Family Photos 2015

We finally (2 years later) took our family photos with the insanely talented Corrie Kraft Photography. Thank you Corrie, you are truly gifted, I don't know how you pulled it off!
Also, you might notice that we forgot to bring Micah's shoes....that's the life of a family of 6! Just keeping it real, folks!

Happy 2016 Friends! I pray that this year will bring our family spiritual growth. I pray that we will seek a deeper relationship with Christ. I pray that my desires will become based on the desires that God has for me. I pray to become more selfless and more focused on loving others unconditionally. I am so excited for this year!

What I Wore: Taupe and White

Don't you love it when you find a new staple for your wardrobe? I was at Target and found these amazing taupe colored shorts. They are so lovely, and so comfortable. I paired it with this white chiffon blouse and gold accents. I am one happy lady.

In honor of fall I decided to pick a really rich hair color as well. I'm loving this copper infused brown. It's so lovely and great with my skin tone.

The absolute best thing about these two staple items is that they cost me under $10 total. Yes, TOTAL. The top was $4 I found a while ago on Ebay and the shorts were $5 on clearance.
I was even told I looked like a million bucks. Hey, I'll take a "million dollar" look for less than $10.

I love that the shorts are long enough to be dressy casual. If I were to throw on my gold heels this would be an awesome date night look.

Don't you just love a good clearance rack find?!

Splurge vs. Save

A few months back I wandered into Lululemon with my sister-in-law. She is an avid runner and swears by their pants. She insisted I tried them on and generously offered to buy me a pair (I know…she's amazing!). I tried them on, loved them, but they didn't have the exact right pair in the store for me. So I opted to go for a gorgeous zip-up top instead (I know, I'm spoiled by her!).

I have still been swooning over their pants, but at $92 it just wasn't happening! The other day I stumbled across a Groupon for some pants that looked really similar, only they claimed to be "slimming". They had added a bit more tummy control to the top and most mom's love a little tummy control.

So I decided the price was much more manageable at $20 and I ordered a pair. I LOVE them. Seriously, they are actually flattering, and to me, feel more comfortable than the lululemon ones!

If you are looking for a great Splurge vs Save….here it is folks!

You can find the Lululemon pants here and the Bally pants here.

**I was asked to write this post for a Splurge vs. Save campaign for Credit Card Insider, check them out @https://www.creditcardinsider.com**

WIW: Minty Lace

I am so ready for warmer weather, and thankfully things are starting to warm up and bloom around here. Spring is officially here! 

What better to wear than mint and white, right?

Lace Tee- Tobi

White Jeans- Gap

Gold Heels- Target

I found this website Tobi, and I must say I would only wear about 5% of the items listed on the site; but those few items are fabulous! I was able to snag this lace tee for $9.

I feel really weird posing for these photos, doesn't it just feel so unnatural? Whenever I find a pic where I am standing normally it just looks even more unnatural. Haha, oh well….hello spring!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I've been a busy worker bee with Mila Jo lately. I'm not complaining….it's nice to know that there are women out there who appreciate my lovelies!

Here's a few new items that I thought I would share with you. I'm thinking it's a great idea for Mother's Day gifts!

{Find it here}

 {Find it here}

 {Find it here}

 {Find it here}

 {Find it here}

{Find it here}

Happy shopping!

WIW: A New Cut

I recently chopped 12 inches of my hair. (YIKES)
Unfortunately I couldn't donate it….they say if you have highlights they cannot accept it…boo!

{Before}

I usually cut my hair once a year (yes, I'm that cheap) and I usually don't cut it quite as short as I did this time. James loves my hair short, he may be the only man who begs his wife to chop off her long locks. I finally decided to go for it and went with an a-line.

I think I like it, it's hard for me to style just right when it is totally straight so I've been throwing a few curls in there to give it a messy, beachy look.

Along with the new hair I've been wearing a baby lately.

He's usually pretty content, but he must be goring through a growth spurt and he's eating all. the. time. Yesterday it was every 1.5 hours (and yes, we've introduced rice cereal and he's still eating like a newborn!)

Well, he's getting held a lot more…but it could have to do with his fantastic chubs. I just love me a fat baby!
I'm extremely grateful for my moby wrap…I never used one with my other kids, but bring it on with baby number 4!

Happy Wednesday….time to attend to the children!

WIW: "Leather" Pants

Now that we have 4 kids, date nights are really hard to come by. So in the rare moment that we get one I like to get "dressed up".

I have these faux leather leggings that I purchased months ago that I never have a reason to wear (it's not exactly in my mommy wardrobe). So I threw on a tee, cardi, and heels and voila!
It is seriously one of my most comfortable date night outfits (and the hubs still thought I looked "hot").

Pants: Ebay

Cardi: Amazon 

Necklace: Sammy Dress (I think it was $1)

I think I have an online shopping problem

Tee: Sevenly (if you have never check them out you NEED to)

Heels: So old…seriously, they are falling apart…

Bag: Michael Kors (I swoon!!)

I will admit that the pants are really hard to wear. While they are really comfortable, I have to make sure to wear a really long shirt with them in order to feel appropriate. This outfit is so far out of my "normal" whatever that means comfort zone. It's a little crazy (is bad I always want to say "cray cray" instead of crazy….yes, yes it is) for me, I mean shoot, I even wore lipstick! Althought the topknot isn't all that crazy for me (after all I had not washed my hair in 6 days at this point)  But I loved it, like a lot.
Totally wearing this again!

Happy Friday!

A little Update (Finally!)

Well hello there….

I can't believe I took such a long, and unexpected break from my blog.

 Caleb is AMAZING. Truly awesome…in fact he slept through the night last night. Wow!
He is 8 weeks today and is giving us smiles and coos. It is the best thing ever to get that long eye contact and then a sweet little smile. It really just melts my heart! I will do an update on that sweet face is a bit…but for now I needed to give you an update about Mila Jo Designs!

Things are heating up with my little handmade shop and I'm so excited to share some of my new things with you!

Find it {here}

Find it {here}

Find it {here}

 Find it {here}

 Find it {here}

 Find it {here}

Find it {here}

I plan on adding some more accessories later, but for now I just wanted to share these with you!

Thanks so much for your loyalty through my chaos!

If you are a reader make sure to take 15% off of your order with FREE15 at checkout!

Happy Wednesday!

WIW: To Tuck or Not to Tuck

First of all…look at the adorable little lady. 

Yes, Ella is so stinking cute these days. Even though her attitude is ridiculous…so is our restraint against saying "no" to her. It's been rough; but…she's cute, and that's all that matters!

Ella's Attire

Bow: Handmade by me

Tee: Old Navy $4

Jeans: WalMart $4

Glitter Canvas Shoes: WalMart $7

Smile: Her Daddy

Now onto what I wore. I had such a fun night the other night on a girl's night out. I will admit that it had been a while since I got out and I was super excited to hit up an outdoor shopping mall for some girl shopping and snacks. Much needed for sure.
Our first stop was GAP and we should have just stopped there. But I found 2 things that I wanted…and that fit!
I love GAP for their sizing (an XS is big on me, which makes me feel super skinny…I heart that), and their clearance. I have been looking for white pants forever now, and just haven't been able to find anything I've liked. Let's be honest, white pants are a risky choice in motherhood. But I found these for…wait for it….
$16.oo!
They fit both my body and my budget. Score!

Tee: Gap

Belt: F21

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Target

Ring, Necklace, Bracelet, Earrings: Mila Jo Designs

The big debate is whether is should leave the shirt tucked or untucked. Obviously it's more comfortable to leave it untucked. But I have seen so many pins about how "fashionable it is to use a skinny belt and a tucked tee". 

Naturally I'll wear it both way…it' like two outfits in one!

But, what do you think? Tucked or Untucked?

Let me know…either way…I love the coral, white, bronze combo!

Also…did you notice I went back to brunette? It's suites me so much better. At least I think so.

WIW: Stripes & Boots

 Guess what…..
Fall is here! I'm so excited.
The leaves are beginning to change.
PSL is back at Starbucks.
The weather is cooling…everything I love about fall is so near!!

That means I get to bust out the boots again. I love my boots.
And I found a new pair for $20. Seriously.
There is nothing like a great deal! Granted they are not the best quality, but at $20 I can replace them in a couple years.

Striped Tee: F21

Jeans: Target

Boots: Amazon $20…seriously!

Ring: Mila Jo Designs

Bracelet: Sammy Dress $4

Hello Fall….you are beautiful!