The cooler temps have been so wonderful this week, however, I am really ready for fall weather! Highs in the 60s weather. You know what I mean? I’m ready to wear my cardigans and be comfortable. I was definitely sweating taking these pictures. Not so glamorous.

Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts
August 2012
Berkley Trade

Pages: 400

Synopsis from Goodreads: Margo, Kate and Laura were brought up like sisters amidst the peerless grandeur of Templeton House. But it was Margo whose dreams first took her far away . . .

Margo Sullivan had everything a young woman could ask for. But while growing up along the rocky cliffs of Monterey, she couldn’t help but dream of bigger things. The daughter of the Templeton’s stern Irish housekeeper, Margo had been treated like a member of the family. Deep down, she knew that money could not buy the thing she craved most—her mother’s acceptance.

Maybe things would be different if she could be sweet like Laura—or had Kate’s shrewd head for business. But all Margo knew how to do was be Margo, and that meant doing things her own way—no matter what the consequences . . .

We are less than a week away from the first official day of fall and it is finally starting to cool off here this week with a “cold front” coming in! The highs are in the 80s and lows in the 60s. I’ll take it! It has been a huge relief. It has made my morning runs more enjoyable and has allowed me to finally wear some of the fall clothes I’ve been dying to get into! 

Linking up here: Monday Mingle YOLO Mondays Monday Bloom Style SessionsTrend Spin Fashion The Pleated Poppy What I Wore Wednesdays Random Wednesday Look what I got! Vodka Infused Lemonade I Feel Pretty Be.You.Ti.Ful Casual Friday Fashion Friday Favorite Fashion Friday Friday’s Fab Favorites Fashion Friday Glitterati Gal

Hampton’s birthday invitations came in the mail a few days ago and I have been busy gathering addresses and writing them out! It’s official. Party planning is in full swing. I ordered his birthday outfit (the part that I’m not making) and bought a few crafty things to make his garland and birthday cake banner! I really hope it all turns out the way I want it to, but you never know with my crafting skills. 😉

I honestly can’t believe I will have an eleven month old in a week. His birthday will be here before we know it and we still have so much to plan/buy/do before it gets here. That reminds me, what do you buy a one year old boy for his birthday? The practical side of me wants to buy him clothes or put money in his bank account, but the fun mom side of me wants to buy him everything in the toy store! Decisions decisions.

Speaking of babies, fun moms and what not, I hope you will link up for Mama Mondays below!

What would you buy a one year old for his birthday?

As a new mom, my wardrobe, most days, consists of yoga pants and T-shirts. As much as I love to get dressed up, it’s really hard to get motivated to dress nice knowing I will be working from home all day and chasing around a 10 month old. Let’s be real. I normally have spit up, pee and some kind of food on me by 9am. Because of this, it is with great honor and pleasure that I received this adorable baseball tee to wear. It is my anthem now days, after all.

I am a proud supporter of messy hair and sweat pants. Don’t believe me? Show up at my house when we aren’t expecting you. No further proof needed. 😉

I am in love with this top! It is so soft and comfortable! Perfect for every day. It’s so cute and can be styled a million different ways. It can be worn with jeans, yoga pants, sweat pants, black pants or shorts and the list goes on. It is so versatile and I mean, come on. Every mom needs one.

I love to add accessories to my wardrobe as well. I have only recently started accessorizing more. I have seen so many cute bags/purses/jewelry that it’s tough to resist it. Isn’t this clutch so adorable? Guess what? It is up for grabs! That’s right! Windsor is giving it away to one of my lucky readers! Just enter in the rafflecopter below:

Disclaimer: This product is being given away by Windsor store. Only U.S. residents may enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’ve been so excited to participate in the #FriskyFall challenge! You may have seen my check-ins on IG and Twitter. The challenge started Monday and will last 8 weeks. I absolutely love Tone it Up. They helped me lose my baby weight and then some and have encouraged me to live a healthy life for myself and my family. I have completed 9.8 miles so far towards #100byHalloween and I have completed all of the workouts so far this week. It has felt so good to get back into a workout routine after not being on a very consistent one the last couple of weeks.

My favorite part of the day is early mornings with Hampton. We normally wake up, I feed him his breakfast and then we go for our run/walk. I love that time with him. He is so happy and loves to ooo and ahh over every little thing. He loves being outside and seeing all of our neighbors and dogs, It is really precious time for us. This has also really motivated me to get in that morning booty call (aka morning workout according to TIU).

What has been your motivation this week? Are you participating in any challenges this season?

Linking up with Katie!

I’m not always on the bandwagon with every little fashion trend that comes through, but I am partial to wool hats. My mom dressed me in cute little hats throughout my childhood and I’ve always loved wearing them. Fedoras, cowgirl hats, baseball caps and lately, wool hats. Thank you to whoever set this fashion trend. They are so much fun and you can seriously wear them with anything and everything. Well, maybe not a prom dress. Don’t do that.

Unfortunately, no matter how in the mood I am for the fall season, it is simply not fall yet. We still have a few more days until the season officially begins, however it will be hotter than …why can’t I think of anything appropriately right now? until probably mid-December here in Alabama. No, I’m not kidding. We experience fall weather in the winter. Our leaves finally start turning around December. It’s pretty crazy. Anyway, I may not be able to wear my sweaters yet,but I can sure wear my hats and booties!

What is your favorite fall fashion trend? Do you have any new favorites this year?

I’ve been in a huge…. funk lately. I guess that is a good word for it. Since the passing of my close friend, I’ve gone through so many emotions. I’ve been so angry at times, relieved he is no longer in pain, so so sad, and praising God that he took him home to sing and play the piano again. I know that I have a permanent angel who is looking over all of us now, but I can’t help missing him. I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach all the time. I know that it will get better with time. I know the sick feeling will go away, but it hasn’t yet. I can’t believe I won’t get to hear him sing again. My heart is hurting so much for his wife.

I don’t know if this sadness has come through my blog. I hope it hasn’t, but if it has, I’m sorry. I want to be able to write happy encouraging posts again. I want this to be a place that my readers look forward to coming and reading, but I am just having a really hard time getting that out right now.

The pain will ease and we will always have these incredible memories. I will always have his CD so that I can hear him sing when I need to. I know that God had a bigger plan for his life that was bigger than my sadness or his family’s sadness. Maybe it will be revealed to us and maybe it never will. God is always here with us (and with you). He is holding our hands. He will get us all through this difficult time as we grieve the loss of this incredible life.

With all of that being said, I’m ready to get out of this funk. I wear my emotions on my face. I’m tired of looking and feeling so sad. I want to have joy again. I want to feel happy and healthy and present. Very present. It isn’t fair to my husband or my son. I need and want to get out of this for them.

I’m giving God the glory for healing, whether it be in life or in death. I’m giving God the glory for healing our broken hearts, because I know he is doing that a little more every day.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” 
-Psalm 147:3

Welcome to our second week of Mama Mondays! Link up all of your mama related posts and grab our button or link back to us!

Has anyone tried baby lead weaning? I heard about it for the first time when Hampton was around 6 months old. I decided to try it out. He only has 2 teeth, but his doctor said that because his gums are so hard, he would be fine to chew soft foods. So far, Hampton is doing really well with fruits, toast, and green beans. Carrots on the other hand… yikes. Let’s just say Pippa eats her fair share of carrots.

Have you tried BLW? What BLW foods have been successful for your baby?