You've Gotta Try This: Zip List

Oh how I love technology! I really do enjoy cooking, but the one part I HATE is deciding what to cook. I have some favorite food blogs, but sometimes that even gets boring. I don't know where I found out about ZipList, but I do know that I love it!!

Just go to ZipList.com & sign up! Here's a short little list of some of the best features:

• Add your own recipes or ones that you find online so you have them all the time
• Find & send you neat & popular/new recipes right to your email
• Create a shopping list for you AND {get this!} organize it by aisle and send it to your cell...amazing
• Master List suggestions for popular gatherings - Bday parties, Cocktails parties, BBQ's, etc.
• Find coupons for you for the things you buy most
• Diet-specific checklists for whatever you need! {Diabetics, runners, etc}

So for example, if you were going to make this delicious recipe tonight, you could add it to your recipe box, click on "create shopping list" and it pulls all the ingredients for you. You can uncheck any ingredients you don't have already at your house, then it puts it into your shopping list. Take your phone to the store w/ you, and viola! You didn't forget anything at the store!

I just love it. And the BEST part - - it's FREE!! How is it free?? Here's what the ZipList website says:

"We let you manage your recipe box and shopping list for free. Based on items on your shopping list and where you live we are able to show you coupons or from retail grocery stores and manufacturers that save you money. We charge those companies to advertise their offers to you."

 I'll take it! Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Away We Go...

Since I met my oh so handsome fiance, I have become basically fearless. {okay, that's exaggerating} 

I'm still afraid of bugs and the dark (most of the time), still afraid of showers with an opaque curtain (hello! That's how you get MURDERED!), still afraid of not being able to move all my limbs (like if someone is tying me down...um no thank you.)

But I like to think that I have become physically fearless. It all started on our trip to Europe when we stayed in hostels. You: "What?? In those gross beds??" Me: "I know. I'm fearless." 

The first time I went to Europe, I took the airplane blanket off the plane {ignore the illegal activity here} and used it to sleep ON TOP OF THE COVERS of every single hotel we stayed in. Yes, I am that spoiled. But when I went with Sebastien, I dove right in and slept under the covers. I didn't even bring my own travel pillow case. They should make a movie about my bravery. 

We have hiked up and down mountains... {ok so more like big hills, but whatevs}, we have swam in water where I can't see the bottom, and we have jumped out of a plane. TWICE! 

It's safe to say that I am addicted to skydiving. The first time we went was about 3 years ago. He bought it for me as a birthday present. I was SCARED. 

Below is us on the plane before we jumped the first time. 

I'm pretending not to be scared.

And then I saw this...that's Sebastien plummeting towards the earth

And now there's me on the ledge. That's my "I'm about to mess my pants" face.

But then there is this:

Seriously - there is NO cooler feeling in the world than when you are falling towards the earth. Nothing is more freeing or exciting. I was not scared AT ALL while I was falling. I never once thought "what if my parachute doesn't open??" 

Ok so maybe LANDING is a little bit of a better feeling than when you're falling. Because then you know for sure you're safe! Ha!

This second time we went, we bought it as a present for my bestie Brittany. We found an awesome deal at Skydive Houston through Groupon! She brought her husband, and the four of us had a blast!!

Killing time before our "load" was called.

I got to put my jumpsuit on early because I was a little too eager

Getting excited!!!

We didn't buy the photos or the video of us in the air this time, but it was still a blast!! I went out of the plane doing a cannonball which was basically AWESOME.

 

We all had a really great time and lived to tell about it!! I can't wait to do it again :)

XOXO

I'm Ready For My Close Up!

I was SO excited & eager to have engagement pictures taken. We had never had professional pictures taken {weird}, but since I LOVE pictures so much I was really looking forward to having these done. I was very particular about our photographer and scoured the internet and what seemed like every blog/website/etc about Dallas photographers. When I found Joseph Mark Photography, I was sold! We even changed our wedding date because they weren't available for our original choice - yes, the photographer is THAT important! 

I really wanted to have at least my makeup done for these pictures, but then the day before I decided to do it myself. I wanted to make sure that I liked it {I can be particular...} and that I looked like myself. I didn't want to look too made up either, so I took my pageant training and toned it down for these pictures. I'm glad I didn't spend the money on having someone else do it because I think it turned out okay!

We decided to have our pictures taken in Southlake since it is a place that means more to me than actual Dallas and because I think Town Square is adorable. I also wanted that "we always hang out in a wheat field and laugh together" look that I've seen a lot of other couples do, and we were able to do both! 

This is by Anthropologie in Town Square. Not my favorite picture but still cute!

Artsy with the Fall leaves

Our "field" pictures were taken across the highway from Town Square in the ever romantic Gateway Church parking lot. HA. I was so surprised that they turned out as cute as they did because it really required some camera "trickery"since there was actually only a row of "wheat" that our photographer turned into a field with his camera angle. Magic! 

We are standing in the parking lot - love it!

We are sitting on a curb in the parking lot. 

The pictures in the actual field (still by the parking lot) were a lot of fun.  

The picture at the very top of the post was taken right by the highway - love how it turned out! I am overall really happy with the way our pictures turned out, & we had so much fun doing it. I was really surprised that Sebastien was so comfortable doing it, & he was such a sweetie about not complaining & doing all the cheesy things I wanted to do! Can't wait for our wedding!!

You can see some more pictures {inspired by my obsession with Christmas!} on the Joseph Mark Photography Blog here.

163 Days!

XOXO

That's Pinteresting...

So I posted a little bit ago about Pinterest (which is amazing), but I know a lot of people have been saying that they are spending a lot of time on the site "pinning" neat things to do and not reserving any time to actually DO those neat things. I wanted to share some of my Pinterest projects that I have tried since I started pinning :)

Snowflake pillow

{Felt snowflake template found on my pin board - I used flannel instead of felt for the pillow because it was on sale at JoAnn's}

Bird Ornament (top of the tree)

{Made these with my Momma! Bonus in this picture - you get to see the weird squid/snowman ornament Sebastien gave me last year!}

More Birds!

{I can't stop making these things. Had to add two to the wreath I made for our front door!}

Christmas Tags - Free Printables

{So simple! I should have printed them on both sides, but whatevs. Wrapping paper from Target!}

Painted wooden letters with ribbon

{Made these with Brittany! I hung them on my pantry door because it was looking a little bare. She put hers in some garland and it looks BEAUTIFUL!}

I've also made some food, but that will be posted later.

All of these can be found on my pin board - CRAFTY. Follow me here!

XOXO

5 Things

One post per week is not my goal, but it's something! Another "5 Things"

'Believe' sign at Macy's! Not as wonderful as the one in NYC,  but it will do :)

 Thanksgiving lunch with The Smiths & The Chains! 

Got to use my leaf cut-out on my apple pie this year

Went to the 118th A&M v ut game (a little Saw Em Off action here)

This has made my morning for the past 2 weeks! Now I can make my latte at home

Have a wonderful rest of the week! 

XOXO

5 Things

I completed my 365 Days of Happiness, & I am so proud of myself for sticking with it! But alas, now I'm sad. It's not like I don't still find happiness in something everyday, but I really miss sharing that with everyone! There was just something about saying "out loud" those things which made me happy that day. I really enjoyed it. So, I decided to tweak that task just a little and post here my "5 Things." Just a way for me to share what has made me happy in hope of inspiring others to find happiness in little everyday things as well. Enjoy!

Engagement toast with friends! I got the special "engagement ring" glass :)

Meeting Christian Siriano at Neimans while shoe shopping! He is so tiny!

Using our first engagement present

 {Nora Flemming platter complete with "turkey" mini}

Sunday Morning brunch at home! 

{Using our second engagement present - double waffle maker!}

XOXO

Houston Bridal Salon Experience

As a newly ENGAGED girl in the bridal business (yay!), I decided I would blog about my experience as a bride planning her wedding. From finding my dress & veil to finding vendors, etc. 


Let's start with the best part - THE DRESS


I was SO excited to try on wedding dresses. Even though, yes I do try them on at work for "research" purposes - how am I supposed to tell a bride how it looks and fits if I've never worn it myself? Makes sense to me :)


I wanted to go with my mom and my soon-to-be mother in law, so I got right on making my appointments! Most higher-end bridal salons will request or require appointments, so be sure to call. Here are some things to ask on the phone if the information isn't given:


1. Starting price point of their gowns. {Who wants to try on things out of her price range?}
2. Length of appointment. {Most range between one hour to an hour and a half. This is important if you are scheduling more than one appointment that day}
3. Will you be working one-on-one with a consultant? {It's nice to have personal attention!}
4. Do they allow pictures? {Not completely necessary, but some salons don't and this takes some people by surprise!}


I made appointments at the "top" bridal salons in Houston: Joan Pillow, Ivory Bridal Atelier, Casa de Novia, and Mia Bridal Couture, and have prepared a short review of each.


Joan Pillow:
Located in Highland Village Shopping Center on the second level. Parking was somewhat difficult, but I managed. I was the first appointment of the day, and my consultant was late to work, but again I managed! They have a really pretty atmosphere at the store, and the owner and namesake (Joan) did make an effort to stop by my appointment and say hello :) The store carries some high end names, but really the dresses there weren't for me. I liked a few things, but didn't feel the need to go back. Also a con: their phone number isn't listed on the website! I thought that was strange. I found their facebook page though, and it was listed there.


Ivory Bridal Atelier:
Located on the second floor of West Ave shopping center. Parking there was not a problem at all since there is a huge parking garage or metered parking too. It was a Thursday, and I was the only appointment in the store which was nice. Really classy atmosphere - crisp and clean. Wood floors and white walls with the white dresses looked great! I was greeted by my consultant, Ronit, who is also one of the owners. I found some great dresses there, and was allowed to take pictures which is nice. I had my own private dressing area with a huge mirror and a couch where my mom could sit. My consultant didn't really explain anything about the dresses to me, but for me it wasn't a problem since I knew a lot about the ones I was trying on anyway! One thing I was disappointed in is what I would consider "false advertising" - the website says the bride and her company will "enjoy a glass of champagne and selection of petit fours and mini cupcakes" which I was not offered. Boo! Overall a fine experience.

My private dressing area - beautiful!

Inside the store

Casa de Novia:
My GPS didn't register the street name, which was a HUGE problem for me since I am beyond directionally challenged. Luckily my phone knew right where I needed to go! Parking seemed to be available only on the street, but there wasn't a problem finding a spot. Other than the outside being fairly cute, I was so unimpressed with this store. They have high-end names, but again really nothing that I was drawn to. My consultant was not mean by any means, but she was very aggressive and at times rude to my mom & FMIL which was of course a huge turn-off. I tried on some dresses just because we were there but would not have bought anything from the store. Even if I found something I really liked, I would be hesitant to spend my money in there. The lighting was poor, the mirror situation (kind of important when you're buying a wedding gown) was just a mirror leaning against the wall that my consultant had to hold upright when I wanted to look full-on at myself in a gown. What? Bizarre. I didn't use the whole hour that was allotted for my appointment, and it was on to Mia Bridal Couture.

Store Front of Casa de Novia

Gown Display

Looking to the left from the front entrance

Mia Bridal Couture:
Disclosure - I am biased. This is where I work. I know that we have beautiful gowns at Mia. I know that we have a beautiful store. I know that we have fabulous and friendly consultants. But I didn't really KNOW all of those things until I compared them to the other stores in Houston. We. Are. The. Best. The lay out of the store is fantastic because there is great lighting and ample mirror space to see the gowns. Bonus: there was a Kenneth Pool trunk show going on, so we had the gowns in fresh from the runway! Of course I picked one of those. My consultant was the most adorable, knowledgable, and friendly of all that I worked with that day. Even though she knew I knew everything about the gowns, she explained in detail to the ladies who were with me which no one else had done. I found a fabulous veil too! I could not be happier with my decision :)

View from the front door

View of the sitting area in front of the mirrors

I hope this was helpful! Happy Wedding Gown Shopping!