• Big Orange Box Set
  • 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
  • The Merriest Matches
  • Five Favorites: Summer Edition
  • Back to School with Smile Zemi

A Day In the Life

Regular days. We have so many of them. Just the normal stuff. The errands and chores. Meals and clean up. Exercise and to do lists. I’d venture to say that it’s what makes up 95% of my life. Often I find myself only wanting to highlight the fun stuff … the projects and outings, the sweet smiles […]

Style File — Thug Life Three Ways

When I’m standing in line at the grocery store, how I do, and the checker looks at me with that pitiful smile as Jemma chatters about the chocolate popsicles I was pressured into buying (yes, I’m easily swayed by all 3 year olds who say “please” and bat their eyes) and Max bites through a […]

{One Hundred Lessons} I Believe You Are Good

One Hundred Lessons is my story. It’s the heart of my experience in motherhood and all the things, well 100 of the things, I want my children to read and remember. These bits are my hope for the future and my cherished memories of the past. Most of all, they are the beautiful moments of […]

Back To Routine

It seems today is our first home morning since school began last week. #carpoolmom #falltimeisbusytime Summer feels over and we’re officially in the throws of life. Of routine. School has a way of doin’ that to ya. Well, it’s not technically us in school. We’re true homeschool preschool folk this year (complete with coop!), but […]

The Gratitude Tour

Welcome to the September 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Home Tour This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have opened up their doors and given us a photo-rich glimpse into how they arrange their living spaces. *** […]

Style File — Housewife With a Dash O’ Glam

Housewife With a Dash O’ Glam by thatmamagretchen featuring diamond bridal set by Anjolee. Click below for details on each piece .   Last week on my local mama Facebook group someone said to me, and I paraphrase, “You have great style … maybe you should post photos of yourself every week to give us inspiration!” I […]

Perfect Pins

One /// Two  /// Three /// Four /// Five I’ve had a string of really, really late nights lately. Like, 3 AM. Dominic gets up for the gym by 5 AM so we practically “work” swing shifts these days. It’s amusing. And we laugh. Because it’s actually working for our family and it just seems funny to be on such […]

My Reading Seasons, Thoughts on Dark Hope + a GIVEAWAY

I go through seasons with reading. Season one —> Consume all the books. Season two —> Read nothing. I’m currently in season one. I’ve joined a book club. My library hold list is l-o-n-g. I’ve been scouring Goodreads to bookmark favorites for fall. I’ve been awake into the wee hours embracing characters and story lines and causes. My […]

“Drink Tea” With the Silhouette CAMEO

I have 4,000 crafts in my mind – all waiting for a free, quiet evening. I doubt I have 4,000 evenings on my horizon, but I did recently have one. So, on that illustrious evening I settled in at the dining room table with my new computer, my new Silhouette CAMEO and a dash or […]

My Fall Reading List

I don’t think I mentioned that I too participated in the summer reading program alongside my kids. During the months of June, July and August I read 9 books. Not a bad average for an overtired, busy mama, right?  I’m going to keep the reading ball rolling and continue to utilize our fabulous library this fall. […]

Silk Soy Lavender Mocha

It may be in the 80s this week, but I’ve got my mind on Fall. So much so that before the day warms up I’ve been sipping cozy beverages. But not just plain ol’ coffee, something much, much better. Think on this for a minute … SILK SOY. LAVENDER. MOCHA. Yes, oh yes. I promise […]