20 Taste of the Louisiana Bayou

**Be sure to enter the Giveaway from Earrings Nation ! (click photo above)

Well, most of you know that I took the most awaited trip this past weekend home to Louisiana! I had not been home since Christmas, and after Joel's exam we headed to Louisiana! We had the best time with friends and family and we miss them all already!

I took lots of photos to give you guys a peak into the life that I had while living in Louisiana. Being from there, I have a great appreciation for the food, wetlands, swamp, and it's critters.

Let's Start with some of the yummy and SPICY food I got to eat while home !

Next up is some Boating we did on Sunday & Monday for Memorial Day ! The whole gang came along and we had a blast blaring country music and hanging out !

Next are some photos of Lake Pontchartrain and the Tchefuncte River! Anybody wanna try to pronounce those tongue twisters? I grew up on this Lake and crossed the Causeway multiple times a week to hop over to New Orleans. The Tchefuncte River is where I grew up going boating and eating at restaurants on the river.

Recognize that old boat? It's where the Green Lantern was filmed !
-Funny fact: My parents woke up in the middle of the night and thought a boat had capsized and that the coast guard was saving them, no, it was just the film crew filming in the lake. 
Recognize that Light House? It, along with the road in my neighborhood was where Benjamin Button was filmed!
-Fun fact: My neighbors took photos with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett while I had to sit in class. Boo. 

Next are some photos from our boat trip on Moday to Lake Maurepas in Manchac, La! This is very close to where Bruce, from Swamp People does his hunting! We took a 20 minute boat ride to only find out that the well known restaurant Middendorf's was closed. Oh well, we enjoyed the ride there and the river is beautiful!

And lastly, I wanted to share this little montage of Rayne's first time swimming AND a little friend that we found in the canal (backyard)... an ALLIGATOR! Not unusual at the least, but I still get so psyched when I see them swimming around right in my backyard.

And that's it y'all ! I know I kind of went picture overload, but I couldn't resist. I had 5 months of picture taking enthusiasm built up and ready to un leash! 

If you read it all and looked at every picture, thank you, really I am so appreciative ! Photo editing took me over 2hrs, so again, I got a little into my trip again. 

7 A Giveaway {Earrings} from Earrings Nation

Hi Y'all ! 

Today, I have an amazing giveaway! Earrings Nation is giving away some beautiful earrings to one lucky reader ! Earrings Nation has the most beautiful jewelry! I wished I had heard of her shop when I was planning my wedding because there are so many pretty jewels that I would have loved to wear.  I would have definitely paired these beautiful pink earrings with my wedding dress for sure, how pretty are they? I am currently blowing up my husband's email with a link to these beautiful pearl earrings, that are just $22! And my other favorite item in her etsy shop are these adorable vintage bobby pins. They are suitable for any age, and are just adorable!

Here are my favorites that I gave links to above! 

Earrings Nation is giving away the Earrings below to one lucky reader! Be sure to follow the prompt on the Raffle-copter to enter your chance to win these beautiful earrings!

GOOD LUCK !!

Giveaway will end on June 9th at midnight ! 

& Serious entries only! I will be verifying entries throughout the days!

FYI- I still have some spots left for June to sponsor, so please email me to reserve your spot !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 Nude & Aqua

Hi friends! I really am excited to share this post with you because my whole outfit is budget friendly! Aren't those the best? This past Memorial Day weekend I went to Louisiana and spent some time in Baton Rouge for a couple of days. My MIL and I went to the Dillard's outlet store and found way too many good deals! The outlet had so many name brand items for 65% of sale price! I could not believe the deals I got on some pretty cute stuff.  I put this outfit together and wore it to work and felt so chic! I was really proud of myself too at how much thought I put into my work outfit.

I'd like to give a shout out to my sweet hubby for taking these pictures for me! He is really improving on his SLR skills, and I couldn't be happier!

And hang tight, because tomorrow I'll be back with a little taste of my trip home to the Louisiana Bayou! 

Dress: Cremieux $25

Shoes: Ralph Lauren $12

Belt: Forever 21 $4

Necklace: Simply Chic $7

Earrings: Forever 21 $3

This is the Inspiration Board I made when compiling items for this look thanks to Pinterest! 

Shoes 

Necklace

Earrings

Dress 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy & The Vintage Apple 


Also, please check the Advertise page if you are interested in sponsoring The Magnolia Pair in June ! I still have some spots left ! 

11 Memorial Day

Today is a very important day in history and it's a very important holiday to remember for my family. I have many family members and close friends who have served our country and are still serving today. I continuously pray for their safety and courage. I am so thankful for all of those who continually fight for our country. 

Today, I had the honor of sitting down with my Dad, who served in the Navy during the early 1970s. He has some incredible stories and neat vintage photos that I enjoyed looking at very much. It was really cool to see how so many emotions and memories my Dad had just from looking at his old photos. 

I just wanted to dedicate this post to him because I am so proud of his courage and strength for serving our country during some critical times in history. Dad, you are someone I look up to and admire. Thank you for all you have done, I am proud to call you my Dad. 

Thank you to all the Men and Women who continually serve for our country! 

This will be a shorter post, because I think the photos speak for themselves really.

 

Mom reading an old Letter from Dad 

Dad remembering his Buddies

21 We Did It !

Do you know what today is ??? Joel takes his final exam of his First year of Medical School ! ONLY THREE MORE TO GO!  We have the first year behind us! I can't even believe it. I really can't. I am so proud of you and of all your hard work. You did amazing your first year, and I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of you!

This summer, Joel will be doing pediatric neuro-oncological surgery research in the Children's Hospital, focusing on Pediatric Medulloblastoma {brain tumors}. My family/friends joke all the time that he is going to cure cancer, and well, I really hope his research goes well so his lab team can help cure this kind of cancer and save some children's lives. I am so thankful/proud of him for wanting to dedicate his time to doing this kind of research.

And some more exciting news, today, we are leaving to go home to Louisiana! We have not been home since Christmas, so we are just so hyped up about our trip! First stop will be Baton Rouge for two days, then Madisonville/New Orleans for two days! I cannot wait to go home and spend time with my friends and family that I've missed so much!


This is where I am headed! This is a view from my backyard my parents backyard! Yes, I lived in the swamp, literally.

Now onto: 

 

Link to all of the outfits

I think it's safe to say that this fashion board goes from: 

Classy --> Borderline Classy/Redneck--> Redneck

But, I couldn't make a style board without keeping to my roots a little bit, especially since I'll be in Louisiana in the middle of the swamp for Memorial Day.
If I had these outfits already in my closet, then I'd most likely wear the middle outfit. It's more "Me" and mature. Maybe 3 years ago, you may have spotted me in the far right outfit. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend ! Be safe if you're traveling ! 

6 Life Updates & Lovely Sponsors !

Good day friends !

Today, I am finally up to par and have caught up on sleep that I have missed for the past few days. Yesterday, at work, I had to reserve a conference room to go take a nap in during my lunch break because I was so exhausted. Now that Miss Rayne is back to her normal self {YAY} we can get back onto a normal schedule. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for her health. I am so happy to say she has seemed to have made a full recovery from her mysterious illness.
Tonight, I am in full force packing mode for our trip to Louisiana that is tomorrow! I am taking Road Trip song suggestions too, so throw your favorites at me! I am eclectic, so I love all kinds of music!

***

Okay, enough about me, today I am going to be introducing you to two of my amazing sponsors! My life seems boring compared their adventurous lives. Grab a cup of tea/coffee because these two bloggers are an absolute treat and you'll be engulfed in their blogs!

Blog // Facebook // Pinterest

This is the adorable Tiffany, and she blogs over at A Clove of Garlic, A Pinch of Salt! Tiffany has an amazing foodie blog with some Brazilian flare! Her recipes include traditional American dishes and Brazilian dishes like THIS yummy cake I am just dying to make.  Tiffany and her hubby travel to Brazil quite often, and her pictures are just beyond amazing! THESE pictures in particular will make you want to spontaneously book a flight to Rio De Janiero! You will love reading all about their bi-cultural family of two . And lastly, one of my favorite things about her blog are the "Meals on the Cheap" that she plans, here's this week's meals HERE !

Blog // Twitter  //  Pinterest

I am so excited for y'all to meet the gorgeous Maria, who blogs over at La Nostra Vita ! She has many exciting things happening right now, including her big move from California to DC! Maria and her boyfriend have the sweetest love story that you can read more about HERE. Maria is quite adventurous and has travelled to many neat places. You read and see beautiful pictures from her trip to Panama and Costa Rica in THIS post.  I just love the photos she takes, and you will love THESE pictures from Santa Cruz, where she photographed her friends sky diving!


These two beautiful ladies have really exciting blogs and I just adore reading about their adventures! Be sure to go check out their blogs and say hello!

***



Are you interested in sponsoring for June ? Visit my Advertise page to reserve your spot for June! Spaces are filling quickly! My feature Ad has now become available, so email me soon to snag it, because there is only one!

23 Where I Wish I Were

**Stella & Dot $198 Necklace Giveaway ends tomorrow ! Click the image above to enter !

I have found myself daydreaming of all the other places I'd like to be lately. My week has been tough already, and it's only Wednesday. With all our troubles with Rayne and her health, I've found myself just wanting to escape for a little while. On top of Rayne being sick, Joel is studying away for his final exam on Friday, and I am just trying to cope with all of the distractions. So, my Pinterest pins will be about where I'd rather be!

Image Source

1. First place I'd rather be in on a beach under this tent with my non-busy hubby and healthy puppy! 

Image Source

2. Doesn't everyone dream to be lifted by balloons? I do at least. 

Image Source

3. I'd definitely rather be in a bath tub relaxing and writing. And reading 50 Shades of Grey. 

Image Source

4. I'd rather be on a beach lying on a pretty quilt smelling the lovely salt water aromas. 

Image Source 

5. On a sail boat in the middle of a beautiful lake. I've always wanted to go sailing! 

***

Okay, and since I always try to find the positive in things, here's 

What I'm Loving Wednesday ! 

I am LOVING that my husband is done with his first year of medical school on Friday! I am so proud of him and all of his hard work! 

I am LOVING that we finally get to go to Louisiana on Friday to visit family and friends that we miss so much ! 

I am LOVING that it is already Wednesday, and that means that it is almost time for a three day Holiday weekend! 

I am LOVING 50 Shades of Grey! I am beyond hooked, and cannot stop reading. I know it's not everyone's taste, but I am addicted. 

I am LOVING that I got to keep some of the Hydrangeas from my cousins wedding last week. They are beautiful and make our home bright! 

Linking up with Michelle & Jamie ! 

18 Survival Mode

**Click on the image above to enter the Giveaway for a $198 Stella & Dot Necklace!

So this is a post that I think is kind of overdue. My life as a medical student's wife is not rainbows and butterflies, by all means. I love being married and I love my husband so much, but we don't have a typical newlywed life. The week before an exam, I often think I could paint the house lime green, and he wouldn't notice. He stays in his cave from 5-11pm every night with usually only a 1 hour break {for dinner}. Sometimes he'll finish at 10, and we can watch a show really quick, but that's rare.

Sometimes it's hard to see other friends, family, or bloggers who have husbands who get home at 5pm everyday. I even think how lucky the women with husband's in law school are for having one year less. The hardest part of doing all this is knowing that these are some of the "better" years since it will only get more busy from here on out uuntil he is out of residency and fellowship.

I often try not to think about it too much, but Joel will be finished with his first year of medical school {YAY JOEL, So Proud of You!!} on Friday, and I can't help to think how quickly it's gone by and how fast the "busier" time is coming. I am a very futuristic person, so it's hard not to imagine what it will be like. So, instead I try to focus on other things that will be happening during those years. For instance, myself going back to school, starting my photography again, hopefully opening a boutique, and starting a family. It kind of is easy once I'm distracted and thinking of those exciting times. So, for now, that is my cure. I am not sure if it will stop working, but maybe it will help others who may be going through the same thing.

Onto SURVIVAL MODE. Here is a week in the life of ME, and how I keep busy during exam time.

Sunday:
What I actually did:
laid on the couch & watched netflix most of the day.
Then moved outside to a folding chair and sunbathed.
Came back in and amused myself with Pinterest.
Blogged
Played with Rayne


Monday:
Cook bubble up enchiladas {check!}
Watch the Bachelorette {check!}
Do some Laundry {check!"
Respond to blog emails {almost a check!}
Read 50 Shades of Grey {didn't quite get to that due to blog emails}

**Tuesday will be slightly different now that sweet little Rayne is in the hospital for a mystery illness.

Tuesday:
Cook Spaghetti {20 minutes}
Watch American Idol
Put away laundry
Respond to blog emails
Read 50 Shades of Grey {going to do it tonight}
Probably won't see Joel tonight, besides for dinner. Last night's animal hospital trip kind of threw things off.

Wednesday:
A long walk with Rayne if she is feeling better
Dinner w/ a fellow med school wife  !
Watch American Idol / Blog
Read 50 Shades of Grey
Pack for trip to LOUISIANA!
Pushing it, but maybe 45 minutes of hang out time with Joel when he is done studying

Thursday:
Leftovers {20 minutes hang out time}
Laundry Pack Laundry Pack
Carrie Underwood jam session
Load up car
50 Shades of Grey
I'm going to guess 30 minutes total hang out time with Joel after he is done studying.

Friday:
JOEL IS DONE WITH SCHOOL @ 10:30am
After 10:30am we are Louisiana bound see our friends and family! We have not been home since Christmas!


As you can see, I've found some new TV shows to get addicted to, that take up time on 3 days of the week. All the things you read from my "plan" I do alone. Occasionally, Joel will help with the clean up because he feels bad, but other than that, it's me a little Rayne.

Honestly, you may read this and think how terrible it is, but I am so used to this schedule that it almost feels normal. Often I get too engulfed in something, and he will come out of his cave and want to hang out, and then it will be me saying wait, "5 more minutes".

A lot of ladies message me about my life as a medical student's wife, so I thought it was about time to post some personal stories about my experiences with it.

****Rayne Update****

Still no news. She was taken to the Animal Hospital at 12:30 this morning because she was yelping and in so much pain. The Vet cannot figure out what is wrong with her and is trying to empty her stomach. They did that, and still can see the mass around her abdomen. We are just praying she doesn't need surgery. Will keep you posted VIA Twitter!

13 Interview: Alexa Vega

Hello friends!

I am so excited to have a special guest here today, Alexa Vega, who will be interviewed about her fashion style and favorites. I just had so much fun asking her these questions! I admire her laid back style & I know you will too! My favorite part of this interview was finding out how relatable her style is, and that I can buy some of her favorite products at Victoria's Secret! I won't give away much more, so go ahead and read her interview below to find out more!

Alexa's Liebes Kind Bag :

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Alexa! She is just the nicest person, and I really enjoyed getting to know her better.

Thank you so much to Alexa, for doing this interview with me! I am so happy to have had you on here! Come back anytime !

**

I'd would now like to give a special thank you to Emily, from Hope Squared, who designed the beautiful interview layout for me! This girl did a wonderful job, and I am so appreciative of her help with this! Thank you again!





0 Sponsor ?

It's that time again! If you are interested in sponsoring The Magnolia Pair for June, please see sizes and rates HERE. All information is up to date. 

I currently offer: 

Feature Ad 

300x250 

+ Only ONE available 

Large 

300x200

+Only 8 available

Medium 

300x125 

+max of 10 available 

But be sure to look at the advertise page for more information ! 

Email me at: britt{at}themagnoliapair{dot}com 

to reserve your spot for June ! 

** I also do a discount if you buy three months, so email me if you are interested in that option.