15 Fun Facts

Hey y'all, it's been quite a while since I've done an "About Me" type of post...so here's 15 random facts about ME!

 I'm Lacey, I'm a 25 year old from LA (lower Arkansas that is)

This will be my 7th year at my current job, and I absolutely love it. I love the dental field, and I couldn't work for a better boss!

I love my car more than any human being should!

I have a serious addiction to Reality TV...there are like 14 different timers on my DVR!

I love the idea of a spotless house, but hate to clean. Basically I have ZERO domestic qualities!

I took piano lessons for 3 years..all I remember is the Titanic song..and I regret quitting.

 You probably don't wanna talk to me in the morning before my daily Dr. Pepper!

  I am an only child, and honestly have loved every minute of it :)

Next month I'm marrying my best friend. I love him with my whole heart!

Back when I was a Dental Assistant, I assisted on the Root Canals of a Bear, Gorilla, and a Lion!

 I love to shop...love, love, love to shop!

I have a lead foot, and I am speeding 99.9% of the time! Unfortunately along with that I have received NUMEROUS speeding tickets! :/

I've never been to Disney World! Deprived child much?! (We're changing that later this year thank goodness!)

In my next life I will own my own business as a party/events coordinator! I love things over the top, and I love being the boss...this is something I'd really love to do in the future! 

I think babies are precious, and I would be really amazing at dressing one, but that doesn't necessarily mean I want one. And I HATE it when people tell me "You'll change your mind"...why do I have to change my mind? Is it a requirement to have children? Did I miss that in the rule book?

I am one of those people that sincerely values friendship! I can count my BEST friends on one hand, and can thankfully say I know I can count on those people NO MATTER WHAT! I'm a very fortunate girl!

What's been going on?

Nate and I at the Chocolate Fantasy Ball

Wine/Craft Night with HollyJ

The product of wine/craft night!

Sweet little things like this make me certain I'm marrying my soulmate...I found this on our front steps a couple weeks ago. it definitely made my heart smile!

My new pretty! I love leopard :)

I've been crossing things off my wedding to-do list..this was one of them. Out family Bible that will be used during the ceremony, and cherished for many years to come

Almost every detail of our wedding will be somewhat DIY. These are the tags for our wishing tree, mom and I stained them with tea, then hand stamped them.

They will have twine at the top to attach them to the Wishing tree :)

I feel like I haven't sat down and actually written a blog post in the longest time, and to be quite honest I miss it. I wish I had the time to be a more frequent blogger, and after this wedding it is something I will definitely try to make a part of my routine will do. Everyday I catch up on my favorite blogs, and enjoy reading about what you ladies have going on :) 

My 1 year blogging anniversary is just around the corner, and I want to do a little giveaway to celebrate! I will also be crossing a couple things off my 30 before 30 list in the next month, so what better way to celebrate than to give away something fabulous to my readers!

Stay tuned for that!

I hope you're all doing wonderful! Have a great rest of the week :)

The best is yet to come...

2011 in Bullet Points

• Rang in the new year with the love of my life

• Lost a best friend of 15 years, but gained a valuable lesson. 

• Met the Pioneer Woman

•  Made some amazing memories with 2 of my very best friends!

•  I've learned that true friends are valuable, and I am so thankful for the ones I have! So many people will come into your life just to teach you lessons and leave just as quickly as they came in, so I can gladly say...thanks for those lessons, and thanks for leaving!

• I spent a good portion of my spring on the back of a bass boat, and I loved every minute of it.

•  I jokingly sent my two best friends about going to NYC for the Holidays and 4 days later 2 of us booked a trip, and had an amazing time in The Big Apple.

• I celebrated my 25th Birthday in a big way! To start it off a "Surprise" party, and ended with a weekend away and a gorgeous ring on my left hand!

• I started a new part time job at Sephora, and I never thought I would enjoy a "job" so much!

• Wedding planning and buying a house has consumed my life for the last couple of months, but it all seems to be coming together!

• Nathan and I spent the Holidays with our families. We started some new traditions that I will definitely look forward to every year!

 I honestly can't wait to see what 2012 has to offer! I can't wait to marry the love of my life, and buy our first home together! I can't wait to see my friend Amber get married in March. I look forward to the memories I will make with my 2 best friends, and spending time with my amazing family.

Here's to a happy, healthy, productive 2012! I wish you all the very best!

Advice from Pinterest...

I ran across this list of advice on Pinterest, and I loved it, so I thought I would share it with you all! They are all great things to remember! Hope you're having a great Thursday!
 

Health: 

Drink plenty of water

     Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2010.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Let's play catch up...

Hey y'all it feels like forever since I've actually sat down and did a real blog post. I get on blogger everyday and catch up on my favorite blogs, but haven't really found the time to catch up on my own...so here are a few things that have been going on...

Just in case you missed it...Nathan and I got engaged...on my 25th birthday...it took several days for it all sink in, but once it did I was very very excited! I really can't wait to spend my life with him. I never knew I could love someone as much as I do him. Everything is just simple...and even though we are complete opposites, we work so well together...

My girls and I have been some crafting fools...look us up on the book of faces...it's super fun, but it's keeping us super busy!

As far as a wedding date, Nate and I are thinking September of next year, we may do it in the Spring...we've still not decided for sure...I had gotten into full wedding planning mode a couple weeks ago; but realized I have more than enough time to plan a small wedding, so I am going to get through my NYC trip, and Christmas, then pick up the planning again in January.

Speaking of NYC...Julianne and I keep adding things to our itinerary! Our first night in town we've made reservations for Del Frisco's and we got tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular...we are super excited!

I finally jumped on the Erin Condren band-wagon today! I ordered a certificate from One Kings Lane today to get a life planner! I am so excited to order it later this week!

Nathan and I are going to start looking for a house after the first of the year, which is exciting, but also seems stressful. I hope we can just find something we both love! 

I have been an absolute failure at sticking to any kind of budget/saving money program. I don't really know what the deal is. I did the Dave Ramsey class last year, and really enjoyed it and thought it benefited me, but obviously it didn't. I've got to get back on the band wagon! I've been a spending fool lately! :(

I'm gonna share a few recent pictures...one of my favorite little girls Sydney Kate had a cowgirl birthday party last week and I finally got to use my new camera Nate got me for my birthday. Jenn at Perfectly Imperfect recommended this Canon point and shoot, because I didn't want a bulky DSLR, and I love, love, love it! Thanks Jenn!

Marcus, Mitchell and I

Delaney

Please excuse the lumberjack plaid, jeans and boots were required and this is as cowgirl as I get ;)

The Birthday Girl and her pony!

Well, I'm glad we could catch up...basically thanks for listening to me ramble! There are so many exciting things coming up that I can't wait to share with you guys! I hope you're all doing well, and having a great week so far!

I'm usually a Carrie...

Hey y'all, I hope you had a great weekend! Monday is in full force, and I am completely over this day! I had a pretty relaxing weekend; Friday night I spent some time with girlfriends, we went to dinner, then went home to watch Something Borrowed. Saturday Nate and I had a Sushi/Hibachi date, then watched a movie at home, then yesterday after church I just relaxed the whole day, caught on on DVR, and did a little online shopping. I love those days when I get to put on sweat pants, and not have to take them off until the next morning!!

 While I was catching up on my TV watching yesterday I watched an episode of Sex and the City, probably more popularly known as the one where Carrie got arrested for smokin' a dubie (sp?)! In this episode Charlotte had gotten engaged the night before, and the girls were out at a bar and bumped into another group of girls celebrating a Bachelorette party. Charlotte had finally met the love of her life, but since this would be her second wedding, she didn't feel like she could celebrate in a big way. It's rare that I connect to Charlotte on SATC, but this topic is one that I can definitely relate to! Granted, I'm not engaged; I know Nate and I will one day be married, and it kinda bums me out that I won't be able to celebrate in a normal way. I feel like the girl in Big Daddy, when Adam Sandler walks in the surprise party for his friend, and she tells him "We wasted the good surprise on you"...lol...I feel like I "wasted my good wedding" the first time around. Don't get me wrong, in no way am I insinuating that I want to register, and have bridal showers, that's not it. Believe me, after the near 500 Thank You notes from the first time, if I didn't have to write another Thank You note for the rest of my life, it would be fine! But I want a wedding, and I want bridesmaids, and to wear a dress and feel beautiful. I want to share the day with our family and friends, and not feel like I have to have a small  ceremony with family only, if even having one at all. Nate and I have discussed options for when we do decide to get married, but we differ on what it should be like...I love the idea of getting married on the balcony of his parents lake house, and inviting family, and close friends...which would be somewhere around 50+ people, and he would rather just invite our parents. I know when it comes down to it, either way he would do what I wanted to do...but I don't know what to do...Again...obviously I have plenty of time to worry myself with this, as if I don't have a millions other things going on right now. But after seeing that on SATC, and feeling the same exact way Charlotte did, I just needed to vent a little! So, if you were in my boat, what would you do? Charlotte ended up having a wedding, and everything that could go wrong, did. Carrie joked with her saying "the worse the wedding, the better the marriage..."....I just want happily ever after with my love...even if that means we get have to get married in the hallway of a courthouse...

 I hope you all have a great Monday, thanks for hearing me out on this! I can't wait to hear your opinions! 

Long time no see...

Hey blog friends...it's been quite some time since I've actually done a blog post...and I promise we will catch up soon, but I wanted to share this with you guys. I've definitely needed it lately...

Who needs a psychiatrist when you have Google?!

Seriously, the last few weeks I have felt completely overwhelmed with everything! Nothing is really wrong in any aspect of my life, there are just so many things I want to accomplish, and I want them all to happen right now! So what do I do...I Google: How to get your life together...and to my surprise I came across a pretty great article called "7 ways to get your life together" (cheesy, right?) but some of it actually made sense! I thought I would share it with your guys! The original article can be found here!

Life can be overwhelming, especially when there is a lack of structure or balance (sounds familiar). From working long hours to attempting to manage a social life, our health, relationships, and mental well-being may sometimes go under-nourished. While we may not immediately see the destruction, in the long-run this can prove detrimental to all aspects of our health. We begin looking older than we should, feeling fatigued from an overwhelmed mind, and are even in a constant state of PMS outside of our normal ‘time of the month’ (Truth.).

So what’s a woman to do when she’s on a path to creating the life she wants but finds it hard to manage it all? Of course we all have to figure out what works best for us individually, but here are 7 ways to help you begin the process of getting your life together.

De-Clutter Your Mind

If you always feel as if you have twenty things to do and only twenty minutes to do them, it’s time to decrease your load. Attempting to tackle too many things at once, all of which seem equally important can become overwhelming. An overwhelmed mind usually results in procrastination or not performing to the best of your ability. Choose a few days to catch up on all the things that are overdue. Or be proactive and work on tasks before their actual due date. This way you won’t always feel as if you’re playing catch up. This feeling alone is overwhelming.

De-Clutter Your Surroundings

From your home to your workspace, it’s important to rid your surroundings of clutter. Sometimes clutter around us creates clutter in our minds. Attempt to get organized and make it a priority to stay organized. This will require discipline, especially if you’ve become accustomed to clutter.

Take Inventory

Oprah said it best, “You Can Have It All, Just Not All At Once.” Basically, you can’t do everything at once and can’t have all of the things you want, all at the same time. Take inventory of the things you devote your attention to. Decide if those tasks or people are deserving of your attention at the moment.

If you have people in your life that are causing you a lot of drama, then stop associating with them. Some people just suck out all our energy and don’t give anything back. Those may be the people that need to be checked off of your inventory list. Some people and things aren’t deserving of your attention.

Allow Moments For Relaxation

Every day take a few moments to sit and breath. Relaxation is important to a peaceful mind. Figure out what helps you relax and devote time each day to just that. Everyone needs some form of relaxation to revert to daily. Figure out what yours is, and ensure that you indulge in this relaxation daily, if only for a few minutes.

Develop A Routine

Success, progress, productivity, and everything in between is a habit. You are what you do daily. Develop a routine and stick to it. Routines may life a bit easier.

Keep Motivation Nearby

Whether it’s listening to a Beyonce power-mix Adele21 or browsing through a book of affirmations, whatever motivates you, keep it close when you need that extra pick-me up. We all need daily motivation; if you can’t muster it up inside of yourself, make sure you’re equipped with something that brings it out for you.

Learn To Say No

Sometimes we are the cause of our own distress. We take on other people’s projects and problems when we could have set boundaries in the beginning or simply said no. Sometimes intentional, and other times unintentional, people will ask too much out of us. Learn to say no, not now, or never.

A few of these I think will be very helpful in finding balance in my life. I want so many things (Sell a house, Buy a new house, lose 50 pounds,Save several thousand dollars for NYC, Pay off debt), and I want it done in 4 months! I have to get real, and prioritize what's most important right now, and realize I can have it all...in time!

I hope you're all having a great week! I seriously feel like a slacker blogger lately, there are just a million things going on! 

Like/Love/Lust

Let's start this post about loving things with the fact that I saw a trailer Sunday for a movie with Taylor Lautner playing the lead role...It could be a silent film for all I care...as long as I get to see this...

I guess this also qualifies as lusting...lol

I have developed a love for Vera Bradley recently...I have had a few pieces here and there throughout the years, but a few of my current favorite things are Vera...I love my Large Cosmetic bag, 2012 Agenda, and Large Duffel.

I am lusting a new LV bag! I am currently carrying the LV Neverfull GM...and it's ok...just insanely large. I am trying to decide if I should get a new one in NYC in December...I just can't decide which style!?

I love Pinterest...I seriously need a "Pintervention"! I am Lacey, recovering shopaholic, recovering Facebook addict, and current Pinterest junkie...sue me! :)  It has become my favorite social networking site...no drama...haha! Does it count as social networking!?

My 25th Birthday is right around the corner, and even though I'm mostly asking for money for NYC...I still have a list of things I would like to have ;) 
Lauren Conrad's Book - Style

A new digital camera...I think I've decided against a DSLR and I just want an awesome Point & Shoot...I've narrowed it down to 2 options...and I'm leaning towards the Canon.

I recently discovered David Yurman...I love this style of jewelry...and I'm definitely lusting this ring!

I LOVE this Micheal Kors iPhone Case...I need it in my life!

I like everything about this outfit! It makes me so ready for fall!

Hope you're all having a great week so far! What are some things you have your eye on lately!?

It's quite simple...

Monday Randoms!

Our good friends are having baby Lynlee today! I can't wait to go meet her after I leave the office! Last update she was at 10 and pushing, so it should be any minute now!

Grandma's 80th Birthday party was a success, around 70 friends and family members showed up to celebrate with her. 


"Crafty Lacey" is going to attempt to make favors for Mom's 50th...I'm planning to make custom candy bar covers to wrap around Reese (her fav. candy)...I'll let you know how that goes!


I seriously think I may have an addiction to Pinterest, and I think that obsession has stemmed an obsession for Wedding ideas...I am not engaged, and we aren't planning to have a huge wedding when the time comes that's what he thinks ;), but I cannot stop pinning on my "Someday" board!


I was really doing well with not spending money, but I have been having some "withdrawals" from frivolous spending...I just need to go buy a new purse or something an get over it! Lol


We saw Bad Teacher this weekend...Hilarious...Vulgar...But Hilarious!


I need one of these in my life...I have become obsessed with Monograms....dang you blog world!

I seriously thought I was going to do well with the whole Dave Ramsey thing, but quite frankly I'm sucking it up these days!  :/


I seriously need a vacation in my life, and since this summer is out I'm thinking a long weekend in NYC this Winter! I text my 2 fav. girls...one responded "Gross...December NYC cold snow", the other "I would love to go, I've always wanted to"...I knew I could depend on JA for a NYC shopping/sightseeing trip ;)...lol...research is in the works! We all suck at making anything other than dinner plans, so we shall see how this goes...but it would take care of #9 & #11 on the 30 before 30 list, so it needs to happen! 


That's all the randomness I have for today...Hope you've all had a great Monday!

Anyone up for some bullet points?!

So, as I sit here trying to come up with an amazing blog post this morning, it's just not happening! So here's a run down, and who doesn't love bullet points? They're so official!

• This weekend I moved in with my parents to save money and pay off debts, thankfully this was a short move (across the yard), and it resulted in a new neighbor...this good lookin' red headed boy who kinda has my heart :)
• If you didn't put the pieces together, Nathan now lives in my house. He had intended on buying a house later this summer closer to me, but this worked out really well for both of us, and he let me keep most of my closet space in the house! Score! 
• I seriously need a money manager...I want to be completely debt free (except my car) before Nate and I get married.
• I found the last part of Mom's 50th Birthday present, I hope she loves it! Now I just have a  few little things to finish before her party! Must.Mail.Invitations.This.Week!!!
• It is entirely too freaking hot in Arkansas right now...I cant imagine what July/August will be like! September, please!?
• My mother and I might end up killing each other as a result of my new living situation, she might be reconsidering the whole "No shacking up with your boyfriend" rule...lol! 

I hope you all had a great weekend! Just 4 days until the next one :)

These are a few of my favorite things...

So, here's the deal...basically, I suck at life, and Farewell to Fat Friday will be postponed for just a bit! Don't you just hate when you're doing really well with something, and you fall off the train and can't seem to find your way back on?! With that out of the way...I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty products with you guys! These are all things I use on a daily basis, and probably couldn't live without!

The Pureology Pure Volume collection is amazing! It gives my hair incredible body! I use the shampoo and conditioner daily, then alternate between the blow dry gel and the thickening spray! Lovvvve it!

I became a Philosophy girl about 8 years ago, and this has been one of the products I have consistently stuck with. I just thought I loved it until I used it with my Clarisonic, it completely changed my skin!

I love my Clarisonic, it has completely changed my skin! It is well worth the money!

On days when I'm in a hurry I use the Purity Made Simple wipes, they remove eye makeup like a champ!

To the genius at Clinique that decided to make the Dramatically Different in a gel formula, I will name my first child after you! I have normal/oily skin and this moisturizer sinks in my skin and provides just the right amount of moisture!

I love my Baybliss straightener. I had a chi for years, and it did the job, but my Baybliss is a little wider, and the heat settings are adjustable. My hair doesn't seem as damaged as it did when I used the Chi.

Cricket Silkomb = Best teasing comb EVER! One end for poofin', and the other end for smoothin'! Love it!

 

 

I go back and forth on hairspray, I use Big Sexy Spray & Play when I am going out, or have fixed my hair and don't want it to go anywhere!

On a daily basis I use S Factor Vivacious hairspray, I love the smell and the hold is flexible!

This is a recent discovery, but has definitely become a favorite! Hemp bronzing moisturizer. I have used it for about 2 weeks on my legs and arms, and I can tell a difference, it does add color, but isn't streaky like sunless tanners. 

 

 

 

I love the EOS lip balm...I keep one in my purse, car, desk, and by my bed!

And as mentioned yesterday, it's almost time for a giveaway! When I reach 50 followers/friends I will be giving away a few of my favorite things! Some may be listed above, and some may be make-up products! Keep a lookout for that!