With glitter in her veins...

Ready…

Beth — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:19:42 +0000

Tie a knot

Beth — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:13:04 +0000

Source: etsy.com via Beth on Pinterest

It distracts from the now

Beth — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:12:57 +0000

Source: happyneverafters.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Amazing Pork Tenderloin {Recipe of the Week}

Beth — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:05:57 +0000

This week a friend on twitter shared a recipe for pork tenderloin made in the slow cooker. I am a huge fan of my slow cooker. HUGE. It makes our busy weeknights easier to manage. This recipe was just like the title suggests… AH-MAZING! Highly recommend. Lil’ A ate every bite and K gushed at how delish it was.

The pork was tender and full of flavor. Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies for a complete meal.

When inspiration strikes

Beth — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:01:56 +0000

It’s difficult to predict where inspiration will invade. And honestly, I’ve always believed it is less about the source and more about being receptive to the influence. This week I have found inspiration in two, rather traditional, places.

While browsing the new bookshelves at my neighborhood library, I picked up the book Young House Love by Sherry & John Petersik. Beautiful, full color photos with clear directions for turning your house into a home. The projects are often inexpensive and easy yet look finished and chic. Truth be told, this book looks like my DIY board on Pinterest but there is always something better about having a book to reference (that is probably just my inner librarian trying to break out of this new mold I have stuffed her in). There are several projects I am itching to try!

But first…

I need to get organized! Last year we donated an incredible amount of clothing, furniture, and other household miscellany. It was liberating and at the time it felt massive. Six months later it feels like more could be done. Scratch that… MORE CAN BE DONE! As I begin the second year of trying out this stay-at-home-mom thing, I feel crushed by my home and all the stuff in it. It is also time to take a look at what my future might be and let go of the things I think need to be kept for that uncertainty? eventuality?

While cruising Pinterest this morning I happened upon a blog with 31 days worth of posts to help get organized. It is probably the most practical organizing blog I have come across (and trust me I’ve read a bunch of ‘em). The suggestions are not only practical but cost efficient and look great, not cheap which is exactly the direction I am hoping to head. A few of the posts helped me to rethink my hoarding tendencies and what I’m teaching lil’ A about the accumulation of stuff.

With this guide I feel confident I can begin to make our home more of a useful, comfortable place and then feel ready to tackle to room by room decorating that I’ve been dreaming about.

How we are keeping warm this winter

Beth — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:30:01 +0000

Mother Nature has been a bit crazy this last year. The drastic weather changes go far beyond the old joke… “Welcome to Ohio! If you don’t like the weather wait 5 minutes.” Last week it snowed like crazy. This week it has been 60 degrees and rainy… in JANUARY!

After three days of Spring like weather, the temperature has dropped again and we need to bundle up. This winter my go to winter wear has been a knitted cowl made by my super crafty and stylish friend, Jac.

Not only is my cowl warm and cozy, it is very stylish and unique. Even Lil’ A has one!

She loves her pink and white cowl (I even have a matching one). For her, it is much easier than dealing with a scarf and keeps her toasty on the school bus.

Check out the Nora & Jac store for your own warm and wonderful cowl!

Let us read

Beth — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:33:53 +0000

Source: theworldinsmallhandfuls.com via Beth on Pinterest

2013 Dream Board

Beth — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:33:11 +0000

A few months ago, Nikki suggested I create a Dream Board to help get me back on track. At the time, I was feeling pretty blue and lacking motivation. This idea really appealed to me but I didn’t act on it. It was a difficult year and I just couldn’t see a way out of the sadness I was feeling. Early December I finally found my happy again. I felt hopeful and excited about a few new prospects. All of this has spilled over into this new year and I think this is the perfect time to create my Dream Board.

Here are a few goals for the up coming year:

Try a new recipe each week

Finish redecorating the guest room

Finish Project Basement and my studio space

Start an Etsy store

Walk jog run 500 miles

Participate in the Cap City Half Marathon

Plan and host a Lalaloopsy themed birthday party

Read 100 books

And the BIG one…

How I spent my birthday {Wordless Wednesday}

Beth — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:26:10 +0000

My best dressed list {Golden Globes 2013}

Beth — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:49:30 +0000

Oh how I love awards season. We all know I love awards season for one reason only… the fashion! I was unable to watch the Globes because K was playing Assassins Creed and it being his last night home for the week I didn’t have the heart to kick him off the tv. And since I can catch not only the list of winners but all the red carpet action online, it gave me time to finish a book that was overdue to the library.

Here are a few favorites:

Nichole Richie wearing by Naeem Khan

I just love this periwinkle color. It stands out against the red carpet without trying to compete for attention and suits Nicole’s skin tone. This gown is elegant yet sexy in spite of it’s full coverage.

Michelle Dockery wearing Alexandre Vauthier

Lady Mary looks positively regal! One of the few white gowns that didn’t scream wedding dress. The gold bodice looks very expensive which is a feat in my mind because I always find that gold cheapens the look of a gown (ie Serena Van der Woodsen’s wedding gown in the Gossip Girl finale). I just love how classic yet modern Michelle looks.

Jessica Alba wearing Oscar De La Renta

This dress fits Jessica like a dream. Every proportion is absolutely perfect. The color is stunning and really stands apart from the sea of reds and peaches and corals.

Jennifer Lawrence wearing Dior Couture

Oh how I love a red dress. And a belt. Jennifer looks every bit a modern Audrey Hepburn in this gown. This classic shape looks so fresh and young in this shade of red.

Isla Fisher wearing Reem Acra

Isla’s dress is the only all white dress that made my list. Her Reem Acra gown is flattering to her figure and just the right shade to compliment her skin tone, not wash her out.

Claire Danes wearing Atelier Versace

What a dynamic shade of red! Claire looks every bit the star. The v-neck and slit in the dress are just enough to be classy and not vulgar.

My favorite from this year’s Golden Globes red carpet:

Jennifer Garner wearing Vivianne Westwood

First off, I love Jennifer Garner. She is one of my absolute faves. And I am thrilled by this Vivianne Westwood dress. It’s is interesting without being too showy. It is sweet yet sexy. It is eye-catching in it’s bold use of red. Jennifer and Ben Affleck were picture perfect together. Simply gorgeous.

Curious what my worst dressed list would look like? This slide show pretty much sums it up (curious how two of the chicks from E!’s Fashion Police are on that list… hmmmm).

I can’t wait to see what fashion gems are in store for us come Oscar time!