Five on Friday - It's been a while!

My triumphant return to blogging sure lasted long, huh? I have just been having WAY too much fun with my kiddo, and while she naps, I've been binge watching so many shows that I fell behind on during the school year. AND knocking so many items off of my to-do list. Best. Summer. Ever.

I've been thinking a lot about my little blog and there is just so much I want to share with you. Some of my most favorite bloggers are those who just talk about life and what they're doing. That's what I want for this blog.

So the easiest way to dive back into blogging? Five on Friday, of course. Let's go!





One. We finally finished Zoey's playset enclosure! We (mostly Chris) built this playset last summer and Zoey enjoyed it during our gloriously mild winter. When the "grass" (read: weeds) started growing again this spring, we bit the bullet, ordered 2 tons of rubber mulch and built (mostly Chris, again) this sweet enclosure. I love how it looks and the extra safety it provides for our fearless climber and her friends. Chris loves not having to mow under it.



Two. We discovered our athletic center's indoor play pool this summer. The outdoor play pools put it to shame, but it's pretty awesome and not highly attended in the AM. Such a great way for Zoey to expend some energy without the sunscreen battle.



Three. I'm still Stitch Fixing! I kept all five from my latest fix - my stylist really knocked it out of the park! I'm obsessed with the shoes. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot: {Stitch Fix}.



Four. I made my first burlap wreath last week! It is not my favorite, but the thought was to make it plain so I can change out the decorations with some of these more fleeting holidays. I'm thinking, if I add some color to the bottom right, it will look more complete.









Five. Motherhood has been throwing me way out of my comfort zone this summer. As an introvert, it is very hard to do anything that is unknown; my natural instinct is to stick with what I'm comfortable doing. The demands of an adventurous two year old have thrown me into some big unknowns and I'm so thankful! We've discovered all of the "free" swimming places, just completed our first week of swim lessons, played in a Chick-Fil-A play area (my personal hell), done story time at the Library, and played in the mall play area (my second personal hell). With another month left of summer, we still have so many places to check off our list. What are your recommendations for toddler friendly fun?

Six. Because I can't ignore the hurting in my city or anywhere else today.

My prayer list for the families of those senselessly killed by fearful and hate-filled people grows too long. I know my ongoing struggle is judging others, but maybe if I work harder to love instead of judge, I can be a better example for my daughter. Let's all choose love, our world needs it right now. 

{source}

                    Linking up with a few of my favs - April, Christina & Natasha!

Happy Friday! See you next week!

Five on Friday

Wow - Just like that, another Friday is upon us! These past few weeks have just flown by it seems. Again, the best intentions were to post something other than Five on Friday but I'm doing great just to make this post each week. Summer will be here soon!

And just because I have a lot to say - I'm leaving six of these today. Let's get right down to it!

1. #BestSelf



This was my weekend. I had the opportunity to help chaperon 20 - 8th grade girls to the #BestSelf conference for women and girls on Saturday. Such a wonderful event for these young girls. I hope they all left feeling empowered to be their best self. Three things I learned: 1. Drive yourself, don't ride the bus 2. Zumba is really fun and I'm really bad at it 3. I need to be less judgmental of people to be my #BestSelf

2. Facebook Cares



Except when it renders gut punching reminders of our losses. This one caught me a bit off guard this week, but this picture depicts the exact day I miscarried my first pregnancy. I got pregnant with my beautiful daughter just months later and I have no doubt it worked out just the way God intended, but I was just reminded of how isolating and painful that experience was for me. We don't talk about miscarriage near enough and it's often a dark secret we carry around. I just want you to know that if you're experiencing a loss or have experienced a loss - it sucks and I get it. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here.

3. RocksBox



So on to happier things...my newest Rocksbox set came and I think it's the best one yet! I let my stylist know that I was loving Kendra Scott and looking for "layerable" summer pieces. She delivered! I can't wait to wear it all soon. Remember, you can try Rocksbox free for a month with the code: stephaniepbff4





Just look at those earrings! Gorgeous.

4. Snapchat



I just joined snapchat and I'm loving it! I know, I know - I'm way late to the party. I still don't really know what to post and I'm pretty sure I typed my user name in wrong but I am loving creeping on people's posts!

5. The Flu



Despite vaccinating the entire family, as we do every year, Zoey came home on Tuesday with a 103 degree fever which was promptly diagnosed as the flu by her pediatrician on Wednesday. Tamiflu was prescribed and upon the first dose, she proceeded to puked up her dinner all over my pillow and bed, so we've been fighting this the old fashioned way, rest and lots of TV. Chris and I tag teamed staying at home with her for the rest of the week and I'm happy to report, she is finally feeling better today. Fingers crossed we stay healthy.

6. Make Oklahoma OK Again



I'll just leave this right here - Make Oklahoma OK Again!. 


                    Linking up with a few of my favs - April, Christina & Natasha!

Happy Friday! See you next week!

Five on Friday

Hi there! I'm back for Five on Friday. I wasn't able to blog much for this week since we spent our weekend in Oklahoma to see this guy get his PhD!



Congratulations to my little brother (in-law), Mark! We are crazy proud! Also, check out that handsome guy on the left!

It's also been a brutal week of standardized testing. 16 hours with just me and my thoughts...I might be going crazy and I definitely haven't been very nice. BUT...TGIF and standardized testing 2016 is OVER!

1. Mother's Day 2016



This just made my year. All the tears.

2. We are potty training...!



I'd post the precious photo of my baby girl "tinkling" in the potty for the first time but I try to keep her social media presence down and posting potty photos would definitely come back to haunt her some day. She's been asking to "potty" a lot lately so we took her interest and ran with it. #pottytrainedbysummer

3. Book Binge



It's pretty apparent that I've been on a children's book binge this week! All of these books showed up on my doorstep today (oops). I recently attended an Usborne online book party and purchased several of these books from them. I need some time but I'll post a review soon.

4. Clean House



We recently broke down and hired a monthly cleaning service. I can't even handle how much this has changed my life. It is worth every hard earned penny and Wednesday was the best day this week!

5. STAAR Week



This is the only good thing to come out of being locked up for 4+ straight hours. Now that's what I call active monitoring!! Boom!


                    Linking up with a few of my favs - April, Christina & Natasha!

Happy Friday! See you next week!

Five on Friday

Hi there! I'm rejoining the world of Five on Friday so I went back to my last Friday post so I could recall the format. Let me just share a small snippet of how far back this goes....

March 21, 2014
1. Our Car Seat

We ordered our car seat from {Diapers.com} when they had a fabulous sale going on Chicco products. We chose the Chicco Keyfit 30 after it received several 5 star reviews from friends and family but we also liked the look of it better than the other options out there. I'm excited to have it installed this weekend during our car seat class at the hospital!


Back to the present...

It was a little bittersweet to see this post and remember all of the anticipation and excitement to meet our baby girl. Gosh, I love her so much!

So let me wrap up the week with some of my current favorites!

1. I "said yes to the dress"!



If you read {this post} about my recent Fix, I asked for opinions on this dress. Thanks for the encouragement to keep it - I wore it today and really love it! It's comfortable and effortlessly stylish. Plus, it looks great with my Kendra Scott Elisa necklace from {Rocksbox}!

2. Speaking of Rocksbox...



My new set arrived Thursday and it's another great one! What a perfect day for this little box of happy to arrive. I'll share the goods in a post next week. Remember if you're interested in trying it, you get your first month free with the code: stephaniepbff4

3. Teacher Appreciation



One of my sweet babies brought this to me for teacher appreciation today. Although she's not such a baby anymore. My first group of kiddos are headed to high school in a month and I'm taking it really hard.

4. A pretty new color



Target made me do it. I can't wait to get this color on my fingers and toes!

5. New Teacher Planner



I received this in the mail several weeks ago and it is just sitting on my nightstand patiently waiting until July to be loved! I ordered the Erin Condren Teacher Planner this year after spending a year with the Plum Paper Teacher Planner. I'm excited to do a direct comparison soon!


                    Linking up with a few of my favs - April, Christina, Darcy & Natasha!

Have a FABULOUS weekend, everyone! See you next week!

Stitch Fix #22

If you haven't heard about Stitch Fix, read about it {here} and sign up if you're interested! If you use my link to sign up, I get a $25 credit and once you sign up, you can share your link for $25 credits too! I wear my Stitch Fix purchases ALL THE TIME and after TWENTY-TWO fixes, my wardrobe is filled with amazing, quality Stitch Fix pieces. I always feel good in my clothes, which is a fairly new feeling for me. I just love it. I'm also happy to say that everything I've purchases has held up really well despite machine washing EVERYTHING.

I have had 9 fixes between now and my last Stitch Fix blogging...I've got some catching up to do but first, let me fill you in on this sweet little box I just received Saturday. Fix #22! Blessedly, it arrived after my hair appointment...Shout out to my hair stylist for spending HOURS to make my hair look amazing. She's truly THE BEST.

Before...



After...



I left a note for my stylist, Elizabeth, to let her know I was desperate for some knit tops and dresses I could throw on during the weekend. That's the area I struggle with most right now, having anything to wear on the weekends that's casual enough for Costco and Kroger. She delivered, as usual! She's just the best and I think she's local to the Dallas area.

#1 Moon and Sky - Errol Crochet Detail Top - $48
 

I was highly skeptical about this top as I pulled it out of the box but I am loving it on. It has a sweet little v-neck back too, which I really think I'll love come the heat of the summer. The fabric is also very soft and cool.

Status: Keeping

#2 Kut from the Kloth - Kate Boyfriend Jean - $88

These are great jeans and that's the great thing about Stitch Fix, I never would've tried on a pair of boyfriend jeans at a store. I just happen to have a pair of Mavi Jeans that are very similar that I adore from a Fix about a year ago.

Status: Returned

#3 Skies are Blue - Theodrik Tie Neck Kimono - $58

In the note to my stylist, I requested a specific, gorgeous Kimono - The Paradigma Gwenifer Kimono. Seriously, gorgeous. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so as my stylist tells me this is the most requested item ever. She was so sweet to send this Kimono for me to try but it's a definite no. Definite no.

Status: Returned

#4 Skies are Blue - Zendaya Crochet Yoke Knit Top - $54

This is a great knit top and I love the color! Definitely what I had in mind for throwing on when we are headed out for the weekend but it could totally be worn to work with a cardi or blazer. I'll have fun styling this one.

Status: Keeping

#5 Brixon Ivy - Linda Dress - $68

I had this pinned on my Pinterest board and it's even more beautiful in person. The fabric is lovely - very soft and cool feeling. I wear dresses all the time during the summer months so my stylist really hit the nail on the head with this dress. I'm slightly concerned with the waistline though. What do y'all think? Is it a keeper or should I pass?

Status: Unsure

If you are a fellow fixer or you're ready to {sign up}, I'd love to hear about the items you've received and kept!