It takes a link-up like this one to show me just how boring my life really is. Like, hilariously boring. ha

I figured the only time I'd remember to take a photo every hour would be on a weekend but I got the chance  to do it last Friday when my office closed for an "ice day". Let me tell you, I absolutely live for the days where I can pretend to be a SAHM! I wasn't sure I'd taken enough photos that day but surprise surprise, I did! Shows you how many random pictures I take of my day anyway. You're welcome for not posting them all on Instagram! ha We had a great day but it was nothing mind blowing or exciting so thanks for humoring me by reading along ;) 

As soon as I woke up, I went outside to see what ice we'd gotten. Not all that much, as you can see. But still, bosses said to hold off on coming into the office until they texted us. I had my fingers and toes crossed. I was desperate for a day off! So I waited...

I got the text an hour later that the office was closed. Hurray! Ice day! It was then that I decided it was a must to climb back into bed. Too bad my child didn't get the memo that you're supposed to sleep in on really cold days. She woke up 5 minutes later. And so really began our day, doggy kisses and all :)

I decided to forego coffee that morning (WHAT?) but really it's because I'm obsessed with my new mason jar cup thing and wanted to use it. So lots of Coke Zero, it was. There was nothing in the cup at this time because obviously I drink fast. I went through two big cups, too. I seriously love this cup and grabby toddler over there loves it, too.

After we ate a late breakfast (she never wants to eat as soon as she wakes up), Violet proceeded to tear apart my kitchen cabinets, her favorite thing in the world. I should've taken a picture of that but it might have caused y'all OCD'ers to to have a heart attack! It was nuts. And then we took a selfie because she's cute and I'd much rather do that than clean the mess.

In my temporary state of SAHM-ness, I decided to bake cookies. A good idea gone bad. They were smelling so heavenly when the timer went off but I had to tend to a toddler tantrum at that exact time, leaving the cookies an extra few minutes. So they burned. BAD. I'm usally a decent baker in real life :/

After playing inside for a bit/airing out the house, I decided we needed fresh air. So we bundled up (minus mittens. whoops. #momoftheyear) and braved the cold! V got to play in the "no" (aka snow. aka it's just ice) for a bit but it was so.damn.cold. It was in the low 30s y'all and I was crying frostbite! (And yes. We need to clean up those damn leaves.)

Back inside, we finally changed out of our jams, ate lunch and read some books and colored. Then Violet got stir crazy. She really really wanted back outside but I refused so she moved on to destroying my kitchen for the second time of the day and did things like scoot herself around in a strainer for a while. Girl's creative, I'll give her that!

But then she moved on to destroying the rest of the house. And that's when my nerves set in. I mean, how do y'all Northerners deal with being stuck inside a lot? I had cabin fever after one day! We both did! So she got put down for the nap that she'd been trying to avoid. It was time. I then proceeded to watch my favorite, Roseanne and respond to work e-mails. PEACE. QUIET.

Then because I'd been working so hard, I decided I'd try and nap a little too so I got back into my jams (duh) and hopped in! But this is the view from my bed. I can't close the door during a nap because the cat always wants in/out so the bright light kept me up and also reminded me that the kitchen window NEEDS a curtain. And so began my running 24/7 brain. I wasn't able to nap after that :/

Since I couldn't nap, I had a little more "me time" (aka Twitter/TV time) and then V woke up and I was back at it. I started on laundry and cleaning the mad house. Ronnie was arriving back in town that night so of course I had to make the house look like I'd kept up with it all week, right? The cleaning lasted a couple hours but I won't bore you with another picture from that fun fest. What - you're already bored?!

Then it was 6:30! The time I'd been looking forward to for an entire week!! I got myself ready and we headed to the airport to pick up my bearded man!!! It was still so cold outside but thankfully the roads weren't bad anymore. Otherwise, he would've had to cab it home!

Then because I'm an awesome temp-SAHM that didn't make dinner, we went to our fave Corner Bakery. We ate quickly, talked each other's heads off and then headed home. Ronnie was beat from a long week of training and I was beat from a long week of single mom'ing it. I was just ecstatic to have him back!!

The entire time at the restaurant and once we got home, this is what V did. She was probably the most ecstatic to have her daddy back. My heart was a pile of mush all night with her sweetness. They really are the best daddy/daughter pair I've ever seen. No bias here of course.

Finally to wind down, in her sleepy-but-dont-wanna-sleep daze, she watched a little bit of a movie, I got caught up on The Following (gah I'm obsessed with that show!) and Ronnie? Who knows. I was too tired to pay attention. ha Thirty minutes later, I put her to bed and knocked right out, too.

That was our day! Thrilling, huh? :) 

One day I might try doing this again but on a work day. I think I'm much more productive when I'm forced to shower, look presentable and go to work! I'm much too lazy when left to my own devices. ha!

Getting to Know You - TX Women Style

A few months ago, I joined the Texas Women's Blogger Network in hopes of meeting more Texas Bloggers and it hasn't disappointed! I've met a ton of great girls and being part of the network has also given me the opportunity to work with a couple new sponsors. I've been meaning to participate in more of their link-ups and have been slacking but I knew I had to jump on this one! I love Q&A posts!

   

 

1. What part of Texas do you call home?

San Antonio! Born and raised.

2. How long have you been blogging?

Since 2009 when my then boyfriend proposed to me. I thought for sure I'd become the next popular wedding planning blogger ;) That didn't quite pan out though (obviously) so I got bored. I finally started to be consistent (ish) with blogging in early 2011.

3. Why did you start blogging?

First, to follow along in our wedding planning and then when that fizzled out, I just brought it back to talking about my shopping addiction and my fiancé and our little life. Now, there's a lot of talk about our daughter :)

4. When we visit your blog, what can we expect to discover?

Sarcasm, for sure. And me trying every which way to be a bad influence when it comes to shopping ;) and just a lot of updates on our life - whether that's me finding balance as a working mom, what Etsy shop or nail polish I'm loving, my fiancé and his goings on, my job, our daughter (oh, so much about our daughter), our plans for the future and more!

5. How did you come up with your Blog Title and what is its meaning?

My original blog title was "Marrying Cash...with little of it" (a catchy little take on my future hubby's last name and our small wedding budget ;) but when we postponed the wedding and the focus of my blog changed, I tried to think of things that are a constant in my life. Love and color always stood out. So when I happened upon a print that said "Every day is black and white...you are my color", it was meant to be! I wish I had saved where that print was from though, I've never been able to find it again!

6. What do you love about being part of Texas Women Bloggers?

I love meeting bloggers in my own area and the support and blogger education from this group has been amazing, so far. I'm excited for what's to come!

7. Who inspires you to blog?

Life :) My fiancé, daughter and our family and friends. I don't want to forget anything about our history together. This is the reason I'm finally getting more consistent with blogging!

8. If you could pick a favorite blog post from this past year, what would it be?

That's a tough one! 2013 has been such a good year for us. My fiancé and I celebrated 7 years together, our daughter turned 1 and I finally opened up about our future. It was nice to finally open up and be a little serious, I'm usually so full of sarcasm ;)

 

So, that's me!

 

I don't like being the center of attention (so says the person who blogs about herself. ha) -- No seriously, I hate it -- so tell me why you blog or the story behind your blog name (if you're not already participating in this link up of course ;)! I want to know about YOU.

If you're a Texas blogger too, click on the above graphic and join in!

cozy fall mode

For some reason I fall in/out love with Pinterest a lot, but for the moment, I am back in love! My pinning already has me daydreaming about Fall, which in my world always turns into "I need a completely new wardrobe and look!" and then quickly turns into "I need to make my house super cozy!". Of course none of this matters at the moment since our current south Texas temperatures are at 100+ and will be for a while...but a girl can dream.







Follow me on Pinterest! I promise I only pin the prettiest and most hilarious things ;)

Linking up with Michelle for Oh, How Pinteresting! Wednesday.

My Online Love Story - A Linkup!

I love the conversations that come up on Twitter! The other day, Savanah, Jules and Becky were all chatting about how they had met their hubbies/fiance online and I had to butt in because I happened to meet my honey online too!

They suggested doing a one time linkup to share our stories so me and the beautiful bride-to-be Savanah are doing just that!

If you met your honey online, tell us about it!

What site, how did it happen, tell us all about your online love story!

It worked for us so maybe all of the success stories will convince some single ladies out there to take the leap and join a site themselves!

We'll host the link up next Friday, February 10th, just in time for Valentines Day! :)

So get your story ready for the link up next Friday!
We can't wait to read all about it!

Just Add Color Fall Swap Reveal & Link Up!

Thanks to everyone who participated in me and Ashlee's First ever Just Add Color Fall Swap!! I hope everyone loves what their partner got them and I can't wait to do this again next year!

My partner was Marcy of Marcy's Mazing Moments and I really lucked out. She and I have a ton in common and she is seriously SO funny! I had a blast shopping for her and it was fairly easy considering we have similar taste (I even sent her one of the same polishes she sent me!

I received Marcy's package the same day I closed on the house so Thursday was an awesome day! Ronnie said I was more excited about the package. ha!

First off, even the mailing label was cute!

The sweet note she included.

She got me TWO nail polishes! Rimmel's Steel Gray & Essie's Berry Naughty.

Obviously Marcy read this post ;)

Then the scarf...So pretty and silver with a giraffe print on it.

I immediately put it on and I LOVE IT!

 

 I'd say the swap was a success! I am so incredibly happy with the goodies and I hope she's happy with what I got her too!

Now, let's hear about your gift package! Once you post, be sure to link up below.
Happy Monday, ladies!

Oh, also want to add in that I'm linking up today with my pal, Erin (If you haven't heard, she's running for US President in the Blogger Party and I intend to be her VP. More on that another day ;) haha) Go check out her blog!

My favorite of the week is definitely my new Rimmel Steel Gray nail polish from the swap. It's lasted really well since Thursday, I just fixed a couple little chips. LOVE.IT!

(this is after 2 coats and I kinda need to fix it but oh well. it's still so pretty!)

Break The Ice

I have not one exciting thing to talk about today {ok, do I ever?} but thanks to Jenn, my day now has some meaning! :) Click below to join in and start breaking the ice!




1) Tell one thing not many people know about you.
Most of you probably don't know that none of my friends or family know about this blog! Ronnie is the only one and even then I tell him not to read it. ha! Is that weird? :/

2) If you HAD to change your first name, what would you change it to?
When I was little I wanted my name to be Jane or Jennifer SO bad. Guess I didn't know then that they were just as common as Jessica. ha! Now though, I'd just be happy to go by my middle name, Renee.

3) What are your 3 favorite songs of the moment?
You'd think Fleet Foxes were the only band left on earth the way I've been listening to them! But I can barely help myself, y'all, they are SO good! Their sound is the perfect soundtrack for my summer nights and cuddling with my man. {Cheesy! :p} These are my 3 favorites right now: Mykonos, White Winter Hymnal , He Doesn't Know Why

4) List 3 goals on your life's to-do list:
Find a job doing something I truly love.
Live in another city.
Visit Greece.

5) What is one of your favorite quotes?

{via}

6) Fill in the blank: If I had an extra 10 dollars to spend . . I would buy __________?

A new nail polish and some milk and Oreos for me and my lova.

7) What’s your birth date?
9-19-82! I will be 29 this year. Noooooo!

8) Do you have a hidden talent and if so what is it?
If you play me a classic rock song, there's a really good chance I can name the song and band. I am just oozing talent, let me tell you!

9) What do you think of when you hear the word "blue"?
Blue Moon beer. Keepin' it classy ;)

10) Finish this thought: I need . . .
to stop worrying about what others think of me.

Thanks again, Jenn for hosting this fun link up! Join in the link up too so I can learn more about yous guys!

For now, it's back to work for me. Which today consists of looking at the clock, randomly gossiping with co-workers, yawning, checking my e-mail {nope, still nothing}, checking Facebook {yup, still the same people updating 5x a day}, checking the clock again...But if my boss asks, I'm swamped and they should definitely go on more vacations because we're doing just fine!

Tweet me, e-mail me or pin with me. I'm around! :D

Hellooooo, Friday!

Friday's are usually the slowest day at work but that is so not the case today. My desk is stacked full of crap that I'm trying my best to avoid doing and my inbox is non-stop...I also feel like the clock isn't moving AT ALL...But I have no shame in taking this much needed break to get mah blog on! 

 

 

So, all kinds of randomness in my noggin today!

 

+First off, what is up with Blogger lately? I'm having trouble commenting on some of your blogs and I can no longer see my followers or anyone elses! How hard is it to make this site work correctly? Do they need me to come down and fix this stuff once and for all? {Ha. Let me at it and Blogger would end up down and erased forever!}
 

+Secondly, I have decided that Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion is THE end all, be all of hand lotions. I fell in love with it a while back but kept switching back and forth between that and Bath & Body Works lotions because their scents are just so good! But lately I've been feeling like with BB&W, it's as if I'm rubbing scented water on my hands which obviously does nothing for my poor, dry hands. So I'm throwing the water lotion out and becoming forever an Aveeno girl! Try it if you haven't already, for real.

+Thirdly, I never told y'all that I finally got to see Bridesmaids last weekend and all I can say is YOU HAVE TO EFFING SEE IT. I laughed so hard through the entire thing I thought I might cry. Or pee my pants. Go with your mom, sister, girlfriends, whoever, it is just hilarious! I'm already making plans to see it again, this time with Ronnie and again with some friends. Can we say OBSESSED?

+ Fourthly {is that even right?}, I updated my About Me and Contact Me pages because, well, I was bored. {Did I mention I've been procrastinating at work?} But most importantly, I added a Buttons Page where I will be adding your pretty blog buttons! So comment and let me know if you have a button because I will totally add that shiz!

+And in conclusion, let me just say, I love me some Meg O.! Are you reading her blog? If not, YOU SHOULD BE! I am so glad she brought back her Link Up "Passing Notes", after a month long hiatus! Head over to her blog and show her some love so that she'll keep this link up going!

                                                            

And even though I'm linking up today, I feel awful that I'm not making a fancy-ish, long note but it's kinda bad timing as you'll read below...It's been difficult lately to blog/have any kind of fun while at work. Imagine that.

 

                                             

Not my best effort. Sorry :/ But my nosy co-worker is a 50-something tattle tale who watched me write the above note so I had to write fast...At least she can't see my computer screen. Sucker!

  

Have a fabulous rest of your Friday and live it up this weekend!! :D

Tail Wagging Tuesday!

Ok ok I wasn't going to do more than 1 post today but Tail Wagging Tuesday is too cute to pass up!

Anyone who knows me in real life knows I am full on obsessed with my animals. I'm still so far from thinking babies so these animals have definitely become my babies! 

So today I'm supposed to choose my most favorite picture of my pet which is crazy hard! But to choose just one, I HAVE to go back to baby pics...Don't you wish all babies could stay this teeny?!!

Frasier & Niles - about 6 months old!
I can't even get over how small and wrinkly they were :( 

And I know this mostly has to do with the doggies but I can't forget
our first "child", Sibley!

 Sibley as a little baby...She used to sit like that all the time. Sigh.

Oh...I think it's time for a new baby animal...{I wish!}

Head over to Live What You Love to link up!