"....I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~James 10:10~

Monday, August 30, 2010

{Weekend Top 10!}

In no particular order...

1. Trav got his 3rd hole in one! It had been 8 years since the last one so it was a pretty exciting day!

2. We had a fun slumber party with my sistah-friends and fruzins and I wouldn't trade those girls for the world!


3. We found dresses for Morgan and Meagan for Nikki's wedding...and they were half price!

4. Ali got a dress for Homecoming and it was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!

{And loved the 4 inch heels that I wore in a wedding a few weekends ago! )

5. Granny turned into a total DIVA...HAHA!

{They look good on you Gran!}
6. I got my house SOMEWHAT clean...

7. Fran gave me a new sparkly silver eyeliner from Avon that I LOVE! You should try some!

8. I got to spend time with my AWESOME FAMILY!

9. I got a free coupon for queso and chips from Chili's!

10. Rex was so sweet and didn't bite anyone!

Have a MARVELOUS MONDAY!

Love,

Laura

Saturday, August 28, 2010

{Mrs. Nikki Mack, Mack, Mack...}

...all dressed in black, black, black! He! He! Couldn't resist! We hosted a shower for Nikki today in E-town at my parents house and we all had so much fun! Nikki got lots of nice things and it was fun hanging out with everyone all day! It felt just like old times....aww!!!




The Fam!


Makayla loved playing patty-cake with Granny!


Maddie dressed up for the occasion, too!
That's the belt I got for 20 cent!


Nikki added the "s" to the end so none of us would feel left out! hehe!

and last but certainly NOT least...Molly made this from scratch! Isn't it awesome!
We love you Nikki!
Love,
Laura

Friday, August 27, 2010

{Oh Happy Day!}

Finally! Yippee!!!
Ready to have some fun!
I found some good deals today….see below!
Don’t ya feel happy because it’s almost the weekend?!
Almost done with work for a few days!
You should see the big smile on my face!

You get the picture---I LOVE FRIDAYS!!! I decided to go by Burke’s Outlet during lunch today because I got an email that said the “dot’s have moved!” I’m glad I did because I swiped up some bargains, plus I got an extra 15% off just because it’s Friday!---oh so many reasons to love this day!

I got a Clemson Jersey for upcoming game days (Yay!) 70% off for $3.90 + a tube of Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick in “windsor rose” for $1.99 + a bracelet that was 95% of for 25 cent + a cute brown belt that was 95% off for 20 cent! I love browsing through Burke’s outlets clearance dots!

Then I feasted on a heavenly fruit and yogurt parfait and called it a day! Tomorrow my family is throwing our sistah-friend Nikki another wedding shower---fun! I’m in charge of the games and I’ve got some fun stuff up my sleeves…hehe! So tonight, I think I’ll just rest up…it’s gonna be a BUSY WEEKEND!

I have forgotten to tell you a joke lately, haven’t I? Sorry!

Do pigs make good drivers?

** No! They’re ROAD HOGS!**
Hehe!
TGIF!
Love,
Laura

Thursday, August 26, 2010

{I fell in love...}

...with this amazing art created by Su from The Intentional Home---

I hate to use her pic without her permission so click HERE and check it out!

I really want one for our house...they are just so cute and inspirational and for a good cause since the proceeds go towards the adoption of her son in Ethiopia! You should check it out!

Love,
Laura

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

{Panera Perfection!}

I knew EXACTLY what I wanted for lunch today---

A big ole' carbo loaded bagel from Panera Bread!

And that's EXACTLY what I got---

Cinnamon, Raisin, and Cream Cheese Goodness!

Yummy!!!
And the nutrition facts aren't as bad as I had suspected...

320 calories and 2.5 grams of fat for the bagel
+
70 calories and 6 grams of fat for 1/2 of the reduced fat cream cheese.
Not too bad!
Love,
Laura

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

{Dose of Diva!}

On days like this---when I'm not sure what to write about/dont' have anything super exciting to write about ---I think it makes for the perfect time to review a new beauty product!...(And be a lil' bit of a Diva!) Why not? Those kind of things always pick me up on an otherwise dreary kind of day...

So here it is....
The new Loreal Hip gloss I got for 75% off today at CVS! It could have possibly been the highlight of my day! Tells you something, huh?

So anyway...

I must say that considering the reciept---

And the fact that I saved $9.74 and had been debating on buying this gloss for some time----it WAS the highlight of my day! Yippee! {OOPS! You weren't supposed to see that I bought two packages of m&m's!} The gloss has a bronzy, plumish glow and is not sticky or too super smelly. It's just right. I like the subltle but highly shimmery color it gives my otherwise super pale smackers! I think CVS still has some if you wanna go grab some for youself at 75% off! My shade is #580/Classy but there were lots of other shades available as well.

So, there's my daily dose of Diva and I'm feeling perkier by the minute! So, tell me this---What do you like to do in order to spruce up an otherwise blah kind of day? Obviously, all I need is a lil' something shiny! And maybe, some candy coated chocolate...

Love,

Laura

Monday, August 23, 2010

{Lucky in Love: Jessica & Cody!}

My friend Jessica got married this weekend! I have known Jessica for probably around 8 years now. I met her when I started waiting tables in college. She was also waiting tables part time while she went to Cosmetology School. We hit it off and I started letting her experiment with my hair. She now has her own shop, BANGZ, and she has done my hair ever since! You should give her a call if you want an awesome 'do...but let's let her take her HONEYMOON first! LOL! I'm so glad to have her as a friend! The ceremony was at Pretty Place in the mountains and despite it being a rainy day it was still absolutely GORGEOUS! Her husband rides a Harley and is into old cars so that played into the theme of the wedding. We took pics in front of old classics and had a "pin-up" style look going on! I thought it was "so jessica" and super cute! Isn't she a BEAUTIFUL Bride?
This was the view as we walked down the aisle....breathtaking!
Had to get one more photo-op with the Bride at the reception! The theme was "Lucky in Love" and they a had red/black/white color theme with classic coke bottles, some delicious BBQ, and a wonderful candy bar that I took full advantage of! He! He! It's a good thing we all hit the dance floor for awhile to burn off all those extra calories! We had such a fun day and I really enjoyed getting to know all the other Bridesmaids. They were all so sweet!
Jessica gave us all a dress with our names on them...wasn't that a cute idea? We wore them while we were getting our hair and makeup done. We all got ready in her shop and in true hairdresser style, she was touching up all of our do's right up until it was time to walk down the aisle! It was an amazing weekend to celebrate two amazing people!
Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Cody Watson!



{Super Easy Embellished Photo Frame!}

One of my best friends got married this weekend! I wanted to make her something special to give her the morning of her wedding and I came up with this super easy, practically free idea!

I had taken pictures at the rehearsal dinner the night before and I thought I would print some up for her. And then I thought...why not frame it?

So...I searched through my supplies and found everything I needed... Some purple ribbon I already had (it was one of her colors for the wedding)

A hot glue gun
The tissue paper from the gift she gave me at the rehearsal dinner (I love it when you can turn around and recycle something so quickly!)

And the gift bag from the gift she gave me, too!

Easy so far, right?

Next, I cut out some shapes for my flower. Just as some circles really--nothing too fancy.

Then I glued on a lil' bow...

Attached one of my favorite scriptures...


and Voila!---

She loved it and I was excited that I was able to give her something special, especially since it was made out of stuff she had given me just the night before! Before I gave it to her, I put in a pic of her with the bridesmaids that was taken at the rehearsal dinner.
And that's all folks....easy and cheap---but cute and meaningful!
Love,
Laura


Friday, August 20, 2010

{Winner, Winner--Chicken Dinner!}

Before putting the calculations in at Random.org , I assigned both entries a number...

And here are the results...
True Random Number Generator Min:1 Max: 2 Result: 1 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

So, congrats Ansley! Mosey on over to Dilly...Dally....Doodlebugs! to pick out which fabulous item you can't live without! HeHe!

Love,

Laura

{Wok ~n~ Roll!}

I had a "Wockin'" good time sharing a Chinese lunch date with Vanessa! We got so caught up in our convo that I forgot to pull the camera out until we were leaving :) Better late than never! We don't get to do it enough but when we do, ----sing along now!----- "It ain't NOTHIN' but a GOOD time!"

I had a bowl of egg drop soup--it was absolutely fabulous! We usually try to keep it light and I especially did today because I have a Rehearsal Dinner tonight for my good friend "J-Lowe's" wedding and who knows what yummy eats they may have that I might wanna induldge in. Better to have plenty calories left for the later half of today!

P.S. Don't ya luv her pink beads?!

Gotta run! Have a FAB FRIDAY!

Love,
Laura

{Last Chance to win!!!}

Don't miss your last chance to enter the GIVEAWAY from Dilly...Dally...Doodlebugs! If you're the lucky winner, you get to pick any item of your choice for ABSOLUTELY FREE! Yay! Doesn't get any better than that!
Click HERE for details on how to enter!
P.S. TGIF!
Love,
Laura

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

~* I SLUMPED over the HUMP!*~

Aka: another way of saying "I struggled making it through this Wednesday!"

What about you?
Did anyone else have to hike and slump up the hump like me???
I just usually find myself tired and in need of some rejuvenation by Wednesday....

But luckily, on the other side of the hump we run into a fabulous day called Friday---which leads to Saturday and Sunday! Yay!

So, if you (like me!) ever feel like you might barely make it through a sometimes stressful "middle of the work week", here are some things that I used today to help me "slump the hump!".....hey...at least I made it!

1. Turn to God's word and look for encouragement. Embrace a particular promise and carry it with you throughout the day. It will help you when the hike through your weeks starts getting harder... and remember that no HUMP is to big for God, whether it be a stressful Wednesday or an actual mountain, He can get you up and over it in no time!

2. Take a walk. Even better, take a walk with a pet, supportive hubby, or good friend! That will help take some stress out of your day. Everyone needs time to relax, exercise, and talk with people they love and people that love them back! Choose these people wisely; try to limit (or better-elliminate--gossip, angry talk, or putting down others. This should be a time to lift others up as well as yourself! Hearing negative talk with only make for more stress.

3. Go to your public library. This one is really good for me because I love the peace and quiet and I love looking for new books! It's also free, which is a perk! It's like a free pass to relaxation, try it if you haven't bee in awhile!

4. Spend time in prayer. Ask God to reveal to you the Who, What's, Where's and When's that are causing stress in your life. Then reflect on what they might be, how you can make a change, and how God can guide you through the process to reveal things that you might need to change in your life in order to "mellow" out a little. Use the ACTS model if you want---(an example below)

A: Adoration- God, I love you and I praise you because you are the source of all peace!
C: Confession- God, please forgive me for putting my time and attention on things that cause me stress and aren't in line with what you want for my life. Please forgive me for not trusting in your promises and help make them more real to me daily. I will spend more time seeking discernment from you in stressful situations.
T: Thanksgiving- Thank you so much that I made it though this tough, stressful day and thank you for all the blessings that came with it. Thank you for the gift of life TODAY. Thank you for allowing me to live and enjoy my family and friends and YOU!
S: Supplication-Lord, please help me to handle stress and anxiety better by counting on you when things get difficult. Lord I pray that you will surround me with people who will be encouraging, loving, and Godly so that I can learn from them. Lord please give me your peace that passes all understanding. I trust you and believe your promises.

Maybe that will be helpful. *I have just learned it myself so if anyone has any advice, please let me know!*

And finally, here's to a successful end to a HAPPY {although slightly slumpy}HUMP DAY!

AND...
Don't forget about the current Giveaway--just click HERE! Please enter and show DoodleBug Designs some LOVE!

Love,
Laura

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

{Don't Miss It! DoodleBug Designs GIVEAWAY!!!}

In honor of her GRAND OPENING, Molly from DoodleBug Designs has partnered up with Rada Rhythm and Rhyme for an AMAZING GIVEAWAY!

DoodleBug Designs specializes in affordable and SUPER CUTE children's accessories such as pacifier clips and headbands! And she makes them herself!


Here's the Deal:
Entry #1: Become a follower of DoodleBug Designs!
Entry#2: Become a follower of Rada Rhythm and Rhyme!
Entry#3: Go to DoodleBug Designs and leave a comment there letting Molly know which accessory is your favorite!
Entry#4: Leave a comment here letting me know that you've entered this awesome GIVEAWAY!
Entry #5: Leave a comment letting me know that you blogged about this Giveaway...and include a link to your post.
*Each entry increases your odds of winning!*
The winner gets to pick any item of their choice from DoodleBug Designs!!!
Contest ends at 12 noon on Friday, August 20th!
Let's show Molly from DoodleBug Designs some LOVE! Let your friends and followers know about this COOL GIVEAWAY!
GOOD LUCK!
Love,
Laura

Monday, August 16, 2010

{Nikki's 1st Wedding Shower!}

The Future Mrs. Mack got quite a STACK!

...And she was SHOWERED with Lots-a-Love!!! In honor of being a Bridesmaid, I got a stylish new 'do to compliment the bouquet! Just Kidding! A little girl at the shower had this and I want one! Just for fun! One the days you wanna be a little bit of a rebel!

I had so much fun celebrating with Nikki and all my family and friends! Here's a slideshow of all the excitement!!!


{I do realize that all the pics say "Aardvark"...don't ask why...I'm just weird! I think of "a" names to download picture sets onto my computer so I don't have to scroll down far to find them! He! He!}

And look what I found this weekend at a yard sale...

Can you guess what it is?

Another $1 chair! Yay! It was quickly seized by the King of the castle...
Lint Roller, Please!

Here's to a MARVELOUS MONDAY!
Love,

Laura