Obsessions

ob·ses·sion: 

Noun The state of being obsessed with someone or something. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.

Ok, so it's safe to say I have an obsession with quite a few things. The thought of writing this post came to me as I was trying to figure out a way to squeeze in my new nail polishes in my now full rack!!  A few of my main ones are: nail polish, glitter,  Bath & Body Works home products, Sex & the City, and Justin Timberlake.  These are in no particular order, and definitely only a few of the random things I am a wee bit obsessed with.

Let's start with nail polish.  Now I don't know how this got to where it is, but somehow I ended up owning 50+ polishes. And I will admit it, I am a nail polish snob.  If it's not OPI, Essie, and the occasional Sally Hansen, I am not buying it.  One reason, I can NOT stand chipped nail polish. When I see people with busted nails I literally cringe. (no offense girls, ha.) Therefore, I need a polish that will not chip and that will last me a full week.  Sunday is my nail day. I give myself a full manicure (I own just about every gadget the nail salons do) and watch Sex & the City. Gotta throw in a few obsessions at once! :) For some reason every time I go in a store, I HAVE to look at the nail polish. Hence, #2 in the definition. I feel like if I don't look, I might miss a deal or some awesome color I have never seen- yea, right.  Oh, and if it's ever on sale then it's a guarantee I will buy a new color. No doubt.  I tend to stick to the color scheme of pinks, red, and corals.  I do have a few "crazy" colors that I buy when I am feeling daring. And most importantly, I own quite a few GLITTER polishes. (Hello, two obsessions combined in one bottle- FABULOUS).

Glitter- I mean there's not really much to say here. Who wouldn't love glitter? Nail polish, body spray, lotion, etc.  Oh, and Bath & Body Works has the best body glitter products.  They are SUPER glittery and last all day.  So if you like to be a sparkly fool like me, look no further! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, especially since you can add glitter to every costume! I have been a glitter cat, glitter bee, glitter A League of Their Own character! That glitter spray they sell at Halloween time is UH-MAZING!

Bath & Body Works- Whew, my crack store! haha Between the room sprays, wallflowers, candles, candle holders, car scents, antibacterial, and occasional body products, I could spend DAYS in here! I will never buy anything full price here because they ALWAYS have sales and coupons. Plus, the more often you go, the more coupons you get and the more items you buy, the bigger discount you get.  It's a hoarder's dream come true! (not that I am quite ready to label myself yet). At the end of every season they have the Semi-Annual sale, so of course I HAVE to stock up for next season. It's one big vicious cycle and I love every minute of it!


Sex & the City-  Now, I never watched this show while it was on, as I was probably too young to be watching it then anyways.  My best friend Lexie started my obsession.  She dragged me along to see the first movie even though I had never seen one episode.  I fell in LOVE with the movie and the characters.  I then borrowed her box set and watched the whole series within a week probably.  Of course she wanted it back, lame I know, so I had to get my own set! Luckily my sweet friend, Sarah, that I worked with at the time found a pretty good deal on Ebay and got it for me for my birthday. I can sit and watch this show over & over & over.. which I do! Of course a lot of their lifestyles are a wee bit unrealistic, but who doesn't love to get sucked into a show and all it's glamour. A little dreaming never hurt anyone!

Justin Timberlake- Um, enough said!  I have seen him 4 times in concert (2 in the NSYNC days, and 2 solo). I am giddily awaiting him to announce a tour for his next album. My only dilemma, Lance has already said 100% he will not go with me (loser!) so if he comes to Charlotte, I need someone to come and go with me!! Lance did say he would buy someone's concert ticket if they would fly here and go.. little does he know the tickets I want have been known to be well over $100.. oh well! :)  And I think it's so sweet that our wedding dates are only a week apart! (yes, I am a freak..)

Happy Saturday, folks! (oh, and no judgement! hehe)

xoxo

Food for Thought

So at the beginning of this year Lance and I decided to start eating better and trying to live a healthier lifestyle.  We didn’t really eat “bad” before, but we just needed more variety of fruits, veggies, etc.  So far we have both been doing pretty good.  We will have our weekend splurges where we go out and don’t get the best foods, but hey- everyone needs a fatty day! J  One thing that has really helped me the past week or so is one of my friends, Sarah, and I have been sharing our food journals for the day.  You would be surprised how much this helps you stick to your eating and workout plan.  Last night we were supposed to work out, but since Lance got home late we decided not to, and I felt guilty telling Sarah we didn’t! haha  It is a great motivator to know you have to tell on yourself to someone! J

We typically email each other throughout the day at work and will start off listing out breakfast, lunch, and snacks for our work day, and what out workout plan for that night is.  Then once we decide on dinner that evening, we will text and let the other know.  For example today I will send Sarah something like this-

Breakfast- Orange Juice on the way to work, non-fat greek yogurt with peaches, grapes, and a banana.  Coffee

Lunch- Thai noodles Lean Cuisine, water

Afternoon snack- Cherry tomatoes

Not only am I showing someone else what I am eating, but just seeing it written down is a motivator for yourself! I hope we can keep this up and be food stalkers for each other. Haha We also have been sharing workout tips, different styles we like, etc.  Sarah is a great healthy 2013 bff! J J

I also have started “pinning” again on Pinterest, but of course all of those recipes aren’t very healthy! Ha  I hope to start making some of these yummy recipes,  but tweeking them some to make them a little more health happy.

Happy Tuesday everyone, and Happy Healthy 2013!!! 

Happy Friday!

TGIF! And a three day weekend for me.. Yay!

I have been super slacking on my blog, so hopefully I can get it together!   Nothing too new and exciting is going on. One thing that is happening in the Rowland household are some home updates and decisions on renovations.. Goodness it is hard work! We have only just begun, but even the planning and decision on WHAT to do is stressful, much less doing it all. Hopefully both of us keep our sanity over the next few months through this process. :)

I am excited to have some countdowns to start again (I have missed having one since the wedding!). In just a little over 3 months one of my best friends, Ms. Lauren Parks (soon to be Hall) will be getting MARRIED, exactly 6 months after my wedding.  I can't wait to go home and see everyone and get to return the favor of standing with her on her special day.  That weekend will be a very busy one for me! My mom's birthday is 2 days before the wedding so we will be flying home that day, and then my sister bff, Lexie, is due to give birth around that time! I can not wait to meet precious little Harber, and see my sweet little baby love Canion be a big brother.  I am so excited for them all, but also very sad that I will not to be such a big part of his baby days like I was with Canion.  I hope he can learn to love his Aunie Alicia over Skype! :) So, needless to say it will be a BUSY weekend, and Lexie better have that baby while I am home!!! haha  Then in March, my mom, her bff, and my other bff (I have such great best friends!) Kristen, will be driving up to NC for us all to go to the Pink concert!!!! I am soooooooo excited to see her and spend the weekend with my favorites. I am sure Lance will be hiding out doing his man stuff while us 4 take over the house! I am so ready for the next few months, and all the fun things we have planned!!

I hope everyone has a fab weekend, and if you're lucky like me- enjoy your THREE day weekend with a little shopping! :)

xoxo
Mrs. Rowland ;)

Happy Holidays!

I can't believe that in just 4 short days, we will be to the end of 2012! This year has FLOWN by, but what a wonderful year it was.  I can only hope 2013 will be as good to me as 2012 has.  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is enjoying the end of this holiday season.  I finally switched my Pandora station at work off of "Rocking Holidays" (sadly) and went back to every day, regular music.  Lance and I had a  nice, quiet first married Christmas, but did get to enjoy the use of technology to Skype with my family back in Mississippi. Now I am ready for some real winter weather.. bring on the snow!! :)

I would also like to wish a happy 2 months of marriage to my wonderful HUSBAND! - love that word! :)

Thankful

This month has FLOWN by, at least for me! Thanksgiving was almost a week ago, we were married a month yesterday, and now only 2 days left in November? Holy moly! We have definitely been on the GO it seems for the past few weeks, so I thought I would sit and take the time to write a few things I am thankful for this year.

First off I am thankful for all my wonderful blessing that happened this year- New job, engagement, marriage, and everything that came along with those.  I am also very thankful for the things that I am continuously blessed with- family, friends, a roof over my head, and the ability to live a pretty happy, stress free life.  Some of the most simple things you don't even think about can be some of the most missed by others.  I think it's important to sit back sometimes and not stress over the petty things we want but see what all we do have. (I am for sure guilty of this myself!) We should all try to cherish what we have, because nothing is ever guarunteed, whether it be materialistic items, food, shelter, or even loved ones. I am trying to remember this more often as lately I have seen these things taken from people so unexpectantly.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Chritmas is less than a month away!! This is hands down my favorite time of the year, so I hope things start to slow down just a bit. ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas starts this Saturday and that in itself gets me in the best mood.  I could watch Christmas movies all day, all year! Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf, etc - I can't wait!! Also, my Bath & Body Works home items addiction goes into OVERDRIVE with the holiday scents!!!! haha  Unfortunely my family will not be able to come this year as planned, so we will be spending Christmas with Lance's family also. (we got to have everyone over for Thanksgiving).  That is one of the blessings of marriage, you gain a whole other family to have around for holidays and celebrations!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is getting into the Christmas spirit!! :)

We did it!!

So it's official.. WE'RE MARRIED!!! Whew! What a wonderful past few weeks it has been. Everything went by so fast that I feel like it was a dream.  It was so nice to be home for a week and get to visit with my friends and family.  You forget how much you miss everyone until you are there with them. I definitely miss all my girlfriends and my lovely mommy!!  That week at home was so hectic.. I went NONSTOP everyday.  Luckily I had 5 days home before Lance came, because he would not have had a good time in my crazy planning mode. 

I am happy to say everything went PERFECT for the wedding. Yes, crazy list lady pulled it off!! The one thing that wasn't ideal and that I had no control over.. the weather!!! Of course it decided to be 80's all week and then 2 days before the wedding- BAM! freezing!! Thank goodness the sun came out on Saturday.  The wind made it very cold, but we had sun and that was all I needed to keep my plans the same.  I must say, the cold did help take away all of my nerves. I was so focused on not violently shaking throughout the ceremony, that I really didn't have time to think about anything else! haha I did hear that my lovely bridesmaid, Lauren, was the only one out of us girls that wasn't trembling. Good job! :) Hey, at least it's a day no one will forget!! 

The reception was a BLAST. I have not danced that much in ages!! And goodness, I never knew that Lance was such a dancing machine.  We both had an amazing time, and if I do say so myself, it was one of the best weddings I have ever been too! hehe  It will for sure be a day we will never forget. 

I want to thank everyone who helped so much in the planning and events.. especially my wonderful mother, my grandma Sharon and aunt Katherine for their amazing job with the rehearsal dinner, and of course my four best friends who stood by my side as my bridesmaids- Lexie, Kristen, Amy, & Lauren.  I loved every single event that went into that week and will cherish all of the memories forever.  I am so lucky to be able to have such amazing friends, especially now that we are 11 hours apart. (Thanks a lot, Lance!)  Now in less than 6 months it will be Lauren's turn, and I will get to help with HER big day!! :)  I hope everyone isn't too sick of my wedding Facebook posts and pictures-  I promise it will eventually settle down! 

What's next on my list? Adjusting back into "normal" life of work and see where this married road takes us!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Goodness, I have not posted in almost two weeks.  I have had SO much going on, my mind is in a million places right now.  Luckily, it is all fun and happy places!! I am now at only 18 days until the big day.  This is my last weekend in North Carolina before I head back home.  We are having our Stock the Bar shower Saturday, and somehow I need to squeeze in packing for two weeks this weekend as well. Lord, help me! I am the queen of over packing just for a week, I can only imagine this suitcase's capacity when I get done with it.  Another lovely countdown I have going- 6 1/2 more days of work!! woohoo! I am so excited for my two weeks off, even though the first one will be CRAZY to say the least.  But that second week we will be mega relaxing in St. Thomas.. woohoo!!!! I recently posted some of our engagement pictures on Facebook that my boss here took for us as part of our wedding gift.  She gave me about 60 shots, but I narrowed it down when uploading them.  I figured no one wanted to see us in 60 different lovey, dovey shots. :)  Here are a few of my top favorites:

Luckily Lance was a good sport, since like most guys, he doesn't love to spend his Saturday morning taking pictures all over downtown Concord.

The next two weeks are going to be me going over checklist, checking in with vendors, last minute details, decor, parties, organizing out of town guests, etc so please bare with me if I seem to always be in thought or only talk about the wedding 24/7.  I promise, it will all be over soon and at least for a little while, my mind can rest. :)

Happy Wednesday.. on the downhill towards the weekend!!!