Love Letters

Dear Sugar Britches //
Thanks for letting me call you absurd nicknames like sugar britches. Or wubber face.
You make life so fun. I love that you're up for any spontaneous adventure, like when we walked 3 miles to dinner Monday. What's even better? The fact that you've already made a spreadsheet of places within a 5 mile walking distance for more adventures.

Dear Chipotle //
You've come to the rescue once again, I'm so glad you are blocks away. I was so pumped/proud when I prepared my Pinterest-inspired BBQ crockpot chicken yesterday morning... and what a major flop. The guac tasted extra scrumptious last night for some reason... ;)

Dear Boxed Wine //
You are trouble. Pure trouble, and I love you.

Dear Friday Night Lights //
Shame on you for being so gosh darn good. You've kept me up every night this week by feeding my addiction. I mean, how can you expect me to watch just a few episodes a night, when the next one is just a click away after an intense cliff hanger?

Dear Dreamland //
Between dreaming we picked out a red headed baby with hazel/green eyes at the grocery store, horses herding runaway dogs at my cousin's house, and getting sprayed by a skunk who looked like a cheetah, you keep me wildly entertained.

Dear Hubs //
(Yes, you always get two letters) Thanks for pretending like that super dry/burnt crockpot meal was edible. Oh, and for chuckling each morning while I stumbled through explaining my wacko dreams... while I was still asleep. Love your handsome face off.

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

Happy Hump Day, you little Sassy Things you!


PS - Kitchen renovation reveal coming tomorrow!! 

PPS - Don't miss out on the LaMaLu Boutique giveaway - SO many cute things!

Giveaway: LaMaLu Boutique + Awesome Blogging E-Book

Well it's giveaway day here on the ol' blog, so I hope you're in the mood for getting some sweet stuff without having to do hardly anything. A total win-win.

So many awesome things up for grabs!! First off, we have a fantastic gift card to LaMaLu Boutique! This shop is full of adorable dresses, fun fashions, and tons of gorgeous jewelry and statement necklaces!

See, I told you. 
Gorgeous.

Shop // Facebook// Instagram // Bloglovin

Next up, we have the highly anticipated, blogger friendly e-book, "Blogging at the Next Level" by the adorable Alycia Crowley at the Crowley Party blog. I've read it, and you don't want to miss these incredible tips... promise!

Blog // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Bloglovin // FB

And just for funsies, I am going to throw in a month long sponsor ad space on Life of Meg as a thank you! You guys are the best! Now go enter to win and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway open until Sunday, August 11th at 12 a.m., and a winner will be announced during the Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Your chance to win is super high if you tweet everyday, so spread the word to anyone and everyone!! It's definitely not irony that the last several giveaway winners were daily giveaway tweeters! So get your social media on, girl.


PS - Don't forget to link-up and gain new readers ALL WEEK at my Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Hey y'all!! I hope you survived you weekend shenanigans, you wild things you!

I think we should just hop right into our mingling today - enjoy!!

      
HOW TO MINGLE
 
1) Must be a Life of Meg follower to participate.   2) Click on the link below to enter your blog.   3) Go visit other blogs saying hello from Mingle Monday!   4) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below...     ** What's your favorite baked good and why? **

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// Sponsor Spotlight //

I just spent my Friday night with Sharaya from Sharaya Mauck Photography, shooting photos for my blog! She is hands down the best photographer in all of Kansas City, shot some gorgeous photos for our engagement and wedding, and I can't wait to see how they turned out!

In the meantime, go stop by her fantastic blog to get a little sneek peek inside of her world - she's so creative and she will inspire you BIG time!

Blog // Twitter // Pinterest // FB // Instagram

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** ALSO **

Personal blog RTs for your blog on Twitter all day for everyone who tweets about Mingle Monday! I'm always happy to send extra traffic your way for being so kind!! :)

PS - Stay Tuned tomorrow for an awesome GIVEAWAY by the adorable La Malu Botuique! Fun dresses, sassy accessories, and gorgeous jewelry coming your way!


Happy Monday, sassy ladies!

Let Bestie Weekend Commence!

See that sassy lady?

Yup, that's Lindsey.
My bestie.
She lives in Oklahoma.

Feel free to call her "Yins", "Yinsanator", or Linds if you'd like.. I don't think I've ever called her by her real name. :)

{via}

Isn't she stunning?

I met Linds at my very first big girl job when I lived in Oklahoma City and we clicked right away. Even though we only lived in the same city for 10 months, we developed an amazing friendship that we've kept up long distance for more than 4+ years now.

With a 5 hour gap keeping us apart, I am so ready for a reunion... and today's the day!
Adam and the dudes are hitting the road for a cabin weekend, which leaves us girls to party hardy.

Here's a little glimpse into our overly girly weekend...

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

// Friday
I can't wait to bust out of here like a bat out of hell coem 5 p.m.! If it doesn't pour cats and dogs, I have a quick blog photo shoot, and then we're off to dinner on the town. Linds loves Blanc Burgers + Bottles, so we may have to go there.

Later tonight? Crafting, girl talk, Redbox, chocolate, and wine. Lots of wine.


// Saturday
Umm... sleeping in. Thank goodness that girl likes to sleep in - I'm le pooped! Once we roll around, we'll probably take Bella Beast on a super long walk or hit up my favorite Zumba class for a sweat sesh.

The afternoon will consist of a gross amount of outlet shopping (we've been know to cause serious damage), baking for my big girls night party, and crafting!

Saturday night, all the girls are coming over to my casa for a Favorite Things Party (recap next week!) - I can't wait! I've been working on lots of cute crafts, decor, and party favors!


// Sunday
Since we go to evening church, we may hit up the theater for a super cheap morning movie or head to brunch somewhere sassy.

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

More than anything, I can't wait to just catch up, relax, and enjoy how effortless and easy it is to be around such a beautiful friend. Love her and can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans we get ourselves into!


What are you girls up to this weekend??

// In Case You Missed It //

+ week long link-up

+ life lately in photos

+ chocolate lover's favorite bundt cake

PS - I totally lied about posting my kitchen renovation! Dues to rainy weather and poor kitchen natural light this week, I plan to post next week! Stay tuned!!

Chocolate Lover's Favorite Bundt Cake

Hello, my name is Meg, and I'm addicted to chocolate.

Hiii Meeeggg.

It feels so great to get that stunning confession off my chest. So now that you know my main weakness, it's probably not hard for you to imagine why I wanted to whip up something extra decadent and delicious for this past Sunday's dinner at my in-laws house.

I scoured recipes, looked at what I had on hand, and this concoction is what I came up with!

{ Chocolate Lover's Favorite Bundt Cake }

Chocolate Bundt Cake 

{ via Ghirarhdeli }

Ingredients:

- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

- 2 eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla 

- 1/2 cup cool water

- 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

** icing ingredients/directions below **

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 6-cup bundt cake pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt for 60 seconds on low speed with the electric mixer. Add the butter, eggs, oil, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of the water. Beat on low speed just until all of the dry ingredients are moist.
3. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add 3 tablespoons water and beat for 20 seconds on medium speed. Scrape the bowl and add the remaining 3 tablespoons water. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.
4. Bake 35-40 minutes (do not open the oven for the first 30 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into a cakey place in the center of the cake comes out clean (except for melted chocolate chips).
5. Set the pan on a rack to cool for ten minutes. Invert the cake onto rack (turn the round cake right side up) to cool completely.

Chocolate Fudge Icing

{ via Brown Eyed Baker }

- 1/2 cup unsalted butter

- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 3 & 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla 

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1) In a medium saucepan bring the butter, cocoa powder and evaporated milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Make sure you whisk mixture occasionally to prevent from overcooking.

2) Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt and whisk continuously until the mixture becomes smooth, about 30 seconds.

3) Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the icing over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Work quickly - the icing will begin to harden after it's poured!

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.

I just added a splash of fresh berries to the center for flavor and color, placed it on a pretty cake stand, and then it instantly looked fancy. I didn't tell anyone it was one of the easiest things I've ever whipped together!

If you haven't checked out Brown Eyed Baker's amazing food blog, please do! It's absolutely one of my go to sites for quality recipes... yum!

Looking forward to trying this ultra-easy version of the bundt cake for my girls night this Saturday!


Bon Appetit!

Life Lately - Photo Overload

Well, boy howdy, do I have some catching up to do in the photo department!

I meant to share half of these last week and time got away from me.
So today's the day... lucky you! ;)

Now that's called irony. Hahahaha.

Absolutely LOVING our weather lately!

Did some doggie sitting. Beast loved supervising the neighborhood with that big monster!

Sleepless in Seattle. Wine. Me time at it's finest.

(yes, I realize I am a walking girly cliche.)

I made this decadent chocolate beauty this weekend in our new kitchen! 

Recipe coming this afternoon!

Don't worry, I didn't let the extra chocolate go to waste! ;)

Speaking of new kitchens... I spent Saturday organizing and creating this cute little coffee station. I love how it turned out! Kitchen renovation reveal TOMORROW!

Did anyone watch The Bachelorette? Galley Bay Antigua was where we honeymooned! 

Isn't it gorgeous? Take me back!

Ice cream and beach reads in bed is totally permissible for a good time.

Sleepy puppies and furry paws make my heart happy.

Found my sister just "lounging" like this in our kitchen... because that's totally normal. #weirdo

So we went to a wedding. I had the most handsome date!

And had fun being silly with my friends...

...and successfully accomplished the poofy half up/half down!

I have been on a boxed wine kick lately. And yes, I use frozen grapes to keep my Pinot chilled! ;)

And last but not least, my husband loves his grill. And I don't mind not cooking dinner. :)

Yup, that is pretty much life in a very random nut shell! But stay tuned... kitchen renovation coming tomorrow, and updates on my big girls night party coming Friday!!

Happy Hump Day, y'all!

Mingle Monday Link-Up!

Welcome back to the work week! I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

So let's just get to it, shall we? Let's mingle!

      
HOW TO MINGLE
 
1) Must be a Life of Meg follower to participate.   2) Click on the link below to enter your blog.   3) Go visit other blogs saying hello from Mingle Monday!   4) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below...     **  What was the highlight of your weekend? **

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// Sponsor Spotlight //

See this gorgeous girl? This is Sharaya from Sharaya Mauck Photography.
She is the mastermind photographer behind our engagement and wedding photos, and will be shooting a mini session for my blog this Friday! Yup, I'm way excited!!

Anyway, go stop by her fantastic blog to get a little sneek peek inside of her world - she's so creative and she will inspire you BIG time!

Blog // Twitter // Pinterest // FB // Instagram

____________________________________________________________________________________

** ALSO **

Personal blog RTs for your blog on Twitter all day for everyone who tweets about Mingle Monday! I'm always happy to send extra traffic your way for being so kind!! :)

Happy Monday, love bugs!

Mood Board: Kitchen Renovation

Every single day after work, I am thrilled to get home and see what's been done that day. That's right, this week is the final phase in our kitchen remodel, and I am absolutely loving how it's coming together.

If you can't tell by my beautiful blog design (via Something Charming - LOVE Joelle!), I am in love with yellow.

It's sunny.
It's fresh.
It's cheerful.

So naturally I wanted to find a way to incorporate yellow into our new kitchen without taking away from the gorgeous neutral wall color. We also agreed on adding in tuquoise and green accents for extra dimension.

I want our kitchen, the place where I love spending my time, to feel clean, relaxing, and just plain fun.
Here's a sneak peek of my mood board for our kitchen design...

// What do you think?


I've been taking tons of photos and can't wait to show you the full reveal next week!!

Royal Baby - It's A BOY!!!!

{via}

Break out the tea and crumpets! The third in line to the throne has arrived!

That's right, the lovely Duchess gave birth to a healthy baby boy this afternoon and I couldn't be more ecstatic! Was anyone else loving Royal Baby watch?

I wonder what his name will be... any guesses?

For more of my unhealthy obsession with the Royal Family, feel free 

to indulge yourself in my not-so-secret vice here! :)

PS - Don't forget to link-up and gain new readers ALL WEEK at my Mingle Monday Link-Up!


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