5 Things Women are Hypocrites About

This came to me on my way to work last week. As I was leaving my neighborhood and being closely tailgated by a car following behind me I thought to myself, "You're not going to make me go ANY faster." However, when I am in a hurry and the car in front of me isn't going fast enough, I test to see if riding just a little closer to their bumper will move things along. As I kept driving a few other ideas came to me, so I figured I'd share. This is meant to poke fun! With all the wedding posts I thought I'd throw the boys a bone and give them some humor to read. So without further adieu, here we have my 10 things women are hypocrites about.

1.) Tailgating: I mentioned it above, but sometimes we get the thought that if we tailgate we will somehow get to move faster all the while we hate when it happens to us.

2.) Modest is Hottest: As a wife, daughter, sister, and friend I feel for this generation of women and also of men. There is so much distraction and sexuality going on in the world. Society does not make it easy to be faithful and therefore, I applaud those that continue to work on their marriages even when it isn't easy. How many of you ladies are with me in this following situation: You're out with your man and some scantily clad woman comes up into their line of vision, even if they're with another guy, switching their hips, pouting their lips and doing everything except taking their clothes off. (If your man is anything like mine he is totally oblivious anything is even happening.) You suddenly feel a rush of rage and have increased your creative capabilities 10 fold by instantly coming up with 25 ways to ruin her life. However! Before you had your man, or when he suggests going out, you reached/reach for the sexiest thing you can find.

3.) Momma: Raise your hand if this inner conflict has ever occurred: My mother was completely right... but if I tell her that I will never get to live it down.

4.) Perfume: Walks into a room and is suffocated by someone else' fragrance. 6 hours later can't smell their own perfume anymore-- solves the problem by spraying more.

5.) PMS: How many of you have made an, "Ew," comment or face about someone who gave bad customer service or rubbed you the wrong way because they must have been in a bad mood having a bad day? And then when we have a bad day and an even worse mood accompanying, PMS is always a justification? Been there so many times.

Gentlemen, what do YOU notice? It's all fair in love and war, and it's all in good fun. Life is too serious to make so much of it. Summer is winding down, and I'm getting my wheels turning for some great Fall posts for you guys. Remember you can follow me if you have your own blog, sign up to get my posts in your e-mail inbox, or like my posts on Facebook. Know somebody that can benefit from this? Share it on their wall! Always open to ideas and feedback on what you want to hear about!

That's all for now. Brace for a good week! Happy Monday Eve!

Love,
Kate


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4503668354421286/

Part II!

Happy Sunday, everyone! I just finished my Summer semester of classes and have a short pause in education before things get crazy again at the end of the month. Ben and I are in a huge transition period in our lives and the older I get the more I learn that life never gets less busy. You truly have to seize the moment and go for the gold while the moment is presented before you. More on my opinions of that later, I'm sure. For now, here is the list of what you REALLY need in your wedding day survival kit as well as some of my tips and favorite flavored waters!

Wedding Day Survival Kit (What you REALLY need...)
Tweezers
Baby wipes-- it'll be hot under your dress... you feel me?
Hairspray
Water-- it's stressful, you might be too nervous or busy to eat, so make sure you drink. Nobody needs the bride passing out.
Extra Underwear-- I repeat... it's hot.
Bobby Pins
Granola Bar-- don't faint
Wallet
Phone
Phone Charger
Tissues-- for your eyes? No! It's hot. Blot, blot, blot.
Rings
Tylenol
Gas-X-- take two of each in the morning with a big glass of orange juice. At least if you forget my previous advice to eat and drink you'll have your headache at bay, you won't get bloated, and there will be some sugar in your system to keep you from passing out.
Tide To-Go
Deoderant-- hottttt!
Perfume
Lotion-- nerves=Swelling. Swelling=rings don't fit=panic. Fix? lotion your hands before you slip your ring on.

Flavored Waters
lemon & lime- put slices in your water and leave overnight
cucumber lemon
strawberry-- this one actually turned out to be my favorite. It was just the right amount of flavor!
lemon, honey, ginger

**remember with all of these that a little goes a long way. Let the flavors set and take a sip before adding more. I repeat-- a little goes a long way**

Don't Starve Yourself!!! Use these tips...
Carefully collected from Pinterest and personal experience, these are some of the easy peasy tips I used to avoid starving myself.

1.) Flavored Water-- I was amazed how well this worked. It curbed my appetite, kept me going to the bathroom and just tasted good. You only lose fat 2 ways-- sweat and pee. So if you're not sweatin', and not peein' you're not losing weight.

2.) AM Stretching-- It helps keep you limber and from feelings stress which keeps you from wanting to eat as much.

3.) Citrus- lemon is a natural laxative (trust me on this). It will gently cleanse you of extra weight. Squeaky clean from the inside out.

4.) Drink your weight in water-- in one day drink as much as you can. You will feel super full and be running to the bathroom quite a lot. However, it will alleviate that water weight, keep appetite down so you don't eat empty carbs, and keep stress headaches away!

5.) Multi-vitamins-- take as directed. When we are fulfilled on our vitamins it keeps specific food desires at bay. Check out this Pinterest chart for your cravings...


6.) Eat Full Fat Foods-- Sugar free, & fat free may sound ideal, but I have been perplexed by the thought lately of, if it's fat free what are they replacing the natural fat in the food with?

7.) Protein-- foods high in protein will keep you fuller longer and also help you burn fat. Nuts, poultry, lunchmeat, fish, and legumes (dark greens) are a great way to go! Planters NUT-trition energy mix is one of my favorites. I take a little bit in a baggie to work with me to munch on between breakfast and lunch.

In closing, to all of you getting married-- congratulations! It's an exciting time, so try not to let the stress get to you because it's over so fast. I hope you enjoy. Comment below for topics you want to read more about. What tips worked for you?

30 Things Nobody Tells You About Your Wedding: Why I don't Regret NOT starving myself, healthy tips I used, & what you really need in your wedding day survival kit! Part I

Good Morning guys! Congratulations for making it through the obnoxiously long title above. It will be part I of II so make sure you follow up on the blog a little later for part II, which is forthcoming. Earlier this month was my1 month "anniversary". It's the first (and smallest) of many hurdles ahead in married life, I'm sure. But I wanted to give my loving husband a shout-out before I get rolling on some things nobody told us (mostly me) about planning a wedding, the wedding day, and share some things I wish I would have known.

Before I get into things let me start with this, there is a reason you have parents, friends, and a bridal party. All those who elope don't need those things because  a lot of what I'm going to go over doesn't pertain to ceremonies that are so wonderfully intimate and only involve you and your loved one. However, as I mentioned above, if you are not eloping, you have people for a reason. And not just for any reason, but because they have been through it. I asked questions and I asked them a lot! Thankfully, I'm towards the bottom of my siblings list so I had others that have gone through it before, and I have some great friends. They covered a lot of basics for me (some of those tips I'll be including!), but there are a few things I was not prepared for, even if I may have been warned. I'm not talking about the obvious things like peeing facing the toilet (don't sweat, it's not as hard as it seems. Just make sure you have a bridesmaid with you), but what you do to keep your veil from getting ripped out of your head, etc. So, I'll add my voice to all the others who have their own opinions with this list...

The Dirty 30 Things Nobody Tells You...

1.) J Lo Said it Best... Did you ever watch Monster in Law? No? You have to go watch it, now, if you haven't seen it yet and are engaged! She says, "I'm making the dress to fit me, not me to fit the dress." Too-true, Jenny from the Block! Buy the dress in the size you are when you go into the boutique! & don't starve yourself thinking you're going to be Kate Hudson in 2 months. You're going to have enough to stress about, you'll be glad fitting into your dress isn't one of them.

2.) Comfortable... You are wearing the dress that is going to be in the pictures everyone looks at for all eternity. The ones you show your kids when they bring their future spouses around. By that time our styles will be way out of fashion... I still have trouble wrapping my mind around that. Make sure you're comfortable in the dress! I tried on several and almost went with one everybody else loved because they thought I looked so nice in it. Keep going until you find one you're comfortable in (& yes, crying when you find, "the dress" can be a thing, but don't think you haven't found it if you don't cry.). You're getting married and you're going to look your most beautiful, but you still want to feel like yourself on the inside. Choose something that reflects your personality!

3.) Buy to Size!... Your wedding dress size will probably be a larger size than you actually wear. Or several sizes larger. It's okay, don't panic! & like we talked about with J Lo, don't buy a size smaller. You will get over the hit your pride may take when you find the perfect dress and have to order it in what feels like a size HUGE, because it is well worth the trade of ordering a dress a size smaller and having it NOT fit. Remember-- You are trying on samples that have been stretched and worn-in. Yours will be brand new!

4.) Nerves... I didn't starve myself before my wedding & I do not regret it at all. I stayed right where I was and I'm so grateful for it. There's enough to stress about, you should still enjoy your life. Remember you have to go back to reality after this big day. So your nerves tie into this because as the big day gets closer your anxiety is going to sink in. If you're busy existing off of air when it hits you will puke. That's not attractive. (Tip!: If you're worried about food upsetting your stomach BECAUSE of nerves try natural flavored water. Check my favorites at the bottom of Part II of this post!)

5.) Weight gain... You're going to hold weight if you're stressing. Even if you are just eating salads, you will still hold weight when you're stressed. Don't panic! It will only make the situation worse. When I went to my last fitting my dress was the snuggest it had EVER! been and I had lost weight. Do Not Panic! Breathe and continue to eat normally. The stress will make you hold on to some weight, but it will go down as the big events happen i.e. rehearsal dinner, ceremony, etc. You probably won't even notice you're carrying it. (Tips: Check out Part II for those flavored water recipes and HEALTHY ways to keep water weight at bay.)

6.) Your Shoes Make a Difference... Incase no one told you, your shoes make a difference. 9/10 brides have to go to an alterationist. It's not like buying a pair of jeans. You don't just pick up your size and walk out the door. It has to be tailored exactly to your body and fit. Because of this, you need to pick your shoes before you go see your alterationist. I switched my shoes halfway through on sweet Pam McBride from Sophisticated Fit in Wilmington on Philadelphia Pike and I thought she was going to kill me. I changed my shoes halfway through. Thankfully! it worked out. Phew! 













 See what I did there? Much less expensive than a dress change. Much more comfortable too. Phew!

Ok, where were we...

7.) Make sure you can sit... self explanatory. If you can't sit, you can't breathe or dance or eat or smile and you will end up with some AWKWARD picture faces. Nobody wants RBF in their wedding photos.

8.) Bustle, Bustle, Bustle... I didn't know this was SUCH! a big deal, however, your bustle will be your new best friend. Move over MOH! hello french bustle, hook bustle, fishtail, whatever you go with! it will literally save your life and your dress. Ben and I had a ceremony which was private, a ring ceremony, and then a reception. For the ring ceremony and reception I had my dress bustled in 6 points and it was fantastic. I know you bought your dress because it has a beautiful train, but save your dresses feelings. It's so much easier to move.



9.)Tuck yo Veil!... Everyone will want to hug you and love on you. It's amazing to feel so much support!! However, if you're choosing to wear a veil, this could be bad news bears. SO! to avoid your beautiful tulle getting ripped out of your head tuck it over your arm when hugging people. When you're taking pictures or walking with your sweetheart, make sure his arm is UNDER the veil so it doesn't pull.

10.) Two Word: Lip Stain... Your fiance is thanking me already. I recommend Sephora lip stain. It added some color without looking unnatural and also without coming off on hubby's lips.

11.) Cut-Away-Shirt... Yeah, you see all the cute tshirts that say, "Bride!" and want to wear them, but don't forget it has to go over your head... I wore one of Ben's shirts and had my Mister (Mom-Sister) cut it off so it was memorable!

12.) Extra Underwear... Especially for my Spring/Summer wedding ladies, bring extra underwear... it sounds weird, but if you're having a long day and you're going to be sweating and it's hot, you're going to want something clean to change into before you leave your reception, or even between your ceremony & reception. Just trust me.

13.) Dinner... Everyone will interrupt you during dinner. It's like a weird compulsion they can't help. For the most part they will keep it short and sweet, but remember you will have to be getting up and sitting down in that dress. Be careful your skirt doesn't get caught under the chair legs.

14.) Tardiness... Someone will be late, I promise! Pray and hope it's not your families (that happened to us), but someone will be late. I think I put the fear of God into our bridal party about being tardy so they were good about it for the most part. When someone is late just breathe.

15.) Outside Wedding?.. get 2 boutonnieres for your man. If you are going to be spending a lot of time outside, especially during warm months, get 2 boutonnieres because a wilty groom flower is not what you want in pictures. If your flowers start to wilt, just leave them off in the remainder of your photos.

16.) Wedding License... I got my wedding license right away, but depending on what county you are married in, and what country for that matter, you may not get it right away-- they'll mail it to you. So a.) make sure they have the right address, and b.) if you are getting it right away delegate that to a dad so that they don't lose it. Also note that they may take several weeks to get in. Don't Wait to the Last Second!

17.) Name Change... You can't change your name right away... I thought I would be really on the ball and have it all set for being changed the moment I said, "I do," however, you have to wait until you have your marriage certificate to send in to the social security office and blah blah blah... so... as far as many institutions are concerned a month later, I'm still Tritt, not Wendt.

18.) Decisive... Everyone will expect you to know exactly what you want about everything. Your florist, baker, bridesmaids, etc. I got really overwhelmed and Ben and I sat down together and sketched out the details about what we wanted and loosened the reins for creative discretion. I do not regret it. You don't need to micromanage everything. Be sure and firm about the things you are firm about (I wanted orange in my bouquet), but be flexible if it's not a big deal. It will save you time, money, and stress.

19.) Dance Party! ... You will dance with your guests way more than you dance with your spouse. Don't worry, you know who you're going home with.

20.) Thank you Cards!... Nobody told me how many thank you cards I was going to need. There's your vendors, your family, your bridal party, bridal shower, wedding gifts, wedding gifts that come from great aunt Susie who can't make it, etc. I bought 100 thank you cards and used misc. ones for my little things. So, all-in-all I think we have worked on 250 thank you cards.

21.) Traveling Guests... No matter what time of the year your wedding is people will not be able to attend. Especially your far away guests. One of my best friends could not come because she was in Utah and another in Colorado, which was devastating for me, but ultimately didn't change that I was getting married. Plan couples vacations together (that's what I'm doing! #soexcited), and don't take it personally. Remember they love you, but they have commitments and things they can't get away from and long distance travels are pricey. Thank those that did travel, but be understanding to those that can't.

22.) Cake & Eat it too?... No, unfortunately, this is probably not going to be one of those days where you have your cake and eat it too. So, that moment when everyone is watching you smoosh sugar into your pores, you should enjoy that bite because you probably won't get another one. Instead of keeping it for a year in the freezer where I hear it gets very nasty, have a mom or a dad or a bridesmaid take it home and eat it after the honeymoon with your favorite beverage!!

23.) Exhaustion... You will be exhausted... no trust me. So, please, when you plan your honeymoon, don't plan on flying out that night, or traveling that night or early the next morning. It's a long, exciting, joyful and emotional day. Travel later. We did a mini stay at a local hotel and then left the week after for our honeymoon. I would NOT change that.

24.) SURPRISE!... Surprises happen. Some good and some bad. Like I've said before, just roll with them. You can't control all the details or you'll go mad. One of my biggest surprises the day of my wedding was my bouquet. It was gorgeous!! And I would do it as a surprise all over again.
 

25.) Ring Sizing... Be careful when getting your wedding band. Some people don't have any problems with this, but I did. Ben got me 2 wedding bands, one to go below, and one to go above my engagement ring. I had them resized twice because they didn't fit comfortably. My bands are a 1/4 size BIGGER than my engagement ring. Talk with your jeweler but always go with what is comfortable for you. (Shout out to Jess from Kay jewelers in Christiana Mall!)


26.) Thank You... Thank your fiance. He is going to be supporting you and standing up for you to his family, his groomsmen, your family and friends. He'll be asking people to do things for you he doesn't even understand. He'll be helping you stay sane and express things you don't know how or are too frustrated to say. He loves you. In the chaos of wedding planning don't forget that.

27.) 0%.... For the most part boys no NOTHING about weddings or wedding planning. Even if they've been in them, they probably still don't know very much about planning one. So, be patient and remember that while you've been dreaming of this, the wedding day your whole life, he's been excited to have a permanent partner in crime to adventure with through life.

28.) Gifts... Use your registry and encourage people to stick with it. However, be prepared that no matter how hard you push your list you will end up with items you don't want, need, or have room for. Thankfully, most people include gift receipts.

29.) "No"... This 2 letter word and polite variations should be at the top of your vocabulary list. Everyone, with the best intentions in mind, will have plans on how the day will go. In order to keep things flowing make sure you can say, "That's a neat idea, but not really what we were going for,", "You're so creative and we would love your help with (insert something YOU want)." Thankfully I had a great team and only had to referee a few times, but everyone is trying to get you in a solid direction so they can complete what you've asked them to do. Know how to get them there.

30.) In-Laws... Your families will disagree and it's okay. Both sides have been dreaming of this day for years! and they, most likely, haven't been planning the details together. It's going to take some collaboration on both ends. Knowing the direction you want to go in is essential.
 

I promise the planning is the most stressful part. The wedding day goes by really fast, so enjoy it and don't think this stressful year or few months is what the rest of your life is going to look like. It gets better! And at the end of the night, the important part is that you end up with your sweetheart!

 

Love, Kate!
STAY TUNED! Part II is coming up!

Wear Red Fridays

There have been a lot of posts circulating through social media about wearing red on Friday to support the military. I wanted to do something a little bit different for this post. I scrolled through, and some of you may recognize your pictures in this, to find patriotic pictures for a little troop dedication. Support our Troops!


Do you have a picture of yourself supporting the Wear Red movement? Post it in your comment or on the Facebook page with the hashtag #redfridays


NCSU Campus Remembers 9/11 in 2012




Deployment homecoming United States Army


Let Freedom Ring!






Fort Hood, Texas. 1 boot on the ground for every soldier lost in Iraq or Afghanistan.




American Hero, Chris Kyle









Wear Red Friday!
-Kate






Sources:Katie L. Tritt, Rachelle Ringgold, Solid Stone Photography, Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, & imagedeconstructed.com

Peppermint the Cure-All

There has been a lot of excitement recently over the organic, & all-natural items. As a young, newly married, student I don't have the extra funds to go the organic route. However! I do use some home remedies for illness and for some other tricks. 

Essential oils are a big buzz in the world, and I find that people either sit on one side of the fence or the other with them. I wouldn't just rub oils on a broken bone and say, "ok! Heal yourself!" That's what doctors go to school into eternities for! Being a spiritual person, though, I believe a loving God has given us tools on this earth to help us succeed. One of those tools I swear by is peppermint.

I use peppermint for everything, & my husband laughs at me sometimes because every time my body feels amiss,  reaching for peppermint oil or gum or mints-- SOMETHING peppermint. For me, it's my cure all. I used to get the worst headaches, but then I learned about peppermint oil on my mission. 1 drop on my index fingers. Rub them together and smooth on my temples or across my forehead & I'm smooth sailing!!

I also have a finicky digestive system. There are lots of enzymes & ingredients in everyday foods that make me bloated or cause an upset stomach. At the first signs of indigestion I start chewing peppermint gum & sit down. Within a few minutes my stomach has begun to settle. 

I use the oil on sore muscles and work out cramps & knots that build up from stress & toxins in the body.

Adding fresh peppermint to lemonade or water during a meal keeps me bloat free & feeling full longer. 

If you're not too keen on the essential oils, give the fresh herbs a try. Lavander, basil, & spearmint have healing properties as well as chamomile, orange, cinnamon, & cloves! 

If you're looking for oil suggestions, I use a mix of brands but like Butterfly Express the best.

Happy Friday! You made it. I hope you have glorious plans. Go enjoy that weekend! 

Love, 

Kate

"Jazzed About Jamberry" step by step how-to application with tips!

 If you have used Jamberry before I hope you find some tips or tricks that are new for you! If you are new to Jamberry I hope this tutorial helps you figure out how to apply them. I’m still pretty new to the whole process, myself. I get a little faster each time, practice does make perfect. As you get more comfortable with the Jamberry application process try mixing two patterns on the same nail for an added “wow factor”!

 

Here we go…

1.) Start by removing any existing nail polish and file or cut your nails to your desired length, and push your cuticles back. (Tip: if your Jamberry’s haven’t been adhering well try running an emery board or file across your nails before applying your nail shields to create texture for the vinyl to hold onto.)
 

2.) Select the sizes you will need from your Jamberry nail shield sheet. Do Not Peel Them Off Yet! (Tip: write down what Jamberry size your fingers and toes are and keep it on an index card or slip of paper with your other nail tools so you don’t have to measure every time.)
 

3.) Make a rough guess of how long the nail shield needs to be to fit your nail length. (Be sure the shield is slightly longer than you need) Trim the shield.
 

4.) Peel the shield off the backing and warm the sticky side with a hair-dryer for 10-20 seconds until pliable. (Tip: Try to touch the shield as little as possible so it sticks better.)

5.) Once the shield is warm press it to your nail. Smooth the shield around the edges and curve of your nail, making sure there are no bubbles. (Tip: Press the shield on starting at the cuticle and moving towards the front. This will push any air to the front and out from under the shield.)
 

6.) Trim off any extra shield from the top or sides of your vinyl. (Tip: after trimming the top of the shield, take your hair-dryer and warm the tip and smooth the vinyl down over the tip of your nail to create a seal.)
 

7.) File coarse edges away using your file in a downward motion only
 

8.) Apply heat and pressure to the Jamberry again to be sure it is sealed to your nail and enjoy your Jams! (Tip: for longer wear avoid contact with water for 24 hours.)

Special Trick: If you have to trim a shield to fit your nail trim following the curve of the nail shield cutting strips off the sides until its right so you don’t lose the shape of the vinyl.
(Tip: Keep the scraps from your Jamberry adventures! They’re great to use later to make rad designs once you’re more comfortable with using Jam’s)

Also! Be sure to check out Jamberry's "cause" nails. Proceeds go to support the causes you care about most! Jamberry is currently showing their support for Autism Awareness!

 


Do you have any tips of your own? Is there a tip that you love? Add your thoughts in the comments below!

Image 1 & 2: www.jamberrys.com

Food For Thought 2: 8/6/2015 Short Story Intro.

Short Story Introduction for your Entertainment instead of hearing me rant! Property of Katie L. Wendt. A friend of mine is hoping to publish soon, so maybe I'll share something from her! For now, you'll just have to stick with me! Thoughts, hate mail, and edits appreciated! ;)

Preface:

I never meant to hurt anyone, but I guess that doesn't matter when someone still ends up hurt.

...

Rain pounded against my skin. Hard, icy drops pelted like beads causing bruises and sores to appear over my hands and any other exposed skin. I sat, huddled against a brick building for hours. Only a few souls passed by me. Another thunderclap roared through the darkness and I shrank back against the wall behind me pulling my legs tighter to my chest. It did not seem that the storm would be letting up anytime soon. I stood, preparing to run across the street for more cover when lightning illuminated the muddy lane in front of me. I think a scream came forth from my lips but you would not have heard it against the raging weather. 1…2…3… I held my breath and slid through the slippery, filth on the ground to the underside of the bridge that led out of town. The river tides were getting higher, but at least there was shelter for my head. I looked up and as a drop that had slid against the wood of the bridge fell onto my nose. Mostly sheltered anyway.

Footsteps rushing across the bridge above my head broke the silence. I pressed myself back against the wall as far as I could and held my breath again. My dark hair was now horribly matted against my neck, and my dress was torn to be unrecognizable. If I could just get up the banks, I just needed to reach the edge of the forest. I let out a breath of relief when I heard the footsteps die down. I waited a few more moments, and all remained quiet. I waded through the polluted waters of the river and looked up at the bank before me. It was upwards of twelve feet before me. I reached above me and fisted the earth in my hands, digging my bare feet into the mud as well. The rain washed the dirt from my face, clearing my vision.

I finally hauled my limber body over the edge of the bank, heaving my breath. I waited not a moment longer to crawl under the cover of the brush the hedged the forest boundaries. More men ran across the bridge shuffling past me quickly.

“This way!”

I closed my eyes and held my breath. When the coast was clear again I stood, too soon. A soldier approached me and held a torch to my face. I winced and turned away from the light.

“You’re the one everyone’s looking for aren’t you?” I bit my lip. I would say nothing, “I’m not going to harm you,” he spoke softly. I wanted to take a step back but feared I would slip back down the bank, and I was lacking the energy to climb back up again.

“Find anything back there?” one of the men called from up ahead. I looked desperately at the man in front of me, pleading with my eyes. He stared at me,

“No, nothing here,” he then nodded to me and continued along the path the other men had gone. I watched him move before turning and scampering home.

“Miranda!” my mother cried as I swung the door open that night. She stood from the table, heading towards me when my father bellowed at her from the other end of the table,

“Sit down Elisabeth,” mother looked at my face with compassion before returning to the table. My father stood, wiping his mouth first with a napkin. He stared into my eyes and I stared back into his. He did not frighten me. Our conversation remained unknown to the others in the room and he nodded off in the direction of my bedroom. I trod into my room and closed the door behind me.

Where to Buy What?!:13 stores with hidden deals, Plus! 10 Who's Overpriced secrets

YEverybody is looking to save a little bit of dough. From previous posts you may notice that is something I think about. I try to get the most bang for my buck because just like Mom said, money doesn't grow on trees! So, I've done some shopping research on my own to pull some shopping tips to one location. 

Before we get into the good guys & the bad guys, I want to leave a disclaimer that this is what I've found through my personal experiences. Everybody feels differently-- tastebuds are different, everyone wears clothes different, etc. So, these are my opinions & my goal here is to leave some breadcrumbs for myself & help you guys out too.

The Villans:

Target

Walmart

Amazon.com

Payless

DSW

Kelly&Katie shoes

Bath & Body Works

Macy's

Victoria's Secret

Sephora

*gasp!!* you're all offended. But, Katie, Walmart is the lowest prices!! Target is good too!! B&B Works has sugar spice & everything that makes me smell nice.  Relax friends! I love a good deal as much as the next person and the Walmart $5.00 bin is one of my favorite places, however there are some items to watch out for in each of these stores that you may be paying for to get in your one-stop-shopping. 

Let me build my case...

Store Sins:

Target: avoid the beauty products! Their bar soaps and shampoos are $2-3.00 more expensive than your local grocery store. Go back to Hallmark for your greeting cards. 

Walmart: produce woahs! Stay away from the produce. Usually not fresh, falsely painted, & over priced. Fruit stands are surprisingly competitive. I'll give you my secret produce spot for the locals shortly (scroll down to DEALS if you can't wait!).

Amazon.com: stay away from their new movies. They have some great deals on older stuff. Ben & I picked up some Tyler Perry movies for an average of $6.00. Their new releases are over charged & then if you don't meet the free shipping minimum, there will be shipping too. Support a local store and buy it in person. 

DSW: Designer Shoe Warehouse. Before you walk in the doors you should really have a heart to heart with your checking account and make sure your relationship is prepared for this trip. I love my shoes! If you're heart set on a specific pair try Amazon.com, zappos.com, or just waiting a few months. Jessica Simpsons juicy orange summer pumps retailed for $89.99 at the beginning of the season, & I just picked them up in DSW's clearance section for $31.34!

You might notice I'm convicting a store & then bringing you right back to it. My purpose isn't to sway you from any of these stores. I've shopped at them all, & they all have something, for the most part, that their competitors can't touch. That's why they're still in business! Don't stop going there. Go! But go to them for what they're known for. Beware of loopholes, & the American laziness of one-stop shopping. 

Continuing...

Payless: their slogan, "Expect more, pay less, Payless." Rings true for many items like flats, sandals, & wannabe designer handbags (my favorite item in their stores). However! Beware the danger to pick up the trendy tall boots there. You know what I'm talking about! The ones you tuck leggings into before sorority squatting in all your Fall pictures. Don't do it! Resist the tempting price tag. Trust me... I speak from experience that the last thing you want is snow leaking through in the middle of an outing. 

Kelly&Katie heels: My graduation shoes were Kelly & Katie brand. They were so cute! & so useless... I wore them 3 times & they fell apart. As I did some research & talked to some others I have come to the conclusion that this brand has a manufacturing defect. Their heels that have platforms separate from the heel itself, & any of their heels with a pattern vinyl is guaranteed to peel in 1 season of light wear. If you're committed to this brand go for something patten without a platform. 

Sephora: like some of the other places I've mentioned, I am a rewards card holder at Sephora. I love their make up and would promote it! Their store brand foundation spray is my favorite. However, I have been vastly disappointed with their nail polish. Unless you have an acrylic top coat polish, it's relatively useless polish. Very thin, low quality polish.

Bath & Body Works: don't go there not on a sale. Just don't do it. 12-15.00 for a bottle of lotion is ridiculous. My Jergens original cherry almond super sized bottle is like $6.00 & lasts forever.

Now, these next two stores are strictly my opinion. I won't shop at them now, though I have in the past. I reserve the right to use my freedom of speech. 

Macy's!: JCPenney & Boscovs... Between the two there is almost a guarantee of finding the exact item or something similar for less.

Victoria's Secret/P!nk: you're paying for the brand name. The quality isn't any better or worse than the bras at most other department stores. If you're a bra snob (I kind of am), I recommend Aerie, very highly. I'll get to them in the deals section a little bit later actually! I love them. & theyll ship if there isn't a store close for fairly reasonable. 

Alright, phew! We got through the villains, & I hope we're still friends. If we made it this far, I'm so thrilled. If not, I hope you come around. (Baby, come back!)

Heroes:

Dollar Tree

Pier 1 Imports

Gigante

Walmart

Amazon Textbooks

Kohls

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Bath & Body Works

Aerie

Sinful Colors

TGI Fridays

Jamberry

Dollar Tree: if you don't have this great store nearby, I am so sorry. Everything in the store is $1.00 or less. Take advantage on those deals with some items lower than Walmart prices even. Items that will probably be cheaper there than anywhere else includes Pens, paper, Chapstick, & milk!

Pier 1 Imports: sometimes they get a bad reputation for being a name brand and expensive. I would not recommend buying throw pillows there! However, their dinnerware department is exceptional-- specifically their decorative dishwater. Check out their charger plates! Some with prices lower than Walmart & Target. 

Gigante: here's my produce secret! If you're a local Gigante is a Spanish grocery store run by Asians ( I know... It makes your head hurt if you think about it too much) with some of the best produce. Located on Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington next to Midas & Champion Trophies, in the same shopping center as Palace of Asia restaurant & Advanced Auto Parts. 

Walmart $5 Bin: if you don't know what this is you should probably reevaluate your Walmart trips. There is a magical bin full of movies that are $5.00! Yeah... Enough said. 

Target Men's Jeans: Pay attention to the brands. Target does carry some name brands like Wrangler, & of course their store brand version Mossimo. However, they're carrying a new denium brand called Denzio. Ben picked up 2 pairs of jeans for $6.95 each. Their his new favorites! 

Amazon Textbooks: if you are a student, go with Amazon for your textbooks. If you didn't buy them from Amazon, sell them to Amazon! You can do both. You can also rent them in some cases because remember, dollar for dollar nobody screws you over like the University bookstores. I ordered from Amazon for several semesters. My books arrived in good condition (I bought used!), & they arrived quickly. At the beginning of a semester Amazon textbooks will do free 2 day ship for students. Sweet!

Kohls: I love my kohls! Between the variety, the incredible return policy, kohls cash, & their yes2you rewards program, I always feel like I'm winning (perfect marketing on their part). If you don't like the Kohls idea, pay attention to the expiration dates. That's where they'll get you with the kohls cash usage. Men's white shirts on sale last week for $16.99 each!

Bed, Bath & Beyond: although I find them somewhat overpriced forint items. Their swifter items and their Tervis items are competitively marked! Spider wether pads for $5.99 a box. Swifter itself Ben & I picked up for $17.99.

Bath & Body works Sales: yES! Shop them! On a day trip in Baltimore they were having their annual 75% off sale & we picked up their full size hand soaps (foamy & microbead kind!!) for $1.50-$3.00. THAT is worth it! $4.00 body sprays, lotions, bubble baths, & creams too. 

Aerie: bras & undies! Get them here. They are a branch of American Eagle brand, but they last forever and cost less than VSecret. New incentive for buyers trying to rebuild their bra wardrobe-- they have a rewards program. If you buy 5 bras in a year you get 1 free. 

Sinful Colors Nailpolish: my new favorite polish brand!! I love them better than my OPI polishes. They are long lasting & inexpensive! You can find them located at Walmart & Walgreens for around $1.99 each! 

TGI Fridays Rewards Program: you know that email thing your server asks you about every time you go there? Oh yeah, it's totally worth it. You get free chips & salsa on every visit & earn points for every non- alcoholic dollar you spend! At a certain number of points you get free items & coupons. Signing up is free, & any place that gives back to you at no charge for buying what you were already going to spend money on is a BENEFIT to you.

Jamberrys: the nail sensation sweeping the nation! They are a nail vinyl that becomes reactive with heat. They can be used on your natural or acrylic nail and are cut to your length of nail. You can order them online through Jamberrys.com or your local consultant. I've thought about becoming a consultant, but I'm not sure I've got the time to dedicate to it... Side rant!! Many of the Jamberrys styles are intricate, "in" designs most salons won't even do. Stand out! With Jams! They cost less than a manicure & last about the same length with proper application. (Entry about Jamberrys application tips forthcoming.)

Ok! Now that we covered the cheaters & the white knights, to wrap it up I just wanted to share a few items I! Think ArE worth those extra dollars. I'll just run through those quickly & wish you all a good night! 

Worth Your $$$:

Delias! jeans: they were my favorite before getting discontinued!

Otter box iPhone cases: I've never used their android cases so I can't say, but I had an otter box for my last iPhone & no case compares. I like the commuter series. My brother Billy swears by the Defender series. 

Kay Jewelers!: shout out to our girl Jess at the Christiana Mall Kay! She has been fantastic with helping us find exactly what we wanted. & with their warranty they mean it! I've realized my rings 3 times & haven't been charged at all. Their cleaning job is outstanding. Go see Jess for your fine jewelry needs. Brunette, pretty Jess! Not pale, slightly ginger looking Jess.. 

Professional hair Dye: those boxes dyes will ruin your hair!! If your local go see Heather Bibey at Hair Nucleus & Sun in Elkton. She's great! 

Lauren Conrad Brand: located at Kohls nearest you. The jeans are a little straight legged, so I stay away from those buy her blouses are beautiful & comfortable.

Love,

Kate

Bodacious!: for the body conscious

Today I confess my undying love for cranberry juice! Just kidding, although it will tie into the story later.. I have to preface this post with a story. Yesterday I had the misfortune of one of the biggest banes of the female existence befalling me. I left work early to get a prescription (since they don't go away without it) & begged my wonderful husband to bring me cranberry juice. Lots and lots of cranberry juice! When the obnoxious wait in the doctors office was finally over I went back with the lovely nurse. I was hoping, given my long standing relationship with my doctor that I would be able to be put in a room and the process would go pretty quick from there. However, I was quickly guided toward another natural enemy of the female gender-- the scale. I tried to be a good sport and stood on the scale doing my very best not to look at the number being calculated. But, as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat, and I snuck a peek. A very scary 3 digit number appeared. Unfortunately enough for me it ended up being another 40 minutes in the room to ruminate on my new knowledge before the doctor would actually see me. I waited in the very sterile feeling room while the nice nurse I now ranked closely with Hitler for committing girl treason took my blood pressure. I mentioned that I was mortified that I had never weighed so much in my life!! She said that she could relate as her 8 month pregnant belly stuck out from under her scrubs. I felt less sympathy. At least she had something positive to look forward to put of her surplus 50lbs. 

As I sat, I thought. And the longer I thought the worse I felt. I certainly didn't compare to the beautiful girls covering the magazines in the waiting room. I was less than my ideal self, but didn't even compare to my high school body that I took for granted. During those high school years I picked apart every part of what reflected in the mirror. Sitting on the white body paper in the office I wished for that sophomore body back more than anything. 

Preface completed!

I've spent a lot of my life trying to compete with the more beautiful, the more talented, the more eloquent, elegant, etc. The older I've gotten the more I've grown tired to trying to compete with everyone-- including myself. Today I wanted to share my struggles in hopes of empowering others. You are not alone, & you are more than the number on the scale or the tag size on your jeans. Can't we all just accept our bodies for what they are?? My wonderful-beautiful mother-in-law said something genius on Sunday as we sat at her table with her. She said that when we stop looking at our bodies as OUR bodies, and we start looking at them for what they are--true miracles, it changes the way we look at ourselves. 

As a final thought I want to summarize an idea of another blog that I read today. A wonderful lady shared her sentiments on the same crisis of body image. She was newly married & was surprised to find that marriage did not fix her self esteem! She tried to work through them expecting that just more affirmation from her husband would certainly be the solution! Is it what she said at the end that I found the most profound. She said, "I realized there was only one man who could heal my heart. It wasn't my new husband. It was Jesus!" There is something deeply spiritual, no matter who you are, about being on this journey to inner contentment. I find it more prevalent among women, but I won't discredit our vets and other men who struggle to find their place in the world, and find their own peace. 

I guess what I'm getting at here is that  there isn't a one size fits all answer. And I don't have the answer! I just think life is so much more enjoyable when we stop looking and start experiencing.

Anyway, that's all I've got for today. 

Love, 

Kate

Couponing for Dummies...

Happy Sunday! After adventures at church the hubby and I have spent the day relaxing and watching movies. Ahhh... Monday will be here before we know it and I have come to appreciate and realize exactly how important the 48 hours that Saturday and Sunday ARE. Anyway! As a newly married couple we have been very blessed. Each corner we can cut, though, to put in our savings toward a house or preparing to expand our family (** No we are NOT pregnant or planning on it soon**). Recently I've taken a sudden interest in couponing. Now, I am not an expert by any means, but I've watched a lot of TLC's Extreme Couponing, and have found some great blogs. So, because I have been given much I too must give and as I learn more I'll post more! But! I have a few money saving tips that I wanted to share on my blog. If you have any great tips pass them forward!

BLOGS: Find someone that can guide you (& don't pick me!). There are lots of people on the web that are sharing their lives. Times are hard, and not everyone has been given the same start, but with this resource I feel like it can help level the playing field. It takes time and dedication. Don't get frustrated and take the small steps. Don't expect to be walking into the grocery store with your binder of coupons tomorrow, okay? Take the small steps and just learn the concepts so that you can do it on your own. This is where I got started... These blogs have been created by some amazing ladies that explain things and also put tons of resources into one place for everyone. This is where I have found a lot of my information.

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/beginners/extreme-couponing-101

This second blog, however, is by far my favorite because I think it simplifies things better and breaks it down into easy to follow steps with links and everything!

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/beginners-guide-to-coupons/thebeginners-guide-to-coupons-2/

STORES: Choose where you shop. If you're dedicated you can change stores for better deals. I am NOT that dedicated yet. We shop at where is closest and use some ideas to save some money here and there.

COUPONS WEBSITES/PAPERS: Red Plum, Spending Saver, etc. Subscribe to your local Sunday paper. Not all Sunday papers are created equal so make sure that you have done some trial weeks where you know which paper has more coupons that you like, and just better deals in general. I love coupons.com. I'm trying to save money so I'm not going to be getting a subscription just yet. I use Coupons.com. It's a website full of manufacturer's coupons so I can use them anywhere without having to worry about mixing up my coupons. That's where I've started and it's been great!

RECEIPTS: Look at your receipts! A lot of stores will offer a reward for submitting your opinion online.

REWARD PROGRAMS: Sign up for the free reward programs. Seriously, it adds up and it's worth it. I just spent $31.34 on originally $89.99 boots from Kohls because there was a sale, I had a 20% off coupon, and rewards had built up from purchases. It was fantastic!

So, those are just a few of my tips, so I just wanted to share a few of those things with you guys! I'm together with the family and dinner is about to be served so! we'll have to all get together again later!

Until Then! All my love,
Kate

Wedding Do's & Do Nots!

Dear Readers & Wonderful Friends!

It has been a while since my last post but, fear not! I have returned! and I've returned with several large changes in my life. The biggest is that I'm married! I married my sweetheart, Ben on July 11th, and it was the most amazing day of my life! It is followed very closely to some sacred experiences I had on my mission, but I am still very much enjoying the, "honeymoon", and we are hoping for a smooth transition into what others know as the real world. BUT! my wedding is not the topic today. Today I want to address everyone that is taking on the task of running to the alter with their sweetheart. I have a few tips for those that are embarking on that journey. So, here are some pieces of advice! Take them or leave them, but remember it comes from a bride who has been through it, and recently at that!

Don't DIY...
Now, when I say that I fully realize we are living in a world where DIY is prevalent and where $25,000.00 weddings are not in the budget for everyone-- it certainly wasn't in mine. When Ben and I started planning out wedding we went into it, well, I! went into it with the idea that I was going to DIY everything and cut costs and I would have plenty of time and do it all myself and it would be beautiful! As I made my list of DIY projects and the wedding day crept closer I realized that I would a.) not have enough time, b.) was way too stressed out to continue, & c.) it just about broke even with the budget. Really think about what's important to you to do yourself and go from there. I highly recommend keeping the list SHORT.

Date your Fiance...
So you're engaged. Yay! Congratulations to you guys! As everyone and their mother has told you it is going to be stressful. I didn't really believe them. But it ended up being very difficult and stressful on our relationship as the planning processes commenced. Each of our parents, and plenty of our friends, all well meaning individuals, had advice and ideas and plans for the wedding and it made it confusing for us first-timers to hash out what we really wanted. It caused some friction between Ben and I, which we overcame because we are sitting here on our couch watching Jurassic Park at 11pm on a Saturday night. Keep dating your love. Go out! Have fun! Make sure you still make time to go out and eat together, pray together, dance in the rain, go shopping, run wedding errands together. Keep it light. Keep it fun. But keep together!

Choose Wisely...
Wedding party, help asked for, venue, and the long list of other opinions... choose wisely and choose together. You love your parents, and he/she loves his/hers. They are both going to have opinions that you mayor may not agree with. That's ok, too. Take them with a grain of salt, while also considering the fact that they have been through it before. But, at the end of the day, it's your wedding. It's your day, and ideally, you only do it once so make sure it is what you want. If you want hot pink zebra, but mom thinks it's tacky, go for it. Just remember you will be looking at there pictures for the rest of your life, so if you might regret those powder blue Cinderella sleeved bridesmaid dresses, maybe it's ok to rethink it.

Thank You Goes A LONG Way...
Ben and I were very blessed to have some amazing helpers for our big day. I was very grateful for everything that they did for us! Remember to give a shout out to all those that are there for you. Your bridal party will probably be the ones keeping you sane, your parents will do more behind the scenes than you know, thank your vendors, and all your guests. Order thank you cards because your guests will make the whole experience for you and on the big day you will be overwhelmed with gratitude for them.

Register, Register, Register!
Register for everything! It is like a giant Christmas list! Register! Even if people don't stick to it, most of the places you create a registry will give you a 20% of coupon or more once the date has passed to spend towards your remaining registry items. Then you can take the gift cards you got to your registry locations and save even more $$$dollars$$$.

Have Fun with It,..
There are going to be things that go wrong! Ben and I ran into an hour of traffic and I thought I was going to miss my own reception! Our ceremony was supposed to be in a room that was very sentimental to my parents and I but the couple that was having their ceremony before us ran over time, so we had to move it to another room, which was fine because ultimately Ben and I ended up married, but it was not without hiccups. I had dress malfunctions, I got blisters, there were a few hiccups in the flow of the reception, the ring ceremony wasn't set up the way we had practiced, but it didn't matter. Looking back there isn't anything Ben & I would have changed that we had control over. Forget about the small stuff and roll with it. It's not going to go perfectly smooth. Nobody is perfect and have some patience with the people around here. They are doing their best and so are you. Have fun! Dance and be silly!! Eat the cake!! SMASH THE CAKE!!!! Cry! It goes fast, so make the most of it.

Prioritize what's important to you and make sure the budget gets spent on those things first. My dress, the reception venue, and the photographer were important to me. Those were the things I was pickier about. Try to have some give on other details, especially if you're not the ones paying for everything.

Live it, enjoy it! Breathe and remember it's all going to work out!

Love!
Recently-Married!


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/181621797448282300/

E equals EmCee Squared

I'm so grateful that by the time I roll out of work these days it's still light out. Isn't it fantastic? So much daylight! it reminds me of the great days when I would be out until 4am and then wake up at 7, and start it all over again. Something about the warm weather is rejuvenating which doesn't make any sense since we're all sweating all day, every day. Whatever! Let's call it Spring Fever.

Enough about how beautiful the weather is (FINALLY) getting. Let's talk about life. More specifically, math. My least favorite subject. However, in math there is an answer, always. A right or wrong answer. Much unlike my best subject-- English! Where I can take an opinion and MAKE it the right answer. In the literature realm ANY answer can be the right answer if you are creative enough to find a way to support it.

As much as I am an avid fan of being able to make up my answer in scholastic settings, it's not really a viable option for a simple life. In life there are choices that have to be made solidly. You have to make a decision and go with it. Only... there isn't a magic formula that helps you get it right.

In the same breath I completely believe that life is simple. We expect things and that's what complicates it. It's made up of our choices, chances that come, and the consequences from everything within that. The choices we make come with consequences, as do the chances we ignore or take.

Something so beautiful and yet extremely complicated is the way we each get to make up our own rhythm and equation. For Einstein he got E=mc^2... for one of my close friends it's definitely Ice Cream=Logic(MagicTheGathering/influence)... another is the Itis^2/city living= ElktonRaised... or... (PatrioticxSugar)/emotional complexity=Coming of Age .... and one of my personal favorites.... PlanetFitness=Social Outings/Black SUV

And while these formulas make NO SENSE to anyone except them, they make complete sense to them and that's really all that matters.

What other people think of you is none of your business. If their life is boring enough to be so involved in yours, then obviously they're the ones that need some remixing, and the best thing would be to well wish that they get it.

Slow & Steady

There is that fantastic, timeless phrase that says, "slow and steady wins the race". There was so much about that I didn't understand for most of my life. In my opinion it always seemed like there was a huge perk to moving fast and getting ahead. However, as of late I've realized that I find much more value in taking is slower. A day is going to pass whether I'm ready for tomorrow or not. Rushing through it is not the way to do it. There are things that must happen--work, school, etc. Some things can't be avoided and they make the time fly by. Seeking to reach for the fast forward button isn't all it's cracked up to be... as Adam Sandler so clearly taught society in his mid-2000s movie, "Click".


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174303448054518734/

Recently in my life things have been... shall we say changing. I find myself on a new adventure almost daily. It keeps me on my toes and looking forward to each and every hour instead of seeking for that next top moment in life.

Good people, slow and steady wins the race. I can't say that I have the formula for this because I don't. What I can say was that for me the formula went something like...

(submission to God's will X attitude adjustment + platonic support) / Faith + Ben= a much sane-er Katie Leigh

Maybe sane isn't the appropriate state to say I'm in... I've definitely got some stars in my eyes at this point... however, I think reality is a much better place to reside and I'm hopeful it's going to stay that way.

Slow down... you might miss the best things.

Love,
Kate

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174303448054490197/)

Guilty Pleasures

Today a few thoughts have occurred to me in regards to aging and retirement. The older I get the more I understand I have to think about the future and plan and prepare for it. It can lead to a high stress lifestyle. Thankfully I have a fantastic support team standing behind me.

I was raised by lots of people, but I grew up with my grandparents being a huge influence in my life. So, now they're at the point where they are thinking and planning for the years ahead where they won't be working. The Golden Years! However, with the way the system goes, retirement doesn't sound like it's going to be as fantastic as I envisioned it growing up. I secretly have always wanted to join the ranks of the Golden Girls, but rumor has it social security won't even be a thing when I reach that mark.

I feel like, most of us, by the time you reach your 70s and 80s have deserved some kind of recognition and accomplishment. Some grant from society that says, "yes, you paid your dues and you can have your favorite smoothie everyday or go visit your grandkids annually. Yep, it is ok by us if you decide to move to the shore and gets more wrinkles from all the sunshine." Ya know?

However, these small ideas and dreams seem to be pulled out for only a select few and the more I think about it, the more it bothers me. Of course, I fully understand the principle of this is why we are financially smart when we're younger, this is why we work hard, and some people don't work hard or aren't smart with money. That is a separate issue.

I think one of my trials in this life is having patience with the system.... *sigh*





https://www.google.com/search?q=optimism+quotes&biw=1600&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=FIXsVK7xO8egNv2YgeAI&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=cvJq27IPyW5iSM%253A%3B2_ILMsEeQtJSDM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi0.wp.com%252Fwww.achangeinkey.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F08%252F792e892862be28ed33986a6c0e01a013.jpg%253Fw%253D1200%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fravenxpalmer.com%252Fmonday-motivation-week-fortify-optimism-15765%3B500%3B750



 Love, Katie

Written in the Stars

I promised I wouldn't be one of those people but here I am. I have to blow up the internet and my social media spaces with how grateful I am for my boyfriend. If you're already getting nauseous you should probably just stop reading this now because it's only going to get more sweet. To talk about the present, understanding of the past is required. FIELD TRIP! ... Ben and I have known each other for the better part of 15 years. Our families know each other, yet our interactions were limited (very much to my dismay). Life grew us and drew us into very opposite directions. In more recent years I found myself adventuring in North Carolina...

Before packing up and heading out on a brilliant adventure to the Pacific North West. It was cold... but it was fantastic. For more details on that trip see my first entry... 

Upon returning to Delaware it was painfully obvious that I didn't fit in... anywhere & it was a large struggle to overcome. I spent a few months trying to level out and finally pulled my head out of my backside enough to recognize the needs of those around me.

Ben and I often explain the story as though we were each working on our lives and then backed into each other, lightly acknowledged each others presence and then suddenly were both hit with a figurative 2x4 to turn around and see each other.

It's amazing how much you can miss that's RIGHT in front of you. 

I was so hesitant... we'd both been through a lot romantically and I was not certain I wanted to open this can of worms. Actually... the first time he asked me to be his girlfriend, I said no. I pulled out my deck of missionary cards and dealt him the one that had, "I need to pray about it" written on it. I think it ended up being a longer week for me than it was for him. 

For myself I needed to be sure. I needed to be certain. And I didn't want to hurt him. He deserved more than that. Sometimes hurt is inevitable in relationships, but I didn't want to start another one. To make a long story short, I ended up agreeing and here we are.

I am definitely stuck on this guy. He says I've got him wrapped around my finger, but I'm not so sure it doesn't also go the other way around too. 

There's an incredible honesty and a candid feature between the two of us. A delicacy in the way we deal with each other that's still emotional, raw, and honest.

The hand holding, the kisses, opening my door, the way he looks at me, I keep waiting for it all to get old... and it nneevveerr does. He's my second witness that Abercrombie cologne can smell good in doses and it absolutely alluring as well. 

I always made fun of the girls that seemed to swoon so fast and let boys come in and sweep them off their feet. God made certain that all the many years of that build up came right back around to haunt me. Yes, ladies & gentlemen karma is a very real concept. He came into my life quietly. 

"Real love isn't just a euphoric, spontaneous feeling-- it's a choice-- a plan to love each other for better and worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health." 

"FInd someone who traces the lines in your hands just to feel close to you, and someone who believes the ocean is trapped in your eyes. Find someone who loves the bones in your body and loves the skin that you live in. Find someone who will help you love yourself." 

It's Always a Good Time

As I mentioned in my post just prior to this one... you NEVER know how much one 24 hour period can change your everything. It's true. And boy have I learned that in the past little while ("boy" haha, see what I did there? because it's all about a boy. Sheesh... am I a typical 21 year old or what??). So there's this guy... & he's fantastic. And though he deserves much more than just a sentence, he's one of the best parts of me and I just don't really like sharing him with anyone else but myself. He's so fantastic. He helps me to feel so alive and is endlessly patient with me.

BUT! before I get too carried away in B, let me express something even MORE wonderful than that! ... Dear Readers, something most wonderful has happened to me in the past month... Something serendipitous. (Serendipitous definition by Kate: God acting anonymously.) I have become settled. That's right... Where I'm at. Who I am. What I'm doing. It's all coming together. All these pieces that I thought were lost, I guess just got tossed in the puzzle lid and I didn't even think to look for them. They weren't even lost! I feel so accomplished getting to finish the product. The birds eye view of everything this picture is becoming is beautiful!!!!

Each day has so much to offer me. The sensational part is that I know nothing has changed but me. The opportunities have been here the entire time just waiting for me to reach out and grab them. They've basically been dangling in front of my face since... forever. I thought I was lost. I thought I was blind

but now I see.

Work is a blast! I'm ready for busy season. We've been prepping the store and getting everything together so when fit hits the shan in May and June with way too many orders and people coming in needing things yesterday Ree, Cari, Zabba, & the rest of the greatest work force ever, don't wring necks. None of us can really afford a felony. Too much life to live.

... I wish I could express more fully what life is like... It's winter and I hate winter... But... even though it's ridiculously  cold outside... it feels like Summer everyday inside me. ... THAT'S IT! I have summer everyday.

I'm going to mull that over and marinate on it a little while. What season do you have storming inside of you?

Sending Sunshine,
Kate

Life's A Beach:
"No Such Thing" John Mayer
"Banana Pancakes" Jack Johnson
"Get Your Shine On" Florida Georgia Line
"Summer of '69" Bryan Adams
"Honey Bee" Blake Shelton
"Price Tag" Jessie J
"Gold" Britt Nicole

To find my complete Beach playlist follow me on Spotify! (Katie Leigh Tritt)

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/174303448053619216/)

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A Corner of Warmth in Winter

Today it was chill-- as it usually is in the mid-atlantic during winter. My best friend spent the night and we took lots of time to laugh and ponder about life and what the future might hold for each of us. Of course, as much as we think we know right now, we've both lived enough to understand that one 24 hour period can change everything.

I often entertain the idea of moving somewhere else and getting away. Each time I get away it's a relief, but then I have to come back. With each of these momentary escapes I find a little bit more of myself. I think I find the same part of myself... yeah... that feels right... I find the same part of myself. It's like spending time with a good friend. I get to know this part of me I don't see very often and it's like catching up with a pal. Someone you've known forever because, I guess, in all respects, I have.

After Hazel left I took time to get ahead of my school work. I'm taking classes online along with my full-time job, for those of you that don't know. It's a lot sometimes, but I love it.. I guess. It keeps me busy enough. I got dressed up and got in my car. I really wasn't too sure where I was headed. I thought I would go do something girly and maybe get a manicure or find some new clothes. Twenty minutes later I was parked in a cozy part of Maryland enjoying a quiet canal-side town that had just the right amount of people.

It was quiet. Birds were singing in the background almost making you trick yourself into thinking you could leave your hands out of your pockets. I poked in a few shops and had pleasant chats with the older ladies that were working there. A lot of me envied them for the casual rhythm their life follows. After picking up a trinket or two from local artisans at Firefly, I swung by the Bohemia Cafe and got a sticky bun to go. Something about that right on the corner, walled with windows, same 2 waitresses every time, place keeps me coming back. I dropped my new treasures off in Dallas (that's my car, incase you forgot) and walked my happy self to the picnic tables by the water and ate my cinnamon roll.. with my fingers. It was such a sensation with my frozen fingers touching the dough covered in the cinnamon mixture instantly getting scorched.

A blended family stopped by the pier and took a picture together before walking back to their car. I followed suit quickly, but not before stopping in the General Store. I poked around and bought a bottle of water to wash everything of the experience down. I was only a few steps out the door, when the perfume I tested on myself in the store kept hitting me like waves on the beach. The pressure from the waves turned me around and I ended up getting the perfume, as well.

When I got back in my car I noticed how much it smelled like a brand new car all over again. I kept my sunglasses off as I drove to see things in better color. The grocery store was my last stop to get things ready for dinner.

Once I was back at my parents I got to work on dinner. Chicken cooking, pasta simmering, sauce coming together, and a double layer chocolate cake frosted and I think things went well. As lovely as dinner was, I'm still struggling to call it all home. With so much warmth coming from everywhere else-- with belonging oozing out of corners of everyplace else, it feels uncomfortable. However, I'm grateful I'm continuing to find places of warmth, especially during the winter. That's been a big blessing to me.

But I think something big that I'm learning is that, "home" doesn't necessarily have to be the place where you grew up. I learned that when I went away to Raleigh, and Spokane, and each time I leave I am reminded that home can be anywhere you're growing. Oliver Wendell Holmes said it right when he said, "Where we love is home-- home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

I'm sure I'll catch plenty of grief for this. Questions about why here isn't good enough, and how much I don't know about life because I'm only 21. Advice from everyone telling me that it'll get better, to hang in there, and so on. But, to put it simply, "I'm a damsel. I'm in distress. I can handle this. Have a nice day." (If you get that reference, you should have a smile on your face the size of Texas.)


From my Mind to Yours,
Kate