Then you're at the right place today! I absolutely LOVE watching music videos; there's just something about watching a song turn into a story before my very eyes. To me, they're all mini-movies that I can watch over and over. Starting way back in the JoBros days, I even penned a line in my bucket list to appear in a music video one day (Ladies, don't even deny you didn't think of yourself in some badchick clothes alongside TSwift in her "Bad Blood" video ;))

Below is a list of my current favorite music videos that I've had in my playlist lately.

Let me know if you have any recommendations as well!

Ed Sheeran "Castle on The Hill"

Two words.

Young Ed.

Besides the precious redhead, I love the nostalgia this music video brings. It makes me just want to drive back to my old high school and think about the sheenanigans my friends and I got into. But it also makes your realize how quickly these days go by until you're one day, sitting in rush hour traffic, sipping coffee out of your travel mug, thinking about how quickly the years flew by. Recommend 100%.

Dan + Shay "How Not To"

Another excellent video by some of my favorite country singers. The entire video paints a real picture into addiction and the daily struggle some people endure. It was like watching an entire movie in the span of three minutes. Excellent cinematography and even better song.

Thomas Rhett "Get Me Some of That"

An oldie, but a goodie. Since I am seeing him in concert in one month(!), I re-watched some of my favorite videos and fell in love with them all over again. Thomas Rhett's music always has me turning up the volume full-blast in my car and dancing around the house while I do laundry. This song is no exception. Plus, he and his wife are so stinking cute! *Spoiler alert: she does make an appearance at the end of the video* Seriously, not sure if I'm more excited to see Thomas Rhett in concert or the chance to see him and his wife together in person. (Seriously though. Just follow them on Instagram. You won't be disappointed.)

The Icarus Account "Only You"

Okay, so from now on, music videos and wedding footage should just go hand-in-hand. Bring on the tissues when you watch The Icarus' Account video from Ty Turner and his wife's actual elopement. It is simply stunning from beginning to end. Just go. Watch it. And then book your flight to Colorado right afterwards.

Jeremy Camp "Christ in Me"

Last, but not least, I have my current favorite worship video. It's such an uplifting and inspiring song to live beyond what the world expects of us. I usually have this song full-blast as I head into work and off to face another day. If you're looking for a new worship CD, I highly recommend Jeremy Camp to the top of your list.

this LATE Miscellaneous Monday post brought to you by:

*A long weekend of work and a much-needed Nashville marathon last night*

 Contradictory to the above mentioned Hulu-binge, I am a HUGE reader. No joke, my parents have a picture of me as a youngster getting ready for school, toothbrush in one hand and the other holding a book in front my face, just so I could finish that last chapter before heading out the door. I am my happiest when I can curl up with a king-size blanket, an even bigger cup of coffee and a fresh new book off the shelf.

Here is a list of some of my winter to-reads for the next couple of months!

1. The Magnolia Story I actually got this book weeks ago and still have it bookmarked on my nightstand. But if you love Fixer Upper (and who doesn't?!), then you have to read this book on how Chip and Joanna Gaines started their renovation business. I love reading both of their thoughts on meeting each other, getting married and starting their booming business, all while listening to the Lord on his direction. And of course, Chip is just as funny/crazy on these pages as he is on the show. (Joanna, you have the patience of saint for all of his shennanigans). HIGHLY recommend this book on America's favorite couple.

2.  The Shack This isn't a new book, but once I saw the trailer for it coming out this spring, I knew I had to read it before then. The story follows Mackenzie Phillips and his journey to find hope, after his young daughter is tragically abducted and killed. The movie looks amazing, so I can only imagine the book is even better. I know it's been out for a while, so let me know if you have already read this one! (And how many boxes of tissues I should stock up on beforehand..)

3.  Grace Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy Yet another book that is sitting on my nightstand, begging me to finish reading it this weekend (which I plan on doing!) I got this book from Tom for Christmas after stumbling upon Emily Ley's Instagram. Emily is a graphic designer, author, business owner, planner extraordinaire AND mother of three. PHEW-DA! But through it all, she strives to rise above chaos and choose joy by simplifying her routines and giving herself grace through it all. Like her planners, her book is beautifully designed from front to back with gold script and pages to fill in by the readers. I also keep eyeing the Gold Pineapple Daily Planner on her website...Tom? Yea maybe something for next Christmas ;)

Kicking off the Fangirl Friday posts strong with a roundup of my favorite items from this month! With a new year starting, I have so many resolutions for myself like working out more, feeding my body more natural food, reading more/Netflix less and overall giving myself grace over perfection (HIGHLY recommend Emily Ley's book for those looking for a new read).

With these resolutions in mind, here are just a few of my favorites from the past two weeks!

Country Living's January/February Issue

 Anyone else absolutely love magazine subscriptions?! 

*Melissa quickly raises two hands in the air*

I received a few for Christmas this year and I get so giddy every time I find a new one in my mailbox. To me, it's the gift that keeps on giving all year long. I was even more excited to see Country Living starting off the new year with an issue completely dedicated to neutral colors and themes. (Holla at your girl with grey and white everything!) With the new house, I loved all the decor ideas I got from these pages. March issue, can you just come already?!

Olly's Undeniable Beauty

 I have been eyeing these vitamins for months before finally caving in and buying some a few weeks ago. And holymoly, I'm so glad I did! It might be all in my head (or on my head. #punnyjokes), but I feel my hair has already grown exponentially in the past couple of weeks. My nails are also feeling healthier, despite the amount of times I wash my hands during the day. These gummies contain a combination of biotin, vitamin c and borage oil (all of which I desperately need during these dark winter months). Fingers crossed I keep seeing results by the end of bottle.

Karena and Katrina's Tone It Up Program

Like I said before, one of my biggest New Year's resolutions was to get back into a workout routine and feed my body more nutritious food. While it has always been easy for me to jump on a treadmill and hammer out a mile or two, my mac/cheese nights just weren't cutting it. I signed up for Tone It Up last October, but finally jumped on the bandwagon with their new year #LookforLove challenge. And it's been AMAZING! The workouts are fun and easy to complete in the comfort of my living room. I also love the food planning and recipes they provide in their guide. (The banana protein shake I'm sipping now? PRIME.) I also love that they utilize social media to create a community of supportive women doing the challenge as well. If you're curious about the process, follow me on my TIU Instagram @melissavanguggTIU.

What are your January favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Friday everyone!

jacket//Target

duck boots//Target (hint hint all women's boots are $20 right now)

leggings//Lulu

hat//Love Your Melon

Take a look around any Minnesotan mall around this time of year and you'd probably see about 500 variations of this outfit: black knee-length jacket, brown duck boots and a Love Your Melon hat plopped on top. When it's -20 on any given day, winter doesn't leave us much choices to bundle up. So, here's my take on the typical MN gal's eveyday outerwear!

Meanwhile, it's been snowing on and off the past two days and I have been loving it! Enjoyed my day off by staying in my pjs all morning, drinking up the rest of my Starbucks Holiday blend and finally organizing my office! *insert Lord-praising-hands here*

Now, off to finish making dinner and cozying up with the pup and hubby while catching up on last night's episode of "This Is Us".

Bring on the burrito bowls and tissues!

 

"Good things come to those who wait...and extra blessings on those who wait on Melissa's posts."

After brainstorming on how to organize this little space of mine, I finally came up with a blog post schedule that will be both easy to follow AND contain all of the odds and ends I want to touch on here.
*insert hand-raising-Lord-praising emoji here*

Take a peek below at the weekly schedule to be posted on The Gugg Life!

Miscellaneous Mondays
This was the easiest way to incorporate all of the last-minute blog post ideas I might come up with. Since Wednesday/Friday have already dedicated themes, I wanted to make Monday a little flexible with my writing schedule. Maybe it will be a new breakfast recipe? Sure! A list of my top five current shows on Netflix? Why not! Or how about twelve ways to wear an infinity scarf? (I'm up to two...) It's possible! Let's give Mondays a little more love by making it possible to have a space for Melissa's daily random thoughts.

Wardrobe Wednesdays
Exactly what you imagine. Being the shopaholic that I am (Sorry Tom...), I want to dedicate this mid-week post to trends I'm loving. I'm also a pretty thrifty shopper (You're welcome, Tom ;)) and love to spread the word whenever I find a good deal. Here you will find a mix of fashion, fun, and me making a fool of myself in front of the camera. What else do you need?!

Fangirl Fridays
 We will then coast to the end of the week with some of my current favorites. Some of my go-to products have come from me reading about them on other people's blog posts. While some have been a flop (castor oil in your hair? Nope, not a fan), I have found many winners that have stayed in my beauty drawer/closet/etc. Feel free to give any suggestions or if you have something to share!

Hang tight, my friends. It's about to get real organized up in here.

shirt: Target
necklace: J.Crew Factory

Why hello there!

My name is Melissa! I'm a twenty-something Minnesotan, married to my high school sweetheart and living in our new home with our sweet Houston Beau <3

Check back here soon for all things Gugg-related like thrifty fashion, fictional favorites and full-on fangirling moments.

Oh and welcome to The Gugg Life!