Thirty-One Love + A Giveaway

I had a Thirty-One party last week and it was my first one in a LONG time, sometimes I forget how fun this company is when you can get together with a bunch of ladies and talk about purses/bags/totes…etc! 

I joined Thirty-One back in February of 2011. It was brand new to the area and I was one of the first few to join in North Dakota. I joined this company because, for one, I LOVE bags and have been a lover of huge purses since high school but I also joined because I loved the values of this company. Thirty-One, now that is a unique name for a company and my first thought was "that has nothing to do with bags and they have more than 31 items, what the heck" but when I was told it comes from Proverbs 31 I thought that was awesome. A company that isn't afraid to share their religious beliefs, to talk about God, and a company founded by a woman for the purpose of encouraging and empowering other women - That is something I liked the sound of! I didn't plan on selling a lot or doing many parties but these products are addicting and it spread here like wildfire; I didn't mind though I loved getting to meet new ladies and share my own love for these products. I currently have a wonderful team of ladies selling underneath me and I've been promoted to Sr. Consultant!! If you have ever thought about doing direct sales or want to join a company with great values just ask me about this one, I'd love to have you join my team! Or if you ever need a Consultant or help placing an order just let me know!!

Proverbs 31:31 - "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Now with all this talk about Thirty-One don't forget I have teamed up with the lovely Kelly from Today Was A Fairytale and her other sponsors for a great giveaway! I have a fabulous Large Utility Tote up for grabs so don't forget to enter for your chance to win that and other great prizes!

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The giveaway will be open through Thursday (tomorrow) with a winner being announced on Kelly's blog on  Friday morning. Good luck!!

Open to US residents only.

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That Rainy June Friday Afternoon

I still consider June 2012 one of the worst months ever. It is coming upon one year now and although time doesn’t heal all wounds it does make each day a little easier.

My husband (fiancé at the time) and I really wanted a dog and not just any dog we wanted a purebred German Shepherd. Steve’s family has always had German Shepherds, when Steve and I started dating, Toby was the lovely pup who graced the farm and after he passed we always knew we needed another Shepherd on the farm.

We knew we wanted a puppy because we wanted to be the main influence in our dog’s life and all the blame could be put on us for whatever bad habits he picked up {which wouldn’t be any, our dog would be perfect right?!}. After many internet searches and deciding that sending a dog via airplane was not what we wanted to do to our new ‘baby’, we found a breeder in Western ND and couldn’t wait for the road trip.

The litter was due in August of 2012 and we had a deposit down on a boy {praying there was a boy}. August 19^th the fluffy little bunch was born, 2 boys and 4 girls! Steve and I were so excited and couldn’t wait until October to go pick up our little guy.

On October 16th it was time for our 750 mile round trip to pick up Gunner. He was perfect in every way {love at first sight} and he did an amazing job on the long car ride home!

I could tell Gunner had a big personality right away, I laughed at him all the time. He was so easy to train and even though we didn't plan on him being a house dog at least we taught him early on that you don't pee and poop in the living room! 

Photo by Milestones Photography

As much as I wanted him to be a momma's boy he was definitely Steve's baby. With me being at work all day and Steve working on the farm him and Gunner were attached at the hip. Gunner was Steve's tractor buddy amongst other things and anytime Steve had a few beers Gunner got to come sleep with us; spoiled little thing I think he forced Steve to drink so he could hog the bed! 

He was our Pride and Joy and we both loved him to pieces. If you noticed I'm using past tense and that is because Gunner is no longer with us. 

June 1, 2012. 

I will never forget that rainy Friday when Steve called me at work and told me that Gunner was dead. I don't think a person is ever prepared to hear that type of bad news. Knowing full-well we live in the country I thought for sure he was hit by a vehicle, even though he had gotten really good at staying in the yard and not chasing passing traffic. That is an outcome I could have handled more than the actual one; Gunner wasn't hit by a car but instead shot point blank in the head. << Sorry for that picture but in actuality there isn't a good way to sugarcoat this story. This wasn't an accident and I know 'hate' is a strong word but I hate the person who did this to our poor sweet puppy and even more I hate that there is nothing law enforcement could have done even if they knew who killed him. To this day we still don't know who took our Gunner from us but I just pray they aren't doing this for fun because it is sick and wrong and I don't wish this feeling of loss upon anyone. Anyone who has {or ever had} a pet knows they become your family.

My last photo of Gunner

I will admit I am now jealous of people with old dogs knowing that we didn't even get to spend a year with Gunner. Thinking back and reminiscing though those were definitely 7 of the happiest months with my fiancé and our puppy. I miss that 'little' guy so much but look forward to the day when we begin the search for our next German Shepherd. 

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras 

Chain or Adventure??

We are a trip taking family. When I was younger I was fortunate enough to go a lot of places with my Mom, Dad and Sister. Most of the time trips were taken in the car, long trips with my sister and I fighting and the age old question "Are We There Yet". Ya it wasn't always fun but the memories I remember most are the good times and the laughs {well except for that one time in Napa when the Wine Tasting got the best of me}.  

One thing that has really stuck with me from all of our numerous vacations is something my Dad likes to do … Not Eat At Chain Restaurants. I love trying new places in our own area but sometimes when you are in a state and town that is kinda sketchy and you can hardly find it on a map do you really want to eat at Joe's Bar on the corner?! Well it sure makes lunch interesting let me tell you … Oh and you know the place I'm talking about, when you walk in and EVERYBODY and their dog stares at you because it is a local hangout and "you're not from around here" - yep that place! Okay it isn't like that all the time but usually those are the places that have the best food, the real homemade stuff and not the frozen triple-processed crap that you could get at the same restaurant 5 states away. I'm with my Dad on his philosophy and it sure does keep it more interesting than always going to Applebee's or McDonalds!

I am from a small town so if you walk in to one of the places I go out to eat I'll be the one staring and whispering about who you are; but please don't turn and walk out, have a drink, have a burger and stay awhile - we don't bite {I promise}! 

There is a newer bar/restaurant in a neighboring town that we just love, especially on the 1st Saturday of the month for $1 Beers! They have GREAT food, drinks, decor, and hospitality I mean what more could you ask for?! Maybe a Burger the size of your face?? Not kidding on this one my hamburger the other night was giant and of course Delicious! If you are ever in my neck of the woods, you should really stop by. 

Where is your favorite place to eat? Do you agree with my Dad's philosophy or would you rather stick to your chain restaurant?

Don't Forget To ENTER the Giveaway!

My Fashionista Sister

Happy May Day!! Wow I seriously can't believe it is May already!!

Today I'm featuring my little *fashionista* sister on my blog. If I could have her lay my outfits out for me everyday I would, she has a great sense of style and always tells you if something looks good or not. Seriously one of the best presents from her is clothes and I'm even more lucky that we are the same size so we can share clothes : : aka I can raid her closet!!

She was really excited that I wanted photos of her outfits So without further ado This is Miss Erika Joy!! 

Outfit from Charlotte Russe

Outfit Components {From Charlotte Russe}

• Shirt $10
• Shorts $20
• Necklace $13

Seriously I love the back of this shirt … Heads up Eri I will be borrowing {stealing} this outfit!! 

Eri's 23rd!!

My baby {only} sister celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday. Somedays I feel like I am still 23 and until a few weeks ago I forgot I was 25. No honestly {drinks may have been involved} I had to ask the Hubby I'm 25 right?! I remembered I celebrated my birthday but until someone asked me how old I was and I said 25 out loud I guess it didn't hit me haha. Does that ever happen to you, something doesn't seem real until you say it out loud??

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Since my sister lives at the lake that is where we were off to on Saturday afternoon. I was glad to get to the lake because we hadn't been there for a long time I just wish the ice was off and the snow was gone but this year that seems like a dream. 

We had a fun afternoon watching Eri open presents then board games and sipping on champagne. 

Oh ya and I almost forgot to mention the delicious birthday cakes, yes that is plural and we all ate some of both!! 

*Giant Reese's Ice Cream Cake* 

Eri picked a new (to us) restaurant to eat supper at and it was DELICIOUS, I even found a craft project for my hubby. A use for all the wedding corks!! 

The service at The Fireside was wonderful and the view was amazing with a beautiful sunset over the lake; definitely a place we will return to. 

I hope my sister had a wonderful time celebrating with the family, I know I did! 

“What i like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” - Karl Lagerfeld

Oh Hey Online Shopping!

Happy Wednesday! 

Today was like Christmas thanks to my online shopping addiction. I get bored at work sometimes and check my email and … "Look Body Central has a sale with FREE shipping, (when don't they have a sale) I should check it out." Usually I don't give in but they really did have good sales so I got 2 new pairs of boots for super cheap, these are boots I hoped I wouldn't need until next winter but apparently Winter doesn't want to leave - seriously can't tell you how much I hate snow right now! I have to tell you about this romper that I ordered though, it looks adorable online and I was really excited about it for this summer but when I opened it my excitement faded. First it almost felt wet (in a sealed plastic bag) and it smelt really bad and Then I tried it on … "yep this is getting returned". I'm so bummed because it looks sooo cute!! There is no zipper and the 'elastic' made a ripping sound and didn't give at all so I don't know how anyone with an ass could wear this unless they bought it 3 sizes too big.  

Source

I also have an Amazon addiction and received all the things for my April Cara Box partner today so I can't wait to mail that off to her!!  Have you heard of Vino2Go if you haven't then you are missing out on one of the coolest inventions ever - I just got mine from Amazon today and CAN'T wait to use it, this will be SOOOO perfect at the Lake this Summer! 

Source

The highlight of this Wednesday was a surprise visit from my best friend. She lives and hour away from me and usually isn't home in the middle of the week and there she was today walking into the bank!! I was excited to see her and she brought me an AMAZING Red Velvet Donut, talk about yummy. Yep She is THE BEST! 

Are you Drooling?!

I hope you have had a WONDERFUL Wednesday. 

Were do you like to do your online shopping?