Hello Texas!

We arrived to Texas yesterday and I already can tell it's going to be hard to leave. my roommates family has the most gorgeous 12 acre ranch here. it's beyond what you can even imagine. we have so much fun stuff planned for the week i can't take it! relaxing, wine, fire pits, shooting guns, cowboy boot shopping, homemade meals, decorating for the holidays, movies, sleeping in, and spending time with some of my favorite people. happy thanksgiving to you all. will post lots of pictures when i return. smooches! x

life lately, according to my iphone pics.

sorting work fan mail:

my friends baby maverick posing:

red velvet soccer ball cake pops for the team/staff:

(will never make again, ha)

the cutest pillow "live the life you've imagined" that my friend got me:

(thanks amy!)

my friends sweet baby girl elle born on 11-11-11

(how cool is that!?)

a typical night on the job:

a gorgeous bungalow that my friend stayed in for a wedding:

happy friday to you all!

a very happy birthday to my mom.

i know i post the below photo a lot,

but it is just my favorite photo of her!!

she is SUCH a babe.

gosh, my brother and i are so lucky.

can't wait to spend an entire weekend celebrating her...

happy birthday momma!

you are everything and more.

we love you.

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf.

one of my favorite bloggers (and friends from high school) added this video to her blog yesterday.

check out her blog here, she is just the cutest!!

i am obsessed with this video and so happy to have new ways to wear my scarves!

this video is so cool!

BLOGSHOP.

i just signed up for this and am so so excited!

i've been waiting to do this for so long and counting down the days in January!

you can read more about other blogshops here too!

bri's blog is one of my favorites!

eeeeeeeeek!

big news.

i have something really important i wanted to share. it's really big. like big big (i know i am so dramatic, but life would be so boring if i wasn't). so... drum roll please.... i am writing a book. well, it's pretty much already written. but over the weekend i had a decision to make with myself, to move forward and keep working towards it, or don't. i am choosing the first. i am choosing happiness. i am choosing to write this book i have always wanted to write. it may be just for me and my family one day, or who knows, maybe it will be published? it doesn't matter as long as i finish it for me. which i will.... one day. so, here's the story. when my dad died a few years ago, i went back through all my old love letters he had written, all the emails i saved from him, everything. as it turns out... not only did he tell me "life lessons" daily, but he wrote them too! some of the emails even say "life lesson #545234" or what have you. and then give me great advice, or a funny story and with that story what i should get out of it, etc. etc. i have 50 + chapters (or topics if you will) in itself already. i am just SO excited!! you know when you realize you have a purpose in this world? i mean... obviously, everyone has a purpose in some way, shape, or form. but when you know you were meant to do something? for me, i know it was to write this book. it's been on my bucket list for quite some time. but what better way to capture my father then through his own words and stories? it will make you laugh, it will make you cry... but at the end of the day it will make you be better. do better. it will make you live the life you were destined to live. i am just so happy i can't stand it. the chapters have been flowing out of me and i can't keep up with it all. i am thrilled to have decided to move forward with this "project" of mine. it could take a year, 5 years, 25 years. it doesn't matter. you know why? because there's no rush. i might have questions for you all along the way... and/or ideas to bounce off of you all... but first things first... i think i got my book title down.....

"Lessons from my (Southern) Father"

pretty great right?

i just can't wait for you to experience my dad like i did. a. true. great.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKIN' ME HAPPY.

happy friday dolls! i have been fighting "the strep" this week. and let me tell you... strep throat is THE worst. i have never had it, and i never want to again. seriously, KNIVES. feeling much better now (thank goodness!)

however, these things are making me very happy at the moment...

this outfit, but mainly the sweater:

these little finger foods perfect for a party:

i NEED this puppy in my life:

cute hot chocolate display idea for the holidays:

such a cute lil gift idea:

i hope you guys enjoy your weekend!!!

(sources: pinterest)