Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Let It Snow {Sick Day}

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Ironically, on the biggest snow fall of the season, I'm stuck inside sick. Today consists of cuddling with my girls, drinking green tea, and watching Brothers & Sisters on Netflix. It'd be a great day...if I weren't sick. I can't wait for Andrew to get home because I really miss my cuddle bug. 


My parents, who live in Northern Wisconsin, sent me some photos of the crazy amount of snow they got. I guess winter isn't over yet...

Let it snow
My dad shoveling away 
Bailey may look small, but she is a tough cookie
What my day is consisting of

Wisdom Wednesday

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Picture This Tuesday (Fashion Edition)

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As I mentioned before, I am obsessed with fashion. I thought it would be fun to do a Picture This Tuesday (Fashion Edition) for this week's post. I don't always have the biggest budget to spend on clothes, so it's exciting to shop around and find the best deals on designer inspired fashion (you don't need a lot of money to feel good!) My whole outfit below cost around $95 (including shirt, jeans, shoes, and necklace) I've also been having fun playing around with red lips and nails. It's different for me, but it's always nice to try out new ideas. It gives you a little spring in your step! :)


{Heartbreakers shirt and jeans, Forever 21 shoes, Express necklace}









Twenty Five Random Facts {Linky Party}

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I decided to join {Perfectly Imperfect} blog's post on...

Twenty Five Random Facts About Me

1. I am obsessed with water with lemon. It's my favorite drink.

2. I'm much more of an introverted person than people may think.

3. I do my own nails 3-4 times a week. It's an addiction.

4. I was born at home. My dad wasn't there yet because I came early, so it was just my mom, my seven year old and five year old brother (the mid-wife was late too). 

5. I have the biggest fear of flying.

6. But for some reason I managed to go skydiving.

7. I live in Minneapolis now, but grew up on 200 acres (no farming...nothing...just a whole lot of land)

8. I was the biggest tomboy growing up...playing cowboys and indians with my brother, swimming in swamps, helping my neighbors on their farm, and even helping catch chickens when the were butchering (in case you didn't know...when you cut chicken's heads off their nerves are still going crazy so they run around without their heads) I CAN'T believe I did that.

9. My favorite food is sushi.

10. I hate voice mails.

11. I grew up in the same house for 18 years.

12. Since then I've moved 8 times. 

13. I have the greatest nieces and nephews in the world (no I'm not biased...they really are the best)

14. And the greatest dogs.

15. I'm the Maid of Honor to my two best friend's weddings this year and I couldn't be more honored. 

16. The farthest I've traveled so far is to Ecuador for my brother's wedding.

17. I look foward to traveling even farther.

18. I can't wait to marry and start a family with Andrew.

19. I have the greatest mother to ever exist (don't believe me...meet her)

20. I'm obsessed with Apple products...you'll find me either on my Iphone, Ipad, or MacBook Pro at any given time...it's a problem.

21. I'm very much a right sided brain person.

22. For the first time in my life, I can say I truly hold no animosity or ill will against anyone.  I've made peace with anyone who's done me wrong in my own way. It's such a liberating feeling.

23. I would be completely content living in MN the rest of my life, but also wouldn't mind moving away for a few years before we have kids.

24. I'm learning to love to cook more and more.

25. I love crocheting.


What's YOUR twenty five random facts about YOU? :)

Monday, February 27, 2012

Proud {Dog} Mommy of Two

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I've always been extremely maternal...having this strong desire to care and provide for others. I also have always known that I wanted to be a mother. I truly believe I was put on this earth to have children and be the very best mother I could possibly be. And this desire to nuture began very early on. Though, I can't wait to have children of my own in the near future, I'm happily content being the best dog mommy to my two perfect little pooches, Bella and Zoë To say I'm obsessed with them is putting it midly. They are my babies, and I would do anything for them! Some people may not get the love I have for my dogs, but honestly, I could care less. 

Growing up we always had dogs. My infatuation with them grew very early on. How was it possible for an animal to act so human? I remember when my mother had her first brain surgery, how Bay (our Chesapeake Bay Retriever...the first dog I ever remember) began to follow my mother everywhere...making sure she kept her balance, and was next to her anytime she stumbled. As I continued to grow older, I began to lean on our dogs as a sense of comfort and security...knowing that no matter what, all they wanted was to be loved.

When I left for college, it was a strange void to not have a dog around. I missed that sense of comfort. It took me less than a year to bring home Miss Bella. I went with a friend and Andrew to pick her up. From the moment I layed eyes on her I knew she was for me. She was the cutest, tiniest, sweetest little thing I ever saw (I started crying seeing her for the first time...yes I'm an emotional sap) I named her Bella, because I couldn't stop thinking just how beautiful she was. She instantly became my little cuddle bug, going everywhere with me. People were reluctant with me getting a dog as a Sophomore in college, but I knew the responsibilities that went along with owning a dog...and she was well worth any sacrifice.

within the first few weeks of getting Bella
Fast foward a couple years later and I started getting the itch to get a sister for Bella. I always grew up with multiple dogs and loved the campanionship they were able to share. From the moment I saw Zoë's puppy picture online, I knew she was the one. Andrew, his sister, and I drove almost to Missouri, which was about five hours away... one way (it was well worth the trip)  Andrew and I had gone to look at some other puppies a few weeks before...but despite how adorable they were...none of them felt "right". Zoë was right. Once again when I saw her for the first time, I started to cry. She was this tiny, yet super chubby adorable ball of fur. And boy did she have so much personality. She was the perfect fit to our little family.

the photo that won me over
I couldn't be more in love with my girls. They bring me such joy every single day I wake up. Though, I can't wait to be a real mommy someday...I couldn't be more happy being Bell and Zo Zo's dog mommy. :)

sleeping with daddy




cuddles for daddy from zo zo 

and bella boo too
zo zo baby



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Happy Weekend

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This weekend was an absolute blast! Friday night, my best friend and I had our very own "date night", complete with dinner, wine, and a movie. :) We saw The Vow, which I of course was a sobbing mess throughout most of the movie. Then last night, we had friend's over to the condo to enjoy some adult beverages, cards, music, and of course...Catchphrase (one of THE best games of all time!) It was such a fun night, filled with lots of laughs and of course, a little friendly competition! Here's a some photos of last night's game night. Happy Sunday!








Friday, February 24, 2012

My Week Through Photos

Pin It My great friend over at {Raising Miss Mommy} started a "My Week In Photos" blog post, and since she's pretty awesome...I thought I'd follow in her footsteps and do the same. :)

{Raising Miss Mommy's} baby girl, Kenley, enjoying some quality time with 'Auntie Cathryn'
Work, work, work
Finally seeing The Vow tonight with my best friend
One of my clients, Girl Scouts, doing their promo shoot at the CW Twin Cities studio
My man and I made Tacos for Fat Tuesday
Diva Bella staking her claim on our friend's chair during dinner

Humor Me Friday

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my very own personal comedy routine...my babies :)



Thursday, February 23, 2012

My Fifty List (Week Three)

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Five Mistakes You've Learned A lot From (Linky Party)

Pin It I decided to join {Moments That Define Life} linky party, {listable life} again, because I had so much fun doing one on {Five Reasons Traveling to Colorado is a Must}. This week's linky party I'm going to do is Five Mistakes You've Learned A lot From. The "mistakes" I've made throughout my life aren't necessarily things I regret or something I did or didn't do...but rather lessons learned throughout the hard times in my life. 

Five {Mistakes} I've Learned A lot From

One. Love all. Trust a few. Do wrong to none
William Shakespeare said this of course. And it's the simple truth. Growing up I trusted nearly everyone...with my thoughts...my secrets...my dreams...you name it. Because they would be loyal, sincere and never betray my trust, right? WRONG! The hard truth is, human beings can be mean, vicious, and sometimes plain evil. As I grew up, I discovered the meaning of true...and I mean true, unconditional friendship. But that didn't come without a price unfortunately. I don't look back though and "regret" the events that led me to the friendship I still share to this day. I've learned you really should love all (be kind, understanding, and sensitive), but really only trust a small few that you know truly has your best intentions at heart. I'm so blessed to have found my forever friends...one even since the age of five. :)

Two. Everything Does Happen For a Reason
We've all experienced heartbreak in one way or the other, however minor or major it may have been. I happened to have experienced the can't sleep, heart-wrenching, my life is over type of a heartbreak. It was quite certainty the closest I've ever felt to losing a very close loved one. That being said, I'm very grateful for the experience I went through. It gave me such perspective into what I did and didn't want in a person and made me realize that some people really aren't meant to be together. Everyone deserves to find their match and I'm so blessed to have found mine. My experience led me to the man of my dreams who I've been in love with for over six years now. I believe my life happened in such a precise series of events that led me directly to the right person.

Three. Live in the moment
I've always been guilty of having a difficult time with just living in the moment. I've always been someone to be so concerned with the past, or too focused on the future. It's been (and still is) something I've been striving to work towards. Just be. It's easier said than done though, right? I continue to try everyday to achieve this contentment, because it's really a mistake to do otherwise. It's really no way to live...in the past or the future. What matters is NOW.

Four. The Grass is Greener, But Just as Hard to Mow
This phrase comes from one of my favorite songs, Better Than by John Butler Trio..and it couldn't be more true. At times throughout my life, I've thought to myself...if I just had that...or if I just lived that life, everything would be so much better. But the truth is, the grass may be greener, but it's just as hard to mow.

Five. Shit happens.
Sometimes in life, you just have to accept that shit happens. There may not be some big explanation or lesson to be taken from an unfortunate event or time in your life...it just simply sucks, and you have to move past it. This is something I've began to really work towards over the past few years...letting go of the "shit", and just getting over it! Because let's be honest, somethings and/or people just aren't worth your energy.

Wisdom Wednesday

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{I heard what you said. I'm not the silly romantic you think. I don't want the heavens or the shooting stars. I don't want gemstones or gold. I have those things already. I want...a steady hand. A kind soul. I want to fall asleep, and wake, knowing my heart is safe. I want to love, and be loved. -Shana Abe, The Dream Thief}


{We all have chapters in our lives we would rather keep unpublished. -Downtown Abbey}


 {I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way. -Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility}


{She believed a great happiness awaited her somewhere, and for this reason she remained calm as the days flew by. -Sunflower, by Gyula Krudy}

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Today's Modern Woman {aka Superwoman}

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{Disclaimer: This isn't in any way to portray men as insignificant or that their roles aren't just as equally important as women, because men need women just as much as women need men (that's the beauty of it all)}

Women. Yes, we are one hell of a complicated species. So irrational and emotional...and let's not forget, oh so dramatic. We are mysterious and unpredictable...so watch out men...because you never really know what you're gonna get. But with all these "faults" we seem to have, comes great loyalty, strength, passion, and love. Women are truly phenomenal beings (yes I happen to be bias).

I grew up with a mother who shared all these traits. My mother was and is not only the greatest mother, but person, to walk this earth (I whole heatedly mean that). The amount of passion, love and strength that exuded from my mother while I was growing up was inspiring to me. I knew I wanted to be like her when I grew up. My mother really was and always has been the "glue" that held our family together. Now being an adult, I look back in awe thinking about how strong she had to be not only for herself, but for her family. My mother is my role model, my best friend, and my {Superwoman}.

As I began growing older, I started seeing the roles of men and women in my family, friends, and even strangers. When my parents were children, it was instinctual in a sense for the man to be the breadwinner and for the woman to stay at home and take care of the kids. They each had their roles (however sexiest it may have been) but there was a level of understanding. 

In today's modern world, today's modern woman isn't so black and white. Women's ability and power is now (almost) completely accepted. We have women running companies and running for president even. Women now have a say in life, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. 

This is where the but comes in...where does this leave us with our roles of a man and woman? Women (who have always been capable) are now allowed to equally do what men have done for years upon years. Yet, where does family play in? Who's supposed to do the laundry? Cook dinner? And yes...always keep things spicy in the bedroom? 

I've always admired women who seem to "do it all". Work a full time job, keep a clean house, do the laundry, cook dinner, raise the children, have a great sex life, and still manage to keep sane. But is that really possible? Is it possible for a REAL modern woman to exist? 

I've struggled throughout my life (and even more so now that I'm an adult) on my role as a woman. I've always known I had a desire as a young age to raise a family. It's in my bones, my soul, my heart...every ounce of me to get married, and raise my children. But in today's society, women are now judged by "only" being a stay at home mom and taking care of a family. Ask my mother...it's the HARDEST job you could ever do. It's ironic to struggle with your identity in today's modern world, when women would have said the same thing before women's rights. 

It's a fine line that we walk in today's modern world...thinking about where we fit in to it all. I sure know I want to be looked as a strong, independent, and successful woman (who mind you doesn't put up with shit from anyone) but is having a full time job, cooking, cleaning, raising children, etc. the only way to prove that? 

That is the question I'm still trying to answer...

Picture This Tuesday

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I chose to share a photo I took of my beautiful and amazing niece, Isabella Lucía Ryan, for this week's Picture This Tuesday post. I have hundreds of photos of her already, but this one represents her so well! She is the sweetest, most hilarious little girl I've ever known! She really lights up my life! And according to my family, she looks and acts a little like me when I was a child...uh oh...watch out! ;)