Fall Boots (La Posh Style)

You know fall is in the air when you're looking at boots again.  If you're in the market for a new pair (or two), La Posh Style has some new styles!  At great prices too- under $60!

I'm a short girl that loves tall boots!

baby james (18 months)

A year and a half old! Wow!  It just keeps getting better and better.  

Now James is really starting to talk to us and we actually understand what he's saying!  Mostly he says "Gabba Gabba" because he wants to watch Yo Gabba Gabba.  Is it any wonder I'm hearing this in my dreams?!?!

James really loves music now and will dance anytime he hears it, doing the famous baby dance, bouncing up and down.  The cutest thing he's doing lately is trying to snap his fingers- I couldn't figure out what he was doing when I first saw it, but then realized he's imitating me!!  

He's such a little monkey these days too, climbing all over everything!

He threw his first temper tantrum when I pulled him off the table and told him "no"- he was so dramatic, flailing on the floor.  I was stunned at first, because I've never seen him do that, so I almost laughed, but held back and tried to ignore it.  Thankfully, it only lasted a few seconds.



Then he played with his crayons and the adorable little crayon holder that Lauren from Whimsy Lane made him.  Thank you Lauren!

Later that day, we must not have pulled the strap tight enough while shopping, because I looked back and saw this.  He was trying to get the Yo Gabba Gabba video in the cart!  Note to self: keep those straps tightened!

Going to restaurants is interesting these days, but we've discovered that James loves hummus.  Maybe it's the dipping.

He's just a big boy now, sitting up at the table all by himself (but still eats in the high chair).

 James is still as squirmy as ever and I have to change his diaper and put on his clothes at mock speed.  A sweet blog reader, Rachel, sent me a package of Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers to try- you don't have to fasten the sides, just pull them up- Genius!!

His vocabulary is expanding by the day too.  It's so fun to talk to him now and to realize that he understands what we're saying to him.  

HAIR - New Blog Love (It's The Small Things)

I was browsing Pinterest and found a pin from Brooklyn Limestone of this gorgeous girl's fabulous hair!

Turns out, the gorgeous girl is Kate, a professional hairstylist with a blog called It's the Small Things.  

On her blog, she shows us how to achieve her fantastic hairstyle with a - get this- full VIDEO Tutorial!! Yay!!  And that's not the only video tutorial- she's got lots of others.  Or, she'll teach us how to do these styles:

French Braid

Messy Ponytail

Twisted Bangs

She also writes about her favorite hair products, offer hairstyling tips and tricks, but also does DIY decor projects! 

Check Kate and her blog out HERE!

I'm thinking that when I get sick of my long hair, I'd like to go for Kate's chic hairstyle!

Interview at Serenity Now

One of my first blog friends was the kind-hearted, sincere, and funny Amanda at Serenity Now.  She is incredibly down-to-earth, funny, and genuine.  Amanda is one of those people that, as soon as you read her blog, you can see yourself sitting down to chat with her over coffee at Starbucks, laughing and sharing stories about parenting, running a household, decor and life in general.  She "gets" it and that's why I love her.

I answered Amanda's thoughtful interview questions about blogging, meals, magazines, fashion and more at her blog and you can check it out here!  

Teacher Thank You

Inspired by some of my creative girlfriends, and with desire to thank James' teachers for being a blessing while we transition him from home with babysitter to daycare, I picked up a few Starbuck's gift cards as a small "thank you".



Using mini notecards and envelops, I created a message for each teacher that said "Thank You for making school fun" to include with the $10 gift card.

The envelops were created with my favorite "Honey Script" font.

I hope they like them!  

On the way home from school yesterday, James and I stopped at Starbuck's and had a little date.  He insisted on bringing Monkey and wubby (his blanket) inside too.  He ordered the chocolate milk and I had an iced tall 2-pump mocha.  We sat on the patio and chatted, "cheersings" our drinks too many times because he thinks its funny and I'm addicted to the sound of his laugh and the way he looks when he can't contain the laughter.  It was a sweet 15 minute stop on the way home that just might become a weekly tradition.

Man, I love this kid!!!  So, do you have any special "dates" with your kiddos?  I remember loving hearing about Cassie's holiday dates with her kids last year.  It's such a precious thing to be able to create and enjoy these moments with our kids and family.  

Pioneer Woman

Although her blog is wildly popular, I wasn't really familiar with The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummund, until I found her cookbook while browsing Barnes & Noble with my husband and son on a recent Saturday morning.

I love Ree's story of how she met her Marlboro Man and he rescued her from the hectic pace of city life in exchange for life on a ranch.  Our lives seem impossibly different as I live in the 4th largest city in the U.S. and she lives in a small town ranch.  But I just enjoy her so much!  Not to mention that she is a photographer with amazing talent for capturing beautiful real-life images.  Her tutorials are awesome too.



This weekend I recorded and watched her new show on Food Network.  She cooked the kind of food that I know my husband wishes I would cook for him (chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes - with lots of butter - and gravy from the grease drippings, and sausage breakfast sandwiches).   I think it would make my hubby so happy, so I'm gonna surprise him and cook it for him this week:)

Did you catch the show too?  What did you think?  

Upholstered Headboard

Our bedroom is on my list of rooms in our house that I'd really like to revamp.  We brought to our new home the furniture we had in our old townhouse and it doesn't reflect the look I'd like to achieve, so some changes are in order.  



I plan to replace our dark square leather headboard for a curved upholstered headboard.  I think it will soften the room and give it a more romantic, peaceful quality that I'm after.

The leather club chair and ottoman need to go too.

The bedroom below from Love This Life is one of my favorites.   I love the monochromatic look that is still interesting.  The gorgeous paneled ceiling and floor to ceiling windows don't hurt either!

The Ashley Goforth designed bedroom is another one of my favorites.

And I've always admired this peek at the bedroom below.

I've seen some gorgeous DIY upholstered headboards, but I'm not that ambitious, so I've been searching the different varieties for sale.  We have a king bed, so that's what I've been looking for.

I'm leaning towards the High Fashion Home one because it's not just the headboard, and it also has nailhead trim.  But I'm not crazy about the price.  What do you think?