Bows Bows Bows

Bows. Just add them to the long list of my obsessions. Bows in hair, bows on clothes, bows on jewelry -- I'm a sucker for it all. I was once told that bows are for children and it looks silly on grown women. We agreed to disagree and bows still hold a soft spot in my heart. If done right, bows add just the right touch of femininity to any outfit or hairstyle. I like bows on ruffles, lace, and pastel colors, but I also really love bows paired with edgier outfits. There is just so much you can do with them!

Do you love bows?

What is your favorite way to rock one?

Where do you find your bow accessories? Let this girl know!

 

Oh, How Pinteresting

Happy Wednesday, lovelies! It's my third ten-hour work day in a row this week (boo summer work hours) so I'm not feeling too creative this morning. No worries though! It's Wednesday, which means it's time for my favorite link-up! Link up with The Vintage Apple and show off your favorite pins!

**If you haven't already, make sure you enter for your chance to win a gorgeous, handmade scarf of your choice from Desiring Joy here!**

Anchors Aweigh

First of all, I would like to point out that I've always thought the term was 'anchors away'. I guess you learn something new every day!

I have a soft spot for all things nautical. I think it really started with my Grandpa. He loved anything to do with the ocean and seemed the happiest when he was at their condo in Georgia. I mean, the man wore shorts and boating shoes to climb an iceberg!

When my Grandpa passed away eight years ago (I honestly can't believe it's been that long) I found myself being drawn towards anything nautical -- anything that reminded me of him. I like to think I rocked the boat shoe trend way before it was even popular, all thanks to an old pair of my Grandma's. I recently just bought my first pair of Sperry's -- thank you Nordstrom Rack for the incredible discount -- and if I could wear them to work, they would be on my feet all day err day.

There is something about navy and white stripes that is soothing to me. Add a little pop of red and my heart is content. Side note -- those flats need to be in my closet when I get home from work.

**If you haven't already, make sure you enter for your chance to win a gorgeous, handmade scarf of your choice from Desiring Joy here!**

Do you have a soft spot in your heart for the nautical trend?

What is your favorite way to wear it?

Desiring Joy Giveaway

Happy Monday, ladies! Do I have a treat for you! If you've been around here for a while, you may remember this post where I introduced you all to a friend of mine. Anna and I met in college and she is now running her own Etsy page Desiring Joy. Her store is filled with gorgeous scarves, all brightly colored for the summer months! She also designs invitations, so if you're looking for something beautifully crafted, you need to check it out!

Here is a little bit about Anna's shop:

I am the stay-at-home wife of a wonderful, understanding, and smoking hot husband. He allows me to put tons of time and energy into making Desiring Joy a great place for my customers to shop.

I named my shop Desiring Joy because I believe that everyone desires to find joy - not just happiness, but real, deep down, pure, joy. The root of my joy can only be explained by my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that I am wonderfully and undeservedly saved by grace. I feel blessed that I am able to share the product of my God-given gifts with the whole Etsy community by sewing and selling things I love.
This shop is all about beauty. Every woman knows it - the moment when your eyes lock on something that would make you feel gorgeous. It's the perfect accessory to an outfit, it's your favorite color, it's the piece to your wardrobe that you've been missing. If I can help provide that excitement to any person, I am one happy girl.

Scarves may be a small thing, literally, but the way they can make a woman feel beautiful and confident is nothing short of awesome.
If you'd like to find out more about my photography, please visit http://desiringjoy.wix.com/desiringjoy.
Enjoy my shop! 

Anna is graciously giving away one of her beautiful scarves to a Yours Truly reader. I honestly cannot say enough about her craftsmanship! I personally own two of her scarves and wear them all.the.time! Here are a few summer scarves she made that I have my eye on.

Use the Rafflecopter tool below to enter for your chance to win one gorgeous scarf from Desiring Joy. The winner will be announce this Friday, June 21st. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Things They Never Tell You About Puppies

When you think about getting a puppy, rainbows and unicorns and fluffy clouds all go through your mind. You think about snuggling on the couch together, taking long walks in the park, and if you're me, dressing your pooch up in adorable clothes and parading them around for everyone to see.

Don't get me wrong, it's all true...for the most part. There are some things people don't tell you about puppies. So, all of you puppyless people out there, let me ruin your dreams of the perfect nugget.

One

Housebreaking is not as easy as it seems. Just when you think they're finally getting the idea, the little fricker will squat down right in front of you leaving yet another puddle on the carpet. The best though is when they do their business outside and come back in just to pee some more. Apparently, Riley is not the best at getting it all out at once.

Two

You can't cuddle with a teething dog. Sure, they'll lay down for .2 seconds until they decide your arm/fingers/legs/foot/ear looks like a good chew toy. No matter how many chew toys are laying around, Momma's hand always wins.

Three

Oh you want to sleep in Saturday morning? Think again. The nugget needs to get out of that jail we call a kennel at the ass crack of dawn. The whimpering and puppy dog eyes won't stop until you let them out -- no matter how still you try to be (believe me, I've tried.)

Four

Your puppy will embarrass you in front of as many people as possible. You taught him how to sit? Great! But when you go to show off how smart your nugget is, he won't sit. Nope, he'll just run around and bark and, more than likely, bite the nearest foot.

Five

They'll ruin you. You'll spend every last dollar on new toys, treats, or even different shampoos until you find one that leave his coat shiny. You'll let them get away with almost anything because they're just too darn cute. And you'll think about them the entire time you're at work -- don't bother getting any work done.

I love my nugget and all the joy he brings to my life but geez -- teaching an eight week old puppy how to pee outside, not bark in the middle of the night, and sit is a tough task. I wouldn't give it up for anything though. That little nugget is as spunky as they come, but I wouldn't want him any other way.

...except for the teething. He can cut that out any day now.

Happy Friday!

Playing House

With the wedding right around the corner, Justin and I have begun looking for a place to live. We haven't lived together before, so this is a really exciting new step. We originally thought that the only thing we could afford would be to rent an apartment for a while -- boo to throwing money out the window and stupid apartment living -- but we recently found a condo nearby for an amazing price. I almost can't believe the price! I have an appointment set up with the realtor tonight to take a look at the condo, so fingers crossed it is as nice as it looks in the pictures!

Naturally, my decor-mind has been going crazy since finding this place. Of course I have expensive taste and I know that our first home will look nothing like the pictures I pin on Pinterest, but a girl can dream! Plus, Justin has an uncle that does amazing remodeling work, so you never know!

Here's some of my inspiration for our future home -- wherever it may be!

I gravitate more towards neutral colors -- I think it gives a home a warm and welcoming feel. Plus, you can change up accent colors as often as you please without having to redecorate a whole room.

I'm really excited for this new stage in life. Getting married to my best friend and starting our life together will be amazing, no matter where we live.

What is your favorite part of decorating your home?

Oh How Pinteresting

It has been way too long since I've linked up with my favorite Oh How Pinteresting. Work has been extremely, painfully slow the last couple weeks and I've spent waaayyy too much time on the ol' Pinterest. Am I complaining? Of course not! Here are some of my favorite pins as of late.

What is your favorite pin?

Happy Wednesday!