Meet My Lovely Sponsors... Round 2!

Happy Thursday bloggettes! Today I'll be spotlighting some of my fantab gal pals, Laura from my green pen and Kirstie from You + Me = We!

First up is Laura... she's got a great lifestyle blog and it's one of my daily reads!! Her cutie patootie Etsy shop just puts the cherry on top of it!!

Laura at my green pen

Hello! Let me introduce myself, I'm Laura and I have a simple lifestyle blog called my green pen. I started my blog on the spur of the moment. I didn't plan on writing a blog. In fact, I never thought anyone would be interested in what I have to say. I'm so excited because I have actual followers!! I have made so many connections through my blog. When I started my blog (on the spur of the moment) I never imagined I would make  friends through it but, I have. I'm very thankful for all of the gals that take time to read what I have to say and comment. Anywho, enough about my blog! Here's a little about me.

I am married to a guy I never imagined would be "my type," we are not having children, I love children and work with them everyday, we have a cat named Whidbey (after where we went on our honeymoon), I'm recently into sci-fi everything, would love to have an endless budget for clothes, I read every night before I go to bed, I love routine and being organized, I caught a creative bug last summer and started an Etsy shop...I'd really love to tell you more about myself but I'm afraid you'd get bored. If you'd like to get to know me more come on over and visit me at www.mygreenpen.blogspot.com.

Do you like to wear your hair in a pony? If so, you're in luck! Visit poppyandpippa.com. For any purchase over $15 in my shop you will get FIVE FREE HAIR TIES! Just mention you read this blog during check out.

Next up is Kirstie!! Her blog is adorbs and all about her newly wed life with her hubs... another adorbs lifestyle blog! 

Kirstie at You + Me = We

I love being in love, just sharing my stories, of DIY projects growing old together and the awesomeness of life :) 

Check these two lovely ladies out... you'll enjoy some great posts as I who nuff did!

May Sponsors... Let's GO!

Good mahhhnin' peeps!! It's Thursday... one day shy of Friday... and the weeks of May are just passing us right on by! BUT... let us take a moment and enjoy the day and live in the present, shall we?!

I've got some great gals to introduce you to who I've grown to love reading about on their bloggy blogs! Starting off the May sponsors with Annelise from aunie SAUCE. Her blog is surely one of a kind and she puts quite a unique spice to life! I love how open she is and how versatile her blog is!

Annelise at aunie SAUCE

The second lovely lady that I'm featuring as a May sponsor is Brownyn from Our Beautiful Blessings. I am so lucky I came across her blog because she totes gives me spiritual feedings that I need in my crazayyy life! Her Etsy shop is full of cayuuute flower hair pieces... which is just a PLUS!

Browyn at Our Beautiful Blessings

Hello there lovely readers! 

I'm Bronwyn & I blog over at Our Beautiful Blessings.

Over at my blog, I write about life. The life of a newlywed. The life of a Christian. The life of a college student. The life of an etsy shop owner. I love to write and I write in order to remember. I want to remember this time as a newlywed, and all that God is doing in my life. It's an incredible journey, and I hope you'll hop on over to my blog and spend a little time with me!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Etsy | Bloglovin | Hellocotton

There you have it! Two lovely gals starting off the May Sponsor lovin'! Interested in sponsor swapping?? Let me know.... I'm still taking peeps for May :)

Meet TJ!!

Hellllloooo Thursday!! Hope your week has been as fantab as you all are! I'm starting this morning off with a bang, and sharing with you all one of may FAVE reads in the bloggy blog world! I asked TJ at His Lovely Lady to share her la la love story with us so you can get a taste of just how cute her and her hubs are together! I was ooberly excited and all smiles when I read this, and I know you will be too!! So without further ado....

Hello readers, I’m TJ over at His Little Lady. Beverly was so kind as to ask me to do a little guest post for you all today about my mister and I, and of course I was happy to oblige, because what girl doesn’t love talking about their love story. Don’t worry, I won’t make this mushy and long. I’ll keep it short and sweet, just the way love stories should be so you don’t get bored and change to another blog. Everyone still here? Okay good, on with it then!

Now, our story starts back in 2004, Mr. Taylor and I’s junior year of high school where we met and he romantically told me that he would never remember my name. Five years later boy and girl become boyfriend girlfriend. Yep, it was sealed with a facebook status change. That’s when you know things are serious.

And for two long years, that boy and girl did the long distance dating. She in Seattle. Him in Utah. Thank goodness for all forms of communication – skyping, cellphone, emails, and all that good stuff.

A year and a half later that boy got down on one knee in the rain, on a deserted beach in southern California and proposed. Of course, girl said yes, and seven months later they walked down that isle and sealed it with an eternal kiss.

Now that boy and girl are happily married living the good life and about to move back to that magical city some like to call sleepless in Seattle. And there you have it people, something short, sweet, and romantic.

Like what you read? There’s more where that came from overe HERE. Hope to see you all soon!


Xo, TJ

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You heard her! More where that came from? GO NOW... I promise you... she's super fun and spunkayy!

Thank You!

Hello world and a happy Thursday right to you!! I've been through some major data analysis foreign kinda work these past few weeks, and I'm up to HERE with the stress!

BUT... I am super duper thankful for many blessings in my life during this chaotic time....

• A glorious soon-to-be-husband who is my biggest cheerleader
• Good health
• Supporting family and friends
• Statistical text books
• AND... I am sooo thankful for your support on my blog!! 

This blog has become a filter for me... to filter out a "normal" side of me and a place where I don't have to worry about spelling, being grammatically correct or anything!! You guys have made this journey fantabulous, and I am so very grateful for your blogging support through the thick and thin!! I can't believe my followers are growing!! This is much to celebrate in itself!!

Which leads me to...... A GIVEAWAY!!! Yup!! I'm partaking in one of these bad boys once I reach 100 Google Followers!!! Not much further to go, so I'm excited and already have ideas of what I'm giving away!

Since it's my first go-round at a giveaway, I'm not really following any protocol according to the blogging world :) Once I reach 100 Google followers, I will post a HIP HIP HOOOORAY and reveal what I'm giving away, and how you can qualify!!

Thank you my family and my dear friends... for helping me get through some rough times!!

Spread some JOY in your Life

Happy Thursday America!! Hope all is going swell with your week. I'm introducing another fantabulous gal I met through the blogging world... Bree at The Thing About Joy! Her blog is all about her adventures being a wifee, a craftswoman, and some!

Bree at The Thing About Joy

Hey readers! I'm Bree, and I blog over at "The Thing About Joy..." A life style blog where you'll find things like:

-a college student trying to become a graphic designer
-ups and downs of life and how to always be thankful, no matter what!
-fun & pretty easy tutorials! Usually for my new house I’m still decorating.

I like to learn new things. Probably too much. If you asked my family they would probably say I try to do do many things, and want to learn to many things.
But... that's what makes me, me!

So if you're interested, I would love to have you stop by my blog and read more! I love to get to know my readers, and since my blog is still pretty small, it makes it easier for me to do! :))

Blog | Twitter

There she be frannnds! She's got some sunshine and great pins to share with you all! Go pay her a visit and tell I sent ya'... you won't be disappointed ;)

Sponsors make the world go round!

Happy Thursday my beautiful people :) So happy that this rough beginning of the week has turned around, and I'm understanding statistics a bit more than I did yesterday YAYYY!! On this Free Fallin' Thursday, I'm sharing two lovely sponsor girlfrannnds of mine!

Starting this mighty fine Thursday off by sharing a fine motivated young lady with you all... Leigh Anne with Hart to Heart. This adorbs girlfrannnd has honestly be inspirational in getting fit and getting right! Her blog was also one of the first ones I started reading daily, and glad I did! Her personal stories of her hubby in the Army is so heart warming.... here she be!

Hart to Heart

Leigh Anne

Hi Bloggers! I am Leigh Anne, from Hart to Heart!

I am a fairly new blogger, I only began blogging seriously

in February of 2012.

My blog is truly a series of “heart to hearts”.  In all aspects of my life, I try to

promote healthy lifestyles and through my blog I try to reach out to each and

every one of my readers, in hopes that they will make a change for the better.

Along the way, I also blog about being an Army wife, living in Alaska, going through a

deployment, as well as quick and easy healthy recipes for you to try!  I’d love for you to come stop by and

say hello and while your at it, feel free to check out my Etsy shop! Happy

Blogging!

xo,

Leigh Anne 

Blog//Twitter//Facebook//Etsy 

The next lovely blogger friend I wanna share my la la love for is Liz with Liz's Lovely Life. Her blog is bright, fun and makes me smile! Her passion for family and life are shared throughout her posts, and her positive and upbeat personality shines as bright as her fun blog colors ;) I'll let her introduce herself!

Liz's Lovely Life

Liz

Hello!

First I want to start by thanking Beverly for swapping with me this month- isn't she great!!

I am Liz! I started blogging just a few days before New Year's and since starting my blog I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful ladies, increased my tech/Internet skills (WOW! I know!) and really found my passion for writing, trying new things and just finding happiness in the simple things.

I am 22 years old and got married this past May- less than a month after graduating from my undergrad!! I am studying to become a teacher and come April I will graduate with my B.Ed.  I hope to be a high school French/History teacher.  I live in a small town called Spencerville (population 500) in Ontario, Canada.

I enjoy cooking and baking, crocheting, Pinterest (maybe a little too much...), reading, running and of course- blogging! 

Meeting new people is the best part of blogging so please drop on over to my blog and say hello!!

 http://lizslovelylife.blogspot.com/

Love these two blogs and the uhhhhuh-mazing women behind them! Check them out, and spread your love.... tell em' I sent ya! 

Sponsor la la Love

Good day lovely readers!! I'm sooo excited to share some sponsor action with you all, and kick today off with 2 introductions to 2 superb woman I've met through this bloggy blog world!

First up, is the dahhling Jessica at Lovely Little Things. This is one of the first blogs I started reading when I became addicted to blogging, and she was one of the first I emailed to ask for some tips in starting my own blog! She is just one of those gals that brings a smile to your face while reading through her posts! I'll let her say so herself!

Lovely Little Things

Jessica

Hi :) My name is Jessica, and I blog over at Lovely Little Things!  

I’m a 20-something just living and learning as I go and loving [almost] every minute of it. 

I have a passion for life, and I'm always up for an adventure! There is no limit to what you'll find on my blog. My goal is to find things that inspire me & share them in hopes of inspiring others. I hope that by continuing with Lovely Little Things that I will discover lots of fun new things about myself (and the not so fun things, too) so that I can grow as a person, and maybe even inspire one or two people along the way!

And thennnn we've got the lovely fantab Steph from Steph Sweet Life! She totes seems like the girl next door, easy peasy to get along with, and rockin' with style!! Here she be!

Steph Sweet Life

Steph

Hi lovelies!  It's Steph from Steph Sweet Life blog.
20-something southern belle.
First year special education teacher,
mom to my precious Bahamian furbaby,
and just making my way through life one day at a time.
I love Jesus, my family, my friends, and all things happy and new.

I hope you will stop by and say hello.

There you have it friends!! Two lovely ladies with superb blogs!! If you're not already following them some how some way, get to stepping and check out their blogs!! Tell em' I sent ya... you won't be disappointed!!

Love of my Life

Happy Thursday! One day away from Friday heyyyy!!

I'm taking this time on my Free Fallin' Thursday to praise and share the love I have for my love, my all, my fiance, Mark! This is proabably one of the peak times I am drowning in stress.... collecting my data for my dissertation and trying to move forward towards the finish line... 83 days away from the big day... working a few jobs... and just dealing with life and being away from my family. 

No matter how low I feel, he's there with a smile... When he sees the tension in my face (which I can no longer hide from him), he pulls me away from my computer... When I cry, he assures me that no matter what happens, it will work out in the end, and we'll celebrate the victory together. This man was God sent to me and for me. Without him in my life, I wouldn't have any sanity. 

I will always celebrate him being in my life, as my (almost) husband, and that's more than I can ask for :)

Meet and Greet with Kara!

Happy Free Fallin' Thursday my lovely frannnds!! This is a first (and hopefully first of many) sponsor spotlight action on this lil' blog here!

First up is the lovely Kara with Styled With Life! She's an interior designer, and I aboslutely adore her outfits (nuff said!).. so you've gotsta' check her blog out!

Here she be!

Styled With Life

Hey! My name is Kara, and I'm a 20- something just starting out in the blogging world! (I’m really loving it!) I was born in Idaho, have lived up and down the coast of California, but feel most at home in the Bay Area. It’s where I went to college, work, and most importantly where I spend time with my wonderful family and friends. I love fashion, interior design, bad reality TV, bright colors, neutrals, rom-coms, animals, Kristin Wiig and Keri Russell (just to name a few things!) I’ve come to a place in my life where I’m learning to love the little things and take in every moment. I am constantly reminded of how lucky of a girl I am. I find time for gratitude everyday.

Styled With Life is a “lifestyle blog” where I share my love of fashion, interior design and products I’ve come across. I also love to share tidbits of my life, work, family and friends. I’d love for you to stop by, and maybe even stay awhile! I look forward to meeting you! 

What are you waiting for?? Go peep her blog out at Styled With Life!

The Low-Down on Sponsoring

Good Thursday Lovies! I'm taking this time on Free Fallin' Thursday to get your input on Sponsoring! Since I'm a newby in the bloggy blog world, I need more information.... which is why I'm turning to you all :) Here's what I know (or what I think I know), and where I have a few questions. Hope you can help a sista' out!

So I definitely know about sponsor swapping, which I've started asking few lovely gals about for the month of April (be on the look out for some April Sponsors Swapping!). I'd love to start my list going on my sidebar and promote some of your awesome blog buttons!!

Another form of sponsor is... guest posting?! right?? Where one gal comes to my hood and writes a post as my honored guest!

Andddddd, something else I've read about are giveaways. Obvi this is when you get your peeps to either comment, follow you, or whatever it may be to support you, and in exchange you give some sort of item away.... right?

My question to you is, do you have any tips and or suggestions of what's worked for you and what hasn't worked for you? I'd love to hear your experience!!

Also, if anyone is interested in sponsor swapping, guest posting, or anything else to exchange some lovely words, holler at me!! The smallest things in life make me super happy, so getting started with sponsoring is something I am tickled pink about!

Happy Thursday my friends!

Tickled PINK

And a mighty fine Thursday morning it is!! I wanted to take this time on Free Fallin' Thursday to share with you all not one, but TWO awards this blog was awarded!! WOOOOOP! I am just TICKLED PINK!! Since they are quite extensive to explain, I'll take this time to start with the Sunshine Award, and post the second award a bit later gater ;)

The Sunshine Award was awarded to me by Kara with Styled With Life. She is too cute, and I love her style and outfit posts!! 

Sunshine Award Rules are:

1. Include the award's logo in a post or on your blog
2. Answer 10 questions about yourself
3. Nominate 10-12 other fab bloggers
4. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated
5. Share the love and link the person who nominated you

Here are the 10 Sunshine Award Questions:

Favorite Color?    :: Pink ::

Favorite Animal?    :: Dog ::

Favorite Number?    :: 36 ::

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink?    :: Coffee ::

Facebook or Twitter?    :: Twitter ::

My Passion?    :: Blogging (now) and Pinning (duh) ::

Prefer getting or giving presents?    :: Giving ::

Favorite Pattern?    :: Polka Dots ::

Favorite Day of the week?    :: Friday ::

Favorite Flower?    :: Plumeria and Peony ::

I would like to nominate these fabulous gals:

Simone @ Busy as a Honey Bee

Jessica @ Lovely Little Things

Laura @ My Green Pen

Kinsey @ Sincerely, Kinsey

Meg @ Henning Love

Allison @ Note to Self

Steph @ Steph's Sweet Life

TJ @ Mr. Taylor and his Lady

Brooke @ The Soon Ohana

Meghan @ Shine On

Peep these lovely ladies out... for I am already a huge fan of theirs (and many others I haven't listed).

Let's get Physical... Physical!

Happy Thursday Folks!! One day away from Friday, and one day from another shot at seeing the Vow yet again... I've given that movie two weeks now to show itself to the entire town, so there BESTA be seats and good ones!

Anyhoots, I thought I'd use this Free Fallin' Thursday to talk about something that has been a part of my life for a very long time. If I don't have a daily dosage of this, my positive attitude isn't as sky high, tired hits me to the tenth degree, and I feel incomplete! The must have that I crave for each and every day is my EXERCISE!!! That's right... the beads of sweat that roll down my face (and trust... sweat is fat crying, and my fat is a super sensitive cry baby!!!) makes my day sooo much better, and I don't feel as anxious and stressed about work and/or school.

Source

I was one of those kids who HATED running in PE.... but I loved the fun stuff! Playing softball, roller blading, playing volleyball, bike riding... I was loving life while having fun being young (and still do!). As long as it wasn't labeled "exercise" it was all to the good for me! Then as I got older, and didn't have time for the fun stuff (this thing called reality slapped me in the face and I had to be on the grind with school and work), I had to find a supplement for the physical activity I was getting playing softball or riding bikes.

Which led me to the golden ticket to the good ol' gym... 24 hour fitness!! Love that gym, and the membership I had was oooooberly cheap (talking bout $20 a month)... and I was able to go to ANY 24 hour fitness facility I wanted to! BOOOM... no excuses!! I was diggin' the ENDLESS machines they had, the fancy rock climbing they offered, the single treadmill in a plastic box that had dreadfully hot temperatures, the fun step and cycling classes, the sauna and pool to dip into after you sweat your but off... and so much more!

THEN... the unthinkable happened. I moved to Oregon with the fiancé, and the closest (I think only) 24 hour fitness is in Portland... a 2 hour drive!! It was time to sadly break up with this cheap-OH membership I had at 24 hour fitness after 7 years :(

After settling into Oregon the first few months, I found myself in desperate need to release the tension I had from being home sick and from school being at it's peak! I was doing my old taebo workouts from home... then that got boring and repetitive, so I moved on to repeat a few rounds of P90X... then my dogs got in my way and it wasn't so stress-relieving to work out at home. What to do... what to do....

I searched online for gym memberships in this small town (super duper expensive)... I asked around for any type of fun workouts around town...and BOOOOOOM (again)- I found ZUMBA with Amy! OMG... I fell in love instantly.... twice!! Once with the fun Latin moves, and the second time with the instructor! Amy is the most positive, upbeat and energetic instructor I have everrrrr had!! AND... the girl has moves! She can Zumba with a cherry on top... and probably would win any salsa/hip-hop competition any day!

Source

From Zumba twice a week, I quickly learned Amy taught kickboxing early mornings once a week too! I fell in love yet again!! LOVEEEE kickboxing and punching and kicking my frustrations away! And it didn't stop there! I also learned that this amazing instructor held a Bikini Bootcamp where the workouts would be 4 times a week! That was almost 2 years ago, and I remain a faithful customer. Each month, workouts are different... they test you to push to new levels, and work out allll areas of your body!

Source

This has become a part of my every day life... it's like breathing for me... and if I miss a morning, I am in the worse mood ever (until I remind myself I can make it up that evening at her Zumba class)! If you're ever in Corvallis, OR, CHECK HER OUT!! You don't have to be enrolled in anything.. and you can pop in and have the funnest and toughest workout yet!

Source

Getting your daily dosage of fitness on is so important... in the mornings (my fave), afternoons or in the evenings after work. Whenever and where ever you are able to make your fat cry would help you out in the biggest way ever! Not only does it release tension or stress, but it's so good for your body to keep moving!!

Source

It's OK!

Well goooood Thursday!! I've been trying to read at least one new blog per day, being that there are SO many old, new, and upcoming blogs in the bloggy blog world. I get so click-happy from link to link... and I think that it's an amazing opportunity to expand your network of blogs! SO... with that said, on this Free Fallin' Thursday, I'm gonna expand my horizons, and link up with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup for It's OK Thursday!



   

 It's OK...

... that I was honored one of the recipients for the Liebster Blog Award from the lovely Simone at Busy as a Honey Bee (posting with more info coming soon!!)   ...that the fiance and I have attempted to see The Vow three times this past week, and they have been sold out each time
...that I'm still waiting for an approval from the Human Participants Committee to proceed with my data collection and send out my surveys for my dissertation (going on week 4)
... that Valentine's Day wasn't a holiday we had off from work
... that I changed my mind again about centerpieces and wedding decor for the big day (125 days!!)
... that American Idol solo's last night were AH-flippin-MAZING and gave me goosies!!!
... that we have expanded our HUGE family and helped cousins Lisa and Bob welcome Baby Mataese (Ese for short) in this world on Monday morning!  

What's OK with you in your world? Link up with Neely and Amber for It's OK Thursdays  :)

A MUST Read!!

Good Thursday!! All day (well morning and still going), I've been so humble and at ease... and I think the Act in Kindness vibes from yesterday have overflowed to today! It got me thinking more and more about The Four Agreements I just finished by Don Miguel Ruiz, and what a great message it left imprinted in my brain!! So I thought I'd share with you guys the four agreements!

This book is really a guide to helping you realize your self-limiting beliefs which create a sense of needless suffering, and how to achieve your own personal freedom in life. With that said, I'll highlight my fav parts of the book, with each agreement explained. Here we go!!

1.  Be impeccable with your word (the most important yet difficult agreement to honor)

Speak with integrity and say only what you mean.... "The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life."

Think about how powerful your word really is!! He goes on to explain that impeccable means free from sin, spiritually and emotionally. Don't say anything that goes against your personal beliefs. Instead speak with your open and honest heart, without being cruel!

2.  Don't take anything personally

Nothing others do is because of you... what others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.... "Don't take anything personally because by taking things personally you set yourself up to suffer for nothing."

This is amazingly true... at work, school, home... WHERE EVER. If someone rolls their eyes at you, don't think, "what did I do?"... don't take it personally- they can be having a horrible day and taking it out on you silently! This is a great agreement to abide by and would help set yourself free from any guilt, shame or pain.

3.  Don't make assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings... "We have the need to justify everything, to explain and understand everything, in order to feel safe. We have millions of questions that need answers because there are so many things that the reasoning mind cannot explain... This is why we make assumptions."

Amen to this! I am 100% guilty of assuming, and I try each and every moment to remember how important it is not to assume. Someone asks you a question.... don't assume they need to know for such and such reason... a professor gives you feedback on something... don't assume they are attacking you or think you're inadequate. Stop assuming and ask clearly and concisely!

4.  Always do your best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy opposed to when you are sick.... "Do not be concerned about the future; keep your attention on today, and stay in the present moment. Just live one day at a time. Always do your best to keep these agreements, and soon it will be easy for you. Today is the beginning of a new dream."

This is by FAR speaking directly to me!! I can't believe how much this chapter was saying, Beverly... do not be concerned about the future.... Beverly.. keep your attention on today! The only thing I have control over is what I do right now at this moment. This moment will lead onto the next, and when that comes along, I'll deal with it then.

There it is folks!! My summaries and quotes just don't do this book justice.. it's to die for! Makes you feel like you can take on the world all on this Thursday night!! Let me know if you read (or have already read it)!!

Thursday Night Lights

Soooo this post is a bit later than expected, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Work and school have been ooberly busy that my brain gets so tired by the time it reaches about 7pm or so, and I still have things that are left unchecked in my planner. BUT then I remember as this day winds down how big the smile is on my face every time I get a chance to blog away. So here I am... free fallin' on this Thursday evening with a kool aide smile on my face as I type away.

Today was absolutely stunning outside. Sun was shining, blue skies and maybe one fluffy white small cloud the size of a cotton ball.... sooooo a Cali day in Oregon today, and I am soooo grateful for it! Maybe the positive vibes are contagious from yesterday... after all it was signing day for football, and Oregon State did pretty well with their 2012 recruiting class! I can't wait to see what the season holds for us this upcoming year. Our O-line is gonna look pretty "beasty"... so these boys are terming it now. I miss the football games in the off-season, but the bright side is absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Here's some football pictures from previous seasons... just doesn't capture all the FUN this game brings!

BTW, that 's my BIL (brother in law) in the top picture, orange jersey. That's right... he 's a BEAV, which made us all Beavs! :)

Til tomorrow my friends...

P.S. You get the reason behind my title? Friday Night Lights... Football... hence the theme of this post... welp hope you get it NOW lol.