Monday, October 30, 2017

Monday Morning Mashup.

Happy Monday!!  Hope everyone had a nice weekend!  I spent all day yesterday in a fog, propped up in bed, working on my laptop and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  Unfortunately, I did this because I felt super yucky.  I caught my first head cold of the season and it wiped me out.

I should have seen it coming with our crazy Texas weather lately.  Last week we went from the low 90s to the low 30s and it made for a very cold few days!  Yesterday, temps were back up in the 60s and 70s but fall has officially hit us here in Mckinney, TX!  I don't remember an October where we've been this cold!

Despite the cold, we've had some fun things going on lately!  I was looking through pictures on my phone from the past week or so and realized we'd done some fun things I haven't shared yet! So here's a little bit of lately...

Last Saturday, during my Target run (the one where I found this AMAZING comforter for $35 and the coziest throw blanket for $15...), I grabbed some goodies from the Dollar Spot so that the boys could "boo" 3 of their neighbor friends.


Do y'all do this where you live?  I'm assuming it's a nation-wide thing but I really have no idea.  It's actually one of the newer little traditions that I like, even though it just gives us parents one more thing to add to our list of ways not to disappoint our children. (Now the elf on the shelf is a whole other story...I could absolutely do without that new tradition.)

But if you aren't familiar with "boo-ing" your neighbors, here's what you do.  Gather up a little goody bag full of Halloween treats, print out this paper (below), sneak over to your neighbor's house, drop the treat on their doorstep, ring the bell and run!

Here's the printable we used.  I just googled to find a cute design I liked and printed it out.

Of course,  the boys wanted to go right after I stepped out of the shower that night.  Since it was dark, warm and the goal is for no one to see you, I just threw on my PJs, pulled my hair back in a wet bun and walked barefoot out the door with them.  #prayingnoonewouldseeme 

Mason wasn't ready for the paparazzi.


But Matthew! Such a glowing smile!  ;)


We ran across the street and I waited on the corner while they ran down a few houses to boo their buddies Hudson and Roman.  It took the boys forever to come back.  They rang the doorbell and then ran to hide in the bushes so they could watch their friends open the door.  But when the door never opened, they repeated the process a few times.

While they were doing that, I stood out there alone, in the dark, on a corner, under a street lamp, in my jammies with my wet hair and no makeup on a Saturday night and no fewer than 4 cars came by.  Of course.  All of them slowed their roll long enough to give me a curious glance.  I thought about moving closer to the shadows but the neighbor's yard next to me had some seriously scary looking demon things hanging from his trees so I decided to just hang tight.  

They finally came running back and so we finished up with their friend, Asher, and then our culdesac neighbors, Preston & Sophia.  Asher caught them but Preston and Sophia weren't home.  I'm pretty sure my kids wanted to get caught.  

Wednesday is when it started to get cold.  Wednesday is also when the boys' school had their "Fun Run".  Right before I went to bed (yes, that says 12:57am...I am a night owl, y'all!), I checked the weather for the next day and was bummed to see cold temps in the morning.



Mason's grade was running at 9:15.  I showed up a few minutes after they started running and Mason looked happy and cute.  He pushes himself hard when it comes to things like this and had already told me he was so excited to show me how much faster he was this year.


But after a few minutes, I noticed him walking instead of running and he had a cup of water in his hand.  He was coughing some so I just assumed he'd overexerted himself.  I called him over to get a picture but he kept on coughing and it got so bad he almost threw up.  He started crying and saying his stomach hurt and chest hurt.  My sweet baby!!  We ended up walking him down to the nurse and she checked his breathing and said he was wheezing a lot and that his lungs sounded "musical".  

We've never had to deal with asthma or anything so this was new to me.  I thought he was just coughing so bad because he was running so hard out in the cold air.  Right?  She recommended I take him out of school and take him in to the doctor.  I still felt like it was probably just because of the cold air and the fact that he pushed himself so hard so early on but I called and the earliest they could see him was in a little over an hour from then.  

My gut knew that by the time we got to the doctor he would be perfectly fine but of course, you don't take chances, so we left school.

We went home for about 30 minutes and Mason had calmed down a lot.  He said his chest still hurt a little so I figured we might as well keep the appointment.  We drove through Starbucks on our way to the doctor and he downed a tall hot chocolate in 10 minutes.  This kid was FINE.


And the doctor agreed.  She said his lungs sounded perfect.  No wheezing.  It was probably just from running so hard in the cold air.  Basically, all the stuff my gut was telling me.  But you can never be too careful when it comes to your babies so I'm glad we went.

I dropped him back off at school and worked for a couple of hours until it was time to go back up to the school for Matthew's run.  This time, I was a volunteer, and marked the kids' shirts every time they ran a lap.  Easiest volunteer job ever.  My friend, Loree, is a total boss when it comes to school stuff.  She is my go-to on all things school related and her daughter and son are Matthew and Mason's age which means she can answer almost any of my dumb questions.  When I saw her at the run, I made sure to let her know I was (gasp) volunteering that day!  haha.  I think she was proud.  ;)

I don't do a ton of volunteering at the school.  I wish I could be one of those moms but I just can't make it work.  When I first started working from home full-time I thought it was going to afford me all this time to do those sort of things.  Like join the PTA (PTO?  What is the difference?), volunteer at the Book Fair or for lunch duty, maybe even run a committee!

Umm no.

I still have to work.  I have deadlines.  I am solely in charge of my business's success or failure.  It's all on me.  So I quickly realized that all of my big ambition for being an amazing school mom just can't happen while I'm working full-time, even if it is from home.  :(  I've learned to give myself some grace when it comes to feeling guilt over this though.  I'm not perfect.  I can't do it all.  And that's ok.

So that's why I'm extra proud when I AM able to do something school related.  



The weather had turned almost hot by the time Matthew's grade ran so there was no cold weather drama.  Just fun!

Love this boy!!

Thursday night, Matthew had his final regular season game.  He pitched for 2 innings and did so well!!  I love watching him play.


(I'm wearing my favorite shoes again.  I've had them for a couple of years but you can find similar ones here in the multicolored and here in the black ones I love.  I seriously LIVE in Skechers Go Walks.  These grey ones may be next on my list.)


It started to get cold again once the sun went down so I snuggled with my "little" one.  



Matthew ended up with the game ball!  Proud dad wanted a picture with him but had to block Mason with one hand to keep him from photo bombing...


When we woke up Friday morning it was COLD.  And rainy.  But the weather cleared up in time for our church's annual Trunk or Treat that night.  I took the boys while Craig hit the golf course for their annual Night Golf tournament that they play every year on the Friday before Halloween.

Usually we are sweating on Trunk or Treat night.  But not this time.  It was windy and cold.  My hands were frozen and the boys were cold because they didn't want to wear their coats because of their costumes.  So we didn't stay long.



But they had fun and we crossed that off our October Bucket List.

And then Saturday morning, we woke up to this.



Lucky us, we had a football game that morning!

We bundled up in coats, scarves, hats, blankets and hand warmers and by the end of the game it was bearable but still cold.

Positives of the cold though?

I was happy that I got to wear my favorite Uggs for the second day in a row.  These are my favorite cozy boots and I wear them every chance I get during the winter.

I also go to wear this new sweater I got during the Anniversary sale and it is so soft! (It is sold out but you can find one almost identical here.) After the game, I wore it for the rest of the day with my pajama pants.  And the scarf...there's no telling where that came from.  This one is similar though.

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Aren't they cute?!

I spent the rest of my Saturday organizing my closet (again) and switching out summer clothes for fall/winter clothes.

And finally, my awesome little cosmetic bag arrived and it is everything, y'all!!  I LOVE it and could not recommend it enough!!

I used to dig through the bag in the top left corner.  Couldn't ever find anything I needed.  But NOW...


YES!  Lay it flat to see it all then cinch it up when you're done.  So many colors to choose from as well!  Find them here!!  You won't be disappointed!

REMINDERS:

If you still haven't joined my Facebook group, please do!  I'm already planning my next giveaway and you won't want to miss it!

The 10% off all CHRISTMAS SIGNS in my Etsy shop ends tomorrow!  So be sure to use the code EARLYCHRISTMAS17 on any Christmas sign orders for the discount!

My Confessions Link Up is this Thursday!  I know new linkups can take awhile to get a good "party" going so I hope you join me if you can!  Link any type of confessions post!  An old one you like or a new one you're posting that day!  This topic is so wide...you can make so many things work for a confession.  All About Me posts are great or "10 Random Things About Me", etc.  

I'm also looking to add on a co-host or two as well so let me know if you'd like to be considered for next time!

Have a great Monday, friends!


Linking up with the Hello Monday girls!

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Friday, October 27, 2017

Friday Favorites #32.

Hey there, friends!  It's the weekend before Halloween which, to me, is the first official holiday of the holiday season.  So that deserves a big WHOOP!!  And guess what else?!  It is SO COLD here in Mckinney today!!  Yesterday it was in the 80s.  Today the high is 54 with a low of 31.  Next week, it will be back in the upper 70s for the most part.


#texasweather

Just like every Friday, I'm linking up with my fellow Mckinney mamas-Andrea, Narci and Erika-for Friday Favorites!



Here's what I've got for you today!


If you joined my new Facebook Group then you have probably seen some of these.  But I MUST mention them because they are just too good not to re-share.

My first favorite is not just a favorite for the week but it's going to be a favorite for the next several months and no doubt, for years to come!




It's this buffalo plaid comforter that I found on sale last week at Target.  I've slept under this thing for 3 nights now and I never want to leave my bed!!  Which may not be the best thing.

What makes it so amazing you ask?

Well....

1)  The print.  Red/black buffalo plaid is my favorite winter-y print. I'm slightly obsessed. I have shirts, pillows, throw blankets and even patterned vinyl in my Etsy shop with this print.  I love that it's not just for Christmas but still gives off that cheery holiday vibe all winter long!  So yeah, I've added a King comforter to the mix now.


(See?  Buffalo plaid throw blanket at the ball game last night!)

2.  The feel.  It is the softest and coziest comforter ever made.  I'm sure of it.  Velvety softness on one side and that plush sherpa material on the other.

3. The price. I got mine when it was on sale for $34.99!  I seriously would have paid $134.99 for it.  I posted the sale in the Facebook group as soon as I got home from Target but the sale ended the next day.  Good news?  The original price is only $49.99! With free shipping!  I've actually ordered another one for Matthew's bed upstairs because the boys had a fit when they found out it was MINE and not theirs.  ;)

Matthew's room also doubles as the guest room now because I took over the actual guest room when I went full time with my Etsy shop.  So my guests will be able to enjoy it all winter too.  

I can't wait to add some cute red and green Christmas throw pillows to it in a few weeks!

Also, be warned.  The picture on the website is less than stellar.  The pictures here will give you a much better look at it.  I've even got a video of it in the FB group.  Yes, I was THAT excited.


And while we're talking cozy blankets from Target, be sure to check out this one.  At my store, they had these three colors but online they have nine!


They are big and thick and incredibly soft.  And only $14.99!  I'm thinking of grabbing a couple for teacher gifts!  Go here to see all the color options.


The boys are loving it!  (Along with the new big orange pillows and fuzzy white one I picked up during my little shopping spree as well.  Why do you do this to me, Target?!)



This one was a totally random find but I just KNOW it's going to be a game changer for my makeup organization.  These are cosmetic bags that you can lay flat on the counter and actually see everything inside your bag.

Unlike this...


This is about 4" deep worth of random makeup.  I really should clean it out...

I dig and dig to find what I need in thing.  When I'm in a hurry, this stuff ends up all over my bathroom counter too.

But with these bags, you lay it flat with all your stuff in it so you can actually SEE what you have and then when you're done, just cinch it all up in seconds!  Tuck it in a cabinet and your all done!  So perfect for travel too.  They even hold full-size products as well as makeup!



I ordered mine here and there are tons of different colors to choose from.  (I ordered the gold.)  Wouldn't these make great Christmas gifts for moms/sisters/friends?!  They are at a great price point for gift giving.

So the bad news about this Favorite is that I don't technically have it in my possession yet.  It was scheduled to be here yesterday but was delayed and should be here today sometime.  I'll post a picture in the group when it arrives with my thoughts!


Find them HERE!


I know I'm behind in this but I just recently tried Moroccanoil products for the first time.  I've never been a big believer in buying the pricey salon shampoos.  I've been a Treseme girl since college and every time I switch to something different, whether it's a different drugstore brand or an expensive one from the salon, I always go back to Treseme.  I never found a salon brand that felt worth the money.

But so many people have mentioned Moroccanoil to me that I finally decided to give it a try.  I ordered the 2.5oz sizes in the shampoo and conditioner to see what I thought before making a full size commitment and have been using it since the beginning of October.



And oh my goodness!!!  I'm kicking myself so hard for being such a holdout!!  I could feel the difference the second I started rinsing the shampoo.  They make my hair smooth, silky and so soft!  I also use the Moroccanoil Treatment and that is probably my very favorite hair care product ever.  EVER.  

My hair stylist is going to be so proud of me when I see her again.  ;)

I love a good shoe sale!

The other day I came across Hunter boots on major sale!  So if you've been thinking about getting some but are waiting for a sale, look no further!  MAJOR sale!!

While I was browsing the sale, I found some low heeled booties that won't break the bank but are super cute!  I decided on these. (I bought the Dark Taupe Suede color but they come in 4 others as well.)  They should be in this week.  All of my booties have a higher heel and I really wanted some that were a little more casual for running around town.  And they were 50% off!  



Right now, all of the ones below are on sale so be sure to scroll through to see them all!  Shoe sales are definitely a favorite!  Especially when your size isn't sold out in every color!  Some of these are on sale for 40 and 50% off!

     


And since we're talking about shoes, I had to show you these super special ones!  

These are Christian Louboutin.  And they are butt-ugly but they kind of make me laugh.  Do you think that's the point?  ;)  They kind of remind me of the 80s when bedazzling was all the rage.

And we can't forget to add the price tag!  These beauties will set you back $1,045.  Worth it? #pleasesayno

Anyway, that's it for today!  Don't forget to join up with us in our Facebook group and find me on Instagram @amandanall and @thatinspiredchick.

And if you've had your eye on a Christmas sign from my shop, be sure to take advantage of the 10% off code that is still good through October 31st!  (Code is EARLYCHRISTMAS17 and good only for Christmas signs.)

Have a great weekend!!


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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

What's Up Wednesday!

It's time for one of my favorite linkups!  It's What's Up Wednesday with Mel, Sheaffer and Shay!  (Happy birthday, Shay!)

Today we're answering these questions...



So let's jump right in because we have been up to a lot this month!

What we're eating...

Some of my favorites this month have been my Chili and Corn Casserole and my mother-in-law's Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti.  If you ask Mason he'll tell you tacos.  And if you ask Craig he'll say my Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Casserole.

And if you ask Matthew, he'll say fish sticks and Ranch Style beans. #lordhavemercy

What I'm reminiscing about...


Halloweens past...

Look at those precious babies!!  

What I'm Loving...

My new Facebook group!  If you haven't joined yet, please go here!  I'm having so much fun getting to interact a little more with y'all, quickly post crazy good deals, ask questions on new products that may be worth trying (or may not), and so much more!

We hit 100 members Monday so I announced our first Giveaway winner already but right now (at this very moment I'm typing this) we are at 195.  Once we get to 200, we'll announce another one!  And then after that, who knows!  I may do a special coupon code for the shop or another random giveaway soon!  So be sure to check it out!

And if you are thinking "I asked to join that group last week and it still says 'pending'..." then you may have missed the technical drama which had me scrap the first one and start a new one that actually worked.  :)  So double check you are at That Inspired Chick: The Blog (good!) and not That Inspired Chick {The Blog} (bad!).  


What we've been up to...

What have we NOT been up to should be the question!  We've been so busy this month!

I celebrated the big 3-6 on the 5th with a girls night.


And I even got to celebrate a couple of nights before as well!


We had the best time EVER during the Packers/Cowboys weekend a few days later.


We had a Fair Day last Friday!


And had so much fun at the annual Harvest Party on Sunday!





(I mean...can you even stand it!?!  That's Britt and Madeley if you can't tell.  Cutest little panda and Moana I've ever seen!)




And of course, between all of this, it's been baseball and football!

Last night was Mason's last regular season game and we snapped a couple of pictures of these goofballs!



Mason and Matthew both have baseball tournaments starting on Thursday and we have football games this weekend as well.  Friday night is Trunk or Treat at church and then, of course, we'll finish out the month with trick or treating!

What I'm dreading...

All the Halloween candy.  Keep it FAR AWAY!!  My winter body has already come in and my jeans don't need candy temptations!

What I'm working on...

The Etsy Shop is busy busy!  You still have time to use the code EARLYCHRISTMAS17 for 10% off all Christmas signs!  Code expires October 31st!


I have more Christmas signs than this in the shop.  These are just newly added designs.

And then a few that have gone out this past week...






What I'm excited about...

Thanksgiving!!

What I'm watching/reading...

I have been in a binge-watching groove all month so I really haven't read a ton.  I think the last book I read before I got distracted was Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie.


This was a super cute chick-lit novel that was perfect for October.  I also didn't realize until I got to the VERY END that I'd read it before!  haha.  But it's about a girl (Andie) who was married to a hunky lawyer (North) until their passionate but incredibly short marriage ended in divorce.  And clearly, there are still unresolved feelings there.

Andie finds herself moving out to the middle of nowhere to live in super old, creepy house with North's niece and nephew who have just lost their parents and a feisty old housekeeper.  Andie will act as their teacher/caregiver for a few months and try to convince the two kids to leave the old house and come live with North.

This is so much harder than it sounds though.  Andie quickly realizes that there are more than just the kids and mean old housekeeper in the house and she tries to find a way to get the kids safely out.

This book has a little of everything.  Romance, humor, excitement, drama, mystery, suspense, ghosts and sweet kids that you'll root for the whole way through.

Find the book here.

I love all of Jennifer Crusie's books!  Check her out if you haven't already!

And as for what I'm watching, be sure to check out THIS post if you missed it!  But since then, I've finished The Goldbergs (if you grew up in the 80s you will LOVE this show!!!) on Hulu and am about to pick a new book.

What I'm wearing...

I have become obsessed with beauty products lately y'all and I think it started with this post.

The 2 new mascaras I'm trying a the moment are Charlotte Tilbury's Full Fat Lashes 5 Star Mascara and Lancomes Monsieur Big Mascara.

And I love them both!!!!

Charlotte wins for natural looking, long, separated, dark lashes.  I love the brush and it just goes on so smooth.  It gives the look of lash extensions but not a super thick mascara-y look.

Lancome wins for bringing the DRAMA!  With one coat my lashes are thick.  They are full.  They are long.  But I do 2 coats just because #gobigorgohome. 

The formula plus the brush is just magic!  




There are SO many more on my list that I want to try!!  But for now, I absolutely recommend both of these!

And for fun, I took a picture with one eye bare and one eye with ONE coat of the Lancome.  


Not bad, right?!

What I'm looking forward to next month...

Thanksgiving!  We host Thanksgiving at our house every year.  My parents and brother drive in for the day and Craig's parents and our niece, Scarlet, come and stay for several days.  I know it's hard for Scarlet's parents to let her go for Thanksgiving (they live in south Louisiana) but it is the highlight of the year for my kids and probably Scarlet too.  Mason is 7, Scarlet is 8 and Matthew is 9 so they are the perfect ages to play together.  I love seeing the three of them together, making memories!

(And yes, I totally decorated for Christmas the week of Thanksgiving last year.  It was the only time I could do it for a variety of reasons.  Some years I decorate the week of Thanksgiving and some I wait until after.  I know this can be a very controversial subject!! haha)


What else is new...

My new linkup starts Thursday, November 2nd!  It's all about Confessions!!  Post anything from the ridiculous (weird quirk maybe??) to the serious (post-partum depression?  Infertility?  Faith?).  

Feel free to link an old post too!  Just grab the graphic and link back to the blog! 


I may look for a few party co-hosts for next time too because I think it might be more fun with someone else.  ;)

And the bonus questions:

What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish??

That definitely goes to my baked mac-n-cheese!!  So easy and your guests will love it!!


Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Don't forget to go here to join the new group! You can also find me here:

Instagram: @amandanall and @thatinspiredchick
Twitter:  @amandanall
Pinterest: here
Facebook for the Etsy shop:  here
Facebook for the blog:  here

Hoping Friday comes quickly!


Happy Wednesday!!








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