Father's Day - A Giveaway

Giveaways aren't something I usually do, but Father's Day is coming up and I figure some of my sweet readers might be too busy wranglin' kiddos, now that school is out, to shop for that perfect gift. No need to worry. I've got ya covered. Think foot coverage - think socks. Fun, well made, conversation starting socks. My talented husband (and world's #1 Dad) has been working with the insanely hilarious guys over at Foot Cardigan. Recently, the hubs and I teamed up to show their subscribers the many ways their socks could be worn. 

Necktie. Mittens. Beer koozies. Yes, the socks are that cool and we are giving 6 lucky followers a chance to win 2 pair each! I know - awesomesauce!

Here are the RULES for our Father's Day Sock Giveaway:

1 - check out Foot Cardigan's site (subscribe if you like - wink wink)

2 - Tell me how you'd wear Foot Cardigan socks in the comment section below.

3 - Be sure to follow me on Instagram and BLAMO! You're entered to win.

Just three simple steps. Pretty easy for a sock-tastic Father's Day gift.

All the socks that are to be given away were used in the shoot only - none have actually been worn. That would be gross. Special shout out to our guys at Foot Cardigan for donating the socks. You guys are the bestest. Giveaway will be closed June 5th. Winners will be announced June 6th so that we can get addresses and socks shipped/delivered before Father's Day on June 15th.

Good luck! xo

Recharge - A Family Getaway

No one needs a reason to get away and recharge. In fact, I think it pretty necessary and long weekends provide the perfect opportunity to do both. So when my sweet friend Allison Vieger of Design from A to V asked us to join her family out at their ranch, we jumped at the chance. What mom doesn't want to give her boys an opportunity to roam wild in the country?

From cows to longhorns, horses to chickens and everything in between, this ranch was legit. Poop smells and all. My boys got to ride on the top of a Polaris (all Safari like), pet horses, toss rocks, explore, look for snakes, swim and play horseshoes. It was boy heaven. A heaven that I was eager for them to embrace. 

Time just sort of stands still when you're in the country and life gets simple. I laid in a hammock for over 45 minutes just listening to the wind rustle through the leaves of the trees and cows moo. It's sad how the sounds of life can drown out the sounds of nature. The little whispers that allow us to be thankful for the ordinary. We're back in the city now... recharged and ready to tackle the remaining weeks of school with our hearts full and grateful for the blessings of family and friends.

How do you recharge? xo

Valentine Cupcakes

I have a few friends, who shall rename nameless for their own protection, that don't like... icing! What? Tragedy right? I mean, I could eat a whole tub of the stuff. So in my best efforts to overlook this huge flaw in their characters, I made them some special cupcakes a few day back. Since it was so close to Valentine's, they got pink with hearts. (They happen to love strawberry cake so that worked out nicely for me.)

Instead of icing, ugh - I can barely even type that, they got powdered sugar and red fruit strip hearts...

It was so easy. A little sticky, but easy. I simply cut the fruit strips with my kitchen scissors and let my littles eat the scraps. (Waste not, want not. Right?)

After sprinkling the powdered sugar on half of the cupcakes, I took the hearts off a few and left powdered sugar heart stamps. Easy peasy and so yummy. In case you are wondering... yes, I brought my own tub of icing for the sane folks who love sugar as much as me. wink. wink.

Side note - I know I have been MIA for a bit and some of you have been kind enough to ask if all is well. It is. Thank you so much for your concern. This social media bit is eating my brain for lunch and I've been trying to process it all. More on that later. I've still got a lot to sort through. Many thanks and deep gratitude for those of you that are still hanging around my very tiny portion of the blogosphere.

Happy Thursday Homies. Love is in the air. xo

Texas Forever

We're Texans, not by birth, but by claim. A friend of ours recently had an official Texas ho-down complete with bar-b-q, hay bales, barn dancin' and sawdust covered floors. There was also a sea of boots, denim and pearl snaps. Texas Forever! xo

Good Friends, Good Finds

I got an email from my bestie the other day with a link and a quick little note saying, "I just read about this store, thought of you. xxc" Simple. And yet so special... My girls know me. They know my love languages. And they know when I need something as simple as a quick email that will assuredly deliver a smile to my face and heart. An email. A text. A goody bag. A cup of coffee. A hug. Prayer. How good is that? 

My home girl was right too... the shop she sent me, I love. Atomic Garden has so many cute things and something for everyone. I mean, wooden swords, original tree swings and slingshots? My boys would die. D.I.E. And then there's the cute kitchen and craft items as well as goodies for the bod, like hair powder (because how many of us have time to wash and dry our mops on a daily basis?) that is said to, "give volume to your tired tresses." Yes please. They have no idea how tired my tresses and the rest of me truly are these days. ha ha ha

I can't even begin to tell you how badly those gold scissors want to be in my craft room. Hello good-lookin'! 

How do your friends turn your frowns upside down? xo

Around the House: Weekend Getaway In Austin

If Eden were still around, I'm pretty sure it would look something like this. For the last four days, this has been my view while drinking coffee, lounging in the pool, DIYing, eating, laughing and playing. My second family (thru my college bestie) lives in Austin and every now and then I take the boys for a weekend getaway. 

I think this trip was one of my absolute favorite times there. We swam and swam and swam (even in the midst of a downpour) and went to see the Commerce Street Bridge bats, followed by Amy's Ice Cream.

We returned to Dallas with our hearts full, our souls refreshed and our bodies completely wiped out. Until next time Austin... we love ya. 

What's your favorite weekend getaway? xo

Around the House: Hosting a 12 and Under Dinner Party

I'm not quiet sure why I haven't thought of it before... Why is it that our littles' dinner tables get so neglected when the parents meet for dinner? I go all out for the adults - flowers, candles, place-settings and the like. The littles usually get plastic plates and chicken nuggets or hot dogs. And then they're asked to keep themselves entertained while the grown ups chat. I finally put an end to the insanity the other night when hosting some dear friends with 3 boys. That meant 5 boys at the dinner table and a whole lot of energy.

I put out the basics and then provided a little entertainment with a crayon centerpiece, construction paper placemats and two tins full of legos. They could draw whatever they wanted and then with the legos I provided a challenge - set up teams and then see who can build something cool using all the lego pieces in the tin...

It was so easy. I don't know why I had never thought of it before. The adults enjoyed their meals and a nice conversation while the littles played and giggled. Yes, it helped that there were older boys keeping my littles enamored with their coolness; but I also think going the extra mile made everyone feel special. And that's what our children and friends are... special. A gift from the Lord. 

What's your favorite table centerpiece? xo

Baby Gear

Let's face it, when a new baby comes into the picture you need some gear. This especially applies if it's a first born. Since my friend Allison of Design from A to V is expecting her first, I thought it only appropriate for her to have a diaper bag worthy of more than just diapers. I mean, this lady is pretty hip so I can't have her toting diapers, burp clothes and organic baby food in just any old bag. I know Alli loves triangles; so I decided an ombre nod to this classic shape was in order.

Before delivering the bag to my sweet friend, I filled it with some essentials...

baby links - to chew, connect and to attach snacks and bottles to the stroller

organic baby wipes

lansinoh - a must for all nursing mommies and mothers of thumb suckers (I give this to all new mommies. It is a miracle ointment for all sorts of cracks and ouchies.)

babytalk magazine with tips for new mommies (you know, for all that downtime she'll have)

Do you have any gear that you give to all your first time mommy friends? xo

His and Hers: Plaid Shirts

Today's His and Hers comes from the lovely Hannah of Cottonwood Road. I can't tell you how appropriate the plaid shirts are for this couple. They are country with a dash of soul and hipster thrown in the mix. They live close enough to the city to get things done, but their neighbors are cows. How cool is that? 

To read about their adventures in newlywed bliss, be sure to check out their blogs Cottonwood Road and Art of Husbandry. I love the support they show each other and their passion for educating "young'ens" on the values of marriage and how to love one another well. So good.

How do you show your loved one respect and support? xo

Around the House: Dream Nursery

What do teepees, tiny toes and gold triangles have in common? One very lucky little boy named Ryder. My sweet friend Allison, of Design from A to V, is expecting her first baby in just two short weeks. I love how excited new mommies get in preparation of meeting their little! A fave is the nesting portion. The nursery gets all the attention, even if the rest of the house is full of milk crates and bean bags. I'm not sayin' that's the case at the Vieger house, quite the opposite if you'll recall from her home tour, in fact, this designer went all out for her sweet boy.

This is a room I could sit in for hours! And once Ryder is here... I just might. Sorry Allison. i know I said I'd be coming to hang out with you, but Ryder and I will be chillin' here while I force you to go nap! Just a few short days until we meet this gift from the Lord.

Did you have a serious nesting phase when you were pregnant? xo