{ode to a friend}

I was lucky enough to spend some time with one of my dearest friends today. She lives in Tennessee so we don't see each other very often. She is a friend like I've never know before. All I have to do is be me, and that's enough. Some days just thinking about the level of friendship we share brings tears to my eyes...it is truly one of the best gifts in the world. 

This is a piece I wrote about her during the writing class she taught last spring...

I Drink Them Down

"That's my girl," she said. I don't know if it is the southern accent or the motherly inflection that do it for me. I hold them in my mouth for awhile, my tongue absorbing their sweetness before I drink them down. They sustain me, those three words. They call up each of my insecurities, my fears, my scars, and give them a tight squeeze around the neck, then politely tell them where to go. 

Wishing this kind of friendship today for you my friends.

XO,

{love list}

 My case of the Mondays finally lifted just in time for Friday. To celebrate how about a little love list?

1. My trench coat...

The temp this morning on my way to work was a chilly 48 degrees! Normally this would annoy me but I love my trench coat {from Kohl's} so I was more than happy to pull it out of the closet.

2. Skype...

Some of my best internet friends are together in Florida right now for a little vacation and we skyped last night. Made me almost feel like I was there with them. {that's me all blown out on the screen} Technology is pretty awesome.

3. New coffee stuff...

I got this new cup at Walmart last week and it makes me smile. Love the design on the wrap.

And this coffee from Target is sooo yummy.

 4. New hats in my shop...

OK...this is just shameless self promotion, but I absolutely love this new color. It just screams fall to me...and the yarn is super soft. I kinda sorta wish I had a baby to put it on. But then I remember I have two crazy three year olds and decide it would be better for someone else's baby. ;)

5. This key rack and mail holder from Pig & Fish on Etsy...

We desperately need something in our entryway to corral our mail and keys. This is a tad out of my budget but a girl can dream, right?

I'm so glad I'm out of the funk I had been in all week, and SO happy that it is almost the weekend! What are you loving this week?

{love list}

To celebrate the fact that our family is finally starting to get over this nasty cold/flu bug, I thought today would be the perfect time for a little love list! And today's love list is dedicated to my internet bff's who have lots of exciting things going on in their respective hoods. Let's check them out...shall we?

1.My super crafty friend Stephanie's new sewing room...

Amazing, right? So colorful! So organized! Such a perfect space in their new home for her to run her fabulous Etsy shop, Mada's Place. If you haven't heard of her shop and you 1. have children, 2. have friends with children that you like to buy gifts for or 3. go through ziploc baggies like I do...head over there right now!

2. My sweet southern friend Beth is in the middle of repainting lots of the rooms in her gorgeous new home. Even though she is a little apprehensive about the lighter living room I'm really loving this space...

And take a look at her lovely sun room...

Such a calming color, right? Can't wait to see the room all put together Beth!

3. Shannon, who I haven't met IRL but would absolutely LOVE to, recently redecorated her son Gabe's nursery. The before was pretty darn adorable...

But now it is super unique and very fitting for a growing boy...

Wicked awesome my friend! :)

4. And finally my friend Carri has been doing some awesome DIY projects around her house lately. Check out this amazing filing cabinet transformation using spray paint, fabric and mod podge. Here is the plain before...

And the amazing after!

She also created this super cute earring holder...

And this seriously gorgeous wall art...

Love seeing all of your DIY projects Carri! Keep them coming!

So that's just a bit of what my super talented friends have been up to lately. Care to share your projects? I would love to include them in a future love list!

Hope everyone has a fun and relaxing weekend!

{my incredibles}

The boys are in their want to be superheroes phase right now.

Oh...wait a minute. They ARE superheroes!

Thanks to my friend Summer who just happens to make the most adorable superhero capes...

They can totally fly in these things. And lift cars. And be invisible. You get the idea...

 

 

I love the letter appliques, and there is a fun spider web print fabric along the bottom. 

The boys want to wear them all.the.time. 

Want one of these fun capes for your little Mr. Incredible? {I know...they don't actually wear capes in the movie}. Check out Summer's Etsy Shop - Monkey See Monkey Sew. 

She also makes other items like this adorable handbag...

 

And fun, modern pillow covers...

Be sure to check out her shop and tell her Mandy sent you!

{lucky}

Just how did I get so darn lucky? I have, seriously, the best friends ever. And lately they have been sending me stuff for no other reason than just because they are so wonderful and thoughtful.

Last week Miss Erin of Rare and Beautiful Treasures (who lives only an hour away from me but I still haven't met in person...shame, shame) sent me a box full of the cutest, most drool-worthy scrapbooking goodies I have ever seen. Just because.

Paper with squirrels AND owls!

Shut.Up!

It is driving me crazy that I haven't had time to pull it out of my new scrapbooking cabinet and play with it! Thanks again Erin...you are so awesome. :)

And then my friend Allison, who I have met in person, even if it was just for an hour or so, sent me this lovely pillow from Etsy shop Joom.



I have had my eyes on these pillows for quite some time now, so when Allison offered me hers with no strings attached, well, I was floored and super excited. It is going to look so pretty perched on our bed. (no pun intended :) Thank you Allison!

I owe these girls BIG time.