Premier Partay

Hey, friends! Happy Friday- Good Friday, I should say. I just wanted to drop in really quickly and tell you about the jewelry party I'm having next week. YOU should be there. Seriously, if you're local, let me know and I'll give you the details. If you're not local and want to browse the catalog, let me know and I'll email you a code so you can look around. You are welcome to order before the party as well!

I'm new to Premier Designs. Over the last year, I've started building a collection of jewelry from them. I don't wear a ton of jewelry and I like to keep it pretty simple, especially because I have babies who like sparkly, dangly things...BUT Premier has something for everyone. If you like to go all out with accessories, they definitely have plenty of options for you. If you don't wear a whole lot like me, they've got you covered, too. Many of their necklaces can be worn different ways or double as bracelets. I love their stuff. Here's just a few things I own from them (the rest were scattered across my house/car at time of post publishing ;) ):

I decided to have a party because my sister just recently started a new business with Premier Designs. I see a watch I've had my eye on in my near future! If you just want to look, come on by. I'll lure you with the promise of food and good company (and cute babies). If you just want to order, again let me know. 

P.S. The above pictured wrap bracelet has been known around my house to double (and triple) functions as curtain holders and cabinet safety locks. Very versatile ;)

New This Week

In an effort to keep things current around here (who knew motherhood to mobile children was so time consuming? ;) ), I thought I'd talk all about what's new. I'm hip like that. Take for instance...

My new shirt and hair! I went blonde(ish) again. I'm just happier this way. In addition, I treated myself to a new shirt/jacket because I never do that sort of thing and I loved this one. I found her at a cute little boutique in the town I live in and it was half off. Score.

If I posted the Best Week Ever with Mrs. K like one popular blogger you might know, I would totally  include The Biggest Loser Finale. It might be the coolest thing on t.v. these days. You probably know that I love the whole show, but the last night is always my favorite. It's inspiring to see these people transforming their bodies and lives...and doing it without some silly diet or scheme. Good ole fashioned hard work in the gym and eating healthy foods can and will change you. I just love seeing that reminder, although I will admit that I ate three Krystals while watching the finale. What? It was for the baby ;) Just look at these transformations:

Winner: Rachel

At Home Winner: Tumi

There were so many others, but I can't google all day, people. I've got priorities.

Moving on...While those folks are losing this Mama is gaining. I'm up to 120lbs and my belly is definitely poking out despite people telling me often that they can't tell I'm pregnant. My secret is flattering shirts on repeat. I'm 12 weeks along this week and I got to see my littlest babe wiggle and squirm in an ultrasound yesterday to check for abnormalities. Thus far, the baby is measuring normally. My heart melted when I saw baby #3 moving and shaking. What a miracle, ya know? I mean, at just 12 weeks there's a tiny living baby inside. It's not a bunch of cells, it's a human with legs and a heart and sweet little arms moving all about. It's amazing.

My silly toddler's new favorite phrase is "Oh dear". You can tell who he hangs out with most, eh? And Baby A? He is all over the place. He's walking well now and it still confuses me. I think I know where he is in the house judging by the absence of knees hitting the floor as he crawls and where I left him, but nope! That boy is a walking machine. Hard to keep up with. I'm so proud.

Knock on wood lots of times, but I THINK the sickness has finally left our house. If we're friends on IG or FB, you know that we had a rough last couple of weeks. We all got sick and then better and then sick again. It has been gross but we survived.

Also new? I've got a cool review coming up for ya. Sneak peak:

All that and it's only Wednesday! I hope you have a great rest of the week, friends.

Love,

The Frye Boot Meltdown of 2013

I was having an emotional day anyway. It was our only day as a family of four to enjoy the Christmas season and Captain J was standing in front of me suggesting we spend it in the car as we took the kids to drop them off at his parents' house, in the crowds as HE last minute shopped, and in the hustle and bustle of people while I just wanted to hang out with my little family that will soon be growing to five. He talked me into it, though with promises of food and a date day. Off we went.

We arrived, kid-free, in Knoxville's busiest shopping area. Ok, I'm just guessing here. It always feels like everyone and their brother is there. Anyway, we start making a little progress and J says, "Why don't we go look for you some boots? Where do they sell Frye boots?" I directed him to the parking lot of Belk and we walked inside. When in the shoe department, I lifted the heel of my beloved boots off the plastic display to view the price fully expecting to see around $200-250. What I saw instead made me sit the pair quickly down as if they were hot to the touch. $385. Whew. I always have had expensive taste. I started shopping around to find a brand that I liked that wasn't as expensive. I found a lovely pair of tall, tan boots that were at a much more affordable price. I liked them a lot. J kept saying, "You should at least try on the Frye boots and see if there's a difference." I put them on and you know what? There totally was a difference. Still, I couldn't bring myself to pay that much. I was still rockin' my favorite boots from Tarjay that I have had for 5 years now that costs me all of $11.99.
Captain J began saying, "You should just get the Frye boots. It's Christmas. YOU DESERVE IT!" That last sentence is what got me. I totally DON'T deserve four hundred dollar boots. Nothing I've done this year or ever would make me deserve such a treat. I quickly told the salesperson that I was still trying to decide and had him put away both pairs of shoes. Captain J looked at me like I was nuts (I get that a lot) as we walked back out to the car. Once inside, he said, "Why don't you want the pair of boots?" That's when I started crying. OVER BOOTS.

People often belittle my mission with my children. Opinions are offered when they're not asked for and every word gets written down in my brain. Some believe because I don't have a job that pays that I'm not living up to potential. It's laughable to me, but some of those same individuals believe that I'm also not working hard daily. Most of these people have no idea. These messages are reverberated in families, circles of friends, media, and our society as a whole. It's difficult to ignore. I soak these words up, keep them in my brain when I shouldn't. Furthermore- Mom to mom, stay at home mothers and working mothers, we attack each other. We argue saying I do this, I do that. We assert that our own way is always harder. These messages we send each other don't build us up. They break both of us down. Honestly, it gets in my head. Makes me question myself. Makes me start to believe that I'm not doing anything with my life or my childrens' except surviving. That's the real root of why I was crying.
I don't need four hundred dollar boots. That's for certain. I also don't need the other deliciously lovely boots that were only one hundred bucks. What I also don't need is a bunch of people in my life who are of the opinion that my job staying home with these two precious boys isn't a noteworthy dedication of my time. When these messages and thoughts creep in, I tend to get busy with a personal goal of mine. I take it out in my writing or in my quest for education. It makes me feel a little better. Sometimes, though...when hormones are surging through my pregnant body and I start thinking unclearly, I break down over a silly (albeit super cute) pair of tall tan riding boots.

Pregnancy: It's not for the faint of heart.

Christmas List

My man always waits until the last minute to go Christmas shopping. Not me. I like to buy in advance so I'm not stressed out by the time the big day rolls around. I almost always have a few that I need to pick up a few days before Christmas, though. It never fails. I'm not where I'd like to be on our list, but hopefully we'll get there. As usual, I thought I'd make it easier on J when he goes out shopping. Not that he's not good at choosing gifts for me- he is. BUT...I am diggin' these:

Do you shop well under pressure? I don't. Yesterday, I was feeling the stress of SEVEN DAYS and I wandered around aimlessly after the two gifts I went after were nowhere to be found. I was power walking through our tiny little mall like no one's business, but I wasn't getting anywhere. Sigh.

Tis the Season.

How can you turn down this face?

There are five million ways I can think of to spend dual nap time, of these the one I least want to do is trying to find a way to make money because it's an endless road, a big fat circle that will always lead me back to square one- the square that says I've got no skills, no usable degree, and no childcare. And now I don't remember if I was using circles or squares to make my point...and I'm not here to complain, anyway. There are people out there with real problems so I'll try to keep my lips zipped. Anyway, I would like to get a little extra spending money in my pocket for the Holidays so I've been busy choosing (with love) some items to put up for sale. It's an online yard sale by Mrs. K! How thrilling...and I'm adding stuff every day. Come shop my closets. It'll be fun. The cool kids are doing it.

Or you could purchase ad space, too. That'd be swell. I'd treat you right!

What else has been going on? Well, I chopped my hair off and dyed it so you should know that. The curly blonde on my side bar is hiding until the sun peaks out again in spring. Until then, get to know the Mrs. K who has short reddish brown hair and likes to wear baggy clothes and comfy scarves. I like her, too.

She blogs more often and drinks more coffee when it arrives on her doorstep at 2:44pm.

Happy Wednesday, friends.

Vermont Bound

(Shirt & Shorts: Target, Red Eel skin purse: thrifted)

(*That photo has nothing to do with this post, I just wore that recently and wanted to share)

(**I know. I'm in desperate need of an eyebrow waxing.)

Hey y'all. It has been awhile since I just sat down and wrote without some topic in mind. The kids are both sleeping (seriously just as I wrote that, Baby A started crying! Hold please...)

...and I'm back. I gave in again. For the past few months we've been half-heartedly trying to get rid of the swaddle that he is increasingly addicted to. Yes, my child is 6 months old and still needs his swaddle. I think I need it more than him. Two days ago, I was gung-ho about getting rid of it for good. The first day went fairly well. I didn't wrap him for his naps. He did okay falling to sleep on his own and slept for about an hour each time. Then we decided to just go cold turkey with it and not give it to him that night either. He fell asleep, but the first hour he woke up at least ten times, cried briefly, and then fell back asleep. But at the end of that hour, his flailing hands startled him so much that he was screaming his terrified, overly tired cry and nothing would settle him. I searched for his favorite swaddle fresh from the dryer and didn't look back. He slept all night for the first time in a long time.

I know we swaddled K forever, but if I remember correctly, his arms weren't the problem. I think he liked having them out of the swaddle, he just wanted something snug around his torso. Baby A sleeps by our bed and he can't really roll over in the co-sleeper so it's not a safety issue so I suppose it's fine for now. I mean, he won't use a swaddle forever, right?

Anyway, we're off on another adventure for the next week or so. Captain J, Baby A, and I are traveling (via car- blah) to Vermont for the week to watch him graduate with his MBA! I'm so proud. K will be staying with his Lolly and Pop in Tennessee, though. I'm nervous to leave him for so long. He has never been without both of us at the same time. We've also never left him for this long, either. He'll be in good hands though and I think it will be good for him. I know it will be good for us. That little toddler tornado has been a handful lately. I hope I don't miss him too much. No doubt I'll miss him blowing me kisses and randomly hugging me throughout the day- little sweetie.

That reminds me. I should be packing.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Highlighter Yellow for the Old at Heart

Shorts & Shirt/ Target

Let's be real, y'all. Old is a state of mind...and I feel oh-so-very-old-and-tired. Twenty seven year olds aren't supposed to feel this way, but alas my children have aged me prematurely. Regular twenty seven year olds can probably wear highlighter colored clothes and not over-think it. Well, I can't. I contemplated for awhile about how to hop on this new trend of wearing neon bandwagon. I finally decided to go with my old rule:

* Whatever clothing item is questionable/scandalous/crazy/interesting (oh, you get the point), wear a conservative item to off set it.

I decided the best way to wear this color is to dress as if my dirty hair don't care.

Grungy, wrinkled button-up.

Dirty hair piled on top of my head.

Comfy AND fun.

What trends are you afraid to wear?

Today

(Shoes & Top- Target; Burnt Orange Skinnies and Bracelet- Altar'd State)

What a day. It's silly to me to think about why I end each day feeling as if nothing was accomplished when in reality I do a lot. Moms do that. There's always some chore to be done, a little boo-boo to kiss- energy expended into these tiny humans. Yeah, stuff got done today. I raised my child a little more and that's enough. Some days it doesn't feel like it, but I know better.

And besides all that, I got a lot done anyway- washed diapers, attended Baby A's doctor visit, filled out paperwork for my upcoming visit to see Doc, scheduled gym time for a mommy & me class, cleaned the kitchen...

Oh, the list goes on. I'm terrified of starting school again next week. I already have anxiety about it. I don't know how I'll find time; I just know it will work out. Somehow, it'll get done. Surely.

I got a quick workout in today, too. Thanks to my new Polar watch that arrived in the mail, I know that I burned 200 calories in under 20 minutes. Not too bad for an impromptu burn sesh! I'm learning to accept that I don't get allotted exercise time so I have to jump at the chance when I do see a window of opportunity. J came home to work at the house, K was sleeping, and A was sleepy after his doctor appointment so I strapped on my HR monitor and running shoes and hit the road. I ran a mile and then came home to do burpees, squats, and crunches. Both babes were up within minutes of me getting home. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have more time to play with the monitor, but I love it so far.

Oh, you're wondering what the photo has to do with this post? Absolutely nothing. I just wore that today and decided to play fashionista. The bright colors had me daydreaming of Spring. Just kidding. I live in Florida. It's always spring.

Over and out.

Dress Up

When you stay at home as a wife or mother, it's so easy to fall into the pattern of not ever EVER putting on real clothes. Trust me, I know. Remember I lived in Alaska and stayed home with two insanely hyper Alaskan Huskies? I didn't have a job or a car of my own so I was basically a recluse throughout the week. When we headed south, I made it a point to start getting dressed again. Then, I got pregnant. Then, I got pregnant again. 

Nothing really fits when I'm pregnant. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, more often than not, my husband comes home to a hot mess of a wife half the time. I've barely showered. I'm in workout clothes or worse- I'm still in the PJs he left me in. I don't necessarily want to be that wife. I want him to come home (at least occasionally) and think to himself, "Man, I'm lucky."

I've been making an effort to get dressed when he's here. It's not just for him either. It's fun for me. I can't explain to you how awesome it is to fit in regular (non maternity) clothes again. It's glorious. After being pregnant for the last 10 years*, I'm having a good time putting outfits together. Sometimes, I actually enjoy shopping, too. It makes me feel like my old self at least for awhile.

Here I am- all dressed up and no place to go!

(*slight exaggeration)

This girl still loves to play dress up. Do you?

Friday Finds and Other Fabulous Things

I've got two deals for ya! The first is for you pregnant and/or nursing mothers. FREE re-usable nursing pads can be scored at Udder Covers. Simply add the 10 pads to your cart and use promo code THANKPADS. I just ordered some and the shipping came out to around $11. Still, a great deal as I would have been paying over $45 for the same items.

The second is for all you military folks out there. In honor of the upcoming Veteran's Day, Hickory Farms has created specific military gift baskets and offers FREE shipping to APO and FPA addresses.

Isn't that fabulous? Here are some other fabulous things...

Muffins at noon:

Cute, festive Scentsy:

(As always, shoot me an email for my personal specials for the month. I'll be placing an order on Wednesday if anyone needs anything!)

A babe that finally hit the hay last night, giving Mama some time to do the nails and browse Pinterest on her new favorite toy:

Purdy sweater I purchased with a birthday GC:

And as always, I think my family is a pretty good find, too! 

What's fabulous in your life today? Go link up with Laura, like I did!

Sweet Little Lies

Creepy K here-

Coming at you on this lovely Thursday afternoon to teach you an important lesson in comparing. Often bloggers are thought of as people others compare their lives to. So, you subscribe to 589 blogs and not a single one of them show the outtakes of the pictures that weren't chosen to be broadcasted to the world? Well, it's not like that around here (obviously, judging by my creepy photo above) which is still edited, by the way. I have an addiction to PicMonkey.

I really had a swell day. I did. Baby K woke up at 0830 and it was glorious. I slept until 8, got up, had breakfast and read my daily devotional before he started to stir. It was absolutely fantastic and a welcome change. I even got to get ready for the day which inspired this post, sort of. Ya see, as I was tediously putting on my face and choosing an outfit, I thought to myself-

Maybe I'll do an outfit post today.

#ootd, if you will.

You know, because people are dying to know what I wore today.

Anyway, as I was getting ready I texted my pal to see if she'd like to meet up for coffee or lunch because I couldn't waste a good outfit. Just kidding. I really wanted to see her!

This is the point where I'd like to say, I had never worn the shirt I decided upon. It just arrived in the mail last week. 

So, I attempted to fix my hair, but it was doing this really weird thing so I gave up. Then I got dressed (for the wrong season) and packed up little man in the car to head to the store and then out to eat with said dear friend. 

Just to show you that things are not always as they seem, I decided to show you the A, B, C's of why I'll never be that blogger that has it all together-

Exhibit A: That button, that precise button the arrow is pointing to came undone during our Walmart trip and I didn't notice until I got back out to the car. Awesome. Oh, but it gets worse. As we were out to eat, the button strikes again and it collaborates with the ONE BELOW IT and they both laugh at me while my pretty black bra is out for all the world to see and my shirt is completely unbuttoned. I really don't know when I'll learn to not buy button up shirts. They just don't work for me.

Exhibit B: I was going to show you my growing belly bump so you could tell me sweet little lies like, "Oh, you look great!" But, clearly this picture shows the truth. This outfit I was so excited to wear looks more like a moomoo. I barely look pregnant in it, just oddly overweight in my middle.

Exhibit C: I just missed the mark with this whole outfit. It's 85 degrees in Louisiana. Leggings are not your friend. In addition, instead of looking fun, relaxed and stylish, I came out looking like a hot mess. Weird hair. Shirt that can't control the girls. Leggings that look like I should be going for a run and working off my massive middle instead of stuffing a cheeseburger down my face as my child crawls around the dirty floor of a restaurant throwing everything he can get his hands on.

Are these things you want in your life? No, I don't think they are.

So, next time you're reading your favorite blogs and thinking you just don't measure up, remember me. Come back to this post and re-read. The blogging world is full of sweet little lies and I can't speak for all of us, but most of my days look a lot more like the outtakes!

But I'll take these outtakes on most days!

Today was beautiful in its own little way.

Weekend Wear

I just love a long weekend, don't you? It's Saturday and I've had my husband home for two whole days already with two and a half more to go. It's nice to have him here and I'm cherishing these days with him and my son.

With summer on the way, I thought it was a good idea to get some new items and get rid of some old. I love, love the fun pastels and print jeans/shorts that are everywhere this year. The fresh colors of spring are always magical after making it through the winter...although, I admit- there's not much of a winter here. I've been wearing shorts since January!

I threw on this yesterday. This shirt is lovely and flowy and will turn a fat day into a skinny day- any old day.

Good thing I never tried modeling. Could I BE any more awkward?*

I felt good in this and that's what matters most when getting dressed for the day, right? The fact that my husband said I was beautiful yesterday was just icing on the cake. And cause for smiles!

We went to our favorite grocery store (Did I really just say that?) and picked up a few things we needed in preparation for our seafood gumbo night! We invited the lovely, Jenn and her husband over to test out the edited recipe Captain J is in the process of perfecting here in Cajun Country. It was tasty- delish.

And wouldn't you know it? Baby K let me have adult conversation, girl time, and a relaxing evening with friends. He fell asleep at 6 and didn't wake up until 12 hours later. What a sweet boy.

How's your long weekend?



(*Must say in your best Chandler voice.)

It's a meme happy Sunday

In honor of yesterday's holiday, today is your lucky day- you get two posts in one from yours truly! Thrilling, I know! I'm linking up with Laura for Project 365 and with Family and Life in Las Vegas for Sweat to Street Sundays. If you are looking for my weekly pictures, they'll be at the bottom part of the post. If you're here to check out what I've been wearing lately, well you've come to the right place. Either way, welcome!

This is my first time participating in Sweat to Street. Honestly, it inspired me to get up and start working out one day. Isn't it weird how websites like Pinterest and other blogs can become my motivation? Why can't I just intrinsically yearn for a happy, healthy me? Oh well. I take the motivation where I can get it.

I don't often put much thought into what I work out in. It's usually just what I can grab out of the drawer that
doesn't have baby puke on it
doesn't smell horrible. I snapped a photo of my typical running outfit. T-shirt and shorts for this Louisiana gal. I love these shorts, though. I swiped them up at Goodwill for a couple bucks with my military discount. Score.



I also found an alternative where I'm not limping after every run now. My new shoe inserts make for a very happy Mrs. K. Also, what's a run without some Jungle Love on the ipod? Ha! On a related note- workout song suggestions?

For my street wear-

Ok, let me just stop right there. I'll be honest- the only places I go are chapel and Walmart. Seriously, y'all. I try to dress up every other day for my hubby even when we're not doing a darn thing, but that doesn't always work out. I put on this outfit for -oh-about an hour and then SOMEbody got some formula on it that had already been digested. Yeah.



I just have to keep reminding myself that feeling pretty for at least an hour is totally worth it in the end. It's just enough to remind me that I'm not in my rocker yet. Besides, getting thoughtfully dressed for the day always makes me feel better!

And now, for a photo dump of my last week:

 

I just realized that a few of these are out of order. I can barely keep my house in order, please forgive?

Have a very happy Sunday... God bless you!