Stye-day Friday.

I think had a stye one time when I was younger. I think a lot of things become less dramatic as you get older--but styes are not one of them for me. Friday, I suddenly felt a pain inside my eyelid. Yep, I have a stye. Inside my eye. Thank goodness this isn't happening three months from now. Because if it happens now, surely it won't happen right before the wedding. Right?

I chose not to take a photo and show you.

It's much better now, which is good because this weekend is our big Junior League New Member retreat. And remember--that's my committee! This means I'm ridiculously busy this week. As if that's something new ...

Three other things that happened this weekend:

• The sun chose to burn me. That's what happens when it's 104 degrees. 
• I REALLY beat Adam in bowling. I scored 175! 
• Adam modeled his new swimsuit. OK, so he was just walking and I obnoxiously took a photo. Same thing. 

Romanticism and swimming deer.

Most guys are not romantic. Adam is one of those gentlemen. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—I just think the ladies often have high expectations because of the fairytales we grew up with (and still see some version of in every romantic comedy out there). But I fell in love with him because of WHO he is, and I would never want him to change. When he makes a romantic gesture, it’s special because I know he had to put some thought into it—it doesn’t come natural for most guys.

Monday marked three years since we first “officially” hung out. So that’s what we call our “anniversary.” We’re not big anniversary celebrators, but we do acknowledge the date (and I got some lovely lilies).

We had plans to go to the lake Tuesday evening because after two cherished months at home, Mr. A is back to traveling as of Wednesday. I had no idea the wonderful evening he had planned.

It looked beautiful from afar.

Up close: more like a haunted castle.

This would be the view from the living room ... if it had a real window.

We chose a spot below what we thought was a future castle on the lake. Upon further inspection (yep, we climbed up there), we realized it was an unfinished construction job. As in, someone hasn’t worked on it in at least two years.

Wouldn’t it be fun to finish it up???

After our hike to the haunted house, the coals were ready to go on Mr. A’s newly purchased portable grill. He cooked turkey burgers, asparagus and corn on the cob. There were tiki torches, a candle and pinot grigio. It was perfect.

I already miss him.

By the way, deer CAN swim.

Five year college reunion and Mr. A's birthday.

This weekend, I had my five-year college reunion. What?

Not the best quality, but this is Megan and me.

Nikki and Katie, two of my bridesmaids.

Nikki and her wonderful husband, Paul. He also went to Hendrix, but he graduated before us.

Nikki and Alli.

I love this picture. Who knows what we were talking about.

You might be asking yourself what college has a five year reunion. Hendrix College! It’s a small liberal arts school in central Arkansas (affiliated with the Methodist Church—much like SMU in Texas).

Honestly, I really only saw the people I always see when I go “home.” But that’s OK because I love them!

Before the reunion, my Saturday started by working at the Northwest Arkansas Junior League's Touch a Truck fundraiser. Even though it was FREEZING at 7:30 a.m., it was fun to work with the girls on a fun event that supports such a great organization. I had to leave and immediately drive to Little Rock.

I shouldn't be dressed like this in mid-April!

The sun decided not to come out until after we finished setting up. At least it made an appearance!

When we got to Little Rock, we had a couple hours before the reunion, so I searched for an outfit to wear for this Saturday's engagement photo session. Unsuccessful. This is HARD! I bought this shirt, which is listed online as a cardigan (really?), but I don't think it is what I'm going for. And I don't know about a dress because I don't know if I want my legs to show. Also, it's supposed to rain Saturday. Great.

It looks completely different on me.

This weekend was also Adam’s 28th birthday! I didn’t do a special blog post for him because I’m 99 percent he doesn’t read my blog anymore. That’s OK. I love you, and I hope you had the best birthday ever!

The boy and I at the reunion Saturday night.

We had a great lunch with my family (so good to see them) at On the Border in Little Rock before we headed back to NWA. Then, it was time for Adam’s dinner choice—sushi! It’s pretty funny because before we dated, he thought he didn’t like sushi. Now he LOVES it. Dinner also included a huge cookie cake that I’ve successfully managed to make myself sick off eating way too much.

Since I’ve been eating so much cookie cake, I decided to really push myself during my lunch workout. We did our cardio/strength class outside, and I don’t know if it is because it’s the first time we’ve been outside this year or because I pushed a little too hard, but it killed me.

I was done after we did sets of stairs. And that was the first thing we did …

Happy Tuesday!

Whatcha say.

• I say I love Chick-fil-a Southwest Chargrilled Salads. Delish. In fact, I had to run errands at lunch today, so I just had to pick one up.

• I say running errands at lunch instead of working out makes me tired.
• I say having a candy dish full of candy on the counter is a terrible idea, but I'm not sure I can remove the cute little bunny. And he can't be empty.
• I say thank goodness tomorrow is Friday and I get to see this smiling face.

Oh wait ...

What? You don't like photos?

There's the face I love!

I hope you're used to the photos. :)

Wedding Wednesday (on Thursday): photography

So, I'm so excited that I get to do Wedding Wednesday posts. I just ran out of time yesterday.

OK, so there's always time to blog. My real excuse is that I've had a ridiculous headache for the past two days. Everything I wrote sounded lame, so I didn't post it. Now, this isn't much better, but at least you understand.

Did I mention I WON a photography package? Yep, the whole thing! I entered through the photographer's website, and then all I had to do was like her page. And I won.

We get:
Engagement photos
Bridal portraits
8 hours of wedding day coverage with 2 photogs
An disc of edited images

For FREE! 

I know there are still a few photography related things we will have to purchase (large bridal print, engagement photo book for people to sign, prints, etc.), but I was beyond excited.

I've been a little stressed about how everything was going to work out because it is all SO expensive.

And I got the e-mail telling me we won late Saturday night. I might have been playing Bejeweled on my phone in bed. Remember, my mom and I found the dress earlier that day, and she purchased it. Whew. Quite a day.

Sidenote: I decided to definitely go with the zip up/buttons. It's just more "me." 

I ran across the house and turned the lights on in the guest bedroom to SCREAM to my mom about how we won. After she realized there was not an emergency, she got excited, too.

I'm meeting with the photographer tomorrow to sign the contract and schedule engagement photos. I cannot thank Angela J Martin photography enough for making me the happiest person ever.

I love the slogan she uses on her marketing material: All you need is love ... and a really great photographer! 

OK, how do you decide what to wear to your engagement photos? Do you photograph yourself in it first to see if it looks OK?

I love this Milly dress, and I think it would be perfect for the photos. But does white work in the photos? And is a dress a bad idea?

I need outfit help. 

Cupcakes and cigars.

Last Thursday, I had dinner at Noodles with two of my favorite girlies. Sweet Colleen brought Happy Engagement cupcakes. I love them! I might have eaten a cupcake for breakfast Friday, which could have explained why Body Attack was so hard.

The cupcakes had rings on top. I love it!

Saturday, I was up early to meet my friend Rachel at a rental company. She’s getting married in May, and I’m helping her get everything together. It’s great practice!

Mr. A returned home around 1 p.m. Saturday, and we promptly headed to our reception site, where we spent much of the day. Later, we met friends for dinner and drinks.

Sarah and Adam decided it would be a good idea to go next door and buy cigars.

The cigar turned out to be a terrible idea for Mr. A. He left not feeling so hot.

Colleen (the cupcake giver) and I did not participate in the cigar shenanigans.

Wedding questions for you!
Our date right now is Oct. 29. This weekend, I was 100 percent positive about the date. Now, I’m having trouble securing the date with the church. And I thought everything would be so easy …

Is eight months enough time?

Would you plan a wedding if there was a possibility someone who’s been a church member longer than you could take the date in the next two months? I don’t know if I would be OK with moving the ceremony location. My heart’s set on the church where I recently became a member.

Yikes!

I said yes.

I had the best weekend ever.

It was simple and perfect.

And I said yes.

I was shocked and surprised.

I’m excited, ecstatic, and elated.

I’m also overwhelmed! There’s so many things to think about. But it’s a good overwhelming feeling.

After looking through approximately 44 wedding magazines, I realized this whole planning thing is going to be difficult. How do people do this? Suddenly, I don’t like any of the colors, or themes, or dresses, or cakes … but I love my man, and that’s what really matters. Happy Tuesday!

P.S. I will have more about my weekend later. Work is ridiculously busy, as usual.

Winning a Mercedes.

This weekend started out like any other.

After work, I went to Academy Sports to return some shoes (And of course I was suckered in to buying more Nike workout clothes. I love them.).

I met Mr. A at the country club for dinner and drinks.

It was there that we decided to go to the casino.

After running around Saturday, we came back to the casino for the Rev up Your Romance drawing. We thought, “Why not?” Adam’s parents were also there. We found out from a casino employee that if your name was called, you only had three minutes to make it to the desk. So we ran around and told everyone we knew the instructions, just in case.

The drawing was supposed to be a 7 p.m., but they announced they were running behind. When the announcement came over the speaker, Mr. A and I were across the casino at one of the bars. He was getting a drink and I playing a game on my phone.

When they announced the name, I couldn’t believe it. I yelled at Adam. He said, “What?” He didn’t hear it. But then they announced it again. His dad won a 2011 Mercedes! We sprinted across the casino to make sure he was there, and he was! He made it within three minutes.

I still can’t believe he won!

Happy Monday!

Friday = spray tans and no more small shoes.

Reasons I'm SO CRAZY happy it's Friday:

• Work has been ridiculous lately. So busy. I have to remind myself to eat lunch. OK, that’s not true. And I still make time for my lunch workouts (most days). But still, it’s crazy. Let's not talk about it anymore. 
• What’s not to love about weekends? I wish I was going to see my family Sunday at the horse races, but I think we’re going next weekend. And next weekend I get to see baby Vivie (my friend from college had a baby—she was born a couple months early, but everything is good now!).
• I always get a delicious salad from the lunch vendor on Fridays. This morning, I sort of forgot it was Friday and brought my lunch. I still got the salad. But the vendor was different today, so I had to put barbecue sauce on it because the only dressing they had was ranch. I didn’t know this until after I bought the salad. The sauce was good, though. The picture … not so appetizing. I’m weird and don’t eat the croutons.



I realize this looks completely disgusting. But I had to show you. :)

• There’s no more snow left because it’s in the 60s, ya’ll!
• This has nothing to do with Friday, but I had a great time with some fantastic friends last night. We extended happy hour into a full evening of fun. I’m not going to lie … it feels a little awkward to be at a bar at 10 p.m. in your work clothes when everyone else is … not.



Theo's (a super nice restaurant) is the best happy hour place in Fayetteville.
And they have delicious $5 appetizers.





I love Colleen and Sarah!





Colleen and Sarah: Take II!

• After Saturday’s spray tan, I’m addicted. I think I’m going to go get another today.
   
• I finally get to return my new workout class shoes (I must use different shoes for classes and running) because they’re too small! I used them once, so don’t tell Academy. How was I supposed to know they were too small until my feet went numb during a spin class?

Weekend in paradise.

Yep, those are trash bags. My boots are technically "water" proof, but I didn't want my feet to be cold all night.
Vanilla scented trash bags in case you were wondering. 

We heart our snow paradise.

OK ... I wouldn't exactly call this paradise.

This is more of my idea of paradise.

But I did have a fantastically wonderful winter weekend with my friends. We had people over to watch the super bowl. But amazingly, I didn't take a single photo. Adam thanked me.

Sarah likes to pose in the snow. 

Adam likes to drink beer in the snow. 

We like to go to hole in the wall bars that are .2 seconds away from our homes in the snow. 

The boy's sister and husband like to dance in the snow. 

Mr. A also likes to play pool in the snow. 

I don't know these people, but they like to sing karaoke in the snow. 

And guess what? It's supposed to snow again tonight. So. not. excited. Honestly, if I didn't have a magazine deadline at work (meaning I must come in to work on layout), then I would be way more excited because I could work from home. Not the case.

Thinspiration. And weekends.

Don't forget to enter my fabulous Fiber One Fitness Fun giveaway here!

Do you use other people as inspiration? I think we all do. Whether it’s someone whose work ethic you admire, or someone who you think is just a good person.

Then there are people who we just want to steal their bodies. Sure, we might admire them for other reasons (but probably not). Not literally, but you know what I mean. Someone you see and think, I want abs just like that. Yes, I know we should all be happy with what we’ve got, but that can be hard.

For me, it’s not one particular person. But I do find myself tearing out pages of Women’s Health in hopes that these fit, healthy women will be an inspiration to me.

How can you not love Ashley Greene?

Do you watch Jersey Shore? I don’t really, but the ladies have been all over the gossip mags lately for their weight loss. I think J-Woww look s pretty awesome. The 5’7” Jersey girl has lost about 20 lbs. (I saw this picture on Skinny Runner's blog.)

She recently said she's completely stopped drinking. I'm not so sure about that.

Moving on.

My weekend was fabulous because I beat the boy in one game of bowling. Sure, he beat me in the other two games, but that one game is all that matters. I’m somewhat competitive. It was also fabulous because I got a pair of Justin Timberlake's William Rast jeans (from Target), and I'm in love. Go buy some now if there's a Target near you.

I'm third on the screen. He's fourth. :)

I can never do this right.

I promise I didn't crop out the Miller Lite in my hand.

Other weekend activities included dinner at one of my favorite places: Herman’s. We celebrated Steven’s birthday. Steven is the husband of Ragan, one of my BFFs from junior high/high school. I’m so glad she lives in NWA with me.

Mr. A's dinner. A hamburger patty with "The Gear."

My garlic chicken! The best sauce. Ever. I didn't eat the toast.

Happy birthday, Steven!

Ragan made delicious German chocolate cupcakes, but I ate it so quickly I didn’t get a picture.

Happy Monday!

I actually like Mondays because it’s always nice to get back on the healthy track after a few weekend mishaps.