Atlantic City

Hubs and I got home around 1 last night from a trip to Atlantic City. It was a business trip, but it was a lot of fun. I didn't know what to expect, never having been anywhere like it, and it is definitely a different world there. The kind of place where nothing good happens after midnight, so you may as well just be in bed. :)

Not to knock Jersey, but I honestly wasn't impressed. From what I hear, Vegas is a lot nicer and more exclusive. I was especially not impressed with our hotel, Bally's. We changed rooms twice. The first time because there were ants and roaches in our room. The second time because they put us in a smoking room that absolutely reeked (we don't smoke and my sinuses were on fire the second we stepped foot in that room). And in the third room, I was still not impressed- dirty carpets, the ceiling paint was falling in one area, and there were hairs left over the sink from what I expect was the room's last guest. I was expecting a more swanky, elegant hotel, but I guess you get what you pay for and the trip was free. I am very grateful that we were offered a chance to go on this trip, so I don't want to sound like I'm complaining- just call me an amateur hotel rater!

All in all I discovered that I'm a closet gambling addict (just kidding, mom) and that 24 hour Happy Hour in the Wild, Wild West casino sounds like a good idea, but really turns out not to be in the end. I had so much fun playing the slot machines. We were given some spending money when we arrived and even though I left with very little of the money they gave us, at least nothing really came out of my pocket and it was sure fun. I want to go to another casino sometime and try my hand at a poker or blackjack table, something I wasn't brave enough to do this time around.

Atlantic City's best attraction (because I believe there are better casinos and hotels elsewhere) was the boardwalk.

Picture not taken by me. I'm the world's worst at remembering to take photographs of once in a lifetime moments. Oops.

Hubs and I had so much fun walking and walking, seeing all the crazy locals, and just spending much needed time together. I even heard there were some "ladies of the night" walking down the boardwalk, but we weren't out quite late enough for that!

Can't wait until our next vacation already!

Top Two Tuesday: Things I Would Like to Accomplish

1. Balance

Being a new wife, I am daily struggling to figure things out. How do I juggle keeping the house clean, as well as spending quality time with my husband? Or how do I find time to relax and work out to keep myself healthy? I am ashamed to say that many night we go out to eat because I'm tired from work, or the kitchen isn't clean, or any other variety of excuses. Whew, this wife thing is tough!  I'm doing my best to learn from my mistakes and find ways to balance things that I enjoy with the things that are not so enjoyable (vacuuming, scrubbing, and the like). I know I will never be perfect at this, and certainly by the end of the year, but I'm hoping that with time I will be able to learn to balance all the loves, pleasures, chores, and events in my life with ease and poise.

2.  Daily Quiet Time

This is something that would be easy to accomplish. I would love to set aside 15-30 minutes a day for some reflection. In Bible class in school (I went to a private school my whole life) the teacher would point us to a story, verse, or passage from the Bible and ask us to write a reflection on it. Our response could be anything at all. Similar to a daily devotion. I would love to take the time to do this everyday. At the beginning of the day would be the best, but I'm the worst morning person. But really anytime would be beneficial. Anyone have a good daily devotional they would recommend? I have gotten away from spending time with the Lord daily, and its the one thing that I should really be focused on getting back to.

What would you like to accomplish? Go on over to Taylor's blog to join in!

Christmas in September?

For some reason I can't get Christmas off of my mind. I keep seeing something cute online or in a store and I'm thinking "oh! I should get something like that for so-and-so for Christmas." I haven't bought anything yet but I'm not sure why I've started thinking about it so early this year. Maybe the way the season is starting to change has me in holiday mode or something.

One thing I've been thinking about especially is that this will be our first holiday season as a married couple. The reality is we will be spending most of the time at my mom's house or with family and friends, but I still feel the need to make it extra special because it is our first. The problem is, how do I do that? I've never had to host the holidays before, and to be honest it makes me pretty nervous.

I'm hoping we will be in our new house by Christmas, but at this rate we might not be. I'm determined to make the holiday special no matter where we are, but it would be fun if it was there :)

How do you make the holidays special for you and your family? Do you join in with old traditions or make your own?

Top Two Tuesday: Favorite Things About Fall

I LOVE all things fall but these two things are my favorite.

1. The Weather

Fall is my favorite season, hands down! The past few nights in fact have been in the 50's and 60's and it is amazing to open the windows and turn the AC off. I'm over the days in the 90's and can't wait until it cools down during the day as well. It makes my number two pick of fall much more bearable.


2. Football!

Me and Sir Big Spur, the USC mascot

As I mentioned last week, I am a big football fan! My teams of choice are the University of South Carolina Gamecocks (my alma mater) and the Minnesota Vikings (love Brett Favre!). I only started watching pro football as of last year and I'm not always so into it, but you will always find me in Columbia when the Gamecocks play.

What are your favorite things about fall? Go to Taylor's blog to join in the fun!

The Fall and Winter Scentsy is here!

Its that time of year, folks. Before we know it, the hot humid days of summer will be over and the leaves will begin changing. Today, Scentsy released their new Fall/Winter 2010 line. You MUST go to my site and check out all the new things for this fall. I just received all my scents in the mail and the new ones are to die for! See the side panel on the right for links to my website.

Here are a few new things Scentsy has to offer this season. Click on any of the photos' captions to go to the Scentsy site and learn more about the item:

The Warmer of the month- Montpelier

Fragrance Foam! Antibacterial hand soap

Ollie the Elephant is one of the Scentsy Buddies great for kids of all ages!

The Nursery Collection of Warmers

Need I say more?! There is also the "Patriot Collection" featuring armed forces warmers, and a special warmer to benefit The National Breast Cancer Foundation. Really beautiful stuff.

Scentsy makes for fun holiday parties and great Christmas gifts. Contact me today!