Saturday, December 31, 2016

2016 Favorite Posts



I couldn't let the end of the year arrive without rounding up some of my favorite posts! It's fun to look back over the year and see how this blog has grown and changed and remember some of the fun things we've done!

Friday, December 30, 2016

High Five for Friday 12.30 - Christmas Week

We had a fabulous week!  Here are the highlights!

{ONE}


Monday, December 26, 2016

New Years Eve Outfit: LuLaRoe Elegant Collection Amelia


Happy day after Christmas! I hope your Christmas was wonderful! Today Tif and I wanted to share our New Year's Eve looks with you! We both were able to score this amazing print from the LuLaRoe Elegant Collection! 

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas!


Friday, December 23, 2016

High Five for Friday 12.23 - Almost Christmas

Happy Friday! I'm thrilled because today is our first day of Christmas break (though I got a head start yesterday... read on and you'll see why). I'm looking forward to slower days and just lounging around the house! Here's what we were up to this week:

{ONE}


Russ's parents took the boys last weekend for most of Saturday through Sunday morning. I got to go shopping, we got caught up on SO much like cleaning out the storage room, and I got almost all the presents wrapped! 

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

DIY Felt Christmas Trees


Sometimes it's good to be a slight hoarder. I hoard craft supplies, and it really comes in handy when I get the crafting itch. Especially on a day where it's -10 degrees and I don't want to step foot outside my house! This weekend I got the craft itch, so I pulled out some supplies and made these beauties. These would make a fun late minute gift or just add a little to the decorations you already have! Here's how I did it:

Monday, December 19, 2016

$10 at Target - Camo, Plaid, and Peppermint.


Welcome to December's edition of $10 at Target! Each month a fun bunch of ladies and I share what we scored for just $10 at Target. It's a fun little adventure. We link up on the third Monday of the month each month. Hope you'll join us! 

This Target trip was a fun one. I was out solo on Saturday with no time constraints. It was fun to look around! Here are some things I didn't buy.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

High Five for Friday 12.16 - Family Fun

It's been a fun week around here! Here are the highlights!

{ONE}


Wesley had his preschool Christmas program last Friday. It was just so adorable!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Black, Leopard, and Making it Work


I haven't linked up with Anne and Mom Style Remix in a little while, but when I saw this month's prompt was scarves, I knew I had to get back at it. I've kind of let scarves fall by the wayside in my wardrobe and I'm not sure why. I used to be a scarf with every outfit kind of girl. I have a ton of scarves, but I just wasn't reaching for them much.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Dollar Tree DIY Name Ornament


I always try to add a little personal touch to gifts we give to teachers, whether is making something home made or adding in something that's their favorite color. This year my teacher gifts aren't all that personal, but I wanted to add a little tie on that gave a homemade feel. We have a Dollar Tree that is just minutes from our house, so I find myself going there a lot. I had the craft itch, so I headed there yesterday to see what I could find to make something fun.

Friday, December 9, 2016

High Five for Friday 12.9 - In the Spirit

TIGF!  We have had a great week and have a fun weekend ahead! Here are some of the highlights!

{ONE}



The boys and I went to a gingerbread decorating party sponsored by a local realtor last Saturday. Lets say houses with graham crackers are hard to build, but they had fun nonetheless!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

How I Style It: Buffalo Plaid Christmas Casual


The Christmas season is in full swing here, and I'm feeling all in the spirit. Today, Tif, Della, Rachel, Nicole, and I are sharing our festive holiday looks. I went for a casual look today, and it was perfect for running around doing some errands and attending a gingerbread house decorating party over the weekend!

I may receive a commission if you make a purchase from the links in this post. Thanks for supporting the time and love I put into this space. Please see my disclosure for more details.


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Tuesday Talk 12.6


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Peppermint Sweet & Salty Holiday Snack Mix

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheHoliday #CollectiveBias


If you know me, you know my love of pumpkin runs deep, but a close second place is peppermint. I love peppermint lotions, gum, and snacks, which makes me totally love this time of year and all its peppermint goodness! Today I wanted to share a yummy and pretty simple snack mix that involves peppermint. I whipped this up in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

Monday, December 5, 2016

Mom's Sick Day Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TeaProudly #CollectiveBias



You know I'm all for being prepared. The colds have hit our house on and off this fall, but I have successfully avoided a bad cold so far. However, being a teacher and having small children, I just know it's inevitable! I feel like we always have things for the kiddos when they are sick, but moms need to be prepared for their sick days, too. Today I'm sharing a basket of things I collected to keep on hand to prepare for a sick day. This would also make the perfect little gift for a friend in your life who is sick!

Friday, December 2, 2016

High Five for Friday 12.2 - Holiday Fun & Giveaway

Happy December! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are definitely in the Christmas spirit! Here are some highlights!

{ONE}


We got our Christmas Tree up and lots of decorations!! I just LOVE this time of year. Also if you want a fun little holiday treat recipe, a cozy giveaway, or a fun way to treat your pet for the holidays, check out those links!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Working Gal's Winter Desk Emergency Kit

I have received information and materials from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WinOverWinter #CollectiveBias


One important lesson I've learned in life is be prepared. You never know when something might happen whether it be a wardrobe malfunction, an issue with a contact lens, bad breath, or a headache. Today I wanted to share my winter desk emergency kit with you. It's just some things I keep nearby at work to be prepared for any situation, especially during cold and flu season!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Tuesday Talk 11.29


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Festive and Fun Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies Tree Treats

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TidingsAndTreats #CollectiveBias


I love making holiday treats but I don't always love the mess or the hot oven when baking, so I thought I would try something fun and make some holiday Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies Treats. I chose both to do both Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies  to please the chocolate and plain treat lovers. Right now, Target carries the limited edition holiday colored Rice Krispies cereal, so I was excited to include it in this recipe!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Showing Your Cat Some Love for the Holidays

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Txt4Pet #CollectiveBias



We are so thrilled to have our cat, Toby, back with us for his first Christmas in a few years. He was living at my parents' house when the babies were small, but now that the babies are big enough, he's joined our family again this summer. I wanted to make this Christmas special for him.


He puts up with so much from our kiddos and definitely deserves a little treat this holiday season!

I went shopping at Target to pick up some great Purina goodies for the day to day and to help make him a Christmas stocking! You can shop at Target for your pets, too!


Starting the week of December 4, 2016, Target will have an exclusive coupon to save $10 off a $40 purchase of Purina products. To get it, text PETS10 to 827438. (Note: Data and messaging fees may apply and vary based on individual mobile carrier. Not all mobile carriers and plans may support the text coupon offer system.)

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Cozy Weekend Wear & Giveaway

This post is brought to you by Coobie. All opinions are my own.


During the winter months, we're definitely inside a lot. I'm a person that hates to be cold, so when I'm home, you'll find me in some comfy warm clothes. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

My Preview of The Container Store



Last Thursday, I got to go to a little "Blogger Preview Event" at the new Container Store that opened this weekend in West Des Moines, Iowa! I had never stepped foot in a Container Store before, so I was pretty darn excited to check it out!

Monday, November 21, 2016

$10 at Target - Dollar Spot Jackpot



Welcome to $10 at Target! Every month some wonderful ladies and I share what we scored for $10 at Target. It's always an adventure and so fun to see what everyone got!

Friday, November 18, 2016

High Five for Friday 11.18 - Just a Good Week

Happy Friday! It was just a good week around here. Sure, we had the usual stresses of parenting and adult life, but overall, it was a good week! Here are the highlights:

{ONE}


This picture just cracks me up. I thought we were done with leaves, but the neighbor's tree rained in our back yard, so we made the best of it and played!  Wesley has no clue what's coming!

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Plaid Roundup

This post is sponsored by Groupon but all opinions are my own. #Groupon #ad






Plaid is everywhere, and it's back now more than ever. Yesterday I styled a buffalo plaid top for day and night. Today I wanted to round up some fun plaid pieces for you that would make great wardrobe additions for this winter! Plaid can take basic black and make it seasonal. You can have a touch like a scarf or you can go all out. I'm especially fond of buffalo plaid. All plaids are fun in general, but I'm loving plaids with some red in them for the holidays!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Buffalo Plaid for Day and Night



Hey all! Today I'm teaming up with some great bloggers to share our plaid looks! Buffalo plaid is my favorite, and today I wanted to show you how I wore my buffalo plaid button up and black skinny jeans for a day at school and transitioned the same pieces into a night out for dinner with Russ.

I may receive a commission (with no extra cost added to you) if you make a purchase from the links in this post. Thanks for supporting the time and love I put into this space. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Tuesday Talk 11.15


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5 Tips for a Kid-Friendly Christmas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JoinTheSearch #CollectiveBias



Christmas is such an exciting time at our house and I LOVE sharing the season with our boys. I enjoy finding ways to keep things hands-on and help our boys be involved in the season! Today I wanted to share five ways we make things kid-friendly around our house in anticipation of Jesus's birthday including something new this year, Shepherd on the Search!

Friday, November 11, 2016

High Five for Friday 11.11

TGIF! Did you survive the time change? We got together with friends both nights last weekend, so we were able to keep the boys up a little later and that seemed to make Sunday morning not a big deal. I know that won't work every year, but I'm glad it seemed to work this year.

I had my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday which is not a highlight. Sorry no, pictured of that will be posted online... but I took the rest of the week off work, so I am resting up still today. Here's what else we've been up to:

{ONE}


Russ and I got a little date night on Monday night. The boys went to Grandma and Grandpa's and we went out to dinner. At first we were going to go someplace that was "nice" but instead we went to Five Guys because it was their grand opening night! We used their app to order, so we avoided the long line and got our food quickly! Do you have a Five Guys where you live? Their menu is simple but so, so delicious!

Thursday, November 10, 2016

DIY Thanksgiving Photo Booth Props



When we were on vacation this summer with my family, I brought along some photo both props that I'd purchased from somewhere. I thought it would be fun to make up some Thanksgiving themed ones for our upcoming celebration and I wanted to share them with you!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Numbers and Goals: October



It's crazy that it's already NOVEMBER! And we're a week in!! Today I'm sharing a recap of October in numbers and my goals.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Kate Spade and Urban Decay Giveaway!

Today I'm excited to have a fun giveaway for you! We're celebrate Tif from Bright on a Budget's Birthday! Her birthday was Friday and she turned the big 3-0! We're giving away an adorable Kate Spade Fox coin purse and the Urban Decay Ultimate Basics palette!



This giveaway is only open to residents of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. For all rules, please click the link on the entries to see the full list of Terms and Conditions. Enter below! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 4, 2016

High Five For Friday 11.4 - Halloween!

TGIF! This week felt pretty long, but I'm excited about the upcoming weekend! What are you up to this weekend? Here are highlights from our week!

I may receive a commission if you make a purchase from the links in this post. Thanks for supporting the time and love I put into this space. Please see my disclosure for more details.

{ONE}



We had the BEST Halloween. I mean seriously the best. The boys just had a blast trunk-or-treating at our church and trick-or-treating after that!

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

How I Style It: A Dress for Fall


Today the How I Style It Ladies are sharing our fall dress looks. When I found this dress, I just knew it screamed fall and I had to have it. It's super stretchy, too, which is great for a big Thanksgiving dinner or running around with the kids!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Fall Wardrobe Additions



Today I just wanted to share with you a few new wardrobe items I've added over the past couple weeks. Some are even on their way in the mail yet! It's always fun to get a couple new things to transition to the new season.

I may receive a commission if you make a purchase from the links in this post. Thanks for supporting the time and love I put into this space. Please see my disclosure for more details.



This mama LOVES the peplum! I saw this top on Instagram somewhere and just had to have it. It wasn't online at the time I saw it, but now it is. I ordered it up this weekend along with some cozy PJs! This week if you shop at Target in their clothing section and spend $40 or more, you get $10 off using the code STYLE! I cashed in on that with my purchases! Also, if you're on the lookout for a herringbone vest, they have a very affordable option!




I have been on the edge about the lace up flats trend, but I finally jumped on these. I like them because they don't actually tie. I got the Toffee Leather color, and I think they'll be pretty versatile.


Duster Cardigan

Now, I didn't purchase one from Target like the picture, instead I purchased two from LuLaRoe consultants (Cassy and Allison). The price of the LuLaRoe ones ($70) can be more than some people want to spend, so I wanted to share a more cost effective option for you, though LuLaRoe has awesome patterns and colors (I got a mustard one!) and when you buy from LuLaRoe you're supporting a great boss babe! I'm excited to snuggle up in these. Come back tomorrow to see me wearing one! 



Long Pendant Necklace

I don't know why, but I've been hooked on hunting down Kendra Scott Rae necklaces. They don't seem to be made much anymore, but I like them. Though I love the Kendra Scott Rayne with its tassel, sometimes I just want something a little more simple. I found this one on Poshmark. I found another one in hot pink previously on Poshmark, too! If you haven't shopped on Poshmark yet, I highly suggest it. I've had pretty much all great experience. Use my code JKAYY when you download the app to get $5 off your first purchase! 

What are some things you've added or are hoping to add to your wardrobe this fall?



Linking up with Garay Treasures.

Welcome to the Tuesday Talk Link Up!

Your hosts:



Grab a button! 

bybmg



We have a Tuesday Talk Pinterest Board!  Feel free to follow it for some of our favorite posts!