HBD to Me! Brave Bow Co is OPEN!

What better way to ring in the last year of my twenties than officially opening my bow shop! Head over to TheBraveBowCompany on etsy and start shopping! Thank you so much for your support!

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30 before 30 check in

Last year on my birthday I made a list of 30 things I wanted to do by the time I turn 30. Considering my 29th birthday is tomorrow I wanted to check in and see how I'm doing so here it goes...


1. Go on a dream vacation to Europe. Itching to go back!

2. Give birth...there's no turning back now lol! 07.30.16 <3

3. Move from Atlanta. We've been here nearly two years and it just doesn't feel like home. We need to take the plunge and work towards making this a reality.

4. Go to Disneyland in California!

5. Run a half marathon. I've had so many friends accomplish this and I want to give it a shot.

6. Learn to cook some of our favorite German food.

7. Attend a Steelers game at Heinz Field with my husband and my brother-in-law.

8. Meet my Dominican cousins that found my sister and I.

9. Visit the Dominican Republic with my sister and the cousins mentioned above. Well kinda, I finally visited the DR but it was just my husband and I.

10. Grow my own hydrangeas.

11. Take our baby to Walt Disney World with our parents. Halfway done, she;s been to WDW but not with the grandparents.

12. Pet a baby elephant, tiger, or lion.

13. Treat my mom to something super special for her 50th birthday next year.

14. Go to Vegas! I've never been and my husband loves it there and is dying to take me.

15. Write more on this little ole blog. I think I've done a pretty good job :)

16. Host Easter dinner at our house.

17. Do something that scares me like zip lining or whitewater rafting.

18. Surprise my husband. We are both terrible at keeping secrets form each other but he has managed to surprise me a few times. I want to give him a surprise that he will love.

19. Swim in Lake Erie.

20. See Niagara Falls. Check!

21. Play a full game of golf with my husband. I'm a bit ashamed of this one considering I'm married to a college golf coach.

22. Go camping with my in-laws. Glamping is the only way to go.

23. Drink around the world at Epcot with my finally legal sister, Larissa. The first of many!

24. Make a new family tradition. Cutting down our own Christmas tree.

25. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it. I've done this a couple times and not holding grudges feels so much better.

26. See a live taping of a tv show...whether it's Jeopardy, The Price Is Right, Jimmy Fallon or SNL, this needs to happen.

27. Learn calligraphy...luckily my mother-in-law can teach me. I bought a course, just need to do it.

28. Do a keg stand. Even though I went to a top 3 party school I have never did this!

29. Visit a state I've never been to before.

30. Make sure to embrace the people who love me and let them know I love them too! Still doing this everyday.

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Farmhouse Hack: Wooden Pillar Holder

A couple years ago my mom kept raving about some show on HGTV and told me I needed to watch it but I never got around to it. Then one weekend I binge watched Fixer Upper and completely fell head over heels in love with the simplistic and classic farmhouse style. I love everything about what Joanna does...except for the prices. So here is the first of many Former Kennedy Farmhouse Hacks!

Here is the inspiration for this hack...pillar holders from The Magnolia Market.

{image via Magnolia Market}

The prices are $35 for a small, $45 for a medium, and $55 for a large. If I bought the four that I'm hacking my total would be $200. You can buy them here if you're a Rockefeller. I'm going to show you how to make them for $25 with all supplies from Home Depot!

What you will need for 4 pillar holders:

• Foam paint brush
• Clear epoxy Gorilla Glue
• Paint - I used a paint sample size of Glidden in Parchment White (but you can use any color)
• 8 Small terra cotta pot saucers
• Pliers 
• 4 Pre-spun wooden table legs

First you need to remove the screws from the table legs with the pliers.

Next you will follow the directions on the Gorilla Glue to mix it and spread the glue on the end of the table leg that the screw was in then place the saucer upside and place the glue covered side on it.

Then spread glue on the top of the leg and place the saucer, normal side up so a candle can sit in it, on the glue covered top. Let the glue dry for 20 minutes as stated on the glue instructions.

Paint the first coat of paint and let dry.

Paint the second coat and let it dry and you'll have a beautiful set of farmhouse style pillar holders for less than the cost of one {small} Magnolia Market pillar holder!

This is not a sponsored post.

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My Fellow Millennials...Print Your Pictures! {Free Shutterfly Photobook and Chatbook Code}

Listen y'all, I get it...we've been incredibly spoiled when it comes to capturing memories and communicating with our loved ones. When we were kids our parents had to use up an entire roll of film that they then had to take to be sent off to be developed and a few weeks later would finally be ready. Well until one hour photo was invented which was still annoying in my opinion. The worst part? You couldn't see if the pictures were actually good until you got them back. I can definitely see why someone got so frustrated that they invented the digital photography we know and love today.

Since everything is so instant now our wonderful pictures just sit on our phone or social media never to be printed and put in our homes. Well I'm here to help you out with some easy, no excuse ways to finally make those memories a little more tangible. First up is...

Chatbooks

 The spine has the Series name as well as the timeline which I love!

This is the absolute best option for all my fellow lazy AF people. You have a couple options with this as far as what pictures you want in your books. The books can be soft back (still very durable though) or hard back. You can take the time to custom build a book or you can set up a subscription, which is what I have. I filtered my book series to pull only the photos on my Instagram with a certain hashtag (the one I use for my daughter's pictures) and it makes a book automatically for me. Each series book has 60 photos that show both the caption and location if you tag it in the photo and sends out once the book is full. I love this because I still have the freedom to remove and add pictures to my books but if I want to be lazy I can. I picked the soft back book and basic shipping so each book costs me a measly $10 total. They make great coffee table books and are small even to fit in my purse to take on trips with us to show our family that don't use social media our pictures. If photo aren't your thing you can order just prints from them too! I highly suggest using Chatbooks they gave me an offer for my readers right HERE {FREE CHATBOOK}!

Next up...Professional Photobooks

You've taken the time to seek out a professional photographer that you like, you've picked out the outfits, found a beautiful location, and now you're just going to let those photos disappear on your Facebook timeline until your flashback notification reminds you of them?! Pure craziness y'all! See if your photographer offers photobook services. Our beloved Arastasia Photography does and she knocked it out of the ballpark with Brynn's newborn book! It's so high quality that I feel like I should wear gloves while looking at it. The design and layout is impeccable and we love it! Here are a couple iphone shots of it.

 The beautiful leather cover makes it feel like it's right out of Hogwarts to me.

Last but not least is a longtime favorite of mine...

Shutterfly

Unless you've been living under a rock for several years you know that Shutterfly is one of the most popular places for all things photo related. They have everything from mouse pads, magnets, wall decor, invitations/cards all of which can be customized by you super easily from your computer or even your phone! My favorite though are the photo books. They have an insane amount of templates ranging from vacation, wedding, guestbook, adoption portfolios, and family yearbooks.  

I recently have been on a photo book kick so here are some of ones I created...

Our Honeymoon Album

Brynn's Birth Story...because some pictures don't belong on social media

I left two pages empty so that I could paste in cards that we got in the hospital and her little bracelet.

2016 Family Yearbook

This is an idea from my friend Lauren, owner and creator of Ren Ott Events, who has been making these since she and her husband got together. I'll admit that putting the 2016 one together was a bit of a task for me but I've already started on our 2017 one. I carve out about 30 minutes a month to make a page for it so come next January all I have to do is order it. It will be so fun to look at them as Brynn gets older. All of us gathered around a book looking at old photos seems so much more special than being gathered around a computer screen or phone.

As promised I have a promo code for a FREE PHOTO BOOK for you from Shutterfly so now you really have no excuse not to make one. Make sure to send me pics of your books when you get them!

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Seven Months of Brynn

How in the world are you seven months old already?! I feel like we just came home from the hospital yesterday and now I have to start thinking about planning your first birthday party.

 This month you haven't stopped moving. You're rolling, crawling, and taking steps when you hold our hands. You have a new trick that shows how smart you are but is super scary for me. You, with the encouragement from your daddy, have learned how to roll and slide off of the couch to stand on the floor. It's hilarious and terrifying all at the same time.

 Your new favorite toy is THIS JUMPER. I think we all have as much fun watching you as you do jumping in it. It's made you want to jump all the time. Sometimes we pull it up and swing you in it which you LOVE! I think you like to feel the wind in your hair.

 As far as foods go...your parents finally busted out the BABY BULLET and made you some fresh, homemade foods. Your favorite by far are sweet potatoes and you're a fan of pears, banana, and prunes.

This month brought a visit from your Aunt Kac and your first Valentine's Day. Thank you for being so funny and sweet. We love you so much Mouse!

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Walt Disney World Ice Cream Treats You Won't Want to Miss

Anyone who knows me will quickly confirm that I have quite the sweet tooth. I don't discriminant against treats but I have to admit ice cream is my favorite! When I'm at home I stick with Halo Top to keep my calories in check but everyone knows that when you're at Disney calories don't count! So here are some of my favorite ice cream treats available at the Walt Disney World Resort...

Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom in Adventureland 

A Disney Parks staple and beloved classic Dole pineapple soft serve. You can get a cup of this tangy and sweet treat or make it a float with Dole pineapple juice. Either way it's sure to please. This treat can also be found at Disney's Polynesian Village and Disney's Animal Kingdom (where you can get dark or coconut rum in it!) but is original to MK.

Croque Glace at L'Artisan des Glaces in the French pavillon at Epcot

via

Now hear me out...this sounds like a weird combination but it's honestly beyond amazing! First they cut a fresh brioche in half, place a scoop of ice cream (your selection) inside, drizzle your choice of caramel or chocolate sauce on top of the ice cream, put the top have of the brioche back on, and then press it in a warm panini style press. The result being the most heavenly hot/cold and sweet/savory treat you never knew you needed.

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich at Hollywood Scoops in Disney's Hollywood Studios

via

No need for much explanation here...except that you should get it after you go on Rockin' Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror for the sake of your tummy!

Chocolate Waffle Sundae at Tamu Tamu Refreshments in Disney's Animal Kingdom

via

If you need a break from the animals stop for this chocolate waffle that can be topped with vanilla ice cream or chocolate mousse. This little spot is where you can get those rum Dole Whips I told you about earlier.

We can't forget about the classics that you can find all over the Walt Disney World property because did you really go to Disney if you don't have at least one of these?

Mickey's Premium Bar

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Mickey's Ice Cream Sandwich

 via

Have you tried some of these? What's your favorite ice cream treat at Disney? Have a question about one I missed? Comment below!

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My Favorite Podcasts

The Atlanta commute was my arch nemesis. It made me irritated and put me in a terrible mood long after I arrived home from work so I sought out ways to make it better. During my pregnancy I got the Audible app and listened to  all the Harry Potter books and man was it wonderful...except for when my overly emotional self would ugly cry in stand still traffic. Once I was finished revisiting my beloved HP I decided to give podcasts a try and I completely fell in love!

I knew I wanted to subscribe to podcasts that were covering the things I love so here are my suggestions if you are a pop culture junkie like me...

Straight Up with Stassi 

 

If you're a Bravo fan like me you know Stassi from Vanderpump Rules. Her podcasts covers all things pop culture and then some. I love getting the Bravo scoop from her and she always has amazing guests. The variety of her episodes is great and I'm never bored. One of her guests was so funny that I immediately found her podcast after the episode was over and that leads me to...

Adderall and Compliments

The host of this podcast is Annabelle Desisto, a comedian who in my opinion is hilarious AF. Her podcasts make me feel like I'm living inside of one of my favorite group chats where we shit on everything and can be petty without judgement. My favorite episode of her podcast so far is a pretty recent one with her "investor"/mom, Nancy. It's three hours but I promise you it flies by because you'll be laughing your ass off the entire time. She is a sweet as she is funny...she writes thank you cards to her listeners that give her reviews on itunes!

last but not least...

Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald

I was always a fan of Heather on Chelsea Lately so when my friend Leanna suggested this podcast I knew I had to check it out. She is so funny and is besties with a ton of Bravo stars so that's always a plus in my book. Her guests are great and her episodes always move in a great pace and flow. 

So check these podcasts out when you're making your commute, working out, or in desperate need of a laugh. You can thank me later. 

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