Goodbye September.. HELLO...

As we say goodbye to September, we say hello to some wonderful Ladies.
Lots of Mamas here, newlyweds, and recently engaged beautiful women! Check them out :)

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Life Lately. All sorts of updates.

9.28.12

*We had a garage sale last weekend and it was a huge success. I made a couple hundred {hello new fall clothes for Elliana}, and I sold barely anything. Which means? I have tons more left over when our neighborhood has another one in the Spring. Honestly, it was so nice to just sit out there with my mama and chit chat. Very nice.

*Which reminds me, I know I promised an Elliana blog sale of all her amazing items... but guys... life has been so busy around these parts that after just going through a stash of clothes {taking pictures and pricing}, I realized how time consuming it was and how it probably wasn't worth it? What I think I'm going to be doing is putting up a few pieces instead of everything. No date yet. It's honestly at the bottom of my to-do list {which happens to be the size of Texas}.

*I have been doing a lot of shopping lately. I mean a lot. So much so that it is deja-vu all over again with the UPS guy {no worries, I learned to put on appropriate clothing before opening the door. wink}  being at my house on a daily basis. What this also means is that deals of the week is going to be coming back very soon. Remember when I did this last year in preparation for the holidays to let all my readers know of the fabulous deals going on? Welp. It's happening again! Hope you all are as excited as I am. Also? Fall decorating is in full swing.

*I am working on an amazing project/link-up coming up for my blog. It involves 3 other beautiful mamas and a way for all mama's to connect. Remember my "meet this mama" features that I had? Well it's something around the lines, except it will happen all at once and everyone is invited. Oh I just cannot wait to share the details!

*Pregnancy has been going wonderful. I am now 25.5 weeks! Almost in my third trimester! No bump attack post this week as I have so many blog posts that are scheduled and in much need of being posted. They are so dated it's getting bad. However? I'm thankful I have them!

*My BFF Jody is flying in to stay with me this weekend! I pick her up at the airport on Friday {technically today when this post is scheduled} and I can't tell you how excited I am! I told her that I am going to be waiting for her with roses and balloons.... how embarrassing right?! HA! Don't put it past me. I SO would. We have some fun stuff planned this weekend... but mainly lots of girl time and shopping. What else do you need!

*We have been park obsessed now that the weather has cooled down. So much so that we are there almost every day! And for about an hour- an hour and a half. We love it. And I absolutely adore this age where Elliana soaks it all in. She is such a toddler. Here are some pictures below of a park day. Tell me these don't make you smile :)

*We are basically done with the BIG GIRL ROOM! My husband is fabulous and took the day off yesterday and we got so much stuff done. I'm talking the big dresser painted, the bookcase painted, all transferred upstairs. All that is left? Buying a large mirror and putting up a couple frames. Which means? A big reveal on the blog. I know I know, I've only been talking about it for 5 years!

*I am almost to my third trimester. Did I mention that already? Ah, yes, I did. I'm just still in so much shock I have to keep repeating that to myself.... someone... hold on.

*Did I mention that I have been doing  a lot of shopping lately? Oh yes? I did? Ah, ha. So you see, a lot of this shopping has also been for Elliana. Shocker. This is how the vicious shopping cycle works...I place an order through Baby Gap for about 6 items. That order comes. I put these clothes on Elliana and fall in love....only to be reminded that the sale is still going on....only to catch myself back on the Baby gap placing another order. And then I decide I want more. So I place another. And then I forgot something, so I had more. 3 orders later and my daughter has a whole new Baby Gap fall wardrobe. Here is a sneak peek of the outfit that started it all.... it's a domino effect.

*And if that isn't enough cuteness/brain overload than I don't know what is.

*P.S. I have an amazing target gift card giveaway going on below and ANOTHER one next Tuesday. You lucky dogs you.

*Also just added 2 new Advertising options! Check them out before they are gone. And as an incentive, I'll give 30% off to the first two to purchase this spot: use code: 30off

Happy Friday Guys! I am off to enjoy an amazing weekend with an amazing mama!

Meet Mary + TARGET & AD SPACE GIVEAWAY!

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Hi everyone! I am so excited to share a little bit about me with you! I am Louisiana proud, a southern belle in New Orleans that bleeds black & gold (the Saints) and purple & gold (LSU)! I have the most wonderful husband, Edward. We were married on July 16, 2011 after 6 years of dating. He is currently in law school and I am his "sugar mama" :) {http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/08/the-life-of-law-students-wife.html}We can't wait to start our family when he graduates. You will find me talking a lot about my strong call to motherhood and desire to have children! {http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/07/baby-talk.html} But for now I am very happy being a "mom" to our cute pup, Dexter. He is a maltipoo, looks about 6 months old but is really almost 3 years old!

Here are some interesting facts about me!

1. I have a massive shoe fetish. I have to limit me to a new pair of shoes per season. Unless Edward let's me get a special treat :) {http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/07/if-shoe-fits.html}
2. I have a newfound love for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I literally want to redo every piece of furniture in house. And I am well on my way to doing so! {http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/07/i-tried-it-loved-it-annie-sloan-chalk.html}
3. I have six brothers and am the only girl. I absolutely love it and wouldn't have it any other way. It helps that I am the second youngest and definitely the princess :) But thank goodness for sister-in-laws! My family is everything to me. {http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/08/brotherly-love.html}
4. I am a marketing director for a local hospital but an event planner at heart. I love planning events. Specifically weddings :) I just started "Wedding Wednesdays" posts on my blog and I am so excited to continue it! Here a glimpse at one of the posts - "Saying Yes To The Dress".{http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/09/saying-yes-to-dress.html}
5. I am really focusing on getting back on track with my healthy lifestyle! I went through some issues with my anxiety this past year and lost focus on keeping up my usual active lifestyle. More than ever, especially with the hope of children in the near future, my health is of highest importance to me. I am on a journey to loose the weight I had gained and be healthy for myself, my husband and our future children. I welcome any and all support and motivation :){http://www.ahappywifeinnola.com/2012/09/motivation.html}

To sum me up, I am a very happy and positive person. I always try to have a smile on my face :) My husband gets embarrassed sometimes because I say "hello" or at least smile at everyone I see. It makes me happy and I hope it makes them happy too. My life is busy but my life is good. God has blessed me in so many ways. I love meeting new friends and have met some really amazing and inspiring ladies since I started blogging. I can't wait to meet you!! Thank you for spending some time learning about me :) xoxo!

How amazing is Mary right? She has been so amazing to work with, and I have had such a pleasure getting to know her the past couple of months and watch her blog grow!! Mary is also generously giving away..... drum roll..... $20.00 Gift Card to TARGET! 

AND 2 months of AD space (200x150)

**All entries are checked, so please follow the rules with everyone else**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

 9.21.12

**Blogger posted this on the wrong date, 
so some of you may have seen it before I deleted it last week :) **

Dear Summertime,

Next time we meet this child of mine will be one year older, and we'll have yet another bundle of joy around to soak in the rays, splash in the pool, and make memories with our family.

Twice as much fun. I already can't wait.

Goodbye Summer, Hello fall.

Master Bedroom Remodel. It's about time

Ah. Yes. My sweet master. If only you knew how long we have put off doing our master. If you could only see what it looked like before. If only. Of course I contemplated showing the before, but then I realized I didn't want to ruin the pretty pictures that I had going on in this post. Let me just paint the picture for you... dark dungy blue. No furniture. Junk everywhere.

For two years. Two years, my friends. 730 days. Too many hours to count.

While we were busy remodeling the whole home.. we completely neglected the most important room in our house. The bedroom.

My philosophy was... lets do all the other rooms because no one will actually walk into our bedroom. AKA we did it for the pleasure of others. Not our own. Mistake number one.

Mistake number two was painting it that dark dungy blue color 2 years ago. Only to repaint all over again 2 years later. Best decision we ever made.

Mistake number three...buying bedspread last year before we bought our furniture/did the remodel. Hello genius where is your brain. Also? the dog ended up ripping it with all his crazy shenanigans. So needless to say it is long gone and we have since purchased this beautiful cream quilt that is heaven on earth.

But what wasn't a mistake is buying the blackout curtains that literally make any day turn to night. In a matter of seconds. And since I work night shift? And come home to nap with the baby girl? Day-turned-night is essential. Key. IMPORTANT. 

Lastly, yes that is baby Jesus on our dresser. And for memory purposes, let me just tell you that that little glass statue has been following me around since I left for college. My mom had packed it in my box when I headed to Purdue. Somehow it followed me to all the different apartments that I lived in. And then lastly it made its way to our new home. How? Is beyond me. But please believe it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Or ever.

Up next? Our master bath remodel. A much needed one.

Guest bedroom/office remodel

As you can see, Elliana is loving our new office/guest bedroom remodel. As you can also tell, we've been a little busy here at the S household making some big changes upstairs.

One of those changes was taking the guest bedroom {that will be converting to baby boy's nursery} and adding it to the office. I just can't believe we were able to do all this over labor day weekend. This involved getting rid of the nasty old green paint that we had in the office and painting it this amazing grey color. Looking for paint? I'd recommend BEHR- GENTLE RAIN. It is a light, subtle, gorgeous color.

I was afraid that we wouldn't be able to keep the original bookcases that we had in the office, with my desk, and then add the bed, dresser, and nightstand. I thought it would be too much. To my surprise? We made it work! And I'm so happy about it.

Also? I didn't have to buy anything new for the walls. I used stuff that we already had. Canvases, frames, flower decorations, bookcase decorations, etc. I even found those turquoise/green frames laying under the bed {that I had no idea was even there}! It was like hidden treasure.

And as you can see, the pictures that are in those frames? Are not of my family. Obviously. But I am in the process of picking pictures to blow up to replace those! In the meantime, they look quite perfect in this room.

I'd also like to replace our chair that we have in the office, but husband is hesitant. He loves that chair. It is pretty cozy if I do say so myself. But me? Well I'd like to get a patterned one that I can push in. I just need to sneak it by the grump.

And although it's not my all white furniture, crazy patterned, bright colored office that I had dreamed of... it's what works for our family now. Since we are expanding and all. Plus? All this furniture is only 2 years old... and it probably wouldn't be wise to just do-over and buy new. Wouldn't be unlikely of me to do.. but definitely not wise.

So overall? I am so happy with our little over-the-weekend {more like one day} remodel.
And tomorrow? I'll show off our master bedroom!