Monday's Top 5 {#13}

Happy Monday, friends!!! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! We did...we mostly stayed at home which was so nice....

Do you dread Mondays? I hope not.  I decided a long time ago that life is just too short to dread Mondays! 
If you do...I hope you can find a way to make some changes in your life so that you don't always dread them.
Now...I know you can't just quit your job or move to another state...but you can change your mindset....and....you will be surprised at how you can make big changes and still survive.
You just have to have some faith and trust!

Today, I want to share with you my Top 5...I hope at least one of them will make you smile, encourage you, inspire you or give you some hope!


1) Photo Inspiration

Here is the Ultimate Family Photo Planning Guide
Check out this post for some tips on poses, outfits, picking a photographer, frames, etc....lots of information!!

Found at The Dating Divas


2) Lady Inspiration

3) Organizing Inspiration

7 tips for organizing toys

Found at i heart nap time

4) Life Inspiration

I LOVE LUCY!!!

5) American Inspiration

Happy Birthday, America!!!!

xoxox...

Coming soon.... $25 EC gift card giveaway....

Coming very soon.....

In honor of my 100th post I will be giving away a

$25 Erin Condren gift card!!!!

Do you love calendars, life planners, note cards, address books, wedding planners, teacher lesson planners, stickers and more?!?!????!!?

Check out the Erin Condren website HERE...

I bought my first EC Life Planner last year and I just ordered my 2nd one.... It's the first planner I have purchased and actually used ALL year long!

This is the cover of mine from last year.

xoxox...

The One with the Liebster Award

Several weeks ago, Elizabeth from All Kinds of Things nominated me for a Liebster Award....

It was such an honor!

Check our her blog here......

Let's start by me telling you what the Liebster Award is::: it's an online award by bloggers for bloggers.  It is usually given to up and coming bloggers, just who you think deserves recognition for their blog!

Liebster is a German word loosely meaning: sweetheart, lovely, darling, etc.

Here are the Liebster Award Rules:

1.  You much link back to the person who nominated you

2.  You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee before you

3.  You must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award

4.  You must create 10 questions for your nominee

5.  You must go to their blogs and notify the nominees

Here are my 10 questions from Elizabeth:

1.  What is your favorite way to spend the weekend?

My favorite way to spend the weekend is at home with my family.  I love having nothing on our schedule...but that is very rare.  My favorite weekend would include watching Netflix, cooking out & enjoying my husband's steak & shrimp and catching up on housework (seriously!)

2.  How would you describe your sense of style?

My sense of style...that is a great question!  At the moment I'm still trying to figure out what that is.  My hope is to only have things in my closet that I LOVE.... 

3.  Who is your biggest hero?

Here on Earth...my biggest hero is my husband.  He is just the epitome of all the qualities I strive to be more like....  He is selfless - full of joy - brave - full of confidence - and puts the Lord first, always 

4.  What is your favorite holiday? Why?

I will give you my top 3...
Christmas because hello - we get to celebrate our Savior...
and I like twinkly lights.
Thanksgiving - because it's all about family & food
and...
My Birthday - I know, I know. ..but I really do love my birthday, always have.  I think everyone should do whatever they want on their birthday! It is my special day and the people in my life always make me feel so loved!

5.  What do you consider to be your dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be on a beach somewhere exotic.  Beautiful ocean waters and just being able to lounge around and read lots of books! I would never have to look at my watch or phone :)  ...I would just go and do as I pleased with no interruptions... no matter what time/day it was.

6.  What is your greatest accomplishment?

Besides my two babies and marrying a man who loves God more than me....
My biggest accomplishment is receiving my Master's Degree last December.  I worked long and hard for that degree...but I'm so glad that I did.

7.  Coffee, Tea or Soda?

Definitely coffee.  I drink it pretty much everyday.  I went the whole month of January without drinking it because I use the unhealthy creamers in it....I made it the whole month...but I was so happy to drink it again on February 1st.

8.  Fruit or Candy?

Definitely fruit.  I really like fruit...especially strawberries, bananas and pineapple.  
Now if it was - Fruit or Chocolate? 
...that answer might be a different. :)

9.  In one sentence, how would you describe your blog?

My blog is my creative outlet and is completely therapeutic for me...

10.  Which of all of your blog posts was your favorite to write? 

My favorite blog post is my very first one... 
Welcome to My Little World

My 10 nominees aren't all necessarily new bloggers...but they are new to me! I love Bloglovin' so I searched for some of my favorite words and found these bloggers that way....I chose bloggers that had fewer than 300 followers on Bloglovin'...so I thought that might count :)
Two of them (Ericka & Ginger) I know in real life...and I think they are wonderful women!
All of these ladies deserve this award!!!

I hope you enjoy these blogs as well....

Here are my 10 nominees:

Ericka from Ericka Moore Photography 
Ginger from Redhead Ramblings
Jordyn from She Who Fears
Olga from Vintage Pretty
Meghan from Cupcakes with Sprinkles

Lauren from Peace - Love - Lauren
Narci from Grace & Love
Orly from Coffee Beans and High Heels
Charlotte from Fading Tulips
Meghan from Champagne and Suburbs

and here are your 10 questions:

1.  What inspires you?

2. What is your morning routine?

3.  What 5 people (dead or alive) would you invite to dinner?

4.  What is your favorite social media?

5.  How would you describe your blog in one sentence?

6. If you go to a coffee shop, what do you order?

7. What is one thing on your Bucket List? 

8. What books are you reading right now?

9.  What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

10.  Do you dread Mondays?

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Don't forget about our next Link Party!!!

Good News Friday {#4}

Oh this lady is precious....

Her name is Kathy Holick and she is a crossing guard in Newtown, Connecticut (near Sandy Hook).  She loves to make people happy and does that by dancing during her work....trying to cheer people up each day.

She not only spreads cheer through her dancing ... but also through her social media.

Here is a video of her at work....and also one of her posts from her Facebook Page. 

Newtown's Smiling Traffic Agent

Public Figure · 1,431 Likes

 · June 22 at 5:24am · 

You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth.

William W. Purkey

Like · Comment · Share · 44

Here is a link to her Facebook Page...

(original story found here)

Hope you ALL have a fabulous weekend!!!!

The One with the 10th Anniversary... The Notebook

Well, I couldn't let the day get away without posting about the 10th Anniversary of the movie, The Notebook.

I can't believe it has been 10 years!!!  

I am a hopeless romantic and this movie is at the top of my list.

Luckily, I read the book first.  

The book is ALWAYS better, but this movie is pretty darn good.

The Notebook was the first published book by the now super famous Nicholas Sparks.  

It came out in 1996.

In 1998, my good friend and hair stylist, Cindy Johnston, recommended the book to me.

That fall I took off for college in Denton and packed that book with me.  

It was a book that deepened my love for reading.

I was thrilled to learn that a movie was being made.  I know I am not alone in this.  Many girls are in love with Noah and Allie and their love for each other.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

If you've been living under a rock....go watch this movie, but do yourself a favor and read the book first.

If you hate the book or the movie...Ummm, I guess we can still be friends...

Just kidding....I can totally respect difference of opinions!

Happy 10th Anniversary to The Notebook!!!

xoxox...

What I Wore Wednesday {#10}

Hello.  It's What I Wore Wednesday... I started linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy a couple of months ago and it has been fun! Right now I feel like my closet is pretty limited.  I remember going back and looking at all of Lindsey's older posts and thinking --- she knows exactly what she likes and she wears it often .... I loved that.  I love the idea of only wearing things you love and who cares how often you wear it... what matters is that you love it and it makes you happy!! 

I have a few things I'd like to let go of and some things I'd love to add...but for now I'm trying to be patient and enjoy what I do have in my closet!

Are you linking up as well? Leave me a comment and let me know.  I'd love to see what you are wearing too! 

Wednesday - CRCG meeting

office work

church

Cardigan - JCPenney

Sequined top - Banana Republic (new)

Jeans - J. Jill

Shoes - Petite Sophisticate

Necklace - Lisa Leonard Designs

Watch - Michael Kors

Thursday - work

Shirt - Old Navy

Jeans - Ann Taylor (new)

Shoes - Old Navy

Earrings - from my friend Maryam

Watch - Michael Kors

Jonah had swimming lessons last week and I popped in to take these pictures of him.  He's growing too fast! 

Sunday - church

Shirt - Calvin Klein

Tank - Old Navy

Jeans (grey) - Ann Taylor (new)

Shoes - Petite Sophisticate

Rubber band bracelet - made by Olivia

Sunday afternoon/evening -

Grocery shopping, cleaning the house

Shirt - Canton Trade Days

It says... Your mom called and said you left your game at home.

hahahaha :)

Pants - Adidas

Sandals - Old Navy

Watch - Michael Kors

My least two favorite sayings are: It is what it is and Happy Hump Day... a while back a clever friend of ours sent me this text:

It still makes me laugh!

I hope you all have a great hump day Wednesday!

xoxoxo...

Memory Verse {#2}

Here is another memory verse.  

Olivia got to be recorded saying it this time!

I just love them! They are so sweet and precious!

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

Acts 16:31

Here is a link to Memory Verse {#1}

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Also, coming July 14th will be our next Link Party!

Join us for Family Fun Activities....

Monday's Top 5 {#12}

Hello.  It is Monday again...but I am here to share my Top 5 things with you today ... in hopes that they will brighten your Monday.

1) Lovely Inspiration

Let me introduce you to my Aunt Kim Buckley and my cousin Bergan Buckley

...it's the Mom/Daughter Duo behind the new little business, White Trash with a Little Bit of Class!

These girls are beyond talented!

You will find lots and lots of cute finds if you come across them at a craft show! 

You can also like their Facebook Page...

2) Geek Inspiration

In case I have any readers that are Star Wars fans ;)

3) Beauty/Home Inspiration

Obviously, I'm into arrows.  Go Indians!

Isn't this jewelry holder....super cute?

via lemonademakinmama.com

4) Home Inspiration

Are you interested in painting your front door a new, bold color?

Check out this post...

I love the color of this one!!!

via brightboldbeautiful.com

5) Life Inspiration

Life is too short to dread Mondays...but it is also too short to hold onto things for "one day"...

Let everyday of your life be a special occasion!

use the china - wear that pretty dress you've been saving - call your folks, even if it's not their birthday - write that book you've been meaning to - let your daughter play dress up in your fancy shoes - take the plastic off that couch (ok I only know a couple of people that have plastic on their couch, really.) ...but seriously, life is too short.

I hope you have a fabulous week!

xoxoxo....

The One with Our 2nd Anniversary...

On Monday, June 16th we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary.

We have another small trip planned in September so instead of doing something grandiose we decided to take a mini vacay in Dallas.  

This is where we stayed...the Le Meridien, Stoneleigh.  It was absolutely beautiful.

Our plans were to go to the Dallas Museum of Art...but thanks to my casual planning...we learned that it was actually closed on Mondays. :)

We had lunch at Chuy's and then went to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science...we still had fun!

We need to take the kids back someday!

After our visit to the museum we went back to our hotel and enjoyed a walk around the fancy neighborhood.

We spied this mobile barbershop called Fly! 

Ingenious...if you ask me.

After that we spent some time shopping at the Dallas Galleria and then we got ready for our dinner reservations.

We went to The Old Warsaw and it was soooo good!

I love this man so much.  A day does not go by that he doesn't honor me, love me, encourage me and make me feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world.  

I will go anywhere with him.  I don't care if we are at home, at a museum or at a ballgame...wherever it is I am happy because I am with him.  He makes this life fun and full of love!

A picture of us from Father's Day...

Happy Anniversary, Jason!

It has been a blessed two years...