#FlashbackFriday

I love me some embarrassing #FlashbackFriday photos!  Mike found this awesome site of animal before and afters.  You can check it out here.  Seriously, they are the cutest photos ever!  So, when we were in Westerly last weekend, we tried to recreate a photo from almost 17 years ago with my baby cat, Stanley.

We also decided to take one of Ruxin.  She's only 3 and a half, but she's gotta quite big since Mike got her!

And I know these next two aren't really "flashbacks," but they are some cute "then and now" photos!

I guess it's a sister thing!

Besides the eye color, don't these two cats look the same?  Well, the left photo was Shadow on the day we met her back in November and the right is my family cat Fergie, who I got with Stan when I was in 3rd grade.  Don't they look identical???

Outfit of the Month: My New Experiment

Okay, time for some honesty. On the weekdays, I wake up exactly an hour before I have to be at work. Usually my morning routine includes a shower, blow drying my hair, throwing some clothes on, making tea in my Keurig while making Mike's lunch [You think I'm lame for doing that? It makes him smile so much and he appreciates it, so I'm happy to do it.], and running out the door. I don't spend time on makeup, I don't spend time matching the perfect outfit, and I usually just wear what's comfortable and warm [In the winter, my office is like 60 degrees and in the summer, my office is like...60 degrees. Not to mention, at least a few times a week in any season of the year, I'm teaching golf, so I'm in all golf attire.  Even for "Skirtember" half of my outfits were golf outfits!]. 

Yes, I'm basically a train wreck when it comes to "fashion" and being put together.

Here's the deal: I don't spend money on "real" clothes.  I think it stems back to being the same height I am now [5' 0"] since 5th grade.  I never really had to buy clothes because I wasn't growing out of any.  Now, on the other side of things, I have the most awesome golf wardrobe. I have tons of plaid pants, polos and sweaters in every color of the rainbow, and at least 15 pairs of golf shoes [In comparison, for real life clothes, I have like 5 pairs of Uggs, a pair of navy flats, a pair of black flats, some black leather boots, and tons of flip flops.]. Now, the reason I bring up the golf wardrobe is because for men, this wardrobe would be so fantastic and acceptable for everyday life. Mike had something crazy like 80 golf polos.  He wears one to his office job, out to dinner, to the grocery store, and even just around the house. He always looks great and always looks dressed appropriately. Me, on the other hand? I wear my typical golf outfit of a polo and golf pants out on a date, and I look so out of place!

Left is my "regular clothes" closet [with about a third of that being formal dresses] and both closets on the right are for my golf clothes: outerwear and polos

Now here's where I'm going with this. Every year for Christmas, I ask my parents for clothes. Usually I'll buy them online and have them shipped to their house. Well, this Christmas, I got two great shirts. I love how they look, feel, and especially the confidence I feel when I wear them. I never really thought about clothes before, but now I see how great they can make me feel.  I've decided to make a change; each month I'm going to go out and buy one whole outfit. I'm really bad at spending money on clothes, so I hope to keep each month's purchases around $50 or $60. I want to buy pieces that I can mix and match as well as wear in different settings [obviously other than on the golf course]. I plan to shop at Target, Old Navy, maybe American Eagle or Forever 21 [don't judge me, I said I was going to buy new clothes, but completely change my style].

My goal is that I'll gradually begin to care more about what I wear as well as feel more confident in my own skin.  I want to get out of the mid 2000s and look more like a 25 year old soon-to-be newlywed.

Wow, that was a long rant.  So, here is my first outfit.

Dress: Xhilaration Junior's Textured Knit Dress [Ugh, that's embarrassing! There isn't a "junior's" section in Target, so I swear, I was shopping in the women's section!!]

Cardigan: Merona long sleeve crew-neck

Flats: Madeline Ballet Flat in coral

Belt: Already owned, but this Mossimo belt is very similar

Earrings: Dangle in gold and coral

Necklace: Already owned - everyone has a gold necklace, right?

Here's the outfit on me.  I wore it a couple of weekends back to our wedding tasting, and I loved it!

#pale

So, there you have it!  Any tips or suggestions for future months?  As you can tell, I need all the help I can get!

Bliss {February Edition}

What's your Bliss? What are you loving this month that you just can't live without?

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Join Heather and me for Bliss! On the last Wednesday of each month, we'll host a fun new link up to share your "favorites" of the month. Not sure what to write about? It can be anything from a favorite product, to a favorite moment, or a favorite new blogger, to even a new favorite quote! Include as few or as many "favorites" and don't forget to take photos!

Ask yourself, did it bring you #bloggerbliss this month? If you said yes, then we want to read about it!

Don't have time to write a whole post or don't have a blog and are just a blogger at heart? Hashtag a photo #bloggerbliss on Instagram and simply link to that photo on the day of the link up!  Our hope is that Bliss and #bloggerbliss will help ladies across the country find new and fun ways to make their next month even better!

Now, here's what brought me Bliss throughout February:

Zoya Nail Polish: This is the second year I've participated in Zoya's winter free polish event.  Last year I just loved my 3 polishes, so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to get another 3.  While I enjoy them all, I'd have to say Adina is one of my favorite nail polishes I've ever owned!

Apparently my cats like Zoya, too... below is last year:

Zoya in: Shay, Goldie [seen here in with #DisneySide nails - more about that, click here], and Adina

Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives: I could seriously watch that show ALL DAY.  I think the reason I like it is that most of the food is "my kind" of food... aka everything bad for you.  I love Food Network all together, but there's just something about Guy's craziness that gets me every time. 
Yankee Candle: Mike and I have a candle problem.  It's legit.  The biggest decision of our night is which candle to pull off the shelf to burn.  We have about 8 or 9 on display right now, but the scents are always switching in and out depending on the season.  We also just redid our built-ins with tons of family photos [I'm equally obsessed with candles and photos] so they're a little more grown up than they were previously with our Nerf shelves... so I love having a place to display our candles.  

Top to bottom: Spiced Orange, a random IKEA candle [also great buys!!], Cranberry Orange, and Waikiki Melon

Clementines: My life isn't all unhealthy food, I swear.  Recently I've been loving clementines.  I buy a box a week and keep them behind my desk.  My coworkers are constantly bringing in TONS of sweets, so instead of eating a few Girl Scout cookies or a couple squares of Ghiradelli chocolate, I usually eat like 3-4 clementines a day.  Plus, helloooo Vitamin C boost to fight off the germs from all those kids I see everyday!  At least it's a bit better, right?

My #DisneySide Giveaway: Congratulations to Rebecca, Julie, and Brenda who won my post-#DisneySide party giveaway!! Thank you to the 30+ people who entered!

Kitchen Mix Up #5: The Tasting

Welcome back to the fifth Kitchen Mix Up!

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If you were here to "Open the Basket" earlier this month, you saw that we introduced some exciting changes planned to our little link up.  We will no longer have 4 "mystery ingredients," but instead a general theme with which to center your original recipes.  These recipes can be new or from many blog posts ago!

Here was February's KMU theme:

original background image via

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your theme and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe during the month or find an old recipe in your blog archives related to the theme.

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

Here is my FAVORITE Valentine's Day recipe: 

Homemade Heart-Shaped Samoas

By this time of year, I am just CRAVING that delicious caramel-coconut-chocolate goodness!  We're SO CLOSE to Girl Scout Cookie season, but still not quite there yet.  Last year, I made Samoas in the shape of hearts, and everyone at my office just loved them!  Here is where you can find the recipe.

&

Cabin Fever

For the last month, Mike and I have been pretty boring.  Aside from Valentine's Day, we've had no plans whatsoever.  We decided on Monday that we needed to do something but had no idea what.  Luckily, my wonderful IRL turned blogger friend [embarrassing proof], Christine came to the rescue when she told me about a chowder fest near our hometown.  Mike and I thought it was a really fun idea, so we grabbed my parents and spent the afternoon tasting chowder.  
The "Cabin Fever" chowder festival took place in one of my favorite places: Olde Mistick Village in Mystic, CT.  There are tons of quaint shops and each of the tastings was in a different store.  We tried chowder with clams and corn and sweet potatoes and peppers and bacon and ham, but our favorite of the day was the shrimp and maize chowder - yum!

Of course, while we were down there, I had to visit the ocean....

and my BFFL/bridesmaid, Shannon!

I think we all enjoyed our frozen yogurt

My parents also had a cute little surprise party of cupcakes and presents for Mike's upcoming 28th birthday!

On Sunday, I worked all day, watching our older kids play golf on our simulator, and of course, the night was spent watching the last of the Olympics [What did we do at night before the Olympics?!] and 24!
I hope you all had a great weekend, too!
PS, today is also the last day to enter my #DisneySide giveaway!!! 
Linking up for Funday Monday, Mingle Monday, Monday Morning Gossip. and This Weekend I...!

Dear 21 Year-Old Meg,

I hope you caught my "Dear 18 Year-Old Meghan" post two weeks ago!  Well, now here's what I would say to my 21 year-old self:
You're a junior in college now!  You finally found a major [after going through 6 others], and you love it! However, don't worry too much, it's not like you're going to use the "History" aspect of your degree after college anyway.
Remember your 21st birthday party? [yeah, me neither] Well, almost exactly 5 years from the date of that party, you're going to marry that random guy [your roommate's brother] who you fell on... weird, huh?

And these girls?  Yeah: roommates then and bridesmaid & MOH now.

Cool it with the tequila... seriously, yuck.

Don't have any panic attacks about student teaching.  After you graduate, you're never going to step foot into a classroom [well, except a phys ed class].

Stop being such a b***h and shut your mouth.  Make as many friends as you can - it's so hard to after college.

Enjoy that nightly dining hall pasta and cereal... you're never going to eat like that again.  Or better yet, why don't you work on eating healthier sooner.

Enjoy that trip to Paris.  I still don't know how or why, but I promise, he will still be there when you get back.  He really loves you, huh?

Oh, and don't let those professors give you crap for wanting to go to Disneyland Paris and not spend your weekend at fancy and expensive French restaurants.  You traveled across the city by yourself and had an amazing day!

Just have fun, girl!  Everything is falling into place.

Mike's Time: Boys Behind the Blog

It's time for another round of Boys Behind the Blog with Mallory and Stephanie!!

Did you see I bought him footy pajamas for Valentine's Day??  And yes, I have permission to put these beauties on the internets.  Isn't he THE BEST?!  
1. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? "With Meggie? No... that's not a place... hmmm in Florida, on a golf course."
2. Sand or snow? "Sand"
3. What Winter Olympic sport would you rock at? "Skelton" Me:"Why?" "Because I'm really good at water sliding, like remember when I beat you at Blizzard Beach... by like a lot?" ::as I roll my eyes::
4. You're cooking a romantic dinner- what is your go-to dish? "Oh I don't have any of those..." (FYI, he does help me cook almost every night, so don't let him fool you!  He is one mean chicken cutter-upper!)
5. Fill in the blank: This year, I gave Meg a    "skating lesson"    for Valentine's Day. "Hehehe" (See here for more on that... Oh and he also gave me a wonderful Edible Arrangement and gift certificate for a massage!!)

WW: Updated Wedding List

We are officially 7 months from our wedding day!  We are just having so much fun planning together.  I'm so lucky to have a fiancee who wants to be a part of the process!  

Here is an updated list of everything for our wedding:  Purple is "completed;" Teal is "working on it;" and Orange is "hasn't crossed my mind yet... we have 7 months" ...also, can you guess my wedding colors??? ;)
The Big Stuff: - Ceremony Venue - Reception Venue - Guest List - "Save The Date" magnets - Invitations - Wedding Website - Hotel Block - Wedding Colors - Wedding Dress - Bridal Shoes - Groom's Tux - Wedding Bands - Marriage license
The People: - Ask Bridal Party - Bridesmaid Dresses

- Groomsmen Tuxes

- Flower Girl Dress

- Ring Bearer Tux
- Mother of the Bride Dress
- Dads' Tuxes

- Bouquets/Boutonnieres for bridal party and family

- Gifts for each member of wedding party

The Big Day: - Limos - Hair and Makeup - Photographer - Videographer - Gift Registry - Find something: old, new, borrowed, blue

The Church:

- Officiant

- Ceremony Programs
- Chalkboard signs: choose a seat not a side, please take bubbles

- Hymns for mass
- Readers
- Pre-marriage counseling

- Flowers for pews and alter

- Bubbles for church exit

The Reception:

- Seating Chart - Place Cards - Guest Book - Chalkboard signs: table numbers, cake signs, "sign our guestbook," etc. - Framed photos of family weddings and bridal party - Card box - Cocktail napkins - Cocktail straws - Cocktail Hour and Dinner Menu - Centerpieces - Dinner Menus - The Cake - DJ & Playlist - Dance lessons - Personal basket items for bathrooms - Monogrammed bathroom hand towels - Favors - Tags for Favors
The Honeymoon
Is it sad/weird that I've actually started to use my blog list to know what to do next and keep myself organized?  Thanks, blogging world!  You keep me accountable!

Here's what we did: Meg and Mike's Wedding: The Proposal Will You Be Our Flower Girl? Will You Be My Bridesmaid? October Wedding List Update Will You Be His Groomsman? Will You Be Our Ring Bearer? "Save the Date" Magnets Engagement Photo Shoot
Linking up for a couple of Wedding Wednesdays with Kristyn & Mary and Meredith & Jordon!

Come Hang Out With Us: CT BLOGGER MEET UP!!

Are you from Connecticut or the New England area?  Want to meet fellow bloggers?  Well, I have a treat for you!!  In case you did not know, I'm one of the CT Reps for Northeast Bloggers.  Kallie and I are planning a fun evening for bloggers to get to know each other; won't you join us?!

We had our first CT Blogger Meet Up last November and we hope even more people will be able to attend this go around!  We promise you're in for fun, great food, and many laughs!

One last bit of #DisneySide Magic {Giveaway}

On Sunday, I recapped my #DisneySide @Home Celebration.  Now that my #DisneySide fun is over, I have a bunch of goodies leftover.  I thought it would be fun to spread a little #DisneySide love with my blogger friends!  While my girls loved the games, prizes, and decorations, I just had more than I could possibly use [Disney, you are just too fantastic]!  Over the next week, I'm hosting a giveaway and one lucky winner will receive everything you see below.  Two additional winners will also receive "So This Is Love" Mickey and Minnie posters!  Have fun and good luck!

First place includes: - Disney iPhone case - 2 packages of HP photo paper with envelopes - The Chew measuring cups and recipe cards - 8 Muppets 2014 pocket calendars - Disney vacation planning DVD - Disney trivia - Disney Bingo - Face painting tutorials - runDisney bracelets and stickers - Hanging party decorations - Favor ideas: Mickey and Minnie photo frames, Minnie notebook, and Disney Princess puzzle - A little of my own Disney Magic and fun from Disney World and Disneyland :)

Second and third places includes: - 11x14 Mickey and Minnie "So This Is Love" poster

If you missed any part of my #DisneySide series, you can find them all here: 1. #DisneySide @Home Celebration kit unveiling 2. "How To" Plan a #DisneySide @Home Celebration 3. My #DisneySide Party a Rafflecopter giveaway