Goodies!

Go look and join in!  Taken from Kristyn's blog at Carolina Fireflies!
 ;)
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January was the first month of 2013 and the first month I offered sponsorship on my blog.  I had some wonderful ladies sign up and I have enjoyed working with each and every one of them.  As our final day of January arrive, my January sponsors have graciously offered up a lovely set of items to give to one lucky winner!

{Halie}

{Marquis}

{Cat}

{Kayla}

{Cindy}

This giveaway will run from Thursday, January 31, 2013 to Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at midnight.  Just enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below.  One winner will be chosen and that winner's entries will be verified.  Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you organized?

I am SUCH a neat freak that I have to keep a planner.

But I'm OCD and I don't like just any planner....

So long before the calendar rolled into 2013, I was furiously shopping for a new planner...& finding nothing that suited me for what I wanted.

So 2013 was here and I was empty handed.  I went to the store, grabbed a cheap planner and thought I could adjust and make it work.

WRONG.

And then all my problems were solved...


Enter- May Book.

If you don't own a MayBook, I don't know how you're functioning.  It's sleek, very cute, affordable and the perfect size to carry with you without it being too bulky!

I admit that I was worried it was end up being too small, but I was so wrong.  It's so great!!!

And the best part is that one of you lovely readers can own one of these babies too!  The great people at May Designs are giving away one MayBook. So what are you waiting for?!  Go enter!!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

WILW

I've skipped WILW for a few weeks, so it's time to jump back on the wagon!


I'm loving...
How great all the wedding plans are going!  I simply cannot wait until October when I marry my love!

I'm loving...
My sweet furbabies.  They don't get near as much recognition on here as they should.  I'll get them on here as a post soon! 

I'm loving...
That this past weekend I got to spend some time with my parents and Jenna.  And Jenna convinced my dad to ride the carousel... and I got proof! ;)

I'm loving...
Knowing that my wedding dress is hanging in my old childhood bedroom at Mom & Dad's house! :)

You didn't really think you were gonna get to see it, did you? BAHAHAHA! 

I'm loving...
That I've got such great friendships that came from blogging.  I'm so thankful!

I'm loving...
That I have such a wonderful man in my life!!! I love you babe!!!

P.S.- Don't forget the giveaway happening!  See this post for details!

A Friday night tradition...

So, a little fun fact about B: 

- He is OBSESSED with Lowe's.  

But I think it's cute so it's all good to me!  Besides, um, hello to home projects!!  I win! :)

So this past Friday night B and I did what we do with a lot of Friday nights, we ventured off to Lowe's to look around.  

He is such a good sport to take selfies with me :)

But B laughed at me because I clearly have a different idea about tools than he does..

Allow me to show you, ladies...

Now, I need your help.  Please tell B that I'm right and these little things (whatever they are...) look like...........

CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  There is a skinny tree on the left and then some more normal trees! ;)

B thought I had lost my mind I'm pretty sure, but ya'll do me a favor and tell him ya'll agree! ;)

Isn't he cuuuuuuuuuuuuute? :)

I think these should keep him in line, yes? ;)

Yes, we love our "Lowe's dates!" haa :)

We're TV people.

Television/Radio?

I've always answered radio.  Always.

Until now. B has rubbed off on me, big time!

Lately, I've turned into such a TV junkie is kind of scary.  So I thought it might be fun to do a run-down on what I like watching, on each night!  

I am so glad I gave this one a try.  I mean I sat and watched & watched until I was caught up.  And I neglected laundry in the meantime.  If you know me IRL, you know this house stays spotless and the laundry gets done.  THAT is how good this show is.  Woooo hooo!!


Okay, this one is totally out of my "style" but I started watching it right before Season 2 started.  They were showing a marathon of it and for whatever reason, I didn't turn the channel.  I've been hooked on this since that day.  Totally love it. 

Yes, I realize that I'm 28 years old and I am watching some on MTV, but hey.. I like it. ;)

Duh, it's reserved for Pretty Little Liars!!!!!!!!!!

Do I even need to say more?  HIL-A-RIOUS!

.

                                           
Okay, so I know this isn't on right now, but this is mine and B's Thursday show. It reminds me to when we first started dating and making this a part of our Thursday night dates.  B loves this show.  I gotta admit, maybe I do too.

                        
Yep, I'm dead serious.  B & I looooove this show, and are constantly wanting a bite of all these things on the episodes, hehe.

                                                   
                                              
When it's on.. He breathes it.  What else can I say? 


Sometimes there's extra shows here and there, but that's pretty much our run down! :) What do you love to watch?

Surprise!

I'm changing up a little around here today.  I've participated in a few giveaways, but not very much.  It's kind of been something I strayed away from, honestly.  But I'm giving it another whirl and see if I can find some new blogs to enjoy in the process!  So...moving ahead.. I responded to Samantha's tweet about being involved in her giveaway for her birthday.

So to celebrate Samantha's birthday, she teamed up with 28 other amazing girls to bring you one of her favorite things.

Here's her details:

If there's one thing I CAN'T live without, it's my Keurig. Ask my husband, if I don't have my coffee in the morning, it's not pretty. So now one of YOU will be winning one! 

I haven't tried the new Starbucks Verismo but if you would like to choose that instead, your wish is my command.

Not only can you drink coffee with these babies, but you can drink tea, hot chocolate, etc. So even if you're not a coffee junkie, there's something for everyone!

Still not interested? How about winning the CASH instead? Excited now?!

Just enter the rafflecopter below and cross your fingers! Contest will remain open until Friday, February 1st at 12:00 a.m. EST and the winner will be announced once all entries are verified. 

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So, what do you ladies think?  I would love to have a Keurig myself, so I think it's a pretty sweet giveaway myself!  Good luck entering!

Sunday Social!

1. What is your ideal way to relax?
- If you ask my fiance this, he will tell you that I don't know how to relax.  Which it's true.  I am just a busy body by nature.  I always am thinking about what there is that needs cleaning, doing, etc.  It's more of a curse in my opinion.

BUT, when I do actually relax- I like a bubblebatk, a book, and a cup of coffee.  Ahh.

That's the ultimate escape to me.  But I don't ever get to do it because my bathtub currently leaks.  *big sad face*

2. Where is your favorite place to be?

-Easy one.  The beach.  Hands down.  I loooooooooove the beach.
Jenna, can I pweeeeeeeeeeeease come live with you? 

3. Who do you consider your biggest role model?

-Brian.  And I'm not being cheesy here.  It's the truth.  That boy is one of the hardest working people I know.  He has a big heart full of gold and is helpful to the point of it being bad for him sometimes.  He has worked a steady job, paid his way through things, dealt with life's curves, and is standing on the "other side of the fence" a bigger and better person because of it all. 
So, to be cheesy.. I'm getting a GOOD MAN. :) So proud of you, babe!

4. What does your life look like in 3 years?

-In three years, I will (hopefully!) be a mommy to a precious little B or K :) I will probably be working the same job, living in the same house, and married to my soul mate. :)

5. If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be?

-There are things I wish I would have handled differnetly, but I'm not going to say I'd "change" anything.  Those things, good or bad, got me where I am today.  So I'm just going to be thankful for the experience of each!

6. What is your biggest accomplishment in life so far?

-Buying a house by myself when I was 24 years old.  Has it been easy? Nope.  Is it worth it?  Yes.  Because in 10 years my house is PAID FOR. :)

Pit/Peak #2

PIT: This week has been SOOOO busy and my back has hurt worse than it has in a LONG time now.



PEAK: It's freaking Friday!!!!!!!!!! I can be lazy and sit in pajamas for two days!!! :)


Thanks Allie & Brin for having this awesome link-up! :)

So... As a followup..

Well, apparently my post last night struck a cord with some folks.  And I'm super glad it did.

Will it change anything? Probably not. 
Did it show me that there are still good people blogging? Yes, even more so than I imagined!

Now, let me explain.  I didn't write yesterday's post to start any drama or claim I'm any better than anyone at this whole blogging thing.   Because I didn't.  And I'm not.  Like at all.

And I didn't write it to bash all big blogs.  Because there are some girls who I consider my besties now who are handling some big blogs.  But the difference is- those girls have stayed true to themselves.  They write about their lives, their good days, bad days, fave products, and embarrassing moments.  They lay it all out there for those of us to read. 

Those are the people I like to read about.  Now if you've read me any length of time at all you know I'm not a fashion blogger (haaa. that would be a joke in itself there...) and you know I'm not a craftier.  That is a recipe for disaster too.  And I don't even share recipes because well, even though it tastes good to me and B, it doesn't mean it's "Pinterest" or blog worthy stuff here.  I live in a small town in Mississippi.  I live a simple little life as a bank teller and a newly engaged girl planning my October 2013 wedding.  I talk about my family, B's family, my fur-children, and my wedding plans.  It's not like I'm really sharing some juicy gossip on this ole blog of mine.

I blog FOR ME.  To my knowledge I've never truly offended someone with my blog. Sure, people might not agree with how I do things or things I say, but I don't think I've been some Twitter topic or anything.  And I sure haven't made it to that page where people bash blogger girls.  At least, not yet.  Which brings me to...

Anonymous comments.  We've all seen them on blogs.  And last night's post earned me my first one.

So..

DEAR ANONYMOUS ((aka the person not brave enough to say anything with own real name))
So, I'm writing for popularity huh?  Well isn't that funny that I get average 3-4 comments on my blogs, but suddenly I'm writing for popularity?!  Don't you think I would want those comments on something I said in a good way, not a negative blog post?  I mean really.  I wouldn't have cared if NO ONE commented on the blog.  I said what I wanted to say because it's how I feel.  And so, why didn't you use your REAL name?  At least I can say what I want about people using my own name and don't hide behind "anonymous".

MOVING ON...................

Not everyone is going to like me or my blog and I'm perfectly okay with that.  Not everyone is going to want to follow me and I am perfectly okay with that.  But if you're making it a habit to belittle people and try and use your big numbers to make small blogs think they "owe you" then I'm out.  I don't agree with it one bit.  And based off some of the emails I've seen- I'm not alone.

I don't follow ONLY mommy bloggers, or ONLY DIY blogger, or ONLY fashion bloggers.  I like variety.  I like people from different walks of life and different parts of our world.  I like people based on THEM, not their hobbies.  I wouldn't have followed them to begin with if I didn't find them interesting. 

I didn't name any names in this post, and I won't if you ask me.  I just think being downright rude to people is disrespectful.  It's simple- if someone comments on your blog then show them you appreciate their following by commenting them back.  Yes, it might take you a couple days if you receive a lot of comments, and I think we all collectively udnerstand that.  But to never respond just leaves a bad taste in someone's mouth.  The same goes for never replying to an email that you were supposed to, it's just frustrating and makes me think less of you as a blogger. 

I blog for me.  If I gain a girl who wants to talk about something I've talked about or vice versa, then it's a jackpot win in my opinion.  But please ladies, stop bashing others.  Stop with your attitude of thinking they "owe you" their time or money.  Stop hounding people to buy your sponsor spots.  If they like you and want to- they will.  Stop tweeting it 321561315321 times a day.  To me it screams you are more concerned with your follower number than your material.

Most of us aren't trying to be an author.  We write for the fun of it, to record our daily lives.  So for those who are trying to have fun with this blogging community- don't let anyone run over you.  Write for you.  Enjoy those you like and who are similar to you.  Just make it what you want it. 

That's how I am going to run my blog.  I will follow who I like, and won't the ones I don't agree with.  It's simple as that.  And I will take up for someone if I see someone bashing them.  I just don't like it. 

So, this might lose me some followers.  And if it does, then I'll sleep just fine again tonight because I know I'm still true TO ME.

Now, I'm off to go answer my email that my lovely ladies sent! :) *Muah!

This is my rant.

Okay.  This is just blunt ole me you are going to get today.  I've been thinking/seeing/feeling some of these things for awhile, but today... today is the day I get it off my chest.

                            

First up, some of these blogs I see just really need to get hit with a reality stick.  I mean SERIOUSLY.

I am tired of seeing "big blog" people bully small blog girls.  Look, no matter the size of your blog or how many followers you have on twitter or facebook- YOU STARTED AT 0 ONCE TOO. And if you keep on treating people like crap, you will see it again.

I'm tired of seeing people think they are entitled to just do what they want, when they want, and to who they want just because they are the author of _______ blog and they have a gazillion followers.  Ladies- you aren't any better than a blog with 2 followers. 

Blogging is strangely like high school in a lot of ways.  You find a group, you hang with them.  And there's always the "mean girls".  Believe me, you know them when you see them.  And it's not in a good way. They radiate ignorance and are grasping for attention with the stupid things they do & act.

Just in the last week I cleaned out my blog list.  There were some blogs that I've read for a long time that got the axe.  Why?  Because they got too big for themselves.  They started out writing for them.  And ended up writing for popularity.   It all ends the same way- people start not liking you because the real YOU is lost. 

Now yes, we all want big numbers of followers.  But I'll be shutting my blog down before I go and act like I've seen some act lately.  Deleting them from my Twitter and blog has been a great feeling.  And I'd MUCH rather have a few followers who I know read me for ME than a huge following of people who I guarantee are sitting back cringing at what you say and do to others. 

Blogging is a great way to meet new friends.  I have made several new friends who I consider my GOOOOOOD friends now.  And I love that the blogging community brought us together.  But I hate seeing those who have made it another popularity contest.

This is just me.  And I'd much rather be a little unknown blogger than be a big one who wants to charge my friends money or downgrade my followers for their time to read my daily life.

That's all.

  

C-L-E-A-N!

I was off work today...

...but I worked all day.  On my house.  

You see, I have a spare bedroom that has turned into a "junk room" and it's driving me insane.  It will eventually be mine and B's office/XBOX room, but for now it's a mixture of things.  There's stored things in there, my desk in there, and a section off wedding related items.

And it's been driving me craaaaaaaaaaaazy.  Did I mention that?!

Well today I was off work, so I tackled that room and got it a little more straightened up.  It's still not perfect, but I have a ton more things to go through and sort before I get it just how I want it.

Not to mention, painting...new floor... etc.  

B is going to love me, right? :)

Sunday Social!

1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food

My favorites would be chocolate (yummmy!), Italian pasta dishes!, and pizza!

2. First 3 things you do in the morning

I pee, then put my contacts in, and then fix my morning coffee.

3. Last 3 things you do at night

Brush my teeth, wash my face, and take my contacts out!

4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss

Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, and The Walking Dead (although I have a lot of catching up to do with this one.. :( )

5. 3 places you want to visit

NYC, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii

6. 3 people you can always count on

Brian, my parents, and my blog girls. :)

Your turn! 

Pit & Peak

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii!  I'm excited about today.  I'm linking up with two of my besties with their awesome Pit/Peak.  Way to go Allie & Brin!  This is an awesome idea!

I didn't get a chance to do this last week since my work computer now hates me, but here I am this week. :)  

So let's get on with it, shall we? 



PIT: It has been cold & rainy all freaking week.

PEAK: We got to close an hour early on Tuesday afternoon! ((Due to the weather..))



PIT: My eyes have acting cray cray this week, itching and burning, etc!

PEAK:  I got my Firmoo glasses just in time and have took advantage of a contact-less life! 



PIT: I learn more every day I'm a cheapo!

PEAK: One day maybe I can show for it, LOL!



PIT: I have felt exhausted all week.

PEAK:  It's Friday and I can relaxxxx! Finally, a weekend with no plans!!

3.

Hey there loves!  Today I'm linking up for the 30 second Vlog!  I have did one vlog before, and I think I earn my COUNTRY accent card, LOL!  

So, fair warning!  

Okay, add #4.   I say "UM" waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much.  Jeez.

So, should this be my last Vlog? LOL

Wedding Wonders!

As most of you know by now, on November 10th of this past year my sweet boyfriend changed my life and got down on one knee and gave me the moment I've waited my whole life for....My Surprise Proposal. 

And then wedding planning stopped with all the holiday chaos and whatnot, but as of December  26th I have been in full time wedding planning state of mind!

In a matter of the first week, I had the venue booked.  I have a sneak peak in a post last week and I absolutely cannot wait to show the full details of it closer to time!  Right now it just looks so drab since it's winter and everything around it is, well dead.  When the weather gets better (and warmer!) I'm going back to get better pictures and I promise to share those!

Soon after the venue was settled, the hunt for the perfect honeymoon cabin was my new mission and I quickly found that and got it booked! 

Things were coming together SO nicely and I honestly haven't stressed out yet!  Which is highly unlike me when it involves such a life changing thing as this and how badly I want our big day to be perfect.

That brings me to this past Saturday.  I had an appointment scheduled to look for bridesmaid dresses and I ended up adding bridal gowns to the appointment.  So we showed up for our appointment and narrowed the bridesmaid down to two different style dresses.  I decided I would look for MY dress and if I found one, let that decide my bridesmaid dress depending on how they looked with "mine".  


I tried on a total of six dresses, and ended up putting #3 back on.  I can't explain what it's like to try on bridal gowns.  But I can say one thing.. It's true what they say that when you know, you KNOW.

Yes.....

I SAID YES TO THE DRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I obviously cannot post pictures because my sweet better half reads my blog! (Hey baby!!) But I cannot express enough how thrilled I am to know I have found the dress that all my dreams will come true in while I marry my soul mate.

I SO WISSSSSSSSSSSSSH I COULD SHOW IT OFF!!!

I put the dress on for the second time and was amazed and how beautiful I looked.  I was just staring at myself in the mirror, and then it happened..

....the room got quiet... and tears started flowing.

That was my moment of truth.  This was MY dress and this was the moment I had looked forward to.  It was bliss.  And such an emotional thing.  

I asked everyone that went with me if they liked the dress.  Everyone kept saying yes and going on about how pretty I looked.  I've never been one to like being stared at, but I could tell how pretty I looked based on their looks.

But before I could say yes, I had a couple texts to make.  One being my daddy.  I love my daddy and wanted him to tell me he liked it before I made any commitments.  My mom was in love with it.  I could tell.

After the nod of approval from dad and my cheering section, I gave the the answer.  I said YES! And I ran the bell! At David's Bridal they let you ring a bell in the store to alert everyone when someone finds their perfect dress! 

That was FUN!

SO.... that's my big news on the wedding end!  I am SO happy to be planning this wedding and cannot wait to see this all come to life on October 12! :)

This was me concentrating hard on one of those bridesmaid dresses! ;)

First Impressions.

For those of you who have followed my blog for awhile, have seen this picture and I apologize.  It's from quite awhile back.  So you're probably wondering why I'm posting old pictures...

Well.  

It's because today I want to talk about first impressions.  We all know they are of the most importance and it can make/break a situation.

This picture was B's first impression of me.  

Had I known my future husband would find me with this picture, I'd stood up a little straighter, and posed a little better, but hey.  I hooked him anyway! ;)  #loveyoubaby! 

Now here's the funny part.  B and I had been messaging back and forth and I still hadn't paid much attention to what my picture was because, well, let's be honest.  MOST of my pictures were of Jenna at this point.  and still are. 

And then he threw me for a loop.  

He asked what I did on weekends.  I told him that most of my Friday nights were spent with a one year old.  To which he responds how good that is that I'm a good parent.

Say whaaaaaaaaaaat?  

Duh, K, THE PICTURE!

((keep in mind that B and I met on Facebook, see my sidebar and Our Love Story to catch up!))

I explained to B that Jenna was not my kid in fact and I was single and without anyone but the two furbabies.  And so I hear now that he was doing a happy dance knowing he'd found a good girl he was interested in, unmarried, and without kids.  At pushing 30's door.  Man, he got lucky!;) HAHA!

So, this was kind of random, but I just wanted to touch base with this picture.  Every time I see it I think of B now and him with his first impression of me.  Too funny.

And what was my first impression of him?

                 

That sun looks bright and hot....

Just like him! ;)

I'm over there..

At one of my best friends' blogs... Allie! She blogs over at Tales of a Twenty Something!

Come see me! And she is giving away ad space on her awesome blog! ;)  It doesn't get much better than that.  If you haven't seen her blog.. You are MISSING OUT.  

Love you Allie!!!!!!!!!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sexxxy.

That's what they said... I look sexy.

Do I think so? No.  But I like it. :)

Back on topic, a few weeks ago, I stared at my computer for what felt like hours... on Firmoo!

This site has the best selection of SUCH cute frames and I had trouble picking just one!

But I in fact, did and they came in the mail today.  I was very anxious to get them out and get them on! 

And I loved all the nice cases that came along with them as well.  I carry my glasses with me a lot, so I need some way to protect the lenses!  This was perfect!

So, what are you waiting for?

GO GET YOURS!!!!!!!

Thank you, Firmoo, for the opportunity to review your product! I would for certain recommend the company and will be working with you again in the near future!

And you should love Firmoo too. Why? Because you can get online and "Try on" glasses once you upload your picture into their site.  It was really easy to see what styles work better for me that way.  :)

So head on over to Firmoo, and get your FREE glasses.  Yes, I said free.  All you have to do is pay for shipping thanks to their First Pair Free Program!

I told ya'll they rock! 

The first day...

....of the week is always hard.



Hope today is filled with good thoughts and good problems! ;)



On my To Do List this week:

This past weekend was a BIG weekend on the wedding planning front.  More on that coming up later... ;)

Happy Monday, loves!!!

Sunday Social!

1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

My blog name is Keeping Up With Kayla.  I have been blogging since July of 2009, but I didn't really get into a more normal routine until about Jan. of 2011. 

2. Why do you blog?

I blog because I enjoy getting my thoughts out somewhere and I think blog-land is the perfect answer for that.  I can easily look back up major life events and read my thoughts about those topics and I love that .

Blogging has also brought me some of my best friends that I never would have met otherwise. :)

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

I don't totally remember. Is that bad?

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?
I loved my post called My Surprise Proposal because well, duh!  It changed my life!

5. What are your blogging goals for 2013?

I want to continue to grow my blog and use it to keep track of this wedding planning process so I can look back on it one day and smile knowing I captured these priceless moments!

6. Name your top 3 favorite blogs.

There is no way I can name just three.  Sorrrrrrrrrry! ;)

WILW

Hello lovies!! It's my fave day of the week.. WEDNESDAY! That means it's time to link up for WILW!

So, I want to say how much I am loving my life right now.  Wedding planning is so much fun, and so far not stressful like I always thought it might be!  A lot of the major decisions are booked and taken care of, and I'm all smiles.

And better than wedding plans, is this...

 Is the reason that I get a wedding.. because I have such a wonderful man in my life!

Life is so sweet!  

I love you, babe!