Knock on Wood: Favorites

August 30, 2016

August Favorites

The absolute BEST thing to cross my screen this month is that Emily and Christian now have their very own sweet baby boy. I am so completely happy for them and elated that their prayers (and mine for them) have finally been answered.

+ I completed three baby blankets for friends and family, and I even designed my own pattern for one of them.

+ I perfected the messy bun for my type and length of hair. Let me tell you that it was no easy feat. I have very silky hair (even when it's dirty) and it doesn't tease well either. Plus it's in an in-between medium to long length that's hard to style.

+ I made my very first DIY chalkboard sign for my fall decor set. I have to say that it turned out better than I expected. My handwriting sucks when I try to make it pretty haha! Make sure you're signed up for my newsletter to get a sneak peak of my fall decor DIYs. It goes out tomorrow (Wednesday, 8/31) around 5pm CST.

+ We made the first big step to preparing for our future child (don't get excited, still not preggo) and traded our Mustang in for a Nissan Rogue. Now we will have enough room for a car seat, baby essentials, AND Bear when we go places.

+ I finally got to see my Llama, who I haven't seen in two years. Plus I got to meet Hope in person! I really enjoyed our Blate while I was in Georgia, and I'm looking forward to doing it again.

+ We're All Waiting. (And sometimes the waiting just sucks) - Ember Grey
I am in the waiting boat, and sometimes it really sucks.

+ 10 Funny Signs for Race Spectators - The New Wifestyle
These are great! If I ever go to support someone in a race, I'm using some of these ideas.

+ The Healing Power of the Needle - Amanda Moments
Some people don't understand tattoos. Amanda tells her story about why she needed to get her new tattoo. Which reminds me, I need to post about my newest tattoo.

+ The Best of Maybelline - Jasmine Maria
This is one of my go-to brands of makeup, and this list is the holy grail.

+ 7 Thoughtful Ways to Include Dads in the Newborn Phase - The Nested Nomad
I thought this post was lovely. Dads do often get shafted during those first few months, and these are wonderful ways to make them feel like they are really apart of this special time.

Cassie has been going though some stuff. Some really, really hard stuff. And some of her thoughts and feelings I can so relate to as I am going though my own stuff right now.
+ Finding Hope in Our Miscarriage - Sage
+ Why Don't We Talk About Trying to Conceive? - Sage
+ Grief Sucks - Sage

+ Marriage is Teaching Me to Wash Feet (and Floors) - Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish

+ Answering the Call to Marriage: Jon's Perspective - Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish
A sweet and thoughtful response to Casey's post about Marriage from her husband Job. His humble honesty is inspiring.

+ Take Your Seat at the Table - Bourbon, Stilettos, and Lipstick

+ An Open Letter to My Friends Who Support Donald Trump
I totally agree with the author of this article. 100%

+ Looking for a baby shower or toddler birthday gift? Check out this sweet penguin. For each one purchased to company that makes them donates 10 meals to children in need.

+ 10 Things a Woman with PCOS Wants You to Know
All. The. Yes. And it's especially great to share this with you because September is PCOS Awareness Month. So wear teal with pride all throughout the month!

+ 29 '90s Movies You Forgot Were a Thing
Oh. My. Gosh. My whole cinematic childhood in one place.

+ Mayim Bialik: Why I Refuse to Give My Kids Smartphones
Wow. Really opens your eyes to the negative impact being connected on the internet can have on children and teenagers.

+ How to Finally Take Professional Photos with Your Phone - Helene In Between

+ How to Make a Snapchat Geofilter - Dream Big, and Buy the Shoes

+ Free Travel Stock Photos - Helene In Between

+ Currently August
+ Italian Style Baked Spaghetti
+ This is What MY Infertility Looks Like
+ Another Decade Down
+ 14 Things You're Supposed to Stop Doing After 30, But I'm Doing Them Anyway
+ Tiny Diamonds Baby Blanket Pattern
+ My Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Shows

Previous Favorites Posts
July ++ June ++ May ++ April ++ March

Were any of these on your favorites list this month?

July 29, 2016

July Favorites

I am so ready for summer to be O.V.E.R. I may get some crazy looks for that statement, but I don't do well in the heat, and the heat this year is off the effing charts. UGH. Fall can't get here fast enough, so lets just hope we don't have nasty extended summer weather.

I've sorta stepped back from the blog this month, for several reasons. Some personal, and others that are reasons for a lot of people's anxiety and stress these days. I am so over all of the violence and hate that is permeating our society right now. It worries me when I think about our future and the future our potential child will have. Gives you a lot to think about. And this whole presidential election BS that's flooding the news stations and our Facebook Newsfeeds is getting out of hand. But that is for a post on another day.

While I haven't been showing up for my own blog, I have been reading others, so lets get to the part you really came here for, my Favs.

+ Progress, sweet progress, is being made in the bathroom. Like, tangible and usable progress. I'll give more details in the Newsletter (it goes out Sunday, so you still have time to get on the list for that! Click the button on my sidebar to add yourself to the roster).

+ I finished a project for my sister-in-law in about a week. And it's a-freaking-dorable (She's pregnant, btw). I also found a pattern for another project for another dear friend who just found out she's expecting too.

+ Confession time: my eating has been utter shit lately. I'm so not joking. Two words: Cookie. Cake. However, I have not gained any weight! So this new supplement I'm taking (doctor approved, don't worry) is working to help keep my insulin levels under control (an update on the baby journey will be in the Newsletter too!).

+ Goal Setting Tip of the Month: Try 'Tiny Habits' - Not Entirely Perfect
Maybe this is what I need to do to get myself motivated to do the things I like and want to do, and to keep the depression at bay.

+ 3 Ingredient Cake Pops - Eat, Drink, & Be Mary
Um, Yes please!!

+ Highly Recommended - Frankly, My Dear
The most epic book lists of book lists. Have you read any of these?

+ Low Fat Lemon Pancakes - Dash of Herbs
These look so good AND they are low fat. Win, win!

+ 4 Reasons You Should Not Be Modest - Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish
This post is so insightful about the concept of a woman's modesty. It makes me questions my own choices when I leave the house, and now I will be much more aware of my clothes and how they effect others.

+ I'll Remember Tomorrow - The "Florkens"
This post. I relate so much.

+ IVF: What I did & Didn't Do - Becca Dorr
I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Reading Becca's infertility story and following her pregnancy has helped me so much in my own battle with infertility. As much as I don't want it to get that far, IVF may be in our future, so any information I can get my hands on is great.

+ How Are You Prioritizing Your Marriage? - The New Wifestyle
I 100% believe that in a family (no matter how big or small) your own marriage and spouse should come before anything else. Yes, even before your kids. Your spouse is the one that is supposed to be your partner in everything, including parenting, and they are the ones that will be there when your retired and the kids are all grown. It will be just you and him/her again, so keeping that relationship a priority is so excruciatingly important.

+ This video. I laughed for 10 minutes.

+ This article showed up on my newsfeed and at first sight of the title, 'Why I'm Racist,' I thought "um, what?" But then I read the article and I relate. Because it's the truth about many white people. This quote sums it up:

"But even with the upbringing and exposure I was blessed with, I’m probably still a racist. I don’t mean racist like a hate-filled bigot who dehumanizes and devalues the lives of others based on skin color. I mean that I am uncomfortable with, ignorant of and distant from racial inequalities that exist in my country."

+ This article resonates with me on a personal level as it voices many of my own concerns, even though I'm not yet a parent.

+ Free Stock Photos - Helene In Between
Another lovely set of photos to use for blog posts.

+ Common Blogging Myths - Love the Here and Now
All the yes.

+ A Beginners Guid to Blog Photography Styling
I found this on Pinterest the other day and I'm so glad I saved it.

+ 5 Alternatives to Email Marketing that Bring in Results - Elle ay Esse
Another Pinterest find. Good stuff here guys.

+ 6 Newsletter Ideas Your Customers will Love - Lot808 Marketing
Pinterest was a gold mine this month.

+ DIY Red, White, & Blue Wreath
+ Surprise Gift For Hubs
+ Design Reveal - Frankly My Dear

June Favorites
May Favorites
April Favorites
March Favorites

Were any of these on your favorites list this month?

July 1, 2016

June Favorites

Last month I started this new thing and it did pretty well. Plus it makes me hold myself accountable for saving things I really like to share with you all. I enjoy spreading the love and hopefully introducing new people and things into your life.

Things I Accomplished

+ We made some progress in the bathroom! Still not close to done, but it's moving along.

+ I've completed custom three designs this month! Plus another pre-made template and an update to my own blog. The creative juices are flowing, guys.

+ All signs are pointing to success for our first medicated cycle. Fingers crossed the blood test I'm going in for tomorrow comes back to confirm that.

+ I started working on some Christmas presents for my parents. I know it's a while away, but these gifts take a lot of time to make.

+ I kept a surprise for Hubs a real surprise! Usually I cave and tell him because I'm just so excited, but this time I kept my mouth shut. And you know what? He loved it! I'll be posting about it next week, so stay tuned for that.

Blog Posts - The Lovely Side of the Blogosphere

+ The End of a Decade - To & Fro
I love this birthday post from Mar. Perhaps it's because I'm also turning thirty this year, but this lovely recap of the past ten years makes me want to reflect on my own life through my twenties.

+ How Using The Space In Your Home Can Make You Happy- How to Make a Life
There are several spaces in our house that I wish we used more. This post from Sheryl makes me want to make a change and use them more often.

+ Trying to Do Good - Love the Here and Now
In the light of all the tragedy that has occurred in the recents weeks, spreading some goodness around not only to the people in our lives, but to strangers that we come in contact during out daily lives.

+ For the Stay at Home Wife - Becca Dorr
Because I am one, and sometimes it's hard to explain what I do all day.

+ Red, White, and Blue Sangria - Eat, Drink, and be Mary
Perfect for wine lovers who are having a summer cookout!

+ 10 Classic Novels - A Hundred Tiny Wishes
Everyone should read at least half of these in their lifetime, I know there's a few that I still need to read myself.

Blog Posts - Current Events, Controversy, & Important Topics

+ It's NOT Okay - Bourbon, Lipstick, and Stilettos
I've experienced some of the same things Lindsay has, and she's right. It's not okay.

+ Rape, Injustice, and Gender Inequality Didn't Start Monday - Taylor DuVall
I've written about gender inequality myself, so I can totally get behind the message in the post.

+ Infertility: The Downside to Being Public - Becca Dorr
There are pros and cons to sharing and to keeping things private.

+ The Infertile Mom - Southern Hope Blog
Finding women who know what I'm going through doesn't make it easier, but it makes it bearable.

+ On How Gun Control is only HALF the Problem - Christine Everyday
Because it is.

Blog Related Things

+ Thoughts on the "Why I Won't Read Your Post" Posts - Love the Here and Now
"Oh wait….I know why I hit publish on them….those posts are a snapshot in time. At that point in time, I was doing the best I could with what knowledge I had. I was expressing myself with the words and design that I loved back then." - Anne said it best.

+ DIY Home Photography Studio - Oak and Oats

I've been debating doing this in a corner of my house somewhere, and this post has come good ideas on how to achieve it.

+ 10 Must Read Posts on Blogging - A Hundred Tiny Wishes

Some great reads all in one spot!

+ Newsletters that Provide Free Styled Stock Photos - Love the Here and Now
Um. YES PLEASE!! I'm always looking for new places to get images for the blog when I don't have the time to take my own.

Things Found on Facebook

+ I've been open about my struggle with depression here in this space. It's a topic that I take very seriously and when I came across this article on I found myself nodding and saying "that's me" to myself. The article titled "We Cannot Overlook 'High Functioning' Depression" says it all. Just because some people's depression doesn't match society's view of what depression is supposed to look like, doesn't mean it's not any less real and debilitating.

+ This video tutorial of FOUR different styles of the messy bun. ALL. THE. YES.

+ A new hashtag was trending on twitter this month, #NoWomanEver. It's bringing some much needed attention to the way women are treated in public by men. Check out a few of the good ones in this article.

+ I'm not Catholic, but I think this is a big step in the world of Christianity. In a recent interview, Pope Francis has said that the Church needs to apologize and seek forgiveness from the LGBTA community as well as from the poor, women, and children. BIG STEP. And I applaud him for it. #LoveWins

+ I think we all need to work on our self-love. Being too critical of yourself can actually be self-sabotage, and that's no good. This article gives you four tools to increase your self-compassion and regulate your emotions about yourself.

In Case You Missed It

Does Race Really Exist?
Design Reveal - To & Fro
Currently
A Blessing in Disguise
Chocolate Covered Fruit and Nut Clusters
Blogger Men Tell All

May Favorites
April Favorites
March Favorites

May 31, 2016

May Favorites

These monthly favorite posts are quickly becoming something I look forward to. This month there was lots going on. I tried to keep it short, but I don't think I succeeded. There were so many great sharable things that I just couldn't leave out! However, if you only read one thing from this list, make it this post from Love the Here and Now: The Cardinal Rule of Blogging.