a new shopping twist....ooooooh snap!

As some of you bright young things may have noticed, I've been using Fridays as my day to catch you up on ALL the HI-larious and quite entertaining SheKnows Mommalogues.

You guys.

This here gig I have?

Besides my blog....and you (duh)....oh ya and my family and my faith.....

this Mommalogue thing, it's kind of my calling.

If you haven't noticed, I quite love being in front of the camera.

I don't know why.

I think I'm the BIGGEST dork.

And I analyze EVERY pore, misplaced bang, and weird eye roll that I do....but I just love it SO.

And I need you guys to love it too.

Because if I haven't made it clear yet, there isn't enough therapy in the world, that could keep me from needing your approval.

{again, only being slightly dramatic.}

Another thing?

Because a lot of you have been asking about headbands and clothes and things in the background that you see, I'm going to start posting here on Fridays all the deets about what is going on with, on, and around me.

So at the very least, if you don't find me entertaining, you can at least see if I have anything you might want to shop for....

Right?

Listen, I am just trying to please EVERYONE.

It's the way God made me.

And why I am paying for expensive therapy.

{you think that's a joke, but it isn't.  see?  nothing but the truth from me!}

And now we begin....with what you MAY have missed on the SheKnows Mommalogues.

And, all the links and details about what I'm wearing.

~~~~~~~

Will I have more children?

{click title to see video, because it wouldn't embed, but it was my fave video of the week.}

Lately I’ve become, well….slightly obsessed with The Duggars of 19 kids and counting.  I just adore them.  I love Michelles curly bangs, and Jim Bob’s two names, I love their love for Jesus, and I die for each and every one of their kids.  Especially the “J” names ones to be exact.  And since this obsession has come along, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that sometimes for a brief moment while I watch their show or read their books that I didn’t consider having just a few or 17 more.  But then the show ends, and Taylor is writhing on the floor again because he’s “hurt” and Chloe’s crying because I won’t watch her pee, and I’m reminded of my reality.  Also?  I don’t curl my bangs, and Jimmy is just Jim.  So maybe we don’t have what it takes after all.

what i'm wearing:

amazing ribbon headband with fabric flowers from Charlotte Russe

~~~~~~~

What was I like in High School?

I took to Facebook for this one.  I mean, what is Facebook for if not to reconnect with each and every person who ever attended your elementary, junior high and high school, am I right?!?  And they didn’t disappoint either.  There were a few stories I’m pretty sure I’m unable to share here on a family kind of show, but the good news is that after all those stories….I think I turned out somewhat okay.  But back then???  I guess the best way to put it, is…I was fun?  Let me try to explain more.

what i'm wearing:

leopard blouse: vintage & thrifted seen here

necklace: jennifer zeuner

gold necklace: thrifted

~~~~~~~

How do I keep my kids healthy in the winter months?

When it comes to keeping my kids healthy, I believe in keeping them indoors and far far away from other children and/or people for as long as I can.  Actually, no, that would actually quite possibly make me unhealthy in a mental way.  So.  Plan B.  I rely on vitamins and supplements and lots and lots of juicing and sneaking healthy things into their food.  Here are just a few of the tricks I have, but even so….my kids still get sick sometimes.  I’ve learned it’s just a part of life, and it’s really not the end of the world.

what i'm wearing:

zebra print top & black hoodie: tj maxx

background deets:

bed: ikea (so badly want a new one.)

duvet cover: west elm

xo pillowcase: etsy

curtains: handmade with love by my bff, Mari

what i mention:

boku superfood {she gets two cups a day with: 1/2 scoop Boku mixed with half a bag of Instant Carnation Breakfast}

probiotics: my kids take Florabear

vitamins: we are currently trying the Rainbow ones, they like them okay.  might try melaleuca next.

~~~~~~~

Where is the craziest place I've changed a diaper:

I’m just wondering….is this something that happens to people often?  Like, are people seeking out crazy places to change diapers?  Because I am just at a loss.  Maybe we’re just boring bathroom going people, but I can’t really think of anyplace too insane..  Actually, when I asked my husband he had a few suggestions that he thought were inappropriate, but I beg to disagree.  See what you think.

what i'm wearing:

fabric flower black top: tj maxx

~~~~~~~

Do my kids have security blankets or special attachments?
When I was little I never had any attachments to blankies or stuffed animals.  Instead I sucked my thumb.  Way gross.  And I was always may-jah jealous of my friends that had ragged stuffed animals or torn and well loved blankies.  So much so, that as an adult I was determined to make sure my kids had something they found to be comforting, and not have it be their thumb.  Thankfully God heard my prayers.  I know some moms want to take away such items at a certain age, but I actually love it and encourage them to keep it with them as long as they want.  Maybe even until their adults?  What?  I don’t see anything wrong with an adult still sleeping with a teddy bear okay?  Oh wait…we are talking about my kids.  Here they are to show you the things they love and adore and what they absolutely cannotsleep without. (and trust me, I’ve driven to far away places to pick these items when they’ve been left behind.)



~~~~~~~

{if I missed linking to anything, let me know in the comments, and I'll add them!}

Hope you guys have a GREAT WEEKEND!

I have spent the first two days of my vacation with the worst cold/flu, but I'm sure tomorrow is my day.

And I can't wait to leave the bed (kind of) and see a little bit of Colorado!!!

{i mean thrift stores of course.}

Although.
It has been quite nice, besides the body aches, having a chance to lay around in cozies and having NOTHING to do because I CAN'T and I DON'T HAVE TO.

Also?
I didn't yell once today.
AND?
I never felt irritated.

So being sick without kids?
Not so bad.

{except for you guys that don't have kids, for YOU, it's totally bad.  ALMOST as bad as the Man Cold.}

Okay.
Happy Weekending.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

what i wore out: pleather ~ pleats & leather

what i'm wearing:
top: walmart!  i keep telling you guys, i'm classy.  a TOTAL name brand snob.
jacket: apple bottom jeans, platos closet
skirt: thrifted & vintage...the tag says greenstyle, and of course i fell madly deeply in love because a) it was long, duggar style and b) it has pleats, old lady style.
headband: h&m, to keep some kind of style street cred.
shoes: steve madden, tj maxx
hair: pulled into a messy pony and tucked into the headband to look like a short pony

~~~~~~~

My sister (with whom i am soon debuting an amazeball blog with) turned me onto this YouTube channel.
I'm slightly addicted.
Obsessed.
Whatever.

This one made me totally laugh...
It is SO me.
And goes quite well with my "what i wore out" posts.
"Cause I'm a Model."



I think I may have found my long lost best friend.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

when you get this, i'll already be gone

{me last night....i totally looked like her too.}

Today, I'm leaving on jet plane to....

Colorado.

Alone.

Alllllll alone.
{imagine me singing, "all by myself...just wanna be...all by myself...."  with jazz hands.}

No kids.

No husband.

For 7 blissful days.

I even bribed one of my sisters to meet me, and we'll be lounging snow side with our aunt who lives there.

There will be a ton of sleeping, a whole lot of thrift store shopping, a little pinteresting (or is it pinning?) and I also plan to visit their gym (or is it a spa?) every single day.
Ish.
Also, I plan to lose the 10+ pounds of winter weight I've put on, simply by being close to a gym.
Or spa.
Whatever.

Then again if the working out doesn't happen, and the ten pounds remain, there will always these pants....

{which, btw, Jolt totally makes a NON MATERNITY version of, and I adore and wear so don't judge.}

And also?
I get to meet Angela.
My sweet friend who I feel like I know, but have never met, but have absolutely worn the Vintage DVF trench she found at a thrift store and sent to me.
{is there a better friend than that?!?}
And?
She goes to my aunt's church.

It was meant to be.

I'll still be writing while I'm there, because what better time than to be real and honest and funny while RELAXING???

I am SO FUNNY and TOTALLY FUN when I'm relaxed.

Trust.

Just.

Trust.

Did I already point out...

That I'll be WITHOUT KIDS????

I may never get another 7 days in a row until they leave the nest.
{they will leave one day, right????}

So, girl time, here I come.

And by girl time, I mean....

sleep.

zzzzzzzz

{p.s. i have to give you all a heartfelt "thank you!" and an uncomfortably long hug for all the encouraging emails and comments you guys left on my blog thesis and what you can expect.  i felt like we had a moment, you and i.  wait, there it was again.  did you feel it too?  xoxo love you.  seriously.}

© 2012 "Le Musings of Moi"

the 2nd most important post of mine, a must read

I've been on this mission.
A blog soul revamp if you will.

Okay, so you know how Oprah every few seasons would change something about her show?
Her theme song...
caring about weight, not caring about weight....
her hairstyles....{the tina turner wig was a few seasons if i remember right}
her favorite actor of the year that would be on every other month sharing their life lessons...

Whatever it was, Oprah knew that sometimes, change was necessary and change was good.

Now.
I'm no Oprah.
Nor do I worship her the way some do.
Although, after she apologized to James Frey, I did make my peace enough to possibly allow a friendship.

But.

I've been feeling this deep desire in my heart that God was calling me to make a change with my blog, or at the very least, a change in my heart towards my blog.

At first I wondered if it was to end my blog, because I like to be dramatic and drastic like that.  And for awhile I considered that in prayer or by constantly asking Jimmy if I should "just quit the blog already."

I didn't actually get an audible answer, (either from God or Jimmy), but I never quite got the feeling that quitting right now was the right path to take.

Feelings aren't always reliable, especially mine Jimmy says, but I'm going to go with this one.

And so one day I put out into the universe (Twitter) just how amazing it would be to have a bloggy mentor help me discover the soul and purpose of my blog.

And yes, I do know my blog doesn't have an actual SOUL.

Moving on....

And then one amazing godly lady responded, (thank you universe, twitter, GOD)....and we spent the next few days emailing back and forth.

And then she wrote this:
"My question is this: who are you writing to and what do they need? (One sentence). To grow your blog, you have to fill that need. Once you answer that question, the answer goes on your "About" page, and it lives in between the lines in every single post you write. The more clear it is who you are writing to and what you offer them, the more they'll come and bring friends because you're the blogger who writes about (fill in the blank)."

I mean, WOAH!

Since we're on the Oprah topic, can I just say that I may have had an "AHA moment?!?"
{and now that i've used that term, i will try never to again.}

I then spent the next few days obsessing, or rather PRAYING (what we christians sometimes call obsessing so as to appear "better christians") that my dear Jesus would show me exactly what that one sentence, that ONE need was, that He had me begin and CONTINUE this blog for.

One word I kept coming to, because I CLEARLY have issues, is "imperfection...and um, issues."

Well now.
We can't very well have an entire blog where I am constantly sharing my imperfections and issues, now can we?
I'm pretty sure that doesn't invite friends to invite friends.

But, the more I pondered (that's what us writers do, we ponder, it's quite a technical practice really), I realized where I was to go with that.

And then I sat down and wrote, for lack of a better word....
My Blog Thesis.

My "About Moi."
My official "Welcome to Le Musings of Moi."

And rightly so....I've decided to link it to the "About Moi" title under my header.

Written there you will find my heart.
My passion.
And my promise to you on what you can and will always find here at Le Musings of Moi,
no matter what kind of post I'm writing or sharing.
It may very well be the MOST IMPORTANT post you may ever read on this blog yet.
{and I say that very UN-dramatically.}

I hope you'll click and read.
I hope you'll understand me that much better.
I hope you'll feel less alone.
Or less weird.
Or more normal.

{or whatever it is you need to feel today}....

And I hope mostly you'll come back and be or, continue to be, a part of this.

Because as much as it's been a hard lesson to learn, and despite what I believed in my teens and 20's....
This really ISN'T all about me.

And it isn't about a ton of followers or comments or stats or numbers, it's about joining together to make it through this life.

We need each other.

And I have realized, I most definitely need you.

© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"

a new monday muse: where YOU inspire us

Today we have Martin, who offered to spend some time on my blog reading my posts, watching my videos, and reading the comments of those who take the time.  

And when he was done, he wrote a poem.

A poem that captured my heart and I hope the hearts of many of you who are in the same place of life as I am.

No Need For……

You’re a wonderful mom,

there’s no need for guilt.

A beautiful family,

with hubby you built.

Raising your kids,

you’re doing just fine.

Their happy faces,

is a very clear sign.

Sometimes you feel,

you’re not doing enough.

On yourself,

don’t be so tough.

Making a difference in your lifetime,

no need to be afraid.

Just look in their eyes,

and the impact you’ve made.

Worried about their health,

and their education.

Please trust yourself,

no need for frustration.

Your life and your family,

is special and sweet.

With the Duggars or Joneses,

there’s no need to compete.

At night when you wake,

your sleeping children inspire.

They love you so dearly,

they truly admire.

God bless you and your family Summer,

Martin

www.anitapoems.com

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© 2011 "Le Musings of Moi"