Our Wedding; 10.7.16

Hi! Today’s post is so exciting! We got all of our photographs and videography back this week & I’ve been looking through them ever since! I am so incredibly happy with how everything turned out. 10.7.16 was truly a magical day. I am so lucky to not only have found my husband, but to have such a loving and supportive system of people around me to help me plan and celebrate. I am so blessed. I hope you enjoy all the pictures and details of our big day!

xo

Our wedding video: Jaclyn & Everett 10.7.16

Photography: Ri & He

Face Mask Favorites: L’Oreal, Freeman + Que Bella!

I’m a sucker for a good face mask.  I love trying new ones + also have a few staples that I swear by. I thought this would be a fun + different post. Especially since I recently tried out the new L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks that I’ve heard so much about! Hope you enjoy!

1. Que Bella Beauty: Purifying Tea Tree Mud Mask

This is my holy-grail, cant-live-without mask. There’s so many things I love about it. First, it’s only $1.99 at Target! I can get three uses out of one pouch. I just store the remaining in a plastic bag and it stays like new until next time. It has a great clean smell, and gives tingles a bit when you apply it. It has tea tree oil & witch hazel which are AMAZING for acne. I use this every other day when I have a breakout and it dramatically lessens the time the blemishes stick around. It makes your skin soft & feel so clean after you wash it off. I just ADORE this mask!

2. Freeman: Avocado Oatmeal Clay Mask

I also LOVE this mask. However, I use this one as a spot treatment rather than a full face mask because I found out it’s a bit harsh on my skin if I let it sit on my full face for too long.  If I have a major blemish emergency I will dab this on the spot and sleep with it on. In the morning, the redness and size are reduced!

3. L’Oreal Pure Clay Mud Mask: Detox & Brighten

This may be my new favorite! I’ve heard SO much about these new L’Oreal Masks & I just had to try it. I picked up the Detox & Brighten one because it has charcoal in it, which is really good for blackheads, which I struggle with. It gives a really nice cooling effect when you apply it & dries up quick which I like. It also has a really nice clean smell to it! I left it on for 15 minutes & washed off with warm water. My skin felt SO soft, I was amazed! This mask quickly made it’s way onto my favorites  & I can’t wait to use it more. And I also LOVE the packaging. It comes in this cute little jar.. so easy to store & keep fresh!

Leave me your favorite masks below! I’d love to try some new ones out. #facemaskjunkie

2016 I Love Fall TAG!

It’s TIME! My favorite season is upon us, and I’ve already been enjoying it SO much!  I tag everyone! I love these type posts & especially all things fall!

Happy Fall Y’all!

1.)  Bath and Body Works candles or Yankee candles?

Bath and Body Works! Fall candles are the best no matter where they are from.. but B&BW has some of my all time favs: Here are my top 3!

1. SWEATER WEATHER. OK stocking up on this and burning it year round. By far my favorite candle scent EVER. It’s so crisp & clean and makes the ENTIRE house smell good.
2. Marshmallow Fireside. Yum. Smells like marshmallow-y outdoors.
3. Flannel. My Fiance loves this one the most! It’s got a cologne smell, but not too over powering. Just the right amount of cuddly goodness.

2.)  Fav fall accessory?

These booties! Snatched them up for $27.99 at TJMaxx & been wearing them constantly since the weather has gotten cooler. I LOVE booties for fall.

3.) Uggs or Moccasins?

I’ve never owned either.. but probably the slipper type moccasins.

4.) Fuzzy socks or knee socks?

Fuzzy!

5.) North Face or Columbia?

North Face.

6.)  Favorite Fall food?

Soooo many.  Comfort food wise I love stuffing and mashed potatoes.. for sweets I love apple crisp & pumpkin pie!

7.)  Red or Pink lips?

Pink/nude. I never have worn red lips before!

8.) Winged eyeliner or bold eyeshadow?

Bold eyeshadow. Darker browns & maroons are fun in the fall!

9.) Apple pie or brownies?

Apple CRISP. With vanilla ice cream ❤

10.) Would you rather cook the food or eat it?

I’m not a good cook.. so I’m going with eat it. However, in the fall I do get the itch now and then to make semi-homemade goodies 🙂

 

Wedding Details: 30 Day Countdown

Today marks 30 days until I’m a married woman! Honestly seems like just yesterday we got engaged… Where does time go? I wanted to share some of my favorite gift ideas, DIY’s and wedding prep tips. Hope you enjoy!

• Gift Ideas: Personalization!

I love personalized gifts. Here are some I have so far:

• Utilize ETSY!

Etsy has been my bestfriend through wedding planning. From bridesmaid jewelry to seating chart templates, they seriously have it all. I’ve found so many easy-to-use templates that make having gorgeous hand outs and unique seating charts simple! Most come in different size PDF’s that you populate with your information and there you have it! I plan to share my final printouts when they are complete 🙂

Etsy shop: BlissPaperBoutique

Etsy Shop: Studio Nellcote DIY

• Organize & Keep up on RSVP’s!

You can’t have too many lists. I have multiple lists of the same items and trust me.. I need them all! There are so many helpful checklist books out there. Use them! They have helped me keep on track & plus it’s fun to check off as you go 🙂

Don’t be afraid to bug your guests about returning their RSVP’s! You will want to know an exact number in attendance for multiple reasons. The way I’ve kept track is printing a list of all the invitees, and putting the number attending next to the name.. As they come in the mail I keep it updated.. then you don’t fall behind and end up scrambling last minute for a final number!

Anyone else planning a wedding? What are your tips? It’s been a fun process, but I’m at the point where I’m ready for the planning to be over, and to just be married ❤

 

Home Decor Favorites; Rustic + Cozy: Gratitude Challenge Week 4

Hello! This week’s 8 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge! is a fun one!

Week 4: Your home

Home decor is my guilty pleasure. Since moving into my own home back in February I’ve gone a little nuts in the decor department. I just love the feeling of a clean, well decorated home! I can’t be alone on this one!

I feel very fortunate, blessed, and proud of myself for buying my own home at the age of 22. My fiance and I worked our butts off and reached our goal together. When we moved in I knew exactly what “feel” I was going for. Rustic, but classic. Chic, but quirky. And above all COMFORTABLE! So I’m going to share some of my favorite pieces and tips I’ve accumulated over the past 7 months to make your home cozy!

Some of my favorite stores are Home Goods, At Home, Kirkland’s and Walmart. I’ll have links at the bottom if I can find them. Enjoy!

Craving Cozy?! Here are some tips I’ve picked up. 

• Pillows, Pillows, more pillows. Don’t be afraid to mix & match patterns.
• Throw blankets. I’m a blanket addict. Blankets give a comforting vibe.
• Mini-Succulents. Add some green! I love these mini succulents to add a little natural element to your home.
• Personal pictures. Decorate with your life! Show off some of your favorite memories. Personal pictures make your house feel more like a home.
• Monograms/Letters. I think these are so cute. It puts a personal touch on things but in a classy way. I have numerous “R’s” in my house 🙂
• CANDLES. This is a must. Making the room smell nice with a candle is always cozy and inviting.
• Natural light. I LOVE natural light. I try not to have the bulbs on as much as I can. For one you’ll save on that electric bill $$$$ and for two it gives a softer, more calming vibe. Nothing I hate more than florescent lights!

Some of my favorites:

Sauder Cottage Road TV Stand – Walmart

Throw Blankets and Pillows – At Home (they have every color pillow you can imagine)

Faux Mini- Succulents – Mine are from target but you can find these everywhere now!

Join in on the 8 Week Challenge!

Week 1: Why start this challenge?

Week 2: Your spouse/significant other

Week 3: Someone who inspires you

Week 4: Your home

Week 5: Your heritage

Week 6: Music you love

Week 7: Something you created

Week 8: Did this challenge change you?

What are your favorite cozy pieces and favorite home decor stores? I love new ideas!

Easy & Affordable DIY Fall Wreath!

Fall is happening any day ya’ll! I’m probably more excited for fall this year then I’ve ever been because I can DECORATE my own space this year ❤

My sister and I were looking for fall decor and saw these adorable fall wreaths everywhere. I thought they would be so adorable on my front door but they averaged $40-$50 a piece, which is outrageous. So we were looking around more and I thought “It would be so easy to make this ourselves..” 

So here we have a super adorable DIY Fall Wreath for about $15.00! Score!

Here is what you will need: Everything bought at Michaels Craft Store, but any craft store should have similar stuff.

• Grapevine Wreath $4.99
• Any flowers you like- make sure you look for coupons, there is ALWAYS 40% off coupons for Michaels on the Coupon Sherpa app!
• Hot Glue Gun- Optional- we ended up just weaving the stems into the wreath but if you want extra security you could glue some of them in. 
• Wire cutter

Simply arrange the flowers how you like and there you have it! We decided to do only about 3/4 of the wreath in flowers because I liked the look of the sticks, but you can totally cover the whole thing in flowers for a more dramatic look.

I love how they turned out and we are definitely going to make one for Christmas too.

8 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge: Week 2!

Week 2: Your spouse/significant other.

Oh I am excited for this one ❤

Lets start from the beginning. My fiance’s name is Everett. FIRST of all, I adore his name. I was instantly drawn to him because of his name. We have been dating since May 25th, 2012 and are getting married October 7th, 2016! (just under 2 months.. EEEK!)

We met freshman year of college. We both went to the Art Institutes of Minneapolis and studied Graphic Design. We were in the same typography class, and at the time I had a boyfriend (a very shitty self-absorbed boyfriend). According to Everett he had his eye on me for awhile but was too shy to talk to me. I first noticed him in the lounge on campus. He was sleeping in a chair in between classes and I remember thinking to myself “he is really cute… isn’t he in one of my classes?” so anyways I was eyeing him down as he was sleeping… (creepy? maybe.)

I remember being really drawn to him and thinking it was weird because he was NOT the type I usually went for. He was blonde hair, blue eyed and really shy.. and every guy I dated previously had dark hair, dark eyes.. and a big outgoing jerk.

A few weeks later things went VERY south with my boyfriend. He had been dating me on the side and had a girlfriend of 2 YEARS back at home in California. (hahahahahahah ok so at the time I was super upset but now it just cracks me up how big of an idiot this guy was) So things got cut real fast with him.. and I decided to facebook message this cutie I now had my eye on from typography class. So we exchanged numbers.. and I hate to say the rest is history.. but really… the rest is history! We haven’t spent more than 3 days apart ever since.

Everett is the most patient and loving guy ever. He is everything I never knew I needed. I think its so crazy how he’s so opposite of everything I dated before and he’s exactly what I needed. It was pretty instant. They say “when you know, you know”and all those cliche things.. well for me it was true. I feel so lucky to have him and I can’t believe I’m going to be his WIFE!

I tell my single friends that it happens when you least expect it and to never settle. I went through some bad guys and got to thinking I would never find “the one” and then within a few weeks my life changed.

So that’s our story ❤ nothing excites me more than the thought of the next 60+ years with him. I love hearing love storys. Tell me yours below! 🙂

Alright enough of the mushy gushy love story. HAPPY THURSDAY FRIENDS! Just one more day ’till the weekend 🙂

 

8 Weeks of Gratitude Questions:

Week 1: Why start this challenge?

Week 2: Your spouse/significant other

Week 3: Someone who inspires you

Week 4: Your home

Week 5: Your heritage

Week 6: Music you love

Week 7: Something you created

Week 8: Did this challenge change you?

Bridal Shower Recap!

Happy Sunday! What a fun weekend. My wonderful sisters and mom threw my bridal shower on Saturday & it was so much fun! I felt so blessed to have so many people come to celebrate the beginning of our marriage. I’m sad it’s over. It’s always bittersweet hitting these milestones during planning the wedding because you only get this one day.. One shower, one bachelorette party, one WEDDING. 

It’s all so exciting. I’m blessed to have the most amazing friends and family to help me celebrate this time in my life. Hope you enjoy the pictures, and I hope your Sunday is filled with relaxation and coffee!

I’M BACK! Engagement+Wedding Plans+Life Update!

OH MY GOSH. You guys. It’s been 8 months. EIGHT MONTHS. I’m so sad I let this blog go. I really enjoyed it. I’m hoping to slowly start getting back into it as a hobby. I’m hoping some of the great bloggers I met previously are still around. If you are say HI! I’m excited to be back 🙂

SO where to start?! I left off last Christmas. My nephew was just born and things were getting busy and then… life happened! It’s been a whirlwind the past 8 months. On December 27th, 2015 I got engaged to the love of my life during our family Christmas celebration. It was perfect, simple and sweet. We soon after set a date of October 7th 2016.. which now is just 2 months and 6 days away!

In February my fiance and I moved into our first little home together ❤ THAT was an experience. Talk about stress. Financial, physical, you name it. It was an experience to say the least. I FINALLY feel like we are settled and ready to take on married life.

See why I’ve been MIA the last 8 months?!  I’m super excited to be back. I finally feel settled, and ready to take on the next chapter of my life! SO tell me the scoop. What’s been happening in blog world? Fill me in!

Here are some of our engagement photos (Photographer: Shelby Taylor Photography) Enjoy!