HOLLYN {1 Years Old}

I can't believe my baby is already one...well actually almost 13 months. I meant to take her 1 year pics as soon as she turned one, but time slipped away and we are about 4 weeks past her birthday and I just now finally took them. They are not what I had planned in my head, but I like how they turned out anyways.

She has a rocking chair that was mine as a kid and now resides in her room which she loves to climb up on, sit and then climb off and repeat it all over again. We took the rocker outside to capture some fun photos since it is one of her favorite items right now.

HOLLYN's Favorites:

• Mommy's old rocking chair
• Kicking a ball
• Mac n' cheese
• Nutrigrain Breakfast Bars
• Her Lovey...can't sleep without it!
• Blocks (mainly just knocking them all down)
• Playing outside
• Cozy Coupe push car
• Doggies
• Veggies
• Tampons (yes that is right!) - The kid loves to find my tampons in the bathroom and drag them all through the house...so if you come over to visit and find random tampons hidden around this is why!
• Tooth brushes and hair brushes - she carries them everywhere...Target, Trader Joe's, The Dr's, etc.
• SMILING!!! My favorite thing about her! 

HOLLYN's Not-So-Favorites:

• Getting dressed 
• Eating meat (she is a partial vegetarian right now)
• Being told NO - I think this goes for most kids
• Being in a shopping cart for more than 15 minutes

HOLLYN'S 1 Year Pictures (sorry for the abundance of pictures...I just can't get enough of her): 

We love you Hollyn with all our hearts! Now stop growing sooo fast!!!! Love, Mommy. 

A Mommy Moment {Me Time}

I have been told numerous times that a good mother and wife needs to recharge her batteries in order to be her best. If our batteries run low for too long we will not be able to fully fulfill our role to the best of our abilities. After becoming a mom myself I have found this to be more than true. I find myself longing   for "Me Time" more now than ever before; whether it is just to run to Target without worrying if I brought snacks and milk, how long she is going to last in the cart before we have to run down the toy isle to preoccupy her, noticing that she squeezed out all the apple sauce from the pouch onto the contents in the cart just to realize that I didn't bring wipes and now I have to lick it off of myself and her, losing a shoe somewhere in the store and never to see it again, having a yogurt and a block of cheese bitten into like we had rats riding in the cart and the list goes on.

I LOVE my daughter with ALL my heart and as I write this I can't help but laugh at all of our funny experiences; some of which aren't so funny when they are happening in the moment. But she always has a way of making me laugh and smile in the end. However, going to Target solo is oh so nice too! Browsing every department (you HAVE to when you go there), up and down the isles at your own pace...ahhh....or getting a mani/pedi, going to lunch with a good friend, going on a run solo...are all things that help recharge my batteries.

But, I find myself torn at times between doing things for myself and spending time with her. It's almost as though I make myself feel guilty for wanting to go do things for myself; by myself. I only work 3 days a week and we are home by 3:30, but it seems that once we get home, play for about an hour then it is time to start the nighttime routine of make dinner, bath, play, make lunches and bed. So, when my days off come around I find myself wanting to hangout out with her more and do something fun or try to get all my errands and cleaning done and the "Me Time" gets pushed aside or is taking place in the late hours of the night vegging in front of the computer or TV, but then the dilemma is that I am not spending time with my hubby relaxing and cuddling like we should be.

So how do you meet that happy medium of spending quality time with your children, your hubby, your family and yourself and carve time in there for quiet time with God (which I am totally lacking right now)?

Maybe I am just really bad at time management...I do get easily distracted and will find that an hour has already passed when I thought it would only take 10 minutes...maybe it is something that I need to schedule like an appointment...I have read that really helps. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this last year of being a mom and wife have been the best as well as the biggest learning experience of my life. I have learned so much about what it means to put someone else as the priority in my life, to meet other's needs before myself and each day I learn something new about my daughter, myself, being a wife and motherhood. It is a forever learning experience and just when we seem to have figured things out or got on a schedule...think again! I wouldn't change the chaotic trips to Target, the tornado that goes through my house daily, or not getting a shower till 4pm for anything...even if it means that I don't get that "Me Time" weekly. I know that I will get it and when I do my batteries will be recharged and I will be a better Mommy, wife and person for it.

How do you recharge your batteries or schedule "Me Time"?

I can't help but put some pictures of my Little Chick in this post!

For The Love Of {Anthropologie}

I have a love (ok slight obsession) with Anthropologie. Mainly with their home section. And it is mainly window shopping (ie. computer based). But I can't help but find myself gawking over the things they have for your home.

I don't know what you would exactly call my decorating style other than eclectic. I love vintage, modern, rustic, bohemian, preppy, girly, funky and so on. I think that is why I love Anthro so much. The way they mix colors, patterns, shapes and styles just gets my decorating wheels turning.

The kitchen section is AHH-mazing with their fun plates, bowls, measuring spoons and spice jars who

 wouldn't want to cook or bake?! 

See More Here

Isn't this Owl cookie jar just too cute?! I have been eyeing it for a while and think it would make any cookie taste good! Don't you feel like he is just winking at you saying, "It's ok just have one. I won't tell anyone." Sneaky Owl!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their plates. I love the colors, patterns and love that you can ultimately mix and match them...which I hope to do one day.

See More Here

These three vases are all actually very reasonable; ranging from $20-$24. They are different and just add that pop of color while also adding dimension and texture. LOVE! 

See More Here

Cool glassware. Enough said.

See More Here

Knobs. Such a simple switch-a-roo that can add so much character to a dresser, nightstand, media console and much more! Prices range from $6 - $14. I have been eyeing the Left one for Hollyn's dresser!

See More Here

Their bedding is truly something that I will forever just be dreaming about or in my case trying to find an Anthro-inspired look-alike. I love how the Left one is girly, feminine and full of character and texture. While the one on the right has that bohemian vintage feel.

See More Here

 I love fun dishtowels whether it is to just hang over my stove (which I no longer do due to a little one) or to actually use...It is just another fun decorating accessorie. They have great ones for wedding gifts too! And check out the aprons...too cute!

See More Here

Well there is my ode to Anthropologie. I will see you Anthro at the SALE rack!

CAMP HOLLYN - Hollyn turns ONE!

First off, I CAN NOT believe my baby is already one! Where did this year go? I feel like I just popped her out yesterday. This year has been the best...full of learning experiences and love I never could have imagined and each day gets better and more fun!

When I had to start thinking of a birthday theme I kept trying to think of something that kind of signifies us and Hollyn. That is when I came up with Camp Hollyn. We often go "camping" (I put it in quotes because our camping consists of a 5th wheel trailer with nicer cabinets in it than my own home). But we do camp and we often have bonfires in our backyard and Hollyn LOVES anything that has to do with the outdoors. So, I thought it was a great fit. However, I didn't want it to be too rustic and full of plaid so I wanted to play up on the girly side using bright colors like pink, lime green, teal and yellow...all colors that I feel portray Hollyn and her personality too!

My Hubby made an A-frame tent, we collected pine cones on our walks, we had S'mores bars, S'mores on a stick and made fun signs for around the yard. We also did a fun little craft...I painted a tree on a canvas without leaves and put a quote at the bottom saying "Friendship is a sheltering tree" then everyone who was there had to put their finger print on the branches and sign their name. I thought that it would be something nice to remember her 1st birthday by and I plan on hanging it in her room.

All in all it was a success and lots of fun! Here a some pictures from the festivities!

The Dessert Table full of S'more bars, Mallows on a Stick, cupcakes, cookies and Hollyn's smash cake

Hollyn's smash cake with a fabric banner I made for it

The kids all liked the tent

The Birthday Girl all excited!!! I just LOVE her!!!

Sign pointing to her sandbox which was her birthday present.

I think the sandbox was the biggest hit!

 Canvas craft project for Hollyn

Her cousins loved helping her eat the cake!

Surrounded by her presents

The little Fashion Diva! Scarf by Mallory Made @Meowlory

The finished product! Looks so cute and I can't wait to hang it in her room!