I Thought I Saw A Shark: Gulf Shores

I seriously thought I saw two sharks...and you can bet I was the crazy person sprinting through the water trying to get away from Jaws as quick as possible. 

I don't drink beer, but I had to get a picture of this.

Come to find out it was "just some stingrays," as Chris said. Yuuuhh, like that makes me feel better. Doesn't he know Steve Irwin died from a sting ray? I am not 'bout to take a chance. Call me a chicken, but I am not the biggest fan of swimming in the ocean.

Once a kid, always a kid. I love this man.

With that being said, our vacation was, as expected, wonderful. Who doesn't like waking up everyday, brushing your teeth (if you remember), stuffing your face with sugary cereal, and walking down to the beach for a full day of sun, sand, and relaxation. 

This was my first time to visit Gulf Shores and it was just as expected, beachy. To be completely honest though....I would drive the 100 extra miles and go back to Seaside, Florida. I went there for my senior trip after high school and the water was crystal blue and the town was so quaint and perfect. If I am going to the beach I really need the crystal clear water and Gulf Shores just didn't have that (maybe they do sometimes, but they didn't while we were there).
Our resort was perfect, though. It had different activities each night and numerous pools to swim in (when I had enough of the ocean!). Our condo had a beach and pool view and I could have stayed on that balcony forever if someone would have let me. 
The best part of the whole trip, okay I have two best parts, was eating the best crab of my life and jet-skiing in the ocean. I have had crab hundreds of times, but this crab, WOW, it was two crabby pounds of perfection and I scarfed every last bit of it. Usually I dunk each hunk in the melted butter, but this was seasoned so well that my hips got a break from me packing in the butter and I was able to enjoy the crab just as it was served! 

Chris and I, his sister, and her boyfriend.

Now for the jet-skiing. As I made clear above, I am not a fan of swimming in the ocean unless I can see what is about to eat me. Chris got strict orders (and maybe I threatened him a bit as well...) to not let me fall off the jet-ski under any circumstance. He came close once and I think I scared him enough for him to take me seriously. I got a good yell out when he proclaimed, "Babe! We hit 46mph." After I came down from the freaking clouds because he bounced me so high, I let him have it. Other than that, it was SO fun. I love the beach for about a day and then I need something active to do, and this was the perfect solution!!

Just me and Laurs being touristy...

Between the pina coladas, sleeping in, getting tan burnt to a crisp, and quality time with the love of my life and his family, I'd say this trip was a success!  
I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend!
PS: Come back Monday when I reveal some exciting news!! 

What do I blog?

After taking a break the past couple weeks to focus on work I thought a lot about blogging.
Why do I blog?
I blog because I love the interaction with the nicest people ever. Some of the people I have met in person are turning out to be life long friends. It is truly an amazing thing how this little slice of cyber-space has led me to the most amazing people. 
I blog to keep our family updated on our life. I got a Facebook message a while back from my SIL. She said, "Tax season is annoying me...you don't post as many bloggies and then I feel disconnected from you!!" Point proven. My Dad called me the other day and told me it was my fault he didn't go to bed until one in the morning because he was hooked on reading my posts. That made me smile so big. 
I blog because it is fun. It is my space and I can do with it as I please. That leads me into another topic.
Why I am hesitant about somethings...
I am always so honored to be asked to swap buttons or sponsor someone. That is what blogging is all about, right? Well, let me say something loud and clear: if you ever, ever want to to promote something for you, give you a shout out, or help you grow your blog in any way I would love to. With that being said, I am just not at a point in my life where I want to turn this blog into something I have to do. I don't want to have to post, have to do give-aways, have to host WIWW, have to do a sponsor post, have to have to have to. I just want to do it if I want to.
When I started getting more page views (I use page views because followers isn't an accurate gauge on your traffic) I was forcing myself to post left and right. It was my priority. I was staying up until ungodly hours to ensure I had a post out the next day. I loved knowing people were reading what I wrote. Who doesn't love that feeling? Then I started realizing my priorities were all sorts of turned around. 
Do I love blogging, getting sent free glasses and clothes to review, meeting people, and sharing my life? Yes, absolutely. But I never, ever want this little piece of internet to feel like a full time job. I have a husband and two furbabies that are my priority. 
This post is in no way saying I am taking a break from blogging. It is more as a vent for me to let new bloggers, old bloggers, people who want to blog know to never get your priorities out of line.
One day blogging will be a thing of the past, much like records or beanie babies. When that day comes, I will be so thankful I have this piece of my life documented. 

WIWW Link Up + Randomness

So sorry for the late post!  We just rolled in from vacation last night and I had no motivation to get on the computer. I don't have an outfit, but I will make it up to you next week!! Randoms: - I am so happy to be back from vacation. My bed, my shower, my stuff. Ahhh! - I sure do miss all the seafood, though... - I am burnt. - The Bachelorette this season seems sorta-kinda lame-o. RULES: - All I ask is you link back to my blog  - Write about something fashion related (accessories, shoes, modeling, make-up, etc.) - Invite other bloggers to link up via social media! - And go meet people! Please!
And if you're feeling up to it, you can follow me:
Instagram @SarahTuckerUp Twitter @MrsSarahTucker

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So and Rolled Up Pretty!

Inappropriate Shirt on National TV

Inappropriate is an understatement. Way to go CNN, way to go!
I took this picture of the TV as Chris, my Dad, and I were watching the coverage of the Moore tornado. Sure did make us laugh in a moment of sorrow!

I have seen this freakingamazinglydelicious stuff everywhere. Blogs, Instagrams, Facebooks...I knew I needed to dip my little toe (not literally) into that Gelato pool.
One little toe-in-the-Gelato pool later and I was about 1,400 calories deep. Sorry I'm not sorry. I have had Gelato so many times, but being able to have the magic in your home is, well, magical!

I have some incredible exciting news to share with y'all when the deets are all straightened out! For now, I can just share with you this precious message my husband left me :)

Andddd by the time you read this I will (hopefully) be half-way to Gulf Shores, AL for a five days of sun, salt, sand, and a whole lotta nothing! Vacation summer 2013 is in full effect!

I managed to pack all of our stuff in this one carry-on bag. I am really learning how to be a minimalist. And to be honest, we are staying in a condo with a washer and dryer, so we can wash clothes if we need to. Also, we are going to the beach...what more do I need to pack than bathing suits, a couple sundresses, andddd ya, that's about it!

Hope you have an amazing holiday weekend! I can't wait to recap my trip when I get back!
Be safe errrbody!

Peek Inside Our Home {Living Room Update}

Ever since we moved into our house last April, our TV has been sitting on an old desk. Total buzz kill. 

Chris and I had talked about whether or not we wanted to invest thousands of dollars getting a built in entertainment center, buy a superrrr nice entertainment center, or chancing an IKEA entertainment center.

At the end of the day we realized we may have a few more years in this house until we move closer to Chris's work, and probably upsize because I will be dying for babies at that point. Real-talk. We thought that sinking thousands into an entertainment center that a) we might not be able to take with us if we got it built in, or b) might not have a spot at our future home, was not a good investment.

Enter in this three piece entertainment center from the one and only, IKEA! Chris is soooo skeptical of IKEA. He thinks it is cheap and doesn't want our home to look "collegish." After much (much) convincing, I got him on board!

We are absolutely thrilled with how it turned out!

I haven't quite gotten around to filling in all the frames...but congrats to that couple who, "together, has it all!"

We love that the three pieces are separate, so if there isn't room or a need for this entertainment center in our next house, we can split up the pieces and use them in different places throughout the house.

We went with a combination from the Hemnes family at IKEA. Since the pieces come separately  you can sort-of custom make how you want it to look.

Have you done any updates to your home lately? Do you have an entertainment center from IKEA? I would love to hear how it holds up throughout the years!

Happy Thursday!

WIWW: Stripe Obsession, Randoms, and Link Up

Has anyone noticed that no matter what way you turn, there are stripes? 
Black and white stripes Colorful stripes Wide stripes Skinny stripes Stripes, stripes, stripes!
A couple weekends ago at my SIL's graduation party, this is what happened:

The majority of the peeps at the par-tay were all zebra-ed out!

It was a slight joke....at first. Then, when every other person entering the door had stripes on, it was fantastic. There is actually one guy who isn't pictured; he had a red and navy striped polo on.

See what I mean people?! Stripes!

I have been scouring the streets of Pinterest looking for some stripe inspiration and here is what I have found. 

Ummm I wear a small if anyone wants to send me this dress. I have a lot of weddings and showers to go to this summer...justified?

The perfect casual combination for an almost-summer outfit!

Give me some bug-eyed glasses and call me Jackie O. This dress is so chic!

A maxi...need I say more?

Such a classic combination.

This is probably my most favoritest outfit of them all. I mean sparkles, stripes, and floral? Ahhh, perfection!

And we can't forget about this beauty. Tie a hot pink scarf onto that bad boy and helloooo spring-time!

What trends are you loving these days?
And onto the normal Wednesday randomness:
- Not really random, but prayers are still being said for Moore, Ok.
- I made a crock pot meal off Pinterest last night. Epic fail. I made the Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken and it was not good at all. Bland and boring. Oh well!
- I currently have a party of zits on my face...maybe it has something to do with my unusually high intake of sugar lately. Thank you, Sea Salt Caramel Gelato, thank you. 
- I bought lettuce in hopes of eating more salad. I had to throw it away last night because it went bad. Whomp whomp.
- I have some exciting news in the weeks to come!! I know that is a total tease, but depending on some happenings today, I might be able to blab the news very soon!!
Now onto the WIWW Link Up!
RULES: - All I ask is you link back to my blog  - Write about something fashion related (accessories, shoes, modeling, make-up, etc.) - Invite other bloggers to link up via social media! - And go meet people! Please!
And if you're feeling up to it, you can follow me:
Instagram @SarahTuckerUp Twitter @MrsSarahTucker

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So, Rolled Up Pretty, Get Your Pretty On, and The Pleated Poppy!

Glued

  All day long I have been glued to the TV watching the tragedy unfold in Oklahoma.   Being just a couple hours south of all this devastation really, honestly, scares the crap out of me. Then seeing that today Oklahoma and the DFW metroplex is due for severe storms, geeezzz Mother Nature. Can you let up just a little, please? As I sit here and type this I am listening to the wind whistle and the rain pour down. I am glued to the radar and am prepared to toss myself and the pups in the bathtub at a moment's notice.  The  TV satellite is out and it is moments like this when I can really stop and appreciate the life I have been given. I will sit here and pray for those hurt in yesterday's tornadoes, as well as pray for everyone suffering right now.  Life is so precious. #prayforOK Have a blessed Tuesday, and hug those loved ones a little tighter. I know I will.  

 

drink your water over the edge of the bed

  Friday started out with a visit to the Massey house. I can't ever pass up a date with this baby, her twin sister, and their momma. Chris was golfing on Saturday morning so I got to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee in bed with no interruptions. Except Wrigley can't ever keep his mouth shut :) Saturday afternoon was spent with me besites getting pampered and then divulging in all the goodness the Taste of Addison had to offer.   I have kept the color Lucky Lucky Lavender stocked in my cabinet for years now. Lately, though, I have seen everyone wearing it! It is still my fave. It's a perfect summer-time color!  Texas didn't bother bringing the heat on Saturday afternoon. It was around 92! I know I was begging for it to get warmer, but in typical Texas fashion, we either have freezing cold weather, or burning hot weather. Let's just say my hair went into this ponytail approximately .25 seconds after we got out of the car. Luckily there were plenty of samples of margaritas to cool me off. There were tons of restaurants from around the Dallas metroplex, but I decided on Manny's beef tacos for lunch. They did not disappoint!

Saturday night Chris and I had dinner with some friends and then I convinced him to take me to the mall to buy my tennis shoes I have been wanting for-ev-errrrr! I decided on these beauties! They are really more of a light mintish-blue color with a coral sole. I adore them, and so do my tooties. 

And now for my story. 

Saturday night, at approximately 1:45AM I woke up to go use the restroom. I got back into bed and reached for my glass of water to take a sip before sweetly difting off back into a slumber when all of a sudden Chris decided to roll over. He knocked the entire glass of water out of my hand and all over him and our bed. Explicit words were shouted as Chris (poor guy) shot out of bed and was now fully awake. He graciously went and grabbed a dry set of sheets, we made the bed, and everything was taken care of. 

The only problem was that I could not fall back asleep. I asked Chris if he would mind if I turned the TV on and he said he didn't mind...then two minutes later he said it was really bothering him. So, I went into the living room and ended up watching Say Yes to the Dress until 4:30AM. I have never stayed up that late in my entire life!

At that time I decided I should try to fall asleep so I went back into the bedroom and Chris's alarm clock went off at 5:00AM because he was covering a shift for the plant supervisor that day.

Needless to say my sleep schedule was whacked out all day. I ended up sleeping in until 9:30AM, thank goodness.

So, that was my lame story. Lesson learned: drink your water over the edge over the bed...

How was your weekend??

Linking up with Leeann, Sami and Meg! 

 

I Love My Weirdo {A Video}

Why Wrigley does this every. single. morning. when I wake up beats me. He has already gone outside to pee, he isn't hungry...oh wait, I know what it is...

I am not paying him enough attention. Excuse me fur-Prince Wrigley whom ruleth thy Tucker Castle. Your peasant mother just rolled out of bed and is searching for her spectacles and slippers. Give her a moment to pee and brush her teeth, then she will be ready to tackle the day and cater to your every need, you little neglected pup you.  

Bailey, on the other hand paw, is not a morning person pup. That girl can give a puppy stank eye like I have never seen before. So while her brother whales his neglect for all the neighborhood to hear (the dog next door starts barking every morning when Wrigley does this), she lays on her bed, eyes shielded from the light as though her beauty sleep fairy has not awoken her yet. Two words: Prima donna.  

On-to some Friday talk.

Tonight we are having dinner with our neighbors who are expecting their first baby in June. To say I am excited is an understatement. A baby. Next door. Who I can play with and love on without having to pay for or wake up with at all hours of the night, ahhhh. 

Saturday one of my besties and I are meeting my cousin and his gang at the Taste of Addison. I have never been before, but all I know is that it is all about food...so naturally, I'm there.

Sunday I hope we have nothing planned. And if we do, I forgot to put it on my trusty calender. I guess when you forget to put something on your calender that means you're technically free that day, right? 

Maybe I can finally drag Chris to the mall to buy those tennis shoes I have been needing that he promised I could get for my MBA graduation. I could have gotten them 500 times by now, but he insists he has to be with me so he can buy them. "Awee he is so sweet..." I agree ladies, but my card swipes moo-lah out of the same account his done and given that I just remembered he has to (randomly) work on Sunday, it looks like I am headed to the mall by me lonesome, or Chris better meet me there in spirit. 

What are you plans this weekend? Thanks for all the great book suggestions! I can't wait to waste countless hours at Barnes and Noble searching though all you recommendations!

Have a perfect weekend!    

Adventures in Hotlanta

Remember when I went with Chris to Georgia for a conference he had? Oh, you don't remember? No worries, I hardly do either.
We stayed at the Omni at the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. It was the perfect location with so much to do.
I toured the CNN Headquarters (which were attached to our hotel), the World of Coca-Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium.
You could only take pictures in certain areas of the CNN Center, so today I am showing you the World of Coca-Cola and the few pics I have of the CNN Center. The Georgia Aquarium deserves a post of its own!
Oh emm geee. If anyone knows me and my fam-bam, they know we LOVE our Coke. I was basically in soda heaven.
Oh and just for the record, I toured all these places by myself. Some people are not comfortable going places by themselves, but me, I really enjoy some alone time with me, myself, and I :)
Here are some pictures from my trip, if you would like to see...

Here goes the beginning of a lot of "selfies." Yay, for me.

The Red Hat Ladies kept me company. We are riding up the world's longest free standing escalator. It goes up eight stories!

In the picture above is the CNN Center. Where all those people are there used to be an ice skating rink. They got rid of that and instead made it a food court. This was so convenient because I never had to leave the hotel to go get food. And an added bonus; there was a delicious ice cream place. They had the best Banana Pudding Ice Cream. I might have had it three times, but don't tell anyone, okay?

This was in the entrance to the World of Coca-Cola. I adored all the colors and uniqueness of all the bottles.

The item above is the oldest Coca-Cola piece in their museum. Wayyy back when, the Coke syrup was in the bowl at the top. Customers would buy cups of carbonated water and the pharmacist would dispense one ounce of syrup into the carbonated water. Bam, Coke. If you wanted ice cold Coke, each ice cube was $.01. That's right, you had to pay for ice. Once cup of Coke was $.05.

This here, ladies and gents, is Coca-Cola heaven. Welcome to the tasting room, home to over 60 different flavors of Coke products from around the world. Let's just say I was on a major sugar high when I left this place. 

This was my favorite Coke product from around the world. Smart Apple is found in China! Yum!

They warned us that the Beverly was the most talked about soda. No freaking kidding, that shizzz was nasty!! After I fell victim to the gross-ness of that Italian beverage, I hung out in that area to witness the hilarious reactions other people had. It was quite entertaining. Has anyone ever tried this? If you think it is good I am going to have to say you have no taste buds.

This will always be my numero uno.

You got to pick your own Coke as you walked out. They were bottled right there in the heart of the World of Coca-Cola!

So there ya have it. My trip to Atlanta was a success just based off of this post. But stick around for a tour of the most amazing aquarium I have ever been to!

Have you ever been here?? Did you like it? 

Have a great day!