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9.18.2016

number 4

we live in a rainbow of chaos - paul cezanne


 ..everyone is excited- even Jolie:)
we still cannot believe it!!  is this real life?!
..more details to come..

photography by b faith photography
fringe booties c/o famous footwear

twins' rompers c/o dames + fellow
moccs c/o hello moccs

9.16.2016

five on friday

one. PA>>TX
I just cannot express what an amazing weekend its going to be!!  my darling friend and biggest fan, Misty is HERE!  in TEXAS! Misty and I became friends over the internet about 4 years ago.  our friendship went from email to texting to FaceTime.. gifts at christmas and birthday.. snail mail with simple words of encouragement from one fellow mama to the next.  through births and miscarriage and joys and sorrows.. I swear this girl has been through everything with me and we have never even met before.  until now!  she's here and we have a FULL weekend ahead! 
two. only child 
last spring when we enrolled the big girls into preschool, I actually put down a deposit and enrolled Baker into the one year old class at this same preschool.  at the time she was like 4 months old, but I just wanted to have a spot just in case I thought maybe I was ready for her to go.  when it all came down to it, we opted to pull her out for a couple reasons.. I'm not working much at all these days and the cost of three kids in private preschool for two days/week is almost crazy.  AND, Baker never gets one on one time.  and this was the perfect opportunity! ya'll, we have been having THE BEST time with this girl!!  I am so glad we waited, regardless of the cost, we will never get this special time back with this sweet girl!  when she's two years old we will probably get her enrolled, but for now she is just going to hang out with mama and dad on those days her sisters are away.
this week she was the sweetest gal pal while I ran my errands..
we stopped for breakfast while getting my oil changed
 did a little window shopping and had fun playing in the mirror while trying on clothes
 teaching her dressing room selfies
it was just the best day.  she was such a dream!
three. special delivery
when your bestie and neighbor delivers dinner to your door.  the best pizza joint opened about two miles from the house and on Tuesday night when Britt was eating there with her family I convinced her to bring me some pizza- and she didn't even think twice about it.
four. salted caramel mocha
OMGGGG I've been waiting patiently for an entire year for these to return.  when the PSL made it's appearance I knew that my favorite of all time would be following.  I love pumpkin spice, but not yet.  now, the salted caramel mocha I can drink every day of the year.  I kinda do- international delight makes a salted caramel mocha creamer that fills my void through the lonely months of the year that Starbucks doesn't have my favorite.. but THIS. loving it!
note: decaf.  because it was after 3pm and I'm old.
five. ben + lauren
anyone else see this?!  I didn't.. until my husband tagged me in a picture on instagram.. a picture posted by one of those random bachelor fan pages.  what he's doing falling down the rabbit hole with those pages, but I am SO EXCITED about this!  my DVR was getting lonely after all the summer shows ended.  I always LOVE my birthday week because thats when the fall line up premiers and I usually spend my birthday eve watching Grey's and the rest of TGIT. Looks like I'll be busy again on Tuesday nights:)

9.15.2016

fall mini style

this are my favorite kind of posts.  scouring the internet for fashion forward pieces for my little people.  having girls to dress in clothing that I can only wish came in MY size is JUST amazing.  not to leave out you boy mamas, but ya'll.  the florals and texture and layers upon layers of trendy fall style for littles is over the top!  PLUS, lots of these styles are on sale (40% off at old navy!) and using code FALL4IT at gap will get you 40% off!  AND, you can earn gapcash with your purchases.

first up- the boho preppy style of layering in these two outfit options.  I see these outfits as something more special than preschool or a playdate this fall- how about some inspiration for your fall family photos?  in our fall pictures from last year we were MAD for PLAID and this year I'm super excited for what we have planned, but the layered look always makes any outfit look more dressed up.  this new plaid henley top from the pendleton collection at gap is just perfection!  you could mix and match this top + the tassle shawl sweater with the grey denim instead of the flare jeans, but I really LOVE flare jeans on my little ladies.  let me just say, lilly pulitzer cardigan is a monstrous splurge for toddler clothing, but I sized up so the girls can wear them through two seasons instead of one.  I did that last year with a handful of vests and cardigans and they still fit comfortably this season again.  the oversized look is "in" anyway.
shop these preppy fall layered looks

so many fun things go along with this time of year and these outfits would be perfect for the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and of course church on sunday. how amazing are those mustard colored skinny corduroy pants?!  all three of my girls may have these cords and all three of them might be in the same amazing mustard color. hashtag: matchingforlife OR, even more so, matching IS life?  probably. 
the mix and match of pattern and texture between the floral blouse and the lace cardigan, as well as the knit weave of the cowl neck sweater and the corduroy pants is something that I love to do when I dress myself, so of course I carry that over to their wardrobe as best I can.
because sometimes they just want to wear their sweatpants and my little pony tee shirts and I don't fight it. (well, I don't fit it that hard.)

shop these mix + match looks
two words. moto leggings.  I was searching for a pair of moto pants for myself and fell upon a toddler version and about fell out of my chair! h+m is doing it right, ya'll!  and they are cheap (for what they are).  I love the edgy style mixed with the romantic look of the layered sweater or the boho style of the sleeveless sweater tunic. again, something I really focus on for my own style- so it is SO fun to find things in little girl styles, too! 
the real question is.. how long are you going to make me wait, Texas?!  I guess we'll just fake it till we make it until then:)
shop these edgy looks

9.14.2016

We Eat | crock pot beer chili

there is nothing more that I love about fall than warm soup on a cool evening.  well, this weekend we had a taste of cool weather (82 degrees!!!) and I was excited to whip out my favorite recipe for beer chili, dump it all in the crock pot after getting home from church and lounge the afternoon away while watching Sunday's football lineup.
best part is that this recipe is HA-UGE and we had dinner for Monday night, too:)  

I'm a big fan of chicken sausage, and if you happen to go back through my recipes you'll see that its basically the only kind of sausage I'll buy.  my local specialty grocery store (market street) makes their sausage in house and it is YUMMY.  I made a stop through their after church (because the weather made me do it) and they had this chipotle chicken sausage- yes!  its like they knew I was coming!!  I bought six links because I was being overzealous and prefer this to ground beef..so.. this chili ended up quite meaty!
all the veggies!  smelled like a great big bowl of fresh pico de gallo. again- being overzealous with the garlic.  I freaking love garlic.  so I always add much more than a recipe calls for, even if it does suck to mince garlic. nothing more tedious that mincing garlic, but its worth it.  
so worth it..
da beer.  
I used a pale ale called revolver which is made by the same company that makes blood and honey (which is my faaaav right now).  just before I added the beer I stirred in the seasonings and veggies- which included a dry packet of spicy ranch dressing.  I didn't have onion powder, as called for in the original recipe, but I had that hanging out on my shelf.. so I figured it might only make it better?
it did.
top it with lots of cheese, sour cream, and more peppers!
crock pot beer chili 
adapted from home made interest
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 lbs ground sausage (remove from casing)
I used chipotle chicken sausage
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
you can use more or less, but we looooove garlic!
1 white onion, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika powder
1 packet spicy ranch dressing
like the hidden valley brand
12 oz pale ale beer
2 (15oz) cans of diced tomatoes
2 (15oz) cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish with Cheddar cheese, sour cream & green onions
--
brown the beef and sausage over medium heat in a large pot. drain.
add olive oil, onions, garlic, bell peppers, jalapeño, poblano pepper to your crock pot stirring to combine.  add drained meat, pale ale, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, ranch packet, and paprika to the pot and cover.  set to LOW for 4 hours or HI for 2 hours.  
top with cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions!

we loved this with broccoli cornbread- I've been making it for years from my mother in law's recipe and I did a quick search on pinterest and found the exact ingredients HERE!  its so delicious, my friends:)
happy crock potting!!! 

9.12.2016

baker bree | 14 months

Baker Bree! 
you are 14 months!! 
while I thought FOR SURE those two incisor teeth on either side of your top front teeth would definitely make their appearance, we are still with only 4 teeth to count.  you can see them just under the gums but they have yet to break the surface.  no surprise there, as you are following your sisters in that department of development.  some days are better than others, but when you are practically shoving your hand in your mouth or rubbing your gums with your tongue I know its time for some kind of relief. 

we got our first {and second and third} real taste for ear infections (number one two and three) this month.  at your 12 month well check you had a pretty bad ear infection which never really went away with antibiotics.. and then it went to both ears and after a round of shots to hopefully kick the infection we are still with fluid in our ears.  I feel like tubes are in our future..
..I'll take the teeth any day.

ANY day.

miss Baker, you are the life of our party
..always in on the joke, and never to be left out of anything fun.
you still would spend 100% of your day outside if I let you and hide and seek or chase around the island in the kitchen is most definitely your favorite game.

Baker is the one that finds everything fun and worth a cackling (and contagious) laugh.
..and I cannot get enough of that laugh.  It.is.THE.best.  girl has this fake chuckle she gives off, more of a snort, really, when she does something she thinks is funny and expects you to find funny, too. 

destructor is the name of Baker's baby game.
..banging, slamming, and dumping anything in her path.
the messier the better.
..the first thing she does in the morning is bee line straight for the lego bins and then onto the play kitchen to destroy.  

this baby loves jewelry.
..especially her beads.  
her BB taught her everything she knows and I basically die from laughter when she comes strolling in, adorned in 154 necklaces which she placed each one on by herself.
Baker has developed a keen ability to do a little jig. 
..her side stomp and hip swivel to the beat of the "wheels on the bus" is nearly identical to that of Parker's moves at this age.
nearly.

is a total girly girl and loves to help choose a hair bow and put on her shoes.
..and it is a fight to the death through every second of getting dressed or changing her diaper.
it completely, 100% DRIVES ME NUTS. 

loves her pacifier- I'm convinced she loves it more than Parker ever did. 
..at any given time she's carrying around about 4 or 5 in her tiny baby hands.
other favorite things: leapfrog fridge phonics, bristle blocks, music, dancing, climbing, stacking toys, removing and replacing lids on everything- especially her empty sippy cups.

y'all, if she can swing her leg around it, you better believe she's getting on top of 'it'.
..the couch, toys, chairs and in and out and on top of the baby doll bunk beds.
she also loves to steal her big sister's tricycles and push herself around the patio.

she isn't so much of a thinker, but she's definitely a doer.
..always always ALWAYS on the go and literally does not stop until she crashes into her bed for nap or at bedtime.
she sleeps really well at night.
..bedtime is at 7pm and she is out until 7-8am in the morning.
I am still forcing her to take two naps/day, but I think she's dropping that afternoon nap on her own.
..she sleeps about 2-3 hours in the morning and fights in screaming fits for the afternoon nap which usually only lasts for an hour, anyway.
owell.  

my girl loves to eat, most of the time.  
..she prefers to graze like a bird, but is getting better about eating more than 4 or 5 bites at meal times. 
breakfast is her favorite and largest meal of the day.
..and when breakfast involves oatmeal or toasted english muffin with butter, she becomes a never-ending pit.
digging a few new foods: grapes, dried raspberries, dry cereal, granola bars, and chicken sausage.

her sass meter is off the charts.
..I'm semi-fearful of what the 'terrible two's' or even another baby will bring. 
her sisters rarely put up a fight because if Baker isn't getting her way it is accompanied by the loudest and most obnoxious shrill that makes you want to climb the wall.  
..we have to figure how to nip that in the bud soon or she'll be running our show for the rest of her life.

Baker!

on the opposite end of sassy Baker is the sweet and confident and incredibly thoughtful Baker.
..she is so concerned with those around her that she loves and freely shares toys and food and space about 85% of the time.
when Jolie was crying one day this month, Baker disappeared and reappeared with Puppy in her arms in hopes to help cheer her big sister up.
..man she loves her big sisters something fierce!  

 always knows exactly what she wants and when she wants it.
..and if anyone has something different to say about it she totally lets you know it. 

her (fake) laugh, smile, and the never-ending joy in her eyes are somethings that cannot be captured well enough into words.  
..we all love you so very much.













9.09.2016

five on friday // a small shop edition

one. a side of sparkle
can we all agree that every shade of rose gold is an absolute MUST?  shelby chic has been a hair bow favorite since the twins were tiny- even wearing her original flower bows for the twins' first Thanksgiving.  when she created the original sparkle bow and pool side versions of her most popular accessories her business exploded and she has been nothing short of a rockstar when it comes to being successful. 
 FALL is in the air and Veronica, the heart and soul behind shelby chic, is all over it!  I am loving this frappuccino inspired sparkle, too!
use code PBandJ for 25% off!
that code never expires:)
I've been working and following with Chanel for years and to watch her business grow and change over time has been so incredible.  she and I have some really fun things to share over the next few months and I just cant wait to get my hands on her amazing fall line of kimonos for both me and my girls! 
I am so excited for my friend, Sarah!  she has started a new endeavor (and holy cow I have no idea how she does it all) and opened up her new etsy shop filled with darling handmade, handprinted wooden signs!  I've already put in my long list of requests in for her handy work- I am just so impressed and so eager to get her work in my house. 
hello fall!
now, if it would only stop being 90 degrees outside.  
four. boo!
hooray everyday does it again, you guys!!
she released her fall inspired banners + woolie ball necklaces and I am SO in love with them ALL! I got this BOO banner and have this Give Thanks banner on the way for our Thanksgiving feast!
also..is it too early for pumpkins?  hobby lobby has all their fall stuff on sale for 50% and I just cant handle the classic style of the white pumpkins.  I just love this time of year.   
five. purllamb baby goods
in case you missed it earlier this week, the amazing peeps over at purllamb are handing out a $50 shop credit to one lucky winner!  there is still time to enter- head on over HERE to enter and don't forget to browse her sweet little shop and by the way.. every little baby girl bums needs to be in these cheetah sweats and they at $15!

9.08.2016

summer wrap up

I've been without a phone for about 24 hours.. it turned into a brick yesterday morning and without my iPhone I was forced into pulling out my big camera (I have a Canon Rebel SL1) to snap a couple pictures of my girls eating popsicles on the patio.  in those sticky moments, I realized that summer is all but over.. here we are back in the swing of life and routine.. and having an actual bedtime for the big girls.  we got awfully relaxed on their schedule this summer and they frequently stayed up past 9pm on non-weekend nights making their new 7:30pm bedtime a rude awakening.  I started thinking over these last couple months and I cant believe how much has happened.
time is fleeting! 
I mean, look at this big girl's sweet face!  she's changed so much!  
how can she already be a whole year old?! 
we kicked off the summer early before the weather was scorching with a trip to the zoo!  
the big girls LOVED it and Baker was just along for the ride.


 we made a stop at the summer art festival in southlake- I sort of love my kids with paint on their face.
 viva la Mexico, ya'll.  we took our first trip solo since the twins were about 8 months old! it was THE best time with my man.
while auntie and uncle J got a taste for life with four kids.
we had our first sno cone.. Baker loved it.
 made a trip to the ballpark with our favorite people

 and Baker took her first boat ride
 ..and celebrated the 4th for an entire weekend with family + our closest friends, swimming, big fireworks and one million glow sticks.


 speaking of celebrations.. Big G turned ONE!! 

Baker found herself a drink at Starbucks..
(blended whole milk!)
 ..and Oscar found himself a home- he was the perfect addition to our family! 
 we ended the summer with a bang.. a baby.  BOY! for Andrea + Sonny
..and a night out with the big girls! GAH I cannot get over the cuteness of this picture.
 ..and it wouldn't be a recap without the million and one pictures of my kids in their bathing suits.
while fall is definitely my most favorite time of year, the fun we have had the last couple years puts summer at the top of my list for greatest memories had, ever.  
summer 2016 was so good!

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