Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween


Happy Halloween,  from Me, Mike, and our beautiful little miss red riding hood!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Big Changes

Image Via

Sometimes I cant believe how far this little blog of mine has come. When I first started this blog in November of 2010 I knew absolutely nothing about design or blogging, only that I wanted to create a blog to document my pregnancy and journey into Motherhood. It amazes me how over time this small seed that I planted has blossomed and flourished into something I hold so dear to my heart. Blogging has become an incredible passion for me, the writing, the photography, the wonderful community of woman and Mom bloggers I feel so honored to be a part of.

This is why I am so excited to share all the new changes that will be taking place on my blog over the next few months. The biggest change of all and the one I am most excited about is that my blog will be getting a huge makeover thanks to the lovely Tiffany from Tiffany Kuehl Designs. I cant tell you how long I've been dreaming about a new design, and I am so excited that it is finally happening!

Along with the new blog design I will be taking the time to refocus my goals and vision for this blog (this doesn't mean I'm taking a break). I cant wait to share all the exciting new changes and features that will be taking place.

Thank you all for your support and friendships, it means so much to me!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Mornings


Sunday mornings are truly the best. Hope you weekend has been wonderful!

Song: Keep Your Head Up




Keep your head up, keep your heart strong
no, no, no, no.
Keep your mind set, keep hair long
Oh my darlin, keep you head up, keep your heart strong
no, no, no, no.
Keep your mind set in your ways, keep your heart strong. "


Friday, October 26, 2012

Bits + Pieces


On Wednesday Chloe and I spent the day babysitting my friends sweet little girl. It was a beautiful, sunny autumn day so after breakfast I took the girls on a walk around the forest preserve near the house. Both Chloe and Juliet were so tired they quickly fell asleep during our walk. It felt amazing to be outside soaking up the beauty of nature, to think and dream and be surrounded by peace.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Currently


Loving: Recently I have made the decision to clean up my skincare routine and make the switch over to all natural, non toxic products. The three most recent products I have bought that I absolutely love are Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner, Acure's Oil Free Facial Moisturizer, and Zum Bar Goat's Milk Soap in Patchouli & Orange.

Watching: Same as usual- Law and Order Special Victims Unit, Dr. Phil  America's Next Top Model, and Diners Drive-ins and Dives!

Listening to: A few weeks ago I heard the song Only Love by Ben Howard on the radio and instantly fell in love with his music. I pretty much listen to him daily these days!

Thinking about: How to practice positive discipline with Chloe. It's hard to believe we're already at this point in time where Chloe needs more discipline in her life. To be honest I feel completely unprepared for this new stage we're at. I know with all my heart I want Chloe to always feel like she is free to be a child, to explore, learn, and make mistakes. And In no way do I want Chloe to ever feel ashamed or embarrassed or to be subject to corporal punishment. But I'm human, I make mistakes, I get angry and frustrated and I know that sometimes I don't always respond to her in the way I should. This is something I really want to learn and change.

Dreaming about: Changing my look and putting forth more of an effort in my appearance. I would love to get my hair dyed and styled soon as well as piercing my nose and getting a new tattoo. Ahh a girl can dream right?!

Looking forward to: Chloe's second Halloween! We got her costume over the weekend and I cant wait to see her dressed up and take her trick or treating around our neighborhood!

Making me happy: Chocolate, tea, and watching Mike and Chloe laugh and play together.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Good Music: Ben Howard



Happy Monday, hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Today I am featuring a new found love of mine - Ben Howard. His music is beyond beautiful!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Happy Friday


Happy Friday from me and little miss Chloe. 
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend with the one's you love!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Adventure: Lambs Farm


On Tuesday Chloe and I spent the afternoon with some friends exploring Lambs Farm. Chloe went on her first carousel ride, saw lots of farm animals and even got to pet and feed the goats and sheep. As you can see in the pictures above my sweet Chloe is fearless when it comes to animals, which is both exciting and terrifying for me!

We also walked around their pet shop, (where Chloe got to see a talking parrot for the first time), thrift store, and lastly the bakery where we picked out a couple delicious chocolate treats to take home with us. We had such a wonderful day on Lambs Farm, it's always so much fun to spend the day with other Mama's and babies!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Firsts: Pumpkin Carving


On Sunday evening after dinner and afternoon naps we decided it would be fun to carve a pumpkin together.  We went to Trader Joe's to find the perfect pumpkin to carve and after we got home we searched the internet for some design inspiration. I found a pumpkin that was carved into Jack's face from the movie Nightmare Before Christmas that we really liked, so we decided to give that a try.

 Chloe and I cleaned out the pumpkin together, and collected the seeds in a bowl for my brother to season and bake while Mike carved the pumpkin. I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with my husband's carving skills, I think our pumpkin turned out pretty darn awesome!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Always My Baby


It was 16 Months ago today my precious, sweet Chloe made her way into this big, beautiful world. What an incredible gift and blessing this little girl has brought to our lives, because of her we will never be the same. Always and forever she will be my baby, no matter how big or old she gets. 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Around The Web

Happy Friday! So glad the weekend is finally here, well almost. Today me and little miss Chloe have a busy day ahead of us, first a trip to the library ( so I can print out a few resumes and check out a few books for Chloe), then lunch, a playdate, and an interview in the evening!

:: Margaux from Young Nesters is hosting an incredible giveaway on her blog in honor of International Babywearing Week. Go check it out, and enter yourself to win one of the eight carriers she's giving away!
:: I absolutely love this post about breastfeeding from Ashley. It's a must read for expecting or a brand new Mother's planning to breastfeed your child!
:: Speaking of breastfeeding I love, love this article on breastfeeding past infancy.
:: This video on Courtney's blog  about her birth doula is so sweet and inspiring, plus Courtney's daughter, Lorelei has the cutest, squishiest cheeks!
:: I found this awesome article on Pinterest about 75 tv free activities for toddlers. Some of these I hadn't even thought of!
:: I am in desperate need of a new hair style and color so I have been searching Pinterest for some inspiration   and found this style that I absolutely love!
:: This recipe for pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting looks so delicious and perfect for fall.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Song: Only Love


" Darling you're with me, always around me
only love, only love
darling I feel you, under my body
only love, only love
Give me shelter, or show me heart
come on love, come on love
watch me fall apart, watch me fall apart."

I know it's not Monday when I usually share the music I've been loving but yesterday I heard this song on the radio and completely fell in love with it, so of course I had to share it with all of you today! I will probably share a few other song's by Ben Howard on Monday as well, so be on the look out for that post.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Currently

I took these two pictures while driving home from the pumpkin patch on Sunday.

Loving: That it's October, I love autumn and everything about this month! This time of year is so fleeting though so I'm doing everything I can to soak up these beautiful fall days.

Watching: Still watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and the current season of America's Next Top Model. ANTM equals my guilty pleasure!

Listening to: Mike and I have been listening to lots of Deftones lately. Their new single Tempest is so, so good, I cant wait for their new album Koi No Yokan to come out next month!

Thinking About: Our finances and finding the right job for me. Recently I have gone on a few interviews but  still no job. It feels utterly impossible to find a nanny job I can bring Chloe along with so Mike and I are at the point were we are reevaluating our whole plan.

Dreaming About: Photography and one day owning a beautiful dsl digital camera to take pictures with instead of the point and shoot camera I'm currently using. I have always loved photography and dream of the day I can focus my time and energy into it.

Making Me Happy: Motherhood, and spending my days with the sweetest little girl.