Birthday Wish List

I'm getting older everyday. Every. Single. Day. Since I can't fight it, I may as well embrace it! Bring on #38 - uggh, it's right around the corner. Here's my virtual wishlist. I won't be getting any of these, but a girl can dream right?

scoop

tape

more tape (could be a new addiction if allowed)

boots

boots

shades (my faves broke after 3 years!)

My reality wish list:

*more time laughing with my boys.

*a date with the hubs.

*a nap in the sun.

*a haircut.

*a new sewing machine (I think mine is on it's last leg.)

*clarity (more dream than reality I think.)

What's your birthday wish? xo

His & Hers

It's Monday friends! And if you've been hanging around here lately, you know that Alli (from Hooray) and I are doing a weekly Monday His & Hers post. We're asking all you bloggers out there to join in the fun. No rules. Just an image for him and an image for her. This week, Pure and Noble's got buck fever! My dad would be so proud.

Alli's blog is ever inspiring, so if you haven't stopped by, make sure to head on over for a peek today. I can't wait to see what she's done for this week's His and Hers. Oh, and if you decide to play along, let us know so we can take a look! xo

Around the House: Injecting Christmas Cheer

More and more decorations are finding their way out of boxes and into their "spots." And all my Christmas candles are doing a fine job of tricking me into thinking we have a real tree and my guys don't have allergies! I love the scent of pine - not Pine-Sol, but evergreen pine. Yum.

Possibly my most favorite addition this year - the tree stump via SHIH.  Thanks for the tip Alli!

I love what others are doing this holiday season too and can't wait to put some new decor and traditions into the mix. If you're looking for some new ideas, stop by Smile and Wave. Rachel's hosting some amazing bloggers and their inspiring traditions in a little series called Home for the Holidays.

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition or decor? xo

Weekly Challenge: Finding Joy

It's been a rough year. Make that a rough two years. The economy has hit our little family pretty hard. It's really been a struggle to stay focused on God and His promises. ("For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.) So I come by this week's challenge very honestly: find joy - wherever you can, however you can, create it as often as possible. I no longer want to sink into the mirey muck of self-pitty, worry, and despair.


Monday: Night Tag - Grab your head lamps boys! The hubs went to serve at church so we had some time to kill. Tag in the dark and running around with two little boys giggling was the perfect medicine for my Monday blues.

Tuesday: Enjoy the silence. While my oldest was at school, my youngest took a nap in his "big boy bed." He played for a while and then fell asleep. He was in there from 9:45 - 2:00! Yowza! Later in the evening I got to take some friends a meal and cuddle their new baby. It's always nice to be able to snuggle and then give them back. Ahhh...


Wednesday: Embrace life's challenges and dive into a craft with my boys rather than my thoughts. Serve others.

Thursday: Oh the sweet and tearful fear of my five year old who worries that Santa won't know what he wants for Christmas because he spelled some of his words wrong in THE letter. (Is it wrong to find joy in this? It's just so innocent and precious.)  The comfort of friends and being fully known by them. Date night. Planned 100% by my sweet hubs. Stars baby! We won. Sometimes distractions are oh so very nice.


Friday: I get to meet a bloggy friend face to face!  I'm so excited to get to meet Kim of Yellow Songbird. She and her blog are such an inspiration and delight. And later tonight I get to enjoy margaritas and some really great Tex-Mex (say it with me, "homemade tortillas and queso") while getting to know a lovely group of women even more.

I have found joy this week. No matter how great or small, I am grateful for each moment. Where/How do you find joy? It's Friday peeps - go get your joy on! xo

Ten Dollars and a Big Smile

My In-laws were in town over the holidays. It's always so much fun to have them here. My sister-in-law didn't get to come this time, but we still got out to do a bit of shopping. We stopped at my new favorite thrift store and I scored. Big Time!

Two skirts ($1.71 each) and a stellar green leather coat ($6.50) that fits like a glove! It's the makings for a very happy Fall/Winter wardrobe. My Mother-in-law questioned the blue skirt (with pockets, sigh), until we popped into Anthropologie and I showed her one there that was very similar. 

Let's get a close up of that leather goodness...

Trust me, the detailing in the back is just as lovely. When I saw the price I almost fainted. It even has a wool vest lining that zips out. Oh happiest of days. I can't wait to rock this baby with a tee some jeans and boots.

What's your best/most favorite thrift score? xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Socks

It's inevitable. Every dryer eats them. So, your bound to have a few single, lonely socks in your drawer hoping to be reunited with it's mate. It's time you take that sock and toss it or do something fun. Here's a few ideas.

monkeys

sock monkey tutorial

puppets

door draft snake (this one will take a knee sock!)

chirp chirp (so cute)

sock and glove animals book (amazing!)

Here's a great one for the tree using ideas from the above mentioned book:

cardinal

Cute right? I know. I'm hoping to have the time to make a few little sock animals for kiddos to decorate at my oldest's school Christmas party and then give them to those in need. Now, go ahead - go! I know you're dying to rummage through your drawers to see what lone-ranger awaits a make-over! Have fun. xo

A"door"nment

One of my favorite things to put up this time of year is my wreath. I made it a few years ago with some left-over fleece and Target ornaments. Before hanging it this year, I saw the following and thought, "yay, it still works for this year." Which is a good thing, because I love it.

colorful

cream

Add the two wreaths together and you get:

I hope you're having fun dressing your home for the holidays. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I can start talking about and posting about Christmas. I have so much to do and share!

What's your favorite item to put up this holiday season? xo

His & Hers

His and Hers is a little post that Alli of Hooray did a few weeks back. It's morphed to a weekly post and I couldn't be more thrilled to be doing this with her. (She's really cute, has a great blog and is super sweet - triple threat kinda girl.) The bonus - Alli's asking her readers to play along! So, what do you think? Wanna do a His & Hers Monday post with us? We'd love to have you play along.

Don't know why I was feeling a little romantic this time, but here it is:

Attempt 2: Wedding Rings

Don't forget to check out Hooray and see what Alli's done today! xo

Around the House: A Dose of Industrial Storage

There are several trends that I am overly smitten with right now and this is one of them - industrial touches throughout the house. Unexpected. Dreamy. And a touch masculine. Perfect.

kitchen

storage

living room storage

boys room

murphy bed (LOVE!)

bedside table (trash never looked so good)

bathroom

Kind of makes you want to run to your nearest office salvage or Army/Navy shop, right? Is there any trend you're loving right now? Happy Monday! I'm still happily stuffed. How about you? xo

Don't Forget!

Monday (Nov. 29th) is the last day for Pure and Noble readers to receive 15% off their total purchase at my Etsy shop. So, come on by and do some holiday shopping! Don't forget the coupon code: PURETHANKS15. xo

Weekly Challenge: Being Thankful

Because it's the season and Thanksgiving was yesterday, I challenged myself to write down all the things I am/was thankful for this past week.

1. Paci-breath kisses.
2. Bear hugs from my 2 year old.
3. Coffee
4. Daylight savings time.
5. Jesus Storybook Bible and precious prayers.

6. Hair as soft as cotton candy is fluffy.
7. One seriously funny Great Grandma.
8. My two year old telling me, "that makes me nuts!"

9. Friends whose hearts break for the things that break God's heart (and really know how to rock Halloween).

10. Morning cuddles.
11. My gracious husband who notices sunset skies all the time.
12. Piles of leaves.

13. Friends who speak truth in love.
14. Amazing neighbors.
15. My homegirl Cricket for pimpin' my goods.
16. A son who loves the Lord and his little brother!
17. Opportunities.

18. Hats on bad hair days.
19. Quiet.
20. Each and everyone of you dear readers.

What are you grateful for today? xo

From Me to You

*** ATTENTION! All Pure and Noble readers: in honor of "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" I'm offering all of my lovely readers a 15% discount at my Etsy shop. To receive this little gift, just place your order now through end of day Monday and enter this coupon code: PURETHANKS15

I've added a few new things to the shop too so go check it out - quick! xo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Pure and Noble! I pray your day is filled with lots of yummy food, family, games and naps! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Buttons

DIY projects

I have a jar full. Every single seamstress I know has 3-4 jars full. And every item of clothing you purchase with buttons on it comes with a few extra "just in case." So what can you do with all those buttons that don't really match anything or have sentimental value and you simply can't bring yourself to toss them?  Here's a few ideas...

magnets

flowers

necklace or tree garland (I would kill to see this on a Christmas tree)

rings

sweet hair accessories

What will you do with your little one of a kind buttons? I know you've got some lurking around somewhere! xo