LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Bite Beauty Creamy Matte Lip Crayon in Stinger // Grace Atwood swears by this coral lip color. I'm in!
• 1-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake // Maybe I want to bake a vegan cake now? I blame the Minimalist Baker.
• Let's Hang Out! // Spill the deetz. Do you have any big Valentine's Day plans? My date is Maxwell. Obvi.
• Converse Dino Spikes Sneakers // Hmm, I wonder if I bought these for Max, he'd learn how to tie his shoes.
• Vacilando Quilting Co. YKB Wall Quilt // You guys, the Yves Klein Blue has made me weak in the knees. 
• Never Modern Book // Such a beautiful book that will more than likely hang out on my nightstand soon.
• Malia Silk Wrap Bangle with Crystals // Stack em up, ladies! BuDhaGirls bangles are fabulously chic.
• Heart Suitcases // Hide those toys in style. Meri Meri strikes again with the most adorable storage!
• Striped Leisure Shorts // Ask and the Ban.do brood delivers. I'm talking about all the red and pink. Yessss!
• Long-Sleeve Ruffle-Neck Top // The last time I wore this, Max told me I looked fancy. Le sigh.
• Barn Jacket with Liberty Print // The Liberty London floral print gives this classic coat a modern twist.
• Satin Bow Knot Headband // The Rich Saffron shade is such a happy color. That's it, I think I'm in love!!
• Lip Whip in Jolene // Has a lip balm ever made you want to break out and start singing Dolly Parton?
• Mod Flower Posts // The cutest acrylic earrings that will make any outfit look a gazillion times sweeter!
• Tory Burch Penelope Pumps // Well, I think I just found the prettiest pumps ever. Navy AND polka-dots.
• Ekobo Waste Bin // If a trash bin appears on The Love List, you better believe it will be chartreuse.
• Heart Wrapped in Clover // The words of Etta James illustrated by the ever-so-talented Maddy Nye.
• Notch Wood Chair // Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Yes, the back splits down the middle. Swoon!

Have a fabulous weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

VIA IONUT RADULESCU

THINKING ABOUT: Praise be. I'm getting my hair cut next week and I can't tell you how stinking excited this makes me. I've literally been looking forward to this appointment for WEEKS! I'm going to just sit back and let her do her thing.   

FEELING: I keep looking at last year, specifically some of the struggles I experienced with Max and I'm so grateful to have that chapter behind us. I know I touched on it a bit on the blog but didn't get into specifics to protect him as he's getting older and he doesn't need everything shared on the Internet. Truthfully, things got pretty bad. I felt overwhelmed and defeated. I wasn't sure how to "fix" things. If you're going through something similar, take heart. It will require hard work and consistency. Like so many other stages of parenting, you will have to revise your "game plan" and approach the phase with a new set of perspectacles, but you will eventually come out on the other side and see your hard work has paid off. Max is a totally different kid now. He's matured so much these past few months, and I really enjoy spending time with him. Sometimes I forget how far we've come, but I'm truly proud of our progress.

THANKFUL FOR: My parents are coming this weekend, and I'm so stinking excited to have them visit! They haven't been here since November, so it was a thrill to get to wash the guest bedding in preparation for their arrival. With Flyboy out of town, it will be nice to have some company and discuss subjects other than airplanes and dinosaurs.    

WATCHING: Beesly is on the mend after having a stomach virus last week, but I'm still hesitant to feed her anything besides chicken and rice at this point. Our reigning queen Berner appreciates her home-cooked meals, but clearly misses the occasional cheese stick and Pirate's Booty cheese puffs from Max. Aggressive is never a word I would associate with our girl; however, she's become rather "assertive" lately whenever she hears Max noshing on his favorite snacks. As soon as he gets down from his high chair, she will rush over to his side and lick his face and fingers just as a mama bear would clean her cub. He thinks it's the sweetest, but I see nothing but a slobbery mess. 

READING: On Sunday night I finished Where the Crawdads Sing and HOLY COW now I understand all the hype! You guys, that ending!! Gasp! I did NOT see it coming. Did you?? For those of you on the fence about this one, I will admit I wasn't entirely sold on the book until the halfway point, but then I became so invested in Owens' bestseller, it was all I could think about. Seriously. There were a few times Flyboy would look over at me while I sat in silence considering what might be next for the Marsh Girl. He'd ask, "Is everything okay?" I felt a bit silly, but I had to tell him my mind was racing about the book and what would come next. It was incredible! I didn't want it to end.

     

EATING: In my attempt to eat snacks that are protein-packed, I recently gave Epic Bars (the chicken sriracha flavor) and Wonderful's Chili-Roasted Pistachios a shot. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed both products and now I feel the need to share my two-cents with anyone who will listen. Whenever Flyboy's away, I don't cook for myself as much as I should, and by the end of the day, I'll settle with a dinner of Cheez-Its and a Topo Chico. It's an unhealthy habit that's been going on for years and I'm trying to be more intentional about how I fuel my body in his absence. It's easy to become lazy, and I've found that having healthier options around helps me avoid repeating this old habit.     

LISTENING: Last Saturday on our way to Michael's Max asked, "You ever think we'll go back to Texas? I think I'd like to visit Del Rio again." Tickled to death by his random question, I responded, "Umm... Maybe? But I think I'd rather visit Austin instead. What would you do there (in Del Rio), you think?" To which Max replied, "Maybe just sit in the sun by a pool and read the newspaper." I couldn't help but giggle. The thought process of a five-year-old is rather entertaining. 

LOVING: My trusty hot-pink Tippi bit the dust a few years ago, and I've been itching to find a new replacement ever since. Picky about the specific shade of pink, I decided the hue had to be just right before I could take a chance. Enter the Margot Crewneck Sweater in NEON FLAMINGO! She's a beaut, I tell ya! The fit is TTS, and the weight of the sweater reminds me of the cashmere t-shirts J.Crew has sold in previous years making it a perfect layering piece.    

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

LIFE'S LITTLE DETAILS

"THE DETAILS ARE NOT THE DETAILS. THEY MAKE THE DESIGN." — CHARLES EAMES

Happy Wednesday, m' dears! It's been raining nonstop lately, so injecting some color into today's post feels especially nice. When Max isn't pretending to be a U-2 pilot (notice the "tube food" for accuracy) or begging to bake more chocolate chip cookies, he's probably inching to fish. This past Sunday morning, after Flyboy's early departure, we visited a local pond and Max used this as an opportunity to convince me I should get a fishing license as well. Ha Ha! He made a lot of really great points, but if I'm going to frequent a watering hole for FUN, it better be a cute tavern that serves gin. I think I'll save the bait and bobbers for the boys! Not to mention, after assembling valentines this week and getting Max to sign all 18 cards (we're only halfway done), I'm starting to think I worked pretty hard for a fizzy drink.     

Alright, enough about me. What's going on with you? I'm dying to know.

ALL DETAILS FROM TODAY'S POST LINKED HERE.

LURVE LOAVE LUFF

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Matisse Murals by Britt Bass Turner // I've been a longtime fan of the artist, but this just upped the ante.
• Emerson Dot Sleeper // Yep, this is going to have to happen for my niece. Polka dots are a priority, people!
• Row Of Chairs In California // One of these days I'm going to own a Caroline Kaufman print. Dreamy!!
• Fancy Pillow // If you aren't familiar with the song I'm referencing here, I'm not sure we can be friends.
• Poster 02 by Yvonne Robert // If I let out a big joyful sigh while scrolling IG, it's probably Robert's paintings.
• Drink Responsibly Coasters // These cheeky coasters are flipping adorable. I think this is a need, right??
• Tom Ford Ultra-Shine Lip Color // I'm itching to try a shade of Tom Ford lipstick. The packaging alone...
• Coin Clutch in Parrot Green Lizard // This Valentine's Day I'll be treating myself to this vibrant beauty.
• Perfect Rain Jacket in Bright Kiwi // The best coat ever just came out in one of my favorite color combos.
• Ocean Striped Blue Headband // A striped headband is an accessory staple. This one is simple and sweet!
• Green Stripes Tray // Three Potato Four has some of the cutest new arrivals. How perfect is this tray? 
• HAY Sowden Water Bottle // Leave it to HAY to create the prettiest water bottle I've ever seen. Seriously.
• Collect Adventures // A wonderful reminder doodled by Melanie Johnsson and her gorgeous hand lettering.
• Leif Buddha Hand Lotion // I have no idea what this pretty tube smells like but the branding is on point.
• Heart by Kelly Knaga // Today's list is chock-full of creative eye candy. Check out Knaga's portfolio!
• Iris Wire Basket // I stumbled upon this shop and now I want to pack my bags and head to Barcelona.
• Chalk Clipboard // Letterfolk keeps expanding their line of products and I'm here for it. This is amazing!!
• Cheetah Sneakers // The perfect neutral sneaker that's equal parts GSD (get sh!t done) and snazzy.

Have a fabulous weekend, m' dears! Make it count.

THURSDAY'S THOUGHTS

BY MADDY NYE

THINKING ABOUT: Last week I posted a picture on Instagram of two brave men who died in a plane crash in Afghanistan on January 27th. While their story isn't mine to tell, I felt it was important to share their faces and names in an effort to honor both pilots and ask for prayers for their families. From time to time, you see stuff like this on the news; however, this one hit close to home—as one of the guys was a friend and coworker of Flyboy's from when we were stationed together at Laughlin AFB. Because the dignified transfer (a procedure honoring the return of a service member's remains) is conducted at Dover AFB, Flyboy had the honor of attending the solemn movement alongside some of his friends last Thursday evening. While I stayed home and put Max to bed, my heart ached for these families as they reunited with their loved ones. I felt grateful that my husband came home safely from his deployment last year, but I also felt guilty the same wasn't the case for these two spouses and countless others. For every joyful homecoming, the kind that's complete with homemade signs and happy tears, let us not forget about the fallen. Situations like this certainly put everything into perspective and remind us to hold one another a little tighter. 

FEELING: We visited Wilmington over the weekend for a quick jaunt to Trader Joe's, which just really meant I had an excuse to hop on over to Terrain. Ha! While we were at the beloved store, I got to see my favorite associate (she's got the cutest bob hairstyle, dons adorable black specs, and she's SUPER helpful to boot!) who gave our clearance purchase her seal of approval, which is the ultimate considering she's got great taste. Now, don't get too disappointed when I tell you what we came home with, okay? No, it wasn't some fabulous brass pot or mossy terrarium, but a Christmas tree stand that was seventy percent off. If that's not a sign we're getting boring, I don't know what is! But in our defense, the sweet associate said this German contraption will make life so much easier in the event I have to set up the tree again on my own. It was like the hot mess express over here last December, so I'm feeling pretty optimistic about our bargain. I'll be sure to share a full review with you in ten months.

THANKFUL FOR: Beesly has had a stomach bug this past week, complete with diarrhea and vomiting. Ugh! We didn't have plans to take her to the vet, but after a few days of feeding her a bland diet, it just wasn't getting any better and we got worried. We typically take her to the base veterinary clinic (namely for her annual), but they didn't have any availability, so we saw someone in town on Monday evening instead. As silly as it sounds, the visit was a blessing for us. After we had to put Tripp down three years ago (the same day Beesly threw out her other ACL), unplanned visits to the vet make us uneasy and fear for the worst, especially considering Queen Bee's age. This experience was wonderful and reassured us that we have a great option close by in the event we have an emergency in the future. Based on the doctor's feedback and test results, our best girl is in great shape for being 11 years old. Yesssss! 

WATCHING: Have you heard of MasterClass? Have you "attended" any of the online courses? This weekend I plan on checking out lectures by Anna Wintour and David Sedaris. If you've got a favorite that you think I should check out, please share. I'm excited to see what it's all about and grateful to my sister for sharing her login info. Haha!  

READING: Here's are a handful of random articles I've got open on my iPhone browser that I think you'll enjoy... 

Why You Really Didn't Like The 2020 Superbowl Halftime Show via Kerry Connelly

No One Knows Amy Sedaris Better Than Her Brother David via Elle Magazine

I Want This Cheer Coach To Run My Life via The Cut

How To Raise A Gracious Kid via Cup of Jo

How To Tell A Butt Joke via Coffee + Crumbs

15 Tiny Habits For Parents That Can Bring Big Changes via Mother

The Benefits Of Drinking More Water via Domino

City Guide: The Perfect Pittsburgh Day via Schoolhouse

     

EATING: For Super Bowl Sunday, I whipped up this Cowboy Queso Dip and it was CRAZY good! I felt SO confident in how it turned out, I even had Flyboy deliver some to our neighbors across the street and they were equally impressed with the tasty factor. If you have any events or potlucks on the horizon, this recipe is a winner (just like the Chiefs!).

LISTENING: I brought home a bunch of plants from Produce Junction yesterday to jazz things up indoors and add a little Spring to our house. While transplanting Hyacinth bulbs to a planter on our dining table, Max asked: "Why do you get to make messes with dirt inside the house?" Not entertained by his "curiosity," I whipped out the old "BECAUSE I'M THE MOM!" card and it felt so good to shut him down. I now understand why phrases like this are pure gold for parents. 

LOVING: Because Beesly has had a few unfortunate accidents (thanks to said stomach bug), we decided it was time to finally replace the jute rug under our dining table. The one we got from West Elm a few years ago was great, but I ended up finding something similar on Amazon for a lower price and I'm pleased with the quality (not to mention Prime shipping). The glowing reviews make me think this update was a good move and will certainly freshen up the space.   

How are you feeling today? What are you up to? Thanks for stopping by!! 

WHAT I'M WEARING WEDNESDAY

THE GOODS:

Quay Australia Square Sunglasses via Nordstrom

.09 Earrings via Her New Tribe

Margot Crewneck Sweater in Neon Flamingo via J.Crew

Qué Bonita T-Shirt via J.Crew

Slim Wide-Leg Jeans in Stripe via J.Crew

Star Flower-Wrapped Chain Bracelet via J.Crew

Fleabags East West Tote in Persimmon via West Elm

PH Cheesecloth Notebook in Green via Greer

Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick in Rebel Rose via Nordstrom

Zoey Calf-Hair D'Orsay Flats via J.Crew Factory