Getting real

I saw the questions for this week's Sunday Social and knew I had to participate. I love this link-up because it allows you to learn more about me without me having to take hours writing a post.

1)What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count) I don't want this to be a superficial answer because I really don't need these things but they do make my life a little more enjoyable: my phone, my coach wristlet, 

2)What is your all time favorite book? Why? Am I really supposed to pick one? I really don't read much but when I do I get really invested the book. I guess I would have to say The Help. I also love Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult books (even though I usually end up crying).

3) What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013? Well I made a list of 13 goals for 2013 but one that I am focused on right now is being more involved at church. I still want to join a small group and make some friends at Hope.

4) If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be? 2012! This was actually a really easy question. It was my last semester at VT, graduation from VT, wedding, honeymoon, starting my blog, getting a job and moving to Richmond!!

5) What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? That I get let down very easily. I can't stand when people make promises they don't keep.

New Look..

Did you notice something different about visiting my blog this time?? I decided it was time for a unique, new look. My lovely friend Sara gave me some great suggestions on design/layout and so I built up the courage to just dive right into Photoshop and try it myself. 

I wanted a brighter, cleaner look. And I definitely think it is more "ME" I knew I had to incorporate teal, some sparkle, navy, chevron and the citron was the perfect balance. The new about me section is much easier to read and the text area is much wider allowing for bigger pictures!! I was joking with my friend Veronica about having my own blog design business, but who knows with some practice ;)

My new button I am going to add to my sponsor page soon!

What do you think? Did you notice the color scheme is from the Office Mood Board I posted last week? 

Hope all of you readers had a wonderful weekend...we visited our parents this weekend and it was very relaxing! Now I can't wait to watch the Walking Dead tonight! If you think I am crazy for this, I would highly recommend giving it a chance first! Haha and if you do watch the show, you should take this funny quiz! Any guesses on which character I was??

I also just finished reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. I am waiting to get the second book Insurgent from the Nook library. If you liked the Hunger Games, I would definitely recommend this book.

Get excited for what's coming to the "new" blog this week:

Bedroom Mood Board- linking up with Design Your Dwelling

Design Dilemmas- rug options and new accessories

and possibly another Wedding Wednesday or The Newlywed Game link-up!

Goals update

If you haven't taken my blog survey yet, PLEASE do so {here}. It only takes a minute...Don't make me beg!

13 in 2013

I am setting 13 goals for 2013 and I hope that you readers will help me keep up with them. This is one of my favorite reasons for having a blog: I can document my goals, memories and thoughts. I hope that when we ring in 2014 I can look back and be proud of what I have accomplished.

1. Eat healthier
2. Exercise once more
3. Read 12 books (1 per month-gotta start small)
4. Try more new recipes
5. Make and order our wedding album
6. Be a better friend
7. Travel more
8. Be more active at church
9. Get more organized and get rid of clutter
10. Do more DIY projects 
11. Blog more efficiently
12. Do more for others
13. Budget wisely

P.S. Already had my first workout of the year yesterday :) 

What are your goals/resolutions for this year/month/week? Are any of these included on your list?

Images found on Pinterest

And here is the big hair reveal!!

What do you think?

Please don't judge...I am not a fashion blogger :)

Christmas present from the hubby!

Gold sparkly nails for the new year!

I LOVE young house love!

So I have still been feeling pretty lousy from this cold, but yesterday I got just the thing to cheer me up! (p.s. I apologize for the lack of blogging) When I got home from work 1) My passport was in the mail (with my new name on it) and 2) There was a package at the doorstep w/ my name on it! Ok, so you are probably thinking WOO I get packages all of the time...not exciting. Well, you are WRONG! This was one very exciting package. Why?

It said it was from Barnes and Noble and I thought to myself "I didn't order anything from there, did I?" I proceeded to open it and inside was a beautiful thing:

Get yours here

THE Young House Love book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My AMAZING friend Denise sent it to me as an early Christmas gift. She sent it early because there is a book signing this Sunday! And now I get to go :D I need to get reading through the book before then!! I wanted to put it on my Christmas list but I kept debating that since I wanted to buy it in time for the signing. Well, my wish came true!

Anyways, John and Sherry (if you ever read this) I can't wait to meet you on Sunday @ Mongrel!

Now I just need someone to go with...anyone else want to join? It will probably be a long (but well worth it) wait in line.

Here are some of my favorites from their blog:
(All of the following images belong to Young House Love)

They got married in their backyard too!

They have an adorable little girl Clara and dog Burger!

Their GORGEOUS kitchen! (and the rest of their house too!)

They are willing to try anything!

They give great tutorials!

They are super creative!

They are one of the 2 blogs that I check every day!

They are the blog of all blogs!

(Hopefully that was enough reasons for you to go and check them out)

If not here is one more: they live in RICHMOND!

THANKS Denise!

XO Samantha

Wednesday Wish List

We have made it through half of the week and I am really excited for this coming weekend! Why? Well we aren't going anywhere special but I am really happy that I just get to relax with my husband this weekend. :D I can't wait to watch the Hokies play on Saturday. We are also planning to go to Class and Trash too! Before you judge, check out their website. Its a thrift, antique and collectibles store. I also plan to decorate the apartment for Fall this weekend too. I have a long list of Pinterest ideas to try out for this. The ones I am most excited about are a fall wreath and a mercury glass pumpkin!!

Find the step by step here

I already have the glass pumpkin so it is meant to be!!

Some random things:

1. I am going to be featuring some senior interior design student work pretty soon! Get excited :) I know I am.
2. The apartment is now clean and smells like the yummy pumpkin bread that I made.
3. I've started reading The Help! Loved the movie and really wanted to read it so thanks Gabby for letting me borrow it. (and remember it's on my September goals to read an entire book-on my way to completing that one)
4. My awesome friend Erin told me about Amazon wish list and guess what? MIND BLOWN! Now I can access all of these pretty things in one place :)
5. And finally, I got to meet a blog friend (Anna) for Sweet Frog last night! Who else loves froyo?? I got peanut butter and dulce de leche :) yum!

Now for my wish list:

Raskog- Ikea kitchen cart

Gap Suede Loafers in Electric Fuschia

Urban Outfitters Pointy Pony Skimmer

Anthropologie Viscid Watch in Sky

Kate Spade Bag 

(unfortunately its no longer available but I will always love it!)

Target Table lamp (for my bedside table!)

and last but not least:

The Nook Tablet

Barnes and Noble

Etsy

and probably one of these to go with it ;)

I'll let you know if/when my fall decorating turns out like this:

Haha! yeah right :P ( I would have to go Pinterest CRAZY)

What is on your wish list? Do you think its too early to put fall stuff out? I would love to see pics if you have already done so!

XO Samantha