Old School Blogging-March Edition!

Wow the end of March already? Well I'm not too late for Old School Blogging with my friend Elaine this month!


If you could be on a reality tv show which would you choose?

Hmm this is hard as I used to be a hardcore Survivor fan, but I totally wouldn't last at all. I used to really love The Amazing Race...but my husband and I would kill each other. I have no sense of direction and consider myself geographically challenged. So maybe not?

Name one thing you have saved from your childhood.

I really have no cuddly stuffed animals or a blanket to admit to. I guess the closest thing would be lots of photo albums from the past.

If your life had a song what would it be?

I am a lover of all kinds of music. Not sure my life has a theme...but I do love some old school Dave Matthews Band when it's sunny out with the windows down. Takes me back to carefree days.

(Particular favorites are #41 and Two Step-"but life is short but sweet for certain")

What is your happy place?

The beach! I love hearing the waves, and anytime it starts warming up I feel the ache to be at the beach catching some rays and my toes in the sand.

What is the one thing about your home that you and your spouse disagree on?

We both agree it's too small for these growing boys. I would say I don't mind the yard but my husband would like it to be a perfectly manicured lawn. I'm just happy as long as it is mowed. He wants to redo our master bathroom, but I think if we're to sale this year that it's not going to gain us much more than we've already invested in the house.

What is your favorite fruit?

I would like to say I like cantaloupe the most but I don't usually have it in the house because it either goes bad or not ripe enough. I do eat a banana a day, and I do like a good strawberry. I just don't like fruits that are too sweet!

Bowtie or regular tie?

Regular tie I guess...but my boys do look cute in a bowtie but that's a rare occasion!

Mexican or Italian food?

I LOVE Mexican food! I could probably eat it almost everyday. A quesadilla and a margarita for the win!

Where do you want to go on summer vacation?

Well if I could choose anywhere with no budget restraints I would choose Hawaii, and the big island this time. With budget restraints, heading to the beaches of SC again...or a fall trip to Colorado!

What are your go-to shoes in your closet?

(My foot is the silver one on the right, and I have a black one very similar to pair)

Since it is warming up, I'll have to go with some of Kenneth Cole dressed up flip flops. They have some sparkle but are super comfortable!

How about you? Want to play a long with us and Elaine? C'mon down!

Natalie

This Week-Friday 5!

This week was a fast one but slow at the same time. Can that even be possible?

I am super excited to be co-hosting Friday 5 with the fabulous Emmy! We've been bloggy friends for maybe three years? I really consider a friend and love keeping up with her family. She's funny and doesn't take herself too seriously while still having great family values. So be sure to check her out, and now on to the Friday 5!

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5 Thoughts

1) We are adjusting back from the beach life. It's nice to be away from home, but it's also nice to have a sense of normalcy and routine.

2) We have what I call a "soft" summer bucket list. It's not a "must do", but I am trying to do some fun activities with the kids this summer.

3) Last week, I took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese, worked out at the barre gym, celebrated National Donut Day with a visit to Krispy Kreme, and we went to JumpJam a trampoline park. The boys loved it, and we went at the smaller children time, so they wouldn't get trampled on.

4) This week we visited with some friends since she's a teacher and off for the summer. The boys had a blast with the older boys!

5) This week we had a KMB playgroup, and the boys got to make their own pizza. Well Nolan did, Conley was too busy looking through the windows at the pizza makers.

5 Pictures

Conley having fun at Chuck E. Cheese!

Boys being boys at JumpJam! 

Krispy Kreme donut time!

Getting fitted for jeans for a review on KMB!

Pizza makin' fun with KMB!

A little preview of our family photos, more to come soon!

And one more just for fun!

Have a great weekend friends and link up with us! 

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Natalie

Review Extravaganza Winners!

Thanks so much for linking up with and making a fabulous Review Extravaganza!

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors!

Our sponsors are so amazing and we love all the amazing things they are offering for the Review Extravaganza.  This year we have so many great sponsors that we are going to have two winners, one Grand Prize Winner and a Runner-up.   Our wonderful sponsors (in no particular order)- please visit their sites and see what amazing things they have to offer.  Here are our sponsors in no particular order.  Power of Mom's- MOM Organizational System  $75 Value Grand Prize

Mind Organization for Moms (M.O.M.) is a mom-specific adaptation of David Allen’s best-seller, Getting Things Done®, designed to help you accomplish your most important tasks so you can fully enjoy your family.

In our simple online program, we’ll show you how to clear your counter of “the pile,” organize projects without the stress, set up an effective Weekly Review system, and keep up with the never-ending stream of emails, phone calls, and papers (yes, it’s possible!).

Find the Power of Moms Here: Website//Facebook//Twitter//Pinterest 

Sweet Adornment  Hand-stamped Hugs And; Kisses Sterling Silver Pendant  $24 Value Runner-Up
Sweet Adornment is a mom and daughter run Etsy shop.  It offers beautiful hand stamped jewelry and keepsakes personalized for you and those you love.  This pendant is a sterling silver pendant, silver filled chain along with the silver heart charm.  Would make an awesome gift for someone you love. Find Sweet Adornment Here: Etsy//Facebook//Twitter  jijamas- Pajama Set $90 Value Grand-Prize This couple met, feel in love and had babies.  As their babies finally started sleeping through the night, they realized that the babies' pajamas played a large part in how they slept, all incredibly soft and comfortable.  So they created a line of incredibly soft pajamas for women made with the same Pima cotton that our kids love to wear, in designs women will want to wear.   Find jijams here: Website//Facebook Thirty-one Retro Metro Wallet and Key Fob $30 Value Grand-Prize This cool and casual wallet includes 12 card slots, an interior zipper compartment and stylish snap closer.  It's perfect for teens or moms looking to carry their essentials around town.  This is being offered by Courtney a blogger (at Optimistic Mommy) and Thirty-one consultant.  Thirty-one makes beautiful and long-last purses and accessories.  They come in a variety of colors and styles and would be a perfect gift.   Find Courtney here: Blog//Thirty-one Site//Facebook//Twitter Blog Makeover from Social Chic $75 Grand-Prize Sarah is a blogger with a passion for web design and graphics, she is offering a $75 Blog makeover package, which includes custom header, nav bar, sidebar headers, about me gadget, social media links, button with grab box, custom signature and full installation!  Your blog can have a whole new look for the new year. Find Sarah here: Website//Blog//Twitter//Facebook 2 Autographed Copies of An Altered Existence  $24 total  Grand-Prize and Runner Up Melody Nunez is a blogger, an artist and now a published author! Melody collected antique photos known as cabinet cards that were "orphans" from flea markets and antique stores.  They sparked her imagination and resulted in 14 short stories illustrated with photos "altered" by the author.  I (Emmymom) have read her book and love it!  Melody is giving two copies, both autographed to the lucky winners.   Find Melody Here: Blog//Facebook//Twitter//Art Program Gift Certificate to Shadow Rouge Originals Etsy Shop $25 Value Runner-Up Shadow Rouge Originals features handmade jewelry with enchanting chainmaille designs with a modern twist.  Heather, of Shadow Rouge Originals, offers bracelets, necklaces and pendants.  She is offering a $25 gift certificate to her esty shop so the winner can pick which piece they love best.  Find Heather here: Etsy//Facebook Motivated Decor-Chalk Art Prints Runner-Up Chalk-art is all the rage these days and Amanda of Motivated Decor not only makes beautiful chalk art but does it with a purpose.  All of her products contain quotes that can help motivate us all in each key area of life. She wants to help us feel motivated in some way to make improvements in your life. These art pieces will be the perfect subtle reminder to kick start your day!  This will be more than just the digital file to download, she will send the winner the chalk-art of their choice printed. 
Find Motivated Decor on Here: Etsy//Facebook Rodan + Fields Dermatologists Mini Facial Kit $20 Value Grand Prize Give your skin a glow with a home facial that will reveal a more vibrant, youthful looking completion.  The ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste exfoliates to enhance cell turnover and improve tone and texture. REDEFINE Night Renewing Serum with retinol leaves skin soft and smooth improving skin texture and firmness and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. REDEFINE Lip Renewing Serum smooths lip texture, reduces lip wrinkles, and increases moisturization. This pampering packet is good for 2-3 treatments. A few sweeps of the full size ENHANCEMENTS Lip Micro-Dermabrasion will keep your lips smooth throughout the dry winter months. Keep your beautiful skin fresh and young!

Keslie, an independent Rodan + Fields Consultant is giving away a Mini Facial and Lip Dermabrasion.

Find Kelsie Here: Website//Facebook 

Gift Certificate to The Lovebug Collection $25 value Grand Prize The Lovebug Collection is an online boutique that offers baby items and hair accessories for women and children.   There is everything from baby clothes, leg warmers, wipe clutches, headbands, and hair accessories.  The winner will receive a $25 gift card to use at the Lovebug Collection.   Find Lovebug Collection here: Website//Facebook//Twitter//Instagram Emily Kathryn Photography-Starbucks Gift Card $15 Value Runner-Up Emily is a Southern California photographer specializing in newborns and families.  She has always had a camera in her hands and through study and lots of practice she has turned her hobby into a business.  She loves capturing those real moments, the love and interactions and giving each client something they will treasure forever.   Emily is providing the winner with a $15 gift card to Starbucks.  Find Emily Here: Website//Facebook  Sur Le Feu 3-Earring Set $20 Value Grand Prize Simple, stylish, functional handbags and accessories. Sur Le Feu features modern designs with a vintage touch. Each item is unique and never duplicated - just like a real vintage treasure, you'll never see another one exactly like it!  Kristine is offering 3-earring set in coordinating cotton print and silk dupioni hand-covered buttons. 1/2" diameter, very lightweight and easy to wear.
Find Kristine Here: Website//Etsy//Blog//Facebook Olive And Ivy Design Credit Towards Blog Makeover $30 Value Runner-Up Olive And Ivy Design is here to help you fall in love with your place on the web.  They specialize in blog beautifying and pretty custom designs for bloggers and small business.  They can also help those wanting to switch from blogger to wordpress.  They are offering a $30 credit for a blog element or towards a bigger blog makeover package.  Find Olive And Ivy Design Here: Website// Blog// Facebook// Pinterest  Ephemeral Moments Art Print $15 Value Grand Prize Every home needs beautiful artwork and Christine of Ephemeral Moments takes beautiful calming nature shots that would be beautiful decor in any home.  She is offering the winner their choice of either an 8X10, 2 5X7's or 2 4X6's of a piece they love.   Find  Ephemeral Moments Here: Etsy  My So Called Chaos- Original Nail Polish Art $30 Value Runner-Up Miss Angie's etsy shop is filled with lovely handmade art and accessories filled with heart!  She specializes in watercolor and ink prints of simple every day items that bring a spark of whimsy to art. She is offering 2 4X6 Nail Polish Arts. 
Find Angie Here: Etsy//Blog//Facebook//Pinterest Tooth Fairy Pillow Shop Gift Certificate  $25 Value Grand Prize Tooth Fairy Pillow Shop offers Personalized Tooth Fairy Pillows, Tooth Fairy Letters, Tooth Fairy gifts and other handmade, happy gifts for kids!  These adorable pillows will make the tooth-fairy's job a lot easier at night.  Jen is offering a $25 gift certificate to her etsy shop.  
Find Tooth Fairy Pillow Here:  Etsy//Facebook
Kim Cannon Illustrations Print $16 Value Grand Prize Kim is an aspiring children's book illustrator with ample experience in the visual arts field.  She aims to evoke both an emotion and a personal narrative with every image she creates.  Kim has a passion for art and strongly believes that it needs a stronger voice in the education system and she hopes to be able to incorporate these beliefs into her classroom.  Her illustration are her source of income and support for her education.
Find Kim here: Website//Facebook Your Charmed Life -Personalized Hand Stamped Bracelet  $35 Value Grand Prize Kelly of Your Charmed Life Etsy shop uses all types of metals, from sterling silver, brass and copper. Boosting the charms with textures and dings, oxidizing and wool brushing for that marked rustic look. YOURCHARMEDLIFE, is all about YOU and your custom CHARMS.   Kelly is offering a beautiful personalized stamp bracelet.  
Find Kelly Here: Etsy//Blog//Twitter//
And Finally $25 Starbucks gift card- donated by our own Janette  Grand Prize $20 Amazon Gift Card- donated by our own Lourie Grand Prize  And the winners are............. VandyJ of the Testosterone Three and Me—  http://tttandme.blogspot.com   

The runner up is Mindi from Simply Stavish  http://stavishclan.com
Congrats and Happy New Year!

Natalie

Review Extravaganza: October-December 2013!

And as we close out the year 2013, here's the last installment of the Review Extravaganza!

I started off the month of October by writing about as mothers when are we enough?

We took a glance at my boy at three, then the actual third birthday party.

I talked about how as moms we don't get any off days even if we are sick, and how I just want my own space.

We then celebrated fall with some pumpkin pickin' and a Halloween event at a local park.

I then let you in on my new venture of the Knoxville Moms Blog.  If you haven't been over there, check it out!

I then celebrated a birthday with a bedroom remodel and talked about as moms we always put ourselves last.

Next up we're in December, and I wrote about the not-so-nice part of being online.  Then we were off to find the perfect Christmas tree!

So there you have it, the year in a review.  What a crazy fast ride it's been!

In your recap post, please share you goals or hopes for 2014.  I personally haven't had much time to think on mine, so when I do I'll share in another post.  I do hope for a fun filled year watching my boys grow!


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Natalie

Review Extravaganza: July-September 2013!

We are quickly moving in the review of the 3rd quarter! Man did this year fly by or what?  Join us for another week of remembering the year three months at a time, and you could win some big prizes!

In July, I came back from a bloggy break and had some one-on-one time with Nolan.

We then had a rainy 4th but still enjoyed a parade and the aquarium.  It seriously rained that whole weekend!

I talked about my boy not being a baby anymore...and then my actual baby turned 10 months and then 11 months!

I finally got in a groove of being a mom of two.  I reflected back on my school days and wondered if my boys would do the same one day.

We finished off the month by staying out until the sun goes down.

August we started off with a bang with some hiking and Conley's 1st Birthday Bash.

Nolan started not being so sweet, and I shared my favorite go-to dish, Ham and Tomato Pie.

Another busy week in my household, Nolan went back to MDO and had some fun with trucks.

I had a serious post about friendships of the past and how sometimes friendships expire.

We headed off to the beach for vacation and some fun in the sun!  I also shared some facts about when you travel with me.

A late post about Conley turning 12 months, and then a night out with the gals!

We finished the month out with my 6th year wedding anniversary!

Man, I'm tired just from writing that...now it's your turn share your third quarter and win some prizes!

(You can link up for this third week until Wednesday, December 25th 11:59 PST)

You check out the rules from the first week's recap!

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Natalie