black halter dress: c/o oasap here
necklace: kate spade here

I love this little black dress. Everyone needs a good black dress. It’s like a given, right? I’ve been needing a new one and found this little beauty. I love the fit – how it hugs the waist and flows at the bottom. It is perfect for dancing the night away!

What did you do over the weekend?

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This is me exactly 20 years ago! I haven’t aged a bit…right? 😉

Today is my birthday! I’m saying goodbye to 25 and hello to 26! Today really snuck up on me. I guess you don’t realize how fast time goes by and how your birthday isn’t near as exciting as a certain other birthday that happened 9 months ago. 26 sounds so much older than 25. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to top my 25th year. It was incredible and full of celebration as we welcomed our baby boy into the world. He has filled this year with so much love and joy and new experiences. I just can’t imagine topping it. However, I am looking forward to year 2 with Hampton, celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary, traveling to new places, meeting new people, celebrating Hampton’s first birthday and more exciting things to come on my blog! I look forward to a new day, one year older, and I like to think, wiser.

Earlier this week, Ryan surprised me with a new laptop! I am beyond excited. I’ve had my other laptop since man invented the wheel and it had definitely run it’s course. It was so slow, but my new one is faster than the energizer bunny on spark. Needless to say, it was a well welcomed surprise! Thanks, babe!

As for birthdays, not to be all sappy or anything, but as I get older, I’ve realized more and more how important family and friends are in your life. Recent circumstances have made that even more apparent. We aren’t promised our next breath, so I’m not going to take a single one for granted. Tell your loved ones that you love them and how blessed you are to have them in your life. I feel incredibly blessed to be here and healthy today.

Now on to the festivities…!! 😉

What are your plans this weekend? What month is your birthday?

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
May, 2014 Dial Press Trade Paperback

Pages: 464

Synopsis from Goodreads: #1 New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella returns with her trademark blend of sparkling wit and playful romance in this page-turning story of a wedding to remember—and a honeymoon to forget.

Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose, but then his big question involves a trip abroad—not a trip down the aisle. Completely crushed, Lottie reconnects with an old flame, and they decide to take drastic action. No dates, no moving in together, they’ll just get married . . . right now. Her sister, Fliss, thinks Lottie is making a terrible mistake, and will do anything to stop her. But Lottie is determined to say “I do,” for better, or for worse.

My sister came to stay with me and Hampton over the weekend while Ryan was out of town on a business trip. We watched movies, ate ice cream and stayed up late talking. I’ve missed her so much since she moved to college. She is only 45 minutes away, but I went from seeing her almost every day to about once or twice a month. It’s been so weird not having her around as much. I definitely enjoyed my time with her and Hampton didn’t hate it either. He loves his Mac Mac!

Saturday, we went to my brother’s house for a cookout. I love getting Hampton and Gage (my nephew) together. They are so much fun. They are starting to play together a little more and it is so funny watching Gage try to figure Hampton out. We had a great time and I can’t wait to do it again, soon.

What did you do over the weekend?

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Happy August, everyone! It is officially my birthday month and as of tomorrow, my birthday week! It’s so hard to believe that my  little monkey was 9 months last week. I seriously can’t believe that we will be celebrating his birthday in less than 3 months. I want him to make like a lost boy and never grow up, you know? Unfortunately, that’s impossible. I have to face the fact that my itty bitty isn’t so itty anymore.

Hampton, I took you to the doctor on your 9 month birthday. You weighed 19 lbs. 7 oz. and were 29 inches long. You are standing for a few seconds at a time now and walking all around our coffee table. I feel like it will be any day now, and I am SO not ready for you to walk. You’ve started climbing everything and you did a squat the other day that most crossfitters would be proud of. You’re cutting your third tooth. You are still wearing size 3 diapers and starting to wear more size 12 month clothes. You are sleeping through the night again (hallelujah)! You have started eating a little bit of table food but not much because you still don’t have many teeth. You still love Thomas the Train and The Cat in the Hat. You love to read your books and pull them all off of your shelf. You have the hardiest chuckle and you make us smile every day. You are my everything. I love you, little prince.

-Mommy

My exercise routine is really simple. I run every other day and I walk the days in between. Sometimes, when
I’m really burned out on running, I do Zumba or the elliptical/bike at my church’s life center (it’s free). I also participate in the weekly Tone it Up fitness schedule religiously. This is one of my favorite workout programs I have come across and it’s totally free! Those girls have helped me so much. Their exercise routines are quick (under 20 minutes) and you can do them right in your living room. They mix it up each day so that one day you are focusing on your arms, the next your abs, the next your thighs, etc.

Exercise improves your mood, health, confidence, and energy. As a new mom, those are all very attractive benefits to me. I want to be healthy for my little boy and I want to have plenty of energy to chase him around. Most importantly, I want to be around for a long, long time so that I can raise him.

Here is what my exercise routine looked like this week:

Sunday: walk/rest day
Monday: Run + full body routine
Tuesday: Walk + Abs
Wednesday: Run + Double Booty
Today: Walk + Stretch
Friday: Run + Beach Ball Workout
Saturday: Walk

Do you follow an exercise schedule? What are your workout plans this week?

Linking up with Katie!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

tank: c/o Lorna Jane here
tights: c/o Lorna Jane here
sports bra: c/o Lorna Jane here

When I traveled to the beach last week, I left my healthy habits at home. I definitely ate pretty bad and snacked a good bit on the beach. I never snack at home. I try not to eat when I’m not hungry. On the beach, the snacks were there, I was hot, and I ate. Bad, Logan. I have been trying to get my act back together, but it has been a struggle. Some days are better than others. When I eat healthy, I feel so much better and more energized. When I eat lousy, I feel that way. I’ve definitely learned my lesson. A little mess up is fine every now and then, but messing up over 3 days is not such a good idea.

I discovered Lorna Jane a few weeks ago when I read a TIU post where Karena was wearing one of their adorable outfits. It was so cute and I had to look into it. I went to their site and fell in love. Seriously, can I have one of each,please? A few weeks ago I talked about my fitness motivation: cute workout clothes. If I get up and put on a cute workout outfit, I am much more likely to workout that day than if I don’t.  Lorna Jane offers a line of adorable workout clothes. They have so many options and they are great quality. After reading more about the company, I discovered that they have a content site, movenourishbelieve.com.  I absolutely love it! They have so many encouraging posts every day that are all health and fitness related. Everything from workout tips to recipes to encouragement, it’s all there. I am encouraged and inspired daily by these posts and I know that so many other women are as well. I definitely recommend checking it out!

I truly believe that in order to workout regularly and eat healthy, you have to first have the desire to do so. It takes believing in yourself to get up and start moving. Once you start moving, you will want to eat healthier, because who comes in from a 2 or 3 mile run and says “let’s undo everything I just did and order a pizza?” Um, no thanks. This is why I love Lorna Jane’s philosophy: move, nourish, believe. It takes all three to create a healthy lifestyle.

Have you messed up this summer? How do you stay on track?

Linking up with Katie!

tunic: c/o three07 here
booties: dsw old
jeggings: dillards

What is your favorite time of year? Do you love fall?

Today is the last day to sign up to participate in my 2 year blogiversary giveaway! Fill out this form if interested.

Linking up here: Monday Mingle YOLO Mondays Monday Bloom Style SessionsTrend Spin Fashion The Pleated Poppy What I Wore Wednesdays Random Wednesday Look what I got! Vodka Infused Lemonade I Feel Pretty Be.You.Ti.Ful Casual Friday Fashion Friday Favorite Fashion Friday Friday’s Fab Favorites Fashion Friday