Friday we did all of the photos for the Spring Lookbook due out in around 3 weeks! (3 WEEKS!!)  Here are a few iphone pictures and a couple of funny videos to whet your appetite!  Katie did the photography, Rachael made me look way prettier than I am and Hannah was there for attention to details and styling assistance.  We had a blast!  I can’t wait to show more photos in the coming weeks.  Stick around and I promise several more sneak peeks!

Katie is such a DELIGHT to work with; I think there are over 1,150 images!  Eek!!  She’s such a talented person and her work speaks for itself.

If you missed it back in the fall, here’s the Fall/Winter Lookbook  we did several months ago that you can download for $5 (with $1 going to the good work of As Our Own).  Hope you enjoy!

This was a video I made to show Brad the studio but it turned out pretty funny.

Also, the studio where we shot the photos was home to a P.Diddy video and a Kirk Franklin video.  So, you know, there’s that.  Hannah really enjoyed that little fact.

Is sometimes the most valuable thing we can give someone.  It’s what keeps friends together and marriages from breaking.  Before we can get to the benefit of the doubt though, we must first have trust, respect and love in place.

With our words and our actions giving someone the benefit of the doubt, or in Bible words: grace, can be the most vital thing we can offer them.

Maybe she didn’t really mean that statement the way it sounded?

He’s had a long day too you know.

She probably hasn’t been sitting around stewing on the situation like you have.

Could it be possible that perhaps you just misunderstood?

You never. know. what that customer service representative has been though that day.

And most importantly, you have to give yourself the BOTD, or grace.  It’s ok that you forgot about that appointment. It’s not your fault they got sick at school.  There was no way you could have known that would happen.

The only way to learn how to extend the benefit of the doubt is to practice on yourself first.  Go on and give it a try; I’m doing my best on this side of the computer as well.

Y’all.  I think I’m having unclean thoughts about this bag.  Haha.  Kidding.  Well, sort of.

I LOVE this bag!  It’s so hard to find a good mommy bag, right?  This one is a great way to partake in the neon trend without getting all cray-cray.  If any of you lovely loyal readers would like to send this to me, I’ll gladly send you my address.  Seriously.   Geez.  It’s awesome.  

Rebecca Minkoff Bag

I have been dreading this day for a long time.  Brad has asked on multiple occasions to get her hair cut.  I said, ‘NO WAY!’ As my friend Hannah would say, ‘That hair was on her head when she was in my womb!’  Sorta weird to think about but you get my point.  Hannah also took these photos for us because she’s nice like that.

As much as I was dreading this, the last couple off weeks, her hair has gotten a little hard to control.  It actually has a good bit of wave on the bottom but it does as it pleases. So we decided to shape her sweet little hairs up a little bit.

Oh yea.  And I got bangs.  :)

There’s a game that camp counselors, life group leaders and RA’s play that I bet you have heard of before.  It’s called High/Low.

Here’s how it goes.

What was the ‘high’ point of your day and then what was the ‘low’ point of your day.  Think more small group and not so much campfire.  Incidentally, this game is great to play around the dinner table with your school age children.  It sums the day up nicely without all the awkward ‘What did you learn in school today?’

Cricket.  Cricket.

Brad and I actually do this often at our table as Rowan happily munches on Chicken Stix.  (God’s gift to mommas of toddlers if you ask me)  Most of the time it’s just normal conversation but there was a stretch of several months not long ago when I didn’t have much to add.  It wasn’t because there was no high or no low; everyday was just the same.

Before I became a SAHM that wasn’t something I was prepared for, ya know?  I can handle the low points and of course I can handle the highs, but there wasn’t much variation.  I remember telling Brad that honestly, every. single. day. felt the same.  Mondays weren’t terrible like everyone says because Monday was the same as Friday.  Saturday and Sunday were nice because Brad was home but other than that, no schedule change.  At all.  Everyday had the same chores and the same duties and there was no ‘weekend’ for me as a SAHM.

I couldn’t tell you what day of the week it was, much less the date.  It wasn’t a depressed time necessarily, it just felt like I was going through the motions.  I obviously love Rowan and staying at home with her is such a blessing, however sometimes Momma needs a break…even when it means waving a white flag from time to time.

I realized that you (read:I) know you need a change in your life when you become the boring one at the High/Low game.  Very scientific, huh?

There’s only one thing to do when you realize that change needs to take place.  You either take the steps, no matter how scary they may be, or you remain the same.  Perhaps nothing ‘bad’ happens but not living life with passion will eventually leave you a shell of a person.

I pray you are exactly where you want to be in your life.  I pray you have the perfect job, husband, boyfriend, friends, family, career, school, etc.

BUT.  If for whatever reason you find yourself a bit like me: not sure why you don’t smile as much anymore because God knows that you have a million reason to be ridiculously thankful.

I get you.  I hear you.  You are not crazy.

It’s easy to live in guilt because it feels despicable to not be happy when you have so many reason to be elated.  Guilt and condemnation filled (and sometimes still do fill) my mind.  And it’s paralyzing.  So then you know what happens?  You don’t do anything.  And you go one more day not smelling the roses or allowing the warm sunshine to lift your spirits.

Action Points:  1) You must quit the addiction to guilt.  Has it helped you so far?  2) Realize that perhaps there should be a change that takes place.  Go back to school?  Try another route to becoming a family?  Visit a new church with more people your age?  Set up weekly date nights with your man?  Maybe it’s time to finally see that counselor and get a few things sorted out for good.

Once you figure out a plan for change….do it.  Don’t waste one more day of your life unhappy and unsatisfied.  It’s been too long since the world has seen that pretty smile.

And more importantly, do us all a favor and don’t waste one more day being the boring player in the High/Low game at the dinner table.  I’m mean really.  It’s been long enough since we heard about that wonderful day of yours.  The ‘highs’ miss you.  Please come back.

NYC was a phenomenal trip; Brad and I planned it just the week before!  We had a meeting on Saturday morning with an old friend of Brad’s that happens to be a designer with Ralph Lauren.  Pretty sweet, huh?  She’s basically living my life.  :)

The photo below was on our trip into the city from the airport.  You could smell the city from miles away.  Ah, the smell of shopping, good food and a large population of people all in one area.  Bliss.

That night we walked all over SoHo and I had to buy a coat because it was f-r-r-r-r-reezing.  I mean….COLD.  Later that night we hit up Roxy’s on Times Square for a little late night sustenance.  Namely, Oreo cheesecake.

It even had a cream cheese icing on the top.  Y’all.  I can’t make this stuff up.

The only bad part about the trip was that once we got home we had a rude awakening of a baby with bronchitis.  No.  Fun.  So while I’m at home all week nursing my angel back to 100%, I’ll remember the solo Elphaba sang Defying Gravity.  Loved this part in the musical!  Can’t wait to head to back into the city again soon!

I will have an update on our NYC trip soon.  Hopefully tomorrow, but don’t hold me to it!  I break under pressure!  I needed to interrupt my regularly scheduled blog with a BIG announcement in the Sinclair Household.

Drumroll please…..

ROWAN IS NO LONGER USING HER PACI!!!!!

Eek!  I am SO EXCITED if you couldn’t tell by my use of ALL CAPS!  I must give all the credit to Brad though.  I was weak.  He was strong.  You see, Rowie has been sick with a pretty bad cold and she couldn’t breathe out of her nose.  When she would try to sleep and use the paci (which she only used in the bed) she would start coughing.  So Brad just refused to give it to her and she barely cried or asked for it!  As bad as it sounds, the sickness was on our side because she knew she could breathe better without the paci.  The next day she asked for it maybe twice.  And after that, all done!

If you need someone to help you get rid of your child’s paci, I think we all know who you should call…

Brad.

This is not what most style bloggers would call a fashionable outfit. Heck, I don’t even think I would call it that, however this is real life folks.  I was at home all day for several days this week with Rowan who had a major cold.  (No fun!)  Since we missed our James Bible study on Wednesday morning, Brad was kind enough to let me get out for a bit and attend the evening time-slot for the study.  While I was showered that day, that was about all.  Needless to say, casual was in order. I threw this outfit on and had to pull up my bangs b/c they looked a bit like I had been electrocuted. (yikes!) I was going to Bible study, so as not to scare anyone, I did some minimal makeup and hit the road.  (And obviously took outfit pictures, ha!)

These jeggings are actually capris but work perfectly with my favorite old faithful boots.  (They actually get better looking with time!)  And then the sweater.  Oh the sweater.  I thrifted this last week at Salvation Army for $2.  I’m really not sure if it’s men’s or women’s but I am sure that I kind of love it.

I tried it on quickly in the store and thought it was ok but wasn’t totally sure.  This is when a $2 purchase is sometimes worth the risk.  Now I love it!  It is over-sized without being too bulky  which is really hard to find.  I think I lucked out!  Now the dress I bought the same day?  Notsomuch.

Outfit details:

Jeggings: Old Navy (old)

Leopard top: Horse Town

Sweater: Thrifted

Boots: Nine West Vintage 1972

Jewelry:  Necklace-J.Crew, Watch- Fossil, Bracelet- America’s Mart

Welp.  We are headed to NYC.  Have a little bidnas, as my dad always says, to tend to this weekend.  Of course we will swing by Lincoln Center to see if we can spot any of our favorite designers/ reality television stars.  Rachel!   I’m on my way!   :)

Other things on the agenda include, but are not limited to…

1. Large amounts of caffeine because I will not waste my time in NYC sleeping very much, I’ll tell ya that right now.
2. We are staying in SOHO instead of Times Square like we normally do so I’m excited for a new vibe.
3. Large amounts of cheesecake from Roxy’s Delicatessen.
4. Going to see a show….not sure which one yet so we welcome any suggestions!
5. Large amounts of shopping.  You knew that one was coming.  Hoping for a few anchor pieces for the Spring Lookbook!
6. A little Valentine’s Day celebration with my good lookin’, tall drink o’ water, man.
7. Forget Paris, since we went to NYC on our honeymoon and our 3rd anniversary, NYC is the city of love for us.
8. NYC is the direct FOIL to my everyday life of a suburban SAHM.  I get such a buzz off the lights, late nights, taxis and constant busyness of the city.  Don’t worry though, once the trip is over, I’m very happy to come back to my everyday life.  That’s why they call it ‘vacation’, right?
9. We have done all of the sightseeing things so no Statue of Liberty for us this trip. The main sightseeing I want to do is sartorial so I can get some new ideas for my own closet!  (and maybe yours too!)
10. Have fun!  I’m a big creature of habit so these short little jaunts allow me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things!  Food! Fun people while we are up there! Shows!

NYC best watch out, the Sinclairs are about SHOW UP!

Sometimes on Saturday afternoon you just need to run around with a pink sparkly soccer ball.  Ya know?

Or you can just sit on it.  Whatever you feel like.  This ‘ball’ thing is so fun!

The wind sometimes blows your hair everywhere.

But that’s ok, because I’ve got my pink sparkly soccer ball.

And this guy.  He’s my dad.  He’s my favorite person to play ball with.  My mom just acts ridiculous aiming this black square thing at my face and making loud nosies so I’ll smile at her.  

But I’m smarter than that.  I just keep doing my thing;  looking cute in my jeggings.  

I also distract her with my clever stick discoveries,

And my cute Bam-Bam ponytail.

I keep telling my Dad that Mom is crazy.  

It’s perfectly normal to want to sit on my pink sparkly soccer ball all afternoon.  Right?

But I think deep down, Mom knows that sweet brown eyes like this are not normal.  At least not in mommy’s heart.  Seems like she and Dad love me a lot and whether I want to sit on the soccer ball or actually play soccer, they just like to hang out with me.

I guess it’s because I’m so awesome.