Words of Wisdom from Oprah

Yesterday was Oprah's final episode of her 25 years on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She taped 4,561 shows and never missed a day in 25 years. In the beginning she started and just "wanted to do a good job and cause no harm."

Like many people all across the word, I had to see her final three episodes. Wow. What a legacy she leaves. Here are a few Words of Wisdom or 'takeaways' from the final episode which she stated was her "love letter to us."

• Find your calling. "A calling lights you up and lets you know that you are exactly where you are suppose to be, doing exactly what you are suppose to do."
• "Live from the heart of yourself & illuminate the world."
• "Help somebody-listen-forgive-heal-the power is the same-everyone has a calling"
• "Don't be confused on fame vs. service
• "Don't waste anymore time. Start embracing the life that is calling and use your life to serve the world."
• "No body but you are responsible for your own life."
• "Life = Energy"
• "When you understand that you are responsible for your life, you get free."
• A common thread that runs is unworthiness. "There is a difference thinking you deserve to be happy, and knowing that you are worthy of happiness." We are all worthy of happiness.
• "We are worthy because we were born and are here."
• "You alone are enough" {to change the world.}
• Tell others: "I see you. I hear you. What you say matters. Everyone wants to be heard and feel validated."
• "Nothing but the hand of God has made this possible for me....Grace will work at every step of life....Feel the presence of God- Be still and know it. God is speaking to you and waiting for you to hear it.... God is love. God is life. Life always speaks to us."

-Oprah Winfrey

She ended by saying: "Your life is speaking to you- what is it saying?"

Getting to know you!

I decided I would link up with...

tonight!

Here are Keely's questions today:

1. what's your favorite rainy day activity?

Rainy days are perfect for lazy days: naps, curling up in front of the tv, or going to see a good movie. I did just that today! Went with a few girls and watched...

It was super cute and a great chick flick!

2. what time do you go to bed?

This 'time' is never the same. Lately, I have had early nights and then 1am & 2am bedtimes. So it really just depends on the day and what I have going on. Sometimes, my most productive work for my wedding clients happens between 8pm-Midnight following evening meetings or just when certain tasks are on my mind.

3. how many magazines do you subscribe to?

Zero! I don't have to thanks to my Mother and Grandmother who both get enough for the entire neighborhood :) Actually I lied, I do get the Special Events Magazine.

4. did you sell all your belongings because you thought the world was ending yesterday? Nope. I was too preoccupied this week to even know what everyone was talking about. Whoops! Guess it's a good thing nothing happened.

5. what's your beauty obsession? Lotion- cause I can't stand dry skin. And I love a good lip gloss. Speaking of that I need to buy some more, any recommendations? (For summer shades of lipstick/gloss and/or blush?? Leave a comment with your fav!)

6. if you could only wear one designer/brand for the rest of your life...what would it be? No. Clue. : /

7. what's your summer must have? I LOVE a good sun-kissed tan!!! And an Arkansas home grown tomato on a BLT!

8. do you make weekly dinner menus? Yes, it consists of at least one trip to US Pizza, if not more. Generally fast food restaurants, a little Senor Tequila mexican food, and possibly a home cooked meal down the street at grandma's house :) Or one at my house!

Amanda's Wedding

In my post yesterday, I mentioned that I got to see all of my friends this past weekend in Jonesboro...BUT you haven't gotten to see the GORGEOUS Bride yet!

Here I am with the former Miss Amanda Troutt, the one and only, and now she is Mrs. Bradley Heringer and soaking up the sun on a tropical island this week!

Amanda if you ever read this : LOVE you and so happy for you and Brad! Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

Summer Lovin'

Summer Lovin' on this Wednesday night, which means it is the perfect time for a blog post and might as well link up with Little Daisy May! So many great things going on and I'm feeling extremely blessed with work and life.

1) LOVIN' traveling this week!

Miss Amanda is officially Mrs. Heringer after Saturday night. I had the best time hanging out with her entire wedding party this weekend in Jonesboro. Probably because most of them just happen to be a few of my best friends :)

All of us at the Rehearsal Dinner Friday night, the bride of course in White!

(thx C.E.R.J. for the pic!)

With a quick change of suitcases, Monday morning I was off to Harrison, Arkansas for planning and vendor meetings with my July Bride, Layne Collins, and her sweet mother, Melissa! We had so much fun. Including a get-away to Branson for dinner and shopping Monday night!

2) Love that I hit up this outlet :)

The Collins took me by one of the most beautiful, gorgeous venues ever with the best view ever....Integrity Hills. It is a show stopper for sure, I had to catch my breath the view was so good. If you need a venue in Branson, Missouri. This is it.

{Call me and I will gladly coordinate it!}

Here, maybe this picture will help you agree with me!

3) As always, I LOVE my family! Here are a few pictures from our float trip last week!

This puppy went for a swim when we were getting in the river. Then swam the 4 miles with us and hung out with us all morning. You could tell he definitely does this often. He became our best friend :)

4) I am a quote girl.

Here is a favorite of mine.

Because I love this verse!

5) Riverfest is one and a half weeks away!!! NELLY, Pat Green, REO Speedwagon and SO much more right here in Little Rock.

6) Summer time is upon us and the family reunion beach trip is less than a month away!

Father/Daughter Day

Monday, A was still in town and Dad was off work so we declared it "Father-Daughter Day!"

First up: Dad wanted to go to the "foot doctor" so I volunteered to go with...hehe

aka. Pedicures ;)

No- Judging-Guys: Until you get one you have no idea what you are missing. AND I can guarantee you will never complain of your wife or daughters spending $$ for one, once you have experienced it yourself. Aimee was so kind to bring us sonic too. Talk about perfection.

Then Dad fixed us lunch and we just relaxed on the back porch.

Then it was time for a little fishing around Central Arkansas. We didn't have any luck on this day- but these baby ducks were just adorable. So that made it a happy day!

The next day- We managed to float the Saline River. I'm a sucker now, and ready to go back asap! PLUS, I get the family fishing award for this weekend cause I caught one on the Saline :) Busy week here and off this weekend to head to a wedding for Miss Amanda!

Wonder what trouble my friends and I will get into? There is no telling- but I can't wait to see and catch up with them all! eek. So Ready!

Mother's Day Weekend

This past weekend was filled with family time. Which was just wonderful.

Cookout over at our house Friday night kicking off the weekend and celebrating my sister, Aimee being home.

Then fun times with Meemaw on Saturday!

And an even better Sunday!

Posing with Becky after church!

Love our family of four.

We had the best family day celebrating and honoring our fave MOM, Momma Mona. We kicked off the day at church, followed with brunch at Capers, then hit the links for a little bit of golf.

My wonderful parents!

Who happened to be matching! ha And they had the same brand bags with their Christmas presents in tow {new golf clubs}.

I was the chauffeur of the youngin's.

We were ballers. :)

It was such a gorgeous spring day!

Everyone had a blast.

Daddy even almost hit a hole in one. He was "two SY feet away" from the hole.

Happy Mother's Day to my Momma and all of the other wonderful mothers out there. You have a special job. Thank you for all you do, each of you.

Obsessions

Like most of you, the Royal Wedding bug bit me. I was beginning to wonder about myself because I didn't become obsessed with the huge event until probably Thursday before. On my company's blog, I did a recap of some of my favorite trends from the wedding and items to look for in the next decade that follow William and Kate's wedding. Check it out here. And if you want to hear even more about the trends head over to Special Event to read their article published this morning. I was thrilled to see my thoughts were right on track with other industry vendors.

Other obsessions this week:

• The Voice: on NBC. After the first two episodes, it is safe to say...I'm a fan!
• Riding around with my sunroof open! May sunshine is BEA-UTIFUL!
• ZaZa's {not a big shocker there} Try out their Pizza and Salads if you are in LR!

7 days back; 7 forward

Oh. Wow.

I have debated in my head back and forth on this post, but life is real- happy and sad- and if this post helps one person than it was worth it. 7 days back seems like forever ago because it has been one roller coaster week! So here is my "quick" summary.

The last post filled you in on Arkansas's crazy weather and tornadoes. Arkansas got way lucky compared to the rest of the south and the tornadoes that followed for Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, etc. Then Thursday was exciting with Alfred Angelo's bridal vendor night in Little Rock. I set up a mini-booth as show below.

But that's when the valley of the week occurred. Thursday night. In a nut-shell, my uncle was in a motorcycle wreck and airlifted to Little Rock from Heber Springs. Praise the Lord he is out of the hospital now and got to walk out with just a concussion and a broken collar bone. Please keep him in your prayers because he has about a year of rehab/recovery period he has now entered. My reason for telling you this:

Is to be Thankful for the little angels that come down roads less traveled. You see, earlier this evening, my Dad spoke with the lady that found him. She had a friend with her at the time, who was a nurse. They turned down this road and saw a motorcycle in the middle with a man laying on his back. They stopped. Called emergency help. But when they saw him, his condition was extremely severe {without getting specific}. What they did next is probably what saved his life. They prayed. She told my Dad tonight that when they finished their prayer he was gaining his pulse back and coming to; gaining consciousness. He could see them and interact, something he wasn't able to do before. Reason for posting this: It woke me up, and made me realize that we need to look and be aware of who might need help around us, we can be earthly angels to others and at times in our life we will need an earthly angel on our side. Our family has the highest appreciation to these two ladies and know that if it wasn't for them, we would be mourning a family members loss right now instead of helping him get better. Needless to say Thursday and Friday were crazy. But I was able to sneak a peak of this Friday morning...

Ahhh the Royal Wedding!! In fact, the funniest moment on Friday was walking into the hospital room and seeing my Dad and Uncle watching Entertainment Tonights coverage of the wedding. haha Saturday, I headed to Tennessee for a friend's wedding in Jackson {Congrats Seth & Jessica Elkins!!} and then Gail's wedding shower in Memphis, once I get pictures from friends- I will do a post on it. All in all, I am worn out from the past 7 days and am looking forward for the next 7 in May!

This week has taught me so much. Most importantly be grateful. And thankful for your family, homes, towns, and the little things in life. Keep those who are rebuilding their towns from tornadoes and everyone's families in your prayers. And if duty calls, be an angel and help someone out! It will mean more to them than you will ever know and could even help save a life.