Tag Archives: sweet

Jun21

Super Sweet Birthday Gifts

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Super Sweet Birthday Gifts

Hello!! My birthday was on June 7th and I have been having the best time celebrating! This past week, I enjoyed two more b-day extravaganzas: A delicious family lunch and a sleepover with my two darling nieces. Since last year, my eldest niece has decided that a slumber party is a perfect birthday gift and it has become our tradition. This was also the first time that her younger sister has joined the crafting/movies/ice cream sundae jamboree and we all had a blast. It was exhausting, but a hoot! As soon as my nieces arrived for our party, they came barreling in with the sweetest prezzies for their favorite aunt. Check it out:

For my big day, I was presented with the most gorgeous wall art and earrings I have ever seen. They were already amazing gifts, but what really took the cake was that my oldest niece helped select the embroidery and picked out the earrings all by herself. Like the slumber party, she thought they were “perfect” for TT and she was so right! Anytime the girls have something just for me is special and I was so touched that my niece wanted to have a hand in shopping for my gifts. It turned a gesture that was lovely to begin with into something that I am always going to treasure.

Can we talk about how pretty these two prezzies are?! Johnny and I have an extensive collection of wall art and I am especially partial to anything embroidered. In fact, if I saw the wall art I was gifted with during a shopping trip, I would have definitely bought it! I love the thick stitches of the flowers and greenery and the huge, over the top gold frame. I can’t wait for Johnny to find an empty space to hang it up! And, of course, we can’t forget the birthday bling with the earrings. This dazzling dangly pair has so much movement, personality, and all of the glitz and glam to ring in my thirty-first year. I was beyond excited to wear them to my family lunch and my niece was just as proud to see them displayed as I was to wear them! ❤

I am the luckiest gal in the world for having the best party with my nieces, which would have been a gift enough. I feel so totally and completely spoiled!

Who is your favorite person to shop for? Do you have any celebrations coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun19

Sweet Surprises: Birthday Bouquet Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Birthday Bouquet Edition

Hello!! Johnny and I have had such an awesome birthaversary celebration so far and the good times are going to continue rolling all month long. We still have plans for a concert, a baseball game, and hang outs with all of our nearest and dearest and it is such fun to take over the entire month of June with Johnny! I have been surprised with so many wonderful messages and gifts already and had a “but wait – there’s more!” moment when Johnny brought home this gorgeous bouquet that his aunt sent for my birthday:

When Johnny walked through the door, I could barely see him over the huge bouquet bursting with the most beautiful blooms. Of course, I was surprised by the sheer enormity of it, but what really blew me away were the colors! Burnt orange, pale peach, purple, and pink flowers worked in tandem to create a display that is truly stunning. I can’t help but to smile every time I look at it because it’s just so pretty and thoughtful. Johnny’s aunt doesn’t live in Ohio so it’s like getting a great big hug from her!

I absolutely love being gifted with flowers because bouquets are something that I don’t buy for myself and they always remind me of my dad. Whether it’s a bouquet he picks up from the store or one he created on his own from the garden, he frequently surprises my mom with flowers. I think it is the sweetest thing and look forward to seeing his masterpieces front and center on the kitchen table. A bouquet is like a little ray of sunshine just for you and I am so appreciative for the flowers in both mine and my parents’ home. ❤

My birthday and apartment got so much brighter from this Sweet Surprise. I am in awe of this bouquet and it was the most lovely gift!

What is your favorite flower? Do you have fresh flowers in your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun9

Sweet Surprises: Random Money Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Random Money Edition

Hello!! This past week, I had a little moment on my break at work that simply tickled me and I just had to share it with all of you. I don’t know about you, but every once in a while I will see a post on Facebook about someone finding random money on their person. Unfortunately, I can’t relate because I am one of those people that rarely carry cash… Primarily because I want to spend it immediately! However, that statement is no longer true because that is what happened during my break time surprise and, I’ve got to say, it was just as delightful as I imagined it being.

After finishing up some work on the computer, I still had a bit of time to kill. So, I started reading a new book called The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers (Peep the Book Club review soon!). As I was reading, I reached in my purse for anything that could be used as a bookmark and pulled out the first thing that felt like paper. As per ushe, I was expecting a receipt that I didn’t need but wasn’t going to leave my purse until cleaning it out. Rather, it was a small envelope. You can only imagine my surprise when I opened it to discover it was Christmas cash from last year from my parents. I must have stuck it in my purse with the intention of spending it, it got lost in the black hole that is my handbag, and I straight up forgot about it.

When I made this discovery, it seriously felt like getting a hug from my mom and dad. Yes, the cashola was nice but it was even better to have a Christmas surprise in June! I immediately called my mom to announce my findings and what I thought would be a short call turned into a ten minute gab fest and that was the cherry on top. I was already having a great day but this made it an excellent one and it really is the little things in life that make it so much sweeter. ❤

Like I said, as soon as I have cash – I want to spend it! I used it to buy more leafy greens for the bunnies, a couple of dinner options for me and Johnny, and some super yummy dill pickle trail mix too. Dinner and snack time for us and the bunnies were proudly sponsored by mom and dad. I just love them!!! :*)

What is a little thing that made you happy recently? Have you found random money before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

Sweet Surprises: Bunny Decor Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Bunny Decor Edition

Hello!! I am incredibly lucky to be able to call my sister, brother-in-law, and three darling nieces my best friends in the whole world. They are simply the best and Johnny and I cherish every second with them. My crew is never far from my mind and I know the feeling is mutual – this was further confirmed by a Sweet Surprise from the bestie squad! When I got to my shift at chez parents this past week, there was a gift waiting for me on the kitchen table compliments of my BFFs and it absolutely delighted me. Check out this perfect prezzie for everyone’s favorite bunny mom:

As you all know, Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Not for religious purposes but because of the fact that bunny decor reigns supreme in stores. I have to get at least one new bunny themed decoration per year to celebrate my sweet pets and it just makes me happy lol. I’m even happier to know that my besties got into the spirit too! After unwrapping my adorable bunny in bow tie present, I could almost picture the shopping scene in my head of my sister and nieces. I am sure that as soon as my eldest niece saw it on a shelf, she told her mom that TT, Melvin, and Penelope, would love it. Even if this vision was imaginary, whoever thought I would love it was spot on!

Do I need more bunny decor? That was a trick question because the answer will always be a resounding YES! My Sweet Surprise is proudly displayed in my bunny corner of the knick knack shelf and it makes me smile every time I see it! ❤

Do you have any pet themed home decor? What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb13

Best Husband Ever!

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Best Husband Ever!

Hello!! My love for Diet Coke knows no bounds. It is the air that I breathe, the water I drink, and the food that nourishes me. Okay, I guess I wouldn’t go that far. Just kidding I totally would – it’s the best! Whenever Johnny goes to the gas station over the weekend, I always ask him to pick me up a bottle of DC. Normally, he is pretty good about it. However, he completely forgot the past THREE times during his errands. It was nothing short of devastating to see him return home empty handed but he is forever at angel status, albeit a forgetful angel!

This past weekend, Johnny went to the store and as per usual, I asked him for my usual. Honestly, I was fully expecting him to forget my Diet Coke again and that would have been fine. At this point, it had become a running joke. So, you could imagine my surprise when Johnny came rolling into the apartment with not just one bottle of DC but a six pack! He told me he was paying back for his indiscretion with interest and it was seriously so sweet. Not only did he remember, but he surprised me with something even better and I was smiling about it all weekend long. It truly does not take much and he is simply the best. ❤

^^^ My precious!!

What is your favorite beverage? Do you drink it every day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb9

Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Gifts

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Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day Gifts

Hello! Mine and Johnny’s typical MO for Valentine’s Day is seeing a show at Playhouse Square. However, we are incredibly partial to a low key celebration too! Yes, it’s nice to go on a date for V-Day but it’s also just as nice or even better to spend true quality time together from the comfort of your home or a cozy cafe. Whether you go all out for the occasion or keep things simple is your prerogative. As long as the intent to truly celebrate your relationship is there, it’s going to be a great time! Let’s explore some ways that you can make V-Day special on any budget:

Extra Cleaning:

A deep clean of the home or taking on a chore that your partner is in charge of is completely free and will be completely appreciated. How do I know? I would be ELATED if my V-Day gift from Johnny was that he would take care of the bunnies in the morning for a few weeks! A gift like this is twofold. Your home will be squeaky clean AND completing some extra chores will give your SO time for themselves. Maybe they will use it to get twenty more minutes of shut eye or read a few chapters of a good book. Don’t underplay the gift of taking some weight off of your partner’s shoulders!

Good Morning, Sunshine:

Breakfast in bed? Yes, please! Talk about a fantastic way to make someone feel spoiled. You could whip up a big breakfast or brunch from home. Or you could grab takeout from your favorite restaurant. If your partner is not big on breakfast, that’s okay. You can still work with the idea! Surprise them with their Starbucks order, go to energy drink, or in my case – a McDonald’s Diet Coke and present it with a pretty bouquet. This is a surefire way to start the day off right and keep your main squeeze smiling from such a sweet gesture.

Sentimental:

One of the most beautiful gifts you can give is by using your words. Tell your partner how much they mean to you with a love letter on their pillow. This is so sentimental and will always be treasured. It is also an especially effective gift if you have a hard time expressing yourself. In the same breath, you could go the photo album route too. Compile your favorite shots from date nights, vacations, and just hanging out and create an album. It will be a welcome trip down memory lane as you flip through it together and remember the hilarious, romantic, and adventurous moments that you shared.

Matchmaker:

Having matching items with your SO is a match made in heaven! Johnny and I have countless matching T-shirts and it just makes us happy lol. The possibilities for a gift like this are truly endless. Will it be his and hers bathrobes? Two of a kind coffee mugs? Matching jerseys to cheer on your favorite team? Are you going to custom make it or find something perfect at the store? This is an awesome opportunity to get creative so have fun with it! I know I will be because I’m getting myself and Johnny a matching T-shirt set from one of our comfort shows as a bonus gift. 😀

As you can see, there are countless ways to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember while adhering to your budget. Your partner will LOVE any of these gifts!

What would you like for V-Day? What is your least favorite chore? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Valentine’s Day Outfit Builder

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Valentine’s Day Outfit Builder

Hello!! I love getting dressed up for any holiday, but Valentine’s Day just hits different. Why? Because it’s different! While I do have a lot of very feminine clothes, I wouldn’t call my personal style “girly”. So, it is always fun to play with that too sweet aesthetic for V-Day. This year, I treated myself to a brand new OOTD for mine and Johnny’s Valentine’s Day date and I can’t wait to wear it! Today, let’s explore some options for all different kinds of styles to elevate you to the V-Day Best Dressed List too:

Sweet:

Whenever I think about Valentine’s Day, the first word that comes to mind is always “sweet” because it really is. You and your main squeeze are celebrating your love and each other and it’s a special occasion. Luckily, there is no shortage of ways that you can invoke sweetness into your OOTD. We’re talking soft, pastel shades. Silky, flowy fabrics. And, of course, dazzling and well placed accessories. Sweet outfits can benefit from one item in the OOTD being more form fitting and pairing it with something voluminous to balance it out. Cute kitten heels, tumbling curls, and makeup that enhances your natural beauty will complete the look for the ultimate in girly girl style.

Sexy:

In stark contrast to sweet vibes, let’s talk sexy. For Valentine’s Day, this means some va va VOOM baby! This is the opportunity to tap into a bad romance so leather and lace, anyone? Can you imagine a skin tight, black leather bodycon skirt paired with a deep red lace top? You will be turning everyone’s heads so don’t be afraid to show off! Choose pieces that hug every curve or accentuates a part of your body that your partner loves and let their eyes dance with accessories. For example, if you are primarily featuring your legs, a delicate anklet can push that pure sex appeal even further. Opt for smokey eyes, berry lips, and mile high stilettos to fly you into the oh so sexy stratosphere.

Sassy:

Sassy Valentine’s Day outfits are quirky and gives you free reign to play with patterns. How about a button down top with embroidered hearts? A cami with lipstick kisses? Even polka dots can transform your OOTD into something unique while still feeling classic to the Valentine’s Day standards. Sassy looks are adventurous and might not adhere to the usual silhouettes so experiment with how your clothing can create different shapes. A perfect example of this is cinching a cascading maxi dress with a belt to give your waist dimension. Screw the stilettos and go for chunky platforms, a bright lip, or try some funky eye makeup art to make your outfit pop even more!

No matter what you do for Valentine’s Day, put your best OOTD forward with these tips!

How would you describe your personal style? What is your favorite holiday to dress for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan7

Sweet Surprises: New Record Edition

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Sweet Surprises: New Record Edition

Hello! My Johnny is not only an incredible musician but an avid lover of all music. He has an insane record collection, boasting over five hundred vinyls and it is his payday treat to hit up a few of his favorite haunts and pick up a new record or two. Despite his insistence on me purchasing records for myself, it is honestly something that doesn’t interest me. At the end of the day, you can wear a new pair of shoes but you can’t wear a new record lol. Because of this, Johnny makes it a point to surprise me with a new record every so often and he did so this weekend. While I was out with my nieces, Johnny placed one of my all time favorites under my pillow for me to return home to. I couldn’t contain myself when I saw that it was Sing the Sorrow by AFI:

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Johnny and I are elder emos through and through and were blessed to have been around for the surge of emo and alt bands in the early 2000s. While Johnny was a My Chemical Romance kind of guy, I was a total AFI gal. AFI became one of my favorite bands after one listen and Sing the Sorrow was actually the first album I bought with my own money. I am SO lucky to have seen them perform live twice with my sister and have the fondest memories of both shows as well as the top of our lungs sing alongs in her first car. AFI is a band that has been with me for such a long time, through the good and the bad, and will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Whenever I am out shopping, I love to look for “little treats” for Johnny and tend to go the clothing route. Buying records for me is truly his equivalent of this and it really is sweet. Of course, it’s nice to be thought of but his sheer excitement for it is the best. Little by little, he has made an effort to expand my record collection too and it is working! Just like Johnny, I tore my AFI record open and wanted to listen to it immediately. So we did. While we played video games and chatted away, one of my desert island records played too and It. Was. Glorious!

I felt spoiled rotten by my surprise from Johnny and it made our standing weekend date of records and games even better! He is just the best. ❤

What do you like to collect? Do you have any vinyl records? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug25

Sweet Surprises: Halloween Decor Galore Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Halloween Decor Galore Edition

Hello!! Whenever Johnny and I are running errands, we like to pick up little tokens of affection if we see something that reminds us of each other. It could be a new record, a book, or even a candy bar to share for dessert. Whatever it is, it’s always exciting to return home and say that we have a surprise. This past week, Johnny stopped at Marc’s which is a discount grocery store in our neck of the woods. He had a few odds and ends to pick up as well as this silly little something that was hanging up at my work station once I got home:

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As soon as I saw this wine related sign on my computer chair, I couldn’t stop laughing because I knew exactly why Johnny got it. Yes, I do love wine lol. However, the deeper meaning behind it is a nod to one of our favorite Saturday Night Live skits. Long story short, a family is celebrating a special occasion. The children and husband present the mom with wooden signs that have phrases on them. Think “Live, Laugh, Love”. As she continues to open the presents, the phrases get more and more ridiculous. For example, a sign about wine devolves into “I’m a mess and love drinking alone”. We are constantly quoting these segments and Johnny was so pleased to have found something similar and for only a dollar to boot!

This truly goes to show that it doesn’t matter how much you spend on anything, rather it’s the thought behind it. For one dollar, Johnny found spooky decor that reflected one of our running inside jokes and makes me smile every time I see it. My husband was chomping at the bit for me to get home and placed it in a prime position for maximum effect. He knows my routine of going right to the computer after work and had it waiting just for me. As far as I’m concerned, this Sweet Surprise was worth a million bucks because it made me feel like it. I am the luckiest gal. ❤

I didn’t need wine to focus on writing this post, but I sure appreciate the sentiment anyways. Shout out to Johnny for always being the absolute best!

Do you have any signs with funny phrases at home? What is your favorite Saturday Night Live skit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun17

Bonus Birthday Surprises

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Bonus Birthday Surprises

Howdy!! I turned the dirty thirty on June seventh and had the most wonderful time celebrating. The beauty of birthdays is that you can prolong the festivities and I definitely do. With insanely busy schedules between myself, my family, and friends some of the hangouts have had to wait and I am eagerly awaiting them! Although some get togethers are on the back burner, I have still been treated to lots of birthday love, especially from my work family. It is so nice to be thought of and I adore these sweet surprises:

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During the work week, I run on sheer willpower and lots and lots of caffeine lol. You can almost always catch me with hot or iced coffee or a Diet Coke and my work fam knows this, which inspired my Stanley Cup gift. Yes, the super viral Stanley Cup! I will be honest with all of you, when these tumblers blew up the internet, I had zero interest in buying one. I have plenty of to go mugs and they have always served me well. However, now that I have this lovely sea foam green Stanley, I can’t believe I didn’t get one sooner. It is the bee’s knees! This cup keeps my drinks either piping hot or icy cold and you just can’t beat it. I also couldn’t have gotten it at a better time because it is officially summer weather and it’s so nice to have a tumbler that keeps my water cold all day. Highly recommend!

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday without some sweet treats. I am not a huge candy fan, but one of my favorite families made a guess at what I would like and they were actually spot on. My Johnny freaking LOVES Mike and Ikes and was simply thrilled when I tossed him the candy box upon my return home from work. I am much more of a chocolate girl than chewy or fruity candy so the peanut M&Ms will pull through in the clutch when my sweet tooth acts up on the rare occasion. Normally when this happens, I have nothing in the apartment to staunch my cravings. Not anymore. 😀

Between the birthday greetings and gifts, I have felt so loved and appreciated and this is the best of all. The fact that people took time out of their day to do something just for me really does mean the world. Turning thirty wasn’t so bad after all… I guess! 😉

Do you have a Stanley Cup? What is your favorite candy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah