4th of July Inspiration

If you're anything like me, you've put off planning any 4th of July activities and now you're scrambling to put something together last minute. Fear not. There are millions of clever folks out there that have gone before us, creating the perfect crafts and food fare for tomorrow's celebration. And to them I say, thank you and God bless you! And thank you Pinterest for being a one stop idea place for all procrastinators. ha ha ha.

In my pretend world I'm having a family gathering at the beautiful table above with a bounty of fruit cobblers, pies and Blue Bell ice cream. The littles are running around in handmade patriotic tees with bubble wands and crafted faux fireworks and sparklers. And the adults are drinking delicious blueberry jam and gin cocktails while playing corn hole. Then reality sets in and I'm brought back to real like where my husband is still out of town, my kids are currently bickering and tonight we are braving the crowds of my sister's town square in hopes of having some "small town" fun.

If you're up for any last minute prep, here are some fun ideas... I happen to love the paper cups below that could easily be painted by littles in different designs so that everyone knows who's cup is who's.

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As dreary as today seems, I know tomorrow is a new day. A day to be grateful for all the men and women that have gone before me and those that still fight today for our freedom. It is a beautiful thing this freedom that we often take for granted. It changes everything and I am so grateful to live in America. What are your plans for the fourth? xo

lovely table setting above via 79 Ideas

Is Instagram...

Is it possible that blogs are losing their voice? As schedules get busier and time seems to be more and more precious, could Instagram be the new blog? I don't know; but I have noticed a few trends that seem to suggest that people are kind of over blogging.

1. Less posts and comments. Maybe it's just me because I've been away from my blog so much lately. Very possible, but I've notices this trend with bloggers I follow as well.

2. Less time. It's so much easier to snap a pic with your iphone, post to IG and go than to sit down with wifi connection, write posts, edit photos and the like.

3. There are millions upon millions of blogs. How can we keep up? And how do we decide who to follow, much less actually read their posts?

4. I recently saw on someone's IG page that their "about" line said, "Instagram blogger." Am I late to this party? Are there now IG "bloggers"?

Once I saw this (#4) I couldn't help but wonder... What is the official definition of a blog anyway? I found this, "a personal website or web page on which an individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis." Most of my friends don't have time or have left blogging because of the super-sized market. I don't know who even reads blogs anymore. If video killed the radio star, did Instagram kill the blog star? What are your thoughts? Do you blog? Are you over it? And yes, I realize the irony of asking these questions on a blog. ha ha ha. Indulge me just a little. xo

TGIF and Other Mommy Stuff

Maybe it's because Mother's Day, the one day a year allotted to celebrate the very people that make the world go 'round, is just around the corner or because it's Friday and it's been a long week... Whatever the case, I felt an urge to share a few mom-related goodies that I came across this week. Grab your bon-bons and coffee, kick your heels up and soak in about 15 minutes of you time. (I don't think bon-bons are very popular anymore... perhaps you'll be grabbing french macaroons or the really good stuff like Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs stolen from your child's Easter basket.)

If you're a mom that has ever yelled at her littles, read this and take back what is yours.

The dirty mommy word and a dose of realness about it can be found right here.

Supermodel mommies don't "multi-task".  This made me laugh real hard. Enjoy.

It's the weekend baby. Time to enjoy the many uncelebrated gifts that come with that word... sleeping later (if you're lucky), co-parenting for two long and lovely days, lunches with your entire family (on a picnic blanket perhaps), date-nights for some and home dates with couch cuddles for others. Halle-freakin'-lujiah baby, it's the weekend! Get your party pants on because it's about to get real. xo

top image via the glow

Bring It On

It's official. Spring Break is over and it's back to the daily grind. That's the bad news. (My littlest always likes to get his bad news first.) The good news? Spring/Summer are closer today than they were yesterday! Now don't get me wrong; I'm not pining for long hot Texas summer days. But when you drive back from Spring Break in the snow... well, as my northern friends can attest, it's time for some sun. Bring on the sun!

I have so much crazy stuff to share with you guys from our trip. It was insanely random and a vacation I thought I would never take in a million years. I like being pleasantly surprised. Don't you? xo

Bring On The Sun via Honey Pie Living Etc.

Orange Sun print via Serena & Lily 

Craving Change

The past is the past and our future is bright, right? 2014 is here and with it comes a myriad of resolutions. Most years I don't make any resolutions because, quite frankly, I end up not completing them and then I just feel guilty. I'm pretty sure I need less guilt in 2014, not more. As I rode my bike yesterday I got to thinking about a resolution that I would like to make for myself this year and one that seems to make the top 5 of most lists... Exercise. Get Fit. Get Healthy. Etc. Whatever you call it, the idea is the same. The goal is to eat better and exercise more.

I am all for this resolution - this "goal" - as long as it remains positive and doesn't become negative. Ben Franklin said, "a place for everything, everything in its place." Vicki Peterson changed it up a bit, "everything has its place. Let in only those that are greatly desired, no more and no less..." Guilt should not have a place in our goals. Nor should shame or self-loathing. Too often the desire to exercise gets tied to the negative and skewed view of self instead of being tied to just plain old being healthy. These two goals could not be more opposite.

Skinny does not mean healthy anymore than curvy means unhealthy. God created each and every one of us to be different. Unique. It's awesome and beautiful. Please hear me on this - exercise to be healthy, not happy, not skinny or skinnier. It is not a sustainable/attainable goal. Being "skinny" doesn't equal happiness. I have been "skinny" all my life but I have also been super fit, working out 6 times a week and watching everything I ate AND I have been lazy, not exercising or eating well. I have found that there is a healthy balance and the most important thing is to find what works for you. A healthy you.

Find an exercise that you love or one you can do with friends. (Accountability is always good.) Make good choices with food too. Nothing in access - not counting calories, not treats, nothing. Eat to feed your body, not fill a void. Food won't make you any happier than a number on a scale will make you. A six pack doesn't last forever (trust me). Loving yourself can last forever. This year my resolution is to find the "healthy" balance that works for me. I want to treat my body like the temple that it is... holy and set apart. That means exercising and eating well for overall health. Not to look a certain way or feel a certain way, because all of that is fleeting. I want long-lasting life change.

I just ordered a book ($2.99 on my Nook) that I have been longing to read. Made to Crave. I think it will give me great insight and wisdom to many of my over indulgences - laziness included. So, that's my resolution for 2014 - A better, healthier me. A me that loves myself and feels great on the inside, without consideration to the state of the outside. Will you help keep me accountable? Who's with me? xo

*healthy heart image via chi-me

*nike running shoe - source unknown

Ice Ice Baby

Apparently it's so cold and icy in Dallas that everyone needs to stock up on enough bread to last them a lifetime because all the local stores are sold out. There's an ice storm strollin' thru Dallas and people have lost their ever lovin' minds. Me? I'm gonna stay inside with my boys (because school is cancelled) and craft the day away while drinking hot cocoa and donning marshmallow mustaches. If I were to get out... I'd rock one of these warm and fuzzy frocks...

Oh yeah, I like fur and I ain't scared. Sorry PETA. Stay warm homies and have a cozy weekend. xo

red nails via design love fest

nicole richie via they all hate us

hoodie and fur via whaleboat

Can I Call BS?

I'm not the best when it comes to styling hair, but I do know my way around a curler, flat iron and blow dryer. So when I see pins or blog post titles that read, "Easy Pony" or "5 Easy Weekend Hairstyles" and I can't master them to save my life... it's time to call BS. Like the style above, what about it is easy? That it's somewhat messy? That it's a ponytail versus a grand blowout or updo? Is "easy" classified as doable in just 30-45 minutes? Can someone please help me define "easy" because I'm pretty sure the only "easy" style for me these days is a hat.

via they all hate us

 via love, blair

via habotai

I think I need detachable arms, like this girl, to pull any of these off. Clearly I've got hair issues and love a good messy updo. xo

ps - i need a personal hair stylist

pps - why does my hair always look like i've gone through a wind tunnel? (fly-aways for days)

The Days Don't Last Forever

And just like that... the days become shorter, the nights longer. A new season has arrived. A season of calm and thankfulness. A reminder that nothing lasts forever, no matter how much it may seem that way. The promise of colder weather, more sleep, fireside cuddles and warm soups. It's all so very soothing to my soul. Just what I needed right now. xo

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Thank You: Part 5

You know you love it. You know you want it. Oh yeah... part 5 of my tribute to Jimmy Fallon and his insanely funny Thank You notes. No, mine aren't as funny, but you may be able to relate and you might get a little chuckle to kick off your weekend.

Thank you, Weekend...

for tricking me 52 times a year into actually believing I have time off. (Moms are never "off.")

Thank you, Thrift Store Scores...

for giving me a reason to actually get excited about doing laundry.

Thank you, Ketchup...

for your strange spelling and tasting nothing like tomatoes. 

Thank you, GSN...

for putting some swagga back in our wagon.

Thank you, Texas...

for creating a backwards hibernation every year that doesn't even allow for quilting and crochet craftiness because the mere sight of another layer makes every pore on your body cry sweat tears.

Happy Weekend homies. xo

Guilt? No Thanks.

It's about this time every year that I wonder why in the world so many people are "RIP"ing Summer. Not me. Not. One. Bit. It is crazy, wicked, stupid hot in Texas come August. Going outside causes every single pore to ooze sweat. This is apparently the sweat that calls the attention of every mosquito in Texas. The pools feel more like hot tubs. If that's not enough, every single activity has been crossed off the summer to do list. 

And so we find ourselves at the end of Summer and the blessed holiday known as Back to School. That's right. I said, "holiday." You might not consider it as such, but when I have three days to myself to focus on my hobbies, my To Do lists and my reading lists, that indeed counts as a holiday. Sure, there are the moms that wish Summer could last forever, but I am not one of them. I love my littles and I am a firm believer that absence makes the heart grow fond. I will NOT have any guilt over the unshed tear on the first day of school. I will instead rejoice in the new journey of life with a 2nd grader and a Pre-K nugget.

So to all you moms out there feeling guilty for the excitement that precedes and continues through the new school year, know that you are not alone. If you don't believe me, check out these posts from Jen Hatmaker and Momastery. There is no need to feel guilty or compare yourself to the sorrowful mommy at the school drop-off. Parenting is a hard job, especially when you are on duty 24-7 for three full months. Give yourself a break and remember that the hours between 3pm - 8pm will not be filled with eating bon-bons. It's called grace - let's all dive in. 

Tell me, are you ringing in the new school year or donning black for your time of mourning? xo

*hooray pennant via etsy

Thank You: Part 4

Uh-huh, part four of my Jimmy Fallon Thank You tribute - because the kids aren't in school yet and I need something to make me laugh or I'll cry.

Thank you, Trader Joe's...
for having everything I want and almost nothing I need.

Thank you, PMS...
for turning me into a chocolate obsessed crazy lunatic every month.

Thank you, New School Year...
for saving my sanity and giving us structure once again.

Thank you, Bathtub...
for becoming a snorkel test ground and kiddie pool this week.

Thank you, Double Chin...
for reminding me and everyone else that I am old(er) than I feel.

Thank you, Mosquitos..
for injecting your itchy-ass venom in me, every. single. time. I. go. outside.

What are you thankful for? And one more thing, would you like this tribute to continue or can it? Happy Weekend. xo

Longing...

Missing my Dad right now. Deeply. This isn't his old boat, but he had one similar. love.  My Dad was just like this boat; beat up by the day to day toll life takes, but full of stories and character. xo

image source

Thank You: Part 3

Part three of my Jimmy Fallon "Thank You" tribute because I still need a laugh and you might too.

Thank you, Texas...

for being so big that even going to the grocery store feels like a road trip.

Thank you, Exclamation mark...

for being the new period!!!

Thank you, gray hair...

for popping up everywhere. Now go away.

Thank you, beer thirty...

you make cooking so much better.

Thank you, morning runners...

for reminding me just how lazy I really am.

Thank you bathroom lock...

for giving me a guaranteed five minutes of privacy everyday.

What are you thankful for? xo

Thank You (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of my homage to Jimmy Fallon's genius "Thank You" letters. When life hands you a big bag a crap, you just need a giggle or two...

Thank you, breast feeding...

for turning my boobs into saggy little socks with rocks.

Thank you, swimsuit designers...

for putting underwire in swimsuits for all us gravity challenged mommies.

Thank you, ginormous living room picture window...

for providing endless opportunities for all my friends to make fools of themselves on their runs and walks in an effort to make me laugh.

Thank you, five year old brain...

for wondering what would happen if you put a finger into a pencil sharpener and turn it.

Thank you, sprinkler...

for turning my front yard into the best white trash waterpark ever.

Happy Weekend homies. xo

Thank You...

Sometimes life throws a big bowl of crap your way and you just need a laugh instead of weekly challenges. So, I thought I'd pay homage to Jimmy Fallon and his infamous "Thank You Cards" for a while. 

Thank you... Summer. 

For being there right when I need to sleep in late. every. single. day.

Thank you... Long hair. 

For turning my drain into a chia pet every time I shower.

Thank you... Extra pillow. 

For covering my husband's face at night while I read in bed.

Thank you... Poppytalk. 

For showing this gif that almost made me pee my pants.

Thank you... Tex-Mex. 

For giving me a cheese that I can drink with a straw. (If you don't live in Texas, it's called queso and it's the shiz.)

What are you thankful for this week? xo

Pinterest Game Changers

There are times when I want to punch Pinterest in the face for making me believe a pin to be as worthy as it's number of repins. And there are times when Pinterest makes me so happy I just want to makeout with it!

Here are a few make-out moments (read also, game changers):

Shower cleaner - no lie. if you hate cleaning your shower, tub or kitchen sink - this will change your life. It is so easy and it WORKS!

Children's Drawer Organization - whoever thought of this needs the Nobel Peace Prize. My son actually keeps his t-shirt drawer tidy now. This is no small feat. The kid changes his clothes roughly 5 times a day. Serenity now.

Oven Baked S'mores - don't hate. Just hear me out. The chocolate gets melted perfectly and the marshmallow toasted just right. This may be the best cookie ever and no, I don't do minis as the link suggests! (PS - don't get fooled into trying the lemon meringue version - it's gross.)

Soap Clouds - hello hours of endless summer fun that also gets my littles clean. I love you.

Zipcode Gardening - yes please. If you're starting a garden and want to know what to plant when for your zipcode... this is your new best friend. We had green beans, lettuce and spinach out the yang at our old house.

Epic fails that make me want to go toe to toe with Pinterest include marshmallow/pom pom poppers and diy catapults. Bottom line - numbers mean nothing.

Do you have a pin that rocked your world? xo

Current Faves

Because sometimes the things we get the most joy out of are the simplest. Like the rose bush on the side of our house that has some serious history to it (wish I knew the whole story). It just keeps blooming like crazy with roses in 2-3 different shades.

 Our new rug that could possibly go down is history as one of my greatest scores. More on this later.

This no-cost fire pit brings me immense joy so often. The other day I can home from a bike ride and the hubs had a fire going for me when I got back. Steps 2-5 involved beer, mason jars, hotdogs and marshmallows. (Good thing I went on that bike ride huh?)

Our new mudroom door and a small part of our clipboard collection on display in the kitchen. The question is - do I add more or leave it at three? The middle blue one is a recent estate sale find for $1.00. It has a tiny white squiggly lined grid on it that's to die for. It's my current fave amongst the collection. (crappy photo, sorry - all of these images were captured via iphone. some had good light, others... not so much)

And just because it's so dang fab, let's take another look at that rose. Are you kidding me? Love it against the black wall. And the vase my MIL gave me a while back is just perfect for a single bud. I kind of can't stop staring at the beauty of this flower. 

What are some of your current faves at home? xo

Flu Survival: The Essentials

It's been a while since I've had the flu, but I've never heard of having the flu without fever. You? Well, that's what happened to me last week. Sore throat, tired beyond comprehension, sleeping for days... I thought I had mono. But no, it was indeed the flu and it took me 7 days to feel any kind of normal again. I thought I'd share my own little survival kit with you today.

1. cozy blanket 

2. ricola - dual action

3. pretty bowl for cough drops (I needed something pretty to look at)

4. sleep. sleep. sleep.

5. kleenex - cool touch (these babies are magic, really)

6. cold water with straw

It was also crucial for me to have my nook by my side. While battling this flu, I became addicted to Downton Abbey. I know! Love it.

What's your must have item when you're sick? xo

Around the House: From Where I Lay...

I had every intention of coming back strong this Monday with some fun Valentine ideas. And then... BAM. Sick. I've got a sore throat, insane headache and fog clouding my thoughts. Saturday night I went to bed at 10:30 and didn't wake up until 1:00 pm Saturday. Whaa? I haven't done that since college. After I ate lunch/breakfast, I went back to bed and fell asleep again. What in the world? So, all of that to say, there are no super fun Valentine ideas here today. Just pics from my weekend via my iphone. Sorry.

Until I got hit with the sleepy bug, I was more craft-productive than I have been in a long time. Huh, who knew a headcold could do that to ya? Happy Monday friends. I hope your head is fog free today. xo

The Light

The light that soars through our gigantic living room window makes me oh so happy. But only if I don't have to sleep on the couch like I did Sunday night. (We painted our Navy bedroom Gray. More on that later.) My little orchid likes the light too. She is blooming for the third time in a year. How's that for a self-professed brown thumb?

I'm working on getting our little home in order so that I can get the hubs to shoot it and show you everything we've done so far. I'll show you the underbelly of what still needs massive overhaul as well. One. Day. At. A. Time. This is totally a marathon, not a sprint.

How about you? Any housing projects you're working on? xo