Friday Finds + Faves

Happy Friday, friends! We made it through the week!

I want to start sharing these Friday Finds/Faves posts with you all again. I always feel like I have so much to share and then the week flies by! But, these Friday posts can be just a quick little round up of some things I have loved from the week and also a round up of the outfit posts from my instagram... So, let's get started!

1. Amazon Finds - I got $20 this tunic tee and this $10 blanket scarf on the mail earlier this week and I am loving the combo with leggings! The blanket scarf is actually a triangle shape, which I like so it's not so bulky when I wrap it around my neck. The tunic fits true to size and I'm wearing a small. It has a nice long length that is perfect to wear with leggings! Comes in a ton of colors!

2. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings - These were definitely a splurge and I actually ordered then right before the Nordstrom sale ended when they came back in stock in my size. They are back to full price now ($98), BUT I will say after receiving them and trying them on they are definitely worth the hype! They are true SPANX brand and really suck you in up top! And I love that you can dress them up or down. I'm planning to put together a blog post maybe next month with lots of different ways to style them. These run true to size and I'm wearing a size small. They are a little long for me, but I'm able to pull them up a bit so they don't bunch up too much at the bottom. (I'm also only 5'2" so everything is long on me!)

($20 tunic tee | $10 blanket scarf | SPANX faux leather leggings | ankle booties)

3. Target backpack: I ordered this backpack handbag after my girl Ja'Net (Running on Clean) raved about it on her instagram stories. I'm so happy I got this bag because it can fit all the things AND double as a diaper bag if needed. Also, it's less than $37!

(olive green high waisted jeggings | striped long sleeve tee | ankle booties | backpack handbag | monogram necklace)

(plaid flannel top | similar black distressed jeans | backpack | ankle booties)

4. Chilly Mornings: It has been chilly in the mornings this week and it really got me excited for fall weather! I actually wore a cardigan and jeans a few days this week! Of course, it's supposed to get back up in the 80s and possibly 90s next week, so enjoying it while it lasts!

(lace trim cami | thermal button down top | high waisted distressed jeans | booties | leopard clutch | monogram necklace)

Other random things I loved from this week...

5. Read Scripture app: I recently downloaded this app to help me with studying the bible. I've tried some other bible study apps and this one is my favorite because it actually has videos you watch before each chapter that gives a great visual of the stories. I'm such a visual learner and this has helped me understand the stories of the bible so much better than just reading it alone! Highly recommend!

6. Lindsey's 'LRT Fall' playlist on Spotify: This playlist is giving me all the 'sitting in a cozy coffee shop' vibes. I love this mix of music with all of my favorite bands/artists (think Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Vance Joy, etc). I've been listening to this mix in the morning while I work and sip on my coffee!

7. Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer (sugar free): Speaking of coffee... Call me #basic but, the combo of my freshly brewed coffee and this creamer in the morning just makes me happy!

8. One on One time: I've been loving our new schedule which allows me to have one on one time with my boys every Wednesday. I've been able to switch my work schedule around so that every Wednesday I'm home with one of my boys (the other one goes to my parent's house for the day). I've just been craving more one on one time with both of them, and my parents agreed to this set up so we made it happen! They are both at such fun ages that also require a lot of my undivided attention. Wether we spend the day out and about running around, meeting for a playdate or just hanging out at home, I just love being with them and having that quality time with them. This past Wednesday, I was home with Bennett and we had such a fun day! He was feeling a little under the weather (I think it's allergies!) so we just stayed home most of the day, but were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather in the afternoon. His little smile and laugh just melts my mama heart!

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What have you been loving this week?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Red, White & Blue! Bennett is TWO!

We had such a fun time this past weekend celebrating Bennett's 2nd birthday! I had planned for the theme to be Red, White and Blue just because it was the weekend before the 4th and it rhymed with TWO! Also, it helped that there were a TON of cute red, white and blue decorations out in stores... Mainly, the Target dollar spot which is my jam! 

The party was in the early afternoon, so we just ordered some pizza, I made a few side dishes and my mother-in-law made the cupcakes! I wanted this party to be as easy and casual as possible!

I got most of the decorations at Target and a few from Party City, but you can find a lot of similar items from Amazon (I linked some similar decor items below)! 

I made this American flag layered Mexican dip which was a hit! I also made a really easy pasta salad (cooked spiral pasta, cherry tomatoes sliced, mini cucumbers sliced, crumbled feta cheese, garlic expressions dressing) and set out some chips and salsa and puff corn for snacks. 

My mother-in-law made the yummy vanilla and chocolate cupcakes! I just added some fresh strawberries and blueberries on top to coordinate with the colors (and Bennett loves berries!). 

We also had a lot of fun water activities set up outside for the kiddos! The big hit was this inflatable slide pool (similar here and here) ! Make sure to get this air pump to make the set up go a little faster! 

We also had a baby pool and water table set up for the littler ones and a slip 'n slide for the older kids! 

This little fold up picnic table was a recent Amazon purchase and it worked perfectly for the kids to eat outside!

One of Bennett's gifts from the family was a play grill! He and Camden are both loving it! 

We had such a fun day! As exhausting as it is to plan and host a birthday party, it was so worth it for those smiles on their faces! 

Happy Birthday to my sweet Bennett!! We love you!!

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Halloween 2017

Oh, hey! I feel like I'm apologizing every time I post now which I don't feel great about. But, things are just busy busy busy this time of year! Have I mentioned that I started a photography business on the side? Oh, yea..that happened! And it happened pretty organically which I love. One of Bill's friends contacted me about taking their family photos and I was happy to do it at no cost because it's something I truly enjoy! Once I posted the final product on facebook, I decided to create a little facebook page for my photography and BAM! I got 7 messages asking to schedule sessions! I kept my cost pretty low just to see what kind of interest I would get. I have 6 photo sessions scheduled between now and the first week of December, and one that I completed last weekend!

So, between this new photography venture, working, mothering, wifing, (oh...and throw in potty training!) my plate seems to be pretty full at the moment which hasn't left a lot of time for blogging. But, don't fret! I'm not going anywhere!

I did want to at least get some trick or treat photos posted before Thanksgiving! We had such a fun night with the boys and I was really impressed with how long they lasted on trick or treat night. Our neighborhood hosted a little pizza in the park before trick or treat started which was so nice because I didn't have to think about making dinner for the night. Bennett was a little hesitant at first about his costume, but once we got outside with all the hoopla he was excited to join in the fun! He loved looking at all the other kids all dressed up! Camden was so excited for his fire fighter/ fire truck costume! Everyone loved it! AND we had a surprise visit from a REAL fire truck in our neighborhood! The local fire fighters come every year to pass out candy to the kids. So, of course I had the perfect photo op!

And now for the photo overload...

(Camden's costume here and boots are here | Bennett's costume here)

I mean... Does it get much cuter??

Here was my creative costume... and yes, I wore the same one last year!

shirt via Etsy | cardigan | jeans Express (old, similar here)

Now that we have Halloween out of the way... Can we start decorating for Christmas? No? Too soon?

I did at least FINALLY decorate our mantel for fall! I guess this will tide me over until Christmas decoration time...

That's all for now! Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

I'm linking up with Natalie and Annie for Thoughts for Thursday!

Motherhood Lately + The Perfect Fall Shirtdress

shirtdress (comes in 2 other solid colors. Plaid options here) | riding boots | necklace

Motherhood lately has been so fun! Exhausting...but, fun. I love that the boys are just starting to be at the age where they are starting to play with each other and like the same things. There's still a bit of a communication gap and of course I'm constantly playing referee with the toy tug-o-war. BUT, it is fun to see them laugh and play together. 

Camden is now almost 3 (he will be 3 on November 20th!) and Bennett will be 16 months on the 28th. I am so excited for the upcoming holiday season with these two. Having a one year old and a 3 year old at Christmas time will be so magical! I feel like this will be the first year Camden will actually 'get' the concept of Santa and Christmas morning. I can't wait to see their faces light up that day!!

Of course, it's not all rainbows and butterflies all the time. These ages... they are TOUGH! Bennett is just starting to show his toddler personality. Testing his limits, trying to get into everything he shouldn't, throwing his sippy cup and food on the floor... How quickly we forget about this stage! He is also SO stubborn (which I know he get from his father!). He wants to walk everywhere and goes straight towards the street when we are outside. When I try to hold his hand, he slaps my hand away as if to say 'I don't need your help!' He wants to do everything on his own! 

He's also starting to reach for all the door handles in the house which Camden just recently figured out so it's funny that Bennett is already doing this! Bennett has also cut a total of 6 teeth in the past few months and is currently working on his k9 teeth (the sharp ones on top). The drool has been non-stop! 

However, with those challenging times comes one of my favorite stages! Bennett loves to dance and whenever there is music playing he starts shaking his little hips back and forth! It's probably my favorite thing to watch! He also is so funny and loves to giggle! He is just starting to instigate wrestling with his brother which is so cute! They just roll around on each other and laugh!

He is also much more cuddly at this age than I remember Camden being. Especially right before bedtime and after naps, he just melts in my arms and I soak up every ounce of it! He also loves to blow kisses and says 'muaw!' when we say give me a kiss! It's the best! He is also up to saying over a dozen words! His little voice is so cute and I love that he wants to communicate with us!

Camden is also starting to creep slowly to that 'three-nager' phase I've been hearing about. He is constantly asking questions and wants to know about everything! He also still thinks all the toys in the house are his and Bennett is just borrowing them 😂

We are about 50/50 with the potty training situation, but he does really well at 'school' so I know he's ready. I think it's time for potty training boot camp one these next few weekends since we don't have too many plans. I was hoping to get him trained by the time he turns 3, so we've got a month!

Along with his 'three-nager' attitude, he also says some of the sweetest things! He will randomly look up at me and say 'you look pretty mommy!' 😊  I don't know who taught him how to say that, but I'll take it! And sometimes after I pick him up from school he will say, 'I missed you mommy!' which just melts my heart into a puddle everytime!

Both boys are on the same schedule now, only taking one nap in the middle of the day. It makes things SOOO much easier especially with planning out our day. We typically always go on an outing in the mornings when we are home. Even if it's just getting them outside to get some exercise. I love that we live across the street from a playground! That is definitely one of the main reasons we purchased our home. 

As cliché as the saying is, it is so true...

Yes, the days are looooong, but the years are SHORT! 

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Apples, Pumpkins and Ponies... Oh My!

We had such a fun time this past weekend visiting The Orchard and Company in Plain City, Oh. I knew I wanted to take the boys apple picking again this year, since it was a hit (well, with Camden) when we went last year. I researched a few apple orchards in town and landed on this one because of the location (just a quick 20 min drive fro our house) and the fact that it had so many other fun things for the boys to see and do. Unfortunately, their apple orchard was hit with hail this spring so the apples were slim pickings (literally ha!). But, we did manage to find a few to use for a photo op of course! 😉   Both boys started chomping down on the apples as soon as they got them in their hands! Bennett kept saying 'Ahh -PPLE! Ahh -PPLE!' since it is one of the handful of words he can say now! He was in heaven!

warning: photo overload to follow....

links to items I'm wearing: hunter boots | leggings | long sleeve tee ($19) | sunglasses 

We barely got a family photo! Both boys were not having it, so I'm actually surprised we got one where they are both semi smiling! 

I forgot to change the setting on the camera before I handed it to Bill (I'm learning to use manual mode!), so this photo was a little blown out and over exposed, but I like it edited in black and white and too cute not to share!

After walking around the orchard for a bit, we headed over to the pumpkin field. There were rows and rows of beautiful, big, round pumpkins! Camden has loved pumpkins since his first halloween and Bennett's eye just lit up when he was them too! 

Last, but not least, Camden rode a pony for the first time! He was a little hesitant at first, but I told him it would be like riding a real carousel (since he loves the one at the zoo) and he would be like a cowboy! Once he realized that mommy would be right by him, holding on to him the whole time, he was more excited. 

We didn't stay long since it opened at 11am and by noon the boys were both starting to get hungry and tired (aka cranky). Maybe next year they will be able to stay a bit longer for all the other fun activities they had there!

Even though taking these types of outings with the boys at this age can be exhausting, I'm so glad we did it! And I'm glad I brought my 'good' camera to document these fun family memories we are making! 

In other news... I got my hair chopped this weekend! I am loving the new sassy length! If you follow my instastories, you may have seen a pic! I'm hoping to post about my new 'do, some other recent happenings as well as some recent wardrobe purchases I've made. Also, I'll be co-hosting a really fun giveaway via Instagram towards the end of this week, so make sure you are following me here! So much to catch up on, so stay tuned!