No More No Reply Comment Emails!

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Nothing breaks my heart more, than when I get an amazing comment I can't reply back to!

I try to email most everyone back who leaves me comments on my blog, and especially like to follow your blogs back so I can read your lovely posts too!

BUT, several of you have "noreply-comment@blogger.com" when I try to reply to your comment. (and I'm guessing, you probably don't even realize it!)

I encourage you to go and connect your email to your profile ASAP because it helps you really connect to the blogging network even more. Emailing between bloggers helps you develop relationships with other bloggers.. and it really can make the world of difference in the blogosphere. ;)

So HOW do you fix it?!

1. go to the Blogger Dashboard

2. click edit profile 

3. look in the privacy section. 

4. Click the box that says show my email address

5. In the identity section enter your email address 

6. Scroll down and click Save Profile

 

Also, several of you have it where I can't see your blog address on your profile :( And I always love to follow back my new followers! So if I'm not following you, please please pleeease leave your blog address in a comment! I would love to read your posts, since so many of you read my ramblings each day!

 

Peace and Blessings!

Now go update your profile so I can reply to these comments!! :)

 

MOH.

I've been waiting to post about this..

until Sarah got her wedding update posted on her blog.

  Not this past weekend, but the weekend before Sarah came to visit me in Athens for a girl's weekend together.

When she got here Friday night, we got her stuff inside and then she immediately handed me an envelope. Inside was this...

and of course I said YES!!!!

I am SO, SO honored to be apart of Sarah's wedding day. It's going to be so special, and I'm looking forward to helping her get ready for her big day. Ahh!! I still can't believe she's getting married!!! December needs to hurry up, because I am just TOO dang excited.

The end.

The weekend she came was absolutely dreary weather wise. #notcoolathens

So we ended up being lazy, shopping, eating, napping... and the likes.

And no trip to Athens is complete with out a visit to the Varsity for an Onion Ring fix.

SOOO.. this is my first time really being in a wedding, and being Maid of Honor is a legit honor.  So if you've been in a wedding please, please, pleeeease share some tips for me! I need to do my duties and help make her big day as special as it can be!!!

Gettin' Things DOOONE!

Sunday afternoons I prefer to be lazy.

but today I have a to-do list a miiiile long.

I'm trying to cross off these things as FAST as I can so I can do better things.. like repaint my nails. ;)

  but having my windows open, and enjoying some fresh air on this beautiful day makes it a little less painful. 

And tonight I'm looking forward to starting this book [pictured below] that my small group is studying. 

How are you spending YOUR Sunday afternoon?!

OOTD

OOTD challenge.

Rachel @Just Peachy tweeted a challenge this week for everyone to take OOTD pictures each day.

only, I kind of failed and only managed to get the second-half of the week photographed. Just leaving myself with room for improvement.. ;)

I'm not sure if there will be an actual link-up.. but you should totally join in the challenge!

[wednesday.]

Old Navy Dress (I can't find it online.. but it's in stores right now) & Frye Boots.

 Millie joined in for a few pictures.. pardon her dinginess ;)

[thursday.]

gross day = patagonia, yoga pants, and crazy hair.

[today.]
I feel so dumb taking pictures of myself in the mornings... so don't laugh.

Today I'm wearing an express sequin tank with a black sweater (from belk?), leggings, and boots. 

 the end.
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!  
what are your weekend plans?!

Weakness.

I told myself I wouldn't do it.

but.. I did.

Oh Brownies and ice cream... you get me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

I also told myself I'd memorize 20 amino acids and their structures tonight... but Pinterest called.

I have no self-control.

now back to my brownie and ice cream..

and procrastination.

  mmmm!!! good! ;)

Hope you all had a wonderful Thursday!!!

WILW

It's time for my favorite link-up!!!

Here's what I'm loving today:

[one.]

white chicken chili kits.

  If you haven't tried one of these, get yourself to the store right this second and get you one. It's super easy to make, and I add in everything it suggests on the back. Holy smokes, I've been eating it all week and I'm STILL not tired of it.

[two.]

I'm getting into cooking again. 

I've been really bad about eating random stuff, and not cooking a whole lot. BUT, this past week I've been cooking up a storm!! And I even baked some blueberry muffins with my grandmother's amazing recipe. 

 mmmm! mmm! good!

[three.]

IKEA.

I actually did this over a week ago.. but I'm still reliving the amazing experience.

   [four.]

This gorgeous weather.

It's making me want to pull out my spring wardrobe!

So I did a mini fashion show for my mirror last night, trying to mix and match some winter pieces with my spring pieces.. but I'm not so sure this is fashionably acceptable. But I don't know.. I feel like the fashion bloggers always wear things I would NEVER find fashionably acceptable, and they totally rock it.

(Can you tell I've been reading too many fashion blogs lately?)

New Goal: Have an open mind when looking through my closet.

   [five.]

This Blog.

I found it yesterday and have been obsessed ever since.

The girl can make a mean stack [of bracelets].. and I would love to raid her closet.

Now go link up and share what YOU are loving my friends!

Justin Crushin.

No, not on the Biebs.

on the Timbs.

as in, Justin Timberlake.

via

I mean, that is a gooooood lookin' man.

 I've been watching his SNL skits like nobody's business.. and he is just so dang hilarious!

and his videos with Andy Samberg? I. Die.

So funny!

One  of my favorites is the Cup of Soup skit, it was on the Best of SNL Christmas.. but I can't find it ANYWHERE online.

Lame!

but that's all for today!

I can't wait to share with you about my wonderful weekend with Sarah visiting me in Athens! We had a great time.. and there will most definitely be a post coming soon with deets!

P to the S: you should check out My Twenties Blog, because I posted today!

WILW

Today I'm linking up with Jamie for WILW!

and you should too ;)

Today I'm loving...

[one.]

My new bath & body works candle!

Cranberry Pear Bellini.

mmmm!! smells SO good.

 

[two.]

That this weekend Sarah is coming to visit me! :)

And I haven't gotten to see her since she's gotten ENGAGED! I'm dying to see that gorgeous ring in person... AND hang out with her in A-town.

  

[three.]

manicure nights with the roomie.

we love nail polish.

#slightlyobsessed

 

AND I'm loving that it's a short week!

What are YOU loving this week?

Link up and share it with us!

Latest Obsession.

Meet the beloved game of Darts.

My new favorite thing.

I had never played a legit game of darts until we were at some bar in Athens.. and lo and behold, I'm a beast at it! So naturally, Jasmine and I decided our apartment needed to be graced with a dart board.

And yes, I do realize that sounds like something you would find in a guy's apartment. But we are proud of this thing.

It was a massive project. 

Involving a few trips to Lowe's, Academy Sports, and power tools. 

That's right, power tools.

Sadly no pictures were taken during this dart board acquisition and installation.. BUT what's important is the finished product. 

For the backboard we had them custom cut us a piece of wood at Lowe's, then spray painted it with Chalkboard Paint. Keeping it cute and semi-girly.. and the perfect spot for our guests to sign when they come play a game!

But in the meantime, we're just filling it up with funny quotes from our friends. :)

and if you haven't played a real game of darts...

my friends, you are missing out! Go get you a dart board TODAY and get on this.

It will be your new obsession too. 

I can feel it! ;)

Busy Weekend!

I have had SUCH a busy weekend.

but in the good kind of busy.

Friday Night my sweet Millie pup came to my apartment to spend the night with me. I just LOVED having her company, having a dog who looks at you with such adoration is one of the "simple" things in life that I love the most! ;)

I also got around to hanging the gift Ally made me for my birthday... (yes, from back in September..) I'm terrible. BUT, now it's hung! 

AND my wonderful roommate and I decided on a whim to run out and buy ourselves a Keurig. We've been talking about how we've wanted one for months now.. and it literally happened like this:

Me: There's a ton of Keurigs for sale on Craigslist!

Her: Really?! For how much?

Me: Some are only like 60 bucks...

Her: How much is a new one again?

Me: Let's check bed, bath, and beyond...

---We check the price---

Her: With a 20% off coupon that's not bad!

Me: Uhm.... they close in 30 minutes, can we make it?!

Her: I'm throwing on my coat! LET'S GO!!!!

and 30 minutes later our apartment was blessed with this beauty...

ohhhh yeahhhh

I feel like this was a wise investment.. seeing as how our semesters are going to be CRAZY busy with school work. The good Lord above KNOWS we will be needing some caffeine!

Now we're excited to try out all of the different K-Cup flavors!

Do you have a keurig?! And if so, what is your favorite coffees for it? 

We need suggestions! 

Counting My Blessings.

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've sat down to write this post, but I simply can't get the words I want across.

Last Saturday morning, the world lost one of the most loving, Christian women I know; and Heaven gained an angel that is dearly missed by her family.

Her name was Beatrice Bentley,

but known to most as "Granny B."

A saint in the eyes of all who knew her.

She was a simple lady,

A hardworking lady,

A quiet lady,

A lady who knew how to sew the perfect stitches with her eyes closed.

Her love was always felt by everyone around her.

The best Southern cook I've ever met,

With the best hand-patted buttermilk biscuits you'd ever put in your mouth.  

You hardly ever saw her without a smile on her face,

or her arms open wide to welcome her family and loved ones into her home.

Born in 1915. 

She died at the age of 96.

In the wake of her passing, we gathered as a family to comfort each other... but also to share memories. This woman lived an incredible life, and I am so thankful that I was able to be a witness to it for 21 years. Not many people are fortunate enough to know their great-grandparents, and I count my blessings that Granny  was one of mine. 

The amount of people that poured into the funeral home to pay their respects was remarkable. When you are faced with the death of a loved one, I feel like it makes you realize how much of an impact you can make on other people's lives. It was amazing to see how many people were touched by Granny. The stories people shared just put smiles on our faces, and amongst all the tears we were able to smile with memories of her.

I can't begin to express just how amazing Granny was,

but I hope that as I carry out my life.. I can walk with as much grace as she did.

and with that, I just want to share a few pictures, most we took of her a little over a year ago after her 95th birthday. 

We love and miss you Granny B!

My Mother's 29th birthday... again.

Mama decided she was turning 29 again this year ;)

so yesterday we celebrated her lovely birthday.

We opened presents in the office at home before heading out to dinner in Athens.

I LOVE gift-giving and I especially love surprised faces when opening gifts. 

  for dinner we planned to go to one of my favorite places to eat dinner, Casa Mia in Athens.

Well lo and behold the place went and CLOSED for good over the holiday. I'm talking, scraped the vinyl sign off the windows and everything. WHAT. THE. HECK?!

I literally ate there the last week of school.

and they had delicious food and amazing sangria.

not cool.

So we ended up at Speakeasy for some tapas. Definitely another great dinner place downtown. 

tapas are my new favorite.

I'm a major food lover, and so I love that you can order like 10 different things.. and get to try them all without:

A) Breaking the bank 

or 

B) getting miserably full

It was a delicious dinner! and we had a wonderful time celebrating Mama's 45th 29th birthday. ;)

WILW

Holy smokes, 3 posts in one week? I am on a ROLL!!

Starting my new year off right ;)

and TODAY I'm linking up with sweet Jamie for WILW!

What I'm loving...

[one.]

Boot socks.

Considering it went from 60 degrees to 30 overnight this week in Georgia.. I'm in love with these babies. They are so incredibly warm. 

[two.]

My beautiful Frye boots that I gifted myself for Christmas.
[pictured above]

I've coveted these beauts for over a year now.. and I finally bit the bullet. and have seriously worn them every day since they arrived via UPS. ;)

[three.]

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series.

Woahhh baby, these books are amazing. 

I can't put them down.. I'm on the third one now and I don't want it to end!

The first one takes a little bit to get into.. but don't get discouraged because they are seriously AMAZING.

and basically, you need to go see the movie so they will make the second.
the end.
:)

[four.]
That today is my sweet mama's biiiiirthday!!
and tonight we are going to celebrate at one of my favorite restaurants in Athens. (woot! woot!)
Happy Birthday Mama!! I love you!!

 
What are YOU loving today?!
Go link up with Jamie and share it with us!

Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Over Christmas we made the BEST cocktail.

It's from the December issue of Southern Living and it sounded so tasty me and Mama decided to give it a try.

It's an Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic.

and look how pretty it looks!

   It tastes as good as it looks, I promise. 

and it's easy to make.. but so pretty it will definitely impress your guests.

Ingredients

1 (2-inch) Orange Rind

1 Tablespoon Fresh Cranberries*

1 Teaspoon Sugar

1 Cup Ice Cubes

3 Tablespoons Gin

1 Tablespoon Fresh Orange Juice

1/4 Cup Tonic Water

1. Muddle orange rind strip, fresh cranberries, and sugar in a cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes, gin, and fresh orange juice. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Pour into an 8-oz. glass; top with tonic water. Serve immediately.

*Frozen cranberries, thawed, may be substituted. (It will probably make the drink more colorful, we used fresh cranberries in ours)

 

Cheers!

2012!

Did 2011 fly by or what?!

The fact that it is 2012 is blowing my mind.

We rang in the New Year in Athens with some of our friends. 

I love NYE, the promise of a New Year with new beginnings and the excitement of new memories that await. Yeah, it's cheesy.. but I love it for that very reason. ;)

We started off our NYE at my sweet friend Grayson's house and met up with a lot of old friends before heading downtown to ring in the New Year.

Taylor, Grayson, and Me

 We hardly took ANY pictures.. definitely kicking myself for that today.

All in all it was a wonderful New Year's, we had a blast meeting up with people we hadn't seen in years... always fun to start a year off with a big group of friends!

How did you spend YOUR New Year's Eve?