FALL 2013 FASHION WISHLIST

September 30, 2013
This year I made a list on Pinterest of everything on my wishlist for the fall. Some items I have successfully added to my wardrobe (like what I wore in this post), and some items are on their way (hopefully). It's getting colder, friends. Gotta be prepared.

Fall 2013 Wishlist


So what's on your list? Is yours like mine? Don't forget to subscribe through e-mail (sidebar), facebook, twitter, instagram, and bloglovin' for blog updates to keep up with me and my fam! PLUS! I'm adding a new item to my Etsy shop today that I know you are going to LOVE! Keep your eyes open. Stay sweet.

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OUR FIRST FORT

September 27, 2013
This is one of those, "I am a cool mom" moments, and trust me, those moments don't come all the time (hey, it's not my fault that Chelsea doesn't always like to have her diaper changed or put her clothes on). Unfortunately, this moment didn't last too long because I'm pretty sure there was just enough time for me to say, "Look, Chelsea! Look what Mommy made for... Ooooooh ahhh!" before the whole thing came crashing down. Apparently it's much more fun to pretend that the blanket going up from the couch on top of the lamp is a sturdy slope, rather than some fabric supported by nothing and testing out your slope hypothesis (ohhh... so THAT'S what they were talking about in Math). Maybe we'll wait another year or so before we try this again. Meh, we still had a great time! Have a very happy weekend!

 Can't stop laughing at the face she's making!
It's time for shut-off... Buh bye.

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NUTELLA CHEESECAKE BARS

September 25, 2013
I was once like you... Oblivious to the hazelnut spread called Nutella. Not knowing what true joy tasted like. Never partaking of this heavenly chocolate-y, goodness. It wasn't until I joined my husband's family that they took me by the hand and showed me the way.
Okay, but seriously, the stuff is good. I instagramed and facebooked a photo of these bad boys and got immediate requests for the recipe. Am I surprised? No. I mean, just look at it!





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FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN MEANS FALL FASHION

September 22, 2013
First day of Autumn almost complete! Are you excited? Even the weather jumped on board to celebrate here in Utah. It got a little chilly this weekend, and pretty windy. It made trimming all of my rose bushes kind of nice and reminded me of good 'ol flat Idaho where I grew up. Call me crazy, but I LOVE the wind.
The mornings are turning crisp and even the smell is changing. Isn't fall just lovely?
To be perfectly honest, I've never really been a fan of fall before. I've always been a warm-weather, summer-loving, natural tanned babe, but ever since I realized that all the outfits that I LOVE include layers and boots (well, most of the outfits I love), fall has definitely been something I've been anxiously awaiting! My favorite trends this year can be summed up in one photo:
Beanie: Hand-made // Aviators: Forever 21 similar //
Necklace: Forever 21 // Jacket: Thrifted // 
Shirt: Target // Leather Leggings: H&M //
Boots: Thrifted

I've got a few more favorite fall trends, but what are your favorites? Leave a comment and let's see what's the hottest item on everyone's lists this fall!

xoxo,
Me
And, yes. That is my daughter running in the street with nothing but her diaper. Mama's gotta let her kid be a kid when no one's around and no cars are coming sometimes, right?
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YOU KNOW YOU LOVE YOUR MAN WHEN...

September 21, 2013
Andrew went up to Rexburg for the weekend to hang out with his brother and as Chelsea and I waved goodbye until we couldn't see his car anymore, my heart dropped. I missed him already and I always am a little worried whenever he drives long distances without me (we're a good driving and navigation team). As I sadly plopped myself on the couch and let Chelsea down to play, I thought about how I was feeling and decided to pose this question on Facebook and Instagram.
Responses:
1. The things you found a little annoying 35 years ago make you smile now.
2. You overlook the stinky farts and no attention to detail and focus on the little things he does that make you smile and appreciate being married to such an awesome person.
3. You let him drive to Rexburg for the weekend (posted by the cousin Andrew was going to visit)
4. He kisses you and your baby goodbye every morning.
5. He brings you flowers on his way home because you had a bad day! and... (this one was yesterday) you way overspent your grocery budget money and he doesn't get mad. haha...
6. You have to live without him for four months.
7. You mumble and grumble about being the mom of two little boys when he comes home and then at night he takes the 4-month-old after he woke up a 2nd time in the night and tells you to go back to sleep, then gets back up with your toddler in the morning and feeds him breakfast and cleans up his mess before going to work while picking you up in his arms and giving you a big kiss goodbye.
8. You let him buy season tickets to BYU football.
9. He looks at your children with so much love.
10. He wakes up early to make you lunch because you slept in.
11. You don't mind clipping his toe nails.
12. He has a bad day at work, but wakes up and goes to work the next day to provide for his family.
13. He says the strangest things just to make you laugh when you've had a bad day.
14. He cleans the house! Nothing better.
15. He makes me genuinely laugh.
16. He exists!
17. When I watch him with our children...sweetest daddy ever!
18. When he knows you're having a bad day and buys you a Dr. Pepper.
19. Your heart beats fast just thinking about him.

A lot of these responses made me laugh, some of them made me say "Awwww" (literally, I said awww), and some of them made me want to cry. Sometimes when I see pictures on Instagram or Facebook, or read posts about other people's husbands and how they come home every day with a dozen roses for their wives, or take them out to expensive places on weekends, etc. etc., I'll admit that I sometimes think to myself, "I wish Andrew would do that kind of thing for me," but look at all these answers!
Although roses and expensive dates are nice, it's the little things that our men do every day, and that we do for them that remind us what love really is. It's service, communication, sacrifice, unselfishness, and yes, sometimes thoughtful gifts. At least, that's how I know I love my man.
So how do you know that you love your man?

xoxo,
Me

P.S. I can TOTALLY relate to number 5. Oops!
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WHY I LEARNED MORE ABOUT WHAT I WANT IN A MAN FROM MY ROOMMATES THANFROM MY BOYFRIENDS

September 19, 2013
Not including elementary or junior high school, I have had a grand total of 7 boyfriends in my life (my husband included). To some, that may seem like a lot, and to others, hardly even scratching the surface. Whatever your situation, I think we can all agree that we learned from our experiences. Some of the guys I dated were really wonderful and treated me extremely well, to whom I am so grateful for some of the best memories. Others, were... Well, you wouldn't even guess that I had dated them, but as bad or as good as they were, and as much as I learned from each relationship, I've come to the conclusion that my college roommates taught me more about what I want in a man than those experiences. (Remind me to tell you about some of those boyfriends sometime)
Now, this is not a bash on past roommates. I had the BEST luck in roommates, especially compared to other's experiences. This is a list of some of the things I learned from their good examples.

Find a man who cleans up after messes, even if they're not his, particularly when water starts gushing out of the kitchen sink pipes.
Find a man who enjoys going out and being active.
Find a man who will take a turn making dinner.
Find a man who will occasionally go grocery shopping for you.
Find a man who will stay up late to talk to you every now and then, even if he has to get up early in the morning.
Find a man who communicates with you when something has been bothering him.
Find a man who will occasionally watch a stupid movie with you and create a play afterwards re enacting the movie (the re enacting part is optional).
Find a man who will stay up until two so he can create a rap song with you about tectonic plates to help you study for your geology final.
Find a man who will join you in a family prayer, even if he doesn't really feel like it that night.
Find a man who will always forgive you.
Find a man who always attends church and fulfills his callings.
Find a man who enjoys attending the temple.
Find a man who will quote movies with you, especially Hot Rod. If he hasn't seen Hot Rod, educate him.
Find a man that makes you feel like you're always cool, no matter what you do.
Find a man who is honest with you.
Find a man who appreciates your talents and supports you.
Find a man with goals and a plan on how to get there.
Find a man that works hard to do well in whatever he does.
Find a man that will do his part in taking care of the house and making it a nice place to be.
Find a man who is willing to take a little time out of his day to do something that's not important to him, but is to you.
Find a man who is kind, funny, and most of all, loves you more than anything else.

I am so happy that I can say that I found this man. Sure, he's not always perfect at everything, but neither am I, and that's what makes us interesting, and life an adventure! Thanks to all of my roommates who taught me a thing or two about being a good roommate and friend. I miss you all and feel so blessed to know you. What are some things that your roommates taught you?



xoxo,
Me

P.S. Visit my twitter and Instagram for more details on a 25% discount on all of Chevron and Lace's maxi skirts, just because I love you. Muah!
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HOW TO: CENTER YOUR HEADER

September 16, 2013
It's amazing how frustrating one teeny-tiny detail can be when it comes to your blog, like not having your blog header centered. Luckily, there's a very easy solution to that:

Step 1: Customize template
Go to your blogger homepage and look on the left side menu for "Template," then click on "Customize."

Step 2: Adjust Widths
Click on "Adjust Widths" on the left menu to find out how wide your entire blog is. Mine is 1010.

Step 3: Add CSS
Now click on "Advanced" on the first menu and scroll down to the bottom of the second menu where it says "Add CSS."

Step 4: Copy and Paste
Copy the following html code and paste it into the "Add CSS" box on your blog and change the number (in blue) of my width to match yours.
*Note: Don't change anything else in the code! Just the number.

Final Step: Save
Click on the orange button in the upper right-hand corner that says "Apply to Blog" and you will see it work on the blog preview.

What'd I tell you? Easy, right? Now feel all that frustration just melt away. Best. Feeling. Ever. Thanks for stopping by!

-Sue

Any questions? Requests? Didn't work? Leave a comment and let me know!
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GRAPE PICKING

September 13, 2013
Ripe grapes, mostly cloudy skies, often rainy, sweaters, new favorite outfits, unwelcome pests guests... I do believe that fall is coming!

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
Have an amazing weekend!

xoxo,
Me
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GRATITUDE 9/11

September 11, 2013
On September 11th, the thing I think about more than anything else is how grateful I am for my freedom. I think about 12 years ago when the two planes crashed into the Twin Towers, and the other terrible tragedies that occurred, and mourn the loss of so many of my fellow Americans, but then I am filled with a sense of gratitude and pride to be living in this country.
The thing I am most grateful for is the safety I feel for me and my family, and the freedom we enjoy because of the brave men and women who sacrifice every day so that my family can live together in peace and without fear.
My husband's grandmother lived in Germany as a child during the second world war, and although she doesn't talk about it much, she did tell me about a time when she had gone to visit her grandmother in a different country and when she was coming back, she was fired upon. I can imagine the terror of this little 8-year-old child as she ran through the field back to her homeland while shots are whizzing around her, somehow miraculously escaping the bullets. As she ran, she saw American soldiers beckoning to her to run to them. She did, and finally landed in their arms. She says she remembers one of the soldiers being a black man. They held her and comforted her and gave her sticks of gum.
I am so grateful that when I cross the border from Utah to Idaho, or Nevada, California, etc., I don't have to worry about that kind of thing. I am so grateful that I live in a place and time where I don't need to fear. I am proud to be an American!

Here are a few photos of our little family visiting my parents over the weekend. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so all of these photos are courtesy of the good 'ol iPhone!


And here are a few videos for your enjoyment as well. C was SO impressed with everything in the Gondola!

One of my good friends from High School is currently attending Bobsled school training for the Olympics! How cool is that? So, to honor her, we present this practiced routine.

xoxo,
Me
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