Tuesday, December 27, 2011

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas festivities for the Flores family took place on Christmas Day. We ate a lot. Three words: baked potato bar. My aunt Carol and mama baked a lot of treats as well. Nom nom nom.

Kandee is also back in town. We take a lot of pictures.

Remember how excited I was that Tad was being so festive this year? Well that has since changed. Come Christmas Eve he was ready for this holiday season to be over. See above.

 I really love eggnog. I mean, I really really do. Why isn't this drink popular all year long?


CHRISTMAS EVE

Tad and I celebrated Christmas with his family on Christmas Eve. It was such a joy. His grandad was in town and it was also Carter's very first Christmas. Such a special time.
Is she not the most beautiful little baby you've ever seen? Those precious lips and big blue eyes. I can't get enough! She's pretty funny too.

Can't have Christmas without a Christmas story. Renee read a couple of books that I hadn't read before and I absolutely loved them. She also got me a few books for Christmas, including The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I may be the only person who hadn't read it. Needless to say, I finished it last night. Couldn't put it down.

We opened presents the next morning. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts I received (these ladies have pretty good taste if you ask me). So blessed to become part of this family! Can't wait to celebrate next year as a married couple. 2012 can't come soon enough.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DATE

Tad and I got dressed in our winter's best to check out Nature in Lights at BLORA. This was such a fun date. Doesn't Christmas make you feel like a kid again? Or maybe it's Tad that makes me feel like I'm just a child. Either way, I love Christmas time with this fella. It's my new favorite thing.

I love this last message. So simple, yet so true.

Then we made our way to to Santa's Village. I was trying to show off for Tad and balance on a little rail. I almost hurt myself little does he know. 

 This last picture captures Tad's expression when he realized there was a light display for each of The Twelve Days of Christmas. We'd been in line for about two hours at this point. 'Tis the season!

Monday, December 19, 2011

IN A NUTSHELL

This weekend was oh so relaxing. On Friday morning I got a facial where my face was shaved dermaplaned and deeply hydrated. This is my third time to get dermaplane and I'm kind of addicted to it. It's a great exfoliating procedure and you can say goodbye to peach fuzz. Also, I tried a new skin care line called Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone. Needless to say, my skin is doing cartwheels.

How was Klifford's weekend you ask? He ate an entire bag of hotdog buns when no one was looking. The vet noted he had to be observed at all times. That was fun.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

A PROPOSAL

Long overdue, I know. I haven't put our proposal story on public display yet and I thought why not? It's book worthy. Literally. Tad kind of wrote me a book. "The Story of Us" to be exact.

Tad told me we were going to dinner at Cowboy's Bar Be Que in Salado. We love their sour cream potatoes, let it be known. So we arrive and they're closed (little did I know this was all part of his plan). So sneaky that one. He told me since we were in Salado he needed to stop by the Ramsey's cabin to get some equipment for a camping trip the next weekend.

Sidenote: This is the cabin where we took our first walk and also had our first kiss many moons ago. Not on the same night of course. I played a little hard to get. Hey, it worked.

We pulled up to the cabin and he asked me to help him get a few things. We get to the backyard and I see a table, pretty little wildflowers and a book. He tells me to read it. It's our story. I get to the last page (obviously a little teary eyed at this point) and it reads "But, will she say yes?"


That's right. He had the ring carved into the book. I die. So stinkin' sweet. I immediately said yes and he put the biggest diamond ring on my finger. I just love that the three-stone ring represents the past, present and future. It's my most favorite thing ever. He did so good.

He then told me we had a reservation at our favorite restaurant to celebrate. And we did. In fact, we're still celebrating. Can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with my dearest friend.

P.S. Huge thanks to the Ramsey/Hodges family for letting Tad borrow the casa for our proposal. It was the most perfect place.

P.P.S. Tad is going to love the picture of him straight posing by himself.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

5 WAYS TO STAY WARM THIS WINTER

The temperature has officially dropped here in Texas. Here are some tips and tricks to stay warm this winter: 
1. Drink a CHEG willy-nilly. What's a CHEG you may ask? A chai eggnog latte from Starbucks. Can't beat a dangerously delicious drink that will keep you warm and caffeinated all day long.
2. Sport that trapper hat. Let everyone know what's up. Your ears will thank you. My favorite styles are from here.
3. Get friendly with a furry friend. These little creatures are mini-heaters. If my electric blanket isn't on my bed, you better believe Klifford is.
4. Get cozy with your sweetie. This is my favorite. The cool winter breeze is a great excuse for shameless hugging and squeezing, don't you think?
5. Wear wool. Do it.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

WEEKEND INSTAGRAM LOVE

Jammed out to this album on Saturday. This era. Sigh.
Look at him keeping warm.
Tried to help these runaways we found get home.
Christmas party cheer with Chels and Carter
I bought orange lipstick. Bold, I know. Pun intended.
My cousin graduated from UMHB Friday!

I love Instagram. I do. It kind of makes me realize how much cooler everyone else's life is, but I still enjoy sharing little moments.

Friday, December 9, 2011

A CHRISTMAS-Y DATE

Me and the soon to be husby got a little festive last night and went to a Christmas parade.
I particularly loved these floats. I spy with my little eye Donkey from Shrek...in a nativity scene. Just amazing.

Then we went out to eat at Kitok's. They have oriental fries. 'Nuff said.


What happens when Tad takes my camera? This happens.


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

SAVE THE DATE























Save the date why don't cha? Just had to share this little announcement we sent out last week. 151 days until he's all mine. Just for the record, I didn't count. That's what the wedding website is for.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

LATELY

A wedding is near and the planning begins. Lucky for me, I'm getting loads of help from our parents and the event stylists. They're amazingly talented. We met today and they came up with delicious inspiration boards. I'm so very excited. We're going for a boho-chic, mod, gypsy-inspired celebration. It's going to be a little non-traditional, but oh so fun! 

Also, Klifford has been too cute this week. A little more clingy than usual, but I've got no complaints. Check out this hunk in his cozy, crochet blanket. He kills me.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

HELLO, HERBERT'S TACO HUT

When we made our little trip to Austin last weekend, we had the pleasure of meeting my sister for dinner. I don't see her enough and I'm kind of obsessed with her so I'm always overjoyed to see her pretty little face. She suggested Herbert's Taco Hut in San Marcos. The girl knows her Tex-Mex and I couldn't be more proud. OK so I know I'm always talking about food, but I promise I hit the gym. Sometimes. Kandee and I ordered something traditional and Tad ordered a chilli relleno. This is his absolute favorite thing to order I tell ya.

Just looking at these pictures make me want to go back. So wonderfully delicious. Tex Mex + Kandee + Tad  = perfect combination. She was also telling me about a gourmet peanut butter and jelly food truck in San Marvelous. Sign me up, please.

Monday, November 28, 2011

FOOD COMA

So most people went shopping on Black Friday; however, my family did not. Why stop celebrating Thanksgiving so soon? We just celebrated all over again. Needless to say, we were in a severe food coma come Saturday. We feasted on good ol' fashioned turkey and dressing, layered orange pineapple mold, ham, sweet potato yams, and three different types of pies. Yes we did. I don't regret a single bite. So much for starting that wedding diet...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

THANKFUL

Happy Thanksgiving! Isn't it just wonderful? A day to give thanks for everything we're so incredibly blessed with. I am beyond thankful for:

Tad Ellsworth Allen
My Sweet Family
Tad's Amazing Family
Prayer
Friends Near And Far
Klifford
High-Waist Jeans
Diet Coke
Tad's Spaghetti
Mr. Gatti's Pizza (yeah yeah I know)
Random Acts Of Kindess

I do strive to live every day with gratitude and unselfish love, as challenging as that may be. It really is the little things in life that bring me the most joy. I've got no complaints. Life is just plain wonderful.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

AN AUSTIN OUTING

Who doesn't love Jo's Coffee message of love?
Tad and I made a little trip to Austin this weekend for a few reasons. 1. It's my favorite place in Texas. 2. I had to order a bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding (super pumped). 3. I love to thrift. 4. We got to meet my darling little sister, Kandee, for dinner in San Marcos.

After we made a trip to David's Bridal and Whole Foods, we made our way to South Congress. Oh my do I love that place. New Bohemia and Feathers Boutique are kind of my favorite places to shop. A little retro, a lot of awesome. Picked up an adorable 70s dress and a cozy bomber jacket. Austin, until we meet again.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

HANDSOME DEVIL

It's no secret that Tad is the apple of my eye, but truth be told there is also another man in my life. Meet Klifford. The most foxy four-year-old chihuahua. He might be a wee bit pudgy, but that means there's just more to love. He hails from a little town in West Texas called Buffalo Gap. He's my little partner in crime and trouble is a friend of his. Tad and him aren't exactly the best of pals, but I think things will change when we're all one big happy family in May. Or not, but I like to dream big. Klifford is also a little narcoleptic. See below.

Friday, November 11, 2011

DATE NIGHT

Tad and I treated ourselves to a little Tex-Mex on Thursday night and boy was it delicious. I could probably eat Tex-Mex everyday and that's probably something I should work on, but it will have to wait until after the weekend. My mama is making her infamous cheese enchiladas tonight and I don't plan on missing that meal for anything in the world.

Can you tell how much Tad just LOVES pictures? He likes to act out sometimes when I'm snapping a few shots. I'm probably the only one who loves these crazy faces, but it's quite entertaining if nothing else.