it is time for a change peeps!

Do you ever feel totally awkward and left out?  I am having some issues with that right now.  Sadly I am acting like the lame head gear wearing girl in the plaid jumper swaying against the wall at the dance my parents forced me to go to.  I am letting the mean girls stick me in a proverbial corner.  You want to hear the crazy thing?  That is NOT who I am.  Why am I letting the mean girls get to me?  Why is it messing with my self esteem?  Why do some women have to be so awful?  I don't understand the need for competition between women.  Not a single one of us is better than another.  We are all different and wonderful!  That should be celebrated.  We should be buoying each other up.  Helping each other out.  Who else can really understand our needs and our feelings?  I hate to say it but men fall short at times and only another woman can understand where we are coming from.  I know that I am guilty of acting in an unkind way towards other women.  Either by gossip, back biting or just plain ignoring them.  I am no saint.  And I am pretty ashamed right now about it.  You really truly realize how awful it is when you are on the other side of it.  Sad but true!  I can say that this experience has opened my eyes and will affect my actions in the future.  I have to wonder if the women who are giving me a hard time really realize what they are doing.  I hope not but I think they do.  It is a hard cycle to get out of.  There always seems to be one lady in the bunch that has a particularly low self esteem.  She is the one that is the cause of most of the problems.  If the linch pin chick is removed from the situation my guess is that the whole bunch would straighten up and fly right.  Maybe they are just a big gaggle of woman who are nasty!  It doesn't really matter what the group dynamic is like.  What matters is that it needs to end.  And not just my bullies but all bullies!  I feel like the golden rule is a good place to start.  Lets all treat each other as we want to be treated.  A simple adage to live by.   

Link A Day

This post is two days late.  I didn't get on the internet once this weekend.  It was great!  Well I did order my new camera this weekend so I was on the internet for about 3 seconds.  But I swear that is it!  OH new camera.... there are no words.  I am so ready to have a camera that isn't stuck at the widest angle and turns itself off when you try and tighten that bad boy back up.  YAY!!  My new camera is a little advanced for me but I am planning on taking a class to learn how really to use it.  I am thrilled!  Onward and upward....

This print would be perfect for my kids room.  I have been searching for the perfect stuff to cozy up the kids space.  I have found way too many things!!  Now to narrow it down.

I love this simple DIY.  It is pretty crazy how doing something so simple packs a sweet punch! 

You have to check out these embroidered X-RAYS.  They are so amazing!

Public makes beautiful bikes.  And I hope to own one someday!  Maybe this one. 

I have been thinking that I need to start juicing and blending.  And I think that this smoothie would be a great one to start with.  It is beautiful! 

I need to constantly work on staying inspired.  Especially during the winter months.  All I want to do is wrap ip in a blanket and drink hot cocoa and eat rice krispie treats.  This post was something I really needed to read a bit ago.  I need all the help I can get!

This pink chalkboard door has been all over the internet the last few weeks so it might be old news to most of you but I L.O.V.E love it!!  I want to make Lola a pink chalkboard so bad!

  

Nifty thrifting

I love thrifting.  Like adore it!  I love everything about it.  Including seeing all the rad things that other people thrift.  The picture below is just a few things from our last thrifting adventure.

3 vintage pillow cases, a clear snap polaroid camera and 4 exposed shots, an awesome glass to add to my collection of drinking glasses, and an Olivia counting book.  

I love the books at thrift stores!  It is one of my favorite spots to check.  I was so excited when Nick found that polaroid camera.  Even though they don't make the film anymore and any you find is crazy expensive.  Like whoa!!  I am still tempted to buy some.  The pictures would be awesome.  *le sigh*  Anyways....  I am planning a little DIY for the exposed film.  That will be fun at least.  The total I paid for everyhting in the picture was $9.25 and goes as follows:

Polaroid camera & film- $2

vintage pillowcases- $6 for all three

Olivia book- .75 cents

drinking glass- .50 cents

Sunday Songs

I think that part of the reason I love this song is because the girl tells him to stick it even after he says all kinds of sweet things.  More girls need to remember the reason there is an end and to not begin again!  Don't get sucked back in!!  The other reason is that it is pretty amazing.  Go Postal Service!

Link A Day

It has been a pretty great week.  It was Nicholas' birthday on Valentines Day.  We went to sushi the Saturday before at Sushi Groove here in SLC and it was pretty yummy.  Anyone else out there with Valentines Day as their birthday?  Going out to eat on your actual b-day is no fun.  Long waits abound!  My gift for him was a new tattoo which he got yesterday.  It is awesome!  I will post it sometime after it heals up a bit.  Fun week to say the least! 

I totally love this studded collar from Alison at She Blogs She Blogs.  Oh yes I do!

This post from Mandi at Here's Looking At Me Kid is something that I definitely needed to read.  You should too!  It is a great way to look at self confidence.

Broccoli was my favorite vegetable as a kid- no lie!  Still is actually.  So this soup would appeal to my kid self and my adult self.  Plus it looks so pretty.

Now that Lola only wears dresses these would be a perfect topper!  So girly and cute! 

I love the idea of home-made frozen pizza.  This one from America's Test Kitchen looks great!  This might be a great little Sunday afternoon project.

Have you ever read the blog Style is Style?  I love Lydia's style!  This outfit is perfect from head to toe!  I am putting a peplum top on my list of things to find thrifting.

This rug DIY is awesome!  It is something I think I could actually get done.  Plus you can customize it with whatever colors you want.  Really love it!

Fill In The Blank Friday

1.  The love of my life is     Nicholas!  Sweetest man a live .

2.   Falling in love is   amazing!  Staying in love is the good part though.  Marriage is work.  But sometimes it is effortless.  You create relationships from shared experiences.  So we try and have a lot!  Nicholas is always willing to go on adventures with me and that is the fun stuff that gets you through the rough stuff.  .

3.  Marriage is    the coolest thing around!  I have never been more happy and more at home in my own skin than I have been being married .

4. The longest relationship I've ever had was    6 years of happy married bliss .

5. The key to a good relationship is   being aware of your partner and from time to time and put their needs and wants before your own.  You don't have to be a self sacrificing martyr by any means but it goes a long way when you leave the last piece of cake for your spouse.  Oh and lighten the freak up!  Have some fun without worrying about bills and housework and all the stuff that needs to get done  .

6. I feel loved when    I get to take a shower and Nicholas puts the kids to bed.  Sweet man!  It was showering bliss .

7.  My favorite quote about love is    All you need is love!  .

Linking and image taken from here

They said you had a birthday!

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband!  You freaking rock my world baby!

Sunday Songs on Music Monday

I have to do a Whitney Houston song today!  

Link A Day

Do you ever have days where all you see and bookmark and pin are food related?  Cause that has been my life the last week or so.  I might be obsessed because I am contemplating doing the DASH diet for the next two weeks.  It is supposed to lower your blood pressure by 15 points in that time.  I currently don't have high blood pressure but I also don't want it.  Plus my sister is doing it too and we need the solidarity!  So I figure that this link a day will be a food extravaganza.  Enjoy!

This sandwich sounds fantastic.  Turkey, bacon and apples?  Oh and cheese?  Yes please! 

I love soup!  Make it a potato soup and it is even better.  And this one looks great.  

I keep meaning to make some homemade apple chips and I just might get it done this weekend.  I love the pictures in this post and they look crazy easy to make.

Smitten Kitchen never ever disappoint and this recipe for carnitas looks like one that will make it into our rotation.

Oh baby this white hot chocolate looks so good!  Wish the weather was cooler.  Maybe it can be made iced?  Oh the possibilities!

I have loved potato rolls my whole life!  I would love to try my hand at making them.  Enter this recipe.  Plus Take A Megabite has become one of my new favorite food blogs.  

And what food link a day would be complete without a cake?  None I say!  Check out this strawberry milk cake.  Can I get a what what?  It is pretty and I can only imagine crazy tasty!

The Forgotten Garden

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton is a beautiful book!  I loved every minute of reading it.  The book is comprised of one story that is told in 3 different time periods.  It takes a few minutes to get a hang of the skipping from one time to another every chapter but once you do it is worth the read!  

The story is about a little girl named Nell that turns up on a dock in Australia with a suitcase and a book of fairytales.  She has no idea who she is so the dock master and his wife take her in and raise her as their own.  She leads a happy life until on her 21st birthday her "father" tells her that she is not really their daughter.  Nell turns her back on her life and starts on a life long journey to find out who she is.  Once she passes on her granddaughter takes up the mystery and is taken to England to find out the truth.  

It is so wonderful!  Kate Morton does a beautiful job writing the story.  I highly recommend this book!

That is 4 books down and 8 to go!    

Sunday Songs

Link A Day

I am in love with this chandelier from A Beautiful Mess!

Chantilly potatoes?  Um yes please!

I am already doing this 3 things february with Sarah Rooftops.  I am enjoying it so much that I just may continue doing it for the rest of my life!

Last Sunday my kids were out of control during church- pretty standard.  Luckily there was a brilliant mother that had finger puppets.  They saved my life!  I am thinking that I may have to have these.

This heart stamp is brilliant!  The kids and I are going to make some Valentines art this weekend!

I am totally on board with this red lipstick challenge with Moorea Seal!  Work it girl!

This is inspiring and amazing!  Check it out and prepare to be blown away!

Fill In The Blank Friday

1.   If money wasn't an issue, the first thing I'd cross of my life list is     to buy a beautiful home in Sugarhouse.  I love that area and I want to grown old there.  It would be a major stress relief knowing we own our own home.  OH I will be dreaming about that now!   .

2.    Pickle and peanut butter sandwiches     is something I like that other people think is weird.

3.  If my life were a movie right now, the title would be     Sweet Home Utah!  I am pretty content right now.  We have a lot of goals to accomplish in the next few years but I have to say that my life is a pretty happy one.  What with the hot husband and sweet babes and all      .

4.  Three things I am looking forward to this month are     Nicholas' birthday    ,    our tax return coming!!   and     buying a new camera- can't even tell you how this excites me! (and maybe acquiring a new tattoo)   .

5.  My favorite song to sing in the shower is   probably Why Do You Let Me Stay Here al a She & Him  .

6.  If I found out that the production of    Sinful Colors nail polish      was ending this month, I'd go out and buy as much as I could tomorrow.

7.  One thing I'll never grow tired of is    the hubs and the kids!  They are pretty fantastic!  .

linking and image taken from here

5 sweet years!

Today is Nick and my 5 year anniversary!  And oh boy has it been a good five!  I can honestly say that I am more happy and in love today than the day we were married.  He is perfect for me and he has been known to say that I am perfect for him!  I have always said that Nicholas isn't my other half.  2 halves only make one whole person.  We are whole on our own and that makes us the two happiest people around!  Sappy, no? Any ways....

Happy anniversary my love!