{WHW}: First Bday Planning

Yes, you read that right...I'm in the beginning stages of planning Ella's first birthday party. How this is possible, I'm not even sure because it feels like just the other week we were bringing her home!

My SIL in New Jersey offered to host Ella's birthday party including a bouncy (which my BIL rents out on the side). It'll be a party with just family, so relatively low key, which is a-okay with me. There's plenty of time for big birthdays, you know, once Ella actually remembers them haha.

Anyway, I've gone the totally predictable route and turned to Pinterest for good ideas, and I think I've found some cute ideas to try and incorporate.

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Ironically, this girl's name is Ella, too :)

I love the idea of the floral headband, and the tutu around the highchair. She actually has this exact highchair, so I see doing something like this.

I also have all of Ella's monthly photos in the rocking chair in her room, next to her stuffed elephant that I could put on something like the hoop above, or this:

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This cake is gorgeous, and I just love the gold hearts, too!

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I could see her in an outfit similar to these two:

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The tutu is probably my favorite, but who doesn't love glitter shorts too?

A fun extra, would be something like this for a makeshift "photo booth"

And I'd love to snap a fun photo like one of these of my girl on her special day:

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For mamas who've already done the first birthday, are there any things that you did that were super cute? Or things that didn't go well? Give me your thoughts!

Now it's your turn to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

WHW {#77}

Happy hump day everyone! Hopefully the week's going quickly for you--mine has been all over the place with a 2 hour power outage at school on Monday leaving us without power, phones or internet, and a half day at work yesterday because MG and I had an appointment for an echocardiogram at the hospital for the baby (everything looked great!). So, today feels like it got here pretty quickly, and luckily we've had some bursts of sunshine the last day which have been few and far between lately. 

I was also a little M.I.A. yesterday because I needed a break from social media. I've been feeling really overwhelmed by all of the negativity that seems to be put out there lately. Republicans against Democrats, seeing celebrations of certain groups of people/political party's lack of power now, people bashing the Women's March, Democrats bashing Republicans, facts and figures about attendance.... It's not doing good things for my soul or for my stress levels which I know isn't good for the baby. I've been not logging in as often, and unfollowing when needed.

In that vain, and based on the responses to the Kid President video I posted on Monday, today's post is going to be filled with things that bring a smile to our faces and remind us of kindness. We need more of this every day. Not the pointing fingers, celebrating others' losses, looking for evil, arguing. Just happy things, love and acceptance. So, here goes...get ready to put on your happy pants!

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Just remember, we all have things in common:

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And we all need a helping hand once in a while:

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And challenges that life throws at us:

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So find someone, especially someone who has a different view than you, and show them some kindness. 

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We all could use it.

If you don't feel like smiling, or participating in the kindness train, this is my response to you:

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Have a happiness and kindness-filled Wednesday (and hell, let's get crazy and go for the rest of the week too while we're at it!)

Link up with Jessi and I below to share what's hap-"pinning" with you lately.

What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday {#35}

Happy middle of the week, friends! We're halfway through, and halfway there--keep plugging away!

For the last week, whenever I'm on Pinterest I feel like I keep pinning yummy looking recipes...and then clothes. Of which I probably wouldn't fit into if I ate all of the recipe I've been pinning. But, I digress.

These are the drool-worthy pins I've found lately--some slightly healthier, and some....not:

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I love sweet potatoes but never thought to make them into potato skins.
Artichoke dip stuffed bread. Do I need to say anything else?
I've been super intrigued by baked/roasted cauliflower and this looks really yummy!
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On to the pretty clothes I've been finding!

These dresses just have me aching for Spring. Our weather here gives us a taste of a 70 or 80 degree day and then a day or two later we're in the 40s and I'm wearing boots and my Winter coat again!

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These tassel shorts are so stinking cute!! I can't get over it!

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Aren't they SO adorable??? 

Ok, now it's your turn to link up and share what's hap-"pinning" with you. Remember, it doesn't HAVE to be Pinterest-related, it can be anything!

What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday {#30}

Happy Wednesday, friends! Before we get into the link up today, I wanted to thank you all, again, for the outpouring of love, support and prayers you all have been offering up regarding my dad. We appreciate it more than I can express into words, but thank you!

Now, are you ready to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you? Remember, it doesn't have to be related to Pinterest!

This week, I've spent some time on Pinterest (time in the hospital lends itself to Pinterest-ing), and found some great pins: food, clothing, home, quotes...I've got something in every category for you!

To Eat:

 (Yes it says champagne gummy bears. You're welcome)

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For The Home: 

How gorgeous is this office set up? I feel like it would be my office if I lived in Hawaii. Two things to dream about :)

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 For Your Soul/Inspiration:

I love this one

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 For Your Closet:

I'm dreaming of those warm weather days after having temps in the upper 60s and low 70s this week (too bad it's gonna be in the 40s again tomorrow). I can dream about these in the meantime...

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For Your Smile:

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Now it's your turn to link up and share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

What's Hap-"Pinning?" Wednesday {#5}: Wino Edition

The lovely ladies, Amanda and Lindsay who host Wino Wednesdays asked me to co-host their link-up this month and I was eager to join in! So, today, What's Hap-"Pinning" is all wine-inspired! (yep, I can hear your shouts and cheers of Wooohoo from all the way over here!)

The wine I'm sharing with you all is one of my absolute favorites! MG and I discovered it when we signed the contract at our wedding venue and they sent us home with two bottles and we loved it!

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

It runs about $12 a bottle and you can find it in most grocery stores, and I've also found it at Costco (which is where we often buy it since it's a dollar or two cheaper than the grocery store). 

It has a crisp, citrus taste to it, and is always perfect on a warm evening, or at the end of a stressful day...or a day that ends in 'y'. ;)
According to some research that I did, it pairs well with asparagus, summer salads, lobster, and fresh oysters. Now, I just need to get someone to bring those delicious items to my house and I'll be in wine-heaven!!
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And since we're talking about wine, what's hap-"pinning" over here would make any wino a happy camper: 

You all know how much I love a good DIY (but I don't do enough of them), and these wine-inspired ideas totally have me wanting to get crafty!

{love painted wine bottle decor}   {wine cork coasters}   {outdoor wine decor!}

I also love finding fun wine-related accessories, or things that make it easier to drink more wine. Because wine.

Makes me want to drink outside                 and plan a picnic                   where I can bring these!

You guys also know that I love finding funny pins on Pinterest, and these wine-inspired ones  were perfection:

Love this                                   I need this welcome mat                        So cute

Now show us what's hap-"pinning" with you, by linking up with Jessi (a fellow wine lover) and I below!

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To continue on with my month of gratitude, today's prompt was "technology":

My phone is probably the  piece of technology that I'm most thankful for. It allows me to take pictures, stay connected with friends and family, be connected with the world (when I want to be), provides entertainment when I'm bored, helps me get un-lost when I'm driving in a new place, and a bunch of other things that just make life easier. I'm definitely grateful for this piece of technology and all of the things it allows me to do! #Gratitude30

Home Ideas

Owning a house can be a lot of work, but it can also be a ton of fun to get ideas and try and incorporate them into your own sapces.

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I pin a LOT of home decor and rooms for ideas about what we want to do to our own house--and if you browse through you can usually see which room we're focusing on at the time based on the number of pins of a certain type of room. 

I thought it would be fun to compile a few of my favorite pins from each room of the house that I'd love to do ourselves, or at least take some inspiration from:

Entry Way:

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Master Bedroom:

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Living Room:

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Guest Room:

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Bathroom:

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Kitchen:

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Dining Room:

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Basement/Living Area:

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Fireplace:

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There are obviously tons of other ideas and rooms, but these are definitely some of my favorites. We've already taken inspiration from several of these photos and rooms to do in our own house which really helps you get the vision, and then it's fun figuring out how to make it your own.

What are some of your favorite pins related to homes/rooms/decor?

WILW and Oh How Pinteresting

It's Wednesday, which means that it's time for...

assuming these link ups are actually up this week...

I'm loving that we're already at the half-way point for the week. Means we're closer to the weekend, but it also means I'm that much closer to needing to have a therapy schedule draft done for work. So, maybe I'm not loving that it's Wednesday after all lol

I'm loving our new tv stand in our living room. Our old one was MG's and it was metal and glass, BULKY and didn't really match the rest of our furniture. This new one is sleek, fits with the rest of our stuff, and opens up the room SO much. Love!

I'm loving looking at our wedding registry online. I'm kind of nervous for people to see it, too. We have some big ticket items on there, and I don't want people to be overwhelmed or feel pressure to HAVE to buy that stuff for us. But, it's really fun to picture getting these things over the course of the next 6-7 months!

I'm loving seeing all of my kiddos from last year. A lot of them run up and give me a hug, or purposely come out to my office (I'm not in the main building) just to say hi. One of the many things that I love about my job.

I'm loving that someone had the cajones to say to my "frenemy bride" that her email to me wasn't nice. Finally, someone said something! (Not that it's made any bit of difference in how "frenemy bride" has treated me, but it's nice to know someone saw our side of the situation).

I'm loving Post-it notes. If I had to pick one desk supply item, those would totally be it. I write so many notes to myself and other people on Post-its, I'd be lost without them. #dorkpartyofone

And, as always, I'm loving Pinterest. Here's what I've been pinning lately:

I need to find these pants this season!

I love extra storage!

Crockpot Apple Crumble dessert---YUM!

I love animals!

Amen!

this one just makes me laugh :)

  ......You know you want to....:)