A Reintroduction

I figured the most logical way to begin a blog relaunch would be with a reintroduction. So, hi. I'm Morgan! If you've been around for a while then you know that I started blogging about three and a half years ago under the title, Believe in the Sparks. I started blogging right after I got engaged to my now husband because I thought it would be a fun way to document the events leading up to our marriage. Little did I know that I would gain so much more from this space. 

Armosa Studios

A lot has changed in the past three and a half years. I am now a wife to a wonderful man who works endlessly to provide for our family. We have a beautiful eight month old daughter, Charlie Beth. She is our entire world, and Steven and I can't remember life without her. We have two dogs, Cooper and Kane. They are our first born children and are adjusting quite well to their new role of big brothers. 

Casey Marie Photography

Steven and I planted our roots in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. In fact, we just bought our second house together this summer, and we are so excited to watch our family grow in this home. 

Before Charlie Beth was born I was the Marketing Director for an Insurance Agency in Birmingham. I am fortunate enough to continue working from home a few hours a week, but my main role these days is staying at home to care for our sweet baby girl. It's easily my favorite role to date.

Casey Marie Photography

So, what can you expect from this space? Well, with a name like "Mamarazzi" you can be sure you'll see a lot of my little lady. My center focus will still be lifestyle, so you can expect a lot of marriage, parenthood, home decorating and improvement, travel, and amateur DIY posts. I may even get crazy and post a recipe or two. The beauty of this blog is that I don't have to nail down one particular topic. I can and will document all areas of my life. So sit back and hang on, things are about to get crazy!

Dying for more baby spam? Make sure you're following me on Instagram & Snapchat (@morganrsparks) to stay up to date on all the latest Charlie Beth photos. After all, I'm don't hold the title "Mamarazzi" for nothing! ;)

Let's Play A Game

I've seen this post floating around for a little while now, so when Libby tagged me in I decided it was time to take my turn and participate. Cheers to the number four!

Four names people call me:
- Moe 
- Morgz
- MoeMoe {{My dad's nickname for me}}
- Mama {{The dogs call me this. Or at least they know me by this name, and soon enough a little human will also call me by this name!}}

Four jobs I've had:

- Director of Marketing & Communication
- Marketing Assistant
- Nanny
- Lifeguard

Four things in my bag:
- A breakfast bar of some sort 
- 500 different shades of lipsticks and lip-glosses
- My Plum Paper day planner
- A phone charger {{Because you just never know when you may need it}}

Four movies I would/have watched more than once: 
- ELF {{All time favorite Christmas movie and the movie we watched the night Steven proposed}}
- Legally Blonde {{I know all the lines}}
- Breakfast at Tiffany's {{Tied for my favorite movie ever}}
- Where the Heart Is {{Also tied for my favorite movie}}

Four places I've lived:
- Florence, Alabama {{From the time I was born until I was 7 years old}}
- Birmingham, Alabama {{From childhood through high school and also where we live now}}
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama {{For the four years I attended college at the University of Alabama}}
- New York, New York {{For a six month internship when I was 21}}

Four places I've visited:
- Montego Bay, Jamaica {{Honeymoon}}
- Maui, Hawaii {{Family trip years ago}}
- Cozumel, Mexico {{twice, on two separate cruises}}
- Key West, Florida {{For my brother's 21st birthday a couple of years ago}}

Four places I'd rather be right now:
- New York City {{No explanation needed. This is my all time most favorite place in the world}}
- The Gulf Coast {{There is nothing like the beaches on the gulf coast!}}
- Maui {{My parents just got back from vacationing there, and I am incredibly jealous!}}
- Home in bed {{Lets be honest here. This sounds pretty spectacular right about now.}}

Four favorite foods:
- Mexican
- Pizza
- Ice Cream
- Pasta with Bread

Four TV shows I watch:
- Modern Family
- 19 Kids And Counting {{no judging!}}
- Nashville
- Revenge 

Four things I'm looking forward to this year:
- Baby Sparks joining our family in November! 
- Spending the holidays as a family of three for the first time
- Our babymoon this summer {{we're planning a low key trip to the beach}}
- Finding out baby's gender and preparing for his/her arrival

How Did You Come Up With That Name?

Naming a blog is hard. For me, it was one of the hardest things about starting this blog. I wanted a name that was original, but also one that set the tone for who I am as a writer and a person. After a lot of thought and feedback, Believe in the Sparks was born! I love my blog name because it not only represents who I am, but there is also a significance behind the words.  

Sparks, as you probably know, is my last name. When I started this blog, however, that wasn't the case. I started this blog after Steven and I got engaged to document the first chapter in our life together. One of my very first post was a recap of our engagement party in April of 2013. I went on to document the purchase of our first home, wedding showers, relationship milestones, our wedding, and life as newlyweds. Because I knew from the beginning stages that my blog would focus on this huge life transition that was happening, I wanted to incorporate that change into my blog name. Deciding to use the word Sparks in my blog name was the first step in officially taking my husband's last name and becoming a Sparks.

Believe also has a deeper significance to me than just the word itself. When I was 19 years old, after a lot of thought and consideration, I got the word believe tattooed on my back. Surrounding the word, I have three stars that are strategically placed, each star representing something different. The first star stands for believing in my faith, the second, believing in myself, and the third star represents believing in others. I live each day with the constant reminder of believing in those three things. 

And there you have it, Believe in the Sparks the blog. I've briefly thought about re-branding under a different name, but I don't think I could ever come up with another name that fits me quite like this one does. 

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I am so excited to welcome Macy to the blog today! Macy is nose deep in planning the wedding of her dreams. I love reading her weekly planning updates, and I can't wait to see pictures of her flawless day. I mean look at those two. Could they be any more adorable?! 

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in November 2013. I had been following other blogs for about 6 months, and thought I would give it a try myself. Within the first few months I had made new friends, improved my writing abilities and started learning a few coding tricks.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

My fiancé and I were Buzz Lightyear and Woody for our first Halloween together, which was also the first time we said I love you. Since that night we have said “I love you to infinity and beyond” (super original-right?). I also enjoy traveling, and sharing about my experiences. Therefore, To Travel & Beyond was born.

What can people expect when they visit your blog?

A mix of lifestyle, travel tips and tricks, lots of wedding, and DIYing.

Are you a sports fan? What’s your favorite sports team?

YES, YES, YES! I am a huge Baltimore Ravens fan. My closet is 75% purple and black, along with most rooms in my house and my front door.

What was the best vacation you have ever taken and why?

Euro Trip 2013. We went to Paris to visit my best friend and traveled to Amsterdam and Brussels while we were there. We had such an amazing time and were able to see so much, I can’t wait to go back for our honeymoon in a few months!

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?

1 -  That my wedding will go off without a hitch, including rain.

2 - That my family and friends will remain in good health and not have to fight off any of the terrible diseases.

3 - Is it too typical to say world peace? At this point I am afraid for my future children because of the violence and bullying. I would love for things to get better in time.

What is your favorite quote?

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away”

Find more of Macy here:

|| Blog || Bloglovin || Twitter || Instagram || Pinterest ||

Betcha Didn't Know

Betcha didn't know.... my favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day. I found out a few years ago that I am part Irish, a role I take very seriously. Also, I really like the idea of green beer.

Betcha didn't know.... my dream job growing up was to become a sideline reporter (second only to becoming a mother, of course). I had my sight set on becoming the next Erin Andrews. 

Betcha didn't know.... I am only superstitious when it comes to sports. I'll open an umbrella in the house or walk underneath a ladder any day of the week, but I have to have to wear lucky button every gameday and Cooper has to have his Alabama jersey on too. He hates wearing clothes of any kind, but it's a sacrifice he's willing to make for Alabama football.

Betcha didn't know.... I hate birds. I really, really hate birds.

Betcha didn't know.... I minored in Political Science in college. I love politics, and I have very strong views when it comes to social policies. I don't express many political opinions on the blog, but maybe I should start. Let's just say, most of my opinions are of the minority here in good ole' Alabama. {{I majored in Communication, in case you were wondering}}

Betcha didn't know.... I'm not a picky eater. There are very few foods that I don't like. Mayonnaise, however, makes me want to vomit. I can't even stand the thought of it.

Betcha didn't know.... I'm left handed. I also have really unusual handwriting. Some people tell me that it looks like a font, other people (hi, mom!) tell me that it's just really hard to read. Regardless, I'm constantly getting comments on it from friends and strangers alike.

Betcha didn't know.... I am an extreme germophobe. I won't even take a drink after my own family, and I hold my breath when people walk to close to me in the grocery store. I'm ridiculous, but like everything else on this list, it's just part of who I am.

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Today I have the adorable Krista from Kristie's Blue Jeans here to introduce herself and tell you a little about her blog. Take it away, Krista!

Hello! I'm a twenty something girl from a mountain town in Southern California.  I started blogging as a creative outlet for all of the random musings and hilarity that is my life.  I love writing about my adventures, recipes, day to day and being the best auntie to my little munchkins.  I am still not sure about the whole settling down thing just yet.  

When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging about five years ago (prior to lifestyle blogging really taking off) and it was really hard for me to stay with it.  In 2013, I decided to buckle down and commit to lifestyle blogging.  I have loved every moment of it, from the successes to the heartaches.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?
My name came about as my name is Krista Jean and I have a friend who thought it would really irk me to call me Kristie Blue Jeans and of course I totally fell in love with it.  Especially after I started to destruct and make myself custom worn-in jeans and was offered an opportunity (which I never took) to make side money with them and thought I could call them "Kristie's Blue Jeans." Once I started blogging it was a no-brainer to give my blog the name I had given to my specialty jeans.

What can people expect when they visit your blog?
I really focus on the random yet relatable musings of everyday life.  I can post about anything from outfit ideas to recipes to travel experiences to heartache and love.  I really want my readers to see a multifaceted lady who isn’t perfect and doesn’t pretend to be.

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
I would wish for one more conversation with my aunt who passed away earlier in the year.  

To have enough money to go three new places every year.
To work part time for my full time salary and benefits.

What is your favorite quote?
“ I love her and that is the beginning and end of everything.” F. Scott Fitzgerald 

or Walt Whitman’s, “We were together. I forget the rest.”

Find more of Krista here:

|| Blog || Bloglovin || Twitter || Facebook || Instagram || Pinterest ||

One Year And Seven Months Later

It's fair to say that I've been a bit absent from the blog world as of late. It used to be no problem to come to this little white space five days a week and type out whatever ramblings were going through my head, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. I'm sure what happened. I suppose I can blame it on the change in weather or my busy days at work. Regardless of the reasoning behind my unintentional blogging hiatus, the facts remain the same and I really miss blogging!

It's amazing how two years ago I had never even read a blog, but now blogging consumes so much of what I do. I started, slowly at first, reading a few blogs on a daily basis. Then one day I got a wild hair and decided that I didn't want to read from the outside anymore. And thus, Believe In The Sparks was born! It was by pure coincidence that I started my blog exactly one year to the day that I got married, but a happy coincidence, none the less. In the past year I have written my fair share of posts surrounding wedding planning and marriage. How could I not? Wedding planning consumed my life for a year and a half! 

But it wasn't just wedding planning that I wrote about in that first year and a half of blogging. I've come here day after day telling my story. The story of my life and the story of joining my life with someone else. The story of purchasing our first house, taking family vacations, learning my way through the kitchen, and settling into this new life together as one.

This blog holds a year and a half worth of memories for me. I love that. I love that I can scroll over to my archives, click on a post, and see what was going on in my life at that time, reliving each and every memory through my stories. 

Blogging hasn't only given me a place to write down my stories, but it's also connected me to people I never would have known otherwise. I've met some amazing ladies through this little blog of mine, and for that I am forever grateful. 

And here we are, one year and seven months since the birth of my baby blog. She's grown a lot since the beginning, and with the time and proper nourishment, I know that she will continue to grow. So I may have been a bit distant from the blog as of late, but don't take that as a sign that this blog is beginning to see the end. 

If anything, I'm just getting started.

Every Blogger Needs This + A Giveaway!

// Life planner. Two words: Erin Condren. If you don't have an Erin Condren planner, well then, I just don't know how you manage to do life. I've yet to fork over the $50 for said Erin Condren life planner because it literally pains me to think of spending $50 on paper, but don't fret. I suspect by January I will have given into temptation and ordered myself the planner... Maybe.

// Twitter and Instagram. How do people even communicate outside of the Twitter and Instagram world? If you can't say it using 140 characters or less, it doesn't need to be said. If you can't take a picture of your Starbucks, designer sunglasses, and said life planner perfectly centered (or not. Because, negative space) and filtered to perfection, then you just need to put away your camera because obviously your doing life all wrong.

// PicMonkey. What's the actual point of taking pictures if you can't edit it down and add words to it? There is no point. We must take pictures of all the things and then use the magic site that is PicMonkey to edit said pictures.

// Dogs and/or babies. My dogs are far more popular on social media and on the blog than I am. If I want more likes on Instagram, I take a picture of one of my dogs doing something adorable (i.e. sleeping on the couch), add a filter, and press post.

// A love/hate relationship with chevron, mason jars, burlap, Starbucks, selfies, Lululemon, and brunch. Ok I take that back. Everyone loves brunch.

// Thick skin and a sense of humor. Thick skin so you won't be offended by sarcastic posts such as this one, and a sense at humor so you can laugh at said post and laugh at yourself for also agreeing with the above. We all do it. No need to feel ashamed!

// DSLR camera. Now this is something we really do all need. Don't have one of those yet? No worries! I've teamed up with a group of fabulous ladies to bring one lucky reader their very own Canon Rebel T3i. Enter using the rafflecopter below and good luck!

Life Could Be a Dream // Dearest Love // Simply Clarke // Rachel Rewritten Casual Claire // My New Lines // Happily Ever After // The Wetherills Say I Do Wearable. // Two Places at Once // Believe in the Sparks // Just a Trace He and I // Chez•Nemmar // Oh Simple Thoughts // Elizabeth Loves Rad Maverix // A Faithful Passion // Health, Love & Fire // The Ashley Maria Blog Lot48 // Homegrown State of Mind // So Fill Your Heart

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway will run from 12:00 am EST on July 24th until 11:59 pm EST on July 30th and is open to U.S. residents only. Good luck!

The Blogmopolitan Quiz

Did You Know?

// I had the chicken pox twice. I had a very mild case when I was a baby and then I had them again on Easter Sunday when I was six years old. I obviously don't remember when I got them as a baby, but I do remember how horrible they were the second time around.

// My lifelong dream growing up was to become a Sideline Reporter for the NFL I was so determined in fact, that I took a broadcasting class in high school, became the anchor for my high school news cast every morning, and went on to begin my college career as a Telecommunication major (Fun fact: I didn't actually graduate with a Telecommunication degree, but I did, however, graduate with a degree in Communication).

// I hate feet with a passion. Even the word feet grosses me out. I can't stand looking at someone else's feet, and I will have an absolute come apart if anyone puts there feet anywhere near me. Gross.

// I also hate birds. They are mean little disease carrying creatures who also like to poop on top of the heads of innocent bystanders. I will literally freak out if a bird gets too close to me (I actually have chills from just writing that).

// I can only go to sleep at night if it is pitch black in the bedroom and completely silent. No matter how hard I try, I can't go to sleep with the television on, and sometimes the street light outside of our bedroom is way too bright for me to get to sleep.

// I am an incredibly nervous flyer. I am a somewhat frequent flyer, but I've just given in to the idea that no matter how often I fly, I will always get nervous before takeoff. Thank goodness for airport bars!

// I have three piercings. My ears are double pierced and a I have a belly button ring. I got the first hole in my ears when I was little (too little to even remember). I got my second hole when I was thirteen after two years of non-stop begging, and I got my belly button pierced when I was 15 years old after literally obsessing over it for years. I no longer wear earrings in my second hole, but I do still have my belly button ring in.

// I have two tattoos. I got my first tattoo when I was 19 years old. It is on my lower back on the right side and says "believe." Around the word believe are three tiny stars, each star representing something different - believe in your faith, believe in yourself, and believe in others. I got my second tattoo about 8 months ago. It's on my ribcage on my left side, and it's the infinity sign with the word always written through it. The tattoo is a representation of my relationship with my husband and the word has special meaning to us both.

// I really want just one more tattoo.. Or maybe a couple of more actually, but I already have my next one picked out (sorry, mom!).

// I am germophobic, but only about a few things. I will under very few circumstances share a drink with anyone, even my husband, because the thought of backwash makes me want to vomit. Touching subway rails or taxi seats, however, doesn't phase me one bit.

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I'm excited to introduce you today to Vivian from vivianstonexo. Vivian is a California girl and an upcoming bride! Being newly married myself, I've enjoyed reading all about her upcoming wedding plans. It is such an exciting time in her life! 

 When and why did you start blogging? 

I started blogging at first all about beauty, but I fell in love with lifestyle blogs and posts so much that I decided to merge both of my favorite things!

What can people expect when they visit your blog? 

You can expect to see a little bit of everything. Mostly lifestyle, beauty, favorites, and of course wedding posts.

What three words best describe you and why? 

Loyal, Organized, Secretly outgoing. I only say secretly because when I first meet people they think I am the most reserved quiet person, but around my family and friends I’m pretty outgoing.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? 

Blogging is a favorite, and planning my wedding has become a huge hobby!

What is your all time favorite food? 

Mexican Food! I could go for chips and salsa/guac all day every day.

What is your favorite quote? 

I have so many favorite quotes, but right now  love “Every day is a brand new day” I feel like often we feel like one bad day means we have a bad life, but tomorrow is a new day and we need to live it to the fullest because life is short.

You can read more about Vivian on her blog or visit her here:

Bloglovin // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest

I'm The Kind Of Girl Who...

I'm the kind of girl who looks down at my wedding ring and smiles multiple times a day. Sometimes it still doesn't feel real that I am actually married!

I'm the kind of girl who stresses way too much about the little things in life. The things that don't even matter in the grand scheme of things.

I'm the kind of girl who lets my dogs sleep wherever they want in the bed. Even if they decide to take over my pillow or make me sleep in the fetal position at night.

I'm the kind of girl who sets three alarms in the morning and then presses snooze at least twice on all three alarms. I'm also the kind of girl who despises being woken up by an alarm in the mornings.

I'm the kind of girl who is constantly planning out her life. Whether it be the next home renovation project, the next trip, or the eventual start to a family, I'm going to make a plan and do my best to stick with it.

I'm the kind of girl who will sometimes go more than two weeks without touching the laundry, and then do six or more loads in one day.

I'm the kind of girl who has an irrational fear of fires and home robbery. I think my real fear is my dogs being home alone and helpless if either of those two things were to happen.

I'm the kind of girl who could go shopping every single day and still find nothing to wear when trying to get ready for work in the morning. Our bedroom currently looks as though a tornado has just hit it with all the clothes I tried on and then threw on the floor this morning.

I'm the kind of girl who loves to be outside, but only if I am outside tailgating, lounging by the pool or lake, or sitting on the porch drinking a delicious cocktail. Otherwise, I'm not really the outdoorsy kind of girl.

I'm the kind of girl who loves to go shopping alone, but also the kind of girl who is petrified to show up at a social event or restaurant alone.

I'm the kind of girl who places my family and friends above everything else.

The ABC's of Me

I've done a post or two about getting to know the blogger behind the blog, but those are few and far between because well, I get a little awkward talking about myself. Remember back in grade school when you would go around the room on the first day of class and each student would stand up and tell everyone a little bit about themselves? I hated those days.  I would get clammy and would usually freeze up right after I said my name. I don't know why this happens to me. I mean, I'm definitely not a shy person by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, here is a little fun fact about younger me - I was the morning anchor on our high school news that would broadcast every morning for the whole school to watch. I actually very much enjoy being the center of attention.
Why is it then that I have such a difficult time talking about myself? I have no idea. What I do know, however, is that when someone goes and posts and easy way to talk about myself I have to take her up on the offer to borrow the idea (thanks Allison!).

The ABC's of Me...

A - Age: 24 

B - Birthday: October 11th

C - Color: Pink!

D - Drink: Wine. More specifically, Chardonnay

E - Eyes: Green

F - Flashback: to my college days as a sorority girl or to my high school days and before as a cheerleader

G - Gent: My handsome fiancé, Steven (and of course my two fur babies, Cooper and Kane)

H - Hobby: Right now, primarily wedding planning (73 days to go!)

I - Indulgence: Wine

J - Job: Marketing and Communication Coordinator

K - Kiddos: Two words - Baby. Fever.

L - Love: the fiancé, the fur babies, weekends on the lake, NYC, cowboy boots, glitter & gold

M - Music: Primarily country 

N - Nickname: Moe and Morgz

O - One Wish: No rain on our wedding day...

P - Pets: Otherwise known as my first born children - Cooper and Kane

Q - Quote: Life is short, buy the shoes.

R - Residence: Steven and I bought our first home together in August and we love everything 
about it

S - Siblings: One younger brother, Brady

T - Temperature: Right now, I'm over this cold weather. Bring on summer!

U - University: University of Alabama (2012 graduate with a degree in Communication 
Studies)

V - Vehicle: Lexus IS 250

W - Worst Habit: Biting my cuticles when I'm stressed or nervous

X - X-ray?: Yes, on my ankle several times.

Y - Yuck: germs, snakes, rodants, bugs, drama

Z - Zodiac: Libra

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I'm thrilled to introduce you to the adorable Libby from Health, Love & Fire! 

When and why did you start blogging? 

I started blogging because a lot of things in my life were changing and I really wanted a place to share my thoughts and ideas. I have always loved to write and I am always looking to meet new people and this has been an awesome way to do both!

How did you come up with the name of your blog? 

I really struggled with a name for a while (which is part of why I still haven’t changed my actual URL to my blog) but I settled on three words that really describe who I am. I am a health educator, or at least that’s what my degree is in. I am a very passionate and loving person. And I am married to a firefighter/paramedic. My blog is for everything me and everything that is going on in my life. It just made sense for my title to be ME as well!

What can people expect when they visit your blog? 

It’s honestly a little bit or whatever is going on in my life. Most of the time you can find DIY projects, travel recaps, recipes, photos and real life.

Did you make any New Years resolutions this year? If so, what were they?  

Over the holidays this year we lost my father in-law unexpectedly so instead of making new years resolutions it really made me think of what I wanted day in and day out in my life. I decided that instead of making resolutions I might soon forget, I want to live in the moment more, take more opportunities that are presented to me, and love life and experiences as much as possible.

What are some of your favorite hobbies? 

Growing up, I hated to be the stereotypical girl so I tried everything I could to do a little bit of everything. Now at 26, I love anything pin, sports, crafting, cooking, travel, photography, and spending time with my friends and family.

Be sure and check out Libby on her blog. 

You can also find her via:

Facebook // Instagram // Pinterest