Celebrating One Year

Two weekends ago we celebrated our one year anniversary. My husband worked in the morning, and now that you all know... I was obviously pregnant, so we weren't going to be partying all night and throwing back shots. At least I wasn't going to be. ;)

I was surprised by my husband giving me a huge bouquet of flowers, a maxi dress (for my future "fat" days), and a very sweet card. I usually have to get on him about forgetting cards, but he did really well this year! ;)

We wanted to explore new beaches that we haven't been to yet and chose Sanibel and Captiva Islands. After the forty-five minute drive there--all while it was gorgeous and sunny--we arrive to the beach areas and see overcast and gloomy. It's okay though - we weren't like laying out on the beach or anything! We had planned to explore the beaches while snacking on good food.

We drove all the way up to Captiva first and saw that, um, every place was closed between 3 and 5pm? And... it was about 3:15. Score. We found a Mexican place that was open (but we were the only ones there!) and sat outside. It was actually really nice! It was covered with trees and our feet were in the sand.

After (finally) eating, we headed back south through Captiva to Sanibel. We drove through a Nature Reserve and spied on some creatures.

We hit the beach next and saw that the rain was, indeed, on its way.

Happy One Year!

We made one last stop at a restaurant (where I had a Groupon for of course) for some fish and chips and Crown & Cokes. Well, I just had the water.

It was a very nice, relaxing day out. I've been feeling, as you can guess, somewhat BLAH lately. It's such a treat to be like...OUT! I've been sloth-like lately just because my energy levels have been somewhat lame. I've been feeling a LOT better this past week so I hope this means I'm "back to normal" for now.

If you've been to Sanibel or Captiva... what did we miss? It was just a relaxing kind of day... but for next time? I wasn't overly impressed! I had a great time though overall, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Project 366 {Photo Challenge: Week 8}

Another week, another seven pictures.

This week was kind of a blur. From a second doctor's appointment to revealing to the world our little secret, I felt like my mind was racing. In GOOD news, I somehow felt motivated and energized this weekend. Always a good thing.

Continuing on with the February challenge, here are some pictures I took this past week.

• 19: Something I Hate Doing. Writing in my planner. Yes, my Erin Condren is adorable and I love my colorful Sharpies I have just for my planner... yet most days my planner sits on my desk unopened. I *want* to write in it, I do... I just kind of hate it.
• 20: My Handwriting. The first page in my Listography Book. It's a cute book. I recommend it!
• 21: Picture of myself that I like. I didn't pick one from my wedding -- too easy! I picked one from when we had been married just six months and I was tan, tipsy and accessorized!
• 22: My Shoes. I cheated. Instead of showing you my shoes, I am sharing some baby booties that were a gift from the husband's mom!
• 23: Where I Work. Our building sits on this beautiful courtyard.
• 24: Inside my Bathroom Cabinet... actually in my bathroom basket of products.
• 25: Green. Yesterday we hit up the beach and there was green everywhere...

P.S. This is what a Listography book is:

Birchbox: What I've Actually Purchased

{Originally posted at Erin's blog for her Favorite of the Week!}

Birchbox has been blogged about to death, but I haven't seen anyone ever take the plunge and ORDER a full-size product because the sample they received was so awesome. For those aren't too sure about Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription service where you receive {usually} luxury samples for just $10. At the current time that I'm writing this... it's "sold out." How an online subscription service can sell out is beyond me, but back to business. Have you ordered anything full-size from your Birchbox? Or, do samples you receive frequently make you upgrade for the large size?

One nice perk of Birchbox is the ability to leave reviews on the samples you receive. When you log into your account and look at the box you received for the month, you are able to click on the items. Usually there will be an icon to "leave feedback." Once you do, you receive 10 points. After receiving 100 points, you're able to turn those 100 points into $10 off! Holla!

Anyway, before the holidays I finally committed to ordering some products that I had received samples off in the past year.

Colorescience pro® sunforgettable® Mineral Sun Protection SPF 30 Jar

I received a tiny pot of this about six months ago and used every last drop. It is a sunscreen that goes on like a mineral powder...but something about the coverage I enjoyed. Since I opted for the darkest shade -- the "almost tan" -- it gave slight coverage that I liked. I usually am in a rush to leave for work in the morning, so I throw on some moisturizer, some concealer, then cover my face with this. I like the results for day time. The full size jar was $28...but it was larger than I expected! And, I use this daily...which is why it's my favorite of the week!

Stila Holiday Daydream Palette

My very first Birchbox had a Stila eyeshadow pot in it. While most people are familiar with this brand, I wasn't. When I saw that this palette was just $18 ... I immediately added it to my cart. I love all the colors. Very fun!

Birchbox's shop also sells things that I had never received as a sample {but perhaps others have}, but the items looked fun anyway. One of those bonus buys was:

J.R. Watkins Peppermint Foot Salve

I used it around the holidays. It did work...but I always forgot to use it before bed. I must remember!

I also threw in this as a gift for my mom:

Benefit Ooh La Lift

So...what have you purchased after receiving a great sample?

The secret is out.

Since it's Facebook official, I guess it's time to put it out there in blog land.

Hooray, Baby!

We found out very early -- before I was even late -- on New Year's Eve. I just wanted to make sure if I was going to be boozin' it up that there wasn't a baby inside. But there was! ;) Needless to say our New Year's Eve turned tame pretty quickly!

About two weeks later we told our parents with picture frames and a quick picture I made.

So, early September 2012 there will be a new addition to our family.

The past 12 weeks have been SO TIRING. I'm exhausted just from like... well, doing nothing. I was super sick for about 2 days but besides that I have been feeling relatively well.

I'll share lots more next week. Just wanted to throw this up on the blog!

Bridal Banners and More // Earth Cookie ETSY Shop Giveaway {Sponsor}

{Psst... I guest blogged today for Henning Love! I wrote about my love for my hometown--the Tampa Bay Area. Be sure to check it out!}

I wanted to take the time to one again welcome Earth Cookie as a sponsor!

Meet Jessica:

She makes adorable paper crafts as well as other items in her shop Earth Cookie. Cupcake toppers, prints, cards, and various party supplies in her shop. She blogs over at Blabberings of a Craft-a-holic!

She rotates her items as seasons and holidays come up -- and now is a big time for brides and babies!

Bride to Be Banner -- perfect for a bridal shower. She even does custom orders!


Love Is Sweet Banner -- I'm thinking this would be a great addition to a candy buffet!


Just Married Banner


She even makes custom birthday hats for kids! I love these! :)

Her prices are more than reasonable and you get a lot for your money. And -- you can even get MORE with the code KRYSTAL20 right now. Definitely check her out!

Now -- time for a giveaway! How does $20 to her shop sound? Great!
Use Rafflecopter below to enter.
{Note: If you can't see the Rafflecopter giveaway widget, click on the title link of this post of click "Read More" under my signature.}

*Also, I have a giveaway for a free wall hanging from Melonie with At Home America going on. This would be a great addition for your gallery wall.
*And, there's still time to sign up for our spring swap!

Get to Know Melonie with At Home America {Sponsor Giveaway}

Let's give a welcome to a fellow blogger, Melonie, and her new business venture! She is a home style specialist for At Home America. At Home offers affordable, versatile home-decorating accessories for every room, style, season and celebration. Let her show you how to turn a house into a home sweet home.

Shop // Twitter // Blog

Want to Shop?
Melonie can offer you a free USA or Hope metal sign for anyone ordering $25 or more. {The sign will ship separately than their order.}

Her website has SO many amazing pieces. From serving dishes to home decor, this is a really neat site. It's unlike anything I've seen before. Since I moved and don't have access to all my favorite home decor stores, this is a great alternative! The prices are really affordable too.

Giveaway
And, she is being very generous and offering ONE lucky reader an "Enjoy the Journey" sign. This is a $34.99 value!

*To see the Rafflecopter giveaway widget, please click "read more" or the title of this blog post to enter. Thanks!*

One Year {Anniversary}

Well -- look at that. We made it to our one year anniversary. Not that I'm surprised or anything... it's just time is seriously flying.

I can't even honestly tell you that I've put away all my wedding goodies or dry cleaned my dress. Those things haven't happened. I can't even tell you that I ordered a wedding album {Well, I did order an album but a cheapie one from Mixbook} or that I have maintained my wedding weight. I didn't get everything from our wedding registry -- but it didn't matter anyway. I don't think we needed a lot of that stuff...you can just get carried away with the scanner!

It's funny how many details you can forget over the course of the year -- the day really does go by SO fast. It's nice to say that I'm happy with all the decisions that we made for the wedding--even the TV one! It was kind of a blast.

I remember seeing my groom for the first time on our wedding day.


The moment right after we said "I Do."


Just a feeling of being delirious happy-- like, did this just happen?




But -- what I most remember about our wedding... well, my memory is a little foggy. Shots every hour will do that to you!

I remember lots of crazy dancing.

Rowdy guests.


Lots of spills.

Keg stands.


More crazy dancing.

We still had our cute moments too.


Like when my husband got behind the mic and toasted and sang...

The last picture my photographers took is one that makes me laugh sooo hard every time I see it. It's straight out of the end of a cheesy romantic comedy or something. Guy sings to girl. Crowd goes wild.

Total cheese and I love every minute of it.

One thing I'll never forget for sure though ... my entourage for the evening.

Word.

While of course I am "excited" to say that we have made it past the one year mark, I'm more excited about what is coming up for us this year.

As for us -- things were not blissfully easy this year but they weren't that difficult. We started new jobs, packed up and went south. It was such an easy decision to relocate and things have been pretty mellow. I know that our next few months might be a little crazy -- spring training {my husband covers baseball} is already consuming his life. He actually is working today before we head to the beach and celebrate.

I'm just glad that we got married -- he was the right guy for me and I've never felt more complete.

Project 366 {Photo Challenge: Week 6 & 7}

I decided to post this a day early (and well a week later too since I'm cramming two weeks in one post!). Tomorrow is our super special one year anniversary and I thought I would spend tomorrow's blog post sharing some more awesome wedding photos. Why not!

• 5: 10am. The sun shining through the palms at work.
  
• 6: Dinner. I know, I know. I suck. I couldn't help myself though.
  
• 7: Button (s). XBox. The only reason I use it is for Hulu Plus. Addicted!
  
• 8: Sun...or what is left of the sun. A gloomy overcast day.
  
• 9: Front Door. Ready for Valentine's Day.
  
• 10: Self portrait. Me. In Bed. Exhausted. My eyes somehow came out super green though here!
  

• 11: Makes me happy. Kaze playing with his toys...non stop. All day long.
  
• 12: Inside my closet. I use a fabric shower curtain as my door. There is no organization method here.
  
• 13: Blue. Nothing but a beautiful blue sky. Got to love Florida. Winter totally skipped us this year! ;)
  

• 14: Heart. I had Tijuana Flats for Valentine's Day dinner. The husband was working and I wanted dos tacos and crushed ice. All is well in the world.
  
• 15: Phone. A pretty blue phone I keep on my desk. I don't know if it works. It's just pretty.
  
• 16: Something New. Coasters I won from Embellished Living over on The Girl in the Red Shoes. Pretty perfect timing, wouldn't you say? As our anniversary is tomorrow!
  

• 17: Time. It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Hooray!
  
• 18: Drink. I braved Trader Joe's this morning to score some goodies. It's the first one in Florida and every old person was waiting outside with me at 7:45 am. Today wasn't even the Grand Opening! I knew better than to go on opening day -- opening weekend even! However, they still had cops directing traffic and everyone was loading up their carts with cases (And cases!) of wine. I know why it's so popular - I loved it! I will share more about it later!