tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32326755076050951802024-03-05T05:41:51.723-08:00The Very Unofficial AdultA site for me to gossip about my life, my future and my present life as I try to survive as a twenty-something female, living in the suburbs of Chicago.Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-45642643787437026002017-11-07T05:30:00.000-08:002017-11-07T05:30:01.045-08:005th Annual Pumpkin SwapI was paired up with Esther from Oklahoma. And sad side note: she never received my package and I feel terrible. I mailed it on Friday October 20 and she still hasn't gotten it :( So, I'll be mailing her another one this week. I'm sorry, Esther!<br />
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I did receive Esther's fall box and it was AH-mazing!!<br />
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Here is everything on our messy dining room table. She also sent a sweet card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrGLqzxqFLkhPU2mmiwpqVJn_xU-BSy62oN4xgqPHLUN2oimd1kPT44e-VSFIejOUIV2DzozHlfeVDVTtFrUi1IVDyAUqV6uU9mSM7gsOyLYR2GfjxCWOKxym_nlioZ2br0f2l56nJJg/s1600/swap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrGLqzxqFLkhPU2mmiwpqVJn_xU-BSy62oN4xgqPHLUN2oimd1kPT44e-VSFIejOUIV2DzozHlfeVDVTtFrUi1IVDyAUqV6uU9mSM7gsOyLYR2GfjxCWOKxym_nlioZ2br0f2l56nJJg/s320/swap2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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How sweet is this? She got my fur babies halloween toys!! As you'll see in the next few pictures...they LOVED them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0TgkzeWQVSxg222CF0v4ONyeMrejm8tzl65L1v2dx0wmLKwpN1IYibf8cblBNR4_D_gXjHsnrLelcxPUuw95ZhoDk01phyCRdtIMCYCrbUVTN5I2_C7eA03ZtYjbpRyY98Pc24daVI/s1600/swap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae0TgkzeWQVSxg222CF0v4ONyeMrejm8tzl65L1v2dx0wmLKwpN1IYibf8cblBNR4_D_gXjHsnrLelcxPUuw95ZhoDk01phyCRdtIMCYCrbUVTN5I2_C7eA03ZtYjbpRyY98Pc24daVI/s320/swap3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She also got me a candle, that smells amazing, peanut butter cups, that are delicious, and glow sticks...how fun!!</div>
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Here is Tio playing with his toy</div>
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And Bronx liked it, too!</div>
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Thank you so much Esther for all the fall goodies. The peanut butter cups may or may not already be gone :)</div>
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Esther, I so sincerely apologize. I will be mailing your new second package this week.</div>
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Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-87380900595188956592017-09-14T16:32:00.000-07:002017-09-14T16:32:49.961-07:00Pregnancy EssentialsMy baby girl is 8 weeks already! Where has the time gone?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7DZVy97__Xq48voCAYZdfi8Mk3Di0_optvDcFQ7XM3ldyU0egbi9djqKcK5vIZDaIps7F7u4n99jbuPcNXvgS4yJxyCfLYs1o4PSAH7tEmK7YDbd8JSFto6sReNfWO-1vEzXCoLgpM8/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1561" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7DZVy97__Xq48voCAYZdfi8Mk3Di0_optvDcFQ7XM3ldyU0egbi9djqKcK5vIZDaIps7F7u4n99jbuPcNXvgS4yJxyCfLYs1o4PSAH7tEmK7YDbd8JSFto6sReNfWO-1vEzXCoLgpM8/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
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I wanted to write down things that helped me throughout my pregnancy. Luckily, I had a very easy, stress-free pregnancy...even the first trimester was a breeze; no morning sickness, no nausea, no nothing.<br />
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But, of course, there were things that helped me feel more "comfortable" during pregnancy, so I thought I'd share.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Water and Belvita bars. Before I ever got pregnant, I had stomach issues. I'd have to eat throughout the day, like every 2 or 3 hours I had to eat a little something. Most of the time, it was a banana or apple or sometimes, even a bag of chips. Now, when I became pregnant, it intensified. I literally had to eat almost every hour or two. This became a problem during the school year because us teachers only get so many "breaks". So, I bought a whole Costco size box of Belvita bars and a extra large water tumbler to keep in my classroom. It saved me! All I needed was a little something in my belly, to hold me over until lunch time.</li>
<li>Pregnancy pants. Get a pair of either maternity yoga pants or maternity jeans. I got mine from Stitch Fix and I love them! I even wore them the first few days after delivery. Yes, they're expensive, but they're so worth it!</li>
<li>Pregnancy pillow. I have <a href="https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/leachco-reg-snoogle-reg-chic-jersey-total-body-pillow-in-heather-grey/1042833666?Keyword=pregnancy+pillow">this one </a> and it was so nice to have when I was 7, 8 and 9 months pregnant. Once I started to have a belly, it was hard to toss and turn to get comfortable at night. I would just lay my belly on this pillow and it elevated the weight of my belly.</li>
<li>Belly Butter. I never got any stretch marks during my pregnancy, but my belly was always itchy. I loved <a href="https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/burt-39-s-bees-reg-mama-bee-trade-6-5-oz-belly-butter/1018280418?Keyword=belly+butter">this belly butter</a> by Burt's Bees. </li>
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What helped you during pregnancy?Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-35200658759281459782017-08-19T09:21:00.002-07:002017-08-19T09:21:59.276-07:00What no one tells you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmFyuWFsTpl7lqTMhRDVySf18cphSbOP15Ec_wo1WM-uE0koWTwE8y-z-dndZK5ds1ig7nYe7N-XN8eoXfM3t97rsrz0oyQQHDq52eH8jqrYp4teAarEuRkqzBT8tJH_7vbOq3KhS5ow/s1600/What+no+one+tells+you+about+labor+and+delivery...+but+I+will.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmFyuWFsTpl7lqTMhRDVySf18cphSbOP15Ec_wo1WM-uE0koWTwE8y-z-dndZK5ds1ig7nYe7N-XN8eoXfM3t97rsrz0oyQQHDq52eH8jqrYp4teAarEuRkqzBT8tJH_7vbOq3KhS5ow/s320/What+no+one+tells+you+about+labor+and+delivery...+but+I+will.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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My baby girl is one month old as of the 16th. I think now is a good time to write some things no one tells you about labor and delivery...well, no one told me at least.</div>
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<i>WARNING: this post might have TMI, but I'm just being honest about my first experience giving birth. </i></div>
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*This is my experience as a first time mom. Everyone's birth experience is different. </div>
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<ul>
<li>Your water can "break" multiple times. </li>
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<li>I got admitted after my water broke at home. The doctor came in to check me and he questioned me asking, "are you sure your water broke? because I feel it's still there between the cervix and the baby".... So, yes...my water broke at home and the doctor broke it again.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBv8zuwy9wEwb4KdSm2ic5mj3cnSznWn_kJipV3RhpGW7YrbOkcle3BTIVBP2JDfq9QioUJuiNyiHYjqA1jxH6_MJqQOQ7jenKsUaeUzBe8e8R2RY6GLONGQtPT_mdRdfWW15aPVZbQ8/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBv8zuwy9wEwb4KdSm2ic5mj3cnSznWn_kJipV3RhpGW7YrbOkcle3BTIVBP2JDfq9QioUJuiNyiHYjqA1jxH6_MJqQOQ7jenKsUaeUzBe8e8R2RY6GLONGQtPT_mdRdfWW15aPVZbQ8/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Contractions feel like constant period cramps that won't go away, well, for those few seconds/minutes. They aren't stabbing pains or unbearable, just uncomfortable and annoying. At least that's the experience I had with contractions. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5UU0FbL9GrYLZEz83Ud_UZxtdSXyG5-hTAzSkWyYGeJOA0gG_255Y2Ge9C1hle7REKbioc31iA__o5DSKMwxa6LchcZQpllS_imFPhglXQxBifylvp1w503TsZ6-aOvt4r3CHsdWrY8/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5UU0FbL9GrYLZEz83Ud_UZxtdSXyG5-hTAzSkWyYGeJOA0gG_255Y2Ge9C1hle7REKbioc31iA__o5DSKMwxa6LchcZQpllS_imFPhglXQxBifylvp1w503TsZ6-aOvt4r3CHsdWrY8/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Getting the epidural didn't hurt at all. Some women, I know, are scared of needles or pain, but this hurt less than when the nurse put the IV needle in my arm. </li>
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<li>Side note about the epidural: they send your partner outside while the anesthesiologist puts the epidural in. I guess too many partners have passed out while watching this being done, so they just send all husbands out of the room (at least my hospital did).</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg_jLN1N2Ek7bR-OqrvnqalKUnpTQHxiv_FlySuVI9PAhYxbPy4lvzbwVol4DfsYHsAOkO12G4zPFAoBxWcroePz86ZHdhAZEO8wNpxadaIjPY_gPqEB244Pb36QNliUxG4ryei7rXlk/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg_jLN1N2Ek7bR-OqrvnqalKUnpTQHxiv_FlySuVI9PAhYxbPy4lvzbwVol4DfsYHsAOkO12G4zPFAoBxWcroePz86ZHdhAZEO8wNpxadaIjPY_gPqEB244Pb36QNliUxG4ryei7rXlk/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Once your epidural is in, your contractions and your progress might stall or go backwards.</li>
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<li>This was the case with me. Once my epidural was in, my contractions weren't progressing like the nurse and doctor wanted to.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lMJTJ1AHw_boaw59-5BMJzamoxwNiI2pgFyrcTmObV_K9GNglKG-l7sjzgJEIRiKekN-Gg___CO1P-Zgr35nSyc5SFnJIasNsC0a-cGYEJ4I3UUg0aw5tduqG7I4lAv-0UZuw8hWEhs/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lMJTJ1AHw_boaw59-5BMJzamoxwNiI2pgFyrcTmObV_K9GNglKG-l7sjzgJEIRiKekN-Gg___CO1P-Zgr35nSyc5SFnJIasNsC0a-cGYEJ4I3UUg0aw5tduqG7I4lAv-0UZuw8hWEhs/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>The nurses do way more work than the doctor. </li>
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<li>I was in the same labor and delivery room for around 30 hours. The doctor was maybe in my room for a total of one hour throughout my whole stay. He came in to check on me every few hours. But, it was the nurse and my husband who stayed with me, helped me push, gave me ice chips and everything else that goes along with labor and delivery. I tell everyone that Mike and the nurse, Katie, delivered our baby. The doctor was in the room to actually deliver our baby and that whole time was probably 10 minutes. And then I never saw him again.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gua09s9GLgZ4U3feo3CduDEsCil6pbH9fKpwdoJFKdgHhlUFDg6kjSvraDTNyBpYvYEGWISWkJEXxf3klVt4d62uUm6bfxIeZT1f_PHEzGkC6Kr_abXUhBOPmZae6DEPgUG9CGti9do/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gua09s9GLgZ4U3feo3CduDEsCil6pbH9fKpwdoJFKdgHhlUFDg6kjSvraDTNyBpYvYEGWISWkJEXxf3klVt4d62uUm6bfxIeZT1f_PHEzGkC6Kr_abXUhBOPmZae6DEPgUG9CGti9do/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">It is true what everyone says, "once you see your baby and they're here, you'll forget about all the pain you went through just minutes and hours before." It's weird, but it's true. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCSORuOAp9KsLgLNqGzJ4QFqJM73iQtaDPOsG-vrrtPcYKm5O89TePJ_Mt59fvOcSCIUTSGg5aCJBlLR5xCJUJTz4S1ca9ssik4lpnRVT4N2RF1BO_FQnzeXatbRhR3pXvQ8uFLB4Cpg/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCSORuOAp9KsLgLNqGzJ4QFqJM73iQtaDPOsG-vrrtPcYKm5O89TePJ_Mt59fvOcSCIUTSGg5aCJBlLR5xCJUJTz4S1ca9ssik4lpnRVT4N2RF1BO_FQnzeXatbRhR3pXvQ8uFLB4Cpg/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>After you have your baby, they have to press down on your stomach to make sure everything is out of your uterus...or something like that. </li>
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<li>This process hurts. And the nurses have to push on your stomach multiple times a day to check.....something. I'm not really sure why they do this, but I do know it hurts. </li>
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<li>You will bleed more than you ever thought was medically normal during the whole process.</li>
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The moment you see your baby, your heart will experience a love that you never knew existed. I love you, my baby girl!!</div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-56510452925708208492017-08-13T19:15:00.001-07:002017-08-13T19:15:26.791-07:00It's a...GIRL!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_RaqqzkG7R2gtr_8SJalV1jv1ckDD80HkoH3tXJPfYpHtVHyWOA7YGnl18mSe__4Wxx_I6ZKLFsg2E5ijjsUTli3A2Dc8Si7Dc74fyCVbbl27x8TLYp4CVpjtJjXABNBtjv7fIJNEAo/s1600/05-Gallery3215of20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_RaqqzkG7R2gtr_8SJalV1jv1ckDD80HkoH3tXJPfYpHtVHyWOA7YGnl18mSe__4Wxx_I6ZKLFsg2E5ijjsUTli3A2Dc8Si7Dc74fyCVbbl27x8TLYp4CVpjtJjXABNBtjv7fIJNEAo/s320/05-Gallery3215of20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>She's here!</i></div>
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Our little Addison made her grand entrance ten days early on July 16th, 2017 at 5:44 pm. We couldn't be more blessed. I'm going to try to retell my birth story while it's still semi-fresh in my head. I wanted to do it right after she was born, but you know...life at home with a newborn is anything but "down time". Now that she's 4-weeks and I she's a bit more predictable, I want to write it down.<br />
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<i>In labor...</i> </div>
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It all started on Saturday, July 15th. I was 38 weeks pregnant. Mike woke up bright and early and was at work by his 7 am shift. I woke up around 8 to feed the dogs. When I got up, my water broke; or so I thought. Side note: when I was 32 weeks pregnant, my doctor told me I had "excess amniotic fluid" so I had to be monitored every week to make sure everything was ok. So, my doctor told me that if my water ever broke, that I shouldn't wait for my contractions at home and that I should go straight to the hospital. This was to prevent anything bad that COULD happen. Luckily, nothing 'bad' happened.<br />
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<i>...still in labor</i></div>
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Anyways, I got to the hospital and the doctor checked me and said, "you're still only 1 cm and I still feel a sack of water. Are you sure your water broke at home?" which to I responded, "well I know it's not urine and I had to put all my sheets in the wash, so I think so". He ended up breaking 'the rest of my water bag' and that's officially when my labor started.<br />
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<i>Holding her for the first time!</i></div>
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So, after walking the hallways, starting IVs and pitocin, I still wasn't making progress on my own. So, they upped my pitocin and gave me an epidural. I got my epidural Saturday night. My labor technically started on Saturday around 10 am, when the doctor broke my water. On Sunday around 2 pm, I started pushing. Too many hours later, at 5:44 pm, Addison was born! We didn't know the sex of our baby, so this was so so exciting!<br />
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<i>Our beautiful family of 3!</i></div>
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We love you to the moon and beyond. We now can't even imagine life before you were born...other than we faintly remember what it's like to sleep through the night :) Love you baby girl!!</div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-14490662772102557462017-03-16T18:40:00.000-07:002017-03-16T18:40:28.433-07:00Kristen's Series of Unfortunate Events 2017I mainly want to document this so I can remember this terrible week. I'm glad everything has worked out and all is alright now. :) Here it goes...<br />
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Monday, March 6th -<br />
Morning: Driving to work and I get rear ended. I was stopped for a school bus on the other side of the street and the girl behind me didn't see me stop. She rear ended me going 35-40 mph. Luckily, no one was hurt. I was freaking out because at this point I'm 20 weeks pregnant. I told the paramedics I didn't need to go to the hospital because coincidentally, I had my 20-week ultrasound that afternoon.<br />
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Afternoon: The police officer that wrote up the report dropped it off at my school, which was so nice of him. On my way to my OB, I called the girl's insurance company and did all that...not fun.<br />
I get to my OB appointment, everything looks fine, except there's some arrhythmia in the baby's heart and my OB wants me to go see a high-risk doctor in the city. She gives me the number and I call the next day.<br />
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Tuesday, March 7th -<br />
During school that day, I was on the phone with the insurance people, the high-risk doctor and my regular OB. My OB wanted me to go sometime this week. Well, the only appointment they could "fit me in" to was Wednesday (the next day) all the way in Evanston, about an hour and a half away from my school. So, I make it. After all, it's not all about me anymore.<br />
I get home Tuesday and my mom has the flu. I call my doctor back and asked her what I should do. She just said, 'stay away from her because you already got the flu shot, just don't risk it.' Fine, I can do that.<br />
So, I go to the store and get my mom some soup. I come home and unpack everything. I also opened the windows and lit a candle to get some fresh air and smells in the house. Well, somehow one of my grocery bags fell into the candle from the wind and my kitchen almost went up in flames. This was the last of the bag after I poured water all over it.<br />
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Wednesday, March 8th -<br />
I leave school an hour early to head to Evanston. I make it in time and meet with the high-risk doctor. Thankfully, the doctor didn't hear or see any arrhythmia! I was strapped to an ultrasound monitor for like 45 minutes and they didn't see anything wrong at all. She said it could have been from the accident or the heart just wasn't fully developed yet. Either way, Baby V is healthy as can be, which makes this new mama very happy!!<br />
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<br />Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-57878473669895333352017-02-19T18:24:00.001-08:002017-02-19T18:24:51.674-08:00First comes love, then comes marriage......then comes a baby in a baby carriage.<br />
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To add to this busy year for us, we also bought a house and will be moving. We close on our new house March 27th!<br />
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I'll do more of a detailed update later. This mama-to-be is exhausted.<br />
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Thank goodness tomorrow is President's Day and I don't have to work tomorrow! YES!Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-73928431512448344432016-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:002016-11-08T05:30:04.122-08:005th Annual Great Pumpkin SwapI was thrilled to participate in the 5th Annual Great Pumpkin swap with Becky and Kristin this year. I was paired up with Rose and I couldn't wait to go shopping for her. I was equally excited to receive the box she sent me. Here are the goodies she sent me:<br />
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*The coffee sign---I LOVED this! Any wall decor as cute as this is a staple in my home. I can't wait to put it up in our new home (we're moving soon).</div>
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*Pumpkin Spice Monkey bread---Rose sent this at the perfect time. I had to bring in treats for school for the staff on Friday. By the second lunch period, they were gone! Safe to say, they were a big hit!</div>
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*Be Happy coffee mug---Somehow Rose knew I love coffee and this adorable mug is perfect for me. Cute coffee mugs are my weakness.</div>
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*Candle---You can never go wrong with a candle. And this one smells amazing. I've already lit it and my house smells like fall; perfect timing for this amazing fall in Chicago.</div>
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*Cute pumpkin holder---This cute pumpkin decoration was filled with chocolate, my favorite! I'm not going to lie, all the chocolate is already gone since I took this picture.</div>
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And I think my favorite thing about my whole box was that she got something for my fur babies!!!</div>
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This is Tio with the ball Rose got him. He wouldn't let me play with it with him. He loves his balls!</div>
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And this little toy was a favorite of my little 4 pound dog, Mickey. However, it's on the table because it was the center of a doggy argument...they both wanted it at the same time. So, it's up here until my pups can learn to share :)</div>
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I'm so happy I was able to participate in this swap and I'm so glad I was able to swap with Rose. </div>
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Thanks for hosting Kristin and Becky. :)</div>
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<br />Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-31864840562328783532016-10-03T17:21:00.000-07:002016-10-03T17:21:44.677-07:00Book Review: Love Your Life, Not Theirs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is just what I needed to read at this point in my life. <a href="https://www.rachelcruze.com/book?ectid=10.10.6805">This book</a> was life changing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had the opportunity to review Rachel Cruze's new book, Love Your Life, Not Theirs. Now, if you're not familiar with Rachel Cruze she is the daughter of money guru, Dave Ramsey. However, she has a fresh new take on money and how society these days has certain expectations of us financially. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In her latest book, she <span id="freeTextreview1762776378" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">does an amazing job at conveying her 7 money habits in order to live the life you want. Everyone can relate to this book in one way or another; social media comparisons, dealing with the financial pressure of society, the power of creating habits with money and the importance of giving. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few of my favorite Rachel quotes from the book:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Most of what you see on Facebook and Instagram is enhanced. It's a public display of our best self."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “I believe that our culture is struggling with the diseases of selfishness and discontentment, and generosity is the only cure I know.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It made me realize how important it is not just to be aware of your habit but also to take control of them if you want to truly take control of your life."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a must <a href="https://www.rachelcruze.com/book?ectid=10.10.6805">read book</a>! I highly recommend it.</span></span></div>
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Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-32255161713779603682016-09-26T17:15:00.002-07:002016-09-26T17:15:37.985-07:00My Top 5 PodcastsLately, I've been listening to a lot of podcasts. I have about a 30 minute commute to and from work every day, so I have a lot of time to listen to podcasts. Here are my top 5. I'm always looking for new podcasts to listen to, so if you have one that you love, please share it with me!<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgXvVVRavbvlhlgfvYnBPqcCA2yaQxuW9y6XYUl5S_z_7jGASkcqDAs7h1jax69aIfAbMKW-SBBHF5Oz18w0G98MlwwuJeZJg89o3_he2LrXrBd6zwhDIr-FZcwot8_0NehFscGE2IHc/s1600/IMG_8190.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgXvVVRavbvlhlgfvYnBPqcCA2yaQxuW9y6XYUl5S_z_7jGASkcqDAs7h1jax69aIfAbMKW-SBBHF5Oz18w0G98MlwwuJeZJg89o3_he2LrXrBd6zwhDIr-FZcwot8_0NehFscGE2IHc/s320/IMG_8190.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
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1. The Lively Show---I recently started listening to Jess and I love her. She shares advice on living your life with intentionality and purpose. She talks a lot about how to find your passion. She is currently traveling the world to try to find her purpose in her life. I highly suggest it for any female in their 20s, 30s and 40s. </div>
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2. Willow Creek Community Church--- I've been recently trying to figure out Christianity and how it pertains in my life. I wasn't raised super religious, but I've been curious about it and how it can benefit me. I love this church and how their sermons can relate to me no matter what day of the week it is. </div>
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3. The Dave Ramsey Show---I've always been a weirdo-geek about money. Once I found Dave, all my finanicial questions and worries have been answered. He gives such simple steps and advice for getting out of debt and becoming wealthy. My husband and I are currently on baby step 2 and almost done. His podcast is an open radio show. People all over the US call in and ask Dave their personal finanical quesitons and he gives them his honest opinion. I just love Dave! </div>
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4. Dear Sugar---This podcast is done by Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond. They answer questions from listeners that pertain to love, heart break, family and life sturggles. Readers write in and the "Sugars" answer their thought-provoking letters. It's a good listen! They have some amazing advice. PS. Cheryl Strayed is the women who wrote 'Wild', her memior. </div>
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5. Serial---I listened to this podcast back when it was the big hit! I'm keeping it on my Podcast list because I'm hopeful there will be another season with a new criminal story. If you haven't listened to Serial, I highly suggest it. PS. I'm Team Adnan </div>
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What are your favorite podcasts? Please Share!</div>
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Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-44584179118407528442014-07-11T18:20:00.000-07:002014-07-11T18:20:17.488-07:00My Itch....to let it all out and write.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6wAYpOMP8jtyzKQfFyTtTKdWIzfVceO_BvPT76v6FhzfTAAjVmbmw5i9uMNKwiyGm-SL7Oog7eN46wTT9U1Mt-qbHSqNZN6-1A0RdXnyRms6syrdRQunMxj_M_ZNoUbqewEbUNX7ZKo/s1600/streesquote2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6wAYpOMP8jtyzKQfFyTtTKdWIzfVceO_BvPT76v6FhzfTAAjVmbmw5i9uMNKwiyGm-SL7Oog7eN46wTT9U1Mt-qbHSqNZN6-1A0RdXnyRms6syrdRQunMxj_M_ZNoUbqewEbUNX7ZKo/s1600/streesquote2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I haven't written for awhile mainly because I've had 1,001things to do and blogging was 1,002.<br />
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Whoever said that growing up is fun and easy...is lying. Well...actually, I've never heard that from anyone, but it's how I feel. Like I'm thrown into adulthood and I'm supposed to have it all figured out.<br />
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And... I don't.<br />
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I feel like I have all these responsibilities now...<br />
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I have so much on my plate right now; wedding planning/sorting, trying to get all this loan stuff figured out to build our first house, paying off my student loans, starting to think about the new school year and then a side business that the fiancé and I started a couple of months ago.<br />
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I'm supposed to be excited about planning our wedding and frankly, I'm not.<br />
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I'm supposed to be excited about (possibly) building and moving into our first house and frankly, I'm not.<br />
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The truth is, I'm a scared wreck. I don't feel prepared. I don't feel old enough. I don't feel confident.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRKOGa8n_xuN26vyjiHgfYfgA7XBBIIg59HVIt5uCOo78tUWZaRtkLDI7rkXym6h0QcuPez-UqrOyX5-xhLvK6_sgcSrNYeqcDApLXZUqUuBBaqjjS9MV1a8H6Nat6APbV9nvyq0tBg/s1600/stressquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRKOGa8n_xuN26vyjiHgfYfgA7XBBIIg59HVIt5uCOo78tUWZaRtkLDI7rkXym6h0QcuPez-UqrOyX5-xhLvK6_sgcSrNYeqcDApLXZUqUuBBaqjjS9MV1a8H6Nat6APbV9nvyq0tBg/s1600/stressquote.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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I'm scared that my fiancé and I will have money issues. I'm scared my fiancé won't find a full-time job. I'm scared we won't get this house. I'm scared to be on our own.<br />
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However, I cannot stress about things I cannot control.<br />
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I just need to reassure myself everything will be ok.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL5ygZ5aVqgO_k1ECjwxg6X1HeRCOsf99ioz2BVV82M_1n-OKP_w58lqkzeMYnfhmbW1KMR4ovft_26yyf4yMQT5O8G24ODcKQGLaf6dJWPgyprqCw0fL5_klRQu2Ys8J5iktnTwNkno/s1600/teachquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL5ygZ5aVqgO_k1ECjwxg6X1HeRCOsf99ioz2BVV82M_1n-OKP_w58lqkzeMYnfhmbW1KMR4ovft_26yyf4yMQT5O8G24ODcKQGLaf6dJWPgyprqCw0fL5_klRQu2Ys8J5iktnTwNkno/s1600/teachquote.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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At least I have a career I love. Times like these are when I wish we had year-round school. So, I don't sit and pity myself over the real world.<br />
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...I think too much.<br />
<br />Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-22903463012097554012014-01-12T09:00:00.000-08:002014-01-12T09:00:38.329-08:00Sunday Social....is back!I haven't done one of these in a LONG time.<br />
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I thought I'd jump in this one because I haven't in a long time. It's early Sunday morning and I'm blogging with a cup of coffee in my hand...perfection :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWoxJL8cc4gt5zX1-kVxLkP9uo5FUEdm6Iuyn3_I1gPOOpkq-p06mkWtCTTBDiidoHHrE0QXTzBUq-OOGhTyJLrF0L38zhyMAIIAAJeqoB46y3a0MA0lwzLhyphenhyphenI3x8IuWkoM8coVKw0J0/s1600/SocialSundayButton3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWoxJL8cc4gt5zX1-kVxLkP9uo5FUEdm6Iuyn3_I1gPOOpkq-p06mkWtCTTBDiidoHHrE0QXTzBUq-OOGhTyJLrF0L38zhyMAIIAAJeqoB46y3a0MA0lwzLhyphenhyphenI3x8IuWkoM8coVKw0J0/s1600/SocialSundayButton3.png" height="320" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>This week's questions:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The name of my blog is The Very Unofficial Adult. I have been blogging since October 2010! Holy cow!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Why do you blog?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I blog as an outlet. Like most people that blog, I enjoy having my own space to write whatever I want to write. I also write better than I speak...I just hope I can become an even better writer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. What is the first blog you ever followed? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hmm...I wish there was a button on BlogLovin' or Blogger where it told you. I honestly can't remember. I think my very first blog was my (RLF) real-life friend, <a href="http://erinbrady14.blogspot.com/">Erin's blog</a>. And from her blog, I found <a href="http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/">Hanna's</a> and from her's I found many many blogs I love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2013? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a few: <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/05/why-i-teach.html">Why I Teach</a>, <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/05/im-one-lucky-girl.html">I'm One Lucky Girl,</a> <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-do-you-know_26.html">How Do You Know</a>, and <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/12/big-changes-and-big-deals.html">Big Changes and Big Deals. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. What are your blogging goals for 2014? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blog more on things that are on my mind. Comment more. And look into a blogging conference...any tips?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only 3?!?!? FINE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Leah at <a href="http://singleinfertilefemale.blogspot.com/">S.I.F</a></span><br />
-Hanna at <a href="http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/">Bouffee Bambini</a><br />
-Erin at <a href="http://twothirdshazel.com/">Two Thirds Hazel</a><br />
...even though I read tons of great blogs!<br />
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Ok---off to school to get ready for the new week. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!</div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-36342921934391787552014-01-05T17:03:00.003-08:002014-01-05T17:03:36.461-08:00Vitamins?As a long user of vitamins, I never really noticed if they worked or if they did what they were meant for. I would usually just find the cheapest one in Target or even just the name brand kind. If I had never been exposed to <a href="http://www.amway.com/kristenalexis/nutrition">Nutrilite</a>, I wouldn't have known (or felt) the difference.<br />
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Until I started using their all natural vitamins, I genuinely FELT a difference. Not only can I feel the difference, but look at this demonstration I did for my friends and family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuUHzwQcq1dNmdUJhhp007WXInfGzhTji5g3ayVz243YcDY4OR-Lnw1PKcE7PbzXd7k4bRT3T8DP_xpjIaeMt8RurduPcKGV-29HMxWnrzyF3dYHvWIRzd_BtaR8AZq6bwINJOj5Wzb8/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuUHzwQcq1dNmdUJhhp007WXInfGzhTji5g3ayVz243YcDY4OR-Lnw1PKcE7PbzXd7k4bRT3T8DP_xpjIaeMt8RurduPcKGV-29HMxWnrzyF3dYHvWIRzd_BtaR8AZq6bwINJOj5Wzb8/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ones on the left are the vitamins I usually took. The ones on the right are my new multivitamin, Double X.</div>
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You can see the 2 different pills on the counter. I filled 2 glasses up with warm water because our bodies are made up of mostly water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQtJQ-Nw1oXYUqJ02-NK7NRL25DZiKjFNdr79ko8hRkGLGMAB4jZQ09aEYHyDCvMF-8KKpEoo6j5-KDN1mqfr-31msB438SAebxbYlZjfmqnuH9I-0OVDOl2Tfg3O2dB2ziY3YRoX2k/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQtJQ-Nw1oXYUqJ02-NK7NRL25DZiKjFNdr79ko8hRkGLGMAB4jZQ09aEYHyDCvMF-8KKpEoo6j5-KDN1mqfr-31msB438SAebxbYlZjfmqnuH9I-0OVDOl2Tfg3O2dB2ziY3YRoX2k/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are the 2 pills in the water cups.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zaiB9GGGK76R1R3BOF9icy_GZyqxNy5alQLVZhWbh2vDd8Npri3LKstuXpVk0uHO7S8lC9dA4YXecuO-10rwApvx1EUXuv6ooy1T7cmhh_t7-aOnnQfHAZ5AV-aM38VCNL66e1cDRK8/s1600/IMG_3279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zaiB9GGGK76R1R3BOF9icy_GZyqxNy5alQLVZhWbh2vDd8Npri3LKstuXpVk0uHO7S8lC9dA4YXecuO-10rwApvx1EUXuv6ooy1T7cmhh_t7-aOnnQfHAZ5AV-aM38VCNL66e1cDRK8/s1600/IMG_3279.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is the vitamin 8 minutes after I put them in water. Notice the lump of vitamin on the bottom of the left glass. The water is cloudy but it never fully mixes in with the water. Notice that the Double X mixed in better and faster. </div>
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They have more than just multi-vitamins, so please go look around. <a href="http://www.amway.com/kristenalexis/nutrition">Nutrilite</a> is the leading vitamin and supplement company in the world. Yes, you read the correctly....even before GNC. That means it has GOT to be a good company!!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Are your vitamins or supplements working for you? Let me know.</span></b></div>
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I'm looking for people that are interested in improving their health, trying something new, or someone who will just give me an honest opinion on the products. Let me know if you'd be willing to receive some free products?<br />
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In the mean time, how cute were my puppies today? Nap time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDy8vabDMhh6wgc5YH-jVly3X8hYe_K3wtN30hWWok5WhZ8H6kgiAhcU3YkktL8kq1NSMYhmXI8TlKFmNIvi0k6ATaUhyGnTU3rzeAXOZ3seWSjMOLZgO4ZSWAnN_gNPsxuH1-GgIjb8/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDy8vabDMhh6wgc5YH-jVly3X8hYe_K3wtN30hWWok5WhZ8H6kgiAhcU3YkktL8kq1NSMYhmXI8TlKFmNIvi0k6ATaUhyGnTU3rzeAXOZ3seWSjMOLZgO4ZSWAnN_gNPsxuH1-GgIjb8/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST AND ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.</span></i>Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-39667596964733436682013-12-22T09:14:00.002-08:002013-12-22T09:14:30.983-08:00BIG Changes and BIG DealsFirst...look what happened December 8th, 2013!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrWertVD_pKRUTM4uEwPs8J3DEk_BJK78I1Z-jIVg15QCfZN0veL4Z37EDm4Co-o5O5hu2yR0UTD3ZNoL1Q9O7XawlUbo730GrtyT8V7LbmaIyAMwAiIUYuzZxibg0chum7DST3K3FSs/s1600/IMG_3192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrWertVD_pKRUTM4uEwPs8J3DEk_BJK78I1Z-jIVg15QCfZN0veL4Z37EDm4Co-o5O5hu2yR0UTD3ZNoL1Q9O7XawlUbo730GrtyT8V7LbmaIyAMwAiIUYuzZxibg0chum7DST3K3FSs/s320/IMG_3192.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUIE1xORQNH7YBsGRGHWi8fZSWxirETexL_E59hDGvVQk4Qdg-PU7Urfvgs3OGxDGlSu9cSanMhWCS6f424zRmL8sMrBmG-N4zr6Kd2sAnVCRizd9l1ZkxzFwew5h74i5i86LpsSTn-c/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUIE1xORQNH7YBsGRGHWi8fZSWxirETexL_E59hDGvVQk4Qdg-PU7Urfvgs3OGxDGlSu9cSanMhWCS6f424zRmL8sMrBmG-N4zr6Kd2sAnVCRizd9l1ZkxzFwew5h74i5i86LpsSTn-c/s320/IMG_3186.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcMeFA6fLphO1t-NoatBHE03y6ZtpFop9SP9NtYnwdNP9Mx5BLTfW4dUZfiWLJ6CyY84FO7R8QynYfhTHkz3vQu3WGTV5mKc_zIjjKj4goU8oWc3-R2IyJMPm1FPlHqatfaPlvzs_tDg/s1600/IMG_3189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcMeFA6fLphO1t-NoatBHE03y6ZtpFop9SP9NtYnwdNP9Mx5BLTfW4dUZfiWLJ6CyY84FO7R8QynYfhTHkz3vQu3WGTV5mKc_zIjjKj4goU8oWc3-R2IyJMPm1FPlHqatfaPlvzs_tDg/s320/IMG_3189.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBzlGciRjwquT2ba4tzwtZKZ-q4K0P2r9kZp0RmInC4Vr3rjg_ETQ7Wmw5emKMIYZGn7W1TNM689Q-AdrUtHRDo8UMXsh-jdZWRUCKEZEFF7054Zk1xGBxgy4V2EkzdyCKkomyDxLvlk/s1600/IMG_3193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBzlGciRjwquT2ba4tzwtZKZ-q4K0P2r9kZp0RmInC4Vr3rjg_ETQ7Wmw5emKMIYZGn7W1TNM689Q-AdrUtHRDo8UMXsh-jdZWRUCKEZEFF7054Zk1xGBxgy4V2EkzdyCKkomyDxLvlk/s320/IMG_3193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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YES!!! The Boy and I are engaged and we couldn't be happier. </div>
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<b>How he did "it"</b>: He put a red note on Bronx's (our dog) collar and The Boy told me to go get Bronx from outside and I noticed the red tag and I was asking The Boy why he had it on him. I finally got Bronx to get the tag off and on the front it said "To: Mommy" and I opened it and it said, "Will you be my mommy...forever?" I freaked out threw the cards in the snow and turned around and he was on one knee...and you know what happens after that!</div>
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Let the wedding planning begin. Any good websites or advice? I'm all ears! Ahhh.... I still can't believe it! I'm sooooo happy!!</div>
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Another big deal news, although not AS big of a deal as the engagement, we started our business and partnership with a great local team here in the Northwest Suburbs. </div>
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The Fiancé (that'll be his new name) and I are driving business online to small and large corporations. We are partners with the Amway corporation. They have 3 exclusive products lines; an all natural vitamin and supplement line called Nutrilite, a top of the line make-up and skincare line called Artistry, and an all organic, safe and natural cleaning product Legacy of Clean. We are so excited to start this venture in our life. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amway.com/kristenalexis">Check out our business page here</a>. More on demonstrations, giveaways, and testimonials from friends and family. Please let me know if you'd like me to send you some free sample products based on a product line that looks most appealing to you in exchange for your honest reviews of the products.</div>
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Well, it's football Sunday around here. That means while The Fiancé <strike>watches</strike> screams and swears at the football games, I'm looking at <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/kl3iva/">Pinterest</a> for wedding ideas and meal planning for the week and making my to-do lists for the week.</div>
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I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday week full of laughter, family, friends and fun!!!</div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-48778700027406140272013-11-28T09:16:00.001-08:002013-11-28T09:16:42.815-08:00Finally...Turkey Day!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>I hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey day! I had parent/teacher conferences Monday and Tuesday. My family drove to Virginia last Saturday morning and so I flew out Tuesday night to meet them in Roanoke. This is the e-mail I compiled to my mom midair from Chicago to Charlotte. ((Let me remind you, I needed to get into Roanoke, VA...)) </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Mo</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">m,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">So far, into this hour flight...</span></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">1.) there has been continuous baby crying/screaming… they are not stopping to breath either. Continuous, no joke!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> (oh and did I mention there are now 4 babies on board)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">2.) my phone died right after I got off the phone with you (good thing I have my phone charger—hopefully I can find an outlet somewhere in the Charlotte airport…but the way today is going, I’m not counting on it)</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">3.) a man was getting his jacket out of the overhead bin and the jacket and a small man purse dropped on me….which in turn, made my diet coke spill all over me, oh and did I mention….I was working on all my lesson plans for the next 3 weeks. FML! </span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">4.) Oh and i figured out Mickey (<i>my pup)</i> peed on my black leggings I have on when I was home (I obviously didn’t realize it) and now I’m smelling it. (these strangers smell just as bad, so I’m not too worried about it)</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">5.) I found out my flight to Lynchburg is delayed 2 hours!!!</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">6.) I havent eaten anything except fruit snacks since 11:30 AM...</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">….can you tell I’m going a tad crazy????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I need a tall glass of wine waiting for me in the car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><b>Well, I hope everyone has a great turkey day. I'm thankful that I'm finally here and I'm currently in a house that smells great. </b></span><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O2RxzLF6bc1M4T2iWgi5xHE2SiAvVYOb7Z8-lZ4eNr6WX_RJbmSKXApHDmerpck-GHR7a-Ha5gDy1F9-oRMbG3pdIC8sOEbiOUPWZyKXrFGQysG3xbZj-GSgTOi98xA10yBd2hWvprA/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O2RxzLF6bc1M4T2iWgi5xHE2SiAvVYOb7Z8-lZ4eNr6WX_RJbmSKXApHDmerpck-GHR7a-Ha5gDy1F9-oRMbG3pdIC8sOEbiOUPWZyKXrFGQysG3xbZj-GSgTOi98xA10yBd2hWvprA/s320/IMG_1507.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Last year, Black Wednesday</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcqQhW8Koa5I7Jwo9anjQT4DOEnfIZ44wgOGgB-HcRQ2YpA895EdGitmFK8D-0bzJ3_VkfxEp3Ba44IBag-4LNvQyh_-95CV6OBP33rkgTonQNxWUjOCwoYoFE-naJvBtB-rC2fnRomM/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcqQhW8Koa5I7Jwo9anjQT4DOEnfIZ44wgOGgB-HcRQ2YpA895EdGitmFK8D-0bzJ3_VkfxEp3Ba44IBag-4LNvQyh_-95CV6OBP33rkgTonQNxWUjOCwoYoFE-naJvBtB-rC2fnRomM/s320/IMG_1522.jpg" width="239" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Last year, Thanksgiving with The Boy.</b></div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-43012120703894196472013-10-26T09:03:00.001-07:002013-10-26T09:03:31.108-07:00How Do You Know?<br />
How do you know you're ready for the next step...<br />
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in your career?<br />
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moving out and the whole renting vs. buying?<br />
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in your relationship?<br />
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These 3 questions have been keeping me up at night. NO JOKE! I just can't figure it out. Everyone says, you'll know when the time is right...I don't believe them. Let me explain further...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY50HzbjSanDuWdRLZdrwI0jF7l38KQfpnqpoAtmPIXBMgiTLUgzgO6tRwM5vXvao2lkelfoD3nAJOE-knpITY0geRfrNhZnGzkW3kNtwgcFPIyqeznsLalXrkpfte3gRV3ajnu43TeI/s1600/life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY50HzbjSanDuWdRLZdrwI0jF7l38KQfpnqpoAtmPIXBMgiTLUgzgO6tRwM5vXvao2lkelfoD3nAJOE-knpITY0geRfrNhZnGzkW3kNtwgcFPIyqeznsLalXrkpfte3gRV3ajnu43TeI/s320/life.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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How do I know if I'm ready to take out another loan to put myself through grad school? I'm still $15,000+ in debt from my undergrad. :::sigh::: However, (side note and to make the long story short: I was a <strike>terrible</strike> not so good student when I was growing up. It wasn't until I went to college that I really "got it"---sad? Maybe. But oh well) it has always been a dream of mine to earn my Masters degree in the field of education. I haven't decided in what or where, but I know I want to pursue it and accomplish that. So, you might ask, why don't you? It's a little green papery thing called money. Ya, don't have that. But if I don't have it now, when will I have it? Certainly NOT when I'm ready to buy a house, nor when I'm getting married and certainly not when I'm ready to have kids because all 3 of those come slightly before my Masters degree. Therefore, when is the right time to go back to school?<br />
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How do I know when to move out? I'm currently living back at home with my parents (and more recently my little sister also moved back home---one big happy family AGAIN lol) not paying rent. Since I've moved back home, I have been paying off more on my student loans per month. The Boy (<i>yes, we're still together</i>) is still living at home as well, since he did go back to school and works on the nights he doesn't have class. He only lives literally 4 minutes away. So, neither of us are paying rent and instead, we're paying off as much on our loans as we can. We're ready to move in together (and I'm ready to by on our own) but it's a matter of being educated on the whole real estate world. We don't want to waste money renting an apartment and with a dog (and wanting many more), it's not the most ideal. So we're willing to stay in our homes until we figure that out. On top of everything, we don't know where to start looking because we don't know where we want to live. It really depends on where ever The Boy gets a job and we won't know that until January. Would we even qualify for a pre-approval or mortgage with all of our student loan debt? Who knows?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfN1qxLurGZclEqpLlH1x0T_bfLLjX4YEVWpVp0h3zz6d6yFAT01V5jgVAFIUo-aQFY71Ru9w4OANJUWlEXIsqAsHYFU4zVpwMdVQ-PPHJXx8FffWfbNXu8oHaoFCLeFLFUdgwCc0SsI/s1600/quote1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfN1qxLurGZclEqpLlH1x0T_bfLLjX4YEVWpVp0h3zz6d6yFAT01V5jgVAFIUo-aQFY71Ru9w4OANJUWlEXIsqAsHYFU4zVpwMdVQ-PPHJXx8FffWfbNXu8oHaoFCLeFLFUdgwCc0SsI/s400/quote1.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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How do I know (100%) if I'm ready to take the next step in my relationship with The Boy? I mean we're talking about FOREVER!!! That's not something I take lightly. I feel like we've talked about our future a lot lately, but I'm not sure if we've talked about the BIG things. For example; how would we pay for a wedding? We come from different family dynamics, so how would that play a part of OUR future together? Would he resent me if I couldn't have kids? Who would take care of the financial stuff? Are we willing to move somewhere else if jobs are lacking here (for both of us)? Are we willing to split different 'chores' around the house? And just long term goals. Forever is a scary thought. Any pivotal questions or conversations you needed to have before 'forever'?<br />
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I know everything will happen the way it's suppose to, so for that reason, I'm not all too worried about it. I know I will get my masters someday, when I'm married to my best friend in our new house. :::insert a sign of relief)<br />
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Back to blogging again and man, that felt good to write!<br />
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Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-58202478939913007952013-09-09T17:56:00.003-07:002013-09-09T17:57:29.192-07:00SMILE!!Hi long lost blog friends! Woah---let me tell you, the beginning of the school year is never easy or smooth. I've been at school practically 24/7.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfACTQ-AafIAIIFiQGWqtl9rTwpDmCKRFEHQi-17B54M2X6xvRsD5swv2IldOGVhC-9IwBBXeZbADBu9WmMwoThcX3cWM3AwBXMw8H64zJ1BiJjVFvcwRR04W3-YJG99wC0cJpBoBW0/s1600/smilemakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjfACTQ-AafIAIIFiQGWqtl9rTwpDmCKRFEHQi-17B54M2X6xvRsD5swv2IldOGVhC-9IwBBXeZbADBu9WmMwoThcX3cWM3AwBXMw8H64zJ1BiJjVFvcwRR04W3-YJG99wC0cJpBoBW0/s320/smilemakers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyways, I was approached by <a href="http://www.smilemakers.com/">Smile Makers</a> awhile ago to do a post about anything on their website. I picked an awesome treasure box for my kiddos (aka my students) for the behavior incentive I do in my class.<br />
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Look at how big it is!!! <i>(Excuse my mess of a desk)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJdztKbxVJNHKpH62mYfFRphSRxIH_5_E8819Ha9IAbxiIEoLWRMbePMhy74E3Y4bJYdIc3hHN51nN0pt9y3AJ6jvZRR6wdnzkpsUJIyOL3xpldNTosD28yV07g0mmniqovvpipO-6-k/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJdztKbxVJNHKpH62mYfFRphSRxIH_5_E8819Ha9IAbxiIEoLWRMbePMhy74E3Y4bJYdIc3hHN51nN0pt9y3AJ6jvZRR6wdnzkpsUJIyOL3xpldNTosD28yV07g0mmniqovvpipO-6-k/s320/IMG_2719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first day I brought it to school, I put it above my file cabinet trying to hide it...silly Kristen, the kids spotted it the moment they walked in. <i>Duhhh!!</i></div>
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The kids couldn't wait to fill up their hole punch card to see what was in the box. The anticipation was killing them!</div>
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When my first group of kids filled up their punch card, they all lined up behind my desk to take their first look...and all the "ohhhhh's and ahhhhh's" were great!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkNVVM0axEzzpJDPWZfUU6LBzsTAYIeVjmLKdZB2hX2FGQtiHb2hRaRwBu4rI9H7uonlZQvFUozS2Qt-lT4hNUNx7VAjAOjF9BPme7LlBtHgWFpsZXdVfBbF-NE_ckZovO56dnBjHRNU/s1600/IMG_2720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkNVVM0axEzzpJDPWZfUU6LBzsTAYIeVjmLKdZB2hX2FGQtiHb2hRaRwBu4rI9H7uonlZQvFUozS2Qt-lT4hNUNx7VAjAOjF9BPme7LlBtHgWFpsZXdVfBbF-NE_ckZovO56dnBjHRNU/s320/IMG_2720.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Look at all these goodies! It was just right for 1st graders. There are little stuffed animals, kitten slap bracelets, bugs, silly putty, puzzles and so much more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamo3BbwJ0EhxKYqVe1WCoq7x4znOTq1UFi8KDlnoydJjAJngd_KBoi7iBzWjjSPEYLWK0ADtNniI5PPgwpi1sBQ7lYMf04cMCwvH-CsFpoJ-xuRQtRO7s2xR5pd1_uRA10GaHjWdZZXY/s1600/IMG_2721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamo3BbwJ0EhxKYqVe1WCoq7x4znOTq1UFi8KDlnoydJjAJngd_KBoi7iBzWjjSPEYLWK0ADtNniI5PPgwpi1sBQ7lYMf04cMCwvH-CsFpoJ-xuRQtRO7s2xR5pd1_uRA10GaHjWdZZXY/s320/IMG_2721.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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3 weeks into school and my kids are still finding new things in there every time they get to go in there again.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please go take a look at the great website and all they have to offer!</span></h1>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About SmileMakers</span></b></h1>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SmileMakers has been helping teachers to create smiles for over 35 years. You can count on us to make a difference in your classroom. </span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have what you need! We bring you products you won’t find anywhere else.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our product safety testing meets or exceed Consumer Products Safety standards.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We offer quick, easy, hassle-free ordering online and on the phone.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Same day shipping means most orders are received within 1-5 business days.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyday low prices on a wide selection of giveaways. Plus get great sale offers when you sign up for emails.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything at SmileMakers is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - If your order doesn’t meet your expectations, just call us to exchange or return for a full refund. We’ll even pay the return freight.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SmileMakers is based in Spartanburg, South Carolina</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SmileMakers is a business unit of Quill Corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples, Inc.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">AND TEACHERS, LOOKY-----</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-770bb7ee-055b-cbe6-3176-21a311a88413"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can benefit too:</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-770bb7ee-055b-cbe6-3176-21a311a88413"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SmileMakers offers </span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher Perks</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, added savings, just for teachers. Teachers will receive free shipping with any order of $49 or more or $4.99 flat rate shipping with any order of $48.99 or less. Teachers will also get special private sales & free gift offers!</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-770bb7ee-055b-cbe6-3176-21a311a88413"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here’s a special, limited-time code for bloggers to put on their sites for teachers to use as the school year gets started: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To receive 10% off, no minimum order required, plus FREE Shipping with any order of $29 or more use promo code SMILE25 at checkout. Free Standard Shipping valid in the contiguous United States and Canada. Offer expires 9/27/13.</span></b></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7915bdf4-0558-1533-5c22-3bba8045cde1"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large; line-height: normal;">Thank you so much SmileMakers for helping a teacher out.</span></b></div>
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<br />Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-27457281367645649252013-08-14T18:29:00.000-07:002013-08-14T18:29:28.928-07:00I'm sadI'm sad because I haven't had time to catch up on blogs, write some of my own or get any computer time at all.<br />
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You know the school year has begun when you're at school more than you're at home.<br />
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This will be my second year teaching, but first year in a new school back here in Chicago.<br />
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My first day of school was today and I have 22 precious kids. I can tell this is going to be a great, fun year.<br />
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For now, my focus is on getting the school year off to a great start, so I'm taking a little blogging hiatus.<br />
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I hope you understand. In a few weeks, I'll be back with many stories, I'm sure.<br />
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I hope everyone is getting back in the school routine.<br />
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If there is one thing I learned this summer it's that I do not function very well without a daily schedule. I like to know where I have to be, when, how long and more importantly, what time I'm going to bed and waking up in the morning.<br />
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I leave you with one of my favorite Pins that explains how today went perfectly.<br />
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<a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/99149629269423003/"></a><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-77333181914866895722013-07-26T19:05:00.000-07:002013-07-26T19:05:20.091-07:00Five on Friday!<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><div class="THE-GOOD-LIFE-BLOG-FIVE-ON-FRIDAY-button" style="margin: 0 auto; width: 275px;">
<a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/search/label/FIVE%20on%20Friday" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="THE GOOD LIFE BLOG" height="275" src="http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p782/thegoodlifeblog/5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068.jpg" width="275" /> </a> </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is my first Five on Friday link up, so I'm pretty stoked. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This week I've been wanting to write a lot. There is so much on my mind lately and I just find it hard to find the time to write about it. So here are all the short versions: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">1. Cancer has snuck out of it's evil hole full force recently and it sucks. I know 2 women right now that are suffering from cancer. The Boy's grandma has lung cancer. She is such an independently strong woman that she's having a very hard time with her diagnosis. The other women is a great family friend (my parent's best friends) and she has been having an on-going battle with a </span></span>glioblastoma tumor (which is in the brain) for the passed couple of months. Oh, and she is a breast cancer survivor<span style="line-height: 22px;">, which is has about 7 years ago. Watching these strong women go through such a vicious disease, really makes me realize that I cannot take my health for granted and that with one doctor's appointment, everything can change. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhNaO4xcIXfb9lrI8QIb3q6DgC3-x5TwbOxkv8wbmGDGlraujbAe5UtNGRZAlo2WFtFN-6fu0tllNLhYPYHT1Jzs5tJn2BTJYob6z9WKCsA3RyNakPhrbb9a7Zyhn_Fuko9gVwgiwFkU/s1600/cancersucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhNaO4xcIXfb9lrI8QIb3q6DgC3-x5TwbOxkv8wbmGDGlraujbAe5UtNGRZAlo2WFtFN-6fu0tllNLhYPYHT1Jzs5tJn2BTJYob6z9WKCsA3RyNakPhrbb9a7Zyhn_Fuko9gVwgiwFkU/s320/cancersucks.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. School is approaching and I'm still a tad frustrated. My mom is coming to help me in my classroom Monday, so I hope to get a lot done there. I'm such a planner, that not knowing the first week's schedule or spelling words is driving me B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3. The future. And everything that comes with it. It's a little scary. How do I know if I'm ready to get married? Buy a house? Move out (or in) with The Boy. Any suggestions?? I sometimes still feel 18 <strike>even though I get told I still look it all the time</strike>. Speaking of <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/05/im-one-lucky-girl.html">The Boy</a>, in November (we think) we will have been together for 4 years!! That's a frickin' long ass time. That's crazy!!! Longer than any of my other relationships and frankly, longer than I ever thought we'd last, but I'm so thankful that it has. He is one very lucky guy (as I say) and The Boy says I am one very lucky girl. Safe to say, I think we're meant for each other. <b>What are some 'big' questions you wished you would have talked about before moving in together or getting married?</b> The Boy doesn't like to have conversations about serious things (though we've had some), so I know we need to work on communicating about (money, the future, etc.) those things better. However, communication is something I feel can always be improved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">4. I've been really thinking about going gluten free lately. Has anyone read Wheat Belly? I'm still having <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2011/08/celiac-lactose-intolerant-crohns.html">stomach issues</a> and I'm not buying the whole "you just have IBS" business. The only thing with this is that it'll take time and planning on my part. I would have to research things I can and cannot eat and make a meal calendar, so I know what I'm eating when, so I don't cheat. I'm not sure how long I'll do this for, but I want to try it at least for a month. Is any gluten-free and if so, what are some of your favorite recipes and resources for it?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5. I need a vacation. I haven't been on one in <strike>I can't even remember and that's not a good sign</strike> a very long time. I've been looking on <a href="http://www.groupon.com/getaways?d=travel_countmein">Groupon Getaways</a> page, <a href="https://www.livingsocial.com/escapes/cities/327-chicago-northwest-suburbs">Living Social Escapes</a> page and my new favorite vacation deal spot, <a href="http://www.jetsetter.com/">Jetsetter.</a> I wanted to go somewhere this summer, but with school starting in 2 weeks, it's not going to happen, so I'm hoping spring break time? I'm crossing my fingers! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Turks and Caicos</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKaOKELXVmExipia_HmRCGzQ_K1uInBf1DqbmZ-9VdlZGmQRYnlNETnC1jSKG6cM3yhbT79FPsErfUsRKD2CPstaBlsJxCWdwEq-kO2hQIUj8DTq0dQOq0Xn2JTEFUAeMhu21IshuOqU/s1600/turks+and+caicos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKaOKELXVmExipia_HmRCGzQ_K1uInBf1DqbmZ-9VdlZGmQRYnlNETnC1jSKG6cM3yhbT79FPsErfUsRKD2CPstaBlsJxCWdwEq-kO2hQIUj8DTq0dQOq0Xn2JTEFUAeMhu21IshuOqU/s320/turks+and+caicos1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;">Turks and Caicos</i></div>
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Take me there now!!!</div>
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I'm looking forward to reading some of y'alls Five on Friday topics and possibly meeting some new friends!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'didact gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-64465797009831180862013-07-24T10:33:00.003-07:002013-07-24T10:37:36.850-07:00My first EVER SWW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">I'm linking up with </span><a href="http://www.lifeafteridew.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #c94093; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Shannon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> for my first ever (or first in a long, long time) So What Wednesday! <i>It's been one of those <strike>weeks</strike> days.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><b>Today I'm saying "So what"...</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I had a donut for breakfast this morning. <i>I don't even feel bad about it.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I <strike>am addicted to </strike>throughly enjoy reality TV.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I haven't worked out in 2 weeks. I'll get to it, I swear!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I haven't written a blog posts in a few weeks...it's a work in progress!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I've been looking at houses on Zillow. Not that I can afford anything right now, but it's nice to know what you want when that time comes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">-If I'm already a </span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">little</b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"> aggravated at my new school. No spelling curriculum yet and don't have any pacing guides for any subjects....ugh!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">-If I'm going to say I'm 'trying' out a new gym, when really, I just want the 1st trial month free. This way, I can start getting in the groove before school starts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;">I hope everyone has a good Wednesday. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></span>Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-50882963891722954532013-07-18T07:36:00.000-07:002013-07-18T07:36:18.214-07:005 Things I Was Terrible at as a KidI totally stole this idea from Stephanie at <a href="http://www.bourbonandglitter.com/2013/07/5-tasks-i-was-terrible-at-as-kid.html">Bourbon and Glitter</a>, but I loved it so much I wanted to do one as well.<br />
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<i>I'm on the right. Sister's on the left. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoH6syHsePxFR2elDChaJlkJyIXMSRHWslgz6WX7NZOprnR-aWGNC0fm-yGG9698-RKc6tKGmFqznKpY2yDmc1ees4j1yT_1hiaUBEJeVW9PcqAecQB1H7S0PvefYLLYq_wV2adNpZiA/s1600/IMG_2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoH6syHsePxFR2elDChaJlkJyIXMSRHWslgz6WX7NZOprnR-aWGNC0fm-yGG9698-RKc6tKGmFqznKpY2yDmc1ees4j1yT_1hiaUBEJeVW9PcqAecQB1H7S0PvefYLLYq_wV2adNpZiA/s320/IMG_2333.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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1. <b>Sharing.</b> Enough said. </div>
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2. <b>Trying new foods.</b> I could have won 'pickiest child in america' gold medal when I was little. <strike>Not much has changed now.</strike> I know what I like and don't like.</div>
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3. <b>Reading.</b> I hated it because I was not good at it and never understood what I was reading.</div>
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4. <b>Sports.</b> My sister was the athletic one (and when on to play volleyball in college) in the family. Although, I loved all the sports I participated in, I never won a state medal, nor was I the best in my school. I was just an average jane that tried to play softball, gymnastics and diving. HA!</div>
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5. <b>Waking up. </b>I remember my mom would come wake me up for school and I'd just yell at her, roll over and be late for school. No, not high school, more like elementary school and Jr. High. I was horrible! There were numerous time where my mom made me walk to school or call a neighbor to come pick me up because I was a selfish 6th grader. </div>
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What were you terrible at as a kid? </div>
<br />Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-45164905068166651042013-07-13T17:22:00.004-07:002013-07-15T09:02:30.224-07:00Any Takers?Hi Friends---long time to blog!<br />
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This week I'll be taking a little break from bloggy land to get some major work done in my classroom. <i>Teachers, you understand, the earlier you can get into your room...the better, <strike>I hope</strike> right? </i><br />
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I want to see if anyone would like to do a <b>guest post</b> for me? It can be about anything and everything! I'm excited about this because I think it'll be fun to get a new perspective on here. Let me know if you're interested!<br />
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I have many blog posts schedule for the following week, so I'm working on those as well! :)<br />
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One of the posts I'm working on is a Q & A post. I've seen (and participated) in many blogger Q & A's posts and find them so interesting and a fun way to get to know each other...<i>even more!</i> So, if there is anything you want to know. just <b>ask</b>!! You can ask me <b><u>anything</u></b>. I'm an open book!<br />
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Until then, these are some things I'm currently doing:<br />
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<b>Thinking about: </b>Everything I still have to do in this classroom of mine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpp7J2oLT-xH-VF4Ug0yMpxGiv-Zgyjjvj3vJIcAm3mKzITfx3lrMpcJ8dNCGSkTM8M_GINcsoBE8usn9g0PAsoETXpyFaIBuAWgJI4LMTklG5VYaxmi-7an2ftzOzFoA7NOFqw0y6UM/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpp7J2oLT-xH-VF4Ug0yMpxGiv-Zgyjjvj3vJIcAm3mKzITfx3lrMpcJ8dNCGSkTM8M_GINcsoBE8usn9g0PAsoETXpyFaIBuAWgJI4LMTklG5VYaxmi-7an2ftzOzFoA7NOFqw0y6UM/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The iPhone 5 takes panorama views! How neat!</i></div>
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<b>Reading: </b>Gone Girl by: Gillian Flynn. Oh-Em-Gee...I've sat outside every night for an hour just reading this great book. I just got to a very intense part!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsyORi9Yr5BGBbebMzfRhQs9p7avrbIAHhGI4yaw3rJ7KGu19fODA2gm1rKoLBag-1ytkxutC-A7xD86pH5m4BJSk-ydjkOvOVqrfno_Zvl6Umxi63m0IRjB_yv9Iznb41q5OHid-xSw/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsyORi9Yr5BGBbebMzfRhQs9p7avrbIAHhGI4yaw3rJ7KGu19fODA2gm1rKoLBag-1ytkxutC-A7xD86pH5m4BJSk-ydjkOvOVqrfno_Zvl6Umxi63m0IRjB_yv9Iznb41q5OHid-xSw/s320/IMG_2589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Planning: </b>In my new <a href="http://www.erincondren.com/store/index.php?cPath=1454">Erin Condren Life Planner</a>! It finally arrived and I'm super duper excited!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxESEsjpBK3pfMfYPOXI1zym7yKPRKkWmXaWacWu9LwSehb0OIbmVE2oQN9OGOIqfn-IXgNixE8hYiIBwYvl4GBilg-Y0-5DReFHkFGMpbDDA4OukOJgUXIIcEuzPQR1cGzMLfxHvS5G0/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxESEsjpBK3pfMfYPOXI1zym7yKPRKkWmXaWacWu9LwSehb0OIbmVE2oQN9OGOIqfn-IXgNixE8hYiIBwYvl4GBilg-Y0-5DReFHkFGMpbDDA4OukOJgUXIIcEuzPQR1cGzMLfxHvS5G0/s320/IMG_2587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Drinking: </b>Iced <strike>creamer</strike> coffee with a dash of this deliciousness!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiku699TBkP5cfBPC9CHzyaUTkSTfJuoKSJ8rQ0-M_eo80C3tzQnpma-SpRkqbFAh8asA5UcN-ssQYnd_aBlYoeuCwC0XeHBhTp6cNHUo2GYPeelEFq6V5K9oHCh-IzlhoO4BAXH39lk/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEiku699TBkP5cfBPC9CHzyaUTkSTfJuoKSJ8rQ0-M_eo80C3tzQnpma-SpRkqbFAh8asA5UcN-ssQYnd_aBlYoeuCwC0XeHBhTp6cNHUo2GYPeelEFq6V5K9oHCh-IzlhoO4BAXH39lk/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Dreaming: </b>Of the next time I get to go to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It's only 17 hours from me. Now too bad, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFjt_VsuplQbg-HRzWun9wpDAF0L-Xt_bcbtxNSu5cwzf3NVlaDoByG2ApD0ZQx_h0Sv1Q7GYXXwnqd6hBUva9IEyC3wQkRdnAGRdinmLsSKgfmQJ_eXLXHIHKiBOnoHAgGHYFXbGdKM/s1600/IMG_2593.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFjt_VsuplQbg-HRzWun9wpDAF0L-Xt_bcbtxNSu5cwzf3NVlaDoByG2ApD0ZQx_h0Sv1Q7GYXXwnqd6hBUva9IEyC3wQkRdnAGRdinmLsSKgfmQJ_eXLXHIHKiBOnoHAgGHYFXbGdKM/s320/IMG_2593.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>Loving: </b>This little guy! He did so well at doggie training this week. I'm one proud fur mama!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosaso9bN3PnnPvdyVq5KcBabLAI7W0DtN0Euz49QjWdthexHrfoMNofZcRaNfRxVYa073NwGToFq86SBYCPilql49mrmvZ_3WonI2AxnKzk3EJ5PUhOU_7ibT1UGsNWvQUFPmBXgFrj8/s1600/IMG_2594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosaso9bN3PnnPvdyVq5KcBabLAI7W0DtN0Euz49QjWdthexHrfoMNofZcRaNfRxVYa073NwGToFq86SBYCPilql49mrmvZ_3WonI2AxnKzk3EJ5PUhOU_7ibT1UGsNWvQUFPmBXgFrj8/s320/IMG_2594.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-79216215858098505152013-07-10T06:00:00.000-07:002013-07-10T06:00:04.800-07:00Finally.... OHP & What I've Been Up ToI haven't done one of these since I got my blog 'facelift', so I'm pumped!<br />
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Link up and join us</div>
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<a href="http://www.thevintageapple.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://sites.google.com/site/vintageappleblog2/files/pinterestingwed.png" /></a></div>
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Lately, all I can think about is school and my classroom, so these first few pins are for school.</div>
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Now, onto random pins that I also love! :)</div>
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I would love to have this one day!!
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Now, onto pictures. It was a long, but fun filled weekend full of all things weddings!!! I was in one of my good girlfriend's wedding on July 6th, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I love you Cait and so happy for your new adventure with your Mr.<br />
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<i>Rehearsal Dinner</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBney82tg8q6s18fA6CtR3mhWGQhF_A76W90EYZVcDf-20bM3pNQVbDZs2a_OPcfrKjcjACX0Nv__wtDHmg8qwD16qkSrZUrqqGzx9tKvKSoBNjLsgGdgWCB9XUmuAA7yGv3CG1L-ITnQ/s1600/IMG_2544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBney82tg8q6s18fA6CtR3mhWGQhF_A76W90EYZVcDf-20bM3pNQVbDZs2a_OPcfrKjcjACX0Nv__wtDHmg8qwD16qkSrZUrqqGzx9tKvKSoBNjLsgGdgWCB9XUmuAA7yGv3CG1L-ITnQ/s320/IMG_2544.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzciglIas9GP3ySq9YC7SUWpHLEEdisrzrEHTITv1iVjmgqhVSatp-2KkdZDCjD_bI174IIjl3fJSXfYqd0mGnVBUk1c51wlfPaaPv5CNCoL7k3l1xzHs6WmHhnxgYdEVwhIPBecbok0/s1600/IMG_2552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzciglIas9GP3ySq9YC7SUWpHLEEdisrzrEHTITv1iVjmgqhVSatp-2KkdZDCjD_bI174IIjl3fJSXfYqd0mGnVBUk1c51wlfPaaPv5CNCoL7k3l1xzHs6WmHhnxgYdEVwhIPBecbok0/s320/IMG_2552.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Getting ready the morning of the wedding. Bride in the middle.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrzrQlV1tifa1N-UmIo64SypMago56FOBWkX0jc1KCTbOqi6Bf6hpT4eJhyphenhyphenf6DK9mwRYnw45jQwK4RPKsdwg_HsiM8OYX6iuta8urWB6aiNP8W-QfI16XrO7jEgI_yslcdzUIESDsy4U/s1600/IMG_2555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrzrQlV1tifa1N-UmIo64SypMago56FOBWkX0jc1KCTbOqi6Bf6hpT4eJhyphenhyphenf6DK9mwRYnw45jQwK4RPKsdwg_HsiM8OYX6iuta8urWB6aiNP8W-QfI16XrO7jEgI_yslcdzUIESDsy4U/s320/IMG_2555.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>"The" dress</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM54mLVu1f0bNHfoNB9iWqGUUD_pxWCKCm2o9f7KazDfq4oDY_E7-oWzur7d2LJbh3mLdqkteOAqbfN73ucMSGwN1SfGWw22JCDq8nZN8jap4QJ_CLIuWIyphFpcwE9vLpOWOmVu3Ot0/s1600/IMG_2558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdM54mLVu1f0bNHfoNB9iWqGUUD_pxWCKCm2o9f7KazDfq4oDY_E7-oWzur7d2LJbh3mLdqkteOAqbfN73ucMSGwN1SfGWw22JCDq8nZN8jap4QJ_CLIuWIyphFpcwE9vLpOWOmVu3Ot0/s320/IMG_2558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Mid hair :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7y2eir-9puTvRfcS8s5kExXebMpdvnIxuTIS7lCgGzPImHw3t9CvGvu38K5w0z5b9dpmtWXytTqdLv0wnBMmGpFG0jQlcPMyQ_8djx4ULwNboPRtCOda8F1JXT8V9dRmqzJtiywyUHk/s1600/IMG_2559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7y2eir-9puTvRfcS8s5kExXebMpdvnIxuTIS7lCgGzPImHw3t9CvGvu38K5w0z5b9dpmtWXytTqdLv0wnBMmGpFG0jQlcPMyQ_8djx4ULwNboPRtCOda8F1JXT8V9dRmqzJtiywyUHk/s320/IMG_2559.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>The gorgeous bride and I</i></div>
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<i>My friend, Al and I</i></div>
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<i>The Boy and Al's boyfriend went golfing that morning while we were getting all pretty. This is an 'after golf/getting a drink' pic. </i></div>
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<i>After a long night of dancing, drinking and food....can you tell?? ;)</i></div>
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I hope everyone had a fantastic long weekend!! Happy Wednesday! </div>
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<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-58988872246979821812013-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:002013-07-04T08:00:00.260-07:00#tbtMy twitter friends, you know what this means, right?<br />
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If you haven't already joined the twitter band wagon, don't worry, I'll fill you in.<br />
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The '#' sign means that it's a popular word or saying among the Twitter world.<br />
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So, the 'tbt' means <b><u>T</u></b>hrow <b><u>B</u></b>ack <b><u>T</u></b>hursday. Hence, #tbt means that many people on twitter are posting old pictures of themselves, friends or family on twitter. And I have been a frequent tweet-er when it's Thursday strictly because of #tbt days! <i>(My fellow twitter friends, you get what I mean, right?) </i><br />
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Well, I'm dedicating this post to the recent pictures I've found in our basement. Let the fun begin!!<br />
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My dad teaching my little sister and I how to play golf. </div>
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DisneyLand</div>
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My precious little sister at Ocean Isle Beach, NC back in 1994?</div>
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Our good family friends and us at the beach house (once again at Ocean Isle).</div>
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My 7th (or 8th) birthday party. It was a dance party :)</div>
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And the best for last....don't ask. I have no idea where we learned this and neither do my parents!</div>
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Oh, and by the way, follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Kl3iva">@kl3iva</a> . Happy Thursday!!!Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-27617102953055065932013-07-02T14:17:00.000-07:002013-07-02T14:21:31.348-07:00Tio Says Don't Forget...To follow me on<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/theveryunofficialadult"> BlogLovin'</a>!!!<br />
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Tio thinks you should follow me on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/theveryunofficialadult">BlogLovin'</a>. Don't forget!</div>
I haven't lost GoogleReader yet, but I'm already on BlogLovin' and already "lovin'" it.<br />
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I wanted to do a quick update on my puppy, Tio. Well, he's not a puppy anymore, but he acts like one.<br />
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My sister works for a minor league baseball team here in one of the suburbs of Chicago and a couple weeks ago, the field hosted a Bark in the Park game night. So, everyone brought their dogs into the stadium and had a great night.<br />
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<i>Me, Tio and my sister before Tio's First Fetch!!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMd_d08ZCJU6j7Sj0gSFFqqxwJ2MtB25yx-BNQi3OsVRAf_HtoZSWnlVBpcyb1io7Lm76u0FBEpGhMNd825LRnZFbQK1w31O3RNmqzk8C96dO8UER3F2G1RqgmMqIRDwk1z7vYB8HFHY/s604/barkpark4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMd_d08ZCJU6j7Sj0gSFFqqxwJ2MtB25yx-BNQi3OsVRAf_HtoZSWnlVBpcyb1io7Lm76u0FBEpGhMNd825LRnZFbQK1w31O3RNmqzk8C96dO8UER3F2G1RqgmMqIRDwk1z7vYB8HFHY/s320/barkpark4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>And Coop (the mascot) wanted in on the picture too!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm5YhFWMBJ6z-Zj3pKwiRC1dVkGESQSDAvLP_ZVNu3nN-gCHXBJJggk91TctNqU_wG9shPUyYFOtKUAQ4MtRNDdBXWaYVamzQ1vXZctIRoeAYflxxEVRmVp5m6CQ2msOmhTfbKFtw9pw/s720/barkpark9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm5YhFWMBJ6z-Zj3pKwiRC1dVkGESQSDAvLP_ZVNu3nN-gCHXBJJggk91TctNqU_wG9shPUyYFOtKUAQ4MtRNDdBXWaYVamzQ1vXZctIRoeAYflxxEVRmVp5m6CQ2msOmhTfbKFtw9pw/s320/barkpark9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>...still waiting for the first fetch! </i></div>
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<i>I threw the tennis ball across home plate...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mr_BFr8F6iRvhfxIqouMKvpedk0VcMnZdz1a3nZQmrTIMGLRIwKiTPGQLiXtuXysLyJeOt82FVtSIhD3i8oaI6eaFqGau8P0Ru8W89ZnOswNLeV6d3zm_72OMZ2q1CfaUe9tWqJlA-M/s604/barkpark3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mr_BFr8F6iRvhfxIqouMKvpedk0VcMnZdz1a3nZQmrTIMGLRIwKiTPGQLiXtuXysLyJeOt82FVtSIhD3i8oaI6eaFqGau8P0Ru8W89ZnOswNLeV6d3zm_72OMZ2q1CfaUe9tWqJlA-M/s320/barkpark3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>...and he caught it! Makes this fur mama proud! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKk9XpnJ23-6zXLg9xqgIjHKqo657LDw73bSy0EobHAB75-Ea5biQImDt62ipruFG4nfCfGyLNYZZfzE0afINxkoLZwTxa7de9pAZXs-8PMnPk4zidKs3NjA_wohU9jncV3hyphenhyphenNfh3a2s/s604/barkpark6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKk9XpnJ23-6zXLg9xqgIjHKqo657LDw73bSy0EobHAB75-Ea5biQImDt62ipruFG4nfCfGyLNYZZfzE0afINxkoLZwTxa7de9pAZXs-8PMnPk4zidKs3NjA_wohU9jncV3hyphenhyphenNfh3a2s/s320/barkpark6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Of course, Tio would only look at the tennis ball, not the camera.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKtAMdw1oC-BzvBii2pYEGibPUclFeKWymS6VfBCRtLgiLZfj1jNfbVemIJMcNzFq42v9weHp6eoKIt8pIlaV2J2b_Bk041M-OBTlNG8xzkeFJEnL5WU8M5vHbaBCXXqCAOvKA9c15R8/s604/barkpark7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKtAMdw1oC-BzvBii2pYEGibPUclFeKWymS6VfBCRtLgiLZfj1jNfbVemIJMcNzFq42v9weHp6eoKIt8pIlaV2J2b_Bk041M-OBTlNG8xzkeFJEnL5WU8M5vHbaBCXXqCAOvKA9c15R8/s320/barkpark7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Me, Coop, my sister and Tio!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZFkJ2flxKB0S-mkAq6_uC_pmjGYrMwAprQO2dPJXpNHaIN0L8gymXwpsClju7RXB8S07KaXtPCdzUt20bkSikbFmPYEsEbhuc8h9vV-n2qev9OAED0qJdzZ0gYPNcNAjMeZ5Jyz97X0/s720/barkpark10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZFkJ2flxKB0S-mkAq6_uC_pmjGYrMwAprQO2dPJXpNHaIN0L8gymXwpsClju7RXB8S07KaXtPCdzUt20bkSikbFmPYEsEbhuc8h9vV-n2qev9OAED0qJdzZ0gYPNcNAjMeZ5Jyz97X0/s320/barkpark10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>My dad, Tio and I watching the baseball game!</i></div>
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I highly encourage you to look up dog outings in your area! If you live in the Chicagoland area, I highly suggest you head out to the Schaumburg Boomers. They have another Bark in the Park in August--look it up! :)Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3232675507605095180.post-21035208904489694892013-06-28T08:30:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:30:00.305-07:00What's in my MAKE-UP bag?I had so much fun doing <a href="http://kristenalexis31.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-in-my-purse.html">what's in my purse</a> that I wanted to do a what's in my make-up bag, too!<br />
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I am a bit challenged when it comes to the makeup and beauty world. I have bought ALL of my makeup through word of mouth or recommendations from friends, family or other bloggers. (Except my eye liner...<i>more on that later).</i> I know everyone has those 'favorite/gotta have it/can't live with out it' makeup products.<br />
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My <strike>messy, unorganized, jumbled</strike> make up bag</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQdA5F_PImoiQy68vY71LJJN-w2_9AUaIPPK4Vr94iiMXSHQYr3DW1Klj-CqEqIFLcawuqyf70gRWXNIISTqWSjeIxXVu29OMbDwjpaGW-PNkx6dLuSYWkzE4Is5BkpvRKpMd5s9tbjc/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQdA5F_PImoiQy68vY71LJJN-w2_9AUaIPPK4Vr94iiMXSHQYr3DW1Klj-CqEqIFLcawuqyf70gRWXNIISTqWSjeIxXVu29OMbDwjpaGW-PNkx6dLuSYWkzE4Is5BkpvRKpMd5s9tbjc/s320/IMG_2505.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o6u59AN-I7DUNhC-sEbciZEfQsgxz_m2-CXe3Ltg8aT7ZyiEON_JUIfUvKB1ol6qhzoQmRzk3XuczNTYfnoFPYGxWthvZTM6ZS98Oz_VY775jVVEaBjDKMP5qUdx03t0OmdKK61e3Eg/s1600/IMG_2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o6u59AN-I7DUNhC-sEbciZEfQsgxz_m2-CXe3Ltg8aT7ZyiEON_JUIfUvKB1ol6qhzoQmRzk3XuczNTYfnoFPYGxWthvZTM6ZS98Oz_VY775jVVEaBjDKMP5qUdx03t0OmdKK61e3Eg/s320/IMG_2506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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First of all, I love my makeup bag! It was a freebie from Victoria Secret about 5 years ago and it holds SO much that I have never needed another make up bag. The clips on the end of the bag are your typical hair clips <strike>that I cannot live without</strike>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiD-8TWIfomT0H6_UvSN7i4jS4nNwcF3evbFxN7AIxEBwO_wMtqxvJyHiVON9bB5cLR_AaXVtm6yHs_8hv3wilMatoU9Qd-nuqtLJee2GFPRni3NU6rvDx0iud42i7ZWmH5VvwWS-5vM/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiD-8TWIfomT0H6_UvSN7i4jS4nNwcF3evbFxN7AIxEBwO_wMtqxvJyHiVON9bB5cLR_AaXVtm6yHs_8hv3wilMatoU9Qd-nuqtLJee2GFPRni3NU6rvDx0iud42i7ZWmH5VvwWS-5vM/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to my make up bag!</div>
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<li>BareMinerals. I have used their foundation, warmer (bronzer), veil and eye shadows since I could remember. I just started using their Prime Time (primer) and I also love how it keeps your make up on all day!! It just all works so well. I only use the lip tint when it's a special occasion <strike>or my lips are looking a little pale</strike>.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliEMwhAzYjZT4UgHZbcQArZt3tqP0zUANKF4Xukv4OMde2beFYNddGhZ7xV60oxKhU2xazkk7Z1u_PRQ8944sh9SfYZjxmLTrySNlpg4lpoxaXpHCIbFNX5OXI3tG2cazaQ8FMrRYFPU/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliEMwhAzYjZT4UgHZbcQArZt3tqP0zUANKF4Xukv4OMde2beFYNddGhZ7xV60oxKhU2xazkk7Z1u_PRQ8944sh9SfYZjxmLTrySNlpg4lpoxaXpHCIbFNX5OXI3tG2cazaQ8FMrRYFPU/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li> Urban Decay Naked and eyeliner. The crazy amount of money I paid for Naked was totally worth it though. I also have the eye shadow primer that I swear by. Urban Decay eyeliner however, is my newest product in my bag. I do like it, but not as much as my favorite all time eye liner. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23opO3jtuLpyRGuZ8Eh78reByR2iRnA-bTzFSz57HjrEK9DOCp2KPZt9p6HH1XpJCmGCrm04ahEBKBdGjAOyo1eh-6GKpBC1-vTkHI2aAtV0JVILBNO5w0wZskRUBp6NGE2u0a21ArIM/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23opO3jtuLpyRGuZ8Eh78reByR2iRnA-bTzFSz57HjrEK9DOCp2KPZt9p6HH1XpJCmGCrm04ahEBKBdGjAOyo1eh-6GKpBC1-vTkHI2aAtV0JVILBNO5w0wZskRUBp6NGE2u0a21ArIM/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Eye Liner. The Urban Decay was same as above. The little black stub is my all time favorite. </li>
<li>My eye liner is a brand that I've used since Jr. High and I have never bought another kind (until recently) because I love it! Presenting... the only eye liner that makes me look like I'm awake, it's by Palladio! Ya, try looking for it. You won't find it, trust me, I've <strike>hunted down</strike> searched for it; Sephora, Ulta, Walgreens, Target, you name it and I've been there. And if you do end up finding it, tell me where you found it and I might have you send me the whole stock and pay you back. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCfC7iP1Z0CrxAAFfepddEy4ZL0uRI2QPJOxvlL76Rc1V5DFA9SS2MBnV1je5imxggxzRC5B0cx9JXcqBKdtsj6aMORoTKQL0Z_FHIytWZC5fRhljadGm5n6nGVGlUPXO3CUfTIRPmUg/s1600/IMG_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCfC7iP1Z0CrxAAFfepddEy4ZL0uRI2QPJOxvlL76Rc1V5DFA9SS2MBnV1je5imxggxzRC5B0cx9JXcqBKdtsj6aMORoTKQL0Z_FHIytWZC5fRhljadGm5n6nGVGlUPXO3CUfTIRPmUg/s320/IMG_2512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>MAC eye shadow. As you can see, the top container is empty and the bottom one is near the end.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuDkRm6Ic14xf0OOZyp1rHz8uudaeOhwPb-A1KrnxVzINKayqui4XBcZkXV_80B1-zI04oFgp6U389S99ysvcmEHu18pS3mZLcs4J4-6SLHs-fsDQWfVeRQcewHmAuAU-5YfE1JO86Sc/s1600/IMG_2511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuDkRm6Ic14xf0OOZyp1rHz8uudaeOhwPb-A1KrnxVzINKayqui4XBcZkXV_80B1-zI04oFgp6U389S99ysvcmEHu18pS3mZLcs4J4-6SLHs-fsDQWfVeRQcewHmAuAU-5YfE1JO86Sc/s320/IMG_2511.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Lip stuff. I rarely use my Juicy tub, but when I do, I love it. I do, however, put on Bath and Body Works lip color and then Maybelline Baby Lips on a daily basis. Couldn't leave the house without this stuff!</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-3qZPlotAeed5cqrpLIt5E2bfkmSyKR_ttKOZK32MSBboVFDpKS7148Ajtq8gSiVRmMP3ArXrYu69dmuUCaljGvUHSFRZr5tUcp7pKzogQiDtz4dOG6Xu6wB4bDVvEItCSZB8CS5ctA/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-3qZPlotAeed5cqrpLIt5E2bfkmSyKR_ttKOZK32MSBboVFDpKS7148Ajtq8gSiVRmMP3ArXrYu69dmuUCaljGvUHSFRZr5tUcp7pKzogQiDtz4dOG6Xu6wB4bDVvEItCSZB8CS5ctA/s320/IMG_2510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Cover up, foundation AND suntan lotion ALL in one. I love it! It's called Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhance. I put it on right after the shower as like my base coat for the day.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BELmrgGCpdx-CYk9ltKoXDKQH6XsmJ9bvm6Mx-WrnP23hV93h3k4YuMw8wmDaXrnjlpUcjnLHSH5Y_b3bGsoAyTyNBDSw3_AMkM9dw9sYBTSpQGviyadwt5e8Q3PnEXjGRwkSLulZDU/s1600/IMG_2513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BELmrgGCpdx-CYk9ltKoXDKQH6XsmJ9bvm6Mx-WrnP23hV93h3k4YuMw8wmDaXrnjlpUcjnLHSH5Y_b3bGsoAyTyNBDSw3_AMkM9dw9sYBTSpQGviyadwt5e8Q3PnEXjGRwkSLulZDU/s320/IMG_2513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Then, I put this stuff on, Prime Time. If I'm eye shadow, then I'll put the eye shadow primer on as well. This is the Urban Decay eye shadow primer and it's great!</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzFHywB5tgpEHTk7WRBXzRH68ooe_1mPpRlblvDXkfKQpgroHj6qVVirKWOD08jazKC5Ydq7b9ZC5kH9zeozOiJwusJ3HnId2eNLgtCVDPIr2ZXadM9mFa3965QwoMQIUf_940RT0igs/s1600/IMG_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzFHywB5tgpEHTk7WRBXzRH68ooe_1mPpRlblvDXkfKQpgroHj6qVVirKWOD08jazKC5Ydq7b9ZC5kH9zeozOiJwusJ3HnId2eNLgtCVDPIr2ZXadM9mFa3965QwoMQIUf_940RT0igs/s320/IMG_2514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>The bronzer on the bottom is Olay but I rarely use it. Only when I need a little extra <strike>sun</strike> tan I just dab it on my cheek bones. </li>
<li>My blush is Dream Bounce but I don't like it. So, if you have any blush recommendations, I'd love to hear them! This one is like matte and you have to apply it with your finger. I find that when I put it on, it wipes off my bronzer and is almost TOO pink for me. Suggestions?</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOksYe3lHRSg5smUOZOO8BKtpjJ-IUydqO9OZLIEmjj4eJuxcWqTt3Toj0cO9b-hceTjDx6AN1M2kkG0sU3XhxtmhfjqB2N-9lEBLCoQDZKGwm_n2cFB6YYtnxmMuLz7FQpo61P44-2bY/s1600/IMG_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOksYe3lHRSg5smUOZOO8BKtpjJ-IUydqO9OZLIEmjj4eJuxcWqTt3Toj0cO9b-hceTjDx6AN1M2kkG0sU3XhxtmhfjqB2N-9lEBLCoQDZKGwm_n2cFB6YYtnxmMuLz7FQpo61P44-2bY/s320/IMG_2515.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Mascara!!! The one thing I cannot leave the house without putting on. I have used (far right, pink tube) Maybelline Great Lash (black) probably since freshmen year of high school. The orange one is CoverGirl, waterproof and I use it if I know I am going swimming. And the middle mini tube is my new obsession. It's by Benefit, called 'They're Real' and literally it makes your eye lashes look fake. One of my girlfriends told me about this and I went to Ulta to find it and it was $23 FOR A TUBE OF MASCARA!!! I could NOT justify paying that much for mascara, so (leave it to Ulta to put the travel size stuff at their checkout line) I bought the little, travel size one for $12. It better last a frickin' long time!!! </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTpfYTiG0CSw16fOSQyh_VAdnVCfA5L4Dj-PzCcU23uzAu1qqX_aJpYoDiUfi5QVhNTx6Hwi69K31EQXnP9cqUfEl2MZNj2q520tejYaYK64jqvdW4TgmELLk_c_1Nv1WHyU66rFye84/s1600/IMG_2516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTpfYTiG0CSw16fOSQyh_VAdnVCfA5L4Dj-PzCcU23uzAu1qqX_aJpYoDiUfi5QVhNTx6Hwi69K31EQXnP9cqUfEl2MZNj2q520tejYaYK64jqvdW4TgmELLk_c_1Nv1WHyU66rFye84/s320/IMG_2516.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Randoms. Eye liner sharpener, hair clip, bobby pin and hair tie, because let's be serious...who DOESN'T have extra bobby pins laying everywhere??</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm_m0Zef26Fkoml3bHVfARbD8YWw4fJbECrag2QyA1fRhs6AUy2uFXPwfDjrPX0sqIx0cEVG5zdvjageb0z99JqyccWt9Mzz8QHow5ktDiM02MSAyGzMF0IHAzjstOrSybB3gYt3h1rc/s1600/IMG_2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm_m0Zef26Fkoml3bHVfARbD8YWw4fJbECrag2QyA1fRhs6AUy2uFXPwfDjrPX0sqIx0cEVG5zdvjageb0z99JqyccWt9Mzz8QHow5ktDiM02MSAyGzMF0IHAzjstOrSybB3gYt3h1rc/s320/IMG_2517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Other notably products. </li>
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<li>THE BEST SELF TANNER ON THIS PLANET- St. Tropez. I swear by this and actually bought it because another blogger recommended it.</li>
<li>Perfume: (the one on the left) Juicy called Viva La Juicy. It's very fruity but classy. I wear it during the summer. The one on the right is Burberry The Beat. This is my daily perfume. It's light, but smells delicious. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfYhSMkk01cYJJyeUQeq1J9c221rjmI1-H14uKww0DSt5OxTF3fug2AxJIBEmFrXLWO4eK64NR4YN9bQO-OCospVQklOOf1S1L7sKBEzbPTwQKVgfeLPCDEw8i8fjhdAT0xgMc_g0zA/s1600/IMG_2518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnfYhSMkk01cYJJyeUQeq1J9c221rjmI1-H14uKww0DSt5OxTF3fug2AxJIBEmFrXLWO4eK64NR4YN9bQO-OCospVQklOOf1S1L7sKBEzbPTwQKVgfeLPCDEw8i8fjhdAT0xgMc_g0zA/s320/IMG_2518.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li>Last but not least, the item every women should have in her make up bag. Vaseline! It's eye make up remover, Chapstick, itch cream, ointment and whatever else you want to use it for. Plain and simple.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xtOb4v6zfbVu5CBRMThop9Iu5DBP0SjxABBN67cNV35ZDPtYNSdpmyJHY6P2Kp5SUEI7IOigQkHA9tgiN9PvkpioW5mqD_riNNJNIUd-Qdl2LcOs3_jagR-yNVq8JZnWSCDTFmNYn1A/s1600/IMG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xtOb4v6zfbVu5CBRMThop9Iu5DBP0SjxABBN67cNV35ZDPtYNSdpmyJHY6P2Kp5SUEI7IOigQkHA9tgiN9PvkpioW5mqD_riNNJNIUd-Qdl2LcOs3_jagR-yNVq8JZnWSCDTFmNYn1A/s320/IMG_2519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now tell me, what are your favorite/gotta have it/can't live with out it makeup products?Kristen Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826701169630385358noreply@blogger.com1