prep

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Love it. Always have, always will.

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Where on earth can I find these shorts? Must have.

Oh, my poor children. This will be them for sure. Just as soon as I get a Tech hat on him, that little gentleman will be ready for tailgate! COMPLETE CUTENESS!

And is it just me or do nautical and preppy go together? I def think they do! Summer gets me full swing into preppier clothes and has me wishing I was constantly here...

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and what I would give for Travis to buy me this pink boat...

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Wonder how mad he'd be if I painted his pink...

Do I dare? I think if I have any hopes of marrying him the answer is sadly no.

Speaking of boats, these days I'm constantly dreaming of spending hours with T and his favorite hobby. And I've been begging him to take me to do this:

Come on people, have you seen "A River Runs Through It"? Fly fishing is hott.

 On a different fishing note, I'm loving this dress T got me last weekend.

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I think I'll wear it fly fishing with my thigh high wade boots! Just perf! ha

These two items are on the top of my prepp-ish wish list! 

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I'll be needing this just as soon as I buy an awesome camera!

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THIS DOOR! AH-maze.

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And let's not forget everyone's favorite Preppy.

So ladies...

What are you loving? 

Link up!

Michelle and Jamie

homeowner!!

Dreaming about it anyway!

This past week I spent some time with T in Carrizo and Uvalde...I fell in love with a house. Hard.  I can't stop thinking about it and I haven't even seen it in real life, just online!

Just take a look...

ADORBS right??? I'm dying!

I can picture me, Mill, and Travler (Trav's sweet pup I can't wait to adopt) sitting on that porch waiting for T to get home from work every afternoon.  (hear that T, I would just adore if you were home frm work say, around 4? Can you make that happen?)

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this house.

Only problem is...I we decided about 2 months ago we should wait until later in the summer to buy. Travis was all about buying something right away so I could move out there as soon as my school years done. I on the other hand didn't see the point to rush until closer to the wedding...well, now he agrees we should wait and he's not quite budging yet. Big fat bummer.

(In reality, now is not the best time to be buying a house. We don't have a free weekend until July and we don't even have out wedding showers/bach parties planned yet. NO TIME. it would be a little silly to buy a house and just let it go unlived in for months until we can get in and make it a home....BUUUUTT...I WANT IT NOW!!!)

Still working on him but in the meantime I have been flooding my pinterest boards with all things "first home". Mainly simple fixes that can quickly update an older home.

Want to see them all? You can follow me here. But these are some faves as of late...

 Love the window shelf, open cabinets, and butcher block counters

 This mix of new/old and light/dark is perfect!

 I'm all about neutrals but I an digging this subtle splash of color.

So charming and easy!

 Everytime I run across this redo I die...not only is a perfect way to disquise those horrible giant mirrors but it looks so so amazing.  Possibly my favorite before and after of all pinterest time!

 Amazing idea! So pretty and neat!

Now tell me that door would not be perf on that adorable house??

Ha...a girl can dream right - don't think T will go for it in a million years.

And this monogram is beyond perfect for a newleywed couples door...even if the door's not pink!

AND just how exciting is this?? We will be married and living in our home just in time for the best time of the year....pumpkin (and football!) season! All part of the plan! You can bet your bottom dollar my porch will be covered in pumpkins!

I am just praying this house is still on the market in the next few months...it needs to be ours. Seriously.

Go link up with Michelle and/or Jamie so I can see all the love you're sharing!

Pinning!

T's 29th bday was last week.  Can you believe I'm going to be marrying such an old man?? Me neither!  Guess we're going to have jump on the baby making train asap after the wedding...my babies can't be having an old hag out there coaching them! ha I kid, I kid kind of

T completely disagrees about 30 being "old"...he is certian I act way older than 30 and that he is the young gun...piiiish....I just tire easier than he does....

Anyway, of course I've been in party planning mode for his big 3-0 since practically the day we started dating! I LOVE few things more than a great excuse to party!

Here are a few ideas I'm loving via pinterest...

Navy and orange, one of my fav combos! I also love the layout of this simple invite and requesting to bring a pic.  Travis would love that! Any excuse to reminience on his wild college days. ok, ok - I take any excuse too!

Ahhh...I just love balloons! A bouquet of 30 balloons is a must!

I love this! It's "girly" enough for me to have so much fun with it but plenty masculine! AND...I def love that color combo.  I can't get enough orange!

I love this beer tasting theme! Perfect way to celebrate with friends!

I'm picturing tons of "bar" food (my fave!).  The easy to eat snacks in those bowls is too perf! Although, I imagine his 30th will get a little wilder than these pictures may put off...it will definitely be a massive celebration!

If this year is any indicator as to how busy we'll be next year plans will have to be made for this big party asap*.  I'm seriously considering sending out save the dates. Be checking your mail boxes in the next 6 months people! 

TURBO TURNS 30!!!

 *please 8lb 3 oz baby Jesus, please don't let our lives be this busy next year.

Wahoo!! I can't believe our friends are all getting married and having babies and turning 30!

No lie, I think I've spent my whole life dreaming of these years!

Go link up with Michelle!

How Pinteresting

Today I'm linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting.

I'm going to do a "Make it My Own" addition. Because, well, I linked up for MiMO on Monday and I never got around to actually doing a post.  I had completely forgotten until I recieved an email about not linking, blah, blah, blah. My bad. Guess I'm not welcome at that link party anymore.

Here are some outfits via Pinterest I have recreated.  Finding fun ways to wear all the clothes already in my closet is possibly one of my favorite things to look for on Pinterest.  

Here's a few I've done. 

Love this color combo and finding ANY outfit to wear that necklace (J. Crew) with.

Cute and comfy...this is basically my uniform. Jean, cardi, necklace, flats.  I borrowed this awesome necklace to recreate this exact outfit and I don't exactly intend to give it back.  Actually I saw this on eBay so I'm going to need to purchase it. 
Oh, I also wore a teeny double wrap belt around my waist because my cardi is a little largo.

Crazy color combo I was a little unsure about pulling off, but I loved it! Wearing it with that hat this summer for sure!

Except for those dang leopard flats that I was in search for months...then I see my mom wearing the perfect pair (she snagged from Rack Room Shoes)! Hoping she wrapped a pair up for me under that Christmas tree. I was not subtle about wanting them!

With a more mustard-y skirt (Loft), sans tights and scarf.  SO cute! I wore this to work the Monday after I got engaged....gotta look cute to show off new bling, right?!

I love this combo. I've done it with cut off shorts and jeans a boots - far too many times!

I look JUST like her when I wear this outfit. Really.
I actually was wearing this exact outfit when we got engaged! YAY! Been a favorite outfit for at least a year now! My fav black shirt (from WALMART of all places!!) is getting seriosuly faded....sad day.

LOVE this! My skirt is a maxi I stole from Gap for like $14! And found an almost identical top at Forevs for like $8. Yes and yes.


And this outfit will be on my body SOON.  I have that exact shirt (Forevs), vest (Loft) and belt. Not sure if the belt will make the cut but I'm going to try it!

Now....if only I had pictures of all these outfits...

Yesterday I was dressed cute and I said to myself..."Mandal, today is the day you start taking freakin pics so you can remember these for next year."

Guess what?  Def didn't get a pic and can't even remember in the slightest what I was wearing.  FAIL.

Oh, how Pinteresting!

Hi! Today, on my lunch break, I am linking up with The Vintage Apple. (One of my new favorite blog finds!) Obviously, I love pinterest, who doesn't?

I have always been a pretty creative person, the one who gets nominated to do the decorations or in many cases, the project. I never have minded though! Give me a project over a test any day...and if it's a group project, why don't I just call you when I'm finished so you can add your name. (Are y'all like that? I love working in groups with some people -like my besties and a few of my co workers- but in college it was so much easier to just do it myself. on my own time. I don't think my group ever minded!)  BUT oh.mah.word....pinterest is a whole new level of creativity! My already ADD mind never stops thinking of ways to incorporate or adapt projects!

Here are some recent pins that I'm loving right now...

This is a little hokey but so cute for the right party! 
I LOVE WRAPPING PRESENTS!!

If I could chose only one toy for the rest of my life it would be the Sharpie. This lampshade is written on with a Sharpie and I love it! Oh the possibilities!  

Wow. This doesn't really require a captions.
I love this.

Must duplicate! Last year I bought tons of great yarn to make infinity scarves and never got around to it...go figure.
This is the year!

Oh, the possibilities with drop cloth and chalk board paint. This is such a genius idea!
Would also be great as a table cloth at the "kids" table too!

And this is super vain, but it's been really fun seeing this float around pinterest lately.
You can purchase one to show your team spirit here.

I would say follow me on pinterest, but I will surely flood your feed daily.