Valentine's Weekend 2015

Cheers to Valentine's Weekend 2015! It was so fun to have this holiday fall on a Saturday. Don't get me wrong, Mark and I don't ever do much to celebrate - - cards only! But this year we so enjoyed an unfancy weekend full of home projects and quality time together.

 

 VDay Loot 

The onesie and Food Babe Way are from my sweet mama! I felt totally hypocritical as I read the forward to the Food Babe Way while eating my 2nd Dunkin doughnut of the day. ;) But in all seriousness, I love the Food Babe and can't wait to read this book!

FRIDAY

 How the weekend began on Friday...pup snuggles, pup frog legs poking out of the bed, and pup staying in her "fort." Mark and I got up at 7:30, I made the bed right after, and Amelia stayed put even when I left for Pure Barre at 9:30. Ohhh, TinyTinaPup!  Oh! And the day before, I got myself a little treat at Pure Barre! Love this new shirt. It's soft,  baggy ("one size fits most"), and I am obsessed with it.[Pure Barre Posts]  

Post PB smoothie. Makes me even happier when it's pink!
[Banana, carrots, beets, cucumber, orange, ice + water]


Friday night got pretty wild and crazy as we Mark began the spackle, sand, paint process (over and over throughout the weekend) behind our kitchen counter. I...just cooked dinner. :)

SATURDAY

 Woke up early to sneak and get doughnuts for Marky (and myself, obviously). If it's heart shaped or has hearts on it, I'm a sucker for it.

 I ate one in bed and let Tina lick the plate. Yep. We do that at our house.

And Mark never woke up by the time I left to babysit, so I left this little get up bedside.


I got this good morning text from my niecepup, Doxie, and melted.


And I let my heart obsession run wild as I fixed lunch for my 3 little galentines.

 My sister found this old pic and sent it to me. I cried. I love my sissy so much.


After months without a mirror in our master bathroom, we finally repaired the drywall and hung it back up.
I [quite obviously] hadn't cleaned it yet.

 And since we have become those people who raaarely, rarely, rarely eat out, we treated ourselves to Moe's for VDay dinner.
We watched "our show," The Office, while eating. It was simple and it was us, and that's what made it perfect.

SUNDAY

I took an early evening nap with this shadow of mine.

 And after about the 6th+ round of spackle, sand, and paint, we gave the dusty kitchen a big ol' wipedown and put everything back in its place.

Riveting stuff, I know. But that's what I love about our life. I truly adore and cherish just doing life like this alongside the man I love more than anyone else in the world. We exceedingly and abundantly blessed with this life of ours. Glory to God! Hope y'all had weekends that were just as sweet...fancy or not. Love it all. :)

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Friday LOVE

ONE | AGAPE LOVE

First (and most importantly!) on this Valentine's weekend...this.

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TWO | LOVE IN A CUP
Please say you know that coffee is free from Chickfila all month. No, really. All month long! I've certainly taken advantage. (1 small cup of hot coffee or 1 medium iced coffee are the free offers -- no purchase necessary!)

THREE | PUPPY LOVE
Sigh. Love this TinyTinaPup pupwatching in our master bedroom. Oh, and don't mind that we've lived here for 10 months and haven't hung our white curtains yet. Yeah, they're still in the guest room closet. Oops. :)

FOUR | GIVEAWAY LOVE

Did you miss this earlier in the week? What a fun little VDay treat for yourself: a Turkish Loop Necklace from Ltd. Jewels! Who doesn't love a good statement necklace? Not to mention there are so many colors to choose from. See this post on my Instagram for giveaway details...it takes 2 sec (and no reposting) to enter!

Ltd. Jewels Giveaway Post | 30 Week Bumpdate Post

FIVE | MY LOVE

Because how could I not? Love him so...!

Image by Live View Studios | Cottage Hill Winter Wedding Editorial Shoot

  Hope your weekend is filled with love in abundance!
   

  
FRIDAY means I'm linking up with...5 on Friday: Darci, April, Christina, + Natasha | Friday Favorites: A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, + Grace and Love | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife 

Pop on over to Cayte's blog...this month's champagne sponsor!  

Things I Love...That You Might Not Know About!

You already know I love Jesus.
Mark. And Amelia.
My family and friends. 

Being at home. 

Coffee.

The usual for moi! 

But in the spirit of this heart-filled day (because although I am V-Day neutral, I do love me some hearts!)...I thought it would be fun to fill you in on a few random things that I love. Little Elise-isms, if you will. :)

So here it goes. I tried to pick random things you might not know about me!

I LOVE...

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Seltzer Water

Seriously I've loved it for years. Plain and simple.

This flavor is the jam. So is pomegranate! 
 

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Sleeping

I think I love sleep more than the average human.
My family noticed it growing up, and now my hubby notices it.

I guess I soak up the years of sleep while I can get them! I know that will be out the window when kiddos come along! :)

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BritneyForever my biggest girl crush. And the pic because...well, that's my favorite Britney.(and Justin)I love him too. Music included. I also love(d) them together. Sigh... 

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Bojangles Cajun Chicken Biscuit

We aren't big fast food eaters.
But if we're on a long trip and fast food is the only choice? It's this. Every time.

(Sorry, Chil-fil-A. You're a close second.)

Singing!Yep, that's me! At my hometown church in Charlotte.I don't like singing for show, but I do love singing for Jesus!!And if you're in the car with me, chances are I'm singing the harmony to the radio. Which I know is kind of annoying sometimes. Oops.  

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HugsNot in a creepy way! :) But seriously. Maybe it's because my love language is touch. I'm the person who will say nice to meet you with a hug over a handshake any day!   

MapsRandom but true!! Mark and I collect them. They're a gallery wall favorite in our home! :)  What are some random little things you love? 

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Love Is Not An Emotion

That sounds contradictory, doesn't it?

But if love is an emotion...when an emotion changes, feelings change.

As a result, commitments change. Promises are broken. Vows are pushed aside and forgotten.

If marriage is based on love--and love is an emotion--then maybe that's why so many marriages end.*

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So many people do indeed view love as an emotion.

But how can we fix that thinking? How do we reject it?

How can we love deeper than a fleeting or transient emotion?

In a word: Jesus.
 

"...it is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God."

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Therefore, let our hearts not be ruled by our own emotions and desires.
Let our hearts be fueled by Christ.

Let our hearts love because of the way He loves us.

...Not through ourselves, but through Him. His love.

Read more of the context behind the C.S. Lewis quote here:

Blessed Southern Tarheel Blog

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:9

P.S. A big thank you to Whitney for posting the C.S. Lewis quote earlier and inspiring me to finally write on this topic that has been churning in my heart for several days! Thank you!!!

*I write these words tenderly and gently. I pray you read them that way. Know that I am not insensitive to divorce or heartbreaking situations, nor do I consider myself an expert on the topic of marriage or love. I am a constant work in progress! Furthermore, as a child of a divorce that happened in my early 20s, I am actually super-sensitive to divorce. I am heartbroken over it--yet, simultaneously--I am inspired by it. Inspired to break the chain. Inspired to live closer to God's Word and His ways. If I have offended you, I am deeply sorry and didn't mean to cause you any harm. I pray that my words are filled with the spirits of gentleness, kindness, and love. You can always email me if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to talk about something on your heart! Thank you for your understanding and grace.

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet February sponsor, Khala

Happy Hearts

I consider myself Valentine's Day neutral. What in the world does that mean, you say? I'm not crazy-in-love with the holiday; simultaneously, I do not detest it. So yes...Valentine's Day neutral.

With that said, I do love hearts. It's as simple as that. I just love them as a shape anytime of year! But for now, in the spirit of this little one-day holiday, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite hearts.

TO ACCESSORIZE:

Pottery Barn

TO CREATE: 

Home Sweet Ruby Blog

TO DECORATE:

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TO DOWNLOAD:

DESIGNLOVEFEST

TO PRINT:

Jenny Collier for Every Day Cheer {Editable Template}

TO SEND:

Source / Etsy Shop

TO SERVE:

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TO THROW: 

Etsy Shop

TO UPCYCLE:

This Is Happiness Blog

TO WEAR:

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You can find a link to all of these pins (and more heart pins!) on my Happy Hearts board on Pinterest!

I HEART YOU!

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet February sponsor, Khala!