Mommyland

Pinterest Love

2012-02-12T09:41:00.003-05:00

Raise your hand if you're a 'tiny' bit obsessed with Pinterest and all its amazingness. I seriously need a support group BUT it is a great source for inspiration when it comes to well, everything. Here are a few of my recent favs:

I want those chairs.

Need to make something similar for Sydney.

Is it March 23rd yet? This picture is killing me.

I dunno, depend on the day. Yes.

I want to go to there.

I really need some pink pants. Now.

Sydney is marshmallow obsessed lately. These look yummy.

Are you on Pinterest yet?

Our weekend: Family Farm Day

2012-02-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

Sydney's school had a Family Farm Day this weekend and Sydney got to ride a horse for the first time. Doesn't she look so serious? She chickened out the first time that we waited in line but then another little boy told her it was fun and that the horses go 'real slow' so she decided to give it a go.I was a little nervous but she did well.

Apparently, my kid is quite the outlaw.

Just chillin' on some hay. We were all covered in hay, like hay was in places it shouldn't have been.

This was during the hayride in which the horses actually came into the trailer and took the hay right out of your hand. The hubs kept saying, 'let go Sydney', in a very frantic tone. Also, a horse licked my arm, yeck!

This guy on the left is killing me with that face!

February Photo A Day

2012-01-31T18:16:00.000-05:00

Today marked the end of the January Photo A Day Challenge that the lovely Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim started and now she is moving on to a February Photo A Day challenge. I had a lot of fun doing the January one so I'm giving it another go and I'll be posting my pics over on Instagram. (I'm under sassysara if you wanna follow along.)

Here is the breakdown for February:

Here's a quick look at my January pics:

Instagram Friday

2012-01-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday folks! I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend since it seems like we've had something going on every weekend since Christmas. Relaxing = good.

S'more Cupcake. Amazing.

Play-dough glasses.

Play-dough crown. (We are really into play-dough lately.)

Pink = Favorite flats!

Oh the emotions displayed here are just crazy.

My fav is the one with her arms crossed. Hmph.

What I Wore Wednesday

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

Remember how I said that I was gonna take a lot more outfit pictures this week, well I took one. Again. Blogger fail. At least it's a really happy outfit!

Cardigan: Target

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Flats: Land's End

I'm in love with these flats.

This is Sydney's outfit, she picked it out herself. A kitty cat shirt, a tie dye skirt, a hat and mittens for socks. She is one classy little lady!

The best accessory.....a smile!

Instagram Friday

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I love Instagram Friday...I am seriously addicted to using Instagram, so much so that I don't think I've picked up my 'real' camera in weeks. That's bad. I need an intervention because I LOVE my Nikon but it's so heavy to lug around everywhere. Anywho, I'm super excited about this weekend cause I get to go see 'Wicked'! Last time it was in town, Sydney was a few weeks old and I couldn't stand to leave her yet so this time around I made sure I was gonna get to see it. (Even if I'm seeing it on the very last day.)

I-Phone Master.

We wear cute shoes!

Pretty silhouette & sky at the park.

Taking her temperature. On her eye.

Playing Ring Around the Rosy with Ringo. He was super excited.

Yeah, I married that guy.

Trampoline fun.

Me on a good hair day.

Family Pictures

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

As much as I love photography, I am usually the one behind the camera so we had never had family pictures taken since Sydney was born. I'm actually ashamed that we went this long without having them done! Well, a friend of mine was running a special for the upcoming holidays (we had them done before Christmas) so I jumped at the chance. These are just a few of my favorites from the shoot:

All photos done by Julie Paisley Photography

What I Wore Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

I am getting SO bad a taking outfit pictures lately! I never have time in the mornings and by the time I get home I am always ready to strip down into my comfy clothes or it's to dark already. I pledge to do better than one outfit photo for the last two weeks or so. But here it is, at least it's super cute!

Cardigan: Target

Dress: Target

Tights: Target (Merona brand = best tights ever!)

Boots: Target

Noticing a pattern here???

2012 Reading Challenge

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

I love books and I love to read. Always have, always will and now that I have a NOOK, I find myself actually reading more since I can use it in the dark while hubby/toddler sleeps. I also love the Goodreads community. I love being able to keep a nifty list of books I've read, want to read, am reading, etc. and I enjoy connecting with other people and getting suggestions on books I may enjoy. Endless possibilities people! If you love to read and haven't joined Goodreads, you should.

Anywho, they are having a 2012 Reading Challenge where you can set a goal for yourself of how many books you want to read in the new year. I've decided that my goal is 20 new books (so me re-reading The Huger Games series 10 times doesn't count), is my goal for 2012. I've added their widget to the blog sidebar if you wanna connect with me but here a few books I have on my list so far marked to read:

I've actually started this book, I'm about halfway through and Mindy is super funny and adorable. If you watch The Office, then you are already familiar with Mindy's writing capabilities....she penned my favorite Office episode EVER, The Injury. And if it's your fav too, then we're automatic besties.

I've been told that this book has a similar dystopian feel to it like The Hunger Games so it's on my list. It's actually sitting on my nightstand since one of my friends just finished it and passed it along to me. She enjoyed it and she has awesome taste in books, so I'm hopeful.

This story has a circus(Love!), competing magicians(oh, magic!), and a love story(ahhhh)...I find these to be awesome elements for a good book. I've been hearing great things about the breathtaking and magical prose in this novel, so I'm looking forward to a rich storyline.

This book is about Ernest Hemingway and his first love, Hadley Richardson and their tumultuous relationship. Also, I just found out that the author is going to be a Headline Author at the Amelia Island Book Festival, which in my hometown so it would be amazing to meet her.

I decided to look into this book after a recommendation from my friend Debbie (who reads a TON, seriously) who suggested that she really enjoyed the book and she also said that it was going to be a series so that peaked my interest. This book is about a vampire and a witch and a mysterious manuscript that draws them to one another which is just vague enough to interest me.

I have already read The Hunger Games trilogy several times but I know I will have to read this one again come March in anticipation of the movie. (I know these are 'Young Adult' books but I'm only 31 so I'm counting that as the younger side of adult.) If you haven't read them, I don't know if we can be friends. Not really, but maybe. Just read them already!

What's on your 'To Read' list for 2012? I LOVE suggestions!

'White' Photo Challenge

2012-01-14T22:00:00.003-05:00

I haven't entered a Photo Challenge over at The Paper Mama in forever so I'm submitting this photo for the 'White' challenge:

I love this photo because Sydney looks so serious and deep in thought. Plus her hair rocks in this pic!

Instagram Friday

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Let's hear it for Friday!

Let me know if you're on Instagram so I can link up to you! Happy snapping!

Cute sign from Target (my fav place!)

Nature walk at the park

Kitty hugs (or smothering)

Polka dot shoes

Swinging time

Dessert = delicious

Painting helper

Shrimp boats at the docks

The Paci Fairy

2012-01-08T17:24:00.001-05:00

At the beginning of December we decided that it was finally time for Sydney to give up the pacifier. But this kid had a real attachment and we knew it wasn't gonna be a simple task. I mean she used to sleep with two paci's when she was younger, one in her mouth and she liked to hold one too. We eventually weaned her down to one just at naptime and at night. She actually started hiding them in her room so she could sneak one in her mouth when we weren't looking!

So I decided to purchase the book, 'The Paci Fairy' by Melissa Burnett as a first step to paci elimination. The book basically breaks it down to the fact that when you reach a certain age, the Paci Fairy will come get your paci's and give them to a baby that needs them. Then you can ask the Paci Fairy for a toy in exchange for your paci. We read this book for several months in preparation and I would randomly ask her if she was ready for the Paci Fairy to come.

Well, we eventually decided that it was time for the Paci Fairy to come. The first night was hard, she cried/whined for about an hour but eventually fell asleep. Then for the next several days she would kinda whine at bedtime and do this crazy cry/laugh sound and then tell herself that she didn't need paci's.

That week, I told her that the Paci Fairy told me that she could pick out a toy for giving away her pacis so we made a trip to the store and she picked out a monkey doll that she sleeps with every night now. After a week, my husband mad her a 'note' from the Paci Fairy, telling her that she was very proud of her for being a big girl and that a sweet baby girl got to have all of her paci's. (See above.) She was so excited and went on and on about what a big girl she was now. We've been happily paci-free for over a month now!

Now onto Potty Training! Yippee!

Photo A Day Challenge

2012-01-05T16:33:00.004-05:00

The lovely, Chantelle over at FatMumSlim is doing a Photo A Day Challenge for January 2012. I decided to do all of my pics with my i-phone and publish them via Instagram. (also Twitter) It's been really fun so far!

Day 1: You

Day 2: Breakfast

Day 3: Something you adore

Day 4: Letterbox

Day 5: Something you wore

I'm @sassysara on Instagram and @SaraSchmalfeld on Twitter.

Let me know if you're doing it too so I can check you out!

Christmas Recap

2012-01-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

I have been a bad blogger, I have totally spaced out this past week and neglected my little blog. oops. I blame Christmas brain....I just put everything away yesterday so I'm still in the 'holidays' mindset. So even though I am a week late, I couldn't just not post a bunch of Christmas-y pictures, especially because we all need a little Sydney holiday cuteness.

Yes, we are adorable in our matching aprons, courtesy of my friend Doris.

This makes me happy, obviously. Sydney said, 'we all have cameras!'

The tree, my hubs has a thing for blue, extremely bright LED lights. Eh.

Dr. Sydney taking care of her baby's boo-boo's.

Homemade berry cobbler and it was a-mazing!

Syd in her PJ's practicing her t-ball. She's holding that bat like a pro.

Is the cuteness killing you? Check out her sparkly red TOMS. I'm jealous.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!!

Instagram Friday

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas is in two days. Seriously? I am sooooo behind this year. I have presents I still haven't mailed and things I still have to buy. I hope you've done better than me. I guess it's the thought right, like I thought I would have things mailed on time. Does that count? I didn't think so.

Well, Happy Friday!

Little owl skirt I made for Sydney.

Kermit gets a ride.

Sleepy girl.

Christmas sparkle shoes!

Elfie having a spot of tea.

Elfie solving a puzzle.

Elfie sneaking a candy cane.

Elfie snacking on a cookie.

DIY: Montessori Pink Tower Ornament

2011-12-19T16:15:00.004-05:00

The Montessori Method holds a special place in my heart and I truly believe it is the most amazing education that I can (thankfully) provide for my daughter. She currently attends Montessori school in the Toddler classroom and I also am lucky enough to work at the same school. I like to actually make something for her teachers that she can also have a hand in creating so this year we decided to construct little Pink Tower ornaments. To me, the Pink Tower is kind of like the Montessori mascot.

The one I kept for myself.

First, I picked up some pink craft paint, 3 different sizes of wooden blocks, and some twine. I got all of these supplies from Michaels.

Sydney then painted each block pink. I think we put two coats on each block.

The final blocks; I made 5 ornaments total. After all of the blocks were dry, I glued them together with tacky glue and then hot glued the piece of twine to the top. I wrote 'Made by Sydney 2011' on the bottom of each one.

The finished product on our tree. This is an easy project if you have any 'Montessorians' in your life. Her teachers and my boss LOVED them.

Instagram Friday

2011-12-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

Okay time, slow down....the weeks are really flying by! Just lots of holiday activities going on around here, decorating, baking, crafting, singing, etc. Sydney is really into the Christmas songs this year, it's so cute to hear her sing Jingle Bells. Also, anything that is decorated like Christmas (anywhere we go) she has to talk about how beautiful it is really loudly. It's pretty awesome. Toddlers are fun.

Dapper dog headed to the Holiday Pet Parade

Actually keeping a headband on

Off-roading in her VW

At school

Tea Party time

She insisted on all those bows together

Pipe cleaner garland

Painting on coffee filters

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-12-06T16:19:00.011-05:00

Happy Wednesday! The weather here in Florida is still bi-polar, cool one day and hot the next so that's been super fun. {-----Sarcasm. I guess I shouldn't complain seeing as how the north is gonna be getting a crap-load of snow this week. Sorry northerners!

Dress: Target
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Target
Boots: Ross

I love pulling out my boots, I always feel very kick-ass when I wear them. That combined with leopard print and I'm unstoppable.

Shirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: Target
Skirt: Anthropologie
Flats: Wal-Mart
Necklace: Old Navy

Can I just say that I used to be a stripe snob but now I LOVE them, it's like a neutral. Also, I got this necklace at Old Navy and they have some seriously cute jewelry lately. Yeah for cheap bling!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round.

What I/We Wore Wednesday

2011-11-30T13:49:00.013-05:00

So we are having some weather whiplash here in Florida lately. Today it's like 60 degrees and three days ago it was 80 degrees! Truthfully I don't even know why I buy fall/winter clothes but I can't resist a good cardigan or a pair of tights. I think I have a slight cardigan addiction, I counted last night and I'm hovering at around 50. And looking back at my outfits, I think I wear a cardigan like 90% of the time. What can ya do?

These two of Syd & I were for our family pictures.
Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Target
Tights: Target
Boots: Ross

She also had on a cute headband but it was soon discarded after the pics were done.
Dress: Target
Cardigan: Target
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Target

Cardigan: Target
Shirt: Target
Skirt: Land's End Canvas
Necklace: Target
Flats: Target

It's possible I have a Target addiction too.

Thanksgiving Crafting

2011-11-28T14:37:00.016-05:00

We have a tradition of doing a Christmas craft on Thanksgiving morning while we munch on sausage balls and sip our coffee. This year we did a project from the new magazine called, Stitch Craft Create. This magazine has page after page of super cute ideas so I really hope it sticks around.

We decided on the cute little trees that adorned the cover.

Fabric stitched and ready to be sewn on.

The end results.

I decided against using the sticks/wire for the bottom since they seemed a lot sturdier without it. Plus, I figured when you packed them up, they would get bent out of shape.

Sydney made some cute little snowmen while we worked on our trees.

Ta-Da!

Have you made any Christmas crafts lately? I always love a good project!

InstaFriday

2011-11-25T15:39:00.009-05:00

We hope you all had a wonderful and tasty Thanksgiving holiday. We started our day off crafting for a few hours (as per tradition) and then proceeded to stuff ourselves silly and collapse on the couch while watching the Shrek Christmas movie. Sydney is obsessed with Puss & Boots, only she pronounces it Ace & Boots for some reason.
Puss & Boots was the first movie she ever saw in the theater (with her Daddy) and it went well except for the chair eating her shoes and her rear end a few times.

Bear cub..she really wanted that hat
Moms get to swing at the park too. Right?
Leaf collection from our yard
Zoo visit

At the park
Christmas crafting (more on this later)
The gift of meat...what's better? Ha!
Cupcake = yummy

That last picture was at a birthday party we attended recently where Sydney proceeded to spit out a half eaten cookie on the floor for all to see. I did not get a picture of that as I was to busy trying not to look totally horrified and embarrassed. Happy Friday!

Give Thanks

2011-11-23T15:08:00.026-05:00

So, I've been MIA for a few weeks. My bad. I've had a lot going on, just no time to blog about it. I'll catch up with everything soon, but I want to be cliche for now and talk about what I'm thankful for since it's Thanksgiving tomorrow.

My Daughter

This kid is amazing, I know we all think that about our kids but she is MY amazing.
She is freakin hilarious. (She told me last night that we needed, no demanded crab legs. That's my girl!) She is loving. (She actually hugged and kissed ALL of the mannequins at Old Navy.) She is intelligent. (She was carrying on a conversation with the bag boy at the supermarket like it was nothing. He said she was awesome. Agreed.) She is sassy. (I was told last night that I needed to 'chill out'.) She loves to sing. (Walking on Sunshine is her favorite as of now.) She is so many other kinds of awesome that I could go on for hours but I won't. I am so lucky to have her.
I truly am thankful every second of every day that I get to be her Mom.

My Hubby

This guy has put up with my craziness for around 13 years now, so you know he's a good man. He works his rear off everyday to provide for our family and I am so proud of the successful man he's become in both his home and work life. I've known he was a keeper for many years now but when I saw him as a Dad it was like, BAM. I'm a lucky lady.

The Family

Poor Sydney, look at her, she's already looking at us like, 'what the heck is going on, you crazy people.' We love some drama and a good laugh in our family. Oh, and a competitive game of Yahtzee. I love these guys. They rock.

My Furry Friends

These three are my furry children. Penny Lane, Rita and Ringo Starr bring another kind of joy to our daily lives, some days it's playing ball outside or a sweet lick on Sydney's face. I feel thankful for the fun they bring to our home, even if I do threaten to throw them in the lake sometimes. (All I want for Christmas is a Ringo that doesn't bark at EVERYTHING.)

Friends

These lovely ladies are two of my oldest friends. Ginny and Debbie (Dark Horse) have seen me through the good times and the bad. Luckily, we've had more good and things just keep getting better. Even though sometimes we are far apart, when we get together it's like we've never been apart. Love you guys!

What are you most thankful for this year?

Daily Life

2011-11-09T21:14:00.015-05:00

Fall has finally arrived here in FL (well, most days) and we are enjoying lots of playtime outside these days.

Gotta love those lopsided pigtails. She is constantly searching for dandelions in our yard, it's so cute.

The afternoon sun, a quilt, a good children's book and the iphone (for Instagram pics) equals a great afternoon with my kiddo.

Mommy & Sydney time....love.

Taken from my backyard, the sky that night was breathtaking. Sydney said, 'Oh look how beautiful the sky is Mommy!' She says the cutest things now!

My Little Owl

2011-11-01T14:25:00.006-04:00

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween! We had a great time this year, Sydney was really into getting 'treats' this time around. The poor kids plastic pumpkin was so filled, Daddy had to carry it home cause it was too heavy. Of course, she doesn't realize yet that Mom and Dad are entitled to half of that candy!

Sydney has been telling me for a month that she wanted to be a brown and white bird for Halloween so I decided to make her an owl costume. I threw in a little blue so it wouldn't feel so drab. Also, can I say that I LOVE that she wanted to be an animal instead of some Disney princess or something. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just love that she's not consumed by that stuff yet.

The back of the costume.

Hoot, hoot!

All of the feathers are made out of felt that I cut and glued to a khaki dress she already had. I also made the owl face out of felt and glued it to a hairclip since I knew she wouldn't keep on a mask or hat. Then I added some brown leggings and a white tee and voila, an owl!

Daddy carved us a spooky pumpkin!

Instagram Friday

2011-10-28T07:00:00.008-04:00

It's Friday! Yippee! Hope you all had a great week, we had a lot of crafting and Halloween related activities going on in our house.

Pumpkin Hunting
Beginning of the Owl wreath
Little Pumpkin for Syd
Peek at Syd's costume

Bike riding in style
Reading outside=love
Hello blue eyes
BEST invention ever!

What We Wore Wednesday

2011-10-26T13:48:00.012-04:00

So this outfit was from last Friday but I never got around to posting it and it's the only outfit pic I've taken all week. With my new job, I have to leave for work a lot earlier in the morning than I used to so I usually run out of time for pictures!

On Moma, Whole Outfit: Target
(I love these suede wedges, they are so comfy!)
On Sydney, Top: Wal-Mart
Pants & Shoes: Target

I just wanted to throw these in for cuteness factor! She was so excited when she found that dandelion in the yard and she told me that she had to blow it and make a wish. I'm pretty certain she doesn't understand the concept of a wish yet but it was cute anyway!

Crafting: Owl Wreath

2011-10-23T09:34:00.011-04:00

A friend and I made these wreaths yesterday for a couple of hours. It's based off of a kit from Paper Source but we changed up the colors a bit. I think they turned out really cute but during the process, I lost feeling in one finger tip and the skin off of my middle knuckle! So worth it.

You could easily make this without the kit templates. (We only had one kit and then we made up another one using the enclosed templates as a base.) All you need is to cut out a large and small flower and a leaf shape to use as templates. The exhaustive part is cutting out all of the flowers, there are 4 large and 4 small stacked on top of one another in EACH flower on the wreath. So you need to cut out about roughly 100 flowers. You only need to cut out 12 leaves. Once you get all the flowers cut out, you use a bone folder to curl up the edges of each petal and then we used a dot roller to stick each flower together. You then attach each flower to the wreath form and then attach the leaves. (We used double sided tape.) Then you cut out the owl and his parts for the center and affix it to the back of the wreath form. (We used a stiff cardboard wreath form.)

Mr. Owl

Flower details

Instagram Friday

2011-10-21T21:22:00.008-04:00

Happy Friday! We are looking forward to a busy weekend of crafting, friends, the fair and pumpkin carving. My main goal this weekend is to start and finish Sydney's Halloween costume...Moma is kinda running behind schedule since Halloween is next weekend!

Syd & I at the Mother's breakfast at school
Future rhythmic gymnast?
Blowing bubbles
Cheese!

Felt leaf garland
Fluffy clouds

Syd's behind that mask somewhere
Now she's a pirate, argh!

Pinterest Love

2011-10-19T13:51:00.015-04:00

Some Pinterest Faves this week....

Ron Swanson wisdom....priceless!

Source: youngmanandoldsoul.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Obsessed with The Civil Wars...loving this cover of Billie Jean.

Source: youtube.com via Sara on Pinterest

I think I will be making these Smore cookies ASAP.

Source: marthastewart.com via Sara on Pinterest

I want these booties...get outta my dreams and into my closet.

Source: shopruche.com via Sara on Pinterest

We need this for our Beatles loving house. (Seriously, even Sydney sings Yellow Submarine at least once a day now.)

Source: society6.com via Sara on Pinterest

Bird print dress...yes, please!

Source: eshakti.com via Sara on Pinterest

Wedding Fun

2011-10-07T18:29:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we attended the wedding of two amazing people, our friends Vic & Betsy. We went to college with Vic (go Seminoles!) and we have come to love Betsy over the years. They are actually Sydney's godparents so we were very excited for them to finally get hitched! Ed was in the wedding as a groomsman and I watched from the sidelines as Betsy got her dream wedding. I got teary eyed many times during the ceremony just watching the way they looked at each other. Ahh, love!

The wedding was about 2 hours away in the middle of the country (well at least for Florida) and it was beautiful and so much fun. They had a rustic, country chic theme going on and I loved everything about it! Above is the bride and grooms table at the reception...I love that the table is a old door.

Vic handmade all of the table centerpieces out of scrap wood he found on the side of the road.

The cake was amazing and how cute are the cake stands!

I am a country girl at heart so drinking sweet tea out of a Mason jar took me back to my childhood in Kentucky. (I also got to bring a case of these babies home...I see a craft project in the future.)

Adorable favors!

The hubs and I, this was my 'give me some love' face. And of course I wore an Anthropologie dress, I just didn't get a full body shot.

Instagram Friday

2011-09-30T15:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday! This weekend, we are off to attend the wedding of some very dear friends, Sydney's godparents actually, so hopefully I'll be boozing it up and watching my husband TRY to dance! Hope you have a great weekend!

Giddy-up!
Fat Cat. Seriously, she's bigger than the dogs.
Little Monkey.
Bumblebee girl.

Painting wooden pumpkins.
Love these Melissa & Doug puzzles.
The view on my way home.
Glow star wand = awesome!

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-09-28T17:30:00.001-04:00

Hey, I wore some clothes this week AND remembered to take pictures!

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan & Belt: Target
Skirt: Old Navy
Sandals: gift
On Sydney- Dress & sandals: thrifted

Top & Wedges: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Necklace: World Market

Top & Cardigan: Target
Skirt: Land's End Canvas
Shoes: Ross

Top: Target
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Skirt: Anthropologie
Wedges: Land's End Canvas

Dreaming of Fall

2011-09-25T10:53:00.017-04:00

Happy Weekend!
I just love fall, the colors are gorgeous, the weather is perfect and there are usually amazing smells to go along with it. I love for my house to smell like cinnamon in the fall, there's just something comforting and warm about it to me. Now if only the weather in Florida would get the hint and not be so flippin hot and muggy!

Another great thing about fall is all of the super cute crafts! Sydney and her Grandma started their first fall craft last weekend, painting ceramic pumpkins. Sydney was pretty impressive, she was concentrating so hard and was really meticulous in her brushstrokes. I love seeing her focus so much on something, she gets this determined look on her face that is adorable.

Look at her little hand gripping that brush.

Crazy face!

Pure focus and concentration.

Whiny McWhinerson

2011-09-14T20:40:00.000-04:00

Hi, I'm Sydney and I am in full toddler mode lately! Seriously, please tell me that this is just a stage and it too shall pass. She whines about everything now....E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. I swear, she's like a menopausal woman, you say one little thing (like please stop torturing the cat) or she drops (or ahem, throws) something and it's all over. Full on cry mode and/or whine mode.

The only thing that seems to make her totally happy is playing outside, which is great but it's still in the mid-90's here everyday and Moma can only last so long before she starts to melt. I, sadly, cannot fit into her kiddy pool to cool off. Also, she loves to help me in the kitchen but if I just need to microwave something or throw something in the oven, she loses it since I didn't, 'let her cook'.

Poor thing is just so pitiful most of the time but I'm hoping this will pass quickly and we can go back to being happy 90% of the time. Sorry to vent but I know I'm not the only one. Any advice?

P.S. I love my kid more than anything even when she is pulling my hair and kicking me. :)

Instagram Friday

2011-09-09T21:27:00.010-04:00

Today was a good day: I love my job, the weather is gorgeous here, we had Italian for dinner (yum!) and Sydney went to bed easy! Plus we're going shopping tomorrow...maybe I can convince the hubs to take a detour to Anthropologie. Hope your weekend rocks!

Swinging with Daddy
Chalk art with Grandpa
Happy Girl
Me!

Whee!
Peek-a-Boo at the park
Little Photographer
Lacing work at school

Linking up with Life Rearranged!

Working Moma: Red Squared

2011-09-08T16:12:00.011-04:00

I forgot to post this yesterday for What I Wore Wednesday, so here's to being a day late!

Dress: Target
Cardigan: Target
Belt: Target
Flats: Wal-Mart

I had to include this pic to document how flippin' long my hair is. I haven't had hair this length for about 10 years. It needs a trim desperately but how do you go to the salon with a toddler? I'm afraid she'll start running around and I'll unconsciously get up to grab her and end up with a chunk of hair missing or something.

Tweet Me & Something

2011-09-06T10:11:00.011-04:00

So I gave in and joined Twitter like a few hours ago and I'm already obsessing about it. I knew this would happen! So if you wanna be twitter buddies, follow me (see the flag on the sidebar). I promise to follow you back because I know you are all awesome.

I am actually home sick today so I thought I'd take the chance to blog something since I haven't in like over a week. So here's something:

Such concentration.

This is how Syd rolls, an apron and a diaper.
What more do you need?

Love these books, paint with water over and over again.

Printing with leaves we found at the park.

She destroyed it two seconds later. See above.

Working Moma: Gingham Girl

2011-08-25T14:34:00.014-04:00

Sorry for the craptastic picture, I had to use the flash on my camera cause it was so dark this morning. There really is nothing I hate more than having to use that horrid flash! Plus, why does blogger insist on making my pictures look so grainy and low quality, they do not really look like that! Hmph.

I didn't intend on sounding so whiny, so on a positive note, I love these shoes. I've had them for awhile but I've never posted about them. They're comfy and just the right wedge height. Also, be sure to check out Sydney's outfit picture below....she begged me to take her picture and kept saying 'cheese' repeatedly. So cute!

On Moma:
Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Anthropologie
Belt & Bracelet: Ross
Shoes: Born

Sydney is rocking a Hello Kitty nightgown (Target) and bedhead.
Only when you're 2 can you pull this look off.

I Like to Read

2011-08-23T15:41:00.012-04:00

Just wanted to pop in to say that if you are an avid reader like I am , then you may be interested in joining in the 'In Pursuit of Pretty Things' Book Club. We are currently on our first book, 'The Help'. Check it out below if you wanna join in the fun!

Also, if anyone is on Goodreads, let me know so we can be friends.
If you wanna.

Also, while we are on the topic of books that are awesome......I am totally obsessed with The Hunger Games trilogy. I know I can't be the only one....I really need someone to geek out with me on this. Takers?

Photo Challenge: Eyes

2011-08-14T13:28:00.014-04:00

Hello friends, I hope you are having a wonderful and relaxing Sunday. We are just hanging out waiting for Daddy to get home from his weekend long trip (yes, he's been gone for 3 days now) to a friend's bachelor party. When we got married, you went out for a night and that was it but I guess times have changed.

Anywho, I totally got second place in last weeks The Paper Mama photo challenge for the 'Whatever' theme! Go me! So this weeks theme is 'Eyes' and here's what I'm entering:

My little sweetie pie and her beautiful blue eyes. (And crazy hair!)

Mama Says: Facebook

2011-08-12T17:44:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine and I were talking about Facebook a few days ago and I was saying that some people post way to many status updates about EVERY detail of their day. Seriously, TMI. If you wouldn't tell me in person then why do I care to read about it on Facebook. I know this may sound pessimistic and bitchy but you know you're thinking it too. (For a laugh, check out Mama's Losin It's post on Facebook Updates I Don't Want to Read.)

Then I went on to say that I accept almost every friend request that I receive unless I really have no idea who the person is, but I was mostly referring to people from High School, College, etc. that I may not have seen in 10+ years but still like to be connected to on FB. (You never know when you may read some juicy gossip!) Anyway, she went on to say that she hardly accepts anyone's requests and that she is going to go through and de-friend anybody that she wouldn't speak to in person. A first I was taken aback by the comment and thought it was kinda snobby but then I realized that I was guilty of the exact thing she was talking about. I have actually seen someone I am 'friends' with on Facebook and not said a word to them.

This got me thinking about how sad it is that we are willing to be 'friends' on a social media site but in actuality, we may not even speak if we passed them on the street. I understand that there is no chance I could see half of my FB friends in person for logistical reasons but I am ashamed that I didn't speak to someone that lives in my own town. Maybe I'm the snob in this scenario and I need to strive to be more social in my 'real' life versus my 'online' life.

How do you guys feel? Do you find that you are more social online than in your everyday life?

Photo Challenge: Whatever

2011-08-07T12:01:00.007-04:00

I decided to enter this shot (which I think is adorable) in the Paper Mama photo challenge this week. The theme is 'whatever'.

I love how you can see the shadow of her feet on the floor.

Insta Friday

2011-08-05T16:04:00.021-04:00

I can't believe it's Friday already! It seems like I just did this post for last week, I guess times flies when you have a week off from work. :)

Mommy rocks. I ♥ those shoes.
Cute tulip shirt. How adorable is that?
Ringo the dog. He's a Starr. Hehe!
Playdough girl. Molds do not work on your face.

Shopping at PetCo. All the fish we bought died within 2 hours!
Syd's chalk artistry. I think that was supposed to be a frog.
Band aid butt. How these things happen, I don't know.
Green toes. She insisted on green. Wait, demanded.

We are trying not to melt here...it feels like 103 today. (This is a good excuse to go hang out at Target!) Makes me really wish we had a pool, you know other than the one that only Syd can fit into.
We hope you all have a great weekend!

Photo Challenge: Yellow

2011-08-04T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm entering this in the Paper Mama photo challenge for 'Yellow' this week.

Favorite Toys for Toddlers

2011-08-04T12:59:00.036-04:00

I am pretty picky when it comes to picking out 'toys' for Sydney. I generally don't like things that take batteries but of course we have toys like this that she loves, so you can't avoid it altogether. Since she attends a Montessori school, I try to buy things that coincide with the Montessori philosophy...lots of wooden toys and practical life items. One of my favorite brands is Melissa & Doug, their craftsmanship is amazing and reasonably priced. I would say that Sydney's absolute favorite thing to do is read books but that's a whole other post. Here are just a few of Sydney's (age 2.5 years) favorite playthings:

Step2 Water Table
We play with this water table a lot in our house. I keep on the back porch and it usually gets played with about 75% of the year since we live in Florida. Syd loves to pour the water into the spinning wheel.

Mega Bloks
Syd loves to build castles with these cute blocks. Plus us parents love playing with these too!

Memory Game
We just recently got her the original Memory game and she asks to play it non-stop. She always surprises me at how good she is since half of the time I can't even remember where the match is! I usually only do about 6-8 sets of cards at a time rather than the whole box so she doesn't get frustrated.

Wooden Puzzles
Wooden puzzles are all over our house. I love this shape one by Melissa & Doug but we also have animals, foods, etc. Colorful, sturdy and will last forever.

Wooden Cutting Set
Syd doesn't have this exact set but she has about 4 different sets of wooden cutting food all together. I usually get them from Target when they're on clearance. She is always asking me to 'have a picnic' and brings out her wooden food for us to share.

Baby Animals Puzzle Cards
This puzzle game consists of matching adult and baby animals. The cards fit together like a puzzle piece and Sydney usually matches these up at least once a day. There are 20 pairs in here and she can match everyone by name....I'm impressed.

Little People Learning Zoo
Lastly, Syd plays with this learning zoo daily so it's one of the few battery operated toys we have in the house. She loves matching and naming all of the zoo animals to their correct letter and sound. She also frequently plays with just the animals without the mat too.

What are your kids favorite playthings? Any suggestions for Sydney are always welcome.

Nutella Ice Cream

2011-08-01T09:30:00.013-04:00

When I saw the recipe here about how you could easily make homemade Ice Cream just using bananas, I knew I had to give it a try.
First you cut up (you do not want to try to peel a whole frozen banana) and freeze a few bananas for about 1-2 hours. I think I cut up about 3 total.

Add frozen pieces to a food processor.

I should start to look like this after a few minutes. Nice and creamy. Now you can stop here or you can add other ingredients you like, I added about 2 scoops of Nutella.

I pulsed it a few times with the Nutella added and voila!

Nutella Ice Cream made in minutes. It's kinda soft when you're done so I stuck mine back in the freezer for about a hour and it was nice and firm. Enjoy!

It's Friday!

2011-07-29T17:15:00.023-04:00

Happy Friday peeps! Did you check out my blog makeover? I'm totally in love with it!
Here are some instagrams from this week:

Sydney's favorite teacher, Ms. Anne. Today was her last day of summer camp at her old school and she will be going to a new school next year so I know she will desperately miss Ms. Anne. They share a special bond these two and you can see the tears in Ms. Anne's eyes in the pic. We were both crying and Sydney was looking at us like we were crazy.

Bangers and Mash from our fav Irish pub.
Homemade Nutella Ice cream. What? Yes I did!

Syd and her fav Care Bear. (It was mine when I was little!)
Playing in Mommy's shoes. No pants but she's got style.

Bridge I cross twice everyday to work.
The fortune from my cookie. Word.

Princess Sydney

2011-07-27T17:09:00.014-04:00

A family friend made this 'princess tent' for Sydney for her birthday and we finally got it hung up this past weekend. It's awesome, but it's huge. Like I could house a small family in there. So we had to find somewhere to put it and the only place with enough room was.....in our bedroom. So now we have a lovely tent in one corner of our bedroom. But it's worth it because she loves it.

Isn't it amazing how when you have kids all of their stuff creeps into every room of your house! Like even your bathroom. Crazy!

They aren't as awesome but I found some alternatives to buy:
Marrakesk Tent
Indian Teepee
Knight's Castle

Summertime Photo Challenge

2011-07-27T17:00:00.000-04:00

I'm entering this into the Paper Mama 'Summertime' photo challenge.
It doesn't get more summer than popsicles!

Anthropologie Birthday Loot

2011-07-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

So since my birthday was July 1st, I finally got to use my Anthropologie 15% off birthday discount this weekend. There really weren't any 'new' items that were calling out to me (at least not ones that didn't cost above $100) but I did score some cute sale items.

High Gloss Belt (sold out online) - super cute color!

Amethyst Stalactite Necklace - I've been looking for one of these!

Lundin Links Sweater - I almost bought this in another color too (I still may) but it is so adorable and this color is divine. It feels very 1950's to me which I love.

Meeting Maia Indigo

2011-07-23T16:13:00.012-04:00

My friend Debbie (Dark Horse) had her little girl Maia yesterday and we went to visit her at the hospital today. Debbie is doing great (and looking great!) and little Maia is so precious! We were happy to be her first official visitors (other than grandparents) and we got to see her take pictures with the hospital photographer; she was so calm and barely cried but she did keep making this super sweet squeaking noise.

Sydney started to get a little jealous when I was holding Maia but she was very gentle and kept smiling at her. She even 'gave' Maia her Care Bear for a few minutes! Makes me miss that baby phase...those tiny little hands, soft skin, cute little noises and that baby smell.

This week in Mommyland...

2011-07-13T10:41:00.024-04:00

I started a new job this week which has been amazing. I am still working in a Montessori school, just a different one in the area and so far it has been awesome. I'm excited for the fall so that Sydney can come with me everyday again (right now she is in summer camp at her old school). The only downside is that I have to drive about a hour each way but it's worth it to be a part of this school's community.

Summer calls for Coldstone Ice Cream and dips in the kiddie pool.

Paint with water and then it disappears and you can paint it over and over....I'll take a dozen please!!

Beachin' it with my Little Mermaid.

All of a sudden we are obsessed with doing ballerina dances (as she says). I have a video of her on my phone dancing and she watches it over and over again.

Washing her baby with a squirt bottle. Taking in the view.

Our poor Penny Lane had to have back surgery last week. She woke up one morning and wouldn't move her back legs at all. She had surgery that afternoon and is now recuperating wonderfully. She can actually walk again and is even anxious to run around in the yard with the other two dogs! (She's on crate rest right now.) She's so spunky that I have to catch her so she doesn't slip around on our wood floors. A spirited a little dachshund she is!

Reality....

2011-07-08T11:45:00.010-04:00

This is my Aunt Lynn on the beach with Sydney when she was visiting from Kentucky in May. Last week we got a call that she suddenly didn't have any feeling on the left side of her body, thinking that it was a possible stroke, they rushed her to the hospital to do a slew of tests and scans. After many hours of CT's and MRI's it was determined that she had a small brain tumor that was causing the paralysis. She regained feeling after a few rounds of medication but then her lung collapsed and she has had to have a very uncomfortable chest tube ever since.

This morning they operated on her brain to remove the tumor and I just got a call from my Mom telling me everything went well. She will still have to withstand several rounds of chemo and radiation in the coming weeks to be sure that they got everything but I'm just so relieved right now that she is doing well. It's really hard to be so far away from your family when a crisis like this occurs. I feel so useless here but I know there's nothing I could do there either....it's still frustrating. Any positive thoughts sent her way would be appreciated by all.

White Trash Birthday Bash

2011-07-01T13:47:00.012-04:00

On Sunday, we celebrated my mine and my Moms birthdays. (Mine is July 1st and hers is July 4th.) We always have a theme party and this year was a White Trash Birthday Bash. We thought this tied in nicely with the Fourth of July and the costumes would be relatively easy to come up with in a pinch. I set up my photobooth backdrop as usual and we took some silly pictures.....

Her first tattoo. Ha!

Me & my girl

Me, Syd & Debbie

Debbie says I look like 'Rosie the Riveter' here!

We are badass.

I love USA.

Syd trying to blow out the trick candles. She was hilarious!

Me & my Moma
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!!!

Summertime Fun

2011-06-28T10:41:00.011-04:00

I know that I probably post WAY to many shots of Syd playing in the water but we do live in Florida and it's like 100 degrees here almost daily in the summer so we play in the pool/sprinklers or go to the beach pretty often. Plus Syd just always gives me the best expressions when playing in the water which I love because half of the time, I can't get her to look at the camera anymore. Did anyone else have that problem when your child was around two? If I tell her 'don't look at the camera', then half of the time she will, so that's the trick I'm using right now.

Moma Style: Baby Shower

2011-06-27T12:59:00.010-04:00

My good friend Debbie of Dark Horse, recently had her 'Tea Party' baby shower. I can't believe her little girl is gonna be here in a matter of weeks! We had so much fun telling her funny baby stories and giving her advice on what she can look forward to. She is gonna be an amazing Mom.

Of course, we had to look cute! I also can not stress enough how much I love this dress, it has that cute retro look to it but it's comfy and washes up well. Plus the color is like cotton candy!
Dress: Land's End Canvas (it's on sale!)
Cardigan: Target
Belt: Ross
Wedges: Land's End

Isn't Debbie so flippin' adorable?

A little girl HAS to have some Hello Kitty in her wardrobe.

Moma Loves: Olliegraphic

2011-06-25T09:24:00.010-04:00

I wanna talk about how flippin' cute this plate and print turned out that I ordered for Sydney from Olliegraphic. I think I saw a groupon for them but by the time I found it, the offer had expired but I stumbled over to the site to check them out anyway. Behold the cuteness I found! You can order customized plates, growth charts, prints, bowls, etc. It was super easy to order and I got everything within a week. Plus, the plate is really high quality and washes up well and Syd loved eating off of her own face! Head over to Olliegraphic and check them out!

I am in no way affiliated with Olliegraphic, I just think there stuff is awesome!

Tumbling...

2011-06-23T09:22:00.013-04:00

Man, this 2 year old age is so much fun! Sydney started tumbling class a few weeks ago and she absolutely loves it. She asks me every day if she can go, 'do tumbling'. Unfortunately, the last class is next week until it starts back up again in August and I think I'm going to enroll her in dance classes then too. I decided to try the tumbling first to see if see liked it and would listen/follow directions and she has done great, so I'm thinking that I see a cute pink tutu and tap shoes in our future.

I seriously LOVE this picture. Look at that hand on her hip and that smile!

Iceland in Pictures

2011-06-16T12:12:00.012-04:00

The hubs and I went to Iceland for a week in May and it was spectacular. This is just a fraction of the photos I took, I think there were about 850 total. You can look at my Flickr stream for more if you like. To anyone thinking of going to Iceland....GO, it's amazing.

Geysir

Icelandic Horse

Snowmobiling (we crashed!)

The Blue Lagoon

Waterfalls

Piece of Iceberg

Gulfoss Falls

Reyjkavik

Viking Sculpture

Hot Dog

Glacier Lagoon

Halgrimmskirkja Church

Missing In Action...

2011-06-12T20:11:00.006-04:00

Hey, remember me? I'm still kickin', I have just severely neglected the blog for about a month now. This picture explains one week of my absence.....we went to Iceland! It was amazingly beautiful but chilly. We got lucky and flew home the night before the volcano erupted. Talk about dodging a bullet there, especially since Sydney didn't go with us, I would've hated to get trapped over there for another week before getting to see my child. It was hard enough to go a week without her...thank goodness for Skype!

Anyway, that combined with the end of the school year and I have been overwhelmed and stressed out which resulted in my online absence. I have lots to share with you and will try my best to bring the blog up to speed this week. I missed you guys!

What I Wore Wednesday: Coral & Navy

2011-05-04T18:13:00.014-04:00

Happy Wednesday! I finally remembered to take a picture of an outfit. I have always loved navy and now I am really liking this pretty coral color that is everywhere for Spring. I think they go well together with a touch of gray. I bought this skirt on sale last year from Land's End Canvas and wore it for the first time today. My only issue with their skirts is that sometimes I feel like they are a little on the short side, this one is okay but I recently sent back two skirts because they were just a little too short for me. I mean I chase around a two year old so I don't wanna flash anyone!

Tank, Cardigan & Flats: Target
Skirt: Land's End Canvas

I really do enjoy the clothing at Land's End Canvas and I purchase a lot from there on a regular basis so I thought I would share a few of my favorite new arrivals.

I am loving the 'vintage' vibe of these two dresses.
The other colors they are offer are super cute too.

These two shirts caught my eye because they look very comfy and cool for spring.
All items can be found at Land's End Canvas.

Mommyland Life Lately.....

2011-04-20T13:53:00.015-04:00

This is what we have to look forward to every weekend....

Though it's not technically that time of year yet, summer has arrived here in Florida. We are hovering at around 85-90 degrees on most days so that means lots of water play, including spraying Mommy with the hose and watering the flowers. Cute little, polka dot and ruffle covered swimsuits; let's face it, little girls have the most adorable swimsuits! Big bubbles, little bubbles, colored bubbles (that stained my porch!), and bubble machines. The bubble machine was the best $15 that I've ever spent at Target and I spend a lot of time there.

And last but most importantly, lots of giggles and fun!

Workin Moma: Pop of Pink

2011-04-13T22:01:00.006-04:00

I love the pops of pink in this outfit and I am so in love with this super cute belt. I think it's perfect for Spring. Also, these shoes are awesome! It's nice to find something at our local Steinmart that doesn't look like resort wear for an 80 year old. I swear, sometimes when I walk in there I feel like I need sunglasses from all of the fluorescent capris and tops. Yikes!

Hope everyone is having a great week! Happy hump day.

Dress: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan: Ross
Belt: Target
Shoes: Steinmart

Workin Moma: Spring Showers

2011-04-06T18:01:00.016-04:00

I don't know if any of you guys live in the South but we got some crazy storms yesterday!
A friends daughter had a tree fall on her car and I saw several signs blown over this morning on my way to work. Luckily, today was beautiful and sunny again, even if the day did start out at 48 degrees. I am unconsciously on a floral kick lately with my wardrobe, this skirt is so spring-y and flowy. I wish I could find more like it. Also, I am loving these mustard colored shoes I got at Target, you can find them here. (These are still full price but the one's at my store are 1/2 off.)

Tank, Cardigan & Shoes: Target
Skirt: Marshall's

Workin Moma: Floral Pop

2011-03-31T18:23:00.009-04:00

Can you believe I am actually posting an outfit picture? I think it's been a few weeks but since we were on Spring Break last week, I didn't really wear anything 'picture' worthy. This week has been so rainy, the kids (and teachers) at school have been going stir crazy not being able to get outside and run around. That's why I chose to wear this pretty spring-y floral shirt, I felt like I needed something bright and cheerful.

Also, I hate the awkwardness of not knowing what to do with my umbrella when I get in the car. I try so hard not to get wet but then I end up slinging the umbrella across my lap into the passenger side floorboard and I end up soaked and the car does too. Am I just missing some magical solution here? Plus, don't get me started about trying to get a toddler in their carseat when it's pouring....grrr!

Cardigan: Target
Navy Skirt: Land's End Canvas
Floral Shirt: Land's End Canvas
Navy Flats: Target

Moma Loves: The Learning Tower

2011-03-23T22:19:00.009-04:00

When I saw that 'The Learning Tower' was on sale for $160 (regular $199) at Totsy.com right now, I thought I would do a quick review of this product that Syd got for Christmas.

The Learning Tower is a great tool for Toddlers to foster their independence in a safe environment. This tower has an adjustable height platform so you can move it down as they grow and you can also purchase the art easel that attaches onto the back side. It's a dry erase board on one side and a chalkboard on the other. (you can see this on Syd's tower below) I got Syd some dry erase crayons (awesome!) and she draws on it constantly. Plus when they outgrow the tower, you can still attach the art easel to the wall.

Sydney always wants to help me do everything lately so this is great to use when I'm cooking dinner. She loves standing on it to help Daddy cook eggs in the morning and she also loves for me to put it at the sink so she can 'wash' dishes and play in the bubbles. Overall, I think it was a great purchase and I see a lot of use in it in the future.

Momma's Got a Brand New Bag & How not to treat your Electronics

2011-03-20T17:45:00.016-04:00

I FINALLY got the Jo Totes Camera Bag that I have been drooling over for about 2 years now! I haven't actually had the chance to carry it anywhere yet but I have been playing with how to arrange the Velcro inserts to fit all of my camera goodies in it. So far I've fit my Nikon D90, 50mm f/1.8 lens, 85mm f/1.8 lens, 18-105mm lens and my speedlight flash with plenty of room left for more. The design seems very functional plus the color is adorable!

Also, on a side note I deep sixed my HD Flip Video Recorder yesterday into a crock pot soaking in the sink FULL of water. (That plus all of my camera lens hoods but they dry off easy.) I was hysterically crying because it had about a years worth of videos of Sydney that I have yet to upload to my computer. We let it dry out all day and it turned on and my videos were still there! Hopefully we can get them on the computer but last night it wasn't recognizing it as a USB device. I have faith that we will figure something out but I'm just glad they are still there at all.
Lesson learned: DO NOT keep your electronics so close to the sink!

30 for 30 Challenge: 16-20

2011-03-15T21:09:00.009-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, we have all been passing around the sickness here at home. This is also my last 30 for 30 post, so I guess it's more like 30 for 20. The weather is now in the 80's each day and I picked out sweaters, pants and long sleeves for a lot of my challenge items so for the sake of comfort and not sweating to death, I give up. I give you my final 5:

Dress, Cardigan & Flats: Target
Belt: Old Navy

Skirt & Cardigan: Land's End Canvas
T-shirt, Tights & Flats: Target
Belt: Ross

Cardigan & Tights: Target
Skirt: Express
Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Pants: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan & Tank: Target
Flats: Sam Edelman

Dress: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Target
Oxfords: Kohl's

This week in Mommyland....

2011-03-09T22:30:00.009-05:00

Having a 2 year old has its challenging moments, especially when you have a little miss sassy pants on your hands. Like when she blatantly tells me no or when she kicks me in the stomach as I'm changing her diaper and laughs in delight. But for every 'challenge' there is a 'triumph'. Like when she actually picks up something when you ask her to or when she looks at you with her head half down and says, 'sorry mommy'.

But my favorite moments are the ones filled with love, smiles, giggles and silly faces. Sydney has this new habit of putting her hands on each side of my face and saying, 'oh mommy' and then wraps her little arms around my neck and hugs me so tight. It is literally the best part of my day. I love how she has started giving me eskimo kisses, even when she has a snotty nose and proceeds to rub snot onto my face. It still makes me smile.

And when these moments happen I try to stop and tell myself that this is IT. Motherhood amazes me every single day.

30 for 30 Challenge: Fifteen

2011-03-06T11:12:00.010-05:00

I have always loved gingham, I think it has something to do with being from Kentucky. It feels very southern to me. And southern equals comfort. Speaking of southern, those of you from the south, do people act like you're an idiot because you have a southern accent. I mean I only have one when I say certain words but I notice that people sometimes talk down to me. It's so irritating, I wanna say, 'I'm just as smart as you and nicer to boot'! Us ladies in the south can be super sweet when we want to but don't piss us off cause we can be sassy too. (All the while batting our eyelashes.)

Gingham Shirt & Jeans: Old Navy
T-shirt: Target
Gray Belt: Ross
Flats: Sam Edelman

30 for 30 Challenge: Fourteen

2011-03-04T18:46:00.005-05:00

I am so behind on posting my 30 for 30 outfits....life has been crazy busy around here lately. I never thought that you could use this mustard yellow as a neutral but it seems to go with everything. I am also mixing brown and black in this outfit which I haven't really done before but I like how it turned out. Yes, this is me living on the wild side...pretty sad.

Do you have a clothing item that seems to go with everything in your closet? Do share!

Dress, Cardigan & Necklace: Target
Boots: Nicole

Syd's Birthday Party

2011-03-01T13:20:00.009-05:00

Sydney's birthday isn't until tomorrow but we celebrated it this past Saturday with a few friends at a local park. This was exciting because she actually had little friends (mostly her classmates) come this year. She had a great time and they were all so adorable together. The party was very relaxed and easy....the park provided most of the entertainment and I brought a bubble machine (HUGE hit) and of course cupcakes. I can't believe my baby is 2!

The Birthday Girl!

Bubbles!

Loving the Bubble machine!

Syd & Daddy.

30 for 30 Challenge: Thirteen

2011-02-26T08:19:00.008-05:00

So I pretty much love this outfit, the colors and the comfort are what won me over. I love all shades of blue! Plus, I love this cute little owl pin I got at Target a few years ago.

The weather here in Florida lately has been making my challenge difficult, we've been in the 80's on some days and I have a bunch of cardigans and such in my items. I'm not complaining but it's making it a little more challenging to put together outfits that I won't potentially melt in.

Navy Dress, Flats & Owl Brooch: Target
Cardigan: Land's End Canvas
Purple Belt: Ross

30 for 30 Challenge: 10, 11, 12

2011-02-21T12:55:00.012-05:00

Hello friends, I have been a bad remixer and blogger lately. I wore all of these last week but never had the time to blog about them. We had a big fundraiser this weekend so I was preparing for that all week. I give you 10, 11 and 12!

Shirt, Tights & Belt: Target
Skirt & Cardigan: Anthropologie
Shoes: Sam Edelman

Lace Shirt: Kohl's
Cardigan: Old Navy
Trousers: Land's End Canvas
Oxfords: Kohl's
Necklace: World Market

Shirt: Kohl's
Tank: Target
Skirt: Land's End Canvas
Boots: Nicole

30 for 30 Challenge: Nine & Happy Valentine's

2011-02-14T22:25:00.010-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
I felt very festive in my heart patterned tights today but they kept slipping down, I think I pulled them up 20 times. I hate it when tights do that!

We had a great day, Syd had a cute 'tea party' at school and got the cutest little valentines from her classmates. I went to her class to take photos and eat with her but she had a meltdown when I left. I felt so bad; I could hear her crying when I was walking out. You fellow Mommies know what I'm talking about. The hubs and I went to dinner tonight which was delicious but of course when we got home Sydney was still awake. (Like an hour past her bedtime.) Ah, the joy of Grandma's, they never follow your instructions. I hope you all had a great day!

Dress, Cardi & Tights: Target
Flats: Sam Edelmen

My little valentine!

30 for 30 Challenge: Eight

2011-02-14T22:15:00.005-05:00

This was my outfit on Sunday for a day of furniture shopping and eating lunch at Five Guys (love their burgers!). I love this bird print top from Anthro, it's so adorable and comfy at the same time. Perfect for a Moma on the go!

Cardigan: Target
Shirt: Anthropologie
Jeans: Old Navy
Flats: Target

This week in Mommyland & Tales of Things you Love

2011-02-10T17:01:00.011-05:00

Mommyland was featured on Effortless Anthropologie's, 'Tales of Things You Love' feature today. Please go check it out! What a wonderful idea that Roxy had, I have loved reading everyone's entries so far. Of course I talked about Sydney, she is all LOVE!

This picture perfectly describes what has been going on in our house this week. We have been stuck inside a lot due to all of the rain and this ballerina tutu (which is actually a swimsuit) has been Sydney's obsession lately. She says, 'my tutu' and tries to put it on all the time. My cousin actually brought her another one yesterday, except this one is bright blue. This is one of the things I love about having a little girl...pink, frilly, poofy things. I think that as soon as she's old enough we will enroll her in dance or tumbling classes. She would love them!

p.s. I'm taking a break from the 30 for 30 Challenge just for today. Be back tomorrow with a new installment. Also, I was a bad remixer and bought some super cute shoes at Target tonight, I was worried they would be gone as all of the cute shoes seem to disappear quickly around here.

30 for 30 Challenge: Six & Seven

2011-02-09T21:22:00.008-05:00

I think some of my co-workers think I'm a little kooky wearing all these crazy tights all the time. But I really liked this outfit, I thought it was fun and sassy.

Dress, Cardigan, Tights & Belt: Target
Shoes: Sam Edelman

Now this is a I ran out of clean clothes and I want to be comfy outfit. Plus I was having a scary bad hair day, hence the pulled back hair which is rare for me. I do love the color of this cardigan though and I got a lot of compliments on it.

Top & Pants: Target
Cardigan: Land's End Canvas
Oxfords: Kohl's

30 for 30 Challenge: Five

2011-02-07T22:35:00.008-05:00

I am really loving this outfit, especially my new (got before the challenge started) blue belt from Target. I can see myself using it a lot in the future. Oh Target, what would I do without you? Probably still have a significantly larger amount of money in my bank account but what fun is that! That's what happens when you live within a mile of a Target, you stop for bread and milk and you leave with about 10 things you didn't know you needed. Yes, I said needed. Who doesn't need a sparkly box of tissues and a dish towel with cupcakes on it?

Shirt & Skirt: Anthropologie
Cardigan, Tights & blue belt: Target
Shoes: Kenneth Cole

30 for 30 Challenge: Four

2011-02-06T21:39:00.011-05:00

I'm really not mad as it appears in this picture, the sun literally came out for 5 minutes today and it peeked it's head out and shines right in my face as we were taking pictures. This is the least angry looking of the 10 the hubby took. At least Syd looks adorable!

Hope everyone had a great weekend, the weather is still yucky and rainy here but I keep telling myself, 'at least it doesn't snow here'. Craziest moment of our weekend: Syd pooped on the floor! I took her out of the bath and she ran into her room before I could get a diaper on her and she came back to me saying that she pooped. She wasn't lying.....ah the things we do as parents.

Cardigan, Shirt & Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Sam Edelman

30 for 30 Challenge: Three

2011-02-04T18:48:00.013-05:00

Casual Friday! I was on the ball today and made sure that I took my picture before I walked around in the drizzly rain all day. (In case you're wondering, that's why my hair looks decent!) I have NEVER been a fan of yellow in the past but I'm digging this mustard color lately. I'm calling this my Fashionable Mustard Lumberjack outfit...hey I did cut a branch off of a tree today. Does that count?

Also, this cardigan made me want a hot dog all day. (Insert joke here.)

Plaid Shirt: Kohl's
Mustard Cardigan: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Flats: Target

30 for 30 Challenge: Two

2011-02-03T20:45:00.018-05:00

Good things about today:
Love wearing my sweet boots
Got a new color copier at work = new toy for Sara
Went to Target (fav store)
Sydney said awesome things like, 'I love you Mommy' and 'Ooh Pretty shoes'

Bad things about today:
Frizzy hair courtesy of rainy day
Always feel awkward when I go to Target wearing red
Umbrella rendered useless because of wind blowing sideways

Dress: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan, Tights & Leaf Necklace: Target
Snakeskin Belt: Goodwill
Boots: Nicole

I think Sydney is on to how this taking pictures of yourself works, she is always crashing my shots now!

30 for 30 Challenge: One

2011-02-01T21:26:00.010-05:00

Day one is in the bag! Woot! I really like this outfit except that when I got outside this morning, I realized that I had an abundance of blue on the lower half of my body. I kinda felt like Violet from Willy Wonka or a Smurf (Smurfette, of course). If I could do this one over I would choose to wear my gray tights to break up the blue a bit. I love this cardi and I always get lots of compliments when I wear it. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's first looks.

Cardigan: Anthropologie
Mustard Tank: Target
Navy Skirt: Land's End Canvas
Tights & Flats: Target

30 for 30 Challenge Picks

2011-01-31T19:57:00.006-05:00

Well folks, the 30 for 30 Challenge starts tomorrow, which turns out in my favor since I spent today at home in my PJ's with a sick kiddo. Here are my picks for this round. Good luck to everyone who is participating; I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Workin Moma: The Forgotten

2011-01-30T13:09:00.012-05:00

Hope you are all having a great weekend, the weather here is beautiful but we are all stuck inside sick. Poor Sydney has the flu and an ear infection, so she has been pitiful the last few days. She has barely let me put her down but today is the first day she hasn't had a fever so I'll take that as a good sign that the meds are kicking in.

Since I am starting Kendi's 30 for 30 Challenge on Tuesday, I figured I'd better post my outfits from the last week that I hadn't gotten around to yet.

Purple Cardi: Ross
Dress & Leggings: Target
Purple Belt: Steve Madden
Boots: Nicole

Dress, Cardi & Tights: Target
Belt: Steve Madden
Oxfords: Kohl's

Cardigan: Ross
Shirt: Target
Jeggings: Old Navy
Necklace: Target
Flats: Sam Edelman

Loving Right Now...

2011-01-28T10:36:00.012-05:00

NOOKcolor

So my husband won a NOOKcolor through work and we just got it in the mail last weekend. It is awesome! I love the fact that I can read magazines (in color) and my fav books (Twilight series) all in one spot. Plus, the kids books that have the 'Read to Me' feature are amazing and Sydney has already mastered which books are hers and she loves flipping through them again and again. Plus you can surf the internet on it and much more. I also heard that they are planning apps for it soon so I am looking forward to that. We love it so far and even though we didn't have to pay for it, it only runs $250!

Secret Wonderland Shea Cashmere Cream

This stuff is straight from heaven, it is seriously so soft and it smells wonderful. I am not a huge hand cream person because I always think they all smell too strong and they leave my hands feeling greasy but this cream is wonderful! I got it as a gift for Christmas and now I carry it everywhere with me. Highly recommend!

On a side note, I have decided to participate in Kendi's 30 for 30 Challenge again so look for that to start on February 1st!

Workin Moma: Purple Rain

2011-01-24T16:39:00.025-05:00

Important news first: If you haven't heard, my friend, Debbie of Dark Horse is expecting her first child in August! I'm so excited for her and her hubby. They are such wonderful people (with an amazing family too) and I know that this baby will be loved very much. I look forward to future play dates with Syd and buying lots of adorable things for the babe. (Which I'm sure will be dressed super cute without a doubt!)

I'm kind of going for a monochromatic look here, sticking with shades of purple and black. I really like how the contrasting purple tones turn out next to each other and I thought that the black skirt helped break up all of the purple overload.

Purple top, cardigan & tights: Target
Skirt: Anthropologie
Shoes: Sam Edelman

Syd (and Rita, the dog) trying to hog my camera time. How cute is she in her uniform and sweet red shoes?

This is a close up of my Sam Edelman shoes worn with a different outfit. I forgot to take a pic of them that day.

Also, I'm debating whether to join Kendi's 30 for 30 Challenge again. Anyone participating this round?

This week in Mommyland....

2011-01-18T20:22:00.011-05:00

Favorite moment this week: Hearing Sydney sing Old McDonald had a Farm in the backseat as we were driving home today. She doesn't know all of the words but she sings the, E-I-E-I-O part really loud and draws out that 'O' at the end and it just brings the biggest smile to my face. She is also good at doing the animal sounds part and usually sticks with a cow, dog and frog. (Frogs are her favorite!) It is hilarious.

These pictures have nothing to do with the above but they are from this past weekend. Sydney attended a little boy's 2nd birthday party and it was 'Handy Manny' themed, thus the plastic hard hat. Ironically, the birthday boy was the only boy at his own party!

Nothing like a hoard of screaming little girls. See example below.

The first attempt at wearing the hard hat was unsuccessful.

So we cut slits in the sides for her pigtails. Problem solved!

I know I'm biased, but does she not look like the sweetest thing ever in this last pic?

Bloglovin

2011-01-14T17:48:00.003-05:00

Elsie at A Beautiful Mess posted about using Bloglovin yesterday so I checked it out and it's pretty awesome! So I decided to start following my favorite blogs with Bloglovin.
If you would like to follow me there, click below.
Follow my blog with bloglovin

Workin Moma: Bitchin' Black

2011-01-14T16:54:00.012-05:00

I felt very stylish in this outfit for some reason and a little badass at the same time with these bitchin' black boots on. It's taken me about 2 years to find a pair of black boots that I like and I scored these on sale at the after Christmas sales. Also, I've had this Target blazer in my closet for over a year and never wore it. (I think almost every fashion blogger has this blazer!) Anyway, I like how it all turned out and I got compliments on it all day so I must've done something right.

Plaid Dress: Land's End Canvas
Blazer & Leggings: Target
Boots: Belk

Working Moma: Pretty Kitty

2011-01-12T20:53:00.014-05:00

Sorry for the poor quality of this picture but it was pouring the other day when I took this and it was too dark to not use the flash. The rain is also why my hair looks like a wet dog. The day that I wore this to work like 4 other people had on animal prints. I notice that this happens a lot, we all wear the same colors on the same day. Spooky phenomenon? I guess that's what happens when your whole staff is comprised of women. P.S. I looked the cutest! :)

Dress: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt, Tights & Boots: Target

Trendy Tot Tuesday

2011-01-11T17:49:00.015-05:00

Peanut Butter Hand Print & Fashion Momma have started a 'Trendy Tot Tuesday' series and since Syd is always so adorable, I thought we would participate. These pics are actually from this past Saturday. We went shopping in the historic downtown area and Syd dozed off in her stroller.

On Moma:
Gingham shirt: Land's End Canvas
Cardigan: Target

On Sydney:
Jeggings & Jacket: Target
Pink Beret: WalMart

This is what she had on under the cute coat.
Shirt, Cardi & Shoes: Target

Copycat Files

2011-01-06T22:47:00.005-05:00

I saw these with Ruche's new arrivals today and immediately thought of Anthro's Anticipation Heels. A pretty close match, huh? And for only $39.99! What a steal.

Ruche, Uptown Girl Peep Toes, $39.99

Anthropologie Anticipation Heels, Sold out online

Workin Moma: What a Feeling

2011-01-06T22:19:00.013-05:00

Sorry for lack of posts this week, our whole household has been sick. Luckily we took Syd to the doctor last week and she's been on antibiotics and is doing much better. I still have a little bit of yuck lingering but my poor husband has walking pneumonia. I guess when it rains, it pours!

This simple black dress always makes me feel like twirling around like a ballerina. The material of this skirt is so flowy and dancer-esque. Takes me back to my dancing days....a very long time ago. Also, I love these shoes, the heel is the perfect height and they are so flippin' adorable.

Dress & Belt: Ross
Cardi, Tank & Tights: Target
Heels: Nine West

365 Project: 2011

2011-01-02T14:35:00.008-05:00

I am participating in the 365 Project for 2011, if you would like to follow me, here's the link. You can also get to my page from the 365 Project button on the right. Let me know if you are joining in, I would love to follow you and see what you come up with each day!

1.1.11

1.2.11

Weekend Moma: A New Year

2011-01-02T14:07:00.011-05:00

The first day of the new year was spent doing one of my favorite things....shopping! My Mom and I went shopping yesterday to catch some of the sweet deals that were going on. (Hello Kohl's, you are awesome!) The hubby took Sydney to the Zoo for the day so it was really nice to have just some time with my Mom. We haven't went shopping together without Sydney in forever, since Syd was born!

The weather was back up into the low 70's so I wore this super comfy Target dress and one of my beloved Anthro cardi's. Also, these flats (sorry I cut them off in the pic) are one of my fav recent purchases from Target and I think they were like $8.00 on clearance.

Navy dress & Flats: Target
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Belt: Ross
Necklace: Xmas gift from hubby

2010: Syd's year in Pictures

2010-12-31T11:02:00.012-05:00

This has been a big year for my sweet daughter, Sydney. She has transitioned from an infant to a toddler, from crawling to walking, from breastfeeding to 'real' food, from babbling to full sentences, staying at home to attending preschool, turned a year old, and the list goes on and on. It really is amazing what a difference a year makes when your child is so young, I mean they really change from week to week, if not day to day at this stage in their development. It is truly wonderful to see her blossom into this giggly, sweet, loving little person and I feel so lucky everyday that I have her in my life. I'm looking forward to 2011 being just as awesome as 2010!

January: Fresh up from a nap on Mommy's bed.

February: Valentine's Day, love her hair in this pic.

March: Syd's first birthday, I made her pink pancakes.

April: Easter lunch, I love how she's holding onto my hands in this pic.

May: Mother's Day, a look of pure joy.

June: First trip to the beach and loving it!

July: Many lazy days spent playing in the backyard.

August: First day of school.

September: Enjoying the sun and surf.

October: My little Dorothy.

November: Thanksgiving weekend, leaves are so fun.

December: First picture with Santa.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and thank you so much for reading the blog, I really do appreciate all of your thoughts and comments.

Outfits of 2010

2010-12-30T13:42:00.008-05:00

Since I've seen other bloggers doing their favorite outfits of 2010, I thought I would just pick my top 5. These are in no particular order.

This Target dress is so cute and I love those purple shoes.

I wish I would've bought this dress in every color. It's comfy and so flattering.

I love this cardigan and I think it looks cute with the pops of red.

Love this top from Anthro and my bright blue cardi.

My birthday ensemble, I am in love with this Anthro dress.
Super comfy and I love the vintage look.

Looking back at 2010 has made me realize that I need to step it up a bit for 2011.
I guess we'll see how that goes.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T14:08:00.011-05:00

Christmas was so much fun this year, Sydney was was more interested in everything. She is obsessed with Frosty the Snowman! I don't know how I'm going to put all of the decor away without her freaking out about it. She did great with the tree and only broke one ornament. We had a great time with family and friends and the joy in Sydney's eyes as she mastered opening her presents was priceless.

Checking out the tree.

Christmas morning before the destruction began.

Amazement.

Her new learning tower with detachable easel.
BTW, dry erase crayons are awesome!

Her aunt and uncle got her a pink VW beetle that goes 2 miles an hour.
She loves it!

Look out....road warrior!

I hope you all had an amazing holiday!

Workin Moma: Fit to Be Tied

2010-12-20T13:32:00.014-05:00

So did you guys score any deals at Anthro with the the 25% off sale items and discounted jewelry? I scooped up the Shine Through Button Up that popped back up on my wishlist, the Homestead Denim Skirt and some holiday sale items.

Also I am in love with these two new arrivals! The Across the Land dress and the Sing Sweetly Party dress are both amazingly adorable. I love polka dots and anything with a bird print is a must have for me. What new arrivals have you been drooling over lately??

I wore this outfit a few days ago to work and I really wanted wanted to take the picture with my jacket on because I always forget to include outerwear in my outfit pics. I adore these bow tights from Anthro!

Dress, Flats & Bow Necklace: Target
Jacket & Belt: Ross
Bow Tights: Anthropologie