BEST DAY EVER- More Surprises

If you haven't already, be sure to check out yesterday's post of the actual proposal.

As you now know... Joey and I got engaged on Saturday on the top of the lighthouse. We also hired a photographer to capture the exact moment!

We walked back down the freezing 218 steps to the ground, where we were able to take pictures on the beach and jetty. Here are some of our favorites!

While on our little photo shoot, my parents showed up! We finished up with the photographer and were walking to the car when Joe's dad and fiance came walking into the park. anddd in the parking lot was his mom and her boyfriend. We stood there and talked for a bit and decided to go grab a drink since our dinner reservations weren't for another hour. At five Joe rushed us all out to get to the other side of the island for our reservations. He made me walk in first and was greeted by some of our best friends and family. That's when it all hit me and I started crying. I was so unbelievably overwhelmed by all the love shown to us and that Joe planned this best day ever!

We partied with friends and family all night and it truly was a day I will NEVER forget!

BEST DAY EVER- The proposal

Radio silence may have taken over this weekend but I promise for good reasons! This Saturday Joe and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary and it was literally the best day of my life.. Why you ask? Well if you follow me on instagram  then you already know our exciting news.. WE GOT ENGAGED!!!! So today I want to share with you the amazing story of how Joe actually proposed!

Long Beach Island in NJ holds a special place in our hearts. The family shore house we try to visit every weekend we can in Summer is just a hop, skip and boat ride across the bay away. I always thought it would be so romantic to get engaged at the top of the Barneget Lighthouse on the island.. but always figured that would be just tucked away in the back of my head. Well until Saturday... We started off the weekend by driving down to the shore house in a snow storm- yes end of March and we received 6 inches of snow. So even thought that put a damper on our weekend, we stopped at a mall on the way and I stuffed my face with a large piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, which made the night so much better! Once we got down there it was after 10 so we decided to cozy up on the couch and watch some TV. Waking up Saturday morning with the sun beaming in the windows and my weather app informing me it would be high 50's was just what I needed. We got ready for the day and headed out to our little bagel shop for some quality breakfast. I wanted to go to the island to some boutiques I love that just happened to be opening that day for the season! and off we went.. who would have thought when we got back to the house I would be engaged!

We got to the island around 11 and went to the block of boutiques to find out some of them didn't open yet.  I think at this point Joey was freaking out since he had a strict schedule to stick to! But he made up for the time with three trips back and forth to Wawa to use the restroom and grab snacks.. I knew someone couldn't pee that much especially not drinking any water!!!  After shopping the south side of the island we decided to head to the north side (where the Lighthouse is) to look for an antique store I wanted to visit. Apparently, Joey already knew where it was and that it was going to be closed Saturday, but for the sake of time sent us on a goose chase trying to find it!

After finding out the antique shop was closed still for the season, we headed to the lighthouse, since I wanted beach pictures. Mind you it was still freezing even though the temp's said it was 46 degrees, Joe insisted we walk the beach walk to the end pier. Now that my hands were numb and nose may have broken off, we climber the lighthouse. You could see my breath as we headed up the 218 steps but we did it anyway.  We finally reached the top to be greeted by so many people.  We walked around the top to look at all angles of the beach and bay. Joe started telling me a story to remember  a couple years ago when we saw a rock formation in the sand of a proposal someone did at the lighthouse. Next thing I know Joe is on one knee (in the only place on the top that still had snow!!!) and pulled out a little ring box. He was crying, I was tearing up.. a photographer was snapping pictures. It all happened soooo fast. Me being me, of course wanted to make sure the photographer was with us, so that some random guy wasn't taking my picture! To make this proposal even more special, he gave me my grandmother's ring that I adored! I was beeming and could not stop smiling!

Check out the rest tomorrow to find out the rest of our amazing story!

Summertime Dreaming

When I say I am so ready for summer, I have never meant it more! As I sit at my desk and type this, I am listening to the local news station give their snow amount calls for a storm we are getting here in PA tomorrow. I AM SO OVER IT!

Some of you who may live in warm weather may be thinking right now but the snow is pretty and you would love to see some snow. Yes, the snow is pretty when it's falling so gently. Or when it's the first snow fall of the season and it coats the ground. It's also pretty when it snows on Christmas Eve or Day. However, when the snow started in November and is still snowing at the end of March.. You would be in the same boat too.  

So with a little help of an Ocean Breeze candle, I am trying to escape the freezing temps surrounding me and the forecast of more snow! I also decided to whip up a favorite summer drink and put an umbrella in it. Hey, a girl can dream!

I was lucky enough to review the Ocean Breeze scent from Jackpot Candles and fell in love with it. The jar is so large and the scent carried through the whole house. Best part every candle comes with a special surprise jewelry!

Simply burn the candle until you see the tiny foil wrapper floating in your candle. Blow out candle and immediately use tongs to remove foil. Let sit until cool and unwrap your surprise

Go on the Jackpot Candle website and find out how much your piece is worth. Every piece is worth $15.00-$5,000.00

I got this adorable butterfly pendant in my candle.  It is a little short on me and not really my style, but I gave it to my god daughter and she LOVED it! 

This post was sponsored by Jackpot Candles and I have received this candle as compensation for it. All opinions are my own!

Easy Easter Decor

Today I'm bringing you an easy DIY that is cheap and you can use for all seasons! Just simply change out the decor that's inside the latern

This lantern was originally a centerpiece from a wedding my parents attended, but I also saw them at Christmas Tree Shops for about $10 each. 

 I found these glittered eggs on sticks for $1.00/package at my local dollar store. They come in stripes and plain and small, medium and large sizes. 

I simply popped out the sticks on the larger eggs and cut the strings on the small ones. Arranged them into the lantern and done!

How simple is this DIY! It adds color to any space and the pastel colors are very chic.

(Note: this lantern used 3 large packs of  eggs and 1 pack of small eggs to fill it up 1/2 way)

BEAN boots

Last weekend some friends and I went on a 'Ski' Trip. I use the word 'ski' in quotes because well.. there wasn't that much skiing done! I had every intention to do some winter activities like snow tubing and sip on hot cocoa by the fire outside, but then it started snowing and sleeting hard. There was NO WAY JOSE i was gonna be out in the cold and sleet for fun, so I had the brilliant idea of making a spa appointment Saturday morning. Well so did everyone else.. so that idea was out. I must say it was quite a relaxing weekend of not working on any orders, no cheerleading practices, or cleaning the house. Just me, the bottle of wine and some of my friends.

One thing I do regret from last weekend is I didn't get to wear my new LL Bean Bean Boots, but no worry friends we had a snow storm Tuesday & more yesterday.. so I am getting my money's worth!

These boots can look very manly and not dressy if not styled properly. So today I'm introducing you to a new series I would like to call How to Style:

Today let's take a look at the ever popular LL Bean boots!

Denim- American Eagle

Sweater- Old Navy

Socks- Free People

Boots- LL Bean

Necklace- unknown

Jacket- Jcrew

Bag- Target (old)

Gloves- Target

Simplifying Life | A Peony Project Link- Up

Lately I've been feeling over worked, under appreciated and stressed to the max I can take. Just the other night I was working on a project for a friends wedding and was almost in tears because I couldn't figure out how to make something work. See my problem with all the extra work I take on is that I am too quick to say 'YES' to a project before actually figuring out how to make it happen. As my mom says.. no matter what I do, I always 'make it work' and it looks great.. but then again, that's my mom talking and who knows if that's the truth.

When I saw this link up prompt  with the Peony Project I knew this was my chance to sit back and take a look at my actions. Instead of stressing about work, life, projects, relationships, everything.. try to find the simplicity in it. I need to stop stressing about the small stuff. This Spring I want to make every effort to simplify not only my work but the way I do things and live. Why does one person need to have 5 black sweaters that all fit the same way? Instead of jumping right away to say 'YES', let me say, 'well let me see if my schedule allows and what is involved in it'  Spring cleaning will have a new meaning this year.

Do you plan on coming up a Spring cleaning plan? Are you trying to live more simply? If so.. how do you plan on doing that?

The Guys Behind The Blog | February Link Up

Today I'm joining in with Betsy from Heavens to Betsy for another addition of the link- up called The Guys Behind The Blog. I really enjoy this, because for once the guy who is responsible for helping me with my posts like taking outfit pictures, helping me cook a new recipe or just there to calm me down when there is so much on my to do list; is in the lime light! So here, for your reading pleasure today is Joe..

Me:  If you could write a book, what topic would you write about and why?
Joe: I would write a book about beer. I enjoy learning about beer- I guess I should mention that I sell craft beer for a living!

Me: What is one thing on your bucket list, or one thing that you'd like to do or accomplish in your lifetime?

Joe: I'd like to travel to Europe, Italy specifically. My grandparents are from Italy so I would love to see where they grew up. 

Me: If you could look out your window and only see one view for the rest of your life, what would you want to see?
Joe: Definitely the beach.  I would love a nice ocean front property. That would be perfect!
Me:  Imagine you're opening a shop.  what are you selling?
Joe: I have a lot of shops I would like to open, but the first one would be a craft beer six pack shop. Possibly sandwiches too!
Me: If you could have 50lbs of anything other than money, what would it be?
Joe: Since I can't have 50lbs of money, I'll take 50lbs of gold or diamonds.. (he's a clever one!)

Me: Time to brag on your girl...tell us one thing that makes you proud of your girlfriend? 
Joe: She is one of the most caring, thoughtful people I know.  I wouldn't ask for anything more in a girlfriend. (Tears)

So until next time friends.. Thanks for stopping by!