November Link Party + Life Lately

just hanging in my christmas PJ's and my daddy's hat

sissies

Hey yall!  Happy Monday!  I've been taking some time off from link-ups lately because things have been quite busy around here.  But I'm super excited about this one today with these fabulous ladies.  For today's link-up we are talking about frugal tips for the holidays.  I try really hard every year to be smart when it comes to holiday shopping.  Key word here: try.  I'm sure my hubby would vouch that I am not always successful at this, but I'm a work in progress ok?  This year, I'm really trying to be smart, though.  I absolutely love giving gifts.  I love the process of carefully selecting something that a loved one will adore, wrapping it so neatly and then watching them unwrap it.  It makes my heart sing.  But thoughtful, meaningful gifts don't have to cost a lot of money.  I've learned that over the years and this year here are three ways I'm going to be frugal!

1. Ebates.  Ok this is the best thing ever.  A friend told me about it and I had yet to give it a whirl until last week. You sign up with Ebates and when you shop online (basically ANYWHERE you can think of: Amazon, Sephora, JCrew, Target, Walmart, Gap, Piperlime, Belk, I mean the list is in the thousands), you go through Ebates to get to the site.  You shop as normal, check out and boom.  You get CASH BACK!  It's amazing.  You literally get a percent cash back for every purchase you make.  They can mail you a check or transfer it through your PayPal account.  To sign up go here.  It's amazing yall, and there's really no reason not to!

2. Planning.  I know this is a no brainer, but Matt and I really try to plan out our Christmas shopping so we don't end up buying everything in the same month/week.  That helps with budget as well.  If you haven't started planning yet, start today.  Make a list of all the people you will be buying for.  Then write some ideas down next to each name (and even a budget amount if you want!).  It helps, trust me.

3.  Remember that your loved ones love you more than the gift.  Ultimately Christmas is about Jesus, being with family and spending time with one another.  Don't let the hustle and bustle of the holidays drive you to forget that.  While your loved one may absolutely adore that gift you got them, I can bet you they love having you with them even more.  And if you can't physically "be" with all those you love most this year, schedule a special Skype session or face time with them.  That's what matters.  Not the present under the tree.

Have any frugal tips you want to share?  Link-up below!  And don't forget to check out all the other amazing posts.  **I'll be sharing my Holiday Gift Guides for everyone in the family starting next week so make sure to come back!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up with Elizabeth, Tara, Britt, Sarah, Denise, Katie, Keri, and Becky for our Monthly Link Party

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getting organized // my secret weapons // link party!

Hey y'all!  I'm excited to join some of my sweetest, bestest blogging friends today for our monthly link-up!  Today we are talking about organization and I don't know about y'all but I can ALWAYS use some organization tips in my life.  And not just a Pinterest Board filled with hundreds of great ideas.  No, that doesn't make me organized.  It's these real women sharing what works for them and then finding the time and energy to implement some of these tactics into my own life.  Because life is not about pretty Pinterest Boards and great ideas.  Yes, those things are great - but those things need to take on life.  So friends I encourage you to read our posts about organization and find something that might work for you - and go do it!  Make it happen lovelies.  And now for my two secret weapons....

1. The Simplified Planner - Y'all this is not just a planner.  It's really not.  Yes it's pretty.  But Emily said it best when she said that we don't need another pretty thing on our desk.  And we don't.  We need things that help us make the life that we want happen.  And for me, this Simplified Planner has helped.  Maybe to you it's the Whitney English Planner or the Kate Spade one, or the adorable Target Planners that just came out.  Whatever planner it is, if it helps you - use it.  This past year has been a whirlwind for me.  I'm still scratching my head wondering where the 1st year of my baby girl's life went, but I am so thankful for these blessings.  I chose the daily edition of the Simplified Planner so that I can organize my day better.  It helps me to prioritize what is important and when I block out times for exercise or blogging or housework, then I am more focused on playing and laughing with my daughter when she isn't napping.  So that is one of my secret weapons.

2. Mind * Body * Soul Chart - This chart was created by one of my first ever blog friends.  Sheila is a heart of gold.  A rare soul.  She created this MBS Chart for people like me and you who, in the midst of a crazy life, want to make goals happen.  And friends it truly has helped me.  It is divided into 2 main categories and each category has 24 boxes.  You can divide them however you want but I usually make 2 goals for each month in each category.  She writes more about the chart here.

So those are my 2 secret weapons to an organized life.  What are yours?!

And now go meet the other hosts of the link-up!

Meet Your Hosts:

Elizabeth @ All Kinds of Things

Tara @ Mrs. Coach Sims

Britt @ The Fisk Files

Sarah @ Abiding in Grace

Denise @ Gratefully Inspired

Katie @ The Lane Above

Keri @ Living in This Season

Becky @ BYBMG

Rules for the Party:

* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave some comment love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

* Don't forget to link back and grab a button!

An InLinkz Link-up

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happy friday and some links for ya

Is it really Friday?  Gosh where did this week go!  I know I promised some Gigi Birthday Soiree Pictures this week but between teaching Spanish Camp for 3 days and getting settled again from vacation last weekend, geez!  I haven't had a chance to edit those little photos!  Except for this one.  I just love it.  But hubby and I are so pumped for a weekend at home... dare I say it, with NO concrete plans?!  So I will edit those photos my friends.  Until then, I'll leave you with these 2 articles that I enjoyed.  Happy Friday!  xox

Give Me Gratitude or Give Me Debt 

Dear Mom on the iPhone: You're Doing Fine

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LINK-UP: Family Fun Activity

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<a href="http://www.gratefullyinspired.com" title="Gratefully Inspired"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFHZaetcFoDr_X5VUobndIog5tCPmq3sNolfPDlQIS7zsMnV1ohPuQ_yONrqeK2_0L0AESzzb4LEcejnYJjV2YVVbmEZx9Pm1vmIbrXPY2pVNMNsmCb1LFh9sSJw6se2AT8Y6Nj65Ps3M/s1600/Family+Fun+Activities.jpg" height="320" width="320"" alt="Gratefully Inspired" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Today I am so excited to be particitpating in this link-up!  My friends and I will be sharing a family fun activity and today I am talking about outdoor concerts.  A summer fave of our family.  Most cities offer them and if you're in Wilmington, multiple places offer them!  They are usually Thursday-Saturday nights, totally free and BYOB!  A big plus.  On the 4th Matt and I packed a cooler with some snacks and beverages and took our baby lady to hear some beach music under the most beautiful trees in all of Wilmington - at Airlie Gardens.  G did great and loves people watching like her mama.  We have a super easy fold-up blanket that we spread out for her to play and viola!  A family night of fun that is cheap!

Here is a list of the Wilmington Outdoor Concerts that I know of!  Did I miss any?

Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series

Mayfaire Music on Town

Downtown Sundown

Summer Concerts in the Park

Do yall have any great outdoor concert locations in your city?

Want to link-up with your favorite family fun activity?!  Rules Below!

Rules for the Party:

* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave some comment love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

* Don't forget to link back and grab a button!

An InLinkz Link-up

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LINK-UP PARTY ** SUMMER RECIPES

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photo VIA

Matt and I are kiiiiiinda obsessed with Emeril's Margarita Popsicles.  They are the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer night. 

RECIPE HERE

We have been somewhat of Popsicle making machines these days.  I'll blend up any mixture of fruit and dump it into the mold and viola!  Tasty treat coming right up!  Do y'all have any Popsicles you love making?

Rules for the Party:

* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave some comment love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

* Don't forget to link back and grab a button!

 LINK UP BELOW

An InLinkz Link-up

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Summer Activities Link-Up Party!

Happy Monday Y'all!  I am honored to be co-hosting the Summer Activities Link-Up Party with 7 other amazing blog friends!  I hope you are able to join us this week as we share our favorite summer activities for kiddos.  The link-up ends Friday and then early next week we will share everyone's ideas in one great post!

we ventured off our blanket to snap some pics :)

Well since I have only have 1 kiddo at the moment, and she is still in tiny baby land (9 months old woop woop!), our activities are a probably a bit different than those with kids running around.  But one of my favorite things in all the universe to do with this tiny baby?  A picnic!  Anywhere!  I honestly think picnics are such a great thing for babies and toddlers.  It introduces new places to them  and gets them outdoors (which is a must in my house!).  Georgia and I have our favorite picnic spots of course - but we are also excited to try some new parks and beach spots this summer.  I always pack her monkey mat and a big blanket to lay over it.  She's on the move crawler-style so I also try to pick spots that can keep her entertained or allow her to crawl around a bit.  We love meeting friends with baby people as well!  One of us will pick up some lunch and/or snacks and the other will bring the blanket!  And boom.  We have a few hours of baby-entertainment in the great outdoors.  G and I have also been known to take our blankey outside to our backyard for a little R & R when we don't feel like getting in the car.  

So Voila!  Not rocket science I know - but I feel like picnics are a bit of a lost art and since having a baby last summer, I fully intend to restore their popularity.  

What are your favorite summer activities with your kiddos?  

Check out what my co-hosts are sharing about on their blogs! They each are such great mommas with wonderful ideas I know you will be inspired by!

Ice Block Toys by Becky @ BYBMG Facebook - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Twitter

Britt @ The Fisk Files Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

Denise @ Gratefully Inspired Facebook - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Twitter

Easy to Prepare Activities by Elizabeth @ All Kinds of Things Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

Summer Activities Jar by Katie @ The Lane Above Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

Summer Birthday Parties by Sarah @ Abiding In Grace Facebook - Pinterest - Instagram

Tara @ Tieras and Touchdowns Facebook - Google+ - Instagram - Twitter

Summer Activity Binder by Keri @ Living In This Season Facebook - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest

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Summertime is such a fun time of the year with little ones. It can also become overwhelming as there is so much free time you wonder what exactly to do to fill it. This summer, let's prepare ahead of time. This way we can plan out some fun and educational activities for our little ones before the moments of boredom and craziness hit!

Rules for the Party:

* Please follow your hosts in some way- We would love to connect with you on social media!

* Please no giveaways, link parties, or shops.

* Visit the other links and leave a comment and some love!

* By linking up to this link party, you give us permission to feature your image on our blog and social media. Proper credit and link will be given.

* Don't forget to link back and grab a button!

An InLinkz Link-up

sa

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some friday links for ya

I hope everyone had a great Halloween!  G loved her first time handing out candy.  We have the sweetest kids in our neighborhood and with each doorbell rung, came oohhs and ahhhs over how cute "the little baby bunny" was (she opted for the bunny last night).  G loved it - especially the center of attention part.  She's good at that.  Anyway, I've been surfing the internet lately and have found some wonderful reads.  Some are mama-related and some all not.  All are FABULOUS.  Happy Weekend!

How to be a happy and full-filled stay at home mama // The Magnolia Pair Blog

Simplicity with Stephanie Sterjovski // Emily Ley Blog

Face Time vs Screen Time  //  The Failte House Blog

New Mamas Get Nothing Done // Mama Seeds Blog

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6 things you may not know about me

So today I am participating in a fun game where I answer 6 out of 12 questions (I got a little carried away and answered 7!).  I was tagged by Nicole, so below I will tag 6 more bloggers and encourage them to join in the fun :)  Here's Nicole's post if you'd like to read along!

Now for my answers...

1.What is one of your silly quirks? Or something silly that you get excited about.

Hmmmm…. I have a lot but ones that comes to mind is that I have to have all the doors locked whenever I ride in any car.  As soon as I get in, I lock it up.  Paranoid?  Maybe.  OCD?  Possibly.

2. Favorite movie, song, or TV show?

I love all Kenny Chesney music.  All.  My favorite CD of his is Be as You Are, but they are all fantastic.  Matt and I regularly blast Kenny in our kitchen while cooking.  A favorite song from this amazing man?  "French Kissing Life."  Listen above.

a dress to an engagement party.  about 25 weeks

and shorts a top at 36 weeks

3. What's your favorite or go-to outfit?

I’m definitely a dress girl in the summer at night time.  But I also love jean shorts and a cute top.  Above are some preggy examples of both that I rocked this summer.

4. What's a current dream that you are hoping to achieve?
I want to be a mom.  By the time this post goes live, I hope I am.  And if not, I hope I’m close.  My due date was Monday :)

me and my mama at my bridesmaid luncheon

5. Who or what inspires you?

My mama.  She’s strong but sensitive and has the hardest work ethic of anyone I know.  She's the best.

6. Share one of your favorite pics. Tell us why it's your favorite
I love this picture (despite the blurriness) because it describes Matt and I perfectly.  We make each other laugh daily and our silliness (and goofiness) is something I hope Georgia comes to love.  Matt has taught me to never take myself too seriously and I look forward to him showing our baby girl the same thing.

7. What's your favorite part about marriage? Or what have you learned since becoming married?
Oh there are so many favorite parts.  So hard to choose.  But if I must I will say it’s just doing life together.  The every day stuff.  The cooking dinner and the waking up sleepy.  It makes all of that so much better.  I’m so blessed to call this man my husband, and thinking about how our everyday life is going to change with the arrival of our baby girl.  Well, it makes me all teary eyed.  

********************************************************************

OK so there ya have it.  Thanks again for the tag Nicole!  Now I am tagging, Diana, Kelly, Elle, Kate, Brittany and Callie

All you have to do is answer 6 of the following questions:

1. What is one of your silly quirks? Or something silly that you get excited about.
2. Favorite movie, song, or TV show?
3. Any funny stories to share that has happened recently?
4. Tell us something we don't know about you.
5. What's your favorite beauty secret or product?
6. What's your favorite or go-to outfit? (pics please)
7. What's a personal trial you had to overcome?
8. What's a current dream that you are hoping to achieve?
9. What's the coolest thing you've made? (food, craft, anything)
10. Who or what inspires you?
11. Share one of your favorite pics. Tell us why it's your favorite
12. What's your favorite part about marriage? Or what have you learned since becoming married?

Let me know if you do join in so I can read your post!

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friday love list link-up II

Today I am linking up again with the beautiful Britt from The Magnolia Pair for her Friday love list!  So here goes.  Some things I’m loving this week…

1. Manicures.  And pedicures.  But I took care of the later last week.  So this week I took care of the former.  There is nothing in this world that can make me feel pretty instantly better than a good mani. 

source

2.  Grease.  Yes the movie.  It is my all-time favorite movie in the history of all movies (OK maybe it’s tied with Father of the Bride) and I finally made my husband watch the whole thing with me this week.  I’m not sure why but he was actually surprised that I had every single word memorized but I think he eventually appreciated it… 

3.  Cereal.  I’ve talked about my love affair with cereal on here before, especially while pregnant and it has not changed a bit.  I eat a bowl every morning and then one every night.  And it takes all of the will-power in me to not indulge at lunch and dinner too.

4.  Window shopping.  This week I’ve decided to scope out possibly additions to my post-baby wardrobe.  So I’ve done a lot of window shopping this week.  Partly just to get out of the house and aprtly because I haven’t been for real shopping in far too long.  But don’t worry, I’ve got some good things picked out for next month.

source

5.  The Royal Baby Watch.  I have loved watching and waiting as Kate had her sweet baby boy.  And the name?  Prince George Alexander Louis.  I mean, I find it so sweet that Kate and Wills wanted Georgia's husband to share a little name inspiration.  

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And now to show some blog love to one of my favorite bloggers – Nicole, from La Mia Vita.  Nicole is a kindred spirit of mine in some way.  She recently came home from living abroad in Spain – a place that stole a piece of my heart years ago.  I have loved following along in all of her travel adventures and am excited to continue on her journey back home. 
Check out her blog HERE.

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My Friday love list link-up!

Today I am excited to join Britt's Friday link-up where all you do, is list a few things you love, shout out to a favorite blogger of yours and link back to Britt's blog via the cute button below!  
So here goes my friends....

Things I'm loving this week.....

1.     Air-Conditioning.  I mean in the heat of the summer AC is always crucial, but in the heat of the summer 1 week before your due date?  It takes on a whole new meaning.  Thankful we are able to have this luxury.  

2. Lazy days at home with my tired pup.  So this whole having a month-off-before-the-baby thing is pretty amaze.  Once of those benefits is that Sevilla is always exhausted.  Mainly because her prime nap times was during the day when mommy and daddy are working and now that mommy is home all day, well, there is no time for sleep!  Too much fun to be had.  So that makes for an always sleepy puppy.  And basically, sleepy pups are the best kind of pups.  I mean look at her cute cuddle bug-ness!

3. Waffles every morning.  I never have time before work to make anything other than cereal and a smoothie.  But now?  It’s waffles every morning with some yummy sliced fruit.  Sometimes if I’m feeling crazy I’ll even scramble some eggs.  Gourmet breakfast for one?  Yes please.

4. Sleeping later than my hubby.  I kinda feel bad about this one.  But just kinda.  Every morning for the past month when he leaves for work I am still lying in bed all cozy.  But then I remember that the other 11 months out of the year I’m the one leaving him cozy in the bed and then I feel like OK it’s my turn.

some togetherness from last weekend on the golf course... well him on the golf course me behind the wheel of the fastest golf cart you've ever seen!

5. Date night/date day extravaganzas.  Because we are so close to having a little bebe (1 week and 2 days from my due date eeeeeeeeeeeeek), Matt and I have really tried to take time to ourselves.  We’ve said no to obligations and plans, and yes to laziness and togetherness.  And it has been amazing.  I’m particularly excited about this weekend because I believe it entails heading to a new breakfast spot that serves warm chocolate crepes.  I die.  Delish. 

6.  Playing the “What is she going to look like?” game with Matt.  She, being the little angel that will be Georgia inside my belly.  We play this on the reg.  A few times a night usually.  We always come up with different “concoctions” of ourselves.  Like, Matt’s ears and eyes, but my lips for sure.  Or his eye color (brown) but my eye shape (huge – I was called tweety bird when I was born).  Anyway, we won’t have to play that game for much longer because she will soon be in our arms!

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Ok so that is 6 little things that I am completely loving lately.  And now to give a little shout out to one of my very favorite bloggers – Brittany of Life of Charmings.  Brittany is a mama to sweet Maddalena and her blog just makes me happy.  She makes motherhood look effortless but in the most real kind of way.  She’s not afraid to let her sweet girl throw peas on the floor, and seems to take in the world like I hope to as a new mama.  If you haven’t seen her blog go check it out HERE!

Happy Friday!

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