Giving Thanks

Yeah, I'd definitely like to renege my Grinchy attitude earlier in the week. What a blessing Thanksgiving Day turned out to be!

We went out of town to Pink Pimpette & Brother's for the rest of the week. Their driveway looked like a car lot indeed (9 total). There were 2 other cars not pictured too!

Pink Pimpette had a beautiful Thanksgiving table set.

It was great to have family all together in one place...FINALLY!

Twins

Ash & Me

BeeBee & Twin

PP's brother & his girlfriend

My task was to make the green bean casserole. It was my tiny contribution to the overwhelming feast. Sad thing is I forgot to bring the ingredients...thanks Mom!

Someone's in the Kitchen... Well we missed BeeBee, but here are the other Smith Girls {and Baby Sophie in PP's belly}. Oh and if you're feeling a little deja vu coming on, Pink Pimpette & I both wore the same dresses this year as we did last- only she's preggers this year and I'm not!

All in preparation for the feast!

We have much to be thankful for! This little one was great all during dinner...

Because he was out like a light!

I love Thanksgiving!

Thank God for His blessings ...despite my reluctance to fully accept them sometimes. What was I thinking?!?

I think it's interesting how our nation takes a single day out of the year to celebrate being thankful- with whatever belief system you have. The last Thursday of November, everyone feels compelled to stop and count their blessings, show their gratitude, and take time to call/visit/text message/write on Facebook about what a great day it is. While it's a wonderful excuse to spend time with loved ones and take the day off {!}, I know one of my Thanksgiving Resolutions {can I make those?} is to make sure to show my thanks throughout the year. And to take action with my gratitude.

First order of business: get rid of the Grinch!

A Jewel To Set in the Hearts of Men

So while my previous post is out of character AND obviously out of the Holiday spirit {and we all know bitterness doesn't look so pretty in whatever package you wrap it up in}, I want to share a little pre-Thanksgiving happiness.

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." ~E.P. Powell

In my opinion, Thanksgiving shouldn't just be a day set aside, or even just a "holiday season" to give thanks...it should be an ongoing action. And the day itself?...Well, it's a culmination of celebrating all we've been blessed with and the gratitude expressed through giving to others.

As we have been blessed, let us be blessings to others.

A sweet friend of mine writes a weekly devotional blog and here's an excerpt that I found uplifting and a spiritual challenge that I believe God is calling me to do right now:

"As you count your blessings this week, ponder how He may be guiding you to be a blessing to someone else. Recognize, seize, and be obedient to follow through with the opportunities God drops in your lap. Pray, plan, and participate in what you feel led to do. There's no question He wants to use you.....that's why we are here."

Check out SusieMc's Weekly Verse and Message HERE

Doorbells and Sleigh Bells and Schnitzel with Noodles

These are a few of my favorite things: {LOOOONG Overdue!}

1. Annechovie Prints: Anne Harwell is a brilliant artist splashed across almost every designer blog. I'm purchasing a card collection {to be framed} from her Etsy store for my mostly-white sunroom redo...yay!

2. Learning from my Mistakes: This is key. I seem to have a knack for making the same mistakes over and over again...particularly in the romantic relationship realm. But of course a huge key in learning from your mistakes is actually admitting you've made a mistake in the first place. How do you learn from it then? Well, you make a conscious effort to not repeat that same mistake. Do something different. Realize that if you continue in the pattern of making the same mistakes, then you'll inevitably result in the same outcome. Duh!


3. Getting Ready for First Dates: Speaking of the "romantic relationship realm"...even when there's no real spark, I have always enjoyed the preparation and anticipation of a first date. Admittedly, I've only had a small handful of great first dates and about 2 or 3 exceptional first dates BUT that doesn't take away from the fun and excitement of preparing for the possibility of something great.

4. Baby Gap: Yep, I'm loving the cool-weather clothes for baby boys right now. The Aspen lodge looks, the layered clothes, the fun hats and toboggans...

5. Keep Calm and Carry On: I think I've mentioned this poster before... I have an inspired art project in mind, also for my sunroom. These are British WWI PR posters. Like the Annechovie prints, this has made its rounds in the design world...at some points I think it's been overplayed but then again some people say that about coral / shabby chic / sunburst mirrors. I say just use what you love.Here are some poster spoofs of the original design. The messages are great-hmmmm, maybe I need these more!

6. Philosophy's Falling in Love scent: Yep, this lives up to its name in my book. A romantic, feminine, delicate scent.

7. Holiday Dresses: I perhaps saved the best for last. I adore Christmas parties...and especially dressing up for them. Here are some beautiful classic dresses in black and/or black and white.

{via Anthropologie}
{via Shabby Apple}
{via Shabby Apple}
{via Shabby Apple}

Blog Round Up - Chic Mommy

When I became a Mum, things like fashion and style were moved to the backburner...but in 9 short months, I've learned they don't have to be! It's a delicate balance but you don't have to lose your own identity in taking on the new role of being a Mommy.

This Blog Round Up is a list of blogging Mommies that have helped inspire me to "keep the pretty" all whilst tackling the job of Mommyhood.

Full House is a stylish {and gorgeously modelesque} mother of twins AND triplets blogs about home decor, Anthropologie-inspired DIYs, fashion, and life. She lives a lovely, busy, colorful life...and makes it appear effortless!

Rustic, shabby chic, and all-white decor covers Life in the Fun Lane. A mom of an infant blogs about her furniture refurbs, decorating with white, and DIY projects on a budget. Chic and cheap!

Swish and Swanky is a playful blog with colorful ideas for interior decorating. Recently there's been a series of posts on bright, fun nurseries and children's rooms.

Dear Keebler Elves

Dear Keebler Elves,

While I'm typically impressed with the amount of sugar you've been able to craft into tiny morsels of snacking goodness, this morning when I rose and began to prepare my scrumptious breakfast of milk and cookies...not just any cookes but Keebler Animals Cookies Fully Frosted (yes, there are "lightly frosted" cookies too)...I was highly shocked and disappointed to find my cookies looked nothing like the pictures posted on the packaging.

To say the least, my morning has just not been the same. I planned to start my day off with a yummy glass of milk and delectable sugary treats; however, as you have not been doing your jobs of liberally sprinkling my favorite nonpareils sprinkles I am alas left with pink and white coated animal crackers. Just not the same Elves, just not the same.

Disappointed and missing my sprinkles for breakfast,

{Gypsy Soul}

Of course I don't know which part is sadder, the fact that my cookies have no sprinkles, or the fact that I'm now eating Animals Cookies Fully Frosted for breakfast. The #1 ingredient is still SUGAR...brilliant!

On a healthier note, I'd like to shout this one from the rooftops:

As of yesterday, I'm officially back down to my pre-preggers weight!

It took me 9 months to put it on and another 9 to take it off. Just 7 more lbs to go (and lots of sugar to run off).

*EDIT* Please read the comments section posted below. I'm impressed with Kellogg's/Keebler Consumer Affairs. My complaint was heard out there on the Blogosphere. The Keebler Elves were responsive to my cookie concerns, and I have a coupon for a new bag of cookies on the way {I was also assured that I should try the Holiday Frosted Animal Cookies as those should have an appropriate number of sprinkles} Yay for sugar and Yay for Keebler!

Sparing Your Ears

I know some people don't like to visit sites that blast playlist music when it's not expected, so I'm not going to do that to you. But I would like to share my very cool playlist that I'm "building". This shouldn't automatically play...it's up to you to click. So click away!

Summer Fashions in Fall

Recently I found some incredible Online steals at Forever 21 that I just couldn't wait to purchase {and good thing because they're no longer available}. Three of these items were sundresses priced at a supercheap $5.99 each!

And I want to transition them for Fall so I can wear them this season, so here are some of my style ideas mixing with pieces already in my closet:

Country Girl

A ruffled dress with my Banana Republic collarless denim jacket, brown tights, and my high-heeled tan boots. I'd wear my hair back in a high ponytail, roll the jacket sleeves and probably no jewelry.

The Casual Rocker

I can't wait to wear this dress solo in the warmer months, but for now I was thinking my leather jacket, brown tights (optional), and cowgirl boots. I think I'd probably prefer to rock it without tights, but I'm needing some advice on jewelry to pull this look together...

City Chic

This dress is hawt! But the weather's not, so I'd add on my black cardigan, cinch it with a skinny belt (I just have to find where I put it), and step out in my new black peep-toe booties ($30 from Payless).

Inside Out Upside Down

*WARNING*

This is another belly post.

It's been 9 months post partum, so here's the jogging pose. I fluctuate somewhere between 3-4 lbs above my pre-preggers weight. I keep saying I need to start watching what I eat (easier said than done). But there's something motivating about checking my 3-month progress...it's kind of like posting a Report Card. Here's my 3 months post partum pic:

And my 6 months preggers pic- NO, I wasn't going to rehash the frightening 9 month photo (although I still find it hilariously scary-gotta have a sense of humor):

And then my 9 weeks pregger pic where I hadn't yet gained any baby weight *sigh*:

The furthest I've run post partum is just over 6 miles; still haven't made it back up to my 9 mile mark. But I'm now running about 4-5 times a week, I've dropped the weight training (due to time restraints, I'd rather up my cardio), and I'm still eating like a pig *oink*.

Fitness "To Do" List:

□ Run 4 miles three to four times a week

□ Run 6-8 miles once a week

□ Add daily abdominal exercises (maybe even break out that exercise ball at home!)

□ Eat smaller, sensible meals

□ If the last few lbs don't start to come off in 3 weeks, I forsee a DIET in my future blehhhhhck!

Made Me Smile

Today is Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary...


Cookie Monster is my fave!

Shhh! I'm a Ninja

Friday night we had a city-wide Halloween celebration to attend...at a park. The spider legs wouldn't work with Baby M strapped in a stroller so we improvised using the same black body suit used for his spider costume.

I took a sheet of red felt, cut 2 strips and sewed up a little adjustable headband with hidden elastic and a faux knot tied in the back. Baby M was a stealthy NINJA!

At the haunted house...

The hay was scarier than the haunted house. Sorry Ninja boy!