Friday Faves including my BFF.

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I’m slightly hesitant to even do this post today, but after spending the week in transition (did you notice the new look??) I feel like I can timidly venture back out into Blogland. While I want to sit here and tell you all about my new space that is casually sneaking into the wonderful world wide web, I definitely do not want to jinx myself. There is still a massive to-do list, chock-full of both fun things and lame things. Fun things like the new “Clean Eats” page full of paleo and whole30 approved recipes, in an awesome, pro-foodie blogger layout. And then lame things like getting in touch with Disqus because half of my comments didn’t make the move with me…

But ya know, it’s Friday! We shouldn’t be wasting our time talking about to-do’s and blog chores! We should be talking about all of the awesome and wonderful things that Friday’s are made of! With that, I give you a few of my things you should know:

 

1 // I spent part of my yesterday picking! No, not my nose. Or my seat. I spent a crap ton of money to get across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in order to find myself a mantle from some old Eastern Shore estates. And then I accidentally bought TWO. #whoops. More to come on this nonsense next week.

Celebrate Southern Bloggers Linkup

2 // Have you heard? I’m teaming up with J over at Bless Her Heart Y’all! Starting on Tuesday, October 7, we are going to start hosting our very own “Celebrate Southern” linkup! Basically we want to come together and celebrate anything and everything “southern.” The linkup is open to all types of posts: Southern Recipes, Southern Style/Fashion, Southern Cities you live in or visit, Southern Crafts/Decor! Best part? You don’t even have to be from the South or use the word “Y’all” to join the fun!

 

St. Lucia Honeymoon Helicopter

3 // Monday is Michael’s birthday! And get this, he told me I wasn’t allowed to throw him a birthday party! I mean, come on… I’m an event planner! That’s like telling a dentist not to brush his teeth. {Well, not quite. Just go with me on this one…} After a little pouting {on my end} he gave me permission to throw him “a cookout. But not a birthday party!” Now I just have to get the house clean and festive before everyone comes over tomorrow… #WheresThatDarnCleaningLady?

4 // I’m having a SALE on my ad space! Since I’ve made the leap to word press, it’s time to spice things up! I have some great things coming, and a really fun opportunity for all of my sponsors beginning next Saturday! Want all the deets on sponsoring 2 cats & chloe? Check out my advertising info in the navigation bar above! Oh, and the most important part - us this PROMO CODE to get 50% off: SWITCHEDTOWP

5 // Speaking of sponsors and J… If you haven’t met her yet, you need to! She is my billboard sponsor this month, so we sat down over a glass of wine and did a little q&a. {Because let’s be real… I’ve known her since we were 14, there’s gotta be SOMETHING we can learn from each other!}

Fall outfit from J of Bless Her Heart Y'all

What made you decide to start blogging and where did your blog name come from?

I woke up at 3am one morning, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed and decided that I needed to start a blog. No reason, I just had this need/urge/want to start a blog. The name “Bless Her Heart Y’all” came from what I thought other people’s reaction to some of my choices would be when it came to my bargain outfit posts (my slogan is “Southern Charm on a Budget”) and my shopping destinations (one of my fav places to shop is goodwill!).

Since everyone knows and frequently sees Chloe, tell us about your dogs-behind-the-blog! Are they ever featured in any of your fashion posts?

I have two Boston Terrier pups, Pipsqueak and Thelma. Thelma is terrified of cameras so she never is around when snapping pics. Pippy loves to be in pictures, so much that when she is around she usually sneaks her nose right in front of the lens so all that you see in the pictures is a hairy nose.

I love your style! You can rock things I don’t think I could pull off! What fall fashion trends should we know about?

I went to a fashion bloggers dinner a few nights ago and we talked a lot about the fall fur vest, wearing pastels in fall (hard for me to do, but very trendy!), leather skinny jeans, chunky booties, and big floppy hats! Ekkkkk! I am so excited about all of these trends!

What is one (or two) pieces that I must have in my closet for the fall and winter? I need your help!

So I know how much you love your hats! I would try a berry or warm fall-colored wide-brimmed floppy hat…and booties! Booties galore, booties with buckles, booties with studs, booties with leather straps! And many people forget about the booties without heels. There are so many cute booties with a flat sole. I know that heels are not your best friend.

I know you have a lifestyle blog that you keep on the side! Do you have any delicious paleo or gluten free recipes I would love?

Paleo, no, but Gluten free, yes!

Anything else my readers should know about you? Do you have any weird talents or fun hobbies?

I am a self-proclaimed professional high-fiver and also hugger. My hobbies are horseback riding, horseback riding, and horseback riding!

How can we find you in blogland?

Bless Her Heart Y'all Blog

So that’s it for today guys and gals! I just got an email from the super helpful customer service folks over at Disqus… time for me to get the blog and my comments into tip top shape! Go spend some time getting to know J {she’s wonderful}, don’t forget about the linkup on Tuesday, and take advantage of the 50% discount on my ad space!

Today I am linking up with Friday Faves, Oh Hey Friday, High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Virginia Blogger’s Friday Favorites!

 

Leslie and her Beach Bag!

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Can you believe Memorial Day Weekend is just a mere 3 days away?! (Yup, my weekend is starting on Friday.)  I’m having so much fun with our Summer Kickoff Series!  Yesterday J started off our week like a summertime fashion rockstar.  I seriously need to look for white pants so I can recreate her look this weekend!

Today Leslie from Martin Manifesto is getting our beach bags prepped.  Just an FYI - my birthday is right around the corner… I’d be a-ok if someone just used her blogpost and gave me her beach bag, and all of it’s contents.  It is seriously the most perfect beach bag I’ve ever seen.

Seriously though folks - you need to meet Leslie.  I thought she was cool.  Then I read her answers to my Summer Kickoff Questions and realized that she is awesome and we need to be best friends.  Immediately.

Not only is she also a newlywed (pretty sure we should have wine and talk through our newlywed adventures together one day) but she has been to a concert that I have dreamed about attending for years and years… #jealousmuch?

What is your favorite summer cookout dish? 
I’m a Tex-Mex girl, so I’ll have to go with sweet corn salsa and tortilla chips!
In four sentences or less, what is your favorite summer time memory?
Brad Paisley’s Aquapalooza concert on Lake Travis. You could only get to it by boat. SO.MUCH.FUN!
Beach or Mountains? 
Beach!
What is your go-to summertime beverage of choice?
I L.O.V.E. white sangria!
Bonus Question:  Do you have a summer vacation planned for 2014?

Funny you should ask…we’re currently narrowing down a few options for long weekends.  Our options are Nashville, Napa Valley and Cabo. Tough decision, huh? 
Let’s help Leslie out  - Where would you go if your summer vacay options were Nashville, Napa Valley and Cabo…  Personally - I’d probably go back to Aquapalooza!  Seriously y’all.  I am so incredibly jealous.
Like I said above, to continue our Summer Kickoff, Leslie is helping us pack up the perfect beach bag!  Included in this bag friends, is champagne soaked grapes.  Yup.  You read that right.  Champagne soaked grapes.  
Come back tomorrow to hear about What Summer Means to ME!  We will be spending the day on the river, drinking up summer in a cup!  See you then!

Boho Jewels. And the Fabulous Lesley.

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It’s Thursday.  That means it is my last day in Florida… Sigh.  It’s good and bad.  Even though sleeping in a room that does not have a litter box in it has spoiled me, this girl cannot wait to get home to her furbabies!  
I hope you have all thoroughly enjoyed the week of guest posts!  I know I sure have!  (Along with the Florida sunshine!)  I love all these ladies.  BUT - I have a secret fave for you today!  I absolutely adore - wait - ADORE Lesley.  We started out simply commenting on each others’ blogs, which lead becoming facebook friends, to long lengthy emails.  Pretty sure we will start texting one day and then meet in Capri, Italy for the first time and then we will become inseparable.  Done and done.     
Anyway - not only is she super pretty, but she is super stylish. She has a great sense of fashion.  She posts inspirational images and quotes.  Oh and she’s got some insanely good makeup and beauty tips that, no joke, I think about almost every morning when I apply my bronzer.   Without further adieu - meet Lesley.



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Hey all!

I am Lesley and I blog over at My Lively Mind where I write about a crazy bunch of everything.  
Basically my blog features my navigation though this beautiful life and includes ideas for having fun, being healthy, loads of recipes, skincare, beauty, and hair, as well as things I create, my hubby & dogs.  I try to lead a happy life, so why not share it with you.
I would love for you to stop by and say hello!

Also, I am so happy that Susan asked me to guest post for her while she’s enjoying the Sunshine State!

Lucky.

Oh, by the way, she is also the one who made my header - isn’t it great?! 
I love it.
Another thing I love is jewelry. 
 I have seen some fabulous looking stuff out there but my checking account won’t allow me to get it all.  That’s ok, but I have decided that for a while {I don’t know, maybe a year or two}, all the jewelry I purchase is going to come from individuals.  I love the idea of supporting people who create and craft their own pieces.  I’m tired of the little guy being run in the ground by all these super companies, so I try to avoid them at all costs.  Same with my jewelry now.

I’m trying to become a more self-reliant individual, and although it’s been in baby steps, it’s going to be worth it.

So without further adieu, here are some of my favorite finds, as of late.

{via}

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And wait a minute, whose shoppe does this come from you might ask?

 So these are just a few pieces that I have been drooling over on etsy.  May have to pick them up soon and add them to my non-existent summer wardrobe….for now (:

Thanks again, Susan!  I had fun. 

http://mylivelymind.blogspot.com

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Told you she’s pretty cool.  She even gave ME a shout out on my own blog.  Talk about marketing!  I will pay you later for that one 😉  Go see her.  And tell her which of her jewelry finds you like the best.  I am a big fan of that awesome ring!  Love love loveee the teal colors!  
As you read this I am probably flying or sitting in an airport making my journey home.  OR - sitting in Hotlanta on a dinner date with a long lost best friend…. the one I rapped for at her wedding.  Yep.  That one.  Chat with you all when I am back in Virginia! xoxo 

Great Minds Vacation in Florida

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A couple weeks ago I did my first guest post!  I was pretty intimidated because being a tiny blogger (you know, blog size… not my height.  5’7” -  I think I’m pretty average right?!)  Anyway - I semi volunteered to be a guest blogger for the beautiful Janna through a comment on her blog.  Next thing I knew I was typing up a little diddy about myself and emailing it on to her.  Who knew she would be making up the favor for me now!  Craziest part?  We both went to vacay in The Sunshine State!  Great minds…  

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Hello my dears!

I’m Janna and I keep it real over at Perception Is Everything.

Miss Susan was a guest for me while I was in Florida, and now I’m getting to post for her while SHE is in Florida!  Please forgive us for bragging….

In honor of her trip I will share a few photos from my trip :)

You just gotta love beaches and fried food….

They go hand in hand for me!

If you’d like to see more, come visit me!

You will also find a lot about my puppy dog, my GI Joe husband, recipes, and life in general. Some people think I’m slightly funny and somewhat entertaining, so maybe you will too 😉

Thanks for having me over Susan!

I know that you are having a BLAST right now.

Live it up girl!

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Thanks so much Janna!  You rock!  I so totally appreciate you doing this for me!  Next time let’s plan to vacation at the same time and maybe have a drink on the beach together… good idea?  Oh yeah - all you awesome readers are invited too!  
If you don’t know Janna and her blog yet, you really should.  She is such a positive person!  Her blog is in my “must read daily” section of my google reader… so you know she must be seriously amazing.  

Adventuresome Guest Post: Krakow

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Within the last month I “met” Gesci from English as a Second Language.  Ever since we have been emailing back and forth talking about our travels, pets, and the adorable sheep that live across the street from her.  (Yes, you need to click that link and see those cute sheepies!) 
And because she is so awesome - she decided to step it up and guest blog for me and my “Adventuresome Tuesday!”   To be quite frank - I had never even heard of Krakow… so that makes this post even more terrific.  Pack your bags, spin your desk chair in a circle, and keep your hands, arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times!  Because you are heading to Krakow with Gesci rightttt NOW!   Sorry - too many rides a Disney… :) 
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Hey, y’all!  I’m Gesci (pronounced Jessie),

and I’m here to hang out with you for Adventuresome Tuesday while Susan is deep in the wilds of Florida.

Susan and I are recent blog-buddies, but I think we’ve bonded between 
our household similarities- she’s got 2 cats and Chloe, I’ve got 2 dogs and Mia;
our love for our Jeeps,
being East Coast Southerners (she’s from VA, I’m from GA…)
yeah, so I’m reaching a bit here…
Ahem.  Back to Adventuresome Tuesday.
When Susan mentioned me doing a blog post on travel, I froze a little-
not because I don’t have any stories, but because I’ve had so many opportunities recently!

My family (husband Paul, the furkids, and I) moved to England 2.5 years ago, 
and we’ve been taking every opportunity to travel Great Britain and Europe since. 
I’ll focus on our Krakow trip, since it’s not as common a destination as Venice, Athens, London, Ireland…
and we absolutely loved it.
Paul’s sister, Caitlin, was studying abroad in England for the semester, and we offered to take her on a trip with us.  I began the search for an affordable destination that still offered a lot to do.
Krakow kept popping up- 
so I booked some Ryanair flights, a holiday apartment, and began looking into what the city offered.

Our number one priority was to see Auschwitz and Birkenau- the opportunity to see such powerful sites first-hand was not something we were willing to pass over.  I read several travel reviews and decided to book a private one day tour for the three of us, which ended up being a great decision.  We had our own guide, were able to go at our own pace (meaning I could take all the pictures I wanted without having to catch up to a group!), and we got to see a few buildings not included on the large group tours.  

This visit and experience will be with me the rest of my life, and spending an entire day there allowed me to absorb as much as I could about this tragic and world-altering part of modern history.
Both Poland and the city of Krakow itself do a tremendous job of holding onto their heritage and honoring their history- the museums we visited throughout the city showed detailed aspects of Krakow’s past, both good and bad, allowing visitors to understand and learn from the many different periods in Polish history.  
While we did concentrate a good bit of our time on history, specifically the Holocaust, we made sure to take in Krakow’s more fun and lively sites, as well!

Wawel Hill holds the Royal Palace, Wawel Cathedral, and other stately buildings- as well as housing the fearsome Wawel Dragon in a cave underneath!  

The Main Square of Krakow is home to the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica- and where one of Krakow’s many legends is relived each day as a bugler’s tune of alarm is abruptly ended mid-note.  This is in honor of the 13th century bugler shot in the throat as he alerted the city to a Mongol invasion.

Just outside of Krakow is Wieliczka Salt Mine.  The tour goes through several levels of the mine, all complete with salt sculptures made by miners as they worked. Yet another legend (the city’s full of them!) is shown here, in the creation of the salt mine by St. Kinga.

Like most Eastern European cities, Krakow also offers a wide variety of architecture- Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic- you name it, you’ll find it.

The food in Krakow is also incredible- I think we rated each meal as “delicious!”

Overall, this trip was perfect.  A great mix of things to do, great food, a safe and easy-to-navigate city- and, getting back to that all-important “affordable” part?  For three people, four nights, the total cost (we’re talking EVERYTHING) was under $1200!

My blog, English as a Second Language, follows our adventures and life in England, so if you like travel, pets, and photography, head on over and say hi!!

Street performer, Krakow Main Square
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Mmmmk.  You awesome folks know the drill.  Click here.  Show Gesci some 2 cats & Chloe lovin’ as you travel around the world with her!  Thanks girl so much for writing for me today!  I owe ya! xoxo