Own It {August Linkup}

Welcome back for another Own It linkup. Own anything. Have a confession session. Share the little crazy things about you… 

Last month I had a theme and owned that I usually like/need a theme but today is just a random mess of everything… 

In the Moment
I've grown to be a very "in the moment" person with a few scenarios.  If I'm traveling and on vacation - then I start planning the next one and need it soon.  If I'm home for the weekend then I want to try to be home as many weekends as I can.  If I'm at the lake then I need to go back next weekend.

Repeat Buyer
I'm a repeat buyer - 100%.  If I like something like a pair of jeans - I HAVE to have two.  If I like a shirt - I NEED it in a few colors.  I've been breaking this habit {a lot lately} because if I get the item in multiples then a bit later I think, "Did I really need all those" BUT if I don't get repeats then I always end up wishing I had another color, version, etc. down the road - happens every time.

I haven't used my gym membership all summer long
I can't remember the last time I went to the gym - I think it was in late spring.  I just can't stand being cooped up in the gym on the treadmill when it's so nice out - or too hot to be out.  I've still kept up working out almost everyday just in different ways outside and in our home.  When fall starts back up, I'll get back into it - this cycle repeats every year.

I wish I could have ten weddings… sometimes.  
All with the same groom, obviously! I always used to say I need about ten weddings to get in all the color schemes, all the dresses, all the etc.. There are too many options.  {That said I LOVED all my choices for mine and can't believe we're just about a week away from that day a year ago!}

Grocery Bagging
I really dislike having my groceries bagged for me.  There I said it - I don't like the extra help.  I have my reusable bags and like to fill them so they are easy to unload at home - I don't like the nail polish remover in with the fruit {yes, that happened last time they were bagged for me}.  On occasion I've gotten in a slightly longer line just so I can bag myself

I hate forgetting my reusable bags
I went through a phase a few months ago when every week I'd get to the store and realize the bags were still in my car as I was shopping and get quite frustrated.  Those bags fit so much more than the paper/plastic ones at the store and the food is less likely to fall all over the car as well as much easier to carry into the house with fewer trips.

Damp Hands
I need my hands fully dry after washing - I'll use as many paper towels or minutes under the hand dryer as it takes - I hate when they aren't completely dry.

College Laundry
I would fly home from Providence every 6 weeks-ish to visit for the long weekend {we didn't have classes on Friday so I could leave in the afternoon on Thursdays after classes} and on a few occasions I would fill my suitcase with all my dirty clothes to get them washed at home.
*I now enjoy doing laundry 4 years later!

Ok, your turn! Linkup below.  If you missed out today, the linkup runs through Saturday so join in. 

Thanks to everyone who has participated all spring and summer long!  Now that we are about to enter into fall I think I'm going to take a little break for the next few months - it's been fun!

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Own It {July Linkup}

Welcome back for another Own It linkup. Own anything. Have a confession session. Share the little crazy things about you… 

{Marriage-ing}

I didn't live with my husband until we were married… 

I will own this one from the rooftops because other than marrying Derek, this was probably my second best decision.  This past year has been such a blessing and I've already learned so much more about Derek and myself that I didn't even know before.
{I 100% know this choice isn't for everyone and have nothing against people who move in first - this just worked for us}.  

I had an adjustment period… 
I've mentioned before, but I'm not a big fan of change - good or bad - I like things how they are.  I left my parent's house as a "roommate" of theirs for the last time two days before my wedding and cried.  I cried when Derek and I ate our first meal in this house (sorry honey!) and I cried on occasion (we're talking like a two - five minute teary eyed cry) the first month after the honeymoon - I just had to adjust and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  Luckily, God paired me with my match because he didn't think there was anything wrong with it either - he helped me settle in.
(Update - I get homesick every now and again and want to visit home - who doesn't!? But I've stopped the tears, ha!)

{Housewife-ing}

I air dry most of our clothes… 

I can thank my mama for this (thanks mom!) She always air dryer the majority of our clothes.  Now I have to do the same.  I put clothes into the dryer to get the wrinkles out for about 20 minutes and take out dresses, t-shirts, shorts, etc.  to hang and let the lesser items - workout clothes, underwear, pajamas, etc. to keep drying in the dryer.

I check to make sure my appliances are off.  Multiple times… 
I probably check my straightener/curler is off at least 3-5 times before leaving the house.  Many times I end up taking a photo to "remind" myself that it's in fact off.  I wait in the driveway to make sure the garage door is down and usually continue watching in my rearview mirror as I drive away (ha, because it *might* just pop back up*).  Before leaving the house for travel or something like that I check the doors probably twice each as well as the stove/oven and sometimes theres even photos of those :)
*If Stella is being left in the house then I'm even MORE crazy about my weird routine…

{Travel-ing}

I can't take the first magazine in the stack.  Ever…

I thought of this one when we were stuck at the airport with a cancelled flight flying to Boston but I never can grab the first magazine in the stack.  US Weekly, Life & Style, Travel & Leisure, Redbook - any of them! I prefer a nice crisp magazine for myself and have been doing this for years.

Fruit mentos before flight… 

I don't quite know how this one started but I always need to get a pack of the fruity mentor at the airport before a flight.  I shouldn't say always - I don't do it every single time anymore but the majority of the time I still do.  I don't know why but it's one of my only superstitions. 

{Life-ing}

Everything has to be organized…
Can you even tell just from this post?  To do lists, packing stacks, emails - everything needs to be nicely in order and organized - it's just how I need to have it.  There even needed to be the same amount of points under each category today - I had to.

I take way too many pictures…
But without pictures the memory fades away so it's okay - right?? I love having these little pieces of some of my favorite memories to instantly bring me back to those moments.

Ok, your turn! Linkup below.  If you missed out today, the linkup runs through Saturday so join in 

or come back the last Thursday (8/27) of next month! 

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Own It {Linkup}

Welcme back for another Own It linkup.

Own anything, big or little.

Have a confession session.

Things from the past week/month/yesterday or just in general.

A few, a lot, whatever you want.

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I have officially become a homebody.  I used to love being on the go go go non-stop, going out at night until the wee hours, but now I am 100% most happy with a night in.  Out on the deck is preferable but curled up on the couch is just as fine too.  I love sipping my wine and other summer cocktails but I'm also loving some weekends to just get to bed early and to wake up refreshed the next day and have a full day ahead.  Don't get me wrong I am still loving my travel & nights out - just not every weekend.  Derek recently started singing the line of the new Sam Hunt song to me so whenever making plans we always now say "my husband says I'm a homebody, so let's just have a house party."

I've been addicted to shopping more recently then ever before I think.  I can't stop myself from "running  into the mall" which is turning into a weekly thing or from browsing my favorites online.  I mean how much easier can it get to hit the "purchase" button than when they have you save the credit card information.  I blame this on last summer being all about wedding purchases and then being focused on decorating the new house.  I now have time to get back to my true addiction.  

I'm a mix of shy and outgoing all at the same time.  When I first meet a new person, I'm usually trying to hide behind my husband or if we're at a restaurant I ask him to ask for whatever we need.  At the same time though, depending on the situation I am so outgoing even if it's someone new, if I feel a vibe with you I can talk forever.  When it's my family or friends around, 100% no shyness.  Again, except if we're at a restaurant or something like that - I'm usually not the person asking the questions.  Switching back to the shy, if I need to speak in front of more than about 10 people, even if I know them, I get SO nervous.  I can't do it.

On that note - I feel like I would be TERRIBLE at dating.  I would probably get so nervous, sweaty and filled with anxiety.  I would 100% test out dating websites.  I have had one serious boyfriend who you all now see around here as my husband.

I haven't used my gym membership since about April.  I cannot get myself into a gym when it's this nice outside plus driving there is half of my battle.  I do zumba every single morning - in the comfort of my own home :) And love walking outside as my workouts.  Sweating it out inside a crowded gym is just not my thing right now, but come fall I know I'll be happy to get back.

I  We treat Stella like she's our child.  Nothing is too good for her, we spare no expense, we base our time being out around making sure she isn't left too long.  She's a princess, we treat her like one and she knows it.  I think she knows it. Maybe not. If she doesn't come to work with me one day, I miss her and the day feels weird not having her around. 

I didn't go to Penn State, but I act like I do.  People ask all the time if I did, sometimes even Derek because of how into college football we are.  My parent's have another house in State College and season tickets so we base our fall season off football season, literally.  I have more PSU gear than I do my own school, well that's not that hard - I went to a small school. 

In the important conversations people have before getting engaged or married, I brought up Christmas and how I could never travel on Christmas or want to.  I think Derek was a little surprised I threw in something so little but to me it was huge - anyone that knows me knows I am completely obsessed with Christmas - I'm already dreaming of this years.  I need to wake up at home on Christmas morning - no if ands or buts about it.  Luckily, he was cool with that one :)

While we're owning it, how about a recent embarrassment?? 

We ran into the mall very quickly on Saturday morning (we had to be on the golf course for Father's Day soon after) to get a few things framed for the basement and I begged to run in a couple stores.  After nothing fit in gap I was rushing and threw my dress back on to run out and meet Derek and I kept asking him if it was pulled down in the back and looked okay because it felt weird and he said no I was good to go.

Fast forward about 15 minutes as I have my hands full of goodies (to be shared tomorrow) in Target to head to the dressing room when Derek came in to meet up with me and say hello by you know.. touching my butt and he says "wait, something is weird here, why are you wearing a dress with pockets on the butt, what kind of style is this???" I was confused and then we both froze and he said " Oh my gosh did you put the dress wrong" I touched the back and I did!! We both started hysterically laughing and instead of taking the direct route to the dressing room I squeezed between racks to stay hidden… not that it mattered at that point.  

Easy mistake, yes?! no?! The photos below are of the dress on the wrong way.

Ok, your turn! Linkup below.  If you missed out today, the linkup runs through Saturday so join in or come back the last Thursday (7/30) of next month! 

Don't forget to enter here for a chance to win a fabulous Kate Spade watch to help celebrate Kristina at Medicine & Manicures Second Blogiversary!! 

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Feta Dip & Other Favorites {Friday Favorites}

Well, now I could kind of go for a popsicle.  Or ice cream.  Or any summer treat really.

I love weeks that start on Tuesdays.  I think that's my new favorite.  That could be my only favorite for today and I'd be all set.

I like to enjoy "summer Fridays" but there really isn't such a thing as take the day off Monday.

And there should be! It was like I was just getting into the swing of the week but at the same time it was already Wednesday and now here we are… at Friday!

I kind of slacked on my five last week because well, I was enjoying a weekend away :) so let's get back on track this week… I think I've even got more than five to make up for it.

 Linking up today with April, Karly, Amanda and Erika

{O N E} Favorite Recipe 

Feta Dip… Need I say more?

Ingredients:

Olive Oil

Block of Feta Cheese

Tomatoes (I used about 3 medium sized ones)

A bunch of green onions

Greek Seasoning 

*see below*

Baguette, Tostitos, Crackers for dipping

Directions:

1. Sprinkle olive oil on the empty plate - don't hold back, get a good amount on there

2. Cut up the green onions, tomatoes and feta (this could be done earlier in the day also to save time)

3. Toss all three ingredients onto the plate

4. Sprinkle the Greek seasoning on top (see below about what we used) and mix everything around

5. Sprinkle a little more seasoning on after mixing

6. Serve and enjoy :)

Notes:

The Seasoning:  The only Greek seasoning at the grocery store just didn't look right so I mixed up my own on a whim.  Garlic powder, garlic salt, pepper, oregano.  That's what I used and it worked fabulously - I wouldn't change a thing next time.

To be festive, my Mom and I just used a plastic star plate that we had in our Fourth of July stash and any plate will do but we found it works really nicely to have a plate with a little bit of side to it, not just a flat one

I would have for sure served this with a baguette if we had not been grilling and I knew we'd all be having buns on our main courses (hamburgers, hotdogs, sausages, etc.) so I used tostitos and they worked great but I definitely want to try a warm baguette next time.

There were five of us and this plate was wiped clean at the end.  I'm telling you, SO good.

{T W O} Every Weekend Home

Starting off this new year it was my dream to be home for an entire month.  We dated long distance, then we're on the go with wedding planning, out of town weddings, visiting friends, etc. so when this year started we made a rule that we MUST leave two weekends free and at home every month and it was the best decision ever.  (summer is the only exception to the rule) I'm becoming more and more of a homebody and I love it.  Don't get me wrong, we still travel a very good bit and I love that too - we've got friends to visit, trips  to take, football games to watch, family to see, activities to try out so some how our weekends are always filling up.

This month we spent EVERY. SINGLE. WEEKEND. AT. HOME. 

(well we did go away for the holiday weekend but that was only half the weekend so it counts as being home too!)  

It was fabulous and I'm so glad it finally happened.  it was the perfect month to have before summer when everyone gets crazy and then fall hits and it seems we get even crazier.  

So long to the "off" months. But looking forward to the busy which = fun.

{T H R E E} Favorite Outfit(s)

 Outfit One - top: similar style (same store) // pants: loft // necklace: kendra scott // purse: kate spade (same style, lighter color pink, on sale!)

Outfit Two: romper: nordstrom (on sale) // long necklace: kendra scott // 

short necklace: nadri

{F O U R} Favorite Birthday Babes & Favorite Moment of the Week

I talked about this in my Memorial Day post but it was a big birthday week in this family! The pups are such a huge part of our family (if you couldn't tell that already by the picture overloads) so we had to give them a little extra treat to celebrate.  In addition to the corn on the cob they eat got a homemade ice cream (recipe coming next week) and a birthday cookie brought home from Saint Michaels.

Nash, our family dog who lives with my parents (I cried when I moved out and had to say "goodbye") turned five on Wednesday and Miss Stella Artois (or sass as I like to call her - her initials and an extra s never hurt anyone) turned 1/2 a year yesterday.

I always love doing a "favorite moment of the week" because it's the little things that are fun to remember.  Combining two into one here, my favorite moment was paying Nash a surprise visit, alone. I had to pass my parents house to run to a produce store and even though I just saw my mom at work and was seeing my step-dad over the weekend, I felt bad blowing Nash off.  I popped in for a quick five minute visit and it was so worth it.  He loves Stella but bless his heart, right now she is in a phase where for the first 20 minutes of the visit she just jumps all over him and he sweetly lets her but you can tell he doesn't love it. It's not all about the animals - I was happy to have a couple minutes to say hi to my parents too.

{F I V E} Five Ways I'd Spend a Target Gift Card

with this giveaway going on I thought I'd share five (going with the trend of Fridays) ways I'd spend a Target gift card

1. Summer dresses (my favorite Target clothing item)

2. outdoor entertaining supplies

3. Treats for Stella

4. Treat myself to some magazines

5. Pick some new makeup items or nail polish

If there was any money left on the gift card I'd hit Starbucks for my favorite - sweetened lemonade and some gormet drink for Derek (you can tell which one of us him is the bigger diva in the house)

** I had a great time reading the couple Own it posts that were up yesterday - Owning it that I was enjoying the weekend instead of remembering to post a reminder for this month but the Own It linkup will be back the last Thursday of June (6/25) and I'll post a reminder the Friday before.  I'm already looking forward to reading the posts - always such great reads! **

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Own It {Linkup}

Welcome to the first Own it linkup!

Own anything, big or little.
Share that "little thing you do"
Have a confession session.
Things from the past week/month/yesterday or just in general.
Share a few things, a lot of things, go in depth, be simple
Just be you.

It looks like you guys really enjoyed reading some of my favorite ladies own it while I was enjoying beautiful Bermuda.  I really LOVE reading others' posts because everyone goes in a different direction creatively so it's fun to see each take on how to own it.  My other favorite reason is that you can find other people that do those same crazy things you do!

In case you missed it...

Jenn from Going the Distance 

Karly from Miss in the Midwest

Amanda from As the Wine Cork Turns

and I owned it too.

And today, I've got another great lady owning it too!

Welcome, Erika from a little bit of everything

I didn't want to skip out on the owning it too so my "vacation week owning it's" are at the bottom.

Let's get started...

{1} Link back to The New Mrs. and/or share the graphic

{2} Link your post at the bottom of this post

{3} Enjoy reading everyone else own it, confess it and have fun!

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I wasn't planning on having a guest today but then I found the Queen of owning it, Erika because she featured one of my favorite bloggers, Elise in, you guessed it, her owning it series... how fun!  I then had a couple of you tell me I'd enjoy her "Owning it" series so I just knew I had to invite her over for the linkup today.  Since I switched my blog from private to public I've been joining Erika and her friends in their Friday Favorites series (join in tomorrow!) and now can't wait to continue reading her blog daily... you should too because she is so sweet, would be a blast to hang out with and has the most precious family!

Hey Everyone!!  I'm Erika and I blog over at A Little Bit of Everything.  I'm a Jesus-loving wife, mama to three, blogger, and Rodan + Fields' consultant.  I love all things girly and am not afraid to claim my crazy!  Christina found my blog last week and discovered I have an "Owning It" series over in my neck of the blog-world too (Every month I ask a fellow blogger to guest post and share her crazy).  She asked me to come and participate in her series.  There was absolutely NO way I was saying, "No" to that!  I love owning my crazy and sharing it with others. I'm so happy to be here with you today!  Christina...thank you for having me!!

*I have an issue with doing things in order.  It bothers me to flip through a recipe book and make a recipe on page thirty-three.  Even if page thirty-three looks SO delicious, I'd prefer to start at the beginning and work my way to the end.  Remember that movie where the girl cooks her way through Julia Child's cookbook??  I can relate!  haha!  I remember being young and not allowing myself to color my favorite picture in the coloring book.  I always worked my way through it.  I like to start at the beginning and work my way to the end!

*When my husband is out of town and I get the kids to bed, I often reward myself with food.  It could be strawberries and Nutella, a little bowl of cereal, or a brownie.  But a big majority of the time, this is the way I say, "Way to go, girl!".  Not sure what is better....doing some late night online shopping or eating dessert.  Tab would say, "Eat up!".  :)

*This one is super strange, but I'm owning it!!  ha!  If you ask me how to spell something, I visualize how I would type it.  Does that make sense??  I imagine typing the word and then it's easier for me to spell something out loud.  I know.  Super cray-cray.

*On that same note when I was in junior high a girlfriend asked me how to spell, "crap". Please excuse that language, Grandma!  But that's the word she wanted me to spell.  For some strange reason, I thought it was spelled C-R-A-P-H.  You know how the D-word has an extra random letter at the end that has no phonemic significance?  Well, I thought for some weird reason that crap (or craph) was the same way.  hahaha!!  Needless to say, she spelled it like I told her and her boyfriend laughed and laughed at her.  Oops!  To this day, I know that it's spelled, "C-R-A-P", but if you ask me how to spell it I'll want to put an "H" on the end.

*I'm from a super small country town in Missouri.  My graduating senior class had twelve people.  Yes, twelve.  Eight girls and four boys.  On the seniors' last day, we wanted to go out with a bang.  It was the country after all.  We decided to all drive four-wheelers, three-wheelers, whatever you had to school that day instead of a car.  We all met up before driving into school so if someone didn't have something to drive we all shared.  I drove our four-wheeler, but my very favorite part about it was one of my classmates drove his tractor.  I'm one hundred percent happy I live in the city now, but at times my country roots definitely shine through.  I think back on that last day of school and smile!

*In high school, I would have used the word "athletic" to describe myself.  I'm not even kidding.  But I can't use it anymore.  From fifth grade to graduation I played volleyball.  I played for my school, on club teams, and went to camps each summer.  I was all in and pretty good.  I made All-District...that makes me sound legit, right?  haha!!  So my first year of teaching third grade the school where I taught has a huge kickball tournament the last week of school.  The classes all play each other and then the winners play each other and eventually the number one student team plays the teachers.  That is a BIG game with an announcer, parents watching, and the entire school in attendance.  I was only twenty-two years old I should have been the star on the kickball team, right?  So wrong!  First off...when it was my turn to kick I completely missed the ball.  My leg went right over the top!  Then when I was in the field....the ball went right through my legs.  Needless to say, I would NEVER use the word "athletic" to describe myself again. 

*I'm not an pet person.  Growing up we had a couple random dogs and cats, but none that ever really became a part of the family.  Living out in the country, they were all outside pets.  But my son, Nixon, is obsessed with dogs and has been since he could talk!  I'm mentally preparing myself for getting him a dog when he's seven.  I think I told him that when he was three because it seemed SO FAR AWAY.  Well, he just turned five!!  EEK!!

*I'm a good mix of crazy disorganized and organized.  I lose my debit card ALL THE TIME!  It drives my husband crazy!  But if you asked me where Ebby Lee's blue polka dot dress was or Nixon's baseball belt...I could tell you EXACTLY where they are. 

*The phrase "we should go dancing" has never left my mouth.  (I totally copied this from a friend!)  I think the only time dancing is fun is at a wedding when your doing ridiculous things like the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance.  

Christina, thank you SO much for having me!!!

If you'd like to read about more confessions...

You can read Elise @ Cheers Y'all HERE.

You can read Andrea's @ Momfessionals HERE.

You can read Kelly's @ Kelly's Korner HERE.

You can read Olivia's @ Snyders Tell All HERE.

You can read Narci's @ Grace and Love Blog HERE.

You can read Fancy Ashley's HERE.

You can read Kelly's @ Redhead on the Run HERE.
You can read Shay's @ Mix and Match Mama HERE

Erika, Thank YOU so much for joining in on the own it fun today! I loved getting to know a little bit more about you!  Now that I've read all your Owning it & Claiming the crazy posts, I'm wondering why I haven't read your blog on a daily basis sooner?!   Your owning it series is fabulous and everyone must check it out!  What a perfect fit for a guest post today - don't you think!?

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 It's tough to go after Erika but I want to be part of the fun too. These posts seem to be a real favorite all over blog land and I love having girls share their posts - let's face it, they are SO fun to read and it helps connect the blog community and find new friends!

Today I bring you a couple "vacation week" own it's...

1 + Remember when Karly & I both owned calling our mom's too often (which really, never!) well I did it again! You know, vacationing with my husband in bright & sunny Bermuda and I just have to call my mom to say hey in the morning.  I think she even thought I was a little crazy when I started off with my normal, "what are you doing" and she said well it's 7am here.  On a Saturday so I'm just waking up.  Ooops - forgot about that time difference and she probably forgot I'd keep up with my constant need to be in touch.

2 + I may or may not have gotten teary eyed about saying goodbye to Stella and I will own the heck out of that! She's my little baby and my sidekick - I mean, I even pack her up and bring her to the office! Derek gave a toast at dinner one night and I followed it up with "... and cheers also to Stella." Cue the crazy look I got.  Anyway, I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed picking her back up from the puppy resort.

3 +  I can't stand the fact that we didn't unpack until Tuesday night.  I had high hopes of doing it the night we got back but those went right out the window.  It was just completely eating at me that our clothes/everything were just sitting in the suitcases.  Also that the clutter that the suitcases were causing on our bedroom floor.  Which we have a fairly large sized bedroom so by no means were they in the way.  AT ALL.  Just bothering me that they were there, full of dirty clothes, and sitting.

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 Ok, your turn! Link up below - I can't wait to read them all.  If you missed out today, the linkup runs through the weekend so join in or come back the last Thursday (5/28) of next month!

Make sure to pop on over to Erika's blog and say hello! Seriously, you'll lover her!

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Own It: Featuring Amanda from As the Wine Cork Turns

Vacation's over - sort of! We've got a little time left here and later today we're headed home.  I can't wait to see our little Stella.  I may or may not have cried a little when we had to leave her at the puppy resort. Time to get back to reality. 

Today I've got the third lady taking over while I'm away - Amanda. If it wasn't for the distance, we would for sure have some fun hangouts - I mean just look at her blog title… right up my alley!  I love following along with her posts because she's basically doing right now exactly what I was doing last year at this time because she's getting married one week before our one year anniversary! 

hi! i'm amanda i blog over at as the wine cork turns where you will find me talking about all things wedding, wine, what i'm eating, and what i did for the weekend. that was a lot of w's. i guess i have a thing for w's because my new last name will be walker on august 29 of this year. anyway, i love christina's new idea of the owning it series. so here are 5 things that i'm confessing and just owning lately.

- i confess that i'm straight up 100% into wedding planning mode. maybe even a little too much. i just recently designed our wedding invites and posted about it on instagram (follow me! @agcrute). how many people really care about my sneak peek right? but i do nonetheless, so an instagram post was a must. 

- i confess that i should be eating better, drinking less, and working out more. during the weeks, i'm pretty strict with eating healthy. i meal plan. i pack lunches. i do everything i should. but then there's that papa john's app on my phone that yells at me saying buy me! i'm a believer in taking care of yourself or even trying to achieve a goal to look your best for your wedding - but dang it, i refuse to let that come before having fun or indulging every now and then. 

- i confess that i've watched sam hunt's take your time video one too many times. haven't seen it yet? peep it here. it definitely took a different direction than i thought it would. maybe that's why i connected to it so much. i don't think i've came out too much on my own blog about being in a past relationship that dealt with some sort of abuse, but i have. along time ago. regardless, this hit home for me. it's something you don't forget. i suggest you check it out.

- i confess that i'm not a perfect blogger. i've talked about this before here, but there are some weeks where i will blog everyday and then there are others when i go a few days without logging in. i enjoy doing this as a hobby, but it's not my whole life.

- i confess that sometimes i wish i lived closer to the city of charlotte. don't get me wrong - every single day i am in love with my house and the crazy progress we've made ever since that post. and i think if someone asked me would i up and move, i can say with certainty that i wouldn't because of the reasons we moved to the location that we did. for future children, for many of the other reasons i don't have to name, i would stay where i am at. but my commute to the city everyday? yes, that gets old. but i'll still own my decision to move there. i'll own it because i own a house! 

that about sums it up for my owning it confessions lately. come say hi over at my blog and a big thank you to christina for letting me have fun today! 

Thank you so much, Amanda for entertaining everyone while I finish out my vacation.  I love that you own your wedding planning obsession - but hey, your about four months away, you should be - I definitely was last year! 

If you had fun reading Karly, Jenn, Amanda and I own it, join in the fun next Thursday and the last Thursday of each month with your own post!   Own anything, big or little.  Share that "little thing you do."  Have a confession session.  Things from the past week/month or just in general.  

Hope your week is off to a fabulous start! 

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