Be Still, My Beating Heart

dresses/lunchbox: Old Navy, jellies: Target, sparkle ballet flats: WalMart, bow: Julia's Bowtique 

My sweet babies are growing into beautiful little girls. You've watched them both from almost the beginning of them (according to their lives) and although I won't post about the girls every week, I do want you to continue to see them change and grow. I love them like my life depends on it. I know you know what that feels like.

Influenster J'Adore VoxBox - Unboxing

Feast your eyes, friends. The J'Adore VoxBox, provided to me by Influenster, for review, is pretty much my dream collection of products. What more does a caffeine addicted, flat iron using, chocoholic, skin care junkie need? I will admit that I have nowhere exciting to wear the KISS lashes, but I sure am excited to surprise the hubster when he gets home one night! He's going to be like, "WHO are you?" I'm also psyched to Instagram a photo of him using the Vaseline Men's spray lotion. He isn't going to like the photo op, but I know he'll love the product! Y'all, I am so excited to share some kisses, protect my heat-treated hair, drink some delicious tea, give my skin some TLC, and, well, shock my husband with false lashes. I've already tried the Botanics mask and let me just tell you that it was amazing. I'll have more details on all of the products later in the week. You may have already been graced with my mask-wearing face on Instagram or Twitter. Sorry 'bout your eyes.

Products provided for review by Influenster:
Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask
Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray
Vaseline Men Spray Lotion
KISS Looks SO Natural Lashes
Red Rose Simply Indulgent Teas (Creme Caramel & Lemon Chiffon/decaf)
Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates

Stop Talking. Start Praying.

I totally stole this from Tenley Molzahn's (@tenleymolzahn) Instagram. I love her. If you ever need inspiration, just follow her. Seriously. I want to be her friend in real life.

How often do you get caught up in talking about your bad luck (or whatever it is) until your face turns blue? How often do you forget to go to Jesus? I've been trying really hard to pray before I open my mouth. During this particular season of life, most of my friends are starting (or growing) their families, making big decisions about more kids, education, jobs, have husbands who aren't around as much as they'd like. I understand. I'm in the trenches with you. Let's remember that prayers aren't unheard and unanswered. God's time is not always our time. His plan is not always our plan. But God's timing and plans are right.

Quiet. Prayer.

He's listening.

He's answering.

Listen.

A Splash of Color

There is a certain level of disheveled, after a day with 27 preschoolers, that I cannot apologize for. Take it for what you will, but these photos were taken after work. I've been dying (or dyeing- hah) to take these tights out and make them work for an outfit that's appropriate for something other than an 80s throwback party. I mean, let's be serious- neon tie dye tights? Yes, they're amazing. Yes, they're comfortable. And yes, for the love of color, they are SO ME. However, they are not an every day staple or basic. Agree? I figured if I chose a simple black palette and accessorized with another solid that pulled from the tights, I could pull them off. With the peekaboo tie dye just showing at the knee, I think I made them totally work appropriate. Now, to be fair, I work at a preschool where I can literally wear anything from a suit to yoga pants. I figured the kids would think they were pretty awesome, so I gave it a shot. Turns out, my very stylish boss loved them, too! #winning ... Do people still do that?

 dress/oxford/belt: Old Navy, boots: Diba, tights: c/o We Love Colors

What's something you love to wear, but might be afraid to wear to work? How could you style it so you could pull it off? I'd love to hear! Maybe you'll inspire me to wear something else crazy. 

The Comeback with the Bangs

I wrote on my facebook page, last night, that I've been away for a while. My family has suffered the loss of a deeply loved member and while struggling to stay afloat, emotionally, I dove into prayer and sought to deepen my relationship with the Lord. During my time of prayer, it was revealed to me that I have lost myself in emotional wallow and a bit in the robotics of motherhood and family management. While I adore my position in life, I realize, now, that writing is a core part of my creative being and this blog has been a sweet landing place for several years. 

I've drafted out some ideas and taken a quick poll on facebook, but if you're still reading, I'd love to hear your input, too. While I plan to let the blog take shape as I get back into a routine, I also would like to have a moderately narrowed focus. Part of my being overwhelmed enough to put coming back off was that I have too many ideas and can't seem to pin down where I want the blog to go. I have a personal journal and am not interested in making this such. There will be sprinklings of the girls, here and there, and of course, I'm still an open book. But I'm writing for my friends, family, myself, and for any other sweet reader who cares to ice the top of my little internet corner cake. The ideas I've journaled out for possible focus are:

a) fashion/beauty (personal style and product reviews)

b) mommy/family

c) recipes/meal planning

d) journey with organization and redecorating the home

f) "come along with me" vlogs and blogs

g) DIY

h) health/weight loss

If you wouldn't mind taking a moment and commenting with your top 2-3 favorite ideas, I'll love you forever! Thanks a bunch!

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming:

Y'all, I got bangs. If you follow along on facebook, instagram, or twitter, you already know this. I turned 30 last Thursday and decided I was going rogue. I had plans of dyeing my hair some radical shade of deep red or going with a pixie cut. Instead, I opted for bangs. I'm so daring.

 dress (hiked up as tunic): Target, tee/cardigan/leggings: Old Navy, boots: Diba

So glad to be back! Stay tuned for the Influenster J'Adore VoxBox unboxing and review, We Love Colors neon tie dye tights for work, and a review of one of the most gorgeous dresses I've ever laid eyes on, from Bitter Root Vintage! Can't wait to share! Please leave a comment with your top 2-3 blog focus ideas! Thanks a bunch. 

Black Friday Comfort

Did any of you score some awesome deals on Black Friday? I didn't buy one thing. Lies. I bought a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie. Other than that, I didn't buy a thing. Bills, y'all. We walked the mall just for fun (who does that?) and had Red Robin for dinner (Hubs' fav), but I mostly dressed to cover the turkey from the night before. Mmm...

 tunic: I honestly can't read the tag, tee: Old Navy, tank: Walmart, leggings: Target, boots: Soda

I think leggings and tunics are becoming my uniform. And I'm ok with that! What I'm not ok with is the fact that my stupid (really, actually amazing) dogs are outside, barking their heads off at the neighbors and waking my children. Don't they know? Oy...

This Face...

If you have a case of the Mondays, then this post is just the medicine you need. Y'all, I can't. I just can't. I CANNOT.

Her is precious.

Happy Monday!

More is Better... This Time

It has been so chilly and wonderful in eastern NC! I love it. I waited for the crisp weather and toasty fire for so long, and although I know it won't last for too many months, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy it while I can. I'm a cold weather girl! I love the layers, the hot chocolate and cider, my fireplace, Christmas music, snuggles and movies... I love it all. And if clothes are one of my favorite things, the more I get to wear at a time, the better.

 tribal poncho: Karlie, tunic: Chalet, jeans: Charlotte Russe, boots: Soda, scarf: self made

Sadie is becoming quite the little blogtographer. Mad props to the preschooler in the house. She does a heck of a lot better with my phone than I do with the timer on my digital camera. If you have kids, tell me one thing that they do way better than you. Mine do lots of things better than me (like give grace and forgiveness in an instant). But today, I'll use the fact that Sadie is a way better photographer than I am. Go, girl. 

And tell me what you're enjoying about the holiday season!!! I'm so psyched!

To My Brother on His Birthday

Dear Ryan,

Today is your 23rd birthday. I can hardly even believe that 23 years ago, I was sitting in our neighbor's room, playing with kittens, waiting to go to the hospital to meet my baby brother. I remember where I was sitting, what I was wearing, and exactly how I felt. I wanted to take care of you, hold you, feed you, and treat you like my own little live baby doll. Since then, we've had ups and downs, just like any brother-sister duo might. But, we've always loved each other and taken care of each other. Know what my favorite thing about you always has been and always will be? You're there. You're always, always, always there. See that picture on my sofa? You were there. See the one when Sadie had a question at our cousin's graduation party? Who was there to answer it? You were. See that one on the beach? The time when Sadie HAD to go see the ocean and build a sand castle in the rain? You were there. And the one with you kicking a ball to Clarke at the pumpkin patch? Because we promised little girls we'd take them. You were there. And the one with you tickling a post-trick-or-treating chicken? Yep, you were there, too. And when you were there to hold Norah when she was born and take care of Sadie while we stayed in the hospital? You were there. And that one of you and me? Because you're always there for me. Always. 

I love you so much and I'm proud and blessed that you're my little brother and my best friend. Happy 23rd, Ry. May this year bring you more love and joy than any so far and less than all of the following ones.

So Thankful

I wish I had a photo montage of all the things that I'm thankful for. No one likes a blog post without pictures. The truth is, this year, I'm thankful for simply everything. I couldn't break down and do the month of thankfulness, posting one thing for which I'm thankful, to facebook, each day. I wake up in the morning, groggy and exhausted, and my feet hit the floor. From that moment, forward, I am literally busting at the seams with gratitude. I have a family that extends so much grace and forgiveness to me, children that think I'm pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread, even when I'm struggling to get so much as a sandwich on the table by dinner time some nights. I have a husband, whom, despite weight gain, exhaustion, and sometimes sheer laziness to impress on my behalf, still thinks I'm beautiful and worthy of his love and affection. I have a home, a closet brimming with clothes (even when I think I have nothing to wear), enough laundry to go three or more weeks without having to wash for the whole family (I've tested this theory), friends who would literally drop everything they were doing to come to my rescue. I have a job that is truly my calling, where I am happy to go and share my love and talents, and where Monday never seems dreadful. I have a boss and coworker who literally Light.Up.My.Life. I mean, the list goes on. There's nothing to be ungrateful for. 

Most of all, I am thankful for God's never ending, unconditional, great big love. His Grace, His expectations of me, His answers, His voice. He is the reason for everything in the first paragraph and the reason I wake up every morning with a huge, goofy smile on my face. He's the reason I call my mom to wish her "Happy Monday" or "Happy Friday" or "Happy week!" He is everything in the whole universe and He is my number one. Without Him, I'd have nothing. So, with Him, I truly have everything. There's no photo montage for that. Open your eyes and look around you. It's all from Him.

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friends and family.