Marley Lilly

Hello!!! So a little before Christmas Marley Lilly had a contest that they announced on Christmas day and I was ecstatic when I found out I won! The prize was a monogrammed scarf and unless you are new to reading blogs or writing a blog then I am sure you've seen tons of posts all about the company and their preppy scarves. Well I got to choose the color and monogram style and I love the way it turned out! And even better they got it to me in 3 days! Can you say awesome! Here is what it looks like:

It is safe to say I am obsessed! If you have never been to their website you can check it out here.

These are the other beauties on their website that I want:

I love this bracelet!

And this purse!

 this necklace!

And this ring!

And pretty much everything else on the website! So thank you again Marley Lilly for my scarf!! And in true southern fashion you have a thank you note coming your way!

Happy New Years Eve to you all!! Please be extra careful tonight and stay safe! 

With Love, 

dWa

Photo Recap of 2011

I thought it would be a fun post to include pictures from throughout the year.  I was hoping to recap the entire year, but my old computer died and was not backed up so I lost most of my pictures before the summer so bear with me!

June

I turned 21! A few friends went out to the bar with Stephen and me at midnight!

Stephen wrapped all my birthday presents with Lilly paper- he knows me TOO well!

Downtown to eat dinner with Stephen and a bunch of our friends for my birthday! 

Went to the beach with my family! This is my brother, he has grown even taller & gained about 15 pounds in muscle from football...let's just say you would never know it was my little brother!

Then I went to Kiawah with Stephen's family! One of my favorite things to do with Stephen is to ride bikes for hours and looking at all the beautiful homes and talking about our future home!

July

We didn't have any plans for some reason so we dressed up, went to buy groceries and fixed an American dinner consisting of hamburgers and salads with sweet tea!

At the end of the month, Stephen and I went to the Rascal Flatts concert with a bunch of our friends!

July wasn't too busy- I had 2 classes online and worked!

August

My parents threw Lawson and Bear [adoptive brother] an Elon party! They both play for Elon, and my parents invited life-long supporters of the boys over for dinner! 

[They did NOT want their picture taken..can you tell?]

I was a bridesmaid in one of my best friend's weddings! - This is when I realized I was getting older, when my friends were getting married!

I caught the bouquet at Jordan's reception and 2 days later I was engaged! - It does work, ladies! :)

I got engaged to the man of my dreams! I still don't know why I got so lucky? :) So thankful that God had him picked out for me before I ever knew he existed!

I also started my SENIOR year of college!

September

My wonderful MOH threw Stephen and me a surprise engagement party at Rock Bottom downtown! It was great getting to eat with friends, but also to see our strong support system!

October

Stephen and I had our engagement photo session done at the fair! It is definitely out of my box, but I'm so happy with the results!

Stephen and I attended several Elon and NC State games!

We went to the mountains for a weekend with one of our favorite couples and had the best time!

We also had our engagement party! I still don't have any pictures of Stephen and me at the party, but I did find this! We asked people who attended to sign my favorite picture of us as a keepsake!

November

I caved and bought the Erin Condren planner...LOVE it!

Thanksgiving - ummm cannot believe I have no pictures from Thanksgiving! Stephen's family came over to eat with us so it was a big family affair! :)

Decemeber

Finished my last semester of classes with a 4.0!!

Stephen graduated!!

Then there was Christmas! - So wonderful! 

^ I've obviously been terrible about taking pictures, because I have none to show for December!

I have had a wonderful 2011! I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in-store for me!

2012

Everyone has New Year Resolutions but hardly anyone ever keeps them... Well I came up with some manageable ones.


House 
Hopefully we will be in our house very soon in the coming weeks. I am not holding my breath on these slow pokes but I have learned that patience really is a virtue. I feel like this house has been our biggest hurdle so far in our marriage and it has made us even stronger. And it has increased our dismay in the banking industry :(


Plan trip for Ireland 2013
It is no secret I want to go to Ireland. I am pushing for a 2013 Anniversary trip (Three years is longer than any Kim K or Britney Spears marriage). I have found some really expensive vacations but also located some more manageable ones. Crossing my fingers that my persuasive personality works on the hubs.


Take more weekend trips
I want to take more weekend trips to experience local towns. I loved our trip to Savannah so now I am aching to hit up Charleston and Beaufort, SC. Just the charm draws me in. This also leads into my next goal:


Spend more time with friends 
Being in another state makes it difficult to keep up with all my favorites. I want more weekends with them at their new residences (AL, FL, MS, DC). Some of these 2012 weddings help with this one too :)


Get and stay in shape
I want to run a 5K and maybe eventually the Peachtree Road Race. Now, I don't enjoy the same rigid  workout every day so I am trying to change it up. I think this goal is on everyone's list but I honestly want to make better choices for myself. I am not talking about a diet, because those fail. I am talking about a lifestyle change. Crossing my fingers because this is a biggie.


Join more organizations

I want to get more involved. I was in so many clubs throughout high school and college and I miss that. I miss the interaction with different people and the always something new aspect. I have been trying for months to take a volunteer orientation for the Make-A-Wish foundation but work has always come up. I have also been pondering becoming a "Big Sister" for a metro Atlanta child but this is a decision Aaron and I have to make together as it is such a big commitment. This goal is another biggie for me.

Enjoy life more 

As corny as this sounds, I just want to enjoy things more. Of course there are times that everyone feels down but I want to get out there more. Try new things, experience weird restaurants... fun things like that. I would love to take a cooking class or eat at the local Moroccan restaurant. Here's to loving the city we live in :)

Hope you have a great new year!

Love,

P.S. - Blog birthday shout-outs will be taking a back seat in the new year. I love you all, but the time commitment is just too much with everything going on.

This Break

Well this break has been relaxing...Thank goodness! And I really haven't done that much but I am perfectly okay with that. I've slept which is such a nice change from during the semester sleep! I have gone to soccer training and indoor games. I have hung out with friends. I went and saw New Years Eve (which was really good!). I went to my grandparents house for Christmas and my birthday. I opened presents. I have spent time with family! I have eaten more than enough. I've blogged. I've shopped. I have read and enjoyed reading some books. I have been catching up with missed episodes of Glee, Gossip Girl, and the O.C. And I have baked! And tomorrow I am going with friends on a day trip to New Orleans for shopping and food! Yay can't wait!

What have y'all been up to?

Happy Thursday!

Get to Know Me - Favorites

I've recently have gained new followers, and thought this would be a fun post for everyone to get to know me better, or get to know me! :) 

I'm still busy at home, packing up all my things, getting organized and prepared for student teaching next week, and spending time with family and friends during my last few days at home!

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FAVORITES

{1} food. Baked Chicken, Salmon,  & Chili

{2} color. Blue – every single shade of it!

{3} animal. Kittens and Puppies, they make my heart melt!

{4} sports team. College- UNC Tarheels *born and bread* - lately though I've been pulling for NC State since both of Stephen's parents went there, Stephen almost went to school there, and his parents have season tickets..so maybe I'm being swayed :) 

{5} dessert. Red Velvet anything (cupcake, cake, ice cream...yes I said ice cream), cheesecake, preferably plain, and a hot brownie with vanilla ice cream.

{6} artist/singer/band. Don't have a favorite but in the last year I have really really gotten into country music, and I love any 90s music!

{7} pair of shoes. Wallabees, Riding Boots, Jacks

{8} outfit.  {summer} Sundress & Jack Rogers  {fall} Jeans + Riding Boots + Cozy Sweater

{9} store. Anywhere- Target, Jcrew, Gap, Nordstrom, etc!

{10} brand. {bags & accessories} Longchamp or  D&B leather products & accessories I find anywhere  {clothing} Anywhere

{11} perfume. Recently got a sample of BCBG and LOVE it, but I have several that I alternate between.

{12} accessory. My favorites are my MK gold watch and my pearl earrings.

{13} city. Charleston, SC hands down

{14} hobby. Blogging, reading, or shopping

{15} beauty product. Mascara- I look asleep without it.

{16} snack. Currently granola with chocolate bar or fruit snack pack

{17} holiday. Christmas

{18} movie. Sound of Music [I watched this movie at my grandmothers from the time I was so little and it has always been my favorite] & of course lots of others too!

{19} song. Way too many I'm obsessed with right now 

{20} guilty pleasure. Keeping up with the Kardashians

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I would like to do a vlog in the near future, and would love ideas as to what you would like to see from me! Would you like a 'what's in my bag?,' questions, etc?

I'm still taking questions for my question & answer post, so make sure to leave me a comment with any questions you may have!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Get to Know Me - Favorites

I've recently have gained new followers, and thought this would be a fun post for everyone to get to know me better, or get to know me! :) 

I'm still busy at home, packing up all my things, getting organized and prepared for student teaching next week, and spending time with family and friends during my last few days at home!

________________________________

FAVORITES

{1} food. Baked Chicken, Salmon,  & Chili

{2} color. Blue – every single shade of it!

{3} animal. Kittens and Puppies, they make my heart melt!

{4} sports team. College- UNC Tarheels *born and bread* - lately though I've been pulling for NC State since both of Stephen's parents went there, Stephen almost went to school there, and his parents have season tickets..so maybe I'm being swayed :) 

{5} dessert. Red Velvet anything (cupcake, cake, ice cream...yes I said ice cream), cheesecake, preferably plain, and a hot brownie with vanilla ice cream.

{6} artist/singer/band. Don't have a favorite but in the last year I have really really gotten into country music, and I love any 90s music!

{7} pair of shoes. Wallabees, Riding Boots, Jacks

{8} outfit.  {summer} Sundress & Jack Rogers  {fall} Jeans + Riding Boots + Cozy Sweater

{9} store. Anywhere- Target, Jcrew, Gap, Nordstrom, etc!

{10} brand. {bags & accessories} Longchamp or  D&B leather products & accessories I find anywhere  {clothing} Anywhere

{11} perfume. Recently got a sample of BCBG and LOVE it, but I have several that I alternate between.

{12} accessory. My favorites are my MK gold watch and my pearl earrings.

{13} city. Charleston, SC hands down

{14} hobby. Blogging, reading, or shopping

{15} beauty product. Mascara- I look asleep without it.

{16} snack. Currently granola with chocolate bar or fruit snack pack

{17} holiday. Christmas

{18} movie. Sound of Music [I watched this movie at my grandmothers from the time I was so little and it has always been my favorite] & of course lots of others too!

{19} song. Way too many I'm obsessed with right now 

{20} guilty pleasure. Keeping up with the Kardashians

__________________________________

I would like to do a vlog in the near future, and would love ideas as to what you would like to see from me! Would you like a 'what's in my bag?,' questions, etc?

I'm still taking questions for my question & answer post, so make sure to leave me a comment with any questions you may have!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

So I have seen several other blogs do this and I thought is was so cute.... Hope you realize I am not too terribly boring :)

• What was the last movie you saw at the theater? New Year's Eve
• What is your favorite TV show? Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (their drama is unbelievable)
• If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Back home
• What did you have for breakfast? Same every morning... Special K
• Do you wear glasses or contacts?  contacts - I am BLIND without them
• What food do you despise? I HATE meatloaf ... but Aaron loves it
• Favorite Place to Eat? Mexico Tipico (I am easy to please)
• Favorite dressing? Blue cheese
• What are your favorite clothes? T-shirt and nike shorts ... I love to be comfortable
• Where would you visit, this weekend, if you had the chance? For the weekend I would go to the lake... for a major trip, Ireland
• Where would you want to retire? Anywhere with water, family, friends and plenty of drinks ;)
• What is your desktop photo? Our wedding ceremony
• What is your favorite sport to watch? Football
• Coffee Drinker?  Two cups a morning
• Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither since college :)
• Do you have any pets? Not a pet... a fur baby, Winston
• What did you want to be when you were little? To work for the CIA (that is still on my career bucket list along with 3 others)
• What is your favorite color? Turquoise
• Any pet peeves? People who brake for the heck of it... When you become a resident of Atlanta, road rage becomes the norm
• Favorite Pizza Toppings? Olives and Mushrooms
• Favorite Flower? Peony
• Favorite ice cream? Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl
• Favorite fast food restaurant? Chik-Fil-A
• How many times did you fail your driver's test? Never
• From whom did you get your last email? J. Crew
• Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? J. Crew (must be a sign) 

Keep on the lookout for my new year resolutions, some 2012 organization secrets and new recipes ( I am off work until the 3rd so I have some free time on my hands)

Love,

Loot!

Hello! I am sad that I am again apologizing for the inconsistent blogging. The holiday season has really changed my routine. But since I am back I decided I would share what I got for Christmas and my birthday (12/26). I always love seeing what other people have received when viewing their blogs and in no way am trying to make this look "bragy"...So here it is:

Oh boy was I surprised when I unwrapped this after my parents had told me there was no way I would be receiving it because we were having a small Christmas...they fooled me! (And I am loving it! Never going back to a PC)

I love these! Wore these all day after I unwrapped the box!

I got this in sterling silver and it is precious. It even looks cute by its self and not stacked with is perfect considering I am going to have to patiently wait for the others!

Jonathan Adler laptop case...it needs my monogram on it and then I think it will be set!

Are these not the cutest pushpins! Yay Anthropologie!

Same with these! They are also push pins.

Cute makeup bag that I will probably end up using as a pencil case for school because I like it so much!

My aunt gave me this vintage Gucci bracelet!! It was definitely one of my favorite gifts because it was such a surprise! I love it and it looks super cute with my David Yurman bracelet! I plan to wear it daily!

I also got lots of smaller gifts too but I decided only to include the ones above...otherwise there would be a picture overload and I would be a tad bit overwhelmed!

Hope everyone else's holiday season was just as fun!!

Cheers!

New Arrivals - Clarendon

BCBG coral dress, size 0

House of Harlow pony and studded flats, size 7.5

J. Crew by Nello Gori swing coat, size 0 and Marc by Marc Jacobs leather cross body bag

Tano leather hobo bag

Marc by Marc Jacobs chevron striped cardigan, size x-small

New Arrivals - Old Town

Trina Turk metallic print dress, size 2

Lauren Merkin sparkle clutch

Ferragamo riding boots, size 6.5

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I thought I would link up with Jamie this week, as I find myself loving A LOT lately!

I'm loving that the Wolfpack came out with a W last night! My fiance and his family were at the game; oh what I would have done to go along with them! 

I'm loving all my new "teacher" clothes that I've received for Christmas.  I start student teaching on Monday, and have officially a stock pile of teacher clothes, and I'm oh so excited about it! They are all from the Loft, it is so close to my little heart [lovelovelove].  For Christmas I received 3 pair of pants, 7 cardigans, 3 turtlenecks, a small wool jacket, and more - oh I'm going to be loving my outfits! 

I'm loving my new Sonicare toothbrush.  I have no idea why I even thought about asking for a toothbrush for Christmas, but I'm SO glad I did! I've had to get use to the major vibration and at first it caused a little tingling in my lips and gums, but I'm surely loving my squeaking clean teeth.  So far, I will never go back to a regular toothbrush.

I'm loving my UD Naked Palette that Stephen gave me for Christmas! I've used it every day and tried to make each day a different look...I'm usually not a makeup junkie [at all] but I feel like I'm headed that way [I'm stalking Sephora for new products!].

I'm loving the fact that each day I get closer to my wedding day! I'm so ready to marry my sweet boy.  Only 220 days left to go  aka August 4th! 

What are you loving?

Addison

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Lately, my heart has been touched by a family, whose young son, Noah, is slowly slipping away.  He has a mitochondrial disease, and his parents are proving around the clock intensive care at home, in what are his last few days.  I encourage you to pray for this family.  The mother has a blog, Praying For Noah where she provides updates and also areas of where prayer is deeply needed.  This family, and especially Noah, need our prayers and I hope that you will take time to pray and pass along this information to others.  

There is power in prayer.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6