The Day Before...

I already posted some really fun photos but I wanted to be sure to capture a lot of how I really felt about the whole wedding thing. Hind sight is 20/20 right?  So today's post probably should have come before I reintroduced myself but eh oh well LOL...

No one tells you how stressed, tired, happy excited, and EVERYTHING else you will be the day before your wedding. In my mind I was going to show up, tell people what I wanted and then go and get my nails and toes done with my bridesmaids have rehearsal dinner and sleep. I secretly wanted a slumber party with my girls but that among other things didn't happen.

I had this fairy tale of events like a spa day with my sister, or people treating me like a princess for the day all pictured in my mind... blah... my family was having none of that. It seemed the more I expressed what I wanted on MY day the more people rebelled and called me a bridezilla. I'm sure it sounds selfish but it was MY day I was supposed to get a selfish pass right???

Lets see where to start we lost like three groomsmen a week before the wedding, one actually dropped the day before the wedding. The decor was not what I wanted I asked for tulle going down the isle and the lady my mother insisted on hiring used some fabric that resembled fake spider webs going down the isle...

I was late for EVERYTHING this day as I had to rely on others to get me where I needed to be because my husband and I drove one car to wedding city and he had other plans. I had 8 bridesmaids, 2 junior bridesmaid, and 3 flower girls. My husband had 5 groomsmen (we had a couple ppl fill in and their suits didn't match the tuxs).

The rehearsal was a HOT MESS. We forgot the music, half of the party wasn't there. We had hostess practicing with groomsmen... literally a hot mess. My friend Meyoshia (remember her from the bridal shower) came through and used her phone placing it next to a microphone so that there was some  music for this rehearsal.... I was stressed, and sad, my hubby was mad. We argued and I honestly didn't know what the next day was going to be like.

I would just like to say that as little girls we are brainwashed into these Disney fantasies and they just are not realistic. No matter how meticulous you are in planning the wedding or how much money you spend, when you hand over control people screw up! I don't think they do it intentionally but it just happens. I was blessed because I have amazing friends who stepped up and handled things but almost nothing aside from the I do's went according to plan.

Ok enough woe is me I will save that for a later post detailing what I learned from this whole experience.... On a positive side my wedding was amazing because my friends and family showed up. My wedding was spectacular because I married my best friend, and my daughter looked great... and I will leave you with some random pics I found in my phone...

 

 

 

 

 

Me before things started spiraling out of control

My boo thang!!! She was ride or die just like we discussed

My mom

My great aunt

I finally did get my pedicure, but it was rushed

My new beautiful niece

Me by the end of the night

 

 

 

 

 

My Dirty Little Secret

* FIRST  I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURES*

 

I decided that I wanted to start sharing some things from my wedding and my programs seemed like a great place to start.

I AM A SECRET CRAFTER YALL LOL... I have always wanted to do stuff like this and never thought I was creative or talented enough to do so had the time. Then with the never ending crunch to keep the wedding budget in check this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

 

 

 

 

Let me just say it was very fun. If you have been following my blog then you know Im not regularly a crafty person. I did try the ever popular family command center, and I created a

Wedding Planning Binder  but that is pretty much it. Then my friend suggested I make a fan. I was thinking have you seen me make anything? LOL It was very fun and super inexpensive.I got EVERYTHING from HOBBY LOBBY (and no they did not pay me nor do they have any thing to do with this post). So my friend typed the program up on Word, my then fiance and mini me took it to staples and had them print it on grey card stock (we got two programs on one piece of paper... #WINNING LOL). From there she cut them in half, we cut the four corners with cute scissors to create the design.

 

 

Karin as she helped cut the programs in half

 

 

The paper was then glued to a popsicle type stick to create the fan look.

 

 

 

 Finally we glued on the accessories.

 

 

I made the bows using  ribbon, that I purchased while the stuff was half off! I used dark purple and lavender to match the colors of the wedding.

 

 

 

If you know me you know I LOVE all things shiny and blinged out...Its kinda an obsession. That said my wedding programs would not have been complete without some Sparkle!!!! My husband got a huge tub of varying sized stones.

 

 

 

If I do say so myself they came out PERFECT!!!!.... well the ones that made it to the wedding did LOL. There were a few practice programs that shall remain unseen. My mini me helped with this task as well... not sure how she missed her photo opt LOL. There it is!!! Special thanks to my then fiance whom is now my HUSBAND as he glued some things together as well. After completing this project I was hooked on DIY. We even made the broom that we jumped (post coming soon).



Its another Monday!!!!!!

Hello out there!!!! I am back!

Well let me start with saying Thank you to EVERYONE that participated in the giveaway (more to come) and have stuck around in my absence. Congrats to the winner Meyoshia, I have dropped it in the mail!!!!… so updates…

IM MARRIED!!!! It was awesome. Of course things did NOT go according to plan but  the reception was a huge party!!!!  I have truly married my soul mate so it’s all good. I will give more details later on through a series of posts I am working on.

I moved! Watch out Pinterest. I am pinning EVERYTHING home décor/organization related. Follow me on Pinterest and I will follow you back.

I wrecked my car and it was totaled out…

 

ugghh and it was super close to being paid off, now I feel like Im starting over blah…. Let me just say that the rental company is super petty because I pulled up in a wrecked Mazda from 2003 they put me in a 2013 Lincoln MKZ… be still my heart… Im in love with this car and will be placing it on my Vision Board!!!!



Remember I got a new job? Well I HATED it. I had that one good day but for the most part it was not great. It was simply not a good fit for me to say the least. So I am back at the therapy thing and honestly I couldn’t be happier. I went back with a raise and a bigger office. I also got some of my old clients back and a few made me cry because they were so happy to see me. One lady said “I’m sorry that whatever didn’t work but I am so dam happy you came back to me!”

I am restarting my weight loss journey. I am officially healed from my hip injury and have gained weight…again *insert as much shame as possible* I had a whole shameful post already but I thought I have said that before and I’m sure the blog world has heard all before. Instead of focusing on the bad I will tell you that last week was a great workout week. I have linked up with my best boo thang Val and she has this whole weekly accountability/motivating email thing going on and it really has helped.

Im not quite ready for scale pics again… hey I’m human and looking at numbers I never wanted to see again is killing me. But I will be weighing in on Mondays once again since that really seemed to work for me…. Stay tuned

Introducing Mrs. GILYARD!!!!!

Hello all.... here is the post you have all been waiting for, or at least that is what I'm telling myself!... Some wedding pics!!!! Since this post is picture heavy I will let them tell the story. You know how I do....

*These are pictures from Social Media and not my photographer. I will post those pictures when I do her review*... she is awesome by the way!
These are the pictures that I found, these pictures in no way represent all who were there. I have TONS and TONS more to show but they couldn't all fit on one post! So enjoy....

 

 

Yes I do squats!!!!!... I remember being very nervous as I read my vows...

 

My Husband and I

 

Mini me, My jr. Bridesmaid!!! She was so poised and cute!

 

My first love and I... The father daughter dance was you tube worthy I hope someone posts it LOL

 

My sister, my platonic soul-mate, My Maid of honor, she is amazing and words cannot describe how awesome she really is. I love her

My boo MIA!!!! she cam all the way from TX to see me. I cannot wait to return the favor!

I love this man

Look how lovely they are!!!

... I will let you caption this one LOL...

 

Bridesmaids, the Carter girls!!!!

I got an upgraded ring! BOOM!!!

 

My Matron of honor... she really deserves her own post because she came through last minute (kinda like I did in her wedding) after my previous matron of honor dropped out. She stepped right up to the plate and helped make my day great.

 

This guy has been my best friend since like freshman year in college. There are so many things I could say about him. Im so glad and blessed to know him.

 

Two of my favorite guys!!!

 

The hostesses for the evening!!! I'm not completely sure what they did aside from look super sexy in their black dresses!

 

 

Me and my babe... I love him

 

 

 

 

Studio Gear- Smokey Eyes... and a GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Hello ALL!!!! I know what your thinking how dare she come back and not post about the wedding LOL TRUST ME ALL that wonderful stuff is coming.... Today I want to talk about some faboulous make up from Studio Gear. This is a sponsored post and I received some form of compensation to write this post. However all thoughts, opioions, and photos are my own.

 

 

 



Here is the inside of the make up..

 

 

How cute are these holiday colors?

 

 

 

 

If you have yet to master your Smokey EYE technique they have also included directions.

 

 

 

 

Now here is what I think... The make up is great. It lasted all day and I didnt have any major issues. Im not a fan of blush (call me new school I guess lol) So I did not use that. I honestly dont have anything negative to say about this brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted to focus in on my eyes so you could really see the product. If you are like me and love good make up and a sale hop on over to their website and use the code SGHOLIDAY to recive 10% off your purchase ... Ready, Set, SHOP!!!!

 

In case you spent all your money cant wait, Im doing my first GIVE-AWAY!!!!! Enter below!!!

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gender Reveal.... Enter Baby Jaxon

I dont know about the people in your life but my friends are all getting pregnant!!! Im like what are you all drinking because I need to stay away! Anywho... A dear friend of mine, who is also my Matron of honor (yea some things changed but that's a different post) recently had her Gender Reveal.

If you dont know what a Gender reveal is then you are probably not on Pinterest. The idea is almost like a baby shower. There are games, food, and fun, and then the big reveal. For their reveal the couple opted to find out with their guest. Im not sure how they were able to hold out because I personally couldn't take the suspense. 

Its a boy!!!!! See the blue cake is how you know its a boy!!! Im so excited to meet my little Jaxon. That baby is already surrounded by love and I know these two are going to be great parents!!!

The Healthy Struggle!!!!!

How is it November already... That means soon I will be Mrs. Gilyard!!!!! This post is not about that though LOL!

I was reading a friend of mines blog and she speaking about the struggles with being healthy. After reading I thought WOW what a great topic. Often we hear people complain about being healthy and the cost and other constraints and then we see those who have it mastered saying suck it up it can be done. Well this post is... eh... just keep reading... lol

Let me start with the hair!!!- I am a African American female and my hair is a beast when it is untamed. I personally get relaxers because I am too lazy to deal with my hair in its natural state and I do not like the curly look for ME. I have friends who are natural and I love it. It is just not for me. Surprisingly I have not had a relaxer all year. Mainly because I have been wearing a sew in so that I can work out and still look presentable. Joi wrote a post that you can read here that sums up this challenge better than I can so check it out.

The cost- I have seen this argued both ways but society makes it so easy for us to drive through the drive through rather cheaply and conveniently all the while we are gaining weight. The salads I get through the drive though are usually dull and browning and look nothing like the advertising picture. What is your experience? Have you ever gone to the grocery store to buy salad fixings? You can really spend a pretty penny... Oh and why is a gym membership with child care so freaking expensive?!!?!? UGGGHHHH

The time factor- I am not an early riser. I have tried desperately to be a part of the 5am club and it is just not for me. I am able to do it occasionally but I love to sleep, and is it just my bed or does it feel better right when it is time to get up for work? After work is good for me if I leave on time but if I leave even a little late my schedule is thrown I'm stuck in traffic and then EVERYTHING is behind... between dinner, homework, cleaning, and actually getting home it seems like time just gets away from me.

So what is a girl to do? The truth? Be fat and unhappy or suck it up and make changes. I'm happily engaged and my boo doesn't mind my hair in a ponytail in between sew ins because I'm in a better mood when I work out. Life is expensive and I'm happier when the scale is going down so buying food at the store and not from the drive through is just what I have to do. I have to make time for what I want. That's what we do anyway. Girls night, game night, soccer, whatever it is if we want to do it we make time for it. So in short yes it sucks it is uncomfortable but the outcomes are so worth it!!! Happy Monday Folks!!!!