I have something to say....

One of my favorite bloggers has been a victim of some blogland meanness. It makes me mad. She is one of the sweetest people ever...
She was told to grow up and get counseling...you should read her blog...and be nice to her. One of the things I love most is the honest spirit of her blog...like evey human she has struggles. The way she approaches her life is a huge blessing. Below is a little snippet from today's post. The way she describes how she "feels" things, emotions, music, etc...really spoke to me. Those could be my words. And while I don't have the same struggles that she spoke about... I just really love how she described herself.


"Yes, I feel things deeply, and I am really incredibly emotional, and sometimes I cry over the silliest things, like when I burnt our salmon last night. But what's wrong with that? I like to think of my "mental issue" as a gift...not an issue at all. Through my gift to feel things deeply, I have learned to be a more compassionate person. I am able to connect with people. I am a great listener. I am more open to different ideas. When I hear music, I don't just hear it...I feel it. When I see a painting it's not just a painting, it's a different world for me. I don't have mental issues...I have a gift."

So...do me and yourself a favor and jump over to her blog... Her name is Lauren. You will love her:)

The sad part...

So...my big kiddos are going back to school next week. Monday. I can honestly say...I am heartbroken.

They make me crazy enough to be admitted to a psych ward. But still...I don't want them to leave me.

We seem to have just found our summer stride. Not as much sibling fighting, more helping mom out...a fair measure

of giggling and shushed whispers from imaginary expeditions... And now they are going back to school.

You would think I was sending them off to boarding school. I'm not. Just down the road a bit...for sixish hours a day.

I am sure the baby and I will stare at each other for the first week. The entire week. We won't know

what to do. That...or we'll party. A party in Target...or Ihop. Swell.

I still wish summer lasted longer...

I have a list of activities to Accomplish before then end of summer...

Up next. Canning. With the kids. It will be an adventure.

It will be epic!

Hair today...gone tomorrow

This post was meant for the beginning of the summer...the kidletts...the big ones got their hair cut. It was high drama and much debate...Shane likes his hair longer and shaggy...but he gets so hot in the summer...so of course the Mann and I wanted him to be cooler...hence the whole let's shave his head conversation happened. Then there's Amelia. She wanted a short summer "do". And after fighting her every single morning before school to brush her long locks...I wanted it too. The Mann was a different story. He wants his little princes to have long hair. So...there was A LOT of discussion on the matter. We finally reached a compromise...on both counts.

Here are the before pics...

Mister Shane

Amelia

All three Itty Bittties...not so Itty anymore:(

Amelia so very happy to have less hair

Shane...I promise he liked it. Promise.

The littlest Bitty...looking so very sneaky....

And the puppy. The giant puppy. He is really huge.

I wanna have a party...

...like now! But what to do...

How about a Great Gatsby Party??? How fun is this wedding??

...or a jazz party...So many fun ideas!

What kind of party are you having?

Am I invited?

Summer love

There are certain things that scream "SUMMER" to me...here are some of them...

I really like this...Might have to try it sometime! Look here...for more:)

Have I mentioned how much I love anchors? And navy? Well...i do. AND...I WANT!!! Found here...

You can buy the print here...but if you buy it before I do...prepare to be tackled and robbed! Just a warning!

One of my new favorite blogs...Oh, and I WANT that bag!!!

I like this idea...It makes me happy. Found over here...


Loved this the moment it popped up in my reader...It is in a little Etsy shop called fog and swell. Love that name! Found on poppytalk

What screams "SUMMER" to you??

Pretty much...

A) I LOVE the Brooklyn Bridge. I consider it "my" bridge. Some day I will stand upon that glorious structure and publicly claim it as only mine! I will! Watch!

B) I love pocket watches. Not as much as "my" Brooklyn Bridge...But boy...I sure do love them!

C) Conclusion...I really should have this necklace. Like now. I mean it. Really.

Found here... It popped up on my twitter. I guess it is supposed to appear at this fantastic shop...However, I don't know when that will be...So I did some research (read : stalked around the interweb)...Lookey what I found!

Seriously...I'm just sharing cause I'm so nice...You buy it before me??? You know the drill... You will be tackled and robbed. Just in case you wanna risk it...This fantasticness can be found here....

You are welcome. And warned!

Oh...get inspired! #2

So...its been almost a month since the last post...well, not counting yesterday. Here are some things I've been loving ALL month long. I saved them just for you! Yep, I'm just that awesome!!! Enjoy!

Super love this idea for a "party in a box"! See the tut over here...

A wedding that combines peacock feathers and anchors??? yes please!!! I mean you had me at "anchors". See the rest here...

This Picture...

and this one reminded me of a friend...love the hot air balloons:) For even more inspiration, look here...

This photo made me giggle. I even showed the Mann. He chuckled.

Pretty stinkin' amusing. Found on this blog...

Loving everything about this shoot...except the nude lips. I just can't get behind nude lips. I don't know why...Do you like them? Here is the rest of the shoot...

How amazeballs(yes I just said that) is this window??? I want one. Stat!

Here is a close up...pretty swell, yes? Read more here...

Ever need a creative way to display photos? Here is some inspiration...

Now wasn't that fun? What has been inspiring you this summer?

Baby Belly...

Love this for a maternity shoot....Almost makes me wanna get knocked up again...Almost. Check out the full post here...

a little more sweetness...

I love that line...it is at the end of every post from one of my favorite blogs
...kiss the groom So i borrowed it...just for today:)

I love this banner. Wish I had come across this post sooner...I would totally make it! Maybe I will, for next year. Super duper ahead of time!

And this is what next years party would look like...Don't you love it. There's much more over here...

This wedding idea is beauteous. And perfect for our red white and blue weekend! Lots more fun over here...





And here are my sweetnesses...eating some tasty water melon after swimming this weekend...I think they are pretty darn amazing.

Miss Amelia

Sir Shane

and... Miss Ayla

Red, white and blue food...Part one

Here it is...the fantasticness that I have been talking about ALL day...
Grilled Chicken
Mango Salsa
and Sister Salad

You may now applaud.

It was a huge hit. The Mann liked it. I liked it. The kiddos liked it.
Major success! Whaaaaawhooooo!!!!

Just look at that juicy mango...the sweet red pepper...spicy jalapeno!!! Oh my!
I didn't use a recipe. I made it up after looking around the food web.

Ripe Mango- I used about eight
Red Pepper- two nice big daddies
Red onion- About a quarter thinly sliced and then CHOPPED!
Jalapeno- Half. Finely chopped. Don't want the kiddies to burn the little mouths.
Cilantro- About one tablespoon(or to taste). Again, finely chopped.
Lime juice- A nice splash will do.

That is it. I didn't add anything else. It was yummy!!!!
Another option is to add Avocado. I am going to try that with my leftovers.
Yes, they are my leftovers. I may or may not share. We will see.

And then the Sister Salad....It is a secret family recipe...I could tell you but...
well, you know the rest;)

Oh...get inspired!

Here is some loveliness from my blog universe this week...Enjoy!

In honor of the Fourth of July...I love this wedding shoot. I mean really. Who wouldn't!

I also LOVE this wedding! Check out the Mason Jar candles. One of my favorite things

Speaking of vintage....I am having a love affair with this ring. Someone tell the Mann!!! STAT!

And now for a bit of my love affair with burlap...and white. Perfection!

How about this beach proposal? Darling!!!

Thanks to this little inspiration I now want desperately to have a summer social. Complete with tissue paper fringe, cupcake garland and paper bunting. Oh...and ice cream. YUM!

I want this inspiration board to be a place. And I want to go to there. And get lost. For a long time....

What a sweet piece from this wedding shoot...Kinda wanna go to there too:)

Sorry for the absent blogger right now. I have been kicking my...(ahem) "tail" at the gym. Its kinda killed my creativity. I've decided to change some stuff. Like my name. Well, the Blog name. And move it. Soooooo....stay tuned for "newness"

Things I love...

Pretty much...I can't believe its Thursday already. I was pretty grumpy at the beginning of the week. Not only did I not feel Like blogging...I didn't feel like even opening up my google reader either. My mood is much better now. I have even caught up on ALL my blog reading...and that is saying something!!! These are some pretty random things I loved this week. Hope you love them too!

Love this barrel planter over on Design Sponge...

I am so making this little pencil/ric rac ditty for one of the kiddos parties this year...It is from a super hero themed wedding over here...It pretty much rocks!

I totally dig these "Links of Love" instead of a guest book...check it out here...

These napkin holders would brighten even the most foul mood! found here...

Someone...please do this cake stand!!! Wait...maybe I will!!! found here...

What a fun idea!!! I found it over here...

In other news...spin was awesome. My legs were on fire. Tonight I did a rad kickboxing class. Like I said, it was rad. I am hooked. My left hand is still shaking, makes typing pretty interesting, but...that means it was beyond awesome!!!

8 Weeks...personal style

Sorry for the non-blogging...I have a lot on my mind.

It makes me not want to blog.

I will try to be better:)

In the meantime here is this weeks

8 week topic.

If you haven't been reading along...you should. Catch up over here...

This week Personal Style is being discussed...Read the post here...

I love the guest blogger this week! I actually follow her! Yay for me!

A good friend suggested her blog to me and I have not been disappointed!

Read her blog over here...You will fall in love with her!

1. Go through that blasted closet of mine. Toss the junk.

2. Make a list of the stuff I need...so I don't buy junk when I am shopping for clothes...Even if its three dollars on the clearance rack.

3. Try to be the slightest bit adventurous when considering my wardrobe this week. I'm in a serious rut. I need to Un-rut myself!!!

Can you tell I'm a bit cranky?

I think an early bedtime is in order.

Spin class is tomorrow...I'm pretty stoked

to try it out. It'll be my first time...ever. Eeek!!!

Sleep well peeps!

Home Sweet Home

Yep, its that time again. Time to read this post. Over here.

In case you aren't reading that fantastic blog...this week, the topic is Home Sweet Home. It's all about making your home a wonderful place to live. Mandi is the contributor this week. You can read her blog over here...

She has three great tips for making your home a wonderful place to live...

1.Don't buy or keep anything you don't love.

2. Start small.

3. Don't neglect function.

You really should read her full post...C'mon...You know you want to! Just click here!

1. Those blasted junk drawers. I need to go through those things. I think there is a
cupboard or two that could use my attention too...

2. Shampoo the carpets. Yes, I know, that really isn't decor related...but, if I feel they are dirty...it makes my home feel un-wonderful.

3. Paint "that" wall in the living room. It makes me cringe every time I look at it!


So, tell me, what are your goals this week?

Tornado Warning: What to eat when...

...you might blow away.

Apparently Northern California has been

transported to some other longitude/latitude.

One that harbors nasty weather patterns who seek out

and destroy trusting Californian towns.

Ok, I jest. But honestly, What is going on here???

See that picture of dinner? I was so preoccupied with the

weather report, that I over cooked both the stew and the pop overs.

Regardless, they were still beyond tasty and quite the Super Mom

hit! And while I know that our "tornadoes" are by no stretch of the

imagination anything close to what the Midwest has been experiencing...

That was a bit FREAKY!

People of the Midwest...you have my heartfelt condolences

and vote as some of the bravest people on this planet.

Hang in there...we are rooting for you!