Weekend at the cabin

Last weekend Chris and I went up with some friends at their family cabin.  The cabin was almost five hours away and in the middle of nowhere.  I debated quite a bit about going, as I was worried about the long drive with Addilyn and her sleeping in a new place, when we already struggle with sleep.  It's really easy for my personality to come up with lots of reasons not to do things, and just stay home because it's easier.  I know motherhood will continue to teach me to be more flexible and I am learning that I don't want to miss out on experiences because it's a little harder.  

And Addilyn did great!  We left Friday evening and stopped for dinner and then drove the rest of the way.  We came back Sunday night after dinner at the cabin and drove the rest of the way.  Minus about 30 minutes of tears both trips she did great, and slept a good part of both ways.  

The cabin was really in the middle of nowhere.  It was a two mile drive just down the driveway to the house.  There was this huge stone fireplace and tons of windows that overlooked miles of woods and a little lake.  It was beautiful.  We brought lots of food, snacks and even made a few crafts while we were there.  We also spent some time outside wondering around, which Addilyn loved.  

 How she really feels about double kisses.

And my absolute favorite picture from the trip.  

It was so nice to have all that time together, and while I missed my daily episodes of Gilmore Girls it was a nice break from technology too.  It was relaxing and fun and great reminder for me to say yes to things!

I'm no quitter

It's quite comical the work that it takes to try to get a decent picture with Addilyn.   However my sister told me the other day that she read that it takes 100 pictures to get one good one, so I guess we're in good shape. 

We went to a beautiful wedding this last weekend and despite feeling that I gave myself plenty of time to leave our house, we left in a rush and I had no time to take a real outfit picture.  Which is a shame because I actually did my hair and was overly proud.   And really liked my dress.  I got it at JCPenney recently and thanks to a $10 coupon and $13 left on a giftcard, I only paid $18 for it. 

So instead of some real outfit pictures, here's a handful of our failures at getting Addilyn to smile for the camera and take a good picture.  

And apparently Addi isn't the only one unhappy about the picture situation.

I seriously look like I'm in pain and can only blame it on not wearing heels for who knows how many months. Or maybe trying a little too long to get a decent picture of the two of us.   But I'm no quitter. 

One squinting eye and a half smile.  We'll take it.  

A perfect weekend

 

A little behind, but Mother's day weekend may have been my favorite weekend.  The weather was perfect, we did not have any busy plans and had such a great weekend together.  Saturday morning I went for a run, Addilyn took a good nap and we played at the park together.  We then went to Chris' moms house for an early dinner with my mom, brother and sister in law, and brother in law and kids.  It was wonderful. 

 

Addilyn loves her Aunt Lo and Uncle Jacob 

my sweet niece Gracie 

I'd be so happy to repeat that weekend every weekend for ever. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Showers, shoppers, and statement necklaces

Last weekend Chris' side of the family threw me a wonderful baby shower. It was another one of those surreal moments where I kept reminding myself that this was for our baby!  We were so lucky to be blessed with lots of gifts for our baby girl and couldn't be more thankful.  

I did warn you that I'd mention this again because I'd LOVE to be one of the top 5 in this contest for expert shoppers and am currently number six.  If you already voted you can vote again and all you have to do is click on the love it button here!  Thank you so much!

It's not a secret that I love statement necklaces and know that I am not alone.  Which is why I'm excited to introduce you to a blogger who has a very talented shop full of beautiful necklaces, like this one, which I got in the mail yesterday and can't wait to wear it!!  Not only is she a talented shop owner, but also a mom of two adorable boys that were adopted this last year.  

I'm excited to introduce you to Kelly from Curated by Kelly . . . .

Hello, For Lauren and Lauren friends! I am Kelly and you can find me on my blog, Curated by Kelly, or in my shop by the same name.


I started the shop because I have a little thing for statement necklaces. As in, I own more than 50 of them! I just love how they can make a plain and ordinary outfit truly spectacular. It's fun to curate the collection in the shop and it's even more fun to see how everyone styles their purchases. We do a lot of fun giveaways and steals too!


I also write on my blog for fun. We recently adopted our two boys so I'm an "instant mom." I blog about my favorite parenting finds, adoption, fashion and our every day life. Each Friday I round up my Weekly Favorites. My Weekly Favorites cover anything and everything from Kate Spade shop tours to serious articles.


I hope you'll stop by and say hello!

Thank you so much Kelly!  Definitely go check out her blog and her shop - especially this one and this one which are my favorite!

Weekend randoms

I got this dress at JCPenney a few weeks ago for $15 and love that it is a stretchy, comfy non-maternity dress I know I will wear after the baby!

I imagine reading lots of posts about Memorial Day weekends being spent on beaches or outside grilling with lots of friends.  I can say mine was quite the opposite but it was wonderful.  Every night this weekend Chris and I were home, on the couch or in bed, watching movies.  We've been so busy lately that it was perfect!

We did run a few errands on Sunday and I found these shoes at DSW.   Thanks to a $10 coupon they were only $8. 

I also spent some time organizing things in the nursery.  I took apart the diaper cake we got and I loved putting away these tiny little diapers.  I'm sure some time in the future I won't enjoy diapers but right now I love it!

I also washed the huge amount of hand me downs we got a few weeks ago.  I can honestly say folding and sorting these baby girl clothes was one of the best things I've ever done.  

And I plan on ending this long weekend by watching the Bachelorette tonight! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

A weekend away

We had such a wonderful weekend away.  A weekend free of computers, good phone reception, and things that needed to get done. 

It was a weekend full of guitar playing, delicious food, outlet shopping . . . 

book reading, lots of walking, and beautiful weather.

And a reminder of how much I love Chris and spending time with him.

Today I have a special person to introduce you to.  Besides being cute, likable and easy to relate to, Brooklyn is a wise woman who is sharing with you today how to be a person of influence, fighting the temptation to blend in with those around you!

Hey cute For Lauren and Lauren readers! I am Brooklyn and I blog over at This Little Blonde. 

I have a quote hanging on the wall in my room that says, "You will never influence the world by trying to be like it." 

I absolutely love how that quote changes my thinking. We live in a world where we are encouraged to "blend in." We try and fit in, and we try to be one of the crowd.

The last thing this world needs is one more person that is keeping his or her mouth closed about the things they care about. The world doesn't need more celebrities, it needs people who consistently do good. The world needs more people who put others first. The world needs more people of influence. So I have come up with a list of 3 simple ways to become a person of influence.

1. Seek to be worth knowing rather than to be well-known

I remember hearing this quote a few weeks back and I honestly can't get it out of my head. Be that person that is so nice, and so silly and so helpful that people can't help but like you. Your character will say more than your reputation ever will. In the blogging world, use social media to connect with your readers. Don't be a blog lurker! Comment away! People love to know that you are reading and thinking about their blog. That makes you someone worth knowing, because you are someone who cares. 

2. Work WITHIN your own sphere of influence

When I dream, I dream big. I don't just want my mom to read my blog posts, I want the president of the fricken United States to read my blog post. But to be honest, that will probably never happen. I try to really focus on my audience. Who can I influence? My roommates, my family, my boyfriend, my readers, my coworkers, etc. So how can I personally change so that my influence on them is a positive one? You don't have to write a letter to the government that will change ObamaCare for the better, but you can leave a note for a roommate wishing them good luck on their test the next day. Maybe you can't get a big blogger to tweet you back, but you can tweet back a new friend that asked you a question. 

3. Find your strengths, and use them

I am NOT good at sports. But I am a GREAT cheerleader. I am not a good artist, but I'm a decent writer. You need to do what YOU are good at. Not what any other blogger is good at. I can look at every person in my life and find something to be envious of, but instead I try to focus on the things I am good at, things I like about myself. When you are comfortable in your own skin you are more worried about others than you are about yourself. Write about things you love. People will notice.

What are you ideas on becoming a person of influence? Also, because I think you're really great, I am offering you 50% off ad space on my blog with code FORLAUREN

Come visit me? 

Thank you Brooklyn for your post and your wise words!  Hope everyone had a great weekend!