Move In Necessities

It's still so weird to think I moved into my own house (ok our house) a few weeks ago. Nothing says "I'm adult" like owning a house and paying a mortgage. If I'm being completely honest, we aren't all-the-way moved in. Like, at all. All in good time they tell me, but I want it all Pinterest perfect as of yesterday.

While I may not have it together in the decoration department, I can pass along some of my must-haves for the first few nights your new house with help from the Cottonelle Clean Care Box.

1. Toilet paper.  Obviously, but also the number one thing you'll forget. Seriously. Pack a few rolls a few days before--just for good measure.

2. Lotion.  Sounds frivolous, but the Ultra Rich Hand Cream that came in my Clean Care Box by Cottonelle is to die for.  And after heavy lifting and moving boxes all day, your hands will thank you, I promise. The lotion lives up to it's name too--very, very rich.

3. Chapstick. I don't know about you, but I lose every single chapstick I buy after only using about 25% of it. It's a problem. The Skinfix Lip Repair Balm from the Cottonelle Clean Care Box came at just the right moment!

4. Facial Cleansing Wipes. Because you'll forget where you packed your entire life much less which box/bag you packed your face wash and it's quick and easy. One step and you're done. Check that off the list.

5. Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths. For life's messier moments. Enough said.

6. Loofah. After moving all day, all you'll want to do is sink into a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine. Been there. Done that. 

7. Kleenex. Because your mom will probably be tearing up if you're moving out and you need to be prepared! Plus, Kleenex is and always be one of those classic necessities.

Target is currently sold out of the Clean Care Boxes, but you can still buy all of the full size items at your local Target store or online at Target.com and make your own box! P.S. the Cottonelle and Kleenex products I mentioned have special offers available on Target's Cartwheel App! (And seriously, go for the lotion!)

What are you move in must haves?

I Love You For Worse or For Better

Josh and I haven't had professional pictures taken of us since 2009--when my friend took my high school senior pictures. He made an appearance in his school uniform and those are still some of my most favorite pictures. Not to say that the selfies and numerous iPhone pictures don't matter as much, but I have soft spot for professional ones. So, to have won these engagement pictures from Aperture Photos was a blessing and a dream come true! I will treasure these forever. 

Josh is complete natural in front of the camera for someone who doesn't do things like this often (read: ever)  I mean look at that smirk. While I was running around like a chicken with my head cut of the morning of, he was as cool as a cucumber--and it showed throughout our session I'm sure.

Our photographer, Kirsten, had the idea to take pictures IN THE WATER--honestly, I had no idea what to expect. She sent me some inspiration pictures and told me to wear something flowy. That's all I got. It's a good thing we trusted her completely because they turned out SO GOOD!

I felt like a rockstar/supermodel the whole time and loved taking these pictures with Josh. It was such a special morning for us to spend together. If I'm being honest, I wish we could take pictures every weekend! 

I can't wait to print these out and hang them all over our house, but narrowing these down for a Save the Date is going to be tough! What's your favorite?

Photography by Kirsten Waguespack of Aperture Photos

P.S. see the iPhone photoshoot I did with her here

Hey What's Up Hello

Welcome Mat

We did it! We bought a house. 

I guess you may have already known that if you're a.) family/friends or b.) follow me on any form of social media, but the NEW news is...we MOVED IN! I felt like towards the end of our house being built, we were holding our breath--praying that all of the financials of the loan worked out. And IT DID!

The future Ryans are homeowners! What a relief. 

We closed on the rainiest Monday we've had in awhile and up until mid-week, we hadn't had a chance to actually move much in. We were gambling with the weather and watching the radar for clear spots to haul couches and beds from one city to another. 

We still don't have all of the furniture in or anything on the walls nor are we completely moved out of our parent's houses--thank goodness for long weekends and patient fiancés (him not me lol)--but it's slowly coming along.

Our first week in numbers:

6 nights stayed

20 bottles of water consumed

73 the average degree the AC stays on

5 bags of trash

8 trips to Lowes

2 Hours at Walmart for ALL of the groceries

0 dinner cooked (sorry not sorry)

6:30AM the time Josh wakes me up every morning when he goes to work

We are loving all being under one roof and making our new house into a home. In one week we've learned all about compromise and are adjusting to sharing. 

Now, on to wedding planning!