SUYL

I am an avid reader of Kelly's Korner blog. And every week, Kelly has a link-up party titled "Show Us Your Life". She has a lot of different topics she covers. For some past SUYL's you can check them out here. 

This week's SUYL topic is Singles. Lots of different singles all over the country link up to just get themselves out there. Kelly has actually had 6 different couples with success with one wedding down and possibly five more to go! How awesome is that? It's so neat to see how God can use such a simple tool as a blog to connect two people together to spend the rest of their lives together! As Kelly says - this is not a fool-proof method. Just because you submit your story doesn't mean something will come of it. But I think putting yourself out there is a pretty bold move... and you never know what might come from it! :)

With that said - I am going to share a little bit about myself. I actually can't believe that I'm doing this. When it comes to dating, I'm a pretty private person. I don't like to put all my business out there. If anything, this just gives my fellow readers a closer look into my life. You might learn something you didn't know before! :)

My name is Amy Lynn Wentz. I am 23 years old and I currently live in Little Rock, AR. I am on the administrative staff at the Church at Rock Creek. I graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in May 2010. The four years spent at OBU completely changed my life. I met my lifelong friends. I learned so much. I grew up spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Unfortunately, not physically. (I'm only 5'0! ha!)

I am definitely family oriented. I have an older brother who's married with three little girls. I also have an older sister who's married with one little girl. My four nieces are my four favorite little girls in the whole wide world. Being an aunt has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. My family and I are all very close. I talk to my parents probably at least once a day. I talk to my brother and sister both a couple of times a week. 

Music is a huge part of my life. My dad sings & plays guitar. My mom plays piano (amazingly, I might add) and she can sing, even though she'd NEVER tell you that. My sister sings and can play violin and still a little piano after taking lessons as a child. My brother can sing...just chooses not to :) Most of my aunts & uncles sing. My cousins sing. Even my grandparents can carry a tune... my grandfather being a tad questionable. My point is - I've grown up with music being a major part of my life. I started singing as soon as I started talking. The majority of times that I've felt closest to God have been when I am singing. It is a huge passion. Being able to use my gift to glorify God is almost the best gift of all, coming in a close second to having salvation. 

But music is not my whole life. Some of my other favorite hobbies are cooking, traveling, shopping, watching football & baseball, and event planning. I found my love for cooking when I took Home Economics in 9th grade. My teacher was such an inspiration to me! And I can't turn down a great road trip! One of my life goals is to have stepped at least one foot in every state. I really hope I can accomplish this one day!

As far as my personality goes - I would say that I'm an out-going, loud laughing, people person. I absolutely love being around people. But I also enjoy my alone time, too. My favorite alone time is spent in my car, just driving around with no destination. Some of my greatest ideas and thoughts come from those moments. I can sing however loud and listen to whatever I want. I'm somewhat of a planner. I like to know what I'm going to be doing tonight, tomorrow, and later this week. This probably isn't a very good quality. But it's just part of my personality. But as much of a planner I am, I'm still easy-going. I'm not going to freak out if things don't go as planned. I have found that not everything works the way I want it to. And sometimes it works out better than planned. So I have learned to adjust. :)

I will now leave you with a few fun facts about me:

• I've been hit by a car and lived to tell about it! It's quite the story...

• I was born a Razorback and Cubs fan. And I won't apologize for it. :)

• Diet Coke is my addiction. This is probably bad. But let's be honest - it could definitely be worse.

• Sometimes I can be brutally honest.

• Red is my absolute favorite color.

• I'm not a morning person, even though I try really hard to be.

• Broadway musicals are my guilty pleasure.

• I was actually born in southern Louisiana, so I'm a real cajun at heart! (which explains my love for crawfish and other cajun food!)

• I own a Nintendo 64... and play it quite often!

• I have a very broad taste in music - from pop to jazz, hip hop, country and a little rock!

• I've been praying for my future husband since 5th grade, after doing a Bible study on dating, marriage and saving yourself for marriage.

I hope you learned something about me that you didn't already know! But I also hope I didn't overwhelm you :)

let's talk make up

Make up. It's one thing that every girl (or most every girl) owns, wears, obsesses over or even collects! But it seems to me that the main issues with make up these days is just simply wearing too much of it.

I admit: growing up, while being a teenager, I went heavy on the make up. Not even so much on my whole face, but really just on my eyes. I looooved eye-liner. And from old pictures, you sure can tell. (if I had a picture handy, I would show you! Unfortunately, I do not) But I think the struggle with women and make up is how much to put on or to leave off.

Experimenting with make up is one of my favorite things to do. It's fun to play around with the fun eye shadow colors and the ultra bright lipsticks. But what I've learned is that the subtler the make up, the better. As Bobbi Brown says, "Make up should only enhance the beauty [that God gave you.] Not cover it up."

I've collected a few photos from People magazine (of course) and I want to show you just what I'm talking about.

Kim Kardashian

Blake Lively 

Emma Stone

Ginnifer Goodwin

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer "J.Lo" Lopez

Lea Michelle

Olivia Wilde

Sure, a bright red or pink lip might be great for special occasions or fancy parties. But let's be honest - exactly how many red carpet events do we get invited to? These photos just prove that a smokey eye and a neutral lip is such a classic and beautiful look, and sometimes much more attractive than a bright red or pink lip.

What do you think? Do you prefer the smokey eye/neutral lip combo over the bright lipstick or eyeshadows?

celeb style watch

So I haven't really done a "fun" post in a while.. so today I want to lighten things up a bit!

People magazine is one of my absolute favorites. But I'm also an avid reader of their Web site! I love looking through all of the pictures, taking the polls, seeing what other people think about their style.

Here are a few celebs that not only do I love, but I am loving their style as well!

Ashley Greene                           Jayma Mays                            Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson                       Jennifer Lopez                           Jessica Alba

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett                                       Ryan Reynolds

Kristen Wiig                          Leighton Meester                       Minka Kelly

Olivia Wilde                             Reese Witherspoon                       Taylor Swift

SUMMARY:

Jennifer Hudson is just FABULOUS! She has worked so hard to look like that and she is WORKING it out! Jayma Mays is just a precious lady. I want to be her friend. Loving Ashley Greene's color of that dress. Works so well with her skin & hair color! Leighton Meester & Minka Kelly could be sisters and I am equally obsessed with them. But not a "Roommate" kind of obsession... since that would be creepy. Ryan Reynolds. HELLO. Marry me. I can just hear Kendra Wilkinson laughing as she's taking that picture. And that makes me happy. Jessica Alba is glowing! As she should since she has a little bun in the oven. But she is seriously gorgeous. So much that it makes me a little angry. Reese...well Reese will ALWAYS be one of my favorite style icons. What's not to love? I'm loving T.Swift's floral look. (& Bethany will love me for putting her in my favorites list) And although I will always know Olivia Wilde as the bi-sexual girl that turned Marissa into being bi-curious on The OC, she is amazingly stunning. Oh..and Kristen Wiig will forever be one of my favorites. There are very few women that are as funny as she is and just as gorgeous as she is funny!

Now of course.... there are also others that I didn't like so much. I'm not saying I don't like them as people. I'm just not feeling their choice of outfit that day! I'm sure you all will agree...

Heidi Klum                             Jennifer Lopez                         Kim Kardashian

Lucy Liu                                 Shenae Grimes                        Shenae Grimes

SUMMARY:

I am most of all disappointed in Kim Kardashian's outfit. She is a GORGEOUS girl. & although I know "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" is more false than reality, I'm kind of obsessed with all of the Kardashians. So Kim completely let me down with this. I mean.. really? What was she thinking? And I'm not quite sure what Heidi Klum was thinking either. Love the silhouette. HATE the colors/pattern. Shenae Grimes...I realize you are young. And you are trying to experience style while you still can. But this hobo/artsy fartsy looks just aren't working for me. I'm just. not. a. fan. And Lucy Liu? Um. Enough said. Just look at her.

I'm hoping to start doing more posts like this one. Because let's be honest... celebs are changing their styles CONSTANTLY. So there's always something to discuss!

Let me know what you think. Who are you loving? Who are you not loving? Is there a style that I'm loving that you aren't feeling so much? Is there someone you think I missed? I'd love to hear from you guys!

National Anthem Contest - TOP 10!!!

Alright you guys... remember that contest I'm in so I can win some mulah?!?! Well.... I made it to the TOP 10!!!

I know I told you guys that voting didn't really matter. Well it does now!!!

Round 2 of voting will consist of number of votes combined with a judge's score to make it into the Top 5! This will be the last round that the public has any say on who they like, so if you could PLEASE do me one more favor and throw in a few votes for me! :)

Remember, you can vote up to 10 times per day! And voting goes from TODAY until the 23rd of this month!!

THANK YOU!!!

You can click >>HERE<< to cast your vote!

heavenly breakfast goodness

This week I have been in the cooking/baking mood! After seeing all of these yummmmy pictures of food on Pinterest, I decided I wanted to make something. But of course Kate and I couldn't eat it all by ourselves... so I made up some breakfast and brought it to work! Here's what I made:

Breakfast Casserole

1 can crescent rolls

1 lb. ground sausage

1 medium onion

1 bag shredded cheese

6-12 eggs (however many you want to use)

Directions:

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray

Lay crescent rolls in the bottom of the pan, completely covering the bottom.

Brown the sausage and add as much chopped onion as you like.

Let the sausage mixture cool just a few minutes, then spread it out over the crescent rolls.

Sprinkle cheese all over sausage mixture.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs and add a splash of milk and salt & pepper.

Pour the egg mixture over the sausage/cheese.

At this point, you can either bake it at 350° F for about 25 minutes. OR you can put a lid on it and put it in the fridge if you want to make this the night before. Then all you have to do is wake up and pop it in the oven in the morning. (that's what I did!)

Fat Cakes (also known as Sopapilla Cheesecake)

3 cans crescent rolls

2 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup butter

Cinnamon/sugar to taste

Directions:

Unroll and spread 1 1/2 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased pan. 

Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. 

Spread mixture over crescent rolls. 

Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. 

Pour melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes OR cover and store in fridge overnight then bake in the morning.


I brought both of these in this morning, got it all set up in the work room, and I left for about 5 minutes. When I returned, this is what I found...

So... I guess my co-workers like it? Ha! :)

Hope you all enjoy the recipes! They are easy, inexpensive & super yummy!

what's been up lately...

Ok ok.....so I admit it. I've really sucked it up at blogging lately!! And my deepest apologies go out to those of you who actually read this thing! :)

I haven't really been that busy. I actually lead a pretty boring life. I wake up, get ready for work, go to work, come home from work, watch my shows, eat some dinner, and go to bed. And repeat. I guess I stay pretty busy on the weekends. This past weekend I went to Jonesboro to see my best friend of 12 years! You can check her out here. We got to just hang out and chill. We did a little laying out, a little shopping... It was a great weekend! And I am ALWAYS so sad when I leave, not only because I miss her, but because we ALWAYS forget to take pictures when we are together!! So I don't have a real recent pic of us... but this will have to do for now:

That picture was taken on Sara's wedding day! And her one year anniversary is actually coming up this next week so *Happy Anniversary, Best Friend For Liiiiiiiife* :)

Other than my trip to J-boro, I really haven't been up to much. I just haven't really had much to blog about.

I've come to find out that I'm at a really awkward place in my life right now. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just something that I will have to get used to for a few years at least. Here's what I mean.....I am 23 years old. I am financially independent (for the most part). I don't live with my parents anymore. I have a full-time job. And.... I am completely and utterly single. 

Ok...so why is that awkward?

Well, 3/7 of my best friends are married. 2/7 are engaged. And the other 2/7 are in seriously committed relationships.

But....aren't you happy for them?

OF COURSE!! I am thrilled that Sara, Brooke & Ana are married to the love of their life! I am super excited and looking forward to Bethany & Megan's weddings... and I couldn't love Kate & Sam's boyfriends anymore than I already do. But what's the "awkward" part is that they are all moving forward in their life with their loves. And I'm just swimming the in the "single" pool trying to keep afloat.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not sad or trying to whine about being single. I am happy with who I am and where I am right now. I'm only discussing this because it really IS awkward. And if you are in the same position as me....you know EXACTLY what I am talking about!

I guess it wouldn't be that awkward if I didn't mind living by myself. But because I shutter at the thought of ever having to live by myself again...that's what makes it so awkward. That isn't an issue right now...but when mine and Kate's lease is up in November, I'm going have to either live by myself again (gag), find another roommate, orrrrrr move back in with my parents.

Not that I'm totally against living with my parents again. It would be great to spend more time with them, save a little money. But I've worked so hard to make my own money, pay my own bills...I've enjoyed the independence.

I know everything will work itself out over time. But these are just the thoughts that are constantly replaying through my head. If you were ever in this position, I'd love to hear from you. How did you deal with the awkwardness? I know I won't feel like this forever...and that the awkwardness will be over one day. But surely there are some ways to make this process a little easier :)

ohhh say can you siiiiing!!

Hey friends!! I have a small favor to ask of you...

I am currently in a contest online to win some MULAH! All I had to do was sing the National Anthem, record it, and submit it. There will be a top 10 picked and then from there a top 5. The top 3 get cash prizes and then the winner gets to sing with the Arkansas Symphony! The top 10 will consist of 5 with the most votes and 5 that a panel of judges pick from.

It would mean SO MUCH to me if you threw in a few votes for me! You can vote up to 10 times a day.

You can go >>HERE<< to vote, or you can click on the widget just to the right over there!!

Thank you SO much!! :)

handwritten messages

p i n t e r e s t

[[also - if you need an invite, just let me know!]]

30 Day Photo Fun

Welp, I saw that Madaline was participating in this. So I decided to join in on the fun!

Since it's the 3rd already, I will catch up today by doing the first three pictures all in one post.

Slightly blurry.....but it's what I can do for a self-portrait!

I wouldn't say these are my absolute favorite shoes...but they are the ones I'm wearing today. And I actually wear them A LOT. They go with almost anything I wear!

So I don't have the prettiest hands. And unfortunately right now, I don't have a fresh manicure. I have short and stubby fingers. And a little bandaid on my little pinky finger... But these are mine and there's nothing I can do about it! :)

Welp, hopefully there will be a few clouds tomorrow... Until then...

strawberry cakeballs

So a group of my co-workers and friends get together once a month and we all play Bunco! This month is my month to be "hostess" but since I have a little apartment and can't fit 12 ladies in it, Madaline is graciously letting me use her house! ((Thank you, Maddie!!!)

Part of being hostess is being is charge of the food! I decided to make mini turkey & swiss sandwiches, little pigs in a blanket, strawberry cakeballs and fudge brownies! & Madaline is making little tortilla pinwheels with cream cheese! ::YUM::

Today I wanted to share with you how to make the strawberry cakeballs. Most of you already know how to make cakeballs, but there were a few people that wanted the recipe when I tweeted pictures of the finished result!

STRAWBERRY CAKEBALLS

Ingredients:

1 box of cake mix - your choice

(and other ingredients on the back of the cake mix box)

1 can of frosting - your choice

1 package of almond bark

(that's really just chocolate in bar form that you can melt. 

You can do either chocolate or white chocolate)

Directions:

Bake the cake as instructed on the back of the box.

Let the cake cool.

Break up the cake into crumbs and put in bowl.

Mix in the whole can of frosting in with the cake crumbs.

--at this point, I put the bowl in the fridge (or freezer) to let it really cool so you can form balls easily--

Once the cake/frosting mixture is cooled completely, you can form the balls.

I place the rolled ones on a baking sheet and even put them back in the fridge or freezer to make sure they are good and solid before I try and put melted chocolate on them.

Once they are firm and solid, roll them around in the melted almond bark.

I pour a few sprinkles on them while the chocolate is still soft.

Place on wax paper to let the almond bark harden.

TADA!!!

There you go.

You can try this with any kind of combination of cake and frosting.

Some of my favorites are:

Red velvet cake, cream cheese icing, white chocolate almond bark

Chocolate cake, chocolate icing, milk chocolate almond bark

Yellow cake, chocolate icing, milk chocolate almond bark

Spice cake, cream cheese icing, white chocolate almond bark

Hope these are a hit tonight at the Bunco party!