Motivational Monday

It's Monday...

 

And after a week like last week, (which most people got to spend lounging at home, but I still had to make my way into work) I need a little motivation. PS - can you believe I'm blogging for the THIRD time with in a week??

 

Spreading the love today! Happy Monday my loves!

 

1. Treat yo self

I'm a huge Parks & Rec fan! I have adopted the treat yo self motto practically as my own. When you're single I feel that it really is necessary to treat yo self every now and then. You deserve it! That's what I told myself when I spend a crap ton of money last week during the snow/ice storm shopping online. A little treat yo self goes a looooong way in my book. Can be as simple as a Starbucks run, whatever your little heart desires. Indulge on a Monday!

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2. After you treat yo self - treat someone else

After my Lent post last week, plenty of you little sweethearts reached out to encourage me. (I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!) It's so incredibly uplifting to be reminded of your magic when you forget. For someone from the outside looking in - heck, sometimes someone who has never even met you - to remind you that you're pretty awesome. Remember a time when someone reminded you of your magic - channel that today and lift someone up.

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Little Giveaway!! 

 Leave a comment and tell me someone you'd like to encourage this week & why. I have a $15 giftcard to Target I'm willing to give away to a random lucky winner just to brighten their day!

3. All aboard the healthy train - choooo chooooo

I have been eating like a horse. Also, I've been lazy. Lazy like a (insert animal that is incredibly lazy). We are about 3-ish months away from summer. Me continuing to eat like a horse will NOT make me a happy camper once lake season is here. I want to be proud of my body this summer! Even in a bathing suit. Back to the gym I go. I'm officially announcing here that I am training for a 5k in April. For the first time in like 2 years. Pray for me y'all - I MIGHT DIE! I probably can't even run a single mile right now. It's been many moons and many pounds ago that I even tried. I want to attract a boyfriend in the future who is into fitness too. It helps so much to have someone who can workout with you and encourage you.

 

My girls Cassie & Lindsay have been a huge inspiration to me with their fitness journeys so - y'all better keep me in line. Overall I'd like to drop 30 lbs from where I'm at right now. I know it won't be done overnight so please reach out to me and encourage me!

 

 

4. I am the nerdiest of nerds - and I'm so okay with it

When I was younger, I was a little embarrassed by how nerdy I was. A lot of my friends weren't into school like I was. Much less dinosaurs, history, science, reading and all the awesome things that I loved to learn about. I tried to hide it. I actually pulled a little Lindsay Lohan from Mean Girls and tried to act dumb a time or two. Then I had a teacher in high school who really taught me how much better it is to embrace your inner nerd. Being intelligent is attractive. And awesome. We all like weird things. My obsession with US presidents & the civil war isn't weird - it's just MY thing. Well, one of my things. (I feel like I have more "things" than most)

 

LONG winded story short - I have decided I am going to reward myself with this mug. After I lose 15 lbs (half my goal), that is. It's a nerdy gift and I LOVE IT! Back on the healthy wagon, plus a sweet reward for a prize.

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How's that for a Monday???

Songs that Define Me Linky & Giveaway WINNER!

Business first, party second. I have the lucky giveaway winner from my STS giveaway to announce today!! Thank you to everyone who entered! Drumroll please.....

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woot woot!! Congrats Erin!!!

Linking up with the music lovin' Helene for this awesome idea today! Our lovely hostess pretty much said anything goes for this linkup - just have to throw out some songs that define you, whether it's in the past or currently. I'm going to make a little list for you because I'm just a list kinda girl. I am such a music person - I have SO many songs that define different times in my life. Boyfriend songs, best friend songs, songs that get me crunk, songs that bring tears. It was hard to choose just four!

 

Journey - Midnight Train - This is my ultimate theme song in life. I have always loved this song, I'm a huge Journey fan. But the moment when I was a teenager and they played this on Laguna Beach when LC & Stephen were on their date in the car - I know y'all remember that shit too! - just solidified it for me. I have this song on every playlist on my iTunes, I snowboard to it, wakeboard to it and workout to it. Anybody who knows me well will tell you THIS IS MY JAM! I will probably have it played at my funeral.
 

 

Alabama - Dixieland Delight - This is my go to karaoke song! I get so crunk when I hear it, and not just because it says "on a Tennessee Saturday night" It's one of my all time favs! It reminds me of some of the best nights of my life.
 

Three 6 Mafia - Late Night Tip - My high school theme song. You can pretty much sum up my entire high school experience with this song. We wore this thing out back in the day. Reminds me of Friday nights after football & basketball games, parties, my first serious boyfriend, cheerleading trips, senior trip - we always played this song!

 

 

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art - I realize that placing this one under Three 6 Mafia must be some sort of sin... but bear with me. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church, singing traditional hymns every Sunday. This is my aunt's fav hymn and I love the way she sang it, so it became one of my favs. Carrie has the voice of an angel so naturally her version of this song gives me chills. Reminds me of my childhood, my aunt (who is basically like my mama), and I can always listen to this song and feel better during times of struggle.
 

 

 

How's that for an eclectic mix of music? A little rock, a little country, Memphis rap and gotta throw in some Jesus praisin' music! Very fitting for a girl like myself!

Weekend via Instagram

Keepin it short & sweet today! Here's a quick glimpse at my weekend via Instagram {You can find me @nikkib918}. My weekend was crazy busy, I felt like a chicken with it's head cut off running around the whole time. So no naps and no rest, but I was blessed with a fun one! Friday night at my friend's dirty thirty party was an absolute blast and the free beer didn't hurt! This idiot had the bright idea to make a hair appointment at 9am the following morning so I was struggling a little bit. But I have fresh hair and y'all know nothing beats that feeling. It's BLONDE too! I kept having to do double takes in the mirror Sat night because it was catching me off guard. Survived the bachelorette party Saturday night, and no midgets were harmed or molested. And survived my first kickball practice Sunday in the sweltering heat. Seriously, I thought it was getting close to fall temps?? 

 

Absolutely obsessed with this. DELISH!

 

Early orange & white birthday package from my soul sista Manda. She is the sweetest!

 
 


Another surprise early birthday gift from my beautiful friend Erin! I cannot wait to carry this baby!

PS - HAVE YOU ENTERED MY GIVEAWAY YET?? Better hurry - ends Thursday!

{GIVEAWAY} Small Town Style & Friends

It's GIVEAWAY time!!!

 

Remember my bloggy BFF Kim in St. Louis? And all our STL shenanigans? And before that our Nashville trip? I never imagined my twin soul was living in the Midwest - thank the Lord for blogging!

 

Anyhooo - If you didn't already know she opened up a cute little online boutique called Small Town Style. Y'all know I'm cheap and I refuse to spend a ton of money on clothes. Everything Kim has is super cute and affordable! She carries plus sizes and is getting into accessories too. With this credit she's offering, you can rack up for fall! She had the amazing idea to pair up some of her small business friends too and VOILA, a sweet giveaway for YOU!

 

Spread the word, this awesome deal is only open

until next Thursday!

 

 

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Curing NOtivation: Kickboxing & GIVEAWAY!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thepinkgrowl.blogspot.com/" title="Mal Smiles"><img src="http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a500/MalloryCollinsWhitt/Notivation20x200_zps2f02ec49.png" alt="Mal Smiles" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

You know those LONG days when the last time you think you have time for is a hard workout? Well we have a solution for you then! Mal, Hallie & I were approached by GI Jayne Fitness to review their 30 minute kickboxing video. Personally, I have wanted to try kickboxing forever so I was super excited!

 

Things I loved about it:

- 30 minutes and done - actually 25 minutes

- Beginner level

- The class on the DVD is full of different sized people, not just skinny girls

 

I can't complain about burning 250 cals in 25 minutes. That's an easy workout! It's perfect for a way to still get a workout in on a recovery day or a day when you just can't drag yourself to the gym.

 

SOOOOO....3 of you lucky #NOtivation believers will get the chance to win a copy of the DVD too!! Winners will be announced next Tuesday!

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And don't forget to link up your #NOtivation tips every Tuesday with us! We call all help inspire each other one tip at a time!

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.

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Giveaway: Bubble Statement Necklace

In honor of celebrating my birthday this month, I asked the sweet Diane from Blue Bird Bride to help me out with a special giveaway. I know you guys will enjoy this! So this is my birthday month gift to you!
 

 

Diane is offering up a super trendy bubble necklace FREE to the lucky winner!!

 

About a month ago I won this same giveaway on just peachy and I was beyond thrilled. Luckily, my loot came in just in time for me to wear my sweet green necklace in our engagement pictures a couple weeks ago.

 



image courtesy of Blush Creative Photography

 

Diane sells these necklaces in a variety of colors and YOU GET TO CHOOSE YOUR COLOR! :)  There's bright blue, yellow, black, red, green, coral, turquoise & white. The bright blue & coral were close seconds for my favs, but I need more green in my wardrobe so I went that route for mine.

 

 

 
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. The winner will be chosen on my actual birthday next Tuesday Sept 18th. GOOD LUCK!

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I'm blogging on a Saturday & Giveaway Winner!

I completely forgot to pick a winner of the Color Me Rad 5k Giveaway yesterday!! Oopsie!

 

That's one reason I'm blogging on a Saturday. And the lucky gal who is going to be having a blast at the Color Me Rad 5k is....
SHANNA from Because Shanna Said So.
CONGRATS!TWO FREE Passes coming your way- courtesy of Chantelle from Color Me Rad! You've got I will email you with info shortly. I used random.org to randomly generator a number to pick a winner, but I wanted to share with you Shanna's team name ideas that cracked me up.

"Oh crap...I need to win...hmmmm...my name would be..."Our runs got some color"?? or "Skittles" or "I suck at running, just doing it for pictures." Pick me!!! ;)

My personal fav is "I suck at running, just doing it for pictures"! I need to be on that team! Can't wait to see those pictures girl!

Oh a sad note, I wrecked my car last night! :( I've been driving for almost 10 years and had never had a wreck before. Last night on my way home from watching the fabulous UT win, a guy rear ended me as I was about to pull into my neighborhood. It really sucks! My car is little, it's a Mazda RX-8. He completely smashed my back end. I will find out on Tuesday if it's considered totalled. The only good news from this is no one involved was injured, I'm just a little sore and stiff today. I was proud of myself though because I didn't even cry!

 

 

 Hope everyone else has had a better start to their weekend! & Congrats to Ms. Shanna on being the big winner!!

I've Got The Runs

You like that title, don't you?? It's very Dusty of me! (remember my hilarious friend Dusty from last week??) Okay so right now you're probably thinking that I have a serious bathroom issue, but you're wrong... this post is actually about running. Get it, runs? You better be laughing or at least giggling. I bet this post will be some interesting google search results!

I want to share something exciting with 2 lucky people regarding the upcoming Color Me Rad 5k that I'm doing! Remember me telling you here that I was finally going to accomplish my goal of doing my first real 5k? Well thanks to my lovely friendship with Kelly from Messy.Dirty.Hair, I got hooked up with Chantelle who works for Color Me Rad! She's AH-MA-ZING and so so sweet! So sweet in fact that she has given me TWO free sign up giftcards for the Color Me Rad 5k to giveaway to YOU! Yes, you! That girl who has been meaning to make a goal to do a 5k, but just hasn't had the motivation! (Don't worry, that's been me too!)

Two giftcards to sign up for FREE for the Color Me Rad 5k in your town!
Regular Registration Price is $40.00!

So I know we've all seen The Color Run activity going on in blog land. The Color Me Rad is a similar style, due to the fact you get smothered in color! It's non-timed so basically it's a great way to jump start your running career - or just have a kick ass time, if you're a more seasoned runner. Here is a link to their website that shows all the cities the race has booked now thru July 2013 BUT if you're city isn't on here then we can always try to get it added!

If you live in or near Reno, Denver, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Billings, Phoenix, Vegas, Austin, Miami, Tampa, Houston or Detroit (just to name a few) then I'm talking to YOU!!

Wanna know how you can win these registration cards for the Color Me Rad 5k???? It's simple! Just leave me a comment & give me you're most creative idea for your team name for running the race and I will randomly pick a winner. Make me laugh!

Oh and by the way, my team name for the Color Me Rad 5k in Knoxville, TN on October 6th is I've Got The Color Runs! We are working on our hilarious outfits and I'm so so so so so excited to share this with you!

Insta{LOVE} Weekend Recap

I feel like I must put in the typical Monday sentence that "my weekend went by too fast"! I was so busy this weekend that it just disappeared. I had a baby shower, a birthday party, a wedding venue visit, and I still had to find time to do my regular house cleaning, etc. I did manage to find 2 relaxing hours to sit outside in the sun on the gorgeous 75 degree sunny day and finish The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - FINALLY! I'm a really fast reader and I cannot believe how long it took me to read this book! Now I can move on to 50 Shades! I sure did eat everything that crossed my path this weekend so you better believe that I am going to detox myself this week. Self control engaged. Why is it that sometimes it's so hard and other times it's not? Especially the first week after your (over)indulge yourself! Wish me luck.

 

First up, I have some lovely new buttons for June over on my Sponsors sidebar so please check these ladies out! sophistifunk  Sami's Shenanigans  My Life My Way  Fancy This  Simply Sarah  MessyDirtyHair Plus, all my reoccurring favorites are still there too, don't forget to show them love!

I can't believe how blessed my life has been lately! Planning this wedding just makes me feel like such a lucky duck! And on top of that I won TWO giveaways last week! Well one of them I won a couple weeks ago, but I received my package this weekend. Remember when I told you here that I won the MessyDirtyHair Moroccan oil hair products giveaway??? I was jumping up and down Saturday when I got home from the baby shower to find this package waiting on me. {See below for the pic of all my loot.} I used the spray on my hair yesterday & today and it makes it so smooth and soft. I can't wait to tell you about all the products! THEN, I also found out that I won a giveaway hosted by 5ohWifey (remember her from her guest post?) for free medium ad space on Jordann's blog at Makin Memories of Us. So check out Jordann's blog and my cute little button on her sidebar.

I went to my good friend's baby shower Saturday, and we had MagPies cupcakes. Delish! I think MagPies is just a local store though.

Giveaway goodies that I won from Kelly at MessyDirtyHair. I will be reviewing this products in the near future!

Went out Friday night for my good friend's birthday. We went to a little tiki bar on the lake. It was actually freezing out! Sorry for the horrible picture quality!

Potential Wedding Venue #?? I lost count! Tellico Yacht Club. I adore this view. The dock pictured here is where we would actually have the ceremony. I'm pretty sure we have a winner! Plus, this is very close to the spot where we got engaged so it just feels right to me.

Took my girl with me to run some errands last night. She's usually all over the car and sticks her face right up in the air vents. However, I seemed to capture her here in a moment of rest.

Hope you had a great weekend too! Is it bad that I'm already looking forward to the next one? There I go again just wishing my life away.

Giveaway Winner, Katniss & I'm Guest Blogging Today!

We have a winner my friends!!

Congratulations to the lovely Lily over at As She Writes - she is the lucky one today! Lily - I am going to send you over an email in 2 seconds with details about how to get in touch with Tori from EyeCandy so she can start on your design! A BIG Thank you to everyone who entered and promoted my first giveaway experience!

In case you aren't following me on Instagram (nikkib918), I wanted to show you how I'm channeling my inner Katniss Everdeen today! Granted, my hair is pretty fine so this is about as thick as I can make it look...but you get the idea! It's a stormy day here, so this side braid is perfect for not having to fuss with your hair.

And finally, I'm guest posting today over at Lauran's blog, The Real Young Housewife of Southern VA! Can't you just tell by her blog name that I'm already in love with her??  Go over there today and check out my guest post for her, in which I put on display some lovely Southernisms.

One Lucky Winner...

Well here's my big surprise to you ---- a GIVEAWAY! Since I've been getting so many wonderful compliments about my new & improved blog design that I asked Tori from Eye Candy if she would participate in a special offer for my readers! She agreed!!! She is just getting her feet wet in this design thing so she needs your help to build her portfolio! Plus, you can see for yourself that she does a great job!

For just $50 you can get a TOTALLY new look for your blog! That's at least HALF OFF! Here are the details:

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We made it pretty easy for you to enter this one! All you need to do is follow both mine & Tori's blogs and give this offer a shoutout on Twitter (for a total of 3 entries.) The entries will be open for one week from today, until Thursday April 26th. I will announce the winner next Friday. GOOD LUCK!!!