Feeling . . . .

Feeling like I should share some of my favorite Fall outfits from this year. 

1 / 2 / 3

Feeling that my scarf addiction is yet again proven, as I didn't even realize until I added the pictures that all but one outfit has a scarf. 

4  /  5  /  6

Feeling incredibly grateful for the blogging community.  For the support and encouragement to continue to share what is on my heart.

Feeling happy to have watched two Christmas movies this weekend.  Next on my list is Four Christmases.

Feeling a little too sad that I finished all the seasons of One Tree Hill.   I've now completed Felicity, 90210, Gossip Girl, and Pretty Little Liars.  Is there a teen drama left that I need to see?  Please tell me what I'm missing!

Feeling happy to introduce these ladies to you:

First is Kristine from Heart Shaped Sweat

Kristine in an adorable mom to two boys, an army wife, working mom, and somehow manages to work out and stay healthy!  One of Kristine's goals for her blog is to help you stay motivated and encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices, like why you shouldn't be afraid of the gym, or reasons why you shouldn't make excuses!  Kristine is one motivating, sweet and impressive lady you should meet! 

blog //  twitter // facebook

Next is the company Datevitation.

I am really excited to share this company with you, because not only do that have great products but also a really neat story behind the start of their business.  The company was founded by this man who realized how much his soon to be wife loved his thoughtful cards.  Check out their adorable proposal here! 

Datevitation is the web's first online platform to create a custom love coupon book.  Unlike other pre-packaged coupon books out there, you get to pick the dates and can customize the text.  Then they will print it out and ship it to you in a ready-to-go gift box.  This would make a perfect stocking stuffer!

You can use the code "lauren" for $5 off your order.  Check out their site here

Next is Sarah from Total Basset Case.

I loved Sarah's blog as soon as I started reading it, because not only is she adorable, but she also has a really cute dog named Floyd who is beyond talented.  So talented he can brush his own teeth, bring her and her husband beer, and is the self appointed neighborhood watch dog.   She also shares about date nights with her husband, DIY projects and delicious recipes.  

blog  //  twitter // facebook

Last up is Jen from Team Bowen.

I love the meaning behind Jen's blog, as her husband told her before they got married that as soon as they become a family they would be a team.  Jen is a mom to an adorable little girl with another baby on the way.  And I must say she is one cute pregnant lady!   Jen blogs about her family adventures, as well as different projects and recipes she makes.

blog // facebook // twitter

And I'm pretty sure you would be happy too if you checked out these fabulous ladies!

Some truth

Today all I have for you is a blurry picture of me on my couch.  No outfit post or project.

 Because the truth is that the last two weeks have been a struggle for me.  (More to come on that later)

And I have had very little motivation and desire to post outfit pictures, favorite things, funny stories or much of anything. 

A part of me feels like if I don't post an outfit or even anything at all, I will lose readers, interest or the appeal to my blog.

Except I realize that isn't why I want people to read my blog.  Of course I want people to like the outfits I wear or the projects I make, but what I really want is for people to know me.

I don't think there is anything wrong with bloggers that don't share their personal lives on their blog, and only chose to share a small piece of their real life.  I like those blogs because they make me happy.  And I'm thankful that I've been able to use this blog sometimes throughout this last year as an escape from things when life is hard.

But I want my blog to continue to be a mix of the happy things in my life, but also the real things in my life.

And real life is that things don't always go exactly how you plan, which I have been learning over and over the last two years.  You think you have something figured out and immediately start thinking how the other pieces in your life should go.  and then they don't.

As I sat on my couch last week I felt sad that I hadn't enjoyed enough Christmas music yet, hadn't put up certain decorations I've wanted to, wrapped any presents and have yet to finish Christmas shopping.   And I was feeling really disappointed.

The more I thought about it the more I realize that I have what I have right now.  In this moment.  And that needs to be enough.  And it is.

Even if it doesn't come with a cute outfit, a funny story or a creative project.
Today I'm filled with mixed feelings of anxiety, joy, fear, gratefulness and hope.

This is where I am right now and that is okay!

High Five for Friday

sweater: loft   jeans: target  boots: gojane.com  

1. While I don't feel like this outfit is anything fancy or necessarily post worthy, this is what I wear most weekends.  Jeans, sweater, boots and scarf.

2.  Want to get in the Christmas spirit?  I watched this video yesterday and was surprised that it made me all teary.  Something about all those people singing songs with truth about the Christmas season.

3. We were a little delayed in getting our ornaments up on our tree, but finally did.  Here'a few of my favorite ornaments.

And let's just say the middle child ornament has caused a few disagreements with my siblings.

4. One of my good blogging friends, Carly, has a husband who is in a band called Uncle Daddy.  And I'm really excited to share them with you!

Uncle Daddy calls themselves a "roots rock" band.  On Tuesday this week, Uncle Daddy released an album as part of the Grammy ReImagined project, which showcases up and coming artists, and allows them to cover two Grammy winning songs, along with two of their own songs. 

Their album, Uncovered, is available on ITunes, and you can also view some of their videos on Grammy.com. 

Here's a video of Uncle Daddy's song, Crossroads.  

5. My sister texted me this picture this morning.  How could this not make your week better?

Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

*This post is sponsored by Uncle Daddy, but the opinions are my own.

It's OK

jacket: c/o wendybox    dress: target   boots: dsw 

It's OK that I posted an outfit yesterday in these same boots.  I could wear them every day.

It's OK that the day I took these pictures it was ridiculously windy, which is why I am either holding my dress or my hair is in my face in every picture.

It's OK that the other day I went to Walgreens at 9 o'clock on a Sunday night and saw people checking out movies from redbox and my first thought was "Who would be renting a movie this late on a work night?"

You may ask why I was out "so late" on a work night.  Well, that's because I was on my way to sleep over at my parents because Chris was out of town.

and that's OK too.

It's OK that Chris thought I accidentally painted my one nail the wrong color.
(As if I could really do that on accident?)
And then laughed when I told him that doing that was actually trendy.

It's OK that he doesn't believe me.

It's OK that I am struggling this week to spend time on my computer, read blogs and respond to emails.  Hoping next week will be better!




Linking up with: It's OK Thursday

Random Wednesday

blazer: c/o wendybox   dress: kohls   boots: dsw

1. I recently got this blazer from Wendybox and I love it!  I think it's easy to start wearing a lot of darker colors when Winter comes around and this blazer is far from a dark color.

2. Use the code wdbx15 to get 15% off your purchase on anything on their site!

3. Speaking of Winter, we've had nothing like Winter weather lately.  It was 70 degrees this day!  Hard to believe I can not wear tights or leggings in December.

4.  Last weekend we ate this delicious homemade apple pancake.  It tastes very similar to the huge apple pancakes they have at Richard Walker Brothers.  

5. Although it hasn't felt like winter this week, last week it did and we enjoyed a few fires. I love having a fireplace!

6. Want to win $50 to Shabby Apple?  Enter my giveaway from yesterday! 

Happy Wednesday!



Linking up to: Random Wednesday    Pleated Poppy

Shabby Apple Giveaway

dress: shabby apple  boots: kohls  sweater: gift  necklace: etsy 

Every time I see a Shabby Apple giveaway I enter it, because I love all of their dresses!  I was so excited because I recently won a giveaway for $50 and chose this dress.  

Shabby Apple has so many dresses to choose from and lots of different styles, such as retro dresses, vintage dresses, lace dresses and maxi dresses.  And I wish I could own them all.

Here's a few of my favorites:

one for my baby // headliner dress // alice dress

Today you have a chance to win a gift card for $50 to use towards whatever you'd like!

To enter leave a separate comment for each:
(1)follow for Lauren and Lauren via GFC and visit Shabby Apple and leave a comment telling me your favorite item (1 entry).
(2)follow Shabby Apple on facebook
(3)tweet about this giveaway
(4)blog about this giveaway

(Contestants must have USA shipping address.)

You can also use the coupon code forlaurenandlauren10off 10% off for the next month! 

Good luck and thank you for entering!

(GIVEAWAY CLOSED)

The ADD Christmas wish list

dress: c/o Kintage  boots: dsw  bracelet: made by me   

On my Christmas wish list you would find things similar to this beautiful lace dress from Kintage.  

I know the same would go for any girl in my family, which makes them super easy to shop for.

My husband on the other hand, is not so easy to shop for.  

That is until I realized that the items on Chris' Christmas list have a common theme and I could probably find a hundred more things that he would want for presents. 

The other day Chris sent me an email with links to these items for gift suggestions: 

plasma ball //  desk top gong

desk top bowling game // usb drink warmer

Pretty much anything that can distract him while he's working. 

Yet another proof my husband has ADD. 

At least he will be easy to shop for this year.

Linking up to: YOLO Monday   Monday Mingle