Gratitude

Gratitude. Something I have thought about alot lately. I am not going to lie these first two weeks with two kids has been hard.  Harder than I ever thought it would be. It is hard as crap juggling two kids who need you around the clock.  There is zero time for mom these days and I relish some "me' time.  I am beyond exhausted and an emotional mess.  I called my mom the other day to vent and tell her everything I was worrying about, because isn't that what we do as Mothers, worry?  

As soon as we give birth we start to worry about anything and everything.  I worry that Sterling is not getting enough attention, I worry because Frances failed her hearing test in the hospital, I worry that she is not eating enough, I worry that I am not being a good enough mother and wife,  etc it never ends.  After our conversation my mom reminded to use my Gratitude beads.  She brought me these before I had Frances and honestly I had forgotten about them with all the hustle and bustle of this time of year and then having a baby on top of that.  The beads sat unused beside my bed.  I decided mom was right, it was time to change my outlook and put those beads to use.

I love the idea of the gratitude beads and since talking with my mom I have been using them everyday.  I always let Sterling help me,  each day we make a point to sit and say what we are thankful for and pull a bead (or several) aside.  It is a nice reminder especially during this time of the year to be thankful.  As overwhelmed as I feel, I am so lucky, I really do have such a blessed life.  There are so many people fighting way bigger battles out there.  I can't help that I am a worrier by nature (although my dad claims I can change this) but I can change my outlook on things and choose to look at the positive side and be grateful.  I read a great verse in my Jesus Calling the other day about starting your day thanking God, such a good reminder.  Often we pray for help and things we want but sometimes it nice to just stop and Thank God for what we have.

A few things I am grateful these days.

These two kids bring me more joy than I ever thought possible.  Grateful.

Even though these last two weeks Matt and I have been at each others throats (I blame the lack of sleep) I am grateful for him.  We have been together for 12 years and he is my best friend.  We had our first night out this weekend post baby and it was lovely. Grateful.

I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends in my life here in Charleston. Can you believe when I moved here I knew one person?  Thankful for one of my best friends,  Caycee- we celebrated her birthday Friday night.  She is the kind of friend you want in your life trust me.  Grateful.

My sweet baby has started smiling and it is the best thing ever.  Grateful.

 Friends and Family that have brought us meals.  Such a nice treat post baby.  This weekend my sister in law brought us food from Mex One, along with a huge bag of diapers.  Grateful.

In case you are curious what Sterling is grateful for his list is:  Santa, Mermaids, Princesses, and toys. Go figure.

One of my mom's dear friends makes and sells these prayer/gratitude beads.  They are such a wonderful gift for someone.  A new mom, a teacher, someone going thru a rough time, a fab stocking stuffer.   Anyone can benefit from these gratitude beads.   She will hand make them in any color you want.  They came in a cute bag with a card describing the beads and how they work.  I love the idea of gifting these to friends and family.  I am thinking of doing these as end of the year gifts for Sterling's teachers.  I love the idea too of bringing these to new moms post baby.   Such a wonderful idea for anyone to be thankful.

I have the copper beads and adore them.

 

You can email Kathy below to see her catalog of beads and place an order.  She really is so talented the beads are gorgeous.  Prices range from $18.50- $125 depending on the materials used.  The copper beads like I have are $18.50.  There are so many different possibilities.  I plan to stock up and have a few on hand for Birthdays and gifts.

Happy Monday!  Lets all have a little gratitude today.

The Joys of Creating a Christmas Card + $150 Gift Card to Minted

This year I am scrambling to get a Christmas card put together and out.  I thought about just bagging it in light of the just having a baby thing and all, but I love getting and sending Christmas Cards. They are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I love seeing people's families and their kids thru the years.  Nothing better than opening a mail box filled with Christmas Cards.

 I wanted to wait til after Frances was born to try and get a picture with her and Sterling together.  So after we put our tree up last weekend,  I put them in some Christmas clothes and busted out my iphone to try and snap a few pictures.  I had no idea how difficult it would be to get a good picture of the two of them.  The outtakes however were hilarious.

Sterling bless his heart tried so hard but he just has a hard time smiling naturally for the camera.  His forced smiles made me laugh.  I love the stank eye Frances is giving him in the last picture.  I did manage to get a pretty solo picture of Frances sleeping after all the comotion.

In the past years I have bought the old school kind of Christmas cards where you attach the picture yourself and hand sign them.  I don't have time for that mess this year.  I decided to use Minted instead.  I had been so impressed with several Minted invitations and cards I received.  They use thicker card stock paper which I really like and I loved their new gold foil designs for this Christmas!  Their quality is really amazing and all the work is done for you!

Minted has a fabulous selection this Holiday season, a few of my favorites:

and in case you are curious this is the card we went with this year.  Some of you should be getting it in the mail soon!  Best picture we could get but they are both looking up with eyes open so I will take it!

Luckily for any of you last minute Christmas Card people like me, Minted is offering one of my readers a $150 giftcard.   You can use this for anything it doesn't have to be Christmas Cards.  $150 will go a long way towards any of Minted's fabulous designs!

All you have to do to enter is visit Minted.com and leave a comment telling  me what you would use the $150 towards.  Giveaway is open til Sunday at noon and I will contact the winner Monday!
xoxo

Piperlime 50% off Dresses + More Sale

If you didn't get enough shopping done during black Friday there is a pretty awesome sale at Piperlime right now.   I actually didn't buy anything during Black Friday or cyber Monday- big pat on the back for me:)  I did however order this Clover Canyon Dress from Piperlime.  I have been wanting a Clover Canyon piece forever and could not beat it at 50% off!  Use code WINTER at checkout!

Piperlime is offering:

50% off dresses

40% tops

30% sweaters

30% outerwear

20% denim 

My top 16 picks from the sale: 

Waffles and Honey: Shop You Must Checkout!

I am so excited to introduce you to one of my new favorite online shops today, Waffles and Honey. Just in time for Christmas shopping! When Karina, the talented artist behind all this gorgeous jewelry contacted me, I was blown away by her work.  She hand makes all the jewelry in small batches in her shop in San Fransisco using all 14 and 24 karat gold and semi precious stones.  The quality is amazing, each piece is so unique and her prices are really affordable!  The pictures don't do the pieces justice they are even more stunning in person!

Karina was sweet enough to send me the geode necklace and stacking rings and I am officially obsessed with both.  I have been wearing them both non-stop since I got them and always get compliments whenever I am out!

The geode necklace goes with everything.  I find myself tossing it on daily to snazz up a boring tee shirt outfit and feel put together immediately.

::Amethyst Geode Necklace::

The rings can be worn alone or stacked and I like them both ways.  So many different color combinations too.  Ignore my decaying manicure no time for that with two kids now:)

::Triangle Ring Stacking Set::

The Waffles and Honey site is filled with so many other fabulous things.  A few of my favorites, I mean I actually want one of everything!

Stunning, hand made pieces, right?  Such a great gift for a mom, sister, friend or even better yourself.  Most pieces are under $100, such a steal for beautiful pieces of jewelry.
Karina has been nice enough to offer my readers a 15% off discount any purchase- just use code db&dd15 at checkout.
Take advantage of this deal while you can and do some Christmas shopping!  You can check out the entire site HERE and get to shopping!

xoxo

Kale + Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

So we ended up hosting Thanksgiving this year the day after I got home from the hospital. Crazy, right?  I was all good until about 9:00pm when I had a full on breakdown and started crying- these pregnancy hormones ain't no joke!  It is overwhelming being a new mom.  I was promptly sent to bed to rest.   Before my meltdown I managed to make my favorite salad for our dinner. Truth be told I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving food, so I always make this salad every year because I know I will love it- Matt he won't touch it but that just means more leftovers for me!  It is such a light and fresh salad and is even better the next day as it sits.  Toasting the almonds in oil really adds extra flavor and crunch to the salad and I always add extra cheese!  I use our mandolin slice the Brussels sprouts really thinly but you could totally use a knife if you don't have a mandolin!
Enjoy!

:: K A L E  +  B R U S S E L S   S P R O U T S   S A L A D ::

adapted from Bon Appetit

                                                            

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large bunches of Tuscan kale (about 1 1/2 lb. total), center stem discarded, leaves thinly sliced
• 12 ounces brussels sprouts, trimmed, finely grated or shredded with a knife
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/3 cup almonds with skins, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup finely grated Pecorino

Combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard, shallot, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper in a small bowl. Stir to blend; set aside to let flavors meld. Mix thinly sliced kale and shredded brussels sprouts in a large bowl.

Measure 1/2 cup oil into a cup. Spoon 1 Tbsp. oil from cup into a small skillet; heat oil over medium-high heat. Add almonds to skillet and stir frequently until golden brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer nuts to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle almonds lightly with salt.

Slowly whisk remaining olive oil in cup into lemon-juice mixture. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

DO AHEAD: Dressing, kale mixture, and toasted almonds can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover dressing and kale mixture separately and chill. Cover almonds and let stand at room temperature.

Add dressing and cheese to kale mixture; toss to coat. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Garnish with almonds.

Obsessions- My Christmas Wishlist

Each year we make a Christmas list for my parents. They like to know what we want so they can buy us something we will actually use and enjoy. Here is my actual list from this year. I never know what I will get off the list and that is part of the fun.  Anything else fab I should add to my wishlist?

:: BEAUTY AT HOME AERIN LAUDER::

I am huge lover of coffee table books and this is top on my list to add to my growing collection.

::RAG AND BONE HIGH RISE SKINNY JEANS::

I can not wait to fit back in regular clothes again.  High waisted jeans are essential post baby. I like to treat myself to one new pair a year and hoping I see these under the tree.  I swear by Rag and Bone jeans they are so flattering.

:: NEST BAMBOO CANDLE AND HAND SOAP::

This bamboo scent is pure heaven.  Best smelling hand soap and candle!

:: DVF SNAKE PRINT BLOUSE::

So I actually already know I am getting this blouse for Christmas.  Mom and I did some online shopping for Black Friday and I chose this- ladies it is still on sale, a great deal for DVF!

 :: GOLD DOT CHAMPAGNE GLASSES::

I only own 6 stemless champagne glasses and I really would like a few more for entertaining.  I adore these gold ones and they are not a bad price for the set of four.  This would make a great gift for any one who loves champagne and entertaining!

::CLAIRE VIVIER HAIRCALF CLUTCH::

I have wanted a Claire Vivier Clutch forever and this leopard one is my favorite!

::TIEKS FLATS::

I love my Tieks snakeskin flats so much I really want another pair.  They are the most comfortable flats ever.  I swear I like them better than my Tory Burch flats.  I want the camel color next it would go with everything!

 :: MICHEAL KORS SLIM DOUBLE WRAP WATCH::

Had to add this to my list after seeing it on my sister in laws list.  Love it, the perfect everyday watch!

::WEST ELM LAQUERED ICE BUCKET ::
I love the sleek and modern look of this ice bucket.  I don't own a great ice bucket, only a few small crystal ones so this one would definitely get put to good use!  Plus I just checked and it is 50% off!  Such a steal for a great little gift!  Pair this with a bottle of wine or champagne and you have a great hostess gift.