hey pretty mama

A Cup of Jo recently shared this little hint to feeling pretty...

Pretend you're a friend! I can't tell you how many times I've looked in the mirror and thought my makeup looks gross, my hair is a mess, and I look totally lumpy in these jeans. Lipstick on a pig, I tell ya.

But imagine you're a friend, and suddenly you're cute again! What a hottie!

In other news, I've become obsessed with Miroslava Duma.

Have a pretty weekend, darlings.

baby daddies

One of the best things about being pregnant is feeling the little kicks, flutters and swishes of your developing little one in your belly. I can't tell you how many times I would tell Kell, "Ooo! Put your hand here! She just moved!," only to get him excited and then feel nothing.

What if this service were available to all daddies?



What will they think of next? I could probably come up with a few other pregnancy symptoms I'd like to share...

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* A win for my Bulldogs. But they played their hearts out! Hail State anyway!

* I have the perfect shoes in mind for this dress.

* Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins? Those are four words I love seeing strung together.

* Tell me that's not a good-lookin' one piece!

* Motivation to work out. Ain't gonna happen.

What's your wish?

party idea round-up

I love everything about a party - brainstorming ideas, decorating, making stuff, party food, choosing an outfit... Hosting a party stresses some people out, but I think I thrive on it. Or maybe I just like a good excuse to do some things to my house and put on some extra eye shadow.

In celebration of my love of all things party, here's a little round-up of my favorite party ideas of late. I'd love for you to follow this board - or all my boards - on Pinterest.



(Clockwise from top left)

Sneak a donut hole into an otherwise-healthy fruit skewer. // Not exactly a party idea, but the cash-in-a-tissue-box is much more fun than a card, right? // I've always wanted to have a Redneck Party, and I think the hand-held Frito Chili Pies would fit right in. // Drop a Chick-fil-A Chick'n Mini on an Eggo Mini waffle, drizzle with syrup or honey, and you've got baby chicken and waffles! // If you love Oprah's Favorite Things, how about hosting a Favorite Things party of your own?

Have a great weekend, darlings. I hope you find a reason to celebrate!

my heavens!

If you've been checking out my blog over the past few weeks, you probably noticed something was amiss. For some reason, the banner was missing! And after multiple (and I mean multiple) attempts to contact the designer, I gave up. Fortunately, I saved the email in which she sent the banner proof, so I installed it myself, and all is right with the world.

My little Eleanor is six months (SIX MONTHS!) old now, and I'm still working to get off the baby weight. All that "nine months on, nine months off" talk is absolutely right. So, Kell and I are trying to eat healthier. Trying.







One of my goals has been to incorporate Greek yogurt into my daily life. I've tried it several times before and nearly gagged each time. But this time it stuck. Why, you ask? Two reasons: fruit on the bottom and granola. Specifically this granola...

Honey Almond Granola

4 Cups Rolled Oats

1 Cup Sliced Almonds

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 Cup Wheat Germ

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/3 Cup Coconut Oil

1/3 Cup Honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl add and stir together all of the dry ingredients.  







Heat a small sauce pan over low/medium heat.  Add the coconut oil and honey.  Whisk together.  Can also be warmed in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat stirring every 30 seconds until melted and combined.  It's okay if the honey and coconut oil do not completely combine together.  Just warm and whisk until the oil and honey are melted.  







Pour over the oat mixture.  Stir until completely combined.  Dump the granola into a greased rimmed baking sheet.  Spread evenly and press down firmly.  Bake in a preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes.  Cool completely before removing from pan.  Store at room temperature in an airtight container. 







I didn't add the wheat germ (that just sounds gross), and I added a cup of Craisins, a very wise decision if I do say so myself!

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* Sunshine. I swam into work this morning.

* Think my hair would do this?

* These maxi skirts are great for weekend, but pretty enough for a party! And you can't beat the price.

* Need a new accent table? It's another Target find!

* A happy birthday to my DADDY!

What's your wish?

don't waste your cancer

Many of you may know my mom was diagnosed almost a year ago with ovarian cancer. Those words rocked our world completely and turned our lives upside down. I was just a few weeks pregnant at the time, and I knew it was no coincidence that God would use Eleanor as encouragement for my mom through her treatment and recovery. We have been infinitely blessed that she is now cancer free (for all intents and purposes)!

About a week ago, one of my mom's dearest friends, Susan, received an almost identical diagnosis. Susan's support and love and encouragement sustained me through my pregnancy and my mom's illness, and to hear "cancer" again attributed to a woman I adore as deeply as my own mother was a total shock and a blow to my existence. She has recently undergone surgery and is in the recovery process before her treatments begin, and her family has rallied around her with the grace and comfort only God can provide.

Susan's middle son David recently posted this on her Caring Bridge page. If you or a loved one has ever faced cancer or any scary time in life, repeat these words to yourself. Even if you don't believe them at first, God will work in you.

Don't Waste Your Cancer

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.

2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.

3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.

4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.

5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.

6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.

7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.

8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.

9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.

10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

 

"The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing." -  Zephaniah 3:17