friday favorites by : sarah.

image credit | Katey Nicosia

a few of Sarah's favorite things

 black tie chocolate mousse cake from Olive Garden

cooking and discovering new recipes

snuggling with my husband

tennis, especially on a beautiful, warm, sunny, breezy day

concerts

any kind of tea, but my fav is sweet tea

being inside, under the covers during a storm

24 [tv show]

being organized

photography

 

thanks Sarah and happy happy friday!

want to be a friday favorite feature? go here to find out how.

i spy the weekend. & thoughts in my head.

I may or may not be clicking my heels together, for the weekend is here.  The husband had to work last Saturday and that is always, always a downer.

Somehow this week lagged by in slow motion and ran in fast forward all at the same time.  Funny how that happens.

6 am wake up call has been most unwelcome but duty calls and lunches must be made.  And that is precisely why the weekend has become so much more appealing.  It is a break from the mundane routine.  A slice of "do nothingness" that I miss.  Although this weekend may prove to be anything but relaxing.

And one more thing that is making me terribly happy at this moment, the weather has been positively dreary and cold.  So in other words, perfect.

Before I sign off, a few "getting dressed" photos.  Because my day goes so much better when I spruce my self up a little.  I find I am much more productive.  Do you?

And we're off.  See you Monday :)

decorate with Binth.

 image credit | binth.com

Although Binth is known for their outrageously awesome baby books and numbers poster (a favorite of mine), do not think that you need a child for an excuse to own a Binth print.  They have a selection of ready-to-hang-prints that are completely adult worthy. 

The prints are modern with clean lines and manly graphics.  They are printed with soy based ink on recycled paper so you can feel extra good about your purchase.  I'd love to add a few to one of my gallery walls.

My favorites are the ReadyAim print and the Highway Print.
Do you have a favorite?

P.S.  I own the Binth baby book and couldn't be happier with the quality that goes into their products.  The paper is crisp and thick and the printing is top-notch!

This is a sponsored post.  My words.  My thoughts.  My opinions.  I only post what I love.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Right now I am offering a holiday discount of 10% off any three month sponsorship package.  Drop me a line to find out more, okay?  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

label it with Mabel's Labels.

image credit | mabel's labels

A trait that sometimes, maybe occasionally gets on the husband's nerve is my incessant need to organize.  Life without organization (for me) would be a life without breathing.  Living and organizing go hand in hand.  Um maybe I confided in you too much.  I am not a nut case.  Promise.  I just have a thing for clutter.  As in, I don't like it.

The part of my brain that craves organization is in love with labels.  Because really, one can not be organized without the act of labeling.  Just hear me out.  Even the unorganized will fall in love with Mabel's Labels.

My oldest (sniff, sniff) just entered Kinder this year.  That means a full day away from mom, which only can result in items being lost or left behind.  Even a mini me can misplace things on occasion.  I knew I needed a labeling solution but I wasn't quite sure how to go about it.

I discovered Mabel's Labels while perusing the interwebs and bingo!  Labeling dilemma solved.  The world of labels all neatly tucked into one awesome place.  Iron on.  Sticky.  Water proof. Allergy.  Shoe.  There is a label for absolutely everything and they work.  I've stuck them on shoes, jackets, water bottles and containers.  Even after multiple cycles through the dishwasher the labels are still tightly stuck to our handy dandy water bottle.  And may I sing the praises of the allergy labels?  As a mom to boys with nut allergies, I have to say I am a fan of a label that can speak for me when I can't be with my children.  Allergies are scary business.

Boy #2 will enter the world of elementary school next fall and you can bet I will be scooping up a school pack and allergy pack.

I was given a set of Mabel's Labels to try out.  My words.  My thoughts.  My opinions.  I only post what I love.  Have a product that would be a good fit for MFT?  Let me know.  I'd love to hear more.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

motherhood | sleeping handsome.

As moms, we all have our favorite moments of motherhood.  Some tasks are more enjoyable than others.  And that's okay to admit.

I use to hate bedtime.  Actually, hate is not a good word at our house, so I'll use "strongly dislike".  The whole routine felt like it dragged on forever.  I wanted quick.  I wanted efficient.  And all the while my boys just wanted me.

It wasn't until I was still long enough one night that this realization came.  My boys just wanted special time with their mom.  Baby N was safely tucked in dreamland and now the older boys wanted, no needed, their own time.  And I, I just wanted to rush and hurry so I could get on with the next task to cross of the to do.

Now (most nights) I look forward to our nightly routine.  The boys shower.  They clean up toys.  And then comes the fun part.  We each select our favorite book.  Read from the scriptures.  Say prayers.  And snuggle.  The snuggle part is my favorite.  I cuddle up with each one, giving them their own special attention.  Their eyes droop with sleepiness as all the days excitement slips away in a memory.

And then for a few minutes I watch.  I watch their little chests rise and fall.  I watch their sweet faces.  I just watch because I know when I blink they will be grown and the snuggles will be gone.  The bedtime stories will slowly disappear.  My babies won't be babies anymore.

A task that once felt like forever is, in reality, only 45 minutes from shower to sleep.  Each minute I am present, each minute I am focused on them, is a minute I don't regret.

These boys of mine, I love them so.  And I get to keep them forever.

Do you have a favorite thing about motherhood?

pretty things @ pretty mommy.

I need to figure out how to grow a money tree stat.  Pretty Mommy overflows with gorgeousness that I need to make mine.  Scarfs, jewelry, shoes and so much more!

Have you browsed Michelle's store?  If not, you need to and fast.  It is full of loveliness of the highest kind.  It is a bit like window shopping at Anthropologie but from the comfort of your bed or favorite chair or kitchen table.  Start your wish list for Christmas because you will fall in love with it all.

I am big time loving my new Object & Totem necklace.  It is supremely cool and I am not the only one who thinks so.  The necklaces sell out quickly!  They may be on the pricier side but are so worth saving up for.  Totally makes the outfit ladies.

People this was a sponsored post.  My words.  My thoughts.  My opinions.  I only post what I love.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Email me for details.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

mary kay | beauty & a giveaway.

Today let's talk beauty, make up and adding a bit of color to your neutrals.  It is not only about looking your best but feeling your best too.  Come follow as I step out of my comfort zone and try (gasp) pink lipstick :)

Read more here... (because you won't want to miss the giveaway!)

link love.

 image credit | Sydney of The Daybook

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.

a heartbreaking + beautiful story.
fall at its finest.
baggu + leather. yes and yes!
only the most adorable pregnant lady. ever.
fall favorites.

friday favorites : by Kara.

image credit | Deann Barrera | via flickr

 

a few of Kara's favorite things

 

having my husband home from deployment

sunflowers

being able to open the windows and feel the cool breeze throughout the house

watching my three year old son's personality develop right before my eyes

getting home from work and putting on my comfy clothes

drinking my coffee in the morning and watching the news while everyone else is still asleep

chips and salsa

roller coasters

shopping and finding a great bargain

being around inspiring and passionate people

Thanks Kara and happy happy Friday!

I'd love to feature your favorite list.  Go here to find out how!

looking your best.

 image credit | Aarthy R | via flickr

Ladies, we all like to look our best.  That is a given, yes?  Thought so.

Now that Fall is here to stay, I like to take inventory of my beauty bag and add a new color or two to the repertoire.  So what are Autumn colors and must haves in make up you ask?  I don't claim to be an expert but I will divulge to you how I go about it.

I like to look towards what is trending in fashion at the moment to clue me in on Autumn make up must haves.  Deep plums, pops of purples and blues and the ever classic nudes seem to be what is in this fall. Keep the color on the lids with subtle cheeks and lips or vice versa.

Lucky for you, we do have an expert weighing in on this topic over at the Life Well Lived Blog.  Go find out what has to be said about Fall beauty.  And to make things even more exciting (because we all love a little excitement) be sure to enter the $250 sweepstakes, you'd be silly not too!

Now it is your turn to share?  What are your Fall beauty must haves?  I want to know.

simply livly.

Ladies, listen up!  I've discovered a new jewelry boutique on etsy that will quickly become your favorite.  Pinky swear.

I met Pam at Pretty Mommy's pop up shop a few weeks back.  She walked in, I zeroed in on her necklace and quickly found out that Pam was the very gal behind the creation.  Call it kismet or what have you but I love when the stars align.

Pam runs the online boutique Simply Livly.  All of her designs are created with cotton jersey knit material.  Think tee shirt.  Think super soft.  Think uber comfortable.  Because her necklaces are made with a jersey knit you can make the necklace any length you fancy.  Short, long or somewhere in between.

I love mine.  Like L O V E it.  The necklace I chose is light weight and goes with just about anything I throw on.  And one more thing, I always receive compliments when I wear it.  It is just that good.

Go forth friends and beautify your neck! 

I was given a Simply Livly necklace to review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I only post what I love.  Have a product you want reviewed?  Email me for more details.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

psst --- did you know I am offering a holiday discount off of all three month sponsorship packages? you didn't? well, i am! come join MFT :) I promise we will have lots of fun!!  email for details!

drive safely.

Friends, I've procrastinated in a big way.  I put off and put off completing my driver safety course that is due next Tuesday --- for a ticket I received in the summer.  Yikes!  I stayed up until 1am last night cramming in as much as my brain could handle.  It is pure boredom but I must GET. IT. DONE.  So today, that is what I will be doing while N naps.  Sounds delightful I know.

I hope you are doing something fun!
Tell me, what are you doing today?
I need some excitement :)

I promise to be back tomorrow with non-boring life stuff.  Promise.

send a little holiday love with Tiny Prints.

Do you hear that?
snow falling.
laughter.
slurps of hot cocoa.

It's the sound of the holiday season.
Are you ready?

Tiny Prints makes holiday cards simple.  The hard part will be choosing your favorite design!  Have fun browsing their extensive Christmas Card selection.  Photo.  Non-Photo. Colorful. Simple.  I promise you will find a design you LOVE.  The paper used is top quality cardstock and is printed to perfection.

The website is completely easy to navigate.  I simply browsed their holiday card selection, chose my favorite design and customized it to fit my needs perfectly.  And in no time at all, my Christmas cards arrived on my doorstep. 

I've listed a few of my favorites below.

Do you send out holiday cards?

think peace
tabbed grid (gray)
bright patterns (gold)  
spread cheer
dynamic dreams

This is a sponsored post.  All words, thoughts and opinions are my own.  I only post what I love.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Email me for me details.  info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

link love.

image credit | Cassandra Smith

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.


Floral, stripes and that jacket.  I swoon.
A super rad greenhouse lamp.
Ivy covered cottages make me think of fairy tales :)
I am not the only lover of Halloween.
The coolest antlers. Ever.

currently crushing | cb2 credenza.

image credit | cb2.com

I have been hugely crushing on this credenza from cb2.  I am pretty sure it's my biggest crush yet.  That pop of yellow is just about perfect.  I sure do hope it doesn't disappear before I can save my pretty little pennies to buy it.

Okay interwebs.  I am going to close my eyes and count to ten.  And then you magically make it appear, yes?

Wouldn't that be fantastic if that actually worked?
What would you like to have magically appear?

down and out.

 image credit | via Ruby Lane | via Vernon Dutton (flickr)

Friends I can't seem to find luck anywhere.  The string of bad luck keeps coming.  I am sick.  The kind of sick where you don't feel like dying but you don't feel great.  I am stuck in the middle with a horrible cough. 

It's been ages since I've been to the doctor but I dragged myself there this morning to find a bit of relief.  Twenty minutes and a steroid shop later, I was out the door with a prescription for three different things.  The silver lining?  I have decent insurance.  Thank goodness.

Tonight I am doing absolutely NOTHING.  Well except maybe for a load or two of laundry.  A little work on the blog I have neglected the past two weeks.  A bit of cleaning up the email.  And then nothing.

I hope your weekend is more exciting!
What are your plans?

say cheese to the cheesy school pictures.

 image credit | Jeffrey Beall | via flickr

Today is school picture day.
Tyler is probably posing right now with his toothless grin.
I, of course, turned in payment for a small picture package.  Isn't that obligatory?  You know, to have a slew of pictures ranging from kinder on up to grade twelve.  It's awesome.  Scary but awesome.

Do you remember picture day?

bugaboo donkey : mono - duo - twin.

Strollers.
Something you can not live without if you have a child.  Or at least I wouldn't want to live without one.  But choosing one can be down right confusing.

The options are endless!

Bugaboo happens to be one of the tippy top brands when it comes to stroller making.  They produce some of the finest buggies out there and completely steal the show when it comes to the stroller world.  And their newest member does not disappoint.

image credit | bugaboo.com

I was gifted two glorious weeks with the Bugaboo Donkey.  We became quite close and I must confess, I was sad to part ways. 

One of the neat aspects of Bugaboo is that you can build your stroller every which way.  Take the Donkey.  You can go mono, duo or twin.  The donkey can transform from a 1 1/2 stroller (if there is such a thing) to a double with a few simple clicks and slides.  And you must take note, when not in double mode, the donkey is the same width as the cameleon!  I absolutely loved having the Donkey in mono mode with the seat and basket.  Excellent for small shopping trips or shopping sprees :)

People, it was easy to put together.  I did it without the help of the husband and that is saying a lot.  You start with the frame and then add the features that fit your lifestyle.  It was surprisingly simple to adjust from mono to duo without much effort and then back again.  The only downside I foresee is that you really need a van or SUV to haul it around, or live in a city where you walk to a fro.  And remember, it is a "luxury" stroller, which translates to a "luxury" price tag.  Don't be too alarmed.  The quality is spot-on excellent.

Oh and one more thing, pretty much every person I came in contact with ooooh and awed over it's coolness.  Because really it is.

I was given the Bugaboo Doneky to try out for two weeks.  All thoughts, words and opinions are my own.  I only post what I love.  Have a product you think would be a good fit for MFT?  Email me :) info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

auburn soul photography.

 image credit | auburn soul photography

Tick tock, tick tock.  Holidays are approaching friends and now is the time to think "what shall I do about holiday cards?".  Yes?  That is what you were thinking?

Look not a one step further!  Auburn Soul has a killer deal happening.  Right now.  As I type this.  For 150 buck-a-roos you will receive a session and a CD of images with print lease.  Awesome.

And I have a little secret to spill --- Stephanie is hosting seven days of giveaways.  Free stuff!  Go fast and enter :)

This is a sponsored post.  I only post about what I love.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Email me for more details.  
info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

motherhood | the calm in the storm.

 image credit | toni elmer photography


The last motherhood post I confessed what was hard about being a mom.  Now I would like to touch on something that has been easy for me.

I stay calm in an emergency.

And thank goodness I do.  I have three boys.  You know what that means, yes?  Think active.  Think wild.  Think endless energy.  And with that comes bumps - bruises - broken bones - and stitches.

We have had multiple trips to the ER and I don't foresee that slowing down.  I have learned as I have looked into the scared, hurt eyes of my boys when they have braved an injury and it is this --- My calmness projects onto them.  They sense that in some way, things will end up right.

I love being their rock.

So tell me, how are you a rockstar mom?

link love (on a tuesday).

 image credit | Danyelle of Dandee Designs

Happy Monday Tuesday 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 birth video is pretty awesome (via natthefatrat).
Adorable bookmarks.
A fun design breakdown.
Where would you want to raise your children?
Water color crepe paper, yes please!

corduroy. another reason I love fall.

Do you like corduroy too?

toms bottle green cord
chocolate cord tiny toms
jcrew stretch vintage bootcut cord
talbots grace fit cord jacket
anaheim shirt dress via anthropologie

lady luck is not my friend.

 image credit | smithsonian american art museum  
The Juggler | 1934 Dwight C. Sturges Born: Boston, Massachusetts 1874 Died: Boston, Massachusetts 1940 etching 9 x 11 in. (22.9 x 27.9 cm) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Chicago Society of Etchers 1935.13.680

Friends, it has been a hectic week.

On Monday night we (my little family of five) were in a car accident.  I am counting my blessings that we are all okay.  We were rear ended on a state highway.  It most definitely could have ended badly but it didn't.  Unfortunately mini received a big boo boo.

And well, the rest of the week has been full of early school release.  Every. Single. Day.  Trips to the chiropractor.  A trip to the police department.  And not enough sleep.  I feel as though I am scrambling around trying my best to accomplish it all and really pretty much dropping every single ball, hence the late blog posts.  Hang with me a little longer, I promise to be back next week with a bang :)

don't stop.

I don't often watch commercials because, well, I like to fast forward through them.  That's my impatient side ya'll.  But last night I actually skipped back a couple beats to catch the new Lowe's commercial.  It made me smile.  I never want to stop improving.  And dancing.  To always dance is a must :)

freshly picked.

I adore freshly picked, do you?
Susan is a genius when it comes to leather.  Her moccs are quite simply, the cutest baby footwear.  Ever!  Soft leather.  Easy on.  Easy off.  Nicholas wears his all the time and always receives compliments.  He is quite fashion forward!

Susan is really just a genius with a needle and thread.  I own a few of her pillows and am all around smitten with the creative things that flow from her fingers.  You most definitely need to go visit her shop.  You'll be happy you did :)

She also blogs too!

This is a sponsored post.  I only post about what I love.  Interested in becoming a sponsor?  Email me for more details.  
info AT afewofmyfavorites DOT com

my life in pictures.

Hello October, you are my favorite month of the whole year :)
Life seems to be moving in triple speed as I try to catch my breath.  At the end of day, as I tuck my tender little boys in bed, I try to slow down and enjoy those fleeting moments with them.  You know, those seconds right before sleep takes over.  They are drowsy and all around snuggable --- my absolute favorite.

The weather has turned lovely in the mornings.  Crisp.  Cool.  All around happy weather it is.  I've dusted off the bikes for rides to the park.  We have been to two different pumpkin patches and we are anticipating our annual "spooky walks" around the neighborhood.

New pajamas from Hanna and handsome new cord tiny Toms.
Tub time with all three boys.
And cheesy grins.

All of these things make me immensely happy!

What is your favorite month?