27th + Luxe: Real Life

Showing posts with label Real Life. Show all posts

DREAM A LITTLE BIGGER

Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Do something creative, get some rest, and enjoy the time away from the hustle and bustle!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take some pictures of my little brother. He's almost 17 months (I always questioned the months thing before-like after 12 months just say "1"...but now I get it I think). And would you believe that I am the oldest and he was born the day after my birthday? A late birthday present that I was so happy to receive! His squishiness and giggles bring me so much joy!

LOVE OF MY LIFE

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about Aaron, the love of my life. We are literally in countdown mode for the big day and my love for him continues to grow!

I just wanted to share today how much I love this guy! Aaron and I have been in each other's lives since 2005 and I can't believe that we are going to be married on May 4th. Yikes! Valentine's Day, man-made holiday or not, gives me another reason to reflect on our relationship. I'm so happy and so blessed to have found my person.

Sigh...it's the start of another week...wonderful. Monday's suck. Period. I wanted to share a few highlights from my weekend because this is the first time in a good while that I've stepped outside of the house everyday of the weekend. I'll share more detail in another post. This weekend was filled with social outings, lot's of food because it's time to get into the routine of my healthy eating "diet" -so I had one last big hoorah. And, I took my beautiful mother out for brunch!

So with the wedding being about a good 3 months away (HOLY SMOKES!!) A and I have started to really discuss the merging of our finances.

I mentioned in this post that one of my goals this year is to save money, but I also want to eliminate some debt. I'm sure these goals are sitting on a lot of to-do lists this year! It's so important as a couple (God doesn't like debt!) and also for all the goals we have for our family, that we whittle away at this debt until it's gone and save some money too!

I stumbled across this article on The Everygirl and they highlighted some key finance resolutions for the new year (although these are great tips to follow all the time). One of the ones I liked was:

"Go nuts cutting your unnecessary costs."

I really feel like this is a definite area where we can focus a big part of our efforts! When it comes down to it, I feel like we could definitely live a lot simpler than we do now, and focus on meeting our basic needs rather than fulfilling our wants. I just gotta convince A... :)

Another blog I like to read is And Then We Saved, formerly "And Then She Saved". I love it because she went on a spending fast to get out of debt and then transitioned to a spending diet to save money and stay on track.

What are some ways that you/you + your boo have cut back and saved money? Don't be shy, sharing is caring!

GRADUATE SCHOOL

First of all yes, I need to clean my laptop screen. Second of all, I started grad classes this past Monday. YESSSS the end is near!! After this term, I have one term left and then I'll have my graduate degree, PRAISE JESUS!!

This semester I am taking Promotions Management and Product Management. Both classes are already in full swing with groups assigned for our projects and work due on Sunday. EEEK!!

Hahaha!! These chicks crack me up!!

{Weekend Fun!!}

I am so glad I took time off on Thursday last week and Monday. I was already off on Friday. The extra time on Monday gave me a chance to get a little rest, but Thursday through Sunday I was busy busy. My fiancé moved in, my sister graduated, she had a massive graduation party, and I had to do homework assignments and submit a final project. Even though I am still exhausted, I had a wonderful time with my family!

{Moving=Exhausted}

I spent my day moving-not moving myself, but moving my fiance to my place. Gotta do what you gotta do when you're footing the bill for your wedding. Needless to say, we've been at this all day. I have to get better about taking pictures-they would have been great for this post. I'm exhausted. This is the last time we are moving things on our own. When it is time to move into our first townhouse/home, we are hiring movers. The other part of this is that I had the great idea to re-do my apartment during his move in. I figured why not? Things are changing, this will be a perfect time to update the apartment.

Not to mention, my baby sister graduates from high school tomorrow. Perfect timing for this project, yaaaay me!! I'll be posting pics throughout the summer because I am feeling like it will take me that long to get done with wedding planning, grad school and a full time job. And, to top it off, my day is not done yet! I have to head over to my mom's house to help get ready for the graduation party tomorrow. This thing will last from 6p-1am. Whaaaaaaaat???!!!??? Back in my day, we had a two hour function and called it a night!!! And I'm not that much older than her!! But I am the oldest...and it's toughest for the oldest! The youngest kid gets away with murder. Just sayin!

Photo Credit:
I Am Fancy Pants

Snapshot: Adventures of A+K

What a lovely surprise from Aaron!

Snapshot: Family Time

Mom's Birthday Lunch!!

This was supposed to be a brunch, but the kabobs are just now making it to the grill. I can't wait! Good ole island food! Curry potatoes, plaintain, salt fish...YUM!!

Back Again!!

Well...this past semester of school was definitely a doozy!! I definitely had two of the most challenging courses in my graduate educational experience thus far. But, I made it through-I endured!! i am presently enjoying a little R&R before the next semester begins-a MUCH needed R&R!!

There have been so many changes since the last time I wrote!! My baby brother was born, we went on the family cruise, I GOT ENGAGED!!! and one of my baby sister's graduated college.

Next year will be even more intense!! I can't believe it's finally time to start planning a wedding. I purposely spent the last month just enjoying being engaged before I get the planning underway...I expect that to be very intense! The fiance and I are thinking about getting a wedding planner. I know I will need the help with a very demanding full time job and full time grad school. It will be much appreciated!! Pictures from the cruise to follow!!

A Better Me

Woooh!! My poor blog has been neglected!! I have to get better about this! I recently completed my second semester of grad school, I started a new job, I moved back to my hometown - there have just been a lot of great changes recently...and many surprises as well which brings me to the topic of this post.

Beginning... Sunday, September 9, 2012 I will be challenging myself to be a better me! To me that means doing what I can to be the person God wants me to be and who I want to be while I am on this earth. So that means spending more time with my loved ones now that I am back in town, being more willing...more confident in myself to take risks. That means being more service minded and finally it means being more healthy.

First I would like to say that I have no idea how women with families find enough time in the day!! I don't have a family and can't seem to find any time!! So, I have made myself a "schedule " that I will try to stick to during this journey and I will use this blog to chronicle some of that journey. I will also try to post about other topics for sure - I want this to be well rounded and insightful for my readers!!

Take Care xoxo Keizra

First Semester is OVA!!

I have officially completed the first semester of grad school…woo-hoo!! It has been an interesting semester! First of all, it’s been a major adjustment getting back into the mindset of having to come home and tackle school work and prioritize my time. It’s also been a major adjustment because I am enrolled in an online program AND I am working full-time. There are definitely differences between attending school online and within the classroom. I will say that my online program takes steps to give distance learners access to much of what the on-campus students are provided. A major disadvantage is not being able to participate in any organizations. But, on the upside I have learned so much because online programs really do require you to learn, understand AND retain the material. I’ve definitely been challenged!

I started my second semester yesterday…yikes!! No breaks :-( But, I won’t be in school for very long this way. Hopefully, I don’t get burned out!! I’ve already been able to apply some of what I have learned to my current job, and to my personal endeavors. I’m excited to see what type of opportunities I will have in the future as a result of my studies.

It's A Little Lady!!

Two weekends ago I had the privilege of co-hosting my beautiful homie’s baby shower! This time around she’s having a little ladybug. This is my first time seeing her pregnant, I missed her the last time around and she’s just so darn cute!! The venue was a nice little clubhouse out in Fresno, TX. It was a beautiful shower filled with lots of love! I especially loved that the games we played for the shower were all meaningful and things that she could take home with her for her daughter. We decorated onesies and made a nursery rhyme book –both were super cute!! We also made a board filled with blessings and well wishes for her little bundle of joy. I’m so happy for my homie and her family. And, I’m especially excited to meet her little love bug, Naomi!!

Update

I recently started a Master of Science in Marketing degree program. I have had to hit the ground running!! There’s no easing into it like undergrad. Thankfully, I’ve learned that after all this time away from school, I still have some smarts left in me! I am meeting with my advisor on Friday to talk about possible getting a dual degree. The second degree would be my MBA. Right now I am trying to decide if my specialization should be Entrepreneurship or Sustainability and Environmental Compliance. I am currently leaning towards Sustainability. I just feel as though I’ll have more options after I graduate with this degree. And, I think both options go well with the MS degree. Time will tell…I gotta get my mind right though-that’s a long time to be in school *gulp*.