Boogie Shoes

I wanna put on my my my my my boogie shoes...

It's National Dance Day!

Whatever you're doing today, find some time to dance, whenever, wherever you are.

Let the power of dance put a smile on your face. :)

and for more on National Dance day visit here.

Have fun dancing!!

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A Weekend of Celebration

I've been looking forward to this weekend all week.  It starts off with a baby shower for a good friend of mine from work.  I'm so excited to help her celebrate and shower her with gifts for her new little one who's on the way.  I also will be attending a surprise Retirement Dinner for my Godfather.  He retired from being the captain of the fire department back in January and has no idea this dinner has been planed for him, it's going be a fun surprise.  Celebrating good friends and family makes for a wonderful weekend! What do you have planned?

a very summery drink recipe:

Strawberry Champagne recipe

3 oz Champagne 

3/4 oz vodka 

3/4 oz strawberry brandy

Pour into a wine glass half-filled with broken ice. Garnish with two halves of a strawberry, and serve.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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Today I Believe...

* a family of birds have made their home under our front porch.
listening to them chirp is a friendly reminder of our new
and unexpected "house-guests".  

* I feel lost not having made it to the beach yet this summer.

further reason why i need to move closer to one.
 
* as humans, we have an uncanny way of knowing when 

something is not right with someone.  even if you haven't 
seen that person in a while. it's like a sixth sense. 

you randomly begin thinking of them and know 
you need to check to make sure they're doing ok.  

my friends have been doing this for me. 

* spotting a rainbow makes you stop and look in wonderment,

filling you with joy at any age, young and old.

* SYTYCD makes me wish I didn't stop my 
dance training after graduating high school.

* that eating fruit after stuffing your face with
ice cream or potato chips totally cancels
out the bad stuff. ;-) 

* on that note, 
it is completely acceptable to eat a meal 
consisting of only fruit, especially on a hot
summer day.





what do you believe?

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Wordless Wednesday {Beach Vintage}

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Always Believe...

Island In the Sun

Dreaming of spending this hot and humid weekend out on the boat, escaping to a little island paradise. To tell you the truth, I almost forgot today was Friday, but that's what happens when your summer schedule is less structured. Days blend together, weekdays have no distinction from weekends, you stay up late, sleep-in in the mornings, and plan your days based on your mood. and my mood is telling me to be by some form of water, with a yummy drink in hand, having no worries in the world but to be happy. :)

wishing you all a happy and worry free weekend!!

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Dreaming of....Fall

I know, Crazy, right?

I am a summer girl at heart, and have made it no secret that summer is my favorite season. But for some reason I'm really craving the sights and smells of fall. Cool crisp air, jackets and beautiful colors as the leaves change on the trees.

I blame this craving on two things...the cute red trench coat I saw in the store the other day {prefect for fall weather} and my summer job. Anyone who works or has worked in retail knows fall comes early in stores. The store I work at is beginning to get it's fall items in. Yummy smelly apple and pumpkin candles, and as I browsed through the fall look book while working the other night I couldn't help but fall in love with all the new things we'll be getting in. Then my mind jumps to football season, Halloween, and scrumptious homemade apple pie.

I'm sorry summer, I don't mean to cheat on you, but today fall just sounds too good!

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Summer "Beach Reads"

The best books to read in the summer are what I like to call "Beach Reads".  These are books that are considered 'easy reads', where the stories are so easy to get lost in that when you finish reading you're a little sad because the journey you made with these characters is now over.  Here are my rules for choosing summer "beach reads":

1. If you can buy it used, or reserve it at the library, do so.  

It's cheaper {or free} and your helping the environment a little. 

2. no e-readers.  I like reading my books beach/pool side, 

or curling up with them inside on a rainy day.

3. It's ok to re-read a book.  It's like watching a movie for the second time, 

you pick up details you missed the first time you read it.

4. After reading the first few chapters, if you don't like the book, stop reading.  

summer books are supposed to be enjoyable, books you don't want to put down.   

5. If you can, always read the book before seeing the movie!

My Summer Reading List:

Nicholas Sparks is my go-to summer author.  His books are the perfect "beach reads", and are usually set somewhere on the coast of the Carolinas.  This is where my family usually vacations so it's easy to get lost in the words on the pages.  I'm currently reading The Last Song.  So far I really like it, and once I'm done I plan on seeing the movie.  I hope it's as good as the book!

The Last Summer (of you & me) is a book I plan on re-reading.  I first read it a few summers ago, really liked it, but have kinda forgot what happened in the story.  I'm sure it'll all come rushing back once I begin reading it again.  

The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly is one of those books filled with quotes that inspire you and make you want to live a better life.  One where I'll probably be marking the pages that contain my favorite quotes. 

and of course, Eat, Pray, Love.  It's the movie everyone is talking about this summer.  I actually started reading this book back in college, but life caught up with me and I never had time to finish it.  Now's a better time than ever! {especially since I want to read the book before going to see the movie}

what's on your summer reading list?  I love getting ideas for good books to read, so please share! :)

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Did You Know?

When you put everything into perspective, and count the things that really matter, you'd realize just how rich and full your life is.

Happy Monday :)

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True Love ♥

Today my parents are celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary. I feel so lucky that my sister and I have grownup with such a wonderful example of love and marriage. My parents truly love one another, and have honored the vows they made to each other everyday. When my father got sick back in February my mom has spent every day by his side, in and out of hospitals, and her strength and love for him has been inspiring every day. I only hope to be as lucky and to find a love as great as theirs.

♥ ♥ ♥

Words to Live by...

"You were born to become the-best-version-of-yourself. This is your essential purpose. Embrace this one solitary truth and it will change your life more than anything you have ever learned. In every situation, ask yourself, Which of the options before me will help me become the-best-version-of-myself?" - Matthew Kelly

these are words I need to remember. I often find myself doing things to please other people, or find myself thinking what others would think before I do something. by doing this I hold myself back from becoming the-best-version-of-myself. I need to push aside other peoples' thoughts and listen to the thoughts that mean the most...my own.

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5 minutes please...

whatever you are doing right now, stop. take 5 minutes and daydream of a fabulous place you'd love to be.

for me, it would be this above picture. relaxing, with the sun on my skin, a good book in hand, and a cool breeze on my face. a 5 minute escape from reality.

where would you want to be?

things are a bit crazy in my life right now, which explains my lack of posting. I hope to be back to regular posts soon, and of course catching up on all of your fabulous blogs!

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