hello! welcome! nice to meet you!

HI! I have been contemplating starting my own blog for a while now... Actually I realized when I went to create one today, that I had already registered a blog a year ago, but never had the guts to actually write anything. I just don't think I am funny or entertaining enough to actually interest anyone. But today I decided to just do it, and see what it becomes. Maybe I will update daily, maybe never again, but here it goes...

For my first post I wanted to tell you a little about me... I wanted to show you a part of my life - a part I love so dearly - a part which also happens to be pretty! (hence the name of my blog) I contemplated a catchy, awkward title for my first post like "Surrounded by Sisters" (you'll see what I mean below) but I just decided to keep it simple and to the point. Although I will warn you now, you will find I am never really very simple, or to the point. I tend to ramble about uninteresting things, I get really excited about things normal people don't, and I get confused trying to get all my thoughts and emotions from my head into words.

"Surrounded by Sisters" hah!

All my life I have been surrounded by sisters and all things girl. Above are my actual sisters - a.k.a: The Gatz Girls. They are a big part of my life! I love them so much, and aren't they so pretty? :) We are all very close in age and as I get older they are becoming my best friends.

From L-R:
Katherine: the youngest and also the trouble maker of the family. She is the feisty one, who uses the "baby of the family" card to get away with anything, but always keeps everyone on their toes and laughing.

Me: known as the "mom", always the last one out the door, the rule follower, who can always talk her way in/out of just about any situation

Annie: the oldest and the first to do anything, has it the hardest from mom and dad, plus she had to share a room with me all her life. We all follow her good example... she is the hard working, stylish sister with a plan (which I always seem to mess up or get in the way of by stealing the family car or waking her up when I come home at night - sorry sis)

Laura: the typical middle child that accidentally gets left out or forgotten. We poke fun at her for mixing up her words and getting everything backwards, but she is the most genuine person I know who would do ANYTHING for her family and friends.

(I know my mom and dad will comment that they weren't mentioned in my first blog... they will be! They just don't fit into the the awk "Surrounded by Sisters" theme.)

 THEN.... there's my other sisters....

Yes, since you probably couldn't guess, they are not only my sorority sisters, but my roommates too! Yes, all 8 of us live together under the same roof that we self-proclaimed to be called, "Beach House" because of the sandy colored paint and blue doors. These sisters are also a huge part of my life, whom I love so dearly and whom are definitely really pretty! We have a hard time getting all 8 of us in a picture. In fact out of the 8,000+ photos (no exaggeration) in my iphoto, the picture above is THE ONLY one with every single one of us, and unfortunately not a very good one.

From L-R ish:
Sarah: the sweetest and most innocent one! True, but don't get me wrong. She is definitely sweet, and definitely innocent... you will not hear a foul word out of this southern belle's mouth... but don't get any sort of stereotype in your head. This girl knows how to have a good time and is feisty when necessary.

Courtney: the brains of the bunch and a sense of style with a punch! Smart and classy with a side of sassy, yes please! She could keep me entertained for hours... and I wouldn't even have to say a word.

Sarah: you probably already know her. She knows everyone! The friendliest, most outgoing of our crew. Whatever you need her for, she will do it. Her days are jam-packed, but she does it all ... we all have no clue how.

Brielle: she may be the smallest, (i wouldn't suggest borrowing her miniature blankets when you're cold) but don't step on her toes downtown, or anytime for that matter... she can hold her own. She has her stuff together and is always willing to help her friends out (all her random friends too)

Natalie (not me): the most loyal roommate and friend. the best at keeping tabs on everyone and including all in her wonderful enchilada dinners and wine nights

Kristen: the modest suzie homemaker... she will get mad at me for saying that. But seriously, in a good way. She's the all-around girl. She can cook, she's clean, she always looks pretty, smart, fashionable... ya no fair, huh? love her!

Jessica: A globetrotting fashionista that always buy the shoes... lots of them, and the clothes, and jewelry and purse to match. Hey, none of us clothes sharers are complaining! She will procrastinate studying any night for some good, clean fun!

Me: once again the mom of the bunch, and still always the last one out the door. They count on me mostly for recounting their blurry moments with my nightly photo shoots.


This one is a better photo moment for everyone... has all the Sarah's, all the Natalie's, and all the others except our little Brielle!

Okay enough... (probably too much! I warned you about my rambling) Thanks for checking out my first post! I am not sure what is to come...  more about life, and love, a little sharing, a little venting.
Oh, and I am obsessed with weddings, so definitely a lot of that too.


enjoy life. keep loving. and don't forget to stop and admire all the pretty things along the way! -n