THANKFUL - ROUND 1

I am sure you have all noticed the thankful posts on facebook lately. You know, the #30DaysOfThanks posts. Well, I have really enjoyed reading all of them and have decided to jump on the thankful bandwagon myself. When you really stop and think about it, there is so much to be thankful for. It it nice to pause and take notice. At this point I am a bit very behind on the 30 days, but that's ok! So here goes the first three - in no particular order.

LOGAN. Yes, Yes, I know everyone is thankful for their husbands. That’s kind of a given, right?! So yes, I am thankful for that series of events that allowed our paths to cross that one night in college, but what I am really talking about here is his character. He is kind, caring, always puts his family first, an amazing Father, my biggest fan and above all, he keeps me grounded and balanced. Is he perfect? No. I am? Heck no! Do we fight? Yup, we sure do, but in the end, I really couldn’t think of a better partner in life. I feel our relationship is very even and we view each other as equals. Now I know it isn’t good to keep score, but it sure is nice to know we walk beside each other, not one in front of the other. We are a team and I am so thankful for that.

ELLIS. Yup, another given. I know. Let's just say that I never, not for one second, have taken for granted that fact that I was blessed with the ability to get pregnant and carry a child. Logan and I were blessed with a happy, healthy and incredibly spunky little girl who fills our lives with love. She is truly the good stuff in life. I am thankful for her every single day.

THE GYM. Many days I feel like it is what keeps me sane. I truly believe a good sweat cures all. Whether it is a class at work (doubles as social hour) or a long run by myself where I can just think. I am thankful for the ability to get moving. Feeling strong, fit and healthy is something I do not take for granted.

MIXED TAPE MONDAY: RUNNING MIX VOL 2

Last week was my first week of a new workout/eating plan. I have signed on for a 60-day workout challenge and a 30-day paleo eating challenge with a few girls I work with. I have traded in my running shoes for weights and plyometrics and my carbs for proteins. I must say I am much better at sticking with the workouts than the eating plan. ;) A life without dairy or beans is just not a life for me! But I can do anything for 30 days, right?!  ummm... kind of.

The workouts are more intense that anything I have ever done and I do not think I could get through them without music. Here is my most recent playlist. Music makes all the difference when working out. #1- it pumps me up (Roar by Katy Perry, I mean c'mon!) and #2 - it prevents me from hearing my own breathing and realizing I am tried as hell. :)

FREE PRINTABLE: XMAS GIFT TAGS

I am over at Pretty Providence today with my November free printable contributor post! Head on over to get your free Christmas gift tags! I might be bias, but I think they are pretty darn fun! :)

WORLD MARKET: WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT?!

So this post doesn't have a whole lot of content besides that fact that I want you to know that World Market has pretty awesome jewelry! :) I mean, really... who would've thought!? Everyone knows that World Market has awesome home goods and furniture, but jewelry??? I have gotten a couple pieces there and they are good quality and I do not think the prices are bad at all! If your vibe is slightly bohemian, World Market is the place for you! they also have some great scarves and hats!

Here are a few of my favorites:

ELLIS AVEREE - 19 MONTHS

It has been a while since I have done an Ellis post. I suppose 18 months would have been more of a milestone, but I missed that one. :)

What we will remember about E at 19 months:
- She LOVES baby dolls - JUST.LOVES.THEM. She has been known to carry several around at once and get very upset if someone Isla (her cousin) tries to take one away. She pulls down all of our kitchen towels and swaddles her favorite doll "baby" in them. It is so darn cute.
- Her new trick is throwing her toys (yes, baby included!!!) in the kitchen sink! We always soak her sippy cups and other things in warm, soapy water in the sink, so we have had to dry out some books and give a few time-outs!
- On the subject of time-outs, she doesn't understand that they are a bad thing. She gladly goes over and sits in her 'time-out' spot and continually says "I sowey" (I'm sorry) with a big smile. ugg. Discipline is an area we struggle in. 
- She says so many things, meaning we need to watch our mouths more than ever. She will repeat anything. She will link words together and say things like "I love you, Mommy" and it melts my heart. Her little voice could not be more sweet. I love that she can now communicate with us and tell us exactly what she wants.
- Ok, this one is a funny one. I can't think of anything she is really afraid of except beards and black foam rollers!!! She is getting over the beard phobia, but man, do black foam rollers terrify her! She cries at the sight. We happen to have a few friends who own foam rollers, one being a personal trainer (Matt) and one (Luis) who just loves to roll. ;) Matt has two of them, a red one and a black one. The red one was no big deal, but forget that black one!!! That black one was clearly dangerous and very scary! The whole thing cracks me up.
- Super Why. The girl loves herself some Super Why! Our neighbors told us about the show and she just can't get enough. I think I know all the songs (and dances) by heart. Make sure to visit 'Storybook Village' if you have a little munchkin.
- The potty. We have recently introduced her to the training potty and she just likes to stick baby in it, close and top and sit on it. I guess we know her thoughts on starting potty training.

PUMPKIN OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES

Like I have mentioned so many times before, my sister in law, Ashley, is always making the most delicious food. She is always experimenting with yummy snacks and treats for the kids and I get to sample them from time to time when I pick up E after work. (Ashley runs the Buell family daycare and yes, we are so lucky to have her!)

She found a recipe for pumpkin oatmeal breakfast cookies, changed it, gave it to me, I changed it a little more and here it is. I love them! They are fast, easy, seasonally appropriate (we are all crazy for anything pumpkin in the fall), perfect for breakfast or a snack and not overly sweet.  

1 can pumpkin

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups rolled oats

2 tablespoons flax meal
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon


1/4 tsp salt


Bake 350° for about 12 to 14 minutes

GET THE LOOK: 3 OUTFITS

I am so excited to be guest posting over at 5th and Vine today! Amy asked me to pull together style post while she is away having some fun with the fam! Here it is:

Let's start this post off by talking about pinterest. I.am.completely.addicted. I use it for inspiration for everything - projects at work, freelance design, DIY/sewing projects and style ideas!! I am not one of those girls who has a unbelievable knack for putting outfits together, so to pinterest I go! I always find these amazing style ideas, but when I click into the pin, the image came from tunblr (no links) or the blogger's wardrobe budget seems to be a bit waayyyyy more than mine. ;)

I have taken three looks I am loving right now and found some affordable items to put them together!

(inspiration picture: midwestern darling tumblr)

ONE $30.03  |  TWO $18  |  THREE $11.99  |  FOUR $64  |  FIVE (sold out - another option)  |  SIX $39.99

(inspiration pic: the day book blog)

ONE $42  |  TWO $50 (it says 'journey' on the inside. swoon)  |  THREE $33

FOUR $22.97  |  FIVE $24.10  |  SIX $12.95  |  SEVEN $7.80  |  EIGHT $99.95

(inspiration pic: mekenna bleu)

ONE $17.99  |  TWO $53.99  |  THREE $89.50  |  FOUR $74.99  |  FIVE $22.80  |  SIX $8.80  |  SEVEN $28.69