TGIF, oh hey August (almost)!

THE BAR EXAM IS OVER (And I promise that is all I will say about that until we get results). I hope y'all have had a great week and have a great weekend ahead. I am so excited to just lay out at the pool before I head back to work on Monday - hopefully the sunshine will cooperate :)

one

I finally moved out of the apartment that I lived in all three years of law school and it is so weird. I have been more or less living with my finance for about 6 months, but as of today I no longer have my own apartment. It's kind of a weird feeling, but it's also freeing knowing that now that we officially live together I have a say in a few things around the house more - at least I think I do.

two

My Emily Ley Planner officially went into service this week! I purchased this planner in May and have been dying to use it since the minute I picked it up. If you haven't heard of Emily Ley, I would encourage you to check her out. Her goal in life is to make things Simple in the prettiest way. I had been using the Lilly Pulitzer Planner, which would have lasted me until the end of the year, but with a wedding in February, I really wanted a planner that started in the Fall and went through next year so I could truly plan ahead for all of the events in the coming months. I am really looking forward to using this planner, and will definitely be sharing some of my favorite features. What kind of planner do y'all use? Are you loyal year after year to the same one?

three

I started an Instagram for the blog- see some of my posts on the right - so if you want to add me I would love that. It's a little sad right now, but bear with me and hopefully it gets a little more exciting. Plus it will give you a peek into a bit more than whats here on a weekly basis.

four

The success of this diet has been really great, so much better than I could have imagined. I'm not sure the last time (if ever) I lost more than 5 or 6 pounds at a time, so it usually was just enough to make my clothes a little loose or in most cases, they just fit better. This time around however I have found that a lot of my clothes no longer fit after losing almost 20 pounds. I mentioned last week that I have placed a shopping freeze on myself, just as a measure of self control, but if this trend goes on I might have to make an exception. I stopped working during the last month of studying so I hadn't really been wearing anything but norts and tee-shirts for the past few weeks and I guess hadn't noticed such a big change. Then earlier this week I was packing and trying on outfits for the bar because we have a certain dress code and none of my skirts fit. I'm hoping this weekend to pull out my sewing machine and figure out if I can tailor some of my clothes, or if I just need to donate them and repopulate my closet. Have y'all been in this situation? Any suggestions?

five

If you do your own nails I highly suggest Essie's new "Gel Setter" because it. is. perfect. I had been using Sally Hansen's Diamond Flash because it made my nails shiny, it dried fast, and kept my polish on for at least 4-5 days, which is pretty good in my book. It was time for me get a new bottle because I was running low and I'd heard great things about Essie's new top coat and thought I'd give it a try. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Plus, I am currently using the same brand for my base coat, color, and top coat so I really feel like I have my life together right now! Ha!

How has your week been, any big weekend plans?

Happy Friday, Y'all!
xoxo

linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites | Merry Monday

Creative Corner | Wednesday Showcase | Weekending | Turn It Up Tuesday

Motivation Monday: My Favorite Country Workout Playlist

I'm sure most people don't generally associate country music with the type of music that you want to listen to at the gym to get you moving. But, I would politely disagree. There are so many country songs that have a fast beat and are my absolute go-tos when I'm on the treadmill or elliptical (or other cardio of choice). Plus, am I the only one who kind of sings along to pass the time? Country music is one of my favorite genres anyways, so I learned to find what works best for a workout without throwing off my pace. These are some of my favorites, all of which I think provide a great beat to keep up just the right pace! 

Do y'all have a specific type of music you listen to when you work out? Or even a certain artist? I think it is so interesting to see what motivates different people! 

Have a great day, y'all!

xoxo

linking up with

Motivational Monday | Merry Monday | Wednesday Showcase

TGIF, the sun is out!

Y'all, it has been a verrrry long week around here. More or less, all of my friends are studying for the bar right now and we are less than enjoyable to be around. I'm pretty sure the only human interaction I've had in the last week is with the random people that I just saw hello to while I'm on a walk, i.e. not any real interaction at. all. I cannot wait for this test to be over.

SUNSHINE
The sun is finally shining bright over my old Kentucky home! This week has been so so nice and I have been able to go on a walk/run almost every morning or night. I do my best to be a positive person, but sometimes surroundings just take over my mood and weather is one of those surroundings. So I am so glad that the rain is gone (at least for now)!

source

Diet Bet
I did it! Almost. I am in the final stretch of a 6-month "Transformer" and have met my goal weight and lost 10% of my initial weight. So, I just have to hold strong for a few more weeks and I'll win! This has honestly been such a transformation for me and I truly feel like I have accomplished something - with the added bonus of making some extra cash!

Southern Weddings/Project Life
So Southern Weddings is one of my favorite bridal magazines because it has so many features of real weddings, and of course because it's focus is on the south! The only downside is that, like a lot of bridal magazines it doesn't come out very often, so I've only been lucky enough to really enjoy one issue - but another one is due out in November! Anyways, I love it! And then there's ProjectLife, which is a form of scrapbooking/photo organization that is just so pretty and so clean and so organized. It's essentially a lazier form of scrapbooking, but still takes plenty of time. Well. Southern Weddings and Project Life teamed up and created a Wedding Kit for Project Life that I had been lusting over for months and last week my future mother-in-law sent it to me! I cannot wait to have the time to really get into it and start planning out how to compile it - and of course to find more reasons to take pictures! I'm sure I didn't explain that very well - but I'll have a post coming up soon with more details!

source

National Ice Cream Day
I don't think it was much of a secret that National Ice Cream Day was this week. Generally I get annoyed with all of the "National ______ Day" posts that seem to be going on like every other day, but this might just be my favorite. I could eat ice cream every day for every meal if it meant I could also still win that DietBet, but alas, I've learned to limit myself. However, when National Ice Cream Day came around, I just had to indulge. I hope y'all enjoyed it as much as I did!

Shopping Freeze
Last fall I put a month-long shopping freeze on my self just to get a better idea of the things I needed and the things that I didn't. It also allowed me to decide when there was something that I actually wanted, or just something that I wanted in the moment. If it was something that I actually wanted, and still wanted when that month was over, I was able to justify the purchase a little more than if I just saw it, wanted it, and bought it on the spot. So, we'll see how this one goes, but I think it was certainly a benefit the last time. Have y'all ever done anything like that? Or do you have other self-imposed tests for when you want to make a bigger purchase?

Happy Friday, y'all! Have a Great Weekend! 

xoxo

linking up with

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites | Merry Monday

Motivational Monday | Wednesday Showcase | Turn it up Tuesday 

Motivational Monday: Words of Wisdom

I know I've mentioned already mentioned that I'm taking the bar about one million times, but it. is. so. close. I've done pretty well not having any major breakdowns or freakout moments, but as I near the end, sometimes I just need to step back and remind myself what it's all about and that this is a goal that I've set and that I can achieve. I thought I'd share some of my go-to quotes for when I just need that final push. Hope y'all had a great weekend! Any tips for when you need a little nudge?

source

source

source

source

and when all else fails . . . 

Happy Monday, y'all!

xoxo

linking up with: 
Motivational Monday | Merry Monday | Mingle Monday | Wednesday Showcase

TGIF, still waiting for that rain to go away

It's. Still. Raining. I woke up Tuesday morning with EIGHT updates from the weather channel + the crazy-loud iPhone warning when there's severe weather. Like I said last week, at least it makes it easier to stay inside and study, but it is just sooooo depressing when its dark outside at 3 pm! I'm hoping this just means we'll have perfect weather after the bar!

one
My friend told me about the show Damages that's on Netflix now (I think it used to be on FX and ended in 2012), and I. am. obsessed. It has Rose Byrne in it, Helen from Bridesmaids, and she is so great. Glen Close is also a main character, which I've enjoyed because I still mostly just picture her as Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians. Anyways, it's all about a law firm where Glen Close is the partner at the firm and Rose Byrne starts out as her associate, but things get a little unethical and very suspenseful - fast. Think How to Get Away with Murder + Suits. If you're looking for a new show to pick up, I would highly recommend this.

two
Welp. Remember me talking about Prime Day, and how it was this mysterious sale Amazon was promising? Turns out it wasn't all that great anyways. I checked periodically and there was almost nothing that I was interested in, and anything I was interested in was immediately unavailable - think Target for Lilly. I did end up still getting a few things in my cart - the shoes and coffee filters, you know the necessities - but that had nothing to do with any special Prime deal. Oh well, at least that just means less money spent. Always look for the positives, right?

three
I am LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM TAKING THE BAR and I am terrified. It seems so crazy to me that this summer spent studying for the bar day after day is finally coming to an end, and that end is THE BAR. I'm honestly feeling okay about the exam, but still overwhelmed thinking about all of the things I don't quite understand as well as I wish I did. I am definitely looking forward to have my regular life back when the exam is over, but doing my best to stay focused during the final stretch.

four
It is no secret that Gap is one of my favorite places to shop. I've tried to be much better recently about not shopping if I don't really need something since we're planning a wedding, looking at buying a house, and basically just trying to be responsible adults. But a girl can only delete so many "SALE" emails before she gives in. I just ordered this cross body from Gap during one of their 40% off everything sales (which is still going on) and I am so excited to use it. I love anything with a bow on it, and I ordered it in the cognac, so I know it will be super versatile! What do y'all think? Was it worth it??

five 

Despite having rainy weather for what feels like 25 out of the last 26 days, there was just enough sunshine for a girls day at the pool on Thursday and it was so. nice. Essentially all of my friends here are in law school, so while we're all miserable together, we all also feel guilty doing pretty much anything except studying. However, we figured we could probably spend a couple of hours at the pool - doing flash cards of course - and be just fine. I think it was certainly a deserved break that we will benefit from, everyone's brain needs to rest and recharge every now and then! 

How has your week been?

Have a Great Weekend, Y'all!

xoxo 

linking up with

Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |  Casual I Friday | xoxo Rebecca | High Five for Friday | Friday Favorites | Merry Monday

Motivational Monday