Christmas in NYC Tips/What to do?

I'll be honest, I've never really had big dreams of experiencing Christmas in New York, yes it's crossed my mind that it would be a future dream goal, but did not see it happening in the near future..

Well a few months ago my mom randomly asked me if I wanted to join my aunt and two cousins in New York on December 17th. Well my first reaction was NO, I graduate from college on the 16th, this is a goal that I have struggled to achieve for many years and I want to enjoy the experience and celebrate all weekend with BD and my friends...  After some re-evaluating of this once in a life time opportunity, mom and I booked our flights and were headed to NYC this Saturday!!!! 

Due to my busy schedule I have not had a lot of time to do research like I normally do when I am going to a new place, I'm the queen of reading reviews, looking at pictures, and just over all doing research...

Soo I need some tips, ideas, suggestions, etc.

Where do we go? What's a must to do? 

I know all the "norm" such as:

Rockefeller Center

Times Square

Radio City

Macy's

Central Park

Fifth Avenue

We are also defiantly going to:

See the Broadway play Wicked

Shop at Canal Street

Visit the 9/11 Memorial

Shop at H&M (we don't have one in Houston yet...)

Go to Kleinfelds (I looked into getting an appointment just for the heck of it, they are booked until Jan. 13.. I don't think they would be too happy if I went in and tried on dresses and really didn't have intentions of buying anyways...ha)

So what else is a must to do in NYC during Christmas time? 

Any tips on how to do something or anything you've experienced while there?

Anything is appreciated!!!!

Thankful Thanksgiving Postings Update!

  I totally failed at my Thankful Thanksgiving posts I only got 10 done but there are 30 days in November, so after calculations, I did not complete 20!!!! Eeek, I promise I had full intentions of completing 30 days of what I'm thankful for! Not sure what I was thinking, knowing I would be completing my student teaching semester and all of my end of semester projects and papers but honestly on November 1st when I started to post about my thankfulness I did not see "time" getting in the way of my posts, oh well such is life huh? So I planned on catching myself up and completing my 30 days of Thankful Thanksgiving posts but I have decided to just move on from it.. So better luck to me next year! 

Thank You to those who commented and were interested to follow along! 

I have so much to be thankful for and could posts something all 365 days of the year, I'm beyond blessed!!!! 

So I will begin doing my thankful Thursday postings again to keep up with what I'm thankful for each week!

November- Thankful Thanksgiving 9&10

 

 November 9: Today I am thankful for life. Yes just simple life! After experiencing thankful #1, I have had a complete different outlook on life.. I used to be quick to judge people by their looks or what they do or things they said, no I am not proud of this but I'm strong enough to admit I USED to do these things and I do not anymore! My outlook on it is that you do not know what that person has been through nor do you know what they might currently be going through. I see looks people give my Bubba when we are in public all the time or hear people make comments about the immature things he says, I have learned to just swallow with pride and tell myself my Bubba is perfect just the way he is!!! 

With all that aside cause that is not where I was going with my thankfulness..... A young man I went to grade school with took his life last Thursday, unfortunately I am unable to attend his service due to my commitment in student teaching. I am thankful that although life has had me down in the dumps sometimes and I've had to go to some serious counseling in my life, I was able to over come those hard times and stand tall and proud today!

November 10th: I am thankful for ALL of my friends! Really old friends (as in known for a long time..,) old friends, and new friends!

November 11th: Today I am thankful for our TROOPS and VETERANS! Happy Veterans day to all those who have served! All those currently serving, return home safe and know that your service is appreciated!!!

 

November- Thankful Thanksgiving 7&8

 I would like to express my thankfulness and appreciation for my lovely girlfriends now but I've been beyond blessed in that category so that post is going to take a little more time than what I have right now, so those will come in another post...

November 7th: Even though there's a lot of craziness and political controversies going on right now, I STILL feel extremely thankful to live in a country known as the "land of the free." America is a place of opportunity! There is so much room for people to grow, with a strong drive and dedication people can succeed in whatever they aim for rather it be owning their own business, becoming CEO of a company, earning their masters or doctorate, and much more! People in America are ambitious, bold, and confident! I'm thankful that I'm an American citizen and call the USA my home.

God Bless America

November 8th: Something else I'm extremely thankful is rather fitting for today, since I did this today... The freedom to VOTE! Not only just that as an American citizen were allowed to VOTE but we have our own free will to VOTE for whoever and whatever we personally choose!

 

And this is exactly how I feel.......

 

November- Thankful Thanksgiving

It feels good to know you're loved... I have not posted since July 25th, but I have been checking my reader's list almost daily again lately. With the new blogger layout my amount of views is easily readable as soon as I log in, each time I log in I've been noticing I have about 30-50 more views than I did the last time I logged in. Not sure who has been looking, but it's nice to know that after almost a 5 month pause, people are still checking hoping just maybe by chance I actually blogged...

Well I'm in blogging mode again! Not that I ever was in a "funk" or did not want to blog my absence was simply just due to lack of free time and topics to blog about. I always seem to get that blogging hype near the holidays. 

I've been seeing friends on Facebook participating in the "Thankful Postings," I am eager to participate but not via posts on Facebook... Soo what better place to do my daily Thanksgiving postings about what I'm Thankful for and get back in the swing of blogging than my own personal journal AKA Love, Life, & Laughter with Jenn?!?!

I like to think of myself as an extremely thankful person, not only in November or in certain situations, but year round. I pretty much Thank people when they do just about anything for me... One of my favorite ways to Thank people and show I care is by sending them a person written card :) 

Let me catch up:

November 1st: With this tragedy happening 2 days prior (but 8 years ago..) it's obvious on this day that I am Thankful for my Bubba but also God and miracles happening. The year after that post (see link above) I had a different outlook on the situation and I can not recall crying once that entire following year, not even the weekend or day leading up to that day I always dread. I was so proud of myself! This year did not follow suite... I had a rough time with it this year, I cried pretty much every day for the week leading to the day and spent a lot of time alone that weekend. I am not sure if extra stresses taking place in life that I've had built up inside just finally hit me and then mix the date in the pot and it just all over boiled or what but let's just say I was an emotional wreck. Non the less, that is one of the most Thankful blessings I have in my life! 

 November 2nd: The day prior's Thankful obviously helps lead to this one.. My (insert the best adjective you've ever heard here with a synonym such as: amazing, fantastic, great, best ever, etc.) Parents!!! Words can not even begin to describe my Thankfulness for my parents. I grew up with my family being close and spending as much time together as possible and with parents who always showed how much they cared but never did I really think it would turn into what it has today. They are truly 2 of my very best friends!! Not only do they always "know whats best for me" but they give their advice and reasoning for why they know this but then they step back and let me make the decision of taking their advice or not and learn on my own why or why not that was a good decision. They continue to support me in life's ups and down's not only as my parents but also as my best friends, they are sometimes standing in front of me to help lead the way but they also stand beside me to walk the path with me. I could go on and on but to sum up why I'm so Thankful for my parents, they have Faith in me no matter what!

November 3rd: I'm thankful for the opportunity to complete my B.S. in Interdisciplinary studies and be certified to teach EC-6 in a little over a month. When I graduated high school in 2003, my college graduation seemed just a few years away and like it was going to be an easy task to accomplish. Never did I think that I would be finally finishing in Dec 2011. Three short months after beginning college  I was blind sided (refer to Thankful Nov 1st) and medically withdrew from my first semester of college courses. With anticipation of returning the following semester, then led to taking a few years off. After returning, college did not come easy to me. Not only was the routine a struggle but it seemed like the learning disabilities that I had always struggled with hit me harder and harder every year there after, ha. Fast forward a few years and I was faced with this situation that situation but no need for those details because who has not been faced with challenging situations in their lives, right? But now here I am today, a time of the future that seemed so far away, a discussion of a time to come that continued to be pushed further and further back... A soon to be college graduate!

 I feel like this picture is rather appropriate...

November 4th: This guy deserves to fall pretty high on my Thankful Thanksgiving list! I could go on and on about my fiance' BD and why I'm thankful for him. But this post would turn into a book. He walks beside me in all I do, he supports and encourages me to do better and pick myself up when I'm down. I have to give him credit, coming into my close nit family and fitting in and putting up with our high strung fast paced life isn't an easy thing to do, but he did not have one bit of trouble with it! He is extremely shy and doesn't talk much but he just goes with the flow and fits right in like he's been a part of us forever. BD and my mama have a relationship that no one would ever imagine since he is so quite.. They have nick names for each other that they always address each other by, they text almost everyday and she loves him to death!!! To sum my thankfulness for him up, we've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't change a single moment of it cause it has got us to where we are today! He has made life style changes not only to better himself but also us and I am extremely proud of him! I look forward to conquering all of lives adventurous with BD by my side!!

BD and I in Galveston for our 4 year Anniv celebration in July 

November 5th: I am thankful for all my extended family! That includes my dear sweet Auntie Cousin Joy who is watching over us in heaven and her husband Frank who I just love to pieces!!! My Pops brother and his wife and my 2 cousins and their little ones! My mamas 2 sisters and 1 brother and the awesome cousins they have given me! Also my cousins significant others that have married into the family.

I don't have any recent pics to post saved on this computer to post... But we have plenty of great photos together :)

November 6th: My future in laws! They have accepted me for who I am and welcomed me to the family with open arms! I'm probably not the easiest future daughter-in-law, I'm really talkative, I'm sometimes all over the place, I'm real particular on things and have to have things a certain way (MAJOR OCD,) and I'm kinda hard to shop for on Birthday and Christmas gifts... But they still love me and support BD and I! I look forward to many family memories to come!

again I don't have any pics on this comp...

If you are still reading at this point.. Thank You, ha.. This turned into a really long post. I'm looking forward to 24 more days of what I'm Thankful for!!!

Life Planner..Follow Up & Major Deal!

So now that this is officially my third post in the past week about planners... I really DO look obsessed, but I'm not really that bad, promise!

If you viewed my post Life Planner..Might Be A Winner
and you were intrigued by what you saw, then you must read on!!!!

Thanks to my buffer (aka best friend,) at livelaughLenz
passing on some fabulous info that her friend Meredith at the tichenor family
emailed to her today...

I was able to get my LifePlanner for $23 bucks today!!!

Here's how:
1. Purchase the current deal on plumdistrict.com, a $25 voucher for 50 credit to use on erincondren.com

feel free to purchase from this link to help me get plumdistrict credit :)
https://www.plumdistrict.com/?ref=u3a3554addc5

2. When checking out on plum district, enter code inthenew to receive 20% off your order, making it only $20!

3. You will receive the voucher email quickly!
Follow the directions at the bottom on how to check out on erin condren's website

4. After picking out your wonderful items on the website and adding them to the cart, when you checkout enter your plum district voucher number then enter 2011off for an additional 10% off, you will see the final total on the next page!

Hope that all makes sense, feel free to email me if you have any problems or questions!

I'm looking forward to my package showing up on my door step on August 8th, just in time to start my last semester of college!

Life Planner.. Might be the winner!

Remember my post the other day, Do I want A myAgenda? Thank You to those that commented or emailed and gave your thoughts!

I might of found something even better, ok well not better but more beneficial for me personally...

I might seem a little crazy, but I'm pretty excited about this one..
The Life Planner by erincondren.com

If you go to the website and browse around or even watch the video you might either 1. think I'm crazy for caring that much or 2. want one your self :)

Let me share a few reasons why I'm smitten:


Nuff' said!


I love love quotes, especially in simple forms like this.. They just pop up, not necessarily looking at them via online etc...


I love the fun colors, makes it exciting to look ahead at the months to come!


Lined paper within.. Genius!


Workout log, maybe it can help be a motivation!


To do lists and Goals... Is my name written in there already?


Slot inside for extra papers.. I need this in my life!

Now as for my cover...


I'm a sucker for all things photo, but I don't know how I could choose only 6 and if I'm going to have it for a year+, I might get tired of them...


As mentioned above, I love quotes!


I love all things brown, especially with pretty colors mixed in!


How fabulous would it be for me to have these also?
But I'm not that crazy... One thing at a time ;)



Teacher Planner

Wedding Planner

So any suggestions on which one I should get?
Has anyone ever used this planner?

Happy Friday!!!

Do I want a myAgenda?

I might have a mild obsession with having a perfect organizer/planner..
This mild obsession leads to when I get a new planner for the year, I hunt for the perfect one, even if this means going to a few different stores to get "that perfect planner" and when I find this planner, it's like a high....

That being said, the past few years I have grown to like day runner planners, I like that they come in various color/themes and have simple pages with wide day spaces but not broke down by time slots (appointment style.)

I don't like that my planner has these additions:

"Long term to do lists" "another to do lists"
these lists move with me every week when I flip the week and re-clip the pasts weeks..


more to do lists.. One started last week, one started today.. stuck on the front of my planner

I have been eying the momAgenda for many years, well let's be real here, I am clearly not at that point.. SO then when the myAgenda came out, well hello this is perfect! I have just been putting off spending more on a planner.

What I love about the myAgenda:


For my life style the next 5-6 months I can use the 5 different sections to break down things to do for:
Daily/My personal life
Student Teaching
My college classes
Daily Exercise
?


Umm did the makers of this know the selling point for me, or what?
This is essential for me beginning in January!


This is important for me to know!


I love the weekly quotes, to bad there wasn't horoscopes also.. ha

I've also heard there is a gift idea section, simply perfect for me!! When I see something or hear about something and it rings a bell as a good gift for a family or friend, I write it down in the back of my planner to refer back to come Christmas time!



I think this is my FAV color to choose from.. Wish they still had the Purple or Silver this year!

SO ladies spill it, what's your favorite planner? Do you have a my/momAgenda? Would you suggest it?

Wedding Wednesday: Misc. Pics & Friends

It's been while since I've done a WW.. Oct 27 2010 to be exact! Since the planning was put on hold I 1. haven't been "up to" talking anything wedding and 2. didn't really have much to WW blog about.

Not much has changed but I've been up to looking at Wedding blogs again and stalking the internet for ideas and pics.

So here's a few things I'm loving lately:

This picture is great to really show the girls shoes! My girls are ALL awesome and already purchased their shoes, I knew when I saw them they were the shoes I wanted my girls to wear so they all jumped on it before they sold out!

I thought of this idea years ago and now I found a picture of it actually done! I wrote down some ideas when BD and I first got engaged last year, I need to try and find that piece of paper..

I showed this picture in my Pintrest blog the other day, but had to share it again! I'm always up for something 'differnt/creative.' I've had a few Guest Book ideas outside the traditional but never seen this one, def a top choice!

To make this post more exciting,I leave you with pictures of some wonderful couples I am blessed to share their upcoming Nuptial's and celebration events with over the next few months!!

Julia and Michael: An amazing woman and friend I met through our mutual friend H Ty! I'm so glad that she is doing what she really wants at heart, she is so smart :)! Private ceremony in August, Reception in September!


Rachel and Cullen: Rachel and I have been good friends since middle school! Their big hoedown is 9-10-11, she has put so much effort into everything, she is even making all the paper goods herself, she's quite a designer!

Mark and Kristen: Mark went to grade school with BD but I started hanging out with Mark about 8-10 months before crossing paths with BD. Mark started dating Kristen within the next year, from the first time I met her, she fit right in with everyone! I still remember the first time Mark told me about "this girl in his class." I can't wait to watch their dream wedding unfold,they are both so excited! September, Georgetown TX.

TOMS Wedges

Happy Monday my lovely blog readers!!

I've been eyeing/wanting a pair of the TOM Wedges since I 'heard' they were even going to be making them (probably for a year and half now.)

I have stalked them out online, Nordstrom, and Sun & Ski Sports on various occasions but continued to fight the urge..

While on the Strand in Galveston this weekend with BD, I slipped a pair on just to kill the curious cat anddd I'm SOLD, well not yet because they did not have the color I would like to have but I think I am going to treat myself to a pair now! Just as I heard and as are my TOMS shoes, they are SUPER comfortable!!!
I do not dress up often nor do I ever really wear heels.. Even though Summer is half over I feel that I can be a little more dressed up feeling sometimes with the TOMS wedges :)

These are prob my FAV pair...



I really like these, very clean, simple look but I can't decide if they are too summery...



But I'm leaning towards buying these for more practical reasoning- I can wear them this Summer, into the Fall, in the classroom, etc etc..

So what do you think ladies, the Linen Pinstripe or the Black canvas?

Thankful Thursday #28: BD- My Love!

I'm not one to be too cheesy and all lovey dovey on my blog...
But I'm due for a Thankful Thursday update and well today just deserves this one :)

Thankful Thursday #28 is for my lovely fiance , BD!

Today we celebrate 4 years of dating! I realize more and more every week how much I appreciate him and his patience with my never-ending fast paced lifestyle that I enjoy living (not that he is one to just sit around, but I"m always on the go..)

Thanks to a family I'm super close with, we are able to celebrate our Anniversary together in style again on a budget friendly trip (aka no room and board, just food and fun is on us.)

Here is last years pre-celebration post,basically doing the same thing just adding some extras in!

Here is last years 3 year celebration post!

I was up for just hanging out with friends this weekend or even going fishing with my parents, but I'm so glad BD suggested we go spend some time togehter. Were together every weekend but seldom ever alone, so this quality time is much over due!!!

I'll leave you with a recent picture my mom snapped of us having a moment on the boat!


(sorry for the bathing suit pic, I don't like doing that.. But this picture makes my heart happy)

Hopefully next year at this time we will be celebrating a few months marriage anniversary rather than a dating anniversary!

My 4th of July Crafty Attempt

According to Dictionary.com, this is what I did...

Crafty: Of, involving, or relating to the making of decorative objects and other things by hand

I tend to think I have some creativity in me... So I find these pictures and inspiration boards via online and I attempt to re-create things and have this really good envision of what I want and they just never look the same.. I'm not sure if it's a lack of funds to supply everything needed to make it look the same or what it might be, but over all I'm pretty satisfied with my fun 4th of July decor I've built up over the past few years from various sales, Target dollar section, etc.

My holiday weekend started out perfectly on Thursday with a lunch/car wash date with my precious little flower girl and her awesome mama! She might not look excited to see me, but I promise she was ;)

Table centerpiece: Old ornaments my parents were throwing away after cleaning out the Christmas decor from years past... I grabbed them out of the trash pile and figured we could create something Patriotic with them, along with some cylinders from Home Goods, this is what we came up with!

Close-up of one of the small cylinders:

Coffee table when you enter the house downstairs: all items courtesy of the Target dollar section a few years ago

Serve ware for the weekend:



Pinwheels lined in one of the flower beds:



American Flags lining the sidewalk:



Upstairs rail, downstairs doors, and 4th of July Banner:



Now for the food part:

Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Strawberries:





My mom, cousin Lory, and I also made chocalte dipped pretzel sticks that I did not get a picture of but they are at the end of the dessert buffet line here:

I will leave you with a fun picture my cousin took of the strawberries on her phone:

If I get the patience later, I might do a fun 4th of July post to show all the good times and memories that were made!