My Weekend- Anniversary Edition

It's Sunday night again and I'm spent! Today marks mine and Pierce's 12th wedding anniversary and we really wanted to have a date night to celebrate but our usual babysitters were booked Friday and Saturday, and it seems like fate didn't have it in the cards for us so we made the best out of the weekend with lots of family time. 

Saturday our neighborhood had a huge neighborhood yard sale so we hooked the wagon (I have the older version of THIS one) us to my bike and road all over the neighborhood early that morning. Let me tell you, pulling Emmett and Oliver around for over an hour was a great workout. Thank goodness it was early and there was a breeze or I may have monkeyed.

Of course, since it's spring and a Saturday, Emmett had his baseball game. He's really improving with each game and it's fun to watch. Way to go, Em!

Oliver and I hung out while Emmett and Pierce napped. He posed so cute I had to take a picture. He's getting so big and so darn cute!!!

Saturday afternoon, Emmett and I hopped back on the bike and headed up to the pool for the first time this spring. The weather was perfect. Emmett swam and swam while I sat on the side and chatted with friends. The water is still a little too cool for me and thankfully he didn't hound me to bad to get it. I love that he's a little more independent but I didn't take my eyes off of him because his swimming skills are a work in progress. 

Today, Sunday, is our anniversary. We checked out the local events and settled on going to the Beaufort Air Show and I must say, we chose correctly. There were lots of planes and helicopters to explore in addition to the fabulous air show. Emmett had a blast taking everything in and I think Pierce really enjoyed himself as well. 

 We were all having fun but I could tell Oliver just wasn't himself. He's usually very talkative and loves to eat but all he wanted to do was ride in his stroller and rest. When we left we stopped to grab a late lunch where he proceeded to get diarrhea and threw up on Pierce. We made it home in one piece. I cleaned him up and rocked him until he started to feel better. By five he was wanting eat, talk, and play; thank the Lord. He's usually very active so it's really obvious when he's not feeling well.

He looks miserable here but I fixed his ear protection and he was a little happier. Mainly he just chilled and slept. Sweet, pitiful baby. 

We didn't do much this evening after the long day and pitiful sick baby. Although our anniversary wasn't celebrated how either Pierce or I would have planned it, we know that life with kids is a rollercoaster with it's ups and downs with today being a perfect example. So Pierce, thank you for being my partner in this crazy, rollercoaster of life we have built together. I couldn't imagine living it with anyone else. You are my love, best friend, confidante, and partner in life. Thank you for all you do for me and our family. Love you!

Home Tour- The Reading Nook

Can I get an Amen!?! Hallelujah! I finally have an area in my house that I feel is actually complete. After months of gathering items, pouring over paint colors, and patiently waiting for this bookcase to go on sale, all the elements have come together and I'm done. It's just a small little area but it's nice to have designated area for books and boardgames. I can't wait to have a free moment to myself so that I can enjoy this comfy little spot with a good book. I wish I was better at taking indoor photos, but I gave it my best shot.

animal busts (TJ Maxx and Target) // mirror (similar)

settee // pillows (Tuesday Morning) // throw

bookshelf // tobacco baskets (Hobby Lobby) // storage baskets

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To go along with the reading nook reveal, I thought I'd share a book recommendation. I just finished Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. The book switches between four points of view and their interactions in Germany in 1945 as they try to survive and navigate themselves to safety. The pace of the writing, the characters, and their struggles make for a story that is profound, brutal, beautiful, and haunting. The story is fiction but it incorporates actually events and shines a light on a little known piece of history. I'd give it a 9 out of 10. 

Gifts and Dessert for Mom

We are less than three weeks out from one of the more important days of the year... Mother's Day. There are so many moms in my life who have loved me, taught me, and inspired me so it's nice to show them that their impact on my life is meaningful. Picking up the phone and giving them a call to let them know I'm thinking about them is probably all they'll say they want but it's nice to give them a little surcee to show them how much I care about them. They deserve it.
Here are a few gift ideas for the lovely moms in my life. I may have included a few that I wouldn't mind having as well. (hint, hint Pierce... actually, he's already gotten me mine. See below.)

1. Pineapple Travel Blanket- The perfect gift for the mom who loves the beach or picnics.

2. Sullivan's Island Print- I'm impatient and ordered this for Pierce to get me and it's technically an early Mother's Day gift. I love Teil's work, especially the beach scenes.

3. Rosy to Red Nail Lacquer Set- For the mom who loves a fresh nail color. 

4. Rambling Rose Crossbody- A little pricey but a cute, bold piece.

5. Open Heart Ring- For the mom who has your heart. A splurge but it is a perfect little ring. 

6. Burlap Wrapped Bouquet- Who doesn't love flowers, plus these bouquets are so fresh and unique.

7. Silver & Rose Gold Mesh Watch- I'm all about the mixed metals right now, so this watch goes with everything. Pierce bought me this when we were out a few weeks back because we found it for an awesome price. I'm already getting lots of use out of it ;-)

8. Hello Sunshine Floppy Hat- Spring and summer are calling, so help your favorite mama welcome them with fun hat. 

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If you know me then you know I love dessert. I love to make desserts, share desserts, and eat desserts. This recipe is fabulous and a wonderful treat to make and share for Mother's Day. A friend made these for me after I had Emmett and they were irresistible and ate almost all of them by myself. The cookie base, smooth chocolate layer, and crunchy toffee are to die for.

Marscapone Chocolate Toffee Bars

Ingredients

• 1 pound refrigerated sugar cookie dough 
• 4 chocolate-toffee candy bars, coarsely chopped OR heaping 2/3 cup Chocolate Covered Heath Bits
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temp
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a 7 X 10 3/4 baking pan with foil and grease with non stick cooking spray. 
2. In a large bowl combine cookie dough and 1/3 cup of chocolate toffee bits and vanilla extra. Press into prepared pan, using wet fingers press until even. Prick the dough all over with a fork and bake for 18-23 minutes or until golden brown. Place on wire rack to cool. 
3. In a medium bowl combine chocolate chips and vegetable oil. Place the bowl over the pan of a simmering water, so that the bowl is not touching the water. Mix chocolate and oil until all chocolate is melted. Take bowl off of water filled pan and set aside to cool for 10-15 minutes. Take the bowl of melted chocolate and whisk in the mascarpone cheese until the mixture is smooth. Spread the chocolate mixture over the cooled crust. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate-toffee candy pieces and sliced almonds over the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until the chocolate layer is firm.

Notes

To toast nuts place on a cookie sheet and toast at 350F for 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Source: Food Network

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Your Southern word of the day is surcee. A surcee is a thoughtful or unexpected gift given for no reason other than to share a token of friendship.

White Lace

I didn't share what I wore for Easter in my last post because I wanted to wait until now to show to you.

Everyone loves a little black dress, but I think I've fallen for this little white dress. 

My little loves. I forgot to pack dress shoes for them... oops.

I wanted to show the back, but I've got big booty issues going on... eek! I'll try and remember to keep it pulled down in the future.

dress // watch // shoes (similar)

I found it when I was out shopping with my mom. My mom is a huge fan of Belk's and she's the type of person I used to think about when I thought of shopping there. Although, lately they have proven me wrong and that they aren't just for the 50 and over crowd. The stock at Belk's can vary on the size with the larger stores carrying such a large selection it can be a little overwhelming but there are some fabulous deals and clothes to be found plus it's also all available online! Make sure to check out their store brand, Crown & Ivy, which is really stepping it with their cute patterns and adorable dresses. It's very Lilly Pulitzer-esque but at a fraction of the price. Here are a couple of my favorites. Today you can take an extra 25% off regular and sale clothing using code 35707734 plus free shipping for orders over $25. What's not to love?

Ruffle Off The Shoulder Dress

Lace Front Top

Pullover Knit Dress

Scalloped Shorts- I've already bought these

Easter Weekend with my Bunnies

Happy Easter! I hope everyone got to spend some fun quality time with family... I sure did. On Saturday, Oliver and I headed to my parent's house in the country. I always love visiting them. They're just over an hour away, so the trip isn't too bad and the boys love seeing their grandparents, getting endless treats, and running around in the woods. I grew up the country down a dirt road with our nearest neighbors about a mile away. I spent my days helping my grandparents in the garden and running around barefooted. I'm not scared of tromping through the woods and I can spot a critter before just about anyone else. I enjoyed growing up in the country and I want to boys to get a little of that experience when they visit.
Pierce and Emmett showed up a little bit later then me and Oliver. They had gone camping with our neighbors, so they arrived stinky and tired. Once they showered and rested we played, dyed Easter eggs, and helped my dad ("Papa" to the boys) plant sunflowers.
**Warning: picture overload**

Camping wore him out. Thankfully I remembered to bring Cutie (his bear).

 Egg dyeing is serious business for me and E.

Emmett Egg and Ollie Egg

He made some fabulous eggs and only spilled one cup of dye.

Planting sunflower seeds.

 On Sunday we headed to church with my parents. When we got back to the house we ate too much and then hid and hunted Easter eggs.. Emmett loved finding them. Oliver found a couple but when he would find one, he would put it in his basket then take it out and put it back where he found it. It was cute... Emmett ended up sharing his eggs with Oliver.

My parents.

Finding Easter eggs.

Ollie found one. 

After the hunt. They are so sweet to one another. It makes this mama's heart so happy!

The Easter bunny found his way to my parent's house and their were baskets waiting for the boys when we got back home. Needless to say, there is way too much candy in our house right now. I think I'm going to have to sneak and get rid of some because it does not help me now that I'm trying to eat clean. It's just too tempting.
That was about it. Time to crash and get ready for another exciting workweek (insert sarcasm emoji). Hope you all had as nice of weekend as I did!

I gave up sodas and now that Lent's over it's on. Cherry Coke... get in my belly.