red white blue | what to wear.

  

This weekend will be a busy one.  Swimming.  BBQ.  Family.  Fireworks.  Time to bring out a little red, white and blue in the wardrobe, yes?

sources
1. boden stripey tunic (one sale ladies! i love mine.)
2. red clare vivier foldover clutch
3. camille wedges
4. dip dye tee (my older boys will be wearing these.)
5. rainstorm madras shirt
6. navy tiny toms
7. club short in navy
8. grey chambray toms

And Nicholas will be sporting his red and white striped onesie from mini boden :)  

motherhood | i've finally got it down by #3.

With each babe I have become more confident as a mother.  I by no means have it "figured out" but I have figured out what works best for us, my little family of five.

I have come to realize I don't have to schedule every. single. thing.  Sometimes a day to do whatever is called for.  The boys may watch a little more television.  Maybe we eat dry cereal for a snack.  And maybe the laundry piles up a bit on my bedroom floor.  Because really, I never have "nothing" to do.  As a mom of three, there is always some task to be accomplished.  The laundry is never caught up.  My church calling needs my attention and My Favorite Things calls for a post or two.

Right now all three boys are chilling on the floor, watching Harry Potter and snacking on some crackers.  Well, puffs for Nicholas.

What does your typical day of "nothingness" look like?

inspired by nat the fat rat.

binth baby book show & tell.

Binth is one of my lovely My Favorite Things sponsors and I am excited to share a fun contest they will be running from July 1st thru the 31st.

I received the binth baby book after Nicholas was a few months old.  His footprints are on a separate piece of paper.  So the next best thing?  A picture of his sweet baby hands and tiny tootsies :)

Binth is sending out a call for submissions.  Listen up moms.  If you are the owner of one of the binth baby books, then Binth wants to see it!

Show us your favorite page with all the details.  What color do you have?  What page was the most fun to fill out?  What pen did you use?

Read all the details and enter.  Fun prizes are in store!

currently crushing : west elm tray.

I am loving my new tray from West Elm.  It houses my favorite pieces of jewelry, my go-to perfume and favorite candle.  Makes me smile :)

What are you currently crushing?

fast easy bread.

this was the husbands breakfast on father's day :)

So I met this gal named Lindsey.  My husband grew up with her and I connected with her through my mother-in-law.  Lindsey has this super awesome company called fast easy bread.

"Make delicious homemade bread, pizza, cinnamon rolls, monkey bread and more in less than 60 minutes!"


When she first told me about this company of hers, I was like, yeah... um... I don't bake bread.  Like never. I like to bake sweets.  I hate cooking.  But I love eating.  Bread just wasn't on my to-do list.  Although, I was always a bit envious of those uber domestic moms would could whip up a gourmet meal with homemade bread to boot.  I just didn't fall into that category.

But now - now I can call myself a bread maker of some sorts.  I visited Lindsey at her home where she demonstrated her products.  She made it look effortless.  Lindsey sent me home with her homemade pizza bundle and I gave it a whirl.  Maybe I wasn't as speedy as she was but I did it.  I busted out homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade pizza and homemade bread.  I'll admit, I felt like I was totally succeeding as a mom with all my homemade deliciousness.  Not only was it easy (honestly, it was), everything tasted sooo so good.  And better yet, it is affordable and cost effective.

Ready set, go bake some homemade bread!

I was given the homemade pizza bundle for free to try out.  All opinions are my own.  I only post what I love!  Think you have a product that would be a good fit for My Favorite Things?  email me for more information.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

come visit.

Come visit me over at Domestic Reflections and hello, splendor!  Thanks for having me ladies!

room by room | your favorite space.

This is perhaps one of my favorite series to date.  I love catching a glimpse how people live.  Their styles.  I believe it speaks volumes about their personality.

Today the lovely Joslyn so graciously agreed to share a little bit about her favorite space and what makes it so special.  She is the blogger behind Simple Lovely.  Her style is impeccable and it is no wonder her house radiates that too.

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image credit | joslyn taylor | simple lovely

Writing this post is particularly poignant, as due to a little mishap with some plumbing, our house is currently in mass disarray -- floors are ripped up, plastic is draped unceremoniously over furniture and things are generally dusty, messy and topsy turvy. So the process of thinking about my favorite space was a bit of a melancholy experience.


That said, prior to the "great flood" I had just created what had officially become my go-to spot in our house... It's a nook in the corner of our bedroom, outfitted with a couple of chairs, a little side table, a lamp, some fresh flowers and, most important, a stack of books. It's my place to hang out and read, chat with my girlies, have a drink with my hubby or just stare out the window into the little grove of bamboo in our backyard and daydream.


I'm counting the days until I can put it all back together again...

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Thanks Joslyn!

friday favorites : by Traci.

image credit | Carl A (lastbeasts) | via flickr

a few of Traci's favorite things

driving down the road after work, and catching the first glimpse of home
vibrant, happy people who can transform the energy of the room with their presence
reading blogs and discovering amazing, creative souls
the first 15 minutes of solitude in the morning, with a cup of hot coffee and my dog at my feet
naps on lazy afternoon
the miraculous beauty of fireflies
a day off with no obligations or agendas
memories of my Grandma and Grandpa
perfectly ripe avocados with a sprinkle of salt
the precious friends who truly see you and understand your heart

Thanks Traci and happy happy friday!
go here to learn how to be a friday favorite, you know you want too :)

beach totes.

Beach totes.
Everyone needs one.
Roomy + stylish make the perfect combination.
Here are a few of my favorites.

sources
1. Lands'End (sorry I can't find the direct link - could be that most of their totes are on sale)
2. LucyJaneStudio's Shop
3. L.L.Beanhttp://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/38534?feat=2-SR0
4. The New Domestic
5. Lands'End (sorry I can't find the direct link anymore)
6. jcrew

motherhood | letting go of type A (++++).

image credit | auburn soul

Hi my name is Molly and I am type A.  Well, I should say type A++++++.  I will preface this with the fact that I have relaxed over the last nine years since I was married to the husband.  But over all I am classified as a perfectionist.

I know that I am doing my children a disservice with my OCD tendencies.  Every time I shy away from a messy art project and chastise them for dragging dirt and grass in from the backyard, I am quietly telling them that I care more about the appearance of my home instead of them.  And oh my goodness, I do not want them growing up to become type A.  I am afraid I am staunching the flow of creativity by being more concerned about the mess that will need tending to, instead of being in the moment.  Why is it so difficult for me to "be" in the moment?  Ugh.

What I need to do is aim for the type B - which I will label as balanced.  Are we not all trying to achieve that delicate balance between work - home - husband - children?  It is ever evolving & changing.  It is not as if you find balance one day and it just sticks.  Each day takes a conscience awareness and that is something I am constantly struggling with.

I want my children to know they come first.  When my boys are grown, I want them to look back fondly on their childhood.  To remember the times that mom let them help bake pumpkin bread and paint on stretched canvas.  I don't want the memories they recall to be that, in a moment of frustration, I became angry when a box of cereal was spilled across the kitchen tile.  They need to know I love them unconditionally.

Are you type A?
How do you achieve balance?

inspired by the simply lovely post and whoorl post.

mister giraffe and nicholas.

here is my sweet nicholas at seven months with his mister giraffe.

i am head over heels in love with this little guy.

want to see more?  visit to you, from me.

your daily jewels + giveaway.

Since I like to keep my outfits fairly simple, my go to "dress up" item would have to be jewelry.  I love how easy it is to throw on some earrings and a cocktail ring and take what you have on from so-so to wow.

image credits | via your daily jewels

Your Daily Jewels is a new June sponsor and I am excited to tell you about Norah's shop.  It is full of color and dripping with jewels.  You can take your pick of sterling silver or gold filled, all adorned with semi-precious gemstones.  My favorite is the shades of grey tiny druzy necklace.  It is delicate and gorgeous!

And today you have the chance to win a lovely piece from her collection.  First place will be bestowed with the beautiful gemstone spring bouquet earrings.  And second place (yes there is a second place) will get to take home the small planets glass bead earrings.  All you have to do is visit Your Daily Jewels and come back here and tell me what your favorite is.  If you would like an extra entry or two, follow me on twitter and "like" me on facebook.  You can also blog about it to earn another chance to win.  Just come back and leave a comment telling me you did so (one for each).   The giveaway is open to US and international readers and will run through the end of Friday (midnight CST).  The winner will be announced over the weekend.  Good luck friends!

This is a sponsored post.  If you are interested in becoming a My Favorite Things sponsors please email me for more information.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

UPDATE :  The winner of the your daily jewels giveaway is...

Please contact me within the next 48 hours!  Thanks :)

  

my week in review.

Summer is here and the clippers came out!
Both boys wear goggles while swimming, which get tangled up in their shaggy heads.
Unbeknownst to me, the husband gave them each a mini mohawk.
Nicholas wants to be heard and jabbers loud and long with squeals in between.
The husband worked all weekend but we dutifully served him breakfast in bed on Sunday.  He is such an awesome dad.
The first PNUT basketball game was played.  20-20.
A swim birthday party was also on the schedule.
A surprise date night had us dining at Whiskey Cakes.  Delicious.  I will definitely be making another appearance there.  Soon.

How was your week/weekend?

room by room | your favorite space.

Are you ready for another edition of room by room?  I sort of dropped the ball last Friday.  The husband was away on business and I was away trying to keep it together, ha.  Enough of that...  I am ready to introduce you to our next guest.

Beth Dotolo is the blogger behind hello, splendor and one of the genius gals over at Pulp Design Studios.  Beth has an excellent eye and killer taste, so it comes as no surprise that this little peek into her home is just as fantastic.  And, ahem, she lives in my hometown of Dallas.

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image credit | beth dotolo | hello, splendor

Our bedroom is my favorite room in the house. It's where I spend my time with my husband, where I spend relaxing mornings, and where I spend my time winding down after a busy day. I wanted it to be a neutral and relaxing space, but I still wanted the drama that every bedroom should have. So, I went with high contrast, interesting patterns, and mixed textures. Now our room is a blank canvas for however we want to use it... whether it be a moment of passion, a movie & popcorn in bed, or an easy morning with sunlight, coffee, and conversation. And, what's best, is that it's mostly designed with bargain finds! Ikea furniture, pillows made from fabric remnants, and a mirror from a sample sale. I just love my bedroom & it didn't break the bank!

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Thanks Beth!

If you have a favorite space you would like to share (and it is super cool), then I want to see it. You can email me for more information.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

interview with Selena Gomez.

This week has been a bit of a whirl wind.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Selena Gomez, along with a panel of other Dallas mommy bloggers about her new movie coming out July 1, Monte Carlo.

Monday was the screening of Monte Carlo at AMC North Park.

Tuesday evening was a large public event held at Grapevine Mills.  We briefly met Selena and had our picture snapped.  

 Wednesday was the interview at The Four Seasons in Irving.

Selena is quite lovely in person.  Questions were asked around the room and I jotted a few of her favorite things down.  A lot of the questions were centered around the movie, which I will be posting all about when Monte Carlo is released on July 1.  But I can tell you one thing... Her favorite pizza is mushrooms & jalapenos.  Until then, enjoy the pictures.

all image credits belong to Auburn Soul.

i was not compensated for this post but went along for the ride with press/media privileges.

friday favorites : by Heather.

image credit | cathredfern | via flickr

a few of Heather's favorite things

reading on the porch in the early morning with a good cup of Community Coffee

cuddling with my pug

photography

belly dancing

Sunday morning breakfast

walking downtown holding hands

going to the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings

coffee/chai

writing/blogging/journaling

my friends and family

thanks Heather and happy friday!

if you are interested in becoming a friday favorites - go here to find out how.

see you monday.

my go-to outfit.

I am a mom to three boys and therefore like to dress comfortable.  But that doesn't mean I am willing to give up style.  I believe both can be achieved.  Here is a little look at my every day uniform.

What's your go-to outfit?

sources
1. ray-ban
2. james perse
3. fossil
4. gap
5. birkenstock

glassesUSA.com

image credit | glassesusa.com


GlassesUSA.com is your one stop shop for all of your eyeglasses needs.  Seriously people, every type of frame imaginable.  Full frame, vintage, designer and classic.  They have all your bases covered.

The whole process is so completely easy that you will always want to order glasses online.  Save money.  Save time.  It's a total win/win.  Use the virtual mirror feature to see which frames would look the best.  Have fun and "try on" different styles, shapes and colors - then email the pictures to friends and family to get their opinion.  Perhaps the thing I like best of all is how affordable the glasses are, a big plus in my book.

Right now if you choose to buy eyeglasses online you can save 10% off your order with code Mommy10.  You can also take advantage of their summer promotions...

-Buy any pair of glasses totaling $100 or more and receive a 2nd pair FREE. Code: 2ndPair
-Take $25 off any order of glasses with Transitions lenses with the code: Trans25


happy shopping!

glassesUSA.com is a My Favorite Things sponsor.  you can check out their ad in the side column.  interested in becoming a sponsor?  email for more info.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

motherhood | family pictures.

image credits | auburn soul photography

We had my good friend Stephanie (of Auburn Soul Photography) come over again for a relaxed photo shoot.  I wanted the same location as last time.  I think they turned out perfect.  I could stare at my boys for hours and never tire of their sweet faces.  All four of them.  I am one lucky lady!

See more pictures right over here.

hello logophilia.

image credit | megan romo | logophilia

Say hello to Logophilia!  Oh I promise you will just love this online shop full of fabulous prints.  Megan (the gal behind Logophilia) is currently in the process of getting her graduate degree in creative writing.  And in between her busy schedule she finds time to create "talkative prints" and cinema posters.

Megan has a love/hate relationship with words and so you will find that a portion of her prints are just that - words, quotes and clever sayings.  I for one and am smitten with her cinema prints.  Big time. They are witty and fun and perfect for just about any room in your home.

image credit | megan romo | logophilia

And since Megan is such a doll, she wants to give one of you lucky readers a cinema print (16x24) of your very own!  The giveaway is open to US readers only and will run through the end of Friday (midnight CST).  A winner will be announced that weekend.  Simply just drop me a comment telling me what print you would choice.  Good luck!

P.S.  my favorite is James and the Giant Peach :)

This is a sponsored post.  If you are interested in becoming a My Favorite Things sponsor please email me for more details.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com


UPDATE!!
The winner is...

Contact me ASAP!

hello seaside invitations.

image credit | seaside invitations

Friends, it is no secret that I have a love affair with paper.  Pretty paper.  The texture.  The smell.  Letterpress.  I love it all.  And so I am super thrilled to have you say hello to Seaside Invitations!

Seaside Invitations is located near Tampa Bay on the West Coast of Florida.  It is an art and design studio that offers wedding invitations, announcements and stationery - all at an affordable price.  My favorite would have to be letterpress.  So clean and crisp and, well, perfect.

The designs are beautiful and the colors are fresh and vibrant.  Seaside Invitations takes great care in their work and can help you create just what you are looking for.

You can also find Seaside Invitations on etsy.  Take a look.  You'll fall in love too.

link love.

image credit | via the bean and the bear | via A Cup of JO

Happy Monday friends! Hope you had a relaxing weekend. Lots of wonderful links to share but here are a top few from the last week that made my favorites.

Love sneaking a peek at how bloggers live.  Especially a child's space.
Jordan's SF apartment is awesome.
I love letterpress + I love my kids art work.
This swoop bag might solve our lego problems.
A funny tip about sex after date night.  I laughed.

my week in review.

The husband just got back into town after being gone the end of last week thru the weekend.  I am exhausted.  I am almost completely sure that I would fail as a single parent.

Last week we did a whole lot of swimming.

I baked gingersnaps, cinnamon rolls, homemade pizza and made the best syrup EVER.

I switched from diaper bag to big mama purse.  I am hoping the transition sticks.

(I ended up with a fossil purse that had a crossbody option.)

I got my hair did.  Still sporting the ombre look.

My Tyler turned six years young.  Oh how I want to stop the clock.

I picked up some succulents and scattered them through out the house.  Instant happiness.

Remember this gingham shirt?  Yeah, I decided it was a keeper.  Good decision.

And now I am gearing up for another week.  Same song and dance.  A good friend said having a babe is like ground hog day.  Yes, yes it is.  But I am okay waking up to the same cuteness every morning.

How was your week/weekend?

Selena Gomez comes to Dallas.

If you have a daughter and live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area then you will want to be at the Grapevine Mills Mall this coming Tuesday night.  Selena Gomez will be in town promoting her new movie Monte Carlo.  Should be lots of fun!  Hope to see you there!

I was not compensated for this post but I will be attending the event as a part of the press/media.

happy birthday big sister.

a very very happy birthday to YOU big sister!

i always looked up to you when i was little and thought you were the absolute coolest.

i wanted my hair to look like yours.

i wanted to dress in your clothes.

i wanted to be just like you.

hope you have one fantabulous birthday.

friday favorites : by Jessica.

image credit | auburn soul photography | sneak peek of new family photos (will post more next week)

a few of Jessica's favorite things

traveling with my husband and photographing our adventures
a cold beer on a warm patio
Sarah Vaughan singing Gershwin tunes
making my husband and friends laugh
Woody Allen films
old black & white family photos
cheese fries with jalapenos and ranch
board games
reading in bed on a sunny afternoon with the windows open
argyle sweaters

thanks Jessica and happy F R I D A Y!!
want to contribute to friday favorites?
click here to find out how!

hello frieda sophie.

I've raved over Frieda Sophie jewelry before.  Sandra's pieces are gorgeous.  Bright bold colored gems adorn necklaces and rings.  I love how I can make a small statement with a simple necklace, my go to choice for jewelry.

There are lots of stunning pieces in the spring 2011 line.  I am particularly fond of the greens and blues that are popping up in the stones Sandra chooses to use.  Her prices are affordable that you'll find yourself wanting to snatch up a few pieces to complete your summer wardrobe.

Welcome Frieda Sophie!

P.S.  Sandra is currently hosting San Francisco Jewelry parties right now.  Sounds fun, yes?

interested in becoming a sponsor?  email me for My Favorite Things media kit! info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

hello FifiduVie.

image credit | fifiduvie

I am excited to introduce you to another new My Favorite Things sponsor, FifiduVie.  I first spotted Izabella's romantical (this is a word in the urban dictionary, haha) prints on the blog A Cup of Jo and fell in love.  My favorite print is "oh darling, let's be adventurers" and I knew I just had to have one framed in my home.  I ended up purchasing the greeting card version last month.  You can take a peek of it hanging on my wall in my gallery wall post.

Izabella describes her shop as a "modern romance", which I find so charming.  I need more wall space so I can frame a few more of my favorite prints.  But I especially want the "adventurers" canvas bag.  I feel like my life is one big adventure with my husband (he even liked the print too).

Welcome FifiduVie!

motherhood | you're fired.

image credit | my benny 2007 | tonie elmer photography

Some days I feel like my house will explode with bickering and fighting.  The boys can be the best of friends or the worst of enemies.  Typically you can tell the type of day that will unfold by how the morning plays out.  On the worst of days I feel as though I am doling out time outs left and right.  On one particularly challenging day my boys decided to inform me that I was fired.  I smirked because at moments, I would like to throw in the towel and go sleep of the haze of tension.

But seconds later they asked for lunch.  I proceeded to explain to them that if in fact I was "fired", I no longer was their mommy and therefore did not need to make them lunch or take them swimming or play legos.  They quickly realized their mistake and "rehired" me.  I just love how their little brains work.  We keep each other on our toes.

summer essentials.

image credit | good life for less
It is already hot hot hot here in Texas and I am literally melting.  Want to know what my summer essentials are?  I share my favorites with Jill over at Good Life for Less.

happy birthday my tyler.

Hello lovely friends!  Sorry I have been away from the computer.  My oldest, my Tyler, turns six years old on this very day.  We've been busy eating donuts for breakfast and cookies for lunch.  I'll be back tomorrow.

my week in review.

 asleep.  what i need to do more of!

Busy.  I know it is not just me.  Life is busy.  But sometimes I would like to pause, slow down and maybe, just maybe do nothing.  Highly unlikely of that happening but a girl can dream.

Last week...

I had an eye appointment and am giving contacts a go.
My two older boys are enjoying their swimming lessons.  They have turned into little fish!
Tyler turns six on Tuesday so a visit to Legoland was in order.  Much, much fun was had I tell you.
I made gingersnaps and am afraid to admit that I ate four.  In a row.
And now I am listening to my husband yell at the television.  The Mavericks are playing.  It is kind of a big deal in our house.

How was your weekend?
Was it relaxing?  Busy?  Just what you wanted?

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE JOSS & MAIN GIVEAWAY!  IT ENDS TOMORROW.

laughter.

Sometimes I simply must laugh at the trouble my boys get in to.  Honestly.  Sometimes laughter is the only thing that gets me through the "groundhog day that will never ever end".

The other day I came into the living room only to discover my Benny with his hand completely stuck in the infamous ball popper.  I laughed.  And then I took a picture.  Oh and then of course I "un-stuck" him.  A little cooking oil.  A few twists.  And voila.  Free at last.

Lesson learned?  Probably not.  Life is exciting with three boys.

link love.

image credit | via the daybook blog

Happy Monday friends! Hope you had a relaxing weekend. Lots of wonderful links to share but here are a top few from the last week that made my favorites.

This post about starting a family is spot on perfect.
Paint + votives.  A truly winning combination.
Jenny is super cool and so are her DIY's.
After reading her description on the book, I am sure I pretty much need to read A Homemade Life.
I love babies.