A Gift For The Bride: Wedding Day Survival Kit

Last month, when I did the wedding shower and reception for a close friend, I was looking for something that I could give her that would be useful.  I had already bought the lingerie and the wedding gift.  So, I was wanting something for the wedding day that she could really use.  This is what I came up with. 

A Wedding Day Survival Kit:

I found the adorable white satin, quilted bag at Michael's and I filled it with everything she could possibly need on her big day.

1. A snack - Nutella on the Go!
2. MIO - a little energy to squeeze into a bottle of water
3. A small first-aid kit for any blisters or boo-boos
4. Purell - never know when you need a little hand sanitizer
5. Visine - can even be used to reduce the redness of a last-minute pimple pop-up!
6. Nivea Lip Balm
7. Tylenol
8. Hand Lotion
9. Pepto - for any pre-wedding jitters/upset tummy
10. Blue finger nail polish - just in case she forgot her "something blue"
11. Kleenex pocket-size tissues
12. Orbit gum - Dirty mouth, clean it up!
13. Travel-size sewing kit - for any last minute emergencies!
14. Wisps - for fresh breath with no mess
15. Q-tips - for eleventy million uses
16. Shout Wipe & Gos - you just never know what will happen from dressing room to alter

These would make great Bridesmaids gifts too!  You could even tweak them a little for Bachelorette party favors...add in some "hangover remedies".

The Bride loved it!  She said it came in really handy on her wedding day!

In other news, I'm heading to Huntington Beach in 10 DAYS!!!  Sofa king excited.  Seriously.  I'm sure you've heard already, but I'll be meeting up with Impulsive, Seriously Shawn, Viv @ The V-Spot, Becca from The Texas Darlings, Connie from The Young and Relentless, and Jen from Harried Mom of Four!  *name dropper* It's a repeat of our trip from last year...


BUT we're headed to Cali instead of Texas and we're adding in Connie!  I just read my Friday Confessions from last year's trip and I'm bouncing in my seat from excitement!  Bring on the fun, friends, and fornication...KIDDING.  I wanted to tag our trip #Californication, but they informed me there would be no fornication...and that name was already taken. 

I'm linking up today to TTUT hosted by my skinny ass friends Impulsive and Shawn. 





No rules, just fun.  Stop by and link up!  XOXO.

It Was SERIOUSLY Impulsive...Seriously.

I participated in Impulsive Addict's and Seriously Shawn's Seriously Impulsive Swap.


It is my goal to use the words impulsive and/or serious as many times as it takes to seriously annoy you with my impulsive use of terminology...seriously.


I was paired up with the SERIOUSLY adorable, Aly from Analyze This.  I love her, so this impulsive serious shopping was a breeze.  I didn't freak out one time.  Nor did I call Impulsive Addict and have her talk me down from the ledge.  Nope, not me.


Ok.  Maybe I did.  I was taking this swap biz serious, yo.  I usually have mad shopping mojo, but I lost it for a few days.  All my impulsive shopping trips turned out to be serious disappointments.


I'm kind of a last-minute person.  I tend to work well under pressure; and when it comes to Aly's seriously impulsive swap package, I think I can sum it up with "oops, I did it again."

My impulsive and serious swap package from Aly arrived on Friday!  

*three squeeees for happy mail*

She included this seriously funny card...

and LOTS of impulsive goodies...

AMAZING lip gloss...

and some cute thank you cards and post-its...

We bought each other the EXACT same earrings from Target...seriously.  She had also mentioned her love for these yummy Strawberry fruit strips from Target, and she was VERY specific that they HAD to be Archer Farms Target brand.  I put some in her package and she returned the favor...

and I'm hooked!  Sooooooo SO yummy!

She also sent me an adorable scarf!  I seriously love it.

THANK YOU so much, Aly!!  I love it all!!

Go take a peak at Aly's swap package - click HERE

Check out all the other swap packages on Impulsive Addict's and Seriously Shawn's Talk To Us Tuesday!

From Forks With Love

How sweet is Mimi?!


Let me tell you.  She is SA-WEET!


You all know her and love her, right?...I think we're all friends here.


In case you live under a rock don't know, I'm referring to Mimi from Living in France. 

When I first met Mimi, I actually thought due to the name of her blog that she lived in France. I remember over the first few weeks of reading her blog I was trying to decide if she was a native or transplanted due to her husband's job...she seemed to speak really good English. Of course, now I know that France is her last name.  I'm such a dork.

Question for Mimi:

Has anyone else ever thought that? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

She recently Visited in Forks. 


She posted about her adventures IN FORKS on her blog  (read those posts HERE and HERE) and while she was in the Land of Edward, she bought me some stuff! Isn't that the nicest thing?!  Sweet, right?  I told you!

Excuse the dork in the pictures.


THANK YOU, Mimi!!! I absolutely LOVE my stuff from Forks!! I'll be drinking my Cullen English Breakfast tea this afternoon...I know it says "breakfast", but I'm a rebel like that.


Oh, and you totally had me pegged with what you wrote on the front of the envelope:
"Jennykate, married with children and in love with vampires."


You know me so well! =)


Maybe that should be my tagline on my blog?


Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!!♥

Valentine's Day Swap

Andrea @ My Chihuahua Bites (which is a truly fantastic blog) hosted a Valentine's Day Swap. This has been my first swap EVER! Let me tell you, it has been the most fun! I have had the best time getting to know my Swap Partner, Julie! She is such a sweet lady and she has a terrific blog (http://www.shabbywears.blogspot.com/ ). Blog land friends are so great!


So, first I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Andrea for hosting such a fabulous swap! Second, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Julie for my amazing box of goodies! She was so creative and thoughtful in what she sent me...I can't thank her enough!


Take a look at what I got...

I love all things "Paris". So, she decorated the outside of this suitcase w/ vintage pictures of the Eiffel Tower and French sayings. It was tres cute!

Inside was a mixture of delightful things...heart wreaths, yummy "pink" hot cocoa, cute Valentine's Day themed baking supplies (which is so funny b/c I bought her some V-day inspired baking supplies too before I got the package from her...great minds think alike☺), a candle, some scrapping supplies, a cookbook, and a beautiful vintage bowl!

Geez...that's a long list...I'm a lucky girl!








Here is what I came up with for my gift to Julie...
I took an old hat box...


recovered it with some cutsie valentine's paper and clip art...
filled it with some goodies and gifts...
tossed in some rose petals for charm...
and tied it with a bow!
I really hope you like your Valentine's Day goodies, Julie! I had so much fun putting your gift together!


When is the next swap? Sign me up!

Dreams, Wishes...and CAKE!

There's something special about birthdays...the feeling of newness...new year, new goals, new dreams, new wishes...yeah, that's what I love about birthdays...oh yeah, and cake...I LOVE cake...especially pumpkin cheesecake from Merritt's Bakery...YUMM-O!

Was Michael trying to burn the house down or what?!

And I also love gifts. I mean who doesn't?

Thanks, Melissa! I loved my box of goodies! I also got money and starbucks gift cards...do you think people know me or what?!

I've got more to blog about, but I'll have to finish later...my boss is yelling at me...seems I'm supposed to be working...

31

I guess I woke up this morning feeling the same way I did yesterday...just happy to be alive, thankful for each day, and a determination to be a better version of myself. I'm so blessed to have God in my life, to know what really matters, to have my family (immediate and extended), and my friends (old and new). When did I get to be "in my 30's"? How did that happen? I do ask myself that often. Not that age matters...it's only a number...and I really believe that...but seriously, it's like we just wake up one day and were adults! As a kid, the idea of being an adult seemed so glamorous...I remember thinking...

• "I can't wait to shave my legs"...ok, whose cruel joke was that?! I realize getting your period hails from Eve's evil doings, but come on...we have to shave too?!


• "I want to wear pantyhose and high heels"...yeah, I hate wearing pantyhose...and slips...however, the high heels are ok...I do LOVE shoes!


• "I can't wait to drive"...it is nice having wheels, but paying car payments and insurance is not fun.


• "God bless the day I can move out on my own!"...well, I do enjoy having my own house, but there have been times when I think how easy I had it when I lived at home.


• "I can't wait to go to college"...now this one was a blast...not saying I would go back and do it all over again, but I had so much fun while I was there!


• "I can't wait to be married!"...being married is great...there are struggles and obstacles...but it's all worth it.


• "I CAN NOT wait to be a mom!"...this one has been all I hoped for and so much more! I don't even know what I did before Isaiah...I must have been a really boring person :)

So, here's to being 31!

Here's a pic of my b-day gifts from co-workers...(notice the Meredith Grey card...LOVE that)

Here's a pic of me being 31!


Here's a pic of my office door decorated up all "birthday-ish" :)

Here's a pic of the BEAUTIFUL necklace that my BEAUTIFUL friend Melissa made me!
*you can buy one for yourself athttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5570123


Love to you all!