Hello ladies!

I'm still soaking up the sun, laying out, and enjoying time with my family. 

Can I live here and NOT come back? 

please. say. yes.

I was thinking tonight about how God made EVERYTHING in this beautiful world and how he formed it all and put it exactly where he wanted it. I find that so interesting because God could have just made this world and not planned it intricately. Thank him that he loves details and loves to make his children wonder and thank him!

He's got the whole world in his hands!

p.s. if someone would like to guest post for me, email @ lauren_patton@hotmail.com

Guest Post// Cassie's Journey.

Hey y'all!

My name is Cassie and I blog over at 

The meaning behind my blog isn't that I'm trying NOT to be a blogger.

I firmly realize that I truly am a blogger and legit now -

since I had my first BLATE with your girl, Lauren this past weekend.

I chose that blog title because of my love life, hence the fact that I reallly don't have one.

I have been single for pretty much 25 years of my life, I'm 26 by the way.

And I just have some stories that will make you chuckle.

But enough about my non-existent love life....

My blog is all about LIFE: friends, family, and road trips to many places, but mostly:

Tupelo, New Orleans, and the MS Gulf Cost.

That one time I met the All American Rejects in New Orleans.

I seldom talk about my love for Mexican and Newks,

but it's there - trust me.

I also talk a lot about working out.

I am slowly making my way back down to my happiest weight when I was in college: 130.

I am currently in my "fat weight" from high school: 147.

Starting weight on left: 163 pounds.

Weight on right: 147 pounds

The one product that helps me the most is: 

Spark.

I honestly don't think I would be off Dr. Peppers (most days) without it.

So besides working out, working 40 hours a week in a cubicle and making sure almost all of my weekends are spent driving to see my college friends,

I pretty much read my bible and lotion my feet every night

before my bedtime of 9 o'clock, if I'm lucky.

Please stop by my blog and say hello!
Who knows - I may drive to meet you next! :)

Cassie- Thank you SO much for not only meeting me in person but for already helping me out with a guest post! You are the best! Your weight loss journey is inspiring and I can't wait to see you meet your goal weight!

// B.E.A.C.H. must haves.

You know those days you wake up and you just know it's going to be a great day? Yeah, that's me today because it's "let's go to the beach" day and I'm too excited. 

I have been looking forward to this trip for a while and a lot of planning and excitement has gone into this trip. Now.. I've packed and we are R.e.a.d.y.. What's some things that I've brought along with me, you ask?

one// Sunglasses- These are so important when you are on the beach and can't see anything because the sun is in your eyes. 

two// PFG Columbia Shirt- Mine isn't monogrammed but a {thrifted} one that I plan to use as a swimsuit cover up. We shall see how that goes.  

three// Beach Bag- Every girl needs a beach bag that is going to be easy to carry and is big enough to carry all the essentials that will be needed while on the beach.

Four// A good book- Anything with a love story and a little mischief will keep me reading! I love Emily Giffin books!

five// Suncreen- I love a good tan as much as the next girl but skin cancer runs in my family so I have to be protected too! 

six//Sand Spike Drink holder- this is one of my fun additions this year. I can't wait to test it out with a yummy Diet coke sitting in there. 

I've got a couple more items that I will share through Instagram.. My button is at the top of my page.. find me and share along in the adventure. 

What are some things that you can't live without on the beach?

// Weekend Shenanigans.

This weekend was the perfect blend of fun, family and relaxation.

I could not ask for more.

//one. Sweet Cassie and I got to meet on a blate (blog date).  It's always so funny to me that we just completely trust the other person and I've not been fooled yet. She was just as sweet in person as she is on the World wide web. I can't wait for her to come to Oxford for a football game!

//two.  The Patton cousins get together. Sam and Theresa got married about a month ago and my aunt and uncle had a celebration party for them. It was a fun time to catch up with them because they live in California and we typically only see them at Christmas!

So happy that they are happy.

**//credit: taken from Theresa's facebook. 

//three. Such a neat idea from the Groom's father, my uncle. He hung these moon lights up and they were multi-colored and beautiful in the sunlight and then at night, look how fun!?

We all were outside taking pictures and enjoying them.

//four. Love these moments with my babies at church. Yes, she's on the toilet but isn't she precious??

A little love.

I'm about to get up off of this couch, and live life today.

Enjoy your Saturday and remember:

be looking for a weekend post on Monday! 

Remembered.

So, last night at church, David talked about John the Baptist and how his life {completely} pointed to Jesus in everything that he did.

We watched a video of a guy talking about his posessions, dreams, hopes, etc. and what would happen if all of those things were taken away or burned up. What would people say about you, especially when all of those things didn't exist?

So, that got me to thinking and this happened..

** names marked out for privacy. :)

It was so fun to see the memories and so many of them made me laugh hysterically. God blessed me with some wonderful friends, y'all.  

But it also got me thinking that I wish more people would have memories of me telling them about Jesus, doing missions with them and loving on people every minute of everyday. It really convicted me that I have always had a ton of friends around and I love each and every memory we make but I need to be making memories with Jesus too.

So, I'm looking for ways to impact his kingdom and hopefully make even more memories with wonderful friends and family for him.

Can I just say that I love social media and the influence it has in blog posts? :)

What are some of your favorite memories?

dirt cheap.

You know? The store.

In case you have a b s o l u t e l y  no idea what I am talking about, it's a store in our town that gets leftovers, and damaged/markdown items from stores like Target, Walmart, etc. and sells it for a fraction of the price.

aka. My heaven! 

I get out of class at ten these days and I usually pick a store to go walk around in and "window shop" so yesterday, Dirt cheap was that choice. I walked in and saw all of this Target goodness on the back wall and went crazy. Shortly to find out that it couldn't be touched until the SALE today.

So, they opened at 9:00 and people were waiting outside to purchase these goods. You better bet I had a game plan to be there after class this morning and get a rug that I've been eyeing for a while on Target.com. I even got to see some blog friends at the sale. We know a good thing when we see it, right Nicole.

These are the three that I was choosing from, and I ended up getting the maroonish/colored one of the left for Mi Madre. As much as I loved the lime and blue rug, I chose this one for my balcony:

of course a "vine" had to happen.

I think $10 for this runner was VERY good. :) I'm a happy thrifter.

Check out a Dirt Cheap store if you have one around you.

*I was not compensated for this post. These are just my honest opinions.

Weekend Shenanigans.

Hey ladies! This weekend shall be shown in pictures. 

1.) Saturday, my cousin Jennifer (who I got mistaken for in school ALL the time) had a precious baby shower for her new baby girl. We expect her sometime this week! Baby Rubrey is the first girl since I was born on our side of the family and she is going to be a very loved girl.

2.) How cute are these Bride/groom statues that led up to the wedding I attended Saturday night? Adorable! Such a sweet wedding. 

3.) My mama and I this weekend. She's the cutest, right?

4.) My daddy got yet another  gun for Father's Day! 'Merica

     We had a great day with our daddy! He loves his wife and kids more than anything! So very thankful for him!

Then.. Sunday I got to meet Miss Sarah Kate! She is the sweetest thing! Her Aunt Shell is pretty proud of her too! :)

This week is going to be full of papers, test and lovely Graduate School crappies. I'm hoping to blog more than I did last week! Hold me to it!!

Hope your weekends were full of love and fun memories!

Grab a drink and get to know me.

Happy Saturday to you!

Joy tagged me in this on Tuesday and I'm just now getting around to posting this. 

I love these 'get to know you' posts because it allows you to see who I am and how I live.

1. Out of the 24 hours in a day, what is your favorite time on the clock and why?

• My favorite time of the day would  have to be 5:00. I have been home from school for a good hour, TV is starting to get good and in the "hot months" it is starting to become pleasant outside.     

2. What is your favorite magazine to get in the mail or buy in the store?

• I don't normally buy magazines but every year on my birthday, Caitlyn (my best) will buy me the Mississippi Bridal Mag. It's my favorite!

3. Twitter or Facebook?

• Uh, hard decision. I would have to say Facebook because more of my friends/acquaintances are on there when they don't have twitter.

4. What's your best memory of high school?

• I would have to say that my favorite memory happened on Graduation morning. Two of my good friends and I got up super early, drove to our principal's house and put a sign announcing that he was hosting a party after graduation. (BTW: this was a total lie and his wife found it HILARIOUS!)

5. What's your go to website for shopping?

• I love ebay, Craigslist and ioffer.com.

6. A blogger who inspires you?

• I adore every blog and every blogger that I read. They all bring so much to the table.

7. Who is your celebrity crush?

• Luke Bryan, of course!

8. What's a book you'd recommend to read?

• "Same Kind of Beautiful As Me."-look it up!

9. A favorite recipe you love to make?

• I can't give this advice, I'm not a cook! :)

10. Your favorite app on your phone?

• Instagram- It's an obsession.

11. You've got an afternoon kid free and job free, what would you do?

• I would go thrift shopping, grab ice-cream and watch tv.

12. The restaurant you always crave?

• Any Mexican Restaurant and like Joy, McAlisters!

Thanks for including me in this get to know you!

Ask any questions that you have! 

Hope y'all are enjoying the weekend!

Lauren, Mississippi, 24.

Hey y'all! I'm Lauren.

Wanna hear more about me?

I'm 24, born and raised in Mississippi and I'm about to start my 3rd year of teaching!  I live in Southaven.I love life and love spending it with people that I adore. 

I'm a Christian and am so blessed by my sweet Savior.

I love to dance, sing, SHOP, and go to sporting events, ESPECIALLY Ole Miss Football games.

I may or may not be obsessed with Ole Miss. You decide..

*dancing the night away with King Kobraz.

I have some great friends who I am thankful for so, so much. I love to be adventurous with them and am looking for someone who wants to be the same.

 

I have a sweet family that consists of my Daddy, Mother and my older brother, Adam. I also have a fabulous grandmother, who I call "Mom". I love family time and plan to carry out those traditions in my own family. I adore kids and have always been a babysitter, teacher, etc. my entire life. It's who I am! 

I love Starbucks, shoes, thrift shopping, social media and all things FUN! 

If you want to find me (or you want to show somebody) on Facebook here is my link:

https://www.facebook.com/lauren.patton11

While I am linking up with Kelly's Korner to put myself out there, I'm also praying that God bring the one made for me, to ME!

Hopefully God will use this for my good. 

Weekend done right.

Welcome to Monday, our favorite day of the week right? 

Ha! Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Mine was fast paced and lovely. Lots of memories were made.

Wanna see my life? Let's go...

{one} I got to hug and love on sweet Chloe at our family reunion. She wasn't so sure about all of those people she had never met before. How sweet are baby loves?

{two} Will and Ashley are now The Simmons' Family after a sweet wedding and a BEAUTIFUL reception. I came straight home and told my mama that it was everything I had always imagined in a reception! So happy for y'all! :)

{three} Merle, Caitlyn and I had a great time dancing the night away. Seriously, y'all. I love to dance and nothing is better when a group of friends that I haven't seen in a while is in the mix too! So many "old" friends were at this wedding and we had a great time. I put some videos on Vine so add me on there to see them. 

{four} Driving back to the city last night, I hit a couple of rain storms along the way. Then, I looked over and saw this beaut. I love a good rainbow picture! God. is. love.

{five} I am obsessed with my cooler! I was scrolling through twitter one day and saw that a friend of mine had painted her cooler for the beach. Then, naturally I got on pinterest and saw some awesome ideas that people had done. I thought about what I wanted and found someone who would paint it for me. I am so excited for the beach now and also for field trips during the school year! 

Isn't it amazing how a little paint can change your mood?

{six} Aubrey had a precious Friday Freebie that I've just now found. God has really blessed my life and I do believe that he makes beautiful things!

Can't wait to see how your weekend ended up!

Let's rock this Monday.

Dear Friday:

Yes, we've made it!

So, so happy it's Friday! Grad school, pool days, and re-decorating is wearing me out.. :)

I really don't know how you year-round workers do it. (which pinterest and lesson plans ARE happening for me, so...)

Dear Family Reunion: I can't wait to see everyone this weekend. I also can't help but laugh when I hear this song. Old school, Chris Young- who wouldn't love it? My favorite part that sounds like our family is the fight between the "football teams"-That's us! 

Dear Mama: Thanks for sending me to Target for something that you needed. I'm sorry they didn't have it but look at my next letter. :)

Dear Target: Of course you didn't have what my mother needed. But, I couldn't leave without these babies. Thanks a lot. 

Dear Grad School: You really haven't been too bad so far. Please keep it up.

Dear Summer: Slow down, hoss. I'm loving my laid back schedule and the pool days everyday. You don't want to go so fast, believe me. I'm at my nicest right now. 

Dear Pinterest and my kitchen: I love getting ideas from pinterest and putting them to use. I need a runner to add to this table but what do y'all think?

Even though it's cloudy here, I'm about to have a pool day with some teacher friends! Can't wait to see how your weekends turn out! 

Have some fun!

summer bucket list.

It's these days right here, right now that I'm very thankful that I'm a Teacher.

Don't get me wrong, I love my babies while we are in school but the rest and relaxation of two months off is WONDERFUL.

I have big plans for the summer and I thought you would enjoy it if I shared them.

1.) A trip to the Zoo.

2.) Reading as many of the books I've accumulated as possible. 

3.) De-clutter my apartment. 

4.) Plan some lessons and decoration ideas for my new classroom.

5.) Visit "Elvis" @ Graceland.

6.) Spend a night in Downtown Memphis, exploring! 

7.) Thrift shop/Yard sale when possible.

8.) Cook more/try new recipes.

9.) Have at least 3 pool days a week.

10.) Re-vamp my blog. 

(any ideas are welcomed) Email me! 

I'm sure I'll be adding things to this list all summer. 

purity.

So, I don't know about y'all but purity is something that is near and dear to me. Growing up  I was taught to honor sexual purity and basic purity in everyday life. My parents never pushed the subject but let me know where the lines were drawn. For that, I will always be thankful because I knew what was right in God's eyes and wrong in the world's eyes.

I am a firm believe, though, that if you have gone to far with sexual sins and other sins that overtake this world, my GOD is waiting for you to come home. He wants to hear about them, cure the hurt and for you to return with a clean heart. I know this for sure.

I am very proud to be pure because I know that on my wedding night that is something that I can share with my one true love. But, some people don't think that is important and I say act on what your convictions tell you. 

Going through TRUE LOVE WAITS in high school was an awesome experience for me. I'll never forget at the end of the program that we went through my dad put my TLW ring on my left ring finger. That was such a special moment in my life, pledging to my entire church, family and friends that was the decision I was making. I plan to incorporate that into my wedding vows somehow. :)

Share your thoughts! I would love to know your opinions and discussion on this topic. 

Ways to pursue PURITY:

1.) Avoid the LOOK

2.) Avoid the Flattery.

3.) Avoid impure thoughts.

4.) Avoid the rendezvous.

5.) Avoid the house.

6.) Avoid the touch.

Monday Morning Shenanigans.

Hey gals! Hope you all had wonderful, restful, relaxing weekends. I definitely (very rarely) did not have a restful weekend but it was fabulous none the less. Here's the details:

{new mantel}- I go through these phases where I have to change it up. I went for neutral this week. Don't get too attached because next week it'll be all full of color.

{outfit of the day}- This was for Friday night. I love my coral jeans with a chambray shirt. I literally can wear this shirt with anything.  I also loved these striped shoes from GAP. No worries.. I'm not becoming a fashion blogger but I do love this outfit. :)

{people who mean something}-World meet Bro. Chris. He was my BSU director at ICC. I love catching up with him at weddings and such because he makes me laugh so much. He literally can philosophize any conversation and make you feel like you are in college again. He assured me that God had BIG plans for my life and I'm so thankful that I will always have hilarious memories of him!

{Wedding}- Nicholas and Hannah got MARRIED. Such a sweet wedding. Wish y'all the best!

{SEC Sunday}-I made this up. Little Abel had his Colonel Reb smock on at church and I couldn't let him leave without a picture. Couldn't you just eat him up?

{friends}- Caitlyn and I met up for a bye meal for the week. We were about to make our hour and a half drives to home so we figured one last mexican meal would work. So thankful for her friendship.

Now on a serious note: 

One of my brother's friends was killed Friday night caused by a 3-wheeler wreck. Please keep our small town family in your prayers. Many people are affected and it sucks not being able to help them heal. This guy had a 6 year old little boy and leaves behind a family who loved him dearly. All prayers are appreciated! 

Happy Monday, y'all.