What's new with me...

Woohoo for Thursday, it's my Friday this week! It seems like the last couple have flown by.  With the beginning of the year, I didn't make any resolutions, however there are some things I am doing differently now days.  Nothing over the top, possibly not even worth blogging about, but I want to use it for my own memory.

1. Different foundation and powder
I knew I needed to get different make up because 1) what I had was almost gone, and 2) it wasn't really doing what I wanted it to do.  I have a combination/oily skin type and by mid day my "T-zone" is often oily- which I hate.... Clinique to the rescue. I have been using the stay-matte oil-free foundation and it has been great. Next time I will get a shade darker, though. You can find it here.


source

I have also tried new powder.  I have been using loose powder for years, and it's actually what I prefer, but I tried this compact powder, also stay-matte.  I have liked it so far, but will get a shade darker in it as well.



2. Food Choices
I have really been trying to do better with food choices and thinking about calories and food intake instead of just eating what I want.  Watching portions, as well.  I've been logging my food daily with My Fitness Pal and I feel like I have been doing better than I have started trying to do this in the past. I've started prepacking and preparing meals ahead of time and it makes eating healthier SO much easier.  My daily lunch for the last 2 weeks has been raw veggies and fresh fruit. Of course I slip at times, but I feel like it's a step in the right direction. 

3. Exercising
I've always exercised on and off, but what's new this time is that when I don't get to work out because of working late or other evening commitments, I actually miss it.  I've never missed working out before.  I have started doing Zumba again at a place I hadn't been to before and the environment and peers is fantastic!

4. Organization
With my job, there are multiple due dates, clients, etc.  I have created a new organization method for myself to keep everything on track and it is working wonderfully- here's to being on top of things!

5. Current Netflix Obsession
We all have those shows that we binge watch at times, don't we? Just me? Recently we started watching "Once Upon A Time". It is different than something I would usually watch, but it's been pretty good. I feel like it's a really long movie broken up over episodes.  I've also been watching "Gossip Girl", also not something that I would normally watch... it took a while to get into it, but now I'm hooked.

6. New Book
This is where you come in! I've been wanting to start a new book but not sure of what I want to read.  I loved "The Fault In Our Stars" and like stuff such as "Heaven Is For Real"... any and all book suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!

In My Purse

Most of us ladies carry a purse of some sort sometimes, or all the time. Everyone carries different things and after seeing another post about what's in your purse, I decided to write a similar post.  Since I was switching purses, what better time to write it?  So, here's what's in my purse:

First of all, my purse I am currently carrying is a Vera Bradley Mailbag.

So just what do I carry around daily?

In the first pocket of my purse, I have:

• My work lanyard with name badge and office keys
• Bath and Body works Shea Cashmere hand lotion
• Ibuprofen
• A mini deodorant
• Sunglasses  
• Tissues
• Pony tail holder

In the Zippered pocket of my purse, I have:

• Wallet
• Checkbook
• 5 lip products
• 3 ink pens
• Nail file
• glasses/ glasses case/cleaning cloth
• Hand sanatizer
• Gum

There is room for my keys and phone in the front pocket of my purse.  I love how much room there is in this style of purse, and I always like a cross body purse.  

So what's in your purse... anything you think everyone must have?

Always, Sometimes, Never

I've seen always, sometimes, never posts floating around blogs lately and decided I would join in on the fun.

I always wear earrings.
I always have a car jar/ air freshener in my car.
I always change clothes right after I get home from work.
I always treat Chloe girl when she comes inside.
I always remove makeup/wash face, brush teeth before bed.

I sometimes wear shoes other than flats, but its rare.
I sometimes paint my nails weekly.
I sometimes get bored with my hair/hair style.
I sometimes take my vitamins, working on making it always.
I sometimes intentionally leave my purse at home.

I never go to work without my planner.
I never leave my car running while I pump gas.
I never separate laundry. Weird, I know.
I never don't have chapstick.
I never eat mushrooms... or olives..or avocado

And there you have it, 15 random facts about me... soo, your turn, always, sometimes never?!

5,4,3,2,1....

Hello again, we're half way through the week! I am not sure if you have seen the 5,4,3,2,1 blog posts that have been out in the blog land lately, but I have and I decided to join in on the posting fun, so without further adieu...

5 things that I am looking foward to:
1. Getting my hair trimmed and colored this Saturday. My appointment was scheduled for a few weeks ago, but I had to reschedule so I am really looking forward to it (I'm sure all the people that have seen my roots are glad that I am going, too).
2. Game night on Friday.. some of our close friends are coming over for dinner and then we are playing some games. It is always a fun time with lots of laughter, the perfect way to end the work week!
3. In a couple of weekends, Preston and I are going to Pigeon Forge, TN with a couple of our friends. We are really looking forward to it because we haven't seen them in a while. Within this trip I am also looking forward to seeing the Dixie Stampede Christmas show and doing a little Christmas shopping at the outlet mall.
4. As you have read about it before, I am excited that Preston and I are making our flower box/bed. We started cutting the boards and building it last night, I can't wait to see the finished product, but more than that, I can't wait to see it filled with colorful blooms in front of our house in the Spring!
5. Call me crazy, but I'm one of those Black Friday shoppers that plans the trip and doesn't even sleep that night. I am excited that it's almost here and I've started receiving sale ads in my email inbox. I always look forward to this day, not only for the good deals, but because it is a tradition I share with my Mama!

4 things that you might not know about me:
1. I am a social worker and I love working in the helping profession, unlike the stereotype placed on social workers, I an not a "baby snatcher" or someone who just takes children away from their parents.
2. I fell off a 10 foot high dive onto concrete when I was 9 years old.
3. I love cruise vacations... seriously guys, I love them!
4. I hate hate hate tomatoes.

3 television shows that I love:
1.I know it's not actually a show title, but most anything on HGTV.
2. Duck Dynasty, Jack!
3. Now I'm trying to think of something I watched last night because I don't watch a ton of t.v., all I can think of is wheel of fortune, I wouldn't say I love it, though.

2 things that frustrate me:
1. The stereotype of my job profession that I mentioned before.
2. Poor customer service... ohhhh, don't even get me started!

1 of my favorite words
1. Not that it's a favorite, but the word flabbergasted just makes me laugh!

And there you have it, a whole bunch of pointless things that you probably didn't care to know about me... oh well, hope you enjoyed it anyways! Have a great rest of the week!!

Confessions of Brooke

For some reason, lately I've been noticing some things about myself, things at work, at home, and in between. For what it's worth, here's some truth about me, Brooke.
1. On a daily basis, I use about 20 post it notes at work, seriously, they're everywhere, on my desk, in my planner, in different folders. They are organized, they keep me organized, and their little pop of color (pink, orange, & green) is nice to see.
2. My husband makes our bed almost every morning [Thanks, Preston!]
3. Sweet tea is my coffee, it really helps get me going in the mornings!
4. Sometimes I am very impatient.
5. I need to re paint my fingernails really bad.
6. I hate talking about money, it puts me in a bad mood, I'm trying to work on that.
7. My car needs to be cleaned it, it's usually clean, but it's definitely not right now.
8. I'm happy to be out of school and starting to work on my LCSW licensure next month kind of intimidates me!
9. I'm clueless about all the "Fall shows" everyone has been talking about...
10. I went to Zumba this week for the first time in awhile and I about died.
11. I need to drink more water on a daily basis.
12. I seriously do not want to give up my flip flops... I'm not ready for closed toe shoes.
13. I've started my Christmas shopping, but still have a ways to go.
14. I sleep in until the very last possible minute for me to get up and get ready on time...sleep is precious to me!!
15. Speaking of sleep, I press snooze about 4 times each morning.
16. I've only done 1 of my 2 nice things for strangers so far this week.
17. I haven't done well with meal planning lately, I always do it last minute.
18. Hearing people chew their food/ice/gum gets on my nerves SO badly.
19. I am very indecisive about my hair, I got it cut not to long ago and now I want to grow it out, any tips/suggestions would be great!!
20. I have a tote box FULL of Bath and Body Works products so that I have my own little stock in my closet, and I like it that way.

And there you have it, 20 random confessions/facts about me... see you next time!

Currently...

Hey guys! I am getting this post idea from Ryan, if you don't already, you should check her out! Anyways, this is a fun list of what is currently going on with me, so without further adieu....

Reading: I started reading Safe Haven last week, but have been busy and I haven't given it much time... I am wanting to get back into it next week, I'm liking it so far!

Listening to: my ipod has been on "shuffle" going through Chris Tomlin's albums while I'm at work, isn't it crazy how music can just make the day seem better? This week when it hasn't been Chris Tomlin at my desk, it's been Casting Crowns or Audio Adrenaline. Did you know that Audio A was formed at the small college that I went to for my undergrad, how cool is that? I love that music is an awesome source of worship!

Loving: This past weekend, I became a Thirty-One gifts consultant. Yesterday I recieved a large PINK box and I was very excited to open it to see my getting started package. I didn't have time to look at everything, but I am loving all the new thirty-one products I recieved... I am also loving the fall print patterns!

Wearing: Yay for casual day at work! I love jean days, it just makes everything so much easier... today I am wearing dark jeans, an orangy-red 3/4 sleeve top, my origami owl necklace, black earrings, a black flower headband, and black sandals.

Looking forward to: I love my job, but I am looking forward to 4:30 so that I can start my weekend and get on the road to Lexington where we will be staying until Sunday. Within this trip, I'm looking forward to seeing our buddy Scott, seeing my grandparents, getting my nails filled in (finally!!), and going to home goods!

Cooking/baking: Last night we made some no bake cheesecakes that where pretty good! I won't be cooking much (if at all) since we won't be home this weekend, but I'm wanting to do some grilling next week if weather allows...

Wishing: I am wishing the weather would make up it's mind... it's storming, then it's beautiful outside.... it's cool fall temps, and then it's blazing hot. Maybe I'm just being ungrateful for the changes of weather, shame on me... or maybe I just really want it to be fall, yeah, that's it!

So... what's current with you?

How things can change in a year

Have you ever thought about where you were in your life this time last year? Since last August, lots of things have changed for us. I have decided to do a flashback comparison month by month to show a difference between then and now... so, I am rewinding the past year just to remember what has happened over the past 365 days, warning: This post is very long and has some an overload of pictures!

August 2012: We were living in Elizabethton, TN. I was a full time student working towards my Master's degree at ETSU, I was working at my internship placement part time, and I was working at a shoe store part time.... Preston was working on his Master's degree through KCU, and was working at Best Buy. Preston and I also celebrated 4 years of being together since we started dating, we went to a Tenth Avenue North concert

September 2012 Last September was a lot like August, consumed in school, work, internship, etc. In September I also made my first deco mesh wreath so that it would be ready for October, it turned out like this:

In September I also made chicken and dumplins' for the first time!

October 2012 In October, we continue with the working/school routine... I made this wreath for halloween.

In October I went to my friend Deanna's baby shower and got to see some friends from high school!

November 2012 In November, my mom and I did our annual Black Friday shopping (we LOVE it) and my sister got to join for the first time.... after that, we were on the road and Florida bound for Emily's baby shower!

December 2012: In December, we enjoyed Christmas, the Biltmore estate, and a short break from school!

January 2013 January came and we continued school, but I was excited for it to be my last semester. Towards the end of January, for the first time, I interviewed for a full time social work job position for after graduating school. In January I picked up a new hobby and began crocheting sashay scarves

In January I also got a picture of Chloe sleeping like she normally does, on her back, on a pillow, covered up, with her tongue out... spoiled?

February/March 2013: In Feb and March, not much changed... the same school/work routine. We must have been either boring or busy because I didn't even take any good pictures.
April 2013: In April, Preston and I found an amazing deal on a cruise (thanks to my brother who told me about it)and we booked a cruise on the spur of the moment and we were ready to set sail in just 2.5 weeks. If you know me, I'm a huge planner, so going on a trip like this without planning it was crazy to me, but it was so much fun!

At the end of this cruise, I got a voice mail which led me to talking to someone from the company I interviewed for back in January, I ended up being offered and accepting the job!
May 2013: In May, we had already planned to go on vacation with our friends Adam and Renee to the Outer Banks in North Carolina so we went on another vacation. Also in May, I graduated from graduate school with my Master's of Social Work degree!

June 2013: In June, we moved to Virginia and began to get things situated in our new home. I planted my first rose bushes, which I was extremely excited about. My family had planned a beach trip.... so I was blessed with another vacation, this time to Myrtle Beach, SC.

In June I was also honored with being a bridesmaid in my dear friend, Jade's wedding... it was such a fun wedding!

Also in June, I started my job as a social worker doing what I love and working with children every day. It's great to go from having a crazy schedule to only working 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday, I love my schedule!
July 2013 July continued work, but my 3 month streak of vacations came to an end! I did enjoy visiting the church camp a lot in the evenings after work, though!
And that brings us to where we are now, August... I'm enjoying the changes that have made, our move, and my job, I'm excited to see what the next year brings. What's been going on in your lives lately?

Random Ramblings...

I’ve been having a lot of random thoughts, some that are probably pointless… but I’m sharing them with you!
•I need to get my nails filled in
•I am looking forward to my hair appointment in 2 weeks
•I’m also looking forward to my Thirty-One party in 2 weeks (you can order, just ask how!)
•I am enjoying living in our new town, but I do miss some of the amenities/places that were close to us before..but we LOVE having friends nearby
•I can’t wait for football season to start, we live closer to my family now so we will be planning to watch my younger brothers play football, and of course watch my sister cheering on the sideline
•Getting closer to fall means that it’s about time for apple cider…. And I can finally pull out my fall wreath and decorate my house with all things fall
•I am liking my new job, I feel like I’m in the groove of things now
•I am excited that Chloe liked her new dog toy, a stuffed chicken

•I’m wanting to try a new recipe next week, you should share one with me!
•I’m looking forward to Christmas decorating and baking
•I’m kind of bummed that we don’t live in a place to get many trick-or-treaters on Halloween
•I need to wash my vehicle
•I’m thankful for weekends, only one more workday this week!
•I haven’t been very crafty lately and I miss it, time for a project!
•I HATE the lack of cell phone signal in my office
•I want to buy a few new shirts for Fall
•I’ve recently became a fan of Zulily
What are your random thoughts today?