A "Little Joy"

I recently discovered the band, Little Joy (thank you Emmadime), and fell hard... not only for the catchy tune "Next Time Around," but for their adorable and only female band member, Binki. Can't get enough of Binki and her not too shabby band mates!

Mommy Dearest

A little late, but what else would you expect?! Happy birthday to my mama! I went back to Saint Louis this past weekend to help with the five wedding extravaganza. Although I worked at the Buckets for some time, having been out of the loop for almost a year, I was a bit rusty... to say the least. Let's just say after it was all said and done my dogs were a barkin' and my head was a bobbin'.

I truly have no clue how my mom does it. How does she keep five weddings straight? Five different venues? Five different color schemes? Five hundred million details? And now trying to help my sister plan her wedding, how does one manage?

Mom, you are a true inspiration. You are the hardest worker around. You are the most selfless person I know. You are my best friend and I couldn't be happier I got to spend the weekend with you. I wish you the happiest of birthdays, mom. You deserve nothing but the absolute best! Cheers to you Babs!

xoxo,
goo tang!

My Sister's Engaged!

Words cannot express how happy I am for this incredible couple above! My sister met a man in Charlotte, he's wonderful, and brilliant and now they're getting married (a little father of the bride for you amateurs). I have always wanted a brother, but I never dreamed of being so lucky to land a blue eyed, fun-loving, goon like the one above. He fits our family like a glove.

Cheers to KC and Jon and all there is to come!!!

That is all.

(via, but who really knows the original source when it comes to tumblr. Is it just me or does anyone else get completely lost when it comes to tracking down the original source in the blogosphere? I am trying hard to give credit to those who deserve it, but it has become a difficult task and a push to stop reblogging. But for the time being who cares? All that matters is that life is beautiful!)

Monday Manners

Tardiness is Tacky. Although I truly believe politeness is promptness, you can call me impolite when it comes to being on time. Five to ten minutes late to just about anything. I guess it's better than twenty, right? Setting all clocks and watches five minutes fast, fail. Setting three alarms every morning, another fail. 11:29 pm on a Monday and here I am presenting to you my Monday Manners. Better go. I must start minding my manners.

(via downtownfrombehind)

Simple Staples

I am going on my fourth week of avoiding the grocery store and I couldn't be more proud! Prior to these four weeks I was on a fairly routine schedule of going to the grocery every other week and making a monthly trip to costco (which is still key). Within these four weeks of grocery deprivation, I have by no means been kept hungry, I have simply learned how to live on my "must-have supply of simple staples." I have saved money, gas, time, and calories; money being key! Knowing I can save money and still fill my belly has me sharing my secrets with my broke college sister. Willing to share my long list with whomever ever wants in, but for now I will stick to the staples (in no order of importance).

1. bread
2. potatoes
3. pasta/quinoa
4. cheese (sliced and crumbled)
5. peanut butter
6. salt and pepper
7. hot sauce
8. olive oil/salad dressing
9. chicken and turkey (sparely) 
10. eggs
11. cereal
12. pretzels
13. nuts
14. popcorn
15. water

Big keys: buy in bulk. costco or sams club membership is well worth it. non-perishable. easy prep.

Reading through the recipes in my roommates real simple magazines typically seems far from a reality, especially when groceries are far and few between and when meat has become a delicacy. However, if you look hard enough... dreams do come true. Amazing when you are only short one or two ingredients!

Sorry to bore, but lately I can't say enough about my simple staples.

(via real simple)

Colors

Working at the Buckets I saw some pretty awesome color combos, as colors are one of my mama's specialities (possibly her best and what she is well known for). After years of work for my mama and possibly some inherited traits, I like to think I have picked up on her knack for colors. Whether or not that is the case, I am in love with the above bouquet. The combination of colors really does it for me (and  the anemones may have a little to do with it).

(via style me pretty)

P.S. thanks Kas for the inspiration!