Monday, November 30, 2009

Another Great Giveaway!!

Fantabulously Frugal is giving away an amazing loot HERE!!!!!!! All the Christmas gifts you will need or some awesome ones to keep for yourself!!  Mention Jessica's Joys and receive another entry!!


When people asked me what I was thankful for on Thanksgiving, the first thing that came to mind was this website. Fantabulously Frugal started out as a hobby - a way for me to fill my time once I completed grad school. What it has turned into, however, is so much more than a hobby! I am thankful for the opportunities I've had to get to know all of you readers, Etsy shop owners, and companies. Everyday I am so thankful that one of you decided to subscribe to this site, let alone the (almost) multiple thousands of you that keep reading as well. You are all awesome and everyday you make my day. Seriously.

To share my extreme gratitude with all of you, I decided to call up a few of my favorite Fantabulously Frugal supporters (OutfitAdditions.comBeautyTicket.com, and Go-Girl), as well as cash in a bunch of sample sale credits I've been saving up from RowNineRueLaLaIdeeli, and Gilt to create the best giveaway I could come up with because, and I cannot stress this enough, You Deserve the Best.




 Let's get to the gifts, shall we?



Whomever wins Gift #1 won't really need to receive any other holiday presents this year, as you'll receive quite a bounty!  This giveaway is valued at approximately $675 and the winner of this gift will be chosen completely randomly.

Here's what's included (starting in the top left corner):
  • $50 Gift Certificate to BeautyTicket.com
  • Warm Vanilla Sugar Triple Moisture Body Cream from Bath & Body Works
  • Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL
  • Gucci Buckle Sunglasses
  • Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle
  • Pencil case from Etsy seller Made by Hank stuffed with little goodies
  • Paper Source note cards
  • Gold leather Kate Spade passport case
  • Gold Amrita Singh twisted hoop earrings



Gift 2 is equally as amazing as Gift 1, and is valued at approximately $550.  We're going to change things up a bit though.  The winner of Gift 2 will be the person that refers the greatest number of people to enter this giveaway! 

Here's what's included in Gift 2 (starting in the top left corner):
  • $50 Gift Certificate to OutfitAdditions.com
  • Paper Source note cards
  • Tom Ford Fiona Sunglasses
  • Dancing Waters Body Lotion from Bath & Body Works
  • Silver Amrita Singh twisted hoop earrings
  • Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle 
  • Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL



Gift 3 will again be chosen completely randomly and the value of this gift is approximately $125.

Here's what's included in Gift 3 (starting in the top left corner):
  • Lint-On-The-Go-Sheets from GO-GIRL
  • Vera Bradley Paper Weight
  • Burt's Bees Essential Body Kit
  • Paper Source Note Cards
  • Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath Candle
  • Coin Purse from Etsy Seller Made by Hank 
  • Yes to Carrots Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask
  • Sparkling Sage Open Teardrop Earrings
The Fine Print:
Entries will ONLY be accepted by completing the Google Form below. No entries will be accepted via the comment form. This will help keep things organized and fair.  This giveaway is open to both blog owners and non-blog owners.  Owning a blog is not a requirement to enter.  

Here's a breakdown of the total number of entries you can have for this giveaway:
  • 1 entry just for completing this form. (You may complete the form one time per day, for a total of 15 possible entries.)
  • 5 entries for writing a specific blog post about this giveaway. (The blog post will only be counted once throughout the giveaway period.)
  • 1 entry for each new person you refer to FF who enters this giveaway (make sure they reference your blog name when signing up).  Remember - Gift 2 is reserved for the site that refers the largest number of people to enter the giveaway!
  • 1 entry for sharing the name of the site that referred you to the giveaway.  
  • 1 entry for Tweeting about this giveaway. (You will receive 1 entry per day for Tweeting about this giveaway, for a total of 15 possible entries.) Please send the tweet my way, if possible:@fantabandfrugal
  • 1 entry for posting about this giveaway on Facebook. 
So really - it's up to you! You can have as few as 1 entry into the giveaway, or many more, based on writing or Tweeting about this giveaway or the number of people you refer.

Aside from posting the name provided to me by the winner of the giveaway, as well as the winner's website address (if you so choose), no personal information you give me will be shared or published anywhere. You will not be put onto any email lists. Pinky swear.

Entries will be accepted from the U.S. and Canada only, please.

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. CST on December 14, 2009. The winners will be announced on December 21, 2009. (I'm going to need time to count and tally those entries!) 


Saturday, November 28, 2009

Flower Inspiration!

First off Sally at Everything is Better Pink is giving away some 
super cute Lilly Items!  Be sure to check them out and enter to win!



I love love love flowers! I know they are sooo expensive for something that will die in a couple of days..
but for the time they are alive...
they are the most beautiful, delicate decorations that turn any area into a glamorous escape!
I would love for every room in my house to have a fresh vase of flowers!
For the wedding i want that soft romantic feel that flowers give.
I love flowers in soft pinks and creams.
 I also love the pop of green mixed in.
My favorite flowers are peonies and garden roses.
I also love hydrangeas
and since peonies are so expensive we will have to find another flower that has the same effect!
Here are some pictures of flowers that are my "inspiration" for the florist!

My Bouquet:

projectwedding.com



Inspired by the vivid colors of Vera Bradley and Lily Pulitzer, Leah carried a summery bouquet of pink and white peonies, green hydrangeas, cream roses, and white calla lilies. Her rosary wrap was a subtle way to display her keepsake.



Denise carried a bouquet of sweet peas in varying shades of pink to add depth and texture to her single-hue arrangement.

I would love for my sister's bouquet to be very similar to mine but with these orchids!


And the bridesmaids bouquets would all be complimentary to mine.
There is a picture that i really love in my Wedding Book but i can't find it online.
As soon as I do, I'll update!

Ceremony Flowers:
The ceremony is outside but you have to walk through a large plantation house to get to the back.  These would be beautiful on the front door!

Becky and Josh exchanged vows in a colonial-style brick church featuring white columns and large sunny windows. Two large floral wreaths made up of green hydrangeas and bright pink peonies hung on the doors to the church.


Flowers, Pink, Green, Nancy liu chin
projectwedding.com


Reception Flowers:

Flowers, Centerpiece, Luna gardens






Friday, November 27, 2009

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen outfits revisited..again!

This is one of the hardest decisions for me!
But i think i have found something that everyone likes.
hopefully!!

 For the groomsmen.....
GQ
Uniqlo whipcord suit in blue and white
This suit was featured in GQ magazine as a suit that is more tailored than searsucker,
with a surprisingly low price tag!
The problem is that the store that sells it is in New York.
We are calling tomorrow to see if this will all work out..
if not we are back to the drawing board!


And for the bridesmaids..


This color (peppermint) in any style in the Cotton Cady Collection.
Except for the one my sister will wear, which has a sash already around it.
The problem with this one is that the color is not available next spring..
so if we are going to get this dress we need to get it fast!
The good thing is that all styles in this color are on sale!
yay!
I am also calling them tomorrow to see if this will work!


I think they look really pretty together!
My sis found the suit and approved the dress so I am a happy girl!
Let's hope after the phone calls tomorrow I am still just as happy!
Wish us luck!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thankful!

Thankful does not even come close to how i feel about my family.
They are the most important people to me.
 I praise the Lord everyday for blessing my life with so many wonderful people (and puppies)!!


I am soo thankful for this beautiful sister of mine!
She has a kind heart that glows with love.
I am so blessed to grow up next to her and watch her blossom into my beautiful grown up sissy!


I am soo thankful for my amazing dad!
He has the best heart and the gift of speaking freely!
I am truly a daddy's girl and proud of it!
Dad always has the best joke to tell and you never know what he is going to say next!


I am soo thankful for my sweet sweet momma!
She truly lives the verse "God loves a cheerful giver!"
Always looking out for others and giving from her heart, expecting nothing in return.
God has blessed her with this wonderful gift.
Tami Seaborn


Of course I am so incredibly thankful for my amazing husband to be!
He has made me who I am and continues to show me how to be a better person.
He, like my momma, was given the gift of helping others.
I am so excited to begin a new chapter of my life with this wonderful man by my side!


I am thankful for my wonderful future in-laws!
They have truly treated me as a daughter and sister from day one.
I am so grateful to have two beautiful loving families who get along so great with each other!



I am also sooo very thankful for these little guys!!!!!!
Sammy and Topsy



I am so grateful for all of these people and for all of my loving friends and extended family.
I love each of them so much and am truly blessed.
I look so forward to seeing all of them in one place at our wedding.
I could not think of a better way to celebrate than to have literally every single person that I love in the same room!

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!
I took tons of pictures of food!! Hopefully i will be able to post them tomorrow!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Wedding Dream...

So I have had wedding dreams before but, last night...wow...
Something went wrong and the date had to be pushed up to June 6th (6 days before my actual wedding).
The wedding was still at Pine Lakes, but somehow it had morphed into a Bed, Bath and Beyond version of Pine Lakes.


There were a million different rooms, each one featuring a mop or towels.
I went through each room with my sister and she was telling me how awful it looked, and i thought "how dare she tell me my wedding is awful!" (Jenn you are obvs the wise one!)
I then went to the front of the building and saw Della (the wedding planner) on the phone with the florist.
She finished the call and looked at me and told me that the flowers are not in,  and we would have to go to the grocery store...
I ran around to the side of building and just started crying!
Because its okay we are getting married in Bed Bath and Beyond but not okay that the flowers are coming from the grocery store!?  What am i thinking!
So she got the flowers and just started throwing hydrangea off the porch!
Saying "Beautiful, Beautiful!"
(Meanwhile I am already dressed to the hill in my dress, shoes and veil!)
The guests were all there already and I went to the bartender to get a drink.
She handed me a coke (which was NOT what i wanted!) and said that will be 8.50. (WHAT!!!?????!!!)
First of all EIGHT DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS for a COKE! Second of all I'm obvs the BRIDE!
I told her i had no money right then because i was already dressed, with no pockets! (and why should I have money anyway!!)  and what do you know, she turns me away! I cannot even have my coke!
(This is where it gets a little blurry)
The next thing i remember is that my veil changed into some kind of head dress thing,
Think Celine Dion's veil!

And i was adjusting it and itching and thinking why did i pick this!!!
Then i "wake up".  You know when you are in a dream that is so real, you think you are awake but you really aren't?
Yep, that's what happened.
So I sat down and made a list of what I learned from my dream to tell Della, and this is how it went:
Della,
1) Can we make sure all of the rooms in Bed Bath and Beyond are decorated to make it look like there is not a broom and dust pan hiding behind a curtain?  Some of the rooms looked fabulous but the others needed a little bit of help.  My sister was telling me how it looked like the store and we don't want that!
2) Is BB&B going to shut down the day of the wedding?  Or are we going to have to rope off a section to get married?
3) If they are open, how do we arrange for the customers to still be able to shop? (What in the world!?)

Then i went back into the dream and my mom and I were trying to find my dad to walk me down the aisle.  We were sitting behind this huge curtain thing and guys kept walking back there.  Mom and I were like NEXT, thats not him!  We did this at least 5 times! Then finally my dad comes back 20 years younger and with his shirt unbuttoned (WHAT?).  We got him dressed and turned back into my real dad and i gave him the biggest hug in the entire world and just cried and cried!

Then I woke up!  For real this time!

Wow what a weird dream....

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I wanna eat at the kid's table!!!!!!!

I think one of the most fun parts of a wedding is seeing little kids running around!  We have a good amount of kids coming ten and I cannot wait to create a fun space for them.  I have decided on doing a kids table on the patio of the reception space.  Here are some pictures of ones that i l-o-v-e..love!!!
ead Kid Table   Love Love LOVE!
Pretty sure this one is my fav!! I LOVE the huge balloons!!!!
So much fun! The one below is a closeup of the place settings!
Kids Table
I love the centerpiece and the lollipops!!

(brian dorsey photography)
I think this one is sweet! I love the goody bag filled with all kinds of kiddie goodness!!

Cute brightly colored sand buckets! Perfect for a wedding close to the beach!

This is perfect for a table that fits into the formal surroundings! Love the cupcakes!

The activity pages are a must!!! So adorable and i love anything personalized!!


I am also planning on giving one of these cameras to each child so they can play photographer for the night!
Waverly Pink and Green Damask Table Runner
I am also planning on purchasing this table runner for the Kids Table.
A nice fun splash of color would be perfect!

Now if we could combine all of these tables in one big, fun, kiddie mess!





Lean up against Me and breathe..take a moment and breathe...

Katie over at Katie's Keepers posted this yesterday and it touched my heart.  If you haven't read Katie's story yet please check it out.  I am amazed at her strength through such tough times.  But the Lord is always there to keep us going.  Imagine this as a letter from God,  speaking to us, his children, in our time of need.

To My precious child...
I wish you could see things the way that I see them. I wish you knew how tightly I truly hold you in My hands. I really have you on the forefront of My mind. I have sent My Spirit to be with you in time of crisis, and in time of desperation. I saw you cry. So badly I wanted to wrap My arms around you and wipe every tear from your eyes. I was with you, I am with you.
I know you struggle with the circumstances of life. Trust me, this is not how I wanted your life to go. But, I will fulfill My promise; you will have life, and life to the fullest. You will soar, and you will have victory. When I created you, I created you with a purpose. I can't wait for you to see what I have for you, I just can't wait!
I see you struggling, I see you trying to create an end to the madness. But don't be afraid for I am with you. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. You can trust me with your life. I created you, I will protect you. If you could only see the process, and see the outcome you wouldn't give up. Not yet. You're so close, you're so close.
Satan wants nothing less than for you to hate Me. Don't forget that. He hates everything that is good. I am turning what he intended for evil into something greater than you could ever imagine. That's why you can't see the outcome of this, because it isn't fathomable. It's really that great! I know the plans that I have for you. Plans to give you a HOPE and FUTURE! Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I would never harm you. You are too precious to me! This is only a season of your life. This isn't going to define your life, this is only going to be the beginning of what is truly life. Oh the plans I have in store for those who love Me.
Seek Me with your whole heart. I have not hidden Myself from you. I am always here, and I have been with you from the beginning. Oh My precious child, how much I love you. I got this. Rest in My arms, I am worthy to be trusted. I know you're tired, just lean up against Me and breathe...take a moment and breathe.Feel My love for you.
I haven't forgotten you. I will fulfill the promises for your life. Greater things are still to come. Love, your Heavenly Father.


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Maid of Honor: Jennifer (the sis)


My Maid of Honor is 
my beautiful sis Jennifer!
She is not only my sister but my best friend.
 I am so excited to have her standing by me on our wedding day!
We are so close and have so many inside jokes.
When people are around us, they must think we are absolutely insane because all we do is look at each other and laugh!

We spend hours upon hours watching tv series and she has introduced me to so many shows that i am in LOVE with now.
She has also introduced me to all the music i now love.  
Though some of the music is just way to weird for me, i enjoying laughing at her for listening to it!

She has shown me what it is to be a strong person.
To be someone who is not always scared.
She has shown me its okay to be yourself.
Its okay to act crazy in elevators and sing to the top of your lungs in front of strangers.
She has shown me who I really am.
I am so thankful for my beautiful, intelligent sister.
I have no idea where i would be without her.



Jenn and I are completely different in so many ways but we are also so much the same.
She doesn't like some of my style choices for the wedding, like the searsucker pants, and she voices that very strongly!
But i am so grateful that she does because it does make me think.
It shows me how to be stronger.
(and even though she doesn't like them, doesn't mean they aren't wearing searsucker!
They soo are..)

We have some pretty awesome videos that i may put on here one day that shows our (well mostly my) craziness!


"Its funny cause your old!"
"Dah-sha"

474747474747
"if a man hits you, he will hit you again. AND I LOVE SNUGGIES!"

Jenn you really are the most amazing person in my life. 
You are my best friend and there is no one that could ever take your place.
If i had to live without you i would literally be put in an insane asylum and on so many drugs its not even funny.
I LURVE YOU!




Monday, November 9, 2009

Peace....?

So you know that Peace class that I am in? That I "loved" so much...
Well that was the first day..
Today I am not enjoying it as much as I did the first day.
The class is so focused on Republican or Democrat and Peace is the absence of War.
Which the professor said in the beginning would not be the issue of the class.
The class would be inner peace, peacemakers, etc.
I knew that there would be a lot of discussion on war, who wants war? I don't but what are the alternatives...
This is what we are learning in this class.
Today we watched a clip of Fox News with a scientist speaking out about how global warming is not happening like Al Gore is saying.
During the entire clip everyone in my class was laughing and saying "is this a joke?".
I am an avid Fox News supporter.  I know that they are not as "fair and balanced" as they say but that is my go to source for whats happening in the world.
I strongly believe in searching out other sources of news because everything is somewhat biased.
We then watched Katie Couric interview Al Gore and no one had any comments.
Its just interesting to me the way people respond to different things.
I am a republican by my voting history, but if a democrat ran for an office and i believed in the things they were saying or doing i would not hesitate to vote for them.
I think that there should be no R or D beside the names on the ballot.
People need to come into the booth educated and knowledgeable of the candidates.
Not vote for someone just because they are a member of your party.

I just wish the class wasn't so centered around politics and more around other aspects of peace that people do not think about.  I mean i guess it is my fault...what was I expecting signing up for a Sociology of Peace class....

Oh and one girl spoke up about global warming being blown out of proportion and everyone kind of hushed her as though she did not know what she was talking about.  Another person said that in his mind a lot of people don't want their tax dollars to go to global warming research.  And the teacher came back and said but they don't care if we spend such and such of their tax dollars on weapons of mass destruction.

As much as I am not sure about this class, it does make you think about you truly believe and why.....

Things I'm Loving!

I thought I would do a post today on beauty products that I am loving!


No Spain, No Gain
I just had my nails done today and  No Spain, No Gain is what I wanted but Overexposed in South Beach was the closest I could find.  I LOVE it! Perfect for fall!



Overexposed in South Beach


ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex® for Normal/Dry Skin

Revlon Colorstay Normal/Dry 220

I love this foundation! The only thing is that it dries kind of fast so you have to be careful when applying.  I find that it actually does stay on all day.

Dermalogica

Clearing Skin Wash
 
 Overnight Clearing Gel

Intensive Moisture
Balance

I have been having a lot of breakouts recently and this has really cleared almost everything up.  It smells and feels like you are getting a facial. It is my little escape at the end of the day! I love to apply the clearing skin wash and then wash off with a washcloth and super hot water.  I like to leave the washcloth on my face for a few seconds before washing off. I also learned that you should always wash your face twice because the first removes the makeup and the second actually cleanses the skin!


Plus White 5 Minute Whitening and Brightening System, 1 Kit (Pack of 3)
I LOVE this stuff!
 I tried the crest whitestrips and they made my teeth soo sensitive and were pretty pricey.  5 minute white is less than 10 dollars and works like a charm.  I like to whiten mine while i am in the shower!

Weekend at the Lake!


We had a wonderful trip to the lake this weekend!
We slept, ate, read, slept, and ate some more!
I love the lake during the summer, but there is something about being there in the fall that is spectacular!
The leaves are changing, the weather is a perfect 60 during the day and 40 at night,
and there is NOTHING to do but relax!
and hang out with the puppies!!!
Charlie did talk me in to going for a ride on the 4-wheeler...
I normally scream and yell the entire ride, but it was so beautiful outside that I only screamed about 3 times!
That's a HUGE improvement for me!
haha
We went to church on sunday at the local baptist church and we loved it!
After church we drove all around the little town in search of a good sunday lunch.
We drove by many restaurants but they were all closed on Sunday, until we finally ran across The Seafood Hut.
10 dollars and a all you can eat buffet!
Boy did we eat!
After church we took some family pictures!
We had a wonderful weekend.
Nothing beats a weekend at the lake with the fam!


Charlie, sis, me, and sis's bf Rob!
Rob and I thought we were doing a funny picture!
Apparently we were the only ones that got the memo!


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Couture for the Cure!

A couple of Sundays ago,
my future mother-in-law and I
attended a fabulous afternoon of tea and
fashion.

It was a wonderful event put on by Little White Dress
to benefit Brides Against Breast Cancer.
The atmosphere of this event was something I have never experienced before.
Everyone was so interested in the true reason why we were there, to benefit breast cancer.
A lot of times when we go to fundraisers, the initial reason you are there is put on the back burner in lieu of the food, or the excitement of dressing up.

Couture for the Cure did a fabulous job keeping Breast Cancer at the forefront of people's minds.
The fashion was wedding related and they showed mother of the occasion dresses, flower girl dresses and wedding dresses.
Breast Cancer survivors modeled the mother of the occasion dresses and, woah baby, did they do a great job!
They walked down that runway like they owned it! So proud and poised.
As soon as the survivors hit the runway everyone erupted in applause and kept it going almost the entire time. I was so touched by the smiles that these brave women displayed.
It was such a joyful smile that was truly touching.

You could tell by looking at them how proud they were and how strong they were to overcome this.
The whole time they were strutting their stuff everyone could not stop smiling!
I thought what a way to celebrate life,
to wear a beautiful dress, get all made up, and walk down a runway with a huge smile and everyone applauding YOU.
Not the outfit, but you...
wow.


The girls modeling the wedding dresses looked like they were straight out of New York fashion week!
They did a great job also.

When we arrived they gave us "swag"bags filled with goodies and a booklet on the dresses shown.

We were looking through it and saw MY dress!!
Then we saw MY NAME!!!!!
We thought hmmm did everyone who bought a dress from here have their name next to their dress??

The dresses started coming down the runway and they were all beautiful, but then i saw mine!
I was so excited i could not smiling from ear to ear!
I looked over at the owner of the store, Melanie, and she was waving at me and smiling!
It was such a wonderful experience.
After the show Melanie came up to me and asked, "Did you notice your dress?!"
I was like OF COURSE!!!
Then she asked, "did you notice the name?"
"YES!"
She said, "We named the dress after you."
She spoke about how precious the day was that we came into the store and said that from now on that dress would be the "Jessica Dress"!!!
I said, "FOREVER??????"
she said "forever.."
Talk about woah baby!
What a wonderful moment that i will never forget!
I am so honored and touched!
I can't believe it!
I can't believe how wonderful this whole experience has been!
I can't believe how easy everything has been!
I can't believe I am getting married!
WOAH BABY!


Thanks so much to all of the ladies a Little White Dress for putting on this wonderful event.
It was truly a heart warming experience that touched many lives.
I am looking so forward to going again next year and bringing a whole bunch a girls dressed in pink to celebrate life!


(sorry about all of the "woah baby"s! hehe)