Wedding Wednesday: Bridesmaid Gifts

Happy Wednesday! I am so excited to be talking about my wedding which truly was the best day of my life. I am blessed for have five wonderful bridesmaids who were by my side throughout the entire process. I gave them their gifts at the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding and I was rather proud of them. :) Here's a look at what they got!

I ordered them personalized bags on black friday and saved them all of these months! They are the perfect size for an overnight trip. 

I saw this on pintrest and loved the idea. I bought these hair ties for $1 at walmart and printed out this cute saying on cardstock at home. 

Bath and Body Works is my fav! I picked a fun summer scent that matched my colors. If you watch for sales and use coupons you can get a great deal. 

Old Navy Flip Flops! Watch out for the $1 day, that's when I bought mine. 

Tissues, these came in handy. 

EOS! I got the Costco pack and split it up, one per girl. Perfect since I had five! 

The robes were my favorite. I got them for each of the girls so we could get ready in them && take an adorable teaser picture. :)  

It was a lot, but since I spread it out over several months it was totally affordable. I recommend just picking up little things here and there, before you know it you have a great gift! 

Linking up! 

2013.

When I was first thinking about recapping this year I felt like there wasn't that much to talk about that was exciting or worth re-living. Then last night I decided that I wanted to make a flipogram for my instagram and when I looked through my pictures I found so many things that were worth mentioning. I am thankful that I did that because now I can really look back and reflect on this year. Here are some highlights of where the year has taken me and what I've done in the past 12 months. 

January

*I started substitute teaching since I had just finished my student teaching. I was no longer a student and was actually a 'real teacher' just without a job.

February

*I turned 23, it was very anti-climate and not the best birthday on the actual day. 

*I went to Pullman (my college town) to celebrate my birthday and had a blast thanks to my amazing friends && boyfriend. 

*I had my first competition as an FFA advisor/coach. My kids were competing in Agricultural Issues and I remember having butterflies in my stomach the entire evening. I think I was more nervous than the kids. 

March

*My mom took my brother and I do DISNEYLAND! It truly is the happiest place on earth and I love going there. It will always be my top choice for a vacation that is going to be 4 days or less. 

April

*Another State FFA competition, my kids got 2nd in State. So close to winning, I was so proud of them. 

*My best friend [since 5th grade!] got engaged and asked me to be the maid of honor in her wedding. 

May

*I watched my best friend graduate from college. 

*Macklemore concert! 

*State FFA Convention, this is why I am an ag teacher. The passion that the students have, how hard they work to achieve their goals, and their smiles when they are successful cannot be matched. It was an amazing 5 days. 

*4 year anniversary with the boyfriend. <3

June

*I GOT MY FIRST TEACHING JOB! I was hired at the school that I student taught at. It was a dream come true. The most amazing kids, teachers, and FFA program. 

*I went on a mini Drum Corps tour with my boyfriend who teaches the Drum Line for a local Corps. It was great to see what his life is like on tour and be a part of it for a few days.

July

*I planned and executed awesome 4th of July Party. 

*My little brother and I went to New Jersey to visit my dad and family there. While we were there we road tripped to Boston because neither of us have been there before. 

August

*Last month of freedom before school, girls nights, weekends with my boyfriend, && relaxing before the craziness begins. 

*Our family's favorite activity was going to the Horse Races. I was pro at losing all of my money, but I love the atmosphere and all the yummy food!

September

*I started my first year of teaching. It was hard, stressful, and tiring, but I loved it. 

*Carrie Underwood concert!

October

*Went back to Pullman for a football game && managed to party until 5am. That's a record for me. It was such a blast.

*I took 11 students over 2,000 miles away to the National FFA Convention in Louisville. I successfully didn't lose any of them in the sea of 67,000 students and came home with 4 National Champions. I was one proud advisor. 

November

*My boyfriend and I got an apartment together and moved in! We had been apart for almost 18 months since we graduated from college so the end of our long distance relationship was a glorious day. 

*My boyfriend, a couple of my friends, and I carpooled to our college for our marching band director's last game at our school. He has been the director there for over 25 years and has change the life of so many students and taken the band from about 30 to 250. It was a really special moment to be there to see him recognized at halftime. 

December

*Celebrated my Grandad's 80th birthday by surprising him for a Brunch with the entire family. 

*My boyfriend spent Christmas with my and my family and it was so special. If there is one holiday I love more than anything else it's Christmas, we have so many traditions which I love and it was great that he got to be a part of it. 

Turns out it was a pretty great year! I will be posting my hopes for 2014 in the next post. Time to go shopping for my New Year's party. I hope you all have a safe && Happy New Year! 

Five on Friday

I am linking up with Darci to join in the fun of 'Five on Friday!' Today my edition is the five top things from my vacation. It seemed too short but I also was excited to come back home and start getting ready for the school year! Anyways, my top five!

1. Getting Tan! I came home considerably darker than I was when I left. I attribute this to a couple days on the beach and my devotion to soaking up the sun. Even though it was 90 degrees with high humidity I sucked it up in order to get some color.

2. Walking the Boards! I was nervous to see the Boardwalk after it was devastated by hurricane Sandy bur surprisingly a lot of it was up and running again. It was heartbreaking to see where the pier was that is completely washed away. Also my favorite arcade was swept into the ocean. It's weird knowing it isn't there anymore but I love the memories I have from that place.

3. Pontoon boating! My dad rented a boat for the day and we went out with my cousins, aunt, and grandpa. We used to do this when we were younger and at my Uncle's Cabin in Upstate New York. It was always a blast then and I am glad that it was just as fun this time around. It was a gorgeous day to be on the water, laugh with my family, and swim in the bay. We saw so many gorgeous houses, I wish I could live on the water someday.

4. Harvard! This school has so much history and touring the campus was the coolest thing. Plus our tour guide was awesome and gave us so many fun facts to take home as trivia tidbits.

5. Family! Nothing beats getting together with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandpa who I haven't seen in a year. It's amazing that even though we are apart for so long we always pick up right where we left off and have an amazing time together. I am so fortunate to have such a loving, fun, and supportive family.

That's my five! Off to visit my boyfriend for the weekend!