• Fall Favorites

     
    Fall Favorites

    \\ Hello Pumpkin Mug // blanket scarf // knit throw // slippers // nail polish //

    twinkle lights // buffalo check rug // wreath // Pumpkin spice coffee // knit pillow //

    socks // pumpkin //

     
    I know, I know. Someone will say it’s too early for fall. Get that negativity out of here. You have to shop in advance, right? Preparedness is key. I love all things cozy in the fall. There are so many warm colors and cozy textures. I just love it all.
    Today feels like the perfect day to share these favorites. My windows are open. There is a cool breeze blowing through. My kids are sitting quietly at the table doing school work. I’m drinking a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. Scott brought me a gift for the first day of school…  pumpkin spice coffee creamer. He speaks my language and I love him for it.
    So, lets dive in. I love twinkle lights. I don’t really burn candles anymore because they are full of toxins. (I saw you roll your eyes.) I miss the cozy light though, so twinkle lights take their place. You can put them just about anywhere to get the cozy light. Wrap them around a wreath. Put them inside of a wicker pumpkin. Put them inside of a pretty glass vase. I also put Thieves oil or any other spice oil (clove, nutmeg, cinnamon) in the diffuser to get that wonderful scent.
    Cozy slippers, socks, blankets, and pillows are also key for fall. Big chunky scarfs are a great way to layer some warmth without adding too much. Some people really struggle with blanket scarfs, so any cozy scarf will do. I also really love the buffalo check rug. You can layer your normal welcome mat over the top and it is so pretty. I want one in every room.
    I also love a good fall mug and pretty nail polish. I can’t wait to have some real pumpkins decorating our house as well. We try to save those for closer to the actual season of fall though.
    What are some of your favorite fall items or activities? Is it too early to even think about fall for you?
     

  • Fourth of July Fun

    2fourth-of-july-2454956_960_720
     
    I love the 4th of July. I love dressing in red, white, and blue. I love doing fun crafts and themed food! I love holidays, and have passed my love on to my daughters. Addi has been planning cupcakes for what feels like months! Here is a round up of some fun things you can do or make for the 4th of July with little time to prepare!
     

    Recipes

    The easiest desserts are the classic bomb pops! They are so good, easy, and fun.
    Festive Red, White, & Blue Bark
    Firecracker Jello Snacks
    Fourth of July punch
    Tie-Dyed cake
    Firecracker Popcorn
    Berry Trifle
    Cheese and Fruit Platter
     

    Crafts

    Patriotic Pom Pom Garland
    Patriotic Ribbon Wand
    Parade Wands
    Slime
    Paper Lanterns
    Fairy Crowns
    Patriotic Necklaces
     

    Decorations

    Painted Yard Stars
    Painted Burlap Banner
    Photo backdrop
    Pool Noodle Firecrackers
     

    Fun

    scavenger hunt
    Bingo
    Bean Bag Toss
    Squirt Gun Races
    Tin Can Toss
     
     
    Our local fireworks show is tonight, and we can’t wait. I hope that everyone has a SAFE and happy fourth of July. Remember that our freedom was never free.
     

  • Holly Jolly Kids Outfits

    Holly Jolly Outfits

    Santa Hat Dress // polka dot santa dress // striped deer shirt and pants // knitted deer romper // You Serious Clark? // Fair Isle leggings and ruffle shirt // CC beanie // Dinosaur shirt // earflap hat // cloth diaper // Christmas socks // hoodie outfit // bandana bibs //

    Hopefully there is something there for everyone. If that Santa hat dress came in my size, I’d wear it all December long.
    Someone better put their babe in that YOU SERIOUS CLARK? outfit. Mine are all too big, and it’s too good.
    Happy Wednesday!! We are halfway to the weekend!

  • Cyber Monday

    Cyber Monday
     
    Lego sets up to 30% off
    Instant Pot (I’d love to hear what you think if you have one.)
    Kindle Fire 7 ONLY $29.99
    Kids Kindle Fire  We are buying these headphones
    Edifier Headphones (fit kids and adults)
    Crazy Vitamix Sale
    Nursery Items Sale
    TOOLS— the easiest husband gift
    Lightning deal on building discs (will run out soon)
    Really great deals on Hasbro GAMES and toys
    Apple Macbook
    Melissa & Doug train set
    Micro Mini Scooter
    Cars track set
    Interlocking builder blocks
     
    cybermonday
     
    Gathre mats 15% off and free shipping            Code: MONDAY
    Free shipping on Nickel and Suede
    Lily Jade on sale
    Tubby Todd 15% off  SOO good for eczema
    CUTEST mugs by Rachel Allene 30% off with code CYBER30
    June and January
     
    I’ll add more to the list throughout the day if I find more deals.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  • Thanksgiving Recap

    Isn’t Thanksgiving food just beautiful? I love making things from scratch. To me, it is really satisfying to see it all come together.
    The day before Thanksgiving, I made a giant cinnamon roll for breakfast. (100% a tube of cinnamon rolls) The girls freaked out. I achieved cool-mom status for the first time ever probably. I put frosting on it and cut it like a pie. Sprinkles had to be added, of course. They gobbled the whole thing up leaving their poor cool-mom to starve. 😉

    Cut to Thanksgiving, and all of its beautiful food. I didn’t get many pictures on that day. Scott and I really tried to soak in the goodness of having family around us… plus it was bananas. I took a few pictures while I was cooking. Cranberries are a beautiful color. They were frosted by the sugar and it looked like a Christmas decoration. They were SO tart, but yummy.
    img_2569
    My mom came over the day before, and we made pies together. She also helped me get sweet potato casserole assembled since I had never made it by myself. Mom made a really pretty apple pie that was equally as delicious. I also baked the rolls and heated them up on Thanksgiving so the butter would melt on them. (Note: this WILL dry your rolls out, even if you cover them in foil. Bummer.)
    img_2557
    img_2558
    img_2563
    This Thanksgiving was so bittersweet. It was our first big holiday without Jim. I think we all felt the hole where someone was missing. It was very sweet to be surrounded by all of our family that was in town. I really am thankful that God brought us back for this time. Everyone signed our Thanksgiving tablecloth with what they are thankful for this year. (Except Josh. Get your butt back here.) I think I will probably cry every year that I bring it out since it is so full of memories.
     
    I also have to share this. When my mom came to make pies, she also brought a little something for the big girls. She made a carseat poncho for Harper, which we love. Chloe and Addi were jealous that they couldn’t wear a poncho.. which made me laugh. My mom, being who she is, quickly whipped up two more ponchos for the big girls. They were so thrilled, and it’s really cute to see them running around in them.
    img_2566
     
    Little stinkers.
     
    I hope that you had a really blessed Thanksgiving.

  • Our Thanksgiving Menu

    thanksgiving-2832302_960_720
    Do you have your menu planned for Thanksgiving? It’s always really hard to narrow down what exactly to cook. I have had our menu set up for quite a while, because I am a planner. If you need some inspiration, here you go!
    Appetizers:
    Little Smokies
    Gouda and White Cheddar Cranberry cheeses
    Assorted crackers
    Lunch:
    Turkey (One smoked and one baked)
    Stuffing
    Green Bean Casserole
    Green Beans (for those who hate casserole)
    Sweet Potato Casserole
    Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy
    Cranberry Sauce
    Rolls from scratch
    Fruit Salad
    Dessert:
    Apple Pie
    Pumpkin Pie
    Chocolate Silk Pie
     
    Tomorrow, my mom and I are going to be baking our pies so that the ovens will be free for the rest of the goodies!
     
    I would love to hear what is on your menu!

  • Favorite Things- Earth Day Edition

    Happy Fri-YAY! Usually, Fridays are extra thrilling around here, because it is actually the start of our weekend. Scott typically has Friday off, which is his only FULL day off. He had to take Monday off for Harper’s eye appointment, so he is working today. Sad. Really sad, because I am T-I-R-E-D. But, I am so thankful for the flexibility of his work schedule (especially because the girls were CRAZY on Monday at the eye doctor).
    hand-1030565_960_720
    So, here are some awesome products and links to check out on this earth day!
    If you have kids, you are probably overwhelmed with snack cups, sippy cups, plates, and on and on. Have you seen the brand Re-Play yet? They have EVERYTHING. It is all made from recycled milk jugs, AND is BPA, Phthalate, PVC and Melamine FREE!!!! How awesome is that?! We have to pack dinner every Wednesday for the girls to eat at church. I am really thinking about this three pack snack stack
    Also for kids, I really Green Toys. They are also made from recycled milk jugs!! I really want to get this big pink dump truck for the girls to play with! They love cars, but we don’t really have any big ones.
    I have become really interested in composting. I know that growing your own food is best, but if your soil is completely deprived of any nutrients, so will your food. I like how this chart breaks it down. However, if a cockroach comes crawling out of my compost pile one day, I’m out. (Kidding.. I think.)
    I don’t wear a lot of makeup. In fact, I usually only wear makeup on Sundays. I love EcoTools line. I have their makeup brushes and LOVE them. They are so soft. Plus, I love the look of bamboo. Bamboo grows very quickly, so it’s a much more sustainable wood than other types.
    IMG_1429
    I really love Grove Co.  Above is my most recent order. Their products are amazing, and by shopping through them, you are helping save the planet!! Here is my referral link that you can use to get $10 off your first purchase. You aren’t obligated to buy something every month, and you can buy as little or as much, as you’d like. I love the Full Circle brand of cleaning tools! (Can you tell I am trying to pick which toothpaste I like?)
    This book looks adorable to teach kids about recycling. There are actually a lot of cute books.
    How are you “celebrating” Earth Day? I think it’s important to teach your kids about recycling and the importance of taking care of this beautiful planet that God created for us.
    recycle-29227_960_720

    **All Amazon links are affiliate links. You can see my disclosure statement in my “referral links” tab.**

     

  • Christmas Countdown

    favorite color
    Christmas is only two weeks away! Can you believe it? This month has flown by at lightening speed. 

  • Festivity for Littles

    I LOVE the holidays. I love the spirit of the season. I love festive EVERYTHING. It is just fun to slow down and enjoy the little things. I decided to round up some of my favorite festive things for Littles and for Mamas. Today is part one. The littles should come first, right?
    For Littles
    First up: FESTIVE JAMMIES!! I feel like there is nothing more adorable than little kids wearing adorable jammies. My kids practically live in their jammies, so cute ones are a must. These elf jammies from Hanna Anderson are adorable. They have Santa ones, too. These are probably my favorites though. Red and white stripes make me think of little candy canes.
    My favorite item on this list is probably this gnome hat. Harper has been ripping her hats right off of her head as soon as they get put on. It is COLD where we live, so I decided it was time to buy a hat that we could strap onto her head. Of course, I went for a gnome hat. I bought it at a time when it was on super sale, so I got a really good deal on it. It is so warm and soft.  These bow mary jane flats are adorable as well.  Just imagine them paired with a sweet Christmas dress. They would be perfect for Valentine’s Day festiveness as well.
    It is no secret that I love to read to my girls. Every year, on Christmas eve, we read The Night Before Christmas before bed. It’s such a classic. My personal favorite book is The Polar Express. I used to check it out every year from the Library. I have always found the pictures to be so beautiful. The movie is equally as beautiful. When I found out that they were making a movie based on the book, I was thrilled. A huge part of me worried that they wouldn’t be able to capture the beauty of the stories. I was not disappointed though! If you have never seen the movie, you need to!!
    Do you enjoy buying Christmas jammies/shirts/dresses each year? Do you do it for your kids, or also for yourself?
    See you later this week for Festivity for Mamas!
    signature2