fairytales

the tucker family

2013-06-18T13:48:00.001-04:00

{all photos courtesy of Jessica Lorren //worlds greatest photographer}

{dress is kate spade through rent the runway}

looking at these photos i have to wonder, how did i ever get so lucky?

i love these boys. they are the worlds cutest, sweetest, lambiest out there.

i love that pup. even if she did eat a pair of shoes this weekend.

i'll gladly be barefoot for her.

looking at these photos, i think, have i ever been happier?

annnnnd - nope, is definitely the answer.

{a big thanks to jess for capturing our engagement, wedding, personal headshots, my best friends wedding, photo shoots, and my pregnancy. and now my family!

You have such a gift, and you are such a gift from God to us. }

Love affair with Rikshaw Design and a giveaway

2013-06-17T08:45:00.001-04:00

A giveaway from Rikshaw Design to perk your monday morning up? yes! Rikshaw Design has the prettiest designs and all in the softest cotton voile. They are my go to gifts for new babies - especially baby girls. I'd like to outfit every bed in my house in head to toe Rikshaw. oh and those robes? i'm not sure i'd ever get out of it. The whole lounge collection is just dreamy. as in, when i'm wearing their lounge, I just want to stay in bed with my babe and dream.

{bloomers // baby sleep sack // baby romper // robes // night shirt // camp shirt}

Today you can win these adorable anchor lounge pants from Rikshaw Design!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$100 Joules Credit Giveaway

2013-06-13T08:01:00.001-04:00

Tuck loves his Joules footed onesie. It's the cutest and the coziest! Today you can win a $100 shop credit to Joules What would I pick? These welly's for sure. Or one of these adorable boys jackets for Tuck. Or this pet bed for Lola. Or this striped tunic for me (:

Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a breastfeeding story // nursing mama's helpers

2013-06-10T08:53:00.001-04:00

breastfeeding is a hot topic. You are hard pressed to find anyone without an opinion one way or the other. ...

some say ... you should definitely do it but this is how long you should do it for. and if beyond this age, you are an official freak show. or people tell you don't do it, your boobs are for your husband. or or or. you get it, people have opinions! whether or not you should voice those to an expecting or new mom .... well, let's just say it could come back to bite you one day.

I am not one of those women that breastfeeding just came naturally. To be totally transparent today, it has been the hardest part of motherhood for me so far. I have moments where I'm glad I've done it, and moments where I feel a bit trapped. One of the grandma's is watching him for an hour and I'm paralyzed because // what if he doesn't have enough milk // how long will it take to thaw out the milk, etc. etc. And it's part of my personality; to try to do everything for the ones I love. but here's my philosophy on it - breastfeeding is not synonymous with being a good mother. doing what's best for your child is.

My mother breastfed all of her babies and being that her thoughts on health align with mine, I figured - of course I'd do it. There's this part of me that really cannot stand assumptions and especially so about my body/baby. When I was pregnant and many people would just assume that was my plan ... I'd get a little irked by it. What if I couldn't? What if, what if, what if? To this day when people ask me or my husband if I'm still breastfeeding - we've both felt compassion for the woman who chooses not to. Almost always when I say yes, the person questioning me gives me a sigh of relief. Or an -Oh good! good for you! I've wondered what if I said no ... what kind of response would I get then?

i have my masters in health promotion and over the course of those studies I researched a lot about the benefit of breastfeeding. backed with that knowledge i figured it would be a breeze, it would motivate me to continue.

i considered myself pretty well versed on the literature side of things.

so when tuck was born, i wasn't really prepared. sure, I was prepared on paper, but practically ... not at all. i had a breast friend (jb would say... but I'mmmmm your breast friend. lol.), a pump, and nipple cream. but when it came to holding a teeny tiny newborn to breastfeed, i was a TOTAL rookie. was i going to crush him? would i fall asleep on top of him while feeding him? is he latching right? what does that even mean? what the heck is the football hold? and OMG. OUCH. is this supposed to hurt? and if it hurts they say i must be doing it wrong! *@&#&!!

my lactation consultant was anything but a breastfeeding nazi, she actually told me to not worry about breastfeeding. in the very beginning I supplemented with formula for a few days before my supply came in. i can't really describe in words the kind of guilt I felt for it. the baby blues, exhaustion and my lack luster lactation consultant all told me to take care of number 1 // me. today, and while my hormones aren't dropping rapidly and i feel more sane, i don't feel that guilt. formula isn't anywhere close to the devil. the truth is you do have to take care of yourself. preferably, without the weight of mom guilt (which is a guilt like no other). what's best for each family is different, and that's for y'all to decide. but having had a hard time learning to breastfeed, i also feel this crazy desire to support and encourage anyone who chooses that path. Please if you don't have a lot of support, feel free to reach out to me.

Currently my baby is almost always breastfed, but I have started to offer a bit of formula. The main reason being that if I am away, he will have a taste for it. This took a long time though. At first he would not even try it. Little man has champagne taste apparently.

wedding season was hard on little tuck and my supply. after each wedding it would take a week or two just to get my supply up again. And Pumping is hard to do on big wedding days! It always came down to the wire as well, and I was always wondering whether I had left enough milk with my mama or JB.

But I always had. just enough.

Now that wedding season is over and I'm able to spend more time at home with my tuck, nursing is a lot easier. And I'm building up a big supply thanks to some natural products. I wish I would have tried in the beginning! And here's also a little list of all of the things that have helped me. Hopefully they'll help me reach my goal of 1 year.

zulily always has cute nursing covers like the above // honest company prenatals - whole food based and don't upset my tummy. ps: if you're nursing, you still need your prenatals. // mrs. patel's fenugreek bars and milk tea chai are spicy, yummy, and kick milk production into gear // milky's are all natural little shots to increase the quality and quantity of milk. they taste like a strawberry snow cone to me! // brest friend - though i don't use it anymore, in those first few weeks i'm not sure what i would have done without mine. // water. lots and lots of it. i enjoy being fancy with sparkling water on occasion // oh and oatmeal is my breakfast these days - that helps!

and if you made it to the end of all of this, i commend you!!

ps:

pssssst! i think the above would make a great gift for an expecting mama planning on nursing(:

gotta set her up for success!

Saturday Morning

2013-06-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

fresh donuts, cuban food, bff's and baby tuck.

that's what saturday morning dreams are made of.

{outfit details: tote/dress/ similar hat / watch / sunnies}

5 months // and a note to myself in twenty years

2013-06-07T14:42:00.002-04:00

my baby is five months old today! the range of emotions i feel by just simply typing that cannot be properly expressed here. or anywhere. besides inside my heart. i'm constantly amazed by this little person. he is such a good natured human. he's taken to laughing, and will go "ha.... ha.... ha....ha" while he's in his johnny jump up. he's starting to develop more of a personality, though in my mommy mind i thought he had one from day one. the things he finds hilarious just about kill me dead. each day - though some more challenging than others is a gift. he is the greatest blessing. and i treasure him at every stage. He is every good thing from above rolled into one tiny little person.

yesterday i had a conversation with a nice woman and it's the sort of conversation i have with lots of nice strangers i meet as a new mom. All of these conversation have one thing in common "just wait... until he's a teenager!" "just wait... until he bangs his head on every corner" "just wait until he can talk back to you! muahahaha" ... to which i always just smile. and try to be graceful. and scratch my head ... this is what you say with your two minutes of meeting a new mom? my mother in law has said every stage is the best. and i agree. of course this parenting thing is no rose garden all of the time. Every good thing in this life has its moments. but it is still good. undoubtedly so.

when i'm an old vet of a mom and i meet a new mom... i hope i say JUST WAIT until he kisses you, says i love you, throws a baseball with his dad, picks you wildflowers, you watch as he understands Gods Grace, graduates ... all of those big and little things. i truly cannot wait. but i am enjoying the moment.

i'll enjoy him as he is right now, this second, and tomorrow and the next day.... but i can't help but look forward too!

mission impossible // airbnb review

2013-06-05T11:07:00.001-04:00

Have you heard of airbnb?

it's a site where you can list out your home, apartment, room, yacht ...

we've used it twice!

once in croatia and once in panama for Haley and Damaso's wedding.

i told my in-law's i'd hook us up with a sweet rental deal this last thanksgiving, and we booked a beautiful apartment in a great part of town overlooking the pacific ocean. It was WAY cheaper than booking a hotel, plus you get all the amenities of being at a home. Sometimes I love hotel stays, and sometimes I'm kind of over them. The latter is mostly true when I'm there for longer than a few days. {unless we're talking the four seasons. then i'll just move in}

Well, a couple days before we were to take off to Panama I get an email in very broken english.

It said to bypass the bellman, enter in code, do not look at the front desk people, go right into the building, go left to the elevators, go to floor 23, go left, there will be a door, open it. inside you will find a shoe box. in the left shoe you will find the key.

i am not kidding.

we still die laughing about it.

but there was the key! and the apartment was beautiful.

on sunday we slipped the key back into the shoebox and went back to america.

that's the stuff of travel memories my friends.

so yes, i do indeed recommend airbnb.

{the view on a rather cloudy day!}

{oh and this is how huge i was on that trip! 8 months preg!}

have you used airbnb? something similar?

would you do it?

summer wish list

2013-06-03T09:27:00.002-04:00

i've always had a rather small closet. and a lot of old faithful items. like these black j.crew minnies. i have two of them in black and one in olive. i fear sometimes that my style has been the same for so long (lots of black, gold, patterns, turquoise and pink) that I'm going to become one of those women. you know, the one who had their glory days in the 80's and they're still rocking the same hair and clothes. everything around them has changed, but that hair still gets curled out like farrah fawcet. anyway, whatever my days farrah fawcet (maybe ombre hair) I'm hoping I change when it comes time, but not too much. I'm a pretty classic dresser. at least i think so. but then maybe the #eightiesareforeverladies think so too.
in an attempt to clear out yesterday I had a big sale on instagram. pretty much everything sold and within a few hours of posting! i will likely be posting as soon as I can find more things. i was a little confused at first, alllllll someone really wants my old navy dress? But now I'm sort of kicking myself as about a month ago I sent two bags to goodwill. but If there's one thing I don't like it's a hefty closet. I really do prefer to choose from a few items, and that's why I'm always trying to purge. If you came over and said you like my shirt, I'd probably offer it to you. Figure it has ran its course in my life. Anyway, like these clothes I'm sending off to some of you today and tomorrow. It's had a good run with me, but it's time for a new home.
And of course it's out with the old, and in with the new. Here's some new that I'm eyeing.

sandals: 1/ 2 / top / shades/ kaftan / dress / bronzer/ onepiece / necklace

Now that summer is here and i have less work, i'm trying to clean out some corner of my home each weekend. operation clear the clutter to commence!

tucks first baseball game

2013-05-29T09:19:00.002-04:00

my necklace doubling as a teether.

didn't like it when the marlins scored

loves his uncle j.mo

Baseball is in this babies blood!

He had to get thee to a baseball game, and quick!

Tuck seemed to enjoy it (all but that moment when everyone was cheering above. lol.) and was just looking around the whole time. Oh and definitely flirting with our seat neighbors. This kid knows how to bat those eyelashes and bust out those grins for the win.

And being there I couldn't help but think... what are you going to grow up to be?

will you be a ball player like your pop pop? will you play a while and become a stock broker like your daddy and uncle?

will you be a heart surgeon? will you cure a disease? the skies the limit, and it makes the future so exciting. as good as now is, and as much as I want to relive every yesterday since he's been here, i am so overjoyed to see what's to come. who he will become. and not necessarily in a job sense, though that's exciting, but just the man he'll be. hopefully the kind that gives up his seat to an elderly man or a pregnant woman, that helps change a tire of a stranger, or brings his wife flowers for no reason. you know, the little things ... that's what really reveals who you are.

My Bedside Table : Lulu & Georgia Giveaway : $100 Giftcard

2013-05-28T10:48:00.000-04:00

Lamp // print via LLD // customized notepad // le pens // capri blue candle //

books: Jesus Calling // God's promises for Women // The Joy in Loving // 1000 places to see before you die

Hello! Lamp of my dreams! When this beauty arrived from Lulu & Georgia my heart skipped a beat. It's perfect! As are - their rugs, pillows .... well, every single item over there.

Get outta there, and in my house... pretty please.

Today you can win a $100 giftcard from Lulu & Georgia!

Like their facebook page to enter, and the rest add in extra entries.

easy peasey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tucks Favorite things // BIG baby giveaway

2013-05-27T08:59:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to introduce to you some baby brands Tuck and I are going bananas for over here.

AND one lucky babe will win something from each shop! This isn't exclusive to mommies only entering ... You might be the best aunt or friend ever if you give your friend/sis babe this AND hello best shower gift ever!

First up is Nobi Baby, which was cleverly designed by my dearest AV !

These onesies are totally organic with some fave phrases and quotes adorning each back, and a little wish bone on the side. A portion of each sale goes to Uganda for a maternal and child health program! With each purchase you're helping out a child in need AND getting the softest, safest onesie out there. Can't beat that! Oh and they come packaged perfectly for gift giving.

The winner of the giveaway, will get two onesies of their choice from NobiBaby!

shop // facebook // twitter // instagram //

I looooove the Beaufort Bonnet Company. I will gladly sing of their praises for all eternity. Their southern designs make my heart go pitter patter. And then they add a monogram! oh my heavens! The winner will get to pick between a sun hat, swaddle, beach towel, or bucket hat.

shop // facebook // twitter // instagram // pinterest

I am not kidding when I say anytime someone see's Tuck's custom blanky they go nuts. and demand to know where it is from. I'm happy to tell them, Jennifer Ann is the designer behind this softer than silk personalized blanket! The winner will get a blanket just like Tucks, but you probably won't have "tuck" written on it... (: #thatwouldbeweird #unlessyourbabyisnamedtucktoo #butprobablynot

shop // instagram // twitter // facebook // blog

Carly Megan's leggings are theeee cutest. And organic! unique yet simple. We love! The winner will get the leggings of their choice.

facebook // shop // twitter // instagram

Amelia is one of my favorite stops for gifts for all ages! And the stationary, oh the stationary! I popped into this store last year with my sister on the Oxford, Mississippi Square and immediately fell in love. Amelia is giving away this adorable little llama to one lucky babe.

shop // facebook // twitter // pinterest // instagram

I think the Honest Company is THE BEST. organic, sustainable, healthy for my kiddo - I am all about it. Oh, and I don't have to pick all of this up at the store?! It's delivered to the house. SOLD. The winner will get the swim diapers of their choice. Tuck has a couple pairs; and not only are they cute, but they work!

sooooo ... that's up to $275 worth of goodies for one lucky little babe!

The only mandatory entry is to follow FTAT, and let me know how you do.

facebook // bloglovin // email // gfc

The rest adds in extra entries for an extra good chance of you winning (:

Hope you all have a very Happy Memorial Day (: !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sole Society :: Latest Obsession

2013-05-23T09:40:00.000-04:00

straw tote // weekend bag // tribal bag // black shoe // leopard shoe // floppy hat // earrings // sunnies

I wanted to share with y'all my latest obsession ... sole society. free shipping, affordably priced, reviews on site, and so so cute. These are my picks for summer // our trip to Switzerland and Italy next month!

perfect summer dress: found

2013-05-22T11:41:00.002-04:00

via

my brain is fried from a big wedding and rehearsal dinner I planned this past weekend. i'm SO behind on the challenge. but i wanted to check in, and say i'm alive! i am!

and these two dresses! are good. perfect summer dresses found! if you're on the hunt ...

be back soon... when my brain is less toasty.

ps: JB planned for me to have a massage today... and i told him i'd rather go to Trader Joe's! so that is what is happening. you say spa day, and i say fooooood. delicious food at that.

Ten things that make me really happy

2013-05-15T11:11:00.003-04:00

Day 14, Tuesday, even though it's wednesday! oh my wod, I'm behind on the challenge!

Ten things that make you really happy via the blog every day in may challenge

Fresh Flowers... they just make me deliriously happy.

THE OCEAN. you knew that one was coming. the smell of salt air gets me every time.

Italian food. italian tomatoes, pasta, wine, olive oil.... italian food is my comfort food.

And while we're on the subject of food... CHEESE is my vice.

Paper products. Oh my goodness, my collection is crazy. and my stamp collection? nuts. border line out of control. i collect stamps, not expensive handbags/shoes. true story.

Flea markets! man do I love them.

Biking. it's just my ideal way to take in the world.

Boston Terriers. once you go boston, you never go back.

Opulence, like this. remind me of times gone by... and though i wouldn't want this in my home, it is art. and love that we can see this in museums.

JB dancing. fun fact: his head gear was once my belt. and by once, i mean two minutes prior to this photograph being taken.

annnnd now i'm happy thinking back on all of these things. (:

Mother's day recap

2013-05-13T11:34:00.003-04:00

Mother's day was bananas.

i'm completely spoiled around here.

woke up to breakfast with my babies, and cards. one from tuck too ... apparently he can read and write already! (; {i told you he was advanced}

brunch with my in-law's, and dinner with my parents.

JB always tells me what a good job I'm doing as a mama, and you know what?

I receive that compliment more than any compliment I've ever been given.

I may not always know what to do, but gosh I'm doing this the best I can.

and I'm a good mom! it's not always easy for me to pat myself on the back, but me and motherhood? we go together like peanut butter and jelly.

my little mommy heart that's so full these days got even bigger yesterday.

i was sitting in the backseat with tuck on my way to my parents, when lola climbed on my lap, and then nuzzled her way next to tuck for a snuggle.

seriously, who are you lola?!

i could have died on the spot.

the adventure's of lola and tuck are quite something.

happy mother's day to all!!

i miss basel

2013-05-12T20:16:00.003-04:00

Blog everyday in may challenge: what do you miss?

I do miss Basel. I'll always think back on that time we spent there with a smile. and okay, even romanticize it a bit too. JB and I were chatting and he brought up summering there when he retires. That's a long ways away, but YES. i would love that. i can't wait to be back this summer, even just for a few days. i miss the cheese. the cheap but incredible wine. wine that cost us next to nothing, but came from Italy and tasted like butter. i miss the cool air at night. i miss my flowers. oh you can bet i miss the flowers. the fact that wild lavender bloomed in our backyard and fresh hydrangeas were just begging you to take them home from the market. i'm glad my life has moved on to this stage, tuck and living near our families has given me more joy than i could have imagined... but the taste of a little irresponsibility and complete freedom with your new husband while living in europe will always remain on my lips. as well as be the cause of many smiles.

soooo... probably no surprise to all of you. i miss my basel.

ten words

2013-05-12T07:49:00.001-04:00

Sell yourself in ten words. {day 11 of the challenge}

{via shannon kirsten}

thoughtful. compassionate. entrepreneur. stylish. creative. intuitive. altruistic. inspiring. visionary. passionate.

my poor neighbors

2013-05-10T20:11:00.002-04:00

no reason for this photo. other than it is awesome. and crack sticks are real things in switzerland.

i thought about challenge day 10 all day.
what was my most embarrassing story? there are SO many. I mean, what exact story of me falling down the stairs would you like me to recount? said the wrong thing? tripped? stuffed bra in jr. high?
then i asked JB, what's a really embarrassing story of mine...
to which he replied... you don't get embarrassed.
I turn a shade of crimson at certain things. but things that embarrass him to high heavens, don't bother me at all. I think it's hilarious to see him get embarrassed, to see him hide his head over an embarrassing movie scene. which makes it even more fun for him when I turn bright red over what's usually actually a compliment.

So I figured I'd just tell a funny story, which was definitely embarrassing. But more of an everyday kind of embarrassment for me. The time I had to leave the house and drive across town with... no pants on.

As an ancient post would remind you, I'm a total freak show when it comes to being home alone. Spending the night alone in my house? hate hate hate it. I check doors ten times. I triple check locked doors. Every noise I hear is someone coming to kill me. { I watch too many crime shows. }

Last year JB had to go to his companies home office in St. Louis, and left me home alone for a long weekend. And I was certain that this one night they were coming for me. whoever they are i'm not sure. my brain is not rational at midnight in my home alone.

So of course I lock a door I don't normally lock. The door leading to the garage. Oh but it's getting locked this time I think. no lock is safe. The next morning I go out to the garage to grab something in my car parked inside the garage. and boom. I'm locked out. in my T shirt and my panties, friends. of course. my parents were out of town, my in-law's were out of town... I think... where can I find another key? SoI break into my in-laws house... where I have to walk my behind from the car to the front doorstep. and THANK THE GOOD LORD they are the most organized humans in existence... I find it. I borrowed a towel to wrap around my waist and by noon that morning I was back inside my house. Proving to myself, it's darn hard for them (the people that are trying to kill me every night I'm alone) to get to me.

A Moment

2013-05-09T10:03:00.002-04:00

Day 9 of the challenge, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)

this sweet moment belongs to yesterday.

as we were on our way to see my Ninny for her birthday!

Yep my grandma and momma's birthday's AND mother's day always fall on the same week.

TODAY is my momma's birthday, and I'm taking the day off to head to the beach for lunch and relaxing beach side.

My mother has taught me EVERYTHING.

To be gracious, especially when it means humbling yourself.

To be kind.

To be forgiving.

To smile.

To listen.

To selflessly give of yourself.

To put family first.

To start your day with prayer.

To put on a little lipstick (for goodness sakes!).

To be hospitable.

To never leave a vase without flowers.

To focus on what's right in front of her.

To be thankful. always.

I am my mother's daughter. at least, i hope i am.

Happy 62nd Birthday to the lady who taught me everything.

If i get just an ounce of your grace and beauty, i will be set for life.

A piece of advice

2013-05-08T10:05:00.001-04:00

Day 8, Wednesday of the challenge: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.

i wasn't crazy about the film, but i loved what the benevolent father said during this scene. particularly the short version. this was my fave quote. back when people had quotes on their facebook pages.

it gets the best around minute 1:38.

so advice? don't settle.

blogging tips

2013-05-07T19:54:00.000-04:00

i regress to day 2 of the challenge. but i'm blogging everyday since I've started. by gosh i am!

"Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)"

My very own blogging tips!
#1. Have a voice. You know how you talk? You should probably write like that. If people read an excerpt of your blog -would they know it's yours?
#2. Get to know other bloggers. comment. introduce yourself via email. back when i started, and now, if i discover someone i admire, would like to get to know, etc. i reach out to them. i let them know how their words are inspiring/encouraging/_____.
#3. People are just people, they shouldn't make you nervous. This just sort of reinforces #2.
#4. Very seldom I'll get an email from someone saying "can I guest post for you?! I love your blog" ... usually in these emails, it's very generic ... sometimes my name isn't even after "Hello". Don't go this route. I mean, I'm sure some blogger gained a following somewhere by doing this. But, just, no.
#5. I don't read many blogs anymore. But unlike when I first started blogging, I have to be very mindful of my time now. But if you're just starting out ... Read blogs, comment thoughtfully. repeat.
#6. People say it all the time. Because it's true. Be Authentic. People can smell phony a mile a way.
#7. People say this too. But it's true. Be vulnerable. Vulnerability feels like nails on a chalkboard coming out ... but it's real. and you're likely helping someone out there when you do. So I say it is a blogging DO. But I also don't think it should be for attention.
#8. Aside from when I was miserable and pregnant, I blogged pretty consistently. be consistent
#9. Take your own photos as much as you can!

Hope that was semi helpful (:

Tuck's Nursery Tour

2013-05-07T07:36:00.003-04:00

This room was a fun project to put together over the course of my pregnancy. I found out Tuck was a boy early on (15 weeks). Tossed all of my ideas about a girly french room right out the window, and started thinking about boy nurseries. I don't know if there's much of a theme. If so, maybe "mischievous peter rabbit goes traveling on an adventure and gets happily stuck out at sea". My favorite color from the beginning of time has been a really soft shade of turquoise, so it was fun to put touches of it all over. Everyone that comes into the room always remarks how peaceful and calming it is, and that's what I was going for.
The crib and changing table were both major scores from Craigs List. go craigslist, but also, you scare me. and I digress ... the nursery is just packed full with love and so much of it was gifted to Tuck. like the painting of the baby with his shoe off... that hung in my grandmother's, mother's, mine, and now tucks nursery. heirlooms are THE BEST things in life. And just so many thoughtful gifts sprinkled around his room.

ps:
Just so you know, nesting is real. I had it real real bad too. I tore curtains down, and sent bags upon bags to goodwill. It was a little crazy over here (:

Here are more details. Leave a comment if I missed something, and I'll try and source it for you ::
Furniture: wrought iron crib and changing table (craigs list find of an older pottery barn crib. I paid $150 for both of them! steal. Similar / similar), chair found at marshalls (similar), glider (same but mine has brown piping), both side tables are old as the hills. and one was actually painted that color about 5 years ago. // rope chandelier

Linens: anchor / whales / curtains are from ikea / rug /

Prints, Map, and photos: Jessica Lorren (three swiss photos together) // Oh My Deer Handmades (EE Cummings and I love you more than tongue can tell)// Jeremiah 1:5 via Love Juliet // Southern Weddings Shop (LOVE NEVER FAILS)// Sarah Tucker (big center ocean photo from our trip in Dubrovnik), TUCK garland // The Map // Zepheniah print

Golden "T": was painted gold but originally from anthropologie

storage: all purchased from michaels, even the one that houses his toys.

Tucks first Kentucky Derby Party // day 6 of the challenge

2013-05-06T08:59:00.000-04:00

{wearing Camilyn Beth go go dress and j.crew straw hat}

{on tuck: monogrammed britches}

Tucks first Kentucky Derby! No words. just so cute.

And moving right along to Challenge day number six.

If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Man o Man! I tend to shy away from this question.

When I was a teacher, it's just easy. Someone asks you what you do... and you are a teacher.

When you're something people understand well, like a fireman/teacher/police man ... it's concrete.

people get it.

when you're a wedding stylist, designer, and coordinator.

well people just scratch their heads.

not to mention, that the times I'm asked this question MOST is when I'm a guest at a wedding.

and for a bunch of reasons, I don't even like to reveal what I am at a wedding.

Then I get ... what do you think? Did they do this right? etc. etc.

i'm also a blogger. which is probably the first time I've really written that out.

but it's true, i make some income off of this, and not to mention - i enjoy it.

but blogging also evokes all of its own questions from strangers.

so really... even though I missed day 3 "things that make you uncomfortable" ... I'm letting you know on day 6.

this question is one of those.

On to what I would say if I couldn't reply with my career.

I guess I'd say:

I make my surroundings beautiful. Whether that's an event or experience. I tell a story visually. I orchestrate events.

I try to provide encouragement to people near and dear, and those I've never actually met. I snuggle, feed, love, change, and smooch my little guy. I enjoy cooking for others when I have time. I spend time with a man I adore. I love brunch with my girlfriends. I go on walks with my momma. I spend time alone, because I need it to recharge.

those are some of the things "i do"

how about you?

xox

ps: i'm on one of my favorite blogs this morning // A TREASURE HUNT

bloggers i adore // day 5 of the challenge

2013-05-05T11:07:00.001-04:00

Day 5 of the challenge. A blogger you adore. One to publicly confess your love to! How about three (:

When I thought about this topic, many came to mind.

But three stuck out. Three that I wanted to introduce to you.

And I got to thinking to myself. Why these three? This might sound quite creepy, but they're the kind of girls you hope your son marries. They're life lovers, adventurers, and beauties. They're all incredibly intelligent and kind. They enjoy and cherish the small things in life. I would quite enjoy sipping coffee on a sunday morning in my pj's with women like these.

So in no particular order ...

My sweet soph.

beautiful meg fee

darling nicole

Perhaps one of the biggest things that binds them all - is they are each brave. Moving away from their home to live in- London, New York City, and Spain. I love living vicariously through them, find each of their writing intelligent, compassionate, and human! oh and all of their photos are beautiful too. So go check them out! My blogger girl crush secret is out! (:

my life in 250 words

2013-05-04T10:39:00.001-04:00

{via jessica lorren}

{participating, albeit a few days behind, in Jenni's blog every day in may challenge}

I was born in the early hours of the 17th of december in 1983, with eyes always a little too big for my head. The third of my parents four children. My mom's "easiest" child; as I took right to sucking my thumb, listening to brahms lullaby while being mesmerized by my mobile. My father played major league baseball, which meant we traveled a lot. We landed in Bradenton, FL where the Pirate's spring trained. At the end of his baseball career, he took a job playing in Italy. We lived just outside of Milan. I was a curious, shy, and smiley kid. I went to the same private Christian school (off and on due to baseball) from kindergarten - high school. I've always had a few close friends, and many acquaintances. I am an INFJ. I have always been sensitive; to others, to food, to surroundings, to words...in most every way, I am sensitive. After high school graduation, I went to Flagler College. Upon graduating I taught high school. I held hands with a boy who i had always considered just a friend, and lightning struck. I fell in love. And then I fell ill. I had open heart surgery and a thoracotomy, as well as months of IV daily antibiotics. I took my GRE, and went to graduate school that fall. I worked in non invasive cardiology, and taught undergrad classes. I got engaged after my first year of graduate school. I got married after a six month engagement on a windy day in January. We moved to Switzerland that spring. After 8 months abroad, we came back and I finished my masters. I taught at an edible schoolyard as my practicum. We went back to Switzerland. We had many adventures abroad. We moved home to Florida and began being "real humans". My dreams changed, and I started my own business. I had a miscarriage last spring, and the following month discovered I was pregnant with Tuck. We welcomed our first born in January of this year.

And he has been our greatest adventure and biggest blessing yet.