Friday Favorites #9. {4.28.17}

Whooo hooo!  We are one Friday closer to SUMMER!!  I don't know about y'all, but the older I get, the faster these years are flying by.  And that is just so unfair.  Yes, I'm happy it's almost summer but how did it get here so fast!?!

When I was a kid, the school year seemed to drag on foooorrrreeeevvvveeerrr (said in my best Squints voice, if you know what I mean).  Now I feel like I blink and 9 months have passed.  Growing up sucks.  Avoid it at all costs!

I feel like I've gotten off topic so I'll get back to the fun stuff.  Friday Favorites!!  Here's another random collection of things I'm LOVING at the moment!  Linking up with my sweet friends, Erika, Narci and Andrea.  

FAVORITE #1

Let's start with something I can't get off my mind....

Behind Closed Doors.

I finished it yesterday (started it the day before) and it was so good!  If you've been following my blog or know me at all, you'll know I am a super huge Audible fan.  It just works with my lifestyle. I need my hands free to be able to work all day (you probably also know I have a busy little Etsy shop) so I love to listen to audiobooks while I work.  And also while I drive, do laundry, cook (ugh), clean etc.  It just passes the time SO much quicker and makes everything more enjoyable.  You can read more about it here.  

Anyway, if you loved Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Husband's Secret...this is right up your alley!  (I really need to do a book review for all my favorites!)

I included the actual summary of the book in Monday's post if you want to jump back to that.  But in short, it is about a couple who present themselves to the outside world as perfect in every way, but behind closed doors things are absolutely INSANE.  Seriously.  It's one of those books that makes you yell out loud at some of the characters and situations.  It is a page-turner for sure.  You won't want to put it down (or turn it off if you listen to it).  The ending leaves you satisfied too.  I obviously won't say more than that but I do hate books where you get so invested and then they leave important things open at the end.  #notcool

So go add this book to your Amazon cart now!!  Or if you'd like to try Audible, click here and get 2 audiobooks FREE to try!  (By the way, the narrator for this book is amazing.  It's like watching a movie with the screen off.  You can absolutely picture it all.)

FAVORITE #2

Mason surprised the heck out of me earlier this week when he agreed to be part of an all-boy "dance crew" for his school's upcoming talent show.  Yesterday they had tryouts and I got to watch 7 incredibly cute 1st-grade boys break it down on a real stage.  They were absolutely hysterical and so stinkin' cute!  They'd only had one practice before the tryout so they were no N'Sync but I am sure they'll be a much closer on the actual day.  ;)  

A quick rehearsal before the tryout.  #likeherdingcats

FAVORITE #3

My Etsy shop got a new addition this week!  These are just like Swell bottles.  Stainless steel, gorgeous colors, 17oz and will keep your drink super cold!  Have them personalized however you want!  The examples shown can be done in any colors.  I've been wanting to do a Faith Over Fear design in honor of sweet Manda so I knew I had to include it on the purple bottle.  (her favorite color) 

Any of these designs can be done on any bottle or tumbler in my shop by the way!  :)

And if you missed my post on tips and tricks for shopping on Etsy, check it out here!  (Best tip:  Click on ITEM DETAILS when viewing a listing from your phone!  It's so easy to miss but it has all the info you'll need to place an order.)

Here are a few of my other favorites in my Etsy shop...

Gangsta Rap Coffee Mug

Wood Sign

Gold Glitter Tumbler

Pink Glitter Tumbler

 Wood Signs

Personalized Coffee Mugs

FAVORITE #4

Are any of you Spark drinkers?  I've been out of my Spark for over a week and finally remembered to order more and ooohhh this stuff makes me happy!  

Yes, technically I'm an Advocare Distributor.  We've never pursued the business side of it though and have just been using our distributorship as a way to get 25% off all our orders.  Advocare is LEGIT so I don't feel bad talking about products of theirs I actually use and love.  And I've been a Spark addict for years now!  

If you have no idea what Spark is, it is an incredibly delicious little powder you mix with water to give you energy and focus!  I call it my Happy Juice.  I think all of the vitamins and minerals in it just give me a rush of all the good feels.  It can turn my bad mood into not only a good mood but also put me in the mood to clean my whole house or pound out 20 orders in two hours.  

I tend to start to crash every day between 1:30 and 3:00 and this is a lifesaver.  

I think it's funny that with all the cute drinkware I own, I shake it up in a Sam's Choice water bottle.

It comes in a bunch of different flavors but my go-to is always the Fruit Punch.  I also love the Orange flavor and Craig prefers the Blue Raspberry.

All I can say is thank goodness for Spark.  (And if you are curious about any of other Advocare products we use on a regular basis, we love Catalyst, Thermoplus and Craig throws the Greens Powder into his smoothies.)

If you are interested, you can get some Spark here.  

FAVORITE #5

The year I got pregnant with Mattew was the year I discovered maxi dresses.  Since then, they are a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe.  I love that you can throw them on and feel "dressed" but still be very comfortable.  Dress them up or down...they are the best!  So I'm always on the hunt for new ones.  I am loving this simple black one at the moment especially paired with some gorgeous colorful jewelry (see THAT obsession here).  Wear them with flats or wedges, pair them with a cute jean jacket or keep it simple!    

Maxi dresses are definitely a favorite!

And because I never leave without an #ohnotheydidnt or an #icanteven, here is your #justsayno for the week!

These bright and shiny flats can be yours for the bargain price of $910!  

DEAD SEXY.

Happy Friday, friends!!

{You can find my Friday Favorites 1-8, here.}

What's Up, Wednesday! {4.26.17}

Hey there, friends!  It's the last Wednesday of the month which means it's a What's Up, Wednesday linkup with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel where we answer some questions about what we've been up to lately.  Y'all, I LOVE linkups...probably because it helps give me an outline about what I want to post that day.  You should see all the blog posts I stop and start that are saved in my "drafts" folder right now!  I might be the most indecisive person ever.  So yay for a guideline!  Haha.

Let's start with my most hated topic.  

WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK...

I have yet to cook this week.  Monday night we had back to back games starting at 6.  Tuesday night was basically a free for all.  Mason had a pizza pocket, Matthew had heated up Chick-fil-a nuggets and I had a salad.  Craig stopped for Wingstop on his way from a golf game.  (He is OBSESSED with wings ever since a Wingstop opened up about a mile from our house.  He may need an intervention.)

Mason HAS to have tacos at least once a week so that will probably be tonight before we have to leave for Matthew's 7:30 game.  Thursday will be shrimp, rice and veggies and Friday is up in the air.  See how organized I am?!  ;)  #keepinitreal #ihatetocook #idrathercleanatoilet

WHAT I'M REMINSCING ABOUT...

My baby boy just turned 7 so I've been seriously reminscing about him as a baby.  But when am I NOT reminscing about my kids as babies?!  I also got to hold my friend's precious 4 week old little boy for an hour during Sunday School this week which took me back to 2010 even more.  Sigh.  You can find my post on my birthday boys (Craig and Mason share a birthday!) here.

WHAT I'M LOVING...

I was flipping through a Pier One catalog this week and stopped in my tracks when I saw this chair!  It is a light linen which is completely impractical for a house with 2 extremely messy little boys.  (See Exhibit A above...)  But the navy patterned back...and the silver nailhead trim...I want!!  I wish they came in barstools (which would be even more impractical) but if they did, it would be so hard to say no.

I'm also loving this Chocolate Coconut Almond Milk (found at Target) in my strawberry/banana smoothies!  Tastes like a melted ice cream sundae!  Maybe not SUPER healthy but it tastes delicious.  ;)

  

You can check out my previous smoothie post here.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO...

I am almost too embarrassed to even fill you in on my laptop drama.  But this has basically been me off and on since last Tuesday. 

 Let's just say that I have purchased 5 laptop chargers in one week.  I've broken 2, returned 2 and now have 2. (I know that equals 6 but I included the original charger as one of the ones I broke).  My laptop has my entire business on it.  Without it, I can't make orders.  So I've basically been trying not to hyperventilate a lot this week.  (And some last week as well.)  I may post about this whole ridiculous story tomorrow.  I think its just dumb enough to need it's own post.

Other than that, it's lots of baseball...

...lots of water balloon action (which I regret.  The balloon pieces are EVERYWHERE)...

(he discovered he can fill a water balloon super quick by sticking it in front of the jet)

.....and lots of swimming!

WHAT I'M DREADING...

Hmmm...not much at the moment!  Except maybe picking up all those balloon pieces that the boys "didn't see" when they were cleaning them up.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON...

I'm working on a special order for a local customer for one of my Holy Spirit signs.  This one is 2'x3' and still needs to be framed.  I have a love/hate relationship with big signs.  Meaning I hate making them but love how they look.  :)  And love when I'm finished.

(The big ones like this are not available for shipping.  But I do have an 11x17 version of this sign available in the shop as well as the same design on an 8x10 burlap print.  You can find the sign here and the burlap print here.)

I've also been busy with some of these...

Find them all in the shop here!  (Be sure to click on "Item Details" in each listing for all the ordering info! Turnaround times can be found in the Shipping and Policies tab.)

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT...

Mason is trying out for the talent show on Thursday at school.  One of his friends wanted to get a group of boys together and do a dance.  I'm shocked Mason agreed!  He is definitely an extrovert for the most part but stuff like this makes him shy.  I think it helps that he's got a lot of other buddies with him.  They are doing a mashup of some of their favorite dances.  (Think the dab, whip and some Go Noodle songs that they do at school).  I can't wait to see him dance!

WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING...

I finished Brandi's book (for the 2nd time) after binge watching the entire Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from the very beginning.  They really should bring her back.  Yes, she's crude, brash and completely inappropriate a lot of the time but she makes for good TV...and some funny reading!  Just remember, this book is rated R!  Find it here.  Her followup book, Drinking and Dating, is just as funny.  

I moved on to Elin Hilderbrand's Summerland for my poolside reading.  I started this book a few months ago but got sidetracked with other things and never finished it.  So I've picked it back up for when I can sneak some "me" time by the pool.  I love all her books and this one has been good so far...I'm just waiting to hear how everything plays out.  The book starts with a group of teenagers out for graduation night which ends with a fatal car wreck.  The rest of the book is a bit of a mystery as to how and why it happened and how it is affecting all involved.

Speaking of mysteries, my Audible credit rolled around for this month and I couldn't decide between these three...

Find it here.

Find it here.

Find it here.

I ended up going with Behind Closed Doors.  I've been watching a lot of Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules and other reality shallowness lately (and reading it) so I needed a change of pace for my book. This is a psychological thriller and I love those!!  Critics say to "brace yourself" and the AP said “The sense of believably and terror that engulfs Behind Closed Doors doesn't waver.” ―The Associated Press, picked up by The Washington Post"  Eek!  Here's the publisher's summary:

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He’s a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’re hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable.

Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows.

Some might wonder what’s really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed.

I have high hopes for this book!  Since I'm listening to it on Audible (another plug for audible because I love it SO MUCH!!), I'll probably be done in 2 days.  

WHAT I'M WEARING...

Still loving ALL of this!  I am not the greatest about taking selfies of my outfits for a couple of reasons.  The main one being that for the most part, I live in my favorite yoga pants and tshirts because I'm elbow deep in sawdust, paint, glitter and glue all day everyday.  And second of all, because I just forget.

I'm also still crazy obsessed with these earrings (I have them in gold and silver).  I wear them on repeat.  No regrets on these pretties!

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND...

Baseball pics on Saturday but no games!  I'm hoping to catch up on some orders, force myself to stop catching up on orders and possibly declutter something.  :)

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH...

School is almost out!!  Next month is Matthew's birthday, Memorial Day fun and the boys' Field Day.  I can't believe we are already to the end of the year.  It's gone by so fast.

And for the BONUS QUESTION...

What is your favorite spring/summer shoe?

  Well duh.  I've only posted about them 1,284 times.  ;)  

My wedges!

Still my favorite shoe purchase for summer!  I try not to wear them with EVERY outfit.  But they seem to go with every outfit!  So comfortable and so cute!

My new Skechers are giving them a run for their money though!  It's like walking on a cloud.  No lie.  Most comfortable causal shoe ever.  #forreal

So that's it for Wednesday!  Have a great day, friends!

April 21.

April 21st has always been a special day for rmy husband.  He was born on April 21, 1979.  He was drafted to the Green Bay Packers on April 21, 2002.  And his 2nd baby boy was born on April 21, 2010.  Needless to say, we love this day.

My husband is a sweetheart.  He's a giant kid 90% of the time and has a bit of Peter Pan Syndrome.  But he's got a heart of gold and is a great husband and father.  We love him so much and are so thankful for him!

Now on to #allthepictures.

Here is Craig on the phone with the Packers when they called him on Draft Day to tell him he was about to be drafted in the 5th round.  I'm pretty sure his dad had never been more proud.  

The pic looks weird because it was scanned in before cell phone cameras were the norm. 

We were all so proud of this guy!!

Friday Favorites #8. {4.21.17}

Today is a very special day in our house!!  My "Baby Mason" turned 7 and my big hubby turned 38!  They share a birthday which is so fun...and was so unexpected!  I'm planning a special birthday post for them Monday and will include a little of the birth story (because those are always fun to read!).  But for now, I will just say Happy Birthday to the big guy and the little man!!  Love those boys!!

Not only is it a special day but it's my favorite time of the week again!  I am a huge online shopper (I have no time for mall shopping anymore) so any Friday Favorite that involves clothes, shoes, accessories or beauty products is...a FAVORITE!  (That was cheesy, I know.  But true!)

Linking up with Narci, Erika and Andrea!

So today I'm bringing you some pretty Spring finds I've been drooling over while perusing my favorite online stores.  This week I have been OBSESSED with all the gorgeous colors from BaubleBar.  Pretty colors just make me happy!  (As you can probably tell from my Etsy shop!)

**If you are reading this on your phone, you may need to tap that little gray arrow on the right side of each collection to view them all.  Just tap or click on what you like and it'll take you straight there!

And for the record, this post is NOT sponsored by BaubleBar.  Although it should be.  ;)

You can find BaubleBar on their own stand alone website or in Nordstrom but right now if you order directly from BaubleBar.com, you can sign up for their email list for 15% off your first order PLUS all orders over $40 get a FREE necklace!  And they are cute! (They are in the necklace picture below and say "Free Gift".)  Just make sure to go to "Bonus Bauble" and add your choice to your cart.

I've compiled a little list of some of my FAVORITES and listed them in categories.  I wish I had all these gorgeous pieces on hand to show you "real life" pics but my order hasn't arrived yet (and clearly, I can't get them all!).  And these aren't crazily overpriced either.  They are quality pieces but actually affordable as well.

I LOVE colorful jewelry with a very simple outfit.  Solid white top, jeans and some nude wedges or flats are all you need!  (A pretty tan never hurts either!  Find my favorite sunless tanners here.)

You can click what you like and it

Let's start with their bracelets...  Does that just not scream HAPPY?!  I love a chunky stack of bracelets and love it even more when they've mixed and matched everything for me in a set.  And I love the little thing gold bar bracelets on their own, next to my watch or in another stack.
And ohhhh the earrings.  So many of these come in many different colors but I couldn't add them all.  So if you see one you like, you can click on it and see what other colors it may come in. How cute is the beaded fringe?!  I need them all!

And now the necklaces...  I'm not a big chunky necklace girl. I like my necklaces fairly simple (I usually wear my Stella & Dot gold bar necklace or one of the gorgeous little Kendra Scott neckaces)  but these are so great too!  I love the bar necklaces (engraveable) and the arrows!  But the long colorful ones are SO cute too!  And I've included the three necklaces to choose from for your FREE GIFT when you spend $40 or more at BaubleBar.com.  (And don't forget to sign up for the 15% off code too!).

And because you might be just as obsessed now with all the color as I am, here are a few favorite finds that you can pair with your new accessories.  It's Etsy payday so that white cold shoulder top is coming home to me SOON!!  ;)

And because I can't leave a Friday Favorites without mentioning my OWN little store, here are a few of my creations from the week.  You can find my shop HERE and don't forget to follow me on Instagram (personal and business) for more!

I almost forgot to include the #justsayno Find of the Week!  For only $682, this hot number can be yours!  Take a close look at this.  I've been staring at it for 5 minutes trying to figure out exactly what is going on here.  Are they sleeves you pull over a tshirt?  Is it packing tape?  What is going on here!?!  #justsayno #nononononono #no

Happy Friday!!

Also linking up with the girls for High Five for Friday!