What's Up Wednesday!

Wednesday! 

We're halfway there!

On the last Wednesday of the month I link up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel for

"WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY!"

Be sure you check them out too!

1. What I'm eating...

I made this dish for Easter Sunday lunch. I've made it a couple of times before for Boyfriend, so I branched out and made it for Dad this time. Dad isn't a spinach/mushroom kind of guy - he's a down-home meat and potatoes kind of boy!, but he really enjoyed this. It's simple, too. Bake the chicken, sautee the spinach and mushrooms in olive oil and spread it over the chicken and cover it all in parmesan and cheddar!

And I'm still hanging in there on Nutrisystem.

Yay.

2. What I'm reminiscing about...

My baby turned 8. 

And I've only had him two of those years. Geez, I love that little guy!

3. What I'm loving...

How many of you can take those pictures in your yard?

Okay, I took them in Dad's, but it's SPRING!!!!

4. What I'm up to...

I got the biggest laugh out of this meme for some reason! 

It's crunch time. I have papers due every other day (on death - a topic I am now an expert on...NOT!...among others) and tests, Tests, TESTS! 

Gotta love grad school!

5. What I'm dreading...

See #4 above!

6. What I'm working on...

Again, see #4. Do you want to read the papers or something? Move along!

7. What I'm excited about...

Peanut and I have been running almost every single day, and yes, it is something I'm excited about. My auto-immune thyroid condition makes my metabolism all but extinct, so it's nearly impossible for me to lose weight, but P and I are pushing through!  Or I am...

He gets carried after about half a mile and dropped off while I continue on without him.

8. What I'm watching/reading...

So when I first started this book I decided it was pretty wack and was over it - but then I couldn't put it down! It's no literary masterpiece, nor is it great, but it's one that you get sucked into and have to keep reading to find out what's going to happen. Has anyone else read Miss Peregrine? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

My friend Laura loaned me this series because I'm simply curious about it. Has anyone else read it?

I just bought this Jennifer Weiner book, and I'm looking forward to reading it!

I've been trying to read more classical books and others that you are just supposed to read at some point in your life. This is awful. Who suggested we should all read this?

Moving along...

I am loving Fuller House! I'm a little over halfway done. What are y'all's thoughts so far?

Mer is coming back for a Season 13.  I love me some Grey's!

And I'm still working my way through all 9 seasons of OTH on Netflix. I have always loved this show. What should I binge watch next? I need some suggestions.

9. What I've been listening to...

I've been jamming to some 90s pop/rock while getting ready in the morning. Memories!

10. What I'm wearing...

So y'all know I'm a big fan of Sheaffer Told Me To, and purchase a lot of the things she commands recommends. I have totally fallen in love with the Lush brand from Nordstrom. She calls the shirt I'm wearing below her "Must Have" shirt and I  know why. It's the perfect length, fit, and comfort!

Lush "Perfect" Shirt

I have the bordeaux and the olive from the picture above. 

I also really love the short sleeve version w/o the pocket. It's a little shorter with the same fit and feel.

I have three...

Here I am in the olive...

Lush Cuff Sleeve Tee

I also have the bordeaux in this one too, and the ivory. 

That's about it for me today. I don't have much to do this weekend except write a paper on apostolic creeds in the first century church, and I probably just lost some of you there! I hope you have a great rest of the week!

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March Book Review!

I've done a lot of reading this month, but seven of the books I have read before!

I started thinking about how I haven't read The Selection Series in forever, so I started book one and then had to read books two and three.

After that I did the same with the Pretty Little Liars Books 1-4. I suppose I will read a couple more next month. I think there are sixteen total? 

Anyway, I did read two new books in the Christian Inspiration genre. The first was ok, the second...meh. I guess that's what I get after reading those 7 page turners above!

Every Day a Friday

I'm not a huge Osteen fan theologically, but he is a good writer. I've read one of his before, and I was expecting this one to be really good too. We all need a little encouragement on how to live happier lives, right? This one got a little redundant, unfortunately. Have you read any Osteen books that you would recommend?

The Counsel of Heaven on Earth

I picked this book primarily because it was on the list of books I had to choose from for a book review. The first third was actually quite good. Then it got boring. Paper is written. Book is shelved. For life.

The Selection Series

I love The Selection, and I'm soon to purchase the next two in the series. I've been waiting for them to go in paperback format. These page turners are easy to read, in a day if you can! You are just totally entranced by the story of America who is picked to join the Selection for a chance at being the Princess. It's like the Bachelor + royalty. You're sure to love them all!

Pretty Little Liars Books 1-4

I read these books 5+ years ago, and since the TV show is almost at its end (next season will be the last!) I thought I'd reread one. Or 4. If you love the show, you'll like the books, but don't try to compare them. The stories are different, but the characters are the same. It's like two PLL storylines! It can't get any better than that!

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What have you been reading lately? Let me know in the comments!

Let's Talk - About Mom!

Happy Monday!

Today we are linking up with Andrea and Erika for their monthly

"Let's Talk..."!

This month we're talking about...

Mom!

My mother's story is quite unique. Sad. Funny... Like I said, unique. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in her early 40s due to some odd motor skill impairments and detachment. However, she never really experienced any memory loss which is classic Alzheimer's. After many years of questions, and let's be honest, resentment, we found out that she did not have Alzheimer's. She actually has Vascular Dementia. I will spare you the scientific details, but I will just say this is stroke induced - and we never knew she had a stroke! I began losing my mother at the early age of 14, and I've been one of her primary caregivers ever since. 

My sweet mom and baby JC in 1984! I still look just like that without makeup on!

Here we are together for Easter 1987. She rocked the 70s and 80s fashion!

It doesn't get any sweeter than this!

In 2010 my mother was no longer able to walk or bear weight at all. It was actually her idea for us to put her in our local nursing home so she wouldn't be a burden on us. She was never a burden, but we did place her due to the fact that we couldn't pick her up every time she needed it. She was a dead lift. Fortunately, our local nursing home is VERY nice, clean and loving. You can read more about my mother's journey with her unique form of dementia in detail here.

Mom gets to attend our community "Senior Prom" yearly, and this theme was a sock hop! She won best costume, and since it was her birthday, the swing band actually sang "Happy Birthday, Karen" to her! She had a blast!

Just sitting around taking selfies!

Her facility is so pretty. Don't you like that wall color? So soothing.

Here we are at her family Thanksgiving lunch!

Mom was elected Queen this year, and here she is with Daddy at her coronation ceremony waiting to be crowned! 

She always knew she was the queen, but now she has the crown to prove it!

The whole Monroe family - including Peanut! - Christmas 2015!

(Gotta love south Mississippi. We can wear t-shirts and shorts on Christmas Day...)

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I hope you enjoyed "Let's Talk" today! I just love my sweet mama, so I'm glad I could share a little about her with you! I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, my Friends! 

I hope you all have a blessed day with your family and friends and remember the true meaning of today!

***I thought you might enjoy my Easter Throwback here!***

Links to Love!

One of the many things that brings me daily happiness is blogging. Not just writing to you, but reading other blogs as well. They inspire and encourage me, and that's my goal with VH too; to inspire and encourage each of you to find the happiness in your everyday.

I wanted to do a quick round-up of some of my favorite blogs. I have so many! How to choose?

By doing a link post every month to share the love!

(You can see my last two Links to Love posts here and here!)

Here are some of my current favs:

1. Modern Mrs. Darcy

I love Modern Mrs. Darcy because she's just an every day gal who loves to read! It's as simple as that. Anne at MMD gives reading lists and challenges and she encourages you to read books that you might not normally pick up. 

2. Hi Sugarplum

I've been reading Hi Sugarplum for years! I just love Cassie's style, both fashion and home. Just look at her living room above! Amazing colors and textures. I have a major crush on her home. Cassie is also witty to boot, and she will make you fall in love with her too!

3. Cupcakes and Cashmere

I have been reading Emily's blog  Cupcakes and Cashmere since it came out. She shares the perfect mix of fashion, home, food... The package deal. Emily wears things that are just so girly and delicate. I know you will love her too!

4. Following the Blonde

Another Emily I think you'll enjoy is Emily Grace at Following the Blonde. She's cute and stylish and everything she wears is still affordable. I really appreciate bloggers like her. Emily Grace manages to look expense while being affordable for every day gals like you and me. Be sure to check her out!

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What are some of your favorite daily reads? Let me hear from you in the comments! 

Show and Tell Tuesday - Mixed Tape Songs of My Life!

Happy Tuesday, my friends!

Today I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci for one of my favs...

Show and Tell Tuesday!

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This week we are sharing what would be a mix tape of the songs of our lives! So much fun!

If you're new to Vogue Happiness  you'll see that I've done a similar post for my Just Me, JC series recently about my Life Playlist, and you can find it here. 

I also did a Just Me, JC post on my favorite music here.

I hope you enjoy! What a fun topic!

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For more Show and Tell posts, like my recent Hometown edition, click the SATT label on the sidebar!

Celebrity Style Love Vol. 2!

It's no secret that I love to stalk celebs online.

It's probably a good thing I live so far from Hollywood, ha!

I've rounded up my favorite outfits from four of my favorite celebrities, so let's talk fashion!

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(If you missed my first Celebrity Style post you can read it here!)


1. Lauren Conrad

I've been an LC fangirl since Laguna Beach first came out in the early 2000s. Her raspy voice and chic Cali-cool style draw you in almost immediately. Now she is a major fashion mogul and her site LaurenConrad.com is super cute. Here are a few of my favs of LC...

2. Kristin Cavallari 





Coming in at second place is Lauren's arch-rival from the OC, Kristin Cavallari. I love Kristin's grown up glam style. She's a mom and designer and married to an NFL player. Sounds like a dream come true for me!

3. Victoria Beckham





Who doesn't love a little Posh spice? I'm sure she would die if people still called her that because she has come a long way since being a Spice Girl. It's sometimes hard to believe she was Posh Spice! I love her ultra-fem sillouetes with a classic twist in gorgcolors.

4. Taylor Swift





I love Taylor! I hate country music, so I really didn't notice her when she first came out. I (along with everyone else in the world) totally fell for her though. She's such a fresh and classy gal. I love that she can pull of Keds and a bold lip like it's nobody's business. And side note - when I was looking for my favorite outfits of Taylor's, it was hard to find one without a cat in her arms.

I'm a dog girl myself! :)







Who is your favorite celeb from above? Do you have any other celebs you love to stalk?

Let me hear from you in the comments!

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