Weekender

This weekend we did some grilling (as usual) on Friday, and then we road tripped to Nashville for a birthday party on Saturday. We had planned to go to the Nashville Flea Market (it is amazing!) but it was pouring rain when we got up there, so we didn't get to. SAD. But we had so much fun visiting with old friends. Remember this post? This is the same friend who hosted the 1st birthday party for her own little girl this weekend. Of course the party was precious. So that's that.

Grilled chicken with panzanella  (I will share recipe soon b/c it was delish)

Bea's lovely garden party 

Sweet kid's table

Baby Bea eating her cake

Rowe and me

And a little Sunday afternoon yard work to top it off

Baby to Big Boy

This week Rowe moved out of his crib and into his "big boy bed." This is something we had been working on doing for a while, but Rowe always slept so good in his crib, so I just kept putting it off. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Am I right?

But I kept feeling like it was time. So the other night, we did it. We broke down his sweet little Jenny Lind crib, and put in its place an actual twin-size bed. He was beyond excited about this, which was cute. I had no idea how this little milestone would elicit such emotion from me. I was not prepared. But it did. I shed a few tears for that crib, and for the chapter of my life that went out the door with it. Putting Rowe in his big bed was much more significant than just a new place to sleep and an updated room. It signified the passage from baby to big boy, and it now seems so official.

There are so many milestones that we anticipate as parents: first smile, first steps, one year, and so on. Moving to a big boy bed was not on my list of highly anticipated events. But it prompted me to reflect on how quickly the time passes, and on how rewarding and, at the same time, difficult it is to watch your children grow up before your eyes. I've been warned over and over about this: "They grow up so fast; enjoy it!" I'm trying to. I really am.

Rowe's nursery in our first house (2011).

Last photo of Rowe's room (in current house) before we said bye to the crib (excuse the mess). 

Taking it down. 

The new bed (room still in progress)

We still have a long way to go before it's finished, but alas, the big boy era has begun. 

Weekender

This weekend consisted of food, food and more food. We had a delayed Father's Day celebration with my dad and sisters, and it was downright delicious. That's pretty much the highlight. Otherwise, I barely changed out of a t-shirt and bathing suit, except to go to church.

The elements of shrimp boil goodness

First timers

So. Good. 

Dad!

Fruit cookie cake dessert (funny how fruit on top of a cookie makes you feel better about eating said cookie).

Shirt: Target (old); Skirt: Jcrew; Necklace: Chloe + Isabel

Oh I did do one majorly exciting thing: I became a Merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel, which means I got a very fun delivery filled with jewelry.

Hope your weekend was wonderful! 

Before & After

My goodness, what did I do with all my extra time before blogs existed? I mean really. I spend a ridiculous amount of time reading blogs at night after Rowe goes to bed. But I love them. And here's why. 

See this eye sore? This was in our foyer when we bought this house two years ago. I've looked high and low for a light to replace this for well over a year. I just won't settle for something that I don't love. I mean it is the very first thing you see when you walk in my house. 

So the other day I was doing my usual daily blog reading, and I ran across this post. OMG! The light looked eerily familiar, and her solution was ridiculously simple. But alas, this exact concept just did not work out. But it did give me the confidence boost I needed to tackle that light once and for all. It can at least look good while I'm searching for perfection! So I spray painted that bad boy right in place (minus the glass part, which I took apart and painted outside).

It just doesn't get simpler than that. Oh, and see that black spot on the ceiling? I'm not the most experienced spray painter. You live and learn. What blogs have inspired projects in your home?

L

Weekender

This weekend was supposed to be filled to the rim, between a blogging conference in Birmingham on Friday, a wedding in Kentucky on Saturday, and wanting to spend some family time together for Father's Day on Sunday. At the last minute, I pretty much decided (with my husband's consent) that we had to say no to something. So we cancelled our plans to drive to Kentucky, and instead we enjoyed a family night out, shopping, swimming, and relaxing. I hated to miss the wedding, but sometimes I just reach my limit, you know?

Do you ever get overwhelmed with your own plans and agenda? It's a constant balancing game. I have finally learned that when my gut feeling is "this is too much," I listen to it. So far it has served me well. But it certainly took some trial and error before I learned it was ok to say no.

Obsessed with this concrete paver pattern.

Pop of red

We tried for a family photo, but Rowe is barely visible. It's hard. 

Stroll

Anthro = Happy

Lots of love in this pic.

And a big Happy Father's Day to this guy. I really am so thankful to have a hands-on husband who goes above and beyond with being a Dad. I am so grateful. 

Outfit details: Shirt: Belk; Pants: Jcrew; Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target; Bag: Fossil

Vacation Road

When we are at the beach I seldom take off my bathing suit and flip flops. But we did end up going out to dinner our last night in Fort Morgan. On our way we passed so many lovely little beach homes out in the middle of nowhere, and little tucked-away streets leading right to the water. I just love it down here!

I really like beach style...laid back and relaxed, with messy hair always acceptable. (My hair doesn't cooperate anywhere, much less at the beach. I don't even bother to to try, obvi!)

Shirt: Anthropologie

Jeans:   David Kahn 

Shoes: Michael Kors

Bag: Kazu K. Designs

Earrings: Kendra Scott

Ring: House of Harlow

Gulf Coast Getaway

No summer is complete in my book until we have made it down to the coast. Growing up, I spent a lot of time down here, and I have special place in my heart for the Gulf beaches. This past week we enjoyed an amazing trip to Fort Morgan, Alabama. We had such a great time filled with beautiful scenery, good food, friends, and lots of relaxing. 

We stayed in Fort Morgan, which is just outside of Gulf Shores. We love it here! We ate lots of good seafood, including a shrimp boil on the bay. We watched the sun go down over the water. What a view!

We stayed at The Beach Club. It has beautiful grounds, great pools, and lots of beach. It's one of our favorite places to stay. Clearly, our son Rowe was in heaven :) 

We were also lucky enough to have many of our closest friends staying down here at the same time. We all got together at The Gulf, which is a great spot to grab a bite in Orange Beach.  

Do you vacation down at the Gulf coast? Would love to know your favorites!

Short Story

Shorts are the best, and I live in them all summer. But as an adult now in my 30s (how did that happen?), it can be a little difficult to find them in appropriate lengths. There are some major cheek-revealing styles out there this summer (just google Coachella to see what I mean), and while those look great on some young ladies, I just cannot pull that look off. Here are a few of my favorite shorts and where to find them. PS: I sound like an old lady.

Tee: Old Navy, Shorts: Jcrew, Necklace: Anthropologie

Shirt: Gap (very old), Shorts: Target, Belt: Gap (very old)

Tee: Jcrew, Shorts: Loft

Just scored these at Target the other day too.

Moral of this story? Jcrew, Target and Loft are great options when looking for an extra inch of cuteness.