Wanted: Chicago Advice! ...& GFC Lovin' BLOG HOP!

First, I have to say it is a super honor that I'm getting to co-host today's link up with these two lovely blogs!
SO EXCITED!!!!
Please link up and meet some new friends!

Second, And in other news, Kevin and I are going to Chicago! Next week!
We want your help!
What are the go-to places?
Favorite restaurants?
Must see tourist spots?

Any advice you have for us, send our way! We will only have a day there but we want to see and do as much as we can. After our day trip there we're spending time with his sweet fam so that's pretty much awesome too. YAY for vacations!

And Third, 11months! That's right, Kevin and I have been husband and wife for 11 months now! WOW! When people say life flies after school they sure weren't kidding...I can't even fathom how fast the months have gone...we're almost to a year...like really, really close! SAY WHAT? Get ready for June because I'm sure there'll be all kinds of wedding memories, marriage posts and one year wedded fun.

Ready GO!
Leave a comment with your suggestions
and link up your blog!

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The Rules:
1. Link up both your blog and your Bloglovin' below! Be sure to visit some other links as well to make some new friends!
2. Follow your hosts and co-host and leave us a comment letting us know you followed so that we can follow you back!
3. If you're interested in co-hosting, you can fill out this form! :)






Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog:

Jaime's Sophisticated and Eclectic Bedroom

It's Tuesday and that means concept board time! Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!
I hope you caught Karla's last week because it was super fun and she's awesome! And before that Becca's because it was yellow/gray and who doesn't love that?!
THIS week, I've got a sophisticated yet eclectic and more gender neutral bedroom for the fabulous Jaime over at Toby's Tails. Jaime is looking to update her bedroom, trade in the girly for the gender neutral so her man will feel more at home...which is even more important now because SHE JUST GOT ENGAGED!  How exciting, right?! He did a super sweet proposal and she got a beautiful ring! Go congratulate her!

Source

What is your design style or vision? I would love to see an iron bed in my bedroom. Possible white/neutral bedding with accent colors in the decor... I have an eclectic taste (not everything has to match)...
What are you overall goals for this space? I would just love to make my room more neutral for my boyfriend and we both LOVE the iron beds. Functional and simple pretty much defines us.
Next up we have some images Jaime sent me links to that she just loved. ---> And one piece of furniture she wants to keep in the design:   I pretty much adore her furniture piece she already has so there's no reason to get rid of that beauty!  Surfing around Jaime's blog, I came upon a post she did on her living and fell in love with one of the photographs she took ---> 
Yellow is uplifting, bright and cheery while navy is luxurious, deep and charming...the two together create a masterpiece for any room, and a romantic getaway for a bedroom. 
Jaime said she wanted a cool look with neutrals yet pops of color...I think theses pops of color will be the best to accent her room and bring a touch of femininity and masculinity into the room.



Concept Board: ***Don't forget to swing by the link-up and LIKE my board!!!***

The idea for Jamie's room was sophisticated, eclectic, charming and luxurious. A charming bed frame with deep, rich yellow and navy in the accents with luxurious bed spreads and soft plushy blankets.
Jaime mentioned she could paint in her rented place but she would have re-paint when she did move so I opted to not paint. The SW color sin this case serve more as a color concept for the overall atmosphere of the room. The neutrals are in the basics and large piece of furniture while the colors are brought in through the accessories like the lamp and throw. 
I also tried to blend femininity and masculinity in the bedroom so her soon to be husband will love it as much as she does.
What do yall think? What would you change? 

Sources:
Bed: Option 1 ($499) or Option 2 ($299) Option 3 (Search Craig's List) Option 4 (My personal favorite, featured on the board) Tall Dresser: Option 1 (1,099.00) Option 2 (249.99) His Nightstand: Target ($264.99) Mirror: IKEA ($40.00) Bench: Kirklands ($169.00) Yellow Sheers: Khols ($23.99) Pillows: Yellow-World Market ($22.99) Blue-World Market ($8.99) Throw: Pier One ($29.99) Bed Spread: Pier One ($129.99) Nightstand Lamp: Tuesday Morning ($39.99)- His & Pier One ($39.99)-Hers Vase: Target ($16.99) Rug: Kirklands ($59.99) Jaime's budget was less than $2000.00...all of the above came it at $1396! Under budget! 
***As always, my best suggestion is to search local store, local thrift store/consignment stores, garage sales, etc for furniture pieces that could be revamped or used in your space. You never know what you might find and often for a fraction of the price!*** And if you want a room of your own done, then fill out this form! Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog:

Life&Love: Bonfires, Football, Concerts

This is a post series that I'm writing about Kevin and I's love story, read about why and how I'm doing this, as well as all the prior posts under the Life&Love page.
It's been a while since I last posted, so check out the most previous post here. And catch all previous posts here.
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Split t-shirt representing me at OU & M
at A&M

Freshmen semester was picking up speed like no other. The first couple weeks of November alone brought up: my first opportunity to vote for our nation's president, attending an OU game at A&M with M and some other friends, one of our friends getting baptized, my first phi lamb date party, my first time to attend an OU play (they did Pride and Prejudice, of course I was going)...and the rest of November and December didn't appear to be slowing down.

Thanksgiving was in a week and I'd be "home" in Houston with my dad, high school besties and of course M...my heart was much looking forward to it. But before I even packed my bags for a week, I got to spend a great weekend with my sweet best friends. I still had yet time spent with friends. in lieu of homework or other responsibilities calling at me, and with only a few weeks left at OU till the semester ended, I knew I just needed this time.

My mind was whirling from the week that I'd just gone through as I prayed Friday morning, Lord I can't believer you got me through this long week! I can't believe it's already over! Thank you! I was ready for this Friday, more than I had even realized.  It was Friday! Thank goodness it was Friday! It was Friday, November 21st, 2008 and the BSU had planned for a freshmen night out in the country with a giant bonfire.

As always with any event I began scrambling with my clothing options for the night. Bonfire,...bonfire means smoke, and smoke seeps into clothes...and smoke smells afterward...oh what to wear! I turned to my default, texting Kayla to see what she was going to wear. I knew I could find a solution talking it through with her, besides we had to coordinate plans, always.

Our ride to the bonfire was filled with easy conversation and an abundance of laughter and the night had only just begun. The drive was long and and became darker and darker as we approached our destination. We parked the car among many others than had come also filled with excited bodies ready for fellowship. We made our way to the big group standing by the house then began the treck to the bonfire. Kayla and I mingled between all our friends, taking tons of pictures along the way, but always seemed to end back up with our Walker Stalker boys, of course including Kevin. Our inside jokes and constant pestering of one another ran rapid through the entirety of the night, we giggled like little girls enjoying every moment.

Laughter, that's what I remembered most from the evening as I laid my head on the pillow at the end of the night. The Lord had brought so much laughter to my life through these friends, I never wanted it to end.

The next day was the biggest event of the semester by far, OU vs Texas Tech. Both teams high on the BCS standing, with Coach Stoops calling for an engaged and active crowd created for a majorly hyped up night at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Somehow, Kayla and I had convinced Kevin and Trey to refrain from going super ridiculously early to the game and heading in a bit later to sit up a little high with the rest of the BSU crowd, with us.

The weather was ridiculous outside, cold and windy...not my preference. I debated for several minutes about how much under layers to slide on underneath jeans and a sweatshirt before finally defaulting to texting Kayla...we put together an action plan including leggings, jeans, 2 layers of socks, 2 layers of shirts, a sweatshirt, scarf, hat and thick gloves and boots. With marshmallow shaped body I was determined for my hair and face to look a little nicer.

See that successful covering of my burn with
Kayla's pretty hair?... smart!

Plugging in the curling iron, I recalled the last few times I'd attempted the tool but quickly swiped them from my memory..this time was going to be different, I was sure of it. Pressed for time, I swiftly set up the laptop with music playing, my phone on the counter, and went to it. Ten minutes went by, twenty minutes, thirty minutes...text messages were coming in like crazy now and I wasn't even halfway done with my hair.

I begged Kevin to save Kayla and I seats, successfully convincing Kayla to wait for me, so I could finish my hair. It was looking pretty darn good and I just couldn't quit now. Besides, the weather was awful and we still had at least an hour and half till the game even started. I started to move quicker and was going pretty well till the curling iron slipped from my hand and landed on my forehead...OOWWWW!! I yelped in pain! My hair was nearly done but now I had successfully ruined my face. I dabbed my wound with a damp washcloth then ignored then pain in order to finish out my hair.

The burn was pretty bad and no make up was going to cover it, so I opted for a long hat to try and cover it, already dreading the teases I was going to get for not only taking forever to get ready but also burning myself   so badly.

I made it downstairs meeting Kayla by the elevators, sheepishly telling her about my once again failed attempt to curl hair as we quickly made our way to the stadium from the dorms. The line was long and with my extra few minutes turned into way more time than I should have taken resulting in us having literally seconds to squeeze into the stadium. 

Kevin had already texted me several times asking how much longer we'd be, where we were, where he was, and how quickly the stadium was filling. As Kayla and I waited underneath the stands in the long line to get up to the stands, the crowd roared with excitement, our hearts were pounding and the whole moment was just thrilling. Thankfully, Kevin and Trey successfully saved us seats, however tight they were, and for the first time we enjoyed a football game, the four of us. I avoided the topic of my hair as best I could but laughter and teasing were imminent, tomorrow would only be worse.

 We were smushed in like sardines in the stands but we wouldn't have it any other way. We took gobs of pictures, laughed, huddled in close for warmth and cheered our Sooners onward to victory! 

The smiles and ever growing shouts and clapping from the crowd that night burned into my memory...I never wanted to forget any of it. The weekend had already been a blast and this night was just deepening that joy and sweet friendships the Lord had blessed me with. I loved the spirit of OU!

I sat on my bed that night flipping through pictures on my camera, admiring the happy faces in the pictures and reflecting on the night in full. Something about being tightly squished in between Kevin and Kayla was so fun, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

see that hand on the shoulder move there...

Sunday morning came too soon. After two late nights my eyes were starting to feel the sting of too little sleep but I was on duty in the babies room at church and I wasn't going to miss that precious time. Besides rocking babies to sleep really didn't require too much energy and I was counting on some rest in the afternoon before one more night of fun out with friends.

Kevin's dad scored us some awesome tickets to see TobyMac and Relient K perform in downtown Oklahoma City. I'd only been to a couple concerts before and wasn't entirely sure about the whole concert going deal but Kevin was excited and I did love TobyMac plus I wasn't going to turn down a night out with two of my favorite people, Kevin and Kayla, and other great friends.

Screaming teenage girls in front of us threatened to test our patience befor the opening set but once TobyMac took the stage, we were pumped. Excited, energetic and all about Jesus. TobyMac put on an AWESOME show and we had such a great time. Nevermind the fact that we could have met them but Kevin missed that little piece of information...

ouch, we're looking rough! again...
arm around me, sneaky

The whole weekend was spent entirely with friends, friends who loved the Lord and friends who enjoyed being all together, and friends who loved me for me.

One in particular loving me in quite a different way, completely unknown to me but known to everyone else. Looking back, it's obvious in the pictures, let alone all the other hints I completely missed...and it was only the beginning.

Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog:

So excited about my VoxBox!

Who got the Voxbox?!

 I joined Influenster after I saw that Halie do product reviews for her VoxBox...I was so intrigued and excited about the potential so I jumped at the chance. It took a while for me to get  my first voxbox (my lack of twittering doesn't help) but I will never go back! Love this opportunity. You can check them out on facebook too.

Today, I've got my Sugar 'N Spice VoxBox review! You might have seen some updates on facebook or instagram but today you're getting my full review of every product!

I have to start with my most favorite product, Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer...awesome! Love it! It's $7.99 for 6.5 oz can which is decently good if you don't use it like crazy all day long. It's perfect for the legs in particular because you can spray it on, rub it in quickly and it's dry in seconds...which makes sliding on your pants super easy. I love it for my legs but I have to say I wouldn't use it everywhere.

Next up, belVita Breakfast Biscuits...AHMAZING! I'd have to say these might tie for favorite product place. SO yummy! They are the perfect on the go breakfast or snack and they are fairly filling. I ate the one I  received from influenster one morning before work but then went I went to THE COLOR RUN, I chose to buy one (the blueberry flavor) and an apple to eat before the race. Felt perfect, I wasn't hungry afterward and felt good until we were able to get lunch. PLUS I learned the blueberry flavor is now my favorite. Hands down one of the best little breakfast quickies snacks EVER! At $3.69 a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits that's not that bad. It's on the grocery list for next week.

And now for some of the spice from this box, Colgate Optic White toothbrush and toothpaste and mouthwash. I was excited to see these because I've jumped around between several toothbrushes and never fully loved any of them. I love this toothbrush! It has rubbery bristles to hold the toothpaste in longer so that it gets everywhere in your mouth and it also has a rough, rubbery back so your gums get a nice rub down while you brush. I think I'm hooked on the brush for sure. The toothpaste was pretty good, I've got a toothpaste I really love already but I did like this one too. So I'll be jumping back and forth between the two. And the mouthwash, uhhhh eh, that's what I have to say. I'm not a mouthwash person but I did give it a chance, AWFUL! I made Kevin try it too and he hated it as well. Too strong. Sorry Colgate. (TP: $2.99 for 4oz, MW: $2.99 for 8oz bottle, TB: $2.99)

And sweet from the box? How about an all natural sweetener? Nectresse has the taste of sugar but without the calories and is 100% natural! Neither Kevin nor I drink tea or coffee really so we tried putting it in his koolaid...yes my husband drinks koolaid, that's an issue for another day...and it worked pretty great. I like that it's all natural, makes me feel a little better about his kool aid drinking but it's a bit on the pricy side so I doubt he'll let us make the switch. ( $6.99 for a 5.9 oz container) {Get your own FREE SAMPLE HERE}

And lastly, my least favorite product, Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towlettes. I thought these were going to be like Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets and I love those so I was excited. When I opened the packets they were wet and felt more like a make-up remover wipe but they weren't so that was different to adjust to. I like the idea of them, removing oil, rejuvenating your skin, keeping your pores clear, and smooth complexion...but man I did not like these wipes at all. I wished I did so much but the smell of them was just too much for me. I had a friend try them too and she was not a fan...we left them in the hotel room after the color run, maybe someone else will enjoy them. ($5.99 for 20 count box)

I've so enjoyed being a part of Influenster, I probably would never have tried these products without being in this program. Thanks influenster! I look forward to the next voxbox!!

Meet my little!

In Phi Lamb we had our little sorority families and they were awesome... and I still love my family! And they are in fact, still family.  Like my little, she's marrying my hubby's best friend...in case you didn't know. But anyway, in blog world we have Bigs and Littles too! Much thanks to Mallory and Kaitlyn and Emily and Lisette... You should get in on it next month for sure! Mallory from Mal's Miles had THE BEST idea to showcase her sweet little and I thought I needed to get with it and do a sweet little something for my little. Thank you Mallory for the inspiration!!! This month, I have a special lady as my little and she is an amazing blog designer! That's right, blog designer...you're going to want to check out all of her beautiful designs here. She does custom and general templates. She's got some terrific talent and I love seeing her sketchy, sweet designs. She's from Lithuania, which is just awesome. She's so kind and encouraging. She's bold and she's not afraid to tackle new life adventures. For fun, I asked her what her 3 favorite sweets were and do you know what this lady said? Chocolate, bananas and grapes! You've got much healthier sweets on your list than I do...course chocolate is an always and must for anyone, or should be, right people? Alright, enough from me.... Introducing: Vaida from Don't Tell Anyone

I'm Lithuanian girl, an artist, dreamer and designer, who loves everything about music, books, movies, art and design, colour, fashion and travelling. I'm just fanatical about every single moment of life. There's probably nothing what I wouldn't be interested to. And in the end.. let my work talk about me. As this would be easiest and fairest way to tell, how good and bad I am
BLOG**TWITTER**PINTEREST INSTAGRAM**BLOGLOVIN**ETSY

Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog:

The Newlywed Game VLOG style!!!

Hooray it's Friday!!! You know what time it is...   <center> <a href="http://forevernewlywedded.blogspot.com/"> <img src="http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o747/Karla_Sypek/the_newlywed_game_button_zps1cc17711.jpg" border="0"/> </a></center>
1.  Follow both the HOST & the CO-HOST
*** PLEASE follow our guest co-host for this week... LEAH! ***   2.  Post the button above to your post. 3.  Post the questions & your answers.
4.  Add your link to the bottom of the post where it asks for your link. 5.  Have fun checking out everyone else's answers!   You can link up anytime from now til Sunday at midnight EST!

This week yall are in for a real special treat from Kev and I because we are doing our first EVER vlog for you guys...here comes embarrassment...and awkwardness...oh geez, why did we do this?  I'm going to blame Karla...and her badgreat influence on me...here's to being a big girl about blogging...vloggin?!


Want to be ready for next week?? Well, you can start by following, Allison from Fridge Grown Garlic! She is our guest co-host for next week & here are the questions she came up with: 1.  If you could go on any trip for your anniversary, where would it be? 2.  Is there a chore that you don't do, but your spouse does, and vice versa? 3.  Is there a piece of clothing of yours that your spouse would get rid of? 4.  What does your dream house look like? 5.  Is there a movie that you and your spouse watch because you love it so much? 6.  What are 5 songs that would be on your road trip soundtrack? 7.  What was your favorite date, either while you were dating or when you were married? 8.  What is your spouse's favorite meal? 9.  When your spouse is sick, what do you do to make them feel better? 10.  What was your favorite gift that you put on your wedding registry?
Let's end that embarrassment with a pretty picture:

Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog:

COLOR RUN=AWESOME (&Giveaway)

***GIVEAWAY CLICK HERE***
**** OKLAHOMA BLOGGERS CLICK HERE****

Friends, I posted probably ten thousand times about how excited I was to run The Color Run... and it did not disappoint! Check that off my bucket list! SOOO many of you have posted awesome tips and tricks for keeping your items and homes and cars clean post color run. Thank you so much for that because I literally bookmarked each one of them and used tips from each of yall when we went.  Alrighty, here we go, my recap of the most awesome weekend, The Color Run in Dallas:  Kevin and I hopped in the car early Friday morning (well as early as we could trying to get our fur baby out with her crate and all her things to our friends house) and hit I35. The day was beautiful and the plains of Oklahoma stood out beautifully against the vibrant blue sky.

After lunch with Kevin's grandparents we met up with Kristina and took off to get our Color Run gear at Sports Authority! { Insert super excited squeal}

Kristina and I wanted to head to the mall next as we were on search for some fun socks to wear for the Color Run. The flowers outside the mall were so pretty and we couldn't help ourselves in the Disney store.

 We checked into a hotel in downtown Dallas next. Much thanks to Miss Kristina's dad and his fabulous traveling points. Sweet deal for us!

Kristin and I's outfits for the big day all set out! Pink and Yellow!

We decided to do some exploring around downtown, business side.

Me, looking a little rough, and my
pretty cousin!

I took way too many pictures of architectural and interior design elements. So many cool and interesting pieces of design and architecture! {ps: business side of downtown Dallas is dead after 5 on Fridays}

My sweet cousin who lives in Dallas, took us out and about the more populated areas of Dallas. It was fun to see all the fun and quirky places that have just boomed with restaurants and bars.

We ended up eating dinner at one of my Houston favs, it was such a good site for sore eyes...Cafe Express! Their sweet potato fries are simply amazing!

My cousin took us to a grocery store, KROGER (why aren't they in Oklahoma?!) afterward so we could stock up on breakfast items. Apples, granola bars, and Belvita breakfast biscuits (thank you Influenster for introducing me to this awesome brand!).

I'm pretty sure I feel asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

5:30AM...that's what time our alarm went off for us to get to an 8am run...crazy? yes. So crazy, that we in fact missed our first DART ride to the fairgrounds for the run but it ended up for the better because we got to take more picture in the hotel room before heading off.

Perhaps the BEST thing we got into was the #VSXColorRunner vip treatment. Magically, myself and Kevin entered in with who knows how many other people to grab this special vip treatment from facebook and got it! Only like 50 people got in on this deal...#lucky! The perks? We got to store our stuff in a locker, AND they gave us all kinds of free stuff in this bag...essentially an entire Victoria Secret work out outfit...Kristina and I shared the bag. Leggings for her, tank and bra for me...amongst many other sweet freebies. My biggest advice...FIND this and GET IN on it!

We got to meet up with a camp friend and gave her the second locker because she had to head out to a bachelorette party shortly after the run.

We were in the first batch of runners to begin...that would be my second piece of advice, get in the front...the dancing craze at the stage? Not worth it...besides why wear yourself out before the awesomeness that is the Color Run!

Then the race finally began!

YELLOW:

ORANGE:

PINK: (the best color...obvs)

BLUE:

Getting to all the color spots (phone pictures):

THE FINISH LINE:

We clocked in at about 48 minutes which is actually pretty awesome for half running and stopping after each color station for pictures.

Then the color throw began at the finish festival (every 10 minutes)...awesome to be apart of and awesome to watch:

The After:

For those of you wondering why I'm doing the #1 sign here...it's because our sweet camp friend is doing her aggies thumbs  up...couldn't let OU be left out!

Our plan of action to avoid coloring the DART or our lovely hotel was to change shorts and shoes...even shirts. Thanks to our locker we were able to bring it all with us! The plan went perfectly. We didn't mess up anything anywhere. After showers and lots of scrubbing we took off downtown in search for food.

Commence more pictures:

My cousin had told us about a newish park built on the freeway downtown...let's just say it was absolutely amazing! We ate delish mini cupcakes and saw so many happy families enjoying the beautiful weather. (We also saw several color runners, and we knew they were because they were still all colorfied...literally hours later...kinda odd friends).

We checked out of the hotel and headed to Kristina's house for chill time, movies and a delicious dinner by miss kristina and her mommy. BEST DAY EVER!

The weekend ended on Sunday with church at The Village Church and breakfast/lunch at Einstein's...my fav. Can we just go back to it all?

Have you ever done the color run? What was your favorite part?
Be sure to swing by this lovely lady's blog: