{playing dress up}

Today I'm wearing the layers that make me feel comfortable and protected...

On one level of course I just think this is a cute outfit...trendy and very blogger-ish...a scarf over a sweater over a dress over leggings. "You have great layering skills!" is fun to hear. 

But honestly those layers help me feel at home in my own body. A soft armor of sorts I guess. Socially acceptable from the outside but also a way to protect myself from the sometimes harsh and critical voices inside. I'm still adjusting to my post-baby body. Will I ever be able to say I'm not? At least I have my good and faithful friends...leggings and cardigans and scarves. 

Target dress // thrifted cardigan // TJ Maxx leggings // maurices flats // Groopdealz scarf

*I know this is quite a departure from my normal playing dress up post. But I am taking a writing class. {wink} Playing around with finding my voice and all that fun stuff. 

Linking up with...

My Style Monday @ My Greatest Hits 

WIWW @ Transatlantic Blonde

Wardrobe Wednesday @ Create Hope Inspire

Casual Friday @ Two Thirty-Five Designs

Sunday Style @ Modern Modest Beauty

Whatever Whenever Wednesday @ Rolled Up Pretty

What We Wore, Read & Made Linky Party @ Rae Gun Ramblings

Closet Copy Cat @ The Grant Life

{we can do hard things}

Things have been a bit quiet here on the blog front. At least from me, that is.

I was honored last week to feature the lovely homes of five of my dear blogging friends for a great series, Blogging Moms @ Home. It was my first time hosting a blog series and I will definitely be doing it again soon! {if you have ideas...leave them for me in the comments!}

But back to that quietness.

I've been taking a two-week intensive writing course, "Finding Your Voice," which started last week and it will finish up this Friday. It has reopened my eyes to my love for writing. And given me a safe space to share. To say I am loving it is an understatement. I'm trying so hard to not think about Friday, and the fact that it will be over. I'll have to go it alone after that...good-bye to the safe group of friends to share my intimate heart spilling with...no more four hours a day full of inspiration and encouragement. Did I mention I'm going to miss it? 

My Discovering Your Truth workshop partner-in-crime, Amy, is the writing course instructor, and in many ways this past semester, has been my savior. She's helped awaken me to possibilities for my life that I think I always knew were there but didn't have the courage to let in.

Let me tell you a bit about Amy.

She is southern. She is fun. She is honest and encouraging and real. I didn't realize how much I was craving that real-ness until she popped into my little life. It was like God knew just what I needed. Funny how He works that way. If I had one wish for everyone, it would be to find a friend like Amy. Or be open to letting them in...it seems like they come to you if you let them. 

And sound the alarm friends...I'm reading again. Not just blog posts and Facebook status updates...but BOOKS people, BOOKS! I just finished The Happiness Project and I think next on my list will be Daring Greatly. I also just started this book, which was co-authored by a friend and alum of the seminary I work for. So far I'm loving the idea of using all of our senses in our spiritual journey. I might have to workshop that. {wink}

And thanks to my classmates and Amy, my book wish list on Amazon is growing exponentially. 

I am jotting down ideas here and there for my next workshop. The first one got my feet wet and now I am working on letting the water come up to my knees, or maybe even my hips. We'll see...I am afraid of deep water...this presents a metaphorical challenge.

Right now I'm leaning on this quite heavily...

Oh, and speaking of hard things! If you don't follow me on Facebook or Instagram, I wanted to share that my husband and I met with the boys' kindergarten principal last week and this fall they will be in the same class! Such a weight lifted. My freak out is over. I know many of you were keeping us in your thoughts so thank you so much for that!

So after all of that rambling, I just want to let you know that I'm still here but very immersed in this writing thing...and getting ready for a 5th birthday party for two certain boys I know. {hold me}

But fear not...more fun posts are on the way! :)

{blogging moms @ home: Erin}

Our last stop on this week's Bloggin Moms @ Home series is the home of a friend I hold near and dear to my heart...Miss Erin from Rare and Beautiful Treasures. I've had the pleasure of being not only an internet friend with Erin but also meeting a few times in real life, and she is the real deal friends. So happy to have you Erin!

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Hi everyone! My name is Erin and I live with my husband of 10 years and two little boys in a big ol' fixer-upper on a few rolling acres in rural North Carolina.

 

I keep a blog called Rare & Beautiful Treasures where I write about motherhood, decorating and life abundant. Here I am with my little lambs.

I have a passion for designing children's spaces. My design taste leans toward vintage and whimsical in any case but translates so well to rooms for little ones! When Mandy asked me to share a room in our home where I spend time with my babes, I knew it would be fun to share our nursery/playroom. This room functions as both a nursery for my 8 month old son and a play area for my 3 year-old little boy.

   

This is James' crib with bedding I designed. The skirt is made out of a vintage table runner.

   

Lowercase kraft letters via Etsy.

When we bought our house, the hardwood floors were covered with very old carpet and the wood was in desperate need of refinishing. I painted the floors in this room with a high-gloss oil-based porch and floor paint. I love the look of painted hardwood floors in a child's room and it is an extremely cost-effective solution for old floors. I painted the wood floors in our beach cottage nursery as well, you can see that room here!

The waterfall chandelier in this room was a vintage find via Ebay. It came from an estate sale in California.
 
 

Every children's space needs a chalkboard wall! A nice contrast to a fancy-pants chandelier. I love contrast!

 

 The boys' grandmother knitted this little lamb piece, which is a sweet and unique bit of art.

 

This dresser belonged to my boy's Great Grandmother. We inherited it and I switched out the knobs for crystal ones I found at Lowes.

 

The play side of the room! A little table for art projects and books.

 

"My Whole Heart" piece by Between You & Me Designs, Etsy.

 

Sweet Heavenly Molasses print, also via Etsy.

 

A baby grand piano because my 3 year-old loves music.



 Old style doorknobs ( which are actually brand new) from Lowes!

 

Vintage book pages decoupaged onto wooden triangles make for a one of a kind bunting. Again, via Etsy.

 

Pages from a 1950s storybook hung by clothes pins onto twine.



Gallery wall with baby clothes, art & photos.

 

This is just a fun, fun space where my boys and I enjoy spending time. Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!

 

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Thanks so much for this beautiful tour Erin! I love the chalkboard wall and all of the vintage, whimsical touches! And those boys of yours...heartbreakers. :)

Thanks everyone for playing along this week! I will definitely be doing another series like this!

{blogging moms @ home: Freckles Chick}

Next up in the Blogging Moms @ Home series is my sweet friend Freckles Chick! I'm so honored that she agreed to be a part of this series. We go way back to our days of pre-children interior decorating and it is fun to see how she's adapted her style to fit the addition of her daughter Quinn. 
********************************************** Hello This Girl's Life readers!   Freckles Chick here (not my real name ).  I'm so thrilled to be a part of this awesome guest blogger series.  I've "known" Mandy for years now & though we have yet to meet in person, I know this much: I adore her.  I especially will never forget the pearls of wisdom, virtual hugs of compassion, & rays of optimism she gave me during one of our email exchanges, back in my early days of motherhood (Mandy, my friend: somewhere between delirium & finally washing my hair, I hope I thanked you profusely!!)  
I'm a work-at-home-mom to a wild sassy spirited 18-month old girl, Quinn.  Much like you busy mamas, our days are full around here (library storytime, toddler ballet, playdates, me squeezing in work during her sleeping hours), so it's always a pleasure to unwind at home in our favorite space: Quinn's room.

It might sound like the easy answer to "what space is special to you & your child", but my girl's room is truly the space we gravitate to when it comes to sharing special moments. Little moments that feel big.



Quite honestly, Quinn loves being outside.....weather permitting & non-permitting.  It's where her havoc-wreaking knows no boundaries.  But when we're in her room, a calm washes over her (albeit brief, but I'll take it).  There are no distractions like a computer or TV (yes, my kid does watch TV).  Though she has a separate playroom in the lower level of our house, we still spend quite a bit of time hanging out in her room everyday.  
This chair has seen countless books read, snuggle sessions, & climbing attempts.   
IKEA might be happy/appalled to hear that their popular chair also doubles as a jungle gym for a rambunctious toddler.  

Lately, we find ourselves simply lolling about in this chair & having conversations that would be complete gibberish to others........but to us, we're making perfect sense, of course.
If we're not lounging, then we're having dance-off/pants-off parties in the middle of the room to the tunes of Railroad Earth (hey, bluegrass is totally danceable to) or whatever pops up on our Pandora stations.  Pants optional, sorry no pics   Or we're playing a game of pretend-sleeping amidst piles of clean laundry punctuated by tickle fights. (I might actually be asleep with my eyes open here........)

Mostly, we just let our imaginations wander..........

I've been meaning to move Quinn's art table that we tweaked downstairs to her playroom, but she loves it here.  She'll sometimes lead me by the hand to her room, plunk herself down in a chair, & insist I sit in the other one.  We color the crazy out of this thing. Not sure how much longer that tiny chair will last though (one of my buttocks is always hanging on for dear life).

These clear acrylic book ledges are my favorite detail by far.
They're still holding strong after 2 years.

DIY fabric scraps art {details here}

I'm sure as Quinn grows & her interests evolve, a different space in our home will become our favorite.  
But until then, let the wild rumpus start!

Thanks so much for having me, Mandy!! xoxo
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SUCH a fun tour girl! And I love the Where The Wild Things Are quote...so perfect. 
Thanks for giving us a peek into your lovely life with Quinn!