Wedded Bliss Wednesday Gift Edition!

It's another Wedded Bliss Wednesday and this is a good one because I love me some Holiday time! 

What is the best gift to give your husband?

Anything sports related really. Whether it is something for the Man Cave or tickets to a game, he loves his sports so I know I can't really go wrong with sports. Books are good too but he takes FOREVER to get thru  He's also into box sets of movies and shows such as the James Bond box set in blue ray or the Lost TV show but those aren't as high on the list. 

What is a meaningful gift that you can give that does not cost money?

Oh now, c'mon that should be an easy! ;) But in all honesty the best gift that I could give him would be just to spend time with him or watch a Lion's or Patriots game with him. I mean he'll watch the games no matter what but he likes it when I sit in there with him and act like I'm paying attention.

What is the best gift you have given to him?

Well he likes this collage I made of all the words that are significant to us. It was so simple to make and practically free!

What is the best gift he has given to you?

Oh there is no way to decide which gift is my favorite. He does a really good job at picking out jewelry, clothes, movies, anything really! What can I say? I picked a good one! 

But I did love when he took me to NYC for Christmas last year. 

What are you giving this holiday?

This holiday we are doing Disney for Christmas with my family so Christmas is going to be sparce in the gift department. But if we do exchange gifts, I can't exactly say what I'm going to get him on here now can I! He does actually read my blog.

Happy Wednesday!

We Survived!

Well Sandy came in all her wrath and rain and I have to say...I was bored. Yes, everything that happened to NYC and New Jersey is absolutely awful and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone without power and damage. But here in the Keck household we were waiting for some cray cray storm! (And I do think it's a little tacky to compare this one to Katrina.)

Sandy, you disappointed me.

BUT, we did lose power for a hot second and we headed outside to make sure there were no lines down. It was eerily silent and I snapped this picture that summed up a Halloween feel to this storm!

They talked about the full moon having a big part in all the flooding and it sure was out and shiny!

We do appreciate all the concern from friends and family back home. Who'd have thought that when we moved to the East Coast we would have to deal with hurricanes every year?!

So this was just a quick little update! I received the Versatile Award from Jen over at Mise En Place  so I will be filling out all those questions tomorrow or Thursday since tomorrow is Wedded Bliss Wednesday! Be sure to check back!

Is it November Yet?

The weeks and the months are flying by faster and faster these days, but I am really excited for October to be over.

With Halloween and every single scary movie imaginable clogging up the television schedule, I am ready for a little happy holiday spirit! I have this nasty little habit of playing Christmas music the day after Halloween. While it drives most of my family and friends crazy that I do this so early in the holiday season I don't really care. It just doesn't seem quite fair that we get such a short amount of time to celebrate such an amazing time of the year. So I stretch the timeline a little.

And with so many fun things coming up this holiday season it's hard not to get excited!

I mean, HELLO! Most Magical Place on Earth on CRACK! via

November also marks the end of hurricane season. When we moved to the East Coast I had no idea that we would be facing a hurricane every year.

via

 Hunkering down for the storm would be fun and all if I wasn't worried about Andrew getting back from MI tonight. Ah well, it could be that Sandy won't even hit us that hard and we will have prepared for nothing. 

I hope that everyone has had an amazing weekend and stays safe if you're anywhere on the East Coast! 

Friday Letters

Happy Friday everyone! I decided to link-up with Ashley for Friday Letters.

Dear Week: I have to say, I am really glad that you are over. There has been some crazy changes going on and I'm ready to get back to some form of normalcy...whatever that may be.

Dear Husband: Thank you so much for putting up with me this week and for your patience and support. I don't know what I would do without you, even though I am a little bummed you get to go to Michigan this weekend. 

Dear Weekend: I am looking forward to a little peace and quiet. While I love the Tigers, I am ready for them to stop turning my husband into an angry elf. 

Dear Blog: I love that I have more time to work on you now and getting to know new friends is always fun! 

Short and simple today but I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend! If you haven't entered Kay's 500 follower giveaway, get on it!

And welcome my dear friend, Tara to the blogging world!

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays Time to Turn the Table!

It was time for another Wedded Bliss Wednesday with Kay and Allie. This time, however, it was up to the husbands to provide this week's entertainment! I introduce you to my husband, Andrew. Enjoy!

What was the first thing you noticed about your wife?

Other than the first thought crossing my mind being, "Wow, she looks kinda b*tchy," because she stormed into our first day of journalism class looking like she meant business and wasn't meant to be trifled with, the first thing I actually noticed about her was that she had the most beautiful brown eyes and hair. I was instantly smitten.

(Sarah:)

When you first started dating your wife, what kept you calling/asking her out?

Well, we were friends for over a year before we started dating, and even when we did start dating there was never an official "Will you go out with me?" sort of thing. It just kinda...started. But I had been trying for that year-long period to get her to start dating me and it's because I identified with her so well, we had a lot in common (interests, sense of humor, smashing good looks) and I just knew we were meant to be together.

What is your wife's best quality?

That's a bit of a loaded question because there are a ton of great qualities about Sarah, but my favorite quality about her is the love and care she shows not just for me but for her family. (Okay, and I love her humor. I have many funny friends, but no one makes me laugh as hard and as sincerely as Sarah does.)

What is your favorite thing to do with your wife (ahem, keep it clean!)?

Easy: go to the movie theatre and see a movie. Obviously along with our movie review blog we write together, we also just enjoy watching movies together, and we play a game before each movie where we guess how many trailers will play first. It's silly but I love it.

What are you most excited for for the future with your wife?

I'm excited for a lot of things. We're planning a West Coast trip to take in a few years, we're already starting to save up to buy a house someday, she fights it but some day we hope to have a nice little family and maybe live a little closer to our parents when that happens. I'm just excited for our future in general. Sounds sappy but it's true.

How do you make your wife feel loved?

Every single day I repeatedly tell her I love her and how beautiful she is. I'm sure it annoys her from time to time, but I say it because it's true and because her beauty literally compels me to do so. I also try to surprise her from time to time with flowers or gifts, we dress up and go out for dinners where we can just talk about things, and she's knows I'm 100% supportive of everything she does (like this blog, which I think is awesome). I try to pick her up when she's feeling down and overall just try to be the best friend and husband I can be.

Is What It Is.

Welp, people, I've been dumped. Heaved ho. Hasta la vista baby. I was with this entity for a year and change and I get dumped like a hot potato. Not a fan of being the dumpee. So that means this is what my afternoon looks like today and possibly for the foreseeable future...

what you don't see are the sweatpants I'm also rocking

Yup, big cookie, tea, blogging and what used to be a good television show. 

Yes dear blogger friends, I've been fired. For the first time in my life I was fired. Emily's let me go after a year working for them, because I took another job...one that I love to be clear. But I was bummed nonetheless. Although I had been planning on leaving soon anyway, the sting is still here. And that sting comes from the fact that I was fired over an email. Not the way I would have done it but it is what it is. 

even tho this is what I sorta feel like

There is a silver lining to all of this tho, I get a chance to take on more hours at Ann Taylor, I can get up and go for a run in the morning instead of in the evening and I get more time to work on my blog! 

So while it is going to be tough to get used to my new found free time, I am excited to see what this new opportunity brings. 

A Fabulous Giveaway for an Awesome Gal!

If you don't already know, and you really should because she's awesome, Kay over at Life After... hit the big 500 followers last week!

To celebrate that, she and a group of fun bloggers have gotten together to celebrate. Yours truly even has a little something to give away! Check it out!

Wife Guilt, Crock Pots and the Attack of the Door Frames

This has been quite the crazy past 8 days! Getting used to working two jobs is hectic and that means that the apartment has kind of gone by the wayside as far as getting chores done. Chores are overrated as it is. And laundry? Well I have decided laundry is a guy. Annoying, cumbersome and just can't stay clean for long. Yup...laundry's a dude.

So along with the laundry and dusting going by the wayside I haven't been able to fix dinner for the hubs very much the past week. This has caused some hard-core wife guilt. Since when did needing to feed my husband every night become such a big thing? Well, if I thought he would actually eat something semi-healthy when I'm not around, I would be ok with it. But with this whole "Skinny by Disney" thing we got going on, it is so important that we change the way we eat. Super lame.

So enters the crock pot. I currently work out of a vintage pot that was my mother's like first crock pot and it's awesome. Soups have been rocking my world for the past couple days. So even though it's not a 4-course dinner, the wife guilt is lifting a bit.

Totes old school

On a random note, I've decided that we have unnaturallyMASSIVE door frames. Lately they have been jumping out at me and hitting the tops of my hands, hip checking me and once I even turned around to head into the bedroom and it was RIGHT THERE! The bane of my existence people...

But whhhhy are you so large door frames?!

I hope you have all had a great Monday! 

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays: Marriage Advice

It's that time of the week again! Week three of WBW! This week is a tricky one, I think because in all honesty, we're the ones who should still be GETTING advice. But I will answer with the little tidbits that we have learned over the past year. 

If you could give one piece of advice to any married (or soon-to-be married) couple, what would it be? Have patience. I know this might seem like a cop-out but it is SO true. Andrew and I are both very guilty of not being patient with each other and it is something that we have to work on all the time. Being patient can really save you a lot of grief. I know I have trouble with certain chores getting done at a certain time. This frustrates the hell out of me when it doesn't get done as fast as I would like. But I have to remember that Andrew needs to feel like he is needed around the house and that is way more important.

What is an absolute MUST for any marriage/relationship? A comfortable day. A day where the two of you can just sit in comfortable clothes all day and just spend time with each other. Couples today are so busy with jobs and other activities and it is easy to get behind in your marriage. That reconnecting time is always cherished by us. We try and reconnect a little bit each day but sometimes a full day just the two of you is really nice. 
What is the #1 no-no in a marriage? Technology in the bedroom. Now, Andrew and I are also guilty of this. And of course we leave our phones by our beds, it's just what you do when you have grandparents at an advanced age, but we keep them on "do not disturb" mode so that emails and texts don't come thru. The computer stays off in the bedroom and we don't talk on the phone in bed. It's important to have one place where no one can interfere. Now this may not seem like a #1 no-no, but it's important to us.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your marriage? That we are such noobs! Anyone who has been married for as long as I have and says they have it all figured out, they are deluded. We have had so much fun learning different things about each other this year, even when not all of those things have been positive. There is still so much that we have to learn about each other and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives learning more. 

What. Have. I. DONE!?!

Three days on the floor of the new job are under my belt and I absolutely LOVE it! The people that I work with are so great and it really is like working in a huge closet where everyone just wants to pick out their next outfit. 

Here's the problem...while I do get a great discount, when there is down time we get to try on the clothes. Let's just say, this could get hard on my bank account (well, it's more going to challenge my will power). 

Currently Coveting...

People, we may have a problem! There is a very real chance my husband may look to some of you to sit me down for an intervention.

Working two jobs is challenging right now, but I figure it will just take a little time to get used to juggling this new life. I'm loving this new chapter in my life and I am so grateful for all the love and support that I have gotten from my bloggy friends. Thank you all so much! Change is scary, but I have learned that it can be so rewarding! 

Friday Letters

Hooking up for  little Friday Letters edition. 
Dear New Job, I love you so far! I know it has only been one shift, but I already feel like I belong there. It's like working in a ginormous closet and, let's be honest, that's the dream. I am excited to see where you will take me and what doors you will open. Training is tough but it makes it so much better when it is training in something that I love. 

My new job! via

Dear Husband, Thank you for being so amazing as I have tried to figure out this whole "career" thing. You know how difficult this whole thing has been for me over the last couple of weeks and I have to say, your patience and understanding has been remarkable. I love you! 
Dear Blog, I'm digging the new look! I still have a couple things I want to tweak, but Kay did an awesome job on your new header! I have to figure out how to work Paintbrush before I can really get to changing things on the side bar, but that's what Monday is for! 
Dear Weekends, I will begin to miss you. I have been so spoiled at having 4-day weekends and a ton of time to spend with Andrew and working on my blogs. Working 2 jobs for now is going to be tough, but the goal is to change that eventually. So I will have you back! Just might take a bit. 
Hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

I am so excited for week 2 of Wedded Bliss Wednesdays with Kay and Allie!

How often do you and your husband have a date night? Since we movie review blog, technically we have date night multiple times a week.(I feel pretty spoiled on that account) But we try and do a dinner date at least once a month. I think this is very important, because even though we spend a lot of time together we still enjoy just sitting and talking to each other about future plans and dreams. 

I love spending time with this guy!

What did you do on your first date? We went to a movie(duh) and saw Alice in Wonderland. Technically we weren't "officially" dating yet but he drove down from our college town to take me out for my birthday. After that, it was all about the lunches and movie nights!

Where we went to our first movie! via

What is your favorite kind of date night? The kind where we can try a new restaurant! When I married Andrew, he was quite the picky eater, but I quickly found out that it was just because he hadn't tried the foods he thought he didn't like! Once we opened that door, trying out new restaurants is when we have some of our most fun times. How do you do date night on a budget? One thing that we used to do when we lived back in Michigan, and we need to do it more here, is go on little picnics. For one of our wedding showers we received a picnic kit (one of the coolest gifts) so we like to try and picnic. We never go to far, just find a local park and spread out in the sun. It's so nice and relaxing! What is the best kind of date your husband could surprise you with?! Something new! I would love it if he would completely surprise me with a romantic dinner at a mystery spot. I just have this image of a romantic date where we are all dressed up and he escorts me into a private room with a table just for two with beautiful violin music playing in the background. All very romantic and beautiful. *hint, hint Andrew*

Fall Changes

Hello friends! There are some amazing changes going on over here at the NEW An Unexpected Journey. I have been struggling with where to take my blog lately. Is it a fashion blog? Is it a lifestyle blog? So I finally just let go and was like, it's going to be a little bit of everything!

I had Kay at Life After create this BEAUTIFUL header for me based completely on a new name and look. She's awesome at this in a way I never will be! Looking for a blog change? Get ahold of her! There is also a new domain name! It's still connected to blogger thru fashfly.blogspot.com, but then it will transfer you to the new domain, www.unexpectedjourneyblog.com.

Another new exciting thing going on in my life is that I got a new job! I will still be working at Emily's Catering Group during the week but I will also be working at Ann Taylor! I am so excited about this! I am ready to gain some more styling experience and work in an industry that I love. 

So there are a lot of changes, and I am so excited to see where life continues to take me! I will leave you all now with some fun outfits that I have put together that I love for the Fall!

No Andrew to take this picture so I improvised! Love a classic pencil skirt.

This is my "riding" look. So glad I can break my boots out of closet jail!

I love this cropped blazer from Urban Outfitters!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Under Construction

My blog is currently undergoing some changes of awesomeness! Stay Tuned!

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

So excited to link up with Kay and Allie for their first Wedded Bliss Wednesdays!

Introduce us to your husband! (What's his name? How old? What does he look like?)  I am married to Andrew...

Say "Hello," Andrew!

He's 25 years old
What is your husband's favorite thing to do?   He LOVES sports. So I would say watching football and baseball takes up most of the year. He/we love the movies and Andrew is such an amazing writer so when we do our movie blog, I feel like it totally showcases his talent. 
What does your husband do Monday-Friday? 
He works for the sports Mecca, ESPN, here in Bristol. He's working on college hoops for the winter and is on the Big East conference, and the tournament is in Madison Square Gardens every year! Holla NYC! He loves his job and gets to create the coolest features and lead-ins for games! I couldn't be more proud!
What was the FIRST thing you noticed about your husband when you met?
He had very kind eyes. We met in class and sat next to each other, so for the first couple of weeks we didn't really talk, but I always caught him out of the corner of my eye staring at me. 
What is your husband's BEST quality?
His patience with me. When I get stressed, I tend to spiral. He is so amazing at calming me down. I definitely think this is something that he has learned about me over time, therefore his quality has grown as well. It is something that we will both continue to perfect in our marriage and I am so grateful. 
What is your husband's biggest pet peeve?
This totally might be TMI, but when Andrew and I are horsing around and I want to really peeve him, I'll lick his arm. It totally grosses him out/annoys him like cray and just entertains the heck outta me! Needless to say, I do it often.
How does your husband feel about blogging?
He loves it! Our blog, Two Tickets For..., is our pride and joy. He works so hard on it and it really is something we can call our own. Our goal is to get a lot more traffic to it and maybe even one day get noticed by EW! He loves that I have my own blog too. Since we are both journalism minors, it gives us a chance to exercise our writing skills. 
What is something you do/can do that makes your husband feel loved?
He says lots of things, but the one thing that I can think of is I'm pretty good at lifting him up when he is down. We both do that well for each other. It is important, we think, to be each other's rock. We all need someone to be there for us when we are having a crappy day, and Andrew and I are so lucky that we have found that in each other.
This was a mushy post, I know, but sometimes it's worth it to mush about the person who puts up with you on a day-to-day basis! Can't wait until next week's questions!