Chinese Food.

This week I've actually used my brain to decide what I'm going to wear, instead of just reaching for whatever is warm/has drawstrings/clean. When the weather is beautiful and I'm going to eat Chinese food with my grandmother, I think that deserves a little bit of mind power....don't you? My Nana loves to dress up so naturally I like to get a bit fancy when we are together.

Nana said I looked like Jackie O in this outfit. That's a good day right there, folks.



Button Down: Old Navy. Smurf Jeans: DKNY via TJMaxx. Basketweave Flats: Kohls.





To the farm.

In case no one has ever filled you in on this incredible piece of information, allow me to enlighten you:

Farm fresh milk from a glass bottle is the coldest, most satisfying milk you will ever drink in your life.

There is seriously something magical about pouring farm fresh, ice cold milk over a bowl of cinnamon Life cereal. If you've never had farm fresh milk before, come on over to my house either first thing in the morning or about 10:30 at night when Letterman's on. I'll pour you a bowl of cereal and you can see for yourself how amazing it is.

Just another great reason to wake up in the morning.

I buy my farm fresh milk from Jones Heritage Farm and Market. My weekly trips to pick up milk and eggs are one of my favorite parts of the week. John and I like to stroll around the farm and pet doggies, chase a few chickens and "Baaa" right back at the little lambs. Eventually we'll venture into the store and check out their weekly specials, then load up our basket with two gallons of milk (that's four glass bottles) and a couple dozen eggs. I plan to continue this tradition with John for as long as I can. It's just a special activity that I love sharing with him.




Love the gentle giants, Great Pyrenees.


For a trip to the farm, I always go with extra comfy. And throw on a hat, of course.

Learning how to wear a maxi dress is one of my summer goals. It seems like it would be easy, but I think this one-piece ensemble could use a little something to spice it up. Be it jewelry, a scarf, or a jean jacket.

Hat: Target. Jean Jacket: Old Navy. Maxi Dress: JCPenney

Next time I wear it I plan to try tying a button down shirt in front.

Hope your day is lovely, xoxo

Growing.

Since I'm working from home most days until the store opens, I have found a bit more time in the day to take care of my "pets" aka plants. They've been getting plenty of water and little pellets of food and judging by the early blooms they are liking all the extra attention.



Good morning, baby strawberries.



Nice to see you, green tomatoes.

I'm getting a little protective of my pets too. Our neighbor's hound dog knocked over one of my pots and you would've thought my house was on fire the way I screamed. I might need to relax just a bit, and, shall we say, let nature take it's course? These baby fruits will be just fine with a little water and some love.

Contrary to the lack of outfit posts, I have been wearing clothes while I work from home. This is my typical "errand running, merchandise inspecting, lazy lunch with the husband" outfit that makes it onto my weekly rotation.



Chambray Shirt: Old Navy. Khaki's: Kohls. Flats: TJMaxx.

 My hair is braided because it's the easiest thing to do, right behind wearing a hat which is something you can almost always find me in if I'm outside.

I can't forget to show you these flats---they're to die for. Very comfortable, and add a pop of interest to an otherwise "normal" outfit.



 Happy Tuesday, friends!

Sunday Lovelies: Whirlwind

Hello all! To say that the past two weeks have been a whirlwind is an understatement. I traveled to Tennessee, we had a visit from my mother in law, I've been working some for the store and also spending lots of quality family time. I missed blogging for sure, but some things have to come first, so no regrets here. I hope you have all been healthy and happy!

To recap the FABULOUS weekend I had working at the Philanthropy store, let me just say it was life changing. I cannot begin to describe the way I felt when I walked in that door on Main Street in historic downtown Franklin, TN. Not only is Philanthropy more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, the women who work there are the most amazing and Christ-like ladies I have been around in a long time. The love of our Savior beams through their smiles and words. When I got home I felt refreshed and ready to be in a Philanthropy store of my own!

This week I'll be working from home some and getting ready to head to Franklin again! Here are a few "happenings" from the past couple of weeks. I'll try to do a couple of outfit posts this week so you can see some of my new Philanthropy goodies :)

A handsome John on Easter Sunday.



Flying kites with Dad.



Grandma and her beautiful Paula Deen inspired Orange Buttercream cake :)



John's Easter present from Grandma and Grandpa Hazelwood: A helmet so he can now safely ride four wheelers with Grandpa :)





John having a blast at the circus last week.



Our storefront on the corner of Broadway and Fountain. I can't wait for the new awnings to arrive!

DIY: Forever Easter Eggs.

My favorite holiday is coming up in just a few days---Easter! I love decorating in pastels, dying eggs, and most importantly; celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

John and I dyed our eggs last night, and they turned out adorable! This was my first time making "hand blown" eggs. Here's how I did it!

I found some brown eggs that we have had in the fridge for a couple of weeks and have been meaning to throw out anyway. If the thought of wasting all those good egg yolks drives you bonkers, grab a bowl to hold under your egg to catch the yolk once you start blowing. Better make some scrambled eggs for dinner!

My eggs. See the tiny little holes on the end?

Using a pin, poke tiny holes in each end of the egg. Take your pin and kind of swirl it around inside the egg to break up the yolk. Put your lips over one end of the egg and blow! All that yolk should squirt out the other end of the egg. It might be hard to get it all out at once, so you might want to use the pin a couple more times to break up the yolk inside.

That's it! Rinse your eggs and you're done! These eggs are fragile, but will last forever if handled with care. We decided to dye our eggs, although I think they look pretty in their natural state too!

This was the first year that John was really interested in dying the eggs. He was so proud of how they turned out!

Happy Easter everyone! I'm leaving for Franklin, TN tomorrow so I'm sure you won't hear from me until Monday. Have a blessed Easter weekend with family!

One Easy, Breezy Piece.

Can you believe this weather?? It's way too hot for the first week of April. Thankfully today it's supposed to be a bit cooler than 80 degrees! I wore this outfit yesterday for running errands with my family. It was cool and unfussy--just the way I like it.




Necklace: Self Made. Bangles: Kohls. Dress: Target circa 2009!! Basketweave Flats: Kohls.

When it's too hot to function but you just gotta get out there, I always throw on a dress. One easy piece that looks pulled together with some jewelry and cute shoes. 

This dress is one that I feel will never go out of style. The top is a thick cotton and the bottom is breezy linen. There's a reason I love natural fabrics!

Also P.S......I haven't worn makeup in a week and a half and it feels GOOD!

I'm off to wash my car and do some last minute errands before I leave town Thursday. After my errands I'll be in the kitchen most of the afternoon making ready-made meals for the boys to eat while I'm gone. I'm thinking a lasagna and possibly a chicken pot pie, yum! They'll be fed while I'm gone, that's for sure! Happy Tuesday, friends!

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure." 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Monday Lovelies: The Week Ahead.

Thinking about the week ahead, I'm both excited and nervous. I'll be leaving on Thursday to go to Franklin, TN and train for my new job. I'm thinking about not only all the knowledge that I'm going to gain while being there, but also about my little family who will be without me for two nights. I don't mean to worry, but Daniel has never been with John for that long by himself. I know they'll be fine, but for the next couple of days before I leave I'm making sure that life will be easy for them while I'm away. The fridge will be stocked, laundry sorted and the day to day stuff will all be taken care of so Daniel and John can just focus on being together. I hope they have a great weekend!

Here are some lovely things that I'm thinking about and that make me happy----I hope you enjoy them too! I'll try to post a few pictures on my Facebook Page of what I'll be packing for the trip :) I'm kind of a geek in that I love packing!



This is the view from our back porch. I love that all the trees are filling in :)



My little pot of Lantana's and Marigolds. Lantana's have been my favorite flower for awhile now, and I learned that Marigolds deter mosquito's so I planted them both in a pot next to our front door.



Two amazing things in one picture! Farm fresh milk from Jones Heritage Farm and Market, and a John F. Kennedy collectible plate, which was a gift from a new friend.



I think I have created a monster. This new cupcake recipe is called "Dreamsicle." Oh. My. Goodness. It's delicious! This orange/vanilla cupcake is topped with decadent butter cream icing. Is your mouth watering yet?



This tank from Philanthropy is coming home with me this weekend. Hopefully they still have my size in stock :)

 And here are more links to more lovely things :)

Here is what we are buying my Nana for her birthday this year! I saw her eyeing this patio set in Target the other day--and now it's on sale!

I'm always on the hunt for the perfect tee--and this one from Gap comes pretty close to being my favorite ever. TIP: Size up if you have a long torso, it fits a bit short. Also, P.S.....this one might be my next favorite.

Every Spring I go on the hunt for the perfect new pair of white jeans--this pair from JCP is affordable and fits well.

Happy Monday everyone!