A Little Flat?

So, you know how you always dream about what shoes you might have worn (or might wear) for your wedding? Ok, maybe YOU don't. But, I totally do.

Shoes are a tricky thing. Because as much as I'd love to rock these for a fun special event, let's be honest. I know as well as you do, that after an hour, my feet would be mis.er.able.

With the reality heels bring, many times, brides would rather wear flats.

The other day I went with one of my brides to look for flats for her big day, and I couldn't believe all the fun options out there. I mean, soooo many cuties!! And super reasonable (especially with a DSW in town!) These two were my favs for this time of year...

So maybe choose the heels to feel pretty coming down the aisle, but take heart, if you switch to flats...your feet could still look (& FEEL!) amazing.

Not to mention, you can get plenty of use from them later...

even in jeans. heehee.

photo credit: http://www.onewed.com/bridal-shoes/blog/bridal-shoe-trends-in-the-making-what-2012-brides-want

bunnies making room.

My mom always had a tradition of giving the book Pat the Bunny as a baby gift. However, there were some things that she didn't do. Like decorate with bunnies. Which, on most occasions, I do not either.

However, Easter is a special time of year. It makes people do crazy things...like decorate with bunnies. And chicks. And jellybeans.

Our Bunnykins Breakfast Table

I hope you were able to fully celebrate this season!

c.e.l.e.b.r.a.t.e.

Happy Good Friday...I am so excited to celebrate with you all! This week has been completely crazy, but I've been looking forward to seeing and hearing how you all are celebrating this season in your own lives.

If this is your first time hearing about this...you can read this post. In short...I just wanna throw a party. Of course!

If you have a post of something you're doing to celebrate this season (a recipe you're making, maybe a project you're enjoying this Spring, an activity with your kids, a fun Easter tablescape, what have you!) link up in the comment section. Remember, everyone who participates gets an awesome little Easter present from me... (because remember, i love gifts!?! so fun.) And then, three lucky winners will receive one of our below awesome prizes.

1. Grace for the Good Girl (Emily at Chatting at the Sky)

2. Handmade Change Purse (Ellen at Handmade Recess)

3. Bird Pendant (Saucy Mama)

I'll announce the winners Easter Monday!

Welcome to the first Easter Celebration Showcase!

presents...as promised.

I hope you've been thinking of how you can be celebrating in your own home at this time of year. Like I said last week, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BIG! It can be something as little as bringing in flowers to your table, to remind you of the new life that occurs at this time of year. Or switching out the books on your coffee table so your kids can remember what this season is about.

We'll link up on Friday in the comment section and then come visit each other. I can't wait!!

Ok...on to the good stuff...

When I was a little girl I had a record player...yes, I'm that old. A blue and white striped record player, that was awesome. And even though I loved putting on my Disney storybook records (or Michael Jackson...you know), some of my favorite records were of Christmas music. My sister would get so irritated with me that in the middle of the summer I would have Christmas music blaring from our room that was only divided by a set of folding doors. Well, even though now I make myself wait until after Thanksgiving to blare my Christmas music, I've begun a new tradition with my family around Easter.

I love having an Easter CD each year that has songs that remind me of celebrating this season. Usually through the year, there are songs that I hear or come to love that seem to fit perfectly with Easter, so I figured, why not have Easter music, too!?

So, as a fun favor for celebrating with me on Friday, I'll give each of your your very own Easter CD, wrapped up by hand (of course!) to encourage you to continue celebrating even after Easter weekend has passed.

Now, for three lucky people participating we'll have a drawing to win one of these fun gifts! A signed copy of Grace for the Good Girl, written by my sweet friend Emily, a fun homemade change purse, made lovingly by hand by Handmade Recess, and a bird pendant necklace made by my dear friend Stephanie. I know y'all have heard me chat about them before, but I couldn't help myself from these fun gifts for this time of year.

image credits: http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.276931421.jpg

The Great Grocery Store Challenge...

Last week, I was feeling pretty crummy. My annual respiratory virus had decided to come visit...and I was in no state to figure out simple things like meal planning and grocery shopping. As we were driving home that afternoon, I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner...their response? An excited...

"Mac and cheese!"

To which, I kindly replied, "We don't have the stuff guys. How about leftovers?" I used my most appealing voice...however, they were not impressed.

So, I thought...I have no motivation, and no meal plans for this week...how about I let them do the meal planning this week?

They were ecstatic. I told them that each had $30 to be able to plan the weeks lunches and 4 dinners for our family.

It was so cute to see their faces processing, and reading specials.

They had a blast. I pulled out my iPhone calculator, and they figured it out. I'm not a homeschooler, by any means, but I did think how fun it was to be able to teach them first hand about budgeting and meal planning. I did require that they had some vegetables or fruit at each meal, but other than that, it simply had to be enough to feed our family.

It only took about an hour, and they were so proud to be able to take part.

Here were the meals they came up with (remember, their 5 and 8.)

Monday - Mac n Cheese and Hot Dogs, with apple sauce

Tuesday - Rotisserie Chicken, salad, and rolls

Wednesday - Veggie Tacos

Thursday - Turkey Sandwiches and cous cous, with fresh fruit

They were so proud to later tell my husband what they had accomplished. That our meal was all their idea!

* My tips if you try this: have a calculator on hand, get the coupons so they can understand how things go on special, make sure you have a good hour to shop, and keep them focused on the "meals" and not all the food to choose from - good advice for myself as well!

relish + easter + free gifts = fun!

A few years ago, I had an Easter party for my kids and their friends. We go to so many celebrations surrounding Christmas, but Easter many times, gets swept away without much focus at all.

It made me sad to think that what my kids thought about Easter was chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts. Don't get me wrong, I love those, too. But, I wanted to celebrate the true meaning of Easter. The fact that our Lord was dead, and then rose from the grave to beat death once and for all, for all who believe? Now, that's something to celebrate.

In an attempt to throw my own little Easter party here, I thought it'd be tons of fun to showcase our own Easter celebrations by linking up in the comments next week. Ok, and here's the fun part...I can't throw a party without having favors. So, everyone who participates will receive a gift from me. And, the three lucky people that link up will have an extra special gift, along with the other freebie.

It's just a little way to say thanks for celebrating life with me. I'll announce the awesome give aways next week...but it'll be good. I promise.

Don't think it has to be major. Maybe, you have an Easter wreath on your door, or just a pretty plant that is adorning your table. You might be doing something cool with your kids that others of us would love.

Or maybe you want to go all out and set a table similar to these beauties by Emily at Jones Design Company! (a little inspiration to get you started!)

How fun are these...

vintage yellow with blue and white polkas

luscious green

cutie pie kids table

teal accents with classic white linens

Can you guess my favorite one?

She has a printable set right now that she's selling over at her place...it'd be sure to look adorable on any table or gift!

Ok, so you have until Good Friday...it's definitely a good day to celebrate.

I'll tell you what the prizes will be next week

So, plan on coming back next Friday to link up.

Then, I'll announce the three lucky winners Easter Monday!

surfaces of happiness

This weekend, i found myself finding happiness in the surfaces in our home.

not because of big, monumental events...

just by little glances of life happening right before my eyes.

...and maybe the chance to get a little extra sleep.

may the surfaces in your life bring you happiness

and blessing today and every one after.