I have an announcement today– I am retiring the 5 Things I am Loving Right Now linkup.
My heart just isn’t in it–so for now, it’s time to say goodbye to this linkup and really utilize this space for my writing.
My thoughts.
My dreams.
And occasionally, yes– the things I love.
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We had an entire weekend of festivities, and are slowly coming down from the sugar high. Chocolate marshmallow eggs, I can not quit you! What are you loving right now? I’m loving….
I bought one and loved it so much, I bought two more. I have a pink, coral, and mint one and I wear them pretty much all the time. Best. Tee. Ever.
…this saying.
Source: cre8tivedesignsinc.com viaJulie on Pinterest
Source: maneandchic.com viaJulie on Pinterest
… these throw pillows.
Find them HERE.
…Candy Crush on my iPhone.
This game has me addicted! It’s a good thing you have to wait for more lives, or I would be tempted to play it all the time! I have my sister hooked now as well, so it’s turned into a competition!
MARCH is here! This means that spring is on its way and I can’t wait. We have been the sickest ever in this household over the winter and I am so over winter germs. Bring on spring! So what am I loving right now?
Black Tea in my Tervis, sweetened, with ice. I drink one every morning.
My Cyndi bag from Better Life Bags.
This infinity bracelet by Lisa Leonard Designs– I really, really want this!
This scarf from The Pleated Poppy– another want!
Source: Uploaded by user via Tamara on Pinterest
Hello, February! The month of love! Personally, I really like Valentine’s Day. I loved it as a kid, and I like to send out cute cards to friends and family just because. Brandon never has liked Valentine’s Day, but sometimes he surprises me, so that is fun! Let’s get to the 5 Things I am Loving Right Now!
I am in the process of redoing my photography website, and let me tell you, it has actually been FUN! After having a free Weebly site for awhile, I just knew it was time for a change. I wasn’t able to manipulate as much as I wanted on the site, and it wasn’t a good reflection of myself or my work. I wanted something bigger. Better. After doing some research, I came across ProPhoto Blogs. Since this blog is already a self-hosted WordPress blog, I know my way around it pretty well– so this seemed like a no brainer. I am having fun adding content, adding tweaks, and there will be some NEW things on there as well, thanks to my dear friend Aimee!
Edited to add: It’s LIVE! Go check it out!
Green Tea. The kids and I have been fighting the sickies ever since we returned from vacation. I am normally a pretty big coffee addict person, but lately I have been reaching for green tea. It soothes my sore throat, has tons of antioxidants, and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Home organization. As if we didn’t already have enough going on once we returned from vacation, we decided to tackle some home organization projects that desperately needed done. We moved my desk into our bedroom (and decided not to leave it there!), moved a bed into the office (for guests–not because we are having more babies), cleaned out my book shelf, rearranged our master closet, and I finally have rods in place in the closet to hang my scarf collection on. We have a pretty decent pile of things to donate to Goodwill, and I am just SO glad that most of that is DONE.
Snuggles with my kids. At the beginning of the week, we were all feeling pretty under the weather, which resulted in lots of snuggles. We have laid low this week, watching movies, doing puzzles, jumping on the beds— all fun things, but I am so ready to be over all of these winter germs.
No More Perfect Moms. I have absolutely loved this book, and in just 3 more days, it can be YOURS, too! On Monday, the book is released– so PLEASE go get a copy! Being OK with being imperfect is such an important message, and I think every mom should read this book.
So tell me, what are YOU loving right now?
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time ringing in the new year! It is time for another installment of 5 Things I’m Loving Right Now– so let’s get to it!
1. New Ugg moccasins that I received as a Christmas gift from Brandon. My other pair were getting pretty worn out, and my favorite part? These don’t have ties on the top like the old ones. My other ones came undone all the TIME and it drove me insane. And they are my favorite color– gray.
2. The race and chase of Christmas is over, the tree is down, the decorations packed away, and we are settling into a new year with an old routine. For this, I am SO thankful.
3. My list of books to read this year! I have never really set a goal like this for myself, so I am excited to (hopefully) attain it! And of course, I will be sharing these books with you as I go!
4. Hubs and I are leaving for our first vacation ALONE since our honeymoon in about a week! Riviera Maya, here we come! It will be hard to leave the kids for 5 days, but they are in good hands, and we know that it is crucial that we get away just the two of us. We have been planning this since last March/April, and I can’t BELIEVE it is just around the corner!
5. Chevron. Always. Love. Chevron. And my hubs bought me a gorgeous new dress for Christmas that feeds my obsession.
I could probably add Chevron to every post for this year!
What are YOU loving right now?
Hello DECEMBER–my favorite month of the entire year! Besides celebrating the birth of Jesus–we also will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary (and 11 years together total) on the 15th. How is it possible that we have been married 5 years already? We have a dinner date planned that night–and a 5 day vacation to MEXICO coming in January!
SO–let’s go to it– the 5 Thing’s I’m Loving Right NOW!
1. Peppermint Mocha ANYTHING– creamers, from Starbucks, even McDonald’s has a Peppermint Mocha– it is my FAVORITE holiday indulgence.
2. This t-shirt from the Gap. I bought a white one in the store about 8 months ago–and I hadn’t been able to find this style again! UNTIL Black Friday! I scored the neon pink and the navy each for $10. They look great with jeans, black skinnys, and my scarves. Definitely a go-to item!
3. Blog friends that are becoming real-life friends. My friend Tricia recently moved to Chicago and we are getting together for lunch next week! She is such a sweet person, and I can’t wait to hang out!
4. Pictures from my sister’s wedding! We finally got the disc and I just ordered a few of my favorites the other day!
(If you look closely, you can see Eric’s brother and sister-in-law peeking through the window!)
Such a fun day, despite the rain showers that came later! I can’t wait to get started on my own little album of my favorites!
5. The summer after we bought our home, we did a LOT of renovations, and before Brayden was born, Brandon started redoing all of the trim and the doors. And then, that was it. He got about half done before other things took priority and it has remained unfinished. BUT over Thanksgiving, he had some friends come and help– and they got a LOT done. Kid’s rooms finished, kitchen ready for new flooring, new dishwasher installed (thanks to my brother in law), new doors and door trim in our bedroom, and FINALLY closet doors in the front porch. Not totally done but they made SO much headway and I am SO so glad. Next on the list? New kitchen flooring, fixing the drywall on the wall, and I have to decide if I want that wall to have an accent color…. maybe I will let you all vote!
What are YOU loving right now? Link up below!
Hello November! Your arrival means only about 60ish days until Christmas-YIKES! Better get a head start on my holiday shopping! Here’s what I am loving right NOW!
1. My new camera. I bit the bullet and ordered a new camera– a Canon 5D Mark ii. It’s amazing and I have been BUSY using it! My photography business really took off last month, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. I am still getting used to it and learning everything it does– but the difference has been incredible. Here is one of my favorites from a recent shoot:
You can see more on my website– click here.
2. Thanks to our new family photos, I ALREADY have my Christmas cards ordered! WOO!
3. Since I have been pretty busy this month with outdoor photo sessions, I decided it was time to put my indoor session equipment up and get it figured out. My friend Laura and I ordered some new vinyl backdrops from a Very Jane deal awhile back, so I put one up.
Now, obviously this needs some work. I ordered 2 other backdrops, one that looks like whitewashed wood floor that can be used as a floor OR background, and another brownish/white one. I need some white trim to put against the bottom so the vinyl doesn’t roll, and Brayden’s train set needs a new home. BUT–it’s a start. I have my umbrella lights, too– so I am hoping that I can get this to be just what I have envisioned!
4. My husband. He was a good sport about family pictures, he has come home early on the evenings I had shoots planned, cleaned out my pantry (umm because there was a mouse in there, but still– he cleaned it) and he’s just been a LOT of help lately. K is JUST ABOUT to cut molars so she has been more on the crabby side lately, which means by the time he gets home, I am about at my wits end. I just appreciate him. 
5. Texting with friends. I text my sister, Jacqui, Laura, Tricia, Maegan, Aimee, and a few others on a consistent basis– it helps break up my day, gives me a good laugh most of the time, and is just FUN to have friends seemingly close by.
Welcome to my monthly link up for 5 Things I am Loving Right Now!
September might be my most favorite month- getting cooler weather, hoodies, jeans, fires outside, harvest, apple cider- bring it on! BUT here are the 5 things I am loving now…
It’s that time again- time for 5 Things I’m Loving Right NOW!
1. The Olympics! I absolutely LOVE the Olympics, and if I had to choose between summer and winter, I would choose summer every time. I love the swimming, diving, volleyball (sand and gym), and gymnastics. I am absolutely HOOKED. Who are you rooting for?
Image Found Here
2. Fall fashion. I am itching to wear comfy sweaters, skinny jeans, and scarves. Due to the clothing challenge, I won’t be buying anything NEW, but I AM making a list of what I absolutely need when it’s over. First on my list? Jeans. Here is some inspiration from Pinterest.
Source: nypost.com via Julie on Pinterest
Source: polyvore.com via Julie on Pinterest
3. Awesome nail polish. It’s no secret that I am a nail biter (I know, I know) BUT I am getting inspired by awesome nail colors and I am trying to kick that nasty habit. Here are a few I LOVE.
Source: google.com via Dana on Pinterest
Source: bing.com via Simha on Pinterest
4. Prepping for my sister’s wedding! My little sis is tying the knot in ONE MONTH! My dress came in yesterday, and I need to get it altered. Kenley needs tights, my boys will BOTH be in tuxes- I can’t wait! And my friend Bridget is photographing, so double bonus there. It is definitely coming up FAST.
5. Leftover birthday cupcakes. They seriously need to go to other good homes, because they are SO good. I have been limiting myself to one (ok, maybe 2) a day… I DO have a dress to fit into!
What are YOU loving right NOW? Link up- I look forward to reading!
It’s that time again- time for the 5 Things I am Loving Right NOW link up! Here is what I am currently loving…
1. Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Truffle.
I have always turned to gray eye colors and gray eyeliner, but decided to try some browns this summer after my step mother-in-law suggested it. (She’s a consultant for Mary Kay!) I LOVED it. It made the hazel in my eyes really pop, and it was just a really nice chance. Definitely sticking to the golds/browns for awhile!
2. Margaritas.
There is nothing more summery to me than a nice, cold margarita! YUM.
3. High/Low Maxi Dress.
My sister’s friend Courtney just opened a new boutique in town, and I bought this dress there to wear for brunch after my sister’s Bachelorette party which was this past weekend. It is SO comfortable. And? I finally own a maxi dress that isn’t too long on me. SCORE.
4. SheReadsTruth. This is a new community that holds us accountable for getting in our time with the Bible. For more information on how it started, click here. There is a LOT of awesome information on their site- how to get started, how to participate- much more than I could type and explain here. But trust me, check into it. I started last Monday (a little behind) with their new series, Surrendered Life.
5. Birthday Party Planning. Can you believe Brayden is going to be 3 this month? AHHH! Crazy how time flies. We are doing a tractor themed birthday party per Brayden’s request, and I am having fun brainstorming party ideas. My friend Heather made the party invitations (which I will be sharing later) and it’s coming together nicely!
Hi! I'm Julie- wife and stay at home mom living in the Midwest. Born and raised in Nebraska, now living in Central Illinois-- married to a farmer, and daughter of an ag pilot. My loves besides my husband and kids include iced coffee, Dr. Pepper, my Canon 5D Mark II, and of course, my unhealthy obsession for scarves and handbags. Most of the time, you can catch me with my coffee in one hand and my iPhone in the other while I am keeping up with my rambunctious toddlers. 
