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January 30, 2015

Best of the Nest Link Party Guest | December & January

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Hallelujah it's Friday!  This week has been a bit crazy, so I'm happy to get the weekend started!  But wait...tomorrow we have a cheer competition and three basketball games, yikes!  Ok, maybe I'm happy that we are closer to Sunday :)  Our days are busy, but all part of raising kids and all so good! 

Today, I have something a little different to share with you all.  I'm guest hosting along with Kris, Lisa, Jennifer and Pam for their Best of the Nest monthly link party.  I love these gals!  Not only are they genuinely the sweetest group, but overflowing with inspiration.  I think you will adore them!

Since there was no December link party, you can link up your favorite project from either December or January or just browse through the links for decorating & DIY inspiration. We will get this party started by sharing our own favorite projects of the month.  Mine is our Sunday evening dinner tradition.  This meal has become such a special meal for us and one of my favorite nights of the week!

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January 28, 2015

Game Day Eats

Are you ready for some food, I mean football?? 

So are you like me and more excited about what new yummy dip you will bring to the Super Bowl party then the actual game?  We are definitely more college football fans, but if the Texans or Cowboys were in the Super Bowl, I would more excited to actually watch the game.  But this year, I'm happy to enjoy the food, commercials and friends!  So today, I've gathered up some of my favorite recipes to share with you guys.  You can click the link below each picture for the full recipe.



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Warm Mushroom Spread

And here are a few other really yummy ideas:

Irish Nachos

Hawaiian Ham Roll Sliders
 
Frosted Peanut Butter Football Cookies

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

Which is your favorite?  Hope you enjoy!

Also, 11 Magnolia Lane's Operation Organization Series continues with Aniko from Place of my Taste sharing her garage organization yesterday and Paige at The Pink Clutch sharing her coat closet today.

*Update 1/29/15:  And one final shout out to Melissa from A Prudent Life who wrapped up the series with her amazing pantry organization.  You can see her post here.


January 27, 2015

Valentine's Day Round Up

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Hi there!  I hope you all had a nice weekend!  I had planned on something different for today's post, but our Saturday was filled with kids' activities and then Sunday the weather was so beautiful that we stayed outside a large part of the day.  We went on a bike ride, played baseball, practiced tumbling and just soaked up the sun!  So, when we finally finished enjoying our 70 degrees in January day, I was too tired to mess with the project I had planned.  So instead, I thought I would share with you a few Valentine's Day DIYs that I've done in the past.  You can click the link below each photo for a full post.

January 21, 2015

diy glitter heart canvas

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Good Morning!  Do you decorate for Valentine's Day?  I don't go too crazy with decor, but I like to have a little bit up to celebrate the holiday.

When I looked back over my last two years of blogging, I noticed that around Valentine's Day and Easter I seem to get in the mood to be crafty.  Not sure what it is about these holidays, but I'm back at it this year for Valentine's Day with a super easy diy canvas art piece.

January 19, 2015

Operation Organization | Our Playroom

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Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  I'm just popping in to let you know that today is my turn to share at 11 Magnolia Lane's Operation Organization Series.  Hop over to their blog to see more details about how we organized the toys in our playroom.  And below is the line up of the contributors for the series...

January 16~ Mallory from Charming in Charlotte
January 19~ Becky from This is Happiness
January 21~ Abby from Just a Girl and her Blog
January 24~ Samantha from Simply Organized
January 26~ Amanda from Dixie Delights
January 27~Aniko from Place of My Taste
January 28~ Paige from The Pink Clutch
January 30~ Melissa from A Prudent Life

Have a great day!


January 16, 2015

Weekend Notes

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Happy Friday!  There are a few things I wanted to share with you guys before I sign off for the weekend.

Today kicks off 11 Magnolia Lane's Operation Organization Series and I'm excited to be part of it!  I will be sharing on Monday, but hop over to their blog to see this amazing DIY jewelry organizer that Mallory is sharing today.  And below is the line up of the contributors for the series...

January 16~ Mallory from Charming in Charlotte
January 19~ Becky from This is Happiness
January 21~ Abby from Just a Girl and her Blog
January 24~ Samantha from Simply Organized
January 26~ Amanda from Dixie Delights
January 27~Aniko from Place of My Taste
January 28~ Paige from The Pink Clutch
January 30~ Melissa from A Prudent Life

And next I started using the app My Fitness Pal and love it!  It tracks all your calories and exercises, which is a huge help to me.  I ate everything and anything over the holidays, so I wanted to get back on track.  I usually think I'm keeping a pretty good idea of the calories I'm consuming in my head, but I was really amazed at what I was missing when I started using the app.  It's especially helpful to me at the end of the day to know how many calories I have left to consume to stay within my goal.  And I'm not super strict with it on the weekends...I have a couple of cheat eats and drinks ;)  But the rest of the week, I'm game on.  And I'm happy to report that I've lost 3 pounds in the 2 weeks that I've been using it. 

And last I wanted to share a couple of purchases I've made recently that are easy on the pocketbook.  With a fresh new year, I'm trying to really be better about what I spend money on, so I love finding stylish pieces at a great price and thought you might like some of these too.  This monogram tassel keychain is super cute.  Get it for yourself or it would make a really sweet gift for someone.  These pillow covers from H&M are on their way and I can't wait to get them.  Such a good deal!  I also ordered this bread board.  I've been seeing these everywhere and really wanted one, but was having a hard time finding one.  It also comes in a rectangular shape.  So happy World Market has them and at a great price as well.  And finally, this crossbody purse is in my cart and I think I'm going to purchase it today.  I still had a few Christmas gift cards left, so I finally used them on some of my wishlist items.

So that does it!  Have a wonderful weekend!


January 15, 2015

Winter Whites For The Home

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Hey there!  There is no question that I'm a lover a white year round, but something about January that makes me especially fond of it.  I think it's the fresh start of the new year that I relate to the fresh, clean, crisp feeling white brings.  I love using white in layers and textures to add a cozy feel to a space.  So above I gathered a few of my favorite winter whites for the home. 

And ya'll I've already ordered me a pair...these H&M striped 20x20 pillow covers are only $5.95!  They come white with four different strip colors...the light gray above, a charcoal gray, navy blue and khaki green.  After spending way to much time picking a color (because I loved the first 3 colors so much,) I finally decided on the charcoal gray.  Also, the chenille throw is only $29!  Both so reasonable and perfect to add to your home this winter.

As much as I'm not a fan of cold weather, I hope to enjoy the rest of winter a bit more by cozying up with some of these white home accessories.


January 8, 2015

Our Sunday Dinner Tradition

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Hey there!  Today I wanted to share our Sunday evening dinner tradition with you.  Not sure when we started this, maybe a year ago, but it's become one of my favorite nights of the week. 

We eat all of our dinner meals during the week at our breakfast table which is right off our kitchen and then opens to our family room.  So in between busy practice schedules, after school activities, and late work nights, it's often rushed and sometimes involves the TV.  And if we are running to back to back activities, sometimes dinner is in the car.  I don't love it, but it's just the reality of our lives right now.  So, we decided that every Sunday evening (and holiday meals) we would eat at our bigger, nicer dining room table.  No TV, no rushing, just a slow paced meal all together working on manners and enjoying each other's company.

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It's been really fun to plan our meals, doing different little themes and just enjoying an uninterrupted meal together with just us four.

The kids help set the table and we use our nicer glass plates and drinking glasses.  We like to put on a little background music and then as soon as we finish our prayer, Lyla is quick to jump in with an opening toast which is always cute to hear what she comes up with.  Once the kids are finished, Grant and I usually linger a bit longer finishing our wine, while they entertain us by practicing their piano which is right around the corner in the study.   

Our meal is nothing too fancy, but a little nicer then our week night meals and involves a yummy dessert!  This blue and white very simple setting was my table for last Sunday.  I love fresh white flowers for the new year!  Next Sunday we are doing a Chinese dinner complete with fortune cookies and chopsticks (which the kids are really excited about!)

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I used to have big goals of us eating every single dinner together, but it's just not possible.  And most nights we are all together eating, but just in more of a let's hurry and get it done mode.  I think you have to do what works for you and your family at whatever point you are in your life.  Right now we can't do a focused sit down for a long meal every evening, but we can definitely do once a week and holidays.  And I'm okay with that.  And maybe in the summer and on school breaks we'll throw in a few more.  But for now, I love our special Sunday dinner :)

Have a lovely day.

Let's keep in touch...

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January 6, 2015

South Lake Tahoe

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Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a great start to their first week back after the holidays.  I am slowly easing back into everything now that my kids are back in school today.  Because we had such an amazing time on our trip to Lake Tahoe, I thought I would share a few pictures.  All of these pictures were taken with my old iphone 4S, and I feel like they turned out pretty good.  I can only image how much more beautiful the pictures would have been with my big camera, but I just didn't want to bring it up on the mountain.  Thank goodness for camera phones :)

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It was snowing when we arrived and stayed overcast and snowy the first two days.  Both kids went to ski school and did so great!  It also gave Grant and I time to get in a few runs while they were at school.

The remainder of our stay the weather was amazing!  Sunshine and beautiful blue skies.  The views of the lake and the mountains are breathtaking. 

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The village at Heavenly has a really fun vibe as well.  Lots of great places to eat and hangout after being on the mountain. 

And being a few days right before Christmas all the little shops in the village were decorated so pretty.  It definitely got you in the Christmas spirit!

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We spent the first two days skiing, then moved on to the tubing hill...which was a big hit.

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Being Preston and Lyla's first time to ski, I'm so happy that they did so well and really enjoyed it!  Now that they are old enough, we hope to make a ski trip a yearly tradition!

Have a great day!


January 2, 2015

Best of 2014

Happy 2015!  Today, I'm taking a final look back at some of my top posts in 2014.  Here are a few of my favorite projects, recipes, crafts and décor...

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One - Painted our office doors Urbane Bronze.

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Two - Lemon bar recipe.

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Three - DIY gilded arrow tutorial.

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Four - Chalkboard conversation heart toppers.

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Five - Simple Spring mantel.

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Six - Finished up Lyla's room.  (DIY no sew pom pom curtains, new desk, pom pom garland)

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Seven - Mini egg nest brownie recipe.

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Eight - Mother's Day table setting.

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Nine - New window seat to conceal a pile of cords.

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Ten - Candy surprise cookies recipe.

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Eleven - Updated Preston's bedding.

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Twelve - Patriotic treats (cupcakes toppers, star spangled shaped ice cream, s'mores bars)

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Thirteen - Current state of our master bedroom.

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Fourteen - Back to school ice cream party.

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Fifteen - Fall table décor.

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Sixteen - Spider cookie recipe.

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Seventeen - Our Thanksgiving tablescape.

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Eighteen - Cranberry margaritos recipe.

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Nineteen - Our cozy Christmas table.

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Twenty - Our Classic Christmas home tour.

So that wraps up 2014 on this little blog space of mine.  Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey.  And thanks so much for reading, commenting, and inspiring me to continue doing what I love to do.  I am so grateful.

Happy New Year!  Here's to a beautiful 2015!!