What I Wore Wednesday {To Belt Or Not To Belt}

Hello to you pretty ladies! It’s another week of What I Wore Wednesday… I can hardly believe it! I’m linking up with Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy. I am sure you already do too but if not hop over and see her WIWW post plus all of the fabulous ladies who participate. I would like to think I know a little bit about fashion but I have struggled with this belt situation. I LOVE belts {on other people} but I just feel like I either look pregnant or it just doesn't look right on me. So, this is why I need your help. To belt or not to belt that is the question?

Dress/Belt~ Target

Flower~ Forever 21

Boots~ Van Maur

 

What do you think? I actually haven't worn the belt {that came with the dress}. Thats why I needed you all to help me out. Are you a belt gal? Is there a trick that I am missing with this belt situation? Do tell. xoxoxoxo

10 Fabulous Ways To Use Burlap

Have you all noticed the new trend in town, it's called Burlap. Let me just show you some fabulous ways to use this versatile and yet affordable material. With it’s rustic, shabby look it is the new go to material. In fact, there are so many ways to add this versatile fabric to your decor. Have a look...

        Source: thedieline.com via The BMC Report on Pinterest

Going to your local market is even better with these adorable burlap market bags. What I love even more is that these adorable bags were created by two gals who wanted to raise money to help local farmers in Alachua County, Fl.

                                                                                                Source: adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com via Melyn on Pinterest

You can use old boxes from around the house, 

cover them in burlap and you have the cutest storage bins ever!

                                                                                             Source: fancyhouseroad.com via Emi on Pinterest

Who doesn't love a banner? I love the way it makes the home feel so cozy. Especially with fall knocking at our door. 

Source: stylemepretty.com via brooke on Pinterest

It is perfect to use as a table runner. It gives that little bit of extra vintage flair to what would have been a somewhat plain table. 

Source: thecsiproject.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Who knew you could actually print or use a sharpie on burlap? Unbelievable. Check out this fabulous tutorial if you want to learn how to make this.

Source: greylikesweddings.com via Candice on Pinterest

Did you realize Christmas is in less than 120 days away. Oh my. Go ahead and add burlap to some of your fancy wrappings this year. 

Source: etsy.com via Cathey on Pinterest

                                         Aren't these pillows just adorable? 

                                             I can't wait to have these in my family room! 

Source: mama-says-sew.blogspot.com via Ali on Pinterest

This takes my breath away. I never in a million years would of thought about adding burlap to a lamp. I know you want to know how to make it so here is the tutorial I found.

A. MAZ. ING.

Source: flickr.com via Katy on Pinterest

Without a doubt I will be making these for our mantel this Christmas. I have a really fun idea to share with you once it gets closer. 

Source: thestudiolo.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

We are in desperate need of a headboard makeover and when I say this tutorial I couldn't help but share it with you all!

This by far has been one of my favorite Top Ten posts to write. I have had such a great time looking around Pinterest and finding some of the BEST and most CREATIVE ways to use this amazing material we call Burlap!

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda.
 Go check out some other fabulous Top Ten lists!

Individually Perfect.

Happy Monday, Lovelies!

Today didn't start out like I had planned.

.... I overslept

... locked my keys in my car

.... and that was all before 7:30 

Thankfully, this day has gotten better with each passing moment. 

 Last week my sweet Mason started preschool and can I just tell you

this kid can make me laugh more than anyone. 

I can be having the worst of days or have locked my keys in my car and this

hilarious, carefree, adorable, lovable, loud, crazy adorable little man can in an instant 

brighten up my whole world.

Is he not the cutest little boy ever?

Of all my boys he is the one who I can wait to see 

who he becomes. The sky is the limit for this boy.  

He has this 'thing' about him.  

If you have spent 2 minutes with the kid you can't help but 

love him. Maybe it's the blonde curls or the fact that he wants to make people laugh.

I am amazed at the way the Lord has given me three boys all with different

 styles and personalities.  Yet they are all perfect for our family.

Tell me about your kids? 

Are they all alike or are they each as crazy different as mine?

Hello Friday.

I don't know about all of you but I am so thankful it is Friday.

Here at our castle we have been slowly getting back in the

 routine of school, soccer practice, packing lunches, ironing clothes, 

and then waking up and doing it all over again.

At this point I am not sure who is more 

ready for the weekend my boys or myself!

Today is the first day I have ever had both boys in school all day.

Which means I have this crazy little man all to myself today! 

This little guy has really come into his own in the last few months.

I am excited to spend some time with just him. 

He is crazy.

He is hilarious.

He is my mischievous one.

He is the one who keeps me on my toes.

He knows no fear.

He loves like crazy.

He is all mine.

We are off to go hang out at the grocery. Who knew I would be so excited to be at the 

grocery with just one kid. It's the little things, right?

Happy Friday My Sweet Friends!

xoxoxo

Thanks to Nikki James Photography for these picture of my sweet Cole

What I Wore Wednesday {Interview Edition}

HappyWednesday Day, Friends!

I was doing so great with 18 WIWW posts in a row {whoot, whoot}and then the past two weeks... total fails. Everytime I thought to get the camera out I was running out the door, making dinner, a kid was crying, crazy busy life I guess. I am so excited to link back up with Lindsey and check out all of your fashion ideas. 

Some of my craziness has been my boys starting school but I also had a interview. {eek} It's been a while since I have done the interview deal. After I graduated college I only went on one interview and thankfully got the job. After five years, I left the workplace to be at home and start a family. I went back only two days a week selling insurance. Thankfully, got that job after one interview. 

Which brings me to my interview this past week. I was nervous and excited. Like any normal girl would do I put on the same 'business casual suit' {given to me by my SIL} I wore to my other two job interviews. 

I figured it had to work again even if it was nine years old, right? 

Suit: Limited, Pearls: Forever 21, Blouse: Limited

Guess what? It worked I got the job! I am so thankful! 

Still two days a week and I am selling Life Insurance {which I love}. 

So, if you are in Ohio and need Life Insurance I am your woman!

{soap box time: Everyone should have some policy outside of work. What would you do if God forbid something happened to your spouse?  You never think it will happen to you and oh friends the stories I could tell you. It's heartbreaking.} 

He asked me a question that I had never been asked

 in an interview and it really got me thinking.

So, I thought I would ask all of you. 

What offends you?

It makes you stop and think doesn't it?

 Please share with me I would love to know. 

First Grade is Calling.

My sweet boy. It's time.

We have prayed for a place, a school where we could call home for you, 

while your away from home.

We found it last year. 

Thankful that when you walk in the doors

 I believe with all that is in me that you will learn, laugh and be loved on by some of the sweetest teachers I know.

I need you to stop growing. I can remember this time last year and my stomach was in knots. I was nervous for you. I felt like it was my first day of school all over again.

I thought this time would be different.

 Oh sweetie it's not. 

I knew this day was coming. You are more than ready.

I am not.

Wasn't it just a minute ago that I was rocking you to sleep. 

Jumping up and down when you said your first words.

I feel like I simply blinked and here we are. 
Oh my sweet boy you make my heart smile.

I am so proud of you and I am so thankful 

for the boy that you have become. 

I have seen you grow leaps and bounds this summer.

I know you will be great.

I know that you will learn a lot. 

I know that you will make so many new friends

and enjoy all of your old friends. 

I know you will be forming life long friendships

and I am so thankful. 

Please know, my sweet boy. 

I will be praying.

I will be waiting to pick you up as soon as the bells rings.

Welcome to first grade my love.

A Humble Beginning.

To say my first teaching experience in a Zumba class was a total bust would be the understatement of the year. As much as I had prepared {which was a lot} nothing could have prepared me for teaching an entire class by myself. I remember thinking, "I am really going to be great at this" and then reality set in one minute into my first song. Oh my: What have I done? I was on a stage that I hadn't practiced on and as much as I had practiced in front of my three little men it was so not the same. I was doing gyrations I didn't even know my body could do. I was doing moves on the off beat. How in the crap do you do an entire song on the off beat? {sigh}  I don't know if I could do that again even if I tried. Oh Mercy! It was so bad. I told one of my girlfriends, "it was like another person {with two left feet} had taken over my body and there was nothing I could do about it."


Yes, I got through the class. In the middle of it though I was praying that the rapture would come and that these poor women would be put out of their misery. Thankfully, they were patient and so gracious. As I left the gym and got into my car I couldn't stop the tears. I was so disappointed in myself. I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to go home looking like a hot mess so I stopped at McDonalds to get a Diet Coke {shocker}  only to have the lady not put the lid on all the way. She poured it ALL. OVER. ME. Not only had I humiliated myself in front of 45 people but now I am covered in Diet Coke. I was just waiting for Ashton Kucher to come out and tell me I was being punked.


So, I cried some more. For two hours I couldn't stop the tears. I text one of my girlfriends who came that night to see if I was really as much of a train wreck as I claimed to be. She came by my house with a new Diet Coke and sat and talked some much needed truth into my life. Thank the Lord for friends who speak truth into your life {even when you don't want to hear it}.


I went to bed thinking about how much I didn't want to teach EVER again. Thankfully, His mercies are new every morning. I got up, went and practiced at the gym and thursday taught my second class. People actually came back. When it was all over I felt great! I had fun teaching and talking with some of the awesome women in the class. It just felt so much better than the first class. I was more comfortable. I was a teeny bit more confident. I knew people were praying for me. So, maybe everyone is right? When you fall off the horse you get right back on. You suck up your pride. You don't let failure be an option and you go for it. 


As you can see it's been a crazy week for me but I am so thankful. Thankful for people in my life who push me outside of my comfort zone. I don't always like it but man I need it. Is there anything you have been wanting to do or start but are so afraid of failing {or dancing with two left feet} that you haven't taken that first step? I really challenge you to take it. It will be the best thing you have ever done! xoxoxo   


{I wrote this next post hours before my first class but never posted it. Here, I thought I was writing this to you all but after reading it again after my first class, I was clearly the one who needed to read it. Enjoy}


I can remember the first time I walked into the class. Not exactly sure what was about to happen. The music was loud, there was a lot of women ready to have a good time. I stood in the back on the left hand side of the gym with my cousin. Within one minute of class I was laughing and realized this was what I had been looking for. 

I have exercised my entire life but never really enjoyed it. I would get burned out. I would always go back to running or doing a home workout video. I just knew for me I had to lose the extra baby weight from my sweet baby boy #3. 

As I began going to class I refused to miss one. I had felt so good after it, it was a bit of a drug to me. So, I decided to jump the gun and get certified. Truthfully, I don't think I felt like I would ever lead an actual class. I had always hoped to be able to influence and encourage others to be active but didn't feel confident in my ability. In my life there have been so many things I have wanted to do or try but I always have let the perfectionist in me ruin it. I have always been the one who cares about what everyone thinks. Even if I had 1,000 people tell me something positive I always would remember the 1 person who didn't like it or said something that was hurtful. 

Which bring me to 2 weeks ago when another Zumba instructor asked me to lead her class. She would be having surgery and would be out for 2 weeks. My first instinct was to say NO. Everything in me screamed NO but I felt like I couldn't say no. It was a trust thing. 

So, here I am hours before my first class and my stomach hurts. I keep getting hives. I have a million things that I keep thinking could go wrong. The music, what if I fall off the stage, what if no one shows up, what if I just freeze up, what if I just suck. 

I pray.

I read. 

I trusted.

Humbled by HIS grace and thankful that I have an opportunity to not only do what I love to do but to pour into other women. To encourage other women. To be used in a way that I have never been used before. If there is only one person that shows up, if I mess up every song it's okay. HE can use anything and everything to glorify himself. I am confident that even in my crazy zumba journey he will use it to glorify himself. 

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. "

Ezekiel 37:5