• Uncategorized

    2nd Blog Anniversary!

    When I came up with the idea of blogging a couple years ago on the way down to my uncle’s lakehouse, I didn’t realize that it would be such a fun journey where I would meet ladies from all around the world and how much I would enjoy the experience. I hope I have improved and grown as a blogger (looking back at a few of my first post gave me some chuckles) and I hope to take advantage of the tips you ladies share with me. I am going to do better with focusing on the budgeting side of things (budgeting for trips, for groceries and clothes) as I…

  • hikes

    Spring is in the Air: Our First Hike of 2021

    As soon as the weather gave us a taste of spring, I corraled the kids and we headed to our nearby state park for our first hike of the year. I was very nice and chose a short 1 mile hike that I knew would be an easy one for everyone and a way to ease in back into walking outdoors again. Thankfully everyone enjoyed the hike! We gave our 6 and 10 year old some old cell phones to take pictures and they thought that was really fun and spent a lot of time finding things to take pictures of. I love how when we hike, we always see…

  • budget,  fashion,  spring

    Spring Dress 3 Ways

    I has been a minute since I posted a 3 ways to wear something (last time being this black dress) and I am following it with another dress, this time a print dress. I saw this dress on someone’s Instagram story I think and chose it in a polka dot pattern in blue. There are many colors to chose from and right now it is on sale for $25.99 which I think is what I paid.I really have been trying to find dresses that are versatile and can work for church and for play and that means I have to watch the neckline and skirt length. The ruffles are fun…

  • budgeting,  mom,  recipes

    Seafood Medley Recipe

    It has been a while since I shared a recipe. Last week as I was preparing dinner, I realized that this would be a fun budget friendly one to share if you like seafood. I often make this on a weekday when we are not eating meat and I do not want to spend a lot of money. The ingredients can be exchanged for whatever you have on hand and it is a nice way to use up different vegetables in your fridge. And if you do not like seafood, you can switch it for sausage of any kind! Ingredients rice leftover veggies: I usually use onion, peppers, garlic mushrooms.…

  • travel,  zoos and aquariums

    Tennessee Aquarium: February Visit

    After our last visit to the Tenneesee Aquarium during the Christmas break, I told the boys we would take their cousin on our next visit and try to visit a few more times before our membership expires at the end of May. We just made good on that promise this past President’s day. Chattanooga is just 1 hour and 30 or so from our house so it is not a bad drive. This time around, the return trips wasn’t as fun. It rained consistently and heavily for about 45 minutes and I was also dropping my nephew home which added an hour and half total to our ride. It still…

  • budget,  fashion,  winter

    Inspired by I Do DeClaire and Doused in Pink

    I actually had planned to copy one of Jodie’s (from Jtouch of Style) outifts this month but after seeing Laura’s copycat outfit of Jill’s (Doused in Pink) here, I decided to use this one for February. Now that the pictures are taken and I am home, I realize I could have chosen a pair of black booties and leggings and unzipped my jacket to make it a closer copy. It also would have been more flattering. However, I am pleased with my outfit: that is what finding inspiration from others is all about: taking someone’s outfit and making it your own. I actually bought this skirt on Amazon last year…

  • friday favorites

    February Friday Favorites

    I really should write notes on my phone if no paper is available when I have an idea. Here I am in front of my computer writing my post for tomorrow and I have no idea which Friday Favorites I will share wih you today! I am very grateful that Georgia was not hit by the cold front and am keeping everyone in Texas in my prayers. I actually have friends whom I didn’t realize had just moved there but thankfully nothing major has happened to their house. We always wish for snow but our infracture in the south is not prepared for it nor do we know how to…

  • ageless style link up,  budget,  fashion

    Sparkle and Shine with the Ageless Style Link Up

    Welcome to the Ageless Style link up which will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month’s theme is brought to you by Carrie at A Stylish Fit. When I heard the theme, I first thought of a grey short sleeve dolman top I had that has silvery thread through it (see it here) but I wanted something that would be more weather appropriate for the winter. I made it my mission to find something sparkly on my early February trip to Goodwill and lo and behold I can across a pretty shiny and sparkly silver tunic. Thankfully, I was able to try the tops on over…

  • budget,  fashion,  winter

    Create 28 Challenge Outfits (Week 1 and 2)

    This February, I decided to join in with Carrie from A Stylish Fit with her create 28 winter challenge. The challenge has a daily prompt and encourages you to take another look at your closet to create new combinations. I really appreciate that the prompts are simple and broad! It was easy for me to come up with outfits and I think they were all new combinations. I cheated a little and went shopping on the 2nd of the month at Goodwill and scored 9 tops for $40. So I am shopping my closet with the addition fo my thrift finds. Here are some of my favorites from the first…

  • kids,  mom

    Playing with your Toddler: Finding the Balance

    The more you have children the more you learn, the more you change and do things differently. With my 4th child being now 3 years old, I am trying to find a balance with his independent play and time with me playing with him. I definitely have become more relaxed with the amount of tv he watches as it gives me some me time and the amount of time he spends on his tablet too. So everyday, I spend some time playing with him but also try to get him to play by himself. Today, I am sharing some games that we play together and some things he likes to…