Bachelor Pick of the Week

"Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?" 

I couldn't help but think that this line from last night's The Men Tell All pretty much describes this entire season of the Bachelorette. The majority of the men this season were either bad, as in creepy (fantasy suite guy), weird (STOP with the poetry and singing), or just not quite right for Des. Or they were BAD bad, as in Ben, James, and guy with the girlfriend (?).

Poor Des.

My exception to this, of course, is also my Bachelor Pick of the Week:

Juan Pablo

Oh wait. Oops. I guess I can't pick Juan Pablo anymore...

Ok. Ok. Enough of that. (Please, please, please can he be the next Bachelor?). My REAL pick of the week is obviously and predictably:

Brooks

Though I'm pretty nervous about picking Brooks this week. This whole season I've thought it was a sure thing. Until now! What the heck is happening with all the crying in the finale? I know Chris has said a bazillion times that this will be the most dramatic season finale ever, but last night he said he meant it this time! Why is the finale split into two nights? Maybe I'm just being a gullible Bachelorette viewer who believes the hype, but I'm nervous, guys! 

Today I'm linking up with the blogs below. Check 'em out!

Spend or Splurge?

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. It's been busy lately and I've also been doing some thinking about the direction I want this blog to go.

To tide you over for today, I present... ooh, pretty jewels!

Among these pictures are some of my recent VeryJane purchases. All photos are either of J. Crew inspired, VeryJane jewelry or the actual J. Crew jewel. Let's play a guessing game - can you tell which is which? 

Wedding Wednesday

It's no secret that the vibe the hubby-to-be and I are going for with our wedding is 1920's/Great Gatsby. I've been struggling a lot with the line between drawing inspiration from this theme vs. going over the top, costume-y with it. I don't want to look back at my wedding photos in 2020 and say "What was I thinking!?" 

Right now I'm shopping around for a necklace that fits the bill. We all think long, pearls when it comes to 1920's jewelry - but I don't want them to look I'm going out on Halloween as a flapper. Here are some Pinterest finds that I'm thinking strike the right balance and aren't quite so literal.

My favorite is the first photo. 

Which look do you like?

Bachelor Pick of the Week

I'm linking up really late this week. I missed the Brooks date portion of the show (cause the fiance wanted to run out and get Hothead Burrito, which I was on board with of course - yes, even though The Bachelorette was on) so I HAD to watch it online before I posted anything. But, anyway, I'll just get to the point and pick my man... since it seems like Des already has too!

Brooks

Sunday Social

1. What is the best trip you’ve ever been on?

The trip we got engaged on! We went to the Smoky Mountains and stayed in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.

2. What is your best idea for a girls weekend trip?

A trip to the beach. Siesta Key sounds amazing right now.

3. What is your best idea for a couples trip?

Well, considering we're planning on a honeymoon in Europe with lots of country-hopping and sightseeing, I'm sure that gives you an idea of the type of trip we're into. Lots of history, culture, adventures... not a lot of downtime.

4. What is the best vacation on the cheap?

A stay-cation. For us it would be a "trip" to stay at Hueston Woods State Park or somewhere in Cincinnati. 

5. What is the place you most want to visit?

Switzerland! I've already been, when I was in high school, but I am dying to go back. It was heaven!

H54F July Fourth Edition

1. Had a blast @ the WPAFB fireworks. I was blown away by the fireworks. Best yet, this year!

2. The July Fourth Eve (aka July 3) outdoor festivities in Oxford were a fun surprise. We'd never been. Lots of cool stuff for kids (petting zoo, train, play fire trucks) but also fun music and an awesome Cirque du Soleil-esque aerialist! Funny moment of the day: The goat at the petting zoo starting munching on my (soon to be) niece's cotton candy bag - the plastic, not the cotton candy! He ate a big chunk of the plastic! THEN he started chomping on his paper name tag! Goats really will eat anything...

3. The Oxford fireworks were a good time with good people. We went with the fiance's family and friends. The weather was perfect.

4. It was a rainy day, but future hubby and I braved the July Fourth streetfair with my fam. We made the best of it and had a great time! Plus I got my hands on a quintessential summer treat that I've been craving for days: a root beer float! [no pics b/c of the rain]

5. Cookout with the fam. on the fourth made up for the cancelled (due to thunderstorms/rain) fireworks. My mom spoiled us: burger, curly fries, baked beans, coleslaw, watermelon, angel food cake heaped with fruit, and homemade custard-style ice cream! [sorry, no pics, too busy stuffing my face!]

Linking up with the awesome blogs below!

Wedding Wednesday

I just have to tell you: I'm in love with Minted. Take a look at our adorable Save-the-Dates. So cute.

The second two pictures show the card in the Copper color, but I ordered ours in the Fuchsia (see 1st pic).

Minted made the process of ordering Save the Dates so stress-free. I especially liked the fact that they send a digital proof of your design for your approval, before your order is filled. I got to look over it with fresh eyes a few days after ordering. Good just in case I'd made any mistakes when I proofread the first time (and, phew, I didn't!). 

I wanted to share some of the other minted.com designs I love. Who knows, one of these could end up as our invite!

Which one do you like?

Today I'm linking up with Something Charming for Wedding Wednesday. And the lovely blogs listed below!

Bachelor Pick of the Week

First of all, why were 3 guys eliminated last night? They are really hurrying this season along. And I guess I'm fine with that... some of the guys this season are the worst. And this episode was no different.

Zak came off like a creep when he stripped down to his undies on he and Des' art date; James showed his true, icky colors; Drew and Kasey were a tattletale tag team. Michael continued to be inexplicably obnoxious (or is it just me?). I guess the whole Des/Chris poetry love connection is cute in theory, but I'm just not feeling Chris for some reason. I wanted so badly for Juan Pablo to step up, steal the show with his soccer moves, and win the group date rose (and Des' heart), but sadly it didn't happen. And, unfortunately, Juan Pablo became just another castoff sent packing, back home to his daughter.

So, anyway, all of this is to say: I've gotta go with my man, Brooks, as my Pick of the Week.

Favorite Brooks quote of the night: 

"Juan Pablo's very name is directly translated to, 'You have no chance -- and I am going out with Desiree at this moment on the soccer field.'"

Brooks

Age: 28

Occupation: Sales & Marketing

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Height: 6'4"

Shoe Size: 11.5

Tattoos: None

Favorite Activities to Do with a Group:Play games, conversations, camping trips

Music: Indie

The Ultimate Date: Anything that's fun and involves conversation

Who's your pick this week?

Weekend Recap

Friday 

I went to see fireworks at WPAFB. The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays - I'm attending FOUR fireworks shows this year!

Saturday

Scrapbook shopping with Mom at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft. Found so much great stuff, pictures to come! I'm all stocked up on the supplies I need to make a dating album from the time future hubby & I started "going out" to our engagement.

I attended a friend's Gender Reveal Party! She had so many cute details, like the watermelon baby and the HE/SHE Hershey's bars. Oh, and their big news is...

It's A Girl! 

After the party, I was too stuffed to go out to eat anywhere, but fiance and I went to see World War Z. I don't do anything within the realm of a "scary movie" normally, so this was a first for me. I actually wasn't too scared by it, it was more suspense then anything. Also, I like Mireille Enos from The Killing, and who doesn't love Brad Pitt? ;)

Sunday

Sunday was a chill day! I slept in, went for a 3 mile walk in Sugarcreek Park, and played with my parents' dogs (I still feel like they're "my" dogs!). My parents are dogsitting for a friend, so I had 3 puppies to play with. The dog they're sitting is a Shih Tzu... isn't she pretty?

What did you do this weekend?