Confessional Friday: {The 'I Slept In' Edition}

Hey, internet friends! Getting off to a bit of a late start this morning, but I didn't think y'all would mind. Hope your Friday is off to a great beginning, err, middle. Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain buckets here for most of the holiday weekend, so I'm planning to curl up and watch some high-quality Lifetime TV movies and re-runs of Dateline ID.

And eat dip. Lots of dip.

Hopefully the forecast is looking a little better where you live, so please take a swim in a pool and watch some fireworks for me, pretty please. So, the girls went to visit their grandparents for a couple days in Oklahoma City meaning it's just me and the Mister and a lovely bottle of Prosecco (me) and some Blue Moon (him) for the next three days.

I am not sad about this one bit. Except this made me all mushy this morning...pic was taken on this very day last year : )

In other news...

1) I confess that I needed this Tulip-Back Top in my life. And so do you. How cute, cute, cute would this be paired with white skinnies and gold or brown sandals? I'll tell you how cute...NAUSEATINGLY cute. That shade of pink sort of makes my heart flutter, too. Oh!! Oh!! And it's only $14.99.

This is from Forever 21's Contemporary line and it runs half a size larger than usual. Size down for the perfect fit!

2) I confess that I bawled like a baby when we watched The Judge last night. Netflix it this weekend if you haven't seen it. To me, it's some of Robert Downey Jr.'s best work.

3) I confess that I accidentally called the little guy at the Tropical Smoothie drive-thru "honey" last week. I had Caroline in the back and am so used to calling her "hun", "honey" or "babe" eleventy thousand times a day, and I guess it just slipped. Bless his little 16-year-old heart. Poor kid was so confused.

4) I confess that we are loving our Nutri Ninja blender, but holy smokes that thing is LOUD. Beware if you plan to make yourself a delicious smoothie for breakfast while your kids are still sleeping. It will wake your whole house and possibly your neighbors, too.

Loud, but awesome. We love our Ninja! Stephen has even lost three pounds just by replacing his usual morning breakfast with it!

5) I confess that I am having the hardest time finding tops that will cover my IV port on my chest. I have a dual lumen Hickman port -- y'all impressed with my med-speak? -- that pumps heart meds into me 24/7 and let's just say, it's not subtle in appearance.

I'm certainly not embarrassed to explain what it is or why it's there, but sometimes a girl would just like to eat in a restaurant or shop without inquiring minds asking twenty questions. (And for the record, I completely get it. It looks crazy and I would wonder, too.) However, if any of you have ever had a port or PICC line and had luck finding higher cut shirts from a particular brand, please let me know!

6) I confess that it's time for me to meet one of my gal pals for some shopping and it's time for YOU to link up! 

Happy Fourth of July, you hotties of the interwebs, you. 



   

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Confessional Friday: {Link-Up}

Happy Friday and happy Confessional Friday! If you've never joined before - welcome! If you're old hat at this, I'm elated you've returned. Either way, let's confess:

Please note, we were parked in the Bonefish Grill parking lot. No selfies or texts whilst en route!

1) I confess that the hubs and I got to go on our first date in months last Saturday and we were very cool, calm and collected about the entire thing. Especially Stephen ; )

2) I confess that this hat-loving girl just cannot with these gondolier/Anne of Green Gables hats (above) with the huge bow in the back. All the cute little hipsters around NWA have been wearing them lately and all I can think of is...

3) I confess that these beady, tassely (sp?) little earrings have been catching my eye for way too long. I think it's time I bite the bullet and move these Acid Fringe Drops (less than $35!) from my wishlist to my cart, yes?

4) I confess that I could (and do) eat a huge garden tomato every single morning and never get tired of it. My Memaw told me when I was little that she was afraid I'd turn into a tomato if I kept "eating them like that!" So far, so good, but if I start to resemble a roma or heirloom, please bring it to my attention.

Not the most exciting of lists, but I'm so thankful to have a little "boring" back in my life : )



   

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Summer Salad Shakedown Link-Up

I wanted to ease us all back into the Confessional Friday weekly link-up with something fun, easy and delicious: a recipe link-up! (We'll return to regular Confessional Friday next week, so don't fret if kale and cucumbers aren't your thing.) I'll go ahead and keep this link-up active until Sunday night if any of you girls want to link up over the weekend.

I'm a salad addict during the hotter months. When the dog days of summer in the south arrive, I crave fruits and veggies like woah. I've got a solid stash of recipes in the ol' rotation, but here are three of my top picks.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 box Barilla tricolor rotini pasta
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes (I love to do a mix of red and golden cherry toms!)
1/4 cup whole black olives, halved
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 cup Wishbone Zesty Italian Dressing
cracked pepper to taste

Optional ingredients:
-pepperoni
-grilled chicken or shrimp
-fresh mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Cook pasta until al dente or slightly firm. While pasta cooks, chop cherry tomatoes in half, drain black olives and slice, chop bell pepper and prep any additional ingredients you plan to add, (chicken, cheese, etc.) Then...mix it all up!

I usually combine everything while the pasta is still warm -- it blends the flavors better -- then put it right in the fridge to start chilling. 


Francie's Sweet-n-Sour Southern Slaw

This is my MIL's recipe and it's heavenly, I tell you!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup granulated, white sugar
1 medium head of purple cabbage, shredded
1 small white onion, chopped
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

Optional ingredients:
-slivered almonds
-water chestnuts
-crunchy wonton strips

Directions:
Shred up the cabbage, chop the onion into small pieces and combine them in a stainless steel saucepan. Sprinkle the white sugar over the top of the cabbage and onion, then set aside. Next, combine the rest of the ingredients with a whisk -- this will be your dressing -- into a small pot and bring it to a boil. While still bubbling, pour over the top of the cabbage/onion mixture, transfer it to a spill-proof container and let it cool overnight.

This makes a delicious relish alternative for hot dogs and brats and is also divine as a side dish for fried or grilled whitefish. We like cod, sea bass and red snapper.

Tomato Cucumber Caprese Remix

Ingredients
2 large cucumbers
4 medium on-the-vine tomatoes (they just taste better!)
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of Olive Garden brand salad dressing (I add gradually since it's a pretty flavorful dressing. I still like to let the veggies carry most of the flavor.)
1 cup freshly shredded or cubed mozzarella
1/4 cup fresh basil sprinkled on top
1/2 cup *Leslie's croutons (recipe below)

Directions:
Chop up your cucumbers and tomatoes, grate your fresh cheese and chop up the basil. Once it's all prepped, combine it in a big bowl and top with dressing very gradually until you achieve your desired flavor. Next, refrigerate for one hour. Add in croutons immediately prior to serving.

*Leslie's Caprese Croutons
Lengthwise, cut in half a loaf of French or Italian bread. Drizzle the bread with olive oil, then top with rosemary before tossing it into the oven at 380 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Once crisp, remove from oven and cube up the toast into croutons.


Tips for perfecting your ensalada:

• Invest in a good salt and pepper grinder. Fresh cracked pepper and sea salt add a whole other dimension of freshness to the flavor profile.

• Always have fresh lemon, olive oil and balsamic vinegar on hand for a simple and tasty three-ingredient dressing.

• Never dress your salad more than five minutes before serving IF it's leaf-based unless you want soggy salad. Slaws and pasta salads taste best if allowed to marinate in their liquid for a half-hour or so. 

• Invest in a good set of knives. We have and covet these bad boys, (top-most, above), which are really affordable, (under $20!) Two good paring knives, one 6.5 inch chef's knife, (middle), and a dual blade knife sharpener, (directly above), is all you really need to start and build a good collection of veggie/fruit knives.

...........................................

*Specific brands of products mentioned in this post are simply the ones my family prefers. We were not compensated in any manner for using them - we just dig 'em!



   

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Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

My only confession this week is that I cannot get enough of this video with Jimmy Fallon and the Saved by the Bell cast. Enjoy!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hey, girls! I don't have any confessions myself today, but wanted to put the link tool up for you to share yours : ) We had a pretty rough night with the baby and neither one of us ever went to bed. Everytime Ainsley would scream, she'd wake Caroline. We'd get Caroline settled back down and Ainsley would resume screaming again. Before we knew it, the sun was coming up and, well, here we are. (What day is it again?)

Our mantra as of late is, "If we can just survive the first year..."

Here's hoping.


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

G'day, ladies. It's Friday, it's weekend-Eve and by gosh, it's time to confess. Let's be on with it!

1. I confess that this week nearly kicked my rear. Tuesday night was rough. Real rough. As was Monday and Monday night. Lemme paint you a little picture...

Caroline is getting more teeth, which is always awesomely fun. Poor chica was cranky, in pain and tired. Ainsley hit a growth spurt and wanted to do nothing else but eat, which means a lot of sitting with baby on boob for moi. She was also incredibly fussy and uninterested in sleep. Totally fine - that's just the nature of newbie babes. But...

It also happened that Caroline discovered the carbon monoxide detector this week. (Ours is located about a foot from the floor in our mudroom hallway - definitely at toddler level.)  And when it is tampered with in any way, it automatically calls our home security company.  Not one, not two, but FIVE times, the security company got called.

I may also mention that when said carbon monoxide detector sounds, it creates the most pants-peeingly-loud, shrill, startling sound you've ever heard in your life. Seriously folks, a friggin' cannon going off wouldn't jolt you as much as that blessed alarm. (Again, this is a good thing if actual toxic gas is detected in your house and you need to exit RIGHT NOW.) Not so great if there isn't carbon monoxide and your newborn is finally asleep after an all-night feeding bender.

I was exhausted and so was Stephen. I nearly hit the breaking point on Wednesday morning, so I did the only thing a girl can sometimes do...I called my momma. The woman is a saint. She came up right away, despite living 3.5 hours away from us. And all has been right with the world ever since her arrival. (Thank you, Mom/Nana!)

(Can I just say though, I'm kind of amazed we went three weeks without having to call for any reinforcements? I realize to some this is laughable, but we're new at this whole multiple children schtick.)

2. I confess that I do believe this is the most ingenious idea ever. In the history of ever, actually.

3. I confess that I ate approximately half a jar of Nutella for breakfast Tuesday morning. (Like, I ate it straight out of the jar with a spoon.) Don't worry, I chased it with a banana and a multi-vitamin. #HeartHealthyin2015 #PostBabyDiet

Those are mine. Now tell me yours --



   

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Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

What's that?? Oh, it's Friday you say?

SPLENDID.

Let's confess!

1) I confess that I ended up buying both the Miracle Blanket and the Woombie swaddles for Ainsley. Both are supposed to arrive this afternoon, so I'll let y'all know the verdict. Cheers to sleeping babies!

2) I confess that it feels great to be back to blogging after taking some time off for the baby's arrival in December! I have missed you girls so much. {Awkward hugs all around!}

3) I confess that the reason this link up didn't get published until 9 a.m. was because I FORGOT that today was link up day. I guess you could say I'm out of practice - whoops.

4) I confess that I tried on a pair of my non-maternity jeans yesterday and it wasn't exactly comfortable, (or attractive). I could button them using the old "lay on the bed and suck in like there's no tomorrow" technique, but I thought I was going to have to call Stephen to extract me from them. And good Lord - they certainly did no favors for my, um, silhouette. Still three weeks away from being released for exercise, so I think I'll stick to leggings and maternity jeans for a bit longer ; ) Or maybe indefinitely. Who knows?

By the end of the whole fiasco, I was beet red and sweating. I've also decided that the oh-so-cumbersome button fly must be the work of the devil. Elastic is where it's at, folks.

5) I confess that, with this second baby, modesty has completely gone out the window when it comes to breastfeeding. Now, I'll probably always use some sort of cover when I feed out in public just because I'm personally more comfortable that way, but there's a strange sense of liberation that comes with the second baby.

6) I confess that we survived our first week without any help here, as Stephen went back to work. I'd say, given the fact that it has been 16 degrees outside and we haven't been able to get out much, things went pretty well. I laugh to myself though because I remember right after we had Caroline and I thought, "Wow, this mom stuff is hard!" (And it is. Even one baby is so challenging. Parenthood is stressful/tiring/amazing no matter how many kiddos there are.) But, I realize now that I didn't know the meaning of tired then. Oh no, folks. I'd like to have told my naive self to try it with a 14 month old and a newborn. Most days, I'm sure we'll be a hot mess trying to get out of the house, but I know we'll settle into a groove eventually.

7) I pulled through the Sonic drive-thru Wednesday to get a coke and when I rolled down my window to order, noticed something in my hair. Upon further inspection, it was a piece of Caroline's macaroni left over from lunch.

If any of you would like a hair tutorial on THAT hairstyle, just let me know. It's an easy and delicious way to tell the world, "I've got my shizz together."

And that's that. Your confessions! (Actually mine.) Now tell me yours. 



   

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Confessional Friday + 38 Week Bumpdate

Hey, friends! Welcome to Friday. Aren't we glad to see her?

So, my post today isn't a confession at all, but I did want to get this bumpdate up, just in case someone decides to grace us with her presence before next week! (And I'd be A-Okay with that at this point!)

You can leave links to your Confessional Posts per usual, of course!

.........................................

Weeks: 38 as of yesterday

Gender: GIRL! Stephen doesn't stand a chance against all of this estrogen : )

Name: Ainsley Catherine

Cravings: More space in my stomach so that I can eat food again without heartburn. Amen.

And nachos.

(No amount of heartburn can keep me away from nachos.)

Most looking forward to: Being not pregnant. I'm going to level with you here: the fun of this has run its course and I'm ready to feel like my body is mine again. After two years of being "with child", I honestly cannot remember what it feels like to not be pregnant. (I don't know how Michelle Duggar does it. And I do not wish to find out.)

I'm so very, very grateful that we've been given the gift of these two precious girls, and I have enjoyed both pregnancy journeys so much, each for their own reasons. Ainsley completes our family and I'm ready to have her on the outside!

Most nervous about: The C-section. Caroline's birth was a little bit scary with my epidural failing and all, so I'm praying that this time it takes. Because I can tell you first hand, a C-section without a complete epidural does not a fun experience make.

I've prayed about it a lot and now, I'm just giving it up to God.

Cheers to great drugs and a freaking fantastic anesthesiologist (!!)

I can't wait to: Start nursing a baby again. I was shocked out how much I enjoyed breastfeeding Caroline. It was such a cool bonding experience and I'm excited to share that with Ainsley, too.

Updates: We really and truly thought we were having her on my birthday. I joked with Stephen on Tuesday night that all I wanted for my birthday was to get this baby OUT. He kept saying, "Maybe Santa will give you a baby for your b-day!"

The next morning, after a night of contracting and contracting and contracting, I was eating my words. I was in pain and they were so much more intense than any of the contractions I had felt so far. These contractions started in my back and radiated all the way around to my tummy, then down into my thighs. They were the real-freaking-deal and they. sucked. big. time.

I had an appointment for a final ultrasound with our high-risk OB at 8:30 a.m. sharp, so I called ahead, told them how I was feeling and they met me there at 7:50 and got me right back before anyone else. (Thank you, Dr. C and staff!!)

They immediately began the ultrasound and I started contracting...hard. So intensely that our high-risk doc was convinced I was in labor and told me we should probably go home and get ready for the C-section! (Ainsley's head was so low that they couldn't get a measurement on it with the ultrasound...and trust me, I could/can feel it!) Even though they were intense, the contractions were all happening at really irregular intervals, (regularity = true labor), so we decided to go on home until my later appointment at 1:00 p.m.

I was feeling evvvvvvvery contraction, so I went home, packed a bag, put Ainsley's things in a bag and got my game face on.

(For concerned parties about Stephen and who packed his bag: our house is a literal two-minute drive from the hospital we're using, so Stephen will go back and forth when he needs things. And, should he require a bag, he is quite capable and willing to pack it himself ; ) I had SO many people ask me last year before Caroline's birth if I had "packed Stephen's bag yet" and we would both look at each other and laugh. {Y'all, I am serious. Granted, most of them were older/elderly women, but these folks honest-to-goodness wanted to know if and when I planned on packing his things for him.} He's a 30-year-old man who travels across the country for work on a weekly basis. I asked him if he felt cheated in some way if I let him pack his own bag for our hospital stay and he said, verbatim, "I haven't had a lady pack my bag since I went to camp when I was eight." So, there you have it.)

But back to my story...

I remember thinking, as we loaded our things into the car and headed to the appointment, that this could be it. The day the family of three became the family of four. And then The Little Drummer Boy came on the radio. And I thought about Christmas and Hallmark commercials. And puppies. And, of course, I started to get teary-eyed and happy and sappy. And then I was bawling, Bing Crosby blaring in the background and all.

Oh, hormones...

Anywhoodle, by the time we got to our 1:00 appointment with our regular O.B., the contractions were still happening, but the intensity had died down a lot. (This was a welcomed feeling because...OUCH.) After a while on the NST machine, a (super-duper fun) exam and a lot of discussion, we decided that we'd reconvene later this morning (as in today) at 8:00 a.m. and go from there.

So, who knows if we'll have a baby this afternoon, tonight, this weekend or next week...it'll be a surprise for all of us - Stephen and me, included!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hey, hey! Since I didn't do a bumpdate this week, I've themed mine "pregnancy confessions.

By the way - we're 36 weeks along as of yesterday! Crazy, right? That went by freaking fast. Let's hope these next couple weeks do also because I'm ready to burn these maternity pants.

Taken yesterday at 36 weeks- hey, hey, Ainsley girl!

Here goes:

1) I confess that the entirety of my Christmas shopping this year will be done online. At this point, it hurts to stand, bend and move in any shape or fashion. And battling holiday shopping crowds with nine-months-worth of pregnancy hormones coursing through my veins? Nope. Not happening. {Hello, Amazon!}

2) I confess that I miss having ankles. Holy fluid retention, y'all. I never had this issue with Caroline until after the C-section, but it's so different this time. They look somewhat normal when I wake up in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, they're crazy huge. My mom came up for a couple days earlier this week while Stephen was traveling for work, (just in case I "popped"), and I had to have her help me pull  pry my riding boots off Tuesday night - ha! No more tall boot wearing for this girl until after the baby. Booties, heels and flats only.

3) I confess that while my mom was staying with Caroline and me this week, she made a huuuuuge dish of banana pudding and I singlehandedly ate the entire 9 x 9 pan in three nights. Oops.

4) I confess that I will have been "with child" an estimated 560 days of the past two years by the time this is all said and done. I'm pretty sure my uterus would like to punch me.

5) I confess that the only thing that makes me feel slightly more at ease about that fact is knowing that the Asiatic elephant has to endure a 609 day gestation period. I hope those momma elephants get some reeeeeally nice push presents.

6) I confess that all of the not-so-fun parts of late term pregnancy are immediately forgotten when I go to get Caroline out of her crib in the mornings. Her smile and excitement for seeing me and starting her day just make my heart happy. Parenthood/mommyhood is the single most incredible thing, and Caroline has been such a great reminder of the how amazing the little gift at the end truly is.

Y'all go out and have the best weekend in the history of ever. And if you can't do that, at least have a really good one.

P.S. - Blogging may be a little more scarce next week as I tie up some loose ends around the house/with work/with Thanksgiving prep. (Next week is my last week at work, plus I also very intelligently decided I'd host Thanksgiving this year. Because that seemed like a fabulous idea back when I was 10 weeks pregnant and believed in unicorns.)

I promise in advance that I will not have fallen off the face of the earth, (unless, of course, I do.) I will, however, be posting regularly on Instagram throughout the week, if you want to follow my very riveting life in pictures. My username is ablondeambition.



   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Let the chorus of angels sing; it's Friday, gals! Why waste time? We have a weekend to get to, so let's confess:

1) I confess that I think I should have been more specific when I asked Mama Nature for "cooler" weather. The highs this week and for the foreseeable future are in the low thirties and upper twenties. In November. In Arkansas. We're usually wearing short sleeves at Thanksgiving, so this has taken everyone by surprise. (Yeah, those outfit pics from the Shabby Apple post? It was 27 degrees when I snapped those on Tuesday afternoon. Talk about freezing one's booty off in the name of fashion.)

2) I confess that I'm thisclose to breaking out the Christmas decorations. I don't want to wait too much longer, just in case little lady Ainsley decides to make an early entrance. I'm not entirely sure what I want to do yet, but this pretty pic I found on Pinterest might serve as my inspiration. My MIL is going to help me decorate, so I'm sure she'll have some awesome suggestions on how to recreate this look.

Photo and burlap skirt tutorial via The Frugal Homemaker

3) I confess that I'm in loooooove with this sweater overlay that I bought on mega-sale from Ann Taylor. Outfit post coming next week, but I wanted to spread the word today because it's on super sale right now, (and won't be by Monday!)

Sizing reference: 
I'm 5'4" and I went with a small. Plus, Ann Taylor usually runs pretty big, so I'd size down if you choose to buy it, too. Order now and get an additional 40% off of the SALE price. (Code is FRIENDS40) 

I styled it with this turtleneck in the navy stripe from Old Navy (also on major sale...like, $13...yeah...) Anyway, both the sweater and the turtleneck are one heck of a bargain at a sliver of the original prices. Tip: the Ann Taylor sweater is only on sale until Monday and sizes are going fast. Trust me, you will want it!

Sizing reference:
I went with a medium in the navy stripe for the turtleneck to accommodate the bump now, but also purchased the burgundy in a small to wear after the baby. For $13, I figured why not get a couple of colors?

4) I confess that I've never smelled a more perfect candle than the Capri Blue Volcano candle. (If you've ever been in Anthropologie, it's the one they're usually burning.) I'm not quite ready to bust out the holiday-scented candles yet, so it's a perfect transition scent for fall-to-winter: deep, luxurious and warm, but really clean. 

................................

P.S. - I LOVED the suggestion that a couple of you had for doing a Buy This - Not That drugstore make-up edition! I did some recon at Target and Walgreen's yesterday, so stay tuned for that next week. Let's just say I even found a couple new favorites for my own collection for a whooooole lot cheaper than I was paying at department stores. 

Your turn. Confess away, my loves!


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday, gals - let's do this!

1) I confess that I'm only mildly obsessed with this little bauble of the week. Sigh...I think I need a second, third and fourth job just so I can purchase all these fun things I stumble upon. But seriously, on top of a gray, chunky knit sweater or cute LBD for the holidays? I think yes.

Crystal Cluster Necklace - currently on SALE for $34. You know, if you're like me and feel better about buying accessories if they're 'on sale'. 

2) I confess that I want to throw a party in celebration of the end of the stinking political ads. November 4 has come and gone and I, for one, am relieved. Don't get me wrong, I'm a proud voter, but good grief. If I had to sit through one more 30-second commercial featuring another mudslinging windbag, my head might have exploded. I think no matter where our political views land, we can all come together to celebrate this.

3) I confess that people from Wisconsin might be the friendliest I've ever met. (That also might be the most random confession I've ever confessed.) You see, our subdivision is apparently a popular choice for transplanted Wisconsinites. (Wisconsinians?) (Peoples of Wisconsin?) Anywhoodle, our neighbors across the street are from Wisconsin, as well as the family that just moved into the new house next door.

And I'm telling you, I LOVE THEM. Seriously. The mom next door offered to keep Caroline while I worked on the nursery and the ones across the street brought us the most amazing bratwurst the weekend we moved in. Anyway, just felt like I needed to commend the state of Wisconsin for producing such nice people.

4) I confess that I just cannot get on board with the word preggers, as in "one who is with child". It irks me, but I have no idea why. Like, when I hear someone say, "hey, preggers", it makes me cringe a little. (I had this exact conversation with a fellow expectant momma just this week!) Doesn't offend me at all, I just can't bring myself to say it.

It's kind of like the words moist or custard. I just can't. (Example: My mom-in-law makes a fabulous dessert called Custard Pie and I cannot bring myself to call it that, simply because it contains the word custard. My husband gets the biggest kick out of this.)

Do you have any words or terminology that bother you like that?

Okay, your turn. And....GO.

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hello, ladies! And Happiest of Halloweens to you all!

A few ghoulish confessions for your day today:

1) I confess that...I'm obsessed with Pandora's fun little Halloween song mixes! If you have a Pandora account, (and you totally should), check out the Hipster Halloween mix...so fun!

2) I confess that...One of my very favorite Halloween movies? Um, that'd be Disney Channel's made-for-TV classic, Halloweentown. Yes. That's right. Okay, so not exactly the most intense of Halloween movies, but hey - I enjoy it ; )

3) I confess that...y'all better get ready to see a few thousand photos of my kid dressed up as Red Riding Hood on Monday! We won't be able to take her trick-or-treating tonight, (we are heading to Central AR for my great grandma's funeral, which is early tomorrow morning), but we will be taking her to a fun Halloween event on Saturday where she'll get to show off her outfit! I plan on taking LOTS of photos.

Above, a tiny preview : ) Ari (our big German Shepherd) is going to be her "Big, Not-So-Bad Wolf" and actually has a costume himself. Can't wait to see the two of them in full get-up on Saturday.

Okay girls, short and sweet! We are trying to get on the road at noon sharp, so I'm going to start getting us packed. Y'all have a fun and safe Halloween weekend!

   

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Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday and that, my friends, is never a bad thing. It's the time of the week where we dish, vent and spill. Ready to get to it? Me too.

1) I confess that it dawned on me yesterday that we only have about seven weeks of this pregnancy left...and I cried. I'm not sad that it's nearly over at all, (although I have really enjoyed it), but I think the reality of all the stuff I still have left to do just hit me like a ton of bricks. It occurred to me at 2:30 a.m. that I hadn't yet ordered Ainsley a car seat. This then sent me into a frenzy of thinking of all the other things I hadn't gotten her yet. (A changing pad for her dresser...that we still haven't ordered, either. Or the much-needed black-out curtains. Or a second baby monitor. Or new tubes for the breast pump.) And just like that, I was sitting at our breakfast table scrawling frantic lists until the wee hours of the morning.

And then I started to bawl because OH MY GOSH, WHEN WILL I FIND TIME TO CHRISTMAS SHOP? AND WHERE WILL WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING IF I CAN'T TRAVEL? AND I STILL DON'T HAVE AN OUTFIT FOR A WEDDING WE'RE ATTENDING IN THREE WEEKS...AND HOW BIG WILL THE BUMP BE THEN? WHAT IF I ORDER SOMETHING AND IT DOESN'T FIT?

You know, totally rational and very important thoughts to have in the middle of the friggin' night. (I believe they call this Losing One's Shiz.)

After a little more sleep and a good, strong cup of coffee this morning, all was right with the world again.

Besides, a pregnancy just isn't a pregnancy without at least one good hormone-filled meltdown.

2) I confess that I have been craving (and eating) frozen Eggo waffles...in their frozen state. No, I don't mean I crave the toasted or warmed ones, I mean I've been eating two of the whole grain waffs right outta the freezer every morning like a teething baby. Strangest and most absurd pregnancy craving to-date.

3) I confess that ne'er a day goes by that I don't embarrass myself in some form or fashion. We bought a more family-friendly car, (an SUV, actually), on Wednesday night and when the salesman handed me the keys to the new ride, I walked out the door and walked straight over to...my old car. I had gotten as far as opening the door when Stephen started laughing and brought it to my attention that we had to leave that one at the dealership. Good lord.

Alright, enough of that. I'm ready to hear your confessions this week. What have you got for me?

P.S. - Happy 30th birthday to the love 'o my life! Honey, you will always be the funniest, best-looking, most-Tebow-esque, most-Cutler-esque, most sarcastic, most charming and most enjoyable-to-be-around guy in the room. And, I'm proud to call you mine. Thanks for being born.

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday and we're confessing on this blog! Let's just jump right in.

1) I confess that American Horror Story with this whole clown plot line is almost too much for me to handle. Stephen was traveling for work this week, so he was gone Wednesday night. Like an idiot, I opted to watch it anyway. I just can't NOT watch AHS when a new episode debuts.

Big mistake. Shows featuring demented clowns should never, ever be watched alone. I don't think I slept a wink that night. Thank the Lord he is back now and I can resume getting some shut-eye.

2) I confess that I'm going to give these pumpkin topiaries a try this weekend. I wanted to do something pretty for our porch this year - something that could stay up well past Halloween. I think these fit the bill. I purchased some plastic garden urns from Amazon and bought some foam pumpkins at Hob Lobb. IF, (and that's a gigantic "if"), they turn out decently, I'll post a step-by-step on here. Wish me luck!

Beautiful photo via Sondra Lynn at Home blog

These gorgeous topiaries and this photo came from the blog Eclectically Vintage

3) I confess that our city just got a new DSW shoe store and it's taking everything in my power not to hop in my car and go over there. I've already purchased some new shoes for fall/winter, so I'm definitely not in need of anything...but man, y'all, it's hard to resist.

4) I confess that I'm pretty much addicted to Guilty by Gucci, this fall. I bought the travel size vial at Sephora, just to see if I liked it well enough to invest in the larger. I do. I really, really do. I wish I had discovered it ages ago, but I'm glad I have it now. I love playing with new fragrances each season, and this one may be the best cold-weather scent I've smelled to-date.

5) I confess that my mom and I are toying with a small business idea - and it's exciting! Naturally, I don't have enough on my plate already, but it's too good to pass up. Hopefully more on this very soon.

Don't you love a vague confession? Ha! Well, friends, what have you got for me?

Talk 'fessy to me!


   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link-Up}

Hi, guys! Busy, busy with work, (I'm sitting on a conference call while I type this), and party planning stuff for Caroline's first birthday tomorrow, so I'm just going to leave you with the tool to link up if you've written a post.

A momma's work (at home, at the office, at...anywhere) is never done.

Y'all have a great weekend and follow along on my Instagram (username is ablondeambition) for a few fun pics of the party tomorrow : )

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link-Up}

Everyone give this your best Usher impersonation, "These are my confessions...."

And, just like Usher, we're going to tell ours. Starting....now!

1) I confess that I passed my glucose screening - yeehaw! No 3-hour test for me, thank goodness. I've heard that test produces soooo many false positives the first time, so I was relieved that I passed. Looks like I can continue indulging in those occasional Pumpkin Spice Lattes. If I ever crave sugar again. (After that test, the last thing I wanted was anything sweet.)

2) I confess that I'm making Caroline's birthday cake. Myself. With my own two hands. Actually, four hands because my mom is going to help. Here's why: since my first birthday and even still, my mom bakes my birthday cake every year. Every. Year. I have decided to carry on the tradition for my girls, too.

I had actually placed an order with a local bakery and everything, but about a month ago, had a change of heart after thinking about my most vivid birthday memories. One thing stood out in my mind - the cake my mom has always made me.

 It may not be beautiful, (although my mom is actually an excellent cake decorator and very artistic, and I'm very lucky to have her help since I am NONE of those things), but I can promise it will be memorable and taste great : ) It's silly, but I love carrying on traditions like this one.

And, just in case it's a flop, we'll still have the professionally decorated cookies! ; )

3) I confess that I finally replaced my leopard flats from two years ago with these babies on Wednesday night. The soles were very much literally coming off the bottoms. I always do a pass through the shoe aisle at Target, (who doesn't?), to see what's on shelves. Saw 'em. Loved 'em. Found my size. End of story.

I wear a 7. 5 in most other brands, and tried on and bought the 7. 5 in these, so in my opinion, they run very true to size, just in case you're ordering online. They're comfortable and I've worn them twice already. Oh, and they're cheap. Bonus.

4) I confess that this video/blog post had me crying ugly tears, but in a happy way. Not giving you any hints; just watch it.

I confess that I'm ready to hear your confessions!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

It's Friday, gals. And around here, this day is reserved for good 'ol confession sessions. So let's get to it!

1.    I confess that I had to laugh yesterday, (and hard), about the following exchange I had with an Old Navy employee: So, I’m talking to a very sweet, very young girl as she rang up my purchases, (ahem, this amazing flannel), as well as some adorable little outfits for Caroline and some newborn gowns for Ainsley.

We were making small talk and she asked me when this baby was due. I told her our little princess was due in December and she congratulated me and said, “Oh, little girls’ clothing is SO fun!”

So naturally, as people do when making small talk involving the topic of children, I asked her, “Do you have kids?”

“No.”, she says, “But, I do have a dog!”

It was as matter-of-fact as I’ve ever heard. Apples to apples, Coke and Dr. Pepper, children and canines.

“Oh”, I deadpanned. “Yes. Just like a kid.” 

Poor thing is in for quite the awakening one of these days when she learns it isn’t typically a childcare best practice to crate train one’s toddler. But, man...that was funny.

(To be fair, I probably would have said something like that before kids, not thinking about it. It was hilarious and she was a doll, though.)

2.    I confess that you know your baby bump is getting big when you can feel your stomach resting on your thighs when you lean forward to type. (‘Tis as sexy as it sounds, my friends. Rawr.)

3.    I confess that I am downright giddy about the upcoming weekend’s festivities.

You’re dying to know more, aren't you? (Okay, well, just indulge me for a second. I don't get out much.)

We’re going to an Avett Brothers concert tonight and then, bright and early tomorrow morning, heading out for an overnight stay at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, a cool little town about 45 minutes from where we live. 

My husband, he is wise. He knows that it may be a good decade before we ever do anything alone again, (I kid…sort of), so he had the wherewithal to book us a fun babymoon weekend. Like, didn’t even tell me about the hotel thing until he’d already arranged and paid for it. (That’s a super edgy move for non-risk-takers like us.)

4.    I confess that we’re also going antiquing while we’re in Eureka and this makes me GIDDY. Stephen? Well, he’s a good sport and feigned enthusiasm when I chose that as my “activity”. He elected a beer tasting at a local brewery, which I will completely support, albeit Coca-Cola in hand. (Our rule is that each person gets to choose one activity that's totally something they want to do and the other person must go along with it.)

He gets six steins of beer; I get a nightstand that smells like a moth ball factory. Everybody wins.

............................................

And you? 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up