Hi, I'm with Chevron.

It's Bold. It's Graphic. It makes a statement.

After finding an old chevron West Elm rug I purchased a few months back I have been swooning over the goodness of Chevron. I want to incorporate it in my house. Here is the issue I have... I can show you and tell what to do with your house. However, I can't actually do it. Well, I could but you don't want me to. I have a few friends who can just look at a picture and make it come to life in their house. I have to pay someone to do it which is why MANY projects get put on hold in this house. I think this is another reason {as if I need another reason} that I love Pinterest. I can bookmark what I love and then when I make it big I can actually bring those 'pins' to life! 

Whether this pattern is used on one of our walls, in upholstery, or just a fun accessories, I need this in my life. For all of you who aren't sure what I am talking about let me introduce you . I promise you that you will start to see it all over the place.  

 

                        source

                            

                       source

                                                                                                          source

                                                                                                       source

                                                                                                              source 

Now, do you see why I love it? What have you been crushing on lately?  Do you have Pinterest {of course you do}. I would love to follow your boards. Leave me a comment or send me an email with so I can follow you! 

xoxoxo   

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday {Weight Watchers Edition}

Does this blog make me look fat? Growing up I struggled with my weight. I was never the skinny girl. Most all of my girlfriends weighted 100 lbs soaking weight. While they would be eating Taco Bell after school everyday I would be counting points. I have been on so many diets throughout the years it makes me sick to even think about it. I found the one thing that always worked for me was Weight Watchers. It allowed me to actually eat and not feel like I was starving myself. Being a teenager and struggling with your weight is miserable. Weight Watchers for me was a blessing. 


I forgot how much freedom I actually had while doing Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers is an amazing plan, a change that you are willing to make so that you can have a healthier and happier lifestyle. You re-learn what is good to eat and do, but also learn how to let go of 'diet rules' and actually relax and enjoy birthday parties and the occasional sweet tooth.  


Which brings me to one of the best desserts EVER. It is like heaven in your mouth. Yep, I said it. Friends, if you like snickers bars here is a healthier alternative.

source

The biggest difference nutritionally between this bar of goodness and an actual Snickers Bar is that the ice cream bar contains 3 grams of fiber and less than half of the grams of sugar. It is a ton lower in calories as well {271 vs. 150}. 

So, the next time you crave a candy bar try the Weight Watchers Candy Bar. Your waste line and taste buds will thank me. What are your go-to healthy desserts? 

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday {Back To School}

Oh friends, I can't believe in a few short days two of my boys will be back in school. As much as I think I am ready for them to get back on a routine I always get a little nostalgic about the summer coming to a close and the start of a new year of school. There is just something about the long summer days, pool days, they are completely carefree. As a mom, one of my greatest joys is seeing my boys be together and enjoy each other. My sweet Mason said to Brady, "I only go to school for 3 days and you go 5. What will I do without you?" Oh my heart. I love those boys!   

Since school has already started for many of you and it is around the corner for out little crew, I thought I would share this adorable blog post I found that has the BEST party ideas ever. Your kids teachers will LOVE you! 

Source: onecharmingparty.com via The BMC Report on Pinterest

Look at this adorable faux dessert table made entirely of school supplies from the creative ladies at One Charming Party.  My favorite thing about this is the adorable pencil cake. I have never seen anything like it. The ladies from One Charming Party were so gracious to share this awesome tutorial on their blog. I can't wait to try it!

Here is the tutorial for the back to school pencil cake: You’ll need two styrofoam cake rounds, a few inches smaller in diameter than your cake stand.

1. Using tacky glue, glue the two cake rounds together and let dry.

2. Put two file size rubber bands around the styrofoam cake. Carefully slide pencils under the rubber bands until the entire styrofoam cake round is covered.

3. Add loose rubber bands on top of the cake for frosting.

4. To create the pencil candles, push red pencils with yellow eraser caps into the foam top.

Source: onecharmingparty.com via The BMC Report on Pinterest

Is this not the most creative idea ever?! This would be perfect for a teachers birthday or back to school party. I just love stuff like this. For more details on this fabulous party and free downloads go check out the ladies at One Charming Party! 

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday: {FREE} FOURTH OF JULY PRINTABLES

Hi Friends! Need some fun inspiration for all of your parties and BBQ's this weekend? I thought it would be fun for me to search out blogland and find some fun printables that can add that little bit of flair to your upcoming events this weekend. Of course, I found the perfect printables for YOU! What I love about these Sweet Liberty printables is that they are classic looking and FREE. What more could a girl want? Have a look...

{all photo's and designs were done by Hank + Hunt}

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Sweetest Occasion and download all of these adorable printables. They are sure to make your Fourth a day to remember! xoxox


linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday {Allora Handmade}

Can you believe it's Thursday already? School is almost out and I feel like the days are all running together. It's craziness around here! I hope you all are enjoying all of the featured Etsy shops on here lately. Normally, I introduce you to Etsy shops but because I am feeling a little crazy I thought I would do something a bit different. You are going to be SO happy I am switching it up and introducing you to an adorable girl named Jessica. She has a shop called Allora Handmade.  She makes some of the most unbelievable rosette jewelry I have ever seen. 

Source

I had to put her picture on here because she is just adorable. What is even better is she is so talented. Just wait until you see all of her jewelry. Seriously, you are going to LOVE it. I have been wanting one of her necklaces and one of her earrings and one of her bracelets and a headband {or two} for FOREVER. However, due to my indecisiveness I still haven't ordered one and then I remembered... Hello, I have all of YOU to help me. So, could you please help a sister out? First, go check out her shop. I am warning you now... You will want to buy one of everything. 

Are you ready? Here is what I have narrowed it down to.

Source

Beautiful.

I  just smile when I look at these.

Was I right or what? Now can you see why I was having so many issues deciding! All of her necklaces are so detailed and beautifully crafted. They just make you feel happy by looking at them!

Want more of Jessica from Allora Handmade? Of course you do. Go check out her blog 

~The BLOG {You will LOVE her} 

You can also follow Jessica on Facebook and Twitter 

Until next week, enjoy this fabulous day and have fun shopping at Allora Handmade. Don't forget...I am counting on you. Which one of these beauties should I get? 

linked to Things I Love Thursday

A St. Pattys Day Snack {It's not Green Beer}

As you know, I am so not the cooking type. What I do love are quick, easy and low fat snacks. This has been one my favorites! My boys LOVE them. I LOVE them. So, if we love them I am sure you will, right?


Ingredients:

2 Cinnamon Graham Crackers

2 Tbs Cool Whip (I use the spray cool whip)

1 Tsp multi-colored sprinkles

Directions: 

1. Scoop two tablespoons of cool whip onto one graham cracker 

2. Place other graham cracker on top of cool whip and gently press down

3. Hold sandwich over a deep bowl to prevent sprinkles from scattering and sprinkle all four sides of the sandwich.

4. Place on parchment paper in the freezer for at least 2 hours or until cool whip is frozen {or if you are like our castle we wait about 15 minutes}

Only 125 Calories per yummy sandwich. Enjoy!

Happy St. Patricks Day Lovelies! 

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday: The Art of the Skinny.

Yep, I am going there. To some, these words make you cringe. I must admit to being very intimidated by Skinny Jeans. But if I can rock them so can you. When they were last in style, I wasn't even born. It’s hard to see yourself in a style made popular by women who are more like cartoon stick figures. Which leads me to the question: Do you have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans? No!   


Now, should everyone wear this type of jean. No! We have all seen the few who should not EVER put a pair on. That isn't being mean that's just being real. I would NEVER put on a thong bikini because I have two butts, so some should just stay away from the 'skinny' altogether.


The key to the skinny jean is finding what you should pair it up with. 
Tops: Because the skinny jean is designed to be tight, form fitting and ankle hugging you must pair it with a top that is fuller {to balance it all out}. For example, drapery tops, tunics, short dresses, belted tunics.


Shoes: This part is the easy part. This style of jean is perfect for riding boots {my favorite} or heels {leg-lengthening look}. Some can wear flats {make sure they are pointy- toed}but I am of the belief you have to be one of the 'cartoon stick figures' to pull that off. So, in a nut shell that's the skinny on the skinny. 


Here is a slight disclaimer and the reason I wrote this. Quick story: You know one of my loves is Zumba? Well, last night it was one of my friends baby showers and of course I went from Zumba to the parrrrtay. I decide to do a quick change in the bathroom. So, I put on my skinny jeans. One problem, due to the sweat, I literally get stuck mid pull. Keep in mind I am in the bathroom trying to squeeze my sweaty chubby body into spandex {that's what it felt like at least}. I have to get out of the stall so I can do the jump and pull. {$20 bucks you are smiling right now because you have done this} As I am in mid jump a random Zumba lady walks in. She smiles, I laugh and apologize for my hotness. I am sure the poor lady is scarred and is probably writing about a crazy person she saw in the bathroom. I say all of that to warn you: As fabulous as the jeans can be. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PUT ON SKINNY JEANS WHILE SWEATY. It will make you feel like you should be wearing a fat suit!


What type of jeans to you wear? Do you rock the skinny jeans or are you more of a boot cut,  straight leg kinda girl? Remember, whatever you wear {even if it is a moo moo}... wear it with confidence! 
 
linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday: Clean home is a happy home.

Kinda like the saying, "happy wife, happy life". Those of you that know me know that I have this need for things to be clean and by clean, I mean picked up. I don't need the baseboard's scrubbed or white glove approved but I need it to 'appear' clean. You never know who is going to be stopping by and really, who wants to walk into a messy home? The funny thing is, if it's someone elses castle I don't mind messiness but for me and my castle ... yeah. Not a fan of the mess. 

Since many of you have asked me what I do with having three little boys and still keep a {somewhat} clean castle I thought I would fill you in on some little secrets that work for me. Because lets be honest, how many times do you look away for a split second only to find the room you just cleaned up a complete disaster {again}?

1. Get your kids involved. This is KEY! There is NO reason that YOU should be the only one picking up. I don't care the ages. All three of my boys {including my 15 month old} know that they are to pick up their toys once the are done playing. If they move on from one thing to thing then guess what? They clean it up before the move on. Really, don't be scared I am not a crazy cleaning mom. You would be surprised... my boys don't fight it {because they are used to it}. Of course, I will help but I really try to encourage them and reward them!

2. Clean Floor. Sounds simple. This has always been my go to. If the floor is clean then the room 'appears' to be clean. It doesn't take long. You will LOVE me if you simply try this. Do a 'floor check' clean up time with the family mutiple times a day. Is your house going to pass the white glove test? No. However, it will appear clean--er. Plus, it might just be what you need to tackle the rest of your castle.

3. Routine. Like everything else you do in life it's so much easier when you develop a routine which then becomes a habit. Do you wait till the dishes are piling over before you do them? Do you wait till you have 26 loads of laundry and then decide it might be time to start washing? How much easier would it be to simply create a schedule for yourself. If I am being totally honest I don't have a schedule {but it sounds good, right}... Here's what I do. After every meal I CLEAN the kitchen, put the dishes in the dishwasher. Before I put the kids down for bed {nap, quiet time or bed time} I make sure all toys are picked up {aka floor check}. You will be shocked if you just make cleaning a discipline, like everything else, it will become easy-er. It doesn't take long when you don't let it pile up. I try to do at least 2-3 loads of laundry a day. If I am playing with my boys I throw in a load. If I am watching t.v. or on the computer I throw in a load. You really do have time you just have to use the time wisely!

I know, some of you are saying you work full time or you have newborns or it's just not important to you. I get it, I really do but I also promise that you will feel 100% better about your castle if you just tweek a few things. Seriously, it will make your life easier and really if you are like me at all, as a mom I will take all the easy I can get!

Do you have any 'secret' cleaning tips?

Happy Cleaning!


linked to Things I Love Thursday

As it is written.

It was a cold day, snow falling,  I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. I had just lost my dad. I remember going into our laundry room and shutting the door and crying into a pile of clothes so no one else could hear me. I remember that same day I wanted to just crawl in a hole and not be seen for days. Not a good place to be in but for me that is how I felt. Until, that same day I walked out my door in to the snow and went to get the mail. Not thinking really about much of anything I see a envelope with my name on it. It wasn't a card it was a handwritten letter from a friend. 

As I read the letter I can remember thinking, what a great friend, she took the time out of her busy life to sit down with a pen and paper simply to tell me she was thinking about me and praying for me. It was simple. It was meaningful. It was perfect. For me, it was what I needed on that very day. 

Which brings me to a question for you and myself. When was the last time you wrote a real letter? Nothing typed on a computer or sent via text. A pen to the paper letter. There is just something about receiving something tangible to remind someone else that they are thought of and loved.

I am challenging myself and you to take 10 minutes out of your week. Make a list of people who are on your heart. Sit down and simply write. It doesn't have to be earth shattering, just intentional.  Mail them out. Sign. Sealed. Delivered. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to follow through with.

 

Photo

Who can you write a card to today? Will you do it? I hope so, what an easy way to simply bless someone else! 

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday: Favorite Posts of the Year

I though it would be fun to pick out a few posts that deserve some awards. It's not because my posts are super fabulous, {which they are} but because after going back through the last couple of months I had some posts that stuck out. Some were really special to me and others spoke to my heart or made me laugh while I was typing away on my computer. So, I thought this would be a fun and perfect time to go ahead and let you read some oldies but goodies you may have missed. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing.

• Funniest Post of the Year: Honeymoon Hell & Control your weedwhacker {sorry they both will have you rolling}

• Most Vulnerable Post of the Year: Dear Dad

• Most out of my comfort zone: If you knew me

• Picture Perfect Post of the Year: Boys EPIC Birthday Party Photo Shoot

• Sexiest Post of the Year: Baby who dat is?

• Parenting Post of the Year: What will your legacy be?

• A Call to Action Post of the Year: Are you speaking the language?

There you have it... have fun click away... you won't be sorry! What is your favorite post of this year? I would LOVE to read some of your favorites from your blogging. So, when you leave a comment {which I know you} let me know what your favorite post is and I would LOVE to click over to your blog and read it!

linked to Things I Love Thursday

I am... Organically Yours

I have been trying to clean up our eating around this castle. We tend to be carb and sugar kind of group here. If you like processed foods, you would LOVE us here at our castle. However, I have made an executive decision to *try* and add some healthy, organic foods that the men in this house wont spit out on their plates {including Coach W}. So far, the prize of best organic eater goes to the one who doesn't talk or at least what he says sounds more like gibberish. He and I have fallen in love with HappyBaby. 

If you're in baby food mode, like I am, than you probably know that there are a lot of great options out there...I must say Cole LOVES this food. I LOVE this food.

HappyBaby is a line of premium organic baby meals founded by 2 women who wanted to bring fresh, organic, homemade baby food to people who don't have the time to do it all themselves. A.K.A. Me {thanks ladies} 

They have: No pesticides, No chemical fertilizers, No genetic modification and No slaving in the kitchen!  

I heart this happy pouch of organic goodness. Here is why...

~Easy transport. The squeeze tubes are a genius ides. I can put them in my purse. I don't need a bowl or spoon. 

~ Ready to eat. No heating it up. Just open and squeeze. 

~There is no mess involved. {This is huge in my book. I am somewhat OCD and the no mess minus some drool is fabulous}

~ Most importantly, they are yummy! 

If you are looking for an organic line of baby food that is DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS, here you go! Oh the reasons I heart you HappyBaby. Now, if only they had these for adults....

***Only a few hours left for my fabulous Reader Appreciation Giveaway. If you are reading this go sign up for it. Geesh! :)

linked to Things I Love Thursday

SIX.

I feel like only yesterday I was scared out of my mind laying in a hospital room. 

I remember EVERYONE came to the hospital to 

WAIT and WAIT and WAIT some more. 

I remember Dr. D laughing because I went into the hospital with you and all of the family was there and ready to see you. Little did we know just how long being induced actually takes {don't worry buddy I'll let your lucky wife explain the induction thing to you later on}.

I didn't hear your first little cry for 35 long hours after arriving at the hospital.

I had no idea that my heart was capable of loving something so tiny, helpless and beautiful as you.

I truly feel like Jesus put me here on this earth to love YOU and be your mommy and I am so thankful. 

  I can remember imagining as I sat in my hospital bed and held you and gazed into your sweet little eyes...wondering what this life would hold for you. I had no idea you would be a little image of your dad. I never could have imagined that you would possess a drive and an optimism that amazes me. I had no idea that you would be wise beyond your years and too witty for your own good.  I had no idea that you would be obsessed with sports or that you would have a God given ability to play them so well. I had no idea that you would have such a tender heart and I never could have imagined that you would be an AMAZING big brother.

I am so infinitely grateful that you were born to me and into our family. There are no words to describe the ways in which you have taught me more about myself, love, Jesus, selflessness, optimism and contentment. I want you to stay small. I want you to still want me to snuggle with you. I want you to make sure that I cut your peanut butter and jelly in 6 pieces. I want you to still need me to help tie your shoe in a double knot. I know with each year you will need me less but for now in this moment I am thankful that I will be the one to tuck you into your bed tonight and pray with you, my birthday boy!

At a time when the whole world seems to revolve around your two little brothers a lot...
I just wanted to say this day is all yours my love. Happy Birthday to you. I love you.
And...you'll always be my baby.

{a.k.a. Mom}

linked to Things I Love Thursday

Time To Answer the Question.

Why do I blog? This question has been a bit of a touchy subject in the last few days here at our castle. More for me than anyone else. I find myself wanting to make sure I am doing it for the right reasons. So, I took a few days off to really think about the motive behind my blogging. 

This is why I blog...

#1 It is my modern day journal. A record of my thoughts, opinions and times with my sweet babies.

#2 It is therapeutic to me.

#3 It is addictive {don't judge unless you have taken a taste of the medicine}

#4 I get to know people I never would have met. 

#5 I find a ton of encouragement from the comments, emails and texts I get from others about my blog.

#6 It forces me to be aware of what I am doing. For example I now find myself saying, "This could totally be a blogable moment!"

#7 So others can be blessed and learn from my mistakes, failures and success as a mom, friend, wife and follower of Jesus.

#8 I can be a very closed book and this is an outlet for me to express how I am feeling. The good. The bad. The ugly.

#9 Do I get paid for it now? No. I may never. BUT. What if one day I got paid for doing something I genuinely enjoy doing? 

#10 The main reason I do it is for those 3 sweet little angels I speak of so very much. Since suddenly losing my dad almost a year ago {Nov. 15th} I have come to realize that we aren't promised our next breath and I need to know that if something would ever happen to me my boys would know by what I write, the memories I record and the pictures I share how very much they were loved with every ounce of love that I have to give. Truth be told if no one ever commented or read this blog I would be okay. 

Have you ever really taken the time to think about why you blog? If you have... Why do you? If you haven't thought about it before... take a minute or 10 to think about it. Then I would love for you to share!  

linked to Things I Love Thursday