She's a married woman!

"Happiness is only real when shared"

Jon Krakauer

Let us pause and take in how incredibly gorgeous my friend looks as a bride.  I mean, come on now, she is gorgeous.  You can't beat those candid photographs, my friends.  On April 26, 2014 my darling friend married the love of her life.  The day was gorgeous, the ceremony was sweet, and the reception was filled with happiness.  Honestly, the day could not have gone more perfectly.  Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Chioffe!  May this new journey be filled with more love than either of you could ever imagine.  I am so happy to be a part of the ride.

Teressa and her bridesmaids.  I may be biased, but, we are one good looking bunch ;)

At first I was quite nervous about being the "pregnant" bridesmaid.  However, the maternity style bridesmaid dress really accentuated the bump just right.  Don't you think?

One of my all time favorite photographs.  Auntie Teressa loves the baby.

This is X.

But on and on from the moment I wake

To the moment I sleep

I'll be there by your side

Just you try and stop me

On April 20, 2014 we celebrated ten years of being together.  Sure, we've been married for almost five years, yet, I could never let go of April 20, 2004.  Ten years ago a young boy asked a young girl a very simple question, "Will you be my girl?"  It wasn't the first time he asked, but, it was most certainly the last.  I'll be your girl forever, love.

It hasn't all been perfect.  Yet, I cannot imagine any moment without him in it.  Ten years ago I gave away my heart.  And, in a short ten weeks we will be welcoming the fruit of our love into this world, a little bebe.   I can hardly wait.  Here is to ten more years, 20 more years, 30 more years, 40 more years, 50 more years, 60 more years; here is to the rest of my days with the love of my life.  Forever does not seem quite long enough.

xx

Keeping Calm.

I am not a naturally calm person by nature.  Sure, I can go with the flow under certain circumstances, yet, when it comes to MY circumstances I am usually not as serene.  Being pregnant has taught me quite the lesson in patience.  A lesson that I never expected to learn.  Ultimately, I have control over very little.  Actually, the reality is that I have control over almost nothing.  

Every morning I wake up and the very first thing that comes to my mind is my enormous to-do-list; the ever-increasing to-do-list.  Will it ever end?  Probably not.  Three things get crossed off and five more get added.  It is quite the cycle I have going.  Between weddings, maternity photos, my baby shower, completing the nursery, choosing a pediatrician,  multiple June birthdays, and prepping for my maternity leave I feel I do not have a moment to breathe.  

So, yesterday, after a day-care-tour, prepping for a dress alteration, a hospital registration, and one of the longest trips to the mall with my sweet husband I decided to give myself and the bump a break.  I took off my bra (I hate wearing a bra these days), plopped my bump on the couch, elevated my feet and called it a day.  I didn't move from my cozy spot until about 9:30 PM when I realized I wasn't hungry, I was starving.  Which of course led me to having dinner at 10 o'clock (Probably, not the best idea for someone who has gained 26 pounds as of last Thursday).  Eh, what can ya do?  Just keep calm.

This is the most content I have ever been and nothing will interfere with that.  Darn, I've thought of two more things to add to my to-do-list.  Do you know what I am going to do about them right-this-second?  Not a darn thing.

Have the happiest of Saturdays.

She Lives!

the best

is yet

to come

Well, hello there, lovers.  As you can see I've been a tad bit busy these last few months.  Ya know, just making a human, no biggie.  Boy, oh boy, have I missed this little space.  This corner of the vast cyber world where I can say and do as I please.  I've missed the sound of hitting the keyboards and watching as my words appear across the screen.  

Okay, okay, enough with the sappy stuff.  The important thing?  I am back, baby.  There is a ton to catch up on, however, not today.  Today, well, today is just a hello I have returned.  Happy Friday!

Renata

The Friend Lottery.

"If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky." 

S.E. Hinton

If I were to go by the quote, well, I guess I have hit the jackpot with friends.  You see, I don't only have one good friend.  I have many good friends.  Each and every one of them hold a dear place in my heart.  I couldn't imagine my life without them.  If there were a word to describe someone who is more than superbly lucky, well, that would be me.  In the friend department, that is.

This past Saturday my friend and partner in the "Walk for Hunger" event presented me with an early birthday gift.  Yes, my birthday month has started off with a bang.  Actually, it would be more appropriate had there been a burst of confetti when she told me that  my present was in the car.  I mean, does it get any better than that?  Heck no!

However, that is besides the point.  You see, having Miss K in my life is like winning the lottery of friends.  It wasn't just the greatness of receiving an early birthday gift, it was the simple fact that it was personalized.  It is the most thoughtful of all thoughtful presents.  And, I could not be more happy, I could not be more grateful, and I thank my lucky stars for the sweetest of friendships.

Sunday Sociall!

Hello again!  It is Sunday; you know what that means.  I am linking up with Ashley and Neely for the Sunday Social.  I hope every single one of you has had a truly magnificent weekend.  Here comes the questions... (1.) What is currently on your wish list? There are two things, well, two tangible things currently on my wish list.  The first is the Michael Kors Large Selma Studded Saffiano Tote.  It is just so perfect.  Don't you think?  Oh, and of course the new Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses.  I'm not quite sure what is is about these particular sunglasses, but, I am stuck on them.  I want them almost as much as I want to eat pizza every-single-day of the week.  I am crossing my fingers that my husband is currently reading this post.  Put out some positive vibes for me, okay?  I mean look at the bag and the sunglasses; aren't they just dreamy?  Oh, and world peace is on that list too ;)

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2. Share a new iPhone, droid, iPad app that you have recently discovered that we all need.

I am not technologically savvy in any way.  Which makes this question extremely difficult to answer.  So, I am going to skip this question.  Now, if you were to ask me what app is the best app of ALL time, well, instagram, duh.

3. What is a new fall tv show that you have added to your dvr? Easy.  Reign.  If you haven't seen it, it is a must.  However, this isn't the kind of show you can watch while blogging, instagramming, or flipping through a magazine.  You must pay attention.  Which is why I am waiting for the perfect lazy day to catch up on the episodes I've missed.  

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4. Share your social media links so we can follow you. (Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, etc) Tell us which is your favorite and why. I've created a twitter account, however, I never use it.  If I ever enter full force into the twitter world, I will let you know ;) Instagram: username --> RBarbie Facebook:  Little Miss Ren My favorite is Instagram, hands down.  Socializing without having to read everyone's ridiculous status, score.
5. What is a tv show, movie, or song that you could watch or listen to over and over and never get tired of?
The one television show I can watch over and over again is Gossip Girl.  Will there ever be a show as great as Gossip Girl?  Probably not.  Will there ever be a character like Blair Waldorf?  Not in this decade.  Actually I take that back.  There are TWO television shows I could watch and never tire of: Gossip Girl AND Pretty Little Liars.  

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Come back to me Gossip Girl, come back.

When it comes to movies there are far too many movies I love.  For your sake I am going to name one.  And, that movie is Clueless.  I still wish I had Cher's closet.  Cher will forever be the "it" girl.  And, if you say otherwise, well, there is only one thing to say to you, "As if".

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When it comes to songs, well, there is only one answer to this my friends.    The one, the only MC Hammer.  Can't touch this....

You are welcome ;)

Happy Sunday, lovers!

xx

FIVE on Friday, folks!

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There is less than two hours left of this magnificent day.  Which means....I still have time for FIVE on Friday.  FIVE on Friday is a link-up being hosted by A Liz Adventures, The Good Life, Carolina Charm, and Hello Happiness.  I came across it the other day and after seeing multiple link-ups out there, I decided why not.  Plus, there is less than two hours left of Friday, it isn't as though I have anything truly coherent to put together.

/1./  This Friday I did absolutely nothing Friday related. You know, nothing truly spectacular or worth mentioning.  Actually, I lie.  I made a delicious chicken soup.  It was so delicious I almost ate the entire thing by myself.  Don't worry, I shared with my husband.  I was feeling generous today.  A couple of my friends went out for dinner and I couldn't go.  Why do you ask?  Well, that leads me to number two.

/2./  Tomorrow when the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM I need to get up.  There will be no snooze hitting, no tossing and turning, no five more minutes.  I am sad just thinking about it.  We all know, I am not a morning person.  However, tomorrow I will be walking for hunger.  I will be giving a full update on the event later on in the week (maybe tomorrow, if I am feeling sassy).  Oh, and this girl deserves the biggest bear hug of a lifetime.  She volunteered to walk with me tomorrow.  Amazing.

/3./ For the third weekend in a row I will not be able to wake up, take a shower, put on clean pajamas, and watch aimless television for hours on end.  Do you know how many episodes I am behind on my shows?  We really do need extra hours in our day.  Who can I talk to about that?  I am yet to watch an entire episode of the new Grey's Anatomy season.  That my friends is pathetic.

/4./  Today marks the first day of my favorite month.  November, I simply adore you.  You can my post from last year here.  If I had just one wish.  One wish, it would be to have a New England kind of November.  Dream big, right?  Florida, I believe in you.

/5./  I was going to write something deep and philosophical for number five.  However, right before I started typing the first word in my sentence I hear my husband scream.  Yes, scream.  Apparently, Ziggy Marley is confused.  He is under the impression that our rug is grass.  And, he has made it his little-white-fluffy-haired life's mission to mark his territory.  By marking his territory I mean pooping.  Yes, Ziggy decided to take a poop on the rug.  He isn't even remorseful.  He doesn't even feel bad about.  Which means, it is an early night for the Ziggles.

Good night!  And, hopefully I will see you tomorrow.

xx

(I think I'll do this again)