couple few glasses of the Mascoto.

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Such fun ladies and some new friends!!

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Here are 3 of my favorite quotes throughout the day. I know there were tons more, but these 3 had the most impact on me.

"Surround yourself with people who are as excited for your success as you are." - @TiffanyRom

"Never, ever be afraid to excuse negative people from your life." - @TiffanyRom

"If it's not a Hell Yea, it's a No." - @DanielleSmithTV

I would have to say afterwards, if I had to pick one word, it would be...inspired. I just can't put it any other way. All the speakers were wonderful and gave really great advice and tips on everything. I've started implementing some of the stuff, but still have lots to work on. I am so glad I put my money, time and energy into attending this conference and if anyone is wondering if they should attend one. I have two words for you:

Do it!!!

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

$40 Target Giftcard {November 2013}

$40 Target Giftcard {November 2013}
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
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Because I reached a few different social media goals, I wanted to celebrate with a giveaway!

400+ Twitter followers
350+ Instagram followers

So in keeping with the "4" theme, how about a $40 gift card to TARGET?

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