Thursday Things to Love...Kinda

Hmmmm what have I been up to in the past couple of weeks that I could tell you about?

 

- John Legend – sweet talked my way into seeing him in concert a couple weekends ago and he was AMAZING! Probably one of the most intimate concert settings I’ve ever been to, and I had a pretty cute date so I was a happy girl. Some babies were definitely made that night! (not by me) Of course I didn’t take any pictures or videos, but trust me if you get the chance to go see him GO!

 

- I’ve decided to take a little break from dating and boys. I just need a breather. I’ve been exhausted lately by so many aspects of the dating game. And wouldn’t you know it, week two into this break and my face is suddenly ALL cleared up! No boys = no stress. AND a guy who I’ve had a huge crush on for a while finally asked me out. But I said no. I was serious about taking the break! I have a couple of dating posts drafted, but sometimes I just can’t find the right words to say…

 

- I survived what would have been my 1^st wedding anniversary. Weird thing to say, right? But if Skye and I would have actually made it down the aisle then 4/27 would have been our 1 year anniversary. It’s completely insane to think how much my life has changed since we set that date!! I spent that Sunday praising God for all the ways He has worked & healed me since last year (when I spent that same date on the floor bawling my eyes out in WalMart and had to be carried out of there.) A lot can happen in a year!! And I'm sure my perspective will be even more changed by next year.

 

- Last weekend I went to see Kacey Musgraves, Billy Currington & Lady A in concert (I’m a concerting fool). I’ve always liked them, but was so impressed by seeing Billy & Lady A live. Such a great show! And I’ve had a girl crush on Kacey for a while so now I love her even more, she was awesome! And she always has the cutest boots, I might add. One of my fav parts of the concert was when Billy sang Bruno Mars “Treasure”! I love it when artists mix it up and sing other genre songs. And you know they killed it in Knoxville when they broke out Rocky Top.

 

- As you read this, I am on my way to Charlotte to see Judah Smith on the Jesus Is Tour. I AM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! Read his book (Jesus Is ____) a couple weeks ago and I can't wait to hear him speak and to worship at Elevation Church! Here is the promo video for the tour. PS- It's FREE if he is coming to speak at a city near you!

 

That about covers it! Consider yourself up to date on my life. I have a nice long weekend that I fully plan on enjoying so I hope you enjoy yours too.

 

Thursday Things To Love

Well it's Thursday and I love things so naturally it's time for another Thursdays Things To Love! By the way, thank you all for your incredible comments on the Overcome the Lie post Tuesday. It's been awesome to get your feedback and to see that I'm not alone in my struggles. I got more personal emails off that one than any other post I've done in a while. I love hearing from you though and seeing how we can help each other! It can be hard to be open and put ourselves out there, but it's so rewarding. How's that for an intro? hahaha

 

ID Vanilla Iced Coffee Light -

It's sooooo good! I prefer the vanilla one, but seriously you just plop in some ice cubes and ready to go. Easy and delish.

 

 

10K Trainer Run for PINK - free app-

Could be a little premature to say I love this app because truth be told, I haven't started it yet. But it's a 10k trainer for FREE so I love that about it. I'm going to start this weekend...I need my running stress relief back in my life. Thanks to Jordon for telling me about this one!

 

Katy Perry -

 

I have a giant girl crush on her! How could you not?? But when she partners up with one of my favorite TN boys, Juicy J, I love her even more! Juicy J was looking pretty fly at the Grammys too! Cannot stop singing this song - even after that witchy performance with pole dancing on brooms.

 

I just feel like we are missing a picture of a hot guy in this post...so here ya go. I've mentioned this before, but I'm going to share with you my newest love interest. Jesse Lee Soffer. I LOVE HIM!! You know I love a man in uniform...with a gun...2 guns...I'm dead... just does it for me.

 

Thursday Things to Love

1. Too Faced Primer -  Primed & Poreless

 

My skin is naturally combination, meaning I have dry patches but mostly oily in my T-zone. Since I don't wear foundation, throughout the day I have to powder up and conceal blemishes. This primer is a miracle worker. It makes my skin more even-toned and helps me not to have to do so many touch ups.

 

2. Dirty Hair - {enter baby powder}

 

Man I love having dirty hair!!! Weird? Yes, but very very true. I am so thankful for the day that Ms. Kelly from MessyDirtyHair walked in my life and taught me a trick or two. I was a have to wash my hair every single day kinda girl before I started blogging. And the thought of that now just exhausts me. I try to push it as far as I can and I've been known to rock the 4th day hair. I've tried several dry shampoos but baby powder is my absolute fav for making the dirty hair look possible for me.

 

3. New Devotional - Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore

I started this 10 week daily devotional today with a close friend. I've never done a Beth Moore one, but I've heard she's nothing short of amazing. My friend who found this one for us has been a spiritual mentor to me over the past year. She happens to be my pastor's wife, but she and I were friends before I even started going to church with them. She has helped me so much with my journey to find myself again and helped me be able to trust in God's plan for my life. I'm excited to see what comes of this!

 

4. Local Celebrities

So last night your girl here got to meet UT Football Coach, Butch Jones. To you, this sounds dumb and perhaps non-exciting. To me? It was heavenly! I squealed and smiled too big for the picture, but I couldn't help it! GO VOLS BABY!

 

5. Leggings & Boots

I love fall weather and all the clothes that come along with it. Boots, leggings, scarves - sign me up! If you happen to see me around over the next several months, I'll be wearing some variation of these outfits all.the.time. My wardrobe staples will be: cowboy boots, riding boots, booties, scarves, black leggings.

 

{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!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday Things to Love

I haven't done a Thursday Things to Love post in a while....so here ya go. Basically I have ZERO attention span today and I am worthless. All I can think about is...well you know what it is...

 

Um hello Luke Bryan's crotch...hello there!

• LB DAY IS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!! Hello Louisville! Hello LB & Florida Georgia Line! (Sadly, I'm not as excited about Thompson Square, even though I like them) I had a dream that I hooked up with one of the guys from FL/GA Line (hello slut!) and we got to meet LB - that is taking one for the team right there. Hello road trip! Hello treats to stuff my boots for the concert!

• I have been in the gym three days this week by 5:30am. It makes my day fabulous, honestly it does. I have been to a Zumba class. I have been using myFitnessPal and eating healthy. And because of all that I have sore butt cheeks and lost 2 lbs. I'll take it!

New lock screen I made for my phone

• My basketball Vols are on a winning streak! First Kentucky last weekend, then LSU, I think Texas A&M shall be next! Lezdoit! I'm pretty sure it has something to do with Skylar McBee's sweet facial hair designs... GO VOLS!

• You know I have to leave you on an LB note...I'm obsessed, forgive me. I'm sure next week I'll tell you all about it and you will roll your eyes and tell me to STFU! One of my favorite videos of him covering Adele...

 

 

Y'all will have to keep up with me on Twitter & Instagram {nikkib918} this weekend to see all my pics! PEACE, LOVE & LUKE BRYAN!

 

I promise next week I will try to cool it.... well probably not next week because I'll be telling you alllllll about the concert, but the week after. That's fair!

Thursday Things to Love

I haven't done a Thursday Things To Love post in a long while so I thought I should get right on that! Here are some things that I am loving on this rainy Thursday.

 

Baby Powder - A dirty haired girl's dream! People ask me what my secret is with not washing my hair for days on end...and here you have it. The old baby powder trick. I just learned this trick this year, so don't feel bad if you are in the dark about it too. I have enough blonde in my hair to make it work and I take full advantage of it. I've used dry shampoo before too, but baby powder really works the best (on my  hair) and it's so cheap!

 

Pinterest - Let's face it, we all love Pinterest. I particularly love the Humor section. It never fails when I need a little giggle I can always count on Pinterest Humor to save the day.

 

iHeart Radio - I have converted from Pandora to iHeart Radio. Who's with me?? Pandora was killing me with alllllll the commercials. So far, I like it!

 

Alcohol - Yeah I said. I am loving some alcohol lately. Being a newly single girl, isn't always an easy transition. Enter my friend mr. alcohol. I'm going to have to reign this hobby in soon though before a) I become a full blown alcoholic or b) I get chubby from all the calories. For now, a glass of wine or a cold beer after a long day is just what I need.

 

Thursday Things to Love - CMT Awards Edition

Last night Tilly and I rocked out in the living room and had our own personal little CMT Fest. I love me some country music! I actually listen to all kinds of music - rap, rock, pop, bluegrass, country...all of it. But as a good Southern grown girl, I can appreciate the lyrics of a good country song. I'm into the really old style of country like Loretta Lynn and the newest country-rock styles. Not so much the sappy sad love songs. Plus, I just love watching award shows and seeing the outfits and the performances. I haven't done a Thursday Things to Love in a while, so here is my CMT Awards Edition of Thursday Things to Love.

Little black dresses - Seems like all the big names brought out their LBDs last night for the red carpet. Every girl needs one. I sometimes think that people have the perception that country folk can't be sassy/stylish. Exhibit A below: Mrs. Carrie Underwood looking quite sassy in her LBD and those shoes!

SPARKLY & STUNNING!

Luke Bryan In my humble opinion Luke Bryan is just drop dead swelteringly sexy! Again, I can appreciate the country boy appeal. His smile, his sweet Georgia accent, his sense of humor, his music - I'm basically in love with him. After he performed last night at the CMT Awards, I spent and hour and a half searching online to see where he was touring close to me this summer. My closest results were Columbus, OH & Charlotte, NC. I must work on making this happen! (anyone want to go? Skye doesn't seem to think that watching me drool over my country husband would be a good time!) Sadly, he is married (of course to a gorgeous woman who has given him 2 gorgeous children). So I'm probably out of the running. However, I will never stop loving him from a distance! :)

With his equally beautiful wife, Caroline

A Good Living Room Concert Have you ever just found yourself lost in an awesome music performance? Only to come back to reality to find yourself in your living room with the TV so loud the neighbors are getting a kick of out it? Yep, that was me last night! One thing I love about country music is that these people (for the most part Taylor Swift not included) can really truly sing. I found out last night that some of my favorite country bands, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town and Jason Aldean will all be coming out with new albums soon. The performances really blew me away.

Have y'all heard Little Big Town's new song - Motorboatin'? Hilarious!

My precious country husband

The Band Perry - who are from Greeneville, TN just about 2 hours away from me

The most badass girls in country music

I was so amped up last night that I couldn't sleep. I was in my car this morning at 7am blasting Pistol Annies & Luke Bryan on the way to work. You should try it, it really makes a great start to the day. Lil Wayne really does the trick in this department too, if you don't fancy country at all.

Did any of you guys watch the CMT Awards last night?? What did you think about the performances or dresses??

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.

Thursday Things to Love - Spring Things Edition!

I am still trying to makeover my wardrobe with clothes that actually fit me. Spring is a really fun time for a newly reformed chubby girl to get new items! Pants are my biggest issue - I typically need shorter lengths in pants (both jeans and work pants) so that makes it a little tricky sometimes to find the perfect fit. Plus, I'm a bargain girl. I rarely ever pay full price for anything! I just can't really bring myself to do it. That's why places like Forever21 are right up my alley!



I just placed a spring order from F21 the other day, and I can't wait for my new clothes to come in. Again when I look back at this order I totally should have worked in more pants/skirts, but for some reason I always more drawn to the tops. Oh well, at least it's a start!

Take a look at what I'm getting -

Classic Dotted Dress - Forever21 - $10

Beaded Layered Necklace - $8.80

Abstract Leopard Top - $7.99

Abstract Floral Print Blazer - $11.99



Graduated Stripes Cardigan - $14.90

Thursday Things to Love - Pinterest Wedding Ideas Edition

I am linking up with Cami for Thankful Thursday/Thursday Things to Love - Pinterest Wedding Ideas edition.

I am so beyond thankful for all the sweet, beautiful, funny and thoughtful comments that everyone has offered me on my recent engagement. I still can't believe I'm so lucky to have my blog friends, Twitter friends and all the people in who are excited for us who know us in real life. I actually got about 100 comments and 215 "likes" on my Facebook post with my ring! It blew my mind. Everyone seems genuinely happy for us, and it makes my heart melt! COMING VERY SOON is the proposal story so stay tuned :)

Okay here are some ideas that I've been obsessing over on Pinterest regarding wedding ideas... Enjoy this peek into my idea filled wedding brain!

via - The lake is very special to us, and we spend a lot of time there - I love this for engagement pictures!

Via - This is amazing, but I would have NO idea how to make it

via 

Via