Yesterday. I officially lost my mind.

Yesterday I lost my mind.
Officially lost it.
I was cleaning and like usual vacuuming every single day because my hair falls out everywhere and I don't want the babies to get it wrapped around a finger or toe. I became super frustrated because everywhere I looked there was my hair, even though I had just vacuumed the day before. Then I started thinking about all these precious children that go through chemo and lose ALL of their hair and how that must make them feel so I went right into the bathroom and chopped ALL my hair off. All of it. So many things were running through my mind at the time and I just didn't care, it's just hair...


Let me tell you. I hate my hair. I feel ugly. It's gone and I feel naked. I know it will grow back in time and although I was trying to do something selfless I feel so upset. I got up this morning, looked in the mirror and busted out crying. I will get used to it of course, because there really is no choice in the matter, its done.

I have always been the type of person to do things in the spur of the moment, this would be no shocker to my family or anyone that knows me. When I was in fourth grade I wanted my cartilage pierced, I begged my mom but she said no way. So when we went to the grocery store that day I stayed in the car, took my earring out and pierced my cartilage. When she came back I was so excited, I said, "Look mom, I did it". Needless to say she made me take it out, grounded me, and I got a nice spanking when I got home. I have pierced everything myself, always have, and usually my mom just makes me take them out.

Now that I have kids of my own, I have kinda backed away from being so wild but there are still moments (like yesterday) I make a rash decision.

Oh well. Hair will grow back right?

DIY Projects

I often try these DIY projects I see on Pinterest...sometimes I do good and sometimes i do... not so good. I do try though, although my end item usually ends up looking totally different. A few things I have been wanting to make are for Christmas. I see different decor in stores all the time and instead of paying the high end prices I try and figure out a way I can make something similar. These are the items on my mind right now.

Stocking sign

Christmas Lantern

Christmas Card Holder

Christmas Apron

Merry Christmas sign

What's on your mind to make this Christmas? Are you going to make some gifts for family or home decor? Let me know, I would love some ideas!

The Polyvore Files--Sick Addition

So. Today is a sick day for me. I really never get sick anymore, but when I do, it hits me like a mack truck. I am pretty sure I am dehydrated, exhausted, and have a sinus infection. I have basically sat around and done little to nothing. I must feel better tomorrow because I have a job to do and babies to take care of.

Last week I linked up with Joni and Natalie to do The Polvore Files, which is an app I love. Today is a perfect day to show my sick attire.

First of all I have basically done and had everything in this pic today minus the book and the soup. I have on my sweats, my owl socks, had some good ol Mickey D's Tea, and snuggled with my owl pillow, while snoozing to Pandora. Super happy to join in this link up. Thanks Ladies. XOXO

RAK

It is 11:02 pm  and I am just now sitting down for the first time today and writing my post. I am determined to write everyday for this month (that also reminds me I need to link up with the NABLOPOMO)....Random...Anyway, today was a pretty good day. We went to Burlington with my mom to take her shopping for her birthday this coming week. I wanted to take her to Hobby Lobby because she had never been and I knew she would love it as much as I do, and of course she did.

Rewind to last night me and Gracie started working on some more RAK cards. I really want to teach her the importance of being kind, and not expecting something in return. She has really enjoyed doing little things here and there for people and I can tell it is really making an impact on her.

Today we went to a few places and passed them out, it was such an incredible feeling and the smiles on people's face was priceless. Gracie was so thrilled. We went to one restaurant called Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. It was great and the waitress we had was SO SWEET! Not surprising her name was Angel and she even gave us a coupon for our meal. How kind right? We of course had to give her a letter and she was so happy! We talked about our children, her working with different types of people and how hard it is to be kind to everyone, attending nursing school, and her family. She was truly an Angel. Here is a a pic of her and Gracie.

I am sorry this post is all over the place. It's late and I am SO tired. I hope you all had an amazing day! What did you do?

Time...(In my Darius Rucker voice)

Today I was cleaning out some drawers and found Gracie's 2nd Birthday Invites. All of a sudden I was filled with emotions and bailing in the corner like a little baby....Seriously I was. I started to think, where in the world does time go? Life is flying by and my babies are getting TO old TO fast. I swear this has been the fastest year of my life and I can't say it enough. Gabriel will be ONE in January and I feel like I am still healing from my C-section. Read his birth story here. I want to enjoy my babies small.

I have to be honest when Gracie was a baby I was like goodness, when is she going to be able eat baby food, when is she going to crawl, when is she going to talk...I shouldn't have rushed time by so fast and I totally regret it. It also didn't help that I worked ALL the time and wasn't able to be at home and enjoy all those "first". I am sucking in every rock, cuddle, and bottle feed with Gabriel because I know in the blink of an eye he will be starting school.
Lucky for me, Gracie still loves to cuddle and be rocked, although she is almost as tall as me.

No, seriously the girl is a giant and comes up to my bust.

Look at this ADORABLE face and tell me could you not eat her up?

And look at this little diva she has become....still, and will always be my baby girl.

My Favorite Fall Decor---Pinterest Style

Pinterest is a HUGE addiction for me. Luckily It's not just a dead site where you spend hours doing nothing with no results. This site you can actually find awesome recipes, DIY home decor, crafts for kids, gift ideas, ways to save money...you get it. I love it and the possibilities are endless.

I put together a "My Favorite Things of Fall" board so to speak. I love each and everything here and would love to have them in my home. Maybe next Fall I will achieve that :-)

1.  Seriously, how cute are these pumpkins?! I love them!!! I must TRY and make some next fall. I am a person who loves things to look a little different than the usual and these are exactly my style. The polka dots, mixed with the orange and black and white. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

2. This fall pillow is adorable and to be honest I would leave it out all year. I have one a little like it that I found at Target for 3.00 and I love it. I am not one to put stuff up just because of the color of it or what it represents. I buy owl stuff on clearance after Halloween and Thanksgiving and leave it out as my all year decor. Unless it has a witch hat or says happy halloween, it stays out!

3. I think this Count Your Many Blessings picture is just perfect. I normally go for a bit more color in my decor but I loved how this all flowed together and how words of thankfulness is blended in the background.

4. Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good. I need this is in my house like, yesterday. Perfect example of decor I would leave out all year.

5. Not my normal colors I would choose but I have always loved this space. I actually think the neutral colors make it pop even more. The banner and pom poms are perfect.

6. These little felt Thanksgiving trees are so cute. I am going to try and make these next year!



Whats your favorite Fall Decor?

My Very First Giveaway!

I am BEYOND thrilled to tell you about our very first Giveaway!

I teamed up with Jennifer to share her amazing products. Let me tell you this girl is talented. Like for real, she has mad skills. She is an amazing custom bag designer, along with her many other handmade goodies. With the holidays coming up head over and check out her Etsy shop here.

Jennifer contacted me and wanted to do a product review on a custom bag of my choosing...how lucky am I right? I of course picked owls and this awesome lady had it ready in THREE days ya'll. YES. Three. Days. Now don't quote me on this because when she starts getting bombarded with orders don't say I said it would be ready in three days BUT this chick has her ducks in a row. When you tell her what you want, she gets right on it and stays in contact keeping you up to date with her progess and I don't know about you, but I LOVE that. There are so many times I have ordered something only for me to see no emails or responses on my order. Jennifer is nothing like that, she has such an incredible heart and puts her all in her products.

When I received my bag yesterday I about had a small panic attack because it was perfect. The fabric she picked out for me was to the T and it was made with quality. The bag is thick and sturdy and I know I can carry tons in there without it ripping or getting torn up. The prices on her items are extremely  reasonable, especially after observing my bag closely. You guys must order from this amazing girl!




With all that being said, it's Giveaway time! YAY! One of you lucky readers will win this amazing custom pleated tote/purse! Follow the entries and we will have a winner posted next Friday (November 15)! Good Luck to you ALL and Big Thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to do this Giveaway!

This is an unpaid giveaway. I was sent a SouthernPrideSewing Tote in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. The winner of this giveaway will have a choice between this fabric above and two other choices. We will announce winner next Friday and email winner that day. Thanks in advance.

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Sartorial Kid Wednesday---Wk 3

These pictures were not easy to get at all. The first one is the best in my opinion, and it is blurry because I was trying to make him laugh at the same time. The last one he was in the middle of crying. At least his little outfit is cute right? He is pure boy because he does not like to be still. He was crawling around this whole photo session. Totally opposite of his sister.

I love this link up with Holly, one day I will take a picture of my outfit on a Wednesday but I rarely get out of sweatpants and I see no point in posting that.

My little man's outfit consist of:

Owl Onesie: Kohls 8.00

Pants: Thrifted

Socks: Carters 6.00 (pack of 2)

Blanket: HomeGoods 12.99

Happy Wednesday!

Jello to Hello------Week 1

This post is going to be very personal and hard for me to write but I think if I put it out there it will make me feel like I must follow through. I have GAINED 20 pounds since I had Gabriel. Yes I am bigger now then when I was 9 months pregnant. I am not happy with myself AT.ALL.

I breastfed for 6 months and I could basically eat whatever I wanted and wouldn't really gain any. Breastfeeding also made me hungry all the time. When I stopped, the appetite was still there and I started packing the pounds on hard. Before I got pregnant with Gabriel I had went on a serious diet change and I lost a total of  75 pounds. I am here to tell you I had never felt better. I had allowed myself to get all the way to 200 pounds and I was able to lose all that simply by cutting out soda and changing my eating habits. I felt so good and I want to feel that way again.

Rick hit his peak in March and had gotten up to 300 pounds. We were worried about his health so he started V3, an AMAZING diet pill that curves your appetite, mood, and metabolism. Read about it Here. We were very skeptical about a "diet pill" because we really don't do things like that but Rick was determined to lose this weight and we had heard so many wonderful things about the V3, not to mention it is all natural, so there was no reason not to give it a shot. I am happy to tell you that Rick is now 170 pounds, he hasn't taken V3 in a few months but we know that had everything to do with his extreme weight loss. 

I talked to my good friend Tina Phan who is a big dog in the V3 world and she told me she would give me a months supply to help me start my journey of knocking these 40 pounds out. I am going to document each week where I am at and so far I have taken the V3 for 2 days and let me tell you, I feel amazing. I have more energy, I am not hungry every hour, and my mood seems much more happy! I am loving this tiny pill!

Last night, I asked Rick to measure me so I could know exactly where I am at this point. I hit a huge low when I realized my waist is bigger than Rick's. AH. What a letdown. If that isn't motivation to kick this weight off I don't know what is.

Here is where I am as of now, I will measure again next week and post new numbers. Fingers crossed they are smaller, but with determination and this V3 I know I can do it!

If you would love to try V3 click on my link above. Food (I believe) is the biggest addiction there is and if you are ready to change that and get your life in order and feel better about yourself contact Tina Here.

This is an unpaid promotion for V3. I was given a bottle of V3 for one month to document my experience. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Husbands vs. Diapers

I don't know about you but my husband is a funny man. I love him so much and I am in no way trying to put him down.
After that being said let me tell you this.

Rick is an amazing father, like seriously wonderful. He plays with our kids, spoils them rotten, and I know would do anything for them.

BUT, he doesn't have much alone time with them. He works alot of hours, and on the weekend I am always right there. So if I go run an errand alone (which is very rare I might add) and he just so happens to watch them for an hour or two you would think he just became superman and cured a life threatening disease.
This annoys me.

When I ask him to change a diaper because I am doing something else, ie: cleaning, washing dishes, giving other child a bath, or whatever I get the "look". You know what look I am talking about, the one where "why would you ask me to do that when you do nothing but sit here all day with these children and watch TV" the one where "I work ten hours and you get to sit at home and rest".
Yeah that look.


Here is a glimpse of me asking him to to change a diaper last night. You would think our son just let out the most hazardous smell it would kill you. Which let me tell you, it really wasn't that bad and I have smelled much worse in all the years I worked at a daycare.

This picture speaks volumes to me.

Happy Tuesday!

Books I Loved as a kid (and still do)

The other night I was going through my little ones books and I started thinking about how much of a role books played in my life as a child. I read all the time, my mom said that when I would get in trouble she would take the TV and phone away but I wouldn't care because I would just read and she didn't feel like she could take reading away....Lucky me.

I used to stay up until sometimes 2 or 3 am trying to finish a story. I would have my little flashlight and bottle cap glasses on flying through each page. Some of my favorite Children books are The Rainbabies, anything Mercer Mayer, and The Giving Tree.

I went on a hunt the other night for my Mercer Mayer Little Critter books. I had EVERY. SINGLE. ONE as a child and now they are gone. My heart died.

I called my mom and asked her where did she put them? Did she still have them? She said she had no clue what happen to them. I want to make it my mission to get these books for my children. I looked on Ebay and they had some bundles, I may eventually try to get some that way. I just really want MY books back...Wah....

So there goes my sad rant for this Monday evening....

The Polyvore Files

Today is Sunday, so besides church that means game day.

My husband is the biggest Carolina Panthers fan I know. In fact, I don't want to go into much detail but he honestly believes that if he isn't wearing his team apparel they will in fact lose. I really don't know what to tell you what the excuse is for the past four years because he has worn his jerseys and hats but they have still lost...Don't mention it to him but I am not so sure they base their game on what my wonderful husband is wearing each week.

I love the team. I love football. I have grown up my entire life watching it although most of my family loves the Redskins, because the Panthers didn't come around until the 90's, Washington Redskins was North Carolina's team. I love our Panthers because the players I have met when I went with Joni to the game were AMAZING. They were kind. Steve Smith is awesome in my book, and a HUGE legend in this neck of the woods.

If I could create my game day outfit I would totally pick this

Adorable. I love Polyvore. I used to spend hours on there creating outfits. It is so fun to dream right?

Linking up with Natalie at Revel and Design

Handmade by Dianne

Tonight I am going to tell you all about how much I love handmade goodies. This includes clothes, toys, pillows, hairbows, and more! You name it, I LOVE it. I also think it is really important for us to support our small businesses.

I have an amazing friend, Dianne. She can seriously make almost anything. If it involves sewing, she can pretty much do it. She has made my comforter, a shower curtain, a stuffed owl, an owl bunting, and TONS of clothes for my kids. I have been telling her she needs to put her creations on Etsy so that others can enjoy all of her talent, and also she can benefit from it. Dianne is retired and lives on a fixed income. She charges fair prices and goes above and beyond to make her customers happy.

Here are just a FEW pictures of what she has made.

Now tell me! Does this woman have some serious talent or what???  I really hope she is online soon so all of you can order from her! Everything she makes is custom to your liking, you pick a design or fabric and she will make it.

Not to mention she is one the sweetest ladies I know!

Happy Saturday Friends!