DIY :: A look back

I'm sure I really don't need to say where I saw this idea at. 

Yes, Pinterest. 

After finally going to three different stores looking for the d-rings, I finally found some! So a couple weekends ago I sat down for all of the five minutes it took me to do this, and was quite pleased with how it turned out!

What you need :

Christmas cards (I just saved the picture ones)

3-ring hole punch

(2) D-rings

How to do :

Organize your photo cards based on cardstock and size

Hole punch them all

Slide them into the d-rings

Snap together

....and VOILA

Another super easy little project! 

I think it'll be fun to bring these back out in the upcoming years to see how much all of the kiddos have changed!!

Happy Friday the 13th!

life with a 16 month old

{sneak peak of our new gallery wall in the works}

Did baby girl really just turn 16 months old on Sunday? Seriously cannot believe that we are getting close to her being 1.5 years old. I mean pretty soon I'm not going to be able to call her my 'baby girl'. 

Life with her is still the BEST, but, oh these past couple months have been challenging. She's definitely discovered her voice in a sense that we'll be in Target and all of the sudden I realize all eyes are on me because my child is uncontrollably screaming at the top of her lungs where her face is turning bright red. 

Yep, super fun. 

Oh and have I mentioned the temper tantrums? This little missy britches sure knows how to throw them topped with a little drama. The kind that she slams her head back on the floor laying there crying. Or just crawling (yes, I said crawling) as fast as she can to get away from me once she realizes I am coming after her. 

Let's go back to the crawling for a minute, yes life for us with a 16 month old still involves that. Am I worried, NO. Am I just mentally ready for her to be, YES. She did take her first steps before we left for Christmas, which was awesome *see video below*!! It's just been coming in strides, she'll do it when she wants to, and then she'll throw a fit when we try to make her. So clearly she isn't ready yet. I mean who would want to start walking when you have your mama to carry you around all the time. But I do have high hopes that later this month is going to be the real deal.

We have a gazillion other good ones from that night but for some reason I can't get them to work right now, so this will have to do. But you get the gist- she knows what she's doing!

I will say though that the other 95% of the time she is the sweetest, snuggliest (is that a word?), funniest, entertaining little girl i could ever imagine spending all my days with. 

Boy am I ever so lucky to be her mama!

Rain Rain Go Away

Our day has looked a lot like this. 

Rainy...

Cold....

.... topped with TWO sick girls in this household.

That's right, we're both sick, AGAIN! 

I'm so over it, but I guess this is what comes with the territory when your kids are in 'school'. 

We did have to run out for a hot minute earlier, so naturally baby girl had to sport her new rain gear.

Cuteness!!

New cover

I thought by this week that I would be the proud new owner of that fancy white with gold dots iphone case, BUT not so much. 

Got the email from Kate Spade a few days later that after I placed my order it had already sold out before fulfilling mine. 

So now I'm back at square one picking out a new one. 

That KS stripe one makes me happy just looking at it!

Spring Launch

Are you ready? 

Stella & Dot's 2012 Spring Collection is here!!! 

I have been so anxious for this line as I have heard (and seen) some amazing things!

Be sure to check out my Facebook page for more info!!

Here's a sneak peak at a few of my favorite items I am coveting...

{Sidewinder Ring :: $69}

{Serenity Stone Drop :: $49}

{Serenity Small Stone Drop :: $34}

{Felicity Hoops :: $54}

{Capri Chandelier Earrings :: $49}

{Sidewinder Bracelet :: $34}

{Luna Wrap Bracelet :: $89}

{Indira Necklace :: $228}

{Pippa Necklace :: $69}

{Sidewinder Necklace :: $44}

{Bianca Tassel Necklace :: $138}

What are some of your favorites??

life lately :: weekend edition

How is it already Monday? 

Really people? 

The weekend went by WAY too quickly.

However we did managed to squeeze in a few house projects (more to come on that this week) + a long walk (we had weather in the low 70's...say what?!?) + a movie (convinced hubs to watch "Something Borrowed"- I enjoyed it so much I watched it twice!) + getting to experience Chinese food with him for the first time (I know, I can't believe it either) + celebrating a gal pal's 30th with lots of friends, sushi & champagne!!

So yes, it was a good weekend!

**but now sad to report that both baby girl and i are sick. no bueno!**

{via instagram & b-dubs iphone}

Christmas Recap :: Part I

Finally last night I got around to uploading and editing all of my Christmas pictures. I'm rather disappointed with myself and the lack of picture taking that went on, but I am quickly realizing that is happening a lot lately with our busy lives. Guess we need to work on that for 2012! 

While up in New Jersey celebrating the joyful holiday, we got to get together with the hubs high school crew and their little bundles! I always love a play-date, especially when it involves some boys. We don't get to see much blue running around here in Raleigh. 

Just lots and lots of pink!! 

We've had the pleasure of hanging with this angel baby below (Christopher) a few times. What a little chunk of love he is...and growing growing by the day!!

{August 2011 :: meeting Christopher just days after he was born}

 {Lills + Christopher}

And here is another addition, sweet Bobby! What a little love bug he is! I'm so thrilled we got to meet him, and of course visit with his parents!! 

 {Lills (15m) + Christopher (4m) + Bobby (4m)}

{Friends + Babies + Hubbies}

Later that evening, the adults got to get together for some Christmas cheer before some of us had to head back south...

Doesn't this remind you of a middle school party?

A visit from the GM

That's right, Lillian's official/un-official godmother came for a visit right after Christmas. It was so fun having her here with us. Seeing as how we both had been traveling over the holiday, we did a lot of sitting on the couch and catching up like old times! 

Of course one of Alexis' favorite Raleigh spots is Furbish, so we made a stop there where she scooped up a few new goodies for her home. And while I had no intention of buying anything for myself, I walked out with this lighting beauty...

It was sitting on top of the 50% off rack and just too good of a deal to pass up. I'm not a 100% sure I'm going to keep it where it is, but for right now it works. 

I have also been wanting to try a new restaurant in town (well, somewhat new to me because I have yet to venture there), Beasley's Chicken + Honey. Boy was this place delish!!! I seriously wanted to order one of everything. We all got the fried chicken biscuit + mac & cheese + green tomatoes and it was divine! 

I'm pretty sure we all cleared our plates in no time. But while I was highly disappointed in their wine selection, that won't stop me from dropping by there again! 

Hanging out with the GM was the perfect way to wind down after the holidays!! 

Come back soon. Lills misses you already!

Last day in 2011

Love her...

Here's wishing everyone a super awesome start to their 2012 year ahead!! 

Cheers!!!

My Family

Well now that Christmas has come and gone, I can finally post some pictures from our family session we had back at the end of October! Yes I'm proud that I was able to keep these to myself that long.

We didn't want a few presents to be spoiled, so we kept mum about it until the Christmas Cards went out...and then again until Christmas Day.

Hubs and I were both so pleased with how they turned out! It was a gorgeous fall day and we had just the perfect spot to hang out at (thanks to a friend who shared with me this amazing park). And I must say, the photographer definitely captured our sweet girl in all her glory...good, bad & funny!

 {my 3 loves}

{someone did NOT want to hold the banner--total meltdown!}

 {hubs and i favorite pic of baby girl!}

{daddy and his clone}

 {my favorite picture with the 3 of us!}

{in the midset of saying "uh-oh"}

{there are a few of you that i am sure will appreciate this picture, so i couldn't resist!!}


**Christmas highlights to come soon, but first a few more days of playing with my bestie who flys into town today to visit us!!!**