{simple.little.joys}: June 2012

6.27.2012

So What! Wednesday

I'm feeling a little sassy today, so I figured I should just go ahead and do a little

"so what"-ing on the blog! Seems appropriate for Hump Day.
I'll be linking up with the lovely and fabulous Shannon over at Life After I Dew!

Let's go, girls. {Shania Twain reference, yes.}

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This week, I'm saying SO WHAT if...

...I had Cheetos and half a Snickers bar for dinner last night? Sometimes you just need a little bit of junk food, amen?

...I'm going back and forth on a daily basis with the topic of cutting my hair. I'm kinda attached to it, pun intended.

...my plans for today (my day off) consist of going to WalMart and sleeping? Oh, and some wine. I'm cool, I know, you don't have to tell me.

...I just don't get the fascination with 50 Shades of Grey. I read the first one and part of the second, but my gosh, it was the SAME THING over and over again. Am I the only one??

...I create "shopping carts" on Anthro and J.Crew's website when I can't afford it? It's called online window shopping, duh. A girl can dream.

...I secretly wish I had a different job JUST so I could wear normal clothes on a daily basis? I love what my closet holds, and yet all I ever wear are scrubs and tshirts. #lame

...the Bachelorette is the LAST thing I want to watch. I must be the only girl in America who could care less, but really...I couldn't care less.

...it has taken me 3 hours to come up with this many bullets--I'm a little slow today, apparently.
...all I want to do is put on my pajamas and watch Downton Abbey...just call me Grandma.

...I think that there's no problem a cupcake can't fix.

Ahhh, feels good to get that off my chest. So What Wednesday=therapy, my friends.

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BTW--look at this precious package I got in the mail yesterday from my bff, Kelsie...

I may or may not have squealed like a little girl when I opened it. SUPER excited about being a bridesmaid for this sweet friend...can't wait to stand beside her when she marries her sweetheart!

Happy Wednesday...the weekend is getting closer :)

6.26.2012

wedding season is the best season

We traveled 958 miles this past weekend. At least 11 bathroom breaks were made (probably because I begged them to stop). "Call Me Maybe" came on the radio approximately 14 times. And Faye made us change it immediately 14 times, too. We had a couple of drinks and caught up with a few friends in Nashville on the way. We passed 238,570 distilleries while in Kentucky (they're apparently on every exit.) We reunited with a dozen or so KD and college friends and had a fantastic time together. I had 2 (okay...2 and a half) pieces of wedding cake (and loved every bite.) We lost count on the number of beers and bourbon drinks that were enjoyed while celebrating. And we got watch 2 of our dearest friends say "I do" and start their married life together. I'd say it was a pretty fabulous weekend, overall. Wedding season is my favorite season.

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Matthew Hall! We love you both and had the best time celebrating! Thanks for a weekend to remember!

6.22.2012

bring on the weekend

Dear glorious weekend, damn...it's good to see you. This is the first full weekend I've had off in a LONG time, so I shall enjoy you to the fullest. Dear AT&T UVerse, really...I've been without cable and Internet for going on 3 weeks now. I'm dying. Help a sister out and get your act together please. Dear ole Kentucky, we're heading towards you today...coming to celebrate Matthew and Lizzie's wedding, so get ready for our arrival. I don't think I've ever just been to Kentucky--I'm always only passing through ya. So, I think I'll stay a little while and soak you in. Ready for us? I hope so. Dear Sister, thank you for taking care of me the other night when I thought I was on the brink of death. Who'da thought a uterine cyst could do so much damage? You sure are a good little nurse--I don't know what I would've done without you. Dear all 7,203 friends of mine getting married, I'm gonna need y'all to make wedding websites so I can stalk you on all things wedding. And let's start registering for gifts. And taste-testing cakes. I'm invited to that, right? Dear Tory Burch, come on...stop sending me sale emails already! You're gonna kill my bank account. I'm sorry, but I think we've gotta break up soon. This relationship is unhealthy. Dear Andrew, I have such a crush on you. I still get excited when you text me. I still can't get over the fact that you are my boyfriend and that you love me the same as I love you. Makes me blush. I love you for always. Thank you for always being the man I need you to be. Dear Downton Abbey, okay, okay...I finally gave in and started watching you. And although you took a little while to get into, I'm hooked. Utterly obsessed. What shall I do when I've watched all the episodes that are available?! Now all I want is to be British and live in the early 1900's. Dear money tree, are you going to start producing some big bills soon? Please? I need a massage. And a new dress. And some shoes. Dear cute, sweet, precious friends of mine, I logged into Blogger today and saw a whopping 597 followers of this little blog and almost fell of of my bed. Really. I can't believe it! I love y'all. Like really, love y'all. Thank y'all for making me smile on a daily basis. And thank you for encouraging me, loving me, laughing with me...I'm so blessed. Let's see if we can hit 600! Maybe a giveaway is in store soon?!?!

Happy Friday, girls!
Hope your weekends are full of relaxation, laughs, a drink or two, and lots of friends!
I'll be sure to document our Kentucky road trip for a good ole Miscellany Monday post :)

Source: ffffound.com via Ainsley on Pinterest

6.21.2012

that kind of love

I had the sweetest little patient not too long ago. Big blue eyes, curly blonde hair...a smile that was missing quite a few teeth but was full of lots of joy. Her little eyes just sparkled, even though she wasn't feeling too well at the time. We chit-chatted a good bit throughout my shift--anything from how she liked my pink nail polish (because pink is her favorite color, duh) to her favorite TV show (Good Luck, Charlie.) I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up, and she looked at me and said, "a teacher and a mama."

That made my heart happy.

It got me to thinking about the many career choices I went through as a little girl...a ballerina, which I think every girl wants to be at some point...a princess...an astronaut...a police woman...and of course, the President. Quite the range, huh? The only one that ever graced that list and actually lasted up until now is a mother.

That may be one thing you don't know about me, since I share my every thought on this little space. A little known fact around here is pretty rare--I want to be a mom more than anything. Sure, I'm a nurse, through and through, but my heart's desire, the thing I dream about the most, is to be a mother.

I don't just dream about the big moments...I dream about all the little moments that make up the in between time. The snuggles in the middle of the night when it's storming outside, the notes that will be packed away in all of their school lunches, the gingerbread houses we will build every Christmas, the after school snacks, the Saturday morning pancake tradition. The first time I hold him or her. The first smile. I just can't wait.

I was the kid who always had to be the "mom" when playing house...and I'm sure one or two of my friends reading this can attest to that, since they usually ended up being the "husband" or the "daughter." Sorry, Kels and Taylor--you were both the husband way too many times, I'll admit. And my poor sister, she was always the baby. It's just always been a part of me...I've always known my kids names, I've always wanted a whole house full. And thankfully, I've found a man who wants the exact same.

My parents treasure a video they have of me when I was around 5 or 6...I'm being interviewed by my grandfather, while juggling 2 or 3 cabbage patch kids and a baby carseat all at once. Of course, I have all of their names and ages down pat, ready to tell anyone who asks. They joke about this video daily, because I'm pretty much the same way as a 24-year-old. Guess we don't change very much, huh?

So until that day comes when I can finally be called Mama, I'll keep on dreaming, and wishing, and hoping...planning all the ways to love on as many as God blesses us with. Makes my heart happy just thinking about it. I can't wait to know that kind of love.

6.20.2012

pinterest lovin'

The other day, I saw someone tweet how she hated any blog posts with all Pinterest pictures...I gasped in shock, shook my head, and clicked off of it. Blasphemy...we ALL love Pinterest, so I just can't help but show off a few of my favorite pins

If you feel the same way she does, you may not want to scroll down. Sorry I'm not sorry--it's a Pinterest party over here today, so put on your party pants and let's have a good time!

::favorite gotta-try-this recipe::

Quinoa fried rice...yum!

Source: skinnytaste.com via Vanna on Pinterest

::favorite hair envy::

Source: iknowhair.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite words::

Source: etsy.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite big girl outfit::

Source: reganstegall.polyvore.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite wedding-inspired pin::

Source: stylemepretty.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite funny::

Source: amandaonwriting.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite art::

Source: etsy.com via Rachel on Pinterest

::favorite DIY::

Source: cottagechicstore.com via Beverly on Pinterest

::favorite home decor::

Source: countryliving.com via Despina on Pinterest

::favorite view::

Source: betterphoto.com via Hailey on Pinterest

::favorite jewelry::

Source: etsy.com via Anne on Pinterest

::favorite motivation::

Source: toneitup.com via Lacy on Pinterest

::favorite mantra::

Source: naynayblog.com via Anne on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday, pretties!

Hope your week is flying by :)

6.19.2012

my makeup must-haves

I know you've all been tossing and turning, losing sleep, wondering what in the world my beauty routine is...

Ya know, since I have the beauty regimen of Kim Kardashian and the perfect complexion of Angelina Jolie.

I'll admit...I'm lucky if I get out of the house with a little tinted moisturizer and some chapstick, but if I could put on a full face every day, this is what I use. I looooove all the makeup in my makeup bag--I've used it all for a least a year, some for a lot longer. So they're tried and true, old faithfuls to me.

Here ya go, girls:

1) BareMinerals Prime Time primer 2) Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet foundation 3) BareMinerals Powder 4) Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner 5) L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

6) Urban Decay NAKED Palette 7) NARS Orgasm blush 8) Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer

9) NARS Orgasm lip gloss 10) Boi-ing concealer

Now, go run to your nearest Sephora/Ulta and scoop these gems up...you and your pretty face can thank me later!

Happy Tuesday, my dears!

Tell me...what are YOUR makeup must-haves???

6.18.2012

monday's mishmash

Monday's here again, can you believe it? It's as if it comes on a rotation or something....

Since I had a little blog hiatus last week, and life still goes on, I guess I'll join in on some Miscellany Monday and throw a bit of recent random happenings your way today. I always love randoms, don't you??

{~~not so~~ little bro}

Last weekend, Andrew and I went to Memphis with the parents to watch little brother play baseball. Before we parted ways, I snagged T and forced him to take a picture with his sister...this was what resulted:

T being a big ole, badass boy.....

He's 14...I tell no lies. Still can't believe he's THAT.HUGE. and only 14. Geez. I'm not a short girl...I'm pushing 5'7" and he's still towering over me. What happened to my little brother?!

So I threatened him and made him retake it and show some teeth! Cutie. P.S. look at those guns! He's a little stud.

{oxfordtown}

I love my little town all the year long, but especially in the summer. Oxford is just better in the summer. I'm not sure what the appeal of it is, but everything just sparkles a little more in the summer.

{wedding season(s)}

I swear--I thought this year was the busiest ever with all the weddings we have to attend. I was so wrong--2013 is going to be THE year for weddings with my group of friends. It's halfway through 2012 and I already have 5 weddings to either be in/attend in 2013, one being my sister and 4 being some of my very best friends. And then this past week, I got more wonderful news....My sweet bff Meg and her boy Geof are engaged! Meg was one of the main reasons I made it through nursing school...she's my heart. I couldn't be happier for them! Aren't they cute?

{carrie legs}

I got the best little envelope in the mail last Wednesday...

Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah...going to see my girl crush in concert with my Mama! Can't wait to see those infamous legs in person. #jealous

My sis and I are officially in our new place...our little "cottage" if you will. I know you're just dying to see how cute it is...here we go:

I love. Answered prayer, for sure! Can't wait to show y'all the inside.

{SundayFunday}

I had to work Friday and Saturday night, so I had to sleep most of yesterday--which meant I didn't get to go home for Father's Day. I loved on my Pops and grandfathers from afar then slept most of the day...lame, I know. I woke up right in time to enjoy the last few hours of SundayFunday, so we spent late afternoon out by the pool with some friends. Perfection! (Especially when the place is as gorgeous as Colonel's Quarters...)

{when God speaks right at ya}

You probably missed it because I posted on a Saturday (who am I?) but I've been in a bit of a rut lately. And when I'm in a rut, I always pick up my Bible and cling to it a little more than usual...I was going through my Beth Moore devotional while feeling down the other day, and this little sentence popped up and just spoke straight to my heart:

God works in the most wonderful ways, doesn't He?

How's that for a miscellaneous post? Maybe I should've just titled it: InstagramMonday, because that's pretty much all it is--my IG pics. Whatevs. I think I have officially surpassed all previous Miscellany Mondays...and this one takes the cake.

Happy Monday, girlies. Let's make this week wonderful!

6.17.2012

To my Papa...

To the man who taught me how a real husband and father acts...

To the man who has always, always made me feel protected, safe, and secure...

To the man who gave me his bright blue eyes...

To the man who has always and will forever push me to chase my dreams...

To the man who always provides his kids with anything they need...

To the man who instilled in me a true love of all things Ole Miss...

To the man who shows his wife and his kids daily what a man of Christ looks like...

To the man who loves baseball more than anything (and made me love it, too)...

Happy Father's Day.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have a father like you.

I love you more than anything, Papa.

You mean the world to us!

6.16.2012

Choosing Joy.

A Saturday morning post? Who am I?

I'm the blogger who is trying to get rid of this funk that's hanging over me.
Not the good kind of funk. (Is there a good kind?) The bad kind.

I've been in such a rut lately. You probably haven't noticed, other than my lack of posts here on the blog, but my IRL friends and fam have started making comments as to where my "spunk" has been over the past week or two. My spunk has been replaced with a funk.

It started out as just being the diet rut that I posted about here...but then it started to creep into other areas of my life, too. There's a situation going on in my life that's taking a toll on me, and I'm letting its grasp on me get a little too tight. I've been working a lot of 3-in-a-rows lately, which for a night-shifter, is pretty much just asking to be a little down. It's hard not to see daylight for 3 straight days. Hard not to see family/friends minus the time getting ready before work. It makes for an unhappy Rachel when all of my friends are out and about, having dinner together, watching TV shows together, enjoying friends' weddings...and I'm at work. Blah.

And then this past weekend, my best friend's grandfather passed away suddenly, so the weekend was covered up with visitation and funeral--lots of crying, lots of emotions. It definitely didn't help the black cloud hanging over my head.

I've been trying to stay semi-absent from my blog because frankly, I've been a bit bitter. And I don't want y'all to meet bitter Rachel, because she's just not that cool. I just can't shake this bad mood that I've been in...there were a few days this past week where I didn't want to do anything but lay in my bed and watch Friends. And if you know me, you know that's what I do when something is wrong.

But then, out of nowhere, God reminds me and whispers so gently into my hurting heart that I can CHOOSE joy. That I can let go of the situation that's dragging me down, that I can release those feelings, the hurt that is overwhelming my soul...

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Today is a new day. I'm choosing to be happy. I'm choosing to shake this feeling of inadequacy, the feeling of heartbreak and pain...I'm trading those feelings in for JOY. For happiness. To be the Rachel that I was before this little cloud started hanging around my neighborhood. My life is so good and I need to recognize that more...I need to embrace it, love it, cling to it. I mean, after all, isn't this blog about all the simple little joys in life?

Source: oprah.com via Illsie on Pinterest

Choose joy today. It's a gorgeous Saturday, and although I have to spend most of it sleeping for work, I'm going to choose happiness. I'm going to let go of what's dragging me down. I miss the happy Rachel who can't keep a smile off her face. Well, she's back, and she's not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Happy Saturday to you, all of my fabulous girls.