Make A Wish

I just celebrated a great birthday weekend with my family in Plano! I have lots more "things to celebrate" to share.... (I didn't quite finish last week's list...) but here's just a little video to share with you guys... shot on my new Sony Bloggie. :) Notice the fine video quality; that's what you get when you have a photojournalist for a boyfriend.

Happy Monday Eve!

Much love,

Websites To Celebrate

So, tonight I'm doing a new twist on my week of celebration-themed posts... and featuring a few websites worth celebrating! Here are a few on my radar these days....

#13: Toms Shoes

For every pair you buy, a pair is donated to a child in need. How cool is that? A pair of Toms shoes is definitely on my wish list right now.

Check out Toms Shoes here.

#14: Blood: Water Mission

This is such an amazing project. Blood: Water Mission aims to fight the HIV/AIDS and water crises in Africa. Starting Monday, i'm taking part in their "40 days of water" project. You drink water for 40 days, and keep tally of the drinks- the coffees, cokes, etc.- you would have bought as part of your normal routine. And at the end, you donate the money you have saved to help provide clean water in Africa. Join me in the challenge, will you? Find more information here.

#15: Fabulous K Creative

If you aren't following her, you should! She designed this blog for me and is extremely talented. She's also doing a fabulous giveaway on her blog right now... check it out!

#16: Pawcurious

If you are an animal lover of any kind, you will get hooked on this blog. It's written by a vet, and speaks right to the heart of anyone who has a furry child. Not to mention, it's hilarious and sometimes features Barbie Vet. A must read- start now!

It's almost the weekend,

Day 3

Tired of my "things worth celebrating" posts yet? Well too bad... because we still have 6 days left! :) Here are a few more things...

#9: The Fab Five. Friends since high school, middle school, even elementary school. Keepers of secrets. Masters of everything. My girls, for life.

#10: Relax Riesling. Nothing better to celebrate with. Or relax with, for that matter.

#11: My brothers. TW & MJ- love you both. You make me laugh and keep me cool.

#12: A good thunderstorm. We're about to head into the crazy weather season here in Oklahoma, and I can't believe i'm saying this, but after this insane winter... bring on the hail and tornado sirens!

Until tomorrow...

...More to Celebrate....

Isn't it great, that we have so many things in life to celebrate? I'm enjoying taking a moment every night to reflect on all of the things I have to celebrate in life leading up to the big 2-6. Because that's what birthdays are all about- reflecting on the good of the past year, and looking forward to the good of the next year, right?

SO... lets look at a few more things worth celebrating!

#5: The lakehouse. I love this place so much and have so many memories there.

#6: This little boy. My best friend's son. I just adore him, and it's been amazing watching him grow... from the first hour he was alive, to now... a year later.

#7: Pookie! She defines the phrase "sisters by chance, friends by choice." I love her to death. Even though she has an awkward peg leg in pictures and sometimes falls down when she's doing cheers in front of hundreds of people.

#8: And, of course, my co-workers. Sometimes I hate these people, most of the time I love them. And they know it.

Still celebrating,

It's My Party

A week from today, I will be 26 years old. And, I'm one of those people that is actually really okay with the years passing by. Every one just gets better than the last. Every year has it's challenges, it's ups and downs. But, 25 was a good year. And, I imagine 26 will be even better. There is SO much to look forward to, and I know I will continue to grow- spiritually, mentally, as a woman, as a daughter, sister, cousin, friend, girlfriend.

I just don't want to grow horizontally. But as long as this is in the picture...



... things aren't looking good in that department.

So, in honor of my 26th- I am going to spend the next week focusing on 26 things worth celebrating.

Here we go!

#1: The bundle of joy in my arms, Toby.

#2: The wedding of one of my best friends, Leah.

#3: BC. What a guy.

#4: Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Lattes

Tune in tomorrow for a few more things I'm celebrating.

It doesn't have to be your birthday week to think about all of the things worth celebrating in your life! What's on your list today?

"Would You Rather..." Wednesday

*I need to start this post by saying, I am NOT committing to having a "Would You Rather.." Wednesday post every Wednesday.  Just by typing that in the subject line, I felt the pressure.  I'm not ruling it out; I'm just saying... I haven't decided if I'm one of those bloggers yet.  So, there you have it.  Disclaimer, over.  :)*

It's "Would You Rather" Wednesday!  In my quest to add as many features to my blog as humanly possible, I've put up a short & sweet poll today.  

*Disclaimer #2:  This will not be the last poll you ever see.  I used to work in TV news, you know.*

So, today's "Would You Rather" topic revolves around TV.  I love TV- I have my shows I either watch or DVR every week.  I laugh.  I cry.  I spend days de-puffing after The Bachelor sends my favorite girl home, sending me into a sob-fest on my couch.  (Gia, stay strong, girlfriend.)  

So... I ask... what are your favorite shows?  Feel free to leave a comment.  And while you're at it- take part in my poll!  I just popped a few shows up there... but tell me which one you'd rather watch.

My Favorites:

1)  Modern Family

2)  How I Met Your Mother

3)  Castle

4)  Greek

5)  Burn Notice

6)  White Collar

7)  Project Runway

8) Army Wives

How about you?  

Love Is...

"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."

-1 Corinthians 13

May your day be filled with lots of love!

Dear Winter

Dear Winter,

It was love at first sight. I knew you were coming, and I prepared for you. I bought warm scarves and firewood. I welcomed the idea of snow storms. I embraced gloomy skies. I stocked up on hot chocolate & Baileys. And one chilly, November night... you blew into my life. I was in love, Winter.

But over the last few months... you've gotten a little... needy. Your gloomy skies linger just a bit too long. Those chilly kisses you brush on my cheeks are making me raw and chapped. And the hot chocolate & Baileys... well, it's making me fat.

And, you remember that other love of my life- Summer? Yeah..... he's kind of back in the picture. I mean, not yet. But I'm already preparing to let him back into my life. Let's be real. Summer is laid back and fun. He likes the lake, and tank tops and swim suits. He likes sunglasses. He likes warmth. And really, I don't know why I wanted him to leave so badly in the first place.

So- thanks, Winter. No, really. We had a few good months... weeks. But... we're done.

But, I may be interested in rekindling things later this year. November work for you?

Travel Essentials

This past weekend, I went on a quick girls getaway with one of my best friends to Branson. It was a short and sweet trip- gone only 24 hours. But, whether you're flying or driving... staying a night or 5 nights... you need some basics when you hit the road.

I love traveling- whether it's for work or fun. I love grabbing a coffee or Sonic Vanilla Coke before a long drive. I love ordering spicy tomato juice with ice on the airplane. I love comfy clothes and luggage and seeing people and places. Travel... good for the soul.

So, lets discuss our travel essentials. Here are a few of mine....

A good pair of flats. They need to be comfy enough to kick off in the car... easy enough to slip off in the security line at the airport... but cute enough to hit the ground running as soon as you arrive. These are from Dillards... and I love them!

Next up: the lightweight scarf. I am aquiring quite a collection of pretty scarves. I love that you can use them to dress up an outfit... or make it more casual. They're lightweight enough to keep you cool... but when the dude in the middle seat on the airplane cranks the AC in your direction... it will keep you warm. Ah, a travel must-have: Vera Bradley. I have everything in this Java Blue- the duffel, the overnight kit, the make-up bag, the jewelry bag... and I love it. This duffel has traveled all over the US- and even overseas! It's held up amazingly well.

I'm not sure how women ever traveled without the help of Juicy. I once read that Victoria Beckham will wear her skinny jeans and Christian Louboutins on the airplane- even when going overseas. She says traveling is an event that should be dressed up for. I love Ms. Beckham... but when i'm traveling... i'll take a Juicy sweatsuit over skinny jeans any day.

I also love these adorable open sweaters. They're easy to throw on over anything and are great to bundle up in.

What are some of your travel essentials?

Simple Pleasures

I read a really cute blog by a woman named Kelly- you can see her on the left side of the page as one of the blogs I follow- Kelly's Korner. Anyways- she wrote a blog tonight about "Simple Pleasures"- you know, those things in life we just take for granted every day. She listed her "simple pleasures" and encouraged us to do the same... and now, I'm passing along this idea to you! But not without listing my simple pleasures first....

Quick Trip Mocha & French Vanilla Coffee

Rain falling on the window

Fireplace fires

A sweet, purring cat- specifically, mine :)

Unexpected kisses

Surprises

Pedicures

Skype

Playing board games

Sunday night TV

Reading (and writing) blogs

Weekly friend emails

A good book you can't put down

Freshberry

Phone calls from Germany

... and the list goes on....

What are your simple pleasures?