California To Carolina

Visit Me At My New Web Address (URL)

2015-08-26T08:41:00.004-04:00

***Update 6/4/16***

This blog is now at www.morgan-jennifer.com

Morgan Jennifer | A Lifestyle Blog

Hope you'll continue to follow along over there. All posts from here have been migrated over there. Please be sure to update your bloglovin' and follow the new bloglovin' address. I was working with them to get the current followers switched over, but not sure if it was 100% successful, so please be sure to check! Facebook & Google+ will remain the same. Instagram and Twitter have changed. If you follow via Blogger, please find a new route!

Thank you for reading. xo.

Thoughts on Thursday

2015-08-20T10:38:00.001-04:00

If you haven't noticed {and let's be real, you probably haven't because I'm not that big of a deal}, I haven't posted here in a bit.

I can't quite put my thumb on it, but I'm sure the reason is like ten-fold - what with the pending move, a new job role, and just in general not having much to blog about. I don't want to be boring and just post random shots of my children all of the time, which I feel like I have been doing as of late.

I keep feeling like I'm in this state of waiting...waiting to close on the new house, get moved in and settled. I mean, I certainly have no house decor or organization posts to do at the moment, what with my entire house in upheaval mode right now. It's basically an obstacle course of cardboard boxes. I'm really stoked about my ideas for the new house and I just can't wait to be at that point where I can dive into those projects and share them here with you.

Speaking of here, that is actually going to change soon. I've finally decided to make the migration to Wordpress and I've got a new url at www.californiatocarolina.com. Keep in mind, this site is still under construction and I don't plan to officially make the change and start posting there until after I've moved next month. I'm going to use this time to build it, design it, organize it and move a lot of my old posts from here over there so they will still be searchable there. As for here, I will still try to post in the meantime, but just ask that you bear with me as I go through this transition. It might be slow over here for a bit. Once I can get my focus back for this and put some more energy back into blogging {when it's not being taken up by moving and the stress associated with it}, I plan to come back full-force. My Facebook page, Twitter and Pinterest will all be the same, but I'm sure my Bloglovin' link will change, so I will work on that and hopefully get all of my current followers migrated over and give you all a new link to that when I have it.

I do have my fitness blog, The Gym Bunny, running on Wordpress and hope that you've had a chance to check it out and follow. I will likely be more active there than here over the next month as I'm transitioning this site. I've also got great plans in the works for that site as well, so please head over and follow if you love fitness, or just want to learn more.

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me...I'll have much to share of our new house and new outfit posts in the next month or so. I hope you'll still continue to read. xo

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Wednesdays: Pampers & Pearls // Fitness Blondie // Because Shanna Said So // The Pleated Poppy // Get Your Pretty On // Let It Be Beautiful // Tucker Up // Pumps & Pushups // Shopping My Closet // Cappuccino & Fashion // Classy Yet Trendy // Book of Leisure

Thursdays: Home of Malones // East Coast Chic // Living In Color Style // Stylin’ In St. Louis // What I Wore To Work // What Wives Wear // Look What I Got // ThrowBack Thursday
Fridays: Hello, Happiness! // The Good Life // A. Liz Adventures // Carolina Charm // Lauren Elizabeth // Meet @ The Barre // September Farm // The Farmer’s Wife // All The Joys // Momfessionals

Five on Friday

2015-08-07T09:42:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday!

Here are the goings-on...

{one}

Most of the areas in my house are beginning to look like this:

Packing, packing, packing...that is going to be my life for the next 5 weeks...and then after that, UN-packing for the next 5 months I'm sure. I'm making some headway though...I'm mainly trying to pack any thing and everything we can live without for 5 weeks. Furniture of course is staying put until move day and we will probably wait to take things like beds and the crib apart until the weekend before the move.

{two}

All the hectic-ness of the last few weeks had kept me away from the gym. This week, I got back to it and I feel great...a bit sore, naturally, but the good kind of sore. Just have to keep at it. I finished this week's workout plan and here is next week's ready to go (it starts tomorrow)...

{three}

I stole this meme from another friend's Facebook page and I just loved it because the background was of a girl painting. I am an artist, but in recent years, I hadn't spent much time at the easel...my mind has been bogged down with work, kids, etc. and I haven't taken the time to do something I really love - which is paint.

Recently, though, I've taken the time to do it more...here is a painting I've been working on. It's not finished, but I plan to frame it and hang it in our new house when it's done {hopefully very soon!}

{four}

I am two weeks into my new job and it's going great. I will definitely have a lot to do and it's definitely a good opportunity to have visibility to a lot of the "big-wigs" in this company. I am also excited about taking advantage of going back to school completely paid for by the company after one year of employment. That will do so much for my career path with the company. I'm hoping to start in Fall 2016.

{five}

And, fittingly for #5, tomorrow my middle child and youngest son, Breckin is turning FIVE. I can't believe this guy is already headed to Kindergarten...time seriously just flies by, people.

Not much on the docket for the weekend...Jake has his USCG Reserves duty, so we are celebrating Breckin's birthday next weekend instead. I will probably do something special for him tomorrow, with just the kids and me. Other than that, just packing and cleaning...woohoo! Have a wonderful weekend - xo.

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

20 Questions Tuesday

2015-08-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

I stole this from Natalie's blog :-)

What is your road trip essential snack?

Trail mix or oddly enough, something I never eat unless I'm on a road trip - Slim Jim.

You've been handed two free round-trip tickets...who are you taking and where are you going?
Take the hubs and I to backpack in Europe for a few weeks. There are so many places there I want to see before I die.

What was your high school jam?
Music questions are soooo hard because I love so many and from many different genres. I loved Blink-182, anything Britney, Say My Name by Destiny's Child...and I will definitely say my taste has gotten better since I got older.

Would you rather have a perfect bum, or a flawless face?
Flawless face...it's the first thing people see. I gotta work on my ass as it is anyway, so what difference would it make?

What shows are you ashamed to admit are on your DVR?
I don't have DVR..antenna and Netflix only.

What's your ringtone?
It's the normal iPhone ring. I used to be cool, but now I'm boring.

How old were you when you had your first kiss? Was it meh or toe-curling?
First Frencher, probably 8th grade...and it was meh. And anyone that says their first was t0e-curling...I gotta know how that even happens.

Do you have any siblings, and if so, where are you in the birth order?
I have two brothers. My older one is turning 34 in November, I'm 32 and my younger brother just turned 30.

What physical quirk were you born with?
It's not super quirky, but I have a birth ~~mark~~ splotch on my right abdomen. I hardly notice it now because it's just always been there. Now that I think about it, I wonder if people see it and think it's weird? Eh, whatever. I also have one thumb that is a lot smaller than the other...kind of like Megan Fox.

Can you see the birth splotch? ;-)

What was your first car, and did you name it?
It was Rhonda the Honda...a gold 1988 Honda Accord. Leopard covers on the seats and steering wheel and matching fuzzy dice in the mirror. Yeah, I was that girl.

What would you request for your last supper?

Fish tacos!

Have you ever been hospitalized, and if so, what for?

Only for childbirth.

How tall are you? Do you wish you were taller, shorter...or are you just right?

I might wish for an extra inch (I'm 5'7") and that way my weight would be better distributed ;-)

Do you prefer to DIY or hire it out?
Depends what it is. I really love to DIY these days...I prefer my husband to do the carpentry stuff just because naturally he's better/faster at it, but I did love shop class in junior high. If it's painting a large area of the house, I'd be more quick to hire someone to do it, though it usually ends up being Jake or me anyway.

What do you eat for breakfast?
Lately, it's 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese and 1/3 cup blueberries.

What would you do for a living if you didn't need money?
I'd paint and sell my work...it would be nice to not have to worry about needing to sell everything. I'd also be a personal trainer.

Finish this sentence: Every room needs....

Something that is special to you...and heirloom from your family, a token from your past, or something that has a lot of meaning to who you are as an individual.

How frequently do you wash your hair? Do you have any hair secrets or tricks?
I wish I could say like once or twice a week. I tried that before and couldn't quite stick with it long enough for it to not be greasy anymore. I'll have to try again sometime. Now I'm back to pretty much every day. But I use a non-sulfate shampoo and conditioner. And I pretty much always wear my hair straight...need to work on finding the time to add a little curl.

Will you leave the house without makeup?
Nope.

You just unloaded your Halloween haul...what candy do you go for first?
Runts, Smarties, Skittles, Sweet Tarts and Reese's PB Cups {OK, I love all of it, except Tootsie Rolls...ew.}

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-08-03T07:12:00.000-04:00

I'm in need of a good, solid nap after this weekend. I went out both Friday and Saturday night...managed to get back on the right track with weight training sessions on Saturday and Sunday...and I grocery shopped, meal prepped, did a bunch of laundry...and also went to meet this little guy...

Meet the newest member of the Smith clan...he won't be ours for a few more weeks yet, but we had to meet the breeder and put our deposit down to hold him for us. We have named him Badger {Jake's a Wisconsin guy} and he is currently about 6 weeks old and already weighs 10 lbs! He is an Olde English Bulldog{ge} and he may get somewhere between 70-90 lbs! Hard to believe seeing him this small right now.

Did y'all watch the Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia fight? We didn't watch it, but I've watched some old fight videos of Rousey and that girl is a BEAST! I am so glad she knocked that girl out in under a minute...she had been going to far with her sh**-talking from what I heard. I also loved a clip from an interview with her in which she made this quote:

Amen to that, am I right?

And honestly, I had a bit of a hiatus from weight training the last couple of weeks. I had been so bogged down with house selling/buying and the move coming up that I just lost focus for a bit. I also was sort of nursing my hamstring...turns out it's tendonitis and every time I was running, it was getting inflamed, causing pain to radiate from my knee to hip...sometimes even just walking. I did leg/glute day on Saturday and for whatever reason, at least for now, it actually has felt a little better since. I'm hoping it's on the mend.

A little pre-workout selfie on Sunday...I did my back/shoulder workout at home that day in the interest of saving time {you can see a video with short clips of some of the exercises I did on my Instagram}. I've still got some work to do, but I'm proud of what I've accomplished since having Farrah. I'm definitely ready to take it up a notch though.

And in the spirit of taking it up a notch, I've been keeping good with my clean meal prep. Here's a view of what my evening looked like last night:

Hope y'all have a great week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Five on Friday

2015-07-31T07:16:00.000-04:00

I know I say this every week...but this week has been a blur. They are all definitely like that lately. I honestly can't wait for when I can say, "Well, not much went on this week."

Anyway, we're moving along in the home selling and buying process...just basically waiting on me to get my 30 days worth of pay stubs in my new position with my new salary and then we are good to close on schedule on September 15th.

Here are my five random thoughts for this week...

{one}
I packed a good bit away into storage when we listed the house, but now I've got to actually look at really PACKING and the thought of it has me overwhelmed. I need some good tips. I can't decide whether to go by room or like items...I'm thinking by room...but I am scouring Pinterest like a mad woman to find any and every good tip to make this process smoother/easier/efficient. I've been collecting boxes as I can and I'll probably spend a good portion of this weekend throwing away a lot of things. Here are some of my favorite packing tips I've found so far that I will definitely use.

This is perfect and will make it so easy to just
hang everything back up. Tear off the bag and go!

I started doing this one already when I was
putting boxes in storage.{tw

{two}
I had my job orientation last Friday and Monday and on Tuesday I was finally sitting in my desk. It's been an interesting week. My boss is actually out of town this week and next, so he's left me a list of to-do's...basically just talking to a few key people in the organization about what they do and where I will fit in. So it's been somewhat of a lax week, but still busy trying to take it all in.

{three}
I feel like all the stress and busy-ness of the last few weeks has gotten me seriously off track fitness-wise. I'm definitely not feeling like myself...and of course, not working out only makes me more stressed. I think I've found that I can squeeze in the gym right after work and I'm going to do that. The 4am thing was just wearing me too thin because I can't seem to get to bed before 10pm most nights. I also can't wait until school is back in session for the kids because it just makes it SO much easier. And not to mention, it's a lot nicer to run in fall weather.

{four}
Despite not being so good about working out lately, I have been good about meal prepping and clean eating. I figure that's actually the most important factor, so if that's on track, I'm not too shabby. I'm not perfect...man, if I could give up wine, who knows what I could accomplish?! Haha, like that's ever going to happen.

{five}
I've got nothin'. I'm exhausted. Have a great weekend!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-07-27T06:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend has been crazy...and by crazy I mean sort of a roller coaster of emotions. It started with Friday, having to be at Boeing employee orientation all day, simultaneously waiting to hear back from our counteroffer for the sale of our house. Unfortunately, as perfect as the situation seemed, the buyer did not accept our counteroffer and decided to move on. I felt defeated {and pretty much just emotionally and physically exhausted over what I'd been through in the last few weeks with preparing and listing this house} and really worried that we may be looking down the barrel at having two mortgages for an indefinite amount of time beginning in September when we closed on our new house. Had we been too bold in our decision to put an offer on our dream home while still not having ours under contract to be sold?

Then something amazing happened...we had a showing Friday night and then heard late on Saturday that they had issued an offer.

But let me preface this with a little story. I have a friend on Facebook that once worked in the same organization with me at Boeing when I worked there a couple years ago. We knew each other mostly in passing as we never directly worked with each other, but we knew each other enough and eventually became Facebook friends. So anyway, on Saturday at some point, I see a post of his in my News Feed, which I really do not usually see posts from him, so that was random. It said something along the lines of "This buying a house stuff is ridiculous." He had posted it late Friday night. I jokingly decided to comment, "SELLING a house is ridiculous. Come look at mine!" and "It's close to BOEING!!!"

Turns out, he had already looked at my house {he was the one on Friday night}...I found this out when we got the offer back and it had his name on it. I was like "Whhaaaaaa????!!!!" No way. We countered back what we thought was a fair meet in the middle and he accepted. Contract ratified...I am so happy...and I know he and his wife are happy to own their first home together soon. It is a small world...he said he had laughed when he walked in and saw my family pictures everywhere.

So a big relief for us...we are closing on ours the day after we close on our new home. I am just in awe of how the stars seemed to align for us in this. It seems surreal. But I am so thankful. So of course I let him know to tell his wife about the neighborhood wine night and also that we are moving in the neighborhood just behind them {wine club encompasses both neighborhoods} and will still be like neighbors. Happy to make them feel welcome in the neighborhood.

Anyway, today I am at Boeing again for my 2nd and final day of orientation...tomorrow I will officially start my new position. It's funny having to do orientation even though my contractor status has been a cumulative of almost two years, so I pretty much know all I need to know. But it's process, so it is what it is. I am just eager to get started in my new role!

I look back at this year and I honestly can't believe how much change has come upon us in such a short time. The opportunity to work back at Boeing and then that ending up in landing a permanent position...then that spurring us to put our house on the market since the market had come back up and we could afford a bigger house...to us finding our perfect house for our family...I just truly can't believe it all...it has been a whirlwind six months. Seriously, pinch me.

Have a great week y'all....xoxo

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Home Tour

2015-07-22T09:13:00.000-04:00

Now that we are looking at leaving our house in just 6-7 weeks from now, I finally got around to compiling my house photos into a Home Tour page here on the blog. The rooms all changed quite a few times throughout our 7-1/2 year era in this house. I am happy with where it ended up and also happy to start fresh and new with our new home. I will add our new home tour to that page as well when I have things put together.

Go take the tour!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-07-20T09:26:00.000-04:00

We've had a busy weekend...

Our house listed on Thursday and so far has had three showings, so I've been doing my best to keep it as immaculate as humanly possible with three kids under 10. I keep praying it won't be much longer until we get an offer and won't have to be unrealistically clean for an indefinite amount of time.

On Friday, I went to an awesome art supply store called Artists & Craftsmen in downtown Charleston that I've been meaning to see. I got a few new acrylic paints and a sketch book, but I'm already itching to go back.

I started work on this piece, but still have a bit to go until I'll call it "finished".

Also on Friday, I was home from work and had the boys with me, but we also had a cleaning lady come and deep clean the house, so I had to get them out of the house. We went out to eat and then to Sky Zone to wear off some energy. It was nice having time with just the two of them.

And then that night, I went out for a much-needed evening of wine and appetizers with a couple of girlfriends.

Saturday, Jake got a lot of the to-do list for the house completed {that we had hoped would be done before listing, but oh well, it's done now!} and then we took the kids to the pool.

Sunday, we went to church, did a bit MORE work on the house {I'm calling it done now!} and I managed to get some meal prep done for this week! I am determined to get on a normal schedule with it and keep at it. As long as I get it prepared, staying on course is the easy part.

We then just sort of relaxed and laid low with the exception of having to rush out of the house for a last-minute showing. I am getting anxious about selling the house quickly and just keeping my hopes and faith high that it will.

Hope y'all have a great week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Thoughts For Thursday

2015-07-16T08:03:00.000-04:00

Lots of thoughts for this Thursday...

We have plans to meet with the homeowner of the house we want and officially lay out our offer. As long as all goes well, we should be moving mid-September! I am so excited about this house and so ready to have a little more space for our family of five. We've had a good 7 years in our current house, and well, if it ain't true what they say about that 7-year itch...haha.

Our house officially goes on the market today. We signed the listing agreement last night. We have been working so hard the last week getting clutter cleared, taking care of looming projects (stairwell painting and finishing up the bathroom remodel). The only thing left is a deep cleaning and carpet cleaning which are being done Friday and Tuesday, respectively. I am just praying that our house sells quickly...we are ready to move on.

I start my permanent position at Boeing next Friday. This last week of work is a bit weird and light on the workload, but it's kind of a blessing in disguise with all the stuff going on with the house. I reached a point the other day where I think that it all just caught up to me and I just found myself completely exhausted - mentally and physically. I mean, mind you, between a full-time job and getting the house ready to go, we still have three kids running around! I just can't wait until a couple months from now when we can get settled and this will all be a distant memory.

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-07-13T08:29:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I blogged! I totally did not expect that to happen...last week started out as any normal week {with the exception of recovery from the 4th}...but then I went and got bored...and in my boredom decided that I'd officially get us moving on listing our house for sale and getting a loan for a new one.

Holy Moly.

It has all happened so fast. I called the VA on Tuesday about a loan...got pre-qualified...started digging through our files {which thank God, are meticulously organized} to get them all the paperwork they needed to work on our file and get our approval letter to us. I also met with a realtor to look at houses in one of my desired areas {and fell in love with a couple, but I'm having trouble getting the husband to agree to the tad further distance to and from work}.

But then something really wonderful happened...one of my neighborhood wine club friends put a post on the neighborhood Facebook pages asking if anyone knew of any 4-bedroom houses coming on the market soon {apparently, my wine club gals do not want me to leave!} One guy responded that his was going to go on the market in a few weeks, so we started messaging about it and he agreed to go ahead and let me see it. {FYI, this is the neighborhood right behind us, the houses are a bit nicer and larger.}

I. Loved. It.

It is the perfect layout, size and price. We agreed to forgo realtors for the sale since he hadn't listed yet and we just walked in without representation. As long as the stars stay aligned, we are signing the contract this week once we get the official letter of approval and could close as early as September 1st! It just seems so surreal to me right now, but I am so stoked.

Meanwhile, I've hired a realtor to put our house on the market and she has certainly put me to work. We plan to list it later this week. I spent the majority of last week and all this weekend packing the items we won't necessarily need for a couple of months and put them in a storage unit...also some furniture and other clutter to clear so the house would be better staged for showing. I had a pine straw guy come out and make our landscaping look a little nicer and I have a cleaning lady scheduled later this week.

It has just been a whirlwind...and it's all happening so fast.

I'll keep y'all updated on the progress, and I'll definitely try to be more present this week on the blog, however, there really is just a lot to do, so I'm going to do my best.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the last week...

Farrah is old enough for the race car shopping cart, which makes Breckin very happy.

Loves her blanket...will just go lay down if I lay it out.

Waiting for friends? Take a selfie to pass the time. It is definitely time to dye my hair dark again.

Have a great week, y'all!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Tuesday Musings...Because Monday Was Not Happening

2015-07-07T08:31:00.001-04:00

How was everyone's 4th of July weekend???

Ours was great....oh man, I definitely went a bit overboard considering being 32 and having 3 kids. I have realized I, for sure, am not 21 anymore. My husband and I were off all day Friday so after a morning of trying to get some weekend chores out of the way, we took the kids to the pool.

I also had plans to go celebrate my good friend, Anne's, birthday that night. We had an amazing time...drinking, dancing and I did not get home to bed until around 2:30am...

...and mind you we still had the actual 4th of July to celebrate. It was definitely hard to summon the energy, but we got to the beach at 10am {to beat traffic} and then to our friend's pool party on Isle of Palms at 2pm and didn't get home until close to 9pm. I could not believe I did all of that without a nap {keep in mind, all 3 kids were with us the whole time!}

Hope y'all have a great week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

4th of July Outfit Inspiration

2015-06-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love a good all-American outfit. For the 4th of July, I don't like to go for the cliche t-shirt with an American flag on it. I love to get a little creative with the stars and stripes...and the red, white and blue. Here are some inspiring 4th of July outfits to help you decide what to wear for your long, holiday weekend:

{via}

Seriously? That top is everything. Some Daisy Dukes and some cowboy boots, well, to boot. Perfect and totally All-American.

{via}

This is fun...play up a navy and white polka-dot anything with a pop of red. Love this.

{via}

Tie-dye is perfect, especially in red, white and blue! It looks like fireworks!

Hope y'all have some great 4th of July plans this weekend and that you have a safe and fun time!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-06-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend went by too fast.

On Friday night, I hosted my neighborhood wine night...and there was a lot of karaoke involved! It was a great night, I don't think we got to bed until well after 1am...

This was my outfit for the night - I'm really loving my new palazzo pants and think I want a few more! Perfect for comfy girls' nights such as this!

Saturday we did the usual housecleaning and then hit the pool after Farrah's nap. Sunday was pretty much the same...it was definitely low-key, considering next weekend won't be so much! I am so glad it's just a 4-day work week.

My Jeep went in the shop on Thursday for a transmission issue and I'm praying it is done this afternoon like they said it should. I really hate driving rental cars, especially tiny little ones.

I'm waiting on all of my contingencies to be taken care of for my pre-employment screening at Boeing and then I will have a start date for my new position. Because of the timing, we are unable to go to Idaho in August to see my family like we had planned. We hope to get there over Christmas instead.

Anyway, hope y'all have a great week! Check out some easy, healthy recipes I love over on The Gym Bunny today and be sure to stop by here tomorrow for some 4th of July outfit inspo. xo

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Five on Friday

2015-06-26T11:24:00.001-04:00

{one}

I got an offer for a permanent position at Boeing this week. It will be for a different manager in a different organization though. I am so happy and relieved to finally be in a company with great salary and benefits...this will be pivotal for my family. After all the contingencies are taken care of, I will know when my start date is. In the meantime, I am still working my contractor position there.

{two}

There were lots of Insanity workouts, running and eating clean this week...it's amazing what a difference I can feel even after just a few days. My new meal prep service has been well worth it.

{three}

I'm hosting my neighborhood wine night tonight for the first time...should be a lot of fun as usual! I am making my night the karaoke night...I may have to post a video here shamelessly soon.

{four}

I made a few small changes to my entryway decor...and I'm trying to decide what to do with this mirror. I'm leaning toward metallic gold, but maybe white? What do you think?

{five}

Check out my post on The Gym Bunny today about why you should wear weight gloves when weight training.

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Technology/Screen Time Solution For Kids

2015-06-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know about any of you other mommas out there, but my boys sure do try to get excess computer / video game/ TV time. I've never been one to like the idea of kids playing video games, but in this day in age, I've certainly realized it is a battle I can't win. However, it is still so important to me that they get out and exercise, run, play, read and use their imaginations and creativity. I feel screen time should fall after all of that on the priority list.

I've tried my fair share of chore systems, behavior charts and the like to find something that works for my boys. Nothing ever seems to stick, or provides enough motivation for them. I knew that I had to use the one thing they seem to cherish the most these days as leverage: screen time.

I'm going to share with you how I've incorporated technology use/screen time into a system that works to get them to behave properly, be active and creative and do some chores around the house without constantly complaining to me.

I felt it important to put a limit on the time that they are allowed to use in one session, otherwise, it can definitely get carried away. And I definitely feel a 90-min per day max is sufficient {my aim is to never even have that much time be used at once, maybe just on rainy/cold days}.

Do you have a system that helps you keep the technology time under control for your kids? I'd love to hear your ideas. Do you think this system could work for you?

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Weekending: Father's Day

2015-06-22T08:06:00.002-04:00

Hope you all had a great Father's Day and were able to celebrate with all the best dads in your life!

For Father's Day, I made Jake and the kids a big breakfast and then we headed out to the beach so he could play beach volleyball and the kids could run around and play. As stifling as it's been this past couple of weeks, being by the ocean was actually nice due to the breeze. The kids had a great time.

We then had Jake's parents and brother over for a BBQ...we also made margaritas.

The night before, we went out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant {where margaritas were also consumed.}

Apparently. this girl knows how to drink.

We got our first delivery for our new meal prep service last night and I'm so excited to try my first meal at lunch today. Please see my post today at The Gym Bunny in regards to my new fitness plan!

Have a great week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Five on Friday

2015-06-19T11:58:00.000-04:00

I have been scarce this week and I apologize...but if you see my #1, you will know why. Hope y'all have had a great week! Here are my five for this week...

{one}

On sort of a whim, and sort of planned, I decided to revamp my fitness blog, The Gym Bunny, this week. I've given it a new url and it is now on Wordpress instead of Blogger {a jump I hope to make with this blog soon as well!} So as many of you know, setting up a new blog from scratch can be a daunting task. I also still have some things to tweak with the design and all, but it is up and running. I am excited for the new direction I plan to head it in and I really hope you will consider following via your choice, or choices, of social media and Bloglovin' too of course.

{two}

The last couple days in Charleston have been solemn ones. The historic downtown church shooting that took nine precious lives has done the opposite of what white vs. black hate crimes have done to other cities such as Ferguson and Baltimore. We have come together to show love for the city and it's people - of all races, ages, colors, religious backgrounds, whatever differences we have - and we have prayed. I am so glad they caught the very disturbed individual that carried out this horrific act of hate and intolerance.

{three}

It has been one heck of a scorcher this past week or so in Charleston. The heat index has been over 100 for days. I took the kids to the pool after work on Tuesday, but even that water felt like a lukewarm bath. It was nice to change up the afternoon routine though.

{four}

Father's Day is Sunday and we plan to go to the beach so Jake can get his precious volleyball time {it's the least I can do}. Farrah's new beach tent arrived from Amazon this week, so I'm excited to try it out. Her little one broke last time when I was trying to set it up so we had to trash it. This one is bigger and is one of those half-canopy tents that is made for the beach, so even I can sit in it with her, which will be nice. Once we get home I believe we are having his parents over to BBQ. What are you doing to celebrate with all the important dads in your life?

{five}

Farrah is getting around so much now...I don't remember it ever being this bad with the boys...maybe it just seems so because I have three now? Or I've accumulated a lot of dangerous household decor in the last few years? She isn't walking, but she's a speedy little crawler and pulls up on everything. She can't be let out of sight and it's exhausting. It's also a really sweet age...and even though she's trying to get into things she shouldn't all the time, she's so innocent and bright-eyed...

Hope y'all have a great weekend - I'm headed to Party at the Point this evening with the wine club gals to celebrate one of their birthdays. Looking forward to a fun, sun-filled weekend {and hopefully no heat stroke!} xo

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Tuesday's 10 Random Thoughts

2015-06-16T10:28:00.000-04:00

{one}

On a whim, I took the kids out to the beach last Thursday afternoon after work. Jake was playing his normal Thursday night beach volleyball there, so we all hung out.

I am Hell-bent on getting out to the beach a lot this summer to make up for last summer's postpartum reclusive phase. So I'm trying to get out there every Sunday as a family and then of course during the week like this when we can make it happen!

{two}

Getting back on the clean eating and meal preparation plan and I was referred to a company that actually does the cooking and prepping FOR you. The company is Just Stuff It Charleston. It's really not even that bad of pricing when you consider the time it saves and I bet it tastes a heck of a lot better than anything I prep and it will add some variety {I usually just cook chicken breast, sweet potatoes and veggies in bulk and eat them all week...same thing every day}. One of my friends is an IFBB Pro competitor and she uses them and loves it. Anything approved by her as far as food goes, I know is legit and a good plan. I was even lucky enough that they happened to have a Groupon going so I got Jake and I our first week's worth of food {just lunches and dinners for M-F work week} for $70! It gets delivered every Sunday evening, so it's perfect. I will happily subscribe to this every week, especially if it helps me get slimmed down!

{three}

Speaking of slimming down, Body Beast is going great. I don't know what it is, but I seem to always feel I can see a difference even after just one week in my muscle tone. Might just be my imagination, but I'll take it because it makes me feel good and want to keep going. Husband jumped on my bandwagon so to speak and is doing early AM Insanity workouts now. Glad to see him back into it as well.

{four}

In not-so-slimming fashion {hey, I'm not perfect}, I took the boys out after work yesterday to get some ice cream before we picked up Farrah from daycare. It was nice to get some time with just them and with the 100+ degree humidity, it was well worth it.

Just love those happy faces.

{five}

Despite the crazy heat wave we've had the last few days, Farrah is really wanting to explore outdoors more now. She loves to crawl around on the porch. Excuse the no-pants, it was really hot after all.

Besides, who doesn't love looking at those chunky thighs?

{six}

Speaking of chunky thighs, those mosquitoes are relentless and they certainly love those sweet things...and the rest of her. She's a lot like Breckin...they are attracted to her and cause welts. I made a bug spray my essential oils and it has been working fabulously! I also love that I can protect her without using any chemicals on her sensitive skin. This is the recipe I used:

All-Natural Bug Spray

10 drops Citronella

10 drops Thieves

10 drops Peppermint

2 oz Witch Hazel

2 oz Water

I just bought a small spray bottle from Target and refill as needed. I'll even spray it all around our porch rug and furniture out there to keep them out of the area.

{seven}

I haven't done any outfit posts this week because I hit my head hard on Sunday {damn klutz that I am} and have a bit of a bump/bruise. I suppose I could always Photoshop it out, but I like to keep it real. Stay tuned for some outfit posts hopefully next week.

{eight}

I need good ideas for Father's Day - for both my dad and my husband. What can the kids make for Daddy this year? I bought him a new duffel bag for beach volleyball per his request, but I feel like I still need to do more. My dad lives far away so I always end up sending a card and making a phone call, but would like something more personal this year {though he's never been the mushy type, hence, I'm not either.} Let me know if you have good ideas!

{nine}

Looking forward to the weekend...Party at the Point on Friday night with my wine club gals, and hopefully some pool and beach time with the kids. I also hope to get Jake to FINALLY paint our stairwell and master bedroom! It's been on the to-do list forever now. Maybe then I can finally finish redecorating the master and also hanging some pictures and mirrors back up in the hallway. I hate looming projects. Some inspiration pictures for our master:

{via}

{ten}

OK, I need to keep the workout motivation high so I'm posting some memes that are inspiring. Have a great rest of your week.

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Thoughts For Thursday: Pigtails and Splurges

2015-06-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

We're almost to the weekend! I swear this week has been draaaagging. I've been up at 4am each day, so maybe it's just that the days seem longer when I do that. I'm back to my Body Beast workouts. I really need to keep with it this time because when I'm doing it, I do love it. I just seem to find a day or two where I fail to get out of bed and then it just throws me all off.

I've also been trying to run with this little girl every evening. We had a storm the night before last so I missed that evening. I got her hair into it's first set of pigtails this week too! I seriously die. I didn't realize she could actually GET any cuter...but I was wrong.

I made some pretty random purchases this week. My sweet friend picked up an awesome pair of palazzo pants at Buckle when we were shopping a couple months ago and ever since then, I've sort of been aching for a pair. They just look so comfy {especially for a mom!} and they can easily be dressed up for a nice night out, or down for hanging out at home or the beach. I ran a search late at night {when my inhibitions are at their lowest} and found these.

{via}

They're a bit "loud", but paired with a white tank and a classy necklace, I think they will be adorable. I love Aztec prints and pink, so this is a win-win. I'm glad I've finally come around to palazzo pants! What do you think of palazzo pants?

This top was a deal at $19.99. Saw a blogger post about it and it just looked like something I would wear...so I will. I try not to just randomly purchase in that way, but at under $20, it's nothing I'll feel guilty about later. They also have it in white or black, but I feel the blush has a sweet and romantic look to it.

{via}

Anyway, that's my splurging for the week.

The first week of summer break has been good...the boys are loving Karate camp...Breckin even broke his first board! He was so stoked about it. Farrah is still at her normal daycare. It's always summer when I wish I wasn't a working mom because I'd love to have this time with them and go to the pool, beach and parks all week. I am definitely aiming to get to the beach every weekend, weather permitting. So far, so good.

Have a great remainder of the week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Organizing Your Essential Oils

2015-06-10T08:28:00.000-04:00

I started my journey with Young Living essential oils back in January. Since then, I have gotten more and more into them and I often find myself reaching to them first when my kids or I have an ailment, rather than a drug/pharmaceutical of some sort. {My husband is still in the process of being convinced, but he is starting to come around.} My prescription and OTC medications are on the decline in my cabinet and the oils are starting to slowly but surely replace them.

Now that I have somewhere around 30 or so bottles of various essential oils, plus my roller and dropper bottle mixes, it has become harder to contain them. At first, I was storing them in this adorable faux leopard caboodle. It worked great and looked nice on my living room/entryway console table, so they were still within convenient reach.

I got an idea one day thinking that my oils might fit perfectly in an acrylic makeup holder. I especially thought the lipstick spots would be the right size for the 5ml bottles that come in the Every Day Oils Premium Starter Kit. I tried them out in my current makeup holder and they fit. So I went to T.J. Maxx to find some for my oils. I wanted to start keeping many of them in my upstairs bathroom cabinet, while still keeping a few that I use often and love to diffuse downstairs in the leopard caboodle. For me, it's easier to have some in both of our main areas so that when I'm upstairs I don't have to go all the way downstairs to get what I need and vice versa {I often diffuse in mine and my kids' rooms at night too, so it's good to have them up there.}

I still have some in my leopard caboodle sitting on the living room entryway table, but it is mainly for the ones I love to diffuse downstairs. I found a small 9-compartment acrylic lipstick holder to put inside it and it fits perfectly. I also keep my samples and a few cotton balls in there.

How do you store your essential oils? For more information on Young Living essential oils, contact me.

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Add caption

Chic Crochet

2015-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

This is a summer look that I think is cute, but easily thrown together. You look like you didn't try to hard - because you didn't! I love that it's relaxed and comfortable, but chic. I'd go to a beach bonfire or Coachella like this if I still lived in SoCal. I got this top from Buckle last month and I absolutely adore it. I can wear it so many ways with so many things.

Here, it is simply paired with a black tank top and jean shorts...I think the Minnetonka moccasin boots make it even more Boho.

Top {No Longer Avail} - Similar / Tank {Old} - Similar / Shorts {Old} - Similar / Boots / Necklace {Old}

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Monday Musings

2015-06-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

We had another fun-in-the-sun weekend...hope you did too.

Friday, I met some friends out at Party at the Point to see a Jack Johnson cover band {though I don't recall hearing very many Jack Johnson songs}. It was a perfect evening. It had been a pretty rainy week, so it was nice to have blue skies and a beautiful sunset to kick off the weekend. Next time I definitely want to convince my husband to come and let the kids run around - there were so many there! That's what is so nice about these events.

On Saturday, I got some of the usual chores done around the house while Farrah napped. Jake actually FINALLY finished the bathroom - post to come soon. After Farrah woke up, we all went to the pool. Farrah is really loving the water and being able to pull up now is very exciting for her.

On Sunday, we headed straight to the beach after a late breakfast. It didn't start off great because my baby tent broke when I was setting it up {gotta find a new one, stat!} However, I was eventually able to get Farrah to sleep in the stroller. Jake played a few games of volleyball at the Windjammer and the boys had fun running around. It was one of the rare times that I got to go swimming in the ocean with them - usually I'm juggling the baby too, but since she was napping, I was able to get some fun time with them. I know that it means a lot to them.

This morning got started off right with a very early AM Body Beast workout. If the weather is nice today, I plan to get an evening stroller jog in with Farrah before her bedtime.

Hope y'all have a great week!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

Five on Friday

2015-06-05T14:08:00.000-04:00

{one}

This big guy finished 3rd grade yesterday, I took him out on our annual end of school year mother/son dessert date to celebrate. He and I don't get a lot of quality one-on-one time, so it was definitely nice to have that.

{two}

Speaking of school being out, I don't know about y'all, but my kids come home with a buttload of artwork, certificates and other school paperwork at the end of each school year. Yesterday, I shared an old post that shows you how I tackle organizing the "keepers" to be treasured for years to come. Check it out if you missed it!

{three}

Yesterday marked one year since this happened. Read my post from last year. So very grateful my kids and I are alive and well...my Timehop app will continue to remind me once a year how very fortunate we were that day.

{four}

Headed to Party at the Point with some friends tonight after work. It's a fun local thing where they have a band, usually some sort of tribute band. Tonight it's Banana Pancakes, a Jack Johnson tribute band, so it should be pretty chill.

{five}

And that's all she wrote! Happy Friday!

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays

School's Out; Papers are EVERYWHERE {School Paperwork Organization}

2015-06-04T10:59:00.000-04:00

This post was originally published by me here.

I am taking advantage of using an old post today. Today is Tanner's last day of 3rd grade and Breckin will finish up daycare this week in trade for summer camps until he begins Kindergarten in August. Of course they have been coming home with tons of school papers as teachers clear out their classrooms. A few years ago, I created a system for organizing school paperwork and artwork - you know, just the stuff that are keepsakes and are simply too cute to toss. Here goes - enjoy!

For the record, I do still use these boxes, and plan on making one for Farrah as well! Here they are today, still getting their fill of paperwork!

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If you're like me and you have a child that brings home endless amounts of papers each day from school, then you might also be like me in that you have random piles of it all over (neatly stacked, at least!) I can't believe the amount of worksheets, drawings, etc that come home with him.

I read a very cute blog everyday called IHeart Organizing - some of you I'm sure have heard of it. Anyway, the blogger, Jen, is excellent at organizing and always finds cute, stylish ways to do it. I came across a post of hers earlier this week where she showed what she does with all three of her boys' schoolwork that she wants to keep.

They each have their own file box sectioned off by grade - in each folder she files her favorites of their artwork, crafts, tests, report cards, etc. Unfortunately, it would be too hard to keep it all, but this solution definitely helps to be able to hang on to more of it for cherishing later in life. Each folder had a paper with a picture of the child from that year and their teacher's name, etc. Jen even offers the same printables she used for her own on her website. I snagged hers up, but edited them with fonts and details that were more "me". Thanks, Jen for your awesome website and sharing your ideas with the world. You are helping to make my life so much easier!

Here is how my project turned out - I did one each for Tanner and Breckin! It will be so fun to look back through these with my husband and the boys as the years go by.

First, I got 2 blue plastic file boxes ($7.97 each at Walmart):

I figured plastic would stand the test of time, and the handle makes it easy to tote around when pulling it out

I stuck a personalized label on the front of each box:

I got some manila folders and file hangers (already had both of these) and I printed out these covers & labels for the folders:

And here are some pictures of the finished project:

You can see I pulled out my stash of kept projects from Tanner's daycare and Pre-K years

I just LOVE it.

I figured this top compartment would be a great place for ribbons, medals, etc...

I am so glad I have somewhere to immediately stick Tanner's schoolwork and Breckin's daycare projects each day. I will definitely keep those loose piles to a minimum now!

How do you tackle the school papers? Would something like this help you?

Linking Up With:

Mondays: Life Of Meg // Still Being Molly // Lipgloss & Crayons // B Loved Boston // Fizz & Frosting // More Pieces of Me

Tuesdays: Bless Her Heart Y’All // 2 Cats & Chloe // Style Elixir // Designed Décor // Enjoy The View // Olives 'n Wine // Confident Twosdays