Five Things for Your Weekend

I blinked, and without warning Monday morning turned into Friday night. Can someone please explain to me how a week during the summer can be like a single day in the middle of winter?

Life right now is moving, full and fast, and though the weather is such that if I would sit for a bit, I could probably watch the grass grow, I haven't had much time for sitting still -- we're in the midst of what I would argue is the best season of life, however I haven't had much experience with seasons of life as a mom yet, so please take whatever I'm about to say with a grain of salt. 

Carson and Brooklyn both went through a phase this summer where they started skipping naps, Carson opting for no nap at all, and Brooklyn going down to just one instead of her usual two. I mourned that loss for about five days, then realized it is actually a wonderful thing! Being away from home in the middle of the day isn't cause for a meltdown anymore. We've been taking full advantage of this new-found freedom, spending many an afternoon at the lake or pool, heading out on adventures or meeting friends at the park, just because we can. Summer in this area of the country goes by quickly, and this year we are making the most of it. 

I haven't had time to sit or write, because at the end of the day I feel spent, in the best possible way, falling asleep minutes after my head hits the pillow.

Today I'm checking in though, with a couple of things I'm eager to tell you about. You know, because that's what friends do.

Along with summer comes gardening and canning. Four years in and I still feel like a newbie at this... but I have jars upon sparkling jars of dill pickles and peaches setting on my basement shelves, and a small list of other things I would like to freeze or can. On my list for next week - blueberries and more pickles. I've made a compromise with myself -- I will can things, but only if I am willing to do it in the easiest, most quick way possible. Enter Mrs. Wages Dill Pickle mix. One packet of seasoning will make seven quarts of pickles. It's so easy, and the pickles passed the approval of my taste tester, so that was a win in my book!

If you follow me on Instagram, perhaps you saw my story this week of a beautiful cookbook that showed up at my door. The Amazon package said there was a gift inside, but there was no note or packing list -- I had no idea where it came from. The mystery was eventually solved, it was a thoughtful gift from my dear friend Kaylie. 

Tonight Herm watched the kids so I could have an evening out. I did some much needed shopping for fun things like stain remover and toilet paper and diapers, then I sat by the lake with a bagel and coffee, and I read that cookbook cover to cover. (Who am I, reading a cookbook?!) Kaylie nailed it with this one, The Forest Feast is 100% my style: simple, easy, and healthy. It's going to be a favorite, right along with my ever faithful Against All Grain.

Brooklyn has been wearing this shirt non-stop since the day it arrived in the mail. I ordered it from a shop I found via Instagram called Sew Sweet Clothing. Suz, the owner and seamstress, generously sent me a couple other pieces as well, a blue peplum top and a striped dress. I can't say enough about these. Her work is excellent and the knit fabric is quality. 

We've got some exciting travel plans this summer, and you can bet, these pieces will be packed in our luggage, for sure!

I've been really enjoying the blog Un-fancy lately. She's got me rethinking a few ways I approach my wardrobe. I'm trying to have more fun with it. My husband will agree with this statement -- I over think things way too much. I'm trying hard to loosen up a bit, to throw aside rules I've made for myself and to just relax... This week I thrifted a pair of new PONS Avarcas, which is helping me out with that. They're different and fun and comfortable. And since I discovered that they have them in childrens sizes too, I can't decided between these or Saltwater sandals for Brooklyn.

One more thing: Esther Weaver is amazing. She sketched Brooklyn.

Then end.

Things That Were Caught in my Filter

Some people wish they would learn to keep their mouth shut, to not blurt out exactly what they're thinking about the topic at hand; I, however, most often wish I'd work up the nerve to say exactly what is on my mind. In real life I'm maybe a bit over polite, pretending what someone did or said did not bother me, when the truth is on the inside I'm fuming mad or slightly irritated or silently amused. Too many things get caught in my filter, and today my friend, I'm letting them out. Be warned: This might turn into a series of posts, because gosh, I've stuffed things for so long.

I said share! And if I told you to share, that means you've got to give it to me. 

It was Wednesday, June 29th, 2016, at approximately 10:18 AM, Eastern Standard Time. How did I remember these unimportant details so vividly, you ask? The answer is simple; every Wednesday at Salvation Army is practically like Black Friday at Target -- the place is swarmed with customers wanting to get the best deals before someone else snatches them up. Common courtesy is thrown aside as people rifle through the racks of clothing and household goods, searching for the items that are half price. You see, on Wednesday all but one color tag is discounted. And I know it's approximately 10:18 because doors open at 10:00 and we weren't on time.

That voice you heard telling my son he needs to share, that's coming from a small child of 3 or 4 years. He's got gorgeous hazel eyes, skin that's glowing from the summer sun, and a tussled mop of brown curls. The only thing this handsome lad doesn't have going for him is his whiny and obnoxious attitude, which is less than handsome.

This all started a few months early when our dogs got a hold of several of Carson's sandbox toys. When we stumbled upon Lightening McQueen he was so mangled and messed up we had to send his bumper in for DNA testing to identify that it was really him. Needless to say, Carson was devastated. As I dried his tears, I silently thanked the Lord that it was only the 19 cent thrift-store McQueen car that was destroyed and not those vintage Tonka truck and skidloader toys I'm sort of fond of, and promised Carson that the next time we got to Salvation Army I'd let him pick out a few new toys to replace the ruined one.

Carson doesn't forget a thing. As soon as we pulled in the parking lot he eagerly told me he was going to pick out a new car!

And so there we were, in the infant and toddler section of the store. As I sorted through little girly rompers and jumpsuits, Carson sat playing among the toys. He had a yellow school bus and a yellow dump truck in his possession, not really caring about the rest of the scattering of blue and green and pink plastic toys around him, as he tried to decide of the two which one was going home with him.

You need to share, give it to me! The little boy began to tug and pull on the dump truck in a desperate attempt to pry it from Carson's grip. There were many other toys around him, but he had eyes for only one.

Don't grab it, I firmly told the child. But he's not sharing! And when I say share, that means share! the once-handsome-but-suddenly-ugly child whined. He was trying to manipulate me and I knew it. There are plenty of other toys here for you to play with. Find something else.

Find something else. It was that statement that sent the child into a full thrown tantrum. He cried and screamed and whined on that dust-bunny covered corner of the store. In an instant the adults in his life, the ones who hadn't been supervising him very well, were suddenly present. Oh what's wrong? Why are crying? Cooed his older sister in a sing-song voice. Did somebody hurt you? He continued to cry as his mother said, rather loudly so I would hear too, It's that little boy, he's taken all of the toys for himself and won't let Johnny have one.

Now this is where the story changes a bit. Remember I told you about my filter that caught what I was truly thinking? In reality Carson and I picked up those toys and walked away, but in my mind it played out so very differently. And I want to tell you about the differently part.

Now back to the story...

... It's that little boy, he's taken all of the toys for himself and won't let Johnny have one. I don't know where Johnny got his handsome looks, but I do know where he got his ugly entitled attitude from. It was in his mother's genes too.

I couldn't take it. I wasn't going to let her get away with her rude behavior. It was time for an object lesson. My dad always said the best way to remember things is to see them play out, and it's true. To this day I still remember the many children's church stories and activities because he was always so good at acting them out. So I guess you could say what happened next I got from him.

Her cart was filled with half off clothes and treasures. I couldn't help but wish I had found a few of them first. While she was still loudly stating that her poor son didn't have anything to play with because my son - the one who only had two of the hundreds of toys in the store - had taken them all for himself, I reached in to her cart and began to help myself.

What do you think you are doing! She yelled when she finally noticed, reaching for her items that were now beginning to fill the bottom of my cart. You need to share! I told her, grabbing another t-shirt in the process. It was a few sizes too large and sort of grandma-ish, but I pretended I still wanted it. And when I say you need to share, that means you have to give it to me.

I continued to empty her cart in to mine, and when she tried to stop me again, I did it, I acted exactly like her son. I threw myself on to the floor and began crying and screaming and saying that I wanted those goose dinner plates with pink ribbons and flowers on them. When she told me to get up, that I was embarrassing myself, I screamed a little louder.

By now there was a crowd gathered around us, and when she finally said, Take the darn dinner plates and shut the ( H-E-double hockey sticks) up! I calmly removed myself from that dust-bunny covered floor at the corner of the store, told her I changed my mind and didn't want her dinner plates after all, and walked away.

I hope she remembers this little object lesson, because if she keeps babying her son whenever he doesn't get his way, he's going to grow up to be as embarrassing of an adult as that young mom with two small children in the corner of the kids section at Salvation Army on the 29th of June at 10:18 AM.


(If you're still wondering, we got the yellow dump truck.)

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Today is the final Wednesday in July and I couldn't be happier. These posts are done, I'm moving on. 

My sister-in-law and her seven children came to visit for a few days, and my mother-in-law surprised me and came along with them. For the past three years we've been talking about how fun it would be for them to come up when the blueberry crop is ready for harvest. But it never worked out... until this year. 

They arrived around lunchtime Monday. It was hot and humid, so it didn't take long for us to pack up and go down to the lake for a few hours. I love living so close to a beautiful beach area. This summer I've been frequenting the lake more than I ever have in my 22 years of living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. 

When we got back from the lake we enjoyed a dinner of burgers and corn on the cob out on our deck, and of course we had to take them to the best ice cream place ever, Seneca Farms. 

Yesterday morning after a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and the best peaches ever, we headed to the blueberry patch. It was hot and humid, and after only 15 minutes of picking berries we were all eager to finish up and head for the lake. We kept at it though, until all of our buckets were full.

We had a lot of fun, and there is talk of making this an annual sisters day, where all of the sisters-in-law and their kids would come up for a blueberry day. I do hope it works out!

I was planning to get a few shots at the blueberry patch for this post, but I was hot and sweaty and the sun was harsh, and thank goodness odors don't waft through blog posts, if you know what I mean. The photos didn't happen until Herm was home from work and our dinner dishes were cleared off the table and put away.

I had been wanting a chambray dress for the longest time, but never found one that worked. They were always too long or short, poor quality, ill fitting, or expensive. I had almost given up hope, but one day when I had 10 minutes before my next appointment, I ran into Salvation Army. And that's when I spotted hanging there, brand new with tags, for only $3. It was perfect. No, it was almost perfect. The only problem? It was three sizes too large. I decided to do something rarely do... I would risk the$3 and hope that my minimal seamstress skills would be able to alter it into something that fits. And guess what? It worked! 

I love that this dress is heavy enough that it doesn't require a slip or cami underneath, but light enough to keep me cool and comfy on hot summer days. I wear it often, and I'm pretty sure it'll stay that way until one day it can't take it any more and simply falls apart. 

Dress, Old Navy, thrifted and refashioned (similar) // Belt, unkown, thrifted // Necklace // Sandals, handcrafted in Jamaica, gifted (similar)

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source.

The photo shoot for this weeks post actually happened with out as much as a kink in the plan, and took place a week in advance. Can you believe it? Me either!

So since there is no story to tell you about the behind-the-scenes events, I'll just tell you about the skirt I'm wearing.

If you've been following along with the little fashion series, you probably noticed that there is almost always at least one item from my outfit that was thrifted. I don't exactly love shopping, but I do enjoy the thrill of the hunt when it comes to second-hand shops. 

All of clothes that are currently in Carson's closet, other than what was gifted by friends or family, were purchased at consignment stores and yard sales. My closet isn't far behind. I would guess that well over half of my wardrobe was previously used. And I don't mind in the least. I've found so many high quality items for a fraction of the original cost. 

Now on to that skirt. 

After Carson was born I realized how desperately so many items in my closet need to be replaced. I had worn most of my normal clothes through pregnancy, and didn't think much of it... until I lost the pregnancy weight and noticed how stretched out things had become. 

I picked up a few items here and there. One of them being a skirt just like the one I'm wearing. I loved that skirt, but eventually it wasn't fitting well anymore. I so desperately wanted it to work, and so I held on to it, hoping that I'd figure out a way to alter it to fit. But the skirt had a drawstring waist, and I wasn't sure how to nip and tuck it without messing that up. 

Then, one half-off-Wednesday I was at the same Salvation Army where the first skirt came from, and guess what I found? That's right, another J. Crew olive drawstring skirt, just like the one still hanging in my closet. Only this time it was in my size, and because it was half-off, it was only $2. 

I snatched that thing up faster that you would imagine possible, delighted.

When I arrived home, I took the tags off in order to wash it, and heard something jingling. It sounded like pocket change. 

So technically, since the skirt came with a fifty cent refund in the form of quarters, I guess I got it for $1.50. 

And tell me, who doesn't love a deal like that?

 

 

Skirt: J. Crew, thrifted (similar) // Sweater: LOFT (similar) // Necklace: c/o Everyday Beauty Co. // Bracelet: From Uganda, gifted (similar) // Sandals: Birkenstock // Tote: JOYN, c/o Fair Trade Friday (win it!)

What about you? Where are your favorite places to shop?

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo by Kristina J. Used with permission. 

There is always something to be thankful for.

And today I am thankful there are only five Wednesdays in July, and not 500. These fashion posts aren't as easy as I thought they be, and I'm so ready for this series to be over.

Back in June when I planned this, I was imagining spending an afternoon taking all of the photos I would need, then scheduling each post, so that every Wednesday morning, like clock work, there would be something new for the blog.

Instead my days fly by, and before I'm ready it's Tuesday and I still don't have photos for the Worn on Wednesday post for the next day. This week was no exception.

I needed to take Carson into town for some blood work, so I decided we'd leave the house a bit early and stop by the park. I'd use the self-timer on my camera to snap a few photos while Carson played without getting dirty. It wouldn't take long at all to get what I needed, and we'd be on with our day.

Do you think it actually happened like that?

Nope.

We arrived at the park in good time, and after adjusting a few settings and situating the camera, I posed in front of it like a vain woman, while Carson splashed in the puddles near the channel.

A lady I know was out walking with her friend, so I quickly hid my camera and pretended to be out for a walk with Carson too. After chatting with her for a bit, I walked around the corner, then pulled the camera out again, hoping for better results. Five photos in, the camera batteries die, and it's about time for the appointment anyhow.

After the blood work was finished, I planned to stop for new batteries, then go back and finish the pictures...

Do you think it actually happened like that?

Nope.

The test results were good. I was so thankful... but that little pin pricked finger would not stop bleeding, and even with a band-aid on his finger, Carson still managed to get blood everywhere, including my dress.

And it started to rain. So instead of trying to redo those photos, we finished our errands in town, then came home, and I crossed my fingers, hoping for the best. Maybe there would be a picture or two that I could use.

They'll have to do.

Thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist or a full time fashion blogger, eh? Only two more weeks to go!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

 

 

Dress: handmade by Kate // Belt: Express, thrifted // Sandals: handcrafted in Jamaica, gifted (similar) // Bag: FashionABLE // Earrings: Water for Life (similar)

WORN: On Wednesday

I've teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source. 

We spent a long holiday weekend out of town with friends. Our first stop was Chicago. We arrived on the evening of the forth, and after checking into our hostel (Um yes, shared showers and all.) we took the subway down to the Navy Pier to watch fireworks. Instead of fighting crowds on the way back, we left the show a bit early and walked a few blocks for deep dish pizza, because as the saying goes: when in Chicago, do as the Chicagoans.  It was well past my bedtime when we finally got back to our rooms, but I was satisfied. Deep dish pizza really is all it's cracked up to be.

The next morning we explored downtown for a bit, stopping by Intelligentsia for coffee and scones,then moving on Millennium Park, where we shot a few touristy photos at the 'Bean', after we had soaked our diapers at the Crown Fountain. The rest of the morning we walked through the park and to the Magnificent Mile shopping district. That's when I realized I lost my phone. I prayed about it, and it was returned. Thank you Jesus! (You can read more about that here.) I know it's just a phone, but I have so many precious memories stored on that thing; it was what I was using for photos and videos of our trip. Jesus cares about the little things, even things as small as an iPhone.

The Orioles were playing the White Sox that afternoon, and with the group I was traveling with there was no way we were going to miss that game. The Orioles won; our group was happy. (Since we're friends, I'm going to be real with you: I just had to Google that. Even though I was there for the game, I couldn't have told you who won. I'm probably not the kind of fan most teams like.)

And finally, the whole purpose of our trip: fishing on Lake Michigan. In spite of some nasty weather that cut our two day trip short, we had a lot of fun out on the water, reeling 'em in. Seafood isn't really my thing, but I'd go fishing any day. We brought 15 fish back, 1 salmon, 1 steelhead trout, and 13 rainbow trout.

 

 

Dress: H+M, thrifted (similar) // Vest: LOFT (similar) // Necklack: Village Artisan, c/o Fair Trade Friday // Bag: FashionABLE // Sandals: Birkenstocks

Anyhow, all of this to say that I was planning to take a few photos in the city for today's post. However, most of my time I spent chasing after my little runner-boy who insisted on splashing in every fountain, climbing on all the high walls, and playing hide-and-seek among the bushes and shrubs. Then I thought that maybe I could share a few pictures from our fishing adventures, but after an incident where I dove into the icy waters fully clothed after my runner-boy, I was left with yoga pants instead of jeans for the next morning. Minimalist packing might not be so great after all. And yoga pants are not allowed on fashion posts!

So, this morning, as I catch up on laundry and figure out what groceries I need for the rest of the week and take a few moments to read and rejuvenate while my coffee is still hot, I decided to keep it real and share a few photos of what fair trade fashion looks like... from my dining room.

I'm enjoying Equal Exchange coffee from my Blue Waters Mug, along with a few squares of Equal Exchange Caramel Crunch chocolate. I just finished reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker, which I highly recommend, especially if fair trade is something that interests you too.

Have a lovely day, friends!

WORN: On Wednesday

I've teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don't want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source. Others taken by Kate, edited by me.

Where do you find style + fashion inspiration? For me it comes a few different ways. I often find it when I'm browsing through a J. Crew catalog or when I search Anthropologie's website, and always, always, when I step foot into a Madewell store.

But mostly I find it through Pinterest. Yup, you read that right.

When I first created a STYLE board on Pinterest I felt a bit ridiculous. What a waste of time. It didn't take long, however, until I realized it could be a very useful tool.

It has helped define my style by observing what I'm naturally drawn to, and it's also helped me put together new outfits from pieces I already own. (And for someone who really doesn't like shopping, this is a big deal!)

Many times I've 'shopped' my closet, thanks to Pin-spiration. (Yes, I just went there.) Which is exactly what I did with the photos posted today.

 

 

Shoes Dolce Vita, thrifted (similar) // Jeans J.Crew , thrifted (similar)  // Shirt JCPenny (similar) // Necklace J. Crew, gifted (similar) // Tote FashionABLE, gifted

What about you: Has Pinterest been a helpful wardrobe tool for you too?

My Favorite Day (and a giveaway!)

One of my favorite memories from last summer happened on a gorgeous Monday morning in June.

The night before, my sisters-in-law, who were visiting for the weekend, told me that I was suppose to go out for a couple of hours the next morning and do whatever I pleased. While I was gone, they would babysit Carson and clean my house.

I was shocked and delighted, and wasn't even sure how to spend this rare free time - It had been six months since I truly had time to myself, where there was nothing else on the agenda.

While shopping certainly isn't something I consider a lot of fun, the thought of going into a dressing room without a little baby was appealing - and besides, my postpartum wardrobe needed some help. So I spent my free time in and out of dressing rooms until I couldn't stand it any longer (think minutes, not hours), then I grabbed coffee and a pastry at Starbucks with money that was sent along for me, found a table in the middle of the hubbub of college students studying and mid-morning runners refueling and old-timers reminiscing their teenage years, and started writing things of thankfulness in a blank new journal.

I came back, refreshed, to a clean house and folded laundry, and to a happy baby who was contentedly watching his Aunt Su wash our truck.

When I think back over the summer that lovely day always comes to mind.

I'm telling you this story to explain the giveaway. Today, April 6, marks one year since I started this blog. Today's post is also number 50! It might not seem remarkable to you, but considering my history with blogging, it is a big deal to me. To celebrate the occasion, I am giving away a few things that might help you have a day sort of like that Monday I had. While I can't necessarily come babysit your children, clean your house, fold your laundry, and wash your truck, I will give you a gift card for coffee and pastry or two, a journal for writing things of thankfulness, some Fair Trade dark chocolate that I just can't get enough of, and some nail polish to ready your toes for sandal season!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me how you would spend the morning if you had several hours of uninterrupted time alone. This giveaway will be opened for one week, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 14.

We have our winner. Jenn Horning, your name was the one selected from the drawing! Congratulations! 

Thank you to everyone who participated - It's so fun to read all of your comments on how to spend free time, and it's pretty obvious that coffee is what fuels us. ;) 

Blog Lovin'

Are you an avid blog reader?

I don't have a huge list of blogs I follow, but there are a few that I absolutely love and read regularly. My personal favorites are ones where I know the blogger or  have some sort of connection to her. But there are others that I just stumbled upon and have been following along ever since.

If I were to narrow it down to a list of my ten most loved blogs (in no particular order), it would probably look something like this:

Sometimes Sweet  //  This is one of those blogs that I stumbled upon. I don't know how I first found Sometimes Sweet, but I definitely love following along as Dani shares snippets of her life as a mom of toddlers. After reading a few of her "Currently" posts, I followed suit and added "Currently" posts to my blog as well.

Beautiful Undefined // Alicia has the ability to put a lot of feeling and emotion to what she writes, whether its a post about her favorite food or something  deeper and more heartfelt such as overcoming personal fears and struggles. She is a wordsmith, and every post she crafts is lovely. She is also a soon-to-be-Momma and I am so excited to meet her Little One.

Down South Yankee // Patty is basically super woman. She is a licensed cosmetologist and is the one who cuts my curls. She is crafty, but in a good way. Like, she probably could out-knit your grandma any day. She has two adorable Boxer dogs, which is basically like having two very active toddlers, AND... she is making a baby!

Of the Town // I've only met Sarah a time or two, but I know if we would live closer to each other we would be great friends. She loves design, owns an Etsy shop, and is a youth pastor. Her blog is always fun to read, but I especially love her #blessed posts.

K8nicole // Kate is my sister, and she's the one who inspired me to start blogging regularly through her 20 before 21 list, which I copied with a 23 before 24 list when my birthday came around. She is one of the most creative people I know, and I'm perfectly okay with that, because since I am her sister, I benefit from it. :)

Skies of Parchment // Clarita writes beautifully about her life as a wife and mother. Even though our style in home decor is often quite different, I find a lot of inspiration in her creative and budget friendly home makeovers. Her home is stunning. I don't think I've ever met her personally, although I feel like I know her because I've followed her blog for several years, and I also know a few of her sisters.

Un-Fancy // Caroline has a capsule wardrobe of thirty-seven pieces, including shoes and outerwear. Hers is the only fashion blog that I follow; I really like that she creatively uses the same pieces in heavy rotation, making new outfits every time. She has inspired me to be more creative with my minimal wardrobe, as well as putting more thought into what I purchase, reminding me that quality always trumps quantity.

The Merry Thought // I discovered this blog about a week or two ago, and I'm so impressed by it. The three ladies who run the blog live in western New York, not too far from me. They post DIY projects and tutorials, delicious recipes, and tidbits on family life. Check it out!

Babyccino Kids // If you're a Momma to Littles, you don't want to miss this blog, or the shop that goes along with it.

The Lily Field // I've never met Brittany, but can't get enough of her writing. She talks about marriage and motherhood in such an open and honest way. She is raising two handsome and energetic little men and one precious baby girl, who is adored by her big brothers.

I'd love to hear about your favorite blogs: Feel free to share their links in the comments below!