about lauren

Hi, friends! A few months ago, Laura shared seven things that ya’ll probably didn’t know about her, so, today, I’m finally doing the same! I hope my fun facts surprise you in some way or another, and you leave here knowing a little bit more about me. xoxo

Did you know…..

I was born a blue baby?

When a baby is born and not getting enough oxygen, the doctors call them blue babies (this can happen sometimes during the delivery). Well, that was me – gulp. I was struggling to breathe properly for awhile, but luckily, I had some pretty amazing angels watching over me that day. Not to be morbid, but thinking about that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Can ya’ll imagine a world without me!? 🙂

I started out college as an Art Major?

True story. I reluctantly went to the University of Illinois as a Fine Arts Major. I say reluctantly because I BEGGED my parents to let me go the Savannah College of Art in Georgia…it was the only school I really, really wanted to go. Well, I couldn’t get them to agree for many obvious reasons, so U of I it was (and it was the best decision ever). After taking a bunch of art classes my freshman year, I applied to the Graphic Design school, but didn’t get in. My ego was absolutely crushed….I had never failed at anything when it came to school. After that, I had to really think hard about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I knew I probably couldn’t make a living on charcoal drawings, and creative ideas alone. So, I completely switched majors and ended up graduating with a Bachelor’s in Advertising from the College of Media. I also minored in Spanish! Now, eight years out of college and let me tell you…I love my job. I’m a successful Project Manager at an advertising agency, working on a global car brand. Pretty cool, right?! Sometimes parents really do know what’s best.

I have two younger brothers?

My brother Austin is almost 29 (on the left), and Nick is 23 (to the right). Us three could not be more different, but yet, I love them so much! Austin is a little more reserved and works in the financial world, while Nick is the most outgoing of us all and lives like a mega-hipster in Denver, CO doing trades (he lays concrete floors in outrageous mansions). And then there’s me, the oldest (30), wisest, most smartest sibling – ha. I’m somewhere in the middle of those two, trying to be more cautious with my money, but also fully enjoy life at the same time. Will anyone ever find this perfect balance of saving and spending?

I had dinner with the cast from The Office?

I’m sure this is a hard fact to believe, but it’s true!! My little brother, Nick, was a child actor for a few years before he decided it wasn’t for him anymore. During that time, he landed a role in the movie, Leatherheads, as the team’s water boy – ha. His role was significant enough that the whole family got to fly to LA and go to the movie premiere in Hollywood. As a college sophomore, I had never felt so cool in my life!! We showed up in a limo, walked the red carpet, watched the movie, and then went to a big, fancy dinner afterwards. If you haven’t seen Leatherheads, John Krasinski is one of the main characters (along with George Clooney, whom both my parents and brother know very well now), and at the time, The Office was still a newer show. Well somehow, our little family from DeKalb, Illinois, was sat at the dinner table with his Office cast mates, who had come out that night to support him. I’ll never forget how kind those people were to us. And if you ever see me, ask to see the group photo I carry around in my wallet.

I was pranked on camera while visiting LA. 

A few years ago, I was heading to Santa Monica for a bachelorette party and made a quick stop in LA. One of my friends (another Lauren), myself and one other girl were enjoying breakfast outside at a restaurant, just minding our own business. The next thing we know, someone dressed in a cat suit, runs right past us and grabs some poor guy’s laptop (who’s also eating breakfast). We all got up and immediately start chasing the cat down the street. Even the waiter dropped what he was doing and TACKLED the cat!! I was so shocked that this was actually happening, it didn’t even cross my mind that it could have all been fake. Well, it was!! The camera guys popped out of hiding and said they were filming a prankster show. Jerks. But, they did buy us breakfast because they loved our reactions so much.

I can hoop.

Contrary to what Andrew will tell you, I can play basketball. I played all through out high school, joined the club team at U of I, and even joined a co-ed team when I moved to Chicago. In fact, that’s how I met Andrew…playing hoops. (Although we actually met at a bar, we met because our mutual friend asked us both to play on the same bball team). He will never admit it, but he was impressed with my skills. I also may or may not have embellished a little bit about how much I loved watching sports, just to get him to hang out with me – ha! Basketball continues to play a huge part in our lives and if I was a betting woman, I’d say our future kids might just be ballers.

I model sometimes for fun.

You’ve probably noticed by now that we have a lot of styled bridal shoots on our blog. Before I got married, I applied to be a model for one of my favorite blogs, Aisle Society. I didn’t think they would actually choose me so I kind of forgot about it, until they emailed me a week later saying they’d love to have me! Ever since then, I’ve been doing one or two big photo shoots a year because I love it so much! Let this be a lesson to all you ladies out there…don’t NOT do something because you’re afraid to fail. Take a chance on yourself.