small style {toddler TOMS}.

We were at the mall to get shoes for the hubs. But temptation got the best of me and I gave in when I saw the light shining down on a pair of toddler glitter TOMS. Ok, the light wasn't literally shining down, but there was definitely a sparkle in my eye when I saw them. Audrey no doubt loved the fact that they were sparkly and pink. [Silver ones were for sale too, but they didn't stand a chance against pink with Audrey.] Of course, what sealed the deal was the fact that the shoes were TOMS. If you aren't familiar with the brand, you should definitely check them out. Basically, for every shoe you purchase, they give one away. Every family member now owns a pair except for Naomi, which will happen eventually. [Just for the record, I own gold glitter TOMS. Yes.]

Audrey is wearing:
Jean vest: second-hand child's store
Plaid dress: Chaps, hand-me down from a friend
Leggings: Hanna Anderson, hand-me down
Shoes: TOMS
Left hand: Princess Tiana

Naomi is wearing:
Purple shirt: Target
Striped leggings: second-hand child's store, originally from Target
Shoes: Hanna Anderson, garage sale when pregnant with Audrey
Bow headband: Me, but I don't knit, the actual bow I purchased from Brightside Studios Etsy Shop

And a picture of how Naomi takes her sisterly love so well...

Linking up today with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa!

P.S. I have been doing a little online shopping this week for the kiddos in the next size up. Have you checked out the Tea Collection sale? I grabbed this, this and this. I got an extra 10% off by signing up by email. Then I picked up some onsies at Barley and Birch that were 80% off, plus I got an extra 20% just by googling a coupon code. I'm not affiliated with either of these labels, nor am I getting paid to write this. I just LOVE sharing good sales out there! Oh, I also made one splurge on Naomi's first birthday dress, The Mini Social has Misha Lulu going on right now, so using a little bit of credit, I snagged the most adorable hot air balloon dress, which is serving as the inspiration for her birthday theme. [She doesn't turn one till October, but I saw the dress and knew that was going to be for her party. Plus, since it's a dress, she can get double wear out of it and use it as a top eventually.] Do you know of any good deals going on right now? Please share. [Although, the hubs may not like you for it.]

a reminder to myself.

Sometimes I need to remind myself that breakfast doesn't have to be just breakfast. It's a time to take in Audrey's sweet gap-tooth smile while we talk about what we want to do for the day and share what we are thankful for. Or to count Naomi's toesy-woesy's while she reaches for them with her dimpled fingers. The car rides aren't just to get from one place to another, but moments to talk about how God created the trees and oh, look there's Diego in the tree over there. And to sneak glimpses in the rear view mirror of sisters gushing over each other in their car seats. Getting a toddler dressed in the morning is much more fun when kissing machine is involved. Bedtime stories aren't just the final step before ahhh, sleep, finally, rather it's moments to travel together to far off place on clouds of pink cotton and talk about the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly and to feel the arch on their smooth baby skin backs. The early morning wake ups with mama, let's play and Rapunzel dangling in my face is actually the best way to wake.

Taken at the park earlier in the week. Thankful for my phone when I don't have my camera.

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I just need to remind myself that the everyday is extraordinary.



diy dining room table.

A couple of months ago I randomly decided I didn't like our dining room table anymore and I sold it on Craigslist that night. [I even made a little bit off of it-score.]

This is what our dining area used to look like. [Picture taken in fall 2010.]

I didn't have a real plan for the next table, I just knew I wanted something more modern. For about five weeks we didn't have a table to eat from. Our meals consisted of picnics on the floor and sitting at the two barstools we own. I didn't want to just settle on a table because we needed one. But I also didn't want to spend a lot because we don't plan on living here but for maybe another year.

Then I saw this table and was inspired. A DIY table. Sure!

source

Mother's Day weekend we made a trip to Ikea and bought the chairs I wanted. And that same weekend I just happened to find a frame on Craigslist (that was originally from Ikea)  for a table that was a perfect match in my eyes. [It actually came with a top, but it was lame-o, so we tossed it.] The handy-dandy husband bought some Birch wood from Lowe's for the top. He measured, cut, sanded, rounded the corners, stained with a really really light white-wash, and then polyurethaned a couple of times. [Happy Mother's Day to me.]

And now this is my new dining room table and chairs that I looooooove. [Along with new wall color, new windows, patched holes, and trim since the before picture above.]

One of my favorite parts about the table is the industrial-looking bolts. I should just throw a wrench on the top and call it a day.

Wanna see what our kitchen looked like before we got a hold of it? Check it out here, it was a doozy!

P.S. I love sharing home stuff and hopefully I will be doing that more often. I think it's fun to sneak a peek in other homes and get inspired, or be like oh good, they have a messy house like me. shew. And just for the record, I totally cleaned the dining room table off for you, it very rarely looks like that. Keeping it real.

small style {and a little lamb}.

Audrey usually picks a toy of the day to carry around with her everywhere. Sometimes it's a little toy horse, or a princess (a lot of times it is this), or even a big stuffed animal.

A couple of days ago, it was the lamb. I caught her singing multiple times Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Audrey is wearing:

White top: vintage, used to be my little sister's, from Mexico, I think

Blue undershirt: H&M

Tan shorts: Target

Boots: gifted, she insisted on these even though it was 104 outside (Hey, I chose my battles.)

Linking up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa. She is such a doll, go say hi wouldya and check out all the other cuties linked up too! Happy Thursday, folks!

eight. months. old.

Last night Audrey spent a good forty-five minutes playing beauty salon with me. She made me push my lips out just so to put pretend lipstick on, then she gently used my makeup brushes to apply eye shadow and blush. Over and over and Mama, your makeup came off, here let me help you again. Okay, it's time for dance class, go get a dress on. She picks out my long blue one for me to wear, with three hairclips and a headband in my hair, courtesy of her, of course. This was at 9:30 at night. Then we had a brownie. [I'm not always the best mama-setting example. But we sure do have fun every now and then.]

She's so girly. And careful and considerate of other people's feelings, like if someone is crying she wants to fix it right away. She has such a loving heart for her sister. I absolutely adore her little personality sprouting as a two year old. [Also, she is totally sassy and letmethrowmyselfontheground when I throw a fit two year old. But I'm going to focus on the I duv you so much mama you look like Snow White, two year old.]

And Naomi. Oh my. Don't even get me started. Since the day she was born she has made me want another baby. She turned eight months old yesterday, but I swear she was just making her fast and furious entrance into the world just last week. So, I'm pretty much baffled at her age. Where did eight months go? She is my rolly-polly in more ways than one. She isn't crawling yet, but she can roll herself around like it's her job, put her on some slick floor and she scoots herself backwards and around and around in circles. She learned to clap a couple of weeks ago, not full out clap, but definitely gets the concept. She is a great eater, and still going strong with nursing. Although, she won't really nurse in public, way too many distractions for the girl. Her sleeping isn't bad either. On average (some days are tougher for sure!) she is getting up once around 5 in the morning (going to bed about 7:30). This past week she had her first experience at the pool and loved it. Also, don't hate me for saying this, but she hardly ever, ever cries. Teething-yes, belly ache-yes, over-tired-yes, but these are few and far in between. [I have been on both sides-Audrey was a crier.] Naomi is my laid back sweet doll baby, with a good tan.

Just for the record, it is getting harder and harder to get a picture of her without movement. This is what happened right after I snapped the above picture.

It is so true when they say the days are long, but the years are short.

6 years going on 11.

[Gushy post. Be warned.]

I was a baby when we met at the young age of 17. I was practically still a baby when we got engaged at 21. And a youngin' to get married at 22. [Which brings us to almost 11 years since we first started dating-whoa, whoa.]

Here we are, six years, two houses and two babies later. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't take marriage lightly. I don't ever want to take for granted waking up to the man of my dreams. [Seriously, folks, he is my prince charming, as Audrey likes to put it.] In fact, I still get butterflies when I get dolled up to go on a date with him. Especially when he wears cologne. Nothing like a good smellin' fella.

June 4th, 2005

For fun, I went through my old June pictures of us together and created a collage. After I made it, I realized I forgot 2006. Apparently, that wasn't my favorite year. And yes, notice the trend in pregnancies. So what does that mean next year will bring? Hmmmm...

And here we are now, 2011. This picture was taken tonight on our little date to Olive Garden to celebrate.

Now you will have to excuse me, I have some Tiramsu in the fridge calling my name and a handsome man waiting to watch a movie with me while the kiddos sleep.

small style.

Last week I didn't get a chance to link up with Morgan over at Mama Loves Papa for Small Style Thursday, because, well, a tornado hit our city. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Thankfully our home wasn't touched, but just about a mile from us giant trees were uprooted and roofs torn off. Some homes were really damaged, we took a drive around, it was so sad to see it upclose. But, so far this week, the weather has been very hot and beautiful. Which for me, calls for some fun bright colors to wear!

Naomi is wearing:
Overalls: Osh-kosh, gifted
Yellow Tank: Baby Eggi via The Mini Social
Hairclip: Once Upon a Child-second hand child's store

Audrey has the cutest smile, with the biggest gaps between her upper teeth. right now i think it is so stinkin' cute,

 but unfortunately for her, braces will definitely be in her future!

Audrey is wearing:

Green Tank: Baby Eggi

Skirt: Made by me, Rosemary's Cuppa

Sandals: Umi, 6pm.com

Bracelet: Etsy

Hairclip: Me

Shoes in her hand: cheap plastic high heels that she absolutely loves to wear around the house

I hope you are having a lovely week. I can't believe it's already Thursday. I'm looking forward to celebrating our six year wedding anniversary this Saturday!