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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Updates

I don't have the energy for a real post today. Updates seem fitting.
 
1. I am feeling slightly better today. Throat is less sore, but I am severely tired. I've had 48 oz of Diet Coke today and zero water. Just trying to keep my peepers open and make it until 5pm. No fever though so hopefully I'm on the mend.

2. PMS has taken over my body. My face looks like a pizza, my tummy looks quite robust, and my energy level is non-existent. I'm so unprepared to run my first 5k next Saturday. I might die....Lord help me. Luckily, the Color Me Rad 5k is more about getting colorfied and less about a winning time. Actually it's not timed at all.
 
3. My mom is going tomorrow for her first chemo treatment. You can read about her lung cancer diagnosis here if you missed it. They went in for surgery to try and remove the spots on her lung, but found that due to their location they were inoperable. They have decided to go a chemo treatment route instead. We will know more about how aggressive the schedule will be after tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers, they really do help! I heart you all!
 
4. My wedding dress has been officially ordered! Now the countdown begins until February when the gorgeous thing comes in.

5. I'm in love with a stripper.


Oh wait, that's just the song that's been stuck in my head all day for no apparent reason. You're welcome.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Brie, Like the Cheese

I think that most of you have had the pleasure of growing to love Ms. Brie, like I have over the past couple of months. But in case you haven't I wanted to share her with you! She's truly so sweet and plus she's such a cutie! I've never seen an ugly or just okay picture of her. In real life I know zero people named Brie, in my blog life two of my very favorites are Brie Sophistifunk & Recipe for a Beautiful Life! So here's your little snack for today, a piece of brie! hahahaha get it? PS - I feel like ick today so this guest post was great timing! I will not get sick. I will not get sick. I will not get sick.

Hello to all of you lovely Pink Growl readers.
My name is Brie. Yes, like the cheese.

I am so excited to be here today!

I started my blog, Sophistifunk, in January and one of my first blogger friends was Nikki.
We share lots of common interests such as our love for cute fluffy pups, college football, and reading books.
Except for I'm lacking Nikki's adorable southern accent.

Over at Sophistifunk, I blog about pretty much whatever my heart desires.
This includes:
Family
Friends
Fashion
 
A fluffy pup named Zoey
Fighting cancer (you can read more about that here)
And last, but certainly not least...Colton. Too bad his name doesn't start with an "F."
Well, ladies, that's all I've got for you today. 
And a big thanks to Nikki for letting me take over your blog for the day :)



Monday, September 24, 2012

Weekend Update

 
I'm a Monday scrooge today! BOO MONDAY! I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time, so it's really hard to face the work week again.
 
I can't help but just gush about it because I BOUGHT MY WEDDING DRESS Y'ALL!!! OMGeeeee I'm so overly excited about it!!! Of course I can't show you pictures so you will just have to wait until April like everyone else. But if I do say so myself it's absolutely gorgeous, stunning, perfect for me. I bought it from a local boutique called White Lace & Promises, which was just a perfect, girly, fun, awesome experience. It was very much like a bridal salon that I pictured. Much better than my David's Bridal generic experience. {Not to knock David's because I'm still getting my bridesmaid dresses there, but my dress experience there didn't live up to what I imagined.} This dress was almost double what I had hoped to spend - thank you Mama!- but it's worth it. They are basically taking two dresses that I loved and combining them into my perfect dress. I am already counting down the days until it comes back in mid-February and I can go see it!
 
We also go to go to the first football game for us this season on Saturday night. I was a little nervous up until half time about the way the Vols played, but they ended up pulling it off smoothly. I just don't have high expectations for this coming weekend vs. Georgia.
My sweet little lover
Those little cuties in the top left picture with me are Baby Gunner's parents!
 I finished reading Divergent on Friday night! I think I loved this one more than the Delirium series. Anybody else read both series? I am going out today to get the sequel Insurgent. Bad news is the 3rd book in the series doesn't come out until Fall 2013 so like the Delirium series we have to wait until next year to find out what happens. I heard they are making a movie too! I just can't seem to get enough of these Utopian Hunger Games style of books right now.
 
How was your weekend?? Link up with Sami Shenangians and share your weekend stories and pics!
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Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday's Letters

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Dear Casual Friday- Thank you for existing. Because of you I felt empowered to wear my new cowboy boots to work today. This is happening as we speak...be jealous.
Dear Vols - you really sucked it up last weekend and embarrassed me in front of my Florida friends. Surely, we can pull it off this Saturday against the Akron Zips (what the hell is a Zip, I dunno). PLUS, I will be there for the first time this season to cheer you on. GO BIG ORANGE! Dear Fall TV shows that I love - The Office, How I Met Your Mother, RHOBH, Grey's Anatomy - I can't wait for your return! Dear Wedding Planning - we are rockin' & rollin' now and I'm marking things off my checklist like crazy. This weekend I hope to decide on my dress, cross off florist, caterer and maybe DJ. Just gotta find that perfect Honeymoon spot! Dear Skye - Thank you for making my mid-week birthday wonderful! And thank you for the giant ice cream cake that I have made myself sick eating all week. What?? Calories don't count on your birthday week, duh. Thank you friends for all your sweet birthday wishes too!
 
Which of course leads me to... Dear new running shoes - we shall get acquainted real soon. Dear Ellie Goulding - I love your Lights song! I'm going to share it with my bloggy friends so they can get it stuck in their heads too.



Happy Weekend!!
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Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Wild & Wonderful Pink Growl

I have a lot of new followers up in here and you guys might not know all the wonderful & weird things that make me the girl behind The Pink Growl. I haven’t done a “getting to know me” type of post in a while so I wanted to do a refresher. Thanks to all you newbies for following along! Here are a few facts that might help you get to know me better.

I started my blog last September. I had read some fabulous blogs for years and I just wanted to have my own little piece of the internet too. I’m not a fashion blogger, a mommy blogger or any type of blogger in particular. No OOTD posts or kids running around these parts. I just write about my life. I definitely try to keep it real and talk about even the ugly and not so happy things in my life because that’s real life. Some of my favorite topics include: Luke Bryan, Tilly (my dog), planning for my upcoming wedding & weekends on the lake.
I’m Southern to my core, accent and all. Born & raised in East Tennessee so naturally I’m a Tennessee Alum. Go Vols!

My birthday is September 18th (2 days ago) and I cannot deny that I’m a virgo.

I’m gettin’ hitched to my amazing boyfriend of 8 years on 4/27/13. You can read our Love Story here - {Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Proposal}. It’s not all sunshine & rainbows all day every day but he’s definitely the person I want to wake up to every morning. (Technically not every morning – he’s a cop so his schedule rotates every 10 days so I spend some nights solo). He laughs at my jokes, spoils me rotten and supports me through everything. I think I will keep him forever and ever!
Source: Blush Creative Photography
I work in the natural gas industry. I do marketing & business development for a public utility company.

I laugh at myself…a lot! {For example: My beautiful pup’s name is Tilly. Last week I called her TITTY accidentally and laughed about it for hours days. Don’t believe me? Ask my friend Lauran!}
I am obsessed with leopard print, gold, sequins, Coach, bargains, Pomeranians, the Real Housewives of everywhere, The Voice, college football, motocross racing and Chick-Fil-A.

I love blogging because I have met some truly amazing ladies! It’s strange to say I have good friends that I’ve never met in real life, but it’s very true. The support & camaraderie that blogging has provided me is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. They help me through anything, no matter how far away we are. I love doing linkups because it introduces me to new bloggers!

I love to read. I don’t spend a lot of money on clothes or makeup. Walgreens is one of my favorite places to spend my lunch hour. I’m a Miller Lite kinda girl. I battle my weight and breakouts constantly. My hair is ever changing. I’m a band wagon jumper. I tell it like it is. But none of that stuff matters to you if you really know and love me.

Want more? You can also find me on
 

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Oh How Pinteresting!

 

Thank you everyone for all my sweet birthday wishes yesterday! You guys sure know how to make a girl feel special!
 
You can find me on Pinterest here.
Source: Holly Ritter via hannahdewi.polyvore.com
Source: Mommy Mandy via theluckiestinlove.blogspot.com
Source: Celina Walker via   icanhascheezburgerafterdark.com
Source: Chelsea Lennox via  ebay.com
Source: Vikki Acevedo via http://bees-knees.tumblr.com/page/4
Source: Elana Ron via amyconcetta.tumblr.com
Source: Makalia via flickr.com
Source: Joanne Smith via skinnytaste.com
Source: Rebecca Mooney via secretstoves.net
 
 
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Birthday Giveaway Winner!


I totally forgot to wish for perfect weather on my birthday!! It's rainy here today, which kinda sucks, but I won't let it rain on my parade. Don't forget to shake your booty for me today at least once in honor of my special day!

So last week I told y'all about a special giveaway that the wonderful Diane was doing for all my lovely readers in honor of my birthday. I'm so happy that everyone seemed to like this giveaway - I had 814 entries! Thanks for entering!
 
Since I only get to pick one winner, Diane is also offering up a little treat for everyone else. She has put together a special code for The Pink Growl readers to enter at checkout to get an extra 10% off! Just use coupon code: BLOG10 when you visit ShopBlueBirdBride.  You're welcome :)
 
And the lucky winner is...Meg from Meg The Cool Girl!!! Congrats Meg! I will have Diane email you with details so get ready to pick the color of your choice in the bubble necklace.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 17, 2012

Weekend Update


This weekend went by waaaaay too fast! And let me just say that for the record I do not like starting off my Monday morning with rain. Did ya hear that Mother Nature??
 
I got to spend yesterday with Skye, which was so nice when we haven't had a day off together in weeks. While having some minor wedding chat yesterday I realized that we need to get our asses in gear with planning. I am sooooo behind! Only 222 days y'all!!! EEEEK! Hopefully we will be getting the rest of our engagement pictures back this week because I am dying to see them!
 
Even though I am still in major denial and grief over the Vols horrific loss on Saturday night....I still managed to have a great weekend. I GOT A NEW CAR! I think that totally trumps a major football loss - well that's what I'm telling myself anyhow...
My new "key" which is not really a key, but the cover is PINK! It's one of those deals where you just keep it in your purse and the car will unlock and start as long as you have this close. There are two of them so the dealership gave me this pink cover so I knew which one was mine!

I'm the proud mama of a Nissan Rogue! Window tint coming soon, I can't stand riding around with untinted windows. I'm just gangsta like that.

Dinner with Baby Gunner - I can't get enough of his sweetness. He's 2 months old already!

Saw this over the weekend and it instantly reminded me of my brother and I. I'm the only one who can pick on my baby.
On a positive note to this rainy Monday, you still have time to enter my birthday giveaway to win a bubble necklace in your choice of color. I'm choosing the winner on my birthday so you only have until tomorrow! Go Enter NOW!
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Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday's Letters

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Dear my AMAZING & THOUGHTFUL readers - I cannot thank each of you enough for your kind words on my post yesterday about my mama. Even though we haven't met, your support means the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to even send a thought my way. YOU ROCK! Dear new car search - I can't really complain about getting a new car, but the process is just exhausting. I hate car shopping. Please go easy on me. (PS - I really like the Acura TLs - anybody have one of those??) Dear birthday next Tuesday - I'm ready for the birthday celebrations, just not ready to get another year older. Can I just be 25 forever? K thanks! Dear Messy.Dirty.Hair - thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of messydirtyhair. It's probably the best thing that's happened to me all year. I go for like 3 days without washing my hair now - and I never thought I could! Dear Gym (I know this is a repetitive one) - WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOON! I need your endorphins to cure my stress. Dear Vols - please whoop the hell outta Florida this weekend. We need it! ESPN Gameday is in town and we need to show these boys what's up. GATOR HATER BABY! (all my Florida friends, I love I really do :) If you are coming up for the game please let me know!) So ready for tomorrow's festivities!
 
Dear Bubble Necklace Lovers -

Have you entered my giveaway yet to win one in your choice of color?? Better go do that now, it ends Tuesday.

Happy weekend!
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Thursday, September 13, 2012

It's been a stressful couple of weeks and I want to whine

Warning: this is a therapeutic post -
I am a planner, an organizer, a well balanced emotional kind of girl. (see also: semi-high strung) You guys know this about me, well if you're a new reader you might not, but now you do. It's just who I am. I enjoy being a planner-type, but I do wish I could be a more go with the flow type.
 
For example when life throws me a curve ball, I tend to become very stressed very quickly. I have some stressful things going on in my life right now - most of them you know about. Wrecking my car and having to deal with looking for a new one, planning a wedding in 7.5 months, an overloaded work schedule and now I find out something that makes all those things seem petty. I've debated on whether or not to share this... but I like to keep it real on my blog and this is something that is really happening in my life.
 
We found out last week that my mom has 2 cancer spots on one of her lungs. If you remember from my post here, my mom and I don't exactly have the best relationship. But she's still my mama. I don't agree with a lot of the choices my mom has made in her life, but I'm still her daughter and I still love her. Luckily, they think they can go in with surgery and take out a portion of her lung and she may not even be facing chemo treatments. We don't know all the answers yet. They have done scans to confirm that it has not spread to her brain, which is huge. My mom has smoked off and on her whole life. It's been one of her vices. She would quit for a year or so then start back, but I've always considered her a smoker. Thankfully, her prognosis is good right now we are basically waiting to find out the course of treatment. She's in good spirits, and for once in her life I think she realizes how important her health is. I probably won't mention it a lot other than to keep you posted on anything major.
 
I would consider myself very experienced in managing stress. I have been blessed to have a great life, but it has not been a without many struggles along the way.
 
What I really wanted to touch on today was how to deal with stress. We all have stress in our lives. It can come and go and sometimes it can just wear you down. There are positive and negative reactions to stress. One common negative reaction I have is to eat my feelings. Our negative reactions only make us feel worse and more down on ourselves. Here are some POSITIVE things that help me when I'm trying to eliminate stress or make myself feel better.
 
1. An ass kicking workout - working out is a HUGE stress relief for me. Nothing burns off a bad day at the office like sweating it out in the gym. Unfortunately, I have been slacking very much in this area so I definitely think that's why my stress has felt higher than normal lately.
2. Vent session - I have a few special people in my life who I can tell everything to and they would never judge me. Sometimes it just feels good to get things off your chest and whine about them. Hence, this post :)
3. Pray - I don't go to church every Sunday, but I do pray everyday. I know everyone tends to find religion during a stressful time. It's true that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
4. Keep a positive attitude - It's ok to break down and cry and even feel a little sorry for yourself. But you can't allow yourself to stay in that mindset. Even when you don't feel positive, fake it. I've said before that I'm a big fan of "Fake it until you make it".
 
What are some of your most effective ways to deal with stress?

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Oh How Pinteresting!


I just can't get enough of Pinterest these days! I love finding cute projects that I will probably never get around to doing and adorable outfits that I can't afford. Not to mention all the wedding nonsense that I pin! Check me out!

Source: pinkis4gangstas.tumblr.com
Source: Ashley Stevens via theglitterguide.tumblr.com
I'm definitely contemplating doing a heavy side bang like this - Love this look & Love Nicole Richie!
Source: Cherish @ Southern Soul Mates via leontinelinens.com
Adorable & so very southern
Source: Laura Smith Angert via someecards.com
One of my favorite songs of all time - DON'T STOP BELIEVINNNNN!
Source: Hope Evans via etsy.com
My favorite Bible verse
Source: Melissa Ritsick via kalynskitchen.com
Source: Allis Mlakar via 25.media.tumblr.com
Now if he could just call me and tell me this at 5am so I actually get up and go to the gym before work
Source: Hannah Lovelady viaPinterest for iPhone
Adorable - I want a new tat!
Source: Britney Garcia via  blog.addicted2decorating.com
One project I definitely want to do for our dining room - inspired by the lovely Lauren
Source: Ashleigh Mansell via  tumblr.com
I like the tradition of always ending OHP with a sexy man! Sorry Luke Bryan, Adam has my heart this week thanks to The Voice season premier.

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