A letter to my kids

Dear Mia and Paxton,
I just wanted to take a minute to write down some of experiences we have had lately and just how incredibly blessed and honored I feel to be your mommy.  While I get frustrated easily and I'm often impatient, you two make me so happy.  You make me smile everyday.  You are the reason I work so hard and the reason continue to strive to be a better person. 
Since Christmas, almost every night recently, you both have wanted to put on a "show".  You have also made me part of your "show".   While it is a little embarrassing--getting up...singing and playing the toy Barbie guitar and dancing to Barbie songs--I love that you want to include me.  I love that you think it's cool to play with your mom and dad.  Last night, we sang danced around the kitchen off and on all evening.  It was the highlight of my night.  You are such characters!  Paxton, you sing and dance with no inhabitions.  You are a natural performer....and a bit of a clown.  Mia, you have such a beautiful sweet voice.  Your funny and you love to dance with me and Paxton. 
When we are not having a dance party, you both like to dress up.  Mia, you are the most beautiful little princess I have ever seen.  Paxton, you are the most handsome little princess???  Well little man...what can I say?  You have a big sister.  You love her and admire her.  You want to be just like her.  Right now, that means you like to play dress up.  Tutu's and tap shoes are your favorites.  Sorry honey...I have lots of pictures that I will be showing at your wedding....and maybe your high school graduation.  We'll see :). 
You both also like to play ball.  Pax, everyone is so impressed with your athleticism.  Seriously...you are 2 and you are crazy good at soccer, baseball, and basketball.  It's amazing.  Just remember who sang Barbie songs with you when you are making millions as a professional athlete.  :) 
Mia, you are great at dribbling the soccer ball and you also really like gymnastics and dancing.  I'm not sure which direction you will take yet.  You seem to want to do all of them, yet none of them.  We'll see what happens this spring. 
You guys are my world.  You make my life complete and I know your daddy feels the same way.  We are so lucky to have you.  We both thank God every day for giving you to us and choosing us to be your parents. You are amazing. 
I love you both forever,
Mommy

My fashion Favorites

<a href="http://www.shadesofgrayandapinchofpink.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkmIFoILJooF2HrjTbQcPNB9B4nYg1t5WKeA4NGW0I42dh030E11THC-yZBd03xl65W2eJ2ERcc7k_PnvNhi1FsF28dBfzC20kTmGDGPbDVTcSZCdS_kwppdbSYuLG1hrh-d9AW3ySkg/s320/blogger-image--1009088132.jpg"/></a>


I am really excited about this linkup!  I am not a fashion blogger, but I love sharing some of my favorites. 

As a mom who still has 10 lbs to lose (all of which is in my belly), I'm a huge fan of leggings.  They are so comfy and perfect to pair with a long tunic or sweater.  The leggings by Hue are my favorite.  I have them in several colors (black, gray, brown, and navy, and off white) 


I've been pairing them with this long black tunic sweater from INC and some comfy black boots.  I have a few other tunics as well, but this one is my favorite.  I think it is because black is slimming. 



When I'm not wearing leggings....or work appropriate clothes (as I work in HR), I like to wear the most soft, comfy pj's that I can find! 

These are similar to the ones I wear regularly.   What are some of your favorites?  Link up and tell us!

Dear Fashion Bloggers, I need your help....

I am going to a reception on March 2nd for a good friend, where I will see many friends from high school.  Needless to say...I want to look good.  All of my dresses are either sundresses are sweater dresses. 

Maybe we can make this a game??....Can you dress me in an awesome dress (with shoes and accessories) for under $100?  To give you an idea of my size, I'm 5' 5" and 130 lbs.  I have J Crew taste and an Old Navy budget right now as we are going to settlement on our new house next week.

The wedding is at 6:30pm, but not really formal as it was a beach/destination wedding and this is just the reception. 

Please keep in mind, I'm over 30 with 2 kids so no mini skirts or short hoochie mama dresses please :).  Send me any links with suggestions...Please.....

Things I never thought I'd say to my son

Chris and I laugh at some of the things we say to Paxton.  The kid is just so funny.  Here are a few things we never thought we would say to our 2 year old son....

• Paxton, take your dress off
• Your sequins are hurting me
• You want to be a princess too?
• Do you want the pink wings or purple wings?
• Pax, please come out of the closet (playing hide and seek)
• The purple or blue dress?
• Get off the pole (he likes to climb on the column in our house)
• Do you want to sleep with Dora or Diego tonight?
• Paxton, Mia had that doll first.
• What color do you want to paint your nails? 

Do you find yourself saying stuff like that to your kids?  I'd love to hear your list!

Thursday Linkup--Fashion Favorites

 

 

It's a link-up for the fashion bloggers who never miss an OOTD and carry their tripods to the nearest open field to snap pictures of themselves.

But it is also for the bloggers who make fun of these fashion bloggers for staring at who knows what on the ground and constantly placing their hands on their faces.

 

No matter which category you fall into you're still wearing clothing right? And most of us tend to sport things that we actually enjoy wearing, so either way this will be right up your alley.

 

What it's all about:

Your favorite fashions no matter what shape or form they may be.

Whether this is:

 Your newest outfit you received you'd like to model off but haven't had a reason to yet A montage of the style staples you couldn't live without

Your favorite Outfit Of The Day from the past

 What you're currently wearing on the day of the link up

Even a picture of you as a child in the dorkiest of hot pink windbreakers and matching visors

This link up is entirely open-ended to fit whatever you feel the best in!

 

A flashy statement necklace paired with your newest J.Crew chunky-knit sweater? - Fabulous

Your pink polka-dotted tutu from your 6th grade birthday party? - Even better

Your husband's comfy black sweat pants with your kid's snot stains all over them? - Perfect.

Anything goes!

 

 

When it takes place:

This THURSDAY - January 10th, 2013

 

 

Who is running this thing:

Erin - Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink

Karen - Patching Hearts

Jessica - Living My Fairytale

Anne - Hell on Heels

Marianna - Delightfully Dunn

 

 

What you'll need to do:

 Get your post ready to go (or even link up a post from the past)

Follow all of the Co-Hosts

Spread the news to the rest of Blogland (because we'd love you for it obviously) Jump around to other blogs to see their fashion favorites

Grab the button and put it on your post

 

 

<a href="http://www.shadesofgrayandapinchofpink.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Shades of Gray and a Pinch of Pink" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkmIFoILJooF2HrjTbQcPNB9B4nYg1t5WKeA4NGW0I42dh030E11THC-yZBd03xl65W2eJ2ERcc7k_PnvNhi1FsF28dBfzC20kTmGDGPbDVTcSZCdS_kwppdbSYuLG1hrh-d9AW3ySkg/s320/blogger-image--1009088132.jpg"/></a> We hope to see you all this THURSDAY showing off your stuff!

New Year, New DIY projects to attempt

So, as I may have mentioned 1,874,983,993 times....we are moving.  With that comes decorating.  I have NO vision, creativity, or crafting ability, so I went directly to pinterest for help.  These are a few of the projects I plan to tackle this year (or maybe beg Chris to tackle). 

I'm not sure where I'd put this, but I just love it!  Looks really easy too!

This is my first priority!  I love the mason jar chandelier for our dining room!  If Chris can't make it, I plan to go straight to Pottery Barn asap.  I'm saving $ just in case :)



I would these for our living room.  I wonder if it will work with my current lamps.  I guess I first need to figure out how to get the stickers off that Mia decided to decorate with.

These will be so cute in the kid's bathroom. 

I've already started framing a few of their favorite books for the playroom - to go above the book shelf.  So far, I've framed "The Giving Tree" and I'm picking up more this weekend to do "Good Night Construction Site" and "The Cat and the Hat". 

I have also painted 4 large picture frames which I'll use to display their artwork at school--similarly to the way these pictures are displayed. 

How cute is this...just use two doors, paint them and add crown molding for a headboard.  So getting Chris to do this!

Yes, I am painting one of the chandeliers that we are not using purple (glitter purple as a matter of fact) and hanging it in my closet.  Can.Not.Wait. 

My show wall will not be this big for fancy, but it will be pink :)

I love the idea of each kid having a basket for their crap that they need to take upstairs.  This needs to be implemented asap once we move. 

Lastly...am I the only person who LOVES this?  Seriously???  Anybody else?  I want it for my kitchen...and I will use it to start my vintage teacup collection. 

My 4 year old fashionista has her own since of style....and it's not pretty

I guess when girls turn 4, they want to pick out their own clothes.  Mia loves to wear dresses, but unfortunately, she hates tights.  She likes "soft pants" (aka cotton leggings, yoga pants..whatever).  Colors do not matter.  She loves purple and or sparkles with anything. 

Example 1.  Wore shopping in Florida

Cute dress, purple sparkle hat, purple fur boots (weather was 80 degrees)

Example 2

Fall dress.  Pink leggings.  Daddy's shoes.  This was what she wore at her Nana's (she did wear her own shoes there though).

Example 3--what she wore to church

Cute striped sweater dress.  Black Yoga Pants, Sneakers.  A chevron headband

How can I make dresses cute when she won't wear tights?