Humpday Confessions!!

What time is it?! It's time to confess.....

1 - I am no longer a blonde! That sh*t was just way to hard to maintain. I am too darn lazy and too darn poor to to be getting that stuff done like every 4 weeks.

What do you think?! I love it but I plan on going darker brown/cherry red in a month or so. This girl gets bored easily.

2 - I am frustrated on how dumb people with stupid ideas get people to fund their ideas. I have an awesome business idea, great plan but don't have to $ to get it in the works. Meanwhile, some idiots get their parents to refinance their homes to pursue the craziest things I've ever heard. Why do these people always find people to go out on a limb for them?? UGH!!!!

3- I am sick of Facebook. If I didn't get so much of my photography business from there I would definitely deactivate my account. I am sick of the complainers, the I'm so much better than you-ers, and those constantly posting about health and fitness. Over it!

4 - I've been stalking Twitter lately looking for some of my fave bloggers to have some ad sales. I love you ladies but I can't afford a $100 sponsorship (although, I know it's worth it.)

5 - I don't get why this giveaway I launched Monday has so few entries right now. You can win a $50 credit to my shop: Hole In Her Stocking Designs. Enter below! Hell, you have a good chance of winning right now!

Just a few bracelets stacked up!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Birthday Wish List

So my birthday was yesterday and I received a little cash and some gift cards. Now it's decision time: what would I like to splurge on?! I have a few thoughts and ideas. See photo below.

1 - A monogram necklace. At first, I wasn't a huge fan of these but after seeing more and more people wear them I am finding myself loving the way they look and wanting one for myself.

2 - Alex & Ani bracelets.  I love these, always have but I feel like I am cheating on myself. I design and make jewelry and some of my designs are similar to a few of the Alex & Ani designs so I feel like I should only be rocking my own brand. Thoughts?! 

3 - A new bag. I am definitely a bag whore. I love handbags and haven't gotten a new one in a while. It may be time. I am thinking a nice new bag for fall.

4 - A backpack. Never thought I'd be saying this but I need a small backpack. Sometimes when I am doing certain things with Olivia (going to the playgroud, walking around the mall, walking around the zoo) my shoulder bag keeps falling down all day and it is quite annoying. A backpack would certainly solve that problem. 

Besides what is shown above, I want an elliptical and more beads to create some new masterpieces! What would be on your birthday wish list?! xoxo

Don't Try So Hard {It's My Birthday}

Happy Monday!!! This is an extra special Monday for two reasons. It's my birthday!!! Happy birthday to me!! And there is this amazing "Don't Try So Hard" linkup going on today that has a bunch of bloggers showing their natural beauty. Therefore,you will be able to see me completely makeup and photo effect free today!

I used to never leave the house without makeup but after having my daughter 2-1/2 years ago, putting makeup on has become a luxury. Hell, taking a shower has become a luxury and you can read about that here. I have become more comfortable in my skin but haven't really gone as far as using makeup-less photos on my blog. Well, there's a first for everything! So here I am, flaws and all. But one thing I do love and have to point out (as per linkup instructions ;) ) is my blue eyes. Makeup or not, they are all mine, all natural.

Au naturel baby!!

So did anyone notice, I am no longer a blonde?! I had the blonde hair for about a year and it was becoming to much to maintain. I went light brown as a stepping stone for what I really want, which will be done on Tuesday. So exciting!!! Cannot wait to reveal!!

Anywho...I have to make this post a bit of a celebration as well since it is my birthday and all. How about a giveaway for a $50 shop credit to my shop, Hole In Her Stocking Designs?! AND....I will also be giving 25% OFF in my shop for one week only in honor of my special day with code: BDAYLOVE . Don't forget to enter below and good luck!!!

Some bracelets from my shop

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Humpday Confessions: I Can't Even Shower

So the hubby has been away for work for about ten days now and won't be home for at least another four days. What has this shown me? Single moms and military spouses are like superwoman!! This has been hard on me because I work from home and I rely on my hubby being home in the evening to watch Liv so I can get my work done. Well, forget getting my work done, I can't even get a shower in. I swear there was one time this week, I went like 3 days. Trust me, this wasn't intentional. How does this happen? I'll tell you exactly how this happens...

Day 1:
-Manage to wake up a few minutes before Liv. I could shower here but I straightened my hair the day before and I want to get one more day out of it. I figure I'll shower at night after Liv goes to bed.
-11pm Liv is still awake. I am exhausted. I end up falling asleep on the couch before her.
-12:30 Wake up in a panic. Move Liv (who is now sleeping) to her crib. Now I could get in the shower but F%ck it, I'm exhausted! I'll set my alarm for early in the AM.

Day 2:
-5:30am Liv wakes up!!
-6:00am My alarm goes off to get it in shower before Liv wakes up. FAIL!
-All day I sporadically ask Liv to hang out in bathroom with me for a few minutes do I can shower. She refuses. Guess I'll need to wait until night time.
-11pm We are both still watching TV on the couch.
-Midnight We are both still watching TV on the couch.
-1am She finally falls asleep but I am spent. This isn't happening tonight. Set my alarm for the AM.

Day 3:
-5:00am Liv gets up. F%CK!!!!!!!!!!
-5:30am My alarm goes off so I can get in the shower before Liv wakes up.
-Finally mid afternoon I beg someone to watch her so I can finally shower. About time!!!

That my friends is how a mommy can go days without showering. So my confession is yes, that was my life a few days ago and yes it was three days. I swear I am not normally that gross! xoxo

A Pinterest Worthy Party

I cannot believe how much things have changed in the last few years when it comes to throwing a party. There is a lot of pressure to throw a party that looks like it came right from a fabulous Pinterest board. This fabulous site along with others show us photos of immaculately planned parties that would be worthy of any celebrity but now the every day person is expected to be able to pull off these grand events as well.

I got married almost 6 years ago and my wedding didn't have a theme. That's all I hear about now is people trying to choose a theme for their wedding, thanks David Tutera. I picked out a nice place, flowers that matched my girls dresses, linens to match the flowers and that was about it. I had a good DJ and good food. And everyone had a blast!

Our engagement was probably about 7 years ago and it was a St. Patricks's Day theme but only because the actual party fell on St. Patty's Day. If it didn't we wouldn't have had a theme. It was just at some generic hall with lots of food, drinks and music. Again, a good time was had by all.

Nowadays I feel like so much pressure is put on the party giver to have a great theme and fabulous decor. Part of me wishes things were like this when I was getting married because I love to throw a good party and am pretty sure I could have came up with something great but part of me is like planning a wedding was enough stress, I didn't need to add to it with decor stress.

I attended a engagement party over the weekend that really made me wish I had thrown this party. It had a country, barn-like feel and everything was gorgeous. This party kind of made me wish I could do mine all over again. Oh well, times change. But here are a few photos of some of the great decor details from the party. Beautiful, huh?! xoxo

Blogger Love Friday Favorites {#1}

I know I am getting this post up late but better late than never, right?! Words cannot describe how excited I am for this new link up from All the Joys!! I love to share love so here we go!

Fave posts from the week:

I'm Not A Stay At Home Mom by our hostess with the mostest Meaghan from All The Joys. I think this post struck a nerve with me because I could completely relate. It is a great post for anyone searching for some balance in their life.

On Creating An Awesome Next Year Of Life by Erin from Living in Yellow. I totally loved the concept for this post. Erin wrote a list of goals she hoped to accomplish for each month for the next year. She had some amazing ideas and I definitely want to do something like this for myself. Thanks for the idea Erin!!

My 6 Month Old Beauty by Samantha from The Samantha Show. Being a photographer I always love a post with great photographic artistry and this post had just that. This post had stunning photographs of her and her daughter and I just couldn't get enough.

Off The Grid by Cece from Pink Sunshine. This post had fabulous photos of what appeared to a fabulous trip to Cancun. I contemplate going to Cancun and I found this post (and others) CeCe wrote informative and making me yearn to visit a resort just like this!

I highly suggest checking all these posts out!! And hope you'll link up with us next week and show blogger love!! xoxo

That Awkward Age

Today I would like to discuss that awkward age. No I am not talking about being a girl between like 9-13, I am talking about being a woman in her early thirties. I feel like I am expected to be this boring, responsible adult but my young partying days are in the not so distant past. And I am still grasping on to trying to be young and cool but am getting pulled towards a mature responsible adult. I feel like I am in a weird spot.

Part of the reason I feel this way is because I look younger than I am. Most people assume I am in my mid-twenties, which is great, but for some reason I feel like I need to act that way as well. Don't get me wrong I am not running around "clubbing" every weekend night or doing keg stands but I don't mind kicking some serious a$$ in beer pong or flip cup at a backyard BBQ. But then I feel a little awkward when I think about the fact I am 32 playing against 23 year olds. And then I think a little more and am like sh*t do they think I'm fun or am I the weird old lady who thinks she's cool? Awkward!!

So I ask you, how do you know if are indeed viewed as hip by a younger demographic or if you are viewed as a "wannabe." Hmmm...I find this even more difficult to decipher because several of my friends are indeed in their mid-twenties. So I have to be cool, right?! Not that I honestly give a sh*t what other people think of me but I don't know what I think of myself and how I should act at times. Do I do what a 20 year old would do or what a middle aged 40 year old would do? Kinda stuck in the middle. Being in your 30's is a awkward place at times. 

I know I am probably giving this too much thought, maybe because I will be turning 33 in a week and a half and I am having this slight identity crisis. My twenties are getting further and further in the past and my forties are getting closer. 20's mean youth and opportunity 40's means middle aged and mini vans. What does it mean when you are in your 30's?! Well, thanks for reading this rambling post...Please tell me that I am not the only one who doesn't know where she fits in age wise. xoxo