Most Awkward Post You'll See Today

Last Friday Matt and I got to go see Josh Garrels in concert at Calvin College. (If you don't know who Josh Garrels is, please do yourself a favor and look him up immediately. He's good.)

Matt and I rarely get to go out at night by ourselves, so I tried to dress up. I'm probably not alone in feeling this way, but when you've had as many children as I've had in the last 5 years and are still in your 20s, it's hard to know how to dress. I don't want to look dowdy because hey, I am still pretty young, but I've got this kind of maternal body going on now if you know what I'm saying, girls? Why am I even having this awkward conversation? (Is anyone still there? Taps mic...)

What with all the changes my body has been through in recent years, not to mention having braces on my teeth (holy moly) and seriously crazy post-partum hair that doesn't know what to do with itself, my 20s will definitely be remembered as a highly awkward time. Sometimes I get a little down thinking about it, but you know what? I am so lucky to have a healthy, strong body and I am so thankful it allowed me to have my three, healthy children. In the end, I really have nothing to complain about, and awkwardness and all, I want to celebrate and enjoy what I got. :)

Sweater: ASOS / Skirt: GAP / Shoes: TJMaxx / Toddler: Mine! 

Worn // Dressing Room Adventures

Dress: Cherokee / Boots: Passed down from my sister

I haven't done one of these in a long time. Yes, they're silly and self-indulgent, but since I love seeing what other people are wearing around the internets, I occasionally (maybe once a year, ha) like to do a little "what I wore" post too. (You know, just to shake things up once in a while in case you start getting sick of looking at pictures of my kids and fall leaves!)

I'm going to just be honest here and state that I love clothes. I love how confident I feel when I am wearing something that makes me feel pretty. I love experimenting with styles and shapes and colors. I've been thinking a lot lately about loving clothes, though, and whether or not it's a good thing. I guess I've come to believe it's fine and well to enjoy getting dressed and caring about your appearance, but I do recognize it's an area that I can easily obsess over and being too focused on it is definitely a bad thing (for me.) So somewhere a line needs to be drawn to protect my mind and my spirit, and it's hard to know where to draw that line. I am really fascinated by the idea of capsule wardrobes, and paring down my closet to just the things I really need and love. While I don't have a very large wardrobe, I definitely have more than I need. 

I had a little fun today trying on some out-of-my-comfort-zone pieces at Target, like a blazer (loved it!) and a tuxedo-style white shirt (which unfortunately showed off my permanent baby bump a little too prominently. Oof.)

I didn't buy anything this time, but it was fun just trying some new things!

Lately...

(Because life's been rather slow lately and I have nothing better to write about today...)

...I can't stop thinking about the beach, and wishing for warmer, sunny weather.

(We're getting a big dose of April showers here.)

(But hey, at least it's not April snow. Gotta focus on the silver linings...)

...I love this print from Yellow Heart Art! I need to find a special frame for it...

...We've been combatting cabin fever with pointless Meijer and Target runs in the rain...

...which inevitably leads to playing the occasional game of dress up in a dressing room. I like to try on things that I would normally never ever try on. Most of the time it's an embarrassing fail. But I bought a men's shirt last week and it's my new favorite. 

...I fell in love with a mirror...

I've been wearing my reading glasses a lot because I've actually started reading again...

(in between wiping bums and fetching sippy cups of milk and stopping Silas from putting everything in his mouth and etc. You know.)

...And this is just a bonus picture of Olive. Because she's awesome.

What are you up to lately? I'd love to hear all about it.

Weird, Random Tuesday

This has been a weird Tuesday, because: 

Both kids slept in. 

I found out the print making class I had signed up for and was supposed to start tonight was canceled. So bummed.

But I got to run to Target by myself this morning, which is weird for a Tuesday, and always fun.

And I wore a maxi dress out of the house for the first time ever and felt way more hip than I actually am or ever will be. 

We had a big thunderstorm around lunch time. It got so dark outside that we had to turn all the lights on. I loved it.

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So since it's been such a weird, random Tuesday this is going to be a weird, random post - filled with things I've been finding online that are too good not to share...

I love writing letters to friends and family (you know, the old fashioned way via envelope and postage stamp) and this stationary is so cute. 

I have a hard time wearing jewelry most of the time, but I think this pinecone necklace would be easy and so much fun to wear!

Are you a nail biter? I used to be a serious, nervous-nail-biter and I think these tips to breaking the bad habit sound really practical (and fun!)

Week 13 of You Are My Wild is stunning. 

I believe we all need some little luxuries once in a while, don't you? 

I'm a big fan of American Apparel basics, and these tee-shirt dresses look perfect for spring, (I'd pair them with leggings or ankle length jeans.)

Speaking of spring wearables, this dress would be a great spring/summer staple!

Rifle Paper Co. makes iPhone cases now!!! And of course, they're gorgeous.

I love the colors and creativity behind this photography series.

I love Melissa McCarthy.

My sister makes beautiful art.

Maybe you're like me and are always looking for something "inspired" to do with your hair (vs. throwing it into the old standby "mom-ponytail.") I love this blog and have gotten lots of ideas from it! 

This modern take on Pride and Prejudice is very clever (and addicting. You've been warned.)

Here's a list to take with you on your next trip to the library!

I'm embarrassed to say we made this twice over the weekend. They are that good. I'm trying the brownie recipe next!

Such A Nice Day

It was nice enough for a bike ride in town tonight! Such happiness!!

Is that Robert Frost poem stuck in your head? Yeah, mine too.

Holland's famous and overly hyped tulips have ARRIVED!

Silas is bummed he can't ride a bike yet. :(

Swoon-worthy dream houses right there, yo. 

Some other note worthy things...

Homeschooling (whether or not to do it, and if I do, HOW to approach it, etc. etc...) has been weighing on my mind a lot. It might have something to do with Olive turning 4 next week. I've been interested in the Charlotte Mason philosophy on home education, so I ordered this book. It's been enjoyable, encouraging and inspiring so far (though admittedly, written in a very out of date, prudish style.) There are definitely nuggets in there that I'd like to take into my own, individual approach to home schooling.

If anyone out there has some great books to recommend for someone just starting out with homeschooling, please share the love. I'm looking for all the inspiration and encouragement I can find!

We've been experimenting with some loose leaf teas in our french press lately, so far just fruit/herbal blends. The Seasoned Home is a cute kitchen boutique downtown (it's like a mash-up between Anthropologie and Williams & Sonoma.) They have a huge loose leaf tea selection. Their almond tea smells and tastes just like vanilla/cinnamon granola. It's the best.

Finally - yours truly, grinning dopily over her first maxi skirt. I finally got one, and I lurrrve it. It's going to be a summer staple for sure.

Some More Link-Love:

Dry Shampoo Do's and Don'ts. I've been experimenting with dry shampoo lately, so this was interesting to me.

Prettiest Michigan necklace! Would you wear your state? These are the daintiest state necklaces I've seen yet. (She also does alphabet letters!)

Thought provoking article on making sure we prioritize the right message when teaching our children about sexual purity.

Cute print shop!

iPhone Dump [Numero Dos]

this garland really cheered up our house. 

meanwhile, this has been our weather in holland. all. month. long. 

black coffee is growing on me. i feel so hardcore. 

i love to play this super loud on the piano while my kids are screaming. 

trying to read a magazine in the bathtub is harder than it looks.

selfies aren't as cool when the mirror is filthy. #fail!

my sanctuary.

matt and i had our first date in over 3 months at a cool waterfront restaurant.

lake mac is still frozen.

don't worry, it was a fake candle.

on our date we picked out loose tea downtown. so, so, so yummy.

i rather liked this outfit. 

our toy stores in downtown holland are way too cool! 

i'll take an apple juice and fattie baby to go please!

we've been doing a lot of skyping with grandparents. it's been good.

Just a Few Random Things

1. We all have cabin fever. I'm over you, winter - like yesterday.

2. Yesterday was one week completed of the Whole 30. I'm over the miserable part, but have yet to see miraculous benefits. Over all I feel good but my energy is way down. Hoping that improves soon.

3. Oversized white tees. I'm loving them. I think it has something to do with how much I want warmer, "tee-shirt" weather. Hanes or Jockey's small men's basic v-necks are the best. I liked Natalie's round up of the best oversized white tees. Some of them are scandalously pricey! 

4. If you love MAC lip colors, but like me can't afford them, you should try Maybelline's new Vivids collection. This is not sponsored - I am just in love with them! The lipsticks are super pigmented, in fun neons that are just screaming for summer. I have Neon Red and Pink Pop.

For such bright lipstick, it goes on really well (creamy and smooth.) When I've tried other bright lipsticks, even some MAC colors, they didn't look right without a liner. I haven't found the need for liner with the Vivids. And the color lasts a long, long time. I really love them!

5. Larabars! My new occasional treat. Some of the flavors are Whole 30 compliant (like my favorite, Cashew Cookie, which is made of cashews and dates - that's it!) I prefer the mini sized ones. They compliment a hot cup of tea well.

41 / 365

A very sweet Sunday. A nice, pre-church Italian cappucino at Lemonjello's, 

a good church service with both children well behaved, relaxing together at home, 

a family walk... Couldn't ask for more.