Our Bright & Warm Trip to Arkansas

Sadly enough, we are back in Virginia. 

Our trip was wonderful. We only had 5 days but we were able to see several of our favorite people! 

We flew into NWA and spent the first day with my sister and her family. John is a big, BIG hit in that family. Harry & Georgia Kelley adore him. 

They tried to wait up for us to get in on Wednesday night but we didn't make it home until midnight. 

I got my Lenny's fix the first day we were there. 

All Girl Photo! Georgia Kelley isn't exactly into taking pictures right now.

Harry looks more like John's relative than mine!

Isn't he gorgeous? He doesn't give me a lot of attention when John is around but he's still very sweet.

Uh! I believe this picture was bribed by, "we will come back on Monday!"

We went with Mom & Dad to Rivertown Barbeque for lunch!

My momma.

My other nephew, Baby Bo. He's soooo sweet.  He's also selective... he allowed me to hold him which was an honor!

My mom,  "Coco" and Caroline & Bo.

John and I went to Searcy to visit friends from college and I got to see my FAVORITE shopping buddy! Kristi and I hit up all the hot spots in Searcy! (ha!) And this wonderful friend GAVE me a bottle of my favorite hairspray by Bedhead. My hair will be super shiny and smell delicious because of her!

John's little sister, Kelly & her boyfriend Jake. We were SO excited to meet Jake! Kelly is very particular when dating so we knew he had to be a great catch... and that he was! We loved spending Saturday evening with them... so much that we didn't get back to Clarksville until LATE! I didn't want to leave!

I love him!

The college John & I met at, Harding, is also known as "The Marriage Factory" - these white swings are ALL over campus and the rumor has it that when you swing with a boy 3 times you get a ring.. "3 Swings & A Ring".  John & I had our first swing Saturday night!

My Mom painted a picture for Dezi of her dog, Izzy.

Dezi, Mom & her painting of Izzy.

I LOVE being with my Dezi!

Elle stopped by on her way back to school. We giggled because we were dressed so similarly!  We did our White Girls in Paris dance!

I love my Elle Belle! <3

While in NWA John & I were able to meet Regan on her lunch break at Qdoba! I am obsessed with her necklace. I am going to steal it if I can.

Roomie!

John & I hadn't seen our wedding venue until Monday! We were so excited. I cried - haha. 

We got to watch Georgie dance! SO sweet.

Every few minutes she would run to where John was sitting - she couldn't stay away from him!

That's pretty much sums up our trip to Arkansas. Only 7 more weeks until I go back!

xx.

Arkansas update via my cell!

We made it to Arkansas! We flew out of Charlotte Wednesday evening and made it to Arkansas around 11!

Mom picked us up and we all went to stay with my sister! Needless to say, we stayed up until 2 laughing and catching up.

I've never blogged via my phone before so this may look off.

Anyway, I've had to work while here... So during the day we haven't done a lot of fun stuff but John played with Harry and Georgia Kelley. When they woke up and saw he was here they were ALL smiles. So sweet. He took them swimming while my sister went to work out. He was up at the crack of dawn playing with Harry so the rest of us could sleep. Yes, I'm bragging but I'm just grateful for his wonderful character! :)p

Here are a few photos:

Spring Clothing, Marriage & Make-Up

It's been exactly a week since I blogged last... I get so busy during the week that I just can't find the time.

I wanted to get a good, long blog in to make up for it - especially since we are leaving for Arkansas next week!

Meet my latest love language... anything in these colors is bound to bring a smile to my face! It's like junior high years all over again. 

So here's what's been going out in the lives of John & Emily:

Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll.

John & I joined a Growth Group at our church and we are reading Real Marriage. We've only met twice so far but I can already tell it is making an impact. It's really intense, almost scares me a little! However, I know that marriage will be a lot of work and keeping God as our central focus will help us maintain a happy, healthy marriage.

More importantly, John & I enjoy listening to the Christian radio stations around here - this morning I heard that the authors of this study will be in Lynchburg in April I believe. I'm hoping we can make it to that {seeing that it is only a couple of hours away!}...

And in other news, I always try to throw out a beauty recommendation... I never knew it would became a normal thing until I started getting a lot of feedback! I personally love finding out about drug store recommendations so here's my latest find:

I've been noticing all of the really popular make up bloggers have been talking about BB Creams. Evidently it's the hott, new thing out - and Asian women have been using it for years. There are a variety of kinds but the bloggers that I follow have said that Garnier is the best, especially for the price.

Remember the Miracle Transformation stuff I was recommended by a friend a few weeks ago? Well, I returned it... it didn't exactly do anything for my skin... but what's new? Seeing that a bottle of the Garnier BB Cream is only $12.99 I thought I would give it a try.

Here's what it does for me:
1. I use it as a primer and a moisturizer ALL IN ONE. Saves time & money!
2. It has SPF.
3. It is very sheer and comes in two colors and it can replace foundation. Sometimes I will just put this on and cover up blemishes with concealer and be done-zo.


I've been using it for nearly 2 weeks which seems like a long enough trial.

Found this lamp at TJ Maxx last weekend... on clearance. Talk about a happy camper! I love it because it matches the paintings that my mom has done for me.

After church last Sunday, John & I made a trip to Wal-Mart for the essentials... i.e. People Style Watch for April.

Let me take a moment and brag on my personal stylist as she has made me feel especially fashionable.... Okay, so last summer Elizabeth was wearing BOOTS... but they were open-toe, sling back & had a funky look. She was wearing them with all of her cute summery dresses... like...

As I am reading the Style Watch for April I notice this...

{Spring Booties} Is that girl {& her momma} a trendsetter or what?!

Thanks to Elizabeth I also was ahead of the trend... {I think!} She got her boots in Germany and we never could figure out the brand. Luckily, I worked at a store in college that had a similar pair - that pair NEVER sold & who knows what happened to them but I remembered the brand and found them online for maybe $25. 

Here's how I wore them last fall {yes, I do have a photo... I send my mother pictures of everything in an effort of not leaving the house looking goofy}:

Today was the last day to get BFREND Bracelet's by Monika (Doctor's Closet) at discount (!!!). Thanks to my dear friend Regan, we were both able to get them at nearly half of the price.

Sweet Tea Paperie Friday Deal of the Day is posted on the right side of my blog. For other really cute things like:

 

Click here! {Their stationary is to die for!}

Well, this time next week I will be enjoying precious time with my sweet friends in family in my FAVORITE state... the Natural State. Can't wait.

xx.

Meet My 'Maids {Bridesmaids}

I'm dedicating this blog to some of the greatest girls around, my bridesmaids!

Our wedding party is a fabulous one. John's groomsmen are all SO awesome... I may even dedicate a blog to them also! 

In addition, the house party is made up of my life-long best friend and my sweet cousin. I wish it were okay to have 12 bridesmaids... {Etiquette does state that you should only have 1 bridesmaid per 50 guests! Oops...} Anyway, I shall blog on these two individuals very soon. They deserve a special blog because my relationships with these two are so special!

So, the bridesmaids. They are very important people, also.

So important that when it came down to me actually asking them to be a part of the wedding I decided I would create a formal invitation in order to ask them...

... & sealed with a reminder!

Here are a couple of the responses I received from these invitations:

How clever is that poem? My dear friend Paige played a huge part in getting John & me together - I have a special place in my heart for her!

So anyway, I will introduce them!

1. Elizabeth: Elle is my 18 year old "little sister" who keeps me in style! She is a freshman in college & is so sweet that it hurts! She knows how lonely I get here in Virginia so she calls me or texts me daily. I'm pretty sure the Lord knew what he was doing when he sent me to be a counselor at Green Valley... If there were a "which of these things does not belong" that would have been Elle & me. Applying make up & straightening our hair even though it would sweat off & frizz up in only a matter of minutes!

2. Kelly: This is John's little sister & we can see eye-to-eye on plenty because we are both the youngest of 3 and we both swerved from our families occupations to get some sort of business degree. Kelly is graduating in May and is moving to California! {& I really wish she would start blogging... I know she wants to!}

3. Christina: This is John's older sister. She is a pediatric physicians assistant and lives in Florida. She is the typical older sibling, very responsible & smart... also super thoughtful & kind. I am fortunate that John has such wonderful sisters!

4. Logan: A former roommate {the best... you should see her closet!}. She is getting married in about 2 short months. I am so honored to be a part of her wedding - I know it will be a very creative & beautiful event.

5. Amanda: My Matron of Honor, Soul Sister! She's always been my role model. Seriously, ask anyone... what Amanda says goes! Without her wisdom I wouldn't have met John! I hope when I {grow up} I can be wife & cool mom like her... 

6. Regan: My suitemate from sophomore year of college. I was a part of her gorgeous wedding that took place November 2010. She's the one you've read about.. she positively influences my shopping habits. Together we have worked hard to stimulate the economy, thank us later!

7. Paige: Friend from college, however, we did not become close until her senior year. We had a random, spontaneous trip to Destin on Spring Break exactly 3 years ago. Right now she is in law school at Alabama. She's a jewel. I'd like to think of her as a wise advisor. 

8. Maggie: {MOH} Friend from high school! I call her my "baby genius" but I won't tell you why because it embarrasses her! Oh wait, what's that? You still want to know? Okay okay, well she went to college for only 2 years and then started pharmacy school. I'm pretty sure they begged her to go even though she was only a 20 year old.  Maggie, like Elizabeth, calls me on the regggg in order to A. keep me from going insane from lack of social interaction B. allow me to proactively talk her ear off... {she's a listener}

Alright, well those are the Great Eight.

Just for kicks, I will share a special photo. 

I took this photo in January of 2010 when I was only stalking getting to know John. 

Funny how things work out, huh?

Wedding planning is going well... I am soliciting any advice however. Really, though... ANYTHING you think I should know PLEASE share! (cute ideas, reminders, etc.)

I've gotten all of the big things done {I think} i.e. Venue, caterer, photographer, bridesmaids dresses, flowers picked out,  invitations, my dress, etc. 

However, planning weddings isn't exactly my forte. & it doesn't help that I live 15 hours from the event! :/ I know there are plenty of small things that I could forget and I know most of you sweet followers have already gone through this!

I leave you with my thoughts on wedding planning:

Alright. 

Soliciting advice... GO!

xx.