It's OK

Good morning friends.

Yes, it is 11:00, but I just woke up!

Go me!

I'm linking up with Neely and Amber for It's OK!

It's OK...

that I am in a wonderful city that I want to explore, but instead I am having a lazy day at home.

I'll be watching this and staying in bed for the most part.

It's OK...

 that I might have splurged a little bit since I have been here...

Merry Christmas to myself.

It's OK...

that I ate my first beignet last night and it was absolutely delish!

It's OK...

that I still don't have an outfit for NYE.

I am not going to stress about this...I will find something!

Happy Thursday lovelies!

XoXo

What I'm Loving Wednesday

A little late, but I am linking up with Jamie for WILW.

{New Orleans}

I'm loving my vacation!!

I'm loving waking up whenever I want.

I'm also loving doing whatever my little heart desires.

I'm loving that today I took Kent to work so that I would have his car.

I feel like such a rockstar in this baby!!! 

 I'm loving that I got an early start this morning.

And I'm loving that I marked some places off of my list that I wanted to see.

Wedding Cake House

 and Blue Frog Chocolates.

I'm loving that I still have 5 more days here!!There are a lot of things that I still want to see!

Ok moving on.

I'm also linking  up with Michelle for Oh How Pinteresting.

Pinterest:  New Years Eve Edition

I'm still clueless as to what I am wearing on NYE.

I would love either of these...k, thanks!

 I do know, however, that my nails will look like this!!

And I'm pretty sure I will have a special kiss at midnight!

Happy Wednesday lovelies.

I now must go get ready for dinner.

XoXo

Monkey Mind

So I've spent my day today walking up and down Magazine Street, a popular street for shopping in New Orleans!

I ate lunch and then walked, walked, and walked some more. I went in some boutiques, antique shops, and a wedding shop (just because).

While pondering the items in the wedding shop, I came across a little book called "1,001 Ways to Live in the Moment" by Barbara Ann Kipfer.

I would consider myself to live in the moment, but after reading chapter 1, I realized that boy was I wrong. Instead, I have realized that I have the mind of a monkey which means that my consciousness resembles that of a restless monkey. I try to do too many things at once, creating a state known as "monkey mind".

As I think back to my day, I never once just enjoyed the fresh air and took in my surroundings. I was constantly texting, taking phone calls, tweeting, and taking pictures.

I feel like all of these these things are ok once you master living in the moment and realize that it is ok to put your phone away for five hours and just enjoy life. I never ever do this. I always have my phone and when it's dying, I kind of feel like I'm dying too. Not really, but it def stresses me out because I rely on my phone for everything!!!

As I read my book, I am going I share some strategies and insights so that we can all live in the moment.

These are a few things that I am really going to focus in on over the next few days!

Time management-
prioritize and be efficient

Be independent from technology-
 be ok with not having my phone attached to my hand at all times.

Be aware of my day to day activities.
 habit is a thief of awareness

Meditate-
 you will breathe more deeply and see more wonders

You will become more insightful, more content, and maybe more trusting.

Be attentive to yourself and others.
Not just friends and family, but also neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers.

I hope that you enjoyed reading this post.
I'm excited to read the rest of my book and learn how to fully live in the moment.

I'm now putting my phone in my purse for the rest of the night. I'm out!

XoXo

Miscellany Monday

Write random and link up.

{Christmas}

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I had a weekend full of Christmas festivities.

I love family get togethers and this year def didn't disappoint.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to upload my pictures.

Friday night was Christmas number 1 at my moms and step dads.

Saturday morning was Christmas number 2 at my dad and step moms.

Saturday afternoon was Christmas number 3 at my aunts house and then we all headed to my cousins Christmas eve night.

One of the few pictures me and coral on Christmas Eve.

{Blakely}

My niece, Blakely, who is 11 months old spent her first Christmas at Children's Hospital.

It all started on Christmas Eve while we were at my aunt's house.

Blakely woke up from a nap and started acted really strange. She was very lethargic and unresponsive for about 10 minutes. We were all freaking out so my sister and my mom took her to the fire department to have her checked out.

All of her stats were ok, but they took her by ambulance to the ER because they weren't sure what caused her seizure-like episode.

They ran some tests and discovered that her white blood cell count was elevated. She also has a bacterial infection. They are waiting for lab results to see if the infection has spread to her blood.

Bless her heart, she has had a rough few days!

We spent Christmas day at the hospital visiting my sweet baby.

Please keep her in your prayers. I sure hope she gets to go home today.

Santa has been postponed until she is released from the hospital.

Big sister did get to open 1 present at the hospital.

Fortunately, she isn't old enough to know that Christmas was yesterday.

{Santa}

I was pretty obsessed with the fact that google map tracked Santa on Christmas Eve.

I tracked him from Canada to Arkansas before I fell asleep. So cool!

{New Orleans}

Today, I'm traveling by train to New Orleans. I'm so excited!!!

{Coral}

I haven't even been gone for one day and I already miss my baby!

{Dolphin Tale}

Last night, my mom, my sister, and I watched this movie! So cute!!

Happy Monday lovelies!!!

XoXo

Merry Christmas

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones

The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones

Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over over
If you want it
War is over

Merry Christmas lovelies!!

XoXo
Now... 

Twas the Day before Christmas

Twas the day before Christmas...

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas Eve!!

XoXo

Friday Faves

Thanks for stopping by for my Five Friday Favorites today!

Favorite holiday mani

Favorite way to spend a rainy day

Favorite holiday accessory

Favorite holiday drink

Favorite holiday eyes

I hope you lovelies have a terrific Friday! XoXo

It's Ok

Linking up with Neely and Amber for It's OK Thursday...

It's OK that I still have Christmas shopping to to and I only have 2 more days to do it!

It's OK that TOMS came to the rescue this year as far as gifts go.

It's OK that I didn't make it the full 2 weeks again as a vegetarian.

Nope, tonight I had a Big Mac.  Big FAIL!

It's OK that my sisters and I took 5 kids to the mall today....sounds manageable, but boy were we wrong!

It's OK that tomorrow is going to be movie and pajama day for this babysitter...no more malls!

It's OK that my room looks like a tornado hit it...cleaning in my pj's tomorrow sounds like a great idea.

It's OK that I am leaving Coral with my mom next week while I go out of town.

I know she will give Coral lots of love and attention, but I still wish I could take her on the train with me.

It's OK that I am doing this Christmas survey because I have seen it everywhere and I felt like doing it.

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

hot chocolate, but only because I've never had eggnog.

I plan on trying it really soon!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?Just puts them under the tree....at least that is what he did for me.

My parents gifts were wrapped and Santa's were on display.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?White!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?No, but I should go get some!  I have hung it in the past.

5. When do you put your decorations up?Usually the day after Thanksgiving, but this year it was the weekend before Thanksgiving.

I just couldn't wait any longer.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?Oh goodness, a better questions would be what isn't my favorite dish?!?

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?Opening one gift on Christmas Eve.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What, there's no Santa?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?We always did as kids.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
This year, my tree is very whimsical!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?Love it....dreaded it when I lived in NY and we had snow piles on top of snow piles.

12. Can you ice skate?
I will let you know...

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?I've had plenty of amazing gifts. My friends and family always know just what to get me. :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Being with family and remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Pecan Pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Waking up, making a cup of coffee, turning on Happy Christmas by John Lennon, and opening presents by the fire.

17. What tops your tree?Growing up it was always this star, but this year it is my pink santa hat.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?I LOVE giving. I get a little carried away and buy too many presents sometimes, but I love seeing people's reactions as they open what I got for them.

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum?I don't like the peppermint ones, but I love the Sweet Tart and Jolly Rancher ones.

20. Favorite Christmas show?
Miracle on 34th is my favorite Christmas movie.

21. Saddest Christmas song?Christmas Shoes

22. What’s your favorite Christmas song?

I love so many, but I guess it would have to be All I Want for Christmas is You or Baby It's Cold Outside

Happy Thursday lovelies! XoXo

WILW and Bucket List

I'm linking up with Jamie for WILW.

{The HELP}

I'm loving that I finally started THE HELP.

I've been dying to read it, but it has been hard to find the time.

Now that Christmas break is upon us, I will have some much needed down time.

I can't wait to see the movie.

{New Orleans}

I'm loving that New Orleans round 2 is just around the corner.

I'm taking a trip for New Years and I'm so excited!

{Travel by train}

I'm also loving that I am taking the train to NOLA...

something else I get to check off of my 101 in 1001.

Love checking things off!

 {Winter Bucket List}

I am loving this idea I found on Pinterest.

I'm so determined to do all of these things this winter.

Things I've done:

Gingerbread House

Make Ornaments

I have a lot left to do...

We will see!

I'm also linking up with Michelle for Oh, How Pinteresting!

BUCKET LIST EDITION

Happy Wednesday lovelies!

XoXo