Happy Third Blogiversary

It’s time to celebrate my third blogiversary! This blog has always been a fun outlet for me to share some of my favorite things. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading over the past few years as much as I’ve enjoyed writing. Thank you to everyone who’s stopped by to visit my little space on the internet.

3rd Blogiversary

You can read my second blogiversary post from last year here. I didn’t want to make a lot of promises this year except that I would like to invest in a camera so I can get some great pictures and as always to post a little more consistently. I would also like to hear what posts are your favorites and what you would like to see more of, so let me know in the comments. To celebrate, I’m kicking off my four week blogiversary giveaway below and have chosen some of the fun things I’ve featured in the past year to give away, so I hope you enter often. Good luck!

Blogiversary Giveaway

I’m giving away a month’s worth of prizes! Enter the giveaway below and each week I will choose another winner.

Week 1 – July 15

Remember when I got the Chambong? Well I loved it so much I wanted to make sure that my readers had the chance to try one out themselves. Here is my original post that details what it is and how to use it.

Chambong

Week 2 – July 29

I recently featured the Tiffany T Bracelet in my Splurge vs. Steal series. I love the steal I picked out for it and decided I would give one away to one of you so you can rock it like the real thing.

Tiffany T Square

Week 3 – August 5

I loved these Pineapple Pearl Pop Earrings so much that I wrote a whole post for them. After Prep Obsessed saw the post they sent me a pair of my very own. For Week 3, I will do the same for one lucky reader!

Pineapple studs

Week 4 – August 12

I wrote a post sharing all my Beauty Favorites for a Long Day and wanted to give one lucky winner their very own Still Standing Spray. Be prepared to dance the night away in heels at your next event.

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Make sure to enter the giveaway early and often for your chance to win four weeks of prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!




Spring Bucket List

Ahhh, spring in Michigan…looks a lot like winter unfortunately. I worked A LOT this winter, between my day job, teaching and blogging I didn’t spend much time having fun or working on my winter bucket list. I would like to change that this spring and spend a little more time enjoying life, so step one is to create some fun goals.

Spring Bucket List

  • Go to Opening Day

Opening Day 2016

  • Spring clean the house
  • Refresh my windowsill garden
  • Plan a picnic date
  • Visit the Toledo Zoo to see the elephants
  • Brunch on the patio
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Make homeade ice cream
  • Go to Flower Day at Eastern Market
  • Go to Michigan’s Spring Game – We didn’t go to the Spring Game, but we did go to the special practice at Ford Field

Michigan practice 2016

  • Shop at the Farmer’s Market
  • Go to Pewabic Pottery’s Garden Party
  • Go on a bike ride
  • Use the grill
  • Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
  • Take an outdoor yoga class
  • Take a Memorial Day weekend trip
  • Make limoncello
  • Pick berries from a local farm
  • Go to a Mother’s Day tea

What are your favorite spring bucket list activities?

I will add to this list throughout the season so let me know your favorites.



Bachelor 20 – Week 9 Recap

It’s Week 9…bring on the fantasy suites!

Since things are heating up, we kick off the week with some long stares and statements about how Jamaica is a beautiful place to fall in love. Lauren and JoJo are in sync in their Victoria’s Secret Robes. Lauren’s is the Satin Kimono in Blue Water ($49.50):

Kimono Wrap

JoJo’s Satin Kimono ($59.50) is a little different with lace cut outs on the shoulders.

Satin Kimono

Caila was up first and the date got off to a bumpy start. She also wore a bathing suit crop top as and outfit…although if I had her abs, I would wear that every day. Unfortunately, I can only help you with the swimsuit, not the abs. Caila wore the Billabong Gypsy Dreamin’ Crop Halter Bikini Top ($54.95) with a Madewell Mini Geochain Necklace ($30):

Billabong

Lauren’s date is up next and if it’s possible she may have worn even less than Caila. I absolutely could not pull off those shorts so I won’t even try. They did have the cutest date helping to send baby turtles into the wild. Before they headed off to the fantasy suite, Lauren told Ben that she loved him and SURPRISE! he said it back! Let’s just wrap it up right there people…

Last but not least, JoJo looked smokin’ hot in her Indah Sisi Bikini Top. I was floored when Ben told JoJo that he also loved her (WHAT?)!!! Her specific color is no longer available, but you can get it here in black for $55:

Indah

I am stunned that Ben just went out there and said the “L” word to two women. Somebody is truly going to get hurt, which is sad. After watching this episode, it’s obvious who that will be. I loved JoJo’s evening maxi dress, the Ecote Deluxe Daisy Maxi Dress from Urban Outfitters. It’s in pounds so about $100 US. This BB Dakota Larissa Black and White Floral Print Maxi Dress ($99) is somewhat similar:

Urban Outfitters Maxi

Once in the fantasy suite, JoJo pulls out another rockin’ bikini look with with Vitamin A Swimwear Kylie Triangle Top ($59.99):

Vitamin A Swimwear

Caila stops to surprise Ben and he ends up setting her home. Caila seems surprised, but I think she is better off in the end.  She wore the same Billabong Gypsy Dreamin’ Crop Halter Bikini Top ($54.95) which is reversible and a sold out Bay View Skirt from Athleta. They also make a similar Pura Vida Midi Skirt ($54):

Athleta

At the least dramatic rose ceremony, both women get roses and we are left to wonder how Ben can actually be in love with two women. JoJo is looking amazing in her Bebe Deep V Midi Dress ($129)! Since her pattern is no longer available I found this additional ASOS Deep Plunge Rose Midi Scuba Body-Conscious Dress ($68) that has the same floral feel:
Bebe

Lauren arrives and also surprises Chris Harrison by telling him that Ben is in love with her too! I’m not sure if he knew that before the girls showed up, but the audience was definitely surprised. Lauren wore the High Tide Maxi from Blue Life ($154):

High Tide Maxi

There you have it…our final two ladies!

What did you think about Week 9? Next week will be fashion packed with the Women Tell All!

If you missed this episode you can still watch it here.

For more Bachelor posts, click here.



Spring 2016 Favorites

It’s time for spring (thank goodness)! I am beyond ready to say goodbye to old man winter this year. Here are a few of my favorite things to get you in the mood for spring:

Faux-Leather Zip Top Clutch ($19)

I LOVE this color and I am a sucker for anything ombre.

Ombre clutch

Vince Camuto Off the Shoulder Blouse ($89)

This off-the-shoulder look is HOT for spring. I also like that this has straps.

Vince Camuto

Jessica Simpson Claudette Pumps ($79)

I have been jonesing for a pair of hot pink pumps for a while now. I could have a lot of fun with these!

OPI You’re Such a BudaPest

I love this periwinkle lavender color for spring and can’t wait to get this on my nails ASAP. This also comes in the gel color.

You're Such a BudaPest

Modern Sprout Garden Jars ($54)

Spring means time for planting! So I thought it was the perfect time to refresh my window garden.

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Kate Spade Pretty Petals Ear Pin ($59)

I’ve wanted one of these earrings for a long time and I LOVE the flowers. These are SO perfect!

Ear Pin

Ralph Lauren Floral-Print Jersey Dress ($144)

I love that this is both springy and black, because black is my favorite color to wear. I also love pops of color. Ralph Lauren dresses are my spirit animal, they always look amazing.

Ralph Lauren

Nike Roshe Run Sneaker ($85)

These would have been perfect for my Pantone Color of the Year post. I need some new shoes and I love this pattern – so girly girl!

Nike

Very Sexy Now Eau de Parfum ($52)

I got this in a rollerball version and LOVED the smell of coconut water. It reminds me of the beach.

Very Sexy Now

Vanilla Beach Flower Candle ($24.50)

Speaking of coconuts, this candle takes the cake. It smells like vanilla flower petals, sheer coconut and soft beach musk.

Vanilla Beach Flower

What are your favorite things for spring?

You can also check out my Spring 2015 and Spring 2014 Favorites.



Winter Bucket List

I started off strong for my Fall Bucket List, but then got crazy busy about halfway through. So don’t be surprised if you see some of my Fall list creeping into my Winter Bucket List. I like having this list, because I feel like I’ve done more having it as a reminder. It definitely helps to make the seasons more memorable.

Winter Bucket List

  • Make shepherd’s pie
  • Plan a supper club with friends
  • Get a hot chocolate from Starbucks
  • Go bowling
  • Go to a Piston’s game
  • Finish my cork wreath
  • Drink champagne and have a New Year’s kiss
  • Take a cooking class
  • Watch a Valentine’s Day movie
  • Host a couple’s game night
  • Perfect John’s potato soup recipe
  • Make Valentine’s Day cards
  • Make something in the crockpot
  • Attend my annual girl’s up north trip
  • Go to a Superbowl party
  • Bake a Valentine’s Day treat
  • Indulge in a paczki
  • Go to a Red Wings game
  • Make a Mardi Gras king cake
  • Give something up for Lent
  • Watch at least one Oscar nominated movie
  • Host an Academy Awards party
  • Plan a romantic Valentine’s Day date
  • Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Detroit or Chicago)
  • Host a St. Patrick’s Day Party
  • Make a St. Patrick’s Day craft

What are your favorite winter bucket list activities?

I am going to be adding to this list throughout the season so let me know your favorites.



Throwback Thursday: Our Engagement Pictures

For this month’s Throwback Thursday post, I thought I would share some of our engagement pictures. We got engaged on July 4, 2009 but didn’t take engagement pictures until the fall of 2010 since our wedding wasn’t until May 2011. You can read about my other posts in this series starting with our engagement story here followed by our engagement party here.

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One of the girls in my office was getting hers taken this week and we were chatting about her wedding plans and it just made me smile thinking of that time in our life. I absolutely adore our engagement photos and am so happy that we took them. Our photographers were great and really captured what we were feeling. We went with Keberly Photography and they were wonderful to work with, I would highly recommend them for anything.

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John and I were pretty unanimous in wanting to take our pictures on the University of Michigan – Dearborn’s campus. That’s were we met through our fraternity and sorority. We both had a lot of great memories there and the campus is just beautiful.

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Our photographers knew we were into sports, so we brought a football along with us for staging purposes. They had an idea for us, which involved John throwing a football in the air and not catching it or looking at it to get the shot. That ended up being so difficult for him and we had a number of different takes, but we both LOVE how the picture turned out.

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We had a costume change for a more casual look. I think I loved these pictures more than John because he looks SO handsome in all of them. The camera loves him!

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I love this picture because it is just so silly. Plus that is John’s real smile, not his fake picture smile (I was obviously trying to make him laugh). I want to hang this one in our bathroom. It cracks us up.

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We also brought our Greek letter sweatshirts so we could get a picture on the rock that we used to paint in college. One of our memorable dating moments happened one night when John came out and helped me and another sister “steal” the rock.

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I want to frame this one in the man cave, it’s so fun, especially for football season.

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These are a few of my favorites from our engagement shoot. There were a lot more, but these are the ones we used on our wedding website and save the dates.

I would love to hear about your engagement photos, so fill me on what places and staging ideas were your favorites!



Throwback Thursday: Our Engagement Party

As promised, here is my next Throwback Thursday post on our engagement party. You can read our engagement story here. Since I started this blog two years after our wedding I didn’t get to share all of these fun party details with you. Our engagement party was one of my favorite events in our wedding extravaganza. Since we had planned to have a long 32 month engagement we decided to host an engagement party to share our excitement with our friends and family. Since I had grand plans of a formal wedding, we decided to have a casual engagement party with a Michigan tailgate theme.

We hosted the party in my parent’s backyard with a big outdoor tent on one of Michigan’s away games in October. Every year Michigan has a theme for the season and in 2009 it was “All in for Michigan.” The official student shirt is designed with this theme and it happened to include a Big House Pledge:

fbl-season-shirt-2009

We took this theme and made our party “All in for John and Liz” and re-wrote the big house pledge to suit our own purposes in our invitation:

Invitation

invitation back

John and I both wore our Michigan shirts to the party:

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We had a great spread in the dining room and then a big tent out in the backyard for tailgating fun. And yes, I did wrap all of those utensils up in napkins and still had some in my basement until the big flood last year.

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Here are some of the other fun pictures from the party:

One of our junior bridesmaids, Bella

One of our junior bridesmaids, Bella

Our cake!

Our cake!

John's mom got us wedding themed ornaments from Frankenmuth

John’s mom got us wedding themed ornaments from Frankenmuth

The flower girl, Kayla!

The flower girl, Kayla!

I loved writing this post, it brought back so many good memories. Even though Michigan lost to Iowa that night, I still felt like I had won the jackpot (if you couldn’t tell from my permagrin in these pictures).

Let me know what other throwbacks you would like to see. I’m hoping to do one every month. Did you have an engagement party? What was your theme?



Happy Second Blogiversary!

This post has been a long time coming as my actual blogiversary was in May, but didn’t want to skip the celebration. I wanted to use this opportunity to thank YOU, my loyal readers, for sticking with me. I can’t believe we’ve made it to two years with this blog. (Click here to read last year’s Blogiversary post). This past year has been a little more hit or miss with consistent posting, but I’m hoping to change that in year three.

2nd Blogiversary

I also wanted to use this post to give you an idea of what to expect in the upcoming year and learn more about what you would like to see. I am loving my new Splurge vs. Steal series that kicked off last year and can’t wait to do more. I also want to re-commit to getting more Wine of the Week features on the books. I’m still drinking it, I just haven’t been documenting it as much as I would have liked to. I also promised more Throwback Thursday posts and think I only ended up with one, so expect a few more of those. My most popular post by far has been Be the Best You in 2014 with the 100 Day Yoga Challenge. This tells me that you guys are hungry for more yoga, so I am working on a fun way to incorporate that into the blog. I also really miss the Pinspired series linkup and want to continue doing those monthly posts. In the comments please let me know your favorites and what new things you want to see.

Now, let’s get to the good stuff.

Blogiversary Giveaway

This year I am planning to give away a month’s worth of prizes! Enter the giveaway below and each week I will choose another winner.

Week 1 – August 15 The winner of Week 1 will receive MAC’s Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick, worn by The Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe and featured on my Summer Favorites.

Kaitlyn Bristowe

Week 2 – August 22 The second winner will get the Ily Couture Dual Pearl Studs, one of my Splurge vs. Steals. Check it out here.

dior steal

Week 3 – August 29 The third prize ties into my Yoga goal. It’s the Hugger Mugger Ultra Yoga Bag in the color of your choosing. I featured it in a previous post here.

I love that my mat isn't unrolling and now secure in my new yoga bag!

Week 4 – September 5 The Fourth prize is the Wine Cork Candle Set featured in my previous Hostess Gifts post here

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Night Begins with Botran Rum

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sample of Botran Rum in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rum has been my drink of choice for a long time. John first introduced me to my favorite, rum and Diet Coke, and that’s what I will usually drink when it’s time for liquor. (Side note: I don’t drink soda, except when I am drinking rum). To some, this may seem like a pretty plain or even bland drink, which is why I got excited about doing a summer cocktail post with Botran Rum.

BotranReserva

Botran Rum is made with sugar cane from Guatemala and is the perfect choice for sophisticated cocktails. I decided to try one of Botran’s recipes, called a Piña-Ta.

PinataI’ve been growing fresh rosemary, so I jumped at the chance to make this recipe. I didn’t think it would be too difficult to put this together at home with some ice and my cocktail shaker.

ingredients

One thing to note, I didn’t get the simple syrup and I realize that I should do that for next time. I think it would help make the drink sweeter, but at the time I wasn’t sure where to get rosemary syrup. As a cocktail making novice, I may have shaken everything up too much (I sort of got into it) because it was really foamy when I poured it into the glass. I’m really happy with how it turned out though and would love to serve some of these at my next event.

pinata finalI loved my first Botran cocktail and can’t wait to make more! Here are a few of the additional recipes I want to try:

mojito

colada

rum punch

I also saw some other ways to get creative without soda. For example, I could take my extra watermelon and puree it adding rum for a fruity cocktail. I would love to hear your ideas for new Botran Rum recipes and help me step up my cocktail game!


Summer Bucket List

I was gung ho about doing a summer bucket list this year. Its our first summer in the new house and it might be the last summer before we decide to start a family so I really want to enjoy every second of it. To top it off, I’m not teaching this summer so with only one job to focus on I can really relax. I started making a summer bucket list and the ideas just started flowing. I am challenging myself to try to enjoy each of these activities at least once this summer.

Summer bucket list2

One of the things that really inspired me was looking at some old photos of all the fun we used to have. This one is of John and I at the Michigan Summer Beer Festival from 2007 before we were engaged. So my goal this year is less stress/more fun!

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I will cross each item off the list and share a new post recapping my adventure, so you can follow along. Let the challenge begin, here is my summer bucket list:

    • Make breakfast and eat it outside
    • Go to brunch on a patio
    • Play miniature golf
    • Go to a baseball game – see my Vacation post here

Progressive Field 2

      • Go to an outdoor concert
      • See fireworks
      • Go to a festival
Tracy and I at Arts, Beats & Eats

Tracy and I at Arts, Beats & Eats

    • Bonfire/make smores
    • Enjoy a day at the pool
    • Go out on the water
    • Go to the drive-in/outdoor movie
    • Walk up to the Dairy Queen for ice cream

dairy queen

  • Go on a hike
  • Stay up late to stargaze
  • Go to the zoo
Ladies Night Out at the Detroit Zoo's Summer Zoomance

Ladies Night Out at the Detroit Zoo’s Summer Zoomance

    • Visit the farmer’s market
    • Take a road trip
Summer Vacation Road Trip!

Summer Vacation Road Trip!

  • Go to a carnival
  • Go to the beach
  • Visit a historical site/tour
  • Go on a picnic
Family picnic for 4th of July with my niece Abigail

Family picnic for 4th of July with my niece Abigail

  • Read a book outside
  • Kiss on top of a Ferris wheel
  • Enjoy a root beer float

Root Beer Float

  • Go to the batting cages
  • Play Frisbee golf
  • Eat watermelon
  • Go on vacation
  • Eat lunch on the riverwalk
  • Visit a museum
  • Go to a beer festival
John and I attended The Big Grill Burgers & Beers Bash

John and I attended The Big Grill Burgers & Beers Bash

    • Go on a Michigan staycation
    • Meet friends for happy hour
    • Drink Summer Shandy

Summer shandy

  • Have dinner al fresco
Dinner at Mesa in Royal Oak

Dinner at Mesa in Royal Oak

    • Make limoncello
    • Have a frozen drinks night
Frozen pina coladas!

Frozen pina coladas!

  • Outdoor yoga
  • Enjoy Fountain Bistro’s margarita pitcher
  • Attend a Whitney Garden Party
  • Attend a wine terrace tasting
  • Go to the Renaissance Festival
  • Enjoy Shakespeare in the park
  • Go outlet shopping

I may still add more to this list, so I would love to hear what’s on your bucket list! Stay tuned as I complete each item on the list, I can’t wait for an amazing summer!



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