Let's try Valentines over

Valentine's was a disaster. I had a lovely meal planned out, a lovely and romantic evening planned for my honey and me and it all went to pot. Literally.

It was the day before, Wednesday, when I started to feel really horrible. We had already had an episode of the stomach bug in our house and I was praying like mad that it wouldn't happen again. Well, mother nature had a different plan.

I got the dreaded stomach bug and was knocked off my feet. I finally started feeling like myself 5 days later.

I decided to do all the fun and cute things I planned for Valentine's, just a week later. 

I had ordered a cute set of items from a girl I found blogging. 

I gave Stephen 5 little notes I had written over the course of 2 weeks. Each had a different thing I loved about him written, with the last asking him to be my Valentine. 

That Saturday night, I cooked a feast! With the help of my friend Amber, who sent me some delicious recipes and items from my February Carabox, we had a very romantic and fun evening.

Stephen wasn't allowed in the kitchen while I was cooking. 

I made Bang Bang Shrimp, ribs, and apple crisps and ice cream for dessert. 

I added candles, set the mood lighting, required him to wear a coat and I grabbed a dress.

I allowed Stephen to come in once everything was ready. Stephen brought me beautiful red roses and peanut butter Oreo (YUM).

We chatted about random stuff and went through a questionnaire of 7 questions we about our ideas of romantic evenings and marriage.

Once we were done eating with the meal, we headed into the den for a movie and snack. We lounged on the couch, watched, chatted and had a blast.

It was definitely the evening I had hoped it would be and we had a really great date night!

Here are a couple of pictures from the evening. I forgot to take pictures of the main meal, but got some of the gifts and dessert!

 Apple Crisp - delish!!

You planning a fun date night anytime soon?

Wednesday's Hump Day Hop {Link up}

Welcome to week two of our new blog hop. Each week, we will trade back and forth between GFC and Facebook. This is a great way to discover new blogging friends!

 We are excited to have Jo from Jo My Gosh co-hosting with us this week!

Hop Rules:

1. Don't forget to follow 1-3

2. Remember to link up with your Facebook Page, NOT your blog!

3. Try and visit some fellow Facebook pages and leave Facebook love!

4. Have fun and hopefully make some new friends!!

If you are interested in co-hosting with us, please email Summer!

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

<a href="http://www.simply-summer.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q720/simplysummerblog/0d727ec9-f8e8-4e51-ab80-043abb2ef3c6_zps4724ce44.jpg"/></a>

First Things First #8

It's Tuesday, so you know what that means....

The questions:

1. First breakfast of choice

Of choice? Hmm, anyone remember the Rice Krispy Treat cereal? My grandmother used to give me that stuff (she would buy each grandchild their favorite cereal and keep her pantry stocked with it) and I would DEVOUR it. I absolutely wouldn't share it with anyone. It was mine, hands off losers. This stuff would send my blood pressure through the roof if I ate it now. Breakfast of champions yall. 

2. First dessert of choice

I like dessert a lot, so this was tough to answer but I'm going to have to go with Cadbury chocolate. The real chocolate from England, not the fake Hershey version at the grocery store or CVS. The amazing $6.00 bar from World Market because that's the only place in the States that carries it, or from a friend who mails it overseas for you from England (that's what I do).  What is better than a dessert on the go? It goes with everything and goes anywhere. Its rich, creamy and always, always appreciated on the one rough week out of the month. ;)

3. First beverage of choice

A cold glass of milk. BUT,  if you mean alcohol, I am not  really a fan but can stand to drink some cheap Riesling.

Thanks Hallie and Halie for this linkup!

Blate in Alabama

We had a blate! 

Nine of us ladies - 8 Alabamians and 1 Mississippi darlin - met up Saturday at my favorite local Birmingham restaurant, Urban Standard for a blogger date. 

I had previously followed most of these ladies blogs, so I recognized several immediately when I walked in. 

We all sat and chatted for 3 hours about blogging, husbands, dating, running and everything in between. 

These women are incredible and I feel so blessed to have met them in person. It was seriously felt like we had known each other for years and just old friends catching up!

We decided we all loved our blate and are going to try and meet up monthly.

Come meet all the lovely ladies...

Me and Jen

Jen • Blog • Twitter

Lauren L, Lauren E, Joy and Ashley

Lauren L • Blog • Twitter

Lauren E • Blog • Twitter
Joy • Blog • Twitter

Ashley • Blog • Twitter

Nadine, Kalyn and Heather

Nadine • Blog • Twitter

Kalyn • Blog • Twitter

Heather • Blog • Twitter

Make sure to stop by, check out their blogs and twitter accounts. You will love them all!!

Cara Box Reveal {February}

It's that time...It's Cara Box!

Awesome things in the mail + Meeting new women + Encouragement = Cara Box

Kaitlyn at Wifessionals started this monthly box swap. Each month there will be a different theme. Anything from a season, to a color, to a topic (like fashion or childhood).

Everyone is paired up with another blogger and she with another. That way, you get to know 2 new bloggers. Cute huh?!?  

Towards the middle of the month you will create a box or package, specifically for the woman you were paired with, and ship it off to her. You will then get a Cara Box from the girl who was paired to get you. 

You can read more about it here if you want to join.

This months theme was Club Sexy. The plan was to make a fun date for you and your significant other. I sent my friend Ashley from Always Ashley her box and Amber from The Chickapea & Me  sent me an incredible date night box!

I told Amber our favorite date nights were dinner and a movie at home. 

The tools for a perfect date night!

It started with a really sweet note from Amber...

And some wine to get the date going...

A recipe for homemade Bang Bang Shrimp (our favorite when we eat at BoneFish)

Some bread to go with the meal...

All the ingredients to make the shrimp...

Even the 3 steps already mixed and ready to add!! This was super thoughtful and so appreciated!

And fabulous chocolate chip cookies to top off the meal. 

We love movies at home, so Amber sent a classic movie...

And popcorn to go with it!

To finish off our Club Sexy evening, a facial and some bath bubbles.

And a wonderfully scented candle to set the mood as well. 

Thanks Amber for the AMAZING Club Sexy package! We loved it all and thank you for our date night!

Woolzies {Review and Giveaway}

I love all natural products. 

In our home, we are super conscience of what we bring into our home - from food to household products we use. We typically don't have dryer sheets in our house because I hate most scented things (My husband and I are both sensitive to smells) and hate the film/residue dryer sheets leave on my clothes.

I was very excited when Woolzies came into the picture. Their tag line - good for you, good for the environment. Because they are all natural, I knew there wasn't going to be the two things I hate about conventional dryer sheets from these.

You get 6 wool ball to use.

They last 1,000 loads making them very eco-friendly. 

I have been using them for several weeks now and noticed my clothes are softer and dry faster than before. I didn't notice a cut down on static, but they recommend making an aluminum ball the size of one Woolzie to lower the static cling. 

Woolzies was kind enough to offer you to win your own box! Make sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I received this product as a gift in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Faithful Friday #7/The Gospel Threads

Have you heard of the gospel threads? If not, I recommend you check these sermons out from my Pastor, David Platt. We went through this series in 2008, but are revisiting it now. 

To break it down, we want to threads these 5 truths into our everyday lives and conversations when sharing about Christ. Take some time to listen to this series. I urge you to prayerfully ask for God how you can weave threads of the gospel into your interactions with people. 

Plan out how you might intentionally all these with fellow men and women. 

The Gospel Threads

1. The Character of God

God is the Holy, Just and Gracious Creator of all things.

He is holy. (Isiah 43:15)

He is just. (Proverbs 17:15)

He is gracious (Titus 2:11)

2. The Sinfulness of Man

We are each created by God, but we are all corrupted by sin.

We have rebelled against God (Romans 3:12)

We are separated from God. (Romans 3:23)

We are dead without God. (Romans 6:23)

3. The Sufficiency of Christ

Jesus ALONE is able to remove our sin and restore us to God.

He lived the life we could not live. (1 John 3:5)

He died the death we deserve to die. (1 Peter 2:24)

He conquered the enemy we cannot conquer. (Revelation 1:18)

4. The Necessity of Faith

We can be restored to God ONLY through faith in Jesus Christ. 

We can turn from our sin and ourselves. (Mark 1:15)

We trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. (Romans 10:9)

5. The Urgency of Eternity

Our eternal destiny hinges on our response to Jesus

Hell is a dreadful reality for those who turn from Jesus. (2 Thess 1:8-9)

Heaven is a glorious reality for those who trust in Jesus. (Philippians 3:20)

Will you turn from Jesus or will you trust in Jesus? (John 3:16)

Please my friends, think over these all. If you ever want to chat,  I would love to do so with you. I'm always available for you. 

30 Second Thursdays {Vlog Linkup}

Last week I missed the Valentines linkup for 30 Second Thursdays due to feeling like death in the bed from a stomach bug. Anyone else gotten this junk? Its awful! I literally wanted to die for a couple of hours. Needless to say, no vlog, blog post or Valentine's for us.

But, this week I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER and joining back for 30 Second Thursdays with Kaitlyn, Samantha and Hallie!

The question this week:

What things are you shallow about?" (Name brands, certain jobs, ANYTHING...yep, embarrass yourself...)



PS. This is our guest room and I love it. Showcases my "perfection" mentality with my stuff. 

February Birchbox

Its Birchbox time again!!

Do you not know what Birchbox is? It's like a subscription to a magazine, except you get a box full of amazing, high end beauty products every month!!

This month the theme is Red Carpet Ready.

 The first thing was the Dr. Jart + Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm. The multi-action skincare and makeup with the SPF went on smooth and perfectly blended into my skin. 

The next was the Vasanti Brighten Up Face Rejuvenator. This exfoliating cleanser uses micoderm crystals and papaya enzymes to brighten up my skin. 

I used this on my face and after washing it my face felt fresh and fabulous!

Oh, now this is my favorite! I love mascara (I have hardly and eye lashes) and this FusionBeauty mascara added tons of volume to my lashes!

Now onto the Nicole Richie Fragrance. This smells so good with a hint of vanilla. What's not to love!?

An extra special treat of Ghiradelli chocolate was added. Perfect month to add little chocolate love. ;)

This month was great and I love everything in my box.