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

Mother Runner Playlist

Has the day really come where I’ve completed the majority of my 5K training? I’ve been out in the heat, pounding the pavement, lathering on the Deep Blue for 20+ runs now. Miracles. Miracle of miracles a la Fiddler on the Roof. Now, does 20+ runs give me true mother runner status? Probably not. But […]

Snail Mail Revival

Welcome to the August 2014 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Friends This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared stories and wisdom about friends. *** “The mail! Don’t forget the mail!” It’s a common phrase around here. […]

Everyone Needs $100 to Target

We had the best best best weekend celebrating Max’s 2nd birthday! Maybe I’ll get around to blogging it, maybe I won’t. For now, it was all chronicled on thee loverly Instagram :) Today brings you all something super neat, what every mama wants/needs for this crazy season know as back to S-C-H-O-O-L. I’m forced to […]

A Vintage Barn Wedding

Remember my sister’s wedding from last Fall? Well, it totally slipped my mind to share the official photos once they arrived! From none other than LCS Photography, of course! They perfectly capture the crisp, November day and the beautiful bond between Hannah and Aaron. Since the big day they’ve moved to Fort Benning in Georgia […]

Max’s Sharktastic Birthday Party

Guess who is TWO today? The ever adorable and sweetest little chunk, Max Valentine! That’s who! We celebrated Thursday evening with a few little friends at his shark birthday party at a local park. It was practically perfect … It started out blustery – complete with flying away balloons – but calmed down in time […]

Perfect Pins

One /// Two /// Three /// Four /// Five /// Six This year we have two international students coming to live with us. One of our sweet girls from last year is returning for her senior year and another from China is on her way, also a senior. Our home has 4 bedrooms so one […]

The Happy List

Today I’m happy because … This girl is finally wearing goggles! I bought the $20+ ones from the pool that EVERY mom recommended, but no, my little mermaid will only wear these Ariel ones we found at the beach. This post really made me smile. It’s so so true – blogging can make you money, […]

All Before Bed

Walking down the stairs after tucking in Jemma and settling Max in for one of his first nights with a Daddy bedtime … Ah, all is quiet. I’m going to relax before I hit the hay. Wait, did I have dinner? No, I don’t think so. I guess a bowl of cereal will do. Uh, […]

The 2014 Annual Patio Sale

Every year the large retirement center in our town hosts a patio sale to raise funds for their Benevolent Fund. Items are donated and curated from residents and their families and I’ve never walked away without a handful of treasures. Pause, who am I kidding, handfuls? More like, bag fulls! Two summers ago we went […]

I’m Enough, You’re Enough

The Mrs. band got it right when they launched their campaign encouraging women to say, “I’m Enough”! I’m honored to participate in this sponsored campaign on their behalf. Having a daughter puts me in quite a predicament. She watches everything I do. EVERYTHING. And is learning from my words and my attitude. Max is too. […]

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

I’m kind of a foodie. Not a chef by any means, but I binge watch the Food Network and love eating out at restaurants. There are a few particular menu items I always try if they’re on the menu … 1) bread pudding 2) any chocolate type cocktails 3) cobb salads 4) monte cristo sandwiches. […]