A Deal You Can't Refuse

Ok, dearest bloggers. I've got a deal for you.
See, I love you.
All of you.
And I want to bring a little happiness to ya.
Sooooo.......
I'm offering any and all of my blog readers a FANTASTIC deal for your Fall family photos.
I know it's still September.
But the scenery is about to be just perfect for some amazing photos.
They make the PERFECT gifts to all your family.
I will travel or meet you half way (within reason) for all of you living in Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and of course, Georgia!

Here's the deal:
The session is $75!!! What? That's unheard of. I promise.

Whatcha get:
*1 hour session at location of your choice
*CD of all images
*Print collection of (2) 8x10s, (2) 5x7s and (4) wallets, all of which can be a mix-match.

I can also hook you up with some fabulous Holiday photo cards if you'd like.

Just think, you could get all (or almost all) of your Christmas shopping done right here in October or November!

AND.....just in case any of you live near Broken Bow, OK, I'll be there the week after Christmas, so hit me up if you want to cash in on the photo action.

AND, AND.....I'll honor this offer to anyone YOU refer to me.
I'm feeling generous.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS:
email me at lauren@laurenthomasphotography.com and tell me you want in.
That's IT!
No catch.
No gimmick.

Just me loving you!

2-9!!!

Happy, happy, happy birthday to my most fabulous hubby!

29 whole years!

Almost 30!!!!

Time flies.

But as you can see, he hasn't quite grown up yet :)

Happy Day

Today was rather productive. I took the day off and Chris and I had a mini-birthday celebration for him. We went to Fogo de Chao for lunch today - it's a Brazilian steak house where they bring you as much meat as you can eat!

True story: Chris literally sat back in his chair after eating, took a deep breath, and the button to his pants popped off!

THAT much food!

Soooo yummy.

Then we went through the city finishing up pictures for my office.

And THEN we went shopping. Somehow for his birthday I got new clothes! I SO needed them though. I'm not a dress wearer but I bought the cutest two dresses ever! NOW I just need it to get a little cooler so I can wear them.

T.J. Maxx ladies, that's all I can say.

Fabulous!

And THEN....I delivered the sneak peak of these photos. Click HERE to go see them! Please go see them over at my photo blog. I'm lovin them!

Now I'm off to pack for a girls' weekend in Chattanooga - bachelorette style!

Definitely pictures to come! Enjoy your weekend!

Friday Fives Time!

It's always a good day when it's Friday! And Friday means it's time to check in over at Beth's blog for her fabulous Friday Fives.

1. What's your "comfort food"?

Bread please. And chocolate. Oh and french fries. All carbs.

2.One thing thats on your mind right now?

Hubby's birthday dinner! We're heading to a Brazilian steakhouse for some all you can eat meat! Hey, it's protein right! AND carb free! ;)

3.what's the best advice you've ever received?

Hmmmm.....oh yes, let's go with this one: "No man is worth your tears and the one who is won't make you cry." ~Author unknown.

4.If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?

I would like to think that I would make a donation to charity:water with it, but let's be honest, I'd probably buy lunch. Loser.

5. What is your least favorite thing to clean in your house

That would definitely be the toilet. I think I've mentioned before that hubby has a little trouble hitting the HUGE opening that pee is supposed to go in. And it's really in his best interest to clean it, because when I do, the more I clean the madder I get.

NEW FAVORITES!

Remember a few weeks back I talked about Chris and I taking a ride through the mountains?

Well there was this random sunflower field that I just fell in love with!

Here are a few of my new favorite photos!

Oh Wow. Just Wow.

Please watch this video. I'm gonna need you to watch all the way through - long but worth it.

Made my night.

By far one of the funniest things I have EVER seen.

Wordless Wednesday

My favorite photo from a wedding I photographed a couple of weeks ago.

Sun. Stand. Still.

Good morning! I wanted to let you in on a little sumpin, sumpin. This book, the picture below, is totally rocking my face off right now. It's called Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. He's a pastor in Charlotte, NC at Elevation Church. AWESOME church. Here's a little snippet of what the book's about:

“Does the brand of faith you live by produce the kinds of results in your life that you read about in the biblical stories of men and women of faith? Chances are, not even close.” But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In Sun Stand Still, Steven Furtick challenges you to believe that the audacious faith that we see in the Bible, the faith that caused a man to pray and see the sun stand still in the sky, is the same faith we can claim for ourselves today. This is more than just another book. It’s a call to all of us to begin living the life of audacity God has created and saved us for.

You NEED to read this.

We need a bit of a revolution in this world.

What's Tickling My Fancy

Here's a few things to get our week started:

1. CRASH: So, this week we joined Netflix. Friday we got our first movie. I've heard lots about the movie Crash, but had never seen it. So Friday night we came home and turned on the old boob tube. Except that we don't have a boob tube, we have a flat screen, but that's not near as fun to say as boob tube. Do you like how I just said "boob" 3, no 4 times and not meaning breasts? Very interesting movie. There's one scene in particular that totally took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. We're talking hold my breath, hard cry, then breath of relief, then "What?!" In like 30 seconds. Oh yes, roller coaster. I say this is a must-see. Definitely makes you think.

2. As I've mentioned before, www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com is one of my favorite websites. It's updated weekly, if not daily. The picture above was on it. Really? Really? Who decides that dressing up as clowns for family photos is the way to go? Like, who makes that decision? Better yet, WHO goes along with that decision??? Amazing.

3. This week is TV Fall Premier week. YES! There are so many shows I'm so excited for! Modern Family is definitely extremely high on my list! Parenthood started last week - I'm behind all ready! AND Big Bang Theory is moving to Thursday nights! This is messing with my schedule! Anywho, you can check out the full Fall Premier schedule by clicking HERE.

4. So I love looking at People magazine's website. Heck, I love People magazine.

What I'm not sure about is how I feel about Kate Gosslin. I really used to love her when Jon and Kate Plus 8 first came out. And during the divorce, I was totally Team Kate. I tried to still love her during her Dancing With the Stars stunt, but I'm seriously not sure about flaunting the cover of People in her bikini. Now don't get me wrong, she looks great. But she could have shown she looks great in a different manner. What happened to homey Kate? I liked her better with her spiky hair and nifty t-shirts. Am I being judgmental? We all know her response will be "I'm doing what I have to to take care of my kids" but seriously, people do it everyday without the help of Hollywood and TLC. Wow, didn't know I was so bothered by it.

And that's my two cents....no 4 cents for the day!

Weight and the Weekend

What up homies!

Well friends, sadly the weekend is over.

They really should extend them.

Who can I talk to about this?

Ok, now to the good stuff. So this week I was working on "little to no carbs".

I'm not really sure how to rate myself on it all.

Let's go with....I did better.

Much better than usual.

This is a difficult adventure for me because carbs are SO much of my diet.

But I will say I was much more aware of what I've been eating.

There were days with only one type of carb and that was a good day!

So I'm getting there.

I have a new hair do.

My BFF did the fabulous job! New fall colored highlights and a new style.

Love it.

I also have new curtains! The living room and kitchen are complete. Well almost.

And then there was lunch with my girls from the drugstore I used to work at.

All in all, a very productive and good weekend!

I'm not gonna lie though.....I would kill for a loaf of warm garlic bread.

Yes, a whole loaf.

Awesomeness.

Awesomeness. That was my week.

Why?

Because I incorporated veggies to my diet!

This week I have ate sautéed green beans, broccoli, corn (i know - starch), and asparagus!!!!

Can I even tell you what a big deal this is???

HUGE!

Ok, so I hate veggies, but this week I've been creative. Asparagus may be my new favorite!

Not the price though.

I need to learn what a pound feels like.

It was like $3 something per pound. My bunch of asparagus cost over $10! What? Why?

Is it not in season?

I'm a veggie virgin.

Sad times.

HOWEVER, I MUST share the recipe I used. If I liked it, anyone can like it!

I coated the asparagus with olive oil, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, minced garlic (I crushed 2 cloves) and freshly grated parmesean cheese.

Then I roasted at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

DELISH!

It was served with a lemon-wine chicken.

This morning I marinated some chicken cutlets in the juice of one lemon, crushed garlic, a few splashes of white wine, and some Italian seasonings. I let it hang out in a baggie for about an hour so everything got evenly coated. Then I grilled it.

You can let the marinade sit longer if you want a stronger flavor.

I didn't want everything too overpowering.

It was just right.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day.

Tune in for my weekly weigh-in recap.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

A Few Things Jersey

Could someone please fill me in on the latest fascination with all things New Jersey?

Really?

Someone? Anybody?

Well I don't know what the fascination answer is, BUT I'm fascinated too!

I love me some Real Houswives of New Jersey (Bravo), some Jersey Shore (MTV) and some Jerseylicious (Style).

Plain ol' addicted, that's what I am.

We've got some crazy rich ladies on RHNJ.

How to Help the Unhelpable

And yes, I'm quite sure that "unhelpable" is not a word, but it's really the only thing I could create to describe this.

See, I'm a little perplexed.
It is in my nature to fix things.
I want to solve all the world's problems.
Ok, so that's a little bit of a stretch, but at least all the problems in my "world" of people close to me.
There are SO many hurting right now that I know.
But there's one main thing in common with the situations that seem to be the worst.

These people aren't willing to help themselves.

They cry. They whine. They beg for answers.
The answers are right there in front of them. Yet they won't accept them.

Does this seem like it's going in circles?

Let me try to break it down.

Person A - let's call her Jen (I must protect my peeps).
Jen is in a TERRIBLE marriage. Now, I'm not one to promote divorce, but this one seems too far gone. I've never thought divorce would be such a good thing - but it would be amazing for her.
Their issues have gotten a little physical. They both have major extremes and the two of them together is like a volcano exploding plus a hurricaine. BAD stuff.
She knows what she has to do.
Yet she's scared of being on her own.
And please hear me, I understand this.
But at what point do you say enough is enough and try to make something better out of your life?
If miserable makes you happy, then be miserable. If not, DO SOMETHING. And I know, boy do I know, this is easier said than done.
How do you tell someone going through all this that she can't expect God to fix anything if she's not willing to surrender. She has to let go in order for God to work in this.

And now let's meet person B - we'll call her Babs.
Now Babs is having some financial trouble. Yet she would rather complain about being broke than do something about it. To protect the innocent, I shall not go any further in this description, but I'm just soooo torn.

I want to help them. All of them.
I want to solve their problems.
And I have this great answer for their issues.
He's an amazing God that can fix all things.
ALL things.
I've seen it first hand.
BUT......I just don't know how to offer them a little Jesus when they're so set on doing this alone.
I don't know how to put into words all that I know and how this can help.

See, it's usually not until Jesus is ALL you have left in the world that you can truly appreciate all that He is. But wouldn't it be so much easier to go through your world collapsing with Him than without Him?

PICTURE TIME!

CLICK HERE!

Weigh In Recap

I just realized that I haven't really given an update lately on my weight loss results.

First, let's recap what I've done so far:
I gave up all sugar for 3 weeks (well obvious sugars) and I gave up fried foods for 2 weeks. It was sort of like a detox for my body. Since then I have allowed moderate portions of each here and there. The goal was to make sure that these were not a part or craving of every day life. And I lost about 6 pounds in dropping those items from my diet.

So last week we really focused on eating at home every night. We ate out Friday night but the rest of the week was grilled at home. I'm happy to say I lost another 2.2 pounds this week as a result!

I'm trying to slowly get my diet under control without doing a total shock to my body - that way I can adjust my lifestyle and not just give up. I want to drop 25 pounds by Christmas so I'll be a little less anxious for my trip to my dad's.

Now this week will be the kicker. I want to try and curb my carb consumption. I LIVE off carbs!!! I don't want to cut them completely out, but it's something that definitely needs to be controlled. I'm thinking this will start on Tuesday. Today is my birthday and I always eat at this Italian restaurant on my birthday an there's no way I will deprive myself of the amazing bread on my birthday! :) So tomorrow I'll start working on it. I also want to try and incorporate some veggies this week too - they're non existent in my current diet. Small steps.

And the last goal to put in place this week is working out. I was really sick last week and my lungs weren't up for working out. So this week the goal is at least 20 min on the bike every day.

-- Post From My iPhone

Birthday Festivities!

So Monday is my birfday!

That's right I said birfday!

The big ol' 2-7!

But I had a few little fabulous things over the weekend!

My dad and step mom started the weekend off by sending me a package! I love those kind of packages! Inside was...

I've been dying to read this book and I really want to read it before I see the movie! There were also a couple other little things, including a JC Penny gift card - this is fabulous because the curtains I've been wanting were on sale and that helped pay for them! Yay!

THEN, the hubs gave me my gift early! I was so proud of him this year - I didn't give any hints of what I wanted. He actually thought this all up on his own:

That's right - Sarah Jessica Parker's new fragrance - NYC! It smells fabulous and I've been eyeing it since it came out. I smell scrumptious! And he also got me the Audrey Assad CD that I've been wearing out!

My aunt also got me something fabulous! We're going to the Fox Theatre in November to see White Christmas with my Granny. I'm SO excited! I've never seen a show there and that one is supposed to be great! I love the old movie of it.

Now it's time to get ready for a football filled weekend! Lots of great games playing on Saturday.

Gooooooooo DAWGS!!!!

Do You Remember?

This week for Friday Fives at Beth's blog, we're remembering September 11th.

It's one of those days I'll never forget.
Ever.

It was my senior year of high school.
We were in the transition to 2nd period and during that time of day, my school sold Chick-fil-A biscuits.
I was in line to get one and my friend said "A plane just flew into the World Trade Center!"
We rushed to class - which was a mass media class, so we had the news on.
And it was then, as we were all watching, that the second plane hit.

I think we were all in shock.
My teacher was too.
We did nothing but watch the news for that class.

Our principal announced it to the school and parents were coming to pick up their kids.
It was a horrifying time for our nation.
Especially our generation.
This was like our Pearl Harbor.

I remember the news coverage of people leaping to their death from the buildings hoping that they just might survive.

Days of lost contact with people, not knowing if your loved ones were involved, trapped....dead.

I had always been patriotic, but never more than after this day.
So many innocent people lost.

May we never ever forget that day.
Never forget those lost and impacted.
Never forget what our country stands for.
Never forget those who tirelessly fight for it.

Fabulousness!

Happy Thursday Almost Friday to ya!!!

So this week I've been really sick - some sort of end of summer cold I guess.

I've felt a whole lot like poo!

BUT while home curled up on my couch yesterday, I discovered this CD (Audrey Assad):

Can I just tell you how happy this CD has made my heart! I made the hubby buy it for me for my birthday - however, I needed it tonight! So I got an early gift!

You need this.

Seriously.

For realz.

Mountain Drive

Just a couple pics from our Saturday drive....ahhhh!

-- Post From My iPhone

Happy Weekend

I must say, this weekend was much needed for my sanity.
I haven't really liked life too much lately and I was so excited to accomplish a weekend that made me love it!

It all started Saturday when the hubs and I took a little day trip through the North Georgia mountains. We litterally drove from west to east covering the whole top of the state. Absolutely gorgeous! The best part was the AMAZING weather - so of course we had the windows rolled down and the music blasting! Just fabulous! I have a few pics that I'll upload tonight.

Sunday we had we church and then met some friends for lunch and games at Dave & Busters. Love my friends something fierce!

And yesterday was low key - we rearranged the living room a bit, did a little yard work, and grilled out with the in-laws. All in all very relaxing (and refreshing not to look at a computer screen)!

But now it's back to the daily grind. Good news is there's only 4 days to work this week.

And guess who's birthday is less than a week away?

That'd be me!

And that is all for this edition of pointless blogging.

Refrigerators.

Hi friends! Happy Friday to ya!
Today's Friday Fives topic is 5 things in your fridge! After you check out my list, be sure to pay a visit to BETH!

Alright, so my fridge always, always has the following:

1. My new found love is my Brita pitcher. Water tastes so much better now!

2. Sour cream. Oh, yes I can't eat a potato or anything Mexican without it! Trust me, it's a bad night if we run out of it!

3. Cheese. My hubby is a cheese addict (and I like it pretty well myself). He puts it on EVERYTHING! It's definitely not a happy home without cheese in the fridge.

4. Mustard. Oh I love me some mustard. Sometimes I eat just mustard sandwiches. Sometimes just by the spoonful. I know...strange.

5. Last but not least, good ol' Frank's Red Hot. I love me some hot sauce - on everything. There's really not much I don't put it on.

Ok, now I'm feeling a bit hungry and ready for lunch!

Fall, Birthdays, and Christmas!

Oh happy, happy September to my fav-o-rite peeps!
So many fabulous things to talk to you about today!
Let's just go ahead and get started:

*I love September. It is the month of Fall (my most favorite season of ALL time). It is also MY BIRTHDAY month and Chris' too! I'll be turning the big 2-7 and well, Chris is the great big 2-9! I'm not sure I like this "late-twenties" thing.

*I bought Chris the most fabulous birthday gift which I cannot share with you at this time because he reads my blog and well that would just spoil everything (that was a run on sentence in my head, therefore I felt that no punctuation was needed).

*Fall only means one thing: Christmas is right around the corner!!!!! That's right, I said it. I know you don't want to think about it yet, but you must!

*And this my friends is where you come in! I have a dilemma. See, last year I made the ever fabulous Joy Bottles for Chris' family as their gifts. I have set the bar high. Everyone loved them. Therefore, I must find some equally creative gift to make and give this year! Eeek! I'm drawing a blank. AND I HAVE to get started on them early this year because the all nighter I pulled last year will not work again. So that's one problem.

*The other problem, which is really the same as the last, is that we're going on a trip with my dad and brothers the week after Christmas (so super excited about this). This trip is when we will all celebrate Christmas together and the theme is home made gifts. Gifts of true thought...to which I am drawing another blank.

Help me, help me! And I know you can. I really know you can!

All this Christmas talk makes me want to go watch the movie "Elf".
And "Christmas Vacation".
And "White Christmas". Oh, oh, oh - I'm seeing the musical of this in November. Can't wait!
And "Miracle on 34th St.".

And I would really like to put in my request for snow as well.

Don't worry though, I'm not getting ahead of myself - I intend to thoroughly enjoy the crisp air of fall and fabulous football games! Ahhh...now until December truly is my favorite time of year!

I Got Schooled

Waz up my bloggity peeps?

Hope it's been a great week for ya so far!

The weekend is near...and a long one at that! Yippee!!!

So, the other day, I totally got schooled on all things organic.

And for whatever reason, I felt you should know the information I received.

You know, it's part of my blogging duties....to make sure you're informed!

Haha.

But seriously.

Ok, so I'm definitely not at all crazy into the organic movement. I have just been trying to make wiser choices of what I put into my body. I am in no way heading into the direction of vegetarianism or the vegan world, just trying to be smarter.

So while talking with a coworker on Tuesday, we had a deep discussion on "organic" vs. "locally grown".

Now, apparently "organic" has now become this huge ordeal. Sadly, in order for something to be declared "organic", a ton of forms have to be completed and the hoops that have to be jumped are primarily those that only a big organization can accomplish. Therefore, just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good.

However, those who are truly in board with an organic lifestyle should be doing the "locally grown" route.

Let me break it down:

This particular coworker tries to only buy produce and beef from farmers within 50 miles of where he lives. His defense is this: it supports local farmers AND saves on gas pollution to the environment. According to his view point, if he buys an organic product at the grocery store, but it's shipped from Oregon, then the environmental impact isn't changed. The gas emitted to get it here has done more harm than the pesticides.

Good point.

So apparently, in cities all over the US, there are local farm groups that you can buy directly from. For instance, her spends $25 a week for a box of produce full of seasonal veggies. They have adapted to a seasonal eating approach. So during the summer months, he may get a ton of okra and tomatoes - he definitely has to get creative with the cooking of these as to keep the palate happy! Through this same organization, he goes in with 3 other people and buys a fresh quarter of a cow.

Now this way of life isn't for everyone. Hey - it's not even really for me.

However, I think it was a real eye opener on how large companies are trying to cash in on the "organic" market.

So I guess I say all that to say...buy locally if possible, support your local farmers, and make sure if you're buying organic....that it really is organic!