Fancy Little Things

It's funny how life works sometimes, isn't it? A couple of months back I decided to take a step back and assess everything I was involved in. I had so much going on, and honestly, I was stretched thin. I was burning out quickly. So, I took some time, and prayed about what I should do.

Right in the middle of all of this, I was chatting with one of my most favorite people in the blogosphere, Nicole. She mentioned that she had recently become the Faith Ministry Leader over at Fancy Little Things, and after talking about it for a bit, she asked if I would like to write for the site. I was so excited, I immediately said yes.

After I agreed to it, it hit me that I was already taking on too much. So, I decided to pray on it. Long story short, I rearranged some of my time, and agreed to join the team.

I've been sitting on this news for awhile, because I was waiting for the perfect time to announce it. Starting December 1st, Fancy Little Things is all new. It's getting a redesign, a lot of new contributors, some new features, a private and public community forum, and a blogger and small business directory. I am so very, very honored and excited to be a contributor! I'll be a faith author, and I'll be contributing a couple times a month, but there are so many different topics that everyone will be covering. From faith, to marriage, to recipes, to fashion, to everything DIY, it's all there.

The site will be down tomorrow and Friday, but will be back and brand new on Saturday! I hope that you go and check out all of the new features, and sign up for the directory while you're there! You can also like Fancy Little Things on Facebook, and follow on Twitter and Pinterest!

Have a good Wednesday, my loves! We're off to meet up with the oh-so-fabulous Mallorie for our Christmas photos, and don't forget about the giveaway that's going on for the Everyday Bag!

You've Got to Make It

Source: sueswink.tumblr.com via J on Pinterest

 

 

 

You know those days where everything just starts to fall into place? That's what's happening over here. All sorts of awesome shit is going down. I'm busting my ass to make something marvelous. And I'm a bit stoked about it.

Hope y'all are having a marvelous Friday, cheers to the weekend!

 

Since We Last Spoke....

• I tumbled
•  I kinda took a twitter hiatus
• I spent a day hanging out with almost my entire family
• I worked on that huge project that I was telling y'all about (come back tomorrow for the big reveal!)
• And I had adorable spring photos taken of Baby Butterbean 

Over all, I'd say it was a pretty successful weekend! Hope all of you had amazing weekends! See ya tomorrow for the surprise!

For the Babes

Hello Lovahs!

I'm hoping you all had wonderful, love filled Valentine's Days! I have been a busy bee over here in my world, so I haven't been writing, but you can bet I've been lurking reading all of your blogs!

Anyvajazzle, I wanted to drop in for a minute and tell y'all about something that is near and dear to my heart.

When Baby Butterbean was a week old, she was admitted into the NICU. The reason was because she had had a little trouble breathing, and they wanted to monitor her a bit, but mostly because of her jaundice. We were lucky enough to only stay for two nights. But even just those two nights were the some of the most hectic nights I've ever experienced. To see my little baby girl in a place like that, absolutely broke my heart. 

But what broke it even more was the fact that there were children there who had been there for not just days, but weeks, and even months. Their doors and walls were decorated with pictures of their families, and pictures that their siblings had drawn for them. They laid in beds with tubs all around them and machines making noises all night long. It made me realize just how lucky I was that we were only there for something minor, and that I had a beautiful and healthy little girl.

It's been over a year since she's been there, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I'll never forget the sounds, the smell, or the teeny tiny cries from the ones who were strong enough to even let out a cry.

Last year, my bloggie friend B and I teamed up to raise money for March of Dimes by participating in the March for Babies. We had such a good time, and I really felt like I was able to help, even if it was just a tiny amount. So, when the time came around to sign up for this year's walk, I knew that Baby Butterbean and I would be there. This is the point where I ask for your help. I've set a small goal of $200, and I'd really like to meet it, and, if possible, surpass it. So, I'm asking y'all, my wonderful bloggie friends, to help me. Donate, if you can, if not, then help me spread the word. Blog about it, tweet about it (@ me in your tweet, @ohheyitsj), just help me get the word out there. This is the link to my personal donation page, or you can click the badge to head straight over there. You can also add the badge to your blog, if you'd like.




Thanks so much guys! I'm so excited about this year's walk, and I can't wait to tell y'all all about it!

The Birthday

I'm finally posting the recap of Baby Butterbean's first birthday. A whole two weeks late. Aren't I a good blogger?

Anyvajazzle, I've been MIA because..... I got a job! Can y'all believe it!? Wanna know what I'm doing? I'm a bail bondsman. I'm not even kidding. Like Dog the Bounty Hunter, but with less mullet and more class. It's frickin awesome.

OK, back to the birthday party recap. The party was great and Baby Butterbean had a blast. I was running behind, so I didn't get all of the decorations up, but it was still pretty cute. And now? On to the adorable pictures.

The theme was a Winter One-derland, so we decorated in snowflakes and snowmen. We had twinkle lights and snowflakes that lit up. It really was cute, if I do say so myself.

The Snowmen candles

Walking in a winter wonderland (ignore the mess in the background, we were still setting up)

Our homemade snowman balloon weights. They were much cuter in person.

"What?"

Baby Butterbean and her little bestie Ava

She thinks she's cute

Cake!

"Hmmmm, what's this?"

"It's so good!"

"Here daddy, have some!"

And the damage afterward.

It really was an excellent day, and I saved the tears until after everyone left! Now we've stepped into the world of being a toddler. I can't wait to see what lies ahead!

Resolve This

Hi guys! I haven't seen y'all since last year! Get it!? Ba-dum-cha! Now that we've established that I'm a loser, let's move on, shall we? How was your New Year's Eve? I hope everyone was safe and no one ended up in jail. Our NYE went off without a hitch. Mostly because the hubs was out by 10 and I followed him around 11:30. Wild night, huh? 

Anyvajazzle, Saturday morning found me sitting on the couch, with a mug of hot chocolate, contemplating a ton of things. I was reflecting back on what the last year had handed me, and how many possibilities the next year had in store. 2011 was fresh, clean and shiny. And, maybe it's cliche, but I felt like I needed a change. I felt like I needed to do things differently this year. I'm 25, a quarter of my life is over, and it seems like things have shifted, and I'm really about to start living my life. So, I started making a list. Not so much a list of resolutions, just a list of goals, and things that I wanted to make happen this year. 

First up was my appearance. I've been back and forth lately on what I wanted to do with my hair. I was a blonde, and I was thinking about going darker, but I was scared it was going to look horrible. Well, yesterday I said screw it, and took the plunge. I am now a sassy brunette with a small side of strawberry blonde highlights. And I love it! Plus I did it myself, with my cousin's help, so instead of my normal price tag of at least $100, I got these luscious locks for a dazzling $16.75. Much better. I'm also planning a cut, but that takes a bit more research. And, I've spent today going through my closest and getting rid of anything that doesn't fit, or that I don't love. I also won't be buying any clothes that I don't absolutely adore or that don't fit me perfectly. 

Next on the list was my health. I want to start eating healthier, and getting more exercising. We've got a Wii Fit and it hasn't been used in who knows how long. Plus, Baby Butterbean loves for me to take her on walks, so I have no excuse not to be doing so. 

Next up is spending more time with my friends. It's insane how many times I had to cancel plans during 2010. Luckily, most of my friends have been really understanding and have stuck by me. So now, is my time to step up to the plate and show them how great they are. I will brunch more, drink more, and laugh more with my friends in 2011. For sure. 

Then, there's this whole blogging business. Listen guys, y'all are great for sticking around even when I went weeks without writing anything. Y'all still came back to see me whenever you saw a new post of mine in your reader. And I love each of you for that. I want to try and blog more. I know I've said that before, but this time, I'm going to try harder. I'm going to try and comment more on the blogs that I read as well. Just over all, be a better social media user. Plain and simple. 

Lastly is my career. Now, right now, you may be thinking, "what career!?" and let me just say, right now, you're right, there is no career. And that's what I want to change. I've always been fascinated by two things, broadcasting and PR. Both of which I feel I'd be really good at. So, this year, I plan on pursuing a career. I'm going to decide what I want to do, and go for it. I will check into going back to college, and make it happen. 

Overall, I plan on making 2011 the year that things change. The wheels have been kicked into gear, and I'm ready to get this ball rolling. By this time next year, we will see just how much I've accomplished, and hopefully, it's quite a bit!

So what about y'all? Did you make any resolutions? Are any of you changing your lives this year?

e'erbody loves the green

i'm a leetle late to the game, but there is an ah-maz-zing giveaway (a $500 gift card!) going on over at fantabulously frugal right now.

bad news? it ends tonight! 

so i'm scooting in right under the wire, but at least i'm in there, right?

anyvajazzle, i'm supposed to write about my biggest purchase regret, so, we'll make this quick and easy. here goes:

my biggest purchase regret has to be the truck that i bought right after high school. 

my mom bought me a brand new car the summer before my senior year, but i decided i need a 13 year old pickup instead. 

after shelling out way too much money, i drove off with a loud, piece of crap that eventually become known as "the beast."

it held up for less than a year.

so what about y'all? what is your biggest purchase regret?

smorgasbord

good news folks, the funk has been semi lifted. i'm still a little grinchie, but it seems that i've caught a little bit of the cheer.

i even woke up this morning thinking "i think we need more christmas lights on the house." so, either my mood is changing or the hubs is medicating me. either one will work.

take with good food and plenty of alcohol

anyvajazzle, i've been thinking a lot lately about where i wanna go with this blog. for the longest it's just been something that i use to throw random thoughts into the universe and get opinions on them. now, don't get me wrong, i love that idea. i love being able to ramble on about random things and getting y'alls input, but this blog just doesn't seem complete to me. there are so many things that i'm interested in writing about. i love fashion, and i'd love to write about what i'm currently loving. i also love to cook, like, loooooove love to cook, and i'd love to post recipes or pictures of food that i think is simply gorgeous. but, just the same as i don't want to strictly be a mommy blogger, i also don't want to be a fashion blogger, or a food blogger. 

the reason that i'm rambling on about this, is because i want to know what y'all think. i love every one of my readers, and i want y'all to find my blog interesting.

so, i'm asking y'all, what would YOU like me to write about? a little food here and there? a little dab of fashion occasionally? the wonders of justin bieber's hair? (seriously, he annoys the crap outta me, but how the hell does he keep his hair like that? and how does it stay so shiny!?) i wanna know what y'all are interested in. would y'all mind if my blog was one big smorgasbord? a mix and match of total randomness? or would you rather come here for one thing? like, to discuss just how hot ryan reynolds is?

why, yes ryan, i will marry you and have your babies!

i wanna know what my readers want. (besides more pictures of a shirtless ryan. roawr.) so, email me, leave a comment, send a carrier pigeon, something! just somehow let me know what y'all are interested in reading. because i'm ready to jump head first back into the blogging thing, and i really wanna know!

pictures via

damn you truths

i just realized that i haven't finished the stupid thirty days of truth. i have terrible ocd, so as much as i'd like to abandon this chore, i cannot. so, i'm going to pull a becky and finished them all in one post. 

ready? k, here goes:

Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

a girl named emily made my life hell in junior high. because i developed early and had 

boobs. but i won in the long run because i have gorgeous boobies and to this day she's still as flat as a 2 x 4. in yo face, ugly emily.

Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

my best friend molly. we were inseparable when we were in junior high and part of high school. then i started dating someone and made my life all about him and molly and i eventually stopped hanging out. we still talk occasionally, but not near as much as i'd like and we only see each other about once a year.  

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

my friend justin. our relationship is so complicated, and we really are toxic to one another. we just can't seem to stop being friends.

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

my amazing wit. haha. no, seriously, most of the compliments i get are on my smile. it's radiant yo

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

my belching skills. people just don't appreciate how good i am.

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

dear n'sync, you helped me get through those horrid early teens. thanks boys. love, me

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

dear big brother, you were supposed to be someone who i could look up to. instead, you just ended up sucking as a sibling. wish we could be closer. love, me

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

i could say something like baby butterbean, or the hubs, which would be true, but let's be honest, 

i can't go without my phone. i think i'd probably die.

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

sodas. i went for about 6 months without them, and to tell you the truth, i wasn't as addicted to them as i thought i was. then for some reason i started drinking them again. maybe i'll quit again.

Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

to kill a mockingbird. period.

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

why can't they get married? why shouldn't they have every legal right that straight folks have?

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

i'm a religious person, i believe in God, and i plan on raising baby butterbean as a christian. and that's pretty much all i have to say about that. i don't care what other people have to say about it, everyone has the right to believe whatever they feel like believing. i'm not going to shove my beliefs down your throat and no one else should either.

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

drugs are bad, m'kay? alcohol is good if you're of age and are responsible about it. always have a designated driver. don't i sound like a mature adult?

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

is it a fight over something silly, like the jersey shore? if so, you can bet your ass that i'm shaggin it to the hospital to be with them. now, if it was major, like they harmed me or my family, then hell no, i'm at home with my feet propped up drinking my glass of sangria.

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

i regret some things that i never did, but i don't regret anything i've done.

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

i wish i had traveled more pre-marriage and pre-baby.

Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

i'm skipping this one. cause i'm a rebel. rules can't hold me down.

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

apparently my number hasn't been called yet.

Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

i think everyone has thought about it once or twice, has it been to the point where i'd actually attempt it? no. my life has been pretty good for the last 25 years.

Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?

i'm a mommy to a pretty awesome little girl.

Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

uh, well, seeing as how i have a child already, i'm pretty sure we all know the answer to this one.

Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

i'd like to be healthier. eat healthier and exercise more, because i want to set a good example for my daughter.

Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

dear self, you're purty awesome, keep up the good work. i love ya man. love, me

aaaaand, i'm done. phew. the truth is hard man. alright, now that i have that behind me, maybe i can get back to blogging about things that don't make my head hurt.

birfdays are for wieners!

y'all my birthday is on monday!!

happy birthday to me

have you gotten me anything yet? no? don't worry, you've got all weekend to pick something out. although you should have been putting a lot of thought into it already! 

anyvajazzle, i've had a few bloggers begging me to let them guest post for me, and i figured that it would be a terrific present if they did it the week of my birthday! 

ok, that's not 100% true, it was pretty much me begging some of my favorite bloggers, not the other way around. but, that's aside from the fact. next week i'm taking the week off to lay around and let my servants wait on me hand and foot. ok, that's not true either. i will be taking the week off from blogging, but much to my disappointment, i don't have servants. maybe y'all could pitch in and get me some for my birthday? 

so, while y'all are hunting down gifts for me, i'll have some of my favorite bloggers guest posting for me!! i'm extremely excited about this y'all! so be sure and check back next week for a little birthday love!

hope y'all have a great weekend, if you want, you can use my birthday as an excuse to party your tails off!

pee ess? here's a little birthday present from me to you: click here

it's time!!

the time has come!! wanna know who won the CSNStores giftcard giveaway?

you do!? 

ok, well, first, head on over to ms. salti's and check out my guest post!!

and then, check out this cute picture!

are you ready to know now??? ok, fine, here it is:

haha fooled you! ok, seriously, on to the winner....

are you ready? 

drum roll please.......

and the winner is:

jenna from corgipants

congrats lady!! send me your email!

thanks for entering y'all,  and don't fret if you didn't win, i've got another big surprise coming soon!! 

dropping love bombs

hey folks, it's that time again, time to drop a love bomb on someone!

what's that? you still haven't joined the drop a love bomb team?? why not? ok, ok, now's your chance to do it. i'll wait, you run over and join, and then come back here and i'll tell you about today's mission.
...............
::whistles and taps foot along with imaginary hold music::


alright, welcome back! now, on to today's "bombee." today we're dropping a love bomb on katie. she was suggested by one of our own team members, amy. here's her story:
katie has already lost her brother and brother-in-law, and has just found out that her father likely has pancreatic cancer, and it's serious. he's recently had a procedure, and they should have the test results back by wednesday. and, in amy's words, katie is beyond devastated. 
she's very close to her father, and talks a little bit about who he is to her on her blog:

"I do not know what I would do without my Dad.  What he adds to my life is not replaceable. He is always the voice of reason, the giver of wise advice and the preventer of near disasters.  Really.  For a lot of people, he is their rock."

i'm very close to my dad, and i cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like if he were seriously ill, and to lose my brother would completely break me.

katie has been through so much, and she really needs to know that someone is there for her. like i've said before, words are just that, words, but they can help tremendously, even from complete strangers.

so join us in bringing some love to katie. she really needs it.

you can comment on her blog here:

 http://katiebeecreative.com/?p=2571

let's drop a love bomb on katie!

these are the other bloggers who are teaming up with drop a love bomb. go check them out!

PhilanthropyInk.com, MrsMuffins.com, BelleChantelle.blogspot.com, LoveChelseaLauren.blogspot.com, PaigeBaker.blogspot.com, TheBeesKneesBaby.blogspot.com, PostWithTheMost.blogspot.com, Collection-Of-Things.com,

InspiredMess.com, StarbucksBreak.com, Talk2TheTrees.blogspot.com, UnfoldingYourPathToJoy.wordpress.com, AmySoto.blogspot.com, DoGoodMore.wordpress.com and BuckOwensGuitar.blogspot.com

btw, there's a little box over there --> that has a place for your name and email where you can sign up to join the drop a love bomb team. and, don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

my first giveaway!!

remember the surprise i was talking about yesterday? well, guess what! today's the day! what's more perfect than a giveaway on a random wednesday?? the wonderful folks over at CSNStores have given me a whopping 25 bucks to give away to one of my lucky readers to spend in any of their stores! (i know it's not much, but beggar's can't be chooser's right?)

anyvajazzle, i lurve CSNStores, and if you haven't checked them out, you totally should, cause they're the shizzle. nizzle. fo rizzle. i'm getting off topic here. they have everything! i'm talking from dining room sets, to pet stuff, to luggage, even to this little beauty. seriously, that's my favorite. their prices are good, and they're selection is HUGE!! (twss?) 

so do you want $25 to spend on whatever you want from any of their 200+ stores!? 

ok, here's what you gotta do:

head on over to CSNStores, have a looksie around, then come back here and leave a comment telling me what you'll be putting your giftcard towards.

want more entries?

tweet about this giveaway (@ me in your tweet), then leave another comment telling me you did, and i'll give you an extra 2 entries. 

want even more entries?

blog about this giveaway, then leave another comment with the link, and i'll give you another 2 entries. 

that's three comments, for a total of 5 entries!

sorry folks, but this giveaway is only open to u.s. and canadian residents.

you've got until sunday night (8/22) at midnight to enter. i'll draw a winner at random on monday morning and announce the winner that afternoon.

good luck lovers!

Dropping Love Bombs

remember when i told y'all about drop a love bomb?

well, some other bloggers and i have teamed up with lauren from drop a love bomb to kind of further spread the word about the project. here's the way it works: every thursday we get a new "assignment," basically, what that means is there's someone who needs love, encouragement, cheering up, etc., and we "drop a love bomb" in the form of a comment on their blog. today's assignment is one that i can definitely relate to.

bria is a 22 year old who has been struggling with severe clinical depression and anxiety. she checked herself into the hospital back in june looking to get help. she was put on medication, and for awhile, things were starting to look up. but, in her words, she eventually relapsed, and is now suicidal.

i have been in her shoes before, and it breaks my heart to see someone who thinks they have nothing left to live for.

i know that words are just words, but even words from a stranger can help tremendously.

in the words of lauren, "written encouragement and love have such incredible power in times like these."

i'm hoping that all of my followers will join us in trying to bring some light back into bria's life. i know that it helped me to hear kind words when i was in her position, and i'm hoping that she'll feel the love that we're sending her way.

let's drop a love bomb on bria!

you can comment on her blog here:
http://devilishdelish.com/2010/08/08/this-life-is-a-struggle-and-i-am-ready-to-give-up/


pee ess - you can also find me guest posting over here today!

in it to gym it baby

i will be the first to admit that i'm always late when it comes to new things.

the latest fall fashions? they finally find my closest in late december. the latest hit show? they find their way into my netflix queue right before the second season starts. the latest internet craze? i jump on board about four months late. 

my newest thing? in it to gym it 

seriously y'all, it's the shiznit. i've been lurking reading the posts ever since the site went up, but i just now decided to jump in. why am i just now joining? because i'm tired of my fat ass, and this is just the kick in that fat ass that i needed. 

now, i know that every new mom says the same thing. how they need to lose that baby weight, blah, blah, blah. but seriously y'all, i've got a problem. i.... have actually.... *gulp*.... gained weight since having baby butterbean!

i know,i know, i know!

how does this happen!? i'm more on the go now than i was before having her! how has my ass grown so damned much??

the only thing that i can think of is that since i'm always busy, i eat food that can be consumed quickly (read: unhealthy food). poptarts and pudding cups have become my best friends. 

so, after discovering this horrible fact, i decided i needed to do something. i gave up drinking sodas and bought the shred and set my mind to getting rid of that thing behind me that seemed to be doubling itself by the day. i made it through four days. seriously, jillian michaels is trying to kill people with that friggin dvd! and, in the shame of my defeat, i plopped my fat ass down on my couch with a bowl of ice cream and watched every single thing in my dvr.

and then decided that i had to quit. i had to get healthy. i don't want to lose weight to be skinny, because lawd knows that will never happen. i want to lose weight so i can live better. i want to teach baby butterbean about thinking, eating and living healthy, and i can't teach her that unless i'm doing it as well. set an example by being the example, right? i decided to set goals and rewards for myself. if i do the shred for 30 days straight, i'll reward myself. i bought lots of fresh fruits and veggies instead of the good tasting stuff unhealthy crap. i've even tossed around the idea of going vegan for a month like shine did just a few months ago.

i've been doing the shred for a week now and haven't skipped a day yet. is it kicking my ass? abso-friggin-lutely! am i giving up yet? not at all. basically, in it to gym it is going to help me keep it all together. i have someone to share my progress with. it's going to keep me on track simply because i'll have others reading my achievements, or (hopefully not!) my failures.

i am completely, totally, 100% in it to gym it.

hijacked!!

so, everyone knows from this post that i'm all about getting involved and helping and influencing others.

what? you didn't know that? well, i do.

i've always felt like i wasn't doing enough with my life (i still do!) so i try to get involved in as many ways as possible (this is my excuse for having so many animals!) and i want to set a good example for baby butterbean and teach her to make a difference in the world.

anyway, i love the idea behind it starts with us, and now, they've decided to go even bigger. they've hijacked something.

i know, badass, right!?

you may or may not have heard about fast company's the influence project, (it doesn't really matter now that it's been taken over). it's basically a "let's see who's the best at doing good" sort of thing. a popularity contest, if you will.

well, apparently, that doesn't sit well with some folks (me included!). what's the point in making it a contest?? why can't we all work together to change the world and help others?? instead of doing good to win some sort of title, why can't we do good just for the sake of doing it? no rewards, no congratulations, no big to-dos, just the gratification of knowing that you did something. so, it starts with us took it over.

as soon as i heard about this "hijacking," i knew i wanted in! and, i figured since you guys are so amazing, that y'all might want in too! here's the deal: this is the link to where you can get all of the information. it's all going down next week, but you definitely wanna get in now! click the link, sign up (it's not a big process, just enter your name and email) and then you'll get directions in your inbox to what's happening next.

this is big y'all and i'm *really* excited to be a part of this. i know that if we all work together, we can make a big difference!