spoil me.

i'm still getting used to the idea that I'm part of Mother's Day now! I, honestly, wake up with these kids and I'm still not sure how they got here or if they're ours or why someone would give us the HUGE responsibility of making them awesome!?!?!!??

one thing I am pretty sure about...my husband being unaware that Mother's Day is coming:/ It IS important to both of us that we show the kids, by example, how important mom and dad both are. SO seeing as he gets that done daily...I'm willing to overlook the fact that I'll be reminding him it's Mother's Day...on Mother's Day and then I'll get my card the day after that;)

i'm not one to shy away from spoiling myself...so here are a few things on my current Mother's Day Wish List...aside from a nap and shower;)

cherry red tote this is something I'd be willing to spend $150 on, only use twice a year and feel super okay with that:)
*image from: See Jane Carry

kid rings i'd love to get something personalized with the kids' names at some point...seeing as we're not quite finished having them, I'd want to find something that would be easy enough to add to as we add the babies:)

skin care i've been thinking a lot more about taking care of my skin and finding a routine that works for me now, is within my current (LOW) budget and that I can continue with for the rest of forever. This is high on my list!!

pencil skirt this skirt just seems super versatile. I could wear before/during/after pregnancy...with sneakers/flip flops/heels. I like all things flexible at the moment:)

trench coat i'm in love with this deep blue color and would love something a bit dressier to throw on during those never ending, chilly, Spring and Fall Wisconsin seasons.

sandals i'm in need of something a step up from the $4 black flip flop and these would be perfect!

*the above 3 items are all via LOFT and they are currently running a 40% OFF! Such a great deal if you've had your eye on anything!!:)


Happy Mother's Day to ya:)

me likes: open shoulder peasant tops

alternative titles: 
"don't hate me because I might-kinda-really like open shoulder peasant tops"
"is it the wine or do I actually have a thing for open shoulder peasant tops?"
"i'm pretty sure I dance better when wearing an open shoulder peasant top"
"i went to Forever21 and all I got was this open shoulder peasant top. no regrets"

i'm quite confident that I'd buy one of these tops...wear it once...feel good about that...hang it back in the closet for a full year and thennnnn put it in my "I Promise You're Gonna Thank Me For Saving This Shit Someday" bin for Theo and hope that it makes a comeback again in 20 years!!!!

1 . 2 . 3

4 . 5 . 6

my top picks would be 2 - great price and flattering/comfy looking . 3 - priceyyyyy but they're selling me on the entire braid/long necklace/black detailed situation... and 5 - out of stock:/ But the white and square lines feel so clean and fresh:) 

am I wrong in my crush? Do I need to be talked down off this open shoulder peasant top ledge????;)

me likes: muscle tanks

long gone are the days of spaghetti straps for this girl. And don't even get me started on strapless...let's just put all those in a pile and then me and my kid boobs will stand at a safe distance while they all burn up and stop existing. forever. buuuuubye;)

muscle tanks, as they call them, are a new favorite of mine. I picked up a few last year and I've been able to wear them year round...summer or fall/winter/spring with a cardigan:) Super flattering and I just feel like they're great for ALL occasions. Dress um' up with skinnies and some adorable wedges OR dress um' down with some cut off jean shorts and leather sandals. 

below are some affordable options that I found recently. American Eagle actually had some great options and right now I'm being offered 15% off - normally I roll my eyes at anything less than 40% buttttt it's my birthday;).

one . two . three . four

one of my favorite bloggers - Hello Hue - actually just did a blog post and she's wearing option ONE, in the top options. So cute and I always like having a more realistic visual:) And her blog post currently includes a teeth whitening system giveaway - more incentive to check her out and enter!!!:)

one . two . three

i'm 127% ready for sleeveless weather!!!! I'm still on a pretty strict budget but I'm saving my pennies for my upcoming birthday, which will include a bit of shopping for myself:) Cause for whatever reason..."Sleeves Are Bullshit" just makes sense to me and seems like something a mother of 2 should leave the house wearing at some point;)

happy shopping, friends:)

me likes: high neck halter bikini

i put the kids to bed at 7PM cause they were being hellions...I realize that might actually be a normal bed time for most children but mine teeter on 8PM...and by 8PM...I mean 10PM:/

I then worked out to a 'Elle Glam Fitness' DVD - I didn't just make that up:/ - for 15 minutes...

followed that up with a plate of mash-potatoes that weighed more than my 10 month old...

and now I'm high on mash-potatoes and gravy, it's 1130PM and I'm surfing the web for bikinis. I wish this wasn't my life. But tonight, my friend, it is:)

1 . 2 . 3 . 4

also, it seems that my breasts ate all of their breasts. So I'm not getting a clear picture from these photos as to whether they could handle the amount of mash-potatoe/breast-eating breasts, I bring to the table;)

oh and I like HIGH-NECK-HALTER-BIKINI-TOPS. I think I forgot to mention that;)

all i want for christmas...

unless you're ordering by midnight tonight...or last night:/...online ordering for a Christmas Arrival is gonna be a pretty huge NO NO from here on out. This is super unfortunate for those of you still wanting to buy me ALL.THE.THINGS;)

seeing as I like to pretend I can buy myself ALL.THE.THINGS...I did a bit of imaginary online shopping. Fillin' baskets all over the web that will never be ordered! SO SORRY Anthropologie. Ain't nobody in this house ordering that moon ring for $278.40 - that's on sale. What the?!?!

besides fillin' online baskets with things I can't afford to purchase...I like to pick this time of year to set-up a pretty intense budget for our household. Awwww yeah:) The week before Christmas is suchhhhh a good time to take a look at your spending...and then cry. And then eat all the cookie dough. 

but as Dave would say - Ramsey...we're homies;):

“If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11

the holidays are a fantastic reminder that we are so, so truly happy and lucky and we've got all we need under this (leaking;) roof:) But it's also a gentle reminder that we want to be free of some of the burdens we carry. And sadly, those are mostly financial. First and fore most, I care about my family. NOT a ring or record or new pair of sneaks. But next year...I'd love to tuck my amazing family into bed and count my blessings and THEN...tip toe downstairs and do some, guilt-free, online shopping;)

want it sunday.

ah, my online baskets are filled with soooooo much pretty right now but all that pretty is gonna have to stay locked up in those baskets for a tad longer:/

booooo. Hisssss.

i was actually thinking recently that I hardly get the chance to go out anymore. Which is totally A-Okay. But when I DO get the opportunity to leave the homestead...I never take FULL advantage. I'm in jeans and a t.shirt and converses. Or cutoff jean shorts and...a t.shirt and flip flops. OR yoga pants and a...freaking t.shirt and sneakers. Or head-to-toe black. Which is cool...cause that's cool;)

point: I gots to mix it up a bit and I feel like purchasing all the items below would be a great motivation to do just that;)

TOTAL for all the pretties below: $305.94

1 lace-up sandals
can I just say that I love them? That is all.

2 black beauties:)
see above. About the love. And that being all;)

3 watch
i think I've been waiting all my life for this watch. 
I would be willing to give you my dog. The little white ugly fluffy one, that requires a $35 hair cut every 3 months (more than I spend on cutting my own hair). I will actually just GIVE you the dog.
Oh...and then after that...I'll buy this watch.

4 dress
this looks like the comfiest thing. Ever. And after seeing this lady pull it off pregnant...I want to try to pull it off as well...pregnant or not pregnant!:)


besides the watch (which would TOTALLY be an amazing investment!!!!! JACOBBBBB. It WOULD!!!!;)...everything on this list - in my cheap-ass opinion - is seriously affordable!

i could A: buy the watch for $200 - $170 with a 15% OFF promo code I have. B: buy everything except for the watch for only $100. 
People with self-control would include an option C: Buy nothing and save for your children's college or that big anniversary trip to Paris or our retirement. I am not the type to have an option C:)

good day.

me likes: one-piece jeans.

i'm bringing the jean overall back. Hard;)

and within 30 minutes of leaving the house I received these 2 comments:

. "where is she going....like thattttt!??!" - Peyton (14yrs old)

. "mom...you do NOT want to see your sister right now!!" - Tayt (7yrs old)

so far the opinions are from those who think it's okay to eat your buggers and who still shart in their shorts on the regular;) SO yeah...I'm hurt;)

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5

above are a few semi-affordable options and below are the ones I chose!

i went with option ONE. The were super affordable. I think I ended up getting them for about $30, on sale!

i doubt my small town (or husband;) is ready for this party but I'm not gonna lie...I kinda love them...uh lot:)

VW campervan:)

a few weeks back, while up in the wee hours of the night...or morning...or something...my mind is mush from all the sleeping that IS.NOT.HAPPENING. over in these parts:/ So excuse me if there are words speled wrong or altogether missing;)

POINT: as fun as it sounds to hang out with a wide awake newborn for hours on end...it's pretty much not;) But it gives me a lotttttta time to fill online baskets that will never get bought and sometimes stumble upon treasures that just must be ours:)

this VW Campervan is one of those gems that couldn't be passed up:)

it took about 5 seconds to put together...basically, popped up! And it's ridiculously adorable!!:) I would say it's a great size for Homer but may have been even better when he first started crawling! Theo's going to get some great use out it!:)

thank you Zulily, for at least an hour of peace;)

* note that items for sale on this site are always changing...the bus is no longer available but that doesn't mean it won't be again, eventually! AND if you do find something you love and plan to order...enter my name or email (not sure where!?) and I'll get a wee bit of credit! Thanks in advance;)

across the bod:)

ever since I got a pretty, pretty purse for my birthday - HERE - I'm kinda addicted to all the finer things in life. Including the amazing purses below. I'm actually willing to throw out ALL the clearance Target and 2nd hand store purses in my closet in order to have 3 REAL leather, amazing quality purses in my possession. 

next on the (unrealistic) Wish List, would be a cross-body purse. Ideally, one of the 3 below:)

coach . madewell . tory burch

2014 MOA wish list:)

5 days until our Annual MOA Shopping Trip. We've gone a fewwwww times - it's a sickness really;) But there's no shame in our MOA game. We love it and we're not afraid to shop from 9AM to 9PM - that's real life.!!!!!:):)

below are a few things on my list this year. I'm KINDA in super love with this year's list (check out last year's list HERE). It's pretty. Simple. Lady-like. And comfy:) I'm deeming this year: Hot-YOUNG-Mom-of-2-Year;)

As I've matured...I've found that I actually stick prettyyyyyy close to The List. This is much better on the checkbook than past years. Going with a plan...that's the best plan:)

total for all 7 items (hoping there will be some sales): $264.63

1 boyfriend capris - i have a pair in my closet, that have made their way to the Maternity Bin because I can wear them up until 40wks of pregnancy:/ I got a few sizes TOO big. Time for the correct size!

2 birkenstocks - don't ask me why...but I think these would make my feet SO very happy this summer!:)

3 flowy tanks - i just love this entire look. Black is my business but then pair it with a long gold necklace...yep:)

4 levi's - i'm not normally one to get 'transition jeans' (no clue what Transition Jeans are?!?! - jeans that fit me now...but will hopefully be wayyyyy too big in 6 weeks when I'm back to my pre-baby weight:) but these are relatively inexpensive and I'm very curious to see how the fit works on me. They're more of a maybe/we'll see. But I can't wait to try them on!

5 comfy dress - envision this dress with my Birkenstocks. Or some flats. Or gladiators. I like the idea of this dress toned down for casual wear.

6 jump suit - oh shit yeah. This is a JUMP SUIT! You wouldn't have known, right?!?! I have a wedding in June and thought this was adorable. The top looks pretty accessible for nursing and I just love the look! Classy. Totally encompasses the Hip Mom look I'd love to pull off;)

7 sneakers - i have a row of converses that I LOVE but I'm ready to add something a tad different and with a splash of color for my summer wardrobe. These are it:)

i'm also super excited to be bringing Theo along on this trip! She's nursing, so bringing her was a no brainer. But I'm giving our new stroller (we got ours on Craig's List for $275...which is still INSANE-ish but it's amazing and we love it!!!) a go and bringing along the Ergo (we got our Ergo on Ebay for a fraction of the price and I'm actually hoping to get a Solly Wrap soon...I've heard they're glorious!!) which we've had out for a few walks already and it's been a dream!

lets hope baby girl likes shopping more than her big brother:) 

give me all the things.

in 45 minutes it's my birthday month. In 21 days my Maternity Leave begins. In 23 daysssss I turn 31 - my mind still hasn't grasped that I'm 30...In 26 days this baby is due to join us! 

if you haven't heard...my birthday is kindaaaaa a big deal;) I make it a big deal. It IS a BIG.DEAL. Because of the baby's due date landing so close to my birthday (birthday March 23. Baby due date March 26)...I decided to bump my birthday up a little - if you weren't already aware...you can do that;). You're probably making the same face my husband made when I broke the news to him about that;)

tomorrow starts the first of a few birthday festivities. My good friend, Friend, turns 31 in March also. We usually have a little date morning and bum around together and that's happening tomorrow! 

because Jacob and I are having a little date day next week...and with my leave coming up quickly...we've been trying to be pretty strict on our spending. We've actually done relatively well over the last few weeks. It hasn't been easy:) But that doesn't mean a girl can't dream and I'm dreamin' about all the things below falling into my closet over the next 3 months:)

TOTAL for all the pretties below: $769 (life is so unfair;)

1 bra and undies
i can't think of too many things more sad than being done having babies. Being done being pregnant. And that's not to say we are after baby #2...we haven't made any decisions on that. BUT when I am forced to think of some positives that will come along with not having babies anymore...buying matching, pretty, correctly sized delicates is definitely one of the positives:)

2 overalls
i'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that overalls aren't every one's cup of tea. BUT I've been crushing on these puppies for quite some time...I need overalls in my life. I just do. It feels right!:)

3 the-most-perfect-tote-in-all-the-world
i'm pretty sure I would agree to say 'yes' to my husband in regards to ANYTHING for 1 full year in order to add this tote to my life. I'm not afraid;)

4 sunnies
i just like um'. Uhhhhh lot:)

5 sneaks
i'm a huge, huge fan of sneakers. I've got a few pair of converses that I love and these are on my short list currently. But I'm willing to give another brand a shot. Maybe even something with some color/pattern. And really...these would just work with the rolled up overalls:)

6 mom-suit
i was never a fan of the one-piece swim suit. I have become a huge fan of the one-piece swim suit. Especially after having a baby. Luckily, things have stayed in tact...so far. BUT, as I've mentioned before, I may not get away with no stretch marks on the belly this time around. SUPER SAD FACEEEEEEE:( 
But again...finding the positive in a not-so-amazing-situation...I'll be investing in a beautiful one-piece for this summer:)


and just like that...I've added a Madewell Gift Certificate to the growing number of birthday ideas I have for my family and friends:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH TO MEEEEEEEE!!!!:) xoxo

etsy saturday.

oh my gosh. Someone needs to come over here and physically pry my checkbook out of my hands! Shittttts about to get out.of.control.

have you ever loved everything? Wanted it all? I may have already picked out a specific spot in my home for each and EVERY one of these pieces. Get.In.My.Online.Shopping.Cart. and then...Ship.To.My.Home. And then just go ahead and hang yo'self up appropriately:)

andddddd go:)

1 'breath mother fucker' 
i don't know that there's ever been a more perfect piece of art for me. Jesus...is that a tear falling down my cheek?;) This just...moved me;)

2 plant hanger
or what I was thinking could hold a bowl full of fruit in my new kitchen...someday. Thoughts?

3 'this is where the magic happens'
i just find this adorable. In my head I'm envisioning a super simple master bedroom with one piece...one big piece on the wall above the bed. Not sure if this suits us perfectly...maybe if it was more like: this is where the magic happens...when we're not rock/paper/scissoring over who should change Homer's shitty butt or passed out tired from a seriously long day or playing on our phones...but otherwise...ALL magic...sweaty...sweaty magic;) 

4 sail away with me
ahhhhh. These last few all feel like the West to me - LAAAA Siggghhhhhh:) A favorite of mine and Jacob's is traveling and I've got the itch. I've been bitten by the travel bug. We traveled West in September of 2012...it's been 10 longgggg months at home. We must pack up again...SOON!:)
I so wish I could give Jacob this card...along with some tickets tucked away inside for Ireland...someday:)

5 'wild and free'
this could also fit perfectly in Homer's room...he is wild. And he, so obviously, answers to no one. So that makes him free...from us;)

6 'taking the road less traveled'
the other day we had a checking account plump full of money - that moment right before all those checks come in and you realize you shorted yourself somewhere...you know what I'm talking about;). Yeah...in that moment, we looked at each other and said...lets just go. Jump on a plane. Go to Paris. We'll take Homer. It'll be amazing...LAAA Siggghhhhhh:)

is June too soon?!:)

on rare occasions I get things in the mail that are WAY more fun than bills and creditors trying to get us to apply to their amazingly affordable credit cards;) A few days ago we received a Save The Date for a wedding in June of 2014! A mere 8 months away...never too soon to start day dreamin' about what I'll be wearing...or ordering things to try on...wait...I'm pregnant and have a legitimate belly already. So yeah. Maybe it is a tadddd too early.

regardless. 

here are a few that I've found that I'm liking...at the moment. I may peek back at this in 7 months and wonder if it was the giant ice cream sandwich that was making decisions for me while I was doing this post;) Or the fact that my computer is at 13% and I don't have the energy to walk to the other room for the charger...so let's do this...fast;)

up and down were found via Shop Sosie. Super cute. Super affordable. 

up is a beauty from ModCloth and it was the pretty green that attracted me...and now to find that color in paint for a wall in my home:)

now my ice cream sandwich thought process is: something long for chasing Homer...he'll be 2 by June 2014 - I can feel the sandwich coming back up...that's sick:'/ And more importantly...my legs will probably not be wedding ready within 2 months after having a baby. They'll be white and very soft...veryyyy soft;). 

And something nursing-friendly...because with any luck we'll have a healthy, spunky 2-1/2 month old that will be hungry at all the wrong times during this wedding/reception and we'll need 'easy access':)

oh man. Is it wrong that I'm SUPER pumped to be nursing again!?!?!? And June will be fabulous. Fantastic weather and just enough time after the baby to maybe be feeling myself again...almost...kinda;)

yayyyyy for weddings and love and rowdy 2 year olds and beautiful newborns and online dress shopping that is specific to my future breast-feeding needs. 

and on that note. Night Night:)

ten goodies.

oh you know...just day dreamin' about what I'd do if all the bills were paid ahead for the next few months and we already knew Homer was going to college on a full Interpretive Dance Scholarship;) 

below are a few things that I want...just cause:) And sometimes making a list and taking 2 hours to do a blog post about them is enough to keep me from being hunched over my laptop...in bed...at 2AM...with frozen cookie dough to keep me company...online shopping;)

1
i've actually been looking into getting THIS (she's currently closed till the end of Oct. but they're worth coming back to, gorgeous:) dream catcher and that got me in 'dream-catcher-mode' and then I saw THIS post and now...yeah...a necklace too:)

2
a book I have on my Amazon Wish List - Courts has already purchased it and I look forward to borrowing it.

3
a light fixture I have already mentally hung in our dining room...now saving my pennies:)

4
i mayyyyy already have this in cream but it's SO cozy and perfect for pregnant and non-pregnant bodies and I've found that if you find something you like...get 2.

5
homer, obviously, needs this. Love it. Love the flat brim. Homer could rock this all next summer! Potential Christmas gift:)

6.7.8.9
i have a basket full of fluff. That's a real thing;) Yep, I have a basket full of pillow fluff sitting here at home waiting for covers. I kinda want all these:)
And wouldn't that 'i love you to the moon and back' be a great addition to Homer's new bed?? - oh, yeah...we're getting him a little bed for Christmas:)

10
this would be silly not to have in my wardrobe. I just missed my chance to snag this for the sale price of $16.50. Kicking myself cause it's back to $22 now. Next time!
I can't imagine I'll get any stares if I chose to wear this while out walking with Homer;)


and there you have it. Only some of the many things that look good to me at this very moment:)