This post is sponsored and paid for, by SunTrust Mortgage. All opinions are my own.
Last May we bought our first home here in GA, after 7 years of renting. It was something both Gabe and I worked hard for, and will never take for granted. I will get into how we saved for our first home another time, but for today I thought it would be helpful to cover how we determined what homes were worth considering, and which required a pass, as well as what we decided to DIY in our own home!
(Dress // Tote // Sandals (similar) // Earrings // similar watch)
These last few weeks this 22 piece summer capsule wardrobe really came to the rescue! I still haven’t purchased anything for my closet this month because I have had everything I needed. I no longer have the struggle of trying to piece impulsive purchases together. It also made packing for our Florida trip a breeze, and I’m beginning to think it’s the way to live! It was time consuming to think it through in the beginning, but the mental freedom its given me since has been incredible.
We purposely didn’t plan a thing for the month of June to make sure we got plenty of long summer days. It was very needed. We only have about a month left till the kids start school, so we thought a family adventure was in order. I don’t think there is anything our kids love more than water. Makes us wonder if we should be living near the coast! Here is a quick re-cap of our trip to Clearwater Beach, FL.
I’m never patient enough to sift through the Amazon Prime Day deals…..but Gabe is! So here is a short cut list of what we both found to be really good deals and steals for the home. (If you aren’t an Amazon Prime member they have 30 day free trials if you want to take advantage.)
(themed parties, rugby games, and first notes)
In case you missed, read part one here.
So that was that. Gabe and I had just met at that corner between our two houses, and mutually agreed we wanted to get to know each other better. What was next? I had no idea. I just knew I had tossed the ball in his court, and it was his turn to make a move. I knew by now that if Gabe wanted something, he would go after it full force.
Extremely lucky for me he did…the very next day in fact. I was relaying the story out in my front yard to my friend Rose, who listened intently with her jaw to the floor about how I had just spilled it all to Gabe the night before. As we were talking, I saw a figure walk towards us in the corner of my eye. My stomach flopped….it was Gabe. So, in my most stealth mode possible I whispered to Rose, “Don’t turn around! Gabe is walking up as we speak.” Rose did a convincing job acting like we were just casually hanging out, and then excused herself suddenly. An awkward silence ensued, but that would be a recurring theme in the beginning of our relationship.
The simpler, the better these days. I love making strawberry shortcake or a good strawberry pie, but many times, gatherings are last minute! These are really easy grab and go 4th of July dessert ideas to serve up or bring to a party.
I’ve talked in bits and pieces about how Gabe and I met and started dating, but for my own memory’s sake I thought I it was time to write it down. Back when I was miss independent with no plans in the near future to get into a relationship or have kids. Back when Gabe had just bet his friend $50 that he wouldn’t date anyone that semester. Both of us were a little blindsided by each other…
This could probably be its own book of comical short stories. Maybe we will get around to recording it soon, but for now here is my best attempt in writing.
