Blissfully Enamored

So....We Got Hungry...

2012-01-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have this slight obsession (as I am SURE that a lot of you do by now...) with a well-known little website called PINTEREST. Holy Moly...you can find SO many things through Pinterest. I am always showing Casey the cool things that I find on there....and he usually seems to roll his eyes at me and tell me what a waste of time it all is.............UNLESS it's an idea for a future house to build or cool new recipe! You see, I have a husband who really likes to experiment and cook new random good dishes. I love that about him! I seem to always stick to the same 'ol faithful recipes when I am cooking....but not Casey!

This morning I was so pregnantly exhausted that we decided to skip church, sleep in, and just lay in bed for a while and do nothing. I, of course, grabbed my iPad and started looking through all of your fun pins! One of my sweet friends posted THIS little recipe for homemade chicken nuggets......

(via 100daysofrealfood.com)

So we decided that we would try them for dinner tonight! While preparing our groceries...we then found THIS great recipe for Chick-Fil-A type nuggets too! So...we got a little crazy and tried both recipes out!

(via housefulofhandmade.com)

Oh my word...you MUST go to these two fun blogs, grab the recipes, and try them out for yourself! Casey and I are obsessed! They were both equally good and the Chick-Fil-A ones really tasted pretty dang close to the real deal!

I just wanted to share those with you all really quickly before I slipped into a heavy food-coma!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Hopefully you won't have a horrible case of the Mondays tomorrow...and hopefully I will continue to update the good 'ol blogaroo more and more! Let me know what you want to hear about!

XOXO,

Hilary

Sorority Life...

2012-01-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

Today was bid day at Ouachita Baptist University....

I thought I would find a few pictures of me and some of my pledge sisters

to commemorate the day!

I vividly remember this morning 9 years ago, when I woke up and became an EEE! I'll never forget hearing the songs outside my window, waiting to put on my red sweater...and hoping to see that bid slide under my dorm room door! Becoming an EEE was a huge thing for me... I learned a lot from those girls and made so many of my best friends through it all! Congrats to PC2012, whoever you stunning ladies are! Put your BIG red bows on and always remember that BLOOD MAKES THE GRASS GROW!!!

Love and miss you all!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

The Perils of Pregnancy - Final Days...

2012-01-27T07:33:00.001-08:00

Well...as you can tell, I have been so incredibly busy and overwhelmed with life that I haven't even had a chance to blog since I was 15 weeks prego (also, i cannot get my stupid blog to work from my ipad!)! I am now, as of TODAY, officially 38 weeks pregnant! Holy Moly! It's all gone by WAAAAAY too fast! I cannot believe that my due date is in TWO short weeks!

I was laying in bed last night thinking of how excited I am for sweet little Jackson Robert to be here....but also how excited I am to have some small things semi-back to normal! So.... since I had a minute, I thought I would write a quick post about it all.

Perils Of Pregnancy - WHAT I WANT BACK!

1. SLEEP - well, okay, not REALLY sleep because we all know that will be a lost cause once he is here....but really the comfort of sleep. I am normally a REALLY good sleeper but now I cannot get comfy at all! I toss and turn all night trying to find that one perfect position...and it never seems to work! What I would give to have one night of sleep on my stomach again....

2. MEXICAN FOOD - let's be honest, I can really have this anytime that I want (I mean we DO live in Texas where it is totally a staple in our regular diets) but I am ready to really enjoy it again! I don't have much of an appetite these days -mainly because there is not a whole lot of room left in my body for anything but baby! So when I do eat, I can't seem to eat much at a time. Plus...mexican food now gives me the WORST indigestion that I have gotten to a point where it just isn't even worth it to fight the battle all night anymore!

3. ANKLES/ FEET - I work retail and I love it! I wouldn't trade it for the world. But....one thing that I hate...is that after being pregnant and on my feet all day, they are the most swollen/tired things in the world! All I want to do at the end of the day is get home, take off my shoes, and lay down! Or wear nothing on my feet but my stupid looking puppy dog house shoes! It's tricky because I want to look cute at work every day....but how do you do that when your feet don't quite fit into your cute shoes anymore? I even went and bought some TOMS in a whole size larger - and yes, they ARE the most comfy shoes EVER - but now I have realized that with the way my feet swell, they are bruising the tops of my feet! I am so ready to have my normal feet back and all of my cute fun shoes!

4. SITTING - I know this one sounds really odd. But to be quite honest....I am a lot more comfortable standing these days than I am sitting! It sounds really backwards, I know. There is an odd spot on the right side of my back that really starts to bother me and hurt when I sit for a few minutes. It's really uncomfortable... even when sitting on the couch. You will notice me start moving around and trying to stretch it out. I hate this! It's REALLY annoying! But hopefully once the baby is here...this will resolve itself. I'm sure it's from pressure and frontal weight gain pulling me.

Hmmm....that's all I can think of at the moment. I am sure more will come to me as soon as I publish this post. I do have two weeks until my actual due date (February 10) but the doctor is telling me that it will probably be closer to the 15th! What do I do with that?! There is no more room for this baby to grow...plus I don't really want a Valentine's baby! I am kind of over it all and uncomfortable all of a sudden. I am so ready to meet Jackson...so pray that we go into labor sooner than later! We have no plans of inducing at the moment...but that could change!

Be on the lookout...I might get crazy and post some prego pics in a minute!

XOXO,

Hilary

The Perils of Pregnancy...

2011-08-22T07:07:00.001-07:00

As of Friday....Baby H is officially at 15 weeks!

According to www.thebump.com, Baby H is the size of an orange this week - approx. 4 inches! So crazy to know that little life is forming inside of me! God is amazing and does such cool things!

Casey and I have been so busy lately with working on the new house, living with our parents, working in general, and so on...that we really haven't done much baby stuff or talked a whole lot about the baby! We just tell eachother how excited we are and all of that...but haven't focused much on it. I really still don't feel like I am pregnant since I haven't been sick or anything (the only thing affecting me at the moment is hunger pains and fatigue) ...........until TODAY.....when my pants officially wouldn't button! I FINALLY had to whip out the BellyBand! I bought it about three weeks ago but never used it because I didn't think I was pregnant enough yet.... but today was a slightly different story!

It's an odd thing to gain a little weight during your first pregnancy. I have always been a smaller person - about 5'1" and 105 pounds. Now it's okay to gain that baby weight but it's still odd when you have always tried to keep yourself FROM gaining weight! There are about 5 girls that I see on a regular basis at church that are as far along as I am, give or take two weeks and are showing a lot more than me - clearly I have been sucking in my baby belly! Is that normal?!?! It's just such an odd thing for me! I'm not ashamed of it or anything....I feel like I should hide it a little while longer and that I'm not far along enough to really have a baby bump yet! HA - I'm four months along!!!!

Oh the perils of being pregnant....I just had to share!

Have you had this issue or one like it?! I would love to hear!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Friday Fabulous Five - Nail Polish Edition

2011-08-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Do YOU have a signature nail color that you ALWAYS gravitate to? I feel like the same goes with nail polish as it does with perfume - every girl should have a signature color/scent that is yours to claim! Mine? Yeah... I am still debating... my signature has usually always been just to go with a clean, simple, classic french manicure. But...from time to time, I have to change it up a little bit! Yesterday, I had a day off and decided it was WAY past pedicure time for this momma! I decided to run to Ulta and grab some polish to take with me so that I could do touch-ups if I needed to in a week or two. I scoped out all different colors of polish and even asked my Facebook friends what their faves were!

Here is my list of my new top five go-to nail polish colors - minus the french manicure of course!!!

1. ESSIE - FIJI

I really like this because it's a pretty light ballet pink WITHOUT any shimmer to it! I love the opaque-ness!

2. OPI - ROAD HOUSE BLUES

(Touring America Collection)

Why?? Because I have recently gained an addiction for the color navy! This will be great for Fall toes!

3. ESSIE -PANSY

A lot of times I have a dark pink on my toes - especially in the spring!

4. ESSIE - CHINCHILLY

A GREAT color for fall! I love this tone of gray!

5. CHANEL - LOTUS ROUGE

What a timeless red! It's a great color for any season of the year! Southern girls love our red nailpolish!

Now it's your turn!! What are your most favorite nail polish brands and colors to turn to?!

Happy Friday!

XOXO,

Hiary

College Days...

2011-08-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

This post is specifically dedicated to ALL of my Ouachita Baptist University friends. May we always be friends forever...no matter where we are and what we are doing!!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Earlier I was thinking back about college, all of the fun we had, and the memories that were made. Here were some of the memories VIVIDLY that came back to me...see if you remember these as well as I do....

The monsoon/flood of finals week - May 2003 (RIP the blue bug)

The drowning of Mandy's explorer in the river - finals week/graduation week - May 2006

Longest EEE meetings ever....

Any time spent at the Marks' house boat

Many beer runs to Hot Springs

The Pink Palace

Orange juice from a milk jug in the middle of the living room

Circle of death

Miss Arkansas - and the parties afterward

Long nights of weary Tiger Tunes practice and spying...

Champagne Campaigns

Lip Gloss Cellys

Q Dawg Inn

Any time spent at the V - with or without beer being spilled all over you...

I know that there are many more...but these are the first ones that came to mind! Leave comments with other memories if you think of any! I would love to hear them!

Happy Saturday!

XO,

Hilary

Friday Fabulous Five - Hair Essentials (One Day Late!)

2011-08-12T08:36:00.001-07:00

I started this post yesterday and NEVER got a chance to finish! SO..here it is a day late!

Think about the hair stuff that you HAVE to have in order to get your mane looking good every day! What are the things that you cannot live without?!

Well...I put together a little Fab Five list of my top hair must-haves just for you!

Here Goes...

1. BIOSILK - seriously...if you have never tried this stuff...run to Target or wherever right now and splurge a little on this little bottle of miraculous clear liquid! A little bit goes a LONG way...but massage this into your hair while it's wet and when you blow-dry you will notice a huge silky difference in your strands! It's amazing! Go get some...NOW!

2. AUSSIE THREE MINUTE MIRACLE - gone are the days when I didn't care about which conditioner I would use. I LOVE this stuff! At about $3 a pop...how can you NOT? Again...a little goes a long way with this product! I notice a huge difference in my hair when I use this...it makes it soft and shiny but it doesn't seem to weigh my super thick hair down! Plus...it smells good too!

3. MY FAMOUS TEASING COMB - (no...it doesn't laugh at you or tell you jokes...it's used to TEASE your hair) You really cannot tell from this picture, but it actually has three offset rows of bristles. It does an AMAZING job of grabbing your hair and teasing it perfectly! Keep in mind...if you went to Ouachita Baptist University, are from Arkansas, or Texas....we ALL love big hair! This is the perfect thing to have on hand! You can find this comb at Sally Bauty Supply for pennies...no really...I am pretty sure it's under $2! Grab a few and give them to friends...I do! If you don't know how to tease your hair yet....I am sure you can find plenty of youtube tutorials!

4. CHI FLAT IRON - need I say more? If you use a flat iron and haven't splurged on a Chi yet... you DON'T know a good hot flat iron! For example...I didn't dry my hair completely last night, so I woke up with a funky wave to it. Woke up, straightened with my Chi, and now I am at work with perfectly straight hair!
5. AUSSIE INSTANT FREEZE HAIRSPRAY - a must have for sure! I don't like those stupid hairsprays that say that they are a hard hold hairspray and you can't even feel them in your hair! This stuff is not heavy...but you know it's there and it holds REALLY well! I love this! Everytime I buy it, I go ahead and grab two bottles...it's under $4...so it's a great hair product to keep on hand!

Well folks...there you have it! What are YOUR favorite go-to hair essentials?! I want to know! I am always looking for things to add to my collection of must-haves!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I am off to work for the day!

Updates on the house and baby to come later!

XOXO,

Hilary

BLUE DOG

2011-08-11T08:12:00.001-07:00

Have you ever encountered the famous Blue Dog paintings by George Rodrigue???

I absolutely LOVE these whimsical prints! I think it might be fun to have a few prints framed in the baby's room! There are ALL different Blue Dog paintings....one where Blue Dog is at the Whitehouse, Blue Dog riding a motorcycle, Blue Dog in a hurricane. Blue Dog with his friends, etc! You could pretty much find a Blue Dog to go with anything!

Blue Dog even has a series of children's books now and they are ADORABLE!

If you have a family of dog lovers...you will definately need to grab these! Check them out on Amazon! They have names such as: Why Is Blue Dog Blue? , Blue Dog Speaks, Are You Blue Dog's Friend?, Blue Dog Man, etc! Love them!

So when you get time....google Blue Dog art work...I know you will fall in love too!

Contemplating tomorrow's Friday Fave Five post... what do you think my topic should be tomorrow? Places to shop? Ingredients to cook with? Toiletry essentials? Favorite websites? Books? I need some help deciding!

What do YOU want to know about?!

Happy Thursday!

XOXO,

Hilary

I Hope To Be...

2011-08-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

...i hope to be a cute little prego momma like these celebs...

i am so ready to be out of this semi-pudgy stage and get on to having a

baby bump! i am so sure that when i actually do have a baby bump,

i will be singing a different tune!

hope you have a lovely wednesday!

XOXO,

Hils

Friday Fabulous Five!

2011-08-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I am sure that you all are looking forward to the much needed weekend as much as I am!

As I was putting on my make-up this morning, I started going through my make-up bag and noticing things that I felt like I just could not live without in my morning routine. I thought that I might put together a little list of my top five make-up picks! Here goes...

FRIDAY FABULOUS FIVE : MAKE-UP MUST HAVES!

My newest and most recent must have item : Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara

I love THICK black mascara! This stuff is perfect since it has two brushes included (and did I mention that they both fit in the tube at the same time?!). One brush is for length and one is for thickness. The lengthening brush is good for a soft day-time look and the thickening brush is good for a night-time look. Let's face it....I use the lengthening first and then the thickening on top of that in order to get the best of both worlds! I love this stuff! It doesnt get gunky and it stays on really well all day long!

My Must Have of All Time : Mac Lipglass in PRRR

I love the thickness of this specific lipgloss. One tube will last a very long time and it is actually a flattering color on everyone! It's a light pink with a little hint of gold shimmer. If it's a windy day...watch out for your hair getting stuck in this thick stuff!

My Super Cheap Must Have : Fabuliner

Okay seriously.....I love the look and they saying power of liquid eyeliner but sometimes it can look realy harsh...right? Well...this easy to use liquid eyeliner pen is PERFECT! It's easier for me to control and it seems a little less harsh than normal liquid eyeliner...almost like it's watered down just a touch. Plus....I find this stuff at Walgreens for a dollar or two! It's amazing!

My Splurge Must Have : The Supernatural by Philosophy

Okay yes......I am not a HUGE make-up splurger anymore like I used to be (pre-marriage and pre-shared bank account days...) but this stuff was worth the money! I think I bought it about 6 months ago at Sephora for $36 and I bet I have about another month or two left in it! It's a loose powder with this great little spongy poof connected to the top of the bottle! I put it on first in the mornings...it just gives a soft airbrushed look and covers small flaws well! I love keeping this stuff in my purse in case I need any touch-ups. It's light enough that I can dab a little over my bronzer mid-day and it doesn't look like a big white powder circle on my face!

My I'll-Probably-Never-Use-Another-Brand-For-This-Unless-They-Quit-Making-It Must Have :

Eyes Lips Face Studio Bronzer Duo

I have been religiously buying and using this for the past 3-4 years probably. At only $3 a pop...I stock up when I order JUST IN CASE they ever decide to discontinue it! It's the perfect bronzer and blush duo. It gives you a perfect glow without making you look orange at all. It's actually a close knock-off to the NARS bronzer/blush duo.

Okay...your turn! What are your five make-up must haves?! I want to know! I am always on the lookout for something new to try!

Have a fabulous Friday!

XOXO,

Hilary

New Home....New Ideas

2011-08-04T06:14:00.001-07:00

On Monday, Casey and I will be closing on our NEW house! We are so excited! It's in an old brick street area of town known as the Azalea District. It's the old historic district in Tyler and I absolutely LOVE it! I have ALWAYS wanted to live there. All of the houses are old and most of them have been remodeled on the inside....but it seems like most people keep that old charm to them in some way. It's very much a 1950's television neighborhood, if you know what I mean....everyone is walking their dogs after work and everyone knows everyone.

Our new house was built in the 30's and really hasn't had much done to it. We got it at such a great price, that we are able to do a lot of remodeling before we move in (AND before Baby H gets here!!). I love this because I feel like we are realy personalizing the house for ourselves! Our plans right now are to basically gut the kitchen and re-finish it, re-do both of the bathrooms, re-roof, cut back the trees in the front, re-fence the backyard, scrape popcorn off of all ceilings, re-texture and paint all of the rooms.

My problem with this is....I am having a touch time picking out my paint colors! I want to do something that I haven't previously done in our house! We always have a lot of warm tones...reds, khakis, browns. But I am really wanting to add in some gray, turquoise, and navy!

What do you think of all of this?! What are YOUR favorite color combinations for rooms?? Does EVERY room have to flow with the other rooms or can they be themselves and be different????

I will have to post some pictures I have found as ideas for the new house later and see how you respond to those! Let me know your feelings on all of this! I would love to hear what you have to say!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! I am of to pick up kolaches and head to work!

Oh....and in case you are wondering...Baby H is officially the size of a plum this week!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Old Wives Tales

2011-08-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for your sweet comments yesterday!

We are thrilled about Baby H and cannot wait to meet him or her in February!

We haven't quite decided yet if we will find ut the gender or not....I want to REALLY bad...but Casey doesn't know if he does or not!! ARG! Surely the doctor can just tell me....riiiiight? :)

Anyways...people keep asking me about the gender and such...so I thought I would post the old wives tales that other soon-to-be mamas have posted! Here goes...

Urine test: By observing the color of your urine- if it is neon yellow or a dull yellow. Mine was dull yellow in color which indicates GIRL!

Morning sickness: They say that little girls make their mama's sick and I have had NO morning sickness which indicates BOY!

Soft or dry skin? Mine has been a mixture of both but more normal than anything which indicates GIRL!

Are you craving citrus? Nope....just some fruit here and there but nothing crazy which indicates BOY!

Have you felt glowing or less than beautiful and had lots of breakouts? My face has atually been more clear than ever in the last few months which indicates BOY!

Heartbeat indicator: Both our heartbeats were pretty fast which is said to be an indicator of a GIRL!

Craving fruit or meat? I would have to go with fruit which is an indicator of GIRL!

Pendullum test (which my mother-in-law swares by): Indicated a GIRL!

Dreams- I've heard opposite things on this. Some have said that whatever a mother thinks, it is because mother always knows. Others have said that you have opposite of what you have been dreaming about. I'm not sure but last night for the first time I dreamed about the baby and it was definately a GIRL!

I just thought I would share some of these silly and fun tests. Do any of you have tests you've heard of? Please share!! Our family gets a kick out of hearing and trying these crazy tests!

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

XOXO,

Hilary

Too Much Crazy For This Lady...

2011-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

So maaaaaaaaaayyyyybbeeee we have had just a

LITTLE bit going on in our lives lately....

I feel like my head is spinning from all of the craziness! I know I ALWAYS say this...but I really wish I had more time to update my blog! It only takes 15 minutes of my time but somehow I cannot EVER sit down long enough to get it done!

Here is just a little update on our lives in the last month.....

we sold our house in the country (plus our potbelly pig...i know...sad.)

we are in the process of buying a cute little 1930's house in the old brick street district of town...which we will then spend a month rennovating before move in...

"oh you mean you haven't moved in yet?" - no....we are living with each of our parents for the next month or so!

i have been working my tail off.... i feel like i really don't do much these days outside of work..

oh AND we got this sweet little surprise on Father's Day weekend......

We are SO excited! It was very unexpected....but we are so blessed! Our first doctor's appointment was this week...so we finally got to see our little jelly bean in person! It was the neatest thing!

People keep asking me how I feel....and I have actually felt perfectly normal (aside from my exhaustion!). I was really scared that I was going to get to the doctor and they were going to tell me that I wasn't pregnant at all (even after FIVE pregnancy tests and my constant hunger pains!!) But...nope...I am surely pregnant now!

Baby H is due February 10!!! Mark your calendars and say LOTS of prayers for us!! I will try a lot harder to keep a better update on my blog- especially with all of this going on now!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

XOXO,

Hilary

SO SORRY!

2011-06-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

So....my last post did not work out all that well! So sorry!

Life has really gotten the best of me lately. I really do think about blogging ALL the time but never get the chance! I switched jobs about 4 months ago and my new job is SUPER busy at all times...but I am loving it! Also...I got a new iPAD for my birthday and I cannot figure out for the life of me, how to blog from it. If you know...please share with me!!!!

I want you all to know that I have not forgotten about you! I read your sweet blogs all the time and I hope you will continue to read mine. I plan on getting better and better at this whole blogging thing!

Have an amazing Monday!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Rediculous...

2011-06-07T17:50:00.000-07:00

Oh my WORD....

2011-03-02T07:36:00.001-08:00

I just realized that I have not posted ANYTHING in about a month! That is insane! I don't know why I keep putting my blog on the back-burner....I am so sorry friends! I am still reading yours...so don't give up on me yet! I will try to better myself!

Life has been SUPER stressful for me lately...I have been in a really weird state-of-mind and cannot seem to really shake this funk that I am in. I am not exactly sure what it is...but I know that there are a lot of things that are contributing to the "funk". Hopefully I will get over it all soon!

So....I have a super big question for all of you CUTE and PRECIOUS shoppers, shop owners, business owners, etc! A good friend of mine approached me this morning and said that they are considering purchasing a retail store from a couple. They will have an initial meeting with them in the next week or so. She wanted to know what kind of questions she should ask the owners about their business so that she can gather information and figure out if it is a right fit for her and her husband to purchase! They want to be good decision makers and good stewards with their money....it has also been a BIG passion of hers to own a store! So.... if you could....help me come up with some questions for her to ask these store owners! I would appreciate it so much!!

I may even rewards all of you fun blog friends with a little giveaway! I already have one in mind! :) Get excited!

Thanks for the help!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

BIG SALE!!

2011-02-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

I know that the weather is pretty frightful in most parts of the country right now...but why not stay at home in your WARM pj's and shop online?!

Sterling Grace Jewelry (www.sterlinggracejewelry.com) is have a HUGE sale that is going on until Friday at midnight! Everything (except iTAG, Starfish Charm, and Journey of Faith pendant) is 33% off!!! In order to get this discount, please use discount code sale33 when making a purchase online!

Also...Sterling Grace has an amazing Facebook page that is updated daily...make sure you are a Sterling Grace friend!

http://www.facebook.com/SGJewelry?ref=ts

Happy Shopping!!

XOXO,

Hilary

So...here't the thing....

2011-02-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

So....I have not worked out since early October (don't judge me...).

But the hubs and I decided to get back into it again this week! I went for the first time yesterday (Monday) and did the elliptical and the bike for 30 minutes each. I was proud of myself for sure!

Here is my dilemma now that I think YOU can help me out with! I need some NEW and FUN songs to workout/run to! Hit me with any of your suggestions!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

CUTEST GIVEAWAY!!

2011-01-27T08:47:00.001-08:00

Want to win these SUPER cute "Whosoever" Owl Notecards from Sterling Grace?!

Go here for your chance to win :

Sterling Grace Facebook Page

Giveaway ends Friday at 11am (CST)!! Jump over there and get entered in the contest!

XOXO,

Hilary

Spring Loves....

2011-01-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

I am LOVING all of the pink and gray that is trending for Spring! I found some little pretties to make your Monday a little bit brighter! ENJOY!

XOXO - Hilary

J.Crew - Siren Dress - $98.00

Leopard Flats - Forever21 - $18.80

Embellished Capsleeve Dress - Forever21 - $22.80

Show Us Your Singles!!!!

2011-01-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Okay...Kelly at Kelly's Corner is hosting a "Show Us Your Singles" blog post where you can place a link to your single friends or family members! She has done this in the past and has had couples come out of it! What a cool and unconventional idea!

Well...let me show you MY single!!!

I have TWO best friends in the world....my high school BFF and my college BFF. My college BFF is my SINGLE!!!!

Meet Katie....

Katie is 27 and lives in Bossier City, LA. (yes boys....she is a huge LSU fan!!! GEAUX TIGERS!) She works as a physical therapy assistant and LOVES what she does! Katie is a true southern girl! She is a beautiful person, both inside and out, loves her some JESUS, and she is honestly the best kind of friend to have too! She loves to dance, decorate her cute house, shop, go to the lake, sing to the radio...you name it...she is a FUN girl! All the boys LOVE her...but maybe you can be the lucky one to finally snag her!

Meet Katie C :

Katie and I before my wedding :

Katie with her sweet nephew :

Spread the word about my sweet Katie!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

What to do...What to do....

2011-01-21T07:44:00.001-08:00

So....I was looking through the NEW Spring Willow House catalog last night...there are SO many cute new things in there! I have had my eye on these super cute glass domes for a while and I am really considering purchasing them soon. I would REALLY like to use them somehow on our breakfast table...but not really sure what to put under them. I would LOVE to hear your ideas! I have seen people put a cute little bird nest with eggs and things of that sort....I just don't know! FEED ME YOUR IDEAS PLEASE!!!!! :)

Also...I have REALLY had my eye on the Lady Jane Bottleneck Vase.....it looks SUPER cute with wine corks in it, sitting on a table or buffet..... oh decisions decisions!!!!!

I want to hear your ideas!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Famous....Basically....

2011-01-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

I just thought this was REALLY cool and wanted to share it with you all! I work for an amazing Christian Jewelry company - Sterling Grace. It's a small company right here in East Texas...so not a big chain or anything! Well...a few years ago when Jordin Sparks won American Idol, she was wearing one of our sterling silver Jeremiah 29:11 scripture bangles (it's the one on her left arm)! It turns out that the owner of Sterling Grace is a good friend of Leesa Bellesi who leads ministry opportunities with the American Idol contestants. She gave Jordin this bracelet and she continues to pass them on from time to time to other contestants!

There is a book being written about behind-the-scenes happenings and stories about American Idol and Leesa actually wrote her part in the book and talked about the bracelets! How cool is that?! Here is a link to an article written about it in the New York Post- CLICK HERE! Word on the street is that Leesa will actually be on a VERY popular tv show in a few weeks talking about this book and even giving a shout out about the bracelets! I will let you know when I hear more details!

Want to see the bangles for yourself? There are a lot of different ones...check them out!

CLICK HERE

XOXO ,

Hilary

Shop Shop Shop!

2011-01-10T10:34:00.001-08:00

I know...TWO whole posts in ONE day?!?!? Yes....I am working at home today because of the East Texas "snow"...so I thought I would take a break and throw out one more blog post!

I mentioned a few posts ago that I am a Design Consultant for Willow House on the side. Well...I got really excited today because the **NEW** SPRING Willow House catalogs just arrived at my house! There are SO many CUTE new things available from Willow House this season...I cannot hardly stand it! I cannot wait to get my new sample kit in the mail for my upcoming home parties!

Many people don't know that you can actually sop Willow House items ONLINE! You don't have to attend a party to shop with Willow House! Jump on my personal website and start shopping around... www.hilaryhymer.willowhouse.com . The Spring items are not actually up on the website yet....but I am MORE than happy to mail you a catalog if you need one! Please email me and let me know!

Also....I recently put together a Facebook Fan Page for my Willow House adventures, please add yourself to it for fun updates - CLICK HERE! I MIGHT even be having a giveaway soon!

LOVE the Portico Accent Plates AND the Cinnabar Bakeware! These are SERIOUSLY my two Willow House faves!!!

What do you L-O-V-E from Willow House?! Would love to hear from you!

**Remember...if you DO jump to my website and shop around...make sure that you put my name as your consultant when you check out! :)

XOXO,

Hilary H.

Pass The Time....

2011-01-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

I have a new favorite thing that I like to do on the weekends to pass the time....(NO it isn't sewing....yet!)....it's just taking off and driving around on the back roads of East Texas! Not by myself but with my sweet husband! We have done this the past two weekends. It is the most relaxing thing ever and we love to see what all of the small towns around us have available. We love to find new little hole-in-the-wall restaurants in these little towns and just create an adventure around it all! We also love to look at the houses....big and small...and all of the land that surrounds them. It's a really great disconnect from the hustle and bustle of our weekly lives.

If you haven't ever done this or just haven't done it in a while....I would take some time this coming weekend and just get out there and drive. Get lost out in the country and create an adventure for yourself! Get out there and see what God has created because sometimes we really just take it all for granted....

Let me know where your travels lead!

XOXO,

Hilary

Peacock Help!

2011-01-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

If anyone has a cool picture or graphic of a peacock feather....could you PLEASE email it to me?! I am working on a little project and this would help me out! If you don't have one....do you know of a website that might?! It doesn't have to be a photo....it can be a drawing, graphic, whatever! I need as much help as I can get!!! :)

Email it to : hilary.hymer@gmail.com

THANKS!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Reap What You Sew....

2011-01-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

Many of you emailed or commented asking me what TYPE of sewing machine I received for Christmas and what books I bought to go with my machine and my sewing adventures! Well....here goes :

Sewing Machine : Baby Lock A-Line Series Sofia2 - it sews AND embroiders!

Books : (I think I honestly bought these because the covers were super cute...don't judge me.)

I received One-Yard Wonders and Bend The Rules Sewing in the mail yesterday! Out of the two....I must say that I am a lot more excited about One-Yard Wonders! There were so many cute projects in there and they don't seem too terribly complicated (but at the same time....I haven't tried to make anything yet!). Bend The Rules was a little more of a "teaching" type book. It went into more detail about how to do certain stitches and it's more beginner friendly!

I am thinking that a nice little dog bed might end up being my first REAL sewing task....I will keep you updated!

What books do you LOVE for sewing references?? I would love more advice and tips if you've got 'em! I am all ears!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

XOXO,

Hils

So...I need YOUR help....

2011-01-03T20:28:00.001-08:00

Yes...that's right....I need YOUR help!

So...I got one of THESE bad boys for Christmas....

...and I have NO idea what I am doing!!

I mean...I know the basics...I can sew a cord cover and a pillow. But this thing is a little overwhelming...it can sew at a rapid speed and can even EMBROIDER!!! How cool is that?! I am planning on running up to the shop where my mother-in-law bought this and take a lesson or two so that I can become more familiar with this crazy piece of equipment.

Here is where your help comes in.... any tips, tricks, or books I should read to teach me how to make some cool stuff?! I just ordered three books on Amazon.....I am just hoping that they are pretty user-friendly! I am ready to make...a laptop case...a cute skirt...and many other fun things....let's hope they turn out normal!!!

Can't wait to hear your advice and suggestions!

XOXO,

Hilary

Cracking Up...

2010-12-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

tell me that you HAVE read THIS book :

I am in the process of reading it at the moment. It's a very easy read and VERY humorous! Jon Acuff tells his own steps and advice to living financially free. This sounds boring...I know....but I promise you, it's not at all! Jon also has a VERY popular blog...maybe you have heard of it : www.stuffchristianslike.net - please go check this out too!

He has a lot of humorous illustrations to go along with him many financial points....I will leave you with this one (which cracked me up and hit a little bit home....all at the same time!) :

Go grab a copy of the book and enjoy it!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

It's pretty sad really....

2010-12-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this show yet?!

I was laying around this morning and caught it on tv. I hadn't heard much about it so I wanted to see what it was all about. It's literally all of these girls that are competing to have the wedding of their dreams and all of the plastic surgery that they want/"need" as well! It's absurd! Their fiance won't get to see them until the winner gets all of her surgery done and the day before the wedding. I cannot imagine what will be going through the future husband's head!

These girls need to take a step back and need a hard slap of reality! Ladies...I know people say this over and over....but life is not all about looks. You need to make sure that your heart is good and then the rest will all just fall into place. Appearance really reigns huge in our world today but it just seems like people don't get it.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Make A Difference... COMMENTS PLEASE!

2010-12-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

Want to make a difference in the life of someone this Christmas??

Send a Christmas card to a soldier!

I found this website ( http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail ) this morning and just mailed out my first one...but I am planning on mailing out even more before December 10! What an amazing feeling to know that you may have sparked some happiness in the life of a soldier or injured veteran just by sending them a sweet card at Christmas to let them know that you are thinking of them and praying for them!

I have decided...for each person's comment that I get on this post, I am going to add one more card to my list of cards to send out. Why wouldn't you want to make just one more soldier or injured veteran happy during this holiday season!?

I am planning on sending out many of my own cards, having my family send them out, my company will be sending some out....and I am spreading the word about this mission to everyone on Facebook and Twitter!

Please join me in inviting others to do the same! Get to writing, sealing, and stamping those letters and cards!

Get to commenting so that I will have more and more cards to send out!

*** If you would like to donate some blank Christmas cards for me to send out and get others to send.... please email me and let me know! I will be happy to send you my address!

XOXO,

Hilary

Please and Thank You!

2010-11-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

Looooove me some Stella and Dot!!

I know you are thinking.... "But Hilary...don't you work for an amazing company that creates and designs cool pieces of Christian jewelry!??! How you can you love ANOTHER jewelry company TOO?! It's like cheating!!!"

And what I have to say to that is....BITE ME. :) HAH!

No but really...I wear my Sterling Grace jewelry all the time....but I love the classic pieces that Stella and Dot brings to the table that can go with anything! I just got done hosting a super fun Stella and Dot party tonight with my friend Karah (she is an amazing Stella and Dot rep!). I had so much fun looking at all of the amazing pieces that they have to offer in their Fall/Winter 2010 catalog!!

Here are some faves :

DECO DROP EARRINGS

SIGNATURE CLOVER NECKLACE - GOLD

CLOVER SINGLE WRAP LEATHER BRACELETS

MUSETTE NECKLACE

Jump onto the website and check out all of the other fabulous things that they have : www.stelladot.com/karah

If you need to order anything at all, my party is still open online for the next two weeks! Just attach your purchases to Hilary Hymer ' s party and let the shopping begin!!! Stella and Dot makes the most perfect Christmas gifts! Let me know what you think and what your favorite pieces are!

XOXO,

Hilary

Will-ow You Shop With Me???

2010-11-18T13:55:00.001-08:00

So....you know how life throws a lot of curve balls at you from time to time?? Yeah...sometimes I like to just go ahead and throw curve balls at myself! No big deal...

With that being said....last night, I officially signed on to be a rep for Willow House! I am just going to be doing this on the side some...but I am REALLY excited about it all! I have just become acquainted with Willow House over the past year or so and they have SO many stinking cute things! This might actually make me go broke instead of helping me earn a little extra money! HA! But really....I have already booked TWO parties for December and I cannot WAIT to get going on it all!

Jump on the website and see all of their CUTE stuff! If you live in East Texas or in the DFW area and want to book a party...let me know! I would love to help you host one!! If you can't make it to a party, jump on my Willow House web page and you can order from there! www.hilaryhymer.willowhouse.com

Some of my faves :

TRILOGY MIRRORS

LADY JANE BOTTLENECK VASE

DEEP DISH LASAGNA PAN

TERRACE ACCENT PLATES

PORTICO ACCENT PLATES

Let me know what you think about the Willow House items?? What is your favorite item that they make?! Have so much fun shopping! Willow House stuff makes the most PERFECT Christmas gifts!

XOXO,

Hilary H.

Word Of The Day.....It has been a

2010-11-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

BREATHE....

It has really been a whirlwind of a day here at the store! We have been so busy in the store as a whole. Plus...I just booked a Christmas gift show for us to work this weekend...so we are flying around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get everything packed up and ready to set up TOMORROW morning! i love the busy-ness...but sometimes it's REALLY overwhelming when there are so many things that need to be done but are just being pushed to the back burner! I just need to stop myself every now and then and learn to just take in a deep breath. The show will be done on Saturday night....so this will only last a few days! It is fun while it lasts but it's always pure craziness until we get to the show!

I do have to say....my day started off really well..... i heard my first Christmas song of the season on my way to work, got to wear my NEW turquoise pumps, and found out that Dave Barnes has a new Christmas album out! Yes...I am using Christmas music and new shoes to make my day brighter... don't judge! :) Go download some fun new Christmas songs and have a happy day too!

XOXO,

Hilary

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

2010-11-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

Sterling Grace is doing an AMAZING giveaway for an iTAG necklace and t-shirt! iTAG is a really cool new line that Sterling Grace is offering, it stands for "I Talk About God". Each piece of jewelry in this collection is tied to a specific verse in the Bible....and they are so stinkin' cute too!!

Seashine Magazine is hosting this iTAG giveaway on their website...click here to check it out!

Seashine Magazine is a really cool online magazine for young Christian women! They offer a little bit of everything : DIY stuff, fitness, pet stuff, fashion, home decor, etc! You should definitely check them out and become their Facebook friend too! They have some awesome articles as well written by all different people. I promise you....you WILL find something for everyone on their website!

What are you doing still here?! Go enter the giveaway NOW!!!!

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO,

Hilary

I'll Fly Away....

2010-11-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Something I am a little obsessed with at the moment......

WING CHAIRS!!!!!

I have been on the hunt for a good one (actually TWO) for a while now. I keep looking and looking but cannot find exactly what I want in real life. I think what I really need to do is find an old, cool looking, inexpensive one and get it re-covered! I just don't want to make a huge investment out of it! We do have a big dining room that we don't use at all and I would really like to make that into more of a sitting area.... only thing is, I need seats! Help me find some cool wing chairs!!! PRONTO!

Until you find me some....I guess I will just be sitting here lusting over all of the super expensive ones online... :)

Enjoy and don't drool too much!!!

XOXO,

Hils

Ohhh Emmmm Geee...

2010-11-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

What is my deal?!?!

I am literally at my computer all day long working on sales and marketing things for my company and I cannot seem to fit in 10 minutes for blogging! I have GOT to work on this more! I would love to keep you all filled in on my life - as if you REALLY care! There has just been so much craziness and busy-ness ever since we moved back to Tyler! I feel like we NEVER slow down! It's been insane!

On a quick note....I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my new job as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Sterling Grace! We are all having so much fun over here and what a great change of pace for me! It's such a laid back environment and I get to market and push products that I absolutely believe in and love!! I have been talking to some bloggy girls out there about doing some giveaways for Sterling Grace....they are coming up...so get excited! We have a cool new line of jewelry (iTAG - I Talk About God) that you can check out on our Facebook page ! Please be our facebook friend! It's so much fun!!

I PROMISE THAT I WILL BE BACK SOON!!! I am going to make more of an effort to get back to blogging!

Love you all!

XOXO,

Hilary

Two Paths...

2010-10-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

How many times have we all struggled with choosing between
two VERY different paths in life?

I have really been dealing with this quite a bit lately in regards to a big job decision that I was faced with. By taking one path (or rather, keeping on the same), I would possibly be making a step towards finding what I want to do forever. I just wasn't quite sure that this job itself WAS a "forever" kind of job. By taking this other new path, I would be jumping into what could/would be a much more fulfilling job and one that I could see as my "forever job."

I have been struggling over the past two weeks trying to figure out which path I should choose. Both had positives and negatives. I have been very prayerful in my decision and just really trying to seek and do what God wants me to do in work, life, etc. I didn't even tell many people about all of this because I didn't want to be swayed in one way or the other. I wanted to make sure it was a decision that me, Casey, and God made....does that make sense?!

Well, the seasons are changing at the moment...so why not let a season of my life change as well?! My decision has been made.....

You are now looking at (or rather, reading about) the new Director of Sales and Marketing for Sterling Grace Designs! This is a new entity of a local company – Sterling Grace (www.sterlinggracejewelry.com). Some of you may already be familiar with this side of the company and not even know it. My goal will be to have pieces of jewelry specially designed for various charities, businesses, organizations, and foundations. Many we have done so far include: Country For Our Country, The Lone Survivor Foundation, Boot Campaign, Water For Africa, etc. (please click on them and check out these amazing foundations!!!)

I am very excited about this new "season" and I know it will be very fulfilling as well! I hope that you all will pull up the Sterling Grace website and become more familiar with the company as a whole! Once you get on there, let me know what you think about it all!

I am doing some researching and coming up with some really cool charities, foundations, and organizations to call on. Let me know if you can think of any as well! I would love to hear all about them!!

XOXO,

Hilary

WINNER and a QUESTION

2010-09-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Shelli Ryan for winning the organization tote from my last post!!! Go check out her super cute blog and tell her congrats!!! She is precious!!

Wowzers....I feel like I apologize in every post for not keeping up with my blog as much as I mean to! Life keeps throwing out these random curve balls and I get so busy and consumed with everything else that my blog keeps getting put on the back burner! I really hate that and I want to try to spend a little more time blogging.

Random question for all of you... what are some specific foundations and/or charities that you are a part of or really interested in? I am looking around and I am always interested in learning about new ones! I need your insight!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

GIVEAWAY TIME!

2010-09-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Question....
Do you like to be ORGANIZED?!?

I know I would LOVE to be....but I never am! But WHEN I actually am...it's only because I have found something super cute to actually KEEP me organized! Get ready...I have the perfect item in store for you! You will want to be an organized kind of gal when you see these little beauties!

I came across Organizing In Style's Etsy shop not too long ago and absolutely fell in LOVE with her super cute fabric organizing bins! Who WOULDN'T be able to use one of these?! She has so many fun bins in so many fun colors and fabrics! I am sure you could order each one to organize something completely different! These are a good size for organizing keys, remotes, make-up craft supplies, hand towels, etc!! Plus, they have a sturdy interfacing in between the layers of fabric in order to keep the basket firm and shapely.

Organizing In Style is so excited to give away THIS small fabric organizer bin to one super lucky winner!! The pattern on this one is called Ornaments.... but it will be festive all year round! I love the big bold patterns and colors!

Love it already and want to win?!?!

Here is how you do it :

1. You must be a follower of my blog (comment and let me know!) : 1 entry
2. Follow me on Twitter (@hilaryhymer) (comment to let me know!) : 1 entry
3. Go check out Organize In Style's Etsy shop and tell me which patterns you love : 2 entries
4. Twitter and/or Facebook about my giveaway (comment and let me know!) : 2 entries for each
5. Blog about this giveaway (leave the link in a comment) : 5 entries

You have the chance to get so many entries!!

Spread the word!!
This contest will end on Wednesday, September 15 at noon - Texas time!!

I cannot wait to see all of your entries coming in!

XOXO,

Hilary

The Blues....

2010-09-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Look at all of these little pieces of eye candy! I have recently decided that I would REALLY like to add a little bit of TURQUOISE to my home decor. We have a lot of chocolate, reds, tans, golds, and a little bit of black going on at the moment. I really think I can get away with adding some turquoise in! Don't you?! I am thinking that I could make turquoise into a good transitional color with the seasons, it won't be too springy or summery if I am pairing it with chocolate and black.

I am really wanting to buy two older wing back chairs to recover in a turquoise fabric or leather for one of our sitting areas. Also...we have an antique dresser that we painted black and are using as a buffet/accent table. I might just paint over it with a pretty turquoise and sand it down some so that some of the black shows through. Make it kind of rustic. What do you think?! The thought of adding in turquoise brings me pure excitement! I feel like it will add just the right splash of color to our decor!

Have any of you painted anything turquoise???
Do you have the name of a good paint color that you use or know of one?? I need suggestions please!

XOXO,

HILARY
(you know....the girl with the turquoise obsession!)

Tweet Tweet!

2010-09-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

Man....I feel like I have jumped on the Twitter wagon big time! I don't know why or how I became so obsessed with Twitter! I thought it was stupid and saw no use for it for such a long time. Now...I check it every day and even have the app on my iphone!!

Come along and follow me on Twitter! My username is : hilaryhymer ...don't worry...I will more than likely follow you back! HA!

I hope you all have a wonderful day! It's rainy and gross here and it makes me not want to work at all! But...I am sure I will be back later on today for some cute Fall clothing picks! I have been perusing online and let me tell ya...there is some C-U-T-E stuff coming out for Fall!

What look are YOU wanting to sport this Fall?
Boots, Jewel Tones, Leopard, or another?....I would love to know!

XOXO,

Hilary

What A Tease....

2010-09-03T07:22:00.001-07:00

Okay...sooooo...I have a new slight obsession.

I am a HUGE hairspray advocate....(yes, I use the aerosol kind and no, i do not think it is killing our o-zone layer). I always use my teasing comb and tease back the hair at the crown of my head for a nice little poof and volume. I do this so often that I usually get asked, "Do you wear a bump-it?!" No...thank you....I am not a cheater!!!! :) I have a problem though, I tease the hair and then comb it back....but by the end of the day, it has parted itself again and fallen a little flat.

I was shopping around a beauty supply store with my good friend the other day and came across this AMAZING invention :

BIG SEXY HAIR : What A Tease (backcomb in a bottle)

I read what it did and thought I would give it a try. HOLY COW....I love it! It makes my tease/backcomb stick together all day long! At the same time, it doesn't feel heavy or sticky in my hair! You should definitely go grab yourself a bottle of it if you are teasing queen like me! Let me know what you think! I know you will love it as much as I do!

What do YOU use that gives you good hold and volume?! I am always up for tips and ideas!

I hope you all have a wonderful and fun Labor Day weekend!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Get Your Boots On!

2010-09-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

I was really excited to have a cool opportunity this morning through my job! There is a really neat foundation that I have recently learned about called the Boot Campaign. This campaign was started by 5 women that wanted to help out and show their support for the active military members and the veterans as well. They have celebrities and other supporters that have heard about their foundation by word of mouth and who are all big advocates of the campaign now! Anyone from Chris Harrison to Travis Pastrana to Rick Perry to Randy Rogers Band, etc!

Their strategy is very basic.... you buy a pair of their army boots. The money from this purchase will support troops and veterans through the work of the Lone Survivor Foundation. (read up on this foundation as well.... Marcus Lutrell has an amazing story!)

One of the "Boot Girls" is from Tyler and really pushes the campaign in this area. An owner of a company in Tyler recently bought ALL of his employees pairs of the Boot Campaign army boots to show their support. This is the first COMPANY to support the campaign. They had their big photo shoot this morning with all of their boots on and I was one of the very few invited to come along and hang out! It was such a cool opportunity! It definitely pulls on the heartstrings a little bit to see all of these people showing their support and so excited about it!

My only thing I ask of you.... PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS FOUNDATION! It's such a great cause and a cool thing to be a part of! I want them to continue to succeed in growing and gaining more and more supporters.

www.bootcampaign.com

Let me know what you think! If you buys some boots or know someone who does...I would love to see a picture!

XOXO,

Hilary

Pure Craziness....

2010-08-23T07:54:00.001-07:00

To be quite honest, I haven't been blogging at all because this summer has gotten completely and utterly OUT OF CONTROL! We have had so many unexpected things happening that I have hardly had any time to even sleep!

Here is the low down on our summer of craziness :

Sold our house and moved back to our hometown
Spent a while getting the new house together
Casey started his new job
I decided NOT to go back to teaching for this year and took a new job in advertising sales for a magazine here...love it!
Casey's sister and her family moved back to Tyler
We found out that Casey's dad was diagnosed with cancer and has since has surgery and started chemo
Casey's sister had her second baby...Knox Christian...he is soooo cute!
We have bought a puppy and a miniature potbelly pig over the course of the summer

As you can tell....we have been literally going non-stop all summer long and have not had a chance to breathe whatsoever! I thought it would be a lot more laid back since we moved back to our hometown....but it has not been in the least! It's been great so far and we love being back to something that is familiar. We feel very at home here and cannot wait to see what happens next! Keep us in your prayers with this new job transition and all....we def. need them!

XOXO,

Hilary

Real Life....

2010-08-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Real Life.... I.AM.THE.WORST.BLOGGER.EVERRRRRRRRR!!!!!

I have a new goal to get all started back up this week! I have got to get on the ball again!!! Be on the lookout! Leave me a message with some new fun blogs you have found and have come to love!

XOXO,

Hilary

Tea Drinkers UNITE....and a giveaway!

2010-06-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a big glass of tea on a hot summer day?! I can tell you right now, us southerners LOVE it!

A few weeks ago, Casey and I stumbled across a gas station in Burleson, Texas. It's called Tiger Farms Market. At first glance, it just looked like a nice gas station that kind of resembled a barn. But when you walk in.....get ready! It was basically like a small Whole Foods inside a gas station! They had beautiful produce and tons of organic products!

I was super thirsty and went to the drink cooler to grab something to replenish myself during our short drive back to Fort Worth. I came across some bottled teas made by the company Texas Tea. I usually just grab something, drink it, and I'm done. Not this stuff.....I was intrigued! I read the bottle and loved their story! Their goal is to formulate a line of ready to drink iced teas with each flavor being made with and highlighting a uniquely Texas product or town. All of their teas are made from natural Texas spring water and organic teas. I have never seen anything like it! I have been told that you can find these teas in a lot of the Central Market stores....so be on the lookout!

I am a huge fan of my home state and LOVE to support Texas businesses if I can. I contacted Texas Tea to talk to them more about their products. They actually offered to send me a variety pack of Texas Tea to review and share the results with all of you!

Here are the flavors that I was sent :

Fredericksburg Peach Tea - This is my favorite! It has a great peachy crispness about it. It does not taste like fake flavoring at all and it is not overdone! I could drink this all day every day!
Poteet Strawberry White Tea - A close second for me! I wasn't sure I would like it since I don't know much about WHITE tea. But it was very light and refreshing. You can actually taste a hint of strawberry, but it's not overpowering at all. The white tea has a very clean taste to it.
Sugar Land Sweet Tea - A good crisp sweet tea! I like my teas a little darker, so this one was perfect for me! It wasn't too sweet either. A lot of times, with bottled sweet teas, it's very hit or miss. This one.....was a hit for sure!
Austin's Own Goodflow Honey Green Tea - I LOVE green tea! I especially like it hot during the winter, so I knew this one would be a good one for me. Green tea is naturally a lighter tea and the honey added a wonderful hint of sweetness to it.
Dove Creek Unsweet Tea - I am not a huge unsweet tea person. But, Casey likes unsweet tea from time to time. He was definitely a fan. He said it had a good clean taste....plus it has an added bonus - MINT! He said that it hit the spot!

As you can tell, I am slightly obsessed with my new found love - Texas Tea! They are all great products and worth a try if you see them at your local stores! I love that on their website (www.teasoftexas.com) you can suggest new flavors. I am trying to come up with some good ones to send on to them!

Now it's on to GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

My wonderful new friends at Texas Teas are going to send one LUCKY winner a case of their own variety pack of Texas Teas to try out!

Here is what you can do to enter :

1. Leave a comment with your name and email address! (1 entry)
2. Become a Facebook Fan of Texas Teas ! (2 entries)
3. Tell me a flavor that YOU would like to see them come up with! (2 entries)
4. Become a fan of Hilabeans Frames on Facebook (3 entries)
5. Blog about this giveaway and send me the link! (5 entries)
6. Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway! (2 entries)
7. Become a follower of my blog!! Leave a comment to let me know! (2 entries)

That's right....you have the opportunity to be entered in this giveaway 17 times! WOOO HOOO! I promise....you WANT to win this giveaway!

This giveaway will end on Monday, July 5 at noon - Texas time (of course!).
I cannot wait to hear all of your flavor ideas! Get going and spread the word!

XOXO,

Hilary

Missing....

2010-06-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Is it odd that I still think about my sweet Skeeter every day?? I still miss him a lot. I guess that has to do with him being MY first official dog. We always had dogs growing up, but he was MINE....you know what I mean? Me and Skeets, we were very close! He was the best pup ever!

Well...I am very happy to say that we will be adding another puppy addition to our family on Saturday! Skeeter's mom had her last ever litter of puppies 8 weeks ago and they are ready this weekend! I didn't think I wanted another small dog, but knowing that this one is related to Skeeter and it's the last litter....I had to get one! I couldn't resist! We will be getting a little boy! The one I am pretty sure I am getting (depending on their personalities once we get there) is all white. He has a brownish black face, a big brown spot on his back, and a brown and black dipstick tail. I cannot wait to see him again! I saw him when he was 2 weeks old...but they were just so stinking little then!

Here is where I need your help!!! I need some help thinking of a fun name for our new little guy! I keep coming back to the name "Otis" for some reason! But I love funny names or even Texas related names! What are YOUR ideas?!

I cannot wait to hear all of your fun name ideas!

XOXO,

Hilary

Newest Obsession....

2010-06-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yes....I'll admit....I have a new obsession.....

I bought my FIRST ever pair of expensive sunglasses! No....I am NOT obsessed with buying expensive sunglasses now....but I am obsessed with my actual sunglasses!

Let me explain myself a little better. My husband has a specific style/brand/color of sunglasses that he wears (I have it memorized - Costa Del Mar, Harpoon, Green Lens - it's so stupid....). These, my friends, are not cheap sunglasses! He is probably on his fourth or fifth pair, only because he loses or breaks them! For example, he came home from the coast last year and let me know that they fell in the ocean while fishing and he needed to go get a new pair! No big deal, right? HA! Anyways, it's really hard for me to find glasses to fit my small head. Plus...I was scared to get expensive ones because I didn't want to have to deal with the thought of possibly breaking or losing them! Well...I finally bucked up and bought some a couple of weeks ago!

I thought I would really want some Ray-Ban Wayfarers, but once I put them on, I realized how totally stupid I looked! The girls at Nordstrom were completely helpful in every way (Until they tried to talk me into buying the $350 Tom Fords that look incredible on my face.....not quite ready for that leap yet!!!). I finally settled on the Ray-Ban Cockpits in silver. I L-O-V-E them!!! I wear them EVERYWHERE I go now and I am always making sure that they are tucked safely away in their little tan leather Ray-Ban pouch when I am not wearing them! I am obsessed with making sure that my splurge does NOT get broken or lost! :)

What are you obsessed with right now?
What is the BEST pair of splurge sunglasses you have every bought???

XOXO,

Hilary
(you new sunglass wearing friend)

WHEW!!!!

2010-06-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

It has been crazy around here! We are officially in our new house! We have been working hard on decorating, painting bedrooms, rearranging furniture, organizing everything, digging up cactus out of the flower beds (yes....cactus....), etc! There are a few little touch-ups here and there that are left to be done....but I finally feel ALL moved in! We love it out in the country and we feel kind of disconnected from everything...but not TOO disconnected, since we are only about 5 miles from town! It's so quiet and peaceful out here, plus our only neighbor is about 100 yards away!

We finally got the internet hooked up last weekend, so I can finally get back to blogging again! I love my iphone...but that is one downfall....I cannot figure out how to blog on it! So irritating! I cannot wait to catch up on some of your blogs! I have been having a little separation anxiety! :)

I will blog more later on...but I just wanted to give you a little update on life! I will leave you with some fun pictures that I took of my niece last week..... ENJOY!

Farewell Fort Worth!

2010-05-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

If you knew that you had to move TODAY, what would you miss the most about your current town/city??

I started thinking about this tonight when I was in the drive-thru line of one of my fave fast food restaurants. Clearly, this hit home since we are moving away from Fort Worth on Friday.

Here is my list of what I will miss about Fort Worth :

1. Joe T. Garcia's
2. Our First House
3. Our Neighbor's - Elaine and The Shorts
4. Gloria's Restaurant
5. SUPER Target (ughhh....I don't even want to TALK about it...)
6. Francesca's Collections
7. The Stockyards and Billy Bob's
8. Downtown Fort Worth
9. The McCord Family
10. The Buckmasters
11. My Fourth Graders
12. The Village Church and Matt Chandler
13. The Cows Behind Our House (we just became friends....)
14. My Skeeter Puppy....
15. Southlake Town Square

16. "Our" Donut Place

17. My Women's Bible Study Group

18. Mooyah Burgers

19. NOT seeing people I know EVERYWHERE I go

20. The new amazing farmer's market we JUST found...

(I am sure there are many many more...but it's hard to think of things off of the top of my head!)

There is ONE big thing that I will NOT miss : T.R.A.F.F.I.C!!!! It took me an HOUR to get to work today! My school is ONLY 13 miles from my house!

Please be in prayer for me about finding a new job in Tyler. I have some things in the works right now, but I really want to know something soon so that I don't have to worry/think about it all summer long! I want to be able to relax and nest in my new home! I know God has brought us 90% of the way so far, he isn't going to let me down for the next 10% of this journey!

XOXO,

Hilary

Reading...

2010-05-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

What I am reading at the moment :

The Unveiled Series by Francine Rivers : TAMAR

Have you read this?! If not....it's AMAZING so far! Go get it today! It is one book in a series of 5 books about women in the Bible who made a huge difference!

Well...I am so sorry that I have not been around too much lately. We don't have internet set up at the house yet and cannot figure out HOW to get it out there! We are outside of the city limits...so it has been a daunting task! Plus...I cannot figure out how to blog from my iphone!!! Can anyone help me out?! I would love to know how!

I hope that everyone is having a great summer so far! I promise.....I will be around more in the days ahead!!!!! :)

Best Mom...

2010-05-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yes...I have the best mom ever.

She is crazy, fun, ditzy, smart, etc.

But another thing that makes her so great.....so knows me ALL too well. I say that, because I was suprised with a REALLY good birthday present on my front door step. She sent me these bad boys :

I was SHOCKED when I got my black Tory Burch Revas in the mail!! I have a fake pair...that did not compare ( to the point of having a completely different gold disc!)...but I had almost worn them out because I loved them so much! Now...I have my coveted REAL pair of Torys! Love all of her stuff...I might be addicted to the Revas even more now....I may or may not have gotten online and seen ALL of the other colors TB has (I am thinking that I also need the hot pink pair and the red snake pair). I also may or may not have gotten on Ebay and bid on some of them!! HAHA! Oh well..... :) I did get a text from my mom after I got the shoes : "Now who's the best mom ever?" She is nuts....

Thanks Mom!

XOXO,

Hilary

Agave Anyone?

2010-05-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Agave Nectar,

You intrigue me, intimidate me, and make me curious! I am so anxious to use you on something, but I have no idea where to start.

Yours questioningly,

Hilary

Okay...so Casey and I have watched Guy Fieri use Agave Nectar many times on his show. We were very intrigued by it and had never heard of anyone using it before. I would sometimes glance down the aisles at the grocery store and see if I could find any....but nope. Then, on Sunday morning, our friend John concocted some sort of drink using it! He said it was great stuff! Later on, we were at a farmer's market/organic grocery store for lunch and found some! We bought TWO bottles....light and amber. But now...we don't know what to do with them! I have been told that you can use it on pancakes or biscuits as a syrup or honey substitue. But, I want to COOK with it! It just seems so exotic and foreign to me! Can anyone help me out?! I would love to hear any recipes or ideas that you mgiht have for this stuff! :)

On another note....moving OUT day is on Thursday and moving IN day is on Friday!!! I am soooo ready for all of this to be OVER with, I cannot hardly control myself! Keep praying for our move!

Cannot wait to hear your recipes and ideas!

XOXO,

Hilary

Hilabeans Giveaway!!!

2010-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am doing my first ever Hilabeans Frame GIVEAWAY!!!!

But...it's not here on MY blog....you will have to visit my friend BECKY's blog to enter! Spread the word and enter the giveaway!!!! I am really excited about it and cannot WAIT to see who wins!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Birthday Week!

2010-05-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I looooooove Birthday Week!
My birthday is on Sunday, May 23....so Monday officially starts Birthday Week for me! My husband thinks its so silly to celebrate all week....but it's the only week that I can!!!

We have some fun plans for this weekend.... we are going to pack up more of the house on Friday and Saturday. Then, we will meet up with a bunch of fun friends on Saturday night at a Fort Worth "must" restaurant. If you have ever been to Fort Worth....you probably know about Joe T. Garcia's. They have delish Mexican food and the most gorgeous patio ever! I am sure we will all hang out there for quite a while and then possibly go and roam around the Stockyards. We love the Stockyards! It is full of old Fort Worth buildings/businesses, brick streets, and lots of music and fun!

But now....I need to figure out what to wear! I can't order anything, since I don't have much time....but maybe you can help me out!

One Shoulder Rosette Dress - Forever 21

Chantilly Lace Chiffon Dress - Forever 21

Ruffled Crepe Satin Dress - Forever 21

Lounge Artiste Dress - Francesca's Collections

Tribal Fusion Dress - Francesca's Collections

Bettie Sundress - Francesca's Collections

Yacht Club Dress - Francesca's Collections

Let me know what you think about these and which one YOU would pick!! I need some input! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week!

XOXO,

Hilary

Blog Sale!!!!!

2010-05-13T19:28:00.001-07:00

Since we are packing up the house and getting ready to move, I thought I might try to sell a few items out of my closet! Most of this stuff really has not hardly been worn at all! I tend to buy some things and then realize later that I don't actually like the way they look on me! I hope that you find something here you like and that fits you or someone you know!

Each item will will cost about $5 extra for shipping! Just FYI!

Spread the word about my blog sale!

Treasure Rock Black Tunic - SMALL - $25
It has gray and silver embellishments and the word "embrace" and "empower"
*Would be super cute with some gray leggings!

Velvet Torch Peacock Dress - Small - $35
*Super cute on....I just don't have the chest for it!
*Bought this about a year ago at Nordstrom and it has only been worn twice

GAP Long and Lean Jeans - 0 Regular - $15
*Have probably only been worn about 5 times

Old Navy - Skinny Stretch Jeans - 1 Regular - $10
*Only worn once. I am NOT a person who looks cute in skinny jeans!

Aryeh Plaid Dress - Small - $25
*If you have ever had an Aryeh dress, you know they are SUPER comfy and look really cute with leggings.
*I have a few of their dresses and they last a long time!
*Has only been worn once

Minuet Dress - Small - $35
*Love this dress....it just didn't look as good on me after I bought it! Like the peacock dress...I just don't have the chest for it! So cute for a wedding or cockatil party!
*Never been worn!!!!

XT - Black Skirt - Small (fits like an XS) - $20
*Really cute layering detail!
*A silky cotton material
*Never been worn!

Feel free to bargain....you might get lucky!!!!

Happy shopping! Leave me comments or email me with any questions! hilary.hymer@gmail.com

XOXO,

Hilary

Thinking....

2010-05-09T21:18:00.001-07:00

Thinking about doing a Hilabeans Frame GIVEAWAY!!

Check out the Hilabeans Facebook Fan Page and let me know which frame YOU want to see given away! I want to know what your favorites are! While you are there...add yourself as a fan! You won't be sorry! :)

Cannot wait to hear your responses!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

New Frame Orders!

2010-05-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a few of the newest frames I have made for various people and friends!

"L" for Laura
"S" for Soria

"M" for McBride

New CROSS frame! This one can come in any color! It's super cute in person...you can personalize it too!

"N" for Northup

"Soria" family frame

"I" for Isabella

From a granddaughter to her grandmother - "Grace & Grams"

For a mom from her kids..."Alyssa, Greg, Charisse"

"The Furrs"

It's kind of hard to see this in the picture, but it's a Mother's Day frame from a granddaughter to grandmother - "One Day I Will Ask For A Pony..."

As you can see, I have been SUPER busy lately with the packing of the house and the frame orders that are continually pouring in! I am loving it though!

Don't forget about Hilabeans Frames for great and inexpensive teacher and graduation gifts! Also...follow Hilabeans Frames on Facebook!

I will tell you, that I am going to take frame orders through the 15th of May and then will be putting them on hold for a while. We will be in between houses, so I will be packing up the paints until we get moved in! Get your orders in ASAP!!!

Email me for ordering or more information :
hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Website....

2010-05-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies!

I am contemplating setting up an OFFICIAL website for Hilabeans Frames! I have a great friend who is going to help me out with this....but he wanted me to send him some website ideas to spark something for my own. Share with me some of the cute websites that you love! I have drawn a blank and cannot think! I would REALLY appreciate it!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

NEW CASA!

2010-04-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a FEW pictures of our new house with you all! Have I mentioned how excited we are about it?! Keep in mind....all of the stuff in these pictures is the previous owners'! It will look completely different once we move in! The pictures might be a little grainy...there were the ones from the listing website.

The new casa is on about 2 acres and backs up to 60 acres! We have started calling it "The Farm House" since we feel like we will be living the country life now! We know the previous owners very well, they own the 60 acres that our house backs up to. They have told us to treat it ike it is our own land...so we can play and hunt all we want! We are so happy to be out of the city and back to a little bit of a slower pace of life!

Front of the house... picture our new white rocking chairs on that front porch! And yes...the yard will be manicured/mowed and we will be planting lots os bushes and flowers around the house!

Living room... we are really excited about the stained concrete floors! Plus...all of the paint colors (for the most part) are already what we would want...we only have to paint the guest rooms! WHEW!

Kitchen...I am in love with the new kitchen! Love the wine rack AND they have a bunch of big deep drawers for storage! Plus...one thing I really wanted in my next house....a kitchen window!! I am ready to grow some herbs on that windowsill! We will eventually put an island in the middle.

Master Bedroom.... Love the little reading drop lights!

Master Bathroom....althought the pedestal sinks are not very functional, I think they add a little character/charm! We will be replacing them later on...but I think they are very Pottery Barn! Lord knows I need all of the sink storage I can get! I am kind of a product junkie!

I didn't want to put pictures of the guest rooms up yet...they are VERY kiddish and need to be repainted...I will show those later on!

Just wanted to chare a few for now because I am so excited and ready to be there!!!

But don't worry..I have some funny stories/posts coming up about random happenings with the house already! :)

Have a WONDERFULLY wonderful weekend!

XOXO,

Hilary

Check List....

2010-04-30T10:33:00.001-07:00

Anniversary Check List :

1. Yummy strawberry cake ordered from our fave bakery - CHECK!
2. Found the perfect white rocking chairs and picking them up later today - CHECK!
3. Dinner reservations made by the hubs - CHECK!
4. Tons of cardboard boxes ready to be used to pack our house up the rest of the weekend - CHECK!!!

I hope you all have a great one!

XOXO,

Hils

Rock N' Roll

2010-04-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

Okay....I know this is a SUPER random post...but I am in need of some major help!!!

Does anyone know where I can find two white rocking chairs?!!?!

I just don't know where to start! Our second anniversary is on Monday, so Casey and I are celebrating this weekend. We decided that whatever we get eachother for gifts, it should be stuff that we want/need for the new house! Well....we have a cute, larger front porch now and we really wanted to get cute white rocking chairs for it (very southern...i know)...so I thought that would be the perfect gift for him! He actually DOES really want these! Please help me find some! I need all of the help I can get!!!

Thanks so much!!! Happy Thursday!! The weekend is near........

XOXO,

Hilary

Home Sweet Home

2010-04-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

By Invitation Only...

You are invited to see the inside of our lovely first home! We have lived here for TWO years exactly and are so sad to sell it! It was the perfect house for us....perfect size, big backyard, empty lot next door, and a big field behind us, which means, no back neighbors! We moved into this house the week after we were married. This house has been with us through so many memoies: job losses, new jobs, three dogs, many visitors, updates/remodeling, etc! We are super sad to leave it behind, but very excited about the new adventure ahead of us. We cannot WAIT to move back home! We got a contract on our house the Sunday before last and made an offer on our new house this past Sunday!

Some had asked for me to post pictures on my blog so that you might be able to see the inside. The lighting was kind of off, so the pictures might not be amazing! I hope you enjoy! (I know...there are quite a few pics!)

The front of the house...

This is our living room...we LOVE our big leather sectional! Notice my handmade curtains!

Casey's office...he painted that desk himself!

The master bedroom...I will miss that cute red wall!

Our upstairs bonus room that we recently converted to a sitting area!

The backside of our living room...I am looking forward to possibly doing a built-in for the TV in our next house.

The kitchen...it's actually a chocolate brown, but sometimes looks a little green-sih...don't mind that! In our new house, the cabinets are stained and I am excited! I do not like the wood colored cabinets.

The guest bedroom - I am thinkong fo re-doing this in the next house. This was Casey's comforter from college...we just really like how comfy it is! I am giong to need some ideas for the next house!

The guest bathroom...this is my favorite room in the whole house!
One side of the dining room - we didn't want a dining table yet, so it's a make-shift reading nook.

The other side of the dining room/reading nook.

Our breakfast area....LOVE my curtains in here! They really dressed this room a lot!

Well...I hope you enjoyed my little home tour! I would love any suggestions or ideas that you might have for me! I will fill you in more in my next post about our new house! We cannot wait to get moved and start over with a new clean slate!

XOXO,

Hilary

Sorry!!!! FINALLY A WINNER!!!!

2010-04-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

I seem to have excuse after excuse for not blogging these days!! I cannot wait untl this summer when I have a lot more time for things like this!!

But...I have good excuses for being SO busy!!!
1. Frame orders have been coming in like CRAZY lately!!! It's been amazing!!! Keep 'em coming!
2. WE GOT A CONTRACT ON OUR HOUSE AND MADE AN OFFER ON ANOTHER!!!!!!!! Woo hooooo!!!! Our house will close on May 27th and our new one will close on May 28th! It;s about to get CRAAAAAAAAZY!!!! ( I will fill you in on house details in my next post....PROMISE!)

But forreal....this is a week late! I know!! I'm so sorry!

By a random drawing, a winner has been selected for the Le Crueset Carribean baking dish!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...................................

Lyndsie from A Love Worth Waiting For!

Lyndsie....email me your mailing info so that I can pass it all on! hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Go check out her precious blog!!n She is just the cutest thing ever! Tell her hello and congrats!!

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful entries! Check in again soon.....I have a feeling that there might be a frame giveaway soon!

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO,

Hilary

At West End...

2010-04-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever visited the At West End website? They have some cool, random, rustic, quirky things that I have come to love! I have actually never purchased anything from their website....but I am sure I will be once we get moved into our next house! Oh...and I just noticed...they have $5 shipping right now on everything! I haven't done a shopping post in a while..so I am making up for it now! :)

Go check them out and let me know what you like!!

Cast Iron Hand - $35
*I have a feeling that this might be a cool gift for my dad for Father's Day! He is quite the cigar smoker and loves stuff like this!

Recycled Glass Crosses - $15 each
*I love how they have these hanging in the window!

Mermaid Vase - $65
* I am obsessed with this turquoise color!!!

Set of Five - Mercury Glass Candle Taper Holders - $120
*Love the rustic look of the mercury glass

Recycled Metal Weenie Dog - $40
* I would love to have this! I still miss Skeeter a lot and this would be a cute little reminder of him!

Glass Bird Feeder - $35
* This would look perfect hanging from one of the trees in our new backyard! I love that it's circular and different!

Cast Iron Crowns - $49 each
*Love the fun colors!

Jump over there and see what treasures they have for you!! Let me know what fun items you find!!

OH!!! And don't forget to enter my bakeware giveaway...it ends Monday evening!!!

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! The weather is gross here in Fort Worth....so I think it is time for a N-A-P!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

UGH...

2010-04-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

I have my very last test for my teaching certification at 1pm today. I am so worn out by this already and haven't even taken the stupid test yet!

Please say prayers for me!! I don't really know what to expect on this test and I didn't get much sleep last night! So basically, what I am saying is, I am G-R-U-M-P-Y today!!! I am so ready for this to be over with and to get in a LONG nap this afternoon!!!

DO NOT forget to enter my giveaway (see the post below)! It ends on MONDAY evening! You don't want to miss out on this! It's a great baking dish...you could even give it as a gift!! You don't have to do much to enter...so get started and spread the word!!! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

2010-04-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

GET EXCITED!!! There is a wonderful giveaway just waiting for you at the end of this post!

But first....we need to talk.

We have been looking at new houses lately...and I am intrigued! A lot of the ones we have looked at have bar-height counters in the kitchen so that you can have barstools and such. We have not been able to utilize the bar in our kitchen that we have now, only because the counter does not come out far enough to look right as an official "bar" to eat at. If we buy a new house with a bar in it...I am going to NEED some new accessories.....ahem......barstools anyone?

I don't even know where to start looking for bar furniture . But, I did find a cool place online that has some cute bar furniture (click here to see!) and accessories!

These are just SOME of the super cute barstools I found on their website! Go check it out and see if you can find something YOU like! They have lots to offer!

Since you all are such WONDERFUL bloggie friends....the company that runs http://www.allbarstools.com/ (CSN Stores) is hosting a giveaway here at Blissfully Enamored!

I personally picked out a BEAUTIFUL carribean colored Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" rectangular baking dish! I have been eyeing this myself for quite a while now...but wanted one of you to have the opportunity to win it! I love the color too! How fun would it be to bake something wonderful in such a CUTE dish?!

Want to know what you have to do in order to be eligible??

1. MUST be a follower of my blog! (1 entry) (leave a comment letting me know!)

2. Go visit All Barstools and tell me what your favorite item is! (1 entry)

3. Become a fan of Hilabeans Frames on Facebook! (leave a comment here letting me know) (3 entries)

4. Blog about this giveaway on YOUR blog/website! (3 entries) (leave a comment with the link to your posting)

5. Post this giveaway on your Facebook or Twitter! (2 entries)

6. Make a new order of a Hilabeans Frame....and get TEN entries!!!!! (email me at hilary.hymer@gmail.com AND leave a comment here letting me know that you ordered one!)

You could possibly get 20 entries folks! That's a LOT of entries...in case you didn't know!

Get out there and start spreading the word!!! I have a feeling that this will be my biggest giveaway yet!

This giveaway will end on Monday, April 19 at 5pm -Texas time!

GOOD LUCK!

XOXO,

HILARY

THINKING...

2010-04-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

I am thinking that there JUST might be a good review and giveaway coming up soon! Keep your eyes open for it! I'm quite excited!

Also...I am looking to do some fun and new reviews and giveaways.... If you would like to be a part of a giveaway or review through my blog, please email me at hilary.hymer@gmail.com

I would love to hear ideas of things you would like to see in giveaways here at Blissfully Enamored! Leave me a comment and let me know!

Happy Wednesday!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

"EXHAUSTED...party of 1..."

2010-04-12T11:14:00.001-07:00

Wow....this weekend felt like it last FOREVER yet I was so busy the whole time! We went to Tyler for the weekend to see our families and get some things done.

I attended a job fair all day on Saturday for teaching jobs in the independent school district there. I really didn't know what to expect since I had never been to one before. Ummm...holy cow! I felt like I was in RUSH all over again! I spent the first two hours walking from table to table, having mini-interviews, passing out resumes, and meeting/greeting the principals and administration from each school. I felt like my head was going to explode once I left! I was smiling from ear to ear the whole time and was so worn out! But...I did see some friendly faces that I knew, so that was fun to catch-up with some people!

That afternoon, I got called back for a face-to-face interview. Again, I didn't know what to expect with this either. They do an overall district interview and score you on this. After you are scored, they put it in their system so that any schools who want to interview you, can look up your score and call you in for a personal interview. Needless to say...I had to sit in front of THREE principals as tehy fired off questions for me! It was pretty intimidating! Overall, I felt like it went pretty well. I am really hoping for a call-back sometime soon! I want to have this whole job situation taken care of before the Summer really gets off to a good start! I do NOT want to spend all summer being concerned with finding a new job!

We went and looked at some houses while we were there....the two that I thought I would really like....turned out to be no bueno! But, my parents' friends are trying to sell their house that is out on about an acre and a half...we really liked it! So...we are debating....but we need to get somethign going with our house first! PRAYERS NEEDED!!!

We still feel like it is so crazy that we are going to be moving back....but we are so excited at the same time! You guys are probably so sick and tired of reading about all of this....but just know that I appreciate your prayers and your sweet comments during such a stressful time!!

Have a wonderful week!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Yummy In My Tummy!

2010-04-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just have to share this AMAZING recipe with you all! It's been in my family for a long time. I remember my great grandmother making these when I was younger. This is my favorite meal and one that I make for all of our friends!

SQUASH ENCHILADAS

Filling Mixture :

4 large squash - sliced and cooked (I boil mine for about 10 minutes and drain it)
1 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
1 jalepeno pepper – chopped (i use jarred peppers, they work the best)
Chopped red onion – just a small amount, to taste
3 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch dressing

**Mix all of the above together**

Sauce :

1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup of milk1 jalepeno pepper – chopped (i use jarred peppers, they work the best)
3 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch dressing

Remaining Ingredients :

1 package flour tortillas (I have used wheat and they work well too!)
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Mix sauce in a bowl and set aside. Mix the filling in a separate bowl. Soften tortillas in the microwave (about 5 seconds). Put two big tablespoons of the filling mixture in each tortilla and roll up. Spray baking dish with PAM and lay each roll in the baking dish, side by side. Repeat until all of the filling is used. Pour the sauce mixture over the top. Spread the shredded cheese over the sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 – 15 minutes or until good and bubbly.

I always serve these with Mexican rice and black beans!

Honestly, they sound kind of odd...but they are so stinking good!! I always have people asking for the recipe...so I thought I would share it with my blog friends too!

Please let me know if you make them and what you thought!

Also...I love new recipes....share your favorite one in a comment on this post!

Have a wonderful Thursday!!

XOXO,

Hilary H.

Shout Out!

2010-04-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

I just recieved word that my sweet friend Marla did a blog post specifically on my Hilabeans Frames! I was jumping for joy when she told me about it! Jump on over to Marla, Plain and Small and check out what she had to say! It was such a great little surprise and completely made my day!

By the way...if you jump over to the Hilabeans Frames Facebook Fan page (wow...say that five times fast!)... be sure to let me know what you think of the new frames I have posted AND invite friends, family, and co-workers to be a fan!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday and had a GREAT Easter break!!! I will be back later to post more!

XOXO,

Hilary

WHEW!

2010-04-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

This week was so exhausting for me! I am so glad that I have both Friday AND Monday off and will be able to sleep late and enjoy it!

We finally got everything complete on the house and it is officially up on the market! Sign is in the yard and lock-box on the front door! We have already had TWO showings and we are praying that the people liked it! We are also hoping that ore people will be able to look at the house over the weekend, since it's a holiday and so many people have a break! We need your prayers! As soon as we get this house sold...we can purchase a new house in Tyler! I am so ready to have some new decorating to do and a little change of familiar scenery!

I will post some pictures of the house later on so that you can see just how cute it is now! :)

We don't really have any big plans for the Easter weekend.... Friday - i have seven *new* frame orders to work on....Saturday - I think we are going to see our lab - Cache - at his dog training....Sunday - church and Easter lunch with my family....Monday = NOTHING!!!!!

I hope that you all have a wonderful and happy Easter weekend! Remember the reason that we all celebrate this holiday!

XOXO,

Hilary

Upcoming Shipment...

2010-03-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Just wanted all of you lovely ladies to know that I am working on a big order of frames at the moment and I am trying my hardest to get them shipped out this weekend! Please let me know if you need to add any frame to this order!

I would be more than thrilled to get one made for you! Please email me at hilary.hymer@gmail.com for more info or if you have any ideas!

Get those orders in ladies! Tell all of your friends and family! I might even be doing a frame giveaway soon! WOO HOO!!!

New Frames....

2010-03-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have uploaded some pictures of my original Bow Frames on my Hilabeans Frames Facebook Fan Page! Go check them out and add yourself as a fan! Click Here to see them!

Let me know what you think about them! I love getting feedback and adding new friends to my fan page!

New Frames!

2010-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have uploaded some pictures of my original Bow Frames to the Hilabeans Frames Facebook Fan Page! Jump on over there and check them out! Click here to be directed to the fan page! Add yourself as a member while you are there! Also, invite others to join too! Word of mouth is so important to me!

Let me know what you think about them! I would love to hear comments and critiques! As always...email me if you need to order any frames!! hilry.hymer@gmail.com

XOXO,

Hilary

Before and After

2010-03-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show you the little project that I have been working on......

We have an upstairs bonus room/gameroom that has always kind of been used as our "catch-all" or "junk" room. It was the very last room in our house that had not been painted! We just never got around to it because we never spend time in this room. It eventually just turned into my own personal art/craft studio! Well...since we are putting out house on the market, we decided that it was time to paint and fix up the room! Check out the before and after pictures and let me know what you think! :) Tell me if there is anything else you would do to it! I am always open to suggestions!

BEFORE :

AFTER :

I need to hear some comments and suggestions! It's actually a live-able room now and we really like what we have done to it!

XOXO,

Hilary

Obsession...

2010-03-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

I have a new obsession......

Chai Latte K-cups for my Keurig coffee maker! I found them yesterday at Bed, Bath, and Beyond! Let me tell you....they are DE-LISH-OUS! I had already been obsessed with the Bigelew Organic Green Tea.....but now this Chai Tea has hit the jackpot for sure!

What is your favorite K-cup flavor?! It's so hard for me to buy new flavors without knowing if they are good or not!

Well....wood floors are starting as we speak and I am off to makeover our front flower beds! We are so close to being finished for our realtor to come and take pictures! All we will have left to to is touch-up some paint and clean everything!

Thank you for the sweet comments about our move!! We are really super excited! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

NEWSFLASH!

2010-03-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Well folks....the news is out!

Casey and I will officially be putting our house on the market on SUNDAY and will be making a big move to our hometown of Tyler, Texas!

It has been a CRAZY two weeks! We have really learned how to pray for wisdom in all situations and how to put our lives/plans in God's hands!

To make a REALLY long story a little bit shorter...this is what has happened in our lives :
1. Casey and his boss/BFF decided to get with another friend and start a commercial roofing company - they had been planning all of this out since November!
2. They put in their two-weeks notices and a few days later saw a bunch of red flags with this new company....
3. They went back to their original job and asked for them back....because, remember, they had put in their notices!
4. The next day, he found an opening at a different branch/office for his company- in Shreveport....and got an interview 2 days later.
5. Interviewed and got the J-O-B with the ability to move to our hometown and work from there!
6. WE ARE SO EXCITED!

I haven't really been able to say anything until now....only because we were waiting on him to sign the paperwork and make it official! We have really been wanting to move home for a while...but jut never had a good opportunity. This opportunity has just been pretty much handed over to us. Now we are just trying to get our house in order and ready to go up on the market. We are praying that it sells really quickly so that we can purchase a new one in Tyler!

Regardless if it sells soon or not, I will be staying in Fort Worth to finish out the school year with my fourth graders! I am going to be sad to be leaving my wonderful school but I am excited for what is to come! I am also praying that I will be able to quickly find another teaching job!

So there you have it...a quick little update, just as I promised in my previous post! Please be praying for us and we are trying to sell our house and trying to get everything in order! Also...for me to be able to find a great new job!

If you know anyone looking for a house in Fort Worth...send them our way!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!! I am going to be exhausted from all of this crazy house updating!! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

HELP!!!

2010-03-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

So...i took a personal day off today in order to get a bunch of stuff done around the house. I totally cleaned out and organized our pantry first thing this morning....it looks great now!

Now.....I am on to baseboards! I am one of those people who likes to pretend like my baseboards aren't really there.....this meaning....i never clean them!! I just started cleaning and thought I would throw a question out to my bloggie friends:

What is the BEST way that you have found to clean BASEBOARDS?

I have been using a Magic Eraser...but just didn't know if there was a better way! I would LOVE to be informed!

On my agenda today :

Pantry organization
Master closet organization
Master bathroom organization
Baseboard cleaning
Running to the garden store to get flowers for our outside pots
Planting the flowers
Wall paint touch-ups

I am going to try to post a personal catch-up blog post tonight for you all! I feel the need to explain some things! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

Oh my!

2010-03-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

Home updates are taking over my LIFE!!!!

Just a quick update....Spring Break did NOT give me enough time!! I started some things and now we still have lots left to do...we ended up leaving town Thursday - Sunday! We will have everything completed and DONE by Sunday afernoon though! WHEW! No sleep or TV for me this week I suppose!!! DANG!

Random question for my crafty ladies out there..... What is a good starter sewing machine?? I really don't know much about sewing but feel the need to finally break down and buy a machine and start trying it out! My sister-in-law and I are determined to learn and are planning on taking some lessons this summer! I don't want to go overboard on the money spending with this....just something to play around with....like to make pillows and dabble in other things too! Nothing TOO serious or scary!!! :)

I would love to hear what you think!!! :)

Also...for my gardening ladies.... I have two big pots that are sitting on my back patio...I want to fill them with something thick and colorful. They will get full sunlight! Any ideas?! I am in Texas here...so something semi-heat resistant! Although...we did get more snow on Sunday after some 70 degree days last week!!!

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

-Hilary

Not So Much....

2010-03-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well...it looks like I jumped into my Spring Break thinking that I would actually GET a break! WRONG-O!

Apparently my husband was ready to put me to work! We made a trip to Home Depot the other day and came out hours later with about a BAJILLION projects to work on! We have all of these little projects that we keep meaning to get done with our house....and I guess he assumed that this would be the best time to do them!

We officially have these things on our list to get done :

install wood floors in our dining room and two hallways
get our house re-roofed
install a new garage door opener
install all new doorknobs around our house
clean out closets and move big random items to a storage room
install blinds in our gameroom
make and install window treatments in the gameroom
install curtains in our breakfast room
paint the gameroom
make and install curtains in our office
touch-up some paint on the walls

HOLY COW! It didn't really seem like all THAT much until I just made a list of it all! I may just need a "Week After Spring Break - Break"!

Good thing that I will get a little break this week...My mom is coming in town on Wednesday to do some shopping with me and then Casey and I are going to head to Tyler for the weekend with our friends Billy and Becky! It will be a time of good food and the Caldwell Zoo! WOOO HOO!

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

So READY....

2010-03-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Well...as of 3:45 today, I will OFFICIALLY have my first Spring Break since 2006! I am so super excited! I'm not excited because I am going on some fancy schmancy trip or anything like that...I am really just excited because I get to sleep late for NINE whole days! WOOOO HOOO!!! PARTY!! Am I old or what?!?!

I really and honestly have NO plans except that my mom is coming into town to go shopping with me for a day or two. I am hoping that I can get her to buy me some new and fun Spring clothes! :) I might also go to a dinner with two girl friends one night.but other than that...NOTHING! And let me just say....I love it!

Being a teacher definitley has it's perks....Summer....Spring Break....Christmas Break....Good Friday...President's Day...etc!

Like I said in my blog post before, def. be praying for us! We don't know what the future holds for us yet, but we are really excited about a big change that might be coming up! I will update you and tell you what all of this is when I actually can. I swear..nobody is joining the mafia! Don't freak out! :)

I hope that you all have a WONDERFUL weekend! I am hoping to get lots of blogging done next week and hopefully having a giveaway too!! WOO HOOO!!!

Cheers to Spring Break 2010!

XOXO,

Hilary

P.S. Let me know if you need any frame orders! I will have lots of time next week to get some together and shipped out! Check my Etsy shop or email me at hilary.hymer@gmail.com!

Makes My Day!

2010-03-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love when you get unexpected praise out of nowhere?! I got the most wonderful email a minute ago from a DEAR and SWEET friend (who will remain unnamed, b/c I don't want to embarrass her!). She had ordered a frame from me a couple of weeks ago and just got it in the mail. For some reason, I was REALLY nervous about if she would end up liking her frame or not, only because it was a little bit different than what I had been doing normally with my initial frames! But...turns out that she ADORED it and sent me the most amazing and sweet email to let me know! On a day that I am so WORN out....it totally turned it all around! THANK YOU FRIEND!

Don't you just have to sit back from time to time and say..."Hmm...isn't life just the funniest and craziest thing?!" I know that there is that silly little phrase of "Make sure that you write your plans down in pencil and that God has the eraser." It is so true! God has the ultimate plan and He knows the way that things need to go!

Casey and I have been going through a lot of life changes lately (no...we are not pregnant...promise!). The last two weeks have been a complete WHIRLWIND to say the least! To make a REALLY long story short : he and some friends had been planning on quitting their jobs this month in order to pursue a company that they had been planning on starting since October. All of a sudden, after their two weeks notices were in, some BIG red flags showed up with this new company and they backed out because it did not seem as amazing as it seemed it would be..... randomly, Casey's boss (Billy....his BFF also) never turned in his resignation letter to the higher boss. So, he still has a job! Also...another opportunity could be in the works for him with his same company that he works for now. I cannot really talk about this opportunity at the time....but we are REALLY praying for it and hoping that it will work out! It would mean a lot of cool and new things for us! I will share more when we know more! We should know more by the end of the month! WOO HOO! I am really excited about what could be ahead....btu at the same time, if it doesn't work out, I am content as well!

I promise, I am going to try to keep updating more and more! It's just been BANANAS lately in HilaryLand!

I will leave you with a couple of new and fun frames!

XOXO,

Hilary

(I don't know if you can tell....but this white background has a really cool texture to it...and it's pearly white! LOVE IT!)

WAY Overdue!

2010-03-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Taffy Box necklace giveaway is none other than..............

Miss Anne !

Congrats!! I will be getting in touch with you shortly to gather info from you!!

Give - Uh- What?

2010-02-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Give-Uh-Way!!!

I am back! I have been so busy lately with work! It has been crazy! We have a big accreditation site-visit next week and everything has to be perfect and in it's place. I have been working on my curriculum guides - basically a 2-3 page paper for each of the SEVEN subjects I teach. These are to be done before the site visit....and they decided to change the format a couple of weeks ago! So, needless to say, I have been SWAMPED! Twitter is the only thing that I have been able to deal with, just because it's quick and simple. I love blogs...but sometimes I just don't have the time to write up my own post, let alone go through and read all of yours! But don't get me wrong...I LOVE YOUR BLOGS!!! :)

I am trying to get all caught up on my blogging and plan on having a few new giveaways coming up! One in particular today!

Koryn at The Taffy Box has so graciously offered to do a giveaway through my blog! I am super excited about it! She has some wonderful jewelry and I am so lucky to be able to review her shop!

Here are some of her pieces that I love the most :

Silver Bird Tweet Earrings :

Brass Bangle Good Luck Bracelet:

Wax Seal Pendant in Silver :

Life Verse Sterling Silver Ring - Customized to the verse of your choice (what a cool gift or daily reminder!) :

To ONE lucky reader, The Taffy Box is giving away a Rectangular Antiqued Pendant with an organza ribbon necklace. You will be able to customize this piece however you like! It would be perfect for you to keep or to give to someone special as a gift! Koryn sent me one to review and I love it! It is so cute and different! Plus, you can easily layer it with other necklaces for a different look!

"But Hilary....how do I go about winning this wonderful pendant?!!?"...you might be asking yourself.....well here is how :

1. Make sure that you are a follower of my blog (this is a MUST!)....and let me know about it! (1 entry)

2. Leave a comment with your name and email address! (1 entry)

3. Head on over to the The Taffy Box's Etsy store and let me know YOUR favorite item! (3 entries)

4. Blog about this giveaway! Leave me a comment with your blog link! (3 entries)

5. Become a Facebook Fan of Hilabeans Frames! (3 entries)

6. Twitter about this giveaway! (3 entries!)

You have the ability to get 14 entries!!! HOLY COW!

Contest Ends on Saturday, February 27 at noon!

Spread the word!!!

Ready....set.....GO!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Tweet Tweet...

2010-02-16T08:19:00.000-08:00

I keep forgetting to mention....

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!!!!

I have been on for a few months now and I am still getting used to it all! But I do love to follow others and see what is going on in their life! I hope that you will come and join me on my little Twitter adventure! :)

Also...thank you SO much for all of your sweet and uplifting comments about our sweet Skeeter passing away. Every day it gets a little easier. Today marks exactly a week. I honestly think that I needed to get through a week without him in order to be okay. Thank you very much! I really appreciate you all! Isn't it amazing how sweet and uplifting people that you don't even KNOW can be?? I love that about blogging...you get to know people in a completely different way! I hope that you all know just how much I appreciate you!

By the way...youa ll need to go and check out this cook new website....www.goodreads.com! I found it over the weekend. You can add all of your favorite books, books you have read, books you want to read, to your "bookshelves" and give them reviews! Your friends can see them and review them as well. It's so great! You can even "swap" books with others...you just have to pay for the shipping! LOVE IT!

Happy Tuesday....make it a GREAT week!

XOXO,

Hilary

Long Week...

2010-02-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that I have been neglecting my blog lately....life has been crazy to say the least.

Last Tuesday, our dachshund (and basically our child) Skeeter passed away. It wasn't something that we saw coming (he would have been TWO yesterday) and was quite tragic. I was crushed, emotional, hurt, angry and everything else that I could possibly be. I have never cried so hard for anything, ever. I know that to many people this does not seem like THAT big of a deal.....but we don't have kids and I am a HUGE animal lover...Skeeter was pretty much our child. We have two other dogs but we don't spoil them quite as much as Skeeter. He went EVERYWHERE with us and everyone knew him very well! We have friends that come over and just expect him to be at the door waiting. He was a part of many lives! To cut a long story short, he was a feisty little dog who thought he was a big dog. He snuck out of the backyard (we have a field behind our house) and he got in a fight with a coyote. We found him after he was gone...we don't think that he suffered. We are doing a lot better...it's just so hard to see something like that happen to a helpless little dog.

I am so glad that we have our Great Dane, Miley, to kind of fill that void. If I had to come home the next day to no dogs at all...it would have made it a lot harder.

It's amazing how God has perfect timing.... I spend the whole next day still mourning over Skeeter and then on Thursday, it started to snow in TEXAS. It was the perfect thing to keep my mind off of what had happened. My kids were CRAZY at school...so I didn't even have time to think about it. We ended up having Friday off and got 14 inches of snow at our house! We played and laid around all day....it was a very nice distraction!

Sorry...I don't mean to be such a Debbie Downer....I just felt that I needed to explain myself and let you know what was going on in my life last week. Casey did email Skeeter's breeder... Skeeter's mom should be having a new litter in March. We are thinking that it might be the perfect timing for us to get a new puppy. By the time we can bring it home, it will probably be close to the end of May and I will be getting out of school for the Summer and able to focus on the puppy more.

Well...I am off to pick up the house, put together some frame orders, and sit down with my new Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I hope that you all have had a wonderful Monday and a great start to the week.

XOXO,

Hilary

Valentine's Pretties....

2010-02-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Just a quick little reminder....

The Hilabeans Initial Frames are PERFECT for Valentine's gifts for anyone!!!!

If you need a cute Hilabeans Initial Frame for a Valentine's gift...LET ME KNOW! If you order one TODAY or TOMORROW...I can get them shipped on Wednesday so that they will arrive JUST in time for Valentine's!!

Please email me for more info! hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Also...you can check out other designs and styles on my Etsy page :

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

And on my Facebook Fan Page (you had better be a fan!!!) :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilabeans-Frames/271307370336?ref=ts

GET YOUR ORDERS IN QUICKLY!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Abigail's Bake Shop Winner!!

2010-02-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

The winner of the CUTE box of Valentine's cookies from Abigail's Bake Shop is.............

Stacy at Stacy Says....

I will be emailing you soon to get your information!!! Go check out her blog and tell her congrats!!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered!!!!!

GO SAINTS!!!

Olive Rue Giveaway....

2010-02-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

And the winner of the Olive Rue giveaway is...........

Mrs. MFC!!!!

Go check out her cute little blog and tell her congrats!!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who entered this giveaway!!

Check your email Mrs. MFC!! I will be sending you one soon! :)

TGIF....

2010-02-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

TGIF....no doubt! This has been a long week!

I hope that you all have some amazing plans for the weekend! All I know is this :

Friday night : out to dinner and then back home to watch LOST...we still havent watched the new episode!!
Saturday : We will go watch our Labrador, Cache, train with his trainers
Saturday night : Dinner, Movie, and Games with our new friends Heather and Jordan
Sunday : Church!
Sunday afternoon : We will be at our friend Tory's watching the SAINTS win the Superbowl! Oh...and watching the amazing and hilarious commercials!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend filled with fun and friends!!!

DONT FORGET TO ENTER MY TWO GIVEAWAYS!!!

They end this weekend!!!!!

Click the boxes at the top right of my blog to get to the giveaway posts!

XOXO,

Hilary

Cookie Monster.........

2010-02-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Who does not like cookies or cupcakes? Raise your hand...no no...raise it high.... That's JUST what I thought....NOBODY raised their hand!

Holy Moly! This might just be my new favorite little place! Check out Abigails's Bake Shop through Etsy and their personal website!

They have some of the CUTEST cakes and the most DELICIOUS looking cookies and cupcakes! I feel like I can almost taste them just by looking at their gorgeous pictures!

Here is a little inside scoop on the owner, Sarah Bisher, and her cute little company:

My name is Sarah Bisher, owner & senior cake master! I am married with 3 children: Emily, Abby (the Abigail in Abigail’s Bake Shop), and Jack. I have had a passion for creating delicious treats ever since I was a little girl. In 2006, my husband and I decided to start a website to showcase my most recent cakes. After a few days, we were bombarded with phone calls with requests for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, and more. Since then, we have designed hundreds of cakes including one for Kenny Chesney! Our little business has now expanded to provide gourmet cupcakes, cookies, party supplies, dessert buffets and more. I truly feel that Abigail’s Bake Shop is my dream come true and I hope you enjoy our creations as much as I enjoy making them!

HOW CUTE IS SHE?!?!?!

If I could pick some out some specifics to taste test right now....these would "take the cake" :

SOUTHERN RED VELVET CUPCAKE

RICH CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

DARK CHOCOLATE MINT CUPCAKE

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES

Well...lovely ladies....sweet Sarah is offering ONE lucky winner a set of her SUPER cute Valentine's cookies....just in time for the holiday! This includes 4 big heart shaped cookies and 8 smaller heart shaped cookies! They are all decorated in shades of pink with royal icing and sanding sugars.

How stinking delish do these look?!?

Here is how you win :

Make sure that you are a follower of my blog and let me know in a comment (1 entry)
Leave a comment with your email address for contacting purposes! (1 entry)
Hop on over to the Abigail's Bakery Etsy shop or website and tell me what item you just about cannot live without trying! (2 entries)
Post a blog entry about this fun giveaway! (5 entries)
Become a Facebook fan of Hilabeans Frames! (5 entries)

You could potentially get 14 entries!!

So that these fabulous cookies can be shipped out in time for Valentine's day...this contest will end on Sunday, February 6 at noon!!!

Spread the word and win some yummy cookies!

Good luck!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Glitter....

2010-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you....but after watching the Grammys the other night...I CANNOT get the song "Glitter In The Air" by Pink out of my head!! What a beautiful song! If you haven't heard it yet....go download it! It's very unlike her...very mellow...and the piano in the background is amazing! I might be a little overly obsessed with the song right now!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!! Only 2 more days and the weekend is here!!

Don't forget about my Olive Rue giveaway!! It ends on Saturday!!! Click the link at the top right of my blog to be taken there!

XOXO,

Hils

GIVE-UH.....

2010-02-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

GIVE-UH-WAY TIME!!!!

Not because I have reached my goal of 300 followers...but because I have a wonderful new friend that wanted to offer a little somthin' somethin' to you all!!!

I stumbled across the Olive Rue Etsy store over the weekend when perusing for some fun finds on Etsy! Have you ever seen her things before?! They are so wonderful! Very shabby-chic type items that would look perfect in anyone's house! I love anything with a fleur de lis, crown, and I have even gotten into the bees!

Here are some of my favorites from the Olive Rue shop:

Royal French Bee with Crown Tea Towel

French Crown Number 12 Tea Towel

Skeleton Key, Eiffel Tower, Crown Gift Tags

French Clothespins

One thing that I found particularly wonderful about the Olive Rue shop is that they SELL the digital downloads and iron-on transfers of their prints! So if you love one of their prints....but would rather have it on a pretty pillow, shirt, bag, etc....you can purchase it on their website and use it however you would like! How cool is that?! So smart!

Well...Crystal at Olive Rue has been SO wonderful to offer ONE lucky winner
the following items:

1 tea towel of your choice
1 set of gift tags of your choice
1 pack of 10 French clothespins

"But....how do I go about winning these wonderful things?!!?"
...you might be asking yourself.....well here is how :

1. Make sure that you are a follower of my blog (this is a MUST!)....and let me know about it! (1 entry)
2. Leave a comment with your name and email address! (1 entry)
3. Head on over to the Olive Rue Etsy store and let me know YOUR favorite item! (3 entries)
4. Blog about this giveaway! Leave me a comment with your blog link! (3 entries)
5. Become a Facebook Fan of Hilabeans Frames! (3 entries)
6. Purchase a Hilabeans Frame! (10 entries!)

You have the ability to get 21 entries!!! HOLY COW!

Contest Ends on Saturday, February 6 at noon!

Spread the word!!! Ready....set.....GO!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Don't Forget....

2010-01-30T11:35:00.001-08:00

Remember....

Once I hit 300 followers....I will be doing a special giveaway!

So....spread the word and tell me people to follow along!

Happy weekend! I'm at home sick....I hope you aren't!

XOXO,

Hilary

james? James. JAMES!!!!

2010-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

I am not one to go out on a limb by myself and do something....

BUT.... a few weeks ago I signed up for a women's Bible study series at our church (The Village). Normally...if I do anything like this, I like to have a friend to go with. But...we have really started to try and make an effort to become a lot more involved in our church. It's really hard since we live 45 minutes away from the church.... but we have to remind ourselves that we are serving our God!

Anyways...the Bible study started on Tuesday. I was SO tired and drained from work that day and was trying to think of EVERY reason not to go ( i am exhausted....i have a headache...my throat hurts....i need a nap...)! It was so bad! At the last minute, I decided that I should probably go...I knew I would regret it if I didn't.

I was nervous because I didn't know anyone going and didn't know anyone in my small group (they do a large group teaching and then you break out into your small groups to discuss). But let me just say....it was AMAZING! We are doing a whole, in-depth, study on the book of JAMES. One thing that we have to do each week for "homework" is to read the whole book of James. I did this on Wednesday...and holy cow! I am in for a great ride! This book is amazing! There are so many every-day struggles that it points out and talks about. I can only imagine how much I will learn about myself, God, and life in general.

Have any of you ever really studied the book of James??
I would love to hear your thoughts on the book!

One great thing has happened so far....I have already made a great friend from it! I sat next to Heather in our small group....she emailed me later because she thought i looked familiar and she was trying to figure out where she knew me...we have been emailing a ton since Tuesday and will be meeting up for dinner on Monday night! I am super excited! We are going to work to motivate eachother in our Bible study (which I really need).

I will keep you updated on the study...you should try reading the book of James to see what it has in store for you. It's only 5 chapters....no excuses. Read The Message version...I really enjoyed it!

Pray for it to ice over tonight so there will be no school tomorrow!!!! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

Weekend Re-Cap....

2010-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

So, today is my GREAT friend Becky's birthday! Her husband planned a fun surprise night for her birthday last night....so we all met up for dinner at Cattleman's in the Stockyards here in Fort Worth. I would have to say that she was quite surprised to see us all there! It was so much fun! After LOTS of steak....we all went out on the town for a while. It was quite interesting....our night was filled with drinks, another (random) birthday party, Casey making friends with RANDOM people, we might have done the Cupid Shuffle a few times, free chicken wings and chips/hot sauce from the mentioned OTHER birthday party, etc etc etc..... We all had a blast!

To top it all off...this weekend marks the END of duck hunting season!!!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am to get my husband back...at least for a little while! He hunts SO much when he can! He was so sweet though...he told me that since I was a good sport, he booked us a hotel room for last night at a nice hotel in downtown Fort Worth! We LOVE little getaways like that! It was only one night....but we really felt like we were on vacation! :)

I also wanted to share some new frames that I have added in the last week or so! Check them out!!!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think that they are all pretty darn cute! And believe me....so much cuter in person!!!! The orders are still coming in, and I am still enjoying the heck out of it all!!!

If you know anyone with a baby, birthday, wedding, housewarming, etc, coming up....you need to order a frame for them!!!! I would love to make one for you!!! :)

Visit my Etsy shop :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Become a fan on Facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Hilabeans-Frames/271307370336?ref=ts

Or email me :
hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Remember....when I hit 300 followers, I am planning on doing a giveaway! So tell people all about my blog so that we can get this show on the road!!!! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful new week ahead of you! Enjoy it and make the best of it!

XOXO,

Hilary

(and yes....I have officially run 6 out of 7 days!!!)

PROUD....

2010-01-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

I have to say....I am super proud of myself!! I am really bad at making excuses not to work out or exercise....but this week...I think I have gotten over that!! I have managed to run 5 out of the 6 days this week so far! The only reason that I missed a day was because I didn't get home until 10 last night...and I was NOT going to be unsafe and run by myself so late! I made up for it by getting up this morning and going straight outside to run. We have to be somewhere at 3 today.....so I might try to get outside and run another mile just to really make up for missing a day. I am finally getting to where I am STARTING to enjoy running more! I feel a little better about it each day...especially now that the soreness from day 1 and 2 are gone! It has been beautiful outside and I really have no excuses!

I did pretty well eating better this week! I really stuck to my Special K and enjoyed it! Sometimes I get sick of things too fast....but I was good! I actually need to run out and get some more today! Just think about it....two boxes of Special K lasted me 5 days. I ate a cup for breakfast and a cup for lunch....so really we spent about 6 bucks on my breakfast and lunch all together this week! What a money saver and you don't feel HUGE after eating it! My favorite flavors are the Chocolatey Delight, Red Berries, and Blueberry! YUM!! I could snack on it all the time!!! I did have ONE cheat meal last night...we went to Uncle Julio's ( a delish Mexican restaurant) and I had about 3 flour tortillas, queso, and a margarita!!! I couldn't help myself!!! But I just had tortilla soup as my meal....that balanced it out...right?!

Ahhhhh well....

Okay....here is the deal....

I have been planning a great giveaway....I am going to wait and do this giveaway when I get to 300 followers!!! Spread the word!!! The quicker I get 300 followers....the quicker you have a fun giveaway to enter!!!! Get on it!

Have a wonderful weekend! I will fill you in on mine on Sunday...... :) It's going to be a fun one!

XOXO,

Hilary (aka....the runner)

NEW YEAR....

2010-01-18T17:12:00.000-08:00

Don't laugh...but I am just now getting into actually executing my new year's resolution....better late than never...right?

I am trying to start running more and eating more healthy! (yes...i know.....who isn't?!)

Have you ever been to www.sparkpeople.com??? I used it a few years ago...it is a GREAT website! It's completely free and lets you track your exercise and eating! It even lets you keep track of your water consumption each day! It's pretty user friendly! You should go try it out!

Here is my daily plan....I am telling you this so that I have it in writing you might keep me motivated!!

For the next two weeks :

Breakfast :
1 cup of Special K (strawberry or chocolate delight)
with with either skim milk or fat free vanilla yogurt
orange juice

OR fat free vanilla yogurt and fresh berries

(TRY to cut out the coffee)

Lunch :
1 cup of Special K
skim milk
an orange

Dinner :
Chicken (baked or grilled)
sauteed vegetables - zucchini, onion, broccoli, red potatoes

Any snacks:
berries
apple sauce
yogurt

and of course...LOTS of water!!!

I am trying to run/walk a mile each day. I am try to beat the time from the day before each time! To the end of my street and back is exactly 1 mile. When I get tired of that...I may run in another neighborhood and add some distance. I bought a resistance band tonight and did some strength stuff with that, crunches, jumped rope, etc! I am one of those people who really does not enjoy running....but I REALLY wish I could get into it....maybe this will do it!

I am one of those people that REALLY has to have some motivating music to get me going...here are some of the songs that I love running to right now :

KE$HA - Tik Tok ( i want to break out in a dance everytime I hear this song!!)
Britney Spears - Freakshow
Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
Jay Z and Rhianna - Run This Town
Ludacris - How Low
White Liar - Miranda Lambert
Soulja Boy - Swing
Jay Z - Empire State of Mind

I told you...I have to have some fun/fast motivating music!!!

What songs motivate you when you are working out?! I need some new ideas!!! :)

Also...what are YOU eating to stay fit and what are you doing to work out?! I love getting new fresh ideas! Hit me with 'em!!

Happy Running....

Hilary