A Pop Of Color

I'm not a neutrals girl. Yes, they have their place, and sometimes, I absolutely love just wearing black and white or tan. But, for the most part, I absolutely love my colors. Have some of each color (except maybe pink--that's limited, but hey, I'm not a girly girl). I'm always working to increase my color collection, too. 

For this week's Creative Closet, the theme was "pop of color." I figured this adorable, amazing vest from my mother-in-law was just the thing for it. 

This vest is so comfortable, warm, and goes with just about anything. Though, as you can see, my favorite way to wear it is with skinny jeans, a white long-sleeve, and boots. And I had some earrings that just matched it perfectly.

Since getting the vest for Christmas, I've already worn this outfit for work twice and thought it would be fun for a day in the snow with Honey and my husband. Though, we were hoping to hike a little, and with packed snow, these boots weren't making it. They didn't let me go up the hill. Instead, they caused me to fall 10 a few times. Note to self: next time, wear actual hiking boots/shoes.

I think Honey is my favorite part of these pictures. Isn't she adorable?

Vest: Eddie Bauer (similar) / Skinny Jeans: Forever 21 / Long-Sleeve T-Shirt: Old Navy / 

Boots: Charlotte Russe / Earrings: Smith's Marketplace (can't find similar link)

Linking up with Jana and Maegan for this week's Creative Closet!

Project Date Night: January

Guys, I am so excited to share this new link-up with you! Elizabeth Loves, along with Life with Mrs. G and the Artist, have created this incredible link up opportunity for all those that are married. During the year 2015, bloggers will have a chance to intentionally think about a fun date night for each month with their husband and write about it, sharing their ideas with others. I'm so excited about this!!

My January Date Night is one we haven't actually done quite yet. We're a little behind, I know, but we have had some great dates. This is just one I'm excited about that we've done before, and we will be making it happen again soon, before the month is over!

My husband and I can seem to make any activity fun when we're together. We do a ton together, from road trips (even short ones around the area) to window shopping to sporting events to outdoorsy things. This month's date night is centered around sporting events.

When we first started dating, I knew nothing about hockey. I had some friends that were huge fans of the professional hockey team near us, but as far as the rules and actually knowing anything about the actual sport, I was clueless. That all changed when Randy came around. We immediately started going to hockey games, and we still try to make it a fun night for the both of us. :)

Our staple hockey date night is grabbing something quick from home to eat and then going to a university hockey game, where you can get upper bowl tickets for cheap! Back in Missouri, they were like $8 each, and here, just over $10. I would prepare something sweet during the day, and we'd come back to a delicious dessert and just sit and talk about the game and anything else that comes to mind. 

It's such a great time, and being inexpensive helps, too! It's hard to go on many date nights when you are trying to save money, so being intentional in planning out the dates and minimizing the amount of cost is something I have really been working on!

What are you planning for your January date night with your spouse? Link up your posts below!

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Project Date Your Husband is a monthly linkup aimed at getting us out there and intentionally dating our spouses. We'd love for you to join us in making date night a marriage priority!! 

Faith from Life with Mrs G and the Artist: Hi! I'm Faith and I blog over at Life w/ Mrs G & the Artist where I blog about life, marriage, community and the struggles that women of all seasons go through. I will occasional throw in a fashion, DIY, or recipe but I really love talking about the issues that women go through and making my space a place for people to be able to open up and talk about things. I love meeting new people but I also love getting to know the people I already know better too. Come say hi! 

Sarah from 12 Twenty Seven: I'm Sarah and I am the girl behind the blog, 12 Twenty Seven. I'm a lifestyle blogger who shares whatever is placed on my heart! 

Gennie from New Home, New Name, New Adventure: Gennie is a wife and fur mama who loves to travel and make memories. She blogs to chronicle her adventures, share recipes and stories, and connect with other bloggers! 

One Year!

So, as you may have assumed, my whole "week of wedding posts" to celebrate our first anniversary didn't exactly get published in the week before our anniversary. Blame it on the dump truck that knocked out a power line in our city, leaving us without power for a few hours. Specifically, the few hours I was planning on finishing all of the posts and scheduling them. Life's been busy. If things don't happen when I plan for them to, they usually don't happen. So, the wedding week posts (3 left!) will continue this week along with some other fun posts. Sorry about that!

Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary, and it was incredible. My husband is from Washington, so he's a big Seahawks fan. Well, as you can probably imagine if you watched the game, he wasn't thrilled with how they were playing... but it ended up being a fun game to watch at the end when they actually showed up to play. So, now we have to have a fun game-watch party for the Superbowl! It may just be us, but hey, that's fun, too, right? We also took a long walk with our dog, and then last night, he treated me to a fancy dinner at Fleming's Steakhouse and Wine Bar, complete with wine, prime rib, dessert, and some yummy sides. It was perfect, and the staff were all so kind and amazing! They even sent us home with a card, some truffles, and a gift card as an Anniversary present. How cool is that? I definitely recommend Fleming's to anyone who wants a nice dinner out! You won't be disappointed!

To my husband: Thanks for the best year of my life yet. It's been a crazy, amazing ride, and I couldn't imagine anything better. I can't wait for the future with you, and every day with you by my side is the best day. Thank you for your support and love always. I don't know what I'd do without you! Here's to many, many more years together! :)

Thanks for understanding when life gets busy, friends. I wish you a great week!
On Wednesday, you'll see pics of the crazy, fanatic football fans we are. Randy and I sported our football jerseys over our wedding day attire (yes, even over my dress). ;)

What did you think of yesterday's Packers vs. Seahawks game, if you watched it? Who are you rooting for in the Superbowl?

Around the Table Linkup: 30 Minute Meals

Today, I am co-hosting with The Quiet Place for the Around the Table linkup! This is a linkup where there's a theme for each month; some months may be without a theme. Each month, The Quiet Place and a co-host will share a recipe that we use to create community around our tables. And you will have a chance to link it up! This linkup is currently booked with co-hosts until October, but she is looking to fill spots for November and December. So if you are interested email Britney at: britney.thequietplace@gmail.com for more information!

This month's theme is 30 minute meals! Today, I'm sharing a 30 minute meal that we absolutely love around our house called Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken. 

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 tbsp brown sugar

3 tsp olive oil, plus extra to grease dish

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 

2. Lightly grease casserole dish with olive oil.

3. In a small plan, saute garlic with olive oil until tender. Remove from heat and immediately stir in brown sugar.

4. Place chicken breasts in baking dish and cover with garlic and brown sugar mixture.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

7. Enjoy!

We serve it with a quick salad and garlic bread usually, and it's delicious! You can also make potatoes or rice to have it with. :) 

Britney is sharing a delicious and easy 30 minute meal on her blog! Head on over there to check it out! :) 

Link-up your 30 minute meals below! We can't wait to see what recipes you all share! :)

An InLinkz Link-up

An Anniversary Series: "I Do"

If you missed Monday's post, I shared a few of my favorite pictures of Randy and I from our wedding day. I absolutely love looking through all of the pictures, and with our 1st wedding anniversary coming up in just four days (can't believe it!), I felt as if it's the perfect excuse to share more pictures from our day! Today's post is all about our ceremony and the "I Do!" 

My cousins, Emily and Kelsey, did an amazing job of being our candlelighters. This picture makes me wish I could go back to this day in more ways than one. Kelsey passed away last October, so it makes having these pictures all the more special to remember her and think of the fun this day. 

My gorgeous mother-in-law and handsome father-in-law!

My brother walking my beautiful mom down the aisle!

Our flower girl was a little timid, but she did such a great job! It was fun to have her walk down the aisle with my dad and I. I started crying as soon as I peered out and saw Randy at the end of the aisle. We didn't do a first look, so this was the first time I saw him on our wedding day, and I couldn't have picked a better moment. :) 

"Thank goodness I'm down that aisle, and we can get married!" Just so thankful. :) 

Lighting the unity candle! 

Our gorgeous bridesmaids!

I knew Deacon Pat would be the best person to marry me because I had grown up with him in church. But, I couldn't even have imagined how amazing of a ceremony it would be! He did such a great job, and I'm so honored he married us!

And made us laugh quite a bit!

My sister: "Oh no, I forgot the ring in the dressing room!"

Quite the hilarious moment and one of the best memories for sure! :) 

"I got it!"

"With this ring..."

"We're MARRIED!!!!"

All photos courtesy of Grindstone Studio. 

So many amazing memories of that day, and again, I couldn't ask for anything better. Thank you to all those that have been there for us time and time again. We love you!!

And a special happy birthday to my amazing sister who was such a wonderful maid of honor on my wedding day! I love you, Nik!

Pretty in Pink - The Creative Closet

I'm not really that big of a fan of pink. It's never been my favorite color, and I definitely don't have many pink pieces in my closet. Every once in a while, though, I find a cute top or dress that I adore in that color. This one, in particular, is one I love. I found it a few years ago, and with the pearl button detailing, it's definitely one of my favorites. It works great for both nicer occasions with dress pants or a skirt or less dressy ones like this, and I love it in the spring with capris and sandals.

This black blazer is one of my staple pieces in my closet and works great with the pink top. My work doesn't require us to dress up, but there are times when we have meetings where we are expected to present ourselves in a professional manner. With the blazer, I thought it would dress up my appearance enough to look nice for my meeting but still comfortable and not like I was trying too hard.

Blazer: Target (similar) / Top: Envy Boutique / Jeans: Forever 21 / Flats: Kohls (similar) / 

Necklace: Plato's Closet (similar) 

What do you think? Is pink one of your staple colors?

Linking up with Jana and Maegan for today's Creative Closet!

An Anniversary Series: Just the Two of Us

In less than a week, Randy and I will have been married for an entire year. That seems absolutely insane to me because I can vividly remember scurrying around getting everything ready this time last year, and it seems like it was yesterday!

Our wedding was January 18th of last year. It was a cold winter day, and I had never thought of having a winter wedding before it just happened to work out the best for both of us. But, with the help of my mom, sister, Randy, and so many others, it was an absolutely gorgeous wedding with a winter and snow theme. It was quite cold, so I give all of our wedding party major props for standing so long in the cold (plus a huge thank you to Kelsey, David's wife for standing out there with us and being my go-to girl if I needed anything!). You wouldn't be able to tell (except maybe in a couple pics, ;) ) that it was cold, though, because everyone did so awesome, and I think we all had a great time! I know I did. It was the perfect day, and I honestly don't know what could top it until we have children. I could never have imagined anything more beautiful, and I am still so appreciative of everyone for all of their help and support.

Since I started the blog last July, I didn't ever have a chance to recap some of my favorite moments from our wedding, so I'm spending most of this week before our anniversary doing just that! If you haven't read our engagement story, that is posted here! And I'll talk more about how we came to be "us" soon. But for now, enjoy some of my favorite shots of our day featuring just the two of us!

Yes, we were lucky enough to use an actual plane as our backdrop. Thanks to my amazing dad and West Plains Municipal Airport for the plane and airport! You guys are the best, and it truly made our wedding photos one of a kind and more than we could have dreamed of!

All photos courtesy of Grindstone Studio. Thank you again, Brooke!

Stay tuned on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and next Monday for a recap of the ceremony, reception, details, and some of our favorite shots of our wedding party and families! :)

Also, have you entered the giveaway to win $80 worth of amazing fashion and beauty products?! If not, enter here! Giveaway runs until January 26th at midnight!