Five Days... 5 Ways

Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL {#67}

2013-05-17T07:53:00.001-05:00

I mentioned on Monday that this was going to be a big week in the exercise department for me because of how many classes I needed to cover for other instructors on vacation.

Welp. Yesterday, I taught 3 classes, starting with BODYCOMBAT at 5:45 AM. The members said that they got a little scared when they saw me coming. Let’s just say I’m not very, ahem, low-key in my teaching style (y’all saw my expressions here, right?). But, much to my delight, I managed to contract some sort of crud on Wednesday, which almost completely robbed me of my voice—especially the high registers. #SARCASM. If I tried to holler like I normally do, I ended up sounding like a yodeler who’d gotten goosed right in the middle of a performance. So, basically my partial-laryngitis forced me to tone it down…which was probably a good thing for me and for the participants of 5:45 AM Combat.

As you can see from this post’s existence, I survived. But I got home at about 7:30 last night so hungry that I’m not sure I tasted one bite of the large plate of chicken and rice I inhaled. And I still wanted more. I also smelled (and looked, perhaps?) like a water-buffalo who hadn’t actually encountered any water in 6 months.

Which means that my #30daystohappyhubby (Husband Encouragement Challenge) update should probably have gone something like: “I’m so grateful for a husband who still gives me hugs when I am reeking with essence of unbathed water buffalo and shoveling my food in like a field hand with a five minute lunch break.”

Instead, I didn’t even do one because the graphic I tried to upload to Instagram was too big for their tiny little box, and then I got distracted and forgot to fix it, and then I got reeeeeeeally sleepy (gee, I wonder why) and went to bed instead.

So, I’ll put it on here:

This is my husband. He’s a good listener, and he has great advice. Which was especially awesome this week as I was stressing about (and therefore trying to ignore…because that’s what mature, balanced people do, right?) an issue that needed addressing. Ultimately, I followed his suggestion, and everything turned out great. But I’m just glad to have a husband who takes the time to hear me out and give wise counsel.

So, how are you guys?

Because, my goodness, I’m chatty today!

And hungry, too (yes, still).

Which is why I decided to feature a some yummy-looking recipes from last week’s party. With summer fast approaching, I can’t wait to give these a try:

Especially these Mini-Raspberry Pies from Sweet Southern Blue:

and this Strawberry Spritzer from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

and these Lemon Blueberry Pancakes from Natasha in Oz

And, even though I don’t much care for coconut, I’d be willing to give this delicious-looking Coconut Fudge Poke Cake from Inside BruCrew Life a try!

I do love some good Mac, though, so this Four Cheese Macaroni from Night Owl Corner? I’m all over that.

And this Avocado and Black Bean Chicken Salad from Domestic Bliss Squared.

Alrighty then. I best get myself to the kitchen before I start licking my computer screen.

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5 Things Thursday: The Best Mother’s Day EVER

2013-05-16T11:29:00.001-05:00

First of all, the first place winner of our Big Mother’s Day giveaway is:

Laura Cross, who said: “Mother's day was more special this year than ever before and I don't know why... it just was. No fanfare, nothing spectacular, but both my boys made it a point to tell me how much they loved me yesterday, completely unprompted. And I was able to spend some time with my own Mama who needed our love more than ever so it was a beautiful day. Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies out there whether you have children "of your own" or not. It takes a village and every one leaves your mark on the future just by being amazing women. Thank you!!”

And our runner-up is—Virginia Megin Gallagher, who said: “I love hanging out with family. We couldn't have children ~ but we enjoy our nieces and nephews.”

Check your emails, ladies!

……………………………………………………………..

Okay, with such a dramatic title, you’re probably expecting fireworks and precious gems.

But, honestly, what I got for Mother’s Day was better.

To review, these are the reasons I was looking forward to Mother’s Day:

1. Because I will be awakened by the soft chorus of little voices saying, “Happy Mama Day!”

2. Because it gives me an excuse to have pigs in a blanket, a cinnamon roll, and chocolate milk for breakfast (I can almost feel the glorious ache of the stomach cramp I’m going to get already).

3. Because I get presents.

4. Because I am pretty much guaranteed to be surrounded by my favorite people in the whole wide world. All. day. long.

5. Because I will get a nap (I’m looking forward to it already).

And every single one of those wishes was fulfilled or bettered because:

I was able to spend 6 completely child-free hours doing whatever I darn-well-pleased on Saturday night, thanks to my super-hero stud of a husband who wrangled all five kids (through bed time!) while I was gone.

This was my reaction upon looking behind me and seeing…no one!

Honestly, when I first got to town in my eerily silent ~~swagger wagon~~ minivan, I just about turned it around and headed home. I’m alone so seldom that I almost didn’t know what to do with myself, and it sounded like more fun to go home and hang out on the couch with my husband and kids. I made myself stick it out, though, and I’m so glad I did. Because, although time with my family is my favorite, mani-pedis + dinner with no interruptions or messes to clean up + this:

{I grabbed this book off the sale rack and was just perusing it in this picture, which is why I didn’t even notice that top line on the right-hand page. My husband noticed, though, and was laughing about the fact that I posted it totally unawares).

Oh yeah, and a trip to Target where I tried on a bunch of trends…

Those are all pretty fantastic too.

So, which item did I actually buy?

Almost all of you guessed that it was the mint polka dot skinnies.

But it was the yellow lace top.

Which I paired with white jeans and wedges and wore to church on Mother’s Day.

The polka dot skinnies were cute. But they were also more expensive and less likely to get worn regularly. So, there you have it—no mullet hems, no neon, no 90’s prints…just a simple yellow lace top.

Disappointed?

Hope not.

I was not only awakened by those soft little voices that I predicted, but my three oldest sweeties even helped daddy make breakfast and made me cards and sharpie-decorated (and baked) plates.

I didn’t get cinnamon rolls, but I did get these:

I featured these White Chocolate Maple Eclairs last Friday with the caption: “Because your mom will love you forever if you make these.”

Shaun took me literally and made these babies from scratch (the dough and everything!).

You guys. I can NOT even begin to express how good they were. I have never (ever, ever, ever, ever) eaten such a heavenly-tasting pastry (or 5). (Ever).

My present was something I’ve been wanting since I saw it last year on our trip to California. I even mentioned it in my Christmas wish list.

So, what was this long-sought-after item?

The loveliest, most whimsical tea seat from PiP. (Isn’t the packaging gorgeous?)

I can’t wait to have some girlfriends over so we can sip some English Breakfast from these beautiful cups.

He even got me the matching teapot:

and a mug and saucer for my ho-cho:

There’s a cake plate too that just makes my heart happy (it was holding the eclairs in the above pic), but I didn’t take a picture of it by itself.

The best thing about Mother’s Day wasn’t the food or the presents, though (although both were amazing). Instead, it was getting to spend a completely relaxing day with my favorite people. We ate that breakfast you saw, went to church, enjoyed a lunch out (where I was so grateful that all 5 of the kids behaved themselves since they seated us smack dab in the middle of the entrance to the restaurant), took long naps (everyone cooperated), and ended the day with a picnic at a local park.

This man! He is too good to me!

I pushed an ever-changing rotation of children (except Della, who wouldn’t budge; she loved it) on this tire swing for at least 45 minutes.

The girls were super-sweet to just chill in their seats and people-watch.

As you might have guessed, last Sunday was the kind of day that is good for a mama’s soul. Nothing too fancy (okay, the china and the eclairs were pretty fancy). Just lots of love, laughing, and laziness.

But mostly love.

I am one blessed girl.

Wardrobe Wednesday: Trendy (Spring Edition)

2013-05-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

We had so much fun last time ~~giggling at~~ researching 2012’s fall fashion trends that I thought it might be time to take a look at what spring has to offer.

I found myself with 6 child-free hours (more about that tomorrow) last Saturday night, so among other delightfully kid-free activities, I headed back to Target to see what all the hip and trendy girls are wearing these days.

First up, here’s what I wore to Target:

{Warning: I didn’t take the time to edit, crop, straighten, or in any other way alter these oh-so-attractive cell phone pics; I did, however, attempt to peel off the rather unfortunately placed mirror stickers…to no avail}

Oddly enough, this is an extremely similar color scheme to the outfit I wore to Target last time (it’s even the same cardigan). I didn’t plan it that way, but apparently, this is my “trendy post” uniform.

Once again, even though I didn’t even have the twins with me this time, the experience was a whirlwind race through the entire clothing section as I identified what appeared to be themes and then grabbed pretty much the first example of said themes I came to and threw them in my basket for trying on. I promise you that I in no way attempted to find either the best or the worst of each trend that I spotted.

So, what’s in style these days (according to Target, anyway)?:

The Mullet…everything. Seriously. Dresses, skirts, shorts, shirts…if you can think of something, then it probably comes in a high-low hem.
Maxi dresses
Teeny, tiny are-you-sure-that’s-not-a-shirt dresses
Light-colored denim
Polka dots
Florals (OF COURSE; it’s Spring)
Lace (OF COURSE; it’s Spring)
Neon
‘90s floral prints

So, based on that assessment, I’m working two trends (neon…ish shorts; polka dot top) from that list in the outfit I showed up in. Woot!

And now we have…

OUTFIT #1

THE TREND: 90’s floral prints + apparently a “50’s housewife dress” trend that I didn’t even know was happening

CONCLUSION: Now granted, the fact that I only found this dress in a version that was 2 sizes too big does me no favors. But still. A navy house-dress with white daisy ditsy print? I feel the sudden urge to dig out my cold cream and curlers.

OUTFIT #2

THE TREND: 90’s floral prints + maxi dresses.

CONCLUSION: I know my mom has this exact print in her closet still from the first time it was in style. That, or she has some cloth napkins that are a dead-ringer. Either way, I passed. Why buy when you can borrow, right?

OUTFIT #3

THE TREND: 90’s floral prints + mullet hems.

CONCLUSION: Thin, crinkly, clingy fabric never did anybody’s figure any favors. In fact, it pretty much stomps on your toe and kicks you in the shin while laughing. Shiver.

OUTFIT #4

THE TREND: 90’s floral prints (AGAIN!) + light-colored denim

CONCLUSION: Remind me to buy this jacket the next time I don’t want to carry a diaper bag. I could use the sleeves as extra storage!

OUTFIT #5

THE TREND: Hi-low hems + maxi dresses

CONCLUSION: My ankles are feeling a sudden draft

OUTFIT #6

THE TREND: Mullet hems + more mullet hems

CONCLUSION: I think I like my business and my party mixed, instead of confined to the front and back. Could these two pieces look better not paired together? Definitely. Could they ever actually look good? Debatable.

OUTFIT #7

THE TREND: Neon + light-colored denim

CONCLUSION: I’m not completely sold on wearing an outfit that might prompt an elementary school kid to mistake me for one of his best study supplies.

OUTFIT #8

THE TREND: Polka dots + mullet hems (that shirt has one if I remember correctly)

CONCLUSION: Remember the harem pants from last time? I found some more! And they’re just as worrisome as ever.

OUTFIT #9

THE TREND: Lace + polka dots

CONCLUSION: I have a sudden craving for lemon drops. That is all.

OUTFIT #10

THE TREND: Light-colored denim (as in stone-washed)

CONCLUSION: There are no words.

………………………………………………………………..

I had quite a bit more in my basket, but the dressing room attendant kept staring pointedly at his watch every time I came out to get a fresh round (it was 10:30 PM by the time I finished), but I couldn’t wrap the post up without showing you, perhaps, my most treasured find of the trip:

A hallucinogen of a tuxedo jacket with…

{wait for it}

…coordinating p.j. pants.

And, for some reason, I find myself at a loss for words yet again.

So, what do you think of this spring’s trends?

Do you have a favorite?

Just like last time, there was only one look I was even tempted by (because I’m not a very hip cat…as evidenced by my used of the words “hip cat”). But this time I actually did buy something. Can you guess what it was?