A Really Belated Memorial Day Weekend Recap

via Pinterest

Hey, girls, hey! I cannot believe I haven't blogged since last Friday....eep! That's a LONG time in my book, but then again, I'm a blogging addict and can't go for more than a couple days without having withdrawals. It's pathetic, really.

I'm going to warn you right now. The following content in this post may bore you to the point of tears (I apologize in advance.) If you're up to it though, here's a little recap of what we did this past Memorial Day weekend:

Saturday we visited Stephen's parents and sisters in Fort Smith (about an hour away from where we live.) His little sis graduated high school last week and they had a fun post-graduation party for her. It was a blast to spend the day and night catching up with his sweet fam.

And we got to see Sarah and Ava while there....LOVE both of those girls to pieces!

Sunday and Monday were spent on Beaver Lake, driving around the lake in the boat. We got lots of sun and, dare I say, the beginnings of what could turn into a great summer tan. A few pics:

My two fav boys lounging on the sun pad of the boat...

Mr. Ari, keeping watch over the front of the boat...

Me in my designer swimsuit $20 Target bikini. I don't usually post swimsuit pics (why would I want to subject you innocent bystanders to that), but I'm kinda proud of the work I've been doing in the gym lately : )

My hottie fiance in his "I'm the King of the World!" pose. Is it possible to be more and more attracted to someone as time goes on? I do believe it is!

This coming weekend, I'll be getting ready for a work trip to Chicago, but you better believe we'll be working in a boat outting that Saturday before I leave : )

What did y'all do this past weekend? Anything exciting or did you just take it easy?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Smelling the Mixed Bouquets

What a week. I mean, really. It began with some of the most horrific tornadoes the mid-west has ever encountered and has ended with sunshine and eerily calm weather. This is one of those weeks that reminds us all of just how precious life is and how much each day should be cherished.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m completely guilty of “getting through” my weekdays versus savoring each, sweet moment.

All of this reminds me that I need to slow down and smell the roses. Or the mixed bouquets. Like the one my beau sent me yesterday at work, for no reason, other than to say he loved me.

Here are a few more things that I’m grateful for this week:

1. Our Save the Date proof that we received yesterday. Although I’m grateful for these adorable little pieces of cardstock, I’m even more appreciative of what they represent: The day I get to marry my best friend.

2. Pizza and ice cream sundae nights with le fiancé, like the one we had last night. Even though you feel like a blob the next day, it’s so worth it : )

3. My parents and in-laws. During the storms, mine and Stephen’s moms were constantly calling and texting us to see if we were ok. Goes to show that having people that truly care for your health and safety is priceless.

4. My almost-SIL Sarah and our random text marathons during the day at work, like one we had yesterday. Love that girl!

5. This photo I got in my email box from my daddy last week of my little Max. If you can’t tell, this dog is spoiled!

What are you grateful for this week? Did anything make you smile, laugh or just plain feel better?

Have a safe and happy Memorial day, friends.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Have You Met SwimSpot?

Hello bathing beauties! I wanted to share with y’all today my new favorite women’s swimwear merchant, SwimSpot! I was recently approached by their fabulous team (thanks Takako!) about doing a giveaway for a $50 credit towards any item you like from their online store!

I thought it over for about 0.5 seconds and wholeheartedly agreed. Before I get to the rules of entering, a few reasons why you should be buying your next bikini, tankini or one piece from SwimSpot:

- SwimSpot features a unique service, the Bikini Builder featuring brands like Athena, Splendid, Next and Hurley. With the Bikini Builder, you are able to select tons of different tops/bottoms combinations to “build” the suit that is perfect for you! This service is great for the chica that loves to mix and match her bathing suits.

- Now if you’re looking for purchasing direction beyond the self-service model provided by the Bikini Builder, you can turn to Swimspot’s expert team of Fit Specialists. The Fit Specialist program is so unique because nothing like it is offered anywhere else online. This service allows you to book a one-on-one virtual “personal shopping” appointment, where their Specialists will walk you through the website, the top women’s swimwear trends, the best styles for your specific body type, ensuring you will be in L.O.V.E. with your new suit.

- They offer FREE Shipping, FREE Returns and FREE Exchanges. Enough said.

- They carry some of the hottest women’s swimwear designers on the market, including Luxe by Lisa Vogel (a personal fav), Splendid, Tommy Hilfiger, Ella Moss and NEXT by Athena.

- SwimSpot also offers a VIP Program, where you can get a $25 off coupon, good on orders over $99!

- They are on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and even have their own blog!

Ready to score your own loot from SwimSpot? Here are the rules:

1. Visit SwimSpot on FB and “Like” them AND Become a VIP member of SwimSpot. – Required, counts as 1 entry

2. Follow A Blonde Ambition blog – Required, counts as 1 entry

3. Tell us what item you’d spend your $50 on. – Not Required, counts as 1 entry

PLEASE remember to list your email address with your comments so that if you win, I can contact you! No email address = No entry…sorry girls!


The giveaway ends at midnight CST on Thursday, June 2nd  has been extended to Thursday, June 9th at 11:00 p.m. CST, so get busy entering! The winner will be drawn using a random number generator from random.org and I will email the winner with the promo code to use during checkout.

Thanks again, SwimSpot! Can’t wait to see who wins!!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Trend Watch Wednesday: {Red, White and Blue}

via Pinterest

Though it looks like it will probably be a soggy one, Memorial Day weekend is only a few days away!

In honor of this national holiday, I figured we do a little stars and stripes tribute to fashion, if you will. A Blonde Ambition wants to show you how to pull off a patriotic-inspired ensemble without looking redonkulous.

The Patriot Act (of dressing fashionably)

It’s a Two Parter:

Rule #1- Don’t wear red, white and blue all together. You can wear red and blue, white and red, blue and white, but PLEASE don’t wear all three colors prominently at the same time. You’ll look like a walking Uncle Sam poster.

Rule #2- Memorial Day (and any hot weather holiday, for that matter) seems to compel women everywhere to reach for the skimpiest, skankiest outfits in their closets. I feel this can best be expressed in an equation:

Bedazzled bikini top + frayed stonewashed Daisy Duke shorts X a matching blingy American Flag belly ring = No ma’am.

The simple truth is, no one wants to see your G-string hanging out of the back of your shorts. Nor do we want to see your rear end every time you bend over in that hot mess you call a dress. Being somewhat conservative is a good thing, girls. And that goes for anytime of the year, m’kay?

Below, some way more adorable options for a patriotic holiday from our friends at ASOS.com



White Kick Flare Jeans and Summer Dress with Off the Shoulder in White

This casual tank top and light pant combo makes a perfect no-frills outfit; a nice alternative to the pant is this dress, also casual enough for warm weather! Kate Bosworth pulls it off nicely below!

 
These adorable shorts and blouses outfits are cute enough to go from the picnic to an evening party on the lake!

Seamed Hot Pants and Chiffon Panel Balloon Sleeve Top

In search of something a little more dressy? The four dresses below are so chic while still being appropriate for the Memorial Day holiday.

Hybrid Contrast Waist Keyhold One Shoulder Dress and Flutter Sleeve dress, similar here

Asymmetric Maxi Strap Dress and Aqua Cut Out Cuckoo Dress

The best accessories to wear with the red/white/blue combos are subtle and minimalistic. Try a watch in white with gold metal details, or a bold cuff. Black also polishes the look off superbly...

River Island Animal Print Metal Cuff in Gold, Octagonal Faceted Stone Stud Earrings in Black, Leatherette Strap Watch with Metal Dial

What will you wear this weekend? Something perky and patriotic? Or rainboots and highwater pants, like we Arkansas residents probably will be?
 
Be blessed, lovelies-

First Engagement Pics!

This weekend, we had the first of two sets of engagement pics taken, (my mom took these, and my friend Rhyanne is shooting us next month- she's an AWESOME photog!)

My mom is quite a good photographer and graciously offered to spend an afternoon snapping some pics of us!

We drove up to Mountain View, which is about 35 minutes away from my parents' house and spent the day sipping milkshakes in an old timey soda shop and spending some quality time with my family. It was such a fun day and we got some GREAT pics out of it! Thanks again to my mom for her talent and handiwork!

He's a renegade, ladies : )

Me and Tim Tebow- ha!
Lots of people think he looks like Mr. Tebow, but I think he's even cuter!

This one is going on our Save the Dates

Not sure what he was doing here, but it looks sweet : )

We didn't even know she was taking this picture, haha!

Yes, it's cheesy. But we LOVE cheese!

Be jeal, girls. He's all mine!! : )

I can't wait to see what Rhyanne captures next month in our next session- we are eating this up! And we REALLY can't wait to see what our wedding photographer, Jeremy captures! I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

Be blessed, lovelies-

Let Them Eat Cake

via Pinterest

One of the most enjoyable (and most delicious) parts of planning this wedding has been the creation of our cake. Although neither one of us are really cake people (we actually prefer cheesecake or ice cream for dessert), we did want something that not only looked spectacular, but also something that tasted amazing for our guests.


We found so many inspiration photos online from sites like Style Me Pretty, The Wedding Chicks and, of course, 100 Layer Cake.

In the end, we chose something that is classic, understated and delicately beautiful. I just know our friends and family will love it as much as we do!

Here are a few inspiration photos of some of the beautiful cakes that inspired our own.

And before we go, just for fun, some footloose and fancy-free cake inspired photos...
 

 

I hope y'all have a great weekend! Here's to all the sweet things in life!

Be blessed, lovelies-