Temptation Tuesday

In honor of the up coming season finale of this season's Bachelorette I thought we would make today's Temptation Tuesday about Engagement Rings. They are so personal and should be a reflection of a couple's (read: woman's) style. Here are just a few of the hundreds of different designs.

(via)
You could go Cartier
How about a pop of color? (via)

You could go Vintage

And what girl doesn't love Tiffany !

What style of engagement ring tempts you?
Do you have a great engagement story?

Monday

This is supposed to be a positive space where I keep things light and happy for myself and others so how can I sum up today & this week in that spirit...

Yippee! It is only (almost) 4 more days until the weekend!!

It's going to be a long, busy week for me Loves please excuse me if I miss a day here and there. Hopefully back to regularity soon.

Friday Fun

I am so happy it is Friday! I don't have any terribly exciting plans this weekend and that is exactly how I want it. As I write this I am thinking of all of the great things I plan to do since I don't have plans...isn't that a little contrary?!? Oh well...

(via)

Moving on up

In honor of all of the moving I have been doing lately I thought I would present you with some "moving" quotes for the day...

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney

Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. -Kahlil Gibran

If what you are doing is not moving you towards your goals, then it's moving you away from your goals. -Brian Tracy

Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence. -Pope John Paul II

The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope. -Frank Lloyd Wright

The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing. -William James

and the Destination was...

So you know that Mr. R was taking me away for my Birthday last weekend, but none of us knew exactly where to, not even me, not even as we headed North along California's 101 Freeway. Darling Mr R had a horrible headache so he asked me to drive and only told me head toward Santa Barbara as he nodded off to sleep. The possibilities narrowed only slightly and my head swam as I sped up the freeway.

Closing in on Santa Barbara, I woke Mr. R and feeling better, he took over the driving. We made a pit stop in the adorable town of Solvang, CA which is modeled after a Dutch village. We stretched our legs and browsed the bakeries and shops. I was quite surprised to find this among the cuckoo clocks, marzipan, other other European themed beer steins:

(this photo was taken with a certain Prairie Princess in mind)

After a fantastic dinner, we climbed back in the car as this was not our ultimate destination. Following a brief (not that brief) detour in an attempt to drive along the coast as the sun set we were somewhat back on track. Note: I am usually the navigator with my superb powers of direction and map reading abilities, but since I did not know where we were going Mr R had to make due.

Later that evening we reached...San Simeon a tiny town along California's Central coast. This area has beautiful coastline, gorgeous hillside views, and is the site of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst's Hearst Castle.

Saturday was a beautiful day and we visited the castle.

Next we saw the elephant seals coming in for their yearly trip to the area to shead their fur for the summer. By this time, even though the day was still beautiful, we were freezing as it was a lot colder further North and along the coast than L.A.'s 108 degrees! I didn't pack anything except cute strappy sun dresses so it was too cold to pose for any more photos.



The rest of the weekend we spent wine tasting, tinkering around the area, and relaxing. I thought it was a wonderful weekend; however, Mr. R was a little disappointed because he didn't think it lived up to our past getaways. He says he is going to do better next year, but it was just what I needed.



I am such a lucky girl!

Temptation Tuesday

This weeks installment of Temptation Tuesday is just for you Nicole.

Manolo Blahnik Flower Toe Suede Pump

Manolo Blahnik Fur Ankle Boot

Valentino Bow Couture d'Orsay Pump

Valentino Bow Topped Over the Knee Boot

Christian Louboutin Titi Curve Heel Pump

Christian Louboutin Slingback

Got to love the red sole!

Super Sweet Awards

I have been fantastically flattered of late by not one, but two super sweet ladies who have bestowed upon me my first blogging awards. My Darling Lacey over at Lacey In the City presented me with a And the ever lovely Julie over at Brown Eyed Belle was sweet enough to give me a

I want to give them both a big thank you so much!

Now the rules say that I am supposed to tell you a few (7-10) things about me and then pass the awards on to 10 other great blogs that I love. Here goes...

These are some of the blogs that I enjoy and think you might if you check them out too.
Lily at A Charmed Wife

A Day in the life of a Surferwife

Dree at Defining Dree

Flip Flops & Pearls

Emily at Love, E

Nicole at Prairie Princess

Allison at Simply Beautiful World

LaTache at Smiling is Good for your Teeth

Ally at Veritable Ally

Caitlin at Snarkoholic

Probably more than you wanted to know about me...

1. I just got married about 2 1/2 months ago. We had a beautiful wedding, fantastic honeymoon and now I am loving settling into married life.
2. Traveling is a passion of mine. It may be cliche to say, but it really is! I love everything about it, even getting to and from destinations and staying in hotels. I adore learning about different cultures and seeing how other people live. I am always trying to figure out how I can go more. If you have any ideas I am all for it!
3. Growing up in the South I was taught the importance of manners and chivalry. I love when my friends' children from back home call me Miss Laura and say "yes m'am" and "no sir". I do not think it makes me a less capable woman to have a man open my door or carry heavy packages for me!
4. I moved to L.A. 8 years ago to pursue my acting career. I made a good go of it- did a few independent films, a couple of TV shoes, various commercials and print ads and even a series of marriage counseling videos, but traded it in for a "real" job that pays the bills. I still think about going back to it, but am slowly realizing that I think I like the stability. I am happy though that I can say I did at least go for it.
5. I think about leaving L.A. now that I am not acting, but my family is so incredibly important to me and they are mostly here. I am the oldest on my side and now the youngest on my husband's side. I love being Big Sister to Lacey and Landry and try to take care of them and strive to be a good role model every day, but I am also totally relishing my newly minted little sis status too!
6. I am a peacemaker and a diplomat. I can usually see all sides of an argument and can also see the shortcomings as well as the strengths of the people that I love.
7. I don't really have "favorites" of anything- food, color....In one way I feel like that makes me seem pretty wishy washy, but in another it makes me relatively easy to please. If I have an opinion on where we should eat or go for fun I am not afraid to voice it because...
8. I can be stubborn once I set my mind on something.
9. Lately I hate spending money. It could be because we spent so much on the afore mentioned wedding and honeymoon or it could be because...
10. I am really very happy with my life right now!

Happy day to all my dear readers. Tomorrow I will share some photos of my weekend Birthday escape. Hope you stay tuned.

Guestblogging: Laura's Mysterious Birthday Getaway

Today is our sweet Laura's birthday, and as such, she has hit the road with her hubby, Mr. R, to enjoy a great birthday weekend at a yet-to-be-announced surprise location! In her absence, while she's off cruising through California to an amazing weekend, she has asked me, Lacey from Lacey in the City, to guest blog for her. I hope I do my big sister proud...

July 16th is seriously Laura's favorite day of the whole year. Ever since I've known her (going on 23-1/2 years now), she's always been ecstatic about her birthday.

Mr. R has done a fantastic job of treating her like the princess she always wanted to be by taking her away for each of the three birthdays that they've been together to toast the big day. Two years ago, he whisked her off to Big Bear Mountain; last year, he wowed her with a Mexican getaway; and this year, well, you'll have to stay tuned to hear about that one straight from Laura when she returns to us on Monday.

Okay, so the clues that we have from Mr. R are that she should prepare to be gone for two nights (Friday and Saturday), and that they will be driving. Not much to go on, if you ask me. If you know LA, then you know it is so conveniently placed on the map that this leaves an innumerable amount of places he could be taking her! My mind has been swimming ever since I heard of this mysterious excursion, so I'm going to share a list of my top guesses. I can't wait to hear on Monday if any of these are correct!


Santa Barbara, California (2 hours north of LA)


Palm Springs, CA (roughly 2 hours east of LA)


San Francisco, California (6 hours north of LA)


San Diego, California (2 hours south of LA)


Las Vegas, Nevada (4 hours east of LA)


Catalina Island (an island 26 miles out from the coast of LA)


What do you guys think that Mr. R might have up his sleeve???

xoxo,

guest blogging for

My First Blog Hop

Happy Birthday David

We love and miss you always.

Birthdays

My Dear Lovlies, it is almost that time of year again- MY BIRTHDAY! I am an absolute Birthday fanatic. This year I have shown incredible restraint by not shouting the Birthday countdown from the rooftops every day for the last month. However, that does not mean that I am not terribly excited, I only didn't want to appear to be too spoiled since I did just have a fabulous wedding and honeymoon only 2 1/2 months ago. It has been so difficult and I think since the Birthday is only 2 (two!) days away. I can now start celebrating.

Birthdays are very special. I never regret, try to hide or overlook (just the thought makes me shudder) my Birthday. I don't look at getting another year older as a bad thing. I think it is GREAT! The older you get the less people try to tell you what to do. The older you get the more you know, understand, and appreciate yourself. The older you get the more fun you can have!

Birthdays also have rules and customs.

1. There is always a countdown

2. The Birthday officially starts at 12:00am. You can never be mad at and should expect people to call with Birthday wishes at Midnight.

3. The Birthday doesn't end at 11:59 pm. It does not end until you go to sleep or (see #4).

4. When you get a card, present, or "Happy Birthday" from someone even if it is not actually yet/still your Birthday- you get to celebrate that whole day as well.

5. Technically, I think it shouldn't be Birthday, but Birthmonth.

6. Calories do not count on the Birthday.

7. There is no guilt on the Birthday.

8. There must be a "Birfday" dance.

9. There must be cake.

10. If you are married or in a relationship, the Birthday must NEVER be overlooked by your partner. That is grounds for some super seriousness! (I am not saying it has to be extravagant, but it sure as heck better be well acknowledged!!)

Number 10 brings me to my Dear Husband, Mr R. He gets the importance of the Birthday. I don't think he ever truely understood until he met me, but luckily the other Lovlies Ladies in my life impressed upon him its signficance in time for my 1st Birthday we shared (his Birthday was our 1st date). I think he was feeling the pressure, but he came through with flying colors! He is really terrific and always does a wonderful job of making me feel special and planning something fantastic. AND it is always a surprise- which I totally love! Last year he took me to Puerta Villarta and the year before that we went to Big Bear. This year he has another surprise trip planned. I never try to figure it out I only ask him what I should pack. I enjoy watching him try to tempt me and the excitement building. I think he gets a kick out of it too.

We are leaving Friday morning for a long weekend. Where do you think he is taking me?!

Temptation Tuesday

Have yet to have a chance to catch up on my sleep so this is what is tempting me on this Temptation Tuesday...

Girlie Wisdom

Sorry Loves. I was much too tired from a very long weekend to come up with something on my own today so I am reposting an email my Dear Mother sent me this weekend. Enjoy!

Girlie Wisdom!

1. A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

2. One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

3. My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4. The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5. The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

6. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

7.. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

8. Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

9. I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my knickers'.

10. Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

11. Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!' .....Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

12. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

13. I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!