{ Wake Me Up }

before you go go....

Not sure why that was the song of choice stuck in my head this morning...but I think it was rather fitting Since its the weekend. 

I wanted to do a fashion post but that seemed too boring. I need a little wake me up....a little laughter this morning. I also need food, and we will probably be leaving in a minute to get dr.pepper.

Sometimes when I'm browsing Pinterest which I never do, I come across some of the funniest comment cards, and funny pins. I had to share. 

Hopefully this starts your day and weekend out right. 

Happy Weekend

my favorite part: Sam has hear this one too many times

Nothing says Karate like a pair of ying yang tattoos

this one is so dumb...but i was literally laughing so hard. it was late. 

I think this every time I see one of those signs!!

Valentine Yarn Wreath Tutorial

Our front door was looking a little bare. 

So I ran to Hobby Lobby this morning...picked up a few items and made this quick and easy Valentine wreath. 

I took me a total of 45 min. and about $9. ( I had a 40% coupon with my GeoCoupon App)

You will need: 

1 ball of yarn:

 I found a multi colored yarn w/ pink, white and brown, which gave my wreath the cute striped pattern with out having to use a bunch of different yarn balls. 

circular foam wreath

heart accessories (purchases from Hobby Lobby- they are just felt heart with a little stich around the edges...you could easily make your own)

hot glue

pins (optional)

Steps: 

1. Wrap yarn around circular foam wreath

2. Tighten yarn as you go

3. Lay out hearts on wreath in the pattern you would like

4. Hot glue the hearts onto wreath

5. Pin for added security

DONE!

I feel like this wreath could have been dressed up even more. I'm thinking of maybe adding an arrow going through the middle....but for now it's perfect. 

{ Where Did You Get That? and a Pinterest Recreation Linky Party }

A few things. 

I took lots of pictures this week. Bonus. They are with my phone. Not Bonus. 

I love doing the linky party because I love looking at everyone's recreations. Bonus. Buuut last week I only had two links. Not Bonus, made me feel kinda lame-o. So should I keep doing the linky party (I will keep doing the outfit posts..just don't know about the link up party)? Or call it good?

We got a new lens for Christmas. Bonus! ...Eh I haven't even used it once. Not Bonus. 

Super Bowl is this weekend! YAY! Hello miniature everything entrees, hello 7 layer dip, hello all the junk food you can imagine, hello DP flowing from the heavens, hello caramel corn, hello peanut butter bars ( i don't know if those will be there...but I need to make them if they aren't!) Bonus! Major stomach ache and 5 lbs. later. Not Bonus. 

Ok onto the clothes. 

{Pinterest Recreation #1}

 gingham top: Old Navy, sweatshirt sweater: Target, pants: F21, flats: Gap, ring: F21

 fur vest: H&M, blouse: H&M, belt: F21, pants: F21, boots: Forever Young Shoes

 sweater: Gap, shirt w/zipper: Zara, black pants: F21, boots: F21

So I kinda have a complex about this shirt. In Vegas I wore it and this guy came up to me wanting to guess where I was from. After a list of random cities....he settled on Oregon. Which I was ok with. But it made me question my shirt choice. Did I stand out that much? Is this shirt totally tacky? So is this shirt whack? You can be honest. ( well not too honest....gentle honest....consider my feelings honest....but girlfriend to girlfriend honest. You know, girl code: " If ask...does my butt look big? Girl code: " No not at all...it looks plump and firm, maybe try a longer shirt to kinda cover it"

This outfit was brought to you today by Forever 21.... blouse: F21, pants:F21, belt:F21, shoes: H&M

heart blouse: F21, jumper: Gap outlet, leggings: Target, boots: Nine West (TJ Maxx), ring: H&M

 { Not a Pinterest Recreation but an inspiration }

when I saw this dress at H&M I instantly thought of Alexa Chung and her DARLING Alexa Chung for Madewell black dress with the peter pan collar. Mine doesn't have a peter pan collar unfortunately...but I got as close as I could. Love that Alexa

dress: H&M, leggings: Target, shoes: F21, bracelets: vintage

{ Pinterest Recreation #2- Ombre Hair }

It's a little combo of the two below. I think I'm lovin it. 

Let's give it another try!

It's your turn now to link up! 

Party Rules:

1. Your link must be a recreation of something you found from Pinterest. It can be anything, decor, crafts, recipes, or outfits

2. Please post the original item from pinterest along with your recreation- or attempt ;)

3. Please link back here so your fab readers can know where to join our linky party! you can grab a button from my side bar

                                                           

I'm linking up with: 

Momma Go Round

The Pleated Poppy

Rolled Up Pretty

French Dip Sliders Recipe

Sam and I had these little gems for dinner last night and I had to quickly post the recipe! They were so yummy and would be the perfect addition to your Super Bowl parties this weekend! 

It honestly took me 15 minutes to make. Bam!

French Dip Sliders

recipe by: Mama Loves Food.com

found via Pinterest

You will need: 

(I halved the recipe for Sam and I)

2 packages crescent rolls, 8 count

1 pound deli roast beef, thinly sliced

4 ounces Swiss or provolone cheese, cut in 16 equal sized pieces

optional: Horseradish Sauce

optional: Au Jus for dipping ( I used McCormick's Au Jus packet)
How to make: 

1. Unroll crescents onto a large cookie sheet.
2. Spread a small dab of horseradish on each crescent, then place a slice of roast beef and a piece of cheese on each crescent. ( i put a couple slices)
3. Roll crescents starting from the wide end and ending at the narrow end.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes, until crescents are a golden color.
5. Serve with Au Jus and enjoy!

{ Mason Mason Mason- 21/ 22 Months }

Oh this kid...he is hilarious, naughty, and quite the handful. 

He pretty much can say anything... if you tell him to say something he will repeat it right back to you. 

He makes us laugh and also makes us want to pull out our hair during car rides. 

The constant "mom water, water, water, water, water, water, snack, snack, snack,snack, look, look, snack, snack, train, snack" all in one breath is enough to drive the sanest person insane. 

But I love that he can express himself more and more, and I love watching his little mind learn and grow. He can fully count to 10 with out any help and he loves to list off all of his family members names.
At random times. 

He also thinks Santa is a part of our family now and likes to link him to Nana, and Nana's house. 

He will always say: "Nana, Nana's house, Molly, Amy, Santa."  "Santa treat?"

He loves friends and is always looking for anyone to play with him!
The second we pull into our church's parking lot he yells: "FRIENDS" while doing a mini fist pump.

He longing looks out the window at older kids going to school and says: "kids, kids, friends mom".

He's a social butterfly just like his dad. 

He's also become quiet the story teller. He loves to ramble in the back seat, rambling off all of his favorite foods: "um mom spaghetti, um pizza, um bagel and cheese, um samwhich, uh soup and crackers, um snack...."

Or he will be playing and then run up to me "monkey bonka head, bonka head mom"...."and uh bonka face mom, bonka head, bonka face" 

He loves to show of his throwing skills...and seriously has a REALLY good arm. 

His new thing is, we have to take 2 balls, one in each hand, with us whenever we go in the car now. Girls carry around dolls. My son carries around his football. 

He's the goofiest boy, he's becoming such a great eater, and he still loves his books!

He's also becoming more and more cuddly! I love it!

Oh and he also likes to word the use "cute" for everything. Sam was a little disturbed by this so we are working on cool. Mason frequently comments on my shoes. "cute shoes mom". ooops. 

He also uses it towards trucks and trains...so not to worry :) He will say " cute train, cool train". 

We love ya little munch....can't believe your almost two!

"picture mom...cheese "

in an attempt to document his new double football love he yelled " NO cheese Mom, no CHEESE"..I think I take to many pictures?!

crazy bed head

{ My New Motto }

This is my new motto for 2012. 

It came about in one of our many mothering counseling sessions on my girls trip to Vegas. 

And it really hit home to me.
As a mom I have constantly been plagued by guilt. Comparison to other mom's is a regular occurrence....not that I want it to be, but I don't know what I'm doing?! So it's only natural to look around and compare and gauge yourself. But it's not healthy, and usually doesn't help. 

So these are the words I'm going to strive to live by. It's not an over night thing. I am constantly reminding myself multiple times a day. This little note is on my bathroom mirror....so I see it when I wake up and when I go to bed. 

I'm no longer going to have days filled with guilt. If Mason watched cartoons for two hours instead of making a finger painting masterpiece so be it. If I didn't get to the laundry because we were playing catch for four hours instead. So be it.  

If I need a babysitter so I can go to Target alone for two hours. So be it.
I'm learning to be honest and accepting of my feelings. The good, the bad, and the completely unnecessary. But they are my feelings and I don't need to feel guilty about having them. 

I'm going to do whats best for me, what works for me and my family, and can make me the best mom that I can be. It may not be super mom....but that's ok. I will give only what I can everyday and call it a day. And try again harder (if I want to) the next day. If not, that's ok too because I gave what I could. 

I have been feeling better after I heard this little piece of advice. My days have been happier, I have been happier......and that makes everyone happier. 

So cheers to guilt free mothering.....I feel better just typing this.

{ Where Did You Get That? and A Pinterest Recreation Linky Party }

I only have two outfits to post. 

At least it's two. 

One is what I wore to the airport....the other is a pinterest recreation. 

So go me! I'm still a little tired from my trip and I just can't bring myself to get back into the swing of things. 

Want to know what else is fun? We are going to see Brian Regan tonight. I can't wait...I love him. 

Enough of this random business....

Outfit #1- Airport Style: COMFORT

scarf- gifted, sweater: H&M, leggings: Target, oxfords: Target, watch: Nordstrom

Hair tutorial go here

Outfit #2- Pinterest ReCreation- Hillary Duff

I used her pink shoes as inspiration for my jacket, instead of a black leather.

pink blazer: Marshall's, sweater: H&M, leather leggings: H&M, flats: Gap, necklace: Jennijewelry(Etsy)

Husband wanted to get in on the action as well. He sent me a text tonight at work with this pic and the places where his items of clothing were purchased. Ha! love him...isn't he super sexy...look at that outfit! 

Shout out to him...he also took amazing care of Mason over the weekend...had so much fun,  had the house clean when I came home, and he CLEANED OUT THE FRIDGE! WHAT?!!! Major brownie points...I can't stop staring at it..it's like a new fridge inside. Ok randomness again....back to Sam

Pants: Amazon (Levi brand), shirt: bestcustomshirt.com (p.s. custom shirts are the way to go MEN, they are fitted to their bodies, no baggy spots, they look tailored and nice, so classy), sweater: Nordstrom Rack, shoes: Nordstrom Rack ( Allen Edmond brand) 

Now it's your turn to link up! 

Party Rules:

1. Your link must be a recreation of something you found from Pinterest. It can be anything, decor, crafts, recipes, or outfits

2. Please post the original item from pinterest along with your recreation- or attempt ;)

3. Please link back here so your fab readers can know where to join our linky party! you can grab a button from my side bar

                                                           

I'm linking up with: 

Momma Go Round

The Pleated Poppy

Rolled Up Pretty

{ Girls Trip: Las Vegas }

This trip came at the perfect time!

I honestly don't think I could have dreamed up a more perfect weekend. We ate and ate, and then got re-dressed to go and eat some more. We shopped till our feet hurt. We stayed out late, slept in, and did whatever our little hearts desired. Because we were free....we were 4 stay at home momma's  on the loose in Vegas, minus kids, minus schedules, minus any cares. 

It seriously was amazing. I wish I could put into words how much I needed this weekend and how cathartic and amazing it was. 

Somehow my stars magically aligned and Sam didn't have school so he could watch the boy, I had three eager and willing friends to hop on a plane to Vegas, and I had cheap flights calling my name. 

We flew in Friday afternoon and took a cab to the Vdara Hotel located in the City Center. It's a beautiful, totally modern and hip hotel located in the middle of the strip. The room was amazing, equipped with a kitchen (not that we needed it), a huge bathroom, and black out shades that went up and down with the push of a button. Hello HEAVEN. 

After checking in we instantly hit the mall....shopping out little hearts out, with out children melting down in the middle of the a store.  When we finally got back to the hotel with our bags of goodies. (did I say bags?!) we were able to relax for a bit and then we pulled out our list of restaurants we wanted to cram in, in our short 48 hours. Oh yes we had a list. We finally decided on one place and got ready to head out to dinner at 9:15 PM!
We ate at the most AMAZING buffet, if you can even call it a buffet at Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. It was gourmet and delicious and fresh. I highly highly recommend it. 

Then after our BUFFET we decided to walk to Serendipity because a buffet just wasn't enough. One frozen hot chocolate and banana split later we were ready to call it a night.
It was also 1:30am....no big deal. 

The next day was just as adventurous. After finally leaving the hotel room at 12 in the afternoon to go get breakfast ( Vdara has the most delicious market cafe in their hotel!) we decided to do a little more shopping. I was able to use my precious H&M gift cards at the glorious 3 story H&M in Cesar's. And don't worry I picked up a pair of leather leggings I have been dying for!

 The rest of the night got interesting! Let's just say I haven't been to Vegas with out Sam in a VERY long time and I forget the club promoters that pop out of every bush trying to get you on various night club guest lists. We were starting to get a little annoyed of them by the end until one struck a chord with my girl Gay. He said the words "Wyclef" and her heart skipped a beat and she said..."we have to go". 

So he put us on the guest list....and we thought maybe we will make it. 

Whitney and Jessica went to Celine and had the best time ever while Gay and I ate more food. I told you this weekend involved a lot of food.
 Then we met at Lavo Restaurant  at the Plazzo hotel for our 10:15 dinner reservations. Yes 10:15! I'm so shocked and proud of ourselves I can't even tell you. No 7:00 dinners at the Cheesecake Factory here (that is a favorite of mine) Oh no we spread our wings, we ventured out, and we did Vegas RIGHT. 

After a delicious dinner and very full bellies....we couldn't think of a better way to end our adventurous trip than to hit up The Bank night club at Bellagio and let our little Gay get her Wycleff fix, and let me fulfill my dream of actually going dancing at a club in Vegas. 

 Gay said it perfectly: "With our names on the list, we were in. Us 4 crazy moms, clothed head to toe, 2 of them pregnant, none of us drinking......somehow we were on the VIP list."

And it's true...we got in! I'm as shocked and amazed myself. As I was going up the escalator being chauffeured by our club escort I couldn't believe this was really happening! eeehehe.. We danced our little hearts out....avoiding eye contact with fellow club goers....we were married women and all. Best of all we just laughed and had so much fun and couldn't believe that us 4 mommas still had it! 

Jess and I left early because we had a flight to catch the next morning but Gay and Whit stayed, listened to Wycleff Jean.....and then hit the hay....proud. 

We had the best time, we enjoyed great conversation, lots of laughs, amazing food, motherhood counseling sessions, and then the happiness of returning home to our loves and our babies. 

We did Vegas right girls, we did Vegas right!