Top Two Tuesday...On My Bucket List

This week's Top Two Tuesday topic is to share two things you'd like to do before you die. This one is hard for me to narrow down because there are so many things I'd like to experience in this lifetime, but here we go!

1. Skydiving! I want to experience the rush, the thrill, the excitement and fear! Hopefully I'll have this one crossed of the list by the end of the summer because my college roomie and I are planning on going once school is out. I'm guessing she doesn't want to leave her students without a teacher if we don't make it back and I've already asked the RedHead if he could handle being a single parent and informed him that if he wants to increase my life insurance now would be the time to do it.

2. Run a Half Marathon. I just started running about 2 months ago and I'm running my first 5K in June. My hopes are to continue training, and one day be able to run a 1/2 marathon. I realize it would be more dramatic if I said I'd like to run a full marathon, but I'm being realistic and hopefully one day (once I run a 1/2 marathon) I'll add a full marathon to my bucket list!

These are just two of the things I'd like to do for myself before I die. I have a whole other list of things I'd like to do with the RedHead...adopt a child from China, travel to France, renew our wedding vows at some exotic location, and grow old together in our home where we will host holiday gatherings, care for our children and grandchildren, and love each other forever.

Top Two Tuesday...Dream Homes

I am a sucker for a beautiful home because a home means so much...it is where you raise your family, make memories, and live your life. Beautiful doesn't always have to be "big" or "new". A dream home is simply what's perfect for you. I'm lucky enough to be building my dream home with the RedHead right now!!

Here's our dream home (or what we call our "Forever Home"):

Now if I were to buy another home, I think I'd have to go for this one!

It is a home I saw when we were on vacation on Beaufort, NC and I just love it! It's Southern, it's beautiful and it's in Beaufort...swoon!

Top Two Tuesday...Cheap Thrills!

This week we're sharing the Top Two things we love for under $15. This one is hard to narrow down because despite my propensity to spend shameful amounts of money on handbags and shoes, most of the things I love cost under $15. Here are two of many.

#1. Canella Bellini...it's peachy, it's bubbly, it's divine! I get it at our local wine shoppe, but I'm pretty sure you can get it at the big wine stores like Total Wine. ~$15

#2. Essie Nail Polish. They make the prettiest colors and it goes on so smoothly it gives you the same look as when you have your nails polished at the salon. ~$8

Happy Tuesday, and go ahead over to Taylor's at The Undomestic Momma and link up your Top Two!

Top Two Tuesday...Beauty Secrets

I'll be honest, I am probably the worst person to ask about beauty secrets. I do not and have not ever used a lot of products so I'll probably spend this week reading everyone elses' posts in search of some beauty secrets to try. I'm already planning to try Taylor's Beer Hair Wash soon!

Here is the best I can do:

#1. I swear by Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Makeup. It is natural, has every makeup product you could need, and it lasts forever! I especially love it because I'm horrible about washing my makeup off at night and this makeup will not bother your complexion if you happen to sleep in it on night (or every night like me). I use their powder, blush, and eyeshadows and I've loved everything I've tried. If you're looking for a new makeup, this one is definitely worth trying!

#2. This is probably my best beauty secret. Have confidence in yourself that you are beautiful. All the spa treatments, makeup, and polish in the world won't make you beautiful if you don't believe it yourself. I love to have my hair done, treat myself to a pedicure or massage...anything that pampers me and reminds me to love my body and myself. Treat yourself like you are beautiful and you will be.

Now I'm off to see what other secrets I can steal from you ladies! Happy Tuesday!

Top Two Tuesday...Favorite Magazines

I love to read magazines...girly ones, gossip ones, decorating ones...I love them all. It was hard for me to pick just two, but I'd have to say that these are my favs.

Southern Living: In case you haven't noticed, I'm a southern girl and I love my southern magazines. This magazine always has wonderful decorating ideas, great articles about places to visit in the South, and delicious recipes!

US Weekly: I am a sucker for gossip...I despise drama in my own life, but celebrity gossip is far enough removed that it doesn't bother me. I feel like they're a waste of my money, so it's been a while since I bought one, but I always read them when I go to have my hair done.

I am also proud to say that I PASSED my Reading Praxis!! Now I have the option to teach Title I Reading or go back into the classroom in the fall. I love that I actually have an option! :)

I am also proud that I'm still standing after this morning's Boot Camp! I went early and had my body analysis (which was a bit depressing...who in the world thought it would be appropriate to tell a mother of two that her ideal weight is between 110 and 115 lbs? Which means I have 10-15lbs to lose...yeah right.) and then we ran about 2.5 miles. I'm okay right now, but I know I'll be some kind of sore tomorrow!

Top Two Tuesday...I Need It In My Life

This week's topic over at The Undomestic Momma is the two things we can not live without. Well, there's a lot of obvious things that could go here in the names of family, religion, home, etc. but I always find it more interesting to hear the quirky random things that people are attached to in their lives. Here's my top two:

1. Volumizing Mousse: I went YEARS without using any type of product in my hair (besides shampoo and conditioner) and I just thought I was doomed to live with limp, fine hair. My college roomate, L, sold me on the wonders of mousse! I tried it and lo and behold my hair looked 100% better. So now I use it every day.

2. Magazines: I dare to say I'm slightly addicted to magazines. I love pretty much any type: gossip, decorating, women's, etc. I go to magazines for inspiration in my home, wardrobe and beauty tips, and the latest celebrity gossip. (I openly apologize to all celebrities...it is because of people like me that the paparazzi are always in your business.) These are a few of my favs:

(all images via Google images)

I also want to thank Julie at Brown Eyed Belle for this sweet award!


I'd like to pass it on to these lovely ladies!

Brittany Ann at Living in the Moment

Summer at Summer's Story

Breanna at A Southern Girl With Curls

Top Two Tuesday...Celebrity Style

Taylor at The Undomestic Momma has another great topic for this week's Top Two Tuesday...our favorite celebrity styles! Now let me just start by saying that my style is classic casual mom. Khakis, jeans, casual skirts, polos, button up shirts, tanks...all everyday wear. What I actually wear and what I want to wear are very different. My absolute favorite celebrity styles are a throwback to an earlier decade where women dressed very feminine and the clothes were anything but practical. Both picks are people who are dressed for 'parts' in tv/film, not their own style, but I love them none the less.

#1. Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl

#2. Rachel McAdams in The Notebook

(all images via Google images)

I could not find a picture anywhere of my absolute favorite outfit worn by Rachel. It was the red skirt suit she wore when she went to tell her fiance that she was going to take a few days away to settle some things (aka...go back to her true love). It was just gorgeous!

Now couldn't you just see me hauling 2 kids around dressed like this?! It may not be very practical, but this style is what I will always think of when I imagine classic feminine style.

Top Two Tuesday...and A Birthday Wish!

I'm doin' a little combo post today because Taylor's Top Two Tuesday topic (say that 3 times) happens to be Favorite Names, so I want to share my picks, but I also want to send the biggest birthday wish out to my little man who turns 4 today!

My top two favorite boy names are Colson (my son's name) and Griffin.

My top two favorite girl names are Lillian (my daughter's name) and Emerson.

Maybe we'll have one more of each and I can use Griffin and Emerson too! :)

Now...Happy Birthday to my little Monkey!

From this...

To this...

I've loved every minute of our last 4 years together!

Here's a few clips of our precious little boy in his first few days (no comments on our awesome videography skills...they're great, I know.):

Oh my goodness! I almost forgot to mention these!!! It seems that the blog world is in a giving mood because several ladies are hosting giveaways. You've gotta go see all the fabulous swag that's being given away...for free...seriously, go enter!

Brighton Earrings at Summer's Story

Earth Mama Angel Baby Gift Card at Cowboy Boots & Baby Booties

Starbucks Trio, SoftLips, and a Surprise! at Chronicles of Neely

Top Two Tuesday...TV Shows

This week's Top Two topic over at Jimmy Choos & A Baby Too is our favorite TV shows. Um, I have to admit that I can be a bit excessive when it comes to TV. I easily attach to shows, and all I can say is thank goodness for DVR or I'd probably be a bit neurotic trying to schedule my life around the tv guide schedule (messed up, right?). All the more reason to unplug! Enough rambling...here are my picks:

#1. Law and Order: I love any of the series (SVU or Criminal Intent) and I can usually be found watching a rerun as I go to sleep every night! I think that Special Victim's Unit is probably my favorite because I think that Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are just the best!

#2. House: I love medical shows, the mystery element, and House's wonderful sarcasm and humor! While I'm alone on Law and Order, House is a show that the hubby and I watch every week together.

And because I can't follow the rules, I want to give an honorable mention to the following shows: Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Fringe, Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Hung, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Modern Family, and FlashForward. See, I told you I had a problem.

Top Two Tuesday...Dream Vacation

I'm guessing that Taylor is not referring to the vacation I dream of daily where I get to eat three peaceful meals and sleep a full eight hours even if it takes place in my home. Nah...I bet she's going for the more traditional type of vacation where you pack bags and head off to some foreign destination (hey, with two little ones sometimes it's hard to think big). Well, if I were to choose two dream vacation spots, I would pick:

#1. China: I'd love to visit the country, experience the customs of the people, and learn about their culture. I have been fascinated with China for quite some time, and I'd love to have about 2 weeks to visit there. Of course I also have another motive for wanting to visit China...it would be my ultimate dream to bring home a little baby. The RedHead and I have entertained the idea of adopting since we started thinking about having children, so maybe one day we can take our vacation to China when we go to get our baby!

#2. Turks and Caicos: Why? Because everyone needs to go somewhere warm and sunny where the water is clear, the drinks are cold, and you can totally relax. I actually just kind of picked this one randomly, but I do hear it's nice.

{images courtesy of google images}

This post has me wanting to pack a bag and jet set off to somewhere exotic...guess I'll settle for packing the pool bag and jet setting off to Monkey's swim lessons! :) Hey it's warm and there's water, right?

**Remember to check back in for this week's Top Five Friday where I'll be doing my first giveaway!**