Precedent Has Been Set - FFTL Link-Up

Welcome to another Tuesday morning around the blogosphere, ladies! I'm sure there's a lot going on in terms of other link-ups, and giveaways and who even knows what else. But this girl is just excited about this little link-up here with y'all! I love reading y'all's posts every week, and seeing your answers to some of our firsts. This has been a fun link-up to host, and I'm still having fun with it every week! So let's get going on today's topics:

First blate you went on (or who you would like to meet if you haven't done this yet)

First daily blog you visit from your RSS feed, blog reader or blog roll

First blate I went on

This was just a couple of weeks ago, when I finally met up with my dear Angie from Happy Bean for a lunch blate one day. (For you non-bloggers, that means blogger + date = blate.) We found each other's blogs by chance one day (I don't even remember how or when) but it turns out we're not only around the same age, but we both live in Tally! So obviously there was an instant bond.

Then driving to work one morning, I just happened to see her walking across the street downtown, but wasn't 100% sure it was her. So I creepily texted her and asked if she was wearing a pink dress that day, and was she downtown, and it was her! And then we made plans for lunch the next week :) So since we both work downtown, we just walked to a nearby restaurant, 101 Restaurant, and met for lunch for some super yummy salads, and we had such a great time. We talked about weddings (she's also a bride-to-be with a really cute engagement story), and our men, and family, and all sorts of things. And it wasn't the least bit awkward for a first 'date.' ;) And sadly, even though I took pictures of everything else, we were too busy chatting to be good bloggers and take a picture together... Next time, we'll make sure that doesn't happen, and we'll snap one right away. 

And now since we had such a great time on both of our first blates, I'd say the precedent has been set for all our future blates with each other, and with other bloggers! Definitely a good first blate :)

She was so sweet and brought me an engagement present, which was a yummy candle!

First daily blog I visit 
No matter what the title of the post is, I'm always interested in what Whitney has to say. She is so funny and I always love reading her stuff. She's also a fellow Florida State fan, so of course she gets extra points for that. A few other 'big bloggers' that I always enjoy reading are: PinkLouLou, Lovely Little Things and So Shay. If you want funny stories about and conversations with a cute 7-year-old, I suggest you check out Smacksy. And then of course I always read every post my blog-friends write: Robin, Erin, Kaitlyn, Kayla, Rachel & sooo many more...I love this blogging world!

If you'd like to join in on this fun link up, check out the super simple 'rules' below, and get to writing! Can't wait to see all the new link ups this week, meet new friends, and read y'all's posts!

1. Write your own post about this week's topics & link up with us!

2. Put the new button on your post or somewhere on your blog

3. Visit some of the other links, and share the love with them on their posts!

4. Spread the word on Twitter and/or Facebook

<center> <a href="http://penguinspastapolkadots.blogspot.com/search/label/From%20Firsts%20to%20Lasts" target="_blank"><img alt="First Things First" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrwkIAid5vWXfGGkNjq6FQv4vvqZDxLXcMp670eJ2k7tfrfkBrZYiGCr0icOPCsIYvq5MR3qLifCTXPxMVdiq77A56Zq2_nIiRzk2hyphenhyphen1gEmgp6NcoBlX5TNfobmRzpUAjnkoXPjsNXIU/s1600/Firsts+to+Lasts+-+1.jpg"/></a></center>

And next week I'll be taking a break from this link-up to reevaluate, and I'll let you know later where things stand...

Pair of Shoes for You - Giveaway!

It's been a while since I've participated in a group giveaway like this, but today I'm bringing you a pretty great one! It's a chance to win a $90 gift card to Zappos.com! I for one wish I could win this myself, but since I can't, I'd at least like for one of you lovely ladies to be the one to win it! So head on down below, and enter your little hearts out for a chance to grab a cute new pair of shoes for your for the summer!

Top Row: Back East Blonde, A Beautiful Exchange, Little Lady Little City, Who Moved My Cheesecake

Middle Row: Miller Memoires, Postcards from Rachel

Bottom Row: Like Ordinary Life, Penguins, Pasta & Polka Dots, Between Dreams, The Quixotic Chica

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post, Comment & Friend #1 - First Things First

Hello to y'all on this Tuesday morning! Like I've said before, Tuesday's are always fun for me here in blog-land, because Tuesday's always mean the First Things First link up! This is actually our 11th week of this link up, and the third week of awesome co-hosts. And of course today's co-host's are no exception. Today's co-hosts are Jenna @ Life is Sweet and Kristyn @ Carolina Fireflies! I feel special connections with these two, because Jenna lives not too far from me here in Florida, and Kristyn attended FSU and is a Florida State Seminole's fan like myself!

And our first topics for today are all blog-related:

First ever blog post

First ever blog comment

First ever blog-friend or friends

First ever blog post:
I first started "blogging" in college, when I had to write a couple blogs as part of class assignments. (My degree is in communication.) So I actually had three other blogs before I started this one. ("Serving in Love" - about doing mission work and serving others; "Song & Verse Connections" - trying to find deeper meanings in 'secular' songs; and "My Digital Imagination" - was for my photojournalism class. I still add pictures to this one very rarely.)

Anyways, I knew about blogging and how to blog, but didn't have one of my own. Some of my friends from college did though, and I loved them. Then while on an amazing 10-day road trip with some of my bestest girlfriends, they convinced me that I really could and should start a blog. So the day after we got back, and went on to Blogger, and created yet another blog - but this time it was personal. (That sounded like I was talking about a threat or something...) My first post was just something short and sweet, stating that I was (obviously) starting a blog. To me, I can't decide whether that post makes me sound really dumb/silly or whether I still sound exactly the same...? Real exciting stuff nonetheless. At least I've gotten better since then, right?

However, it did make me realize that I've still never talked about that awesome vacation - the GART - which stands for Great American Road Trip. So I most definitely need to do that sometime.

First ever blog comment:
This first ever comment I got on this blog was from my Youth Pastor turned mentor turned employer turned friend turned who-even-knows-what-exactly-to-call-him-now, back just a few weeks into this blog. I had posted about ordering my first pair of TOMS, and he commented on that post wanting to know if I ever gotten them! I did of course, and loved them right away. Then for months and months and months, I really only shared my blog with my friends and family. And all of them were so good about commenting all the time! And I loved knowing they were reading my blog too. (Kaley, Maggie, Dani, Christina, Nicole, Megan, Amanda, & Rae).

Then the first comment I ever got from a "stranger" was just last March, on this Picture Every Hour post from just a little over a year ago, from Jesse at Well, It's Okay. She said she loved all the things in my blog title, and loved looking at the pictures from my trip! I was overjoyed and excited with this first comment from a stranger! I hardly knew what to do with myself. Then a few more months went by with just comments from friends and family, and then finally I started to really get serious about this blogging thing last September. Since then, I feel like it's just blown up and I love how this blog has taken off lately. Love it! And love making friends with all you wonderful ladies! :)

First ever blog-friend or friends:
Ummm....I'm think my first ever blog-friend was probably the lovely Hallie at Life: Oceanside!! I'm not sure which one of us found the other one first, but we were so excited, because we are so similar! Our names are really close, obviously, we both live in Florida, we both love the Seminoles and we definitely love the beach. She was the first one I ever "guest posted" for, with a super yummy pumpkin cupcake recipe. From then on, we exchanged lots of emails and comments and bloggy-love, and eventually, we even started this very link up together!! (For those that are new, she's taking a break from co-hosting for a couple months, because she's super busy getting ready for her wedding, which is now just under two weeks away!!)

Then some of the other girls who I made connections with around that time were: Syndal at Synfully Delicious, Amy at Positively Amy (formerly Not Your Average Baby Blog) and Lauren at Outside the Frame.Since then, I have made seemingly countless friendships here in the blog world! And that is something I am seriously soooo thankful for!! Not that I think I will remember them all, but here are some other awesome ladies that I'm so glad I'm blog-friends with now: Angie, Erin, Robin, Kaitlyn, Gayle, Ricci, Jenna, Kayla, Jess, Whitney, Aunie, Veronica, Bri & Rachel. And of course Jenna & Kristyn! Glad to have you ladies as part of my blog-life, and my real life too! :)

If you'd like to join in on this fun link up, check out the super simple 'rules' below, and get to writing! Can't wait to see all the new link ups this week, meet new friends, and read y'all's posts!

1. Write your own post about this week's topics

2. Please follow me, as well as this week's co-hosts, Jenna & Kristyn.

3. Put the new button on your post or somewhere on your blog

4. Link up with us! (Link will appear on all three blogs.)

5. Visit some of the other links, and share the love with them on their posts!

6. Spread the word on Twitter and/or Facebook

Tweet

And if you'd like to prepare and get ready for next week's First Things First link up, start by checking out next week's awesome co-hosts,  Veronica @ Passion, Pink & Pearls and Jess @ Jess Is More.  Next week's first topics will be about the beginning of our college days, with:
1. First roommate(s)
2. First time living away from home (when/where/why)
3. First college dorm room (we want to see pictures and read explanations!)

Professional Style Spring Break

So, many of us have moved past our fun college days, right? I have at least. Sadly. (College was seriously so much more fun than the "grown-up world!") And I'm extremely jealous of those of you that still get to go away for a week and live it up on the beach, while I'm just slaving away at my office desk, under bad fluorescent lighting. So, when my blog-friend Veronica @ Passion, Pink & Pearls wanted to do this fun link-up for a blogger's spring break? I was totally in! Introducing, How to Spring Break in the Working World!

Let me break it down for you. Everyday this week, there are certain Spring Break-like activities that I and I hope many of you will participate in, then we'll share with each other our working world spring break here! Check it out:

Day One: Hit the Beach!

Wear your flip flops and shades. If they cannot be worn to work then break them out at home. Refuse to wear anything but flip flops and sunglasses, that is on your feet and face...don't be going nude yall.

Day Two: Time to Snack it Out
You heard me right, break that diet today! If you were on a spring break trip right now you'd be eating some fried fish and ice cream. So grab your favorite snacks/ "junk food" and enjoy it!

Day Three: Bring on the Romance
It's time you found your spring break fling...and by that I mean find your favorite beachy romance movie, kick your feet back and rest your sweet bum on the sofa.

Day Four: Refresh Yourself
Bring down that dusty blender and serve up your favorite fruity drink, top it off with a tiny umbrella and ask your hunny for a massage.

Day Five: Out on the Town
You've played in the sun and now it's time to bask in the moonlight. Grab your hunny or your gal pals and go do something fun like put-put!

Day Six: Yellow Polka Dots
By now your tan is looking pretty smooth so it's time to strut your stuff in your swimsuit. No matter where you are, put that swimsuit on. If your weather is nice go outside, otherwise wear it around the house and pretend your bed is the ocean. But please friends, don't be wearing it to work, it's probably not allowed and I will not stick up for you in front of your boss.

Day Seven: Pack it on Up

It's time to cram into the car and go home spring breakers aka clean that house and get ready for spring! I know, I know, but we all knew it was coming.

You guessed it,

It's a LINK-UP!

...and some fabulous ladies are joining me as co-hosts!

<a href="http://passionpinkandpearls.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u655/passionpinkpearls/SpringBreakButton_zps29217d3e.png" /></a>

The Game Plan:

Grab the button and share the plans, let everyone else know!

Participate in each day's spring break fun and take pictures of it!

Post the pictures of how you participated each day!
Instagram some of the pictures! Make sure to tag them: #SBProStyle (aka Spring Break Professional Style)

Link up your blog (not each post though, just your blog in general, the same link-up tool will stay up all week)
Follow some of these lovely ladies helping me out!

The Co Hosts:

Marquis @ SimplyClarke


Halie @ Penguins, Pasta & PolkaDots


Shae @ Sprinkles & Glitter

Karla @ ForeverNewlyWedded


Kelly @ TodayWasAFairytale


Bri @ My Life Would Suck Without Me

So Link-Up and Have Fun on Spring Break!

Pinterest Re-Pin it Party & Link Up!

Your Host:

Agape Love Designs

Co-Hosts:

 A Royal Daughter

A Proverbs 31 Wife

Penguins, Pasta & Polka Dots

We all know what a wonderful and helpful tool Pinterest can be to bring traffic to our blogs! So today Agape Love Designs, myself and several other awesome ladies have come together to host a Spread the LOVE Pinterest re-pin it party! If you have a fabulous blog post or item from your shop pinned to Pinterest that you would like re-pinned for more traffic and exposure, then you definitely want to get in on this link up! Each host will be re-pinning from those who link up, to help spread the love. :-)

Hey in case you're wondering, MY pin is number four down there in the link up, and it's some super yummy pizza! Seriously, this pizza is the jam, and it's not your usual run-of-the-mill cheese or pepperoni. There's some surprises! So check out my pizza recipe, as well as the amazing pins from the other co-hosts as well!

Before you link up, please abide the following rules:

RULES

1. Re-Pin Each of the Hosts' pins.
(They will be the first 4 link-ups)

2. Link up the PINTEREST url of what you would like to have re-pinned! (limit 2)
(URL of Pin Example: http://pinterest.com/pin/5066618303100852/)

3. Re-pin the 4 link-ups before you!
(You are more than welcome to re-pin more if you would like to spread more love!
Leave a comment on the pin, that you're re-pinning from the party, & I'm sure they'll return the love!)

PayPal Cash Anyone?!

If you just so happened to stop in today, you are in luck! Today, myself and 19 other lovely sponsors of Allie at Tales of a Twenty Something have a giveaway planned. I'm sure you are wondering what is up for grabs....

First, let me introduce you to the wonderful ladies involved and then we will get to the part you've been waiting for!

1  // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7// 8 // 9 // 10// 11

12// 13 // 14 // 15 // 16// 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 

Now on to the rules:

- Enter below via Rafflecopter

- All entries WILL BE verified, so please be truthful

-Everyone can enter as money will be sent via PayPal

- Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 2/26

-Winner will be emailed once entries are verified and has 24 hours to respond

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Penmanship - Round 2

Remember a couple months ago when I found a super cute blog (Something Charming) with a super cute idea (Write It Down & Link It Up)? Well I jumped at the chance then to do her first Write It Down post, and I loved it! So when I saw she was doing one for Valentine's Day as well, of course I had to jump at that one too! So go to her post here to check out her beautiful handwriting, as well as a ton of other blogger ladies that have linked-up as well!

This was a simple project I made as part of Jeff's Valentine's Day present. And while it's not a lot of writing, it's enough for me to show my handwriting a little bit! I love the way it turned out, and I can't wait to hang it up in his room this weekend! :) I've had this done for a few days now, but couldn't post it before giving it to him, since I know he reads this!

The project itself was super easy too. All I did was rip some pages from an old book (I keep this one specifically for craft projects like this!), tore up tissue paper into little pieces, Mod-Podge-ed the tissue paper in heart shapes, and then broke out the crayons! Jeff actually loves those little swirly's I drew, and thinks I do my 'best work' with Crayons :) So I did those two things especially for him! Then I just used thin twine and festive washi tape! So, so easy, and still super cute. He loved it too, and thinks it looks great!

Oh, and even though I haven't posted all of the exciting details yet, if you've haven't already, you  might want to check out my announcement from earlier this morning, for the Preview of My Special Night!!!

Playlists and Randoms

I'm feeling pretty random here today guys. Sooo...you're going to get a random splattering of all the things that might be rolling around in this little noggin of mine so far this morning! Get ready, because here we go ;)

Alright first of all, after reporting yesterday that I had hit a plateau with my weight loss, I need to announce some updates. I took all my measurements again last night, and since January 21, I've lost 9 more inches! (Between Jan. 1-21, I had already lost 8 inches!) So that is definitely a huge Non-Scale Victory! (NSV) But, I had also lost another pound this morning. Goodbye stupid Plateau! Get outta here. It's time we see other people.

So far this week, I have gone for a run Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday. And if it's not storming today between 5-5:30 (like my weather app says it should), I'm gonna run again right before Zumba! Who am I? Who is this girl that runs this much? I don't know, but I think I might be liking her! She's motivated like crazy and so determined. 

Man I look attractive after running...

Oh, and I decided on an official motto for myself on this journey: "One Pound at a Time." I wrote it down on the first page of my new fitness journal I'm keeping, and so I see it every time I open it up. (I use the 3 sections in the journal for: 1. measurements, progress and inspiring quotes, 2. workout tips & routines, and 3. healthy food ideas and recipes.) I'm not quite done doodling all over that page, but you get the idea at least :)

I haven't yet gotten my dear boyfriend any Valentine's Day presents yet. Oopsie! Last year I was just so on the ball with everything! I was probably done before February even started. I had even written 14 cute little love notes that he got to open every day leading up the the 14th! See? On the ball. This year, not so much...

But I am super excited for Valentine's Day! He's in charge of all the plans, so I have no idea what to expect. He told me he'd tell me when, and what to wear, but not until the day or so before. I do love surprises though, so I'm psyched! Can't wait to see what my cute freckled boy has up his sleeve!

And speaking of the day of love, there are a couple super amazing giveaways happening for Valentine's Day around blog-land. So far I've entered to win a KitchenAid mixer at Newlywed Moments and a Michael Kors watch at Wifessionals! I mean hello? Those are seriously awesome prizes, am I right here people?! 

Also, I want to make a super awesome playlist for my runs and hikes and stuff. But I want new music! So I need suggestions and ideas from you lovelies. What do you listen to when you work out? What would you recommend? I've got a $15 iTunes gift card just calling my name, and I'm ready to put it to good use. So let me know what you listen to, and what you think I should buy! (Note: I do NOT like hard rock...)

Image found HERE via Google Image search.

Well, I thought there were actually more random thoughts in this brain this morning, but it seems like that's all I've got. Although that seems like plenty so I guess we're good, and we'll end here! I hope y'all have a good Thursday. And get excited, because tomorrow's Friday! And don't even try to pretend like you haven't already been anticipating the end of another work week...

What random thoughts are in your head today?! Anything you want to share?

Pedometer On Steroids

Ladies! Today I'm posting my very first giveaway on this blog, as a contributor for an awesome prize. However, now that I'm reading more about this special little gadget, I'm wishing I wouldn't have contributed, so that I could enter to win instead, because this looks so dang awesome! Was one of your new years resolutions to lose some weight or just be healthier?  Could you use a little help making sure you actually stick to this resolution?

Well then we have a giveaway for you! This gadget is at is most basic, a pedometer - but it can do soooo much more than that, it's more like a Pedometer on Steroids!

If you want to turn fitness into a lifestyle, the One™ is for you. For starters, it never rests. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. The One™ motivates you to reach your goals by bringing greater fitness into your life – seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.

This little guy will sync wirelessly to your phone, computer or tablet.  It tracks the steps you've taken, the stairs you've climbed, the calories burned, the distance traveled, the amount of sleep you've gotten and the quality of the sleep you've gotten!  

I'm teaming up with these wonderful ladies to give one of these to one lucky winner!

1//Kristyn    2//Amber
3//Lauren    4//Halie
5//Melissa    6//Natalie

This will definitely be my next purchase.  But you can win one now!  

You'll get:

The One™ tracker 

Silicone and metal clip

Wireless USB dongle

Charging cord

Sleep wrist band

Free Fitbit.com membership – includes ability to log and track activity, food, sleep, water, body mass, weight, and more

The giveaway will run from Tuesday, January 15, 2013 until Monday, January 21, 2013 at midnight.  We will announce the winner on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

The winner's entry requirements will be VERIFIED and I will choose another winner if the person choosen did not do everything they say they did.

So what are you waiting for?  Enter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Penmanship

I found an extremely lovely blogger and blog the other day -- Joelle from Something Charming. And I'm so glad I found her blog just in time to join in for her  "Write It Down, and Link It Up" challenge. It's simple - she wants to see our handwriting! It's something that is almost never included in our blogging world of computers, iPads and keyboards, but it's something that's so individual and so unique to every person!  So I thought it would be fun to participate as well!

The rules are simple -- write down the following list below, make it pretty, take pictures, and then share it on your blog and link up on hers! Write down: your name and signature, your blog's name, your location and your favorite quote or song lyrics. Done! So, here's my contribution to her handwriting challenge!

 

I bought this cute little notebook specifically for this project, and I'm real glad I did, because it's adorable! It will now be used exclusively for bloggy stuff, and I've already got a couple of projects in mind for how to use it again in the future! Yay for planning ahead!

Post 200 = Award for ME!

Oh hey there friends! Want to know what I'm doing for my 200th blog post?! I'm just chillin' over here, accepting my first blog award!! Hooray for accomplishing one of my goals for 25 Before 25 (200 posts & 10,000 views), because this post allows me to cross that off my list! And hooray for the award too, obviously :)

Sooo, actually the first time I was nominated was a few weeks ago by Megan at Just a Small Town Girl, but I didn't technically accept it then, because I didn't do this whole rules-of-the-Liebster-award post deal. But then just a few days ago, Kim from A Latte & A Prayer nominated me again, so I figured it was finally time to get movin' on this bad boy. Buckle up kids, 'cuz this is a majorly long post...so, here we go!

As some of you may already know, The Liebster Award is a way to give a friendly little shout-out to bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It's a way to tell others that you really dig their blog, and to meet a few new people. The rules of the award are as follows:

+ List 11 random facts about yourself

+ Answer 11 questions from your nominator

+ Create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer

+ Nominate up to 11 bloggers for the award with less than 200 followers

+ Go to each nominee's page and tell them you've nominated them for the award

+ Link back to the blogger who nominated you as a "thank you"

So, this should be pretty fun! I'll start first with 11 random things about myself. I tried to make it stuff you don't already know or I haven't shared on here yet...And hopefully I don't bore you all into a snooze-fest....!

1. I have never lived outside of Florida (only in Tallahassee and St. Augustine)
2. I have never ever broken a bone
3. The first time I saw snow or flew in a plane I was 17 years old, on my senior trip to Colorado
4. I never had to wear braces
5. I used to blow-dry and straighten my hair every day for like 8 years, and now I haven't done it since May 5. Instead I wear it my natural curly way, and I like it so much better!
6. Also, I used to have super bright blonde hair, but I stopped highlighting it June 2011, and  I love it so much more now. I now have a natural ombre thing happening, even before that became popular :)
7. My desire to lose weight and my love for yummy foods are constantly battling each other in my life
8. I can kinda-sorta play the piano. The one song I remember every note to is "Fur Elise"
9. I absolutely love singing, and if we're being honest here tooting my own horn, I'm pretty good at it too
10. I honestly can't pick just one single movie to be my "favorite ever." There's just too many good ones
11. One of my goals in life is to have a personal library room in my own grown-up house, complete with a fireplace and super cozy chairs and blankets

June 2011, approx. one week after the last time I did my hair. This is also the brightest it's ever been.

July 4, 2012. Darker and curlier, and healthier... And I'm actually wearing the same shirt as above! Haha :)

Ok, well that wasn't too bad...and if you'd like to stick around for more randomness, I will now answer the 11 questions that my nominator, Kim, posted on her blog!

1. Do you have any pets? Why yes! We have 2 dogs -- Mollie is the sweetest little Peekapoo, and I love her little old self so much. And then my sister's dog is a beagle named Squirt. He's pretty loud all the time, but he has his sweet moments too.
2. What's your favorite holiday and why? Um, I'm gonna go with Christmas on this one. And here's quick synopsis of why: Jesus' birthday, family, presents, yummy foods, decorations, Christmas trees, sparkly lights, cookies, presents...
3. If you could meet one famous person, living or dead, who would it be, and what would you ask them?  I honestly have no idea... I'm not super into famous people or have much of a desire to meet them. I mean, sure it would be cool to sit and have dinner with someone like Carrie Underwood or something, but ya know...it's whatev's...
4. Is there one food you refuse to eat or absolutely hate? I tried raw oysters once and was not fond of them. I have no desire to try those guys out again, ever.
5. Mac or PC? Currently I have a Dell, but if a Mac magically appeared in my lap, I certainly wouldn't be upset about it. Or even if the money to buy one appeared in my lap, that'd be fine too. *wink, wink*
6. Favorite guilty pleasure song? I'm a sucker for all sorts of teen pop actually. Things like: Call Me Maybe, Boyfriend, and We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together can frequently be heard blaring from my car
7. What accomplishments/achievements are you most proud of? The first would definitely be my college degree. I worked hard for that sucker - if only I can find a good way to put it to use these days... And second would be my blog! I am actually very proud of what I've done with it, and the amount of work I've put into it.
8. Do you read your horoscope? Do you think the description of your sign fits you? I don't read it at all. I know I'm an Aquarius, and that's where my knowledge of that stops...
9. Have you ever gotten in trouble (little or big) with the law? Well, I've had my fair share of traffic issues and oopsies, but it's nothing a little S.P.E.E.D. class/court couldn't take care of back in the day...
10. What is the one book you would recommend everyone read? The Bible, duh. (But seriously, yes...) And I also really, really like "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
11. What's your favorite quote? "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air." by  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Whew! We finally made it through the all-about-me portion of this post! And now for my 11 questions for the blogs I will nominate...

1. What is one of your favorite memories from college or high school?
2. Do you (or did you) play any organized sports?
3. What is the one food you can eat over and over again without getting sick of it?
4. What is one big goal you wish to accomplish in your life?
5. Do you like roller coasters and amusement parks?
6. What's your all-time favorite album or record or CD?
7. Mexican food or Italian food?
8. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
9. What are your top 5 favorite books?
10. What are three things you can't get through the day without?
11. Do you prefer a vacation in the mountains or at the beach?

And now may I have the envelope for the nominees, please?

Ricci at A Beautiful Mess

Katie at Take Two!

Lauren at The Crazy Life of LT

Angie at The Happy Bean
Laura at Calm Delight
Anna Lizbeth at Anna Lizbeth: My Life and Other Lovely Things

And here are some awesome bloggers who I'm actually friends with IRL that I also want to nominate ;)

Kaley at Cozy With Toast

Nicole at Hands Up

Maggie at Hook & Stylit

Now go visit some of these lovely ladies, and tell them I sent ya :) And share the bloggy love! And now that I've shared way too much and written such long post, I hope I haven't scared any of you away from my blog  :)

Oh and also, I voted today!!

Pasta: Greek Style

Last night my Grandparents took my parents and I out to dinner. We went to a nice place up in Thomasville, Georgia, The Plaza Restaurant, and all had a lovely dinner together. All four of them got fried chicken meals for dinner, but I was trying to find a "healthier" option, so I went with pasta instead of fried food... does that count as "healthier?" Whatever, I don't care - because it was amazing.

I got Greek Spaghetti (one of the two chefs there is actually Greek, so there are a good number of great Greek options on the menu) and I loved it. I definitely want to try to recreate it myself sometime. Although I will probably use bow tie noodles instead, because I just prefer "short" pasta's, rather than "long" ones... Anyways, it was just chicken, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese, tossed into the noodles with garlic and oil, and sprinkled with fresh herbs. Yummmmm. (But I didn't eat that bread, because it was not actually yummy at all...)

Romantic candlelight dinner - with my parents and grandparents... ;)

Dinner was yummy, but it was a good thing Jeff wasn't with us, because my breath was kickin' after that meal. Oh well, it was worth it to eat such deliciousness.

And I'm keeping this short today, and redirecting you guys over to my new friend Hallie's blog, because I'm guest posting for her today! Remember those pumpkin cupcakes I made a couple of weeks ago? Well I shared the recipe on her blog today, so go check it out! Click HERE to go visit my post on Hallie's blog :)

And here's a silly picture of myself from the car ride last night, just to entertain you guys a bit... ;)

Happy Hump Day! :)

Packages of Books

Alright firstly, I want you to go check out the blog Mary in Marriedland, because she has been doing a series called "City in 5 Photos," and today my photos are featured! Yay! It's so weird and also so cool seeing my photos on someone else's blog. Mary is also a pretty cool gal, and I think you'll probably like her too :) And second, now onto our regularly scheduled broadcast...
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Over a month ago I signed up to participate in a book swap with other bloggers. We got to sign up, select the styles of books we like, and then we got matched with a girl to send a book to, and another one to receive a book from. Then we all sent Packages of Books all over the country! And today is finally the tell-all and link-up! Thank you to the following ladies for organizing the whole thing, and giving us this fun swap! Can't wait to do it again!

MK at From the Guest Room and Kaylee at All Things Bright and Beautiful

So... my book came all the way from Arizona, from Jessa at Life of A Sport's Wife! She sent me "Daring to Dream" by Nora Roberts. It's a super easy read, and I flew through it pretty quickly. I've never read anything by Nora Roberts before, but it was pretty decent. I probably wouldn't have picked this book for myself (only because I've never ready her before), but I did actually end up enjoying it! However, it was book one of a three-book trilogy series. I haven't yet decided if I am going to read the rest of the trilogy, or if I will simply pretend like that was the end of it all... But this marks book number 2 of my 6 before my 25th birthday. Guess I better get scootin' and read a little faster, huh?!

Anywho, here's some pictures of my book and the cute and sweet little card Jessa sent me!

And I sent my books all the way up to Vermont to Kathleen at Espresso Yourself. I sent her two of my favorites off of my own Top 10 List. I sent her "The Mermaid Chair" as well as "The Secret History" because they're both so great. I hope she enjoyed them as much as I do! I also sent her a cute, tiny calendar I got at the Dollar Tree, and picked up one for myself as well. :) Check out her blog for her reveal and to see if she did in fact enjoy the books!

I made this cute little twine bow! Wouldn't it look perfect on a brown-paper package?!

And I'm linking up today with Aunie for "Just Because Fridays" over at her blog, AunieSauce!