First… Thanks for all your sweet comments etc. on my birth story post yesterday. It felt good to be blogging again! You all really are the very best! Now, on to regularly scheduled programming… 🙂

This is a little guest post series I’m hosting with some of my favorite bloggers while I’m adjusting to life with a newborn (again). I asked each of them to share a quick list of four items: something they bought recently (or are currently shopping for), a hobby or trend they are experimenting with, a book (or blog) they are reading, and the TV show they never miss/most recent Netflix binge. Fun right? 

Please welcome Marie from MarieOsborne.com today!!

Marie is a Christian wife and mama to a wild little boy and TWIN girls, and her blog is one of the most inspiring and encouraging spots on the internet for me.  I love her passion for her faith, her friendly writing voice (like we really are just sharing coffee), and her honest talk about marriage, motherhood, friendship, and everything in between. 🙂

Here are her four things…

Buying – I just bought a super cute zip front blazer from Target. I’m obsessed with it.

I’m also eyeing some wedges (like these and these),  and a maxi dress at Target too, but I’m waiting for my 5% Pharmacy rewards coupon to come in the mail. Cuz I’m classy like that.

Trying – Grass-fed Beef Gelatin and Bullet-Proof Coffee. I just read about beef gelatin recently as a way to improve your skin elasticity and gut health. It doesn’t taste like anything when you put it in hot tea or hot coffee so I figured, “What the hay?” I also feel like I keep hearing about Bullet-Proof Coffee, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I haven’t noticed a huge difference yet, but maybe I need a different brand of coffee?

Reading – I’m always reading, like, 750 books because I’m a crazy person. Right now, I’m reading Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch of the blog “We Are That Family.” She is really challenging me to ask what Jesus wants from me in this space in time and how I can impact my community and world.

Restless by Jennie Allen. I read it while I walk at the gym, and I end up feeling like I’m going to storm the world for Jesus (after I shower, of course).

I’m also dabbling in 50 Shades of They by Ed Young, Scary Close by Donald Miller, and Heart Sisters by Natalie Snapp. I’m a crazy person.

Watching – I’m binge-watching The West Wing again. I love this show. Every character is so likeable, and the writing is so stinkin’ good! And I find it inspiring and informative and funny and GOD BLESS AMERICA! Watch the West Wing.

Thanks Marie!!

Find her: Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / Google+

This is a little guest post series I’m hosting with some of my favorite bloggers while I’m adjusting to life with a newborn (again). I asked each of them to share a quick list of four items: something they bought recently (or are currently shopping for), a hobby or trend they are experimenting with, a book (or blog) they are reading, and the TV show they never miss/most recent Netflix binge. Fun right? 

Today, I’m excited to have AP from I Love You More Than Carrots sharing her four things…

Doesn’t she make being a “boy mom” look so cool and glamorous?!?  I’ve been reading AP’s blog for several years now (since she was pregnant with her second son), and I adore her sense of humor and ability to keep it real. It’s been so fun to watch her family (and her blog) grow, and I’m honored to feature her in my space today.

Here’s what AP is…

Buying: Oh let’s just say what should really be said here and that’s “what haven’t I been buying lately?” There’s just something about the change in seasons, especially the transition from Winter to Spring, that always has me shopping for new pieces, often of the bold and bright variety, to breathe new life into my closet. This month not only did we celebrate Easter but we’ll also be celebrating the baptism of our Middle Little and Littlest Little. You just name the occasion and I’ll go out and buy a new dress for it- and although I intended to wear this Lilly Pulitzer shift for each of the celebrations, ultimately I ended up purchasing this number from Nordstrom too and even though it’s sleeveless, I think I’m set on wearing it for the boys’ baptism. See what I mean about bright and bold colors?

Unfortunately, the desire to breathe new life into closets doesn’t just end with me. Anticipating cool nights on the beach and the boat this summer, I ordered these striped half-zips for each of the boys during the recent JCrew Factory sale as well as some new t-shirts and shorts to get them through the start of the summer.

In much less exciting news, we also had to purchase a new dishwasher this month which further solidified my status as “Officially Grown Up.”

Trying: Rarely one to ever pay much attention to make up, let along make up trends, my eyebrows have been begging for some attention lately and on a whim I decided to start doing something about them. I mean, if I were to pick one feature on my face that has been totally and utterly neglected over the past few years, it would have to be my eyebrows. I do pride myself on not being a compulsive eyebrow plucker- for the most part I have my eyebrows shaped and waxed once a month at the local nail salon. But my love and attention for them ends there. No eyebrow pencil or filler. Not even a brush to keep them in line. (Who needs a dedicated eyebrow brush when you can just use an old toothbrush?) Well, now that I’m Officially A Grown Up, I’ve decided to take better care of my brows, starting with Sigma Brow Wax and Sigma Brow Powder Duo. And holy smokes, what a difference it has made. Now, on the days when I’m feeling rushed in the morning, which, let’s face it, is every day, I give a little extra attention to my brows, cream blush on my cheeks, a little mascara, and I’m good to go!

Reading: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity. I’ve been reading this book for far too long- not because I don’t like it but because it takes me about nine times the amount of time to finish a book today than it did, oh, five years ago. It’s a light, fun read. Definitely an easy book to fall into at the end of the day when I’m exhausted from making meals and filling juice cups! I’d recommend it for sure.

Watching: I just started streaming The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix last week, and I am obsessed. It’s a ridiculous new Netflix-original series about a woman who was rescued from an underground Doosmday Cult and starts life over again in NYC of all places. The series was co-created by Tina Fey which means it has to be amazing. I’m only three episodes in but I actually look forward to folding laundry and putting it away because it means I get to treat myself by turning on my latest obsession. Does anyone else have to reward themselves like this for accomplishing daily chores? No? Just me? And let’s not even talk about the new season of OITNB that will air in June- I’m already counting down the days!

Thanks AP!

Find her: Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest

This is a little guest post series I’ll be hosting with some of my favorite bloggers while I’m adjusting to life with a newborn (again). I asked each of them to share a quick list of four items: something they bought recently (or are currently shopping for), a hobby or trend they are experimenting with, a book (or blog) they are reading, and the TV show they never miss/most recent Netflix binge. Fun right? 

Today, I’m happy to introduce my sweet internet friend Callie from Through Clouded Glass.

I’ve been reading Callie’s blog for several years now, and I’ve always enjoyed her faith-based perspective on life as a working momma (she’s a part-time dental hygienist) and mom to three little ones (with another on the way). In addition to sharing her heart, her blog is full of fun recipes, book reviews, DIY projects, and her awesome sense of style.  It’s an everyday read for me, for sure!

Now, on to her 4…

Buying: That would be maxi skirts. I’m pregnant with my fourth child, due in September, and summertime’s a comin’! This is my first time ever being pregnant in the summer, and I would really like to avoid buying maternity shorts since I’ll only wear them for 2-3 months of my entire life.  Maxi skirts seem like a good alternative, and skirts are more airy anyway – I’ve heard horror stories about how uncomfortable it is to be pregnant in the summer.  Crossing my fingers our high altitude and the skirts will make it bearable.

Trying: Meal planning!  I have never meal planned before because 1) it seemed overwhelming, and 2) I hate cooking dinner and will avoid it whenever possible.  But since my husband LOVES it when he has a good dinner to come home to after work, I figured a good wife would make an effort, right?  Stop by my blog to follow my meal planning escapades over the next few months.

Reading: I am one of those people who always has five books going at the same time.  I just never know what I’m going to be in the mood to read.  So for non-fiction I’m reading:

Happiness Is A Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual by Dennis Prager (I don’t agree with some of what he says about religion, but everything else he says about happiness is so insightful and interesting).

The Glamour Of Grammar by Roy Peter Clark (which you would think would be really boring, but it’s not).

And for fiction I’m reading:

Heir To The Empire by Timothy Zahn (A Star Wars book – don’t judge!  My brother got me into Star Wars fiction, and if you are at all into Star Wars and reading, you should try it).

Watching: Survivor, 19 Kids And Counting, and Once Upon A Time are some of my favorites at the moment.  I also think King Of The Nerds is hilarious (there’s my nerdy side showing again), but that just ended until next season.

Thanks Callie!

Find her: Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

First, thanks for your support and understanding in response to my post about making my Instagram account private on Monday.  As I said then, it was not an easy decision for me, but I do feel confident that it is the right one, and I’m incredibly grateful for a community (here and there) that “gets it.” I took some time last night to respond to many/most of the comments, so I invite you to check those out too if you want to continue the conversation. 😉

Now… On to some really important matters…

I recently caved and signed up for LIKEtoKNOW.it.  Are you familiar with it? Basically, once you set up an account any time you like a photo on Instagram with a www.LikeTK.it link (LOTS of fashion bloggers – and regular bloggers with really good style – use it), you get the outfit details (everything down to the shoes and accessories with links for where to buy) sent right to your email.  It’s pretty neat actually.

Anyway, one of my “likes” led me to this dress from Anthropologie and the discovery of a new collaboration between Paper Crown (by Lauren Conrad) and Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.  I’m.in.love.

Fluttered Blooms Swing Dress

The top dress is the one I originally found, but I think I like the next one even more… The length is more my style, and I think the top would still be really flattering. I’d pair it with a light cardigan (maybe in that orangey/coral color or a very pale pink) or even a jean jacket depending on the occasion.  Wouldn’t it be great for a wedding, shower, or summer party?

Poppy Field Dress

The cut of this next one isn’t my favorite, but I do love the classic Rifle look of the pattern.  Maybe they will make a longer version eventually…

Posey Bouquet Petite Dress

And, you know how I love coral and stripes…

Poppy Stripe Petite Top

What do you think?

Do you use LIKEtoKNOW.it?  Any fun new discoveries lately?

E