Adios for Now!

So, by now you've probably realized that I have been either too busy or too lazy to put much time and effort into Blop. With that being said, I think it has been a little of both.

I started Blop as a creative outlet/hobby while I was working at a job that I knew I didn't care too much for. I was able to be passionate about Blop while living away from Chris and my family. Now that I've moved back to Arkansas and have been thoroughly immersed into my new job, which I love, I've found that I am Blopping less and less.

I guess this is me saying adios for the time being. I hope to Blop on occasion but I definitely won't be able to keep up with it daily like I have been. I actually tried to offer to pay Chris to start writing a plethora of Blop posts for me to use, but he declined. 

Thank you so much for listening to my rants and probably poor clothing choices for the past 8 months. It's been real!

Now to focus on my new job, upcoming wedding, and new Toby stories to come--I'm sure. Will try to continue to post on occasion, don't worry!

(Chris wanted to know how many times I could use the word Blop in this Blop post.)

I'm Going to Need a Bigger Closet

1. Check out this rockin' outfit I put together at work this week. We just got this sweater in and I'm LOVING it. Fall, please come soon.

2. Some of my "little minions" from work, out for a birthday bash. (Little minions name given by Chris.)

3. Although I haven't given in and purchased the sweater, I did buy the grey shirt and green military jacket. Pretty sure I'm going to need a bigger closet.

4. Let's get real...if you order an Erin Condren planner, you've got to go to the store and purchase some sharpie pens to go with your brand spankin' new planner. Am I right or am I right?!

5. Pre-going out pic. If you missed it, be sure to check out Chris and my "going out" procedure here.

Linking up for Friday Favorites and H54F.

You're Old

What do you do when you're not in college anymore, you're called old because you don't ever go out anymore, therefore, you decide to go out to prove them all wrong?!?!

Besides doing all of the above prior to going out to Jose's for $3 margs, karaoke, and mexican food, I'd like to share a tidbit of Chris and my "getting ready to go out after not going out for over a couple of months" procedure. <--I know, so pathetic.

I get home and find Chris on the couch watching old James Bond movies. 

Me: "Get up and get dressed we are going out!"

Chris: "Really?!"

(it really has been that long)

Me: "Really, even if we have to take money out of the savings account, WE. ARE. GOING. They called us the 'old married couple.'"

Me: "Should I get a shower?! Do I stink? Should I shower, Chris? Come smell me! I feel like I should shower!"

Chris: *comes over and smells me (true love)* "No, you're fine dog."

Me: "Where are you going?!"

Chris: "To shower..."

Chris: "Where are my tan shorts?! Why can't I ever find my tan shorts when I need them?! What did you do with them?"

Me: "I don't know where they are. I know where they aren't...in the laundry because you forbid me from doing any of your laundry."

Chris: *utter relief and triumph* "Don't worry I found them."

Me: "You better not outdress me or I will be mad. Especially since you told me not to shower and wear what I wore to work."

Chris: *grabs water out of the fridge* "We gotta hydrate lil' guy! Get yourself a water!"

Chris: "What time are we meeting everyone?"

Me: "9"

Chris: "Okay, how long are we planning on staying out?"

Me: "About an hour and a half to two hours."

Chris: "Okay, good."

How do you prepare to go out? 

"That Couple"

I've come to the realization that Chris and I are "that couple." You all know that couple, maybe you are that couple too. Maybe we should start a "that couple" club...but then again, we would probably make plans to meet and never do it.

What do I mean by "that couple"? I'm glad you asked. In order to be "that couple" you must be constantly making plans to do something fun together/with others and canceling after further thought.

For example, Chris and I made plans about 2 hours before, to go to First Thursday on the Square. Music, drinks, local artists, and the farmers market. Best thing, it's free if you don't buy food or drinks. So, Chris meets me at work right before we are suppose to go and by the time I had finished closing down, I had decided I was too tired and hungry to go out. Not a huge deal; however, we do this ALL the time. We are "that couple." 

"That couple" is constantly thinking of awesome things to do--concerts, all night ragers, movie dates, etc.--and are either too tired or too lazy to follow through with it and therefore spend their entire night parked on the couch watching reruns of Southland or other gender neutral tv shows. Sometimes if you want to have a big night, you turn on Keeping up with the Kardashians. Scott always brightens up any date night.

The night then ends with one or both of you either tipsy (and for Chris, wearing his helmet and goggles while sitting on the couch) or requesting foot massages <--bet you can't guess who that is.

You all know which couple I'm talking about. Let me give you a hint, if you can't think of "that couple" in your group of friends, it probably means that you are "that couple". 

Are you "that couple" in your group of friends?

Sweet Pea's Party

When my bloggy friend, Lauren, emailed me about doing a product review of one of her new Important Dates Customized Chalkboards, I jumped at the opportunity. She recently opened an Etsy shop called Sweet Pea's Party and they have TONS of cute stuff. 

How cute is this?! I mean, for real! Despite Chris' face, he even said that it will look great at our wedding. In addition, Sweet Pea's Party has several other items in their shop that are just adorable. One of which, is a wreath for the door. I will probably be buying this one soon for Chris and my new apartment together.

Seriously y'all, just imagine this with a custom frame.  It will be perfect on one of the tables at our wedding reception! I have seen projects like this on Pinterest, and know that I couldn't make my own and it turn out this good, so if I wasn't doing a review, I would have definitely ordered one anyway. You can't really see this from the picture, but around the sides it lists all of the places Chris and I have been together!  After the wedding, you best believe this bad boy will be hung up somewhere in our house.

If you haven't already checked them out, you should do so! Oh and by the way, just for being the lovely readers that you are, Sweet Pea's Party is offering all of you 10% off any purchase using the code: jaime10. 

What's your favorite thing from their shop???

I Don't Mean to Brag But...

I don't mean to brag...but, I've pretty much figured out this whole wedding thing. 

Alright, so I figured it was about time to do another wedding update. Chris and I have found our "destination wedding" venue. It's called Avondale Chapel and it's in Northwest Arkansas (halfway between our two families). It's perfect.

Not only does it provide that cute southern, plantation look that I have always envisioned, but it's also all-inclusive. What do I mean by all-inclusive? I'm glad you asked! Check it out:

Regal Wedding & Reception Package

Wedding Coordinator

Additional hour of use (5 hr total)

1-hr rehearsal**

Private dressing rooms for both the bride and groom

Ceremony setup and cleanup

 Ceremony CD Music

Minister (optional)

Candelabras with candles, signature flowers and greenery

Aisle candelabras

Aisle runner

Reception Coordinator
Reception setup and cleanup
DJ (during reception)
Draped service tables
Wedding cake
Groom’s cake
Punch, coffee, nuts, and mints
Servers
Hors d’oeuvres
Champagne flutes (couple only)
Wedding Bubbles
Tableware, glassware, silverware and serving pieces
Printed napkins with names and date
Cloth napkins
Round tables with floor-length tablecloths (black, white, or ivory)
Colored tablecloth overlays (optional colors)
Deluxe Centerpieces (with custom colors)
Chairs
Custom Lighting

So, basically the only thing that isn't covered with this is the photographer, wedding attire (bridal party, bride, groom, etc.), invitations, and alcohol. For the alcohol, we have decided to just buy in bulk from Sam's Club and hire someone for about $100 to bartend. This package says hors d'oeuvres, but we actually upgraded to a plated meal (stay tuned to help us choose which meal to serve) to serve for dinner. 

The only thing we have to do for this package is meet with the wedding coordinators 3 months prior to the wedding and tell them exactly what we want--table cloth colors, etc.--and select the cakes, flowers, etc. The whole meeting should only take about two hours. How easy is that?! I know, I told you to be jealous. But here's the best part: the entire package only costs $4250 (for 50 people...we are paying about $2000 more to include meals and factoring in about 150 people). Yeah...I've managed to plan my entire wedding for under $10,000.

What do you think? Did we do good? What are your thoughts on "all-inclusive" weddings? 

Taking Your Relationship For Granted

As many of you know, Chris and I have been doing the LDR (long distance relationship) thing for the past two years--actually the majority of our relationship.

So...what am I looking forward to doing with my fiancé when I move back to the same town with him this weekend? I'm glad you asked! Here's a list of things that all of you "same towners" can do/should do, that Chris and I will finally be able to do for the first time in two years.

1. Datelivery. I've been wanting to do this for a while and haven't been able to without my date. Basically, Datelivery sends you a package in the mail, for a flat rate, that gives you an entire date night in a box. The themes are different every time.

2. Farmer's market trips. I've been going solo all summer. Chris would never admit it, but he LOVES the farmer's market, like LOVES. Getting to go together might seem trivial to you, but it's so exciting for me.

3. Cooking in the Cottage. Alright, cooking classes make for a great date night AND they help improve my cooking skills (which Chris is extremely appreciative of). 

4. Pre-Marital Counseling. This might not apply to many of you, but this is something I am very much looking forward to. Chris is a little weary of the idea of "counseling"; however, I think this will provide more insight into our relationship that we might not have observed otherwise. 

5. Jate Nights. What is a "Jate Night?" This is what Chris and I call our junk food and wine Friday nights. We enjoy getting cheese cubes, potato chips, french onion dip, popsicles, wine/beer, and the tv show marathon of the month. You really can't do this with anyone other than your best friend and be content.

These are just five, of many, things that I can't wait to actually be able to do with Chris. Don't take your relationship for granted. Get out and do some things with your significant other...some people can't spend all that time with theirs because of the distance. There...I'm off of my soap box. :)

What date ideas do you have for us? This will be the first time in two years we are in the same town, so please, please, please we will take any advice you have!

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift card of your choice.

Linking up with Just Because.

Downs After Dark

This weekend my friends and I went to Churchill Downs for Downs after Dark. The theme was red, white, and blue and for living in Louisville for over a year, this is the first time I've been to the horse races. It was awesome...except for the torrential downpour that started as we were walking in. 

So, the entire reason I'm telling you about this is to tell you what happened the next morning. I had told Chris that I was going to Downs after Dark Saturday night and didn't elaborate on it at all.

Well, this is the conversation we had the next morning when he called me.

Chris: How was Downs after Dark?

Me: It was pretty fun.

Chris: Well, what all did you do?

Me: We got there, it was pouring but we had reserved seats so it wasn't a huge deal because they were covered by an awning. We got to bet on the races, but I didn't because I didn't take any cash with me. Lenae won a couple bucks though.

Chris: You bet on down syndrome kids racing each other?! (appalled)

Me: Wait, what? What are you talking about?

Chris: You said you were going to Downs after Dark, wasn't it some sort of benefit put on by the Down Syndrome Association?

Me: No Chris (laughing). Downs, as in Churchill Downs...the horse races. We bet on the horse races, not on kids.

Chris: Well, I was really proud of you for all of three seconds because I thought you were attending a Down Syndrome benefit, but then I hear you're betting on kids. Shame, shame.

Me: Sorry to disappoint you. (still laughing)

Hope that starts your Monday off right! I know it started my Sunday off right. 

Stay tuned this week for multiple great giveaways and don't forget to follow via bloglovin' because GFC is now gone!

Linking up for I Love Bloglovin', Monday Mingling, The GFC Collective, and Weekend Shenanigans. 

June Favorites

1. I have the best family and fiance ever, all of which got me some great birthday presents. The one I really enjoy is my Hobo wallet my sister got me. I pull it out of my purse every chance I get it.

2. My favorite outfit from this month was my travel outfit. You can check it out here.

3. Chris and I took our engagement pictures this past week and the only picture I snapped was this one with my sister. The white, lace dress was one of my two outfits I wore.

4. Umm, hello peachy, fatty orgasm in my mouth.<<--too much? Lindsey made the BEST cookie recipe I've found this month. Check it out here.

5. Have you entered my favorite giveaway of the month, Shabby Apple $50 gift card giveaway.

6. New favorite website, checked daily I might add. Darby Smart sends you boxes of supplies for specific Pinterest projects.

7. Branson vacation with these cool cats, a.k.a. my fam and Chris. I pulled out the half "what's up" nod for this picture.


What were your favorite things this month/week???

Linking up with Favorite Things, Friday Favorites, and H54F.

The Gift That Just Keeps Giving

Poo-Pourri was kind enough to respond to my tweet and send me a box full of goodies to try out!
I sincerely considered taking "in action" pictures but Chris told me that was severely inappropriate so I decided to spare you the pictures and you will just have to take my word on it!

These were a God-send for the little stinkies at work that decide to do the "do-do" in our shared bathroom. Pee-yew! So, in an effort to reduce the stench, I placed some of the Royal Flush in the bathroom. Needless to say, there is no longer a smell when I go in there after someone and our bathroom doesn't have to smell like Febreze all day long.

Can't deny that I've used both the Deja Poo and the Poo-Pourri at home. It's literally a breath of fresh air afterwards. I don't have to warn Chris before he enters, and he doesn't have to warn me after using the Heavy Doody. I mean, seriously you guys, this stuff works and I think we all know how stinky a guy can be on his morning poo...let's get real, it was like Toby diarrhea-ing all over the walls sometimes. Thank God for Heavy-Doody Poo-Pourri! (Sorry, Chris).

If you're looking for that perfect gift-that just keeps giving- for Father's Day, look no further, you want  need to get him some Heavy Doody Poo-Pourri, and possibly some of their Shoe-Pourri. Chris used it on his Sperry's he mowed the lawn in and you couldn't smell the sweat or lawn smell anymore. Heck, while you're at it, why not give them something for both ends, some Heavy-Doody and some Potty Mouth.

Using the code "TOBYS15" you can save 15% on your purchase through July 31st! Make sure to visit their website here, and check out some of their other products, including those for your stinky pets!

Don't forget to enter to win some of this fabulous jewelry here and also, there's a nail polish giveaway going on here.

<div align="center"><a href="http://tobystailsblog.com" title="Toby's Tails"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rCTM00Caf5jYePCix-2bG-aI067Mg8xwC6mceCmXMxx9AS2MD3pZjcBCkrkY_yl-qedeXcoXVSF6pNXrza_FVe7eQDx55kU1zPlZEiKqg9my_BqqbPTBkOcuX8PnHX5WFdOtLWbPx5iv/w497-h373/2013-02-26" alt="Toby's Tails" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Chris and the Cats

Hello, my name is Chris and this is my guest blog post.

I would like to offer the followers of this blog the opportunity to get an unbiased glimpse into my mind, as well as the opportunity to read a post on this blog that is, for once, not about a cross eyed cat or getting engaged. Enjoy. 

Alright I already lied. This will be a blog post about a cross eyed cat. Truth be told I just got done with law school finals last Thursday (praise be to Jesus), and so I decided to drive to Kentucky and spend some time with Jaime, before I had to start summer classes (not so praise be to Jesus). In my mind I was envisioning a relaxing week, where I would sleep in until 11am and catch up on my netflix shows, while Jaime was a work. Sounds nice huh? 

Fortunately for me Jaime showed me the errors of my ways upon my arrival, when she immediately asked demanded that I write every blog post for the next week, since I was in town and "had nothing else to do." (BTW I would not call watching White Collar and eating cereal nothing). But having previously received a B- in mediation, I was able to expertly negotiate Jaime down to one (1) guest blog post, but only on the condition that the topic of my guest post be; (a) "What I think Married Life Will Be Like", or (b) "5 things I Have Learned from Jaime's Cats". 

An entire semesters worth of legal mediation class lectures boiled down into one picture: 

Needless to say I quickly chose option B. Here it goes.

1. People will love you even if you are a crossed eyed cat who swallows nerf darts.
         In case my reference is unclear to some followers, I'm referring to Jaime's cat Toby. See Toby is severely cross eyed and extremely dumb, a combination of traits that leads directly to my next statement about Toby, he is the worst.  But regardless of how I feel about Toby, when Toby ate a Nerf dart last fall causing him to have intestinal problems, Jaime happily paid for Toby's vet bill and loved him nonetheless. I'm still not 100 percent  sure Jaime would be as charitable towards me if I swallowed a nerf dart. 

Its amazing how much intestinal blockage one of these can cause in a cat.

2. If you really want to creep people out, stare unblinkingly into their eyes until they break eye contact. 
        I learned this lesson from Jaime's other cat, Tillie, who if she was a person, would definitely be mistaken as a daily crystal meth user and a sociopath. I love Tillie solely for this reason. See while Toby's thing is to be cross eyed, and pretty much useless in general, Tillie's thing is to stare. Seriously Tillie just stares. Without blinking. At you. 
One of the most unnerving feelings I have ever had, was the day after we got Tillie and I woke up to Tillie sitting on the nightstand just staring at me, without blinking. It felt like either an angel or a demon (I can never decide which one Tillie is ) was staring through my soul, judging me. That entire day I really thought I was going to die because I felt like my soul had already been judged that morning. 

3. Sleep all day, Party all night. 


Whenever I wake up to this I always imagine creepy little voices saying "We've been waiting for you." Awesome way to start your day off.

      During my school breaks I usually spend a couple weeks with Jaime, where I have the distinct pleasure of spending all day every day, with her cats while she is at work. You many not know this but your cat leads a double life while you are away from home. They do many things while you are gone, but 98% of their day is spend sleeping in various locations and licking each others buttholes.

On any given day this is what your cat looks like when you leave. PS the cat is not dead, its only sleeping. Seriously.

     
During finals last year, I decided to follow the cat's example and cap nap during the day, while doing my serious studying at night. Worked like a charm. See while the law library is usually packed during the day with other law students and undergrads, at night the library is completely empty and I can actually concentrate and get some studying done without undergrads coming up to me and asking "How do you like law school? Is it easy?" 

4. Its the simple things in life that make the difference.

      Sometimes I think cats have it all figured out. They get to sleep all day, eat when they want to and achieve the most amount of happiness from stupid shit, like being petted. Seriously have you ever noticed cats never seem to be sad or upset, only extremely happy whenever you pet them or walk through the door? Believe me I have tried my hardest to make Toby sad and upset  (Usually by holding him up to a mirror and screaming "Look how stupid you are!!"). Regardless of my attempts, Toby still does not get upset and now only purrs like a ruhtard when I hold him in front of the mirror. I decided to follow the example of Toby and now when people are upset with me and start to yell, I just smile and purr. Just kidding I don't purr. 

5. If you can do a neat trick when company comes over, Jaime will be happy with you.

   During winter break last year, Jaime did not have cable and I had an abundance of free time, so I trained Tillie to retrieve nerf darts (I know I am a man of many talents). Despite Tillies newfound ability to retrieve nerf darts directly leading to the events of paragraph 1, her new ability also became the premier source of entertainment for Jaime's houseguests. Seriously, Tillie and I have regaled guests for hours with Tillie's feats of physical prowess  while perfectly good hard liquor and board games sat forgotten. I began to notice that after every time Tillie entertained houseguests, Jaime would not get as mad at Tillie for running around all night while Jaime was trying to sleep. Following Tillie's example I began to perform my own trick for Jaime's houseguests, which generally consists of me regaling houseguests with amazing feats of sarcastic wit and indispensable potty humor. But for some reason, Jaime still gets just as mad at me regardless of my attempts to entertain house guests. 

Well thats my best shot at my second guest blog post. I hope my guest post didn't cause Jaime to lose any followers...because if it did I'm told that I have to sleep on the porch, so please don't unfollow the blog. 



Blopper Reel

 

 

top: Francesca's

blazer: Francesca's

pants: Express

shoes: Target

bag: Charming Charlie

necklace: Francesca's

 

Bless Chris' heart, he tried his best to get a good shot for me, but the sun and my photogenic skills were conspiring against us.

 

Sadly, these "bloppers" that would have been discarded were better than the actual posed ones we took. I mean, my face looks weird in all of them but my legs are looking pretty darn skinny if I do say so myself. #getthosesquatsgirl

 

My mom constantly asks me how I decide what necklace to wear with each outfit. To answer your question mom, I figure out what color looks best first, then I decide if the outfit needs a short statement necklace or something more simple. This outfit needed a necklace, but the neckline on the top wouldn't allow for a statement necklace. I chose the longer necklace because a simple gold, short necklace was going to be kind of boring, and I was able to incorporate the white blazer with the white in the necklace. Then the gold in the necklace linked it to the gold on the buttons of the blouse.

 

That's my logic on deciding what jewelry pieces to pair with each outfit. What are your thoughts? How do you determine what necklace to wear with each?

 

 

Linking up with Style Sessions, What I Wore Wednesday, Random Wednesday, and Trending Pretty Wednesday.

 

Why I Would Make a Poor CIA Agent.

Recently I've had the opportunity to fill out several personality profiles--the questions ranging from:

 

Do you have some faults which you have no intentions of correcting? Yes.

 

 

If someone offends you, do you usually shut your mouth and say nothing? No.

 

When people point out mistakes they think you are making, are you likely to listen politely and ignore what they say? Umm...yes and no???

 

What kinds of people are most likely to make you feel uncomfortable? Strangers in a dark alley??

 

If you had sufficient talent and training, what sort of job would you like best? CIA spy.

What is the point of me telling you my answers to these questions, you ask? It's simple. (1) Don't ever let me answer serious, life-altering personality profiles if you don't want to be considered a smart-ass. (2) I'm pretty sure these profiles are rigged for you to fail. I mean come on, look at the third question, it contradicts itself! (3) Chris has pointed out, on numerous occasions, why I would NEVER make it as a CIA spy.

 

 

 

Chris:

 

Jaime's concept of secrecy entails telling literally everyone in the world, except the subject of the secret.

 

Jaime makes friends and enemies daily. Day one they are friends, day one and a half they are enemies.

 

Jaime's interests revolve around this blog-fashion, home stuff, etc.- and anyone with interests outside of these two things have no value to Jaime.

 

Jaime only feels comfortable stalking/staking out other bloggers and not real people.

 

 

 

Jaime has the attention span of a cracked out twelve year old. Harsh, but true.

 

 

 

Linking up with Just Because and Anything & Everything.