After what seemed like the longest week ever, we have FINALLY made it to Friday! I could not be more thrilled to have a weekend ahead with no plans in sight. I am closing in on all of the pre-wedding events along with other events sprinkled in, and I feel like the rest of my summer is pretty much booked.

I am getting excited for my wedding, yet feel like I have so much to still do before it happens. I am really looking forward to my bridal shower in 2 weeks. I get to see all my girls on top of family who I don't get to see as often.

Other things on my mind are photos for this blog, or lack of. I have a wonderful DSLR and I hardly ever pull it out. I feel very guilty about this. It was a joint Christmas present from my parents and R 2 years ago. I do love it, but I just can't seem to pull it out often enough. I really thought summer would force me to use it more, and here we are at the end of July and I have yet to pull it out.

I am making it a point to use it more because who doesn't want nice crisp photos for the blog? Tonight would be the perfect occasion to pull it out, as I have a work event at a winery. I'm sure there will be some pretty amazing views to catch.

Something that has really been on the mind the past few weeks is travel. I have not done enough of it lately and I really want to get something set up. I have to admit, I have never taken a trip with my girlfriends where we explore new cities and then stay up and laugh all night about our day. I am desperately seeking this type of trip, along with a possible solo trip, which I mentioned here.

I am hoping I can also take some trips with R as well. We are not 100% set on a honeymoon, but we have a few pretty amazing ideas in mind. I will share once we decide. Honestly I would be happy with either of the options. Just anxious to get going! Also another good reason to break out the good camera..

I have come to the conclusion that I am way more creative in my own head then I am actually implementing them. I have so many things I want to write about on this blog and they never seem to come to life. I am really working on making them all realities. I literally have notebook pages filled with great ideas and yet I scroll through my archives and see none of them here. Or maybe some half- assed (exused my french) starts to these ideas that never really go anywhere.

I feel like a broken record at this point. So much whining about what I haven't done. I need to take the energy I have used to complain about it and just do some of it. I am going to hopefully spend a good chunk of my weekend doing this. I must clean off my desk first and sit down. I think this will be the starting point of keeping me motivated and keeping my attention on the blog.

So after all of that, do you all have any questions for me? It has been pretty quiet around here lately. Not much interaction. Sorry if I  have scared you all away. Please come back. I promise to be a better host here. Oh and if I have to beg, I will.. please check out my post on hosting a country chic picnic on the cheap.. It is one of my favorite posts yet!

Have a great weekend folks!

Summer is in full swing, and I can't imagine you haven't been to at least one BBQ or picnic. Maybe you have hosted a few of your own. I know for me personally, when I throw a party, I enjoy making the atmosphere enjoyable for my company. I love to go above and beyond without spending a lot of money. Today I want to show you how you can throw a country chic picnic without breaking the bank.

I work for a non-profit and we rely heavily on our volunteers to keep operations moving. This year we wanted to throw them all an amazing picnic, but being a non-profit we didn't have much to spend. This is where you can get creative. We threw a country chic picnic for 75 people and spend $0 on the decor.. no really, we did all of what I am about to show you without spending a dime.


So we started out with a pavillion at a park that looked like this:


We borrowed a whole bunch of table cloths from friends and family that had floral, plaid, or solid themes:


We went out and picked a whole bunch of wild flowers and then assembled them into some borrowed mason jars for some really pretty flower arrangements we used as center pieces:


We borrowed fun printed cloth napkins, white plastic square plates, and fun green plastic silverware:



We put everything together with mis-matched table cloths, napkins, pine cones, and then added the flower arrangements, and voila!...


Here is the finished product! We even hung some pretty lanterns someone donated from their wedding! It really made the difference!





It's amazing what a little borrowed and donated stuff can do for a party of 75. I can tell you this one little secret, people LOVE to show off their unused table cloths.
Especially if they are outdated and covered in flowers!

I am sure you know at least one person who is hoarding all the floral table tops. As long as you promise to take good care of them and wash them after, you should have no problem snatching up a few for your country chic backyard picnic!

If we could pull it off for 75 people, you can definetely pull it off in your backyard with a few of your closest friends!

What do you think? Could you pull this off?

As I was stopped at a stop sign on a country road heading to my parents house, I got a vision. It was me taking off on a road trip across the country. I could see myself driving off, hair blowing behind me as I went on my adventure.

It was obvious that the travel bug has bitten me. I'm itching to get up and go. My whole being aches for the refreshing cleanse that is travel. It's probably not helping to read travel blogs...

I want to be able to take an extended period of time off and travel. I want to see the world off the beaten path. I want to experience beautiful places you only dream about in magazines.

And I want to do it alone.

Yes I want to take a solo trip. I want to take myself out of my comfort zone. I want to experience a retreat for myself. Learn about myself. Learn to face my fears.

I want to be able to strap on a back pack of  only ehatbwhat I'll need and hit the road for a few weeks. Maybe just in my own country. But I know that won't be enough. I want to explore the earth we live on.

My travel list is growing and I need to share it with you. Sharing it will motivate me to make things happen.

So tell me, do you have the travel itch? Where have you traveled and where would you recommend I go?

Happy Monday beautiful souls! Today I wanted to do something I have been meaning to start, but due to my intense waves of emotions the last few weeks, it just didn't happen! Today I want to announce my first Random Act of Kindness winner!

Back in May when the blog turned 2, I announced I was changing some of the structure here. I wanted to give back and help as many people as I could through this blog. Whether it be by helpful posts or showing my appreciation with a small gift.

So today I wanted to make someone's Monday by sending them a small gift just because. The very first recipient is.... Christine from Christine Everyday!

Christine is a blogger I "met" back early on in my blogging career. She has been super supportive of my blog and always knows how to cheer me up when I have a bad day. Thank you Christine for being a great person!

Now, are you wondering how to get a Random Act of Kindness from me? It's pretty easy actually. You just need to interact with me on this blog and social media. I can't see how wonderful you are if you don't make yourself known to me! You also don't have to be a blogger to be chosen!

The only thing I ask from you in return if you are chosen is, to pay it forward! Brighten someone's day somehow then tag me so I can see what you did!

As always, I appreciate each and every one of you. No matter how slow I am at getting back to people, know it's not because I don't care. I promise it's not that!

Have a great Monday!