Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String: A Peek Under Our Tree

Merry Christmas Eve! I honestly can't believe tomorrow is Christmas because it's sunny and 80 degrees outside right now! I actually wore a tank top and flip flops to the store yesterday, can you believe it? I guess that's typical Florida weather for you. So although it may not feel like Christmas outside, I've done my best to make our little apartment feel as cozy and festive as possible. Of all the decorations, I think what I love most is our tree (a little too large and stuffed into the corner, oops!) and all of our pretty gifts underneath. I love using brown craft paper to wrap gifts and I think this year we did a great job of making each package look fun and colorful, despite the plain brown paper. Here's a peek of what's under our tree:

What I Wore: A Casual Thanksgiving

Happy Black Friday, everyone! I'm currently still in my pjs and sipping coffee on the couch while James cooks breakfast (you'd think we'd still be stuffed after yesterday, but nope!) and this is exciting news because it's the first Black Friday in about 8 years that I'm not working at all! I no longer work in retail and it feels amazing to be relaxing after Thanksgiving instead of dealing with the madness in the mall. Good luck to all my retail workers out there! You're awesome so don't let any crazy shoppers bring you down :)

In Our Kitchen: Taco Soup & Banana Bread

Quick and simple recipes are the BEST. With a busy life and a small apartment kitchen, I don't really have the time or space to test out my Food Network skills. Last night, I made an easy taco soup recipe for the first time and it was amazing! I used ingredients that I knew my picky-eater fiance would be ok with (he loved it!), but you can find tons of other variations of this on Pinterest. 

What I Wore: Drinks & Date Night

Last night, James and I had a lovely evening out to celebrate 6 years and 5 months of dating AND the fact that our wedding is officially 6 months away! So exciting! We started with drinks at one of my favorite places, the rooftop bar of Black Sheep and then enjoyed a tasty dinner (and some more drinks of course) at Hawkers. I love date nights :)

Recent Reads

In case you haven't already noticed, (spoiler alert!) I'm a huge bookworm. Yep. It's true. Over the summer, I had so much time on my hands that I was reading a few books a month. Talk about bliss! Lately, I have a lot of other things taking up my time (work, wedding planning, football games, Netflix...) so I've been reading quite a bit less. I've actually had to renew the books pictured above two different times because I just can't find the time to curl up and enjoy them.

A Few New Accessories For Fall

I love any excuse to go shopping and the seasons changing is always a great one. Thank you, Mother Nature! I've also been in desperate need of some new work clothes and I figured these two reasons combined equal a trip to the mall along with a "Get Out of Jail Free" pass to use when my credit card bill arrives next month. Adulting? Never heard of it....

DIY: Quick & Easy Fall Banner

I'm a huge fan of the banner trend. Not only are banners pretty, but they also have such a fun, whimsical feel to them. Maybe it's just me, but I feel that hanging a banner instantly gives a space a "let's celebrate" vibe. There are a million reasons to decorate with banners and who doesn't want each one to feel like a party? Today's your birthday? Let's celebrate! Just married? Let's celebrate! Excited about fall? Let's celebrate! Game day? Let's celebrate! TGIF? Let's definitely celebrate!

5 Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping

That's right! I've finally found THE ONE! I'm amazed and relieved because I've actually been dress shopping since May and after months of trying on dress after pretty dress, I was beginning to think I would never have the "I JUST KNEW" moment that most brides describe. In reality, 99% of the dresses I tried were beautiful, but none of them gave me the "THIS IS IT" feeling. I wondered if I was being too picky or not picky enough. I questioned if I had started shopping too late. I also began to assume since I'm not the typical TV show bride who brings her mom, sisters, grandmother, great grandmother (via Skype or a rare seance), future mother in law, aunts, best friends, sorority sisters (current and former), wedding planner, and any other female acquaintance to dress appointments with me, then maybe I wouldn't have the dramatic "Say Yes to the Dress" moment. BUT LO AND BEHOLD, it finally happened and it was truly as magical as everyone describes.

Fall Decor

Fall is finally here! In Florida, the summer heat can sometimes linger until late November, which usually makes all the best fall moments and activities hard to enjoy. I mean, who wants to sit outside and carve a wilting pumpkin in 90 degree heat? Yuck. BUT, it's currently cool and beautiful outside and I'm sitting with all the windows open and a pumpkin scented candle burning. True bliss. 

Five Happy Things

DIY: Deer Head with Glitter Antlers

July 2015 Books

Photo Diary: England

As I'm currently nursing a slight sunburn and trying to survive our 100+ degrees of Florida sunshine, it's hard for me to imagine that only two months ago my mom and I were visiting my grandparents over in England. I can't even begin to explain what an amazing, fun, and beautiful trip it was! We packed a ridiculous amount of traveling and activities into our 15 days there, and although the hundreds of pictures I took don't do the trip any justice, I still thought I would share some of the best moments with you guys. These were all taken on my phone, so sorry in advance if they aren't the best quality around!

Breakfast Cheese & Sausage Balls

My favorite recipes are ones that are quick, easy to make, and don't require a million ingredients (let's just say you won't see me on Top Chef anytime soon, sadly). I will give myself a little credit and tell you that I actually have been attempting more interesting recipes lately (extra adult points for me), but after a late Saturday night with friends you really can't beat this simple breakfast treat. 

DIY: Clothesline Picture Frame

I don't know about you, but I have been seeing these adorable clothesline frames all over Pinterest and in stores around town. However, despite my weird love for picture frames and the fact that these clothesline frames are fun and unique, I'm not sure it's worth spending $30 or more for essentially just a frame and some clips! Luckily, if you have a glue gun on hand, you can easily make one yourself! James surprised me by making this one for my birthday and it only cost him less than $10!!

Home Goods Goodies

I have to start this post by confessing that I'm a little sad and ashamed. Somehow I have lived 25 years of my life without experiencing the beauty and magic that is Home Goods. I went for the first time just last week and almost started crying only three aisles in. This might sound a little exaggerated but if you've never been (and you clearly live under a rock like I'd been living) I promise you, it is AWESOME. 

June 2015 Books

Engagement Photos

Birthday Wish List

Welcome

Hello! This is my very FIRST blog post & it's pretty darn exciting (and also weird and confusing and I kind of have no clue what to share with you all yet)! So let's see...

My name is Lauren and I'm 24 years old. I live on the surface of the sun (Florida), I recently got engaged (!!!!), and I'm the proud owner of the fattest, fluffiest, and grumpiest cat ever (I'll probably mention her way too much, sorry). I like a ridiculous amount of things including coffee, books, the beach, cats, lavender, decor, traveling, baby animals, summertime, puzzles, lame jokes, burritos, sparkly nail polish, fresh flowers, polaroids, and beating my fiance (or anyone really) at board games. You can expect to hear more about all these little things in my posts, along with wedding planning details, pictures of attempted projects & crafts, and stories of moving into & decorating a first apartment together.

I'll leave you with an adorable picture of Belle before she became the magnificent giant she is today. 

♡L