Two of my friends and I have started a little book club of sorts. Kristie asked Brittany and I if we’d be interested in the idea and we both thought it sounded like a lot of fun. After throwing a few book titles around and settling on The Guernsey LIterary and Potato Peel Pie Society as our first read- we have officially formed a book club. It’s been decided that a “club” like this is a good excuse for girly outtings involving wine. ;]

I’d like to ask you all to participate if you would like! I will post the book that we’re reading and then you can simply read along with us. At the end of the book I plan to write a review and then allow anyone who’s read along to link-up to their own review in the comments! Maybe I’ll even create a button for it- ohhh la-la. Due to our busy schedules I think we’re giving each book a month to finish, at first, to see how it goes. So if you want to jump in with the first one you’ve still got about a week or so.

If Kristie and Brittany were as nerdy as I am we could totally vlog our discussion of the book. ;] (I bet they’re both cringing as they read this.) What do you think of the idea? Are you involved in any book clubs?

Three Girls and A Book Club. is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

For the month of February I’m accepting more Sponsorship Swaps with other blogs than usual. I typically do one or two, but in light of Valentine’s Day I thought it would be nice if we could all share the love and introduce each other to our individual readerships. If you would like to swap ads please send your button (sized to 200×135) to steph [AT] take-hart.com, along with your website information, of course! Be sure to also let me know what size to send over to you.

If you do not have a button and would like help creating one, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Regular rates apply to the larger spots available, so please feel free to inquire about those!

Xo!

*image credit

February Means Sharing The Love is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

It’s that time again, and I’m cutting it super close! I decided to only accept a few sponsors for the month of January just to simplify things a little. Life has been crazy busy and I didn’t want to take on too much and end up neglecting anyone. I’m glad I did that, but I’m ready to get back to the full swing of things around here! Meet my wonderful January Sponsors!

Check out Francesca’s Collections:

“Francesca’s specializes in the most fashion-forward styles in women’s clothing, accessories, and gifts. Our stores are constantly filled with new treasures and our style is always one step ahead of the trend. Each Francesca’s boutique has its own charm which means you’re sure to find something special and unique at each one!”

Find Francesca’s Collections on Twitter and Facebook!

Meet Leanne of Fresh-Season:

“I’m Leanne, a 24 year old blogger located in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. I love to play with make-up, read the BBC, travel, cook, and even cuddle up to the Jersey Shore {shuu!} with my fiance and our boxer pup. I am currently finishing up a M.A degree in International Relations {yes, I am a dork- lol}.”>

Find Leanne on Twitter.

Meet Whitney of Everything Happens For A Reason

“I am: 25 years old. Southern girl. Fashionista. Type A Personality. Has master’s degree (Mental Health Counseling). Loves makeup, shoes, purses, and shopping. Loves the color pink and anything girlie. Loves to blog. Takes way too many pictures. Wife of a boy in the National Guard.

Find Whitney on Twitter and Pinterest.

If you have a blog you just might want to stay tuned for a little announcement tomorrow morning on the topic of sponsorship! =)

Introducing January Sponsors is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

On Friday I was lucky enough to win a Facebook contest via the Kentucky Cupcake facebook fan page that entitled me to four delicious cupcakes from Kalen of KentuckyCupcake.com! We met this evening (real shady-like) in the parking lot of a Speedway for me to pick them up. ;] I wish we would’ve had a little more time to chat because upon leaving the Speedway I realized I thought a lot of things and said none of them, like – “You look great!” So, Kalen- you look great.

Anyway! I knew that I wanted to win so that I could do a little review of her cupcakes. This would require me to eat a cupcake, guilt free in the name of the review of course. Oh, darn. This would also require me to set up the cupcakes in cute locations to run around them, stand in the chair over them, etc. to snap fancy pictures. It’s serious business. Side note: I know I sound crazy but, standing in a chair looking directly down is a great way to photograph food. It turned out that I didn’t like any of the photos from that angle this time, but I usually do!

The particular flavor (one of many) that I won is February’s flavor of the month- vanilla with raspberry filling and creamy white chocolate frosting, topped with a delicious candy heart! The thought of raspberry and white chocolate together kind of sounded like the dreamiest cupcake combo ever, and I can say that I was not disappointed! To be totally honest I am not the biggest cupcake fan around. I always find them to be too sweet with too much icing and a lot of times, too crumbly and dry. But these were moist with just the right amount of icing and not too, too sweet. I still could not eat a second one soon after, so they are sweet – but normal people (aka: people who enjoy deserts a lot) could probably eat the entire box in one sitting. What I’m trying to say is .. if I am impressed by a cupcake, it’s good y’all.

So with that said- if you live in the Lexington, Kentucky area you must order cupcakes from KentuckyCupcake.com! There are a ton of flavors to choose from and I can only speculate that they are just as delicious as the yummy sample I had. =) Thank you Kalen for running such a fun little contest!

A Cupcake Review. is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

It’s Okay To…

Not blog for a few days during the week to get real life things under control.

Miss a few trips to the gym because you’re just completely drained from work.

To yell, “DON’T DO IT!” at the TV when a “We’re hiring!” commercial comes on for your company. (Hahaha…)

To start a book club with a few friends and use it as an excuse for girly lunch/dinner dates!

To watch Mad Men instead of, well, everything else you should be doing.

To give your website’s MooCards out to your friends. Even your guy friends.

To be OCD about where things go in the pantry. IE: bread shelf, snack shelf, pasta shelf, breakfast shelf. Nate thinks I’m crazy.

To wear high heels even when they make you taller than everyone else, including your husband.

Tomorrow is Friday. =) Very excited about that prospect. Wish me luck on waking up to go in to work early!

It’s Ok Thursday. is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

Another weekend has come and the last bits of it are slipping away as I type this from my comfy L shaped couch, my knee-socked feet in Nate’s lap, with the regular sound noise of sports in the background. Two days of “rest” really aren’t enough if you ask me, or anyone I’m sure because who doesn’t wish for at least one more day in the weekend? But the truth is – I would just wish for one more day if we did have three to start with. I’m trying to be better about things like that. Being grateful doesn’t always come easy when I roll over to hit the snooze on Monday morning. I guess it isn’t easy, period- is it?

Nate and I spent some of the afternoon at his parent’s house, some of it napping, and some of it doing laundry. We went out for Penn Station and a movie in the evening. We saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which was ridiculously heart-wrenching. I’m pretty sure we’re still recovering. It’s a very good movie, but a little hard to take! Strangely, I think that’s part of what a good movie is to me…

Try not to mind my hilarious blonde roots in these photos! I took these right after I got ready and I’m lucky I did because about 10 minutes later most of curls were flat. Thank you, damp and crappy weather! Over the weekend I wore two new dresses that I received for Christmas – one from my Mother-in-law and one from Nate. I’ve been saving them like little treasures for the perfect day and for some reason I just decided that it was time I wore them both this weekend! I kind of want to go on a hunt for the perfect photo locations for their outfit shots. Maybe Brittany can go with me since she told me over and over that I must take pictures of last nights outfit in it’s entirety. ;]

I have a lot of things on my plate this week that I’d like to get done. I think I may try to start a little online shop for some of the things I don’t wear anymore. Would anyone be interested? Most of them are things that have only been worn once or twice. We’ll see!

I’m also going to be starting a website to promote a 5k run/walk to raise money for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation that will be taking place in June. If you are interested in learning more about this rare form of cancer please click here. This is what my Father-in-law has and we are trying to raise awareness because there is just really no way to detect it in it’s early stages to be treated with a favorable outcome. It’s going to be a lot of work for the family and all of our friends who’ve agreed to help to put this event together – so if you have any insight to give on ideas of how to get donations or if you have any resources for this type of event planning please let me know! I will be dedicating a post to this topic in the near future, but just wanted to go ahead and throw out some info about what’s going on. Thanks for all of your support!

Outfit Details
Polka Dot Frock: Belk
Golden Cropped Coat: c/o Francesca’s Collections
Scarf: Gift from Nate // Target
Knee Socks: Gift from Brittany // F21
Sweater Tights: Aerie
Oxfords: Pac Sun
Headband: Gift from my In-laws.

Polka Dot Frock is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

Quiet time, blogging, grinding coffee beans to brew the perfect pot, filling my house with the aroma of a delicious smelling candle, enjoying my breakfast by the glow of twinkle lights, sleeping shamelessly late, wearing my pajamas all day if I please, organizing my closet, dancing to my favorite pandora station while cleaning, putting dinner in the crock pot to simmer all day long, and letting a bunny play while I get chores done (or while I play the Wii).

My Sister-in-law Erin got me these sweet little owl Valentine’s Day place mats. I adore them. They also just happen to match all of the decorations I have up. I’ll have to take a picture of the towel and little door hanger that came with and match them! I came home to find the bag on the counter and the tag said, “To: Aunt Feffie, From: Your 3 secret admirers” (my nephew Ethan, and nieces Bella & Mailie). It was the sweetest little surprise after a pretty long and hard day at work. The yummy candle is from Ashley- one of the many awesome presents she got me for Christmas. She always out-gifts me. One day I’m going to like, but her something HUGELY fantastic so I can win Best Gift Giver just for one freakin’ year. ;]

This weekend has started off wonderfully. Nate and I had dinner with great friends that we don’t see often enough- but I hope maybe that will start to change here soon! I got to finally exchange Christmas gifts with Ashley- sheesh! I was about to mail them! I’ve made plans with Whitney for a Friday night dinner date at the same place we went last night. I’m super excited to meet her and her husband. Making new friends through the blogosphere is so fun! Thanks Kalen- whom I also met through blogging! =D Tonight we will be going out to weekly Saturday Night Trivia with another group of great friends! We are super blessed to be surrounded by awesome people. =) Happy Saturday!

Saturday Mornings Are.. is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

I noticed that Whitney took part in this fun little link-up post with A Complete Waste of Makeup, and since I’ve not had a whole lot of time on my hands to work on blog content this week I thought I would pop in and participate! Sometimes it’s nice to just have … a prompt. I have a few outfit photos that need editing, a whole boat load of photos/videos from the New Years Scenic View/Woodbine concert to edit and post (you probably don’t know what that is yet- but you will), items in my closet that need styling, family photos that I want to share- etc, etc. It’s amazing how I sometimes sit down to get some of these things done after a long day at work, *blink, blink*, and shut my laptop to watch Mad Men.

It’s Okay To…

Fly by the seat of your pants- sometimes.

Leave twinkle lights on your cabinets year round.

Cook your favorite meal entirely for yourself.

Let your upstairs area be a complete disaster while the downstairs looks pristine and presentable. ;] (ok.. presentable is actually a stretch right now.)

Relax on the couch for an entire day with your husband watching Netflix.

Stretch time between hair washing days out as far as possible.

Accept that you’ll never be a morning person. Ever.

Wear pretty earrings to the gym to feel cute.

Look like a fool at Zumba for the first time. (Haven’t done this yet.. but it’s coming.)

Not have time for every.single.thing. you have on your list for the day/week.

Falsely believe your living room ceiling is leaking and call the home builders to the house to inspect it when in-fact, something was spilled on it .. but not on the furniture, walls, carpet, etc. WHAT? Nate sleep walks. That’s all I can come up with. (The home builder people think I am the biggest idiot ever.)

Not care what anyone thinks about you. ;]

Talk to your bunnies (or other animals) like they’re your human babies.

Leave a few dishes in the sink for the next day.

Dress up just because you can!

Meet people from the internet (when you know that they’re real and not creepy).

Have a great rest of your Thursday and an even better Friday! I’m so happy the weekend is almost here. =)

It’s Ok Thursday is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

This year is about trying new things, going the extra mile, being realistic; but optimistic, and being more accepting of myself. I think I’ll share this little blog space with more people that know me (in the real world), speak my mind more, ask for the things I want. I wont shy away from new opportunities – even when I’m scared and I can’t tell if they’ll work out or not. What are you working on this year? I’d love to hear your resolutions and goals!

So Far In 2012 is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥

Holy moly! What a week this has been. Actually, you can toss this past weekend right on in there as well! Nate and I have been so busy that we’ve hardly stopped to breathe. We went out of town to visit and spend the night with my Sis-in-law and her family last Friday night. We had so much fun playing with our nephews and hanging out with her and her husband. They have a new baby and so naturally, I want to hold him 24/7 because I’m a baby hog. Nate and I had a slumber party in their upstairs attic space- it’s like a huge second living room and it’s so cozy! We actually spent most of the next day there so we could grill out and watch the UK Basketball game later in the afternoon. Kristi and I took Jackson to the mall and walked around for a bit. I scored a pair of Lucky Jeans and a pair of Jessica Simpson jeans for the combined total of $26.50. Amazing, right?! I’m starting to want to have a nice pair or two that I can slide into (not saran wrap into) when I’m just not feeling tights and dresses. I’ve had most of my jeans for quite a long time and they’re all junior sizes/super low rise- aka: not working for me anymore! Now I just need basic tops. It’s hilarious that I only own like 3 decent shirts that could be worn with a pair of jeans because I’m such a dress hoarder. Speaking of dresses….

I’m still so in love with this $6 dress. It’s my favorite thrift find to date! The tag is super faded and the stitching inside is very obviously handmade. Every time I wear it I have to wonder about it’s previous owner and who made it. I paired it with my army green tights to keep things a little simpler than I usually do! My hair is enough color for a lot of outfits and sometimes I forget that. ;] And.. if you look inside my purse there’s plenty of color to be had!

New favorite purse? Yes, yes, and yes. Big but not too big? Check. Classic design and color? Check! Plus the long strap, the handles that hold their shape, and the outside pocket for keys and extras? Perfection. This is going to be a purse that I carry for a long time, especially because it will match everything I wear. I honestly haven’t been able to find a bag that’s incorporated all of my favorite aspects of a purse in a really long time. So, I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m totally in love. (My DSLR fits in it, too!)

Outfit Details
Gingham Dress: Vintage/Thrift
Musee Bag: c/o Francesca’s Collections
Endless Garden Earrings: c/o Francesca’s Collections
Tights: Target (army green)
Boots: c/o Blowfish Shoes

Gingham Days. is a post from: take-hart | so take heart, cause you know that you have mine. ♥