Wardrobe Wednesday- Beanie and Leather Jacket

This weeks post is about trying something new again.....a beanie!  I bought a few for cheap to give it a whirl....then maybe I'll get some nicer ones

Beanie: 99c Only
Boyfriend Tee: Target
Jacket:Ross
Jeans: Ross
Boots: Ross


I think I annoyed my husband the day I wore this.  I must have asked him at least 14 times "Can I pull this look off?"  I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard to be a Seattle coffee hipster because that wasn't really my intent....even if it turned out that way

I was going for this

But it didn't quite work out the same.  She pulls it off so perfectly....still looking so feminine.  Being gorgeous doesn't hurt haha

My mother told me I looked like a biker chick.  I told her she was a crazy old woman.....but I think that may have played into my beanie insecurities.....way to go mom! ;)

The Holiday Blogging Dilemma

Every year around the holidays I have these grand ideas....a notebook full of post ideas all holiday related.  Every year I think I'm going to be the best Holiday blogger EVER (ok, not really....but I always intend to try) and then reality sets in.  I actually become a big sucky blogger.

I always think I'll have more time then I really do.  I always think I'll accomplish more than I ever can and that's not just in blogging....but in the whole holiday scheme of things in general.  Every year I get a little better.  I wrap presents a little earlier.  (I used to be up all night xmas eve with a Christmas Story playing in the background while I wrapped every single gift)  I shop a little smarter. I cook a little less.....but still somehow the blogging always takes a backseat and not because I want it to though and that's why I think it bothers me so much. 

I'll get so excited about something I'm crafting and want to run straight to my computer to blog about it right then and there.  Then, I realize it's a gift that I can't be putting online for family to see or it will ruin the surprise.  I'm sure you're thinking...no biggie right? Just blog about it after the holidays.  This is true....but I have 2 issues that come along with that.  It still leaves me with no content to blog about NOW because my blog is all about what I'm up to in the present the vast majority of the time.  Also, one bad blogging quality of mine is that if I don't blog about something right then I tend to lose momentum and excitement over it and it never makes it to the screen.  The pictures just sit in my laptop unused until I can't even remember the details of what I did anymore to write about it well...poopy!

I also feel like I'm more so writing for the next year....which again isn't a bad thing, I just wish it could be more helpful to people NOW.  For example, this year I didn't get around to posting my pie recipes and tips for Thanksgiving until just a few days before.  You know how many people probably used any of that info??....0.00 people.  (that's a Bronx Beat reference for any die hards out there)  I so wish I could be one of those bloggers who does this stuff weeks and weeks ahead of time so you have plenty of time to use it....but I can't compete with that.  I don't have the time or money to make these things twice.

So maybe this post sounds like a big whine fest....but it's more about me having high hopes and expectations and feeling like I'm just not capable of following through...which sucks.

Any other bloggers feel like this?  Do you feel like this is the hardest time of year to keep up in the blogging world?

Kids Christmas Sleepover Party

For a couple of years now I have been dreaming of having a Christmas extravaganza sleepover with my nieces.  Prior to this year though I worked two weekends a month and you know how quickly those go by in the month of December....not to mention that one weekend is always my birthday weekend so it really only leaves one.

Well, just a few months ago I got the amazing opportunity to get a Mon-Fri schedule with a new  position and jumped at that chance.  That means this year would finally be the year for the festivities I had been dreaming of!

Let's get started......

The first thing I did was save the date with their parents in like....September lol.  Maybe I was a little eager beaver but I know that month is hectic for everyone and the schedule fills up fast.  Then, about 2 weeks before I sent out official invitations

Sure I could have just called them and invited them, but what kid doesn't love getting mail?

 I put together a package of "Sleepover essentials" that I wrapped up as gifts for them to open upon arrival.  Each kiddo got a mug for cocoa, a Christmas plate, an apron for crafts, a snack bucket, a chocolate bar, and a box of gummy lifesavers

See MoMo supervising there?  She just wanted to be a part of things

After a few minutes of play time and loving on the cat, we started our first activity: Snoopy gingerbread doghouses

But first they had to put on their aprons

Then they set to work on their houses

I really liked this particular kit. They each got their own little house and with them being smaller everything was a little easier to handle and faster.  I think if it had been bigger and just one big house and not their own they would have lost interest much sooner

Then it was about tome for some grub! I kept it super simple and made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  A general crowd pleaser for kids and minimal effort on my part.

But I just can't help myself and cut them into Christmas shapes....it had to be done

While our tummies digested we had a Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt.  It was such a big hit!  Even more than I expected it to be.  Go HERE to read a full post on it.

They loved it so much we ended up making more "I spy" games using all the Christmas decorations around the house.  It was so much fun!

Then it was time for present making.  I bought some really cool mason jar mugs with straws at 99c Only and a bunch of enamel acrylic paints.  I gave them some brushes and let them have at it

It was late by then and time to start winding down.  I set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and mini candy canes.  I also put a spread of snack foods for them to create their own movie munch mix.  

Chex mix, peanut M& Ms, popcorn, pretzels....and more

This way they got to use the mug and bucket I gave them.  All set for movie time!

This one ^^ stayed up with me pretty late.  The other two however were out just a few minutes into A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Around midnight (yep...midnight) we finally called it quits

In the morning I made pancakes for breakfast with some subtle Christmas sprinkles for extra jolliness

Last but not least, before their parents came to pick them up we wrapped the mugs they painted.  I had baked and cooled them the night before to set the paint

We went through an obscene amount of tape but I really wanted to give them free rein when it came to the wrapping.  I think it's cuter that way ;)

Well that's the extent of the sleepover.  They had a lot of fun and so did I. Although I did need a 2 hour nap after they left....but it's all good!

Merry Christmas!

Wardrobe Wednesday- Grey shirt with Lace Insert Sleeves

I go through major color phases.  One spring I had about 7 yellow shirts, another year I bought EVERYTHING in shades of brown, and right now I can't get enough grey in my wardrobe. It just looks so nice with everything!

Shirt: Thrifted Route 66

Jeans: Ross

Boots: Ross

Bangles: 99c Only

I fell in love with this shirt the second I saw it on Goodwill.  Lace is a big trend this year and I love that it is just in the sleeves...a perfect touch to an otherwise very simple shirt.  It's also one of the most comfy shirts ever! So soft and the flowiness allows me to eat a big meal and still cover up my food baby stomach lol

I hope you all have a wonder {Wardrobe} Wednesday!

MoMo Monday- Potty Time

You know those embarrassing pictures your mom took of you when you were little?

You know the ones of you going poo poo on the potty like a big boy/girl?

Well I'm pretty sure these pictures here are the feline equivalent

She makes the funniest face while dropping a deuce....but I'm sure I do too.  But lucky for me nobody is snapping pictures while I do it

Oh and for the record....I only took these pictures because I had the idea for this post.  I don't make a habit of taking photos of my dear child defecating.  Just thought I should be clear on that ;) 

Wardrobe Wednesday- Destroyed Denim and Button Up Blouse

I'm switching things up over here.  Today's Wardrobe Wednesday is featuring my sister Bree instead of myself.  Her outfit on Thanksgiving was just too cute to not share...way cuter than my outfit was that day haha

Shirt: Kohls

Jeans: Kohls

Shoes: Payless

It's one of those outfits that's super simple but makes you look put together and nice with minimal effort.  The perfect mix of casual with the destroyed denim and relaxed shoe but paired with a nice button up for balance.  She has even master the perfect front tuck...I need to try this look out on myself here Asap!

I had previously been hesitant about the whole moccasin trend but this look alone is making me rethink it.  I may  need to see it on myself and judge whether or not I can pull it off

Happy {Wardrobe} Wednesday!

MoMo Monday- Go Wildcats!

I've mentioned this before....but The Boy is the only Wildcat in my family full of Sun Devils.  This past Saturday was the big rivalry game and they all went together. 

Here's The Boy reppin his "A" while they can all go fork themselves ;)

Well.....the Wildcats got their booties kicked.  But being a Cardinals fan and a Wildcat you get used to these kinds of things lol

BUT....either way he had MoMo at home cheering along with him. Here she is posing for a picture with Wilbur

And laying on his U of A blankie watching a game

MoMo says..."Go Wildcats!"