my new companion

I have finally joined modern technology and took the plunge of smart phones. For years I promised myself I would never really need a smart phone, but when Brian got one all bets were off. Once I really saw just how much can be done with a smart phone I was just biding my time till I was due for an upgrade. After a terrible storm and me dropping my phone in a puddle, I now had a real reason to upgrade my chunky high school very outdated phone.

After lots of research I decided on the Samsung Exhibit II and have been pretty happy with it. Along with the phone comes the new perks, like finally joining the Instagram bandwagon {username Blissfulmae}.

While I am loving my phone I have resisted to be totally obsessed with it. It's been helpful when it comes to wedding planning, email, staying up to date and connected with people, but it's just a phone. I have taken my cues from fellow bloggers Beth and Jessica, and know that this new piece of technology will not run my life. Technology should just be one of the ways that we connect with people, it should not define our relationships or our lives.

color tour of our apartment

Ever since Brian and I got engaged there have been lots and lots of questions asked about us.

Where will you live?
When will you start applying for jobs?
Will you move back the town where both your parents & lots of friends currently live?
When and how many kids will you have? {the most popular one
Is your place really right on the lake?
What is the color palette for you apartment?

The list goes on and on of the wonderful questions Brian and I have been peppered with over the past few months. With 3 wedding showers coming up, I am getting the last question on my list asked a few times a week. So I thought of a good way to share with people what colors we have picked to liven up our new place.

The other day I made a special trip to the paint store {not for paint of course} but to picked out some fabulous colors swatches to send by 'snail mail' to those who have been inquiring about our place. I was literally in the process of cutting and pasting some pictures from the internet for those who were inquiring and ready to send them in an envelope when it hit me like a brick wall. HELLO Emily, what is a great way to share your ideas, thoughts, inspiration with others? If you aren't there already you are as slow as I am today...my blog. That is how big of a "blogging rut" I am in lately. I credit this epiphany to Nate Berkus, he always gets my creative ideas flowing.

Anyway, short story very long... here is a 'color tour' of our apartment. {Side note this is not our place, these are just pictures that I take inspiration from}

Family Room & Kitchen: sea foam blue, cream, white, chocolate, tan

Bedroom & bathroom: cranberry, cream, tan, chocolate, taupe

Photo credit: all these pictures are on my pintrest {which has links to each site}

he calls himself "old"

 It was just 'a few years' ago today that my amazing man came into this world and made it a better place. For every year that he has graced this world with his presence I will share with you 1 reason why I love him.

He is the best protector a girl could ask for
He is so gentle and loving with his nieces, sometime I just sit back and watch, imagining him with our kids
He loves my family {and I adore his too}
He can talk to my Dad about electronics/machinery and do more that just smile and nod {which is sadly all I can do some days, my Dad is really smart}
He is patient with me even when I'm sure he wants to pull out his hair
He always takes care of me
We compromise very easily about many things and hardly ever argue
He has great taste in clothing and I never feel like I need to help him out when he picks out an outfit {he still does ask what I think though}
He has the best smile
He communicates with me what he is really thinking, I never have to dig it out of him
He gives the best comforting hugs
He talks about "our kids" as if I am already pregnant {while we aren't even married yet}
We have our 'Sunday night shows' like an old married couple
He calls me randomly throughout the day, to just say hi and see how my day is going
He is such asnuggler
He never thinks my dreams are silly and supports whatever I dream up
Even when he is most upset, it only takes a minute and you are back to his cheerful self
He really truly understands me
He knows that "I'm fine" really means "I'm not fine but I don't want to admit it"
He loves me even when I'm crabby and is one of the only ones who can cheer me up
Him and his family are the most welcoming people I've ever met
He always keeps me laughing at his silly ways
We are totally content to have our lazy days on the couch
He is the hardest worker I have every met {lately he's been working lots of 14 hours day}
He loves to be involved with the wedding, he's not just a sit back and watch type of groom
He is very flexible and open to trying new things
He is just as obsessed with snacking on goldfish as I am
He lets me be a little ocd about things and just laughs instead of making fun of me
He is never afraid to show how much he loves me in public
We love each other more than anything

If you counted all those up you get the number 30. That is how old my sweetie is turning today, and if you do the math you will see that we are 8 years a part, oh boy! I couldn't even imagine my life without this amazing man.

what I am lovin in spring

It's been ages since I did one of of my favorites posts and I really do miss them. My life has been a ball of chaos lately and I wish I had a better excuse for my lack of posts. It seems like everything else is take a priority in my like and my blog has taken a back seat for the past few months. Well, no more! I have lots of exciting events coming up in my life and I can't wait to share them with you. The first of those events was a family vacation that I just got back from to Green Bay/Door County, so I will be sharing pictures soon.

For today, I just felt like sharing some of my latest obsessions from this past spring.

Lush's Solid Shampoo Bar in Jumping Juniper
Travel is a major part of my summer life. This is great for airplanes so you don't have to fill up your liquids bag with a whole bottle of shampoo. This bar lathers up into an very cleansing foam that keeps your hair feeling fresh all day.
Photo source: here

Beatles
My cousin can attest to this on our summer vacation last week: I have had Beatles fever lately! It seems like every time I start humming a tune or dancing to a beat it's to the Beatles, one of my all time favorite bands.
Photo source: here

Breyers Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
I have a love affair with ice cream. It's my favorite food and while I will eat it any time of year, summer is when it hardly stayed in the freezer for 2 days when Brian and I are together.
Photo source: here

Revlon Color Stay Nail Polish, Top & Base Coat
I have a new base & top coat and it's these babies. If you want a strengthening base and a glossy finish that keep you nail polish in place, then these will do the trick!
Photo source: my own photo

Hawaiian Tropic Tanning Dry Oil
While this isn't really a tanning oil, it's a great way to protect your sun while still getting a little bit of color. And the best part: it smells like coconut & Mexico. Amazing!
Photo Source: here

Cherries
Whether we eat them in a pie, have spitting contests to see who can propel them the farthest, or we enjoy them covered in chocolate, cherries are a staple food in the summer.
Photo source: my own photo

My Brothers Sewing Machine
This sewing machine was graciously gifted to me by my "3rd grandma" and we like to call her. I've been loving experimenting with the sewing machine that I always dreamed of having.
Photo source: here

Flip Flops
It seems like 96% of the summer I spend my days in flip-flops. While they may not be the most supportive shoes, they are the most convenient and the cutest {since I have a pair in every color of the rainbow}
Photo source: my own photo

Maybelline Mineral Powder Foundation
This summer is a hot one. It's full of humidity and with that comes oily skin. This powder is an amazing finishing powder to keep you makeup in place.
Photo source: here