Desk *slash* Vanity *slash* Nightstand

It's done!!!! I never thought I would have so much fun doing projects like this!!! 

I am hooked ya'll! I finished it a couple of weeks ago and here it is next to my bed. I can't wait to style it with a great mirror and get some drawer organizers!!! 

InstaBirthday: I'm 30!!!

Hello Darlings! Yesterday I turned 30! Although I had to work, Hubby really made the end of my birthday a good one! I had a nice quiet dinner with the family and then came home to this beautiful piece of leather!!! 

 Isn't she pretty!!! Can't wait to break her out for date night this Friday!!!

Do You Believe in Magic?

"When Mary found this garden it looked quite dead…Then something began pushing things up out of the soil and making things out of nothing…it made me feel very curious..I keep saying to myself: 'What is it? What is it?' It's something. It can't be nothing! I don't know its name, so I call it Magic…Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing…So it must be all around us…I am going to make the scientific experiment of trying to get some and make me strong. I don't know how to do it, but I think that if you keep thinking about it and calling it, perhaps it will come….If you keep doing it every day as regularly as soldiers go through drill, we shall see what will happen and find out if the experience succeeds. You learn things by saying them over and over and thinking about them until they stay in your mid for ever, and I think it will be the same with Magic. If you keep calling it to come to you and help you, it will get to be part of you and it will stay and do things."

~ Colin, The Secret Garden

Magic, determination, will power, drive, vision, courage, faith. 

Whatever you need to make it happen, go get it today! 

Living Room Loves: Ornate Boldness

If you don't know already, I am over-the-moon in love with my new house. However, we have been here since August and it is still not fully furnished! The most obvious space is the living room. As of right now, if you walked into my house, you would be greeted by a beautiful Moroccan style mirror, an old brown sofa, and a white table and chairs (living/dining room). Furnishing the space is going to take some saving, investing, a lot of DIYing, and even more time. So, in the meantime, I am gathering inspiration and bouncing ideas off of Hubby (compromise is going to be another issue). I thought this mix of bold colors with dark brown and gold accents would speak to both my love of color and his super masculine style. But alas, he didn't like my two favorite pieces, the rug and the painting! Oh well, I guess I will dream up something new and see if that one is a hit. 

What do you think of the space? What would you add or take away to make it better?

10 Reasons I HAVE to Wake Up At 4:00am

1. Quiet time with Jesus

Starting my day giving thanks for the breath I breathe, asking for guidance and clarity, arming myself with purpose.

2. It's the best (sometimes only) time to exercise.

Those endorphins are better than coffee. 

3. Breakfast

The most important meal of the day and I don't function well without it.

4. Chores

Fold a load of laundry. Unload the dishwasher. Quick things I can do to keep the house from overflowing.

5. Review and post for the day 

In a perfect world, I will have all my content done over the weekend and posting will be a quick scan and press of a button

6. Have time to make myself presentable

No more rushing out of the house looking like I don't love myself

7. I have two little girls 

No more rushing out of the house looking like I don't love my girls

8. Pack lunches and prep dinner

If you fail to plan...

9. Pack exercise bag

...You plan to fail

10. Get to work on time

Until I can make my own schedule, I committed to following theirs. 

Happy New Year!

Good Morning! Happy New Year! Last year was pretty great. Highlights? 

1. Hubby, Naomi and I welcomed our beautiful Noelle to the world.

That smile…..I don't know how I ever lived without it!

2. We moved into a wonderful house in my dream neighborhood. 

This is what I see when I walk out my front door.

3. This is what I come home to everyday.

I have truly been blessed. And 2014 is going to be no different. I am turning 30 ya'll!!!! Although I am having mixed feelings about the situation, I am excited to see what this new chapter of life brings. No matter what, I am excited to be sharing this chapter with my amazing husband and beautiful girls. I hope you all have a blessed and peaceful 2014!

I forgot...

Before a couple of days ago, I hadn't posted in some time, close to six months to be exact. Getting used to two taking care of two small girls plus my big man, along with moving into a new house and other things that happen in life had my mind preoccupied. So I forgot..I forgot how much I love reading and gaining inspiration from all the talented bloggers I follow. So after six months, a lazy Sunday, and a lot of catching up, I remembered….

2 Years Later...

Hello all!!! So in November of 2011 I wrote about My First DIY….and I am proud to say that it is done!!!! Yes, 2 years later (literally), but it is done and my big girl loves it! I am quite proud of it myself considering it is my first and how much time it took…But anyway, here is the before and after.

I found these knobs at Lowe's and when I saw them I knew Naomi would love them. They match the paint perfectly and completed my vision…

On to the next one!!!! What will it be? A desk made vanity!!! I am so excited! Until next time!!!

I Love Your {Baby} Bag

Well folks, Noelle will be here in a month. Literally, June 3rd my precious girl will enter the world. So as you might imagine, I am in a quiet (sometimes not so) panic about everything being just so for her arrival. One of the main issues I have been dealing with is what type of diaper bag to buy! 

With Naomi, I used one I received as a gift. It was a traditional baby bag and I have no clue where it is now. It wasn't quality, cute, nor did it have the storage I was looking for. I had to carry a purse along with the bag and that plus a baby, stroller, and whatever else I was dealing with was not a good look. This go round I am looking for something that doesn't look at all like a baby bag and is spacious enough to fit essentials for Noelle, Naomi, and myself.

I am steering clear of anything that is nylon with a loud print. Here is are some favorites I have come across. 

(left to right, top to bottom)

1. Not Rational Amy Leather Diaper Bag- $720 at saks.com
2. Dawn Convertible Diaper Bag by Timi and Leslie- $ 150 at shopruche.com
3. Rachel Convertible Diaper Bag by Timi and Leslie- $160 at shopruche.com
4.Timi & Leslie Diaper Bags Charlie II- $ 160 at zappos.com
5. Firenze Leather Organisation Diaper Bag by PacaPod- $410 at blossommotherandchild.com
6.  Hayley Convertible Diaper Bag By Timi & Leslie- 170 at shopruche.com

I am totally dreaming about #1, there is no way I would spend so much on a diaper bag!!! Would you?
Which ones are your favorites?

Plus Size, Plus One

Last time I posted, I was bursting with excitement that I have another baby girl on the way. Now, 5 months later, I just feel like bursting. Noelle Sinclair will be here in six and a half weeks and I am getting bigger everyday. With the changing seasons and after not shopping for what feels like 2 years, I want to buy new clothes, but options for plus size maternity are nil. While I am still going for cute, I am more focused on comfort, versatility, and washability (if that's a word). I need pieces I can throw in the wash (to remove the baby gook) and put back in rotation. With a 4 year old and a newborn I will not have time to take anything to the cleaners! I have been searching the internet and have found that Forever 21 among some other brands are perfect for my budget and style.
Here are a few picks from Forever 21.

It's A Girl!!!

 I am over the moon people!!!! Noelle Sinclair will be arriving early Summer!
Naomi is so excited to be a big sister! I will keep you all posted on our progress!!!

Vote for Naomi Sinclair in the PLACE Model Search!!!!!!!

So many time people have told Hubby and I how beautiful Naomi is and that she has a mega personality to go with it. Well I am going to test this theory by seeing how she will do in the nationwide Model search with The Children's Place. Click the cuteness above to vote for my baby girl! 

You can vote daily so keep clicking!!!!!