Love

Last night after I got through working out I stopped by my cousins, Ash and Lane's, house to visit the babies.

We snapped this quick pic:

Heath is just a big ole love bug. Just look at those cheeks.

And Kylee is a girl after my own heart. She loves painted nails, pink anything, and all things girlie. She has even shown signs that she too inherited the love of all things animal print. You see, she had a boo-boo and her daddy let her pick out any band-aids she wanted at the drug store. After much consideration she opted for the animal print band-aids, complete with zebra and leopard prints.

Just can't help but love them!

Ruffle Cake

For some reason when I saw this picture over on Bakerella I thought to myself:  That should be Deidra's wedding cake.

It just reminded me of her. Pink and Ruffles = perfect for Deidra's one day wedding. On a much larger scale of course.

Right about now, I'm having a hunger pain for any item in that photo. Sweets are a weakness for me.

O.T.W.

Well goodness gracious... another weekend has come and gone. I live for the weekends. I truly do.

I love to see Friday arrive and hate to see Sunday go. I wake up on Monday mornings and have to talk myself into not calling in sick simply to get to sleep a little longer.

Ryan and I had a really good weekend. It was pretty laid back.

Friday night we had a little date night complete with dinner and drinks.

On Saturday we had to head over to Ryan's hometown for a Bar-B-Que in honor of my dad's sisters birthday. It was really nice and it's always great to get to hug a few family member we don't get to see every day.

On our ride home I texted Deidra and tossed out the idea of meeting up for a cocktail. She was quick on the uptake of that idea and was waiting in the drive way when Ryan and I pulled up.

We hit up the local hometown bar where literally everyone does know your name. We ran into sweet Blair(brunette pictured below) and we sat and chatted the night away.

GIMLETS were enjoyed at one point during the weekend. Yum, yum!

Side note... Blair has a new bf. A one, Mark Gilliland. They are true loving. Here's a pic of Mark. He's a devout reader of the blog. Shout out shawt shawt.

Click pic to enlarge.

The girls' night ran kind of late... and we ended up shutting the place down.

Sunday was stormy and gross for the most part... but overall, the weekend was a major success.

Fun Fact Friday

A few Sanford Family Fun Facts for your Friday:

• We'll start with a random fact about me. After reading The Diary of Anne Frank I had nightmares for several months.... and I was 21 years old when I read it, not 13. I would dream of poor Anne Frank in that attic and wake up in a cold sweat. 

• Speaking of dreams, I have a reoccuring dream that my teeth are falling out. Sometimes they simply fall out while eating, other times they crumble... but I always wake up reaching for my mouth to make sure that my teeth are in fact still there. Deidra looked into what this dream  actually means one time and then told me it was bad and I shouldn't know. So I took her word and have never looked into it further. I like to believe that it means I will one day win the lottery. 
• Maggie's one true love (other than Ryan and I) is socks. The dirtier the better. We can't keep up with our socks and I'm constantly having to restock the sock drawer. She hides them all over the house. So, if you're ever over for a visit and notice a lone sock tucked away under a throw pillow- Don't worry Maggie probably just decided to hide it there before you arrived.

• Ryan's go to dance move is what I like to call the Aeroplane. If we are at a wedding, party, or anything involving dance music, at some point you can guarantee he's going to toss those arms out airplane style. (ryan- this is what happens when I call and ask you for a fun fact and you give me nothing. I come up with my own.)

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Not really on OTW post, but kind of.

I don't have an O.T.W post this week, because quite frankly our weekend consisted of a lot of yard work and a little relaxing. Nothing too worthy of a picture.

But if you want a mental picture just imagine: Ryan and me digging holes, planting shrubs in dirt covered clothes with sweat dripping off of us. Like I said, no pictures were snapped of the process and for good reason.

However, over the weekend Ryan did mention that he would like some home cooked meals in the upcoming week, as I basically tossed him out to fend for himself the majority of last week, which resulted in him snacking on chips here and there, maybe a turkey sandwich and potentially a hot pocket for good measure.

I decided I would kindly oblige. So this week I have cooked every night for my boo.

The recipe* that we enjoyed the most was compliments of good ole Pdub. It is called Sour Cream Noodle Bake.

When I saw this posted I "starred" it because I knew it looked like something Ryan would love. And he did!

It doesn't take much for Ryan to go ahead and proclaim that I'm a great cook.... and after this dish he was really singing my praises!

Now, we aren't any skinnier after enjoying this meal, but that's what the gym is for!

Go forth and make yo man some sour cream noodle bake.

*I added more sour cream and cottage cheese than the recipe called for because that's just how I roll.

Beautiful Lake Martin

Bring it, MD 2011... bring it! So ready...

Where Da Gold At?

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I felt the need to not only wear this shirt to work (honestly), which Ryan thinks is ridiculous. . .

It is a pretty random shirt that says "You {picture of a gold shamrock} Me. However, I did not feel the need to wear those cool green earrings, thank goodness. Picture is from '07.

. . . But I also felt the need to post this news report out of Mobile, AL*.

I'm sure most of you have seen it but it's very fitting for today.

Have some green beer and celebrate tonight!! I've already pinched my boss and several of my co workers for not taking the whole wear green thing seriously. 

Shamrock you,
Jessica O'Tolan Sanford

*Not everyone in the state of Alabama is an idiot. Swears.

Bud Vase

I recently purchased this little bud vase from CB2. It was only $9.99, but it makes such an inpact on the kitchen window. I put these little flowers in it over the weekend... and got lots of compliments. I just love it!

Isn't it Lovely

Ryan's Mimi (Maternal grandmother) is an artist. She paints in her free time and has painted some really beautiful things. This week she called and said she wanted to bring over a surprise. When she got to our house she had a beautifully wrapped gift for me to open. Seeing that I love presents I did just that.... And this is what I discovered:

She painted a portrait of me on my wedding day. Right down to the drop earrings and diamond ring. Even the frame is the same rustic frame I used at our wedding reception for wedding pictures of different family members.

It was so thoughtful and I couldn't love it more!

A Coat of Many Colors*

*Name who sings that...

I have been dying for an excuse to wear my new coat. However, since it found it's way into my home we've had wonderfully warm weather... until this past Friday night!

A bit of a cold spell set in Friday afternoon and on into the evening so I seized the opportunity to rock my new fab find to a rehearsal dinner:

Obviously it's an over sized, fur, leopard number, and I love it. I felt very Rachel Zoe while rocking it. Ryan swears the women in my family love animal print and gold shoes... and quite frankly his theory tends to hold true.

A lady I work with had a box of stuff she was taking to the thrift store in the back seat of her car. Well, I happened to park next to her car and saw some animal print in the back seat. I immediately went inside to inquire. The next thing I knew, this little kitty was headed home with me.

O.T.W.- Reggie Got Hitched

We had yet another wedding to attend over the past weekend. This is crazy, but we have a wedding every month until June... as of right now.

This past weekend Ryan's cousin/bff, Richard, married Heather. The had a lovely wedding here at Church in the Pines on Lake Martin, as that's where the groom is from.

I'll let a few of the pictures tell most of the story...

It was a fun weekend for the guys to get to catch up with one another.

Mi Madre

The reception was at a Bed and Breakfast in town.

The groom couldn't get "tossing the garter" quite right so the bride graciously stepped in to show him how it's done. She's a teacher so it must just be in her to take the lead.

Everyone had a great time laughing and hanging out at the reception.

Some of the ladies who were in attendance.

After the wedding reception we all headed back to our little cul-de-sac for some continued fun, which included some beer pong action. 

The guys were really loving group shots.

A couple of my long time friends happen to be in town for the weekend, which excited me beyond words.

It was a really long day, as the wedding was at 2:00.

Later on into the night Chase decided with all this wedding talk he wanted to see pictures from mine and Ryan's wedding...

... which apparenlty bored him to sleep.

But like I said, it was a long day so I took no offense.

Then my brother decided to take a nap beside him. The party continued on... and after a while we ended up back in the living room and found Maggie sitting oh so innocently with these two birds. To say we got a kick out that is an understatement.  Honestly, she got up there and hung out all on her own.

It was a great weekend with friends!! I would love to repeat a weekend like this one at least once a month.

Good Times were had by all!!! 

Hot Pants!

I've seen this photo of LC on several different blogs (as seen right here on one of my favorite celeb blogs) this week...

photo cred because we all know I have not being snapping pics of LC

...and I am really feeling her flared jeans!

The Look for Less (also a favorite blog) gives a great option with the Gap's Flare Denim for $69.50.

I also spotted this high waisted "flared" option from Urban Outfitters a few weeks ago for around $60.00, which a friend of mine purchased and then so kindly modeled for us.

You can bet  I will be hoppping on this bandwagon real soon!

O.T.W- Pretty Chill

This past weekend was nice because it was so chill. Ryan and I basically took it easy both Friday and Saturday night. We had dinner and sipped a cocktail on Friday night and then on Saturday we hit up some take out!

On Sunday we got a good bit accomplished around the house. I had given Ryan a list of chores discussed some things we could get done around the house that would be a great improvement. We managed to get just about everything done.

The one big task we tackled consisted of painting and organizing our laundry room! I'm talking fun stuff here.

As I was flipping through my latest Better Homes and Gardens issue I came across this little article on "easy-to-love wall colors."


It sparked my interest because I had been thinking of painting the laundry room a cream color but I had not taken the time to look in to any options.
My living room is already similar to the "wood smoke" color and my kitchen is close the green color.... So it made perfect sense to paint our laundry room the "off white."

We also found the perfect solution to our storage needs with these basket type shelves.


Nothing that the design blogs would have come up with... but highly functional all the same.
Top basket- Ryan, Middle basket- Maggie, and bottom basket- laundry.

 Now we've just got to get some curtains or Roman shades for the windows.

Overall, Ryan and I tag-teamed the list of things to do... (but I will say he was the team leader, as I like to give due cred).

It wasn't the most exciting weekend, but it was a productive weekend. And sometimes that all we need.

CAN. NOT. WAIT

I love me some books. I love me some reading. I love being whisked away by my imagination to another place, another time...

I once did an interview for a college scholarship... when asked about my hobbies I paused and thought:

oh shit I don't really have an avid hobby. Yeah I like to hang out with friends and family, but I'm sure they get that a lot. I don't ride horses (and won't again for quite some time). I don't play a sport. I don't know what I can say in this moment to win this panel over.

Then it hit me.

The panel of people interviewing me consisted of maybe two males and five females. I knew just what to say.

So I proceed to explain that I'm interested in many different things.(win for me) I love lots of things and have many hobbies (well rounded) but at the end of a long day my favorite thing to do it curl up with a good book (intelligent). I told them nothing was better than reading a good ole romance novel to take your mind off the issues of everyday life.

I won the ladies over with that  statement because who doesn't love a good ole naughty romance novel to enjoy a little escape from their every day life.

Long story short. I got that scholarship and it paid for two years of my college education... books and all. 

I say all of that to say... BOOKS ARE COOL! I love them!!

And when a book is made into a movie I can't help but be sucked in.

If I have read a book and it then comes out as a movie I have to go see it. Have to. 8 times out of 10 the movies can't compare, but I still have to check it out and see. Harry Potter is pretty right on. The Twilight movies do NOT come close to comparing in my opinion.

And now yet another book that is coming out in movie form that I talked about in this post back in June. I loved the book Water for Elephants and I can. not. wait to see the movie.

The trailer looks really good!



Come on April 22, 2011!

Look the Part

You may remember this post where I explained that Ryan went over the established Christmas budget to hook me up with a bad ass camera. Well, I still don't really know what I'm doing and hope to take a course soon to figure out some of the "photography basics". I mean, there's only so much girl can learn from P. Dub.

Over the past weekend, we attended KB's wedding and she had some really cool photographers hired to document the wedding. I kept looking at them thinking... I've got to invest in a cool camera strap in order to look the part.

You see, this is me with my camera being a total poser:

No one can take me serious using the strap that came with the camera. Could they?

So I did some searching on ETSY and found one I love.



So cool, huh?

The shop I bought it from is iMoShop and it has lots of cool options if you happen to be in the market for a cool camera strap.

Hopefully the next time you see me I will look even more the part of legit photographer... even though I'm simply a poser (FOR NOW).

O.T.W- "Let It Be Me"

Over the weekend Ryan and I traveled to Eufaula, Alabama for my sweet friend, Katie Beth's wedding.

It was a weekend packed to the brim with fun.

Friday the girls had the bridesmaids' luncheon, which consisted of a champagne cocktails, good food, and discussing the upcoming nuptials.

From L to R- Front Row: Alisha and Adler Rae. Back Row: Landon, Kelsie, Libby, Katie Beth, Kathryn, Mindy, Lacey, Brittany, and Me! The bride's attendants.

The weather was so nice over the weekend. Just about all of our free time was spent by the hotel pool with a cold beverage.

Friday night Brandon's (the groom obviously) parents hosted a great rehearsal dinner. Speeches were made, a few folks might have teared up here and there, and the well wishes offered! I'm still trying to figure out what the fish dish was... It was so good!



This is the only picture I have from the rehersal dinner. Apparently I found it neccessary to toast with our desserts (and take a picture of it). I must say the dinner was awesome.

Saturday we awoke to BEAUTIFUL weather. I'm mean it could not have been any prettier. Not a cloud in the sky, in the mid seventies, and perfect! (It certainly could have gone in the other direction being that it was a February wedding)

Katie Beth was suprisingly calm. You see my friend, KB, is very much a planner (type A if you will). I couldn't imagine how she might handle the day of... but she was relaxed and excited.

The bride was gorgeous... just as the bride should be!

 The bridesmaids weren't too bad looking either!



AC REPRESENT




Artsy photo of a few of the bmaids walking around downtown E-Town.




Mindy felt slighted because she wasn't in enough pics from the Bachelorette Party post. So this is me giving due credit. Isn't Mindy lovely?

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and oh so sweet...  The reception was a ton of fun as any wedding recpection should be!! Katie put a lot of hard work into the weekend and it really came together.
After seeing the bride and groom off we hit a local bar for some continued fun. 

Wild Cat Bess made it to E-Town for the wedding, as did my sweet, sweet roomie from way back, Kaci.

I'll close with this picture of John and Ryan because it honestly made me laugh out loud. What are they doing? Why is Ryan way over in John's seat? Why is John hugging Ryan? Who knows? But what I do know is that it basically sums up the weekend. It was pretty much a love-fest!