Shopping Budget Success.

I'm a newly limited shopping budget as I tackle my Christmas shopping early.  I'm about halfway done AND I've already designed and ordered my Christmas cards.  But in the meantime I have put together a new system for my shopping to keep it under control because let's be real - who doesn't love shopping the most in the fall?

My best friend, Candy, and I have set a monthly 'item limit' on clothing we can purchase which has helped me walk away from a great many 'likes' and wait for 'loves'.  But I finally used one of my precious items this week for a vintage NFL sweatshirt I've been obsessing about on Pinterest...

I've loved putting a little money aside for clothes and having it when I do find something I love.  And cutting back on the item amounts instead of just the money spent has helped me to use it wisely, instead of buying 'cheap' things so I can have more.

Anyone else having to limit their fall shopping budgets because they could go sweater and boot crazy?

Love,
B

The End of a Reading Era.

I'm finally nearing the end of a reading era - the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson.  I've been working on this series on and off for a year or two now.  One of my coworkers recommended it to me and I have loved it.  I'm attached to the characters, I love Patterson's writing style, and the books move quickly (a must for me).

There are actually 11 books in the series now and I'm finishing up book 11 now. I highly recommend this series if you like murder mysteries.  It's also not overly 'gory' in any way, which I appreciate.  I don't mind a little crime but I don't want the nitty gritty details of all of them, if you catch my drift. 

I'm a little sad to bid this series fair well but it's on to more Patterson series in the near future!

Love,
B

It's Ok Thursday.

It's been a few weeks so this one is overdue...
It's ok...
...to stalk every airline website immediately after your best friend leaves so that you can see her again soon.
...to hate being away from your family during football season.
...to get out of the shower and make a huge wet mess to get more shaving cream when you run out after one leg.
...to drink coffee immediately after working out.
...to read at stop lights.
...to make all your phone calls on the go.
...to look 12 years old when you wear glasses.
...to have taken a cell phone picture when your neighbor weirdly had a bra laying on their front porch.
...to pull your clothes out of the clean (or dirty) laundry pile in the midst of a busy week.
...to not be a fan of Starbucks.
...to alternate morning and evening workouts because you can't get up extra early EVERY day.
...to be totally in love with life right now.
Love, B

Beach Retreat Weekend Recap.

This weekend was perfect.  Literally perfect. I wish I could relive it for the next 234929 weekends in a row.

I snagged my best friend from the airport late Wednesday night.  Thursday we had a Pinterest breakfast at home, went shopping at Nordstrom Rack (our absolute favorite store), and then headed out to Sand Key (just beyond Clearwater Beach) for a retreat with the women from my church. 450 women attended!  It was truly an amazing experience for Candy and I - full of friends (old and new), scripture, worship, downtime, reading, and of course the beach!

 (enjoying the beach on our first day at the Sheraton Sand Key)

 (Reading on our balcony)

 (lunching at the Columbia on the water with Patricia and Toni.  Amazing food, unbelievable view, and three of my favorite women!)

 (Me and Kristin - our women's ministry leader!  Love her)

(Candy and I on our last night of the retreat - pretty much the only time I ditched my baseball cap and comfy clothes all weekend and looked human)

It was hard to say goodbye to the weekend and most of all to Candy as I dropped her at the airport Saturday morning.  But the pain was eased by a fun Saturday block party with my neighbors.  They are truly amazing and we had the best time!

 (prepping my munchies for the cooking part of the day - I also provided homemade ice cream for dessert later)

(the boys were amazing on the smoker/grill - wings, ribs, steaks, kabobs)

We literally cooked and ate ALL DAY in honor of all the September birthdays on our block (which is pretty much all of us).  It was perfect. I had the best time and I truly, truly love my neighbors.

Sunday was of course about church, football, food, and friends - what else would Sundays ever include?

I went to Beefs with friends for lunch and the 1:00 games before heading home to have two of my friends (one old, one new) over for dinner at my place where I got to use my new place mats AND the ice cream bowls I got from my neighbors for their birthdays!

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend.  I had the best time. I'm not plotting how fast I can save up to see my bestie again.

Love,

B

The Big 2-7.

Well I'm officially 27!  And it was another fun birthday!

Thank you to all of you who blew up my facebook, twitter, blog, and e-mail for my special day - you know how to make a girl feel loved and have to charge her phone 5 times. ; ]

Having a birthday on a workday isn't ideal but...

Amy decorated my cube and work and gave me two of my favorite things - candy & diet cheerwine.  What could be better?

My parents bought me the world's largest food processor at my request....

And I've been playing with it ever since...

(making homemade peach ice cream)

And lots of salsa.  So thanks Mom and Dad (who never read this but that's ok, I sent a thank you card too).

I got to have lunch with Angel at one of my favorite places to grub in all of Tampa - THE Lee Roy Selmons. I am in love with that place.

Also on my big day coach brought in their newest addition to the fam, this sweet little guy...

He clearly looks thrilled to party with me.

My normal Wednesday night commitment got cancelled and I was able to relax and read a little while I waited for my best friend Candy to jet around the country on her way to me.

We wrapped up the night at home with gifts and homemade ice cream before heading off to a beach retreat Thursday...more on that later.

Love,
B

Book Club Friday.

Well I have been slacking both on my book club posts and honestly on my reading (slacking as much as I ever do on reading, anyway).  I just finished my 80th book for 2012 after a week of barely reading at all.  Does it ever happen to you that you get hung up on a slow read and it throws off you whole game?

Book number 80 was the latest Emily Giffin book, Where We Belong.

I was on the waiting list for a while for this one and then they must have gotten a huge shipment because I went from 150 on the list to getting it in hand within 24 hours.  Whew.  It literally took me until the day before it was due back to the library (so, three weeks?) to get through this one.  Granted, it was a busy 3 weeks but still.

The book dragged for me but by the end it won be over and I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.  The ending really won it some points.

I also finished these two this week:

These were cheapies on Kindle.  I hoped they would be similar to Slammed and Point of Retreat which I couldn't put down.  But alas, while the drama of the romance was kind of interesting - the horrible writing and constant typo's were painful for me.  Sorry Nicole, this one didn't win me over.

Happy Friday to all.  I'm enjoying mine at a beach retreat for the bday with the bestie.  Hope yours is equally fabulous.

Love,

B

Birthday Birthday.

Well, I’m twenty-seven.  Thanks for all the birthday wishes this week – you all are so sweet to me.  For those who have asked, my birthday plans include picking up my best friend from the airport tonight and heading to the beach for a three day retreat with the women’s ministry from my church.  Over lunch with a friend Monday I explained this to which he responded, ‘you’re kind of boring.  I use to think you had a really exciting life’.  Ha!  I happen to think that between traveling, football, my job, and my crazy-awesome family my life will probably never be boring.  But I will say I feel a bit more grown up these days.  A beach retreat with my best friend really is my ideal 27^th birthday and I’m stoked about it.

I may have woken up and checked to make sure I didn’t grow any grey hairs this morning. So far, so good.  I’m getting older but I don’t quite feel old yet.  I’m actually excited about this birthday and I’m thrilled for all that this next year holds from a trip to Africa, to completing my third year as a homeowner, to finishing my first year of 100 books (and maybe starting my second?).

I’m excited for more travels (announcements coming soon) and more adventures and some big changes on the horizon.

So thank you again for the sweet birthday wishes, it’s been a blessing to share my 26^th year with you here on the blog and I’m looking forward to doing the same with 27!

Love,

B