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We've been crazy excited about this post since our friend Staci agreed to partnering with us! From time to time, we revisit our Be Intentional series. Staci's story is one that we hope encourages you to set goals in your life (in any and all areas) and then take intentional steps to achieve them. We love this girl, we're so proud of her, and are honored to share her story today!

Meet our friend Staci… ********************************************************************************** I am going to be honest. I am"no good" at home decorating and DIY design and crafting. To be brutally honest, I flat out stink! Oh, believe me, I have dreams about a beautifully decorated bedroom and a warm and cozy living room with amazing wall colors and fresh flowers in beautiful vases accented on my tables and shelves. But, I am just not good at putting everything together to transform a room. So, thankfully, I am NOT writing this post to give you tips about DIY design! Really…you should be thanking me!!! Haha! On the other hand, I thank God for making us all unique and designed for the purposes HE designed us for. So, you may be wondering who am I and why have I been given access to writing to an audience of DIY pros and creatives?!?! I may not be good at DIY design and transforming the rooms of my living space, but I have been on a little DIY transformation…in my body and in my life. My name is Staci. This is me in January of 2010.

I know what you are thinking. Oh goodness. Yikes. I am thinking it, too. "Did she stuff her shirt with melons?" "Did she put pillows in her pants?" "Is she a really grouchy person?" "She looks angry." All to which I can reassure you…NO. I did not put melons in my shirt. I didn't add pillows to my pants. And no…I am not grouchy nor angry!!! Okay, maybe you weren't thinking"exactly" that, but when I look at these pictures of who I was 2 years ago, I can hardly believe that was me.
The reality is, I was 260 lbs. of hurt. 260 lbs. of frustration. 260 lbs. of failed diets. 260 lbs. of zero confidence. 260 lbs. of someone I never, ever wanted to become. Sad, unhealthy, embarrassed, lonely and hopeless.

Have you ever been at your rock bottom? The place where you feel that you are never going to get out of? The place where you feel that no one understands? The place where you feel so far away from where you truly want to be? That was me 2 years ago. I don't exactly remember what it was that sparked a deep desire in me to change once and for all, but I was really starting to think that God didn't create me to be any of the things I was becoming. And he surely didn't desire for me to be trapped in a body that I was ashamed of, embarrassed about and so hurt to be in. Although, one post is not nearly enough to share with you all that has gone on in my life and my transformation over the past 2 years; I will share with you where I am today and the main reasons I am where I am.

I reached my final goal in November 2011. This is me today at 135 lbs.:

Never in a million years did I believe that this was possible. I still look at my before and after photos and I cannot believe that was me and now this is me. You can only see the images, but I can see the hurt and defeat in the before photos. And I can see the strength and hope in the after photos. I haven't just transformed physically, I have transformed emotionally as well.

This picture of my old jeans is a clear reminder of where this journey started! Staci would love for her story to reach and help anyone that might need encouragement. So, you have her permission to Pin her pictures and share it with anyone that could use some encouragement and motivation!

When people hear of my success or they see it for themselves when they see me, there is always one question that gets asked:
WHAT DID YOU DO TO LOSE THE WEIGHT?!?! At first, I used to give people my simple cookie cutter answer of what I did: I started eating right and exercising daily. And I prayed. Sometimes minute by minute. But, after seeing the sometimes disappointed looks back at me because for some reason or other, when people give us the straight up hard truth (even though it is common sense), we somehow think that we could never do that. We believe the lies: "I could never do that."

"I don't have that kind of willpower." You know what? I am not crazy motivated. I don't have any more"willpower" than you. I don't have a magic formula and I sure don't have a magic potion. But, I do have intention and a God who never gives up on me. Even when I give up on myself. Jess and Mon talk often about"Being Intentional". For me, being intentional means doing things even when I don't want to because it is what I need to do. Being intentional means having a plan at all times. Being intentional means setting goals. I am not speaking of having plans and setting goals because I believe I have my future all figured out or that I can truly control what happens tomorrow or next week, but I desire to have a plan and set goals because it is one of the ways that lives can change. It is one way that people can move from an undesirable place in life to a place of freedom and the ability to fully live the life they were designed for! By setting goals, I had to make choices as to"how" I could get to that goal. I set a 6 -week, 90-day, 6-month and"end of year" goal. If the scale wasn't moving, I had to assess what I was doing. And change something immediately. There was no time to go off the path I needed to take if I wanted to meet my goals.
This was me about 1/2 way through… I was around 190lbs.

In addition to setting goals, I also had to learn what I needed vs. what I wanted. Monica and Jess have talked about wants vs. needs in decorating. Well, I may have wanted to go out to my favorite restaurant for a big burger and fries, but I truly didn't need a big burger and fries. See the difference? I know, I know…it still seems like it is a willpower thing. But it really isn't. It's looking at my plan. If I want to weigh 10 lbs. less in 6 weeks, a burger and fries isn't what I need. Does it mean I will never be able to have a burger and fries? Not at all. But right now, that isn't part of the plan.

Bottom line, I am not here to tell you what to do and how to do it. I am merely trying to tell you that you CAN do it. Do what works for you. Do what you know you need to do. Even if you don't have to lose weight, it is still important to fuel your body with healthy, nutritious foods. And it is so important to take some time out of your day to get moving. Find something that you enjoy and get moving! Be intentional. And above all else, remember that you were created for a purpose. By taking care of your body; physically, emotionally and spiritually…you are unleashing a power within that no one can take away. And you are unleashing the power to connect and encourage others around you! When I am struggling or having a day where my wants seem to be trying to overpower the intention of my needs, I cling to the words below. Maybe it is with eating, maybe it is trying to get through an intense workout, maybe it's facing the daily pressures of life. Here is what I hold on to:

" I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." ~Philippians 4:12-13

In the midst of the depth of all of this; the tears, hard work, the defeats and the triumphs, I have made every effort to maintain a attitude of openness and realness with others as well as a level of humor. So, I will leave you with one last photo. It is my favorite one of all!!! This is my mom and I in my old pants…yes, two of us!: -) 125 lbs. lost and gone forever!!! I am forever changed!!!

P.S. I must share that I am a recovering sweets & desserts addict! So, I will share one of my absolute favorite treats that I make almost daily for myself! Enjoy! Quick Chocolate Oatmeal (adapted from my absolute favorite dessert blog Chocolate-Covered Katie) 1/2 cup quick oats 1 small banana (broken up into small chunks) 1 1/2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Applesauce 15-20 drops of Liquid Stevia 1 tsp. vanilla extract 3/4 cup of Light Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk or Light Vanilla Soy Milk dash of salt 2 Tbsp. fat free cool whip (optional) Spray small saucepan with cooking spray. Combine all of the ingredients together in the small saucepan. Stir everything together until thoroughly mixed. Turn heat to high and continue stirring oatmeal until oatmeal starts to bubble slightly and thicken. After oatmeal starts to slowly boil, turn heat off and continue stirring for another minute or so to finish heating all the way through. Pour into a bowl and enjoy! For an extra treat, add some fat free cool whip on top! *You can also add a Tbsp of Peanut Butter to the above recipe for a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup bowl of oatmeal! My husband's favorite!: -)
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So how's that for some intentional living? I don't know about you, but Staci has encouraged, inspired, and motivated us big time! Staci recently started blogging about all things health,fitness, and nutrition, so check out Musings of a Wellness Hopeful for all kinds of recipes, motivation, and more!

Got questions for Staci? Leave a comment and she'll get back to you!

Only following on the blog? You're missing out. Use the buttons below to join in on all the fun!

I'll be honest, I'm not good at living intentionally. Jess made living intentionally one of her goals about a year back, and she's doing a good job at it. I just kind of go with the flow and take each day as it comes, BUT (and this is a big but)… I am very intentional when it comes to my relationships. Eric and I believe that it's far too easy to let the busyness of life get in the way of maintaining community and authentic relationships. We believe that parenting and journeying through life is tough and would be nearly impossible if we were trying to do it alone. Everyone in the picture below plays a critical role in our life. We've all made a decision to listen to Hebrews 10:25 and make intentional choices to spend time together and encourage one another. We host dinner each and every Tuesday night for this crew and it's a time to connect with one another, be real, and build authentic relationships. (And yes, my house is loud, crazy, and messy each Tuesday and we wouldn't have it any other way!)

We thought we'd just give you a little glimpse into our weekend and the awesome time we had pumpkin picking. We hope it encourages you to take a step towards being intentional with your friends & family.

We might be BFFs, but we're so thankful for ALL the women we have in our lives!

We went to Penn Vermont Farm in Bedminster, PA. We highly recommend it- one of the best farms we've ever been to!

Jess' hubs Kev found a beauty

Me and my love

It could possibly have been the most beautiful fall day ever.

We love that our daughters will grow up seeing us putting a friendships as a major priority. And yes, we secretly hope they're friends forever as well.

We managed to get a family pic of Jess's crew- getting my six together is a slightly harder task.

Thanks for letting us share a peek into our lives. We had an awesome weekend and hope you did too! What could you do this week to Be Intentional with your friends?
************************************************************************** And now to announce the Winner of HTC One X Smartphone: CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Look for an email from us soon! Congratulations, Liz! And thanks to all of you who entered!

And don't forget that we're in the running to be the New Face of Proctor & Gamble Home! There are only THREE DAYS LEFT to vote for Monica. You can vote once a day, now through October 3rd. We SO APPRECIATE you taking the time to vote each day!


(created by Jones Design Company)
This is my motto for the year 2011. Lest you think I am superwoman, super-organized, or even know what I'm talking about, this is my first time ever that I've chosen a motto for the year. I have just been feeling motivated to do more with the beautiful, crazy life I've been blessed with. I'll be sharing more about this in future posts, but there are endless possibilities and ways to be intentional. Remember the story in the Bible (Matthew 25) that talks about the men who were given talents by their master, and what they did with those talents? I want to be like the one who used his talents well, did more than was expected with them and turned them into something great. If everything in this life has been given to us, including our abilities and passions, then why I have I been so selfish with mine? You can be sure you'll be hearing more from me about this!

For now, I'm going to share with you one practical, less abstract way I am trying to be more intentional. It's with regular meal-planning and grocery shopping. If you know me, then you know I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants girl. I realized, however, that this was not serving my family well, nor was it managing my money well, in the area of meal planning. There are a lot of reasons that planning meals with variety and regularity don't come easily to me, but let me tell you what has been working for me.
First, I begged and pleaded with my friends on facebook, and with family members, scoured my cookbooks, and hunted online for excellent, tasty recipes that met my very simple criteria. 1. Must have very few ingredients. 2. Must have common, not-too-difficult to find, or strange (I am an adventurous eater, but I'm in the minority in my family) ingredients. 3. Can be crock-pot-able (is that a word? If not, it is now.)
Secondly, I put those recipes in an easy to find, and easy to read form. For me, I picked up a set of color-coded 3x5 cards that were already on a ring-binder. Each colored card has a category (poultry, beef, side dish, fish etc).

Thirdly, (this one is so silly, but it works for me), I put a peelable chalkboard tile on my refrigerator (a gift from my sister, but you can find them here), where I write the next day's meal. This keeps me on task, and makes me less likely to be lazy about making the meal that night.

I do a big grocery shopping trip twice a month (we do run to the store weekly for things like eggs, milk and bread). I plan ahead for 4 meals a week (8 dinners total for the 2 week period), because usually this is how many nights a week we actually sit at home together for dinner. Then I make my shopping list and shop accordingly. I've been doing this for one month, so far, and it has been great! Hunky has loved the variety and I actually feel that I'm being really effective with my time and money! Hooray!

Here are a couple places that might help you in your quest to be a meal-planning guru!

E-mealz — sign up for $1.25 per week, and get specific meal plans, shopping lists and more for any size family (Bonus: if you have special dietary needs, they'll give you a plan for that as well.)

Meal Planning Mommies give tips for meal planning, and lots of easy, kid-friendly meals, perfect for busy families.

Crystal and Co. is my personal favorite site for all things related to meal planning. From Menu Planning Mondays, to how to display your menus, to recipes, she's got the whole thing covered! And maybe, just maybe, I would be a little better at menu-planning if I had something cute like this (below) to display my meals on. You may be seeing something like this from me in the near future. Stay tuned!

All Things Beautiful

What's your method for meal planning? Organized or Fly-by-the-Seat-of-your-Pants?

*Due to some technical issues, Monica was unable to post her Mudroom Tour. Stay tuned tomorrow for the awesome rooms she has found!

Designed by Jones Design Company
Did you know that Fathers generally have as much or more impact as mothers do in the following areas of their daughters’ lives: achieving academic and career success (especially in math and science), creating a loving, trusting relationship with a man, dealing well with people in authority (especially men), being self-confident and self-reliant, being willing to try new things and to accept challenges, maintaining good mental health and expressing anger comfortably and appropriately (especially with men)? (Source: Dr. Linda Neilsen, Psychologist and Professor at Wake Forest University)
Most of you also know that a girl develops her idea of God and her faith by her experience with her father. Dr. Meeker, author of Strong Father, Strong Daughter: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know, who has more than 20 years of experience working in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, says this;
"If [a girl's] dad has not been trustworthy, she will have difficulty trusting God. So if a daughter sees a father who loves God, who turns to Him in times of need, she is more likely to do the same. Also, faith has been shown repeatedly to be a “protective” factor for girls. Research shows that girls who have faith in God stay away from sex, drugs, and alcohol, and are less likely to get pregnant."

All that to say that Kevin and I have realized the importance of developing a strong relationship between him and our daughter. A few years ago we attended a seminar at our church run by the Focus on the Family Institute that talked a lot about being intentional with scheduling quality family time. So, we decided to be more intentional about planning Daddy/Daughter dates. I can not tell you how much both Kevin and C1 love these times together. We are aiming for once a month, but it doesn't always happen that way. Just recently, on a Friday, Kevin told C1 he would be taking her out that night for a"daddy date". C1 was so excited she almost couldn't contain herself, and all day long she kept asking me if it was time for her date with Daddy. When Kevin finally got home from work, she was nearly bouncing off the walls.

These dates do not have to be anything elaborate, and this one certainly wasn't. He just took her to a local pet store, which she loves, so they could look at all the animals and play with a puppy.

Then, off they went to good ol' Mickey D's for some shamrock shakes and french fries (C1 LOVES mint). It was honestly a very cheap date, but it included stuff C1 really enjoys. And that's the goal isn't it? Building a strong, trusting relationship through shared experiences so that in later years, when C1 needs help or advice, she can go right to her Daddy.

Bonus: I got to spend some extra time with my little man, C2. It was a win-win for everyone! If you want to read a little more about this idea, check out this article from the Focus on the Family website.
It's never too early or too late to start investing in your kid's lives! What do you do to connect with the little people in your life?

{If you didn't hear, The Real Housewives of Bucks County are now East Coast Creative (Get the story here ). You'll still be getting all the DIY, Design, and Monica & Jess that you love, but change your favorites to www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com Thanks!}
Last week we got real with you all and shared some of the struggles of a PTB (Part-Time-Blogger). You can check out the post here, but basically we're trying to figure out how to write a successful, growing blog, when it's not yet your full-time job (Notice we say"yet"… girls can dream right?!?) Due to the huge response we got from so many PTBs, we thought we'd share some of what we've learned along the way.

Pre-plan your posts. We spent about 6 months blogging by the seat of our pants. Ex: 10pm on Monday one of us would be DIYing a project for Tuesday morning. That still happens occasionally, but planning out projects ahead of time, helps us balance out the type of posts per week (DIY, Design Trends, Recipes, etc). It also helps cut down on our time shopping for materials. When you know what projects you're working on for the week, you might be able to cut your Lowes trips down to 2 or 3… sometimes, it used to be 5 or 6!

Using a simple Google calendar is a must for us because there are two of us that need to know the plan. Seeing the month or even two weeks at a time planned out makes things seem nice and manageable!
Check your Memory Card. Don't check to see if it's working, check to see what's on it. Jess and I have commented numerous times that we take more pictures of projects than anything else. Before blogging, I was a camera junkie. I had it with me all the time and we had awesome pictures of our kids. About a month ago, I decided enough was enough. Blogging was getting in the way of family pics. This is a peek at my April 2012 photos in Picasa.

Not one single picture of any of my kids, or even a single human for that matter. Ugh! I made a decision to be intentional and take more pictures of people than things! Here's a peek at May 2012 so far (and yes, I started May's folder about a week early)

I'm happy to be more balanced in this area, and really it's not about the pictures, it's about where my focus is and what memories I want to preserve… projects or people?? I'm choosing people.
Find a Blog Mentor. Officially or unofficially, having someone that you can ask blog questions to is so helpful! Beth from Home Stories A to Z was the first blogger we were able to reach out to with questions. She was always so helpful, even if our questions were silly or kinda obvious.

Having someone that knows the ropes and is willing to give you support when you need it is essential. Don't be afraid to reach out when you have questions. (You can even ask us, but we're still technically considered rookies)
Recently, we got an"Official" Blog Mentor. We write once a month over at Beckie's blog, Infarrantly Creative. That started a relationship that has helped us more than we ever could have imagined. Once a week we conference with Beckie about all things blog related. This lady is amazing! We give her a topic we want to talk about and 60 minutes later we have about 5 pages of notes and are so invigorated and full of ideas and things to try!

If you want to take your PTB to the next level, consider reaching out to someone that you think would make a great blog mentor. It'll rock your world!

Prioritize.
This sounds so obvious, but believe me, once the blog world sucks you in (in a good way, of course!), everything else can take a back seat. Decide what's most important to you, and what things you're ok living without. Actually write your priorites out on paper. It helps! For example: I made a choice to stay home with my kids (I work 10 hours a week outside of our home), so I only blog during their nap time and after they're in bed. Truth be told, I barely open the computer until 1 PM. However, I've had to give up sleep (low on my priority totem pole) in order to keep my top priorities straight. Give and take, right?

Learn when to say Yes and when to say No. We're still learning this one, folks, but here's are our thoughts about it. For the entire first year, we didn't say no to anything. And we're happy about that. Our lives were absolutely crazy, but we firmly believe that to grow your blog (just as you would a business) you have to put yourself out there, put lots of time in and keep your face forefront in everyone's mind. Doing that for the first year gives us the luxury now of choosing what's best for us and our blog, and occasionally saying no when it's not a good fit.

Source: oprah.com via Marivi on Pinterest
Be Consistent. It doesn't matter if you plan on posting twice a week or five times a week, but be consistent. Our favorite blogs are the ones who post on a regular basis- it's what keeps us coming back for more! We don't like to guess when someone might be posting, and we figure you don't either, so we do our best to post five times a week. Side note: if you want to grow your blog, posting often is key! Readers will come back if the content is different each day. You'll definitely lose readers if you post once every other week. It's just the way it is.

Step Away from the Computer If you're anything like us, you'll understand why this is important. We are constantly thinking about new projects, upcoming posts and events, how we can better grow our blog etc., so we could literally sit for hours and hours and hours at the computer and STILL have stuff we want to do. One of the best things that happened this year was our Mexico trip- a forced time away from the blog. And guess what? It was fabulous! We both thought we'd miss blogging terribly and would go through withdrawal. Not so. Real life is so much fun, and you might miss it if you sit on your rear all day staring at the screen.

Stop Comparing Not gonna lie. We went through a slump where we compared our blog and projects to another fabulous blogger. No matter what we did, or how great our projects were, we still felt like they didn't measure up. It stinks and takes away all the fun of blogging. We realized that there are millions of amazingly talented people out there, and someone is always going to be doing something more creative than we are, but who the heck cares?! We do what we do because we love it, and from what we've heard, our readers are pretty happy with it too. Every person has a gift- use yours to the best of your abilities and move on!

Source: imgfave.com via Sarah on Pinterest

These are just a few things we've learned along the way. The PTB dilemma is still something we're working on, but it's come a long way from where we started. Who knows, maybe someday we'll have a Full-Time Blogger Dilemma! That would be wonderful!
So what other tips would you add to our list?

Last year Jess and I shared with you our 2012 goals for our homes, the blog, and our community. We did a pretty good job chipping away at our lists (more on that later). This year, we're going start with our goals for this little ole blog. We have some fun changes and some big aspirations for EC2 in 2013. This is kind of like"What to Expect When You're Expecting", but a blog version! Here goes…

For the first two years we've pretty much kept it all DIY projects and home decor on the blog. Occasionally we've shared some of our lives and what's important to us. From all your emails and comments, you like the inside scoop, so we're gonna give it to you! We plan to work in the occasional post about our friendship, how we survive as moms (did you know Jess' son is a super picky eater? Well, soon you will), and just life in general. Don't worry, we'll still be focused on DIY, but just injecting a bit of"Us" along the way.

Holy moly we are beyond excited about this one. Here's a BIG hint- we're going to be hosting a contest that we won last year! We purchased it back in October 2012 and will be giving you all the details soon. Think HUGE prize packages, some crazy famous bloggers, and you!

In 2013 we're going to invite you into our casas (I'm fancy because I took four years of Spanish… casa = house. Ha!) We'll be adding home tours to the blog. You'll get to see the layouts, finished rooms, rooms in progress, and the downright ugly, unfinished. Trust me, this will boost your self esteem! We hope to have these up in the next month.

Blogging can feel like a one-way conversation sometimes. We love interacting with so many of you on Facebook (don't already LIKE us? Go do that now, then come back and finish reading)

and other social media outlets, but we also want to have an intentional forum for Q & As. About once a month we'll be answering your questions (anything goes) and giving you ideas on your own design dilemmas.

We'll admit that we loved seeing our names and faces in HGTV Magazine and Ladies Home Journal in 2012 (ok, I-Monica-didn't love seeing my face. Can you say Bad Pic?) We've made it a goal to have a full article or feature in another publication. I was doing a little magazine research and do you know that these are actual magazines: Bacon Busters, Miniature Donkey Talk, & Girls with Corpses… Umm, I don't think you'll find us in those, but who knows, maybe Bacon Buster readers need some DIY help?

We never want to compromise our commitment to keeping it real here on EC2, but we do want to provide you guys with better pictures. We'd like to be more intentional about learning about photography and using what we learn to take it up a notch with our blog pics. Don't worry, we'll still take plenty of cheesy midnight pics that look so grainy you think they were taken in 1963.

Yes, we know the"Big Screen" refers to movies, but saying"be on TV" doesn't sound as fancy. Jess and I are both Big Idea people and when you combine the two of us, the combo can be pretty intense. We loved working with Nate Berkus on his show last year and we were surprised how much we enjoyed the process of working on a TV show. So, I'm happy to announce that we'll be taking over for Whoopi and Barbara Walters on The View! Ok, nope that's a total lie… we are however, in the early stages of pursuing our own TV show. We've gotten feedback from so many of you that you'd watch us again, so we figured we'd give it a shot! If you think it's something you'd want to watch, be sure to leave a comment or email us and let us know! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, tell us: What do you think of our goals? What would you like to see us do this year? What are your big plans for 2013?? As always, thanks for joining us on our blog journey!

You get to read about our projects, you know what the inside of our houses look like, but who are The Real Housewives of Bucks County? Well, this must be your lucky day, because today we're sharing a bit of ourselves with you… (Warning, some of these questions are cheesy, but who doesn't like a little cheese and we like 'em!)
Meet the Real Housewives of BC

1. Do you have kids?

2. Where is your birth place and are you far from it now?

3. What is one thing you could not do when you were a child, but you can do now?

5. What are your hobbies?

6. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world — where would you go and why?

8. Have you ever met a famous person?

9. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

10. One that describes your BFF and blog partner?

11. How tall are you?

12. When you were little — What did you want to do"when you grew up?" Are you doing it?

13. How do you spend your free time?

14. Favorite sport you like to watch or participate in?

15. What kind of food do you prefer eating when you are out?

16. Last Movie You Watched?

17. Would you like to be famous?

18. What Book Are You Reading?

19. Favorite Bible Verse?

*Photos courtesy of Doug from Candid Moments Photography. Thanks so much, Doug! You did a great job working with some very amateur models.: )
So, it's your turn now. What questions do you have for us? We're game for answering {almost} anything!

I know there are all kinds of seasons in life and I'm cool with that, but this season of our life could possibly be entitled"On the Brink of Insanity." I've been keeping up a pretty intense pace the last few weeks and felt pulled in so many directions. Thankfully, things are simmering down, but when they were at their peak, Eric and I talked about making sure we're both being intentional with doing special things with our kids. We spend tons of time as a family, but my"thing" is crafty things with the kids. Eric pointed out that I had been letting my busyness get in the way of my"thing". So, I did what any good mom would do… GOT ON PINTEREST! Ha! Here's what I found and what's on my To-Do List:
10 Fall Kids' Crafts My Kids Will Love! (and yours will too!)

1- Felt Animals My oldest daughter and her BFF are obsessed with making little felt animals. They've made some adorable cats, penguins, and giraffes! I can't wait to make some cute woodland creatures with the girls!

Red Marionette
2- Felt Garland Since we have a lot of felt around, I thought this project would be fun and simple to make for the kids' playroom. We have a cool, stone fireplace in there, and I think it will look so cute with a pop of handmade color. I am 100% aware that my kiddos' cutting and stitching won't be perfect, and I'm totally fine with that!

A Beautiful Mess
3- Painted Pine Cone Swag I like this project idea because first we'll be able to go on a hunt through the woods to find pine cones.

Family Fun
4- Leaf Doodles Seriously, could this idea get any cuter? I can only imagine how cute my kiddos' drawings will be. I'm picturing a cute family portrait of leaf people! My younger daughter will LOVE this activity.

Family Fun

5- Spooky Candy Tree I'll be honest, I am not a licorice fan (I think it tastes like plastic), but it's perfect for these trees! This is a perfect activity for after dinner and homework!

Red Hat Society Store
6- Painted Pumpkin Seed Art We've carved most of our pumpkins, but we saved a few for this week. I'll definitely be roasting 1/2 the seeds and saving the other 1/2 for this adorable project. I'm planning to let the kids watercolor the seeds.

Our Little Nature Nest
7- Styrofoam Felt Owls These are felt animals on steroids- I love them! The inside is a Styrofoam ball and then we can just layer on the awesomeness with craft glue. I envision a few of these babies around for Thanksgiving for sure!

Factory Direct Craft
8- Apple Print Banner I know I'm a tad behind on the apple crafts bandwagon, but I love this and I think we'll try it in some orange and brown colors. My youngest has been learning all about apples in school and this project just might make me even cooler to him than his teacher (maybe, but not likely!)

Multiples and More
9- Marshmallow Shooter I have an (almost) 8 year old son… he will LOVE this project. Although, I have a little tweak for fall- I think we're going to collect acorns and shoot those babies instead. They're going to go so stinkin' far- it'll be awesome!

Come Together Kids 10- Twig Trees So simple, but really cool. We have tons of trees around our house (we live in the woods) so we'll find just the right sticks and then I'll give my kiddos a choice between using either fabric, fun patterned paper, or buttons.

Blog ZuiAs a working mom, it's not always easy keeping everything balanced and under control, but I'm thankful for a husband who can loving tell me when I'm letting something important slide. Today was the first day of"Intentional Mommy" and the leaf rubbings we made were a great start. I love looking at each of these projects knowing that each one will be quality time spent with my kids. How do you wear all your hats and keep a balance? What's your special"thing" with your kids?

Good ole Valentine's Day… Love it or hate it it's coming! Well, you can thank me later, but I have the perfect gift for your hubs! This gift started over ten years ago on our very first anniversary… we were broke, still in school, and oh so in love. Let me tell you it was a hit! So much so, that I just gave the same gift for our 10 year anniversary back in November. **Disclaimer- This post is written totally from the perspective of a married woman that adores her husband. I'm being honest here ladies, so you've been warned. Also, if you are my mother, STOP reading right now. Thanks!**
The Perfect Valentine's Gift- The Game of Love Imagine with me for a moment… It's been a long day, you and the hubs are headed to bed. You've put on your favorite comfy, frumpy sweats and a tee for bed. Once your hubs sees your bedtime wardrobe choice he knows there's no shot of romance for the night. He pulls back the covers to hop in bed and… what's this??

You've just pulled off the best Valentine's Day surprise ever. It's time to play The Game of Love! It's a game your hubs will love even more than the Superbowl!
All you'll need for this DIY is some time without your hubby around, some markers, some kind of shape template, and a fitted bed sheet…Seriously mom, if you're reading- Stop!

Ok, you can kind of see where this is going, and I must make a public confession… yes, I used one of my bff's birth announcement as my template! It was an adorable shape- Sorry Mandi!

I spent a lot of time ironing my sheet and then had an idea… I could have just washed and dried it. That would be easier.

Pop on your still wrinkly ironed sheet and you're ready to start making your game board.

If you want nice, straight lines, you can use some masking tape and your template to help with your spacing.

It doesn't have to be perfect (trust me he won't be too focused on your straight lines!) Start tracing your template. Trace it over and over again. Darn that I couldn't really have a friend come and help me with this DIY… awkward: )

Before removing the masking tape, I added some cute little dashes along the top.

You can add your game's title across the top. Don't you love my cheesy name? The Game of Love… still makes me laugh! Feel free to use it or come up with a less cheesy one!

Now it's time to get creative. I included a few presents, snacks, wardrobe changes, and lots more!

Here are a few of my squares… (if you really want to know what else I added, you can try and read the teeny writing! Ha!) I had a few gifts wrapped and ready to go and a few yummy romantic snacks as well.

Put your mattress back and it's ready to go! (Okay, I have some limits, so I pulled a little censored for your protection action!)

In case you're wondering, here are The Official Game of Love Rules: 1. The player will roll a die, but the highest number can be 3 (so divide by 2 or the game goes too fast!) 2. Each square has a 1 1/2 minute time limit 3. No getting carried away- you have to stop at 90 seconds and roll again (the hubs might fight you on that one) 4. Only one person"plays" your role is just the game"facilitator" 5. The Final square is"Score" and you can't skip ahead (if ya know what I mean)
Okay, now my rationale for posting this. No, it's not my life's aspiration for my personal life to be all over Pinterest (don't worry, I am cool with you pinning it though). I just know that marriage is tough. It takes effort each and every day, not just Valentine's Day. I don't know your situation, but I know that 4 kids takes a toll on the love life. As a woman, I have to be intentional about connecting with my husband and making him a priority (FYI"connecting" is a code word! lol). I wanted to encourage woman to have FUN with their husbands… it's really okay- you're married! I call this the"Perfect Valentine's Gift" because for me, it meant so much to Eric that I took the time to think through this, plan out the surprise, and then have an unexpected evening dedicated to us.

So, will you be using The Game of Love to attempt to"Connect" with your husband this Valentine's Day?

Psssst! We came up with a new version of this game this year. Click here for the Game of Love: Travel Edition!
Linking to: TT&J, Stories of A to Z i heart naptime

I.Turn.30.Today. Happy Labor Day Mom! You did all the work thirty years ago, so it's sorta weird that I get all the presents, but hey, I'll take it.
I'm not really one to make a big deal out of birthdays…21 was no big, crazy ordeal, although come to think of it I was pretty darn excited to turn 16 because it was my official age to start dating (and yes, I had my first"official" date on my sweet 16th) So, as 30 approached I didn't plan on it being a big deal, but honestly I found my self doing a good bit of thinking. Looking back on what I've done so far and thinking about what I want my focus to be going forward.
I got to thinking… I did a WHOLE LOT in my twenties… I married my best friend. I was married for every day of that decade. I graduated college. Bought three houses, sold two. Was pregnant eight times-yes eight. I gave birth 5 times. I grew as a person. I grew as a mom. I brought four amazing babies home. I let my twin boys go to heaven. I taught high school. I owned a home staging business. I became a cyber teacher. I started a blog. I thought primitive decor was cool. I changed my mind on that one. I found my design style.
Here's my thoughts in a mini, little nutshell… even though I did a whole lot in my 20s, I don't know that I've been all that intentional. I kind of go with the flow, and try and do things well. I want to be intentional. I want to do things for a reason, not just because. See these kids? They're insanely amazing.

They're the best thing I've done in my 30 years. I want to make sure that every day they feel that way. I get pretty passionate about stuff I'm doing, house projects, blog posts, Nate Show, even my work… I guess going into 30, I want to be sure that my kids feel like I'm even more passionate about them, their spelling lists, their coloring, even their ENDLESS knock, knock jokes (please make it stop!!)
So that's all. Here's to 30 (it's the new 20 duh!) and here's to being intentional for the next 30 years!

And this picture made me laugh oh so hard!

Source: someecards.com via missy on Pinterest

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And today, you have to go check out Red Letter Word's prints that are just perfect for Valentine's Day. How awesome is this truth?

This is a t-shirt that I actually own, made for me by one of our good friends. Not completely true, but still so funny.
My hubs says we're in a"passing phase". The kind where life is crazy trying to manage our jobs and home and raise two, well-adjusted kids. We often feel like we are two people who coexist, doing what needs to be done to make our children's lives happy and secure, but without connecting with each other. While we are totally in love with our kids, and soooo grateful for the blessings in our lives, we miss spending time with one another. I'm telling you all of this because we truly WANT to spend more time together, but we're realizing this is just one more thing we need to be intentional about. (Want to know more about my motto for the year: be intentional? See here, here and here.) Anyway, I'm sure you all can agree that building a strong marriage is, next to having a saving faith, the most important thing we can do for our families. So, I've been on a quest to find fun, cheap and easy date ideas to reconnect and just enjoy each other.

This idea is brilliant and such a fun gift idea for the hubs. Make 12 envelopes and fill them with a pre-paid date idea for that month. At the beginning of each month, sit down and plan a night for your date and you're set. This definitely requires a lot of planning, but once it's done, you have NO excuses not to go out on a date!

Source: shannonbrown.typepad.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The The Dating Divas are a group of women whose blog's sole goal is to provide all sorts of different date ideas. From Quick and Easy Romance Ideas, to Anniversary Ideas, to Date Nights Out on the Town, to Family Fun Nights, they've got it covered! I was impressed with how many fun, romantic and inexpensive dates they thought of.

Source: thedatingdivas.com via Janenifer on Pinterest

I found this fun list of unique date ideas on Pinterest. Some of them actually made me giggle just envisioning the hubs and me doing them (see numbers 3, 5 and 6), and others made me wish upon a star that they would happen in my lifetime (see number 8).

Source: 9gag.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

And finally, did you know that Groupon now offers special deals on getaways? I'm loving getting them in my inbox every week, and I actually convinced the hubs to book this one:

I'm so excited, but we still need to set a date. That's the tricky part, but we'll keep trying until we find one that works. And here's the pep talk for the day: Make sure you do whatever it takes to strengthen your marriage. It's worth it!
So, fill me in. What do you do to keep the spark alive?

Ok, it's time to get really real with you. About us and our blog. It involves a little something we like to call:

We recently received a very nice comment from a regular follower that prompted us to write this post. Before you read it, I have to say that we were very grateful for this reader's honesty, and the sweet way she voiced her concerns. There's nothing we love more than good, honest feedback from the lovely people who visit our blog every day!

Ack! She nailed our current dilemma right on the head! Let me give you a little back story…when we started this blog a little over a year ago, we did not anticipate it interrupting our lives at all. It was just a place to throw all our ideas and projects. We literally thought that only our moms would read it. Then came Nate (not once, but four times!),

Crafting with the Stars…

local TV coverage, newspaper articles (you get the point) which equalled rapid blog growth. AND WE LOVED IT. All of these amazing opportunities meant that we were doing loads of projects, pouring hours of our time into the blog, and spending a lot of money to keep it all together. The blog is the most important, most rewarding and most fun thing we do (yes, even more than the Nate Show! It's our first love.), so we make every effort to put 5 great posts out per week. We LOVE this blog and it has become bigger and better than we ever expected.

But here's where our dilemma comes in: In addition to the blog, we both work other jobs, raise a bunch of kids and try to be good wives, friends, daughters, sisters etc. Realistically we could not possibly keep up the pace we had been going for the first year, even though we would like to. Not only did this little blog take a lot of time away from our families, but we also spent a lot of our own money to do all those projects! We need to find a better way. We are trying to adjust our own expectations (which, believe me, are sky-high!) and are experimenting a bit with our posts.

So what does all this mean for the blog you love to read?
1 You'll probably see only a few DIY projects a week from us. Instead of scrambling to come up with a DIY project just for the sake of having one to post about, we're being more intentional about our projects so that they're well done, and have a purpose in our homes.

2. We'll be highlighting our wonderful sponsors every once in a while to expose you to their awesomeness and also, to express our gratitude for their support of our blog that allows us to keep doing our projects. Don't worry we won't be throwing them in your faces at every turn, and we promise to only accept sponsor whose products we absolutely love!

3. We might host a guest poster, or highlight other blogs we feel like are worthy of notice! The design blog world is like a family, and we want to promote other people, like others have promoted us!

4. We'll keep bringing you our thoughts on all those fun, crazy and fabulous design trends out there, and how we're incorporating them in our homes!

So, in conclusion (are you still there?), we are crazy about this blog and all of you, and hope to continue doing this for a long time, and even (crossing our fingers) turn it into a full-time job. We hope you'll stick around for the long haul, and be understanding as we try to find balance and a system that works for us.
And now, a question for all you bloggers/mothers/wives etc. out there: How do YOU find balance?

P.S. We'll be doing a follow-up post on our top tips for Part-Time Bloggers, so get excited!; )

Designed by Jones Design Company
One of the tasks we've taken on this year is to purposefully teach our three-year old daughter scripture. The Bible states that children are more than capable, actually they are uniquely qualified, to have a close relationship with God in ways that may be difficult as they age. This may be because of their lack of cynicism and their uninhibited joy and enthusiasm for the objects of their love that draw them to the God they cannot see. Luke 18:16-17 says,"Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it'." Needless to say, we are convinced that it extremely important for Campbell to learn about Jesus and to begin to memorize what He said and discover how it applies to her life.

Amazon
This book was recommended to me by a friend, and we are working through it with Campbell. Each letter of the alphabet has a corresponding verse and a little story of the verse in action. First, I'll just say that the stories are lame and cheesey, but nevertheless, Cam loves them! My original intention was to learn one verse a week. I honestly thought it would take her that long to memorize them. Man, was I wrong! Campbell loved sitting down and reading the stories and repeating the verses after me so much that she is learning one new verse A DAY! We are currently up to letter"L", and it's been going great. We talk about the verse all day long, and they often come up in situations when she disobeys, and I'm able to redirect her using the verse. (You should hear how often the verse, "Do all things without complaining or disputing" is repeated in our house!) I can't say enough how proud of her I am, or how thrilled I am that she is hiding these important verses in her heart. We haven't sat down to do it every day- I need more self-discipline!- but it's a start. And one unexpected benefit of teaching her scripture is that I am relearning verses as well. As a result, I'm more aware of my own actions!

Obviously, not every child is going to love sitting down and memorizing scripture (my daughter is sort of a dork: ), but another great way to teach your child Bible verses is through music. We've already talked about Seeds Family Worship here. This music is awesome for older kids because they're catchy and fun to dance around to.

Hide 'Em in Your Heart by Steve Green is great for younger listeners (My nephew and daughter really love these songs), and each song is taken directly from select verses in the Bible.

Now this one is hysterical! Critter County, featuring Christine Wyrtzen, was made in 1984 and includes 24 verses (one for each letter of the alphabet) set to music. Each song is sung by a different animal that starts with that letter. I remember singing these songs when I was little, and now Campbell LOVES singing these songs, as well. These CD's are a little hard to find, but the link above had a few for sale. You could probably find a vinyl record or cassette tape of it, if you tried hard enough! Ha!; )
No matter how you decide to do it, the most important thing is that your child is learning Bible verses that will not only help them overcome and persevere through the trials and temptations that will inevitably come, but will also instruct them to seek God's heart and receive the promises and blessings He has for those who follow Him.

What am I missing? Do you have any tried and true methods for teaching scripture to kids?

Let's face it, with Halloween on one end and Christmas on the other, Thanksgiving often gets a raw deal. I know that when the holiday season is in full force, being intentional with projects and decor gets really hard. I find it so easy to scoot right by Thanksgiving, without a second thought, and dive right into Christmas stuff, so I decided to tackle a project that would keep my family centered and focused on being grateful throughout November. A Thankful Tree that can be reused every year!

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

• Canvas (mine is 18in x 24in)
• 1/2 yard-3/4 yard of fabric
• Spray Adhesive
• Spraypaint
• Mod podge (not pictured)
• Baby clothespins (not pictured)

Step 2: Locate your tree image (there are tons of free clipart images listed in Google images) and enlarge it to fit your canvas. We love the engineer prints from Staples and use them all the time. Step 3: Use a sharp-edge razor to cut the tree out. Don't worry about all the little limbs, and focus on the larger ones. This seemed super daunting, but surprisingly went quickly and smoothly. I accidentally cut a branch that I wanted to keep on (doh!) but was easily able to use tape to fix it.  

Step 4: Lay your image down on the backside of the fabric and trace it with a pen.

Step 5: Spray the fabric tree with spray starch and iron it to make it stiff. This makes cutting it out with scissors a piece of cake. Step 6: Center the tree on the canvas. Starting at the trunk, lift small sections and lightly spray with adhesive. Smooth out all of the bubbles from the center out to the edges. A little spray adhesive may get on the canvas where you don't need it, but that's ok. We'll be taking care of that later.

Step 7: Place stencils on your canvas and stencil away! I used Martha Stewart's self-adhering stencils which are awesome because you don't have to worry about them moving around while you stencil. (Insider secret: This project was originally posted on U-Create, so there was a deadline involved. I was actually stenciling this bad boy in the car in between a shift at work and tennis practice. Pure craziness, I tell you #cantwasteevenoneminute.) 

Step 8: Mod Podge the entire canvas starting at the center of the tree and working out to the edges. This will seal the tree and make it more resistant to wear and fading. And remember that spray adhesive I mentioned before? The Mod Podge takes care of hiding that, too. Score! 

It's scary at first, but dries clear! 

Step 9: Spraypaint the clothespins and adhere them to the tree with hot glue. 

Step 10: Print out our fun"thankful" labels on card stock (download them here) and cut them out using scissors. Have your family write what they're thankful on each of the tags and then clip them to the canvas.

Voila! You're done and are left with an adorable, re-useable canvas that will help your family focus on what's really important in the next two weeks. Plus, it's super cute, so it's a win-win! 

 So, that's it! I love that I can use this every year. I plan on writing the year on the back of each tag and keeping them to look through each year. I'm hoping my son won't say that he's most thankful for Cinnamon Toast Crunch every year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aannnnnd since we've officially welcomed the holiday season here on the blog, we wanted to share something exciting with you! When we were looking around for cool Christmas vinyl options to share with you, we found very few that were modern and stylish. So, since we had several requests for the vinyl phrase we used on the front door last week, we decided to create a few just for you! A limited number of Be Merry Christmas decals are now for sale in our Etsy shop at a very reasonable price- only $8!! That's a whole lot cheaper than buying a new wreath, people. And we have a couple more coming this week, so be on the lookout. Get yours now!

Let the holiday craziness begin!  

Source: adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com via Missy on Pinterest
Wow, it's November 1st. Crazy, right? We're entering the season of giving thanks, and I think it's only appropriate to start it off right! Admittedly, Monica and I have been running around like chickens with their heads cut off (that is a terrible visual), but we have SO much to be thankful for, so I'm making it my goal to not let November go by without displaying gratitude. Yup, I'm adding it to my list of things I want to be intentional about! (Read more about that here, here and here.)
Maybe I'll consider adding a little Thanksgiving decor to my home:

Source: dearlillieblog.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Or make a sweet treat with my kids

Source: heatherannmelzer.typepad.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Or start a new tradition.

Source: beautyandbedlam.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
Have each family member write what they're thankful for on a piece of paper and wrap it in a crescent roll. Open them at dinner and guess who said which thing.

Source: rebeccacooper.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest
Cut out leaves from scrapbook paper and write words of gratitude on them. Punch holes in them and hang them on twine and display.

But whatever I decide to do, I'm going to do it whole-heartedly and with a spirit of gratitude. Want to join me?

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We totally forgot to announce the winner of the Dine & Design tickets courtesy of Denise
from The Painted Home!

The winner is:

Congratulations Stacey! We can't wait to meet you. Send us an email to claim your prize! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you do to give thanks? Please share!

My family travelled a lot growing up, and still, to this day, we all get together one week out of the year, and vacation with each other in a new, unexplored (to us) location. I was also fortunate enough to live in Greece for three months during college. My friends and I (and my future hubby, unbeknownst to both of us), toured Greece, Italy, France and Spain with abandon, and I loved every second of it.
Why am I telling you this? Over the past year, I've been trying to figure out what my design"style" really is. Instead of randomly acquiring or making things that may or may not fit the rest of my belongings, I want to be purposeful and intentional (there's that word again; ) with the design of my house. I want my home to have a nice flow, (which, if you've ever been to my house, is not the case), and to be comfortable and relaxing, yet beautiful. That's not too much to ask, is it? (Envision me looking exhausted). I find that thinking about the places I've been that have really impacted me and that I fell in love with, help me discern what styles I want to incorporate in my home. Each place has a certain feel that I would love to capture at home. This is the first post of three parts about my top 3 favorite destinations and what design elements I have gathered and want to incorporate in my home. Destination #1: Greece

Zacynthos, Greece (We affectionately call this place"Paradise Beach")
Ahhhh…memories. This country holds a special place in my heart as it was the place I met and got to know my hubs (no, he is not Greek. He was on the same trip I was), and it was the first place that I really had to be completely independent. There are two main design elements from Greece that I want to include in my house: simplicity and history.

Source: perivolassuites.gr via Jessica on Pinterest
This room is SO simple. Nothing competing with each other, no knickknacks. Just two beautiful blue bottles, a plant and a purple blanket. Makes me want to take a nap.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Jessica on Pinterest
White on white on white. {Sigh} I told you I was in a white phase, and this depicts that perfectly. Even though it's devoid of color, it's still an interesting room with those totally cool stool/table thingies that add loads of texture, and the khaki/white rug. I understand it's absolutely not practical in any way with two little ones running around, but I so admire how peaceful and simple this room is.

Source: 79ideas.org via Jessica on Pinterest
Again, nothing dramatic in this room, but somehow this room is perfect. That table looks like it has seen its fair share of dinner parties. I love the old furniture paired with the fancy chandelier, and beamed ceiling. I can totally envision eating a late dinner here with friends.

Source: flickr.com via Jessica on Pinterest
If this doesn't inspire you to bring the outside in, then I
don't know what will.

Source: trekearth.com via Jessica on Pinterest
This is gorgeous, old and falling apart. It gives me hope that someone might find the peeling paint on my porch banisters gorgeous.

Source: indiehome.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest
There is a very simple color scheme in Greece- white and blue, with a little pink thrown in there from the wild, climbing flowers. And still, it's so interesting and pretty.

Wow. That light fixture is fabulous. This room is breathtaking. Enough said.

Have you been anywhere that has inspired you to decorate differently? Please share!

I'm jumping the gun here a little bit, but all this rainy, cool weather has made me long for a good sweatshirt and a warm blanket. I'm with Monica: Fall is definitely my favorite season; the colors, weather and holidays just make me happy. However, my tendency is to put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt when I want to cozy up, but let's be honest, no one looks good in that combination. As a mom, I find it difficult to pull together a cute outfit when I have so many other things clamoring for my attention.

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Lindsey, over at The Pleated Poppy, hosts a linky party every week called"What I Wore Wednesdays", and here's what she says about it:"hey, i think just getting dressed each day is an accomplishment worth documenting. that’s what this {WIWW} is, just a place for us to have accountability to get out of the yoga pants, and have some fun while we’re doing it."
I'm pretty sure that you won't find me posting weekly about what I wore, (because trust me, it wouldn't be pretty), but I like the concept. Especially, since the majority of my time is spent being a stay-at-home mom, putting a little effort into what I wear would probably go a long way. I bet I'd get a lot more accomplished. And I'm pretty sure my hubs wouldn't complain. Seriously. I guess this is just one more thing I'm adding to my list of areas in which I need to be more intentional. Anyway, here are some of my favorite looks for the upcoming season. (Ha! Btw, I just realized that 6 of my 11 inspiration pics include knee-high boots. Guess you know what item I'm drawn to!)

Day at Home/Running Errands/Playdates

Source: bananarepublic.gap.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: iamagreedygirl.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: None via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: None via Jessica on Pinterest

Working 9-5

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Hot Date/Girl’s Night Out

Source: None via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Jessica on Pinterest
And I just couldn't end this post without a shout-out to Toms shoes. Casual, comfy and cute, these shoes work with anything (no joke- two of the girls on my highschool tennis team were rocking them with sundresses and it was adorable,) Toms are a bit pricey, but for every one pair of shoes you buy, another is donated to a child in need. Big bonus, right there. I'm putting these lovely chocolate Toms on my need-to-have list:

Source: toms.com via Jessica on Pinterest
So, if you see me around town in scrubs, smack me please gently remind me of this post. Thank you.

Our lives have been so crazy lately. I've picked up a couple extra shifts at work in the evenings, my hubs has been playing 2-3 softball games per week, and we're trying to cram in as many summer activities as we can into each day. That leaves very little time for planning and eating good meals. Remember one of my very first posts on this blog about being intentional with meal planning? Well, that idea has gone right out the window this summer. And that's ok. We'll get back on track when life settles down (hooray- softball ends this week!). All that to say, I miss good food.

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest
I totally agree. I just love food. Anyway, every recipe that catches my eye on Pinterest makes my mouth water. Here are three recipes that I can't wait to try, and I thought you might be interested in them too. We'll start with an appetizer/snack, then a dinner item, and then, of course, dessert.

Fruity Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Source: thewannabechef.net via Jessica on Pinterest
Ingredients(Makes 6-8 servings):

• 1/2 cup fruit-flavored yogurt*
• 1/2 cup natural runny peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (or 1/4 cup honey)
• Fruit/veggies for dipping

Source: styleathome.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Ingredients

• 4 pitas
• Extra yogurt for garnish

For chicken marinade:

• 1/2 cup yogurt

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice + 2 tsp lemon zest

• 2 tsp hot sauce

• 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

• Pinch salt

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)

• Pinch salt

• 1 cup seeded, finely diced tomato

• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion

• 6 tbsp coarsely chopped and pitted black olives

• 4 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh parsley

• 2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh dill

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 4 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 Meanwhile, prepare the cucumber relish. Lay cucumber slices in a sieve placed over a bowl and sprinkle with pinch of salt. Leave for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until cucumbers soften and their liquid begins to drain into the bowl. Stir occasionally.

3 Combine the tomato, onion, olives, parsley, dill, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Stir in drained cucumbers, then cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

4 Grease grill and preheat to medium-high. Remove chicken from zip-lock bag and discard marinade. Grill chicken breasts until cooked through, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove chicken from grill, let rest for a few minutes and slice thinly on the diagonal. Lay chicken slices on top of each pita round and divide relish evenly among them. Garnish with a little extra yogurt and serve.
Gooey S'Mores Dip

Source: tastebook.com via Jessica on Pinterest
Ingredients:

• 1½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• ½ cup marshmallow creme
• 1 box (13 oz) graham cracker honey sticks

Tonight was the very first night we used our dining room table! I have been super excited to host our first big dinner and this rainy Wednesday night was the perfect opportunity! If you haven't heard about our massive table, check it out here. So, as you know, Eric and I put a big emphasis on being intentional with our friends and we believe big time in authentic relationships. So, tonight was dinner at our place for 27 people (kids and adults). Here's our pretty lil' table before dinner…

And let me tell you it looked nothing like that tonight. The table hasn't been fully sealed yet, so we needed to protect the wood. We covered it in thick plastic and then got a tablecloth… or 3! Umm… guess we're going to need some custom sized tablecloths! We had a Christmas one, a country one, and a fall one. The good thing is that our friends are no frills and they loved it!

We had 14 adult seats and put all the kids in the breakfast room. It was awesome to all be together and all fit so easily. It made me one happy girl! I wanted a few"first supper" pictures, and apparently my husband did too… UGH

Well, at least I have some fun memories of our"first supper" and Eric has a nice bruise on his arm because I may or may not have punched him when I saw these pics!
We've been super excited to have had our table post featured on some super cool blogs, and tonight I'm linking up to this cool challenge.

Some of our favorite bloggers challenged readers not to just look on Pinterest, but to actually do something! I spent oodles of time on Pinterest searching and planning before making our table, so I'm linking us up. If you've worked on something link it up, or get busy and make something in the next five days!
To join in on the fun, check out the Pinterest Challenge Link Up details.
Ok, now I need to go do some dishes… 27 people are wonderful, but not mess-free that's for sure! Don't forget to start thinking of how you could enter to win tickets to The Nate Show with us. We have such a fun day planned in the Big Apple!