Day 17...Piece of Art

It's not really art but when I was in high school someone introduced me to cigar labels and it has now become something I really enjoy looking at and purchasing at times. Tampa is a big cigar city and I feel like it is a way of keeping Tampa in my life even if I am 7 hours away. Here are some I have my eye on right now...

This weekend we are headed to Tallahassee for the game. I am SO excited! I cannot wait to get back to Tallahasee and see football in person! Go Noles!!

My Dream House...Continued...

I have so many rooms left to decorate!!

Dining Room

Living/Family Room

Fabric:

I would definitely use the fabric in place of the stripes or as my pattern - and in the second one i would have to have a much more neutral colors.

Master Bedroom:

Day 16

Song That Makes You Cry

Butterfly Kisses - makes me think of me and my dad and happy/sad at the same time.

You Tube Version

Days 14 & 15

Day 14: A Non-Fictional Book

My favorite non-fictional book would have to be Marley & Me. I loved the book and the movie equally and cry on command each and every time I see it.

Day 15: My Dream House



I love decorating, designing, everything home-centered. When I get my southern living magazine every month I probably spend a good 10-15 minutes looking at the home plans pages. I could seriously do this every day. I love it. I love picturing my dream house and everything that would go into it - as realisic and unrealistic as I want it to be. Did you know they have a whole magazine dedicated to house plans?!?!

Here's a little glimpse into my dream...

The Weatherton

"An attractive, homey shingle exterior softens the look of this grand home. Inside, French doors open to the dining room from the front porch, giving you the option of serving after-dinner drinks outside. The nearby island kitchen is the perfect working space for creating fabulous meals. The spacious breakfast room includes a stylish bow window. Behind small double doors, an alcove joins the kitchen to a handy utility room and a half-bath. Both the family room and the formal living room include handsome fireplaces to warm any occasion. Nicely secluded on the main floor, the master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and an exceptional private bath. A bonus space on the upper floor would work well as a playroom, complementing the three sizable secondary bedrooms. "

And what would go into it (Room by Room of course..)

Entry Way

(I am obsessed - this has actually been the background on my computer for a month..)

Mud-Room

I have to have a mud room. End of story. It will also be this organized.

Laundry Room

Must Have List:

• Drying Rack
• Side by Side
• Granite Countertops
• Wrapping Paper Station

Kitchen

or

I am having way too much fun with this post! I will have to finish off my dreams tomorrow with the bedrooms and bathrooms of my dream house!!

Days 12 & 13

Day 12: Something You Are OCD About..

I am OCD about a few things but the number one thing I am OCD about is keeping my planner up to date. I love my Lilly agenda book. I like having the monthly views and the daily views --- It comes with stickers which I am not such a bag fan of but I love looking in my purse and seeing the bright colors!

 Day 13: Ficitional Book

We have definitely already covered this topic but I love Nanny Diaries, Something Borrowed/Something Blue, Devil Wears Prada, Chasing Harry Winston, Everyone worth Knowing, etc..etc...

I just found out that the author of Devil Wears Prada and the last two I mentioned came out with a new book, "Last Night at Chateau Marmont"

I will definitely be picking up a copy soon. But while we are on the topic of books, guess what I purchased yesterday!?!?



True Prep: Brooks Brothers Edition

I will let you know what I think of it as soon as I have had a chance to dive in...



Day 11: Recent Photo

see my birthday post :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you...

Or just a few really old photos...

A high school dance - sophomore year, circa 1999?? Sorry for the bad quality but I had to use my phone to take these!!

Another HS Dance...

Senior Year of HS I think..

Me and Rosemary Debutante Ball

Erin - I know you read so I just had to post this one...we (well mostly you) look so different!!!

A Happy 26th!

Monday was my 26th birthday..not a fun number that ends in a 0 or 5 but still a birthday none-the-less! I am so thankful for my family and friends who made this birthday special! Whether you texted, called, facebooked, or met me for dinner you all made my day!!!

My friend at work surprised me with a cute bag filled with all sorts of my favorite goodies!!!

                                                    

When I left work to go get my emissions and tag renewed Brian had filled my car with balloons!!!!!!!! I was soo soo surprised and had no idea he was going to do that!

                                   

The group at dinner....

                                       

Caught in the act of blowing out the candles...

                          

Yummy Yummy Cake from Piece of Cake ... it was the white chocolate one and is soo sooo good!!!!

Day 9: A Photo I Took

My Favorite Picture of My Favorite Dog!

Day 8: Sad Photo

I really do not like this topic as who likes to think of things that make them sad?!?

But the ASPCA commercials get me every time. I hate to see an animal suffer and the eyes on this puppy make me hurt inside. I wish I could give more money to this organization but they really do pull at my heartstrings with each and every commercial.

I forgot one....

I forgot someone who has been there for me through almost everything ... not sure how I forgot but she definitely deserves her own post :)

 

Thankful for you Tiff - each and every day! (Even if we don't talk every day!)

Day 7: A Photo that Makes Me HAPPY!

Can I have more than one!?!?

My Beautiful Parents 

<3

Great Friends & The Rare Opportunity To Get Everyone Together!

(Erin & Kyle's Wedding Weekend)

Great Friends Who Make Me Smile Even if They Are 900000 Miles Away :)

Lifelong Friends

Seminole Football!

Week/Weekend in Review and Catch-Up Post

It has been an awesome week/weekend with great friends and people I love having in my life! Last week started off by having dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in ages - I love those friends where you can just pick up where you left off, no matter how long it has been since you saw each other. We went to Rosebud for dinner and had some yummy food (sorry no pictures but it was still a really fun night!) 


Wednesday night my friend Amanda and I went to Canvas & Cocktails. For those of you who haven't been or haven't heard of it you basically choose a painting you like from their calendar and sign up for that day.


Our inspiration

 You bring your own drinks/snacks (we had cheese, pita chips, spinach dip, and plenty of wine!)

Ready to Paint..

                                     

You then have an instructor who walks you through the painting step by step

                                       


Until you can proudly display your finished product

(excuse my outfit but i decided I wanted to be casual in case there were any paint casualties). I love how my painting turned out and it was so fun I can't wait to do it again soon! 


Friday night Brian and I had a nice little date night at South City Kitchen - Midtown. We took advantage of Mid-town Restaurant week and got 3 courses for $25 - it was actually a pretty good deal. I am usually skeptical of the Restaurant weeks because the menus are so limited and they usually cheap-o-rize the dishes but it was so yummy. 


Saturday I had a JLA community service project in the morning and then Aly and I went to Souper Jenny for lunch. OMG. My NEW favorite Restaurant. It was heaven. There was a long long line but for $12 you get 2 items from the menu (soup, sandwich, or salad), a drink, a cookie, and a roll. It was divine. I got the chicken chipotle sandwich with jalapeno bread, goat cheese, peach jam and chipotle grilled chicken. For my second item I got fruit (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapples) with greek yogurt and honey. It was absolutely amazing. So yummy. Then I finished it off with a peanut butter/chocolate chip cookie. I will definitely going back. Probably this week. 

After lunch we headed to mellow mushroom to watch the Noles get destroyed...it was a really tragic day of college football and I think I was successful in picking 0 teams this week. A few of us at before the slaughtering:

Ok sorry for the long post - I am finishing up my weekend by watching the VMA's. Hope you all had a great weekend. 


xoxo, 
Lauren 

Days 5 & 6

So I missed a day..blame it on bad football and a birthday weekend but better late than never!

Day 5: Favorite Quote 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:4-13

Day 6: 20 Favorite Things 

1. My Family -- They mean the world to me - I would not be who I am without them and I credit them for making me who I am today. 
2. Brian - I truly treasure my relationship with him and am proud of how far we have come. 
3. My pets - unconditionally love me even when my hair is curly and my life is out of whack!
4. My Friends - Its incredible to look back at the ones who have been there for me through everything - you know who you are and I am so thankful to have you all in my life! 
5. Saturday Mornings and lunches at Taqueria TIED with EVERYTHING FALL - i love the leaves changing colors, the smell of pumpkins & cinnamon, time with family and friends. 
6. Weeknight dinners with good friends. 
7. Noles Football/College Football/All Football
8. Virginia Highlands/Atlanta Restaurants
9. Surprises - I love being surprised. 
10. Traveling & Road Trips. 
11. My Blackberry.
12. Southern Living Magazine
13. Hosting Parties - I could do this every week. I LOVE dinner parties!!
14. A good book - especially Emily Giffin. 
15. Lilly Pulitzer
16. Sundays at the movies. 
17. The Beach. Sand, sun, salt water - miss it all the time!
18. Meeting new people - i love making new friends.
19. Pandora - couldn't get through the workday without it. Lady Antebellum. 
20. My Happy Everything Plate - it makes me smile every time I see it and reminds me that everything really is happy in life we just have to take a step back to remember that - no matter how bad it gets!

Day 4: Favorite Book

I love all Emily Giffin books. I pick up each and every one of her books, cant put it down, and finish it within just a few days ... usually 2 at the most. I love that she writes mostly about Atlanta - places I have been, places I want to go, and places I can relate to. On top of it, her most notable series - Something Borrowed, Something Blue is being made into a movie with Kate Hudson, I cannot wait!

Day 3: Favorite TV Program/Show

There are a few tv shows I have been watching religiously - some are no longer on the air, some have definitely lost their spark (but I still continue to watch), and some are just plain addictive.

1) Brothers and Sisters - I have been watching this show since season 1 and regardless of the cheesy plot lines I am determined to see it through the end! Except now that Rob Lowe is gone I am not sure how I am going to survive.

2) The Hills - I am no longer able to immerse myself in the drama of Spencer, Heidi, Lauren, Lo, Audrina, Kristin, BRODY, etc etc but this is still a show I spent many hours watching (as pitiful as it sounds) so it definitely deserves a spot in my top 3.

3) Real Housewives Series - I love them all.

Day 2: Favorite Movie

i LOVE movies... but my all time favorite is

cheesy I know but I love reading all Nicholas Sparks books!

Movie I am looking forward to...