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Friday Friday

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I, for one, am so thankful it's Friday.  We're headed out to the farm tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to let Wells run wild and chase chickens.  Tagg might not be able to run after them just yet but I have a feeling he's going to give them a run for their money as well.  He's sidestepping it up lately!

But in bigger news, it's a really BIG day today.
Happy Birthday Day to my newest nephew.  My sister is scheduled for a repeat c-section this morning and I'm sitting on pins and needles by the phone waiting for the big announcement text that he's here.  Please pray with me today for a safe and easy delivery for my sister and her son.

I know y'all have been on this house hunting journey along with me and I just wanted to give y'all a short update.  We finally heard back from both parties on the seller's side and they accepted our contract...with a few contingencies crossed out.  One of which could be a deal breaker for us.  We resubmitted a new offer yesterday and presented it as best and final.  

We're prepared to walk away.

We are prepared to walk towards God's plan for us where ever that may lie.  Are y'all as ready for me to just find a house already and quit talking about it as I am?  Do you want more dirt on the process?  Is something you want me to share more of or less?
I know it's Friday and you might not bother to comment but those of you that do will get your votes counted twice I guess.



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LINK LOVE
I love this simple little project that turned into the prettiest wall vignette on GREY and Scout.

I absolutely agree with Bailey's advice on house renovating.  It's really sound advice even though it goes against what we're told on HGTV.

We're planning a family date to Shynigz tonight so I can eat another giant slice of Banana Cake and introduce the babes to the goodness.  Matthew plans to get the Salted Chocolate Caramel again.

I also plan on trying out this Balsamic Green Bean Salad recipe to take with us to the farm tomorrow.  Sounds delicious.

I've been paying close attention to Emily's series, Working With What You Have Series.  I know this will be good information for me in a few weeks.

My girl Lindsay B.'s bar cabinet transformation is a great way to show off your booze.

Gaby's awesome ikea hemnes dresser hack. It's too elegant of a make-over to call a hack.  Just check it out, the hardware alone is worth the click over.


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And don't forget today is the last day to take an extra 25% off at Kate Spade with code SAVE25! 


Meal Planning Made Simple: Week Six

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 I can't believe I've been cooking consistently for six weeks now! 
I'm not going to lie, there have been a few nights that involved take-out or leftovers instead of sticking with the menu.  But overall, it's amazing how much more organized and confidant I feel in the kitchen now.  Like anything, practice builds confidence which leads to enjoyment.  I think I actually fell into the side of liking to cook.  Yes, I actually enjoy it. 

Emerald Green Painted Furniture

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Well I've officially ruled out painting my nightstands green in my master bedroom for the One Room Challenge.  But those original white side tables might just be getting the green treatment after all.  Just not in that room. 
Those tables are currently white but have been painted before and it seems like the perfect place to inject a little Emerald Green and embrace the color of the year.  I plan to move them down to the living room I think.
What do you think?  Do you like painted furniture?  Would you dare to go green?








One Room Challenge Week Five

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Ohmylawdy.  
It's week five of the One Room Challenge and I have nothing for you today that's special.  Om, another stall week?  Pretty much.  But that just means my big reveal will be that much more awesome.  


I apologize in advance for the crappy photos.  I loaned my camera to my parents to take with them to Nashville when my sister had a baby last week and I thought my Dad was coming back home Monday.  That sweet new baby boy was just too scrumptious and he extended his stay by just enough days to miss my One Room Challenge deadline.  I'm probably the only person on the planet who doesn't have an iphone and my droid takes really crappy pictures. 

I added that second 20x20 Portobella Vase throw pillow and it makes all the difference.  I'm a balance person.  I also brought up a pair of matching white gourd lamps (similar) with linen drum shades as per the suggestion of several of y'all to add some cohesiveness to the nightstand vignettes.  I like them.  I'm not sure that they're the final pick but I'm sold on having matching lamps.
 Of course, now I'm hating the headboard.  You couldn't see it in earlier posts because we never bothered to attach it to the wall and it sat too low. That wall is made of brick and plaster and hanging anything, much less a heavy headboard, is a major undertaking.  I fixed that problem temporarily with my handy assistant Wells yesterday by screwing on two big pieces of wood to the bottom to act as stilts if you will on the existing planks.  That did the trick. .
The fabric looks really pretty with an all white palate but just isn't jiving with the saturated colors I've mixed in.  And with the new dark wood on the nightstands the wall color is really reading more muddy warm with brown and green undertones so the cool grey fabric is clashing big time.  I have mixed emotions about how to fix this.  If we weren't about to move I'd probably repaint the wall color.  My favorite is Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore which you can see in Tagg's Nursery.  I don't want to skip a step in this challenge, but I also don't want to redo my headboard when it might work perfectly well in just a few more months.

 But we have tables.  That's huge.  Those were two big items that dictated where I could go with the rest of the zhushing up.  I'm a big fan of the dark wood and who can resist marble table tops?  I'd like to find second chest like the first one to help gain some balance and drawer space.  But I like that whatever we find won't be exact.  Matching his and hers, but not identical.  The curves on the legs on my nightstand are so gorgeous.  I don't plan on giving this piece back anytime soon!

I also have in my possession a very large size poster of something pretty to go above my bed.  A 42x56 Giclee Print to be exact.  It arrived in the mail on Monday night and I've been trying to come up with the best way to hang it that will make moving it later on a cinch.  Any ideas?
 

 It's going to look something like this only minus the coral tables.  If you reference the above situation with the headboard (which you can't see in this picture below) I'm also going to need to work around what's going on in this William Morris Reproduction Wallpaper Print.
It's got a lot going on my friends.  A lot.

You can view the final results of my first One Room Challenge here
And if you're new here, click on the links below to get all caught up.


And as always, be sure to check out the other lovelies participating in this series.  I promise they don't disappoint.

Currently Obsessed: Classic Prep

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 J.Crew Schoolboy blazer | Rag & Bone High Rise Skinny Jean | Marc by Marc Jacobs Round SunglassesTory Burch Marianne Haircalf Pumps

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Did we all survive the snow yesterday my dears?
I for one, was completely caught unaware and unprepared.  I might need to try to source some television that doesn't involve sprout onDemand one of these days.  Thank goodness Matthew's business trip was cancelled and his office closed because I needed the extra help and available grownup to run a few neccesary errands.  We basically sat around in our jammies and played all day. We put a major dent in a fresh pot of chili and the thought of getting dressed just seemed too much for a perfectly good lazy day.  It was awesome.

I have no idea when warm dryer weather is headed my way but I'm ready for it when it hits.  Here I am a year later and still updating my post babies wardrobe.  I've gotten even more real with myself on how and where I wear certain clothes and I'm confidant these staples will be well worth the investment.  A good fitting blazer is on the top of my list.  Has anyone tried this J.Crew blazer yet? 
 I'm obsessed with these jeans and have worn them almost every since I purchased them last fall.  They suck you in and smooth you out in all the right places so I know the white pair will get just as much action.

Lord knows I love me some animal print and that heel on these Tory Burch shoes looks just right for my mom feet.  Ties in nicely with those Marc Jacobs classic round tortoiseshell sunnies.

Life Lately & Link Love

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remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck  -Dalai Lama

Life Lately
So we've now put three offers on three different houses in three monthsAnd we already own a perfectly great house, yet we're about to have no where to live.
Wah Wah

I'm sure this is not the update y'all were looking for when you urged me to keep you up to speed on the house hunt.  But I just feel like whining today.   So bear with me, pretty please.  God knows we're in the most amazing position in the scheme of things.  If we don't find a house to buy or can't seem to close on a house we want, we can always rent.  We're not worried about how we're going to come up with first and last month's rent for a deposit.  It's just a matter of hoping something big enough is available in an area we like.  And we don't have to sell our house in Pawleys to buy a house here.  What are we doing with that house?  That's a chat for another day.  Although selling our first house might improve our buying power a bit, it's not holding us back.  These are blessings, major blessings, and I'm not going to forget about them and how much they are improving the stress level of this situation.

Maybe you're more interested in this part.  Matthew and I do have a list of requirements for our next house purchase and once those rooms are checked off the list while we're at a showing I sit and think, can we live here.  Where would the kids be playing while I cook dinner?  Where will we keep our 700 coats and bags that I like accessible by a door.  Is there a playroom so I don't have to see toys 24\7?  As much as we try to make this a financial decision, let's be real, it's emotional.  This is where Santa is going to bring my babies presents next year and hopefully for years to come.  A backyard Wells is old enough to maybe remember one day.

We are all too familiar with how life can take you down paths you can't foresee, but we want this house to be a forever house if we want it to be.  But not something so grand that it feels too big for us at this point.  Something that we could picture Wells bringing her fiance home too or Tagg's kids coming over for Christmas dinner one day.  But still cozy and homey and small enough for us to afford furnishing it right now.  We'd like four bedrooms but we'll take three.  Matt's parents and brother live out of town and it would be nice to house them somewhere other than a living room couch when they come to visit.  That fourth bedroom would more than likely be a playroom most of the time.  Like a giant toy box really, at this stage in the game.  A family room separate from the living room.  Family movie night should be in a different room from girls wine night.  I want an eat-in kitchen, even if it's just two bar stools around a mini island.  I'm tired of digging out cheerios from the couch.  And let's not discuss the smears of unidentifiable foods that land on my rugs and upholstery.  Matt would tell you he needs a gear room, but really we just need a simple laundry/mudroom.  We need a garage or large shed or significant structure for crap.  Not to park cars in, but to house Matt's never ending supply of turkey calls, duck decoys, fishing rods, and golf clubs.  We could run a freaking outdoor sports store out of there.  And let's not even talk about the hiking, biking, running, or other hobby of the month and all the gear that comes with each.  Oh,  and somewhere for me to spray paint to my hearts content.  I want a nice backyard.  A patio or deck and a play set or just room to build our own.

We're realistic on expectations.  I want at least 2.5 baths and one needs to have a tub.  But they can be original to the house.  Yes, 1960's or 1970's bathrooms don't scare me.  I'd settle for two baths I think, but I'd always be thinking about how we could add in that half.  A crappy kitchen from the 90's or earlier isn't a deal breaker either.  We prefer older more established neighborhoods and are okay with the outdated appliances and fixtures that come with that classic charm.  In our price range at least.  We're not in the market for someone else's updated renovation.  Our buying power can only guarantee so much in the areas we're looking.  We need to be close to Matt's work.  We need to be in a good school district because as of right now we're not sold on private schools which are the norm here in Richmond.  But we're not willing to be total suburbanites for cookie cutter house and school either.  I'm absolutely not knocking that, it's just not for us.  Anyone familiar with Richmond probably knows how hard the house hunt here is for all the reasons we've listed. 

Do I sound like an episode of house hunters yet?  I haven't mentioned that we want something perfect for entertaining so I guess not.  That's usually a couple's only requirement.  They always want an open floor plan perfect for entertaining.  I want a traditional floor plan perfect for keeping toys contained and entertaining my two toddlers.  We might find the time to entertain once or twice a year so I'm not going to plan my whole home around a party that I might never throw.  They also don't show you how many times you don't get the house you want, so this is clearly not HGTV.

So what do you think?  Do I have more or less requirements or expectations that you would have expected?  What were the deal breakers for you in your own search?
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Link Love

Just got some new kicks in the mail yesterday so I can finally pull off my lululemon-mom look at Target and Starbucks.  Love the atomic pink neon!  They're super light weight and perfect for pretending to work out.

This amazing Dodecahedron Pendant Light DIY is worth noting.  I've been drooling over it for weeks and just can't get over it.  It's awesome.  I think I'll make Matthew make it for me once we're permanently settled.

My friend Caycee transformed her breakfast nook into an cozy little breakfast nook inspired by my post here.

I'm obsessed with the rug Nancy is using in her laundry room makeover for the One Room Challenge.  Oh, and all of her fabric and other finishes she's picked.  Yummy.

I live in row house too so I get that sometimes function rules the day.  That's why I'm obsessed with Jenny's dining room hutch makeover.  I would totally do this.  I guess I just need both the credenza and the bookshelf first.




Meal Planning Made Simple: Week Seven

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When I agreed to take on the role of main chef in our house I brought some rules along with me.  They were enacted purely to give me room to grow in an area I was unfamiliar with and intimidated by.  Fearful is probably a better description.  I had never cooked before and married a hobby chef.  No joke, Matthew is really talented

BEHIND THE SCENES

Some of you have asked if I have stuck with my meal plan for every single dinner since I started this journey.  The answer is a loud and bold NO WAY!  I'm not being deceitful here, or at least that wasn't my intent.  Some weeks we go out of town and aren't home on a Friday or Monday.  Other weeks Matthew works late or is traveling.  Some times we get lucky and my parents watch the kids so we can sneak out for date night.  Some nights we're tired or don't feel like cleaning up the kitchen so we order take out still.  Yes, this happens.  But you see I only provide five meals a week on my plan and obviously we eat seven nights a week.  So typically each of the five meals I planned for do get consumed each week they just float around a bit more. 

So why not just post two meals some weeks and seven on other weeks?  Because I like consistency and I know some of y'all might like to grab a week (even if it's an old post) and follow it too.  Some weeks I might do the same thing and recycle a week's menu that we really liked.  Also this forces me to seek out new recipes and not just cook the same old Chicken Broccoli Casserole.

Have you made anything that's been altered or got a veto?  Yes!  The goat cheese orzo from week one wasn't that good.  I love cheese but the taste was too strong.  I've tweaked a few others but pretty much stick to the recipes.  I'm not good at straying too far from the line yet.
 
I also have a few rules I enacted.

1. No special requests.  I get to pick the menu.  Period.

2. We both get veto power.  If Matthew doesn't like something or suggests a change I listen.  I'm not a tyrant.

3.  The kids don't get a vote.  Period.  We offer Wells and Tagg their own bowls (as allergy requirements allow) or bites of anything we eat but they're never required to try anything.  At this age, waiting until 6:00 or later to eat isn't appropriate for them.  We want them to learn to listen to their tummies and eat when and what they like.  Of course, I provide those choices or else Wells would eat nothing but cheese sticks and donuts.

4.  I'm only making things that Matthew hasn't already mastered.  For example, he makes amazing shrimp and grits so on that night, he has to cook them.  I'm not interested in a competition or comparison.  Not yet anyway.

5.  I reserve the right to change my mind.  I grocery shop on Monday morning so all the ingredients are available all week long and I get to decide what I'm making each night.  So if I'm not feeling enchiladas on the designated night, I might make tacos instead.  Or maybe I'll just switch meals altogether and make BBQ Chicken Pizza on Monday instead of Friday.

Bedrooms

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So I spent a good bit of time yesterday working on my master bedroom and just couldn't come up with anything I liked.  I think I tried adding in too much.  Too much color and too many accessories.  I decided I need to take a step back and remember that this is something I've struggled with before.  I want that wow factor in my head, but in reality I just want somewhere peaceful and easy to sleep.  I'm getting back to basics and showcasing some of the original inspiration for this challenge.  I hope that helps me to stay focused today when I finish up some bed styling to showcase tomorrow.





One Room Challenge Week Six

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So here we are now six weeks into the One Room Challenge and only one week left before the big reveal.  I'd say I made some real progress this week, mentally at least.  I realized how easy is it to stray away from your original room design goals, even in such a short time frame.  Typically my rooms evolve over time as budget and effort allow.  It's really easy to let one new thing change your plans.  Sometimes that's a good thing.  And sometimes it's not.  

Take my William Morris Wallpaper Reproduction Print I ordered for above our bed.  I love it but it just wasn't going to work where I intended.  Complimented by my pillow choices, I realized I need yet another pattern/color to pull out it's full potential.  Which meant a recovering my headboard.  And then my bedding felt too white.  And the walls too dark.  And the bedside tables all wrong.  And I thought about ordering more prints so I could wallpaper the whole back wall in them.  Then I realized that I was creating a totally different room from the one I wanted.  No matter how great that combo might be, it wasn't what I wanted in my bedroom.  It was just too much. 

 But I love the print and I like that it ties in all the various colors I'm using.  And it actually looks gorgeous against my charcoal gray walls so I just rehung it on the wall opposite our bed.  It feels better over there and creates a nice sense of balance to that side of the room.  Plus I like that it draws your eye in rather than to the tv.  Yes, we have a television in our bedroom.  I'll never give that up.

 I decided that while the green silk taffeta buffalo check is an amazing fabric it's just not cut out for this space.  So I went with option C, my old polka dotted scarf from Target draped right over top the existing headboard.  BAM.  I love it.  I knew we needed something above the headboard and realized just a nice quiet whisper of something would work best.  Enter an antique oval mirror.  I added just a tad bit of rub 'n buff to help bring out some of her former glitz.  I like that it's more muted than a new gold (or spray painted gold) mirror.

Now we're back on track!

 I'm really liking where this is headed now.  I swapped out our slipper chairs for a nice upholstered bench at the foot of the bed.  This still leaves plenty of room for climbing babes to perch but takes up less floor space.  It's their favorite spot to sit and watch tv in our room without getting their sticky fingers and soy milk anywhere near my new white bedding. 
 I still have a ton of editing to do but I think I'm finally in the home stretch!  I have my spool of coral trim to bust out and I'd still like to get my euro shams monogrammed but I know that's not going to finished in time for this challenge.  Unless someone local wants to hook me with some rapid service?  hint hint.  anyone?  no really.

You can view the final results of my first One Room Challenge here
And if you're new here, click on the links below to get all caught up.


And as always, be sure to check out the other lovelies participating in this series.  I promise they don't disappoint.

Currently Obsessed: Pastels for Spring

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Good Morning my loves. I'm going to keep it short and sweet today.  I've got a sick baby who's in no mood to share my attention this morning.  So I leave you with my top five this morning.  I've got pastels for Spring on my mind.  I'm checking out my paypal balance and then snagging at least one of these pretties up. Hmm...which one should it be?
 Club Monaco Adela Skirt
I love the mint color on this maxi skirt and that slit.  
 
Pins and Needles Peplum Top
How perfect would this tan be right now under a leather jacket or paired with leopard?  I would totally wear it over all my colored denim come warmer weather too. 
J.Crew Flower Lattice Necklace
I know there are so many versions of these rhinestone necklaces floating around but something about this original is just so striking.  Gorge my dears, gorge. 

Tibi Ponte Shift DressThis one is pricy for a white dress but it's currently 20% off and offers crazy potential.  My favorite part of this dress is the sleeves.  I'm a big fan of hiding my arms whenever possible.  They're disproportionately large and jiggle.  The simple neckline is also the most perfect blank canvas to showcase all my fun statement necklaces.

 Rachel Pally Tad Dress
Okay this is just pretty.  I think this could look really pretty on someone with really blonde hair and pale skin or a dark brunette like myself.  Such pretty detail at the top but still covers up the cleavage.  Oh, and it's a maxi.  Perfection.



Life Lately & Link Love

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Life Lately

Well I feel like I'm going to jinx things by shouting it to the world but things are going better with the house hunt.  We're actually under contract *fingers crossed* and are waiting on the court to officially sign off on our offer.  Remember the first house we fell for, well she's the one that's almost ours.  But it's a tricky situation because the couple who own the house are getting divorced and there are two sets of opposing council plus a mediator with a court order to sell.   Remember when one of the attorneys passed away the day after we submitted our first offer back in January?  Well we've been back in negotiations with them for weeks.  We submitted a new offer, negotiated, rescinded our offer.  And did it again.  This house just keeps coming back to us.  Once it's approved by the court *fingers crossed* we still have the inspection to get through.  I'm not counting this chicken until she's good and hatched.

I got a much needed hair cut (we're talking inches and inches chopped off) and tried my hand at styling it like this.  I realize how bad I am at selfies.  I need my teenage cousins to teach me some tricks.  It also made me realize how desperately I need a new phone and how important it is to keep said phone away from slobbery fingers, soy milk bots, and playground sand.  Doesn't do much to improve the itty bitty camera lens.  We all have an iphone right but me right?  #whitegirlproblems

Link Love
 1. I'm having a girls night tonight with some ladies from high school and I plan to wear this blouse with my all -time favorite jeans but I have no clue what shoes. 


2. I'm completely obsessed with Bryn Dunn's living room featured on La Dulce Vita.  Lady does a fab livable sophisticated neutral.  I could move right in.

3. Did you see that everyone's favorite wedding blog now now started a home blog?  Style Me Pretty Living does not disappoint.

4. Erin's gorgeous Marbled Easter Eggs are making me rethink my boring dip and dry set-up.

5. I plan on making a version of these banana split bites for the kids this weekend.  I'll have to improvise a little bit with Tagg's allergy.  Wells will be all over helping me in the kitchen I'm sure.


Happy Weekend

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I had the best time last night with the ladies from high school.  Some of these girls have known me since kindergarten which is always a new treat for me having lived away from home for so long.  We had drinks and then went to our high school's annual Song Contest which is a rite of passage for the girls at my alma mater that has nothing to do with singing abilities and can't be easily explained to those who didn't experience it first hand.  And then we went for more drinks.  Such a fun time seeing how much people have changed or stayed the same.  I think I've changed in more ways than I've stayed the same.  On the inside at least.  On the outside I'd like to think I've only improved with age, but then again, isn't that what everyone past their twenties likes to think.


Meal Planning Made Simple Week 8 & Motherhood

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Happy Monday my loves.  
Did everyone have a nice weekend?  Mine was off to a fab start on Friday night but I had a little bit too much wine and paid the piper all day Saturday as a result.  When am I going to learn to cut myself off at 2 drinks.  Period.  Thankfully my two little leprechauns had no clue it was a holiday weekend and didn't ask for any extra celebrations.
I stumbled upon In Defense of the iPhone Mom yesterday via Facebook and it really hit home.  I've includedthe original post here on my blog rather than just providing the link because I feel so strongly about what this woman has said but I urge you to go back to the orignal source and let her know if it impacted you as well.  I am so thankful for all the woman here who lift me up and rally together in a show of support when I'm down or questioning my my mothering skills.  Y'all are some kickass woman, and not just moms, and I love thatSo many of y'alldon't have kids yet and could easily fall into that easy to judge realm of superiority where you know you'll do better when you get the chance.  But you don't do that.  I applaud this girl for writing the truth.  About not swallowing another spoon-full of guilt and for not allowing society to tell her that she's not 100% a mother 100% of the time.  Even when she's at work or at the park checking an email or texting a friend.
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Via Growing in a Shrinking Culture:
 Earlier today, I saw something going around Facebook called something like “Dear Mom on the iPhone.” If you haven’t seen it, I’m sure you’ve at least seen or read something similar at some point. It goes something like this:      “Dear Mom on the iPhone…Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl. She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her long hair. She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her.      You aren’t.      Your little boy keeps shouting, ‘Mom, MOM watch this!’ I see you acknowledge him, barely glancing his way.      He sees that too. His shoulders slump, but only for a moment, as he finds the next cool thing to do.”  OK I get it, I really do. We live in an age that is so technology obsessed, that we are at risk of missing out on real life. We suffer with the tyranny of the urgent, which often causes us to miss out on the important. Just as iPhones make it easier to stay connected to social networks and emails, they also make it easier to miss what is happening right in front of our noses. Push notifications make us feel needed and important, and as if we never have to miss out on anything. They can sometimes demand and own all of our attention. I agree that this can be a legitimate concern for our culture. It can threaten our relationships with our friends, our spouse, and of course, our children. And at times I have felt convicted that I need to stay offline while Riley is awake and on some days I do a really good job at it! (and other days, not so great).  But here’s what I don’t get: why are there always so many negative posts and chastisements toward mothers when it comes to parenting, but very little positive reinforcements and encouragement? Why are there so many articles, blog posts, open letters gone viral, etc. that fuel mom guilt? Other mothers out there know what I mean when I say “mom guilt.” It seems to be something we naturally, instinctively have and wrestle with the minute our first child is born. We don’t really need condemning articles and opinions on discipline, being a working mother, daycare, domesticity, creative parenting, and technology use to get our guilty conscience to kick into gear. Even if they are written in the name of godly conviction.  A guilty reminder that we might miss a moment with our child is honestly not what we need. It is not going to be the grace-fueled motivation we need to pursue godly parenting.  Let’s say this hypothetical iPhone mom is a SAHM (stay at home mom). Let me tell you something about her, that I know from experience:  Know what she has a lot of? Sweet moments watching her children do things like spinning around in their dresses or watching them show off or watching as they bring you something they just discovered. Moments to play with her baby on the floor, read a book over and over again with excited inflections, moments of teaching them the sounds that animals make and about the clouds that our Creator designed. Moments of laughter and tickle fights and hugs and kisses. And for this reason, she is thankful that she has the opportunity to stay at home full time with her child(ren).  But do you know what she doesn’t have a lot of? Time to herself. Time to respond to an email. Time to read the News or thought provoking articles on culturally relevant and important topics.  So let’s just say that after a long day (or string of days) of playing “hide-and-go-seek” and dress up and Legos, and fort building and teaching shapes and sounds and singing, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” she takes her kids to the park so that they can play by themselves, exercising their imaginations, twirling in their dresses, climbing the monkey bars, and swing while she breathes in some fresh air, sits down by herself, and browses some articles and catches up on some emails. I say good for her. Because you know what? She needs a break. For the love, just give her one! Stop judging her parenting for one mili-second.  And if she’s on Facebook and Twitter or Instagram? Well let me tell you something else about SAHM on her iPhone. She doesn’t have co-workers that she can complain about her boss with or laugh at the ironic typo in the memo that was just sent out to the whole office. She doesn’t have a peer in the cubicle beside her to have an adult conversation or relatable moment with. So if, while her child(ren) are playing joyfully at the park, she checks her networks for a sigh of relief that there are other mom’s out there she knows whose child just pooped in the bath or who have only had 2 hours of sleep and find themselves putting the milk in the pantry and the cereal in the fridge, I say good for her. Because you know what? She needs that.  Give a sister a break.  Where are the blog posts and articles and open letters that say things like, “Hey mom that is singing a song out loud in public with your child, you’re doing a good job!” or “Hey mom that is working and putting your child in daycare trying to provide for your family, you’re doing a good job!” or even “Hey mom who is about to lose it because you’ve been up to your neck in laundry and dishes and tantrums and teething and spilled milk and poopy diapers, for crying out loud put your kids in front of the TV for a few minutes, take a hot shower, brush your hair and check your email BECAUSE THAT IS OK!!!”  I’m just saying I’d like to read those posts.  Because as much as our kids do need our undivided attention and affection, they don’t need the entire universe to revolve around them. Because as much as they need moms to teach them and listen and be a part of their day, they also need to learn how to entertain themselves, and play with other kids and siblings. Because moms need to eat, and pee, and talk to a friend or have time with their spouse and the kids need to learn that they don’t have the trump card at all times to interrupt and demand everyone’s full attention.  And because sometimes you just need to grab your iPhone to send a text like this, so you don’t feel alone."

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And on a lighter note, did you see that actor Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew from Downton Abbey, recently ditched his blond hair for dark locks.  Well done Matthew.  Very well done. 
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MEAL PLANNING MADE SIMPLE WEEK 8


Where | Wear

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top image via 100 Layer Cake
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Spring Break might be something I gave up in the very early part of the 2000's but a girl can still day dream right? 

In fact, Matthew and I strategically planned our wedding so that our anniversary would fall in that dreary part of almost Spring perfect for yearly get-aways.  Too bad I've been either pregnant, had a new baby, or about to buy a house for each of the past five Marches.  So this year we get another free pass but next year is our five year anniversary and I plan do something awesome like lounging poolside looking pretty and sipping cocktails.  
Who's with me?  Do you get to take a yearly anniversary trip?  Where was your favorite trip?  Matthew and I went to Amelia Island for our honeymoon and it was incredible.  I only wish my younger non-mortgage-paying non-baby-toting newlywed self had realized just how much relaxing goes on at that place and that it would be a while before I returned.

I also think this would be the perfect setting for a girls trip. Now who's with me?

One Room Challenge Final Reveal

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Oh friends, are we so ready for the big reveal this morning? 
 Deep Breath!
I for one am tired of making the bed properly and keeping my bedside table clean for six weeks.  There's going to be at least two half full glasses of water and an Oreo wrapper sitting on there all day next Tuesday.  Mark my words.  

So I think I'm going to just let the pictures do the talking and then we can regroup in a few days with a source list and discuss.  So please, if you have any questions or want to know where I found something in particular just ask away.  Overall, I'm really happy with the way it shaped up.  Lots of gold to balance all the wood.  Crisp white linens to balance the dark walls.  Masculine meets feminine.  You get it.
Here she be!

You can view the final results of my first One Room Challenge here
And if you're new here, click on the links below to get all caught up.


And as always, be sure to check out the other lovelies participating in this series.  I promise they don't disappoint.


Eye Candy

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Thank y'all so much for all the amazing comments and sweet words you left for me yesterday about my big bedroom reveal.  It's always very hard to show off any space without a big asterisk disclosing it's only the best I could do with time and budget constraints.  Add in the fact that it's where I sleep, and it feels just that much more vulnerable.  But y'all pulled through with your kindness, so thank you for that.  It's going to be really fun to see how our master bedroom will recreate itself in our next house.
Now, I'm going to take a mental break this morning and drink some coffee before Tagg's therapy.  And today is my anniversary so I'm going to end with lots of sappy quotes just for my love.
 via
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Let's Go Swimming

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So it snowed yesterday morning and is still cold as hell today.  What gives Spring?  Let's all pretend it's really warm and sunny today and go swimsuit shopping on our lunch breaks okay?  That means all you little babes are going to need to nap today.
Ahem, Wells, ahem.






 

 

Happy Saturday

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Happy Saturday my loves.  I hope everyone is enjoying this little break through sunshine today.  I'm headed up to DC for pictures and I'm so excited to kick off the Spring season today with two little nuggets in Bethesda.  Make sure you email me if you're interested in photography sessions in the Richmond or DC area.  And y'all know you Charleston girls can lure me down in a hot second so let's get some dates on the books!

Sunday Pretty

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A Little Survey Pretty Please (There's Starbucks in it for you)

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Okay my lady friends.  I had one hell of a weekend, what about y'all?  Sadly, not all of it was fabulous as I ended up in the emergency room yesterday morning with Wells.  Apparently Baby Girl was so jealous of her little brother and all his attention stealing allergy problems that she decided to throw herself into anaphylaxis.  No joke.  Girl was eating a freaking grilled cheese sandwich when shit hit the fan.  Six hours, four prescriptions, and a double pack of epi pens later we were back home just in time to snuggle up for the snow.  In March.  Get with it Spring.  But our sweet little patient is doing great.  Fantastic really.  We're still pretty perplexed by this random occurrence and are hopeful the allergist will provide some tangible insight.  Let me tell you this motherhood business is no joke.  No freaking joke.
So I have a favor to ask of you loves.  

If you don't mind popping over for this quick little blog survey I would be super appreciative.  I really wish we could all just chat about these things over some coffee but in all honesty logistics as well as my children's limited attention spans make that nearly impossible.  Or a glass of wine.  That might get much more interesting.  And I know all of you are oh so interesting, that's why you're here right.

But while I can't send booze over the internet I can send coffee.  So as a huge thank you for your time and honesty I'm going to randomly select one of you to gift a $25 Starbucks Gift Card just for taking the survey.  Seriously, all you have to do is click over here and then come back and leave a comment so I know you gave up all your dirt.  You might even get a skinny vanilla latte out of it.  Painless right?
I really appreciate it my dears.  And you can feel free to leave something about yourself in the comments section if you choose to be so bold.  We're all friends here and it's time I got to know each of you a bit more.  I don't like to be blown off so if this is super successful and I get a good response I might even gift you with one of those Five Things About Myself posts that have floating around the bloggy-sphere lately.  You know love that crap.




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