Where Am I?!

Seriously, seriously, IT IS SNOWING AGAIN IN DALLAS! This is twice now in ONE WEEK! And I'm not talking a little bit or baby snow flakes...it is snowing HUGE snowflakes (well some of the biggest I've ever seen here anyways) and it's coming down strong! I absolutely can not believe this! It is SO BEAUTIFUL and I am loving every single minute of the beautiful white outside!!! Now, if I could just get out of this office to go play in it with Drew and Bo......

Stay tuned, might be making an early escape!

Christmas Time Is Here!

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas! I absolutely can not believe that Christmas is just two days away! With the hustle and bustle of moving, two sisters getting married, and just everyday life, Christmas really snuck up on us this year! We are looking very forward to spending time with family and sweet friends over the next few weeks! Merry Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

All our love,
The Lipmans

Skinny Jeans?

So, I know I am late to the game, but I am contemplating getting a pair of skinny jeans. I am getting some new boots for Christmas, so I really NEED a pair, but every time I try them on all I can think is NO WAY. (might help if I actually tried them on with my boots?) I don't want a pair of designers, because I don't want to pay that much for jeans that could be a passing trend (which I am already late in jumping on board with anyways). Soooo, anyone have a pair that you love that you didn't pay a fortune for? If so, please share!

Public Confession!

To date, I have only purchased ONE Christmas present.
OH.MY.WORD

Normally at this point, I am done, or at least close to done. Cheers to shopping up until the last minute this year!

Will you be my.....

When my sister was in town last week for Thanksgiving break, she came over to my house one evening and brought me this adorable cupcake, the sweetest note, and a picture of us when we were little...and asked "WILL YOU BE MY MATRON OF HONOR?" I knew it was coming, after all she was my MOH and is just my dearest friend, but I was just beyond thrilled and so honored when she asked! I absolutely can not wait for these two love birds to unite as one! They are the perfect pair, and I could not be more proud of both of them! I LOVE YOU SISTER and I am SO excited to be your MOH!



Sister just sent me the below pictures of the night that she asked me to be her MOH, I just had to add them! :) (updated 1.8.10)


Will you....

....be my....

...Matron of Honor?! I was just slightly excited :)

Sister found this picture of us from when we were little and said....

"This picture represents us! Sister busy at work taking care of me :) and me off in la la land! oh how I need her!" I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

The future Mr. & Mrs. Townsend the night that they got engaged!

The "bride-to-be" basket that I made for her...

Sister with her Mrs. Townsend hanger! My favorite item in her basket!

My LITTLE sister and me...who is now all grown up and ENGAGED!

Sean & Mellie's Knot Wedding Website

For more pictures from the engagement, click here!

You are going to be the MOST BEAUTIFUL bride ever! I love you so very much and can't wait to be by your side during this exciting time in your life!

We've Moved!

Check out our cute "we moved" cards, (attached is of course an example and not our actual information) and our first picture in our new home right after we closed! We LOVE our new home!

I am in l-o-v-e

...with this new antique line at Pottery Barn! I added the napkin rings and bottle opener to my Christmas list today!

Thankful...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I decided to make a list of some of the things that I am thankful for. With life moving as fast as it does, all to often, I find that I don't stop long enough to count my blessings as often as I should. Take a moment to appreciate all that you have to be thankful for!

I am thankful for....

-my wonderful, loving, adorably handsome, kind hearted, patient husband

-our precious pup Bo who always brings a smile to my face

-my mom and dad who have always been a rock in my life, and who have shown me what true love looks like

-my best friend, who also happens to be my sister...what a BLESSING!

-my in laws...how wonderful is it to have gotten two more sisters and a mom and dad who love me so very much and have welcomed me into their family

-our new nest! we LOVE our new home!

-a backyard for Bo...it's so nice to open up the door to our backyard for him to go outside rather than taking him down three flights of stairs to walk around the apartment complex for him to go potty

-mellie being engaged! Sean you make her so very happy and that makes me so very happy! I am so thankful that my little sister has found the love of her life!

-silent evenings...it is SO nice not to be able to hear neighbors anymore! We don't miss our little apartment a bit!

-my new washer and dryer that will hold DOUBLE the amount of laundry than my last one did

-a husband who is a wonderful painter! I love my green dining room, gray craft cubby corner, and chocolate art niche! Now that I know that he is such a fabulous painter, I see more color in our future!

-the new church that we have been visiting, Preston Trails. We feel at home there and feel so refreshed and encouraged after we leave each Sunday

-my fabulous girlfriends, each of whom I love very dearly! You each bless my life more than you know and I am so thankful for all of the memories that I have and continue to make with each of you!

-my job and Drew's job. It is a blessing that in this economy both of us still have our jobs and enjoy what we do and who we work with (for the most part) :)

-beth being engaged! Travis we love you! We are so excited for your big day in January!!!

-starbucks...it speaks for itself

-our KING bed! No more kicks or elbows from my husband who flips and flops like a maniac while he sleeps (love you baby!) :)

-spell check, because I am the world's worst speller

-being done with school...I have zero desire to go back. Thankful that Drew does have a desire to go back (to get his MBA). He is a wonderful provider for our family!

-the Friday after Thanksgiving, because that means that we can put up our Christmas tree!

-my pink ruffle flats...I love them and I wear them with everything

-being an Aggie, there is no school better!

-my iPhone...it really is the most handy device ever

-organization, it keeps me sane

-letters in the mail...call me old school, but I still get giddy when I get a little something in the mailbox from a sweet friend

-our Elfa shelving in our master closet! It DOUBLED the amount of space that we have in there and I love it with all of my heart because it makes our closet so very organized and tidy

-storage! everything in our new house has a place of its own and we are no longer busting at the seems like we were in our apartment

-sugar cookies, they are just so delicious and I can't resist them

-root boost, it gives my hair the little bit of body that it has. What can I say, I love big hair

-maggie's candles...BEST smelling candles in the world. Only found in The Woodlands, so I have sister pick me up one every time she goes!

-pictures! I take a ton and love them because they capture memories

...just to name a few! I am so thankful for all that He has blessed me with! What are you thankful for?

Say Hello!

Kelly over at Fabulous K had a wonderful idea that I decided would be fun. I must admit, I blog hop (and stalk) so I thought this would be a fun way to invite everyone to say hello! Sooo, if you are reading, take a minute to say hi! I would love to stop by your blog as well!

Bursting With Excitement

So I was waiting until I had everything in order (i.e. pictures uploaded to my computer from my camera) but I didn't get it done last night and I can't hold it in any longer. Soooooo drum roll please...MY SISTER IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She got engaged this weekend to the absolute love of her life, more details and pictures soon to come, I promise!

On another note, I went to Starbucks during lunch and got a Peppermint Mocha, hello Christmas, I am ready for you! Absolutely delish!

Finally Friday

...is all I have to say! This weekend consists of unpacking, decorating, and sister and Sean time! I absolutely positively CAN NOT WAIT! Happy weekend loves!

Anthro v. Target - Fabulous Find!

Soooo a few weeks ago I splurged and bought a shower curtain from Anthropologie that I absolutely fell in love with. I bought it KNOWING that the price that I was paying for the shower curtain was ridiculous, but I loved it so much that I bought it anyways. It came in the mail and I did LOVE it, it was fabulous and everything that I hoped that it would be! Well yesterday I was snooping around on Targets website and I found a shower curtain almost identical for a FRACTION of the price! Can you tell which is from Anthro and which is from Target? Ok well maybe a little, but certainly not enough for a $70 price difference! Goodbye Anthro, hello Target! (and a chunk of change back into my pocket!) I LOVE a great find!!!! Here's to hoping that the Target one looks fabulous in person! (Hanging onto my Anthro one juuuuuust in case, but if its as similar as I think/hope that it will be, it is going back in a heartbeat!)

Precious Rag-A-Muffin

"Mom, I need a haircut...pleeease"

...thank goodness Drew has off on the 11th, he is taking the little rag-a-muffin then.

Move-In Weekend

Friday evening accomplishments:
-picked up new 52' TV from Best Buy warehouse
-set up TV's so they would be ready for AT&T Saturday morning

Saturday accomplishments:
-bought paint and all painting supplies from Lowe's, along with a new chandelier for the dining room
-AT&T U-Verse set up
-prepped and painted the dining room green
-prepped and painted the art niche in the stairwell chocolate
-prepped and painted my cute little cubby corner upstairs gray
-pulled down the shelving in the master closet to get ready for our fabulous Elfa shelving!
-mattress and box springs delivered for master bedroom
-master bedroom furniture delivered and set up
-cleaned the house SPOTLESS!

Sunday accomplishments:
-moved EVERYTHING into the new house!
-painted master closet
-bought bedding for master bedroom
-started unpacking kitchen boxes

....after a full weekends work, we called it a night and relaxed for a few hours before bed. Monday morning came way to early! Tonight's goal, start putting up Elfa shelving and unpack boxes! (unpack boxes is going to be a constant on my to do list for quite some time!) :)

Happy Monday!

Special Delivery!

Look what was delivered yesterday.....

Tonight we are picking up our new 52' TV, and tomorrow our new bedroom suit and mattress are being delivered!!!

Drum Roll Please

ONE WEEK from today, we close on our very own precious little HOUSE!

...just a tad bit excited!

Spoiled Stinkin Rotten!

Hi, my name is Jennifer Lipman and I have been spoiled stinkin rotten for my 26th birthday!! (and have loved every minute of it!) :) My birthday was last Thursday, and the celebrations are still taking place! If you know me well at all, you know I love to stretch the birthdays out of those that I hold near and dear (and my own birthday) :) out as long as possible! So below is a little peak into my 26th:

Thursday (my actual birthday) - I was greeted at work by a birthday sack on my desk filled with a Starbucks gift card and some Starbucks coffee (man do they know me well!) Throughout the morning my team showered me with cards, a Visa gift card, another Starbucks gift card, and a gift card to Jasper's! THEN my team took me to lunch at Cantina Laredo, and for an afternoon snack, they ordered cupcakes from the Cupcakery for everyone! That afternoon I received a card signed by the whole office! Way to make a girl feel special! The little weather men predicted huge storms the evening of my birthday so we decided to have an evening in! Drew came home with beautiful flowers and a bottle of wine! Man he knows the way to my heart! :) Mom made a beyond fabulous dinner and an even more yummy spice cake (my fav!), and mom and dad surprised me with flowers as well! How often do you get TWO beautiful bouquets of flowers in one day?! That evening after we all had full bellies we got in our comfy's and snuggled up on the couch for an evening in front of the TV...The Office, Gray's, and Private Practice. It was a great birthday day, but the celebrations were far from over!

Friday - Drew and I decided to partake in the gift card that I received from Jasper's and headed out to The Shops at Legacy for a dinner of deliciousness! We had some scrumptious wine (white for me of course, and red for Drew)...my shrimp and scallops were to die for! After dinner we headed home opened up gifts and popped in a movie! (he surprised me with a new iPhone case that is just fabulous and I get to pick out a new Michael Kors bag, his treat!!!!!!!!! Do I have the best husband in the world or what?!)

Saturday - SISTER CAME IN TOWN FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!! I felt so special that she came in town to celebrate with me!!! Saturday morning we had monkey bread and coffee for breakfast (again one of my favs) and opened presents (I got the MOST PRECIOUS A&M cookie jar canister from sister and a sweater, scarf, powder brush, and blush brush from mom and dad! spoiled spoiled spoiled!). Then we headed out to see Fame, which I had been dying to see! I must say, I was pretty disappointed with Fame...not enough dancing and way to much bad acting, but we still had a great time and I was glad that we went. We spent the afternoon tooling around the mall and then headed to Primo's in uptown for dinner! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family to spend my birthday celebrating with!

Last night I had dinner with Natalie at Chuy's (our favorite hang out and marg spot) and she surprised me with such a fun birthday gift! I started off with 6 clues (see pictures below), which lead me to the final clue...SHE IS FLYING US TO AUSTIN ON SATURDAY TO GO SHOPPING AT THE ROUND ROCK OUTLET MALLS!! I am dying to get a new Michael Kors bag (which she knows), so she planned a little Saturday-o-fun for us down in Austin where we can shop the day away and catch up on our girlie time! I was absolutely so very surprised, and so excited! She really outdid herself, I am so blessed to have such an amazing friend! Looking so forward to Saturday!

Tomorrow night (Thursday evening) we are headed out with Drew's family to celebrate my birthday! I still have to decide where I want to go for dinner...any suggestions? But I do know that momma Lipman is making me a chocolate with white icing cake per my request! Absolutely can not wait to celebrate with them!

Friday night we are headed out for a night out on the town with the Chamberlains! We are going to Cuba Libra (I have never been, but heard that it is fabulous!)..looking so very forward to celebrating with such sweet friends!

SOOOOO, as you can see, I had a beyond fabulous birthday this year! Thank you everyone for the birthday shout outs, wall posts, cards in the mail, calls, emails, etc...I love you all and thank you so very much for making me feel so very special and loved on my birthday!! I truly am beyond blessed to have each of you in my life!


Card from Drew: "I'm such a lucky man. Not only have I married the most loving, caring woman, but she's given me the most wonderful amazing life...There's no way I could show you just how much I love you...but I'll always keep trying."

Personal insert in card from Sister (I just had to share a few beyond precious ones):
Memories created and laughter shared...
1. Secrets we've kept - "Mellie I got a tattoo last night!", Letting me drive your new car at like age 13!
2. Dreams we've encouraged - Getting into A&M, You getting married
3. Milestones celebrated - Every birthday cause we KNOW how to celebrate those for like weeks, Growth in Christ
4. Challenges - Fights with friends (but realizing you are my true best friend!)
...you've been my very best friend through all life has to offer, and I love you so much!


I AM SO STINKIN BLESSED!

Taste The Rainbow

I have developed a love/hate relationship with these yummy little guys. Love them because they are so fabulously delicious. Hate them because before I know it I have eaten way more than I intended for my afternoon "sweet treat". I picked up a "fairly large" sized bag of these at Target last week and I am embarrassed to say that I have almost finished off the entire thing! (not in one setting though, I promise! AND I have shared a "few" of them with people at the office). All that to say, if you have not tried these, you must, they are delicious! Thank you Natalie Paige (we share a love for sweets) for introducing us :) Now, if you will excuse me, I must partake in my afternoon dose of crazies!

Daydreaming at Work

I'm working on a three-weekend-long "weekend wrap up"...but before I post it, can I just say that I want to go back here....

and drink one of these....

with all of them...

...and I would like to please be that tan again. Oh Mexico how I miss you!

ALERT: Gap Lovers

I went to Gap on my lunch hour today and much to my surprise, they are having a HUGE sale! 40% off all sale items and they are not picked over yet! HURRY!

I got:

Distressed jeans

Long Black cardigan

Black ruffle shirt

Graphic T-Shirt

Sweater for Drew

Long Sleeve Button Up for Drew

...ALL FOR $125! (including tax!)

Words Of Advice

So I'm not working from my building today and while in the restroom of the building that I am "guest" working out of, a sign stating the below was posted on the back of the stall door:

"If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie, wipe the seatie"

SERIOUSLY?! Did someone seriously post that up in a place of business?! I couldn't help but bust out laughing!

I Thought I Loved You Then....

I absolutly am in love with this precious Brad Paisley song right now:

I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mesmerized
And 3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 min to kiss goodnight
I hadn’t told you yet but I thought I loved you then

Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around
But I didn’t care I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then

Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I can just see you with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more
But I’ve said that before.

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in
And I'll look at you and say and I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then...

Big Happy Birthday Wishes

I have to take a moment to send a birthday shout out to my beautiful and fabulous sister who is 22 years old today! I love you little bit and I am so very blessed and proud to be your big sister and best friend. Happy happy birthday to you! May all of your wishes come true! MUAH from Dallas all the way to College Station!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Update on the Lipman's - Part III

This will be my third and final "update" post :) I think I have touched on all of the big things that have been taking place in our lives over the past couple of months except for one, which leads me to this post. :)

Part III: HOUSE HUNTING!

About a month ago, Drew and I began house hunting! We had been looking online for a while to see what we could expect to get within our price range and location choice and were ready to start looking in person. We made our list of "must haves" and "don't wants" and contacted our family realtor and dear friend, Sue Nelms.

I have to give a quick side note on Sue...if anyone is looking for a realtor I would highly highly recommend her! She has been wonderful to work with, is honest, has your best interest at heart, is knowledgeable, and so professional (and I'm not just saying that because I have known her almost my whole life and because she is my dear friend Natalie's mom) :) By working with Sue, our house hunting process was so easy, enjoyable, and blessed! Thank you so very much for your hard work!

So, after having in mind what we were looking for and looking at a good deal of homes in person, we found a house that we just loved and decided to put an offer on it! We were up against another offer, but due to our wonderful realtor and lender, we won! We have already been through inspection and appraisal and everything is going wonderfully! We close on October 26th and could NOT be more thrilled! We love this little home and absolutely can not wait to live life in it!

A quick breakdown on the house:

-Located in McKinney, Fisco ISD

-2,000 sq ft

-built in 2005

-2 story with Juliette balcony (don't have a picture of this, but love this feature!)

-3 bedrooms, 3 full baths

-built in entertainment center in the living room and built in desk area upstairs

-dinning room (we will be putting hardwoods down when we move in)

-great backyard

-close to community pool and park

....I could tell you more, but you get the idea already :)

Below are some pictures (pulled from the web so they are not the best and don't do the house justice). I can promise that once we move in I will post more!

...have missed you blog world! It's good to be back! :)

Update on the Lipman's - Part II

Happy Monday morning to you! I hope that everyone had a fabulous weekend....ours was rainy here in Dallas, but my sister was in town so it was a wonderful chance to spend catching up with her! Onto our next update....

Part II: Graduations, college life, birthdays, engagements, and weddings

Bekah graduated from high school (several months back now) and is getting all settled in up at OSU. She is just loving school and loving being a Chi-O! We are so very proud of you little one but miss seeing you all the time!

Mellie's boyfriend, Sean, graduated from A&M and is now in Med school at Tech. We had a wonderful time celebrating his graduation down in College Station! We are so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments! (even though you are at Tech...since it's not for undergrad, I guess we will cut you some slack) ;)

Reed and Jessica became Mr. and Mrs. Milliken this summer! We were so blessed to have shared in their special day with them! Boerne was such a precious little town...Drew and I enjoyed our little weekend get away so very much! Congrats you guys!

Beth and Travis got engaged!!!!!!! We could not be more excited for this precious pair! They have asked Drew to be a groomsman and me to be a bridesmaid...we are so very honored! Besides all of the planning that has already taken place, festivities will officially start October 3rd at their couples shower! Congrats a million times over, you two are a perfect match! (more updates to come as all of the events begin to take place!)

And because I have been so horrible with blogging, I have a ton of birthday shout outs...

Happy happy birthday to: My Aunt Steph, cousins Taylor and Haylee, LeAnn (Drew's mom), Bill (Drew's dad), Bekah (Drew's little sister), Beth (Drew's older sister), my loving handsome precious adorable HUSBAND! (welcome to 25!), Natalie, Jewels, and Lasen...three of my most favorite girls in the whole wide world, Sean (Mellie's bf) who turned 21! and my mom who turned the big 5-0! Fifty and fabulous! (I'm sure as soon as I hit post I will remember someone that I left off) I love each of you SO VERY MUCH and you all mean the world to me! Thank you to each of you individually for the special way that you have touched and continue to bless my life! Happy happy birthday!

...stay tuned for Part III!