resolutions, reviews and reflections

I am in love with resolutions.  The new year brings such promise.  A time to shake off the bad and start anew.  Last year I told you about my style of resolutions.  I make lots and lots of resolutions instead of just one.  Similar to a to-do list but instead of being mad at yourself for not sticking to your one resolution, you can pat yourself on your back when you finish each one individually.  And I like to make my resolutions at a variety of levels.  Some that are quickly accomplished and some that take some elbow grease and determination.  I'm keeping a lot of my big resolutions secret this year because...well...because I want to, but I do have a few that I can share.

Good ones right?  How are your resolutions coming along?  Did you give up yet? Happy weekending homies!

break the habit

 photo via

reduce reuse recycle

My test is complete and since I didn't receive a call saying otherwise, I passed the glucose test!  Yay!  Baby Bloom and I chugged our orange sugar drink and bounced off the walls.  Baby Bloom took to the uterine walls literally and as the doctor attempted to listen to the heart beat he would kick the fetal dopplar away after a few seconds.  He was less than cooperative during his sugar rush.  Overall everything is still perfect though.  It's such a relief to hear that every month.

excuse DJ's horrible camera phone

After that we went to one of my favorite places to go for inspiration around our house, the recycle center in Ann Arbor.  I already have an affinity for shopping at thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales but the recycle center is different.  There are specific areas focused on books, wood, tiles, windows, doors, etc.  It's awesome.

A vintage treasure can absolutely make my day.  That saying that one man's trash is another man's treasure is extra true in our house.  We just take the time to restore or renew them to our style.  Yesterday I was hunting for empty picture frames for the nursery, but we spent quite a while looking through records, wood for a headboard and table project and stones to go around our pond.  Time flys when you're having fun I suppose.  Before I knew it we had been there a very long time and the heat was getting to me.  I almost agreed to a 30ft long church pew! 

school projection screen

we bought this and listen to it today...it's almost the whole movie...I'm in love

 We finished our treasure hunt with tacos at Moe's and spent the rest of the day watching old movies.  Heartburn and Parenthood if you were curious.

guest post: mother's day interview with sara and lyla

This week I am featuring guest posts from my mommy friends.  I asked some very special women, all my age, if they would participate in a mother's day interview.   I was thrilled when they agreed and I hope you enjoy reading their responses as much as I did!

Today's post is featuring my lovely friend Sara.  She recently gave birth to the adorable Lyla.  I love her and could read her interview over and over.  Enjoy!

Now that you are a mother yourself has your relationship changed at all with your own mother?

Absolutely!  I think I’ve apologized 100 times already for all the things I did as a kid.  Honestly, it is so cliché but they say the love a mother has for a child is like nothing you’ve ever felt before and it’s true.  The first time I got to hold my daughter and have that feeling, it made me think of my mom loving me like that – and made me appreciate her so much more.  She stayed with us the first week Lyla was born to help out and just watching my mom hold my daughter was the best thing in the world. 

What has been the best advice you have received regarding motherhood?

The best advice I received was from my best friend who told me not to listen to everyone else!  As soon as you tell people you’re pregnant they start to overload you with their stories and advice (sorry Laura, I know I did with you a little!).  It can be really overwhelming and annoying, so just smile and say thank you. Not everything that works for someone else’s baby is going to work for yours; it’s a learning process for the both of you.   

How about the worst advice?

I don’t think that I’ve really received any bad advice.  Just a lot of unsolicited opinions on how I should be doing things, i.e. do what they did.  I know my daughter child better than anyone else, so I do what I think is best for her.   

What has been the hardest part so far of being a mother?

The exhaustion is by far the hardest thing of being a mother.  I was so emotional the first couple of weeks that I’d cry at literally everything.  And I definitely put way too much pressure on myself about every single thing.  I’m a control freak by nature and it was very hard to deal with the fact that some things did not work out the way that I had hoped. 

What has been the most rewarding moment?

Honestly, every single moment and milestone I have with her.  From her first smile to our cuddle sessions in the morning, and now her talking (gibberish) to us.  Every day I am consumed with more and more love for her. 

Do you have any advice for first time mothers?

(Even though I previously said don’t take other people’s advice – this is more advice for you personally, not so much about the baby.)  The same thing most mothers say, it goes by so unbelievably fast so try hard to live in the moment with them.  Another big one is to communicate with your partner!  It’s not always sunshine and rainbows those first couple weeks (or months), you will be a crazy and sleep deprived person – so try remember to give each other attention during that time (you’ll need it).  And don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if it gives you an hour or two to yourself.  Your child will take over your life for the next 18+ years, and you need every break you can get to remember who you are and what you need. 

What was your guilty pleasure while pregnant?

I became obsessed with beets!  I had never had them before, and for whatever reason I tried them and couldn’t get enough.  And salt, my god I would’ve licked a deer salt stick if I could have. 

Do you have plans to have more children?  If so, how many?  How soon?

It’s funny because before I would always say “one and done – that’s it!” But as soon as I held her in my arms I thought - now I know why women do this over and over.  I do think that I would like to have one more child eventually, probably within five years.  I’d like for us to get married first and buy a house so we can have more room!  But yes, I hope to have one more. 

What has been your biggest obstacle so far to overcome?

Learning to let go and realizing that I can’t be in control of how things will turn out.  I had my birth plan ready to go and all these ideas of what I was going to do.  At 38 weeks I found out she was breech which meant that she would have to be delivered via c-section, and not naturally like I had wanted.  When she was born I intended on breast feeding, however, she had a very high pallet and couldn’t latch on at all – which meant I had to pump or give her formula.  I opted to pump because I knew my milk was the best for her… but it was so time consuming and I couldn’t care for her when I was doing it.  It made me completely miserable and I got mad at myself that it wasn’t working.  Eventually it got to the point where I wanted to stop pumping, but I felt like I was admitting defeat and felt guilty for being selfish.  I had a Crohn’s attack 4 weeks after she was born and was forced to quit pumping because of the medication they were putting me on.  It ended up being a life saver because I was able to get more sleep and give her my complete attention.  Again, the pressure of trying to do what everyone (books, blogs, doctors, etc) says is the best thing was beyond overwhelming.  The truth is – what’s best for you ends up being the best for your baby. 

How has your own mother inspired you?

I think about how much my mom and I have been through… how many times I broke her heart when I was growing up, or when we had really good moments.  I just think of what she did during those times, the patience she had – and that’s what I hope to do with Lyla. 

What was your earliest childhood memory about your own mother?

Not sure how old I was but driving in the car on our way up to our cabin, singing country songs and stopping at the cheese store for snacks!  We did that a lot so that’s probably why it is my strongest memory

How do you want to most be like your mom?

I hope that I’ll be as strong as my mom, I know growing up there were times when I tried so hard to push her away and she never gave up on me.  She was also really understanding and open with me, so I was able to go to her with things (when I wasn’t pushing her away) that other people would never go to their mom about.  If I could have half of my mom’s strength, patience and understanding then I’ll be lucky!

What did you do for your mom on mother's day in the past?

The older I get the more I know how much my mom has done for me, so I always try to get her something small and write something to tell her how thankful/lucky I am to have her as my mom.  I know that I didn’t tell her enough growing up, but she was an amazing mom and she needs to be reminded of that.  It’s not a lot, but I know she appreciates me recognizing everything she has done for me – and continues to do! 

Lastly, what is your greatest wish for your child?

I just want her to be happy and healthy.  She is already so loved by so many people; I don’t want her to ever forget that.  Without a doubt I know I’ll be doing as much as I can to make sure she experiences as much as she can in this life.  But other than that, I can’t ask for much else.  

Thanks again Sara!  Happy mother's day to you! Love you! xoxx

spring sprang

Hallelujah!  It's freakin' nice out this week!  DJ called me at work on Wednesday to make sure that when I went home for lunch that I opened the windows and turned OFF the heat!  Better still, today started a much needed four day weekend! After spending a month plus studying for my investment licenses and narrowly surviving (hey series 7, I hated you), I am in desperate need for some time off.  Last night started the weekend off right. DJ's team played the final game of a very heated final playoff round and the series was tied at 2-2 until my man's team won last night!!!  I am so happy that after spending many nights cheering the guys on that they came out on top and won the whole thing!

The promise of warm weather is enough to get me thinking about blooms, sun dresses and open-toed shoes.  I am so in love with pastels this year and for the first time I don't think they are too cliche for spring.  In fact I think they are just right.  Coral, peach and that gorgeous ocean color is fueling my desperate need to go shopping. 

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Happy weekending and thanks mother nature.  I really needed to see the 70's.

Ten Images of Inspiration - Tattoos

Keeping up with yesterdays theme, I thought I would be inspired by some beautiful body art that I found on Pinterest.  There is just something so sexy about men and women adorning their bodies with ink.

And while all of these tattoos are gorgeous, I must say that my friends tattoos are even better.  Seriously, I have some hot friends with even hotter ink, unicorns and all. :)

I will dare to just do what I do, be just what I am, and dance whenever I want to. - Beverly Williams

Ten Images of Inspiration - Shoes

I have a love affair with shoes.  Plain and simple.  Shoes can make or break an outfit.  I'm dying for double and triple stacked platforms right now.  I'm 5'2'' people, without heels I'll get lost in a crowd!

Gah!

 Baby Heels

 Hot Pink Hotness

 The stuff dreams are made of.

 Classic

 So chic

 Double platform love

 Jeans and heels

 Triple platform heaven

 Sometimes I still wear mine around the house.

 BONUS: My sexy reds from my wedding day :)

"I’m not about fantasies. I think I’m about quality and realness and earthiness and anti-fashion. I’m not about fashion. I’m about things that you own and keep that you cherish. I don’t throw out my clothes. They get better with age." 

                                                                                                Ralph Lauren

Pinterest-ed

If you haven't joined Pinterest you're not having any fun.  I'm in love with pinning and seeing what other pin on their inspiration boards.  Not to mention if you're looking for decorating, DIY, recipe or fashion ideas, or even if you're just in the mood to sift through some awesome photos you can look no further than Pinterest. Enjoy!

"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water."

Ten Images of Inspiration - Femininity

I am a girly girl from head to toe.  I wear 5" heals to the grocery store and do my make-up to go to the gym (well...sometimes).  I don't need much inspiration when it comes to being delicate or feminine, but I think maybe some others might. Although, that being sad, I embrace all styles, just as long as you have some.

Ok, that's actually 14 images, but I just love being a woman and I find all facets of being a woman incredibly beautiful and stimulating.

"Women will be good for you and bring about your success.”  Christian Dior