Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday Faves

ONE 
I love y'all. There is such community in blogging, from blogging friends to my best girlfriends to friends of friends who read my blog...I love how we all support each other as women. Thank y'all (with my whole heart!) for your kind texts, emails, messages, and comments regarding my post yesterday. Wow! You are a reminder of how important it is to keep things real, raw, and relevant as well as a testament to this:
Via

My morning went so much better when I chose joy despite waking up six (!) times last night with a crying baby, started the day by opening the Bible (and laughed at how SRT mirrored my thoughts--a "God wink" at its best!) for the first time in the morning in several weeks, felt thankful for my warm coffee with organic half and half and a stevia in the raw (I literally felt thankful for every ingredient), my sweet family, and just sat there for a few moments counting my blessings. There is so much to be said about starting the day with gratefulness. I'm preaching to myself here! :) Much like love is a choice instead of an emotion, joy is also, and I'm going to keep on choosing it.

TWO
And since I declared how behind I was on things (insert blonde girl flipping hair emoji), a friend of mine sent me some BEAUTYCOUNTER products to try. I still have yet to try them, but I am already digging their values and ingredients used (and not used) as a company! Their mission is simple yet full of passion: to get safe products into the hands of everyone. Have y'all tried BEAUTYCOUNTER?



THREE
Doxie and Amelia love pumpkin treats something fierce. These from our friends at chewy.com are organic and literally look like golden grahams. I'm pretty sure a human could eat them and not bat an eyelash, but I haven't tried. (However, my sister and I did ponder serving them to Mark and Spyros for a snack while we were in the mountains last weekend just to see if they'd notice. We didn't do it. But the thought crossed our minds.)



FOUR
You might've seen this photo on Instagram, and I can't wait to show you more of them soon! (Cameron Faye Photography knocked it out of the park again! :)) Will you please vote for Nancy's nursery just one more time? I promise it's the last time I'll ask/remind! The contest ends Saturday. Then I'll hush!! This is just my favorite space in our home. The love in that room is tangible and brings me to praise Him and pray for our family with fervor daily.

Cameron Faye Photography
FIVE
Halloween is tomorrow! I am never really into Halloween, but Nancy's costume has me all excited this year. She doesn't have an opinion in the matter yet, so Mark and I got thoroughly enjoyed choosing a costume for her. And my cute hubby might've even suggested coordinating outfits for the two of us that we'll be wearing as well. AHHHHH I can't wait. Things like this are so much more fun with kiddos. Stay tuned, or check out my Instagram later this weekend for our silly little fam!

Via
FRIDAY means I'm linking up with...5 on Friday:  DarciAprilChristina, + Natasha | Friday Favorites: A Little Bit of EverythingMomfessionals, + Grace and Love | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Real Talk | Mind Wars

Via
I've been in a funk this week. Or maybe the last two weeks. I guess I just didn't realize I was in it last week, but my husband did. He came home for lunch everyday to be with me. I literally just thought he wanted to come home to water the grass. (Ha!) Toward the end of the week, he told me he kept coming home for lunch because I just wasn't my happy self in the mornings like usual. I'm not annoyingly bubbly in the morning, but recently I've been waking up cranky, disgruntled, and eager to make it through the hours till the next naptime. My joy was being stolen. And I was (am!) allowing that to happen.

I want to be real and authentic. It's not all butterflies and roses everyday. I love my husband, I love my family, and I love our life, but there are hard moments too.

I am behind on...mmm...just about everything at this point. 
There isn't a One Room Challenge post this week because I did [absolutely] nothing for it. 
Our sunroom roof is leaking.
I have way too many emails, texts, Facebook, messages, etc to catch up on. 
Nancy has been waking up lots more than just once a night and getting upset and worked up until I [cave? and] nurse her.
I'm tired.
I have a headache.
I just contacted my counselor from years ago to help me sort through some "daddy wounds" that have recently resurfaced now that I have my own daughter.
There is a little voice in my head that sometimes goes, "But really, what did you do all day?"

This isn't a sob fest; it isn't meant to be a list of complaints either. It's a recognition that spiritual warfare exists as well as a proclamation and reminder that I will not let Satan steal my joy. I am so encouraged by so many of you friends and mamas (I've read this post from my sweet blog friend Erika multiple times today!). I want this blog to be a place where women feel inspired and encouraged by one another. I don't want it to look like I have a perfect life. I don't. No one does! Let's just remember to love on and life each other up though the trenches, the funks, and days when we feel robbed of joy. No matter how we mama, we are all in this together. Motherhood is crazy. It's beautiful. It's hard. It's messy. And it's glorious. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it. Just keepin' in real, y'all. I love you friends dearly! Thanks for being a part of my world.
Via

P.S. This song has been running through my head all day. I am clinging to its Truth! I hope it ignites joy to return in your heart when you feel it fleeing! xx
P.P.S. Nancy's Nursery is still in the running for Project Nursery's October Room. Vote again? Please? The voting is almost over! Promise! Thanks, friends! 

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Nancy | 6 Months


Dear Nancypie,

Oh my goodness. 6 months. Half a year with our baby, and half a year to go until you are a toddler. Mommy is praying to savor these moments as time is passing so quickly. Even Daddy said last week how time is flying by so much faster than usual. For the next 6 months of your baby-ness, I plan to hold you, hold you some more, snuggle you, keep you close to me, and apparently chase you around the house now that you're full fledge crawling like a maniac. You are my littlest best girl, my tiny sidekick, and I adore everything about you. The amount of joy you have brought to our lives is insurmountable. We've never known anything like it, but we do know this: joy comes from knowing God. You share His joy with us everyday just by being you. How blessed we are that God chose us to be your mommy and daddy, sweet, joyful Pie! 

God loves you, and so do I! 

Love,
Mommy

It has been a big month in your world. When we started this month, you were pushing up to your hands and knees, rocking back and forth, and scooting. A month in, you now have the opposite-hand-opposite-foot thing down. How did you learn to crawl before you turned 6 months old?!?! BAH! You are everywhere and into everything...especially shiny floor outlets, the gold fireplace tools, the silver garden stool in our den, and every wire around.

Beginning of the month:

Mid-month peekaboo with Tina (literally y'all played together):

Now:


You've also been piking and planking like crazy, you little HSMer! Being on the move, you definitely get a big workout in everyday. You are bonkers!


Your holiday pjs melt me (even though we bought them too big--size 6-12mo--and your arm comes out of them a lot). Judge + happy baby.


You love dogs. All dogs. Here you are with Woodrow at Aunt Coley & Uncle Skysky's house.


Your favorite thing to watch? Tickle fights between Doxie + Tina. It doesn't get old (for any of us).



And, of course, you and Tina are always up to something. On this day I was cracking up at how you changed your bow to this position.


We went to Mount Airy! Mommy and Daddy have been going every October for the past 4-5 years now. Here you are with Aunt Lizzie and Aunt Coley in Aunt Liz + Uncle Luke's art gallery, The Blue Rabbit. We are so proud of them!


Here we are in Mount Airy at your first Autumn Leaves Festival...


You super love your Auntie Hope. She looks and sounds like mommy too. :)



Daddy wanted you to sit with us when we went out to lunch one Friday with Auntie Hope and Uncle SpySpy at Arthur's. Mommy and Auntie Hope used to come here all the time growing up too!


Football season is in full swing (the Panthers are currently 6-0!), and you're the cutest topcat there ever was! I took you to Harris Teeter in this outfit, and you got lots of compliments. But you were judging hard from the cart, so some people said you need to work on your smile if you want to be a TopCat. :)


You and Daddy...you sleep till around 8am each day (but still don't sleep through the night. Mommy doesn't mind because you go to sleep after your feeding and sleep "late!"). Daddy loves to be the one to get you out of your crib in the morning.


And what else is new? Mama still never gets enough snuggles...


A few more things...
Your cheeks have gotten super big and yummy. I love to gum them. You think it's hilarious and always smile and laugh. (But you're still a stingy laugher in general!)

You still prefer "standing" (with help) to sitting up. I've been trying to get you to sit up more to strengthen those muscles, but lots of the time you lock your knees so you can stay standing. Silly! Just a few days ago, you also figured out how to pull up onto your knees. It's about time to lower your crib. AHH!

You just finished the last of your size 2 diapers. I bought you size 3 just a few days ago, and though they seem super big on your compared to the 2s, it's preventing the daily blowout. :)

You say "bababa" all the time. It's your new thing this month.

You started Earth's Best Organic oatmeal mixed with breastmilk. At first you didn't understand how to swallow it, but now you try to shove the spoon from our hands down your throat in excitement. I've also given you mushy bites of this and that.

You've gotten on a good routine of 2 naps a day: one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

And now that you're on the move, you've started disliking your carseat a little more. You're fine for the odd errand here and there. But if it's a day of constant in and out or a long trip, you get sick of it.

Oh, you totally understand lots of words that I'm saying to you now. I've been signing (and saying) certain words on repeat like milk, up, cereal, bath, mama, daddy, more, all done, please, and thank you. You go craycray excited when I ask & sign "milk." I love it. I am so looking forward to you signing back to me!

This was a big, happy month for you, little babe!...
Other 6 Month Memories:
You're getting a cousin!!!
We dedicated your life to Jesus.
I shared my/your top mama faves.
We took your first trip to the mountains.

Last but not least, my other favorite from this month's photos:


Okay, look at how big Tina is compared to you in month one. And look at your compared to her now!! Wow. You've grown so much, sweet baby!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Target Christmas Decor + Gift Picks

Newsflash! There are less than two months till Christmas. I know not all of y'all bust out the Christmas decor on November 1 like yours truly, but I personally prefer to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year for two months. Fall decor gets its 2 month span from September-October then it's Christmas time again. If that makes you like me a little bit less, I'm totally cool with it. I promise. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! As a result of my annual Christmas excitement, I've rounded up my favorite Target picks for y'all before they sell out. You know how all the good seasonal Target stuff is: get it while it's hot, or it's gone! (At least that's how it is at my local Target.) You might recall that Hope and I spent mmmmmm 45 minutes perusing through the Christmas display last week. There was so much to ooo and aaaah over. A typical metallic Christmas decor lover (golds+whites+silvers galore!), this collection of Christmas gear makes me want to brighten up my ways with some fun boldness.

Enough rambling, here's the good stuff! Some is decor, but there are a few good gifts in there too...think stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. I like shopping early so our bank account doesn't take a single severe hit in December. Oh, and if you shop online, Target is offering 15% off using code OCTOBER and an additional 15% off $100 at checkout! Even though Target offers free shipping for $25 or more, I'm still known to let the excitement get the best of me and order to store...still scoring the online discount but not having to wait for the shipment (or the searching in store!). Merry, merry, y'all!



1 | copper // champagne // gold // navy // green // magenta // pink // yellow // red These are my number one for a reason!!! I already bought two for Nancy's room (did you see?). They come in so many colors, and I'm really excited about them. They come in 16" and 12". Note that the darker pink online is not at all how it looks in real life. The other colors are on point! I got the pinks, and my sister got 2 of the champagne color for the mantel or her dining room table! THESE ARE THE PRETTIEST!!!! (And I kind of want to snag 2 more in champagne for my mantel/tablescape too.)

2 | I love this garland because it's gold, 3-D, and versatile year round. (But I'm also loving this Merry Christmas garland too). 

3 | Small (Green) // Medium (Navy) //Large (Pink) More happy colors plus mercury glass. Swoon! 

4 | Typically not a bright person, except in Nancy's playroom...THIS. WOULD LOOK SO GOOD. #amiright?

5 | You'll notice a theme here...can I have this for Nancy's playroom too? AHH! Literally putting this in my online cart as I type. 

6 | Also awesome because you can use it beyond Christmas and all through winter. Also for Nancy's playroom. Also I realize I might have a problem. ;) 


8 | "Iiiiii'm dreaming...of a maaaarble [inspired] kitchen..." CHEESE. But seriously. If I had one in real life, this would be the perfect little Christmasy adornment. 

9 | More bottle brush trees...mini style! All colors! 

10 | Another great hostess gift...or something to inspire your fall (like this!) AND winter tablescapes. 

11| Back to my usual loves: silver + gold. Crushing on this wreath in both colors

12 | I MEAN. No explanation needed. 

13 | Accent rug crush. These are so fun to put by the kitchen sink for a little holiday pizzaz!

P.S. Please vote for Nancy's Nursery ["The Loveliest Nursery"] right here while the contest is still running! You can vote once a day. Thank you!!!


Shop the Post (plus a few more holiday inspired faves!):




Monday, October 26, 2015

Mountain Getaway Weekend

Since it's the most beautiful time of year up in the mountains right now, Hope, Spyros, Mark and I decided that we had to make it up to the mountains. As if we aren't inseparable enough, we had a lovely fall weekend with our little families.

 Slow morning with my sista and our matching flannel pupjamas. P.S. Mom, if you're reading this, we are hoping Santa brings this pair this year (but don't buy them till they're on sale for $25 or less because that will happen ;)).

 This girl looooooves her auntie (and looks SO BIG!)

M, Hope, Nancy, and I went out for lunch on Saturday, and it was perfection (obviously). 
Spyros drove up to meet us later that evening after business school. 

 Post lunch photo opp of my favorites

 Since we were stuffed, we decided it would be a good idea to go on a walk. We headed to Linville Falls. 




 The view from our place

Once Spyros got into town, we decided to stay in for dinner and relax. Hopey made pesto pasta with sausage. After dinner and the baby in bed, we played this game thanks to a quick iPhone download. Much to our dismay, the boys somehow beat the sisters. I still don't know how that happened because usually our sister ESP is unstoppable.

She is on the move in a big way. Her current interests are wires and electrical outlets. EEEK!

On Sunday we brunched hard and needed to walk around again. This time we headed to Grandfather Mountain. We coincidentally came to the Nature Museum just in time to watch the "Bear Encounter."

They were literally like dogs waiting because they knew they were about to get a treat.

The Swinging Bridge. It was fun to reminisce. I hadn't been here in 15ish years!


Hope and I are very fortunate that our husbands act like brothers too. They're nuts.

And as if that getaway wasn't fabulous enough in itself (and it was!), the icing on the cake was heading home to watch the Panthers WIN!


Now I need a nap, but a long to do list awaits me. Sigh. Happy Monday, y'all!
Oh, and please vote for Nancy's Nursery ['The Loveliest Nursery"] right here while the contest is still running! You can vote once a day! Thank you!!!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Lots of Friday Favorites!

ONE | This reminded me so much of my sister. I don't think I could imagine a dreamier fall tablescape. Rustic, warm, and white...it's perfect!

Via

TWO | I played around with this boho-vibe statement necklace from Happiness Boutique. Loving it! (And a certain baby girl loves playing with it as well.) They have lots of fair priced statement necklaces and earrings that are perfect for the holidays. Be sure to check them out! Thanks, Happiness Boutique!


I wore this outfit to last month's Move Loot DIY Workshop series paired with my favorite Hue jeggings (that I raved about here) and fall fringe booties!

Shop the look:

THREE  | Aaaand speaking of Move Loot's DIY Workshop series, you are invited to November's event hosted by yours truly! We're making evergreen hurricane candle holders. Come join!!! Everything from the wine to the materials is free...and you might get a few Move Loot bucks for being there! ;) Basically there is no good reason not to come!!! Space is limited, so please reserve your spot here on Facebook.



FOUR | Shameless plug, y'all. Owning it [again/always]. Nancy's Nursery was picked as a finalist for Project Nursery's October Room. Would you take just a second to vote for The Loveliest Nursery? Please? Thank you!!! 


FIVE | Y'all, I seriously think Hope and I went to Target THE VERY DAY ALL OF THE BIG, MAJOR DISPLAY CHRISTMAS STUFF came out (!!!!!!!). Yes, I know it's October. Truth: I do not care. (My Christmas stuff goes up Nov 1 anyway. Whateva! #hatersgonhate) :) But in all seriousness..AHHHHHH! Christmas at Target was easily the highlight of my day yesterday. Hope and I perused these displays for a good 45 minutes picking up and swooning over every. little. thing. I didn't take a picture of everything, but I can't even tell you how beautiful the displays are where everything is white/copper/silver/gold!!!!

AHHH. The pink trees for Nancy's Nursery. I MEAN.
The faux greenery (with pine cones + gray berries in a lovely white pot) for the mantel or a tablescape.
And the doormat for our front door...usually not my colors but 1) it says joy and 2) the red and black compliment our brick and shutters. So yeah. JOY! 

While I'm still gushing over Target: their flannel sheets are on sale through Saturday (Holiday Collection 1 | Holiday Collection 2 | Threshold Collection), so snag those now if you haven't already! I'm loving life in my fleece sandwich every night SO DARN MUCH.

SIX | We are heading to the mountains this weekend! We'll be in Linville, NC. Any suggestions on places around where we should eat/hike/explore/etc?! Fill me in!!!! Considering my cutie preggy sissy is coming too, maybe the weekend will look like this...(kidding, sista. Kind of.)?


Via


FRIDAY means I'm linking up with...5 on Friday:  DarciAprilChristina, + Natasha | Friday Favorites: A Little Bit of EverythingMomfessionals, + Grace and Love | Oh Hey, Friday: September Farm + The Farmer's Wife