currently

Reading. I have been reading It Starts with Food this past week. Not getting through it as fast as I would like, but I have enjoyed and learned a lot from what I have read. It has been a real eye opener too, explaining things you don't ever really think about when it comes to foods. Why we have cravings to certain foods instead of others and great tips to get your body to a healthy, functioning point that you can successfully maintain as a lifestyle. Actually, starting tomorrow I am doing their Whole30 Program in which I completely change the way I eat for 30 days. Kind of scary right??! At first when I said yes to a lovely Instagram friend, I was like "What the heck did I just commit too?!" But now after reading and talking with the "Support Group" she gathered, I know that I will have no problem completing the full 30 days- and maybe longer.

Listening to. Robin Thicke's new album Blurred Lines. This is the first album that I have listened to in a long time and have loved every single song!! Every song has a catchy beat and makes you want to boogie! If you don't have it, go get it!

Thinking about. What I am going to do with myself once my kids go to school. I know I still have a few years, but I know it will be here in a blink of an eye. I am eager to get back into a salon, an environment I have missed so much since having kids. Although I feel like I need to brush up on a lot of things, so many new techniques, color lines, cuts, etc. have come about in the past 4 or so years. I would definitely feel like a newbie fresh out of beauty school again! But then I also want to grow my photography "business". I truly love it and its something I know I will do forever. I just started rebranding it and gearing in a direction that I feel fully represents me as a photographer. And while I am fully aware that I can do both hair and the photography, I don't want to lose sight of my ultimate passion- being a mom. I guess that's why I am glad I still have a few years to think this all through.

Watching. One word- DEXTER!

Bummed out on. My poor little guy has been teething pretty bad this past week. I think it's those pesky molars. He hasn't been his happy-go-lucky-self and falls asleep at the drop of a hat. Yesterday was the calm in the "teething storm". He seemed to be feeling better and running 100 mph as usual. Teething is no fun!

Loving. A new clothing line that I found on Instagram. So Worth Loving. Their powerful message of love you who are, you are worth it, follow your dreams- truly inspiring. I have 2 of their shirts and love how they feel when I wear them and how I feel when I wear them. Can't wait to grab a few more.

This Currently prompt was inspired from Dani at Sometimes Sweet Blog

black & white

"To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world."  -Dr. Seuss 

recipe // chia pudding

So I jumped on the Chia Seed bandwagon! Ordered my self a bag of them and have been putting them in basically everything (well some what)- drinks, smoothies, yogurt.

The other day I saw someone post a photo on Instagram (inspired by Tumbleweeds Handcraft) of Chia Pudding, until then I had no clue such a thing existed. I browsed through a few recipes online and decided to give it a try. You can really make it any way you want, there doesn't seem to be an exact recipe you need to follow. And you can pretty much customize the flavoring to your liking.

weekend

I just discovered that you can embed your Instagram videos onto your blog. I was making it much more difficult, saving then emailing and then saving, then uploading.... Anywho Alissa at Rags to Stitches Blog shows you how to do it here.

I thought it would be fun to share my IG vids from this weekend instead of just snapshots (and mainly because I only took 1 photo all weekend!)

Happy Monday!!

etsy findings

Some new Etsy findings this week...

1 // 'Lets Be Epic' Wall Art
2 // Canvas Laptop Backpack
3 // Dandelion Pendant
4 // Gentle Reminders Pencil Set
5 // The Gibson Mailbox
6 // Hot Air Balloon Leggings
7 // Brass Bangles

family // dad is the best

This past weekend we got to spend the day at my mom's while visiting with some of her friends. 

It was also nice to have the full day with my Hubby around (crazy busy work schedule lately).

The kids both got to enjoy some special alone time with their amazing Dad, and I think they were over the moon about it too.

They are so luck to have such an amazing Dad like him, I am so thankful for it too- Proof that great dads do exist.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” 

― Angela Schwindt

                                     

weekend

Hope you all had a great extended weekend! Also a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Got to spend sometime with some of my lovely lady friends at an annual Fourth of July BBQ we attend every year. Always fun to catch up and also make new friends.

My mom had some high school friends visiting from Arkansas. Got together with them at my mom's house for a BBQ on Saturday and literally laughed all day. They are always a kick when they come to visit.

It was a fun, busy weekend. 

Feeding the miniature horses with Dad

Took a little drive to the barn, and someone got to drive for her first time.

Me and my Lil Guy

BBQ Oysters! If you are ever on the Central Coast and in Morro Bay, go eat at Tognazzini's Dockside Resturant. You wont be disappointed!

Hope you all had a great Monday!!

home // my pretties

I have been on the hunt for the perfect jewelry organizer. I didn't want a box and the jewelry stands I did find didn't fit the look I wanted.

Last week I was browsing through A Beautiful Mess's blog and came across their Floral Antler Necklace Display. That was exactly what I wanted!! Search over!!
I bought the faux antlers off Hobby Lobby  (as they suggested; also used a 40% off coupon, so I got them for $18!) 

Once they arrived, I was a little unsure of them only because they looked far darker than I expected. I already knew I wasn't adding the flowers so my solution was to just paint it. I have to say that turned out better than expected! 3 quick coats of white paint and I had myself a fab jewelry holder. 

a reminder // why i love being a mom

Before becoming a mom, my life consisted of working- 2 jobs sometimes. 

Get together's with my girlfriends every Thursday for Bingo or a movie here and there.

Get away's with my Husband (then boyfriend) happened somewhat regularly if there was somewhere we wanted to go.

Of course when you now have kids in the mix, seems thing to change a bit.

Bingo is no more, movies seem to only happen once a year, and what are get away's??

But don't take this as me complaining, I really am not. I love my life now.

My life prior to kids seemed somewhat less exciting than it is now. They make my days more enjoyable and fun. They are spunky little alarm clocks that help me start my mornings off bright an early, followed by morning snuggles on the couch watching Mickey Mouse. I seem to always be busy which is kind of nice, either making meals, painting silly pictures, or watching them run through the sprinklers- each day is never dull. 

By the end of the day, I am usually exhausted- while they are still running around like silly monkeys. (I would like to bottle up their energy). And by night we are all snuggles again as we tuck them into their beds to sleep. Their sweet little kisses warm my heart and reassure me that each day is well worth it. 

My nights aren't spent out with friends, but rather picking up the house and preparing for the next day of fun craziness. Some days are more exhausting than others, but it comes with the territory as they say. And don't get me wrong- I do miss having adult conversations and fun outings on a regular basis, but when they do happen they are definitely enjoyed!

I would love to sit here and tell you that everyday is perfect and wonderful, but then I would be lying. Some days bedtime can't come fast enough. Screaming, fighting, crying on repeat happen regularly too. On those days I just drink a little more coffee and pull out all reserves to make it through the day. And as crazy as a day might be, it still ends the same as every other day- lots of love and sweet kisses

I love being a mom, wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

findings // etsy

Sometimes I find myself wondering through Etsy. 

Checking out all the neat things listed and dreaming of owning a good portion of them someday. 

I thought I would share some of my recent fave findings.

1. Skull Sculpture "Crania Anatomica Filigre"
2. Sunglasses Storage/Display
3. ZIP TOTE
4. Floating Turquoise Honeycomb Shelves
5. Nautical Compass Necklace
6. Zodiac Compass Necklaces

weekend

It finally felt like summer this weekend- HOT HOT HOT!

I felt bad that we were cooped up in the house all weekend. The kids don't do great with the heat, so we just relaxed in the cool house.

Of course no summer day would be complete without some movies and popsicles- seemed to keep the kids entertained. I even enjoyed some yummy iced coffee- quite refreshing!

The kids were even kind enough to lend their kiddie pool to the dogs so they could beat the heat. They were thankful for it and splashed all weekend!

We did get a few fun moments to let the kids out for some sprinkler fun. Helped relieve some of that cabin fever.

Looking forward to hopefully it cooling off by the end of the week. It will still be in the 90's, but I will take it.

Hope you all stay cool this week if you are in those crazy hot areas and stay dry if you are getting wet weather!

Happy Monday!