Simple Living

62. 62 days I have been sleeping on an air mattress. 62 days with no furniture (minus our really sweet Wal-Mart lawn chairs). It has been a long 62 days my friends. I have heard the horror stories of military move, things being broken or misplaced but I wish someone had warned me about the dreadfully long process. We are finally supposed to be receiving our furniture today and let me tell you I have never been so excited about a lamp before in my whole entire life.

I have a tiny confession though, it really hasn't been all that horrible. In fact I am rather used to having nothing and it makes cleaning a place pretty easy and nothing to stub your toe on. Bonus points for klutzy people like my husband and I.

 We had friends come down to visit over Labor Day weekend, plans that were made long before we realized that it takes this long to receive our furniture. Aaron and I were  worried and felt like the worst hosts ever. I mean sure come on down we have no bed for you to sleep on or no table for you to eat off of, no biggie. However my graceful friend assured us that no furniture was no big deal and it really wasn't. Their kids thought we were the coolest people ever. I mean a house with no furniture equals lots of running around and tumbling. We ate off the floor and had puff ball fight in the living room, adults included. It was a pretty phenomenal time all around. Now I will admit that I have a slight attachment to things but living with only half my closet and no couch has me really thinking that when did all this "stuff" become necessity?
By the end of my friends trip she was ready to go home and sell all her furniture herself. Granted when the movers show up today I am by no means turning them away but it makes me really consider downsizing all the "stuff" we think we have to have.

I'm sorry I have been MIA. Moving to Texas is a huge adjustment. Has anyone been to Texas before? It sucks, but we will save that for a different day. ;)

what i wore + ily couture

Guys, this necklace is stunning. The mixture of colors plus the beads and flowers creates a dramatic, girly necklace that will look great on anyone! Everyone was gushing over it and I received so many compliments, rightfully so because it's pretty spectacular.



Though the necklace has a lot going on I still decided to pair it with my Victoria Secret mix print top. I thought the two worked well together and personally I thought this was the best neckline of a shirt to pair with this necklace. It is important to remember when you have such a big statement piece like this that you keep everything else pretty simple. Note my nude peep toe wedges, which by the way have been one of my best purchases this past year. Target clearance and I wear them constantly! A simple tee, jeans and wedges dress it up a little but keep it simple enough  for a day of shopping with the girls or a casual lunch with the other half.


ILY couture is a pretty fantastic site where I also snagged up a couple of tees. They have a wide variety of statement necklaces which are the in thing right now and a super cute "preggers" shirt that I am definitely going to snag up once the time is upon us! Plus when you sign up for their mailing list you receive 15% off your first order! So what are you waiting for! Go scoop up a gorgeous necklace!

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

All thoughts are my own, duh. ILY Couture did not ask me to publish this post, I just love their stuff! :)

high five for friday

Thank goodness for 3 day weekends! Seriously, can I get an amen?

 I'm heading to the local fireworks tonight with my parents, nothing too exciting but I like to stick with tradition.

Carlos O Kelly's recently closed in a neighboring town which was by far my favorite place to eat so I'm heading up north Saturday to eat at one with a few friends before I move down to Texas. Carlos O Kelly s is the only Mexican restaurant I enjoy and lets admit it, it's probably nothing close to Mexican food. We hit up a few Mexican restaurants in Texas and I was not very impressed. I have too many people in my life that are Mexican fans, I'd rather stick with my good ol' cheeseburger and fries.

Sunday funday will involve going to see Deliver us from Evil. I'm all for scary movies, though I do prefer to watch them with my husband instead of a bunch of jumpy girls, haha. 

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend, I know I am!

1. I know I already said this but seriously, 3 day weekend. It has to make my number 1 spot.

2. Yea, check out this mess. I finally got off my butt and started tagging things for the garage sale the parents and I are having next weekend. I'm about halfway through and already had a few people rummage through and  buy some things. I have made a little over a $100 so far. 

3. Aaron has been sending me links to websites of apartments in San Angelo. They all pretty much have exercise rooms and swimming pools. Win! I am getting very excited to be moving soon. Though I am not looking forward to packing again, boo!

4. I finally broke down and bought a pair of earrings from Nickel & Suede. If you haven't checked out their earrings you probably should. I know I will be wearing mine a lot. Of course I bought the yellow! They also have free shipping this weekend with code, FREEDOM, so it's perfect to pick up a pair. (Photo borrowed from their site) 

5. I am currently reading the 4th book in the Immortal Instruments series. I'm addicted. I drive down to my little spot in the shade at a nearby park during my lunch hour and have to force myself to remember that I do have to eat besides read the book. If you are into the Harry Potter series or Percy Jackson series I'm sure these books will gladly satisfy your book cravings. Though Harry Potter will always be my fav, don't even joke.

Song stuck in my head this week:  

Check out Lauren Elizabeth's High five for Friday!

All thoughts are my own, duh.

high five for friday!

It's Friday guys, whoo! We have survived another work week. I know it's a horrible way to look at it, "surviving". Just some weeks though...
My husband and I had a recent conversation about this. We are both really struggling with the day to day activities without each other. It seems to have gotten worse since his graduation we are just so close to being back together that some days I just feel like I'm not fully immersing myself into the day and everything is just automatic. Anyone else ever get like this? I know once we are back together life will feel more back to "normal"... whatever that is. :)

This weekend will be pretty low key and involve lots of packing and pricing items for a garage sale. I have far too much stuff and I am trying readlly hard to downsize.. doesn't really work though when you have more coming in then going out, whoops. Anyone else ready to start a group, Shopaholics Annoymous? Sign me up!

Highlights of my week

1. My husband finally reached phase 2 this week which means that he gets to start the paperwork for me to move down there and he can wear civilian clothes out in public. He was so excited that not even an hour after his briefing about phase 2 I received a photo of him in his civilian clothes. Adorbs.

2. I had an amazing work out Tuesday night but I am really struggling to start round 2 of 21 day fix and stick with it. (which I swear I will do a full post on). So I joined a facebook group that a beachbody coach started and I am very excited to have a small group of people for support and motivation.

3. I was able to stop by and catch up with some friends I haven't talked to in forever. It's always an amazing feeling to catch up and have adult conversations with great minds.

4. My husband gave me a genius idea for a new tattoo and my fingers are itching to start sketching it out. It involves dream catchers and a peace sign and my inner hippie is delighted. My tattoo inspiration board pn pinterest just got bombarded.

5. Tonight I am heading to Ottumwa to the hot air balloon races and I am beyond ecstatic. Expect lots of photos soon.

Scattered Thoughts about Texas and Dress Blues

One day till I get to see my husband. One freaking day and I am grinning ear to ear and the school girl giggles are becoming harder to hold back. I am very much looking forward to seeing my husband. I only just saw him in March but boy does that feel forever ago.

 I know I have already said this probably a million times but I am so proud of my husband. I know he has worked very hard to get to this day and I cannot wait to see him graduate looking all handsome dressed in his blues.

 It has been a very hard and long struggle and a million things has been happening but I know our relationship will become stronger and it blows my mind that after it is all said and done Aaron and I have spent a little over 2 months of our first year of marriage together. I hope the military appreciates that, haha. The way I look at it Aaron and I are lucky because we will actually get 2 first years of marriage together. There is an upside to almost everything, right? (I really can't decide which word should actually be crossed out).

I always swore up and down I would never date a military man. I hated the idea of tearing my family apart and being so far away from home but that's the funny thing about love, it turns you all around. It makes you realize that home is wherever your loved one is. Love means putting someone before yourself and making sacrifices to make sure they are happy. Love means being a stronger person. Love means loving that person with all your heart and knowing it won't fade even when you spend months apart. It means going through the bad to get to the good. But the thing is, you know all this. It's nothing new, sometimes it's just forgotten along the way. Bad days at work, stressful moments crop up in all different relationships, a person might cut you off on your way to work. This is what causes you to forget all the wonderful things of love. So stop, take a breath and remember.

I am  thrilled to be traveling to a state that I have never been to before. It will be very exciting to experience a different view of the world and I am hoping we get the chance to explore it a little. We leave bright and early Wednesday morning and won't be back till the following Monday. Whoohoo, Texas here we come!

I know it's absolutely horrible to be thinking this but I am already dreading the good bye. It's hard to not think about them when there has been so many and it seems each one gets harder instead of easier.

I am fully enjoying my summer and having no classes to be studying for. I have way too much time on my hands but I am trying to fill them with family, friends and catching up on some reading. I have also been enjoying a new workout routine from Beachbody. I'm hoping to get a post up soon. I've been pretty impressed by the results.

Bicycles & a Photo shoot

Aaron's sister, Emily got us bicycles for our wedding gift and I am in love with them. They are so much fun and such an unexpected gift that I am over the moon for them. I instantly knew they would have to be involved in a photo shoot.

Before Aaron headed back to training this past March we were able to set up last minute plans to have a photo shoot with Amber Keagle, a local photographer.

Amber is pretty spectacular. She did an engagement session with us last January and I instantly loved her style. She has this ease about her that makes you feel comfortable. Which is a major thing for us because Aaron is completely awkward in front of the camera (shock and awe).  She had tons of ideas for us to try and took the time to hear my ideas as well. Her photos basically speak for themselves. I am always happy with each and every photo and highly recommend her for anyone looking. Check out her site here!

All photo credit to Amber Keagle Photography

Friday Favorites

Praise the sweet Lord above because we have all made it to another Friday.

This week has been pretty mellow. It was the last week of the semester, hooray! I believe I pulled off all A's again but final grades aren't in till next week. Aaron went back to training today, which is by far the best news I have had in awhile. This whole limbo thing is exhausting. Now we are just praying that from here on out things go smoothly.

Any who, below are a few things I found this week that I am obsessed over. Check, check, check it out.

1. I'm not for sure why but I am obsessed with tie dye this year. I purchased this shirt from Maurice's and have yet to wear it but I am very much looking forward to it!

2. I ended up purchasing these wedges from Maurice's as well(seeing a trend). I made the mistake of wearing these out dancing my first go around but they are sure are broke in now! I love the green color and the low wedge. I can pair them with a lot of outfits while adding a little height at the same time.

3. Have you had Panera's mac n cheese yet? Well you should. It's by far my favorite and I am dying to try this recipe because if it is anywhere close then I am screwed because I will be eating mac n cheese every single day. Seriously though.

4. I am obsessing over Shakira's new song, Empire. If you haven't listened to it yet check it out and sing your heart out. Maybe even wiggle your tush a little. 

5. Pinterest was blocked at work a few weeks ago (I know, sad story) so I have been resorting to my back up Brit & co. Not exactly Pinterest but it does the job. I am obsessing over this engagement idea. Even if they label it as an engagement photo I see myself finding a photographer that is up for the challenge of replicating this photo for Aaron and I.

6. I found this little treasure on Amazon the other day and I have used it ever single day since I received it in the mail. Its crazy how similar it looks to a real lens and I love how people exclaim over it when they find out it isn't a real lens. 

7. I was introduced to this lovely online boutique through a blogger that I follow and snatched up this dress right away. I can't wait to wear it. All. summer. long.

8. If you haven't heard of Theo & Beau then you should probably check it out. Enough said.

9. One of the floaters at work sat up next to me last Friday and somehow convinced me to buy these sandals. (I forbid her from sitting up front again) The bottom of them are made out of yoga mats. Yup, I said it. Yoga mats. They are so comfy and oh look there's that tie dye again. :)

I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend. Mine will hopefully involve Spider-man 2, new work out clothes, and fresh asparagus out of the garden.