2.28.14

Life has been changing, but for the better. The potential of better, at least. Moving is a hassle, financially and physically and mentally and...you name it. Going on four years of waking up together, we do have a little practice keeping each other from getting too stressed.
With my caffeine addiction back as my friend (I tried to stay away, but she understands me), thanks to Caramel Macchiato in a carton, I had the place settled in a few weeks and wedding planning was a go. The venue and dress are the last big things on my list, but so much is done, and the date is set. The job searching has begun, and I couldn't be more excited for our adventures here.

To break in the stove, and satisfy our never ceasing sweet tooth, I made some doughnuts! My first attempt, I tried to bake them. They were less than delectable, to say the least. By that, I mean they tasted like straight flour, and I immediately spit it out. Tyler ate two of the small ones to make me feel better, but I really really don't know how. Bless his soul. They were so pretty and deceiving.
The second attempt was much better. They were fried, so of course they were better. I used this recipe, but just cut them into doughnut shapes instead of doing the holes, and made the glaze chocolate. Sooo good.

More on our new home soon. Thanks for reading
xoxo

9.30.13

In November of 2011, an awkward, curly-headed girl walked up to me as I was doing make-up at Dillards and asked, "Are you Alexa?"
Tyler refers to her as my "other boyfriend", but we just have everything in common. She's become one of my best friends, and over the course of the few years we've been close, we have grown together in so many areas of the fashion industry. Jessa is a knockout in front of the camera, and a wiz behind it.

We snapped these after a long, beautiful day, and we barely caught them in the last 10 minutes of sunlight. I sped sped sped to our location and then we tracked through the woods. These few shots are definitely worth the trouble.

Goodnight September. You've been good to me.

xoxo

9.24.13

 Yesterday, I had coffee with a very close friend of mine. We go way back.
It's absolutely hilarious now to think that my young teen self thought Lydia hated me, but I was so wrong. Her glances at me were not mean, just shy ones. She's awesome. We're from the same area, but we eventually bonded over our love for ALL CAPS CONVERSATIONS on facebook. We both ended up in Springfield, and I'm proud to call her my friend.
Behind her small voice is a sassy attitude and a big heart. I hope to be the wife and mom she is some day.

 Here is her lovely blog.

  

 I had a 'sweet momma sip' on ice. It was a raspberry|dark chocolate latte, and it was incredible.

If you haven't been to Big Mommas on C street, I definitely recommend it.

It was some much needed girl time, and it fixed my sweet tooth for the day. What more could I ask for?

xoxo

9.10.13

“Too Good For Fish Sticks?”

I almost didn’t go that year. It was 2007, and I remember it being especially hot that summer. My birthday had just passed and I was 15 years old.
I almost didn’t go, but I convinced a couple of my good friends to come up with me, and we headed to church camp for a week.

I asked the cafeteria if I could have a hotdog one night, because they were serving my favorite, fish.

“Too good for fish sticks,” were the first words Tyler said to me. Nerves filled me stomach, and honestly after he spoke to me, I lost my appetite anyway.
“No, I’m allergic… Jerk”

This was the conversation that started a lasting relationship.

The first time I saw him is embedded in my mind. It was love at first site. I could make a pizza with all the cheese oozing from this post, but I haven’t and won’t exaggerate.

He wasn’t a camper, he came to tell his story (more on that later), and play us some lovely tunes. I got his “msn addy” and I went home with my head in the clouds.
I’m really close to my mom; both of my parents, really. I’m lucky enough to have parents that have been together for close to 30 years.
I told my mom when I got home, that I met the man I was going to marry.

Six years later, here we are.

Chapter 2 coming soon. Xoxo

Thank you thank you THANK YOU Katie Shanice Photography for the amazing photos. I love you, girl.

9.5.13

 Okay, so a little more background here. I grew up in southeast Missouri, in a town that sits on the current river. My summer days were filled with floating, boating and wading.
When I found this piece of driftwood at a neighbors yard sale, I was instantly smitten. For a steal of $2, I snatched up this natural piece of art and the small white mug beside it!

My beautiful fiance and I are in the process of making the move to Nashville, and are currently living with one of our best friends! It's been great here; the bills are split 3 ways, there are 3 people to do the dishes (thank goodness), but it's difficult to buy anything home interior when you're living in someone else's home. Luckily, Katie's style is eclectic, making it easy to place things here and there. When the time comes, and Tyler and I move to our future home in Tennessee, it will be filled with lots of black and white, lots of wood, and lots of love.
These pieces fit perfectly!

This morning I went out, grabbed some pebbles, and filled the bottom of the mugs with them. Then, some good ole' potting soil went in around the tiny succulents.
Kitty (our nephew), the 16 pound Maine Coon cat, was trying to help me. That is a full on chomp, folks.

Thanks for reading. xoxo