Friday Favorites

Happy first Friday of Spring! I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites!

Spring!

I am so excited for warmer weather and all the newness of Spring.  I chatted about a Spring Clothes and Beauty Refresh here.  

We are cleaning up and clearing out our house as a part of our Lenten activities this year and let me tell you, it feels so good.  We have found that Lent is the perfect time to do this.  We have been able to clear out and donate quite a bit of stuff.  

Spring also means Spring Break!  Since the older boys have a different break this year and they got to go to New York, Dan, Mason and I are taking a little trip...

(Image from imgfave.com via Pinterest)

Minimalism

(Image from www.theminimalists.com)

After all that decluttering, I watched the documentary "Minimalism" on Netflix.  Although it is way more extreme than I could ever be, there are excellent lessons in it.  Overall, it helps you see how attached people are to things and makes you more mindful of what you do own.  At the end, one of the guys in it repeats a quote from his book:  "Love people and use things, because the opposite never works."  Such a great reminder.

Yeti

One thing that will not be in my donate pile is myYeti.  I bought my first one off of Amazon last summer and after jazzing it up with a cute monogram from a mom and daughter Etsy shop, there's no turning back!  It actually keeps my water cold for hours and I even have ice left at the end of the day.  I also bought this one off of Amazon this week and plan to use it for my coffee.  I'm a sipper, so not having to microwave my coffee will be awesome! :)

YouTube Workouts

(Images from YouTube)

I've been on the hunt for good workouts on YouTube.  I have done Blogilates and Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home.  Any other recommendations of workouts that can be found on YouTube are appreciated!  Time to get in gear. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with your tribe!

Spring Style Refresh

Happy first day of Spring!!

(image from www.pinterest.com)

#truth

Although I don't enjoy the back and forth weather that Spring brings to Illinois, there are a few things I heart about Spring:

Spring Cleaning
Sunshine
Planting the Garden
New Clothes
New Shoes
New Makeup

While decluttering our house during Lent this year, I have been making lists of things that need replaced or replenished.  Spring is a great time to refresh our closets and bathroom cabinets.

There are so many great styles and sales going on for Spring.  Here are some of my favorites:

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

This is the perfect eye shadow palette.  Although Urban Decay is rocking it with all of their Naked Palette offerings, I think this one is the best of the basics.

NARS Blush and Bronzer Duo

I love this combo from NARS.  You have your blush and bronzer in one package.  I always run out of bronzer before blush during the winter. #palegirlproblems

Converse Shoreline Sneaker

These are the perfect Spring sneaker!  I got mine last year for baseball season and I love them.  Quick tip: spray them with Scotch Guard to keep them pretty and white.



Swimsuit

There are few things worst that trying on swimsuits after the long winter.  I tend to buy mine online and try them on at home instead of subjecting myself to that torture!  I like to wear a one piece or a tankini; hides imperfections and stays in place when I'm at the beach or pool trying to keep up with Mason.

I love classic suits like this one.  They tend to flatter just about anyone.  I love shopping online at Nordstrom for many reasons, but their frees shipping and free returns makes it worry free.  The description of this suit says it makes you look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds.  Sign me up!



Loft
Loft is one of my favorite places to shop, especially for Spring.  Last year I bought my Easter dress there, and given their new arrivals, that will be happening again this year! I'm also loving their selection of Spring tops.

This scratches the surface of my Spring favorites.  Clean out a closet or two and make note of what you need to refresh.  Happy Spring and happy shopping!

*This post contains affiliate links.

Friday Favorites!

It's Friday...and you know what that means...

I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea to share my Friday Favorites!

This Is Us

I know, I know.  I've had this as a Friday Favorite before.  If you did not watch this show this season, get on the NBC app and watch it right now!  It has been a long time since a TV show has had this kind of impact on me week after week.  The writing is so good and it makes me ugly cry...in a good way.  :)

Grace Not Perfection



I have read so many great books this month, with this one topping the list!  I seriously cannot wait to share my March reviews with you.  If you need something to hold you over until then, check out my February review HERE.  It includes links to all of last year's book posts!

Living With Landyn

Living with Landyn is a lifestyle blog that I have enjoyed since last summer.  As good as her blog is, her Instagram stories are my favorite.  She is so funny and relatable.  I check in daily to see what she's up to and I always get a good laugh!

Tajin Seasoning



I cannot believe I haven't know about this spice until now.  Landyn (see above) told me to try it on watermelon and I am hooked!  I also roasted chicken breasts last weekend and used it to season them.  So good!

Native Shoes

Dan, Mason and I leave for Disney in three weeks and we are so excited!  I bought Mason his first pair of Native Shoes from Nordstrom for the trip.  These shoes are like Crocs much more stylish cousin.  I got his in Navy, but there are a lot of colors to choose from.  

Lent

This year for Lent, our family is doing something a bit different.  Each day we are choosing something intentional to do (i.e. holding the door for someone, paying someone a compliment, etc.) and it has been really fun.  We are also clearing out our clutter and donating several items we no longer use.  We choose an area of the house each weekend and go to work.  It feels good to clear the clutter and excess from our lives during this season.

Baseball Season



We are gearing up for baseball season in our house!  Parker's first game was supposed to be this past Monday, but three inches of snow prevented that from happening.  I am so excited for warm weather and baseball.  I bought this bag to haul of my necessities for the games.  I love it!

Happy Friday!!

Life Lately~February 2017

I'm a little behind on my February "Life Lately", but that because life has been busy lately!

This February, I decided to celebrate the month of love by posting a paper heart each day for the boys stating why I loved them.  This was such a fun activity and one we will definitely do again!

February brought about an epic trip to NYC!  Read all about it HERE.

And while we were in New York, Parker turned 15... (cue the momma tears).

We had such a fun night celebrating by watching Lebron James play in Madison Square Garden.

When we got back home, Parker got his driver's permit...here's a pic of him backing out of the driveway...

While the middle was learning to drive, Mason started preschool!  He comes to our high school two days a week and I totally creep on him and watch him through the windows. #sorrynotsorry

 He also started his second round of swim lessons.  He learned how to go under water, jump in and float on his back!

After graduating early in December, Peyton started college in January and landed a part-time job as an Associate Producer at a local TV station in February.  We are so proud of this kid!

 February meant getting those taxes done...

 And almost as painful as the taxes, we took Mason to see Daniel Tiger live.  Thank goodness he loved it...Dan and me, not so much!  The cartoon version is definitely the way to go.

That's life lately!