Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Well, well, well...if it isn't Friday. So glad to see all of your bright and shining faces looking at the blog this morning! Have I mentioned y'all look beautiful today? Because you do.

Let's not waste time on formalities, there's far too much confessing to be done!

I confess that I just discovered Zazzle.com on Tuesday and have spent no less than two hours looking at customized postage stamps since then. I mean, the options, y'all! (And yes, I realize this site has probably been around since the dawn of the internet, but I like to do things fashionably late. Or perhaps I just live under a rock.)

I confess that, for the first time in approximately ten years, Stephen and I started watching MTV's The Real World last week. (Say it with me now, "Seven strangers, picked to live in a house...") No, we didn't intend on getting back into this trainwreck of a television show, but the plot twist of them bringing cast members' exes into the show was just too awkward and awesome to pass up. I am both ashamed and excited to admit we waste an hour of our evenings once a week on this bedlam. I feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders to tell you that, though. A weight that smells like empty beer cans, filthy hot tubs and bad decisions.

I confess that I was never tempted to do the whole hair chop after Caroline was born. I saw someone post a comment on another blogger's Instagram yesterday saying that "doing a hair chop after you have your first baby is a new mom's rite of passage. You just NEED to do it."

I disagree. I mean, short hair is SO super cute on lots of women, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to cut your hair anytime you darn well please. But I personally wanted to maintain my identity more than ever after having a baby. We lose a lot of that - ourselves - in the process of bringing babies into the picture. Why must we feel like we have to chop our hair, too? I say we all wear our hair like we want to, mommas or not, and call it good. Short, long, brown, blonde or blue - just do you, ladies. Just do you.

That's it gals. Tell me what's on your mind now!

Prayers for Teddy

I had originally had something else to blog about today, but when I saw an email come through last night with this story, my plans changed.

Yesterday, I received a message from Alex who writes over at Pink & Prosperous regarding a baby named Teddy who was recently diagnosed with a very, very rare disease called Menkes Syndrome. As a mother of an infant, I cannot fathom what this family must be going through. I don't want to misstate anything, so I'll let you read Alex's words below:

I am writing with a heavy heart to share the story of a dear friend of mine with an 8-month-old son who is going to die before his 3^rd birthday from a rare genetic disease called Menkes Syndrome, also known as “kinky hair syndrome.”

On November 14^th, Mary and Alex Fish were given the most devastating news a parent could ever receive: their seven-month-old son, Theodore, who is affectionately known as "Teddy”, was diagnosed with a terminal syndrome called Menkes. Menkes Syndrome affects approximately 1 in 450,000 male babies.  There are currently only a handful of documented cases in the entire United States that specialist, Dr. Stephen Kaler, is studying at the National Institute of Health.  

Her answer every time to the question of “What Can I do to Help?" is “Spread the Word,” So, I am reaching out to you in hopes that you will help me spread the word through your blog to create awareness about this rare syndrome that receives little to no medical attention or research funding. 

Mary created a CaringBridge page as an outlet to both update family and friends about Teddy's health and to spread the word about a relatively unknown syndrome, which currently has no cure. Their journey is documented almost daily by journal entries written by Mary, who as you will quickly learn, is an incredible mother. Every entry she writes is a reminder of what it is to be truly selfless, acting with only your child's best interest in mind. Teddy was dealt the most unfair hand, but he is so lucky to have quite possibly THE most amazing parents. 

Teddy's story may not be able to save other babies who currently suffer from Menkes, but it could create awareness and eventually lead to a cure. It could also empower mothers to trust their guts when they know something isn’t right. Because the syndrome is rare, many doctors dismissed her concerns about her child’s symptoms (such as distinctly kinky hair) because they lacked knowledge of Menkes.

If you could please take a moment to visit Teddy's Caring Bridge page here you’ll see pictures of sweet Baby Teddy, Mary and Alex and can read Mary's updates on their daily life and Teddy's health. You’ll see why Teddy's story deserves to be shared.  

Thank you for your support!

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

If you have a moment today, please say a word of prayer for this little baby and his parents. Also, if you'd like to share this story on your own blogs or even link to this post from your Twitter or Facebook posts, that would be amazing.

Thanks for reading, y'all.

Mondays Need Sequins (and Caffeine)

I was digging in my closet Saturday afternoon in search of a missing pair of H&M skinny boyfriend jeans that got lost in the two blackholes known as "laundry hamper" and "clothes rack".  Amidst the Great Jeans Search of 2014, I stumbled upon the outfit below, which I had purchased during November's Cyber Monday sales: the top and pants for a great price from Maude Boutique, and necklace from Hot Mama. I had honestly forgotten about buying the top and bottoms, but saw them lurking in the back of my top closet rack, all pressed and ready for their debut.

I mean, we all love the idea of a beautifully fitted, cropped trouser and a feminine sweater, but what sold me on the outfit were the sequins in the top. (What? You expected something more complex?) Yup, suffice it to say I'm a sucker for anything sparkly, you see. Like a moth to a flame...

Sweater and pants purchased from Maude  // tassel necklace purchased from Hot Mama (similar here) // Heels via ASOS last year (similar here) // bag c/o Emilie M. // bracelet from Groopdealz (similar here) // sunnies found here

Nail polish is "Lincoln Park After Dark" by OPI, found here

The weather may be a tad brisk, but the warm tones of this outfit definitely won't leave you feeling the chill. 

Special thanks to my dear husband, S. Saturday marks the third year in a row he's been clicking away at the camera for moi.  My gratitude for his sacrificing of many a televised sporting event, all in the name of blog photos, runs deeper than my love for stilettos and slingbacks.

To the moon and back, sugar. Love you, I do.

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Another Friday, another Confessional! Let's do this, gals!

1. I confess that Caroline threw the mother of all fits in Walmart yesterday while I was buying diapers. And of course when I got to the register, I had forgotten to activate my new debit card. I had to call the bank, activate the card, then finish checking out - all while she was screaming like a banshee. By the end of our little excursion, I was sweating. In 20-degree weather.

2. I confess that I'm addicted to American Horror Story on FX. It's beyond strange and terribly creepy, but I'm loving this season so much.

3. I confess that I'm ridiculously in love with the new Caramel Flan Latte from Starbucks. I'm not even a fan of flan, but holy smokes, this drink is phenomenal. It'll knock you off your well-caffeinated feet.

4. I confess that I called accidentally called Ruby by Caroline's name yesterday. (For those new to the blog, Ruby would be our miniature dachshund.)

Take care, y'all!

Caroline's Newborn Photos

A couple weeks after Caroline was born, my friend Bethany McGhehey took the most lovely photos of her. I knew that I wanted Bethany to shoot her newborn pics because she has such a refreshingly simple and clean style to her photos.

Captured were back rolls, full cheeks, a perfect set of puffy bow-shaped lips and a head of chocolate-colored hair. Nothing forced or overly posed about it, as if she just happened to catch a moment in time.

I wept as I flipped through them. My baby girl, growing every day, each faster than the next.

I've found myself wanting to relive the day she was born, as well as those first few weeks, over and over again. To smell her and touch her porcelain skin for the first time; the same little being that shared my body for nine wondrous months.

In looking at these photos, I'm able to do just that.

Photos are property of A Blonde Ambition blog, and are artistic property of Bethany Blair Photography.