Is May the New December?

A picture of my Mother's Day afternoon!

My Fantastic Four!! 

My amazing Mother! 

Someone said the other day that May is the new December and I totally agree. Between awards ceremonies, end of the year parties, graduations, performances, recitals, etc....we have been running crazy. I had some time to slow down on Mother's Day and I am so thankful for that. After having breakfast in bed followed by a great sermon at church, my husband and brother made dinner for us. Meanwhile I lounged by the pool, a perfect day. The weather has been absolutely beautiful here to top it off!

I am so thankful to be a mother, and to celebrate my mother. I don't know what I would do without her. When we talked about moving closer to my husband's new job.....the thought of not being 20 minutes away from her was crippling. She and my dad are there for us whenever we need them. They have been so very helpful during this time of transition. When we were down to one car, and on days when I need help picking the kids up to get them to dance, T-ball, and more. 

I know I sound like a broken record, but this shop fast has taught me so much about appreciating the little things. Don't get me wrong, I still salivate over the latest J. Crew and Nordstrom catalogs...but I have something that I didn't in the past, control. I also feel satisfied and I really do appreciate all that I have. The few little freebies I have snagged along the way have sure helped lesson the sting...but if I was shopping, I don't think I would have found such joy in these small things. I am glad that I can see that now. Oh and guess who got new bathing suits for Mother's Day??? I am so excited! :) 

Big Time Blessed

Some days are a struggle, and some days I can't stop counting the ways I am blessed. My life is never without bumps and distractions, but this evening as I sit quietly waiting on my husband to come home from work, I feel so very blessed.

Yesterday a sweet friend called and asked if I was home, she was dropping off some dresses that she had cleaned out of her closet. I was thrilled to have anything that she owned, but as I started trying them on I almost fainted. Four or five Diane von Furstenberg dresses, were among the mix. Let me just say, Diane is a favorite of mine. But I have NEVER had the pleasure of owning one of her pieces. What a thrill! There was a beautiful Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, and BCBG also. I mean, does it get any better than that on a shop fast?

Well it does! Last week I hosed a Stella & Dot party. My super sweet friends came and placed orders rewarding me with almost $400.00 in free Stella & Dot merchandise.  Even my friend Aimee with Chiffon Chronicles out in Colorado placed an online order, so great! I am sure she feels for me as she went through a yearlong shop fast before I even considered it. I chose a HUGE weekend getaway bag, a pair of earrings, and two necklaces. I still have more credits to use!

Well believe it or not....it gets better, and this time not because of free stuff, but because of pure love from my little man. I had the pleasure of attending a Mother's Day breakfast at his preschool this morning, where I was serenaded and served muffins and coffee. Now I can honestly say...it does NOT get better than this!

Swimtastic!

Totally swooning over these Nanette Lapore swim suits! They are perfect for those of us (me) that are transitioning from a bikini to one piece. These are still great for sunning, flattering, and modestly sexy! Since I am not shopping right now my transitioning will have to wait until next summer. But for those of you that are looking for a suit with a bit more coverage that will ease you into a one piece in style, these get my vote! I found them on www.zappos.com!

Spring Fever

The past couple of days I have stood in my closet and felt an overwhelming desire to shop. I haven't felt tempted much at all over the past seven months, so this HAS to be what they call spring fever.

spring fever n. A feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of spring.

My specific desire is to have something new. I lack nothing, but this desire to sport something new has definitely been creeping. SO-in my best defense mode I dug to the depths of my shoe rack, which is stacked in such a way that my dresses cover it. Unless I take the time to dig, I forget what's there and go to what is in sight. To my delight, I found these Charles David gladiators that I haven't worn in forever. Instantly, the desire to find something new was replaced by finding something I didn't know I had. Same story with these white J. Crew capri pants that I purchased last summer! So there you have it, a new to me outfit! Crisis averted :) 

Bringing Out Bohemian

Shout out to m. marie boutique for the dress I bought last year and still love! 

Well here it is....my version of bohemian.

Another week is flying by. Ever since the hubs started his new job, it has felt a lot like Groundhog Day around here, but we are making it. We have decided to stay put for a while, so unfortunately for him he will have to continue the commute. The days go by so quickly, and my work and the kids activities have me running crazy....but we have much to be thankful for. He has a job, and what a blessing that is. God is good......and the list continues:

1000 Gifts
181. Reading with coffee under covers
182. God's way of breaking through to us
183. Learning from others
184. When your mom stops by and does your dishes while you are at work
185. Clean sheets
186. Walking into a clean house
187. French toast with cinnamon sugar
188. Saturday morning patio chats
189. A nap on the weekend
190. Sunday morning sunrise
191. A gift card in the mail
192. An invite to lunch with a sweet friend
193. Swimming pools and cannonballs
194. Comments on my blog
195. Friends that pick up where we left off

"Earthy"

Freeride836 stoke rope bracelet,  my purchase bought one square foot of  the Tanzanian Orphanage.

With Earth Day in mind, I pulled some of the "earthiest" items from my closet. My copper necklace was a gift, handmade and colored naturally by rainwater. My wooden ring was my 12X12 Project purchase last month from Mata Traders. I am also wearing my purchase for this month, a stoke rope bracelet in support of Freeride836. A local father, his sons, and some professionals are kiteboarding 50 miles from Miami to the Florida Keys as soon as they have a good wind window. The money they raise will build an orphanage in Tanzania, Africa. The bracelet is made out of stoke rope that you will find on a kiteboard, and the metal plate lists the longitude and latitude of the orphanage. The bracelets are $20.00 each and 100% of your purchase goes to the orphanage. They can be purchased in Lakeland, FL at Mayzie's boutique, or let me know and I will find a way to get one to you! They just happen to be a client of mine as well! 

To close out the day, we walked the neighborhood to pick up any trash in a bag that my daughter made at school. I love that she insisted upon completing this task, and I so admire her heart! What did you do to celebrate Earth Day? 

Happy Friday!

I hope you all are just as excited about the weekend as I am! Happy Friday! XO