tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82377833675984352382024-03-06T00:31:08.464-06:00Mississippi Hippy // Lifestyle and HealthAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-16670794581250264252015-11-04T19:58:00.001-06:002015-11-04T19:58:54.397-06:00what I would tell my 18 year old self<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsx7RhXPwnfB4d9EMPP8sjJ1Cm4jkWB-ON1jXluLrdWDYMR7IPT7vnB2kH1ZxgKBx_f2p0v0PXfrb5Bf1RbQfHmE0C3Oz1jm70_IcIEE6-vV50wNUrzqr7U6RVnzpw6cPJhkM6eKfqpE/s1600/18+years+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsx7RhXPwnfB4d9EMPP8sjJ1Cm4jkWB-ON1jXluLrdWDYMR7IPT7vnB2kH1ZxgKBx_f2p0v0PXfrb5Bf1RbQfHmE0C3Oz1jm70_IcIEE6-vV50wNUrzqr7U6RVnzpw6cPJhkM6eKfqpE/s1600/18+years+old.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear 18 year old me,<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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First and foremost, learn to love yourself. You are beautiful inside and out. Just stop worrying so much about your weight and be healthy. STOP throwing up everything you consider "bad" after you eat it. You have one body to live in. Cherish it. Appreciate it for all of the things it does for you every day. Stop wishing you were smaller. Stop thinking guys will like you more if you're skinny. It's not true.<br />
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Don't bother trying to transfer schools. You love Southern Miss and will make the best friends you could ever imagine. Don't study abroad in Jamaica, though. Go to London or France instead.<br />
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Don't rekindle that friendship. She doesn't stick around very long this time anyway, and it only hurts you again in the end.<br />
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You are so much better than that awful, abusive relationship with you-know-who, but you will learn so much from your year long struggle. You will learn how to respect yourself, how to stand up for yourself, and what you're worth. You learn that romantic relationships will not bring you validation and that your voice deserves to be heard. I'd say don't even date him, but you need to learn these lessons. You will appreciate your amazing husband so much more after you learn them.<br />
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Continue to love every minute of life. It becomes so much more than you ever dreamed it would be. It's not always easy. You're going to go through rough times, but keep Christ first in your life. He will always see you through with the utmost grace.<br />
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Keep your free spirit, positive attitude, and drive to succeed. Be proud of who you are and the things you stand for. Always help those in need. Be the first to smile when you pass a stranger, and love with reckless abandon.<br />
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With so much love,<br />
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Chelsea<br />
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| Images by: Judy Kellar of Killer Shots Photography |</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-87465479156950563852015-11-03T19:12:00.000-06:002015-11-03T19:14:18.803-06:00november goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*Save $$$ (aka stop buying clothes I don't need)<br />*Finish at least half of my Christmas shopping.<br />*Clean up my diet. (Exercise has been on point...eating...not so much.)<br />*Blog more consistently. (I'm aiming for every week day!)<br />*Do more freelance writing.</h3>
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I'm all about goal setting and list making and planner keeping. Kinda weird for someone who is usually just flying by the seat of her pants. What can I say? I'm a plethora of oxymorons. I have to have everything written down. I'll more than likely forget it if I don't. I'll probably forget it even if I do, though.</div>
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Anyone else the same? Just me? Ok. Cool. Untreated ADD! Woo!</div>
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Ok. I'm done.</div>
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Anyway, I have some really cool content planned for the next few months that I really think y'all will enjoy. But, I'd love to hear from you! What do you want to read? What are your goals for November?</div>
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/// Chelsea</div>
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+Tag me on Insta, Twitter, or FB #MississippiHippy</div>
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+Follow me, too! Instagram (@ChelseaEli), Facebook, Twitter (@ChelseaTThomas), or send me a SnapChat @chelseaeli.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8237783367598435238%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-L8-1NSwLFkI%2FVjlXRf2yI_I%2FAAAAAAAAFsE%2F-9uUtHlE7F0%2Fs1600%2FNovember%252BGoals%252Bcopy.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=6PjcaSTxBPYZ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 36px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8237783367598435238%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-L8-1NSwLFkI%2FVjlXRf2yI_I%2FAAAAAAAAFsE%2F-9uUtHlE7F0%2Fs1600%2FNovember%252BGoals%252Bcopy.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=6PjcaSTxBPYZ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 36px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-90592465380980815902015-11-02T19:08:00.000-06:002015-11-02T19:08:01.417-06:00weekly window: halloween hangover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm that girl. I'm the one who likes to skip right over the Thanksgiving stuff and go straight to Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I love celebrating Thanksgiving. Having an excuse to eat all the food and love on family for a while is literally the best thing ever, but lets get real. Christmas decorations and music are far superior to Thanksgiving decorations.</div>
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween, though. Thursday night, I ran the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce Glow Run 5k with these pretty ladies. Except it was more like 3.5 miles than 3.1...</div>
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We spent Halloween with the family giving out candy to the little trick or treaters and stuffing our faces. I've felt like death all day. I think I have a Halloween hangover. My body is detoxing all the junk. Yet, I just ate some Reese's Pieces. Crap.</div>
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Excuse me while I drink a gallon of water, get back to boot camp, and die tomorrow.</div>
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So how do you feel about premature Christmas decorating? For it? Against it? Indifferent? Let me know! I'll just be over here humming Christmas tunes and taking down the Halloween stuff.</div>
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/// Chelsea</div>
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+Tag me on Insta, Twitter, or FB #MississippiHippy</div>
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+Follow me <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/chelseaeli" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/chelseaeli" target="_blank"> </a>(@ChelseaEli), </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/theuprisingonline" href="https://www.facebook.com/themississippihippy?ref=hl" style="color: #743399; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">, </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Chels_Uprising" href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaTThomas" style="color: #743399; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> (@ChelseaTThomas), or send me a SnapChat @chelseaeli.</span></div>
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<br /><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-12110253087420866212015-10-20T19:42:00.000-05:002015-10-21T17:24:41.815-05:00what's in a name?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7QNRk-T5Idgok18hBXfYoA8xM_6UPwoSpyC5FSW2azB0jA9rEC23oQCVcw28eBTlDpCS6y81_n88ulUQEcKctnFKb9IkGeh3zBs_BL2f0GM6E_jionQfe5aH1vYPe0jWyD5CNSi9E6U/s1600/Chelsea+VW+Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7QNRk-T5Idgok18hBXfYoA8xM_6UPwoSpyC5FSW2azB0jA9rEC23oQCVcw28eBTlDpCS6y81_n88ulUQEcKctnFKb9IkGeh3zBs_BL2f0GM6E_jionQfe5aH1vYPe0jWyD5CNSi9E6U/s1600/Chelsea+VW+Bus.jpg" /></a></div>
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Growing up smack dab in the middle of Mississippi, being called a "hippy" wasn't always a good thing. It's usually aimed at labeling someone as a "liberal" or "left-wing." I'll leave politics out of it, but I wanted to take a little time to explain to you where the name Mississippi Hippy came from.<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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The summer after my freshman year of college, Jason Aldean came out with a song called <i>She's Country.</i> The song talks about girls from various states in the south and picks a little adjective that basically rhymes with their state or something from their state. Mississippi's line says, "getcha flipping kinda trippy like a Mississippi hippy." I loved it.<br />
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My whole life, people have referred to me as a "hippy." I've always liked it. Granted, it hasn't always been a compliment. Most of the time, though, it was in reference to my free spirit, love for music, and tendency to like flowy clothes and flowers in my hair. Oh, and the fact that I'm obsessed with hippy culture. I left my wedding in a VW Bus for goodness sake.<br />
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When I decide to start a blog way back in 2012, it seemed like a perfect name. A lot of people think of Mississippians as back woods rednecks, and that couldn't be farther from the reality of most of its residents and myself. The definition of a hippy is a young person who rejects established social customs and advocates a nonviolent ethic.<br />
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Well...that's me!<br />
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I reject the established social custom of self hate and being violent towards oneself or others. I <span style="font-family: inherit;">believe in choosing love over fear. I believe in loving yourself exactly as you are because you are already perfect. You get my drift here, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So there ya have it! That's where the name Mississippi Hippy came from, and the rest is history!...kinda.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tag me on</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://instagram.com/chelseaeli/" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> (@ChelseaEli), </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/theuprisingonline" href="https://www.facebook.com/themississippihippy?ref=hl" style="color: #743399; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">, </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Chels_Uprising" href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaTThomas" style="color: #743399; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;"> (@ChelseaTThomas), or send me a SnapChat @chelseaeli! I want to see your self-love! You can even add #MississippiHippy so I can see!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">Image by <a href="http://www.sullyclemmer.com/" target="_blank">Sully Clemmer</a></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-69466867279082747462015-10-19T19:00:00.000-05:002015-10-20T19:25:19.995-05:00Feelin' My Selfie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Why do we have such a problem with selfies?</span></h2>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">In a world full of women who do not feel like they live up to the standards that society has set for them, why do we hate to see a picture of someone who likes the way they look?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">Why does it bother us that someone else is happy with themselves?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd so much rather see a Facebook feed full of selfies of women who know their beauty and worth than one full of celebrity gossip and "I had a turkey sandwich <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8237783367598435238" style="line-height: 1.5;">for lunch today</a>" statuses. Selfies do not depict a conceited person or a mental disorder. Selfies show confidence, happiness, and courage. They are empowering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So what if a group of girls spent a large amount of time taking pictures of themselves instead watching a baseball game? We should be applauding the fact that they are comfortable enough with themselves to take a selfie. Saying that selfies are self-serving and conceited is telling someone that it's not okay for them to like themselves. That is the problem here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know about you, but I'd much rather see a world full of people who love themselves enough to post a selfie over a world full of people trying to live up to the impossible standards the media sets. By bashing the "selfie generation," we are, once again, perpetuating the belief that women shouldn't be comfortable with their natural selves.</span></div>
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STOP IT.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want my children to grow up in a world full of love for themselves and love for others, don't you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Selfie bashing moves us closer to neither of these things. Think about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tag me in your selfies on <a href="https://instagram.com/chelseaeli/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (@ChelseaEli), <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/theuprisingonline" href="https://www.facebook.com/themississippihippy?ref=hl" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Chels_Uprising" href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaTThomas" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> (@ChelseaTThomas), or send me a SnapChat @chelseaeli! I want to see your self-love! You can even add #MississippiHippy so I can see.</span></div>
<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-74080119972656400252015-02-22T15:01:00.003-06:002015-02-22T15:01:31.195-06:00balancing act<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.messynessychic.com/2013/11/08/the-circus-girls-1949/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBKbp6an_ifVZsyU6jw_qip3nxJrzQOhq9G2XEy0e6Ekgk6gemEZb0Rx2DPOQ3P4tNiwVZjJSb1eYo9sNFsNQQm6sDqH5cyfhthxbzvc8Pn8XyTgvuqicg8NcyZUjroAoOtPwnx2-Oio/s1600/LIFE+Tight+Rope+Walker.jpg" /></a></div>
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I do not like the circus. I am quite terrified of clowns, and I've never enjoyed watching people needlessly risk their precious lives walking a tight rope 100 feet in the air for the sake of entertainment.</div>
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That being said, the life lesson I have been learning lately is BALANCE. Life is a balancing act. Now, it's been a few years since I last took a gymnastics lesson, but I don't remember the balance beam ever being easy. Maybe I'm just clumsy...</div>
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Anyway...</div>
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Balance is hard, and I'm not talking about just food. Although, that's the hardest thing to balance for me. It's so hard to juggle work, relationships, chores, health, and everything else life brings along. Throw in having food issues and BAM--I'm a panic attack waiting to happen. I completely shut down. I'm sure everyone can relate.</div>
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After a long day of work, it is so incredibly difficult to come home and cook a healthy dinner that I won't feel guilty for eating and clean up the mess, work on my blog, do laundry, work out, and spend time with my husband. STRESS. Like, only Wonder Woman could ever do all of that in a day. I can't even imagine having children to take care of on top of that. Seriously..how do people do it?</div>
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I'll tell you my secret--I don't. I think that's the key to balance. I'm learning that I can't do it all, and that's okay. I have to take it bit by bit and day by day. You don't run across the balance beam. You have to take it one step at a time. You build up to the tricks and turns.</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_beam#mediaviewer/File:Daniela_Siliva%C5%9F_1987b.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifhfVuOPTU_gtZyyEJNMmGRIMc3oNHQ1gv_XDSuf6YevE5gIFJDG-I9UYiG7zKMJVC-sIkN652C9ZjpuxgYr8t8RxS2dhXiKzYWOg6AEp-mWiR3n1uU1Nh5-z-Xe2OlAQwsqz6shfHY/s1600/Daniela+Silivas%CC%A7+Balance+Beam.jpg" /></a></div>
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So here's what happened yesterday...</div>
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Last weekend, I was balanced. I had been eating healthy and clean for weeks. After much distress, I decided I would eat the things I wanted in moderation since we were spending the weekend celebrating Nick's birthday, his mom's birthday, Valentine's Day, and Mardi Gras. While I didn't want to feel guilty for enjoying myself, I also didn't want to feel deprived all weekend. So I didn't, and everything was fine.</div>
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I got back on track on Tuesday when we returned to life as usual, but yesterday, I had to balance, again, due to situations beyond my control. I'm embarrassed to admit that it brought on full blown meltdown mode. Tears, cussing, screaming, jumping on and off the scale 3 times to see if I had gained any weight--RIDICULOUSNESS. If you're recovering from food and body issues like myself, and even if you're not, sometimes it just looks like a never ending battle facing you for the rest of your life. I just kept thinking, "Am I going to feel guilty for the rest of my life every time I eat something deemed 'unhealthy'?" "Am I going to have to live the rest of my life in fear of being obese again?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHBVNEuPx0ErdFsCAy8NWshWpDI8kiCAPeAQtP4702khDMjfMRpNgICVUKwOpi39Nvhd25X6HolvHEU2IzYPOolAgcSCQkIKz_CHDeYiSXdNQCGKXYZbqiU9aKAjldzB3tfRGaNQOGag/s1600/Iron+Horse+Grill+Chips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHBVNEuPx0ErdFsCAy8NWshWpDI8kiCAPeAQtP4702khDMjfMRpNgICVUKwOpi39Nvhd25X6HolvHEU2IzYPOolAgcSCQkIKz_CHDeYiSXdNQCGKXYZbqiU9aKAjldzB3tfRGaNQOGag/s1600/Iron+Horse+Grill+Chips.jpg" /></a></div>
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After much coaching, supporting, and consoling, my superman of a husband talked me back down to reality. I am not fat. I am not going to gain every bit of weight I have lost back from a few chips and some bread. I am doing well and life happens. It's not a sprint. I changed my life 2 years ago when I started this. A meal not made completely of vegetables will not change that. I am beautiful.</div>
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Honestly, I don't know the answers to those questions that pop in my brain when I've eaten something "bad", and that's really scary. I do, however, have hope. I don't feel guilty EVERY SINGLE TIME I eat an Oreo like I once did, but sometimes I do. The frequency of feeling guilty has gone down, but I don't know if those feelings will ever completely go away. That's just something I'm going to have to keep working on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzjc_d4TGxP8sjrTcmQfZdVQWHzWdUqqPSqRus8xyfJN75SLyKHqotMy7e_18Ig08mHHMeO754eJ2ZJCnIgtBRtNjdWD6XgWUvIOyhFIig5naMTF_IF-EF-7NMTWJLu0FUfFzUVC44eM/s1600/Post+Panic+Attack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzjc_d4TGxP8sjrTcmQfZdVQWHzWdUqqPSqRus8xyfJN75SLyKHqotMy7e_18Ig08mHHMeO754eJ2ZJCnIgtBRtNjdWD6XgWUvIOyhFIig5naMTF_IF-EF-7NMTWJLu0FUfFzUVC44eM/s1600/Post+Panic+Attack.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Panic Attack Snap Chat</td></tr>
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So, today, I'm okay. Balance is the key, and eating some chips is what balance looks like in my life right now.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-74206890755575082902015-02-10T20:15:00.000-06:002015-02-17T19:48:12.665-06:00a painfully honest post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBYMirjauupnhzLIN8r14oZE-LXSlhTM4_-r33lPAQcMQirFIrhkhyphenhyphenMd7omj1GYsaYAKtcrEWad3eWMLKD4SfkhCC3JMMR8KtRYqNPtIQtJx5VG7FqgMGk3v5Rn7l9arpJlq9nikYlk/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMBYMirjauupnhzLIN8r14oZE-LXSlhTM4_-r33lPAQcMQirFIrhkhyphenhyphenMd7omj1GYsaYAKtcrEWad3eWMLKD4SfkhCC3JMMR8KtRYqNPtIQtJx5VG7FqgMGk3v5Rn7l9arpJlq9nikYlk/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" /></a></div>
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When I wrote my blog post telling you guys that Mississippi Hippy was changing directions last week, I meant it. So I need to be totally honest with y'all, and this is NOT easy for me AT ALL. Today has been a rough day. I've been thinking about throwing up my dinner for the past hour. It just dawned on me that I should blog about it. I promised transparency and honesty, so here it is.</div>
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I had a LONG day at work. After working late to tutor one of my 5th graders, I had to run some errands. With Valentine's Day, Nick's birthday, and my mother-in-law's birthday all falling this weekend, I had some shopping to do. While running errands, I found out some tragic news that a college friend had lost her fiancé. I needed to hug my husband, and I needed to hug him right then.</div>
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On the way home, I decided to stop by the grocery store to get the groceries to make Nick's favorite cake for him for his birthday since we won't be home this weekend to do it. I wanted to start celebrating him. I hung up his Avenger's Happy Birthday banner and had dinner and beer waiting when he got home. I was so happy to see that man walk through the door. We ate the healthy dinner I made, and Nick played some Donkey Kong on the WiiU (his birthday present). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdl64DIhLsCyeCEDsgs_7qn9f_0BDrzJkq-RsTAVTQ1sLuVWLxFzoKT-Ewl6NnOoevaOBrFeHdrc36GWDnNxO7xIWKMZ4zQfRJsvoz7ZBElw7GP3O4hUVirQah_WXzWflyl9gZEY46kA/s1600/560224_2309713024012_220996551504526549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdl64DIhLsCyeCEDsgs_7qn9f_0BDrzJkq-RsTAVTQ1sLuVWLxFzoKT-Ewl6NnOoevaOBrFeHdrc36GWDnNxO7xIWKMZ4zQfRJsvoz7ZBElw7GP3O4hUVirQah_WXzWflyl9gZEY46kA/s1600/560224_2309713024012_220996551504526549_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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Then came the cake. The sugar-free (mostly), coconut cake.</div>
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When it came out of the oven, I cut a piece off for me before I put on the sweetened condensed milk, sugar-free vanilla icing, shaved coconut, and Coco Lopez on top. I finished Nick's part of the cake and cut him a piece. I then sat down with him and ate my icing-less piece of sugar-free cake.</div>
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Now, I feel GUILTY. Terrible guilt. Guilt enough to consider sticking my finger down my throat--something I haven't done since 2008. It is still a battle. Every. Single. Day.</div>
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You see, I've been trying to drop a few pounds lately. Not because I'm fat, but because after I have gained 20 pounds since my wedding last March. For my health, I needed to drop the weight and get back to the healthiest me. I'm down 11 pounds.</div>
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It is absolutely ridiculous for me to be having the guilty thoughts for eating a sugar-free, icing-less piece of cake. Deep down inside, I know that BALANCE is the key to a healthy and happy life, and I know that I will get through these feelings I'm having right now. I will not throw up my dry piece of cake, and I REFUSE to waste the rest of my night feeling bad and being mad at myself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AorJqLTj6z1m_v7S4Khd45ST3EhB3YBfMgSuJ0311p46DsfhUAokd6Q9g7g3mkJcAenn3RDAtqv2IEH_iwsKK8h4ApIvO7hNsfaV4JPdt092dW2MQpGAhKzAGOyQF1IQ5cLJh0o_U-g/s1600/0e60c67525972a28fe2c327d3419a384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AorJqLTj6z1m_v7S4Khd45ST3EhB3YBfMgSuJ0311p46DsfhUAokd6Q9g7g3mkJcAenn3RDAtqv2IEH_iwsKK8h4ApIvO7hNsfaV4JPdt092dW2MQpGAhKzAGOyQF1IQ5cLJh0o_U-g/s1600/0e60c67525972a28fe2c327d3419a384.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am stronger than the guilt. I am stronger than the anger, and I am most definitely stronger than Bulimia.</div>
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This, too, shall pass. I'm human. Tomorrow is a new day. A dry piece of cake will not define me.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-26168734815626490832015-02-09T18:27:00.000-06:002015-02-09T19:04:07.765-06:00one for the books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uvPV7FPF5KUhA_veVGaBW5-GIuhWwu1xjR7LejqcxMiE0JtShGYsEUFx0sO00_p2qfYNVVqCBr6orc_7yx-J9ocohSnycTGDHqv_U0Ap_14Bj1ega9zzFRjQNbrY6SYlbV9PiGY1dFY/s1600/IMG_6747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uvPV7FPF5KUhA_veVGaBW5-GIuhWwu1xjR7LejqcxMiE0JtShGYsEUFx0sO00_p2qfYNVVqCBr6orc_7yx-J9ocohSnycTGDHqv_U0Ap_14Bj1ega9zzFRjQNbrY6SYlbV9PiGY1dFY/s1600/IMG_6747.jpg" /></a></div>
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What a beautiful weekend of Spring-like weather and quality time with Nick and my parents. Words just can't even explain how much I love those people. They are my rocks. They keep me grounded. God knows I can go spiraling into my craziness--which happens more than I care to admit.They always bring me back down to Earth.</div>
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Sometimes when I'm blogging, I wish I had cute and squishy babies to post about. All of my favorite blogs have cuddly little babies on them all the time. So not ready for that though...Can I borrow a baby just to blog about? That's creepy. <strike>Nevermind.</strike></div>
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Anyway, our Saturday went something like this:</div>
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I've been sick for a week, so I woke up around 7 ready to go after falling into a cough syrup coma around 7:45 pm the night before. It was a GORGEOUS day. One for the books, really. I wait patiently until 9:00 am to obnoxiously jump on the bed to wake up the husband. He promptly rolled over in protest. Like a good little housewife, I made Nick some coffee, and he finally stumbled into the kitchen to greet the day.</div>
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After much debate on where to spend the day (cause it just could not possibly be spent indoors), we decided to head to the Fondren area in downtown Jackson. We had a yummy lunch at Brent's Drugs (the soda shop in the movie, The Help), and we wondered around town. We got some coffee and stumbled upon this cool new place called Hops and Havannas. Nick is a cigar lover, so we stopped in. Every kind of beer and cigar you could possibly dream of. Nick found his favorite cigar and we sat outside and talked while he enjoyed his cancer stick. ;)</div>
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We decided to drive around and look at houses. We've been toying with the idea of buying soon, but we got distracted on the way. You see, the Mississippi Agriculture Museum was right there. If you know my husband at all--you know he's a sucker for a museum. Who was I to deny him the outdoor museum when it was so beautiful out? So we went, and we had THE BEST TIME EVER. I've been to this museum about a thousand times. It was THE hottest field trip location when I was a youngin'. However, Nick had never been. We wondered around the exhibits, drank sodas out of glass bottles from a General Store, played bottle cap checkers, and frolicked in some cotton bales.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-nl9oBIW9Gv5QBpBdRUvbDdoAhXUZuqQyPXmL4GBo-bVrKf-27fLih652VdhwpVItWsNoMvcgQ6ruQxQ_UFWPEWdIqkaRKPYUDuMN6BhtrB_KTB_OMC-WBJzqcZpaBQNR3smkS7SZeA/s1600/IMG_6755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-nl9oBIW9Gv5QBpBdRUvbDdoAhXUZuqQyPXmL4GBo-bVrKf-27fLih652VdhwpVItWsNoMvcgQ6ruQxQ_UFWPEWdIqkaRKPYUDuMN6BhtrB_KTB_OMC-WBJzqcZpaBQNR3smkS7SZeA/s1600/IMG_6755.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdLZ115S9b9LyYuaDQ0pgrfAxynbfi833PtsiTm1UAGVFQIOMNdP6R0EXqoBQ1XwmKC4Zpbcym-YBt5q_ZO9_Uf02czdiUqfGLMopPs75f2Rv-XmTuDULkNi3pTQLjT96hyY0EC6G5DM/s1600/IMG_6750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdLZ115S9b9LyYuaDQ0pgrfAxynbfi833PtsiTm1UAGVFQIOMNdP6R0EXqoBQ1XwmKC4Zpbcym-YBt5q_ZO9_Uf02czdiUqfGLMopPs75f2Rv-XmTuDULkNi3pTQLjT96hyY0EC6G5DM/s1600/IMG_6750.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUgV5jKDcj4VjfSzlx_OdNd2RwKhRx2PFw8BXzVa0UuDtxTxNCufDnq4-MKgj9azoLiwQ2ncE9di9y3zBvJsFFacPb-xYkKI6lwU079dm_yy0I8VS5hrvbbs25e5-D9kSLev2h60dWNQ/s1600/IMG_6753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUgV5jKDcj4VjfSzlx_OdNd2RwKhRx2PFw8BXzVa0UuDtxTxNCufDnq4-MKgj9azoLiwQ2ncE9di9y3zBvJsFFacPb-xYkKI6lwU079dm_yy0I8VS5hrvbbs25e5-D9kSLev2h60dWNQ/s1600/IMG_6753.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat: <a href="http://www.freepeople.com/accessories-hats/extended-brim-clipperton-33115320/" target="_blank">Free People</a> // Jacket: Mossimo (old) // Shirt: Merona Men's (old) // Shirt: Chaser (old) // Leggins: <a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/view-all-women-bottoms/WU-Pant-Roll-Down-Full?cc=4708&skuId=3540700&catId=cat1340008" target="_blank">Lululemon</a> // Shoes: <a href="http://www.converse.com/regular/chuck-taylor-classic-colors/MP_51.html" target="_blank">Converse</a> // Sunnies: <a href="http://www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses/RB4098-jackie%20ohh%20ii-black/805289162308" target="_blank"> RayBan</a></td></tr>
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What a truly great day with my love. It's a joy to be his wife. I swear I tried to take more pictures of him, but he's just not a fan of a camera in his face. Bummer.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-21955950607938783932015-02-05T16:53:00.001-06:002015-02-09T19:37:33.191-06:00Empowering Women<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mississippi Hippy is changing.</div>
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Over the past year, I have come to realize my passion for empowering women and helping girls of all ages find health, happiness, and balance in their life's journey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeeniKicLX2ivSlPAKzpi_2BqVr_3E0Q3Ja_PXjvoa5OtIyPFDFtauaoPE5LSs1xbYv-z1ikUsQp5eAR_lUI1mfXMR7XSDvB6NMIxJ_V7AsoVtoMLt7Xis1YAS8jTKjfFm3OJu1w2kZc/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeeniKicLX2ivSlPAKzpi_2BqVr_3E0Q3Ja_PXjvoa5OtIyPFDFtauaoPE5LSs1xbYv-z1ikUsQp5eAR_lUI1mfXMR7XSDvB6NMIxJ_V7AsoVtoMLt7Xis1YAS8jTKjfFm3OJu1w2kZc/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" /></a></div>
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I know what it means to fight. I've fought bullies. I've fought weight. I've fought eating disorders. I've fought body dysmorphia. I've fought negative self image. I've fought depression. You name it, I've fought it. ALL women have, and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of fat shaming. I'm tired of skinny shaming. I'm tired of slut shaming. I'm tired of shaming! The media has pushed us too far.</div>
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Yes, we were created in God's holy image to be warriors, but how can we be warriors when the battles we're fighting keep us from our intended purpose. We were made to be loving, confident, and courageous, but we are being force fed media images that tell us we're fat, ugly, weak, and not enough.</div>
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Well I have a message for you...YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEmy0BxSNQ7Iq6eF47kQmf5Mj1zjxYmJgaOYZCrXLs5xwW1ttrqwjImyRXTUDHdapKDgocRRPETkajlNKYrnmZq0lM9pbF9dnouMPTbPCZH2KXIXfFvduffzGO-wHKIDV-dbdUFApLYg/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEmy0BxSNQ7Iq6eF47kQmf5Mj1zjxYmJgaOYZCrXLs5xwW1ttrqwjImyRXTUDHdapKDgocRRPETkajlNKYrnmZq0lM9pbF9dnouMPTbPCZH2KXIXfFvduffzGO-wHKIDV-dbdUFApLYg/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" /></a></div>
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From here on out, Mississippi Hippy will be devoted to promoting real, normal, happy, healthy women. I want to focus on teaching women to have balance in their life. We cannot be the best person, mother, wife, or child that we can be when we're run down from the messages that tell us we don't measure up.</div>
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Don't buy into the bull, ladies!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE4-4RV87g5ULvrYSd3PC5fLO46VeOYUyw-wJi5aU_l4ivJ_CzcNSry_OgV16DdG0p4vaWjAt_mU5y5Z6dhRAXCIkkFnBq_Jii5BiFP7GLDsdEgUtS3gDDtODwKXY78Vwlt6O-4gSFGc/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE4-4RV87g5ULvrYSd3PC5fLO46VeOYUyw-wJi5aU_l4ivJ_CzcNSry_OgV16DdG0p4vaWjAt_mU5y5Z6dhRAXCIkkFnBq_Jii5BiFP7GLDsdEgUtS3gDDtODwKXY78Vwlt6O-4gSFGc/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" /></a></div>
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Here's some post topics you will now be seeing:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Health</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Body Image and Recovery</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Lifestyle (what real women's lives look like every day, not the crap you see on Real Housewives)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Fitness</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Food (cause you can love kale and chocolate chip cookies, ok?...not together, of course..unless you're into that sort of thing.)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Entertainment</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Travel</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">and more!</li>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">If you have anything you'd like to see on the NEW and IMPROVED Mississippi Hippy, please comment and let me know! It is truly time for us, as women, to band together to build each other up. We are not competing against one another. We shold empowering each other to lead the lives we were born to live and deserve to live. The images being shoved down your throat every day are FAKE, FAKE, FAKE. It is time to make a change.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">And here's all real and all natural me. (excuse my MacBook Photo Booth glow)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4iB7IJgpDvEz89seRDUG2ER7AChDYTA8kfU2z9iYiSkHkGU6ba_UZ3x5_kkZHM_B1Ebguj5AqI9VFMgCCLTlKbj7kV2tnh8B8nhZN8cq3NL8NDq_w_hyphenhyphenXxLti-gF2CAcgRDg9ZdOaWY/s1600/Photo+on+2-5-15+at+4.47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4iB7IJgpDvEz89seRDUG2ER7AChDYTA8kfU2z9iYiSkHkGU6ba_UZ3x5_kkZHM_B1Ebguj5AqI9VFMgCCLTlKbj7kV2tnh8B8nhZN8cq3NL8NDq_w_hyphenhyphenXxLti-gF2CAcgRDg9ZdOaWY/s1600/Photo+on+2-5-15+at+4.47+PM.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-64671318662673210702014-11-09T10:19:00.000-06:002014-11-09T10:19:07.706-06:00Remember that time I used to blog?<div style="text-align: center;">
I woke up this morning with the motivation to blog. It's been a good 9 months since I have blogged, but it has been much longer than that since I've had the inspiration to do so.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JM5U1xUzoFoXPCWMq6OcJ2a8r4KA7RLNXR_Tiuu4pR1NNe1RHBiV5DklK2l0af4I_wxCMnnqB1BGN9iGlE30_vFFDK_gq5xile_8KFXz7vbEt0s62NiMWtZSuL50eOB0biGPTcLm9Uw/s1600/Thomas+626+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JM5U1xUzoFoXPCWMq6OcJ2a8r4KA7RLNXR_Tiuu4pR1NNe1RHBiV5DklK2l0af4I_wxCMnnqB1BGN9iGlE30_vFFDK_gq5xile_8KFXz7vbEt0s62NiMWtZSuL50eOB0biGPTcLm9Uw/s1600/Thomas+626+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Let me catch you up…</div>
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<li style="text-align: center;">I have now been married to my Nicholas for a little over 7 months. They have been the best months of my life. If the first year of marriage is the hardest, then I can't imagine how amazing the years to come will be. Marriage has been most natural and wonderful transition of our lives.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Back in May, I quit my job as an assistant teacher and took a job at a very large insurance company back in Jackson utilizing my degrees. I was determined that that was where I should be. Husband got a job teaching and coaching football back in my hometown. I thought I had finally started my career and was on my way to greatness. I was there three months and cried every single day. I was MISERABLE. Then, in a crazy turn of events, the doors opened, and I was offered a job as an elementary school librarian. I took it and ran. I've never been happier or more excited to go to work every morning. Education is exactly where I should have been all along, and I adore EVERY minute of being with those children. I couldn't dream of a better career.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah! We're renting the cutest little blue house in my hometown. We are 4 minutes down the road from my parents, and we are so happy. The puppies have a big back yard to run around in (and escape from). We're so excited for our first Christmas as a married couple, in our own home, with our little furry children.</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">and…..we have no plans for children any time soon! Haha! Of course, sometimes we get the baby fever, but we're loving life being able to do what we want, when we want. We have plans to travel and see the world a little before we expand our family. Husband and I look forward to the days of children, but we're just not ready to share each other yet.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SWijHKyEJuNetZO8j0AzovNsttRN1Aw430whb_coBounurGODf7qTIe5p2tORoJzxJBPNwyAKGYG-a8rbXFUt5S9oU2bzk535KdNUHF1r6vql1Ihusuk2o3nDxKPnsql9RicU1ifUno/s1600/Thomas+450+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SWijHKyEJuNetZO8j0AzovNsttRN1Aw430whb_coBounurGODf7qTIe5p2tORoJzxJBPNwyAKGYG-a8rbXFUt5S9oU2bzk535KdNUHF1r6vql1Ihusuk2o3nDxKPnsql9RicU1ifUno/s1600/Thomas+450+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's funny how something I loved became something I kind of dreaded. Maybe that's changing. I'm not making any promises of a consistently updated blog, but I do miss it. Mississippi Hippy might take on a different genre or personality. </div>
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It's always been a kind of hodge podge of things I find interesting and inspiring. However, I noticed that when I was blogging consistently, I became a much more materialistic version of myself. There was always something I wanted or needed or felt like I had to have to be a good blogger. I didn't like that. It's not who I am.</div>
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It's perfectly fine, in my opinion, to like and want nice things, but I was pushing it. I followed all of these beautiful blogs by people with much higher means than I, and I expected my life and blog to look the same way. I was jealous and comparing my behind the scenes to other people's highlight reels. That's where the wheels fell off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lffCHXnFBiB3txkB6wSoBVSnR67cTIUFnxgwUnBKhslN-8AyEOEJV5SdsKt80gBDWV7kmyWQ1ha6zYDlF788gdYEngreR-e9d8FseNgxDERtzNqdhnJ9Xx0Ze74i8TC2Nk-y5jeKXEc/s1600/Thomas+347+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lffCHXnFBiB3txkB6wSoBVSnR67cTIUFnxgwUnBKhslN-8AyEOEJV5SdsKt80gBDWV7kmyWQ1ha6zYDlF788gdYEngreR-e9d8FseNgxDERtzNqdhnJ9Xx0Ze74i8TC2Nk-y5jeKXEc/s1600/Thomas+347+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've taken a step back, repaired my psyche, and would like to take my creative outlet in a different direction. I have no idea what that direction is quite yet, but y'all will be the first to know.</div>
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So there's where Mississippi Hippy is. Just like real life, it has had its ups and downs and curve balls, and THAT'S OK! I have always wanted to be nothing but REAL with you guys and in life. So, that's what I will do.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sullyclemmer.com/">Sully Clemmer Photography</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-5729183245532557522014-02-11T20:30:00.001-06:002014-02-11T20:34:28.015-06:00No More Thigh Gaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMutIzFeKUDX1Qw9nR0ZgTvKYIWBMZDdACI5A9bv15HOya6sREQ4Wzv7rD2Ac8-1_UeXHHoR4KeJCf2X9ZhjXaL6RxmHpAcJVbWB601jxYxgD-FT99bd6I90HmxDztPMR4sKtmimgbEME/s1600/84c92a4dee88d3bdb95a8d895c03b81d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMutIzFeKUDX1Qw9nR0ZgTvKYIWBMZDdACI5A9bv15HOya6sREQ4Wzv7rD2Ac8-1_UeXHHoR4KeJCf2X9ZhjXaL6RxmHpAcJVbWB601jxYxgD-FT99bd6I90HmxDztPMR4sKtmimgbEME/s1600/84c92a4dee88d3bdb95a8d895c03b81d.jpg" /></a></div>
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Just in case you've been living under a rock for the past few months, let me introduce you to my latest fashion/model/girl crush obsession, Robyn Lawley.<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
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Robyn is considered a "plus size" model. Crazy, right? She's absolutely GORGE and flawless and there is nothing PLUS size about her. She is an Australian born 24 year old model who has dedicated her life to combating the negative, unrealistic body image that the fashion industry impresses on the minds of women today. She was the first "plus size" model to grace the cover of Italian Vogue and Australian Vogue. She loves food, and she has designed her own line of swimwear for the normal sized woman. (and I want every piece from the collection)</div>
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Y'all, this girl is revolutionizing the fashion industry. Robyn is the face of Ralph Lauren and their first plus size model. When she started modeling at age 16, she battled the brink of eating disorders. At 6'2" everyone told her she should model, and she was a natural. However, as she mentions in many interviews, her body was just not meant to be sickly skinny like the high fashion models we're seeing on the catwalks today.</div>
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I love this girl. Not only because she's obviously beautiful inside and out, but for the way she makes me feel about myself. My whole life, I have battled body image and disordered eating. Learning more about her and her journey has helped me truly appreciate and love my body. Every woman should love her body NO MATTER her size. Our bodies do so much for us every single day. It is perfectly ok for women of all shapes and sizes to love themselves. Because I come to love my body, I take better care of it. I eat healthy and exercise daily because it makes me feel good and nourishes the body I love.</div>
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Women have got to abandon the negative body images. We need to come together to encourage one another and build other women up. I absolutely LOVE other women who love and support other women. We are all special, unique, and beautiful. We are made in Christ's image. By banding together, we can change the media images we see. By demanding we see NORMAL women, it can change the whole body image culture that has been cultivated over the past few decades.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPbejwSt69hcymOK2RPLh0nUVIv8Vzu4l1aVZ9R7f6dJoH4QpscoeNVD-K3AAWDe2fJBdqtJx7yMtclcAN1muSmjXOZh-dUsrf4uhyls-nOoPmfv-lSA7-_Ie_Nd_6i9RAcL_JjE_Whs/s1600/e81d1ed5670c061270012e9c9469b82e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPbejwSt69hcymOK2RPLh0nUVIv8Vzu4l1aVZ9R7f6dJoH4QpscoeNVD-K3AAWDe2fJBdqtJx7yMtclcAN1muSmjXOZh-dUsrf4uhyls-nOoPmfv-lSA7-_Ie_Nd_6i9RAcL_JjE_Whs/s1600/e81d1ed5670c061270012e9c9469b82e.jpg" /></a></div>
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Check out the interview Robyn did with Ellen Degeneres below. It's so refreshing, and I truly love both of these women and everything they each stand for.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5nxVkkKK-K4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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One more thing on this subject:</div>
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Have you heard about <a href="http://www.ae.com/aerie/index.jsp">Aerie</a>'s new #AerieReal campaign? <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Get Real. Think Real. No Supermodels. No Retouching. The real you is sexy.” I love it and will definitely be supporting this brand more!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of this to say, just love yourself and take care of yourself. There's nothing wrong with being curvy and there's nothing wrong with being skinny. As long as your are healthy </span>and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> taking good care of yourself, every shape and size is PERFECT.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female."-</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Genesis 1:27</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-85868457882362095492014-02-05T19:26:00.001-06:002014-02-05T19:28:08.826-06:00in color and in black & white<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wednesdays always lack inspiration for me. I tend to struggle through the day while dreaming about crawling back into my pjs and bed the moment I get home and wait for Modern Family to come on. I'm sorry, but it's true. It's just struggle bus city on Wednesdays.</div>
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Thursday shall be better.</div>
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In the meantime, don't forget you can shop my closet on<b> <a href="http://www.tradesy.com/chelsea-eli/339990">Tradesy</a></b>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-28712114476236526622014-02-04T19:20:00.000-06:002014-02-04T19:49:46.094-06:00this is getting serious, guys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNLzH0HgwtYr4VQJ1PVwix5q1xtXp8-A5xL1edkQFejHRXZbDLOjKBxI68XnPvob07bB0s8apYv-UoY2bXaOriBxYhXkeEGfinCIVYkoa_MNnYU7ypBBgED4KpWjWCCYoyn1NM5ZUJK0/s1600/IMG_5915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNLzH0HgwtYr4VQJ1PVwix5q1xtXp8-A5xL1edkQFejHRXZbDLOjKBxI68XnPvob07bB0s8apYv-UoY2bXaOriBxYhXkeEGfinCIVYkoa_MNnYU7ypBBgED4KpWjWCCYoyn1NM5ZUJK0/s1600/IMG_5915.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blazer: <a href="http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/Clothes/Outerwear/entity/pc/2114/c/0/sc/2629/250187.uts">Charlotte Russe</a> | Tank: <a href="http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/Intimates-Lounge/Layering-Camis/entity/pc/2996/c/0/sc/2647/237534.uts">Charlotte Russe</a> | Trousers: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-women-s-pleated-drapey-pant-blueprint/-/A-15063097#prodSlot=large_6_24">Target</a> | Shoes: <a href="http://www.toryburch.com/amy-pump/50008625.html?dwvar_50008625_color=051&start=46&cgid=shoes-heels">Tory Burch</a> | Watch: <a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/p/Michael-Kors-Michael-Kors-Mid-Size-Bradshaw-Chronograph-Watch-Golden-VIEW-ALL-WATCHES/prod15060004_cat7502__/?index=45&cmCat=cat000000cat145cat35701cat7502&isEditorial=false">Michael Kors (similar)</a> | Bracelet: <a href="http://www.davidyurman.com/women/bracelets/Y0BQY/cable-classics-bracelet-with-peridot-and-diamonds">David Yurman</a></td></tr>
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I got so many weird looks from students as work today. By the end of the day, I wanted to yell "THEY'RE JUST PANTS!!" I didn't though, don't worry. They're just children. They've never seen a fine pair of trousers like these before. It's cool.</div>
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In other news, <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/">Whole Foods</a> opened in Jackson today. It makes me miss living there really bad. I just want to be closer to a Whole Foods. Is that too much to ask?…not that I can really afford to do my weekly grocery shopping there, but it would be really nice to have the option. Maybe some big wig from Whole Foods will run across my little blog and take pity on me. They'll say, "Hey! We should help that girl out. We'll start building Whole Foods Ocean Springs, Mississippi next week! Sorry for the inconvenience, Chelsea!"….a girl can dream, right?</div>
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For the record, <a href="http://www.hm.com/us/">H&M</a> can totally open here on the coast too. They're opening one of them in Jackson soon, and they just opened one in New Orleans. Something needs to give here, people!!! Help a healthy food and fashion loving girl out, please and thank you!!</div>
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One last random thought…I REALLY wanted to wear my black <a href="http://www.converse.com/">Chuck Taylor Converse</a> with this outfit today, but my Rainbow Bright shoelaces from the 7th grade are still in them. Even though they're extremely faded, I felt a little weird about mixing Rainbow Bright with this look. Thoughts?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-18152780408860634632014-02-03T20:26:00.000-06:002014-02-03T20:26:45.169-06:00Something Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLPXofFsP23pErkehn4OZ_MlCWjAzcZA7om4wSgug8fThdtH4YKJD09HKO9F_TIUR7cLhbRy2m_xe5uL-ffYvpz3cI-7vhSGfWojJSdBozuM0YlvDotxV2Wo6L_WYV97uIocRm3bAEFs/s1600/IMG_5876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLPXofFsP23pErkehn4OZ_MlCWjAzcZA7om4wSgug8fThdtH4YKJD09HKO9F_TIUR7cLhbRy2m_xe5uL-ffYvpz3cI-7vhSGfWojJSdBozuM0YlvDotxV2Wo6L_WYV97uIocRm3bAEFs/s1600/IMG_5876.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7evxgt2SO3ciZwQko2mSu3fc-aWwZONx7ih50X4J4CdMyXCXyfPmRH5ObpYy9ZhtLWWBuh8uYMLDFpvqHcovNQQivioUdBwtzIbgr5W5kfYT2zodNeYcNg1quXApJ2pDvJKJuvw8CEU/s1600/IMG_5858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7evxgt2SO3ciZwQko2mSu3fc-aWwZONx7ih50X4J4CdMyXCXyfPmRH5ObpYy9ZhtLWWBuh8uYMLDFpvqHcovNQQivioUdBwtzIbgr5W5kfYT2zodNeYcNg1quXApJ2pDvJKJuvw8CEU/s1600/IMG_5858.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsBzEMLABK27yGy6F5eitUius0NT8cAmBp-e5JmT7TL-wAV0rYrzKt-QLfjRQWHT6cxvnJ95S6AsruAoroJs0QbF8H7uBAdcDcfkVUlbyunhtmvqpBUr95luhPFthQO7B3MHOfCuwAnY/s1600/IMG_5869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsBzEMLABK27yGy6F5eitUius0NT8cAmBp-e5JmT7TL-wAV0rYrzKt-QLfjRQWHT6cxvnJ95S6AsruAoroJs0QbF8H7uBAdcDcfkVUlbyunhtmvqpBUr95luhPFthQO7B3MHOfCuwAnY/s1600/IMG_5869.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirt: Urban Outfitters (<a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=30240642&parentid=W_APP_BLOUSES">similar)</a> | Jeans: <a href="http://www.kutfromthekloth.com/product_p/kp488mk8.htm"> KUT from the Kloth</a> | Shoes: <a href="http://shop.guess.com/en/Catalog/Browse/women/shoes/booties/">Guess</a> (old) | Watch: Michael Kors (<a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/p/Michael-Kors-Michael-Kors-Mid-Size-Bradshaw-Chronograph-Watch-Golden-VIEW-ALL-WATCHES/prod15060004_cat7502__/?index=45&cmCat=cat000000cat145cat35701cat7502&isEditorial=false">similar</a>) | Bracelets: <a href="http://www.alexandani.com/bangles/set-of-3-expandable-wire-bangles-2-textured-1-smooth.html">Alex+Ani</a>, <a href="http://www.designerjewelrybyronaldo.com/cart/index.php/bracelets/celtic-knot.html">Ronaldo</a></td></tr>
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Saturday, after picking up my wedding dress only to have my bridal portraits canceled due to rain, I got to spend time with my parents and high school friends. We had a yummy dinner at Ruth's Chris (a rare occurrence for my mom's birthday), then we went to the coolest little new bar in Jackson called, Apothecary.</div>
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If you've seen the movie The Help, you've seen the outside of the bar. Some scenes in that movie were filmed in a legendary soda fountain spot called Brent's Drugs in Jackson. In the back of Brent's Drugs, after hours, is Apothecary. You walk through the empty place to the back where there is a door. You knock on it, tell the host how many in your party, and are then seated in the neatest little back room bar. It's all so secretive like during prohibition and really dark and dreamy. I had a drink called a Brown Derby--whisky, rye, and grapefruit. Yum.</div>
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It was so good to spend time with great, old friends and celebrate birthdays and all the fun times to come. A very special Happy Birthday to the best mom in the whole world. 21 years young today, and she will forever be my best friend. She's the Lorelei to my Rory, the macaroni to my cheese, and the chocolate to my peanut butter. Love you forever and like your for always, momma!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-89212723862177110802014-01-30T20:13:00.001-06:002014-02-02T02:10:16.503-06:00The Ice is Melting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbfERAy-Z9ZGr_kqG2hJzC4dj4pTdNVVkqVKyjPLlS7ytPKhZP3o5LreycSr5EjJ2C0YD3psPL-YLiwmoPADGW7ZXG_BLZhW08EURDbbUVSrmYa9Y73IZ-kYmgDTW4uhH5UmRNCRsOio/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbfERAy-Z9ZGr_kqG2hJzC4dj4pTdNVVkqVKyjPLlS7ytPKhZP3o5LreycSr5EjJ2C0YD3psPL-YLiwmoPADGW7ZXG_BLZhW08EURDbbUVSrmYa9Y73IZ-kYmgDTW4uhH5UmRNCRsOio/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7xMDL2Jx5llxrBQ0Bcy2O4tWtRIw_c8WDWTh0LdsIr9VJ2_9bGEWRJMoBc-0A73f_-oHoV4aTlHjYZiV7bogxvrOGZ25srZgROO1hO0Tz_YCuKwczhVUbH0N-gw6qT0mlQuDYgmy4Rg/s1600/IMG_5836+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7xMDL2Jx5llxrBQ0Bcy2O4tWtRIw_c8WDWTh0LdsIr9VJ2_9bGEWRJMoBc-0A73f_-oHoV4aTlHjYZiV7bogxvrOGZ25srZgROO1hO0Tz_YCuKwczhVUbH0N-gw6qT0mlQuDYgmy4Rg/s1600/IMG_5836+-+Version+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctIeUBTcq2bEaS5lbrmsRf6i47_61C9IkkLpF1h6YKh5U1oJxorz-KuhESFzVihHhi3g9mHbRqAvBGky0Bed3SQXJJVCAXhPrTovStZw-ufuvOllNfjBxHI2BescsPyxhC4uFYsRS3rQ/s1600/IMG_5845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctIeUBTcq2bEaS5lbrmsRf6i47_61C9IkkLpF1h6YKh5U1oJxorz-KuhESFzVihHhi3g9mHbRqAvBGky0Bed3SQXJJVCAXhPrTovStZw-ufuvOllNfjBxHI2BescsPyxhC4uFYsRS3rQ/s1600/IMG_5845.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmSRl2Ce-Z49qWObGpmBkrZfuYI6FOfZOsRkOfKdJGyZbjiiDtkno1moUwoAm6GGWp_xgCQSr1ff44lqK5j-4buJmHwuIB_Qv_qFNUyejUJzSgHROYGaeXxV0uBSs-uf6sgtSoZuYrI4/s1600/faces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmSRl2Ce-Z49qWObGpmBkrZfuYI6FOfZOsRkOfKdJGyZbjiiDtkno1moUwoAm6GGWp_xgCQSr1ff44lqK5j-4buJmHwuIB_Qv_qFNUyejUJzSgHROYGaeXxV0uBSs-uf6sgtSoZuYrI4/s1600/faces.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWxDxeI7U7hWY3epYSLZPDMHkDc8hfFi_5xLqlKQmIHzZB7_cYoYSze94IeY48hJj6zJEn9jejqhJLZvLzjj7A8x5WHsDM6ii3TmDMIZFp0864ZoEZyYTUVClPVjJmWOaxDNWlPyDydM/s1600/IMG_5843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWxDxeI7U7hWY3epYSLZPDMHkDc8hfFi_5xLqlKQmIHzZB7_cYoYSze94IeY48hJj6zJEn9jejqhJLZvLzjj7A8x5WHsDM6ii3TmDMIZFp0864ZoEZyYTUVClPVjJmWOaxDNWlPyDydM/s1600/IMG_5843.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat: <a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/templates/P6.jhtml?itemId=cat19301&parentId=cat102&masterId=cat000000&menuPath=cat000000_cat102_cat19301&navid=subNavOUTERWEAR&navAction=menu">Michael Kors</a> (old) | Sweater: <a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1000512&vid=1&pid=941355122">GAP</a> | Shirt: <a href="http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-juniors-long-sleeve-denim-button-down-top-assorted-colors/-/A-14603058#prodSlot=large_1_17">Target</a> (similar) | Pants: <a href="http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/womens-pant/15023122?Color=CHARCOAL">Calvin Klein</a> (similar) | Booties: <a href="http://shop.guess.com/en/Catalog/Browse/women/shoes/booties/">Guess</a> (similar) | Watch: <a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/templates/P6VAll.jhtml?itemId=cat7502">Michael Kors</a> (old) | Bracelets: <a href="http://www.davidyurman.com/women/bracelets/-20MF/cable-classics-bracelet?swatchId=Y4326">David Yurman</a>, <a href="http://www.alexandani.com/bangles/set-of-3-expandable-wire-bangles-2-textured-1-smooth.html">Alex + Ani</a>, <a href="http://www.designerjewelrybyronaldo.com/cart/index.php/bracelets/celtic-knot.html">Ronaldo</a> | Bag: <a href="http://www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Large-Weston-Pebbled-Shoulder-Bag-SHOULDER-BAGS/prod21130028_cat8518_cat8501_/?index=7&cmCat=cat000000cat8501cat8518&isEditorial=false">Michael Kors</a> | Sunnies: <a href="http://www.jondie.com/">Jondie</a> (old) </td></tr>
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Fiancé was just too handsome to not document today!</div>
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As I was walking one of my first graders back to her classroom today, she pointed out all the things about my outfit that she wanted. First it was my shoes. She really wanted them and did all she could to convince me that they would fit her. Next it was my sweater, then my bracelets, and finally my engagement ring. She proceeded to tell me that she knew who gave me my ring. When I asked her who she thought it was, she replied, "your man." I laughed so hard while I told her she was right. My sweet little first grader then asked me if I had gotten it for my anniversary. I told her no, that it was my engagement ring and that I was getting married in March. As we arrived at her room, she got the dreamiest look on her face and said, "I can't wait to get married."</div>
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Lord have mercy they start young, but isn't it every little girl's dream to be swept off her feet by their prince charming? I could see that image in her head written all over her face. I couldn't help but think about how blessed and lucky I am to have found my prince charming. He is so incredibly good to me, and I can't wait to conquer life with him.</div>
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A special thanks to him for taking these pictures! I'm going to teach him how to use that camera well if it kills us!…that might be going a little overboard. He's such a good sport and makes me laugh uncontrollably. Hooray for melting ice, by the way!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-1706081686642355962014-01-29T15:41:00.000-06:002014-02-02T02:09:25.389-06:0010 Things That Make Me TERRIBLY Happy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hMfEWIJyovUKacayogsbF1a6Fv1u9LVAohvnV9Y1I7i_WChzcPIkdTT4QMdm0Aqv_VxBmiPNfiay2hLfPY5lMv-oU1RzLh35FuP2B7L8_h-RuR8OXtvPcpIiMKJE7aExClYV_5Wtqog/s1600/BW+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hMfEWIJyovUKacayogsbF1a6Fv1u9LVAohvnV9Y1I7i_WChzcPIkdTT4QMdm0Aqv_VxBmiPNfiay2hLfPY5lMv-oU1RzLh35FuP2B7L8_h-RuR8OXtvPcpIiMKJE7aExClYV_5Wtqog/s1600/BW+Kiss.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emilyleephoto.com/">Emily Lee Photo</a></td></tr>
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-Fiancé (Duh!)</div>
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-Day time TV talk shows (i.e. Steve Harvey, Ellen, The Chew)</div>
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-When people win the $20,000 on Family Feud (I've obviously been watching way too much TV during these snow days…)</div>
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-My super old and worn in Ugg boots. They're ugly and stained and perfect.</div>
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-When my fur babies want to snuggle</div>
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-Coffee…it owns me, and I'm ok with it.</div>
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-The new Budweiser commercial for this year's super bowl. OMG they raised their already ridiculously high bar yet again.</div>
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-All the incredibly sweet friends and family Fiancé and I have who are throwing us wedding showers. Seriously, we could not be more blessed.</div>
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-Seeing my student's eyes light up when something finally clicks with them.</div>
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-Getting to catch up my ridiculously long blog reading list</div>
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Today is not my week to be featured, but don't forget to head on over to <a href="http://www.thesouthernc.com/">The Southern Coterie</a>'s virtual front porch and check out all the amazing articles. Check out my articles every third Wednesday of the month!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-89232643340745835322014-01-28T13:15:00.001-06:002014-01-28T13:15:32.827-06:00The Life Erratic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJS3UKa1lEP5qFQ3S96rEuhwpMuQzQlRH_czkWATjeJcURbnm-DI5SKQ5QJm2-B1ke6jHrJdOIMZd2EUg_o1g4-5eYLZVjaIhlykcecDJ9hxOlrg_bDcyHEpflYa8MTRQnnTY2nAs3Vg/s1600/Vader+Snow+Watching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJS3UKa1lEP5qFQ3S96rEuhwpMuQzQlRH_czkWATjeJcURbnm-DI5SKQ5QJm2-B1ke6jHrJdOIMZd2EUg_o1g4-5eYLZVjaIhlykcecDJ9hxOlrg_bDcyHEpflYa8MTRQnnTY2nAs3Vg/s1600/Vader+Snow+Watching.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have been living the life erratic lately. I finally accepted a job last week as an assistant teacher at an elementary school. It's not exactly what I had in mind seeing as how my degrees are in marketing and public relations, but it has been a pleasant surprise. Career wise, though, I'm not so sure where my life is headed right now. It's been a difficult past two months worrying about that, but I've finally just handed it over to the Lord. He will lead me on the right path. I have to trust that.</div>
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We did get a snow day today though! Crazy, I know! On the Mississippi Gulf Coast! That's my Vader man up there waiting for it to hit.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0DWfwm3HBPKvTg8u3suAEQVkJiMLHYQO70vuTYjP7US5eDW66BZnTgy8xyTejXtjoAFpSjz7PEx6zTY5Ycvj8TFb7GDXki9agqTVVM64KWQC6b3lzVoWDFckHGUQdqns7I3VLJBBilo/s1600/IceBreakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0DWfwm3HBPKvTg8u3suAEQVkJiMLHYQO70vuTYjP7US5eDW66BZnTgy8xyTejXtjoAFpSjz7PEx6zTY5Ycvj8TFb7GDXki9agqTVVM64KWQC6b3lzVoWDFckHGUQdqns7I3VLJBBilo/s1600/IceBreakers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Day essentials.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU23IrGCFWZLRazxHjAFaJMtfVz0psNiMO0bNA74SE27j2ehMgeiK0xxrO3NZC8l0iogEz_02QKFDe1zo3RN3Zgn1Dcfg33yC3dLMBAR5Cv4uLhYf9ElfIvOXZ08RSSJW7fq96jVd9IOA/s1600/IMG_5801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU23IrGCFWZLRazxHjAFaJMtfVz0psNiMO0bNA74SE27j2ehMgeiK0xxrO3NZC8l0iogEz_02QKFDe1zo3RN3Zgn1Dcfg33yC3dLMBAR5Cv4uLhYf9ElfIvOXZ08RSSJW7fq96jVd9IOA/s1600/IMG_5801.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mashed cauliflower to substitute cold day comfort food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy588U4uTm-rvDrjyRjfxfRU-9T6f_jOiOmMuqUg83ZYmSw1mb2I8-v-HbNpViW4VbugnKi-xD4SYC3U-qKKid1k2RTL-epKpl936rLgZmY-JTqUGfpAe7ihZxqbPzxqZAJCqtQTs3FIA/s1600/Nick+and+Layla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy588U4uTm-rvDrjyRjfxfRU-9T6f_jOiOmMuqUg83ZYmSw1mb2I8-v-HbNpViW4VbugnKi-xD4SYC3U-qKKid1k2RTL-epKpl936rLgZmY-JTqUGfpAe7ihZxqbPzxqZAJCqtQTs3FIA/s1600/Nick+and+Layla.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layla Bug and my man bright and early.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsmxSMQkvUr8m65bMr3Xl9xrms4Hb-JU-lIjpuqqUScWWPPE9K7GXIoLP4pPV0M4e5ZnHVsmjsI5PmdiNPBNUxkVEF5vdZy5Um-_WpAVG2y8IDTGqthgf4yvUnRMoCWHmQEYm7Hvw7oc/s1600/Beautiful+Ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsmxSMQkvUr8m65bMr3Xl9xrms4Hb-JU-lIjpuqqUScWWPPE9K7GXIoLP4pPV0M4e5ZnHVsmjsI5PmdiNPBNUxkVEF5vdZy5Um-_WpAVG2y8IDTGqthgf4yvUnRMoCWHmQEYm7Hvw7oc/s1600/Beautiful+Ruins.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I've been reading lately.</td></tr>
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Even though my life is somewhat erratic right now, and I am MORE THAN READY to finally be settled down, I know that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. I have to trust God's timing and not my own, so I'm clinging to this verse:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there."</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>1 Corinthians 7:17</b></i></span></span></div>
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Everyone stay warm and safe in this crazy Polar Vortex!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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P.S. I'm not quite sure what direction this blog is headed in. So, for now, blog topics may be very random or simply about what's going on in my life until I find my way back into the blogosphere. Thanks for bearing with me and sticking around.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-11296120576198587572014-01-26T20:00:00.000-06:002014-01-26T20:00:33.623-06:00Things I Kinda Sorta Love<div style="text-align: center;">
Two and a half months…It's been a while.</div>
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I needed a break. With so many things changing in my life all at once (and they're still changing) it was just too daunting to constantly be coming up with content. I was trying to please everyone but myself.</div>
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What I discovered during my blogging break, however, was that this is my creative outlet. A big part of my life was missing, and I felt lost. So slowly, but surely, I'm back. It might be sporadic because I am beginning a new job, moving, and planning my wedding. (Only 2 short months away!)</div>
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I kind sorta love this blog, so I'm ready to get back at it. I'm going to share some things with you that I kinda sorta love!</div>
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This beautiful bohemian space that I hope to model my new home after.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbvPNBu9h0m70aY8g2ZU8P_aQla8voAvvhzNWcWsuJIzC3CP95VUrmfPZn0N-7W2liMoTpMnHUOKX2aii_rABE5_osXxdGf2aRC7o8z3aEU18S9-o-5Jk97y5ZW4Ck6wZsd-rVpT5wUA/s1600/4daf48f4a5a033d93e1ea0accf11047e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbvPNBu9h0m70aY8g2ZU8P_aQla8voAvvhzNWcWsuJIzC3CP95VUrmfPZn0N-7W2liMoTpMnHUOKX2aii_rABE5_osXxdGf2aRC7o8z3aEU18S9-o-5Jk97y5ZW4Ck6wZsd-rVpT5wUA/s1600/4daf48f4a5a033d93e1ea0accf11047e.jpg" /></a></div>
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A little rosé to get through wedding planning stress.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocTsZrmmZdEDU8G3dPuJ_iqabmr7mWpJSpXOaF48J53qUOD9FK9azR87bNETrpOaCn7P-AykwXtmJZ5Zfj5rAITrYx6GXXp_ZilE9taDZb2RqC_MUC7nMTk12w01W0XRkiGsqg-y0690/s1600/314b8bc0bf3abd13ebb4632a7fcdfd47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocTsZrmmZdEDU8G3dPuJ_iqabmr7mWpJSpXOaF48J53qUOD9FK9azR87bNETrpOaCn7P-AykwXtmJZ5Zfj5rAITrYx6GXXp_ZilE9taDZb2RqC_MUC7nMTk12w01W0XRkiGsqg-y0690/s1600/314b8bc0bf3abd13ebb4632a7fcdfd47.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tyler Knott Gregson always touches my heart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ohm45sfMF9CHCPOtELpvVFhvi0HVnM92ZsFTA-3f15oleSH2ZzA9MWIGwQSPsQxKWC8THihNmnnWAG7EUlPw8eTTMMSE3YpzfWgZMtzozDpDi8-gf8NK_rZS5X23PrrcW63SjWnGNDo/s1600/01137b45c4167dd6a0d08ec65942372a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ohm45sfMF9CHCPOtELpvVFhvi0HVnM92ZsFTA-3f15oleSH2ZzA9MWIGwQSPsQxKWC8THihNmnnWAG7EUlPw8eTTMMSE3YpzfWgZMtzozDpDi8-gf8NK_rZS5X23PrrcW63SjWnGNDo/s1600/01137b45c4167dd6a0d08ec65942372a.jpg" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.toneitup.com/">Tone It Up</a> girl's new show, Toned Up on Bravo and their Love Your Body Series!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OntNZitoYn_wMpYYAiiqYJC1HK5Ut2P_AAVpbOIppGw-LBSnA8HRBXsdVjOJyf4GgxX-SswoB1qYxf62nQlS4PC8Vc4ARlbpWBLabtrpzkq5SCzRJlgI0OqlznK4nVu0kTs-P09K30M/s1600/7784e82c6f043a84326fbbb4279a5e30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OntNZitoYn_wMpYYAiiqYJC1HK5Ut2P_AAVpbOIppGw-LBSnA8HRBXsdVjOJyf4GgxX-SswoB1qYxf62nQlS4PC8Vc4ARlbpWBLabtrpzkq5SCzRJlgI0OqlznK4nVu0kTs-P09K30M/s1600/7784e82c6f043a84326fbbb4279a5e30.jpg" /></a></div>
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My favorite magazine, <a href="http://www.foammagazine.com/">Foam</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y6Z9FpTC4TeaVA_Pfk05i_QRBLLFsafqpPWgR-nStipGD5SF9i47geIo_9yABrvQqWFKc6FusxAPbZR8G3goJpM-N0SgxdOoiz6emYWfljVz6YLfTBgRIu8NHHZcdlVH42YOd9xjlAs/s1600/c69f84864cb53992d293c8a7530ca187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y6Z9FpTC4TeaVA_Pfk05i_QRBLLFsafqpPWgR-nStipGD5SF9i47geIo_9yABrvQqWFKc6FusxAPbZR8G3goJpM-N0SgxdOoiz6emYWfljVz6YLfTBgRIu8NHHZcdlVH42YOd9xjlAs/s1600/c69f84864cb53992d293c8a7530ca187.jpg" /></a></div>
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Being able to call this beach home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPi6H-cayDHrT4vx8PBYI79lUWHnwwsESJXO1whZ3SCqyRZGRDsaPvPl5Nj64-A8ehqYDeXyCERyPIbwFiWZn6BeInNbXsjg7Jq0lHQMzbuVbhVKicfnKom23bjnSar4_SqZnAUkmPTg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPi6H-cayDHrT4vx8PBYI79lUWHnwwsESJXO1whZ3SCqyRZGRDsaPvPl5Nj64-A8ehqYDeXyCERyPIbwFiWZn6BeInNbXsjg7Jq0lHQMzbuVbhVKicfnKom23bjnSar4_SqZnAUkmPTg/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
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and last, but never least, my fiancé!! Except I don't kinda sorta love him, I REALLY love him! :)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI8yGQ-UNPhiKiYj5A1KuOG17Jf9gUK67SAJGs_Q41rCLXyhNDXDAtaU41dnMVuXewlVtJx3egTPsnSa6i3FbuzoTAvPoKFU0i4KenQ2u5nTa9HbA46QegUGeoWDAPlXyRFUVkdv9KCM/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI8yGQ-UNPhiKiYj5A1KuOG17Jf9gUK67SAJGs_Q41rCLXyhNDXDAtaU41dnMVuXewlVtJx3egTPsnSa6i3FbuzoTAvPoKFU0i4KenQ2u5nTa9HbA46QegUGeoWDAPlXyRFUVkdv9KCM/s1600/us.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by: <a href="http://emilyleephoto.com/">Emily Lee Photo</a></td></tr>
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Thanks for reading! I'm so glad to be back!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-12232732445467674102013-11-13T15:44:00.001-06:002013-11-13T15:44:04.590-06:00Wishful Wednesday: Sweater Weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXtqvsXrzHgqOEEUsuf6WFxw8wGdHYWfrRMXo5KJVZPCzzqqtb8GyQcXHlHJhcihJzAWb6a74-IFWkZ0mbYI_yD_nrXVdernayYAvKvHkcNhffV8jtK2eWcMHNNHgZpR5kJpB_3W4Q7c/s1600/b1654e75185df35c28ec2edb99381324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXtqvsXrzHgqOEEUsuf6WFxw8wGdHYWfrRMXo5KJVZPCzzqqtb8GyQcXHlHJhcihJzAWb6a74-IFWkZ0mbYI_yD_nrXVdernayYAvKvHkcNhffV8jtK2eWcMHNNHgZpR5kJpB_3W4Q7c/s1600/b1654e75185df35c28ec2edb99381324.jpg" /></a></div>
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So today is the first REALLY cold day here in south Mississippi, and believe it or not, I'm loving it. Now don't get me wrong, I much prefer our Summer heat, but something about this year has me loving crisp air and the holiday season. Don't tell anyone, but I've got my Christmas music going in my office today. Shhhh!</div>
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Onto the main event! Lets talk about sweaters. I seriously love them, which is weird because I used to hate them. I hated feeling bulky and layered. Maybe it was the extra pounds I was carrying? Who knows, but I'm all about a cozy sweater this year.</div>
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I've put together a collection of my favorite styles for the season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhdWtEL0cSmSwUhsQxl3ipqNOpK7rWS9tLZmMDJvjNUdpV_Km1fXGJdfhTqnOQrZjzq8tCJZuwvAM3d5XATNETxc-8geV2xL_J1WjrkX_59c5KfxnHXP7cFvo_DbLMGyxUAHLDwNmoCo/s1600/805d3e8ba6b74b1c6e76d77fda0d66bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhdWtEL0cSmSwUhsQxl3ipqNOpK7rWS9tLZmMDJvjNUdpV_Km1fXGJdfhTqnOQrZjzq8tCJZuwvAM3d5XATNETxc-8geV2xL_J1WjrkX_59c5KfxnHXP7cFvo_DbLMGyxUAHLDwNmoCo/s1600/805d3e8ba6b74b1c6e76d77fda0d66bd.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slouchy Cardigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yzGCv68agfE_KP_okPsLKVVwxVVi-0HoGDcNjelYZpIdwOGkwMvz8JEFgnTAulb3UXjowraUGeE7WY18bhta6Gsv8IZUD2Kisc7hDKwGBSZ4C9DIvXm6Gnc9B6X3ULOHqhwgv2btEpk/s1600/6248d6ee2dd6344d60720b7b78255140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yzGCv68agfE_KP_okPsLKVVwxVVi-0HoGDcNjelYZpIdwOGkwMvz8JEFgnTAulb3UXjowraUGeE7WY18bhta6Gsv8IZUD2Kisc7hDKwGBSZ4C9DIvXm6Gnc9B6X3ULOHqhwgv2btEpk/s1600/6248d6ee2dd6344d60720b7b78255140.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Printed and Oversized</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNB1T-ORWi9cF_d94fKqs65jiYPnCsKiQ2G0xLCqgKAt1xvBh0c4B1VTkA5vDUaz-6-w1HaQGqmoy2wwrnk8gpHtLYDeUdWam0I0ixDX-0nElrOChLtDSWzTRR1ZOkmB9laI2EeUBJYc/s1600/6778aa867c2c3676e44c77d51c056997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNB1T-ORWi9cF_d94fKqs65jiYPnCsKiQ2G0xLCqgKAt1xvBh0c4B1VTkA5vDUaz-6-w1HaQGqmoy2wwrnk8gpHtLYDeUdWam0I0ixDX-0nElrOChLtDSWzTRR1ZOkmB9laI2EeUBJYc/s1600/6778aa867c2c3676e44c77d51c056997.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye Catching Elbow Patches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corded and Comfy</td></tr>
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I love a good sweater that you can pull the sleeves over your hands for the extra warm and cozy feeling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53b_GCxbOBxgac63MvIzLNRPFYOE1xCaBqDKoyfOtFfLwRP_DKQ401FAZRAYP3p3fMGzyxrluGE4k1IMFL-nulbr0yRTZeGDptacuLiL_nxvqfN2joaallJVRzjf1dpOim5zCd4BLKoI/s1600/674e535103f4eee11eaac7ab1c941842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53b_GCxbOBxgac63MvIzLNRPFYOE1xCaBqDKoyfOtFfLwRP_DKQ401FAZRAYP3p3fMGzyxrluGE4k1IMFL-nulbr0yRTZeGDptacuLiL_nxvqfN2joaallJVRzjf1dpOim5zCd4BLKoI/s1600/674e535103f4eee11eaac7ab1c941842.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now someone get me one of these amazing Christmas sweaters to knock my already high Christmas spirit level up another notch, and call me giddy.</div>
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What's your favorite way to wear a cozy sweater? Leave a comment and let me know!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-52206603469224643672013-10-27T19:21:00.000-05:002013-10-27T19:21:38.122-05:00Engaged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_qg5hCEVtroMv8tS5Qfeumgevr9ZHGZl3nsu-0mzJ4rssoDU6VuCyc0pQIM9Tg5Ug7RwBxUlP_kzMWfUVh6Jnf_VcBBqtk87qW_4XFo-AA63kE8LtR7mmIykxC0Fr6rrh603CJSRZNE/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_qg5hCEVtroMv8tS5Qfeumgevr9ZHGZl3nsu-0mzJ4rssoDU6VuCyc0pQIM9Tg5Ug7RwBxUlP_kzMWfUVh6Jnf_VcBBqtk87qW_4XFo-AA63kE8LtR7mmIykxC0Fr6rrh603CJSRZNE/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" /></a></div>
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That's right! The beau got down on one knee and asked the question that every girl longs to hear from the love of her life. After almost three years together, I get to marry my best friend.</div>
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So here's how it all went down...</div>
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Nick came up for Southern Miss' homecoming weekend on Friday. When he comes straight from work, he usually gets here at about 5:30, but on this particular day, he arrived around 4:45. I thought this was strange, but I had talked myself out of thinking that he was proposing this weekend.</div>
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I finished getting dressed because we were going to dinner before an alumni party with his fraternity brothers, and we watched some TV before we left. I was being grumpy, and he was just all smiles. I still didn't think anything was up because I just assumed he was just excited for the weekend with old friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUeV8rcj2O4n0fmxQNP0S22rdBMIzVws-QgZj_srEve2Ci87DlfYjaJoUTP1UskwqG-dcCyildSwnzBRiEPYeYGoN4IG2G-lODMy6jNUDejcBzFxin5_zciSqz6UJml1oQ4ox1aiUyS0/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUeV8rcj2O4n0fmxQNP0S22rdBMIzVws-QgZj_srEve2Ci87DlfYjaJoUTP1UskwqG-dcCyildSwnzBRiEPYeYGoN4IG2G-lODMy6jNUDejcBzFxin5_zciSqz6UJml1oQ4ox1aiUyS0/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJXhaqvNd4YlPHGj462-JVc7e7NGxhUH_bLVrOfgMb_H7De0EjeZrYLRETYMks68PbWXSfFtQarcwc4bGkyECQn9tPX7K5p8oGsx2RJ-k8JE0aQ7DUUF_DQfaDtFlTeG1cTNRzJfXNKo/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJXhaqvNd4YlPHGj462-JVc7e7NGxhUH_bLVrOfgMb_H7De0EjeZrYLRETYMks68PbWXSfFtQarcwc4bGkyECQn9tPX7K5p8oGsx2RJ-k8JE0aQ7DUUF_DQfaDtFlTeG1cTNRzJfXNKo/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" /></a></div>
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On our way to dinner, Nick decided we should stop by the Southern Miss campus, our alma mater and where we first met, began dating, and have spent most of our relationship. He had talked about wanting to walk across the bridge at Lake Byron at the entry way to the campus. It's really beautiful out there, and rumor has it that the person you walk across the bridge with is the person you will spend the rest of your life with.</div>
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We had walked across the bridge twice before, so I still wasn't catching on. The bridge leads to a little island in the middle of the lake, and as we walked across the pretty little bridge holding hands we were just chatting like normal. When we reached the island, I began to walk towards the benches on the right hand side, but Nick walked the other way. I asked where he was going, and walked that way towards him.</div>
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I was freezing, so I was cuddled up in his arms and looking the opposite direction when he said, "you know, I told you we'd be getting engaged really soon." I turned to look at him to respond, and when I did, he began to get down on one knee. I was absolutely speechless, except I somehow found the composure to say, "Shut up! No you're not!" haha..way to keep the moment sweet, Chels. He then pulled the most beautiful and unique ring I've ever seen out of his pocket as he told me how much he loved me, that I was his best friend in the entire world, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZZVOoHMh5R7E8nDtidMJA6QV0AfU8h9Ybz8Nh6eHdmDfAPOVX498T_SomN0zjbtglC55inJoTK79KETST5t54SMFqN5AT1vlevTvV4YY03aZOdTY1AQtJwOxUHDkbLC6gJbSfT5hu4/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZZVOoHMh5R7E8nDtidMJA6QV0AfU8h9Ybz8Nh6eHdmDfAPOVX498T_SomN0zjbtglC55inJoTK79KETST5t54SMFqN5AT1vlevTvV4YY03aZOdTY1AQtJwOxUHDkbLC6gJbSfT5hu4/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg" /></a></div>
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And then I lost it, and I was not wearing water proof mascara. I, of course, said yes and began jumping up and down. It was the most perfect and special moment of my life. Nick had our photographer friend, Courtland Wells, hiding in the bushes taking these photos that are so incredibly special to me. We then spend the entire weekend celebrating with friends and family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b3r-lhaVDxzh2S_05i3PP4vJQ5hn4Wfzz1TjiM7vzXlt7z3L93Hc3AxHcZsw5fEWMWoCiGK6q23y0TsVPMNGnFIN-g3PClbBFRh6VQBcW5X3AtN0WB1IfvH4dOAEhBHnixEBvWJn2wA/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b3r-lhaVDxzh2S_05i3PP4vJQ5hn4Wfzz1TjiM7vzXlt7z3L93Hc3AxHcZsw5fEWMWoCiGK6q23y0TsVPMNGnFIN-g3PClbBFRh6VQBcW5X3AtN0WB1IfvH4dOAEhBHnixEBvWJn2wA/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg" /></a></div>
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I can't stop staring at my hand or my fiancé. We've been shown so much love and support the past few days, and are overwhelmed by it all. We're so excited to begin this journey together and spend the rest of our days together. Thank you to everyone who has made this weekend so perfect.</div>
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Let the planning begin!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-87122919515559030302013-10-08T21:23:00.001-05:002013-10-08T21:26:04.798-05:00Welcoming October<div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's me, again. I know you barely recognize me anymore. My sincerest apologies. Nobody warns you about the impending quarter life crisis when you're staring down the barrel of graduation with no job prospects. It's tough, and it's hard to stay positive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">While I was catching up on all my daily blog reads, I came across the little questionnaire of sorts. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">One of my favorite blogs, </span><a href="http://www.thedaybookblog.com/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">The Daybook</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, posted it. I loved reading hers. She's the cutest little wife and mommy. I also found that filling this out was a great way to really step back and count my blessings instead of focusing the uncertainties of life right now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Making:</b> plans with friends for Southern Miss Homecoming weekend. I can't wait to see everyone and host a pregame brunch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Cooking:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> all my meals for the week on Sunday nights so I don't fall off the wagon when I'm tired and don't feel like cooking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Drinking: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">skinny, cinnamon dolce lattes like they're going out of style. Sorry, Fall weather. I'm just not a pumpkin spice girl unless it's in candle form.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Reading:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> Jesus Calling daily devotional.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Wanting</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">: Miley Cyrus' album, Bangerz, that came out today, but I have to wait until pay day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Looking:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> through old photos makes me thankful for how far I have come.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Playing:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> John Mayer's Paradise Valley album on repeat. I didn't like it very much at first, but now it's growing on me. John Mayer is my all time favorite artist, so it was weird. The album is like a trip through summer and the transition into fall.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Wasting: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">away in front of the TV a lot lately. I've become addicted to The Voice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Sewing:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> nothing. I can barely thread a needle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Wishing:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> for something secret every time the clock hits 11:11</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Enjoying:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> the cooler weather by drinking my coffee on the balcony wrapped in my favorite sweatshirt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Waiting:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> to get my braces off on Thursday!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Liking:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> when the weekend comes, and I get to spend it with the Beau.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Wondering:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> if I'm going to turn into an icicle while I'm in Baltimore over Thanksgiving...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Loving:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> the way the sun looks this time of year. It tends to look a little hazy like it's sleepy or something.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Hoping:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> for more faith in God's plan for my life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Marveling: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">at how much stronger I am becoming every day thanks to my new trainer and some really hard work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Needing:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> the entirety of Zara to just hop inside my closet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Smelling: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">a new, vanilla pumpkin creme scented candle. It's heavenly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Wearing: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">the smallest size pants that I've ever fit into and my favorite pair of motorcycle boots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Following: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Nick's advice pertaining to my fantasy football team. 2-3 baby...oy...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Noticing:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> the little, sweet things Nick does that make me feel so special.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Knowing: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">that God's plan for my life is far better than any plan I could come up with.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Thinking: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">about how beautiful life really is when you stop and relish the little things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Feeling:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> loved</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Bookmarking: </b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">lots of blog posts, lately.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Opening:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> my Bible, because I haven't been doing it nearly enough lately.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><b>Giggling:</b> over a group text with all of my college best friends.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Feeling:</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"> thankful for the life I've been given.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Fill this little questionnaire out, and then post a link to yours in the comments. I'd love to have read!</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-71652421688335967032013-10-01T14:26:00.000-05:002013-10-01T14:27:44.730-05:00John Mayer in Atlanta<div style="text-align: center;">
My dear hippies, I am oh so sorry for my desertion of y'all over the past month or so. Life has just been absolutely crazy. Between work, internship, making my health a priority, a long distance relationship, and then the job search, I've just lost track of everything. And ohhhh that terrible job search. It's gnarly; that's all I'm gonna say about that.</div>
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So I'm back for good, I hope, with pictures from a fabulous trip to Atlanta to see John Mayer with the best friend. This was our third John Mayer concert, and we're already planning to see him again in New Orleans in December. We have an addiction...at least it's not drugs right?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaOv8hnjEE56rjMZJA-cYpnB5J6-HRU3xsbu4XW3YenIdvqjnJxRJi3y53Pb5bvKIR8gwH09Wr5hYime-No79tV4c61zcGB0DhID5B0KJWrtWCLhWTPDSSrfrXzaiPR6g2UXUHSFsdfM/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaOv8hnjEE56rjMZJA-cYpnB5J6-HRU3xsbu4XW3YenIdvqjnJxRJi3y53Pb5bvKIR8gwH09Wr5hYime-No79tV4c61zcGB0DhID5B0KJWrtWCLhWTPDSSrfrXzaiPR6g2UXUHSFsdfM/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph from www.johnmayer.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhssKSbJWZkBU6qrEDND-7Ltbi2V2hCD_MhWMnxWA0CS1TirHOKDPPgz6doK1-WbvY1Ugk64I4nPG75ZYzVivbyDNx3OascCqT8aKFGIPuTWAyH1OXvSJ6kqCftD_A3FmEa6N6XuiX8U/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhssKSbJWZkBU6qrEDND-7Ltbi2V2hCD_MhWMnxWA0CS1TirHOKDPPgz6doK1-WbvY1Ugk64I4nPG75ZYzVivbyDNx3OascCqT8aKFGIPuTWAyH1OXvSJ6kqCftD_A3FmEa6N6XuiX8U/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph from www.johnmayer.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwd4kOvYMXRjW3T3a0pBxCjoTL1dtfD0PdoiSML_vO6M9whdsGZteouOrdR0guyUOHNGwvXP67sBjyY1YPxO5YBXJTLeXekLub3htaY7_-oBVhDvt75FyuqMl8O75addE3cWM1A1mSoI/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwd4kOvYMXRjW3T3a0pBxCjoTL1dtfD0PdoiSML_vO6M9whdsGZteouOrdR0guyUOHNGwvXP67sBjyY1YPxO5YBXJTLeXekLub3htaY7_-oBVhDvt75FyuqMl8O75addE3cWM1A1mSoI/s1600/IMG_4484.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph from www.johnmayer.com</td></tr>
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Needless to say, the night was magical. We spent the rest of the weekend shopping and spending time with my Atlanta family and had some awkward incidences on the way home. There are never any dull moments with my best friend!</div>
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"We all have dreams to remember and fears to dismember."</div>
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-John Clayton Mayer</div>
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<b>xoxo-</b>Chelsea Eli</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-64456156915602276262013-08-29T11:37:00.000-05:002013-08-29T11:51:03.824-05:00Wardrobe Staple<div style="text-align: center;">
It's probably not a secret that my favorite look of all time is a band t-shirt made cute. It's pretty much my uniform. I love them in every shape and form. My favorite brand is <a href="http://www.chaserbrand.com/#">Chaser</a>, and I've spent way to much money over the years because I have to have ALL of their shirts. I also, however, love sifting through racks at the thrift store trying to find them. Usually, I get pretty lucky doing this. Those are the shirts I usually end up cutting up and making them into tanks.</div>
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Check out some of my favorite ways to wear my wardrobe staple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJYqKTrHWSeqXUjlXkzm_LD4fYqpTSNXd6ezPnWbHEQdA9MyeSsCOvSjPG8h_3Mrsw9wGCNe0ux_RbdtmOKpzRBJqX-2Wn28xYYitoM318Q0cBztUcB8wYMzxFYetK2gPk_UgWKbi3pU/s1600/f786605cd9d25126e9de4ae7255f7407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJYqKTrHWSeqXUjlXkzm_LD4fYqpTSNXd6ezPnWbHEQdA9MyeSsCOvSjPG8h_3Mrsw9wGCNe0ux_RbdtmOKpzRBJqX-2Wn28xYYitoM318Q0cBztUcB8wYMzxFYetK2gPk_UgWKbi3pU/s1600/f786605cd9d25126e9de4ae7255f7407.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are really only two rules for me and picking out the best band t-shirts. The band MUST rock, and the shirt has to be soft.</div>
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There ya have it, ladies and gents. My go to look for every day, night, bed time. (I wish I was joking...)</div>
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<b>xoxo-</b>Chelsea Eli</div>
<script data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-72248459006265557102013-08-28T19:45:00.000-05:002013-08-28T19:45:03.218-05:00Bubbles!<div style="text-align: center;">
So if you knew me a few months ago, you knew how absolutely ADDICTED I was to Diet Coke. I wasn't ever drinking more than one a day, but I couldn't go a day without drinking one. Well...since I've been on my super healthy journey, I have given them up. Cold turkey. I haven't had a Diet Coke in almost 5 months. That looks really crazy to me when written out. 5 MONTHS!?!</div>
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I don't crave Diet Coke anymore. I even had a sip of one recently, and it just doesn't do it for me anymore. I do, however, crave those bubbles. I love a good, bubbly drink with champagne being at the very top of that list. I think it's the burn. (hurt so good?) Thankfully, my friends over at <a href="http://arrowhead-deer-park-ice-mountai.linqiad.com/click/YIBXaGWRcXJk">Ozarka</a> contacted me about partnering with them to promote their new line of flavored, sparkling water.</div>
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<a href="http://arrowhead-deer-park-ice-mountai.linqiad.com/click/YGpWaGWRcXJk"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi113UNWSsidguuaPXRkiYG-TtCrt26Zf8swhNrhZbMru1Pcsd3Lxu7T2Mn3D5I7mrOYHtt6J6llntITGeO60SoLOGM0uzTUFXtoOhISz0SRzCAyNkMHlRMexdKD02SQnlh6jJ0z-m4Vh4/s1600/205_f16f2187bc91e94094c200555ebd0ebf.jpg" /></a></div>
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WHOAH BABY! This stuff is good. It perfectly quenches my bubble cravings. Who would have thought?? I can't get enough now. Y'all go try it!</div>
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<b>xoxo-</b>Chelsea Eli</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">**<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Sponsored by Ozarka ® Sparkling Natural Spring Water**</span></span></div>
<script data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8237783367598435238.post-63563645427255165512013-08-27T09:57:00.000-05:002013-08-27T13:00:31.446-05:00Consistency is Key<div style="text-align: center;">
Now y'all know this time of the year gets crazy for me. If you follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/chelseaeli">Instagram</a>, you've seen my all too often, "on the road again" posts. I've been living in my car going back a forth to the Gulf Coast and to Jackson. No, seriously. I think half of my wardrobe is still in my car. To say life has been hectic would be such an understatement.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXkfVRz74UbJgDHXkYxiJsMJWkKzgkGUeTL6rE-RsiBU2a4eHRFkh7pS4ENcuy6xHR3bz3aHpS0lkGENeswLpLjlm5o2i7olejO6iz0QOZ0nsBku2_9hyphenhyphenZ1ObrvG45qV-WY5TllUyh68/s1600/1000001_1841076228385_123165863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXkfVRz74UbJgDHXkYxiJsMJWkKzgkGUeTL6rE-RsiBU2a4eHRFkh7pS4ENcuy6xHR3bz3aHpS0lkGENeswLpLjlm5o2i7olejO6iz0QOZ0nsBku2_9hyphenhyphenZ1ObrvG45qV-WY5TllUyh68/s1600/1000001_1841076228385_123165863_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my travel buddy back there in his kennel. He hates traveling in that thing.</td></tr>
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With that being said, I wanted to talk to y'all about consistency in your workouts and diet. Over the past month, I had really hit a plateau. I'd either stay at the exact same weight from week to week. Or gain about two pounds, then have lost them the next. It was so frustrating, but when I stopped to think, I realized that I had not been being very consistent. With all the traveling I had been doing, I had been cheating on my diet more often and missing workouts. My cheats weren't huge. Just a little bite here and there or a small portion. Nothing necessarily wrong with that. I firmly believe you have to indulge every once in a while or you'll go crazy. You can't deprive yourself forever. It's just not possible. There's nothing wrong with having a small cheat, except during this time, it was keeping me from hitting my next goal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2YizuaPVrCv90H0x07VYq19MxKVGvDBDaWVkzy5bcNl6RRH4-gL9p80-fEy4W7Eg0cGh8aQX1t9WQyg4xIB36RUl65NgHuVEHuwLK0LyOeC1xK4Q28CgMlg6JToZ_6yMYPGPtNLqfPE/s1600/9f614402607a2ee2dab725dce4b3d650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2YizuaPVrCv90H0x07VYq19MxKVGvDBDaWVkzy5bcNl6RRH4-gL9p80-fEy4W7Eg0cGh8aQX1t9WQyg4xIB36RUl65NgHuVEHuwLK0LyOeC1xK4Q28CgMlg6JToZ_6yMYPGPtNLqfPE/s1600/9f614402607a2ee2dab725dce4b3d650.jpg" /></a></div>
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So last week, I decided I was hitting it hard. A perfect week. No cheating, no missed workouts, and stick to my diet 100%. Guess what happened! IT WORKED! There really is so much to be said for consistency in many aspects of life. I'm starting perfect week #2 with strength and determination.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzE2QURf6TK9rsLNIrMlHu-Jt37ISouv-ayNRLkD6hubUiODDcTKiThRgrjsVetkHHFKnnNI-yDd0QBRiQGdQNczwymHxXl1W2mfDty79nVNYSyW9R6oRpEw-UzxogjPbQC7BQw_P1A8/s1600/161184465daf6a491dad1baeef2bf0b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzE2QURf6TK9rsLNIrMlHu-Jt37ISouv-ayNRLkD6hubUiODDcTKiThRgrjsVetkHHFKnnNI-yDd0QBRiQGdQNczwymHxXl1W2mfDty79nVNYSyW9R6oRpEw-UzxogjPbQC7BQw_P1A8/s1600/161184465daf6a491dad1baeef2bf0b8.jpg" /></a></div>
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Health is having a good relationship with yourself, you can't cheat on a relationship and expect it to work.</div>
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Also, I've been posting a lot about health and fitness lately. I will continue to post about fashion, but this is a lifestyle blog also. Health and fitness is very large part of my lifestyle, and I love to learn more and more about it and share it will y'all! Hope y'all don't mind! :)</div>
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<b>xoxo-</b>Chelsea Eli<br />
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P.S. I take back everything I said about Miley Cyrus. There's a difference in being yourself and doing things just for shock value. There are other ways to separate yourself from your past while showing some self respect. I like your music, Miles, but where is your pride?</div>
<script data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12339112166231925996noreply@blogger.com0